Stripping a fellow Guardian of their magic is a terrible thing, but Simon, Earl of Falconer, knows it to be necessary in the case of Lord Drayton, a man guilty of terrible crimes against the Order. When Simon pronounces judgement and sentence on Drayton, he notices the man's supernatural calm over the matter.

Only too late does he realize what is happening, and by then, he has been transformed into a unicorn. He flees, but Drayton sends his men after Simon. Since the only way to catch a unicorn is with a virgin, they coerce the only one they can find - the plain, half witted Meg - into being bait.

Something about the unicorn touches Meg's fuzzy mind and heart. She helps it escape, and goes with Simon. When a drop of her blood and his mingle, Simon is freed, and is able to free her from the spell that cloaked her beauty, magic, and intelligence. For ten years, Meg has been locked in thrall to Drayton, with no memory. Now, she is free, and Simon wants to see the girl come into her own for Meg could be the most powerful Guardian ever.

Yet, despite their freedom, mental chains still bind Meg to Drayton, threatening to pull her into the darkness again, and one moment of anger could turn Simon back into a beast. Though Meg can free him, and he can free her, since the spells might reactivate at any moment, they are forced into a marriage. This wouldn't be terrible if the key to Meg's power to help Simon didn't lie in her virginity.

Until Drayton is stopped, neither can be free and the love they have begun to feel is something to be held at arm's length.

Very few books that are different ever come along these days. This one is one of the very few, and is easily Ms. Putney's best book to date. For many reasons, Simon is a most unusual hero, a true white knight in direct contrast to Drayton, one of the most evil villains ever created. The way the author manages to emphasize the value of chastity, yet retain a sensual quality to the book is another mark of distinction that others would do well to copy.

M.J. Putney has created another thoroughly entertaining novel in her Guardian Series

A historical Fantasy set in 18th century England, though it follows a natural historical path. The story tells of a rogue Magician about to be apprehended by Simon Malmain, Earl of Falconer, one of the Guardians, a race of Magical humans who live among us. Simon is an enforcer of the Guardian laws against misuse of power. The Magical battle goes badly, somehow Lord Drayton, the rogue magician has discovered a way to siphon off the powers of other magical beings and use them for his own nefarious acts.

The transformations spell cast by Drayton turns Simon into a Unicorn but Drayton is unable to complete the spell and steal the Unicorns power but killing him and taking his magical horn. With the help of Meg, a young lady held in thrall by Drayton's powers, he escapes, only to be captured again by using Meg as the bait, as a virgin is supposed to attract Unicorns. Meg has been bespelled to look and act like a simpleton, but her generous heart can not allow the beautiful Unicorn to remain captive. Through rather modest trickery she helps Simon to escape but he will not leave without her and fearing for his safety she goes with him. Though wounded in the escape by a musket ball they manage to escape the castle guards.

When Meg tries to help the injured Unicorn after their escape, a wound on her hand allows her blood to mix with his and Simon is transformed back into his human form, albeit without clothes. Simon frees Meg from the entrancement Drayton has had her under, a spell to disguise her looks as a rather ugly girl, and another spell that has suppressed her personality, mind and powers to that of a very "simple" level. Simon is unable to cut all ties to Drayton but he does find a way to hinder them and allow Meg the opportunity to learn about her new powers and how to defend herself.

The battle rages with Drayton, and during one such battle Meg decides to see if she can get into his mind as he gets into hers. It's then she learns about five others being held in thrall by Drayton and sets about freeing them.

Drayton is after power, but the Mages who are backing Simon are unable to determine his exact goal other than the accumulation of power. Drayton shows a marked interest in the mechanical advances of this time period, improved steam engines, textiles etc and the final showdown comes at a symposium of these very inventors. Is love, trust and loyalty enough to stop Drayton's horrendous plans...

M.J. Putney is know primarily for her historical romances, and this combines both her knowledge of Georgian England and a whimsical fantasy around the power of love, magic and loyalty. It's a good read and it could be developed into a good series about other magical beings and their troubled paths to love.