Publisher's Weekly Review
Nothing in painter Maggie Donovan's ordinary Southern California life prepares her to find a demon devouring her ex-boyfriend. In the ensuing struggle, the smart-mouthed heroine accidentally gets sprinkled with magic dust from a broken pendant and develops mysterious powers. Levitation may be handy for painting tall store windows, but her new status comes with a lot of baggage, including hunky Fae warrior Culhane and ugly pixie Bezel. They want to train Maggie for an upcoming battle against the evil Faery queen, Mab, who has imprisoned all the males of the Otherworld. Unimpressed, Maggie clings to her "destiny-free zone" until her growing magical abilities and feelings for Culhane push her to take on the queen. Child (A Fiend in Need) throws in enough zest and humor to make up for a rather anticlimactic final showdown. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Artist Maggie Donovan is reduced to painting holiday scenes on store windows in Castle Bay, California. The only thing that makes her life exciting is chasing after her 12-year-old niece while her sister attends a drum-banging festival to get her chakras aligned. However, unbeknownst to her, Maggie is the One chosen to overthrow the evil faery queen, Mab. Culhane, the greatest (and hunkiest) faery warrior of them all, is given the mission to protect Maggie and help her in her quest. Naturally, Maggie is skeptical. But when unexplainable things begin to happen to her, such as witnessing her feckless fiance being devoured by a demon, Maggie believes. Of course, a novice champion of faery folk needs a trainer, and Maggie finds her Yoda in the perpetually cranky pixie Bezel. Finally acknowledging her destiny, Maggie reaches deep for her inner heroine. Clap if you believe in faeries, and even if you don't, you can applaud Child's heartwarming, hilarious adventure, a ticket to the fantastic Otherworld and back.--Mosley, Shelley Copyright 2008 Booklist