Young witch Miryo is tested to obtain her powers, only to find out she can’t use them because she has a living doppelganger. Ordinarily her mother would have killed the doppelganger during a ritual but her twin, Mirage, was exposed to starlight and therefore has a soul. Unfortunately, Miryo must hunt down and kill Mirage in order to use her magic. If she manages to resist using her magic, that is -- if she fails, it will kill her.

Mirage isn’t a witch, but a warrior. She is a sword-carrying -- and very lethal -- bounty hunter. Along with her partner, Eclipse, they have taken a blood oath commission to find the murderer of a witch. During the investigation, the partners become increasingly suspicious and believe witches are behind the death.

In an inevitable conclusion, Mirage and Miryo come face to face for a showdown, only to find they are unable to kill each other and must divine a way to set things straight.

At first glance, it’s as if the author picked almost every cliché in the book. Witches? Check. Imaginary worlds? Cosmic theory? Check and check. Stone-cold killer? Umhm, have that one too. Throw in sexual tension, witty banter, and bounty hunters and you’d swear it sounds like Janet Evanovich had a hand in it.

Not even close. Marie Brennan debut novel is a wonderfully complex and original take on the world of magic.

Mind you, this was not an easy book for me. It’s outside my usual fantasy realm, and the first chapter or two posed a challenge. But the author managed to pull me into her world and filled it with action, unbelievable plot twists, and fascinating characters.

Even though Mirage and Eclipse are not involved romantically in a typical alpha male/female fashion, they are the most interesting in this triad. In an odd twist, I found myself rooting for Mirage and Eclipse when I truly expected to fall in love with the plight of Miryo. I haven’t read many books involving magic and witches, but I do know that’s a bit off the beaten path as a reaction.

I also know in the world of witches and magic, nothing is what it seems. The ending? Absolutely not what I expected, and it leaves great deal open for the sequel, Warrior and Witch.

If you’re into magical world-building, Doppelganger comes highly recommended.

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Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Warner Books (April 1, 2006)
ISBN: 0446616982
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