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Alaia Chronicles #1
The Source of Magic: A Portal Fantasy Romance
> > > THE MOST POWERFUL MAGIC IS LOVE.
When a gorgeous man clasps Jilian Stewart to his chest and yanks her from Scotland into a magical battle, she thinks it must be another of her bizarre dreams. Plagued by unnerving visions of this man, she's sure they're brought on by the stress of her mother's deadly paralysis. Instead, she finds herself ensnared in a fantasy otherworld, trapped by treachery and family secrets and opposing the one man who can make everything right.
Prince Alvarr, her sexy abductor, offers a cure for her dying mother, but won't send Jilian home with it until she helps him destroy the evil mage threatening his people--with mystical powers she never knew she had.
The Source of Magic is an 83,000-word novel and has won sixteen awards.
When a gorgeous man clasps Jilian Stewart to his chest and yanks her from Scotland into a magical battle, she thinks it must be another of her bizarre dreams. Plagued by unnerving visions of this man, she's sure they're brought on by the stress of her mother's deadly paralysis. Instead, she finds herself ensnared in a fantasy otherworld, trapped by treachery and family secrets and opposing the one man who can make everything right.
Prince Alvarr, her sexy abductor, offers a cure for her dying mother, but won't send Jilian home with it until she helps him destroy the evil mage threatening his people--with mystical powers she never knew she had.
The Source of Magic is an 83,000-word novel and has won sixteen awards.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2011
112 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Cate Rowan
16 books572 followersUSA Today bestseller Cate Rowan writes novels of magic and royal romance set in fantasy kingdoms (and queendoms!) near and far.
She has washed laundry in a crocodile-infested African lake, parasailed over a Mexican beach, and had Costa Rican monkeys poop in her hair, but her favorite adventures are story worlds. Her creative, out-of-the-box tales of heroic odysseys and true love have won more than thirty awards.
These days she lives in the wild Rocky Mountains with her husband, their rescued feline fur-children, and a horse suitably nicknamed Stinkerbelle.
She has washed laundry in a crocodile-infested African lake, parasailed over a Mexican beach, and had Costa Rican monkeys poop in her hair, but her favorite adventures are story worlds. Her creative, out-of-the-box tales of heroic odysseys and true love have won more than thirty awards.
These days she lives in the wild Rocky Mountains with her husband, their rescued feline fur-children, and a horse suitably nicknamed Stinkerbelle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 3, 2019
a good read .
August 5, 2013
I read this book after Kismet's Kiss and I must admit that I liked it less.
Don't get me wrong it is a good book, but Kismet's Kiss was better!
Here we have a 21st Century Earth woman who's been abducted by a hot prince to another planet.
I think that's very similar to Robin Owens Song of Marwey and to the whole Summoning series.
But, even if the story is not novel one it was well done, what irked me was the hero's, Alvarr, behavior.
Alvarr is described as a young prince who will do everything to save his realm from the villain, so he abduct Jillian and want her to help him. He's arrogant in asking for her help and he treats her like she's abliged to give that help, even if she tries to explain that her first duty is to her mother and not some realm she hasn't heard of before! And he's fast to jump on conclusions, the wrong one obviously! He goes over the top thinking all the worst of the woman he loves. He insists on trust, but is the first not to give it! I would have preffered the hero more similar to Kuramos from Kismet's Kiss - more coherent to what he's preaching! His redeaming quality is that he's a really good and dedicated ruler and much loved by his subjects!
Jillian was annoying in the beginning, but she got better and better as the story unfolded. I could understand her reasoning. The only thing I have against her was that she was a little bit a doormat: she should have insisted more to be heard by Alvarr when the misunderstanding occured.
That said, the book was interesting; I liked the tone of voice the writed gave to the book and the flow of the story! And the twist about the villain!
I would like to read the story of the future rulers of Fallorm! :D
Don't get me wrong it is a good book, but Kismet's Kiss was better!
Here we have a 21st Century Earth woman who's been abducted by a hot prince to another planet.
I think that's very similar to Robin Owens Song of Marwey and to the whole Summoning series.
But, even if the story is not novel one it was well done, what irked me was the hero's, Alvarr, behavior.
Alvarr is described as a young prince who will do everything to save his realm from the villain, so he abduct Jillian and want her to help him. He's arrogant in asking for her help and he treats her like she's abliged to give that help, even if she tries to explain that her first duty is to her mother and not some realm she hasn't heard of before! And he's fast to jump on conclusions, the wrong one obviously! He goes over the top thinking all the worst of the woman he loves. He insists on trust, but is the first not to give it! I would have preffered the hero more similar to Kuramos from Kismet's Kiss - more coherent to what he's preaching! His redeaming quality is that he's a really good and dedicated ruler and much loved by his subjects!
Jillian was annoying in the beginning, but she got better and better as the story unfolded. I could understand her reasoning. The only thing I have against her was that she was a little bit a doormat: she should have insisted more to be heard by Alvarr when the misunderstanding occured.
That said, the book was interesting; I liked the tone of voice the writed gave to the book and the flow of the story! And the twist about the villain!
I would like to read the story of the future rulers of Fallorm! :D
Read
February 22, 2016Really? ANOTHER fantasy romance where the heroine acts as a magical power source for the hero who's a powerful mage. Of course, she not an actual mage she's just a power source for the mage who happens to be male and her love interest - it's in the title, she's the source - oh foolish me!
I've noticed some disturbing consistencies within this genre. There's ALWAYS a very unequal power dynamic between the hero and the heroine - at least a 100 year age difference, master/slave, master/apprentice, the king and his subject kind of relashionship. The heroine is a healer, or a source of magic for the hero or her magic is very mystical, uncontrollable - you know, feminine, duh.
Please, if you know a fantasy romance, or a fantasy novel with romantic elements that defies these stereotypes recommend it to me. I'm at the point where I'm about to give up on the genre.
I've noticed some disturbing consistencies within this genre. There's ALWAYS a very unequal power dynamic between the hero and the heroine - at least a 100 year age difference, master/slave, master/apprentice, the king and his subject kind of relashionship. The heroine is a healer, or a source of magic for the hero or her magic is very mystical, uncontrollable - you know, feminine, duh.
Please, if you know a fantasy romance, or a fantasy novel with romantic elements that defies these stereotypes recommend it to me. I'm at the point where I'm about to give up on the genre.
June 20, 2018
3.5 Stars
The source of magic had an interesting premise that instantly captivated my attention.
You're quickly transported into another world where almost anything is possible. I found myself picturing exactly what this world might look like.
I lost my love of the story when the characters seemed to fall in love within a few days of meeting. The speed in which things occurred felt somewhat rushed and unbelievable.
The source of magic had an interesting premise that instantly captivated my attention.
You're quickly transported into another world where almost anything is possible. I found myself picturing exactly what this world might look like.
I lost my love of the story when the characters seemed to fall in love within a few days of meeting. The speed in which things occurred felt somewhat rushed and unbelievable.
November 18, 2015
An imaginative, fast-paced science fiction/fantasy romance!
"It is said that years ago a skilled mage, perhaps the most gifted our world has known, chose the dark arts. His outlook became twisted, and the things and people touching his life became twisted as well. He knew that a mage and Source, linked by partnership, could wield much greater power than he could by himself. He also knew that if he linked with a Source, he might not be able to fully control that partnership. He thought it best, therefore, to eliminate any possible competition - by annihilating the Sources."
THE SOURCE OF MAGIC by Cate Rowan was a romantic fantasy that I enjoyed, but was not wowed by. It was an interesting read, but I wanted to love it! If you follow my reviews, you know romantic fantasies are one of my favorite genres.
I confess to not having read the first book before diving into this one. The blurb for this book states that it's a stand-alone novel. However, perhaps if I'd read the series in order, I would have enjoyed this tale more.
This story featured a modern day woman, Jilian Stewart, who was abducted from earth without warning by Prince Alvarr, a smokin' hot prince from another planet in a huge case of mistaken identity as the prince thought he was seizing Sara, Jilian's mother. Sara was a known magical source which the Prince needed to counteract a villain who was draining his kingdom of magic. By the time the Prince discovered that he'd snatched the wrong woman, he didn't have the magic left to return Jilian and take Sara. It wouldn't have mattered if he had, though, as Sara was deathly ill.
Prince Alvarr was a bit of a jerk, but he redeemed himself as the story progressed. To his credit, his subjects adored him. I liked the heroine and could fully understand why she'd be so upset at having been captured when her dying mother needed her. Jilian had no connection to the Prince's world and his arrogance and demanding ways were not conducive to convincing her to help his planet.
There was an interesting cast of supporting characters. One of my favorites was Kalen, a talking jencel bird. I hope we see more of Kalen in future books as he was an intriguing character.
This story has numerous twists including a jaw-dropping one near the end that took me completely by surprise. I did savor this tale and never considered not finishing it. However, in my opinion, it lacked that special oomph that would have made it great. It definitely had the potential to be truly exceptional. Perhaps I'm being too harsh, as I've read and reviewed some awesome science fiction/fantasy romances lately. If you enjoy imaginative, fast-paced science fiction/fantasy romances, you should put THE SOURCE OF MAGIC on your to-read list.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
3 Wine Glasses!
"It is said that years ago a skilled mage, perhaps the most gifted our world has known, chose the dark arts. His outlook became twisted, and the things and people touching his life became twisted as well. He knew that a mage and Source, linked by partnership, could wield much greater power than he could by himself. He also knew that if he linked with a Source, he might not be able to fully control that partnership. He thought it best, therefore, to eliminate any possible competition - by annihilating the Sources."
THE SOURCE OF MAGIC by Cate Rowan was a romantic fantasy that I enjoyed, but was not wowed by. It was an interesting read, but I wanted to love it! If you follow my reviews, you know romantic fantasies are one of my favorite genres.
I confess to not having read the first book before diving into this one. The blurb for this book states that it's a stand-alone novel. However, perhaps if I'd read the series in order, I would have enjoyed this tale more.
This story featured a modern day woman, Jilian Stewart, who was abducted from earth without warning by Prince Alvarr, a smokin' hot prince from another planet in a huge case of mistaken identity as the prince thought he was seizing Sara, Jilian's mother. Sara was a known magical source which the Prince needed to counteract a villain who was draining his kingdom of magic. By the time the Prince discovered that he'd snatched the wrong woman, he didn't have the magic left to return Jilian and take Sara. It wouldn't have mattered if he had, though, as Sara was deathly ill.
Prince Alvarr was a bit of a jerk, but he redeemed himself as the story progressed. To his credit, his subjects adored him. I liked the heroine and could fully understand why she'd be so upset at having been captured when her dying mother needed her. Jilian had no connection to the Prince's world and his arrogance and demanding ways were not conducive to convincing her to help his planet.
There was an interesting cast of supporting characters. One of my favorites was Kalen, a talking jencel bird. I hope we see more of Kalen in future books as he was an intriguing character.
This story has numerous twists including a jaw-dropping one near the end that took me completely by surprise. I did savor this tale and never considered not finishing it. However, in my opinion, it lacked that special oomph that would have made it great. It definitely had the potential to be truly exceptional. Perhaps I'm being too harsh, as I've read and reviewed some awesome science fiction/fantasy romances lately. If you enjoy imaginative, fast-paced science fiction/fantasy romances, you should put THE SOURCE OF MAGIC on your to-read list.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
3 Wine Glasses!
December 1, 2017
Great Fantasy for Adults
I was skeptikal at first but as I began to read, I learned to like the characters.
If you are looking romance (adult romance) with a little bit of magic and adventure- like 80% romance, 15% magic, and 5% adventure, this book is for you. Jilian has just lost her father, and with her terminal ill mother, she got pulled into a world of none sense. I could feel the author trying hard to stay truthful to reality and she did an okay job. I didn't feel the difference too much in the change of world when Jilian crossed. It was almost like she was a native. I did like when Alvarr crossed. You can feel the unfamiliarity and it was fun.
Pros: Well developed characters, relatable main characters, okay plot
Cons: Oh boy where do I begin? Okay, let's start with the Gray eyes and the hard muscles. There were too many of those. I get it, the guy is hot. You wrote it in the previous 30 chapters already. Second, I know having sex is a great thing but a wet dream is not a sign of love. Third, this one more personal. Alvarr at some point sounded like kid- a pathetic jealous arrogant teenager. He jealous of animals, his friends, duvets, and anything that spoke the girl. It was annoying. Last, not really but I don't want to write a book, the timeline between Sara left and Jilan and Alvarr's age is confusing and definitely needs editing.
Over all, it was a quick read. I gave it 3 star beacause Fantasy is not my genre but it got me to read it till the end.
I was skeptikal at first but as I began to read, I learned to like the characters.
If you are looking romance (adult romance) with a little bit of magic and adventure- like 80% romance, 15% magic, and 5% adventure, this book is for you. Jilian has just lost her father, and with her terminal ill mother, she got pulled into a world of none sense. I could feel the author trying hard to stay truthful to reality and she did an okay job. I didn't feel the difference too much in the change of world when Jilian crossed. It was almost like she was a native. I did like when Alvarr crossed. You can feel the unfamiliarity and it was fun.
Pros: Well developed characters, relatable main characters, okay plot
Cons: Oh boy where do I begin? Okay, let's start with the Gray eyes and the hard muscles. There were too many of those. I get it, the guy is hot. You wrote it in the previous 30 chapters already. Second, I know having sex is a great thing but a wet dream is not a sign of love. Third, this one more personal. Alvarr at some point sounded like kid- a pathetic jealous arrogant teenager. He jealous of animals, his friends, duvets, and anything that spoke the girl. It was annoying. Last, not really but I don't want to write a book, the timeline between Sara left and Jilan and Alvarr's age is confusing and definitely needs editing.
Over all, it was a quick read. I gave it 3 star beacause Fantasy is not my genre but it got me to read it till the end.
March 4, 2017
3.5 stars
December 16, 2018
DNA. Boring story snd boring narrator.
July 17, 2019
I gave this book a 2.5 stars. I didn't really the characters and Jillian came off as a brat to me. The joking around really didnt fit the story.
October 26, 2019
I kept turning pages
I liked this book. I read it all in one sitting and am going to read more from this author.
I liked this book. I read it all in one sitting and am going to read more from this author.
December 30, 2019
A very cheap novel, not worth my time
September 28, 2020
Liked it!
Want to read
October 8, 2021I WANT READ THIS BOOK AND I LIKE MAGICAL BOOKS FOR READING AHH ITS GOOD THANK YOU
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2016
Overall, this was a pretty good book. I enjoy fantasy-romance as a genre very much, and sometimes a good little standalone is a satisfying alternative to long series that tend to have more fantasy plot than romance. I think for what this is, it was a nice little read.
So let’s start out with the positives: the author is a great writer. The language was very nice and the writing nice to read. It was appropriate to the setting, but allowed us to distinguish Jil as modern when needed. The plot—though it was simple in order to fit everything in a standalone—was well executed and contrived, linking up various elements so everything seemed to come together.
But, there were some less-than-great aspects.
For example, the romance wasn’t my favorite. Though Alvarr is a respectable enough love interest, what we get from the relationship between him and Jil is basically that they both are physically attracted to each other, they go on a trip to find an herb, the sexual tension bursts and they have sex, then the next day they are admitting their love for each other. All in all it feels like a case of “lust mistaken for love.” It’s not the worst example in a book of this trope that I’ve ever seen, but it definitely deflated the romantic aspects of this book for me. On top of this not-so-romantic start, Jilian also shows herself to be one of those women who is quick to belittle her own justifiable feelings for the sake of a man. They get into a really stupid fight over a police officer being in Jilian’s home and Alvarr jumps to all these conclusions—she cheated, she lied about her mom just to get back to this man, she never loved me, she broke her oath—and even calls her a harlot—which is not cool—without much more basis than a man being in her house. He doesn’t even let her explain and she’s upset over his really petty reaction but then is like “no… it’s my fault… I love him… he had every right to be mad…” and I’m like you did nothing wrong except for like… not just scream at him that he was wrong and that you felt offended he’d think such things with so little basis. Some of their back and forth and internal turmoil was kind of comical because it all could have been avoided/cleared up if they’d just talked to each other or weren’t of a mind to just recklessly assume.
Another thing that sort of bugged me was the climax between our villain and hero; it happened in the last 6% of the book and was pretty short and simple. In fact, it was sort of so anticlimactic that it’s weird that Alvarr hadn’t already dealt with his foe; Jilian seemed pretty unnecessary in the grand scheme of things. It’s more like she just popped in to refill his magic stores and have sex with him. I expected more a battle or war or something; but it was pretty straightforward and not very exciting. I was disappointed with it honestly.
The fantasy was also there, but the world building wasn’t the most extensive. You get a feel for the differences, but also just sort of feel like you’re in medieval times. There’s no explanation of the spells or how magic works; we spend more time camping and listening to Alvar and Jilian have internal turmoil over one another than we do in fighting or magic or politics. I know this is a standalone, but if you’re going to do a fantasy you have to balance it out and be willing to world-build and immerse readers in it, otherwise they’re just going to apply a lot of contemporary real-world things to the story.
All this said, it wasn’t a bad book and I overall liked it. I didn’t love it—I have certainly read better and felt more attached to the couple and their fates—but for a quick little standalone it was a decent read for the few hours it took me to get through it. Since the sequels don’t deal with this couple again, I don’t believe I’ll be checking them out. I will admit that all the high ratings had me expecting more from this book, so I am a little overall let down by what I got compared to what all these reviews tried to raise this book up to being. Still, if you’re interested in a fast little dip into a romantic-fantasy and quick-burn style relationships are tolerable, you should give this a try. I got it on sale for 99 cents and at that price it’s not bad, but I wouldn’t have been too happy about paying full price for this.
So let’s start out with the positives: the author is a great writer. The language was very nice and the writing nice to read. It was appropriate to the setting, but allowed us to distinguish Jil as modern when needed. The plot—though it was simple in order to fit everything in a standalone—was well executed and contrived, linking up various elements so everything seemed to come together.
But, there were some less-than-great aspects.
For example, the romance wasn’t my favorite. Though Alvarr is a respectable enough love interest, what we get from the relationship between him and Jil is basically that they both are physically attracted to each other, they go on a trip to find an herb, the sexual tension bursts and they have sex, then the next day they are admitting their love for each other. All in all it feels like a case of “lust mistaken for love.” It’s not the worst example in a book of this trope that I’ve ever seen, but it definitely deflated the romantic aspects of this book for me. On top of this not-so-romantic start, Jilian also shows herself to be one of those women who is quick to belittle her own justifiable feelings for the sake of a man. They get into a really stupid fight over a police officer being in Jilian’s home and Alvarr jumps to all these conclusions—she cheated, she lied about her mom just to get back to this man, she never loved me, she broke her oath—and even calls her a harlot—which is not cool—without much more basis than a man being in her house. He doesn’t even let her explain and she’s upset over his really petty reaction but then is like “no… it’s my fault… I love him… he had every right to be mad…” and I’m like you did nothing wrong except for like… not just scream at him that he was wrong and that you felt offended he’d think such things with so little basis. Some of their back and forth and internal turmoil was kind of comical because it all could have been avoided/cleared up if they’d just talked to each other or weren’t of a mind to just recklessly assume.
Another thing that sort of bugged me was the climax between our villain and hero; it happened in the last 6% of the book and was pretty short and simple. In fact, it was sort of so anticlimactic that it’s weird that Alvarr hadn’t already dealt with his foe; Jilian seemed pretty unnecessary in the grand scheme of things. It’s more like she just popped in to refill his magic stores and have sex with him. I expected more a battle or war or something; but it was pretty straightforward and not very exciting. I was disappointed with it honestly.
The fantasy was also there, but the world building wasn’t the most extensive. You get a feel for the differences, but also just sort of feel like you’re in medieval times. There’s no explanation of the spells or how magic works; we spend more time camping and listening to Alvar and Jilian have internal turmoil over one another than we do in fighting or magic or politics. I know this is a standalone, but if you’re going to do a fantasy you have to balance it out and be willing to world-build and immerse readers in it, otherwise they’re just going to apply a lot of contemporary real-world things to the story.
All this said, it wasn’t a bad book and I overall liked it. I didn’t love it—I have certainly read better and felt more attached to the couple and their fates—but for a quick little standalone it was a decent read for the few hours it took me to get through it. Since the sequels don’t deal with this couple again, I don’t believe I’ll be checking them out. I will admit that all the high ratings had me expecting more from this book, so I am a little overall let down by what I got compared to what all these reviews tried to raise this book up to being. Still, if you’re interested in a fast little dip into a romantic-fantasy and quick-burn style relationships are tolerable, you should give this a try. I got it on sale for 99 cents and at that price it’s not bad, but I wouldn’t have been too happy about paying full price for this.
October 8, 2021
The POVs changed so frequently it felt like we never had time to see the characters' feelings beyond "he kidnap me but he sexy" and "i want her but I shouldn't". Yet somehow we had time for an infuriatingly long scene of the characters doing handstands on horseback.
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
April 20, 2017
A bit sparse.
I liked it, but I felt there could have been more story. And also the hero seemed to be being rewarded for behaviour that wasn't too far away from that of the villain. I'm never happy to see someone getting away with being angry, unreasonable and nasty.
I liked it, but I felt there could have been more story. And also the hero seemed to be being rewarded for behaviour that wasn't too far away from that of the villain. I'm never happy to see someone getting away with being angry, unreasonable and nasty.
August 28, 2013
I've been reading predominantly epic fantasy since I was quite young and I always think back and laugh about my "I will not be caught dead reading a romance book, ever!" attitude that I had back then. If it didn't have enough swords, magic, plot and character development, I was often lost quickly and would put the book down.
After a couple failed attempts at getting into romance through modern-day romance books (yawn...no magic, no swords, just drama), I had given up and quickly delved back into my 800+ pages assortment of epic fantasy reads. I've always enjoyed the romantic subplots in the epic fantasy series, but often wished for a shorter read in between the behemoth epic fantasy volumes. As a busy mom, some evenings I just want to be able to sit down and get absorbed in a story, finishing it within the same evening, or a couple of days at the most.
It wasn't until last year that I discovered this book. Before that, I thought the only 'fantasy' romance involved vampires and werewolves, and that there was little of what I found interesting in the genre (high fantasy, swords, magic, dragons, wizards, etc).
Enter The Source of Magic.
A genre dedicated entirely to fantasy romance? Boy, was I a converted believer! This book had the elements I loved from my epic fantasy reads, but with a sweeping love story that had most of the story emphasis to boot. The romance is believable, and the characters are tangible and interesting. I found myself so involved in this story that it was done before I was ready to leave the world.
The writing flows well and the plot is well conceived. No reading a page over a second time because your mind was elsewhere! The book also struck a chord with the 'walk through the closet into a different world' love I've had since I was a young girl.
Overall an excellent and engaging read. I have all of Cate's books and highly recommend them all.
After a couple failed attempts at getting into romance through modern-day romance books (yawn...no magic, no swords, just drama), I had given up and quickly delved back into my 800+ pages assortment of epic fantasy reads. I've always enjoyed the romantic subplots in the epic fantasy series, but often wished for a shorter read in between the behemoth epic fantasy volumes. As a busy mom, some evenings I just want to be able to sit down and get absorbed in a story, finishing it within the same evening, or a couple of days at the most.
It wasn't until last year that I discovered this book. Before that, I thought the only 'fantasy' romance involved vampires and werewolves, and that there was little of what I found interesting in the genre (high fantasy, swords, magic, dragons, wizards, etc).
Enter The Source of Magic.
A genre dedicated entirely to fantasy romance? Boy, was I a converted believer! This book had the elements I loved from my epic fantasy reads, but with a sweeping love story that had most of the story emphasis to boot. The romance is believable, and the characters are tangible and interesting. I found myself so involved in this story that it was done before I was ready to leave the world.
The writing flows well and the plot is well conceived. No reading a page over a second time because your mind was elsewhere! The book also struck a chord with the 'walk through the closet into a different world' love I've had since I was a young girl.
Overall an excellent and engaging read. I have all of Cate's books and highly recommend them all.
March 9, 2015
This was definitely a fast moving book. The drama starts right off the first chapter. Jillian learns of her heritage a way that no one wants to do so, in the heat of battle. Prince Alvarr has traveled to Jillian's world in order to call in on an oath for the help of his people. Only the oath was between Alvarr's parents and Jillian's mother. Jillian's mother had fled from Alaia the night she made the promise. She was a source of magic and the mage's could pull more magic from them. Sources were being murdered and Sara realized that she was the last living Source. She fled to protect her life. Alvarr thought he was fetching Sara, he didn't realize that Sara would have aged and thought she was Jillian. They arrive back at Alvarr's palace in the middle of battle and Jillian cannot open her power for him to use. She's injured along with several of Alvarr's mages and upon her recovery is when Alvarr realizes his mix-up. He has very little power and cannot afford another crossing to retrieve Sara. Jillian tells him that Sara is very ill. The healer advises that the disease Sara is suffering from was from their land and there may be a remedy. Jillian is also a source, but untrained. Alvarr agrees to help her search for the remedy if she will train as a source and help his people.
February 11, 2017
I could not get into this book. It was too sexually focused and that did not make sense in the story. It was sappy and over the top though the story itself had potential. I just could not waste my time on it when there are so many other great books to read.
May 14, 2011
I love The Source of Magic. I love everything about it - the feisty heroine, Jillian, the to-die-for hero, Prince Alvarr, the otherworldly setting. Cate Rowan has woven an intriguing and engrossing story with enough twists and turns to keep me turning the virtual pages.
Jillian is transported to an exotic new world, like Earth, but not like Earth, filled with strange plants and animals. Despite her confusion and her fear, Jillian is strong and fights to get back to her sick mother. Jillian discovers she has magic powers, powers Prince Alvarr and his people need. They have something Jillian needs - the plant that could cure her mother.
When Jillian and Alvarr go on a journey to find the rare plant, they find so much more than that. They find love, but that love is tested over and over. They have to fight their growing feelings for each other and fight a very bad villain. Jillian is determined to get home to her mother. But can she bear to leave Alvarr? That question kept me guessing and reading to a very satisfactory ending.
Cate Rowan is a terrfic writer. I can't wait to read more of her books.
Jillian is transported to an exotic new world, like Earth, but not like Earth, filled with strange plants and animals. Despite her confusion and her fear, Jillian is strong and fights to get back to her sick mother. Jillian discovers she has magic powers, powers Prince Alvarr and his people need. They have something Jillian needs - the plant that could cure her mother.
When Jillian and Alvarr go on a journey to find the rare plant, they find so much more than that. They find love, but that love is tested over and over. They have to fight their growing feelings for each other and fight a very bad villain. Jillian is determined to get home to her mother. But can she bear to leave Alvarr? That question kept me guessing and reading to a very satisfactory ending.
Cate Rowan is a terrfic writer. I can't wait to read more of her books.
April 23, 2013
This book has been on my wishlist since I bought Kismet's Kiss. I never got around to buy it, until now. I am glad I bought it.
Teganne was an intriguing contrast to Kad, and it felt very believable. From the way the castle was described to the customs and traditions they had. I also liked the magic, and the fact that the Kyrra was limited. Once you burned it out, it was gone forever.
I liked Jillian and Alvarr. Jillian's reaction to suddenly being in Teganne, and the struggle to adapt to it, and what it meant felt believable. Alvarr was honorable warrior, but I also liked that he struggled with keeping his country independent.
It was intriguing to follow Jillian's and Alvarr's romance. From the way they clash in the beginning, to how they gradually start to get to know each other. I liked how both of them had their own issues to work through, and how that caused additional problems between them. I also liked that they were ready to compromise with each other. The plot twists were unexpected, yet logical when they happened.
Despite all the things I liked with this novel, I never felt the desperation that Alvarr and Jillian felt.
Teganne was an intriguing contrast to Kad, and it felt very believable. From the way the castle was described to the customs and traditions they had. I also liked the magic, and the fact that the Kyrra was limited. Once you burned it out, it was gone forever.
I liked Jillian and Alvarr. Jillian's reaction to suddenly being in Teganne, and the struggle to adapt to it, and what it meant felt believable. Alvarr was honorable warrior, but I also liked that he struggled with keeping his country independent.
It was intriguing to follow Jillian's and Alvarr's romance. From the way they clash in the beginning, to how they gradually start to get to know each other. I liked how both of them had their own issues to work through, and how that caused additional problems between them. I also liked that they were ready to compromise with each other. The plot twists were unexpected, yet logical when they happened.
Despite all the things I liked with this novel, I never felt the desperation that Alvarr and Jillian felt.
May 5, 2011
This is an engrossing book. Jilian’s mother is critically ill and when a stranger transports her back in time, she is furious and cares only about returning to the hospital before her mother dies. She doesn’t believe she has special powers that can help save a kingdom and resents her handsome abductor.
However Prince Alvarr is very persuasive and when she witnesses firsthand the evil that threatens his people, she agrees to help in exchange for a rare plant that might heal her mother. However Jilian has no intention of hanging around in this strange and mystical place; she just wants to find the plant, return to Scotland, and save her mother.
The writing is very well done and I was captivated by Alvarr’s world and the conflicting loyalties that threaten their growing love. A surprise twist makes a happy ending doubtful but it works out in the end and is a very satisfying read. I’ll be looking for more from this author.
January 9, 2019
Read on my kindle unlimited subscription.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. While it was very fast-paced, I had a few problems.
PLOT: When Jillian is whisked away to a magical realm by Prince Alvarr she discovers she has powers she never knew about and agrees to help Alvarr in exchange for a rare herb that will cure her mother.
I liked our main character, Jillian, however, I hated Alvarr. Their romance was very toxic. For example, When Alvarr finds Jillian speaking to another man he becomes extremely aggressive and nasty, even going so far as to call her horrid names and then refuses to speak to her. Jillian feels bad about it and apologised! It went downhill from there.
The world building and magical element were confusing. But the plot was very fast paced.
I may continue on with this series as it follows completely different characters, I would like to give this author another go.
Overall I would recommend and see what you think.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. While it was very fast-paced, I had a few problems.
PLOT: When Jillian is whisked away to a magical realm by Prince Alvarr she discovers she has powers she never knew about and agrees to help Alvarr in exchange for a rare herb that will cure her mother.
I liked our main character, Jillian, however, I hated Alvarr. Their romance was very toxic. For example, When Alvarr finds Jillian speaking to another man he becomes extremely aggressive and nasty, even going so far as to call her horrid names and then refuses to speak to her. Jillian feels bad about it and apologised! It went downhill from there.
The world building and magical element were confusing. But the plot was very fast paced.
I may continue on with this series as it follows completely different characters, I would like to give this author another go.
Overall I would recommend and see what you think.
Read
November 19, 2011Rowan’s other book, The Source of Magic we have a feisty heroine, Jillian who is transported to another world. Rowan brings in the exotic, the magic and the passion in Source of Magic. In this new exotic world, she meets Prince Alvarr. Jillian finds out that she has newfound powers here, just the type that the Prince needs to save his people. Besides being in this exotic world, Jillian has not forgot about her poor mother. Together they come not only to save her mother’ life with a rare plant, but also in love. They find each other and this is such a heartwarming story that will melt your heart and have you believing in love again.
If you love magic and romance then you will love Rowan’s books. I’ve added her now to my favorite authors list!
If you love magic and romance then you will love Rowan’s books. I’ve added her now to my favorite authors list!
July 13, 2013
I'd say this's maybe a 2.5ish. I found both characters to be a little bit childish at times, and their "love" wasnt terribly believable. At least not for me. It was just too much of a 180 from where they started out at, and Jilian irritated me quite a bit with her selfishness. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't anything memorable either. The world Jilian landed in had promise though, but it'd have been nice to learn more about it, it'd have enriched the story a lot while giving time for the romance to develop.
February 28, 2015
I wanted to like this book. I felt Jillian needed to have some suspicion that her mother had a past. That she wasn't just a normal girl who grew up in America with Scottish roots. She needed more depth of character. Her and the prince fell in love way too fast. Pretty good adventures but the boring descriptives dragged on too long and the climactic action scenes ended much too abruptly. Nenth was pretty awesome. That's a true heroine. She had depth and intrigue and she was barely a second thought. Too bad
June 16, 2016
Jillian is taken by Prince Alvarr, he believes she is a Source and can amplify his magic to defeat his enemy. Jillian soon discovers that she has more ties to this alternate dimension than she thought and her mother apparently had some secrets.
This was a quick and fun read. I liked the story and most of the characters, the insta love in this was a little much for me to buy into especially since there was no supernatural tie and they weren't very young. I think with a little fine tuning I could have loved it...but I did enjoy it and am interested in reading more from this author.
This was a quick and fun read. I liked the story and most of the characters, the insta love in this was a little much for me to buy into especially since there was no supernatural tie and they weren't very young. I think with a little fine tuning I could have loved it...but I did enjoy it and am interested in reading more from this author.
May 14, 2015
I read some of this author's work as a teenager and while I wasn't expecting anything too spectacular. This was drivel. Absolute. I felt nothing at all. Maybe boredom. Mostly apathy. I didn't care about the characters story line or plot. It's like the author expelled all of their talent and now they're struggling to recapture their prime. I can't even say it was formulaic as even books that stick to a certain script can be entertaining. The sum of the entire experience was a long exhaled 'urrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh'
June 3, 2015
Good book
I enjoyed the alternate dimension concept greatly and how the world was built. I did have a bit of a hard time understanding her willingness to run away (well go home and not come back to help anyway). I mean I get her need to heal her mother, but seriously she would disregard a whole population as 'not my problem'? I did find the ending a bit anticlimactic since this man seemed to be a bad ass mage for years. Even with those two things I found it an enjoyable read. Thank you.
I enjoyed the alternate dimension concept greatly and how the world was built. I did have a bit of a hard time understanding her willingness to run away (well go home and not come back to help anyway). I mean I get her need to heal her mother, but seriously she would disregard a whole population as 'not my problem'? I did find the ending a bit anticlimactic since this man seemed to be a bad ass mage for years. Even with those two things I found it an enjoyable read. Thank you.
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