cover image Visions of Magic

Visions of Magic

Regan Hastings. Signet Eclipse, $7.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-0-451-23246-5

Eight hundred years ago, powerful witches let evil into the world. In atonement they abdicated their magic, living their lives without power. Now, in a world where witches are revealed, internment camps exist for the most powerful witches, the Awakening. Hastings, a pseudonym for bestselling Maureen Child, introduces Shea Jameson, the first witch to awaken under the guidance of her Eternal mate, Torin. Torin has watched over and lived with Shea during each of her lifetimes. Torin encourages Shea to awaken her powers, which begins with a fierce and heated mating ritual that will earn Torin a heartbeat and Shea eternal life. Once allied, they must recover an ancient artifact, the key to stopping a great evil, and defeat the forces trying to stop them. Cleverly, this series is set up with an unlimited number of Awakening witches, as "each will awaken in turn...every 30 days until the atonement is complete." Despite a complex premise, Shea and Torin heat up the page and other Eternals promise sparks in future novels. (Feb.)