Linda G. Hill

I ran across this little gem quite by accident. Someone on my Goodreads list had rated highly a short story, and I took a closer look. Discovering it was Free, I gave it a chance and found it like a rice cake: it “looked” much better than it turned out to be once I took a bite. Fortunately, it was only a bite — I think around 30 pages — so I hadn’t wasted a lot of time on it, nor will I be reviewing it. So much for that. In looking up the author before deciding to read that story, however, I ran across this author. Because the premise of her novelette sounded amusing, and I’m not averse to having something lighter to read between other books, or more emotionally draining literary projects of my own I’m working on, I gave this one a go and found it — Wonderful!

This novelette is funny, breezy, and the narrative flows naturally, like rain rolling off a slanted roof. It shows great promise for any future efforts by Linda G. Hill, the second Canadian author I’ve come across recently. The story is darn near a joy to read, thanks in large part to a refreshing vibe imbued in this quirky little romance which nearly defies description.

There is a bookstore — always a plus — where a young aspiring novelist named Jupiter and her best friend Xavier work, and hang out together. Their interaction is endearing and fun, and it’s obvious to the reader that no two people every belonged together more than these two. They’ve been pals since elementary school, and Xavier’s closeness to Jupiter, and his refusal to change that, even led to the end of a short and misguided union with someone else.

It is difficult to say much more without risk of revealing some of the surprises awaiting the reader of this delicious little confection. The chapters are extremely short, the narrative lightning quick and full of smiles for the reader, and before you’ve reached the end there’s an internet date turned stalker, a bumbling hitman, and finally, a look by Xavier at the novel Jupiter is working on — or is it Erin?

It’s all lighter than air, extremely sweet and funny. It is not so silly that it becomes frivolous, however, as far too many reads in the light romance genre have become. It’s fresh and original, and it’s a delight to read. It won’t move you deeply or make you flinch at the vagaries of life, because it isn’t supposed to. It will certainly entertain you for a brief period, have you laughing at some points, and leave you with a nice feeling. That’s pretty near perfection for a piece like this, especially one of this brevity. A talented writer with a bright future, and someone whose second release I’ll pick up simply on the strength of how good this one was, and what a pleasure it was to read. Great stuff!… (meer)

*I was given a pre-publication copy of this book by the author for review purposes*

A demon incubus passed from generation to generation and handed down from father to son is the creative genius of Canadian author, Linda G. Hill. In, The Magician’s Curse, those infected with the scourge have one sole purpose in life – to seduce women and create offspring. Stephen Dagmar inherits this bane of his existence which ties his family to their servants, the Currys’ involving some creepy relationships in the true gothic sense of the genre.

Yet, as the author states, “Things don’t always go as planned.” Enter, Herman Anderson, an almost eighteen-year-old ready to break free from the restraints of a broken family. Her mother is dysfunctional with some kind of strange malady, and her father is gone most of the time. Yet, determined to strike out on her own, Herman leaves behind her eleven-year-old brother to fend for himself with the promise that she will send for him when she is situated at the job she accepted at a far from home horse farm.

While on the train heading to the new job, Herman engages in a conversation with the captivating magician, Stephen Dagmar. There is an immediate attraction between the two, and the story takes off, sweeping the reader off your feet in much the same fashion. Before you know it, Herman is under Stephen’s spell and agrees to become his magician’s assistant.

I found this reaction hard to believe at first until I realized there was more at play here. Much in the same way that Dracula held power over the ladies, Stephen Dagmar commands the physical attraction of men and women alike. Herman is no exception, and for one so young and inexperienced in the ways of men, she falls for Stephen immediately. Stephen senses something special in Herman and is clearly smitten himself.

Immediately, Herman enters the fairy tale world of Dagmaru, the magician, where money is no object. Stephen spends lavishly on the teen, and as they get to know one another, their physical attraction grows. Finally, in desperation, Stephen explains that until Herman is eighteen, they will not consummate their relationship. There is a dark thread of sexual tension that runs through the book from beginning to end that at times gave me the shivers.

Deep down I suspected that I knew where the story was headed, but for the life of me I couldn’t predict the twists and turns the novel produced. The writing was crisp and clear as it propelled me on toward the explosive ending. In fact, the suspense kept me turning pages long into the night. Even so, by the end of book one, I was haunted by more questions than answers. I look forward to the second book in the series with the hope that these issues will be solved.

The Magician’s Curse is a deliciously eerie tale unlike any I’ve read so far. Be prepared to be seduced by the supernatural potential of the series. I loved it and can’t wait to find out what happens next!

MY RATING:
Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 STARS… (meer)