Review: Take Back Magic by Casey Blair

Take Back Magic is the first in a new urban fantasy trilogy about magic, demons, and how far people go for power. In structure, it is a typical first book, but the characters grip you quickly and haul you along for the action-packed ride.

I'll be honest, at first glance this sounded like a working title - but Casey Blair is fast becoming an author I trust to give me a good time, with a fantasy novel steeped in fascinating worldbuilding and intriguing characters.

We start in a world very much like our own - one that could well be our own, for the vast majority of the population have no idea that magic exists because it is siphoned out of our world "for our own good" by magi of another realm and the few students they plucked from our world. Sierra was one of them, one who studied longer and worked harder for the chance to stay, and yet was abandoned back in our world at the ripe old age of seventeen.

This has left her a trifle bitter.

I adore Sierra. She is incredibly skilled and focussed on her goal, knows magecraft and strategy inside out, and while she'd be stressful to know in real life, she makes a fascinating point of view character. Her love interest is a perfect match for her while maintaining an air of mystery, and their blossoming partnership and mutual fascination is a delight.

There are a number of supporting characters with promising arcs and I hope they show up again in following books, especially as Low Earth reacts to the events of this book. It's not exactly a cliffhanger, but I'm definitely left wanting to read more!

Overall, this was an enjoyable start to what looks like a promising trilogy. The author has promised all three will be released this year and I look forward to reading how this story plays out (and watching Grand Magus Evram get his comeuppance).

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author, all opinions are my own.

Review: Can't Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan

This is a surprisingly emotional fake relationship romance that also deals with themes of grief, family, and the weight of expectations.

Lexi's life took a turn for the dramatic a few years ago and she feels like she's barely holding it together as she scrambles to take care of a grieving mom, an aging house, an almost there degree, all while juggling two jobs. She is full of grit and determination, but her self esteem is at an all time low, and at the ripe old age of 25 she feels like life has passed her by.

If that sounds a little ridiculous to you, you're not alone, but push through and you remember how overwhelming it all felt to be mid twenties when it looked like everyone else has their life together. Once you slip back into that mindset, this book comes together like a comfortable old friend.

We have a handsome hero, his pushy parents, his meddling siblings, and supportive friends on both sides. We have lies and half truths and the (somewhat) slowly dawning realisation that this fake relationship doesn't feel that fake. We have a heroine who rescues herself and the man who gives her the push to do so. (We also have a bit of insta love, some loose plot ends, one glaring continuity error, and a boatload of sage wisdom just when Lexi needs it most)

If you enjoy fake relationships with just a little more emotional heft, I think you'll like this book. I know I did!

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Review: Mage Assassins & Other Misfits by Annette Marie &Rob Jacobsen

Holy rising stakes, Batman!

This isn't a great place to jump in - at the very least, go back one book to Warped #4 (Stolen Sorcery), or even to Warped #1 (Warping Minds) to meet Kit - better yet, Spellbound #1 (Three Mages) to understand the whole Guild Codex universe. Many of Kit's previous stories filled in the blanks and behind the scenes at the MPD for both Spellbound and Demonised, but Warped #4 revealed the big bad of Kit's whole series - and they're BIG.

For those who are following along, this is EPIC. Yes, we get more Darius (and Blythe) backstory (and it's just as tasty as you could hope) but this is Kit's show. He's a little bit less snarky than previous books, mostly due to the overlay of tension, but he has the same good heart. I loved seeing him stretch himself magically as he's come a long way since KCQ. Zak once said Kit was the most powerful mythic alive - as of this book, I can believe it.

What I loved: amazing characters from both the MPD and C&H, slow-burn relationship development, magical heists, badass magic fights

What I'm not going to love: waiting for the next book because there's just a teeny little cliffhanger leading into Kit's finale! I have no idea how Kit's going to get out of this whole situation, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that I can trust Annette with the characters she's made me love.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own

Review: The Sundered Realms by Casey Blair

I just want to wrap myself up in this story and squee.

Now, I don't think I would want to live in the world of the Sundered Realms - it's post-magical apocalypse, where the many realms have been sundered into separate dimensions and demons live in the in-between void. But I enjoyed this book from practically the first page.

Our heroine Liris is a compelling blend of beautifully educated and extremely sheltered. She once made the mistake of advocating for change, and as a result has been trapped forever training as an ambassador-spy while her peers and juniors are sent out on assignment. Her superpower is her mind - pattern recognition and language learning - rather than a secret power from mysterious magical heritage. I loved that her training allows her (and by extension, us the reader) to understand the nuances behind every minuscule action and word choice, adding a depth and richness to every interaction.

The hero is a little more enigmatic - Lord Vhannor is rich, powerful, and a perfect complement to Liris. In fact, the book is stuffed with interesting side characters and I'm deeply hopeful that we will get to see more of each of them - even the villain!

Overall, I really enjoyed a story that celebrated scholarship in a fast-paced quest through the realms to stop demons from destroying everything. I'd knock a half-star off for a climax stuffed with magibabble that got a little hard to follow, but I'll definitely be looking out for the next one!

The Sundered Realms is available now!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.