Delia Marshall Turner

It's unusual to be really really sad that you've finished a book. But I am. Because this was the second book by Turner that I've read - and those are the only two she's published. Moreover, her website surely does not get one's hopes up: "No, the next book is not going to be out soon."
Both this and her other book, which I read just about a year ago, 'Nameless Magery,' are really fun, enjoyable science-fantasy, with non-stereotypical feisty heroines. Both books take place in the same universe (and there are a few tie-ins for those who've read both!) but they are both stand-alone novels, and very different stories.
The protagonist here, Malka, is cute, petite and charming - but also short-tempered and anti-social, with an extreme reticence about talking about her past. She's been studying at a fencing school - but, we quickly learn, she's on the run from both the interplanetary Enforcers - and someone else. She also seems to have an awful lot of magic for someone who is adamant about not being a 'witch.'
Thrust against her will into the ship of a disrespected Monitor and his motley crew of magic-users, an adventure full of witchery, romance, and a good deal of swashbuckling action, not to mention a bit of world-saving, ensues.
Great stuff.… (more)

I got this as part of my recent quest to find all the "Del Rey Discovery" books that I haven't read, since whoever was doing the picking for that line was really doing an excellent job finding talented new sci-fi authors - I've liked all the ones I've read. Unfortunately, I don't think Del Rey is doing it anymore, and I haven't been able to just find a list...

"Nameless Magery" did not disappoint! This was a thoroughly fun, enjoyable book, with an unusual mix of sci-fi and fantasy, and a good sense of humor.
Lisane was raised to be queen of her people, a powerful user of magic, worshipped as a near-deity. However, violent aliens have destroyed her society and taken her people prisoner. As the book opens, only she has managed to escape the invaders, and now she is wandering a wasteland on an alien world, ragged and starving...
But, as luck would have it, she is discovered by a handsome wizard, Simon, and brought to his home, a school for mages, where she meets the intriguing Master Kaihan, and a fellow student who immediately becomes her nemesis, Detter.
Elements of school story, quest tale, romance and space opera combine here in a surprisingly successful way, brought together by Lisane's spunky, lusty, self-deprecating character (and Turner's funny chapter titles, which are priceless!).

Although this is a stand-alone novel, apparently, Turner also published a companion volume, "Of Swords and Spells."… (more)