Cruel Enchantment by Anya Bast

Title: Cruel Enchantment
Author: Anya Bast
Series: Dark Magic (book #2)
Next in series: Dark Enchantment

My rating: 5 Stars 

Synopsis: Many people would love to see Emmaline Gallagher dead but none more so than Aeric O’Malley. In her role as the Summer Queen’s assassin, Emmaline disposed of sadists and murderers but she also killed Aeric’s fiancée and now he wants revenge. However, when given the opportunity, he finds himself inexplicably attracted to his nemesis and soon learns that things are not as they seem and Emmaline may be the only chance the fae have to secure their freedom.

Review: I absolutely adore this series. Bast is an imaginative writer and it is so easy to become immersed in the intricate world of the fae. The abundance of different races never becomes overwhelming as often happens in books of this type. The story is exhilarating with several nail-biting moments that left me breathless.

I must admit that I was somewhat skeptical about the romance between Aeric and Emmaline given the depth of animosity between them, but Bast cleverly intertwines hints and clues to demonstrate that appearances can be deceiving in more ways than one. Emmaline is a wonderful character – tortured and vulnerable but with a core of solid steel, and Aeric’s struggle against his growing feelings for her is riveting.

The secondary characters are also well developed and some will obviously have books of their own in the future. The villains are truly diabolical and I can’t wait for them get their eventual comeuppance. I do have one miniscule problem with the way in which one evil character meets his demise – he did not suffer nearly enough given his crimes.

A compelling mixture of danger, intrigue and intense romance, Cruel Enchantment is a great read and I am definitely continuing with the series.