Spell of the Highlander: The Highlander Series, Book 7

I have now officially read all of Karen Moning's Highlander books. And you can forget about the queen of the Seelie realm, KMM is the Queen of these highlanders!

I've loved Scottish Highland novels since I read The Bride, by Julie Garwood. I considered her the "go-to" author of highlander novels. Many authors pen Scottish romance novels. I recently read a review of such a novel that said, "Highlander novels: if you've read one, you've read them all." Well, that is certainly NOT true of Karen Moning's series.

Every book in this series is filled with fantasy, true love, and the hottest highlanders in the genre. This series has surprised me with fresh and new storylines that had me swearing each book was better than the last. Just when I think she can't possibly top her previous book, she blows me away with a uniquely beautiful, sexy and engrossing story.

This is the last of the full-length books in this series. It involves a 9th century legendary Celtic Druid, Cian Mackellan who is stuck in a spell that has imprisoned him in a magic mirror for 11 centuries. Tricked by a dark sorcerer, Cian convinces a beautiful graduate student, Jessica St. James, to help him get free of the mirror. He wants vengeance on the powerful sorcerer who bespelled him. With the Jessica's help, Cian revisits his land in the highlands to exact his revenge in the lands that he grew up on. Jessica and Cian have an instant strong attraction, and along the way they're feelings grow.

But can a man stuck alone for 11 centuries really fall in love? And is his need for vengeance stronger than the bond theyve forged in the short time they have together?

Filled with extraordinary twists and turns, a cast of your favorite characters from past books, this story has the passion, intrigue, and even a bit of dark magic, making it a positively fascinating page-turner which I finished in one sitting.

Narrated by the great Phil Gigante, I have nothing but praise for this magical story of good, evil, love, honor, sacrifice and family.

Highly recommended!

Phil Gigante's eargasmic performances of all the books in the Highlanders series are the perfect mating of story and storyteller and I can't imagine merely reading these stories from a printed page ever again.

While no one will ever mistake Phil's voice for a woman's, I quickly was no longer conscious that a man was voicing the female characters. He uses a higher pitched voice for women, but there's something else there too... a softness, a vulnerability... something... that does not scream "man mocking woman".

Now the men's voices? OCH! I'm pretty sure that the scenes where they are all together should carry embedded warnings, "Warning: the following scenes carry serious risk of Death by Eargasm"! Drustan's voice is my favorite- Gigante uses a deep growling brogue imbued with Drustan's complete confidence in himself. Dageus' Scottish brogue by way of Liverpool reflects his mischievous, "Hail fellow, well met" personality- when he isn't possessed by a baker's dozen of ancient evil Druids, of course. Phil gives Adam both a sidhe and a human voice that never quite loses his seductive sidhe arrogance. Cian's sexy brogue contains an underlying anger and iciness which, considering he's been trapped in a mirror for hundreds of years, seems more than appropriate, but gradually one can detect a subtle thawing and underlying warmth.

In addition to bringing the main characters alive, Phil G. puts just as much effort into making the secondary characters seem real to the listener. Whether voicing an old woman, one of the villains, or even a child, Phil plays his voice like the fine instrument it is to make every character distinctive and believable. He also adds special effects that bring the story to life-- wait till you hear his effect for Druid "Voice"!

Those entertaining extra touches are why Phil Gigante's performances are not to be missed!

Don't miss this audiobook! I have listened to all 7 of the books in the series and they keep getting better. Number 7 doesn't disappoint! KMM is a terrific author and Phil Gigganti is a fabulous narrator. Can't wait for number 8!

I half to say I cant get enough of this series.
this book brings back other leading men and women from the other books yet this stands on its own. I love the magic and the love stories. that these sexy men only look and love and choose there one true mate. this was a bit different with our mane man stuck in a magic mirror I thought it was fun and different from the other books.. and yes he is domineering and cave mannish but when you are doing laundry you don't want a real man you want the hunk in the book right......
Heather

I read the book prior to listening to the audio. The audio enhanced the experience. The reader did a fantastic job with the male voices, tone of the book, accents and emotion. My only complaint would be his female voices were only fair. They sounded ditzy, but he did such a good job otherwise I would listen to him again.

I found it pretty incredible. After listening to the book twice, I heard details that I missed the first time around. It is all coming together and I can hardly wait to see what happens next.
I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the books so far in the series.

yes, good listen. If you need the steps, then buy in order. If you like strong characters, these books make reference to the series, but the details just link, as the stories do stand alone. I have read in reversed order, and am just fine with the enjoyment.

Books 4,5,6,7 are in the same style. On the hunt for....so you get some mystery, fun dialogue, and sexy men.

all of his highland stories are just great. He has such a big range and his timing so good.
He makes these stories just jump out.

many, as this is the last story!

When the sale comes, buy all you can. I did. enjoy

I would place it in the top third.

I like that the ending was not predictable. The major conflict was set up in a way that I thought I knew what was going to happen but it ended up going another way. I enjoyed the twist.

I have listened to other work by Mr. Gigante and I would say that this performance is on par with his other good work.

Phil Gigante is one of my favortie narrators, so I will always choose audio if he is the narrator of choice.

All the other Highlander series books by this author.

This guy has serious skills. His performance is top talent. His command of the different accents is fantastic.

Whole book was good.

Yes. I love the story.

When Cian threw the mirror down the stairs, knowing that it would break and that he would die. What a sacrifice! Thank you for allowing him to live.

I love the Scottish accent.

When Cian was yelling at Dageus to go find Jessica, who had been left behind, it really showed how much Cian loved her. It also reminded Dageus how much he loved Chloe. It was a very emotional moment.

It would be great if they could redo the audio book with a female narrator and a male narrator. I love Phil, but adding a real female would make the feminine characters sound believable.