Enchanted Ever After

The third Mystic Circle novel (after Enchanted Again) develops the series’ story line and the magical universe at the cost of the romantic elements. Denver computer support tech and gamer Kiri Palger leads a fairly isolated life, with just a few close friends. A passionate participant in the online role-playing game Faeries and Dragons, she aspires to become a writer for the game, created by Kiri’s neighbor Jenni Weavers and her company, Eight Corp. Little does Kiri know there’s real magic afoot. Merman Lathyr Tricurrent, who works in Eight Corp’s human resources department, believes Kiri could transcend her humanity and become part of the magical Lightfolk, and Eight Corp’s preliminary job offer to Kiri is actually a test for her potential to change. Owens excels at describing the Lightfolk and their manifestations and behavior in other realms, especially water, but romance fans will wish for more heart in the development of Kiri’s isolated vulnerability and Lathyr’s struggles with his mixed heritage before the resolution. (Jan.)