"Excellent examples of the genre written by masters of their craft!"
CHARMED DESTINIES is an anthology of stories written to
introduce prospective LUNA readers to the charms and
sensibility of this much-anticipated new line from
Harlequin/Silhouette. The authors have the distinction of
being Fantasists, not romance novelists, and this
difference is shown quite clearly throughout the
collection. As an introduction to the delights that will
be offered later in the year, CHARMED DESTINIES is a great
treat that any fantasy romance reader should check out -
at the very least to see if the LUNA line is to your
taste. "Counting Crows" by Mercedes Lackey
Lady Gwynnhwyfar wed the foul Baron Bretagne without once
seeing his face. She traveled to his dark court,
abandoning all childhood dreams of romance in the process
and found nothing but hatred and humiliation. She has a
husband who cares naught, a keep that seems to be all her
nightmares brought to life, a single faithful, beloved
retainer, and a big secret. A secret that could cost her
her life - or change it forever but only if things go
according to plan... Magic and mysteries pervade this enchanting little novella
by popular fantasy author Mercedes Lackey. Scheduled as
LUNA's debut author, the story that Lackey offers is
thematically typical and the romantic subplot is sweet
enough to please any romance reader. The plot twists that
Lackey uses are enjoyable and the heroine's romance is
decidedly sweet. Also, Lackey's ease with the novella is
clear. No worries here about the story overrunning the
length, or vice versa. The strong heroine is of particular
interest and of notice. "Counting Crows" is an engaging fantasy story "Drusilla's Dream" by Rachel Lee
Drusilla Morgan lives a double life. In one reality she
works in the depths of the GalaxyCom building, spending
hours doing nothing by typing. In the other she
adventures, risks her life, gathers comrades and fights in
a world quite unlike her own. It is a world of magic and
mystery, where she is the daughter of a King, set forth on
a quest of crucial importance. Her two worlds intersect
and Drusilla finds herself wondering which world is
reality and which is dream. The best term to describe this story is confusing. Lee's
novella is jumbled and erratic, though it has a clear-cut
happy ending. It's the getting there that's the problem.
The major issue is that Lee's premise -romance through a
dual world- is one deserving more space than the limited
pages of a novella. The squashed nature of the piece hurt
the characterization as well, leaving the romantic ending
cold and unsatisfying. Aiming to be a mix of fantasy and
romance, a thin line, to be sure, "Drusilla's Dream" hits
the mark off-kilter and ultimately succeeds at neither. "Moonglow" by Catherine Asaro
The law was that the most powerful female mage must wed
the liege, which Iris Laskspur thought was all well and
good until circumstances revealed that she was the most
powerful female mage and that she had to marry the prince
everyone had thought dead for most of his life. The prince
had been struck deaf, mute and blind by a spell years
before. Only together can they harness a magic greater
than any she could ever imagine, a magic that just might
be the only thing that can save the prince! Catherine Asaro is an award-winning author of romance-
imbued science fiction, most notably the Skolian Empire
series, but also select, unconnected masterpieces that any
fantasy-romance lover would be well advised to look
up. "Moonglow" is the first story set in an exciting,
magical new world created especially for LUNA readers. As
with every other story in this anthology, romance is a
subplot. A strong subplot, true, but a subplot no less.
The magic of Asaro's world is deep and complex, but very
well executed. The romance is pleasing and typically
fulfilling. Though not perfect, the CHARMED DESTINIES anthology has a
little something for everyone-and enough sampling of the
future of the line to whet any reader's anticipation.
Strict romance readers would do well to remember that
fantasy with romantic subplots and pure romance are not
the same. However, as the change from intense character
sympathy to a more distanced approach to romance may leave
some readers feeling ambivalent, but these stories are
excellent examples of the genre written by masters of
their craft. If you like a meaty, fantasy-rich story, you
can't go wrong with these delectable little treats.
Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Posted February 21, 2004
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