Mind Magic

A high-tension plot featuring magically enhanced intra-agency government conspiracy is lightened by affectionate personal and clan relationships and a sprinkling of cuteness in Wilks’s 12th World of the Lupi paranormal (after Unbinding). Soon after the disappearance of Mika, the red dragon of Washington, D.C., black dragon Sun Mzao (aka Sam) sends Lily Yu, touch sensitive and member of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division, to a mission in Ohio. Her tasks are made more difficult by her frequent hallucinations—a side effect of learning mindspeech—and the disturbing effect of physical separation on her psychic link to her mate, clan leader Rule Turner. This intermediary book feels stingy on information and modest in progress within the grander series arc, but it tells a cohesive story on its own, introduces memorable new characters (such as tech-savvy, neuroatypical teen Demi McAllister), discloses more about the mysterious dragons, and puts at least one new enemy on the radar. Agent: Eileen Fallon, Fallon Literary Agency. (Nov.)