The speed of writing team C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp's (writing as 'Cat Adams') output is very impressive, as is the evident thought they put into making their books something more than your standard paranormal romance.

Magic's Design is a standalone novel, as far as I could see, but while reading I often felt that I was missing too much information. It's set partly in our world, but also in a magical world underneath the earth whose inhabitants worship four special tree. That world's inbuilt magic is dying. When Talos, an agent sent to live in the normal world, discovers some strange goings-on, he also runs into Mila, a woman with a gift of healing - and perhaps more.

This is where Magic's Design gets complex. The world the authors have created is strikingly unusual, with painting of hens' eggs a significant step in a battle against evil. Who would have thought it? Mila as a heroine is a bit too unlikely. She suddenly finds herself thrust into a bizarre world of magic, painted eggs, special trees, etc., but seems to cope with it all marvelously - while also trying to do her normal job in a legal practice at the same time as saving the world.

Since the romance between Tal and Mila is fairly subordinate to the overall plot, and it doesn't quite work. I was never entirely sure what was going on; there are so many changes of direction and so much magic and other stuff that it's difficult to predict. Ultimately, although the authors' style is good, the events of the book are too confusing to make this an entirely satisfying read.