Books › Such Dark Magic
Such Dark Magic
First published 1993 · 288 pages
A high-angst battle of wills where undeniable chemistry collides with deep-seated emotional walls.
What it feels like
Reading this vintage romance feels like stepping into a time capsule of 1990s escapism, where the emotions are dialed up to eleven and the chemistry crackles with combative energy. The narrative moves at a brisk, breathless pace, driven entirely by the push-and-pull dynamic between a fiercely guarded heroine and an unapologetically arrogant hero. Set against the lush backdrop of New Zealand, the atmosphere is thick with unspoken tension, simmering resentment, and inevitable surrender. The prose is melodramatic and deeply internal, focusing heavily on the heroine's racing pulse and conflicting desires. It is a perfect, indulgent read for those who love the unapologetic angst, power struggles, and sweeping emotional resolutions characteristic of classic category romance.
- Mood
- charged
- tense
- escapist
- Tone
- intense
- melodramatic
- earnest
- swoony
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- battle of wills · irresistible attraction · healing from past betrayal · power dynamics
- The writing
- Lush, emotionally heightened, and heavily focused on the internal turmoil and physical reactions of the protagonist.
- The arc
- Moves from defensive reluctance and high-stakes tension to a dramatic, sweeping surrender to love.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave the unapologetic angst, fierce battles of will, and dominant heroes of vintage 90s category romance.
Content notes
- possessive behavior
- past emotional trauma
- mild coercion
About the book
"I think we could be friends, you and I..."
But simple friendship just wasn’t possible between wealthy New Zealander Philip Angove and the woman who came into his life. His particular brand of arrogant assurance and blatant sex appeal had the entire female sex at his feet. Or so it seemed to Antonia, who was both attracted and appalled by the phenomenon. Not that she had any intention of succumbing — she had learnt her lesson about men like Philip and learnt it the hard way. But Philip had other ideas.
Description from Open Library.
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