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Uncertain Magic cover art

Uncertain Magic

By: Laura Kinsale
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
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Summary

As a lovely heiress, Roderica Delamore should be a prize catch--except for her shameful secret. She has the ability to hear the thoughts of those around her. Even her family and close friends can't hide from her strange gift. Knowing that she can never marry, for no man could bear it, Roddy still longs hopelessly for a family of her own. Until she meets the man she's been waiting for--the Earl of Iveragh, a mysterious Irish aristocrat whose thoughts are entirely closed to her.

The impoverished Devil Earl is damned in society by dark rumor and innuendo, and, for all she knows, he could be a liar, a rogue, or much, much worse. But Roddy must dance with him at midnight on All Hallows Eve, and entrust her life--and her heart--to a riveting stranger, called by his torment into the faerie mists to discover what she most fears about herself and her own magic.

©1987, 2010 Hedgehog Inc (P)2014 Hedgehog Inc

Critic reviews

"A whole new style of historical romance. Beautifully written... a definite must-read." ( The Long and Short of It Reviews)
"Kinsale weaves fey magic into a tale of love, political unrest, and loss, and delivers some riveting plot twists." ( Rundpinne)

What listeners say about Uncertain Magic

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Better than other Stories by Laura Kinsale

I have enjoyed the story more than other stories of romance and mystery. The Story is more interesting, because it is not quite a fairy tale, although it makes reference to Irish lore and fairy tales.
It is more complex, and so is the historical background development; the magic element is kept to a minimum and intelligently treated so as not to disturb too much the necessary suspension of disbelief, but could be interpreted as a metaphor for immature conscience or self awareness and sensitivity. Another plus is for me the fact that the sex is less boring and is played through poetic metaphors, rather than through graphic descriptions as it it is in others of her novels, Repetition of full sex scenes is also less insistent, although some of it is structural to character development. The historical background, is also better researched and more integral to the story.
The ending is rather unsatisfactory, though, as it brings about a 'Deus ex Machina' intervention rather than a more 'natural' internal resolution due to the characters reaching a greater level of self awareness, and a better tidying up of loose ends, for instance who is/are the real author/s of the crimes imputed to the hero is left to the heroine and the fairies to 'tell' the audience, rather than the discovery ensuing from the action. Proper development of plot and subots, in this respect is sacrificed to repetition of lengthy sex scenes brooding over what in real life would be called lack of ability to communicate.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Not impressed =(.

How can one get a book wrong on so many levels??? Book reads like a braindump of ideas.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another wonderful combination!

Perfect writing and the best ever narration. This is my tenth LK and NB AUDIBLE with only two to go; I will have to go back to the beginning and start again.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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More Magic from Kinsale and Boulton

Would you consider the audio edition of Uncertain Magic to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book, but I think anything read by Nicholas Boulton is guaranteed to be better than in print!

What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

His performance is incredible. There are a large number of secondary characters in the story, all of whom are skilfully delineated, and when it comes to the central characters, he really gets into their heads and under their skins; he understands them and conveys that understanding to the listener brilliantly. It's not that I dislike making my own character judgements and opinions when I read a book, but having such an accomplished actor narrating the story brings the characters so vibrantly to life that it's a truly wonderful listening experience.

Any additional comments?

Incredibly, this was Laura Kinsale's début novel. The writing is rich and layered, and her incorporation of supernatural elements was unusual for the time (1987) - but she has once again created a couple of compelling protagonists (if you like tortured heroes, you'll LOVE Iveragh!) and a wonderfully complex story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enthralling

Magic, mystery, political history all woven together around a love story. Satisfying ending - both happy and bittersweet.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Magic indeed

Kinsale/Boulton magic once again. A fey tale, marvellous prose and another masterful narration. Kinsale is always fresh and original.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Magical

Magical, beautiful, sad, a surprising pull between fairy land and this plane, beautifully written and brilliantly told (as usual)

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Strong start, very weak finish

Would you try another book written by Laura Kinsale or narrated by Nicholas Boulton?

Yes because I have heard fantastic books by Laura Kinsale, but this was not one of them. I especially liked her female James Bond story. (The loving daylights).

What will your next listen be?

I did a lot of easy listen lately, but might go for a popular science book next for a change.

Would you be willing to try another one of Nicholas Boulton’s performances?

Would not be a search criteria like Rosalyn Landor was.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Strong start and not the usual story, but I finished it yesterday and already forgot the name of the heroine. The pig was most lovely and I shall remember it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely story

I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Now it's finished I feel at a loss. The narrator was really good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • O
  • 06-02-15

Always love the Laura Kinsale, Nicholas Bolton duo

Always love the Laura Kinsale and Nicholas Bolton combination, great story and great voice. Leaves me hoping there will be more of them everytime.

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