Legends of Avalon: Arthur: Merlin

This show's leading lady is here for a second season-but it's nothing like the first. Still hunted, still magical, and more torn between relationships than ever, Daphne's in for quite a ride. This season the villains have multiplied, the playing field has changed altogether, and trustworthy friends are harder to come by. Season two is a whole new show-and it isn't ending anytime soon.

Turns out, they don't recast leading ladies. So, much to her dismay, Daphne's stuck as the magical squeaky toy being tugged between ancient factions. So much for normalcy-and with her current circumstances-so much for PopTarts. All those dreams of a normal life with her dog and unhealthy snack foods are nothing but smoke vapors now.

Legends and stories were supposed to be relegated to TV and books, but now Daphne'a living in one of her own. Far from home and out of her depth, this living legend is stuck with but one ally and a whole host of questions. Every move she makes is filled with doubt, her enemies dogging her steps-their goals shrouded in darkness. The mysteries should have ended in season one, but it turns out that the show runners had a few more up their sleeves.

Daphne's friends are floundering, searching for ways to help her and dealing with problems of their own-and the puppet master of the dark side is now wandering free. With a self proclaimed screw up leading the charge, a dead body to mourn, and few to trust, this family isn't exactly on the winning side. Yet stubbornness runs in this brood, and they won't give up on each other-now or ever.

The year isn't out, and although Daphne's not waved that white flag of defeat just yet, a banner of victory is seeming more and more out of reach. A banner year it is, indeed.

Legends of Avalon is a clean adult trilogy, with adventure and simmering romance that are neither graphic nor spicy.