Jennie Klassel, Girl on the Run

Girl on the Run

Jennie Klassel

Love Spell, Jun 2004, $5.99

ISBN: 0505525968

In Dominion, a female, even a royal relative, has no need to read so is never taught so. Education is limited to what a woman can do for her mate. Being a first cousin to the King has not helped the spirited Kaia Kurinon gain anything but the accepted female learning. However, at eighteen her lan and capers becomes unacceptable for a marriageable woman so in punishment for her latest antic the nuns exile her to a monastery. There she meets Merlin the talking dog who claims he can help her travel to a future where women are educated alongside men and control their destiny.

Kaia accompanied frustrated scientist Brother Absalom flee to the portal, the standing stones in the Western Isles. Princesses cannot shirk their duty, so Eben Dhion is sent to bring her home. Kaia has loved Eben for years, but her feelings remain unrequited as he thinks of her as his misbehaving younger sister. He catches up with her on the island of Ataxi, but first must defeat his enemy, Ranulph before he can try to understand why he suddenly needs Kaia safe as his wife.

The second Dominion novel (see SHE WHO LAUGHS LAST) is an entertaining often-amusing fantasy romance starring two delightful lead protagonists especially the feisty Kaia. Secondary characters like Merlin living by going back in time augment the tale by adding the depth needed for two vastly different final confrontations, that between Eben and Ranulph and between Eben and Kaia. Fans who take the Arthurian legend as gospel will want to pass, but those who appreciate a wonderfully humorous spin that will keep readers laughing will devour this fun tale.

Harriet Klausner