Veena’s review of The Shattered Court (The Four Arts, Book 1) by M.J.Scott
Romantic Fantasy published by Roc 28 Apr 15
As I read this book and found that Ms. Scott is a much published author, I wondered when I had narrowed my author choices so much that I missed reading her before. I am certainly glad that I have discovered her now. The story is compelling in the sweetness of the developing friendship and romance between Cameron and Sophia and the sinister intrigue of all the characters who crave the power of the magic that manifests itself in Sophia. I was very sorry when the story ended, and the glimpses of what is to come leave me chomping on the bit for the next part.
Sophia is a lady in waiting to the princess and royal heir. She has enough royal blood in her lineage that her birthday is eagerly awaited, as is the power of magic that will awake on that day. However, an attack on the palace finds her far from the carefully orchestrated event that would have allowed her powers to awaken in a controlled way. Instead, she wakes in the countryside, her only companion the royal guard pledged to keep her safe with the bewitching call of the magic all around her.
Cameron Mackenzie is not happy to be assigned the job of protecting Lady Sophia, since he is part of the Princess’s personal guard. He is at her side when she discovers the lure of the shining magic and unable to prevent herself from plunging right in and pulling him in with her. Their scorching sexual encounter is going to have long-term repercussions once they get back into the real world.
As they return to the palace, the shining splendor of Sophia’s magic is a beacon for those who thirst for power, including the new queen, Cameron’s erstwhile lover. As Sophia goes through the birthday rituals at the church, it becomes unfortunately clear to the Queen and the Head priestess that Sophia has embraced Cameron as well as awakened her magic without the strict protocols of the church.
I love the blend of sweetness as Cameron pledges his love and allegiance to Sophia and promises to hold her safe forever. The priestess gives me the chills as she callously rapes Sophia’s power, with no regard to her as a person, to strengthen her own power base. The young princess, who is a friend to Sophia, changes so dramatically when she ascends the throne and now views Sophia as a potential rival in the strength of the magic she wields.
Plots and warnings abound as things get stickier and Sophia finds that she has awakened and can wield more magic than is safe to do so in Anglion. I love the new characters that the author introduces at the end of this book and can’t wait to see more as the story continues.
Grade: A+
Summary:
Entangled in a court ruled by tradition and intrigue, a young witch must come to terms with newfound power and desire—and a choice between loyalty and survival.…
The royal witches of Anglion have bowed to tradition for centuries. If a woman of royal blood manifests powers, she is immediately bound by rites of marriage. She will serve her lord by practicing the tamer magics of the earth—ensuring good harvests and predicting the weather. Any magic more dangerous is forbidden.
Lady Sophia Kendall, thirty-second in line to the throne, is only days away from finding out if she will be blessed—or perhaps cursed—with magic. When a vicious attack by Anglion’s ancient enemies leaves the kingdom in chaos, Sophia is forced to flee the court. Her protector by happenstance is Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie, a member of the royal guard, raised all his life to be fiercely loyal to the Crown.
Then Sophia’s powers manifest stronger than she ever imagined they would, and Cameron and she are inextricably linked in the process. As a witch unbound by marriage rites, Sophia is not only a threat to the established order of her country, but is also a weapon for those who seek to destroy it. Faced with old secrets and new truths, she must decide if she will fight for her country or succumb to the delicious temptation of power.…
No excerpt available.
