Night Magic

Lyon continues the Wing Slayers series (Blood Magic, Soul Magic) with a strong installment sure to please returning readers. Ailish Donovan was tricked by her mother, Maeve, into being handfasted with a demon at age 16. Shunned by Circle Witches because of the "witch karma" that left her blind, Ailish channeled her anger into a kickboxing career. Two weeks before her 24th birthday, when she must complete the bonding, Ailish plans to break the handfast or die. Phoenix Torq, one of the Wing Slayer Hunters, might be able to help, but he can't decide whether Ailish is good or evil. Meanwhile, Maeve and the demon Asmodeus resort to trickery, threats, and violence. Lyon peppers the love story with teasing humor and strong sexuality, though the beautiful imagery sometimes edges into purple territory. New readers face only a short learning curve and will finish the book enthused. (Apr.)