Spellcrossed
Barbara Ashford

Daw Books, Inc.
June 5, 2012 /978-0756407292
Fantasy
Amazon

Reviewed by Jan Fields

As Artistic Director of the Crossroads Theatre, Maggie Graham has some big shoes to fill. The previous director was magical, literally. He was her fairy lover, Rowan Mackenzie, bound to the mortal realm by a curse. Maggie broke the curse and lost her love in Spellcast, the first novel in the series. As Spellcrossed opens, she's willing to accept the loss of Rowan and press on to keep the theater alive. When Rowan reappears in her life, along with someone Maggie never expected to see again -- Maggie has her life turned upside down by the fairy realm once again. The story of Maggie and Rowan is as much romance as it is fantasy, with lots and lots of long-winded self-analysis on Maggie's part. Maggie really believes in staying in touch with her feelings, thoughts and emotions by cataloging them constantly throughout the book. I have to admit, that slowed the pace of the novel beyond what I normally enjoy. However, the author's clear familiarity with theater life made the theater elements of the story fascinating. I really felt like I understood the job of an artistic director and the many layers of responsibility in the position clearly as I watched Maggie struggle through the theater season. I also found several of the minor characters charming and found myself looking forward to each of their appearances in the plot. Ashford did an excellent job of showing believable growth and change in these minor characters as they supported Maggie in the season and handled their own conflicts and challenges. For readers who enjoy lots of inner life in their main characters, Spellcrossed will be a satisfying slice of romantic fantasy.