magic

Crown of War and Shadow (Kingdoms of the Compass #1) by J.R. Ward

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and enjoyed it. Sorrell is an outcast in the small village she’s lived in her entire life. She’s got magical abilities that everyone pretends she doesn’t. Events occur that force her to flee her small town and seek out a destiny she never knew she had. She makes a deal with a handsome mercenary, Merc, to help her on her quest. He’s got his own reasons for accepting her offer, and together they make a good team.

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April 12, 2026 0

Songlight (The Torch Trilogy #1) by Moira Buffini

4.5 stars

Wow! This is a fantastic first book in a new YA Fantasy series. I can’t believe it’s the author’s debut novel. This book immediately grabbed my attention and I read late into the night because I just could not put it down. It’s full of cruel rulers, a unique magic system, a fierce FMC, and a world weary of war with their neighbor.

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November 13, 2025 0

Feather and Famine: The Withering Saga – Book 1 by Mariah L. Rosewood

This is such a good first book in a new fantasy trilogy. The Elf kingdom of Ittora is suffering from a years-long famine they believe was caused by a Fey curse. Ayse is the daughter of an apothecary that stumbles upon a magical birch tree in the woods that regenerates itself that she believes may be the key to breaking the famine. It’s outside a log cabin where Aiden, a grumpy mysterious stranger has taken up residence. They are both haunted by their past and desperate to figure out a way to stop the famine. Prince Seok pushes his mother the Queen to declare war on the Fey hoping to force them to stop the famine. He uncovers something amiss with the rations and works to figure out if there is a conspiracy to hoard rations.

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May 28, 2025 0

The Girl with No Reflection by Keshe Chow

Five Reasons to Read The Girl With No Reflection

Eastern Mythology YA Fantasy
Enemies to Lovers Romance
Royal Court Drama
Fairytale Retelling
Interesting Magic System

Synopsis:

A young woman chosen as the crown prince’s bride must travel to the royal palace to meet her new husband—but her world is shaken when she discovers the dark truth the royal family has been hiding for centuries—in this lush fantasy debut perfect for fans of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night and Violet Made of Thorns.

Princess Ying Yue believed in love…once upon a time.

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August 7, 2024 1

The Secrets of Jane: Forgotten (Improper Bastards #1) by Charlotte Mallory

4.5 stars

Wow. wow. wow. wow. What a fantastic book! I don’t read many dark fantasy romance books, but maybe I should start. Jane is a young woman that fled Skull Row 10 years ago, home to thieves and killers and mercenary rulers called Zeniths. The village she’s hiding out in is set aflame and she’s captured by one of the most ruthless mercenaries, Soren. His job is to return her to Skull Row to face the Council. They haven’t told him why, which he doesn’t like. Most of the book is their journey back to Skull Row until the climatic cliffhanger. It’s a vicious story, filled with a lot of action and fighting. It’s definitely not for the squeamish.

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September 27, 2023 0

Wounds of Ash: Book One of the Vendi Chronicles by K.L. Hester

This is a wonderful first book in a new YA fantasy series. The kingdoms of Myral and Gralanth are separated by a range of mountains. The Myral people have magic. It’s capital is Ringard and it’s ruled by a High Enforcer, who is a member of a group of fierce warriors called Ringada. Gralanth people do not have magic, and both sides are wary of each other.

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July 17, 2023 0

The Other Merlin (Emry Merlin, #1) by Robyn Schneider

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This is a fun YA Fantasy re-telling of Camelot. Arthur is an intelligent bookworm that isn’t much of a fighter. Lancelot is a gay castle guard that was demoted from a page (on track to becoming a knight) after a misunderstanding. Both we content bumbling along until Arthur accidentally pulls the sword from the stone, and now everyone thinks he’s some kind of hero. Emry Merlin poses as her twin brother at court to learn magic and serve Arthur. It’s supposed to be temporary, but nothing goes to plan and she’s there permanently. Princess Guinevere is betrothed to Arthur, but neither wants to marry the other.

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January 8, 2023 0

From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer Armentrout

Ok, I know that I’m way behind everyone else in reading this series, so the last thing you want to do is read another review about this book, but WOW! I loved this book. In it’s simplest form, you can call this book a YA Fantasy Romance. And yeah, it is. But it also has a load of fighting, paranormal elements, magic, and court intrigue.

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September 5, 2022 0

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

This is a very cute contemporary paranormal romance book that was a fun, quick, and easy read. Mika Moon is one of just a few witches in Britain and she knows the rules: keep her head down, hide her magic and don’t mingle with other witches so their power doesn’t draw attention. Raised as an orphan, Mika has never felt a part of anything. She had no family, was raised by strangers, and never stayed in one place long enough to make friends or plant roots. Her only bit of rebellion; an online account where she posts videos of herself “pretending” to do magic. She thinks no one actually believes she’s a real witch – until a letter arrives.

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August 25, 2022 0