Its power is legendary. It can fulfill every impossible magical desire. But for one young witch seeking redemption, the Northern Circle coven will challenge her skills—and her heart—beyond measure. One tragic impulsive mistake made Chloe Winslow an outcast to her influential magic family. As a medical student, she wants to combine science with sorcery to heal those she hurt and right her … and right her wrongs. But brilliant, charismatic Devlin Marsh re-routes her plans with a once-in-eternity offer: membership in the exclusive Northern Circle, a mysterious Vermont coven known for pushing the limits.
Enthralled by Devlin and their mesmerizing mutual attraction, Chloe makes a dangerous sacrifice to help the Circle’s high priestess awaken Merlin himself—and learn his timeless cures. But a foreshadowing soon causes Chloe to doubt the Circle’s real motives, as well as Devlin’s . . .
Now Merlin’s demonic shade is loose in the human world, while Chloe and Devlin’s uneasy alliance will pit them against ancient enemies, malevolent illusions, and shattering betrayal. And with the fate of two realms in the balance, Chloe must risk her untried power against a force she can’t defeat—and a passion that could destroy her.
Praise for Pat Esden and her Dark Heart Novels
“Esden creates a world of incredible atmosphere.” —RT Book Reviews
“This is a fantastic book. Pat Esden is extremely skilled at creating a tense atmosphere and spooky setting. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story with suspense, romance, and a super cool world.”
—Pintip Dunn, New York Times bestselling author, on A Hold on Me
“It’s a unique paranormal twist on the gothic novel, complete with old family secrets, bloody dilemmas, steamy guy with hidden truths, all set in an vast manor built along the foggy shores of Maine. For anyone in love with Daphne du Maurier. Or if you’re just tired of the same old paranormal fodder out there, this one is a nice and refreshing read.” —Rachel A. Marks on A Hold on Me
more
A book about a witches’ coven, set in a city I know well, with a big helping of romance! I ate this one up; the characters are lively, the plot fast-moving, and the world building deliciously creepy.
Great start to a new series. I can’t wait for the next book!
This is a fantastic book. Pat Esden is extremely skilled at creating a tense atmosphere and spooky setting. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story with suspense, romance, and a super cool world.
I have enjoyed other books written by Pat and this one is being added to that list. This held my interest with the story line and suspense. I couldn’t figure out who to trust and even Chloe has her secrets to keep. She was a frustrating character at times when I could hear myself asking why she did something when I would have done it differently. There is romance, magic, and danger. All a great mix for the start of a new series.
I read alot of paranormal books This caught my attention and kept through the whole book
Great fantasy light read with an actual plot!
Couldn’t put it down!
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Pat Esden’s latest book, the first in her new Northern Circle Coven Series. From the very first pages, I was drawn into the heroine’s story. Chloe is young woman driven to correct the wrongs of her past, even at the expense of darkening her own soul. I love a character who is willing to be a little bad if it’s for the greater good.
Stir in some dark magical forces, a clever and subtle description of the differences between Wiccans and wielders of true magic, and the freight train-esque attraction Chloe feels for Devlin and his reciprocal need for her, and Pat Esden has hit this one out of the park (sorry, it’s the 1st day of the World Series and I have baseball on my mind).
Even if it weren’t for the excellently crafted characters, fresh plot, and the I-need-to-go-to-bed-because-I-have-an-early-day-but-can’t-put-down-this-book pacing of His Dark Magic keeping me enthralled, there were magically-animated metal flying monkeys! Flying monkeys!
I will definitely be waiting to read book 2 of the series.
Chloe is a witch who needs to atone for a past sin. I fell in love with her merry band of witch friends, the great sense of place in the Burlington, VT (earth clock!) location, cool little witchery details like sand is just dozens of tiny crystals and the way to make rosemary oil, and the more gruesome method of casting an illusion on oneself. There’s also a bunch of bonus Arthurian myth thrown in for those of us who might at one time have been addicted to the musical Camelot. Great opening for a new series.
His Dark Magic is quite a suspenseful and intriguing read. From the beginning I was curious about Chloe’s past and the draw of the Northern Circle. The chemistry between her and Devlin was immediate yet I was on the fence about if things were really as they appeared. Their story definitely took some unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing and by the end I wasn’t sure how everything would play out. With a great blend of romance, suspense, intrigue, interesting characters and a steady, fast pace His Dark Magic is a great start to the Northern Circle Coven series.
A teen book
His Dark Magic has some absolutely excellent world building with wonderfully descriptive settings. That combined with magic and a bit of darkness should’ve made this one perfect for me. In spite of that, I felt like the first half of this book was spent just waiting for things to really get started, then the second half rushes to conclusion. The story does have good bones, and the blurb promises quite the tale. Yet, despite all that, we get other woman drama. The author does have talent, but this story had a ton of potential that just wasn’t realized. Instead of the thrilling story it could’ve been, it’s just like so many others with nothing new to wow the reader. I realize that this is just the start of the series, but as it stands, I’m on the fence about whether I’ll move forward with it.