Mage Heart

by Jane Routley

Book Overview

A female sorceress named Dion is charged with protecting the ruler's favorite mistress, Kitten Avignon--the most beautiful courtesan in the land of Gallia--from a vicious necromancer whose charms put Dion's strength to the test.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380781271
• ISBN13: 9780380781270
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Harper Voyager
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Mesmerizing Dark Fantasy!

Dion was just an ordinary young girl when she came to the attention of Michael, a great mage. Michael bought her from her mother to see if it was possible to train a female to be a mage. Michael completely takes over Dion's life as she has no other friends or teachers. When Dion is older, she cannot really remember a life before Michael. She knows that she has often been a disappointment to him and fears what will become of her now that Michael is dead. There is no place for a female mage in Gallia and Dion doesn't really have any training as a healer, the only acceptable role for a female with magicial powers. So it is a relief to the Dean of the School of Magic when the Duke calls on her to protect his favorite mistress, Kitten Avignon, from a necromancer with a grudge. Dion tries to refuse, terrified that she will lose all that is left to her now - her unsullied reputation. After all, how can she be seen to consort with the women of the "honey sisterhood" and not be thought a courtesan herself? However, when the necromancer sends an assassin into the College of Magics to kill Dion, she has no choice but to move in with Kitten and accept the physical protection that that will provide her. Dion is ill prepared for the world of political intrigue in which she finds herself and struggles to fit Kitten's view of the world and Michael's view together. But Dion has a bigger problem, she has somehow called a Demon to her and the Demon will do anything to cross over into Dion's world where innocent prey abounds. Dion both fears and desires the demon's power, but she knows that to use demon magic is the worst kind of necromancy. Matters are further complicated when she meets the mesmerizing Andre Gregorov, a sophisticated foreigner who claims to be passionately in love with her. But who is he really and why does he want her? Dion soon discovers that nothing and no one is what it appears. Can she have the confidence in herself to make the right choices and to use her great magical gift to protect those most important to her?I thought that the book started off a little slow, but once Dion moved into Kitten's house, the plot seemed to move along faster. Also, I really enjoyed the romance/attraction between Dion and Andre and wish that that had been introduced sooner in the book, but I understand that Dion's character needed to be developed to a certain point before Andre could be introduced. The plot was quite original and the world that Jane Routley introduces the reader to was simply stunning in its realistic details. Politics, art, religion, all intertwine in the complicated relationships that we see in our own world today. Nothing is simple and nothing is easy in this world and everything becomes a shade of gray instead of the black and white that Dion is looking for. A very entertaining read - highly recommended for all who love fantasy!

Cant wait to read Routley's other books!! : )

I've bought Mage Heart only 2 days ago and promised myself that I would take my time reading(i'm the kind of person who stays up past midnight to finish reading a book)... well, i failed.. Mage Heart was too good to put down! Dion(the main character) is a very interesting person once u get to know her. She's the type of person who wants respect from society-she's no rebel-but still has mixed feelings about what to do (and no, its not peer pressure). to sum it all up-its a perfect book for anyone [over 13] who loves romance..but dont worry, there's a lot of sci-fi involved in it too.. ; )

I Couldn't Put It Down...

Dion is a young and prudish mage unsure of her abilities. When selected to protect the Duke's mistress from an ex-lover, she finds the task extremely distasteful but promises to do her best. Her concentration on Kitten Avignon, however, is soon disturbed by the appearance of a mysterious dark stranger. Dion finds herself juggling her responsiblities with the emotions brought out by her strange relationship with Andre Gregorov. And her life is made no easier by the appearances a demon named Bedazzer keeps making in her mirror. I read Mage Heart from cover to cover twice before I could put it down. (Thankfully, I'm a fast reader.) A year later, my copy is battered and torn, and I can start reading at any place and immediately know what's happening. I am very pleased to find somewhere to get a new copy, as Mage Heart has been out-of-print for sometime. I am tempted to say that this story is most likely to appeal to women, as a major theme of the book is Dion's 'becoming a woman' and the slow building of her relationship with Andre. (Andre, by the way, is one of the most fascinating and vivid characters I have come across. Ever.) As for vulgarity...well, Kitten is the Duke's mistress, and her friends are women of similar 'character'. You have to expect some talk about sex. I never found it that horrifying, but those easily offended may wish to back off. Unfortunately, the sequels are nowhere near as satisfying, perhaps because the most interesting characters from 'Mage Heart' are forced into the background to make sporadic appearances. This first novel, however, is definitely worth a look.

A delightful suprise - An enthralling book!

I bought this book on the discount hardcover rack just because I was bored. I am a Jordan fan & have impatiently awaited the eighth book in his WOT series, with nothing better to do, I was eager to find something to occupy my time. I was completely suprised to find such an enthralling story behind the cover. I was hesitant to buy an unknown author's first book, but I am very glad I did. After the first page I was completely hooked. I lost many hours of sleep because I could not put it down. This book grabs you and does not let you go! A definite must read for the fantasy fan who is bored with the same old names.

A REALLY great book, one of my favorites.

I have trouble finding books every now and then that I enjoy so much I read it over and over, each time not losing one bit of intrest. I did this with "Mage Heart." Dion caught my attention from the first chapter. She is a strong character, and the story line is not hard to follow. I have always loved dark and demonic things. The seductiveness of the demon and the man who seduces her are very dark indeed, and the mystery, love, and gentleness about Kitten Avignon give a nice touch to the book. If you love books with a fiery passion for life, love, and the yearning of trying to fit into a corrupt world, read "Mage Heart." *meg*