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Dark Enchantment
Karen Harbaugh Book Review

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Plot Summary of Dark Enchantment
"

Dell, Jan 2004, 5.99
ISBN: 0553584219

In 1659 Paris, Sir Jack Marstone rescues the muddied and filthy Catherine de la Fer from assailants. She remembers little of her past, but he provides her a safe haven while she heals at least physically. When she recovers from her injuries, he teaches her how to use a sword and other skills so she can defend herself. However, his kindness and nurturing cannot protect her from the nightmares she suffers from every evening.

Jack realizes he must escort his ward to her family and betrothed, the vile Marquis de Bauvin, but is reluctant to do so. Instead he feels a need to keep Catherine safe, something he believes would not occur if he handed her over to the Marquis, rumored to be an evil sorcerer. As Jack and Catherine fall in a forbidden love, they know that soon they will have to confront the sorcerer who plans to use her to obtain her family's supernatural powers that will enhance him to levels so superior to mankind they will seem like ants to be stepped on. Only Catherine the skilled swordswoman and her lover stand in his way.

Showing the width of her talent (to the chagrin of her Regency devotees), Karen Harbaugh provides a strong paranormal romance. The story line is the classic good vs. evil theme with the twist being that one of the good guys (gal in this case) is slated to be the mate of the malevolent menace.

Harriet Klausner

"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Dark Enchantment
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - a powerful magician
Romance Yes
Romance plotlets: - destined love (dream or prediction)
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - champion of justice
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - mage/magician
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - 17th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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