(Reviewed by JD Jung)
“You have to fight to regain you soul. If you do not, you shall lose it forever.”
It was the late 19th century and Magnus Blackwell resented his father but attended Harvard through his Boston blue-blood family name. While at the university he met Jacob O’Conner, who was orphaned at a young age and on scholarship. He valued their friendship, not only because he manipulated him into taking notes for him in class, but he was the antithesis of what his father wanted for him. That said, both men seem to truly enjoy each other’s company.
When Magnus met the stunning Frances McGee from Radcliff, he was obsessed with her but unwilling to give up his extracurricular activities like bedding professors’ wives. However, when Frances and Jacob met, they fell in love.
Magnus ran away to New Orleans to get away from what he felt was a betrayal. While drinking at a bar, he just happened to meet Oscar Wilde. They hit it off right away, and both wound up engaging in acts of extreme decadence. This led Magnus to meet Madame Simone, who introduced him to the world of voodoo. He then became determined to seek revenge on Jacob through this magic.
Initially we think that Magnus is just spoiled, living in a world of entitlement. However, the more we read, the more we learn about him. Wilde sees his true essence and later bases The Picture of Dorian Gray, his famous novel, after him. Personally, I wonder if the voodoo compounded his already evil nature.
Though the ending was predictable and too simplistic, it was the journey that kept me captivated. From their time at Harvard with all their antics, through Magnus’ meeting with Oscar Wilde and beyond, the authors will keep readers engrossed with their well-written and descriptive style.
I must admit that I have always been intrigued with New Orleans and the authors captured the city’s spirit with vivid imagery.
If you can get past the ending, Blackwell will take you on a wild ride of romance, graphic sex, debauchery and revenge. It’s worth the read.
