Heart of Darkness

Dane (Goddess with a Blade) creates a world with plenty of witchcraft but very little sense of danger in the Bound by Magick series opener. Meriel Owen, next in line to be the leader of her witch clan, encounters her destined bond-mate while on a routine assignment. Dominic Bright is outclan and hesitant to leap into a relationship, but that doesn’t stop them from hooking up once they’ve spent a substantial part of the book respectfully not rushing into things. In the background, murderous mages are stealing magic from witches, but the danger is remote until Dominic’s mother makes it personal. Meriel and Dominic’s relationship progresses so smoothly that the novel reads like a series of love letters; the only real danger emerges in the climax, and even that is quickly overcome. Dane sets the stage for future novels that will hopefully include more conflict and tension. (Nov.)