Even if I know, from previous experiences with this same publisher, that usually their novels are pretty tamed, I really didn’t expect for Katica Locke’s book to be “almost” a Young Adult story.

It’s a fantasy novel, but that type of fantasy that I don’t mind, since it’s not too heavy in setting details and so, difficult to follow. On the contrary, Magebound is a quick novel, not very long and easy to read in one session.

Lark is a slave and he has no chance to be something else; he lost his hope to be free sometime in the future, and when his last tentative to run away ended with him again on the slave’s market, he probably thought that it was time to renounce and let it go. When he is bought by a mage, he doesn’t know what it better, and he has some suicidal thoughts. But the experience of living with Lord Sactaren, Naeven, is completely different from what he was expecting.

When Lark starts his new life as salesman for the mage’s potion, in a shop inside the mage’s castle, the novel takes almost a “domestic” turn; all right, there is a cat shifter who can speak even when he is in his feline form, there is a spidersmith, that is a spider very skilled in the smith work, there are strange animals who can talk with their hands, and so on and so far. But basically, what Lark does is being a salesman, and people come to him asking for both human than animal potion, to cure practically everything.

Also Lark’s relationship with Naeven is strange; from the first moment, Naeven treats Lark more like a friend, or at least someone at his same level, and not as a slave. There are some hints that Naeven is homosexual, but he is also married, with a woman that lives inside the castle but not “with” his husband; she is a wife by contract, her task is to produce an heir, but I’m wondering how that could happen, since Naeven apparently hardly speaks with her, let alone sleep.

Lark is a mix of innocence and mistrust; other hints let the reader understand that he was raped by his previous owners, and so he links sex with pain; when he starts to feel something for Naeven, he is not able to link it to sexual desire, since for him there is nothing good in sex. Plus it’s not that Naeven is clear in his intention, and so most of the book is spent with the two of them who are not able to find a common starting point.

I see in Lark a possible point of connection between the mage and the village; even if Naeven has done anything in this story to justify the village’s attitude, he is not considered a “good” master; people fear him, and I didn’t understand if it was a totally misunderstanding, or if indeed Naeven did something in the past. In the end, I had the feeling that this was only the starting of a more complex story, I think Katica Locke is not yet finished with these characters and I hope she will consider to write more about Khas, I’d really like for him to coming back.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933720654/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

I purchased this book on a whim, as it was recommended to me by Amazon and in my quick pick list. It’s billed as a fantasy story, which is my favorite genre. It turned out to be a lovely gem that I enjoyed greatly. Though it is nowhere near the level of a true fantasy book like the Nightrunner series , it is more than just M/M romance with fantasy window-dressing. The author puts considerable effort into building her fantasy world with rich descriptions, and fine details that bring it to life.

Lark is a slave, and has been for 13 years. The story is told from his POV. It begins with Lark being purchased by a mage’s servant at the market. Lark is surprised to find he is given his own room, clean, well-made clothes and a job running the mage’s magic shop. I’ve read a lot of romances where the prostitute or slave is “rescued” by a loving master. And at first, this story seems to be the same. Except the author gets surprisingly realistic with the idea (despite the fantasy elements). How could a slave, brainwashed by years of slavery and abuse to obey, fear and never trust, enter into a relationship between equals? Lark has been beaten and raped by previous owners – wouldn’t it be natural for him to suspect his attraction to Naeven as a spell? How could he desire something which caused him pain and humiliation in the past? It is also believable that he would suspect any altruistic action on his new master’s part as having an ulterior motive. Naeven insists he doesn’t want to be called master, and he doesn’t abuse or mistreat Lark, but he doesn’t give Lark his freedom either. The angst between them wasn’t just an annoyance, it made sense as attraction grew between them. And, the attraction is clear from both parties.

I loved how the author made Naeven such a mystery. His motives are never fully clear, even as Lark begins to see that Naeven doesn’t see him as only property. Since the book is told through Lark’s eyes, the romance is also built that way. It is slowly built, with a lot of sexual tension. For those wondering, the book has no explicit sex, though there are a couple very sensual scenes. I usually like there to be sex in books (whether romance or not), but here I didn’t really miss it. It was a tender, sensual romance that worked perfectly. I loved the characters by the end, and wanted to spend more time with them. The secondary character of Schaff, a cat who talks, is a great addition. He’s snarky, sarcastic and has some of the best lines in the book. And the most ambiguous motives.

My only gripe is that the book ended with an obvious need for a sequel. There was some closure, but questions were also left unanswered and a new character introduced that needs more. This doesn’t prevent me from recommending the book (as even if a sequel never comes, I won’t regret reading it), but it does set me to begging the author…please, please! ( )