  Magnetic reconnection in strongly magnetized astrophysical plasma
environments is believed to be the primary process for fast energy release and
particle energization. Currently there is strong interest in relativistic
magnetic reconnection, in that it may provide a new explanation for high-energy
particle acceleration and radiation in strongly magnetized astrophysical
systems. We review recent advances in particle acceleration and reconnection
physics in the magnetically-dominated regime. More discussion is focused on the
physics of particle acceleration, power-law formation as well as the
reconnection rate problem. In addition, we provide an outlook for studying
reconnection acceleration mechanisms and kinetic physics in the next step.
