A Distant Magic (Guardians)

by Mary Jo Putney

Book Overview

Bestselling author M.J. Putney weaves a new tale in the Guardian series-a dazzling romantic fantasy that takes readers not only from the elegant streets of London to a dangerously tempting... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345476921
• ISBN13: 9780345476920
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Del Rey
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 0.9" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

A fascinating attempt at a challenging goal

Mary Jo Putney, a wonderful writer of romance and fantasy, has set herself a challenging goal. In A DISTANT Magic she weaves together the romance and fantasy of her GUARDIAN SERIES with the history of the abolition of slavery plus a bit of time travel. The Guardians series (A KISS OF FATE and STOLEN MAGIC) is set in the mid 1700's with main characters who are members of the British and Scottish aristocracy and whose families have, for centuries, wielded magical power drawn from nature. These families have banded together vowing to use their powers to help others rather than for personal gain. While the prior books in the series did touch on particular historical events, they were first and foremost about romance. A DISTANT MAGIC is first and foremost about abolition but the story is told in a fascinating way through its framing within the Guardian world. It is a thought provoking tale and revels some things about this time in history which startled me. In Marseilles Jean McCrae, a fiery Scottish Guardian, is kidnapped by Captain Nikolai Gregorio, a Maltese ship owner who seeks revenge against the McCrae family for a wrong he believes the MaCrae family did him. Nikolai, who was once captured by pirates and spent time as a galley slave, has dedicated himself to freeing as many galley slaves as he can, sailing the Mediterranean to find them. He is appalled to find an irresistible attraction to Jean. Through a fantastical set of circumstances, Nikolai and Jean join forces to travel through time supporting the key moments of the abolition movement. While I typically read romance novels for escapist relaxation, I was fascinated by the concepts here: the parrallel worlds, the magical initiation, the importance of individual contributions to historical events, and especially the idea of like-minded people offering each other support across time and space. I understand that those looking for uncluttered escapism may be disappointed with this book. And I rate it with four rather than five stars because it was impossible for Ms. Putney to fully develop her characters here as in past novels. However, she succeeds remarkably and produces a very satisfying and thought provoking book.

Guardian series gets more serious

The third book in the Guardian series has moved away from pure romantic fantasy with a touch of history to more historical romance with a touch of fantasy. If you expect more scottish castles and unicorns, you may be disappointed. I read this book first, and went back to read A Touch of Magic and Stolen Magic because I liked the author's style. A Distant Magic is my favorite because it is more complex. I also think time travel, when used well, is a great plot device. Very entertaining!

This book has it all...

Fans of Mary Jo Putney's novels will be thrilled with her newest release in the Guardian series, A Distant Magic. It follows A Kiss of Fate and Stolen Magic. One of the most important of the Guardians clan is Jean Macrae's family. They are humans who have had magical power bestowed on them through nature. But Jean is modest and doesn't think that her skills are anything special as she hasn't been able to do the things the more talented Guardians can do. But the day she meets the handsome Captain Nikolai Gregorio changes everything in her life. Jean is imprisoned on Nikolai's ship. He's sure that Jean's father left him to slavers when he was a child. And he is determined to wreck havoc and his vengeance against Jean and her family, whatever the cost. The handsome captain's magical gifts, untrained and limited though they are, are far more dangerous than the harm he wishes to bring upon the Macrae's. The two, Nikolai and Jean, seem to have a special connection, and together they summon a West African slave woman, Adia, from the future (1787). They must work to protect those who are against the evilness of slavery. (Nikolai has an island that is a refuge for freed slaves.) To do so will change the future of two nations. It is their love for each other that means everything to future generations. To fail, could mean the loss of what is important to them. A Distant Magic has it all: romance, history, time travel, adventure and magic. It's a lot for one book, but Putney pulls it off. Her romance is breathtaking, the conflict exciting, the time-travel element is exhilarating and the subject matter important. Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.

Wonderful read.

Jean Macrae was born in a leading Scottish Guardian (magical) family. Her family members are masters of the amazing powers that all Guardians use to protect their homeland. But Jean gets headaches whenever she uses more than a small amount of her scrying powers at once or for too long a time. As she boards a ship to visit Marseilles and attend a Guardian wedding, Lady Beth informs Jean that she will have an adventure. Jean should have paid more attention. During the visit to Marseilles, Jean is kidnapped by Captain Nikolai Gregorio who claims that the Macrae family owes him a blood debt. Nikolai takes great delight in explaining what happened to him twenty-odd years ago. Nikolai ended it by informing Jean that her father saw him being abducted by pirates and, instead of helping Nikolai, allowed him to be taken as a gallery-slave. Nikolai threatens to sell her into slavery on the Barbary Coast. Jean's powers are far inferior to Nikolai, but her Guardian magic subtly suggest that his mind may be changed by a woman (her) with whom he is quickly falling in love with. Elsewhere, another love story is happening. Adia lives in West Africa and is kidnapped by slavers. She is sold in Jamaica to Mr. Harris, who owns a sugar plantation. Adia grows up learning as much as she can; keeping a low profile by using a sort of shielding magic. While Adia is a maid for the oldest daughter, Sophie, Adia learns to read and write. When Sophie marries and moves to America, Adia goes with her and meets Mazi (now renamed Daniel), who had been another slave heading to market all those years ago. Love blooms, but can two slaves ever find happiness and/or freedom? ***** Two different love stories are happening simultaneously in this exceptional novel. They eventually blend together, making the novel seem even larger than life. (Of course, it is. That is what romance novels are mainly for.) But the author makes it come together seamlessly and realistically. LOTS of rich history from many sections of our small world, two adventures with blissful romance, and a bit of magic. Excellent! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

fabulous historical romantic fantasy

In the Mediterranean Sea, pirate Captain Nikolai Gregorio kidnaps Scottish Guardian Jean Macrae out of a thirst for revenge. Two decades ago Jean's father wronged Nikolai, or at least he believes the man did. Although he has some magical skills, Nikolai is unprepared for the prowess of the Guardian he holds prisoner. He especially cannot understand his attraction to the daughter of his enemy. Meanwhile Jean sees the inherent good inside her captor as he only attacks slave ships in order to free the slaves taking those less fortunates to a haven. As they fall in love, freed slave Adia Adams comes from 1787 to 1753 to enlist their help in protecting the newly formed abolitionist movement. The third Guardians historical romantic fantasy (see A KISS OF FATE and STOLEN MAGIC) is a fabulous thriller that uses magic (to include time traveling) that enhances a strong look at eighteenth century slavery issue. The strong relationship between the lad characters changes over the course of the exciting story line, but it is the astute subplot involving the relatively new abolitionist movement that grips readers. Mary Jo Putney's fans and anyone who appreciates a thought provoking tale will want to read the well written A DISTANT MAGIC. Harriet Klausner