Dark Wizard

Bonds of Magic, Book 1

By: Jeffe Kennedy

Narrated by: Deborah Balm

The Witcher meets The Selection...

She ran from him...but couldn't escape her heart.

Lord Gabriel Phel wants one thing: to rebuild the shattered fortunes of his people and restore his ruined house to its former station in the Convocation’s highest tiers of elegant society. Fortunately, through a wild chance of birth, he was born with powerful wizard magic, the first in his family in generations. If he can obtain a familiar to amplify his magic, a highborn daughter he can marry, to be mother to his children, he’ll be that much closer to saving his family. With her by his side, he can ascend to such a position of power in the Convocation that he can destroy it forever.

Lady Veronica Elal, captive in her tower, has only one way out. To her bitter disappointment, she will never be a wizard. Instead, through a twist of fate, and despite her expensive Convocation Academy education, Nic is doomed to be a familiar like her mother. Forced to participate in the Betrothal Trials, she receives a wizard suitor for one night each month. Whichever man impregnates her will bond her to them forever. With no choice but to serve the one who wins her, Nic has one hope for control over her life: a wizard she can manipulate.

Gabriel Phel seems like the perfect choice for Nic’s gambit - he’s desperate and untutored in wizardry - but within moments of meeting him, she feels the bonds of magic tying them together. Afraid of losing her will to the compelling wizard who touches her heart like no other, Nic does the unthinkable: She runs. Pregnant and alone, Nic eludes monstrous hunters, searching for a safe haven. But when Gabriel catches up to her, their adventure has only begun.

©2021 Jennifer M. Kennedy (P)2022 Jennifer M. Kennedy

Enjoyable story

I enjoyed this novel for the most part. The only thing that I didn’t enjoy was the main protagonist’s, almost complete, self absorption. Reading a little less of that would have made it better for me.

Amazing concept

This entire series is phenomenal, I’ve read a lot of fantasy books and I haven’t seen a storyline like this yet, I was hooked the entire series.

Beautiful, with complex characters and world

I love this author's writing in general but this feels like her master work. There are many themes familiar from her other novels but they are deftly woven together here. I can't recommend it enough.

A gripping story.

Dark Wizard will take you on a wild ride.

Characters with complex personalities and motives fill Jeffe Kennedy’s Dark Wizard, which is told from the dueling point of views of familiar, Lady Veronica, and wizard, Lord Gabriel.

The book starts out with a tease of heat which turns into a slow burn as our hero and heroine battle the world – and each other – while trying to find their way forward.

Gripping story telling that will keep you on the edge of your seat. High stakes. A fresh and vibrant fantasy world. Dark Wizard will have you turning the pages – or glued to your audio book – and begging for more. I can’t wait for the next installment.

A delicious performance of a captivating story

With her signature world-building mastery, Jeffe Kennedy has once again delivered a deeply compelling romantic fantasy. The characters are dimensional, complex and endearing. You have to keep listening, longer than you intended to, to find out if Nic and Gabriel can manage to not only find love and power, but to retain their very humanity in a world engineered to deny it to them. Everything about this story is refreshingly original, brilliantly conceived and beautifully rendered. I really can't wait for the next entry in this series.

I also have to confess that I now have a huge crush on Deborah Balm. Her voice is like a big mug of hot, dark chocolate, with maybe some spiced rum mixed in. I could listen to her read the phone book for hours and be happy. She portrays the wide spectrum of characters, moods, and... activities, with engaging grace and charm. I will be looking for more of her work, as well.

loved it

good book or story. different than other books I have read. looking forward to the next book. performance was good lots of humor