Kinley MacGregor, Sword of Darkness

Sword of Darkness

Kinley MacGregor

Avon, Apr 2006, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060565446

King Arthur is dead, and Morgen has placed amoral Kerrigan of the darkest shadows on the throne of Camelot; Kerrigan, more demon than human, a soulless one that the Knights of the Round Table fear. The only hope for the future resides in a peasant Seren, but Morgen recognizes she, if allowed to grow, will be the next Merlin and a threat to her rule.

Kerrigan captures the innocent Seren, who knows what she faces and boldly challenges her jailer, even as she concludes that she must use her female charms to seduce Kerrigan in order to escape, because wizardry will prove futile. Shockingly her courage and spirit reaches perhaps the last human cell inside Kerrigan's heart, and to both their amazement the pure Seren and the evil Kerrigan fall in love, a feeling forbidden by Morgen.

Camelot fans will want to read this terrific romantic fantasy, the Lords of Avalon's tale. The exhilarating storyline contains a dark "villain" who has to choose between the redemption of love and the power of evil; both very enticing. As always Kinley MacGregor insures the unbelievable seems plausible, while also employing humor to enhance an overall dark plot. Fans of the series will appreciate the "cat and mouse" lead couple, as love is the last enchantment either expected between them.