Cirrus@Austlit

'One boy, one girl, one plot to be foiled! Hamish the gorgeous man (and part time ferret) has a new job with the Duke as a spy in his Autumn Palace. So Ondine goes with him. She imagines a hugely romantic escapade together that involves lots of kissing. What she hadn't imagined was having to do endless laundry, go to school and keep Hamish the man a secret. All the while trying to find out who is plotting to kill the Duke. And if that weren't bad enough, it seems that Hamish is more interested in getting the Duke's attention than hers. Plus he's always in ferret form. Things can't go on like this! Can Ondine foil the would-be assassin, save the Duke and get her man back in gorgeous human form? It's going to take a little bit of magic, a lot of stolen kisses and some ferreting around...' (Publication summary)

'This third enthralling instalment in the young adult fantasy romance series takes a dark turn, as the country of Brugel descends into anarchy.

'Mutating magic is spreading across Europe. 'Normals' are developing supernatural powers at a startling rate and 16-year-old Ondine appears to be at the heart of it.

'To unravel the mystery, Ondine and her boyfriend (and part-time ferret) Hamish infiltrate CovenCon, a gathering of hundreds of witches presided over by wanna-be-witch-queen Mrs Howser. There, she tempts Ondine with an intriguing offer - but can Mrs Howser be trusted? It transpires the powerful witch has her claws in the arrogant royal heir Lord Vincent, in a covert bid to control all of Brugel.

'As dark magic riots break out in the nation's capital, Ondine is left with a heart-breaking choice that could tear her apart from her beloved Hamish. Forever.

'The Winter of Magic is the third novel in Ebony McKenna's comedic and wonderfully weird four-part ONDINE series. Fans will devour this spellbinding adventure, which will have readers gasping in shock and laughing with delight. Occasionally at the same time. ' (Publication summary)

'Mutating magic is everywhere, with ‘normals’ now possessing superpowers. With a dark army gathering strength and the cunning Lord Vincent plotting to seize control of the country of Brugel, it’s up to Ondine and her beloved boyfriend Hamish to expose the truth.

'Chiffon and sequins collide during a pop song contest and last-chance debutante ball that distracts the population from impending danger. These events mask Vincent’s devious plan, which will change the fate of nations and see the spine-chilling return of an old nemesis.

'Amongst the turmoil Ondine discovers that Hamish has been hiding a disturbing secret, which could end their relationship forever. In her darkest hour, Ondine must put aside her selfish needs to lead the people of Brugel in a revolt against the tyrannical forces threatening her family – and democracy itself. As she fights to save those she loves, Ondine grapples with her identity and place in the world. Has she really got what it takes to be a witch… and can magic alone overcome adversity?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.