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Catherine Asaro

 

          

Jess: I picked up "Charmed Sphere" expecting a light, fluffy romance. Although it had romance, and was a wee bit on the fluffy side, I certainly got more than I expected. The focus of the plot is not the romance (as other Luna books tend to be), but it does enhance the reading experience. Chime is a powerful mage, but she isn't the most powerful and doesn't have a grand destiny. Its apparent that Asaro wanted to focus on the character development, but missed the mark in a few places.

Other than that, the book itself is very interesting. Her idea on magic in the world she created exists through shapes and colors combined. Although a little confusing, reading about this kind of magic was an interesting break. Other parts of the plot are a little cliche, but the story is still well-paced and interesting. This book is great if you aren't looking for the commitment of a fantasy series, but if you're looking for more romance you might be a little disappointed. 8/4/05

NEWS: "Charmed Sphere" is currently available in mass market paperback. "Misted Cliffs" was released in trade paperback in August, and deals with the next generation of mages in Asaro's world. Keep checking in for the review.

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