Captive

Very little survives when worlds collide in the premier book of Robertson’s the Forbidden Side of Nightshade erotic romance trilogy (a companion series to her young adult Nightshade books, bylined Andrea Cremer). The war between the evil witches called Keepers and the valiant Searchers surrounds young Searcher Sarah and guides her life. A high-risk solo mission to discover Keeper secrets within Castle Tierney leads her to the handsome, enigmatic Tristan: Keeper, lord, and both master and prisoner of the castle. With the help of a very few friends and a great many enemies, they must learn about themselves before they can take on the war—and the world. Robertson delivers an intriguing plot that’s heavy on story and characterization, and light on spice. While the book is set in modern times, with references to Rocky Horror and blue jeans, Castle Tierney and its residents are vividly described in the most feudal and anachronistic terms, but the deliciously disconcerting blend only serves to enhance the tale. The somewhat predictable ending nevertheless stirs anticipation for the next installment. Agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management. (Oct.)