Okay - this book was okay. I really liked the first part of the series. I understood it (well, I had some issues with it: How did they actually suddenly fall in love? Was it lust or love in the end that made them marry (cause I seriously can't say that it was Mac's character that convinced me) But all of this didn't lessen my entertainment as much as it was the case when I read this book. There were just some issues in it that made part 2 a definite not-like for me... Duncan is a jerk. I mean, he says it himself often enough so no surprise here, right? Guess it's my own fault that I hate jerks. Duncan was positively a dumb-him-at-the-first-chance-you-get kinda jerk. He is rude, doesn't seem to care whether Peg is angry or happy (it seems to me he even prefers her hating on him), and he kidnapped a woman because... well, there really wasn't any reason to kidnap her! (I need to get over this... I can see anger management issues in my future) And after he kidnapped her he didn't even treat her right. It's one thing to be arrogant or insensitive and another to be an outright jerk - af! I can't understand what Peg sees in this man (aside from his dick that he also can't even control in a humanly fashion) that she decides to marry this idiot. Peg can cope with him, I can't. Then there's the magic - and that's when everything went to hell. We don't see a scene where Duncan actually masters his magic, so does he just, like, can he just use it? Just like that. It seems he can. And he gets his own f*cking, breathing mountain. I mean, who doesn't want a mountain? A breathing mountain. Yeah, actually there are some people who take metaphors so seriously that the mountains start breathing, and laughing, and snoring. And how is this explained? Not really. And no, science didn't prove anything, cause if science is NOT something, then it is proving anything - especially when it comes to physics. No joke! Let's see... so he can travel through time. Yeah, ok, I mean that is a really really rare and powerful ability but it exists and fits in with the rest. Next, he can produce light and from some speculation done in the book, I deduct that he is also able to magic people into animals. Hmm, is this actually any different to what Mac can do? What IS the difference between Mac's and Duncan's power? That Mac can talk with birds? Wow, so that's what a Theurgist is all about! (Yes, Duncan is limited to his mountain and that's the biggest difference BUT that doesn't help. I thought Theurgists were kinda *special* with their powers because they have to protect the dhruids, but they really are only an upgraded version of a dhruid and that's plain disappointing). Also, those two don't seem to have any responsibilities whatsoever. Mac can just like that move mountains and free the oceans from trash and Duncan can just like that get a mountain and use his time traveling powers (as long as it is in good will, obviously. Cause Providence is very strict about that rule *cough*) I'm glad those Dhruids had some special education in- Wait, they didn't. Aaaand they're some 16th, 17th century Highlanders. But, there has to be some sense in it! "No", the book whispers to me, "there's not any sense in here." Ok, ok, I get it. Those are ma~~~~gical powers and magic can do everything if you just believe in it enough. Now, the only thing standing between me and puking is the missing rainbow. Fantasy is not equal to not having any sense. But this IS kinda senseless. There are no rules whatsover as to how to use magic, its limits and who can actually use it, how much and what kinda magic. Aside from maybe the fact that Dunce can't travel back in time that much. Thank goodness, at least that was covered. Now, for some reason Duncan COULDN'T use magic without his mountain. How is time travel actually possible? If you decide to make this book about time-travel then goddammit get SOME sense into this! (Oh, my blood pressure *breath*) Obviously some questions cannot be answered because of the nature of the unexplainable but there's a limit to everything and my limit to endure baseless fantasy was met with this. I could widen my whole tirade to include Peg (and I'm very tempted). First, she has four kids, no money and is still holding it together like a picture-book mama. Without any financial aid and any psychological issues that may come with this after losing her husband. Second, the kids don't have any issues with a dead father. Yes, Repeat asks questions and seems to think about it but Carlotte and Isabel don't even seem to miss him. Third, all of those are portrayed too old for their actual age. Gosh, the twins are four and can argue like adults! Fourth, there's this weird obsession with cussing that Peg has. I am not sure but she seems to think it's a contagious disease. A deadly, contagious disease. And before I elaborate I'm going to force this to a stop and do something that's less detrimental for my health ;)