Dark Enchantment by Anya Bast

Title: Dark Enchantment
Author: Anya Bast
Series: Dark Magic (book #3)
Previous in series: Cruel Enchantment

Next in series: Midnight Enchantment (coming February, 2012)

My rating: 4.5 Stars 

Synopsis: The fae are searching for the third and final piece of the bosca fadbh, which once opened can release them from imprisonment. However, only one person knows the location of the elusive piece, a human named Charlotte Bennett, but this information is hidden deep within her bloodline and can only be accessed by the dark magick wielded by Kiernan Aimhrea and the other Unseelie fae.

Review: This is the most romantic of the three books so far but the least action packed. The plot continues where the last book left off, however, this time, the heroine is not a member of the fae, in fact, she associates them with the most traumatic event of her life and the manner in which she overcomes her ingrained fear makes for a captivating read.  

Charlotte and Kieran are an endearing couple who fall slowly and deeply in love, although their relationship lacks the intense chemistry and emotion that characterized Emmaline and Aeric in Cruel Enchantment. Similar to this couple, the course of Charlotte and Kiernan’s love does not run smoothly for it is tested, not only by Charlotte’s fear of the fae, but by a curse that Kiernan suffers through no fault of his own. The curse is an interesting plot device that adds tension to the romance, and Bast is such an adept storyteller that it never feels contrived. I really enjoyed the way in which this obstacle is resolved.

The characters are another positive element in the book. Charlotte is a compelling heroine and her interactions with the various members of fae society are exceedingly entertaining, especially her initial meeting with Kiernan – it certainly packs a wallop and that’s all I’m going to say about it. Kiernan is gorgeous and sexy but is also quite tortured (another favorite theme of mine). In addition, I also appreciated the extra information provided concerning the villain in the series. Even though he has always been obnoxious and threatening, now readers receive insight into the underlying causes of his hatred for the fae, and I must say that while his motivation is not exactly original, it is consistent with his personality and adds another dimension to his psychological makeup.

Dark Enchantment is a wonderful read and now that the war between the Phaendir and the fae is coming to a head, I am seriously looking forward to finding out what happens.