Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Dark Destiny-M.J. Putney

Dark Destiny


M.J. Putney

St. Martin's Griffin, July 3 2012, $9.99

ISBN: 9780312622862



After helping with the Miracle of Dunkirk and subsequently rescuing Jewish scientist Dr. Weiss and his family in 1940 (see Dark Passage), Merlin’s Irregulars have no time to celebrate as one of them lord Justin Allard has a vision of a Napoleon invasion. The Team (Lady Victoria "Tory" Mansfield the mirror master, her boyfriend Lord Justin Allard the mage, Elspeth the healer and the two weather mages Lady Cynthia Stanton and Jack Rainsford) rush back to 1804 to thwart Napoleon’s plans but has little success in preventing a French invasion.



When the French land in Wales, Merlin’s Irregulars realize they need help so they turn to their friends and allies from the future Nick Rainsford and rookie telepath Rebecca Weiss for assistance. They hope Rebecca can get inside the Little Dictator’s head to change his mind about crossing the Channel. Time is running out on England as the Irregulars with Rebecca end up behind enemy lines amidst the Army of Boulogne.



The third Dark Mirror young adult historical fantasy is a super tale that digs deep into the impact on the key ensemble Irregulars by a society in which the upper class disdains magic while the peasants embrace it; as personal decisions made will change the status of some. The insightful story line as plenty of action, but also contains passive reflections on the effect of de facto prejudice by family members and religious fanatics on the Irregulars in 1804 England. M. J. Putney provides an engaging thought provoking thriller that her teen audience will relish as there is no dumbing down, but to the contrary treats fans as intelligent.



Harriet Klausner



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