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Daughter of Prophecy #1
Unknown Magic
Discovering she is a Tuatha Dé Danann straight from Irish Mythology, turns Megan’s life upside down. As if that was not enough, an arrogant, drop-dead gorgeous man tells her she is his mate.
Seamus escaped his mysterious captors seventeen years earlier, taking a little girl with him and returning her to her home. Returning to the one location he considers his safe haven, he recognizes Megan as the young child he rescued. Only now, she is stunning enough to make him forget, almost, just how treacherous his life is.
Megan soon realizes fighting her attraction for Seamus is a losing battle. But when the people hunting Seamus track them down, Megan and Seamus are faced with a much more immediate and deadly threat—a struggle for the lives of all the Tuatha Dé Danann. Can they overcome their pursuers and win?
Seamus escaped his mysterious captors seventeen years earlier, taking a little girl with him and returning her to her home. Returning to the one location he considers his safe haven, he recognizes Megan as the young child he rescued. Only now, she is stunning enough to make him forget, almost, just how treacherous his life is.
Megan soon realizes fighting her attraction for Seamus is a losing battle. But when the people hunting Seamus track them down, Megan and Seamus are faced with a much more immediate and deadly threat—a struggle for the lives of all the Tuatha Dé Danann. Can they overcome their pursuers and win?
359 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 12, 2010
2 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn M. Byrne
16 books94 followers Born in Dublin, Ireland, I grew up in Chicago, Illinois. I currently reside in East Texas with my husband, Kevin and Old English Sheepdog, Bridie.
I started writing in 2005 while taking care of her elderly parents.
I loved reading paranormal romances and with my extensive travels back to Ireland, my writing instinctively gravitated toward Irish mythology.
Other writers portray the Tuatha Dé Danann as tricksters or deadly fae. I decided to bring them into the same light as some of my favorite authors did with vampires and weres.
"So now, we have vamps, weres, and fae all living in our neighborhoods and don’t even know it."
My first book, "The Magic from Within", won 1st place in the East Texas Writers Association Writing Contest in 2006 and 3rd place in 2007 with the East Texas Writers Guild. Since then it has undergone a few changes including its name to "Unknown Magic".
I started writing in 2005 while taking care of her elderly parents.
I loved reading paranormal romances and with my extensive travels back to Ireland, my writing instinctively gravitated toward Irish mythology.
Other writers portray the Tuatha Dé Danann as tricksters or deadly fae. I decided to bring them into the same light as some of my favorite authors did with vampires and weres.
"So now, we have vamps, weres, and fae all living in our neighborhoods and don’t even know it."
My first book, "The Magic from Within", won 1st place in the East Texas Writers Association Writing Contest in 2006 and 3rd place in 2007 with the East Texas Writers Guild. Since then it has undergone a few changes including its name to "Unknown Magic".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 5, 2011
This is kind of a 2.5 for me. I was drawn into this story from the first and thought I was really going to love it. Although the story itself is really good, there were a lot of things as it went on that really disappointed me. The premise that Megan is a Tuatha De Danann from Irish mythology and only finding out about it now when she is 24 was intriguing as was her meeting with Seamus, the neighbor across the lake from where she and her father are staying. Megan was kidnapped seventeen years earlier and was found unconscious, remaining in a coma for five years. Her mother's body was found some miles away, so it has been just her and her dad ever since. Megan is just finding out about herself and about Seamus, a powerful Tuatha and shape shifter, who was the one who rescued her when she was a child. The Tuatha with their magical powers are being threatened by an unknown group who have ways of combating their magic through technology and threaten their very existence. These people hand out some pretty serious torture and are ruthless. The storyline is definitely interesting. But there were too many things about the interaction of the characters that I found annoying.
For one thing the characters did not act and react in any predictable way. When there are people out there who can counter any magical powers you have and who want to not only kidnap you but torture you and experiment on you, would you decide you needed to go out for a walk in the woods? Would your beloved mate simply agree and go along to protect you even knowing that the enemy can and has gotten through all their wards and protections- and are in the area? Then since it is so nice out would you decide to go for a swim in the lake? NOT a good idea! Later in the book Megan has been unconscious for five days after an attack by this mysterious enemy. She has spent those five days mentally in the Otherworld where she discovered life shattering facts about herself and about a prophecy concerning her. She wakes up surrounded by friends and family and takes the time to have sex with Seamus - not once but twice - before bothering to tell the others what she has found out...Others whose very lives are in danger. Some of it just kind of started getting kind of cheesy with the sex thrown in when it wasn't really exactly realistic timing. (granted there are no rules for realistic timing of such things but...). By the end I kind of enjoyed the story but doubt I will read the next book.
For one thing the characters did not act and react in any predictable way. When there are people out there who can counter any magical powers you have and who want to not only kidnap you but torture you and experiment on you, would you decide you needed to go out for a walk in the woods? Would your beloved mate simply agree and go along to protect you even knowing that the enemy can and has gotten through all their wards and protections- and are in the area? Then since it is so nice out would you decide to go for a swim in the lake? NOT a good idea! Later in the book Megan has been unconscious for five days after an attack by this mysterious enemy. She has spent those five days mentally in the Otherworld where she discovered life shattering facts about herself and about a prophecy concerning her. She wakes up surrounded by friends and family and takes the time to have sex with Seamus - not once but twice - before bothering to tell the others what she has found out...Others whose very lives are in danger. Some of it just kind of started getting kind of cheesy with the sex thrown in when it wasn't really exactly realistic timing. (granted there are no rules for realistic timing of such things but...). By the end I kind of enjoyed the story but doubt I will read the next book.
December 12, 2010
I LOVED this book! It grabs you in from the very beginning and doesn't let you go. This compelling story is loaded with love, magic and suspense...Does it get any better? The plot is different from any other fantasy novel I've read so far, it offers a whole new twist to the genre and it will have you hooked. Unknown Magic has a large character cast but it's not overwhelming. I immediately fell in love with Megan, and her uncles. They had such a hilarious sense of humour that kept me laughing throughout the book. This book will take you on a wild ride right after you read the first sentence and doesn't end until you read the last. The suspense is great, not only with the action but with the love story between Megan and Seamus. This is one of those books that leave you begging for so much more, I am thrilled that Book 2 of the series 'Stolen Magic' comes out December 14!! I would strongly recommend this book for people to read even if your not a huge fan of the fantasy genre, this book may surprise you
November 17, 2010
Megan is a 24-year-old woman who has lost all memories of her youth, including the death of her mother. Nightmarish dreams and a mysterious man bring them slowly back, bringing along a world she never imagined. Megan must learn to trust her heart and heal her mind to help save this new world and the people closest to her.
Unknown Magic was an interesting story; I liked a lot of the secondary characters and the background culture of the how the magical characters (tuatha) came to be. The main character Megan bothered me a bit, she was pretty annoying at the beginning and middle, and then all of a sudden became a leader type character. I felt the story was an interesting plot but there was too much crammed into it, making the whole thing rushed. I got a bit lost in the conversations, almost feeling like run-on sentences. I loved the language and abilities each character had, it really created a new world that I enjoyed very much. My favorite character was the second lead Seamus, who is like many of the tall dark and handsome men in these kinds of books, but I felt he had a little something special to him.
Unknown Magic was an interesting story; I liked a lot of the secondary characters and the background culture of the how the magical characters (tuatha) came to be. The main character Megan bothered me a bit, she was pretty annoying at the beginning and middle, and then all of a sudden became a leader type character. I felt the story was an interesting plot but there was too much crammed into it, making the whole thing rushed. I got a bit lost in the conversations, almost feeling like run-on sentences. I loved the language and abilities each character had, it really created a new world that I enjoyed very much. My favorite character was the second lead Seamus, who is like many of the tall dark and handsome men in these kinds of books, but I felt he had a little something special to him.
January 20, 2011
Unknown Magic by Evelyn Byrne put me under its spell! Not a regular reader of paranormal romance, it was nice to read such a compelling storyine with well-developed and quite interesting characters. I especially love the protagonist Meagan and Seamus.....I could hardly put it down.
Ms. Byrne gave me insight into the Irish folklore of the Tuatha De' Danann and their magical realm. The strength and vigor of the men as they protect Megan and other women in their lives appeals to the southern belle inside me. However, the reader discovers that (as we southern women already know) it is the woman who hold the greatest power of all :)
Unknown Magic contains romance, humor, and action. The plot is well-written so as to not give away the answers the the mysteries involved. It kept me interested and turning the pages hoping for a satisfying ending. The ending did not disappoint me in the least; however, I wasn't ready to stop reading and am looking forward to reading more about the lives of the Tuatha De' Denaan I came to know.
Ms. Byrne gave me insight into the Irish folklore of the Tuatha De' Danann and their magical realm. The strength and vigor of the men as they protect Megan and other women in their lives appeals to the southern belle inside me. However, the reader discovers that (as we southern women already know) it is the woman who hold the greatest power of all :)
Unknown Magic contains romance, humor, and action. The plot is well-written so as to not give away the answers the the mysteries involved. It kept me interested and turning the pages hoping for a satisfying ending. The ending did not disappoint me in the least; however, I wasn't ready to stop reading and am looking forward to reading more about the lives of the Tuatha De' Denaan I came to know.
April 29, 2011
Unknown Magic was a fantastic read. I picked up the book to read for a bit at the end of the day and got hooked well enough that I ended up finishing the book that night. Don’t dismiss the book because the blurb on the book mentions true love, magic and soul mates. These words are often used to describe contrived and cliché plots but the author handled these concepts with true respect for the emotions involved. Every idea within the book and story arc work so well that it lends a new freshness to old ideas. The families within the book surround the main character and lend strength while pulling the reader into a deeper experience. The nemesis and characters bent on destruction also help in providing believable plot twists that help to modernize the magic within the book. This first book has set up the future series very well and I cannot wait for the next book.
October 14, 2010
I always tend to assume when i see the genre as being fantasy/myth/folklore etc. to be YA...It's not...This is not centered around a 13 or even 17 year old wimpy whinny girl. Our girl is strong and still manages to keep her feminity. Our guy is your classic stud. I'm hoping for some crazy twists to their relationship because as it is right now..it's perfect...and that has got to stop or at least hit a dark omnipotent rough patch lol....Drooling for the next addition to the series....
October 29, 2010
This book was fantastically magical. I cannot wait for the next one.
June 22, 2011
The fantasy plot and characters felt like copies of others. The writing style didn’t work for me. Nothing pulled me in.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I read more than half of the book and lost interest. So I jumped to the end and read the last two chapters. The fact that I couldn’t make myself read the whole thing does say something. The writing felt juvenile. The conversations felt like newspaper reporting. He said this. She said that. They did this. A few conversations were repetitive as one person repeats the same thing to different people as they arrive on the scene. The plot is like many others. Nothing was special about the characters. Dialogue was ordinary. There were many editing errors for example: that instead of who, I’m instead of I, wondering instead of wandering. If you love this genre give it a try. It just didn’t work for me. This is the first book in a series.
Minor problem: Cover girl has dark brown hair. Megan has strawberry blonde hair.
STORY BRIEF:
The Tuatha De Danann are humans who have magic powers, mental telepathy, and can shape shift into animals. The women get their powers at age 25, the men at age 30. Bernadette was a powerful Tuatha. Bad guys kidnapped her and her eight-year-old daughter 17 years ago. Bernadette was killed. The daughter Megan was rescued a couple of weeks later by Seamus who was in wolf form at the time. It is now a few weeks before Megan’s 25th birthday. The bad guys have come to re-kidnap Megan. They had planted a tracking chip in her so it’s easy to find her. Seamus and others protect her and fight the bad guys. The bad guys shoot drugs into the Tuatha which make them unable to communicate telepathically and unable to shape shift. They also put tracking chips into the Tuatha. The bad guys shield their presence from the Tuatha by wearing special devices.
DATA:
Story length: 354 pages. Swearing language: probably moderate. Sexual language: probably moderate. Number of sex scenes: at least two. Setting: unknown time in Illinois, the Rockies, Ireland, maybe other. Copyright: 2010. Genre: fantasy romance.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I read more than half of the book and lost interest. So I jumped to the end and read the last two chapters. The fact that I couldn’t make myself read the whole thing does say something. The writing felt juvenile. The conversations felt like newspaper reporting. He said this. She said that. They did this. A few conversations were repetitive as one person repeats the same thing to different people as they arrive on the scene. The plot is like many others. Nothing was special about the characters. Dialogue was ordinary. There were many editing errors for example: that instead of who, I’m instead of I, wondering instead of wandering. If you love this genre give it a try. It just didn’t work for me. This is the first book in a series.
Minor problem: Cover girl has dark brown hair. Megan has strawberry blonde hair.
STORY BRIEF:
The Tuatha De Danann are humans who have magic powers, mental telepathy, and can shape shift into animals. The women get their powers at age 25, the men at age 30. Bernadette was a powerful Tuatha. Bad guys kidnapped her and her eight-year-old daughter 17 years ago. Bernadette was killed. The daughter Megan was rescued a couple of weeks later by Seamus who was in wolf form at the time. It is now a few weeks before Megan’s 25th birthday. The bad guys have come to re-kidnap Megan. They had planted a tracking chip in her so it’s easy to find her. Seamus and others protect her and fight the bad guys. The bad guys shoot drugs into the Tuatha which make them unable to communicate telepathically and unable to shape shift. They also put tracking chips into the Tuatha. The bad guys shield their presence from the Tuatha by wearing special devices.
DATA:
Story length: 354 pages. Swearing language: probably moderate. Sexual language: probably moderate. Number of sex scenes: at least two. Setting: unknown time in Illinois, the Rockies, Ireland, maybe other. Copyright: 2010. Genre: fantasy romance.
January 8, 2012
I loved this book! The new take on the Tuatha De' Danann was fun. I love myths and the mythology of the Tuatha De' has always interested me. In most books they are the Fae and all powerful, so this book was a fun change. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see what happens. I am wondering how many books there will be in this series, so Eveylyn, if you read this review, could you please let me know how many books there will be?
February 2, 2012
I loveddddd this novel! It's a must read for any urban fantasy lovers. The characters were likable and relateable; the story was beautifully written and well crafted; I had trouble putting it down. The magic in it was tantalizing and there were an incredible amount of twists and turns in the plot. I highly reccomend it!
October 1, 2010
Unknown Magic is a fast-paced paranormal romance set in Ireland. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It's actually the first paranormal I have read. I absolutely will be reading more from Author Evelyn M. Byrne!
November 8, 2010
I liked this story. A nice fairy tale sort of work with some strong characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 29, 2010
Fantastic Book. Loved it. Great Suspense. Could not put it down. Can't wait until Stolen Magic.
January 30, 2011
Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to next one. Stayed up way to late just so I could finish this and get started on the next one - which I did.
February 7, 2011
I hope we get another glimpse of Megan and Seamus...
April 18, 2011
It wasa great book. The author went into great detail with the characters and really enjoyed reading it.
January 14, 2012
This book was amazing! There was plenty of action, romance and suspense! The plot was completely different from most and the characters were amazing and you felt like they were real.
April 20, 2012
que pasaria si olvidas toda tu infancia, ni un solo recuerdo tienes de los primeros años de tu vida, ni de tu madre, despues de 5 años en coma Megan despierta para volver a la vida pero toda su vida es un secreto, nadie habla de su madre ni lo que paso con ella, unas vacaciones en una cabaña lo cambia todo, ahi conoce a Seamus un hombre que con solo estar junto a el hace que pieda la capacidad de pensar pero es incapaz de aceptar que le pase algo asi y cuando el le empieza a hablar de los Tuatha De Dannan es algo que no esta dispuesta a creer pero poco a poco unos recuerdos empiezan a volver, sobre su madre y lo que en verdad paso antes de que entrara en coma mas estando junto a Seamus y yendo a los lugares que la atraen, que por alguna razon la llaman.
Seamus es todo lo que una chica puede desear, es fuerte, protector, caballero, consentidor y esta dispuesto a dar la vida por ti cuando vuelve a ver a Megan es que se da cuenta que el Destino ya decidio en que seria su compañera y no hay nada que se pueda hacer (y tampoco no quiere hacer nada para impedirlo) poco a poco va contandole sobre lo que ellos son y lo que puede esperar en su cumpleaño pero todo no es tan facil, los secuestradores vuelven con mas poder y mas armas contra ellos, todavia no saben como hacen para que no los puedan sentir pero cada vez vienen mas y son muy peligrosos para ellos con esto se da cuenta que si quiere proteger a su compañera debe traer a su familia, para que los ayuden en esto y aqui se desata la guerra contra los humanos que los ven como un experimento y ellos tratando de no ser capturados.
El amos va floreciendo poco a poco y uno se da cuenta de lo fuerte que es su lazo, se descubren muchos secretos que nos explica cada vez mejor lo que esta pasando pero al saber el responsable de todos los secuestros creo que fue muy facil, bueno no muy facil pero lo dijeron asi como si nada esperaba que fuera como ohhh es ella!!! algo asi pero fue como ah si por cierto la que esta detras de esto es... jajajajaja bueno y quedaron cosas muy abiertas sobre que pasara ahora que saben quien es el responsable de todo esto y como haran para vencerla.
es un libro muy entretenido, entre las preguntas de megan, la magia que los rodea, todos eso que pueden hacer con sus poderes, la proteccion de seamus, la familia que siempre esta ahi y todo aquellos que aportaron un granito de arena para hacer esta historia delirante, ya veremos como seguire esto.
Seamus es todo lo que una chica puede desear, es fuerte, protector, caballero, consentidor y esta dispuesto a dar la vida por ti cuando vuelve a ver a Megan es que se da cuenta que el Destino ya decidio en que seria su compañera y no hay nada que se pueda hacer (y tampoco no quiere hacer nada para impedirlo) poco a poco va contandole sobre lo que ellos son y lo que puede esperar en su cumpleaño pero todo no es tan facil, los secuestradores vuelven con mas poder y mas armas contra ellos, todavia no saben como hacen para que no los puedan sentir pero cada vez vienen mas y son muy peligrosos para ellos con esto se da cuenta que si quiere proteger a su compañera debe traer a su familia, para que los ayuden en esto y aqui se desata la guerra contra los humanos que los ven como un experimento y ellos tratando de no ser capturados.
El amos va floreciendo poco a poco y uno se da cuenta de lo fuerte que es su lazo, se descubren muchos secretos que nos explica cada vez mejor lo que esta pasando pero al saber el responsable de todos los secuestros creo que fue muy facil, bueno no muy facil pero lo dijeron asi como si nada esperaba que fuera como ohhh es ella!!! algo asi pero fue como ah si por cierto la que esta detras de esto es... jajajajaja bueno y quedaron cosas muy abiertas sobre que pasara ahora que saben quien es el responsable de todo esto y como haran para vencerla.
es un libro muy entretenido, entre las preguntas de megan, la magia que los rodea, todos eso que pueden hacer con sus poderes, la proteccion de seamus, la familia que siempre esta ahi y todo aquellos que aportaron un granito de arena para hacer esta historia delirante, ya veremos como seguire esto.
September 3, 2011
I must say that this was a very interesting book. It was the first I have read about shape-shifters and Irish folklore. Beautiful concept!!! :) However, it did seem to drag towards the middle, and I had a little difficulty keeping up with who was related to Seamus and who was related to Megan. I also did not think it was clearly explained how Megan's mother was pregnant with Megan's brother when the breed's women can only get pregnant every fifty years. How long is a pregnancy? If Megan is only 8, how is it that her mother is again pregnant? Time only slows down once they reach their power at 25 years. I think I must have missed something. I was still confused by this. Other than that, by the end, the novel rounded itself out nicely tying everything together.:) I am eager to read book 2. Maybe it will explain it better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2013
Empece a leer "Unkown magic" por una reseña muy interesante que leí pero la verdad no me esta gustando, todo es muy repetitivo, la misma explicación un montón de veces, ademas, la prota tiene 25 años y su carácter es como de una adolescente y todos la tratan tal cual, osea, nada creíble por que luego dice que ha vivido muchas experiencias pero nada que ver... en fin, a ver si lo termino por que quiero saber como se van a arreglar las cosas, me huele a que mágicamente todo se va a solucionar jajaja si es así, definitivamente le voy a dar puntos menos al libro...
Pues lo termine y la verdad si, todo se arreglo mágicamente osea! no me gusto para nada, tiene una buena historia pero la cuentan de manera taaaaaan aburrida...
Pues lo termine y la verdad si, todo se arreglo mágicamente osea! no me gusto para nada, tiene una buena historia pero la cuentan de manera taaaaaan aburrida...
September 1, 2015
Me encantó.
Es el primer libro que leo sobre la mitología irlandesa y es fascinante.
El principal atractivo fue la unión familiar, el amor que se sentía a través de las páginas y la fuerza. El optimismo que tenían todos los personajes, a pesar de encontrar en una situación precaria siempre so reían.
Cuando creí que todo estaba dicho, una bomba llegó y me término sorprendiendo mucho.
¿Por qué no 5/5? Porque a pesar de que la autoría tenía TODO el argumento necesario le hizo falta explotarlo más.
Así como sentí que muchas escenas las pasaba sólo por pasarlas y se necesitaba ahondar más en ellas.
Es el primer libro que leo sobre la mitología irlandesa y es fascinante.
El principal atractivo fue la unión familiar, el amor que se sentía a través de las páginas y la fuerza. El optimismo que tenían todos los personajes, a pesar de encontrar en una situación precaria siempre so reían.
Cuando creí que todo estaba dicho, una bomba llegó y me término sorprendiendo mucho.
¿Por qué no 5/5? Porque a pesar de que la autoría tenía TODO el argumento necesario le hizo falta explotarlo más.
Así como sentí que muchas escenas las pasaba sólo por pasarlas y se necesitaba ahondar más en ellas.
May 21, 2012
I finally got to read this - it's great. Just the right touch of Irish mythology mixed with romance and adventure. When Megan was a little girl, she and her mother were kidnapped by a diabolical group, and were tortured for days. Megan's mother died, but Megan was rescued and returned where her family could find her. She grew up not knowing of her true heritage, but had to learn quickly before her 25th birthday or she would lose her life to the same group that had kidnapped her before. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
January 26, 2015
Hmmm this one is a tough one. It was cheesy and the sex scenes were to scientific not hot and sexy. I didn't need a map and explanation of Megan's body just what was happening. The idea and promise this book has kept me going and I want to know what happens so I will read the next book. I just hope it is more action and not so much cheese. The story line is there now it just needs to be told in a way that has me wanting to keep turning the page.
August 7, 2013
I'm here using my phone to write this review just so i can be honest with me and with you guys... i think this book could have been great but didn't make it for me.
i thought it was confusing at the begining, had lots of questions and little answers and i solved the "bad guy" at the first mention of him/her.
I had to force myself to read the rest of the book because i didn't want to put it down, but i almost did not finish it.
So, for me it was more like 2.5 stars than anything else.
i thought it was confusing at the begining, had lots of questions and little answers and i solved the "bad guy" at the first mention of him/her.
I had to force myself to read the rest of the book because i didn't want to put it down, but i almost did not finish it.
So, for me it was more like 2.5 stars than anything else.
February 5, 2015
Great idea, but dialog left me wanting more depth. I could also really like these characters, but sometimes I was chuckling at how simple the speech sounded. I'd like to dig into this story and even attempt branching off on some of the details on my own sometime....you know, when I have some time to write...ha!
January 31, 2012
Couldn't finish this one. Everything felt felt exaggerated and the events were too rushed to be properly appreciated. I also found myself quite lost, well, always. I'm definitely dropping this series.
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August 17, 2010belom tau
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2012
Quite different from anything else I've read, a real breath of fresh air. Thoroughly enjoyed, now just gotta try and find book 2.
August 8, 2011
My previous knowledge of the Celtic culture made it impossible for me to enjoy it... I kept thinking how wrong this or that was...
February 23, 2012
Excellent! I just cannot think how one might feel to learn everything they believed about themselves just wasn't and find out they are MAGICAL- Mind blowing! Loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews