Many years ago there was Imogene, a mage who cursed the entire land. Half of its inhabitants live in sunlight; the other half can't stand darkness. The Darkborn are born blind but have a sonar sense called sonn, which is described as unheard sound. The Lightborn and Darkborn live in the same city and the same land but in different societies. While the Lightborn accept magic, the Darkborn consider it a taboo and embrace technology.

Balthasar Hearne is a man worth his weight in gold. He is a doctor who helps the less fortune. He likes the simple things in life and is happily married to his wife, Telmaine and their two young daughters, six-year-old Florilinde and five-year-old Amerdale. Balthasar is left alone at his home in Minhorne while his wife and two daughters are away. Telmaine comes from a family of prestige. Balthasar was only a physician-in-training when he asked for Telmaine's hand. But since Telmaine loved Balthasar and I would say she was a bit spoiled and Daddy's little girl, she got what she wanted. Now years later this couple has settled into a comfortable life even though Telmaine carries a dark secret. Telmaine is a mage who can heal through touch. She literally has so much power at her fingertips but keeps it hidden. She wears gloves because if she touches a person with her naked hands, they may find out about her magic. Both Darkborn and Lightborn people despise mages. Bigotry against the mages is a strong thing and Telmaine has done everything she can to hide her affliction.

But Telmaine won't be able to keep her abilities under wraps for much longer. Because Balthasar has helped his brother's ex-lover and has hidden her two new born children, he is attacked and left for dead. When Telmaine arrives home, Florilinde is kidnapped before her eyes. Her daughter will be returned to her if she will give up the newborns. At the time of the kidnapping Telmaine has no idea what is going on until she finds Balthasar on the floor of their home dying. She then must turn to another powerful mage who is both scandalous as he is fascinating.

DARKBORN is an excellent book with great world building, characters and most importantly magic. Allison is so very creative to come up with two different sets of people, those who can't live in the light and those who can't live in the darkness. They live side by side but are not willing to work with one another because of their own set of beliefs and what they feel is right and wrong.

When we first meet Telmaine she is shown as a spoiled woman of leisure. She talks about Balthasar with love, much like someone would talk about a puppy. When she comes to the realization that she may lose her husband and child, that is when Telmaine grows up, takes responsibility and is on a mission.

DARKBORN is a great fantasy mystery. Magic is considered an abomination to some and I loved how Alison was able to show this issue, mainly through Telmaine's eyes. Steampunk or Fantasy, Mystery or Fiction, DARKBORN is a wonderfully written book.