Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy was one of the books that I purchased in a recent Fairy Loot box (paid link). My copy is one of the prettiest books I’ve received from them so far, with sprayed edges, interior cover art, and a foiled design on the front and back covers. Read on below to see what I thought of the book.
Here is the blurb:
Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics.
He can summon butterflies with a song, or turn someone’s hair pink by snapping his fingers. Such minor charms don’t earn him much admiration from other sorcerers (or his father), but anything more elaborate always blows up in his face. Which is why Leo vowed years ago to never again write powerful magic.
That is, until a mix-up involving a forbidden spell binds Leo to obey the commands of his longtime nemesis, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo’s complete opposite—respected, exceptionally talented, and an absolutely insufferable curmudgeon. The only thing they agree on is that getting caught using forbidden magic would mean the end of their careers. They need a counterspell, and fast. But Grimm casts spells, he doesn’t undo them, and Leo doesn’t mess with powerful magic.
Chasing rumors of a powerful sorcerer with a knack for undoing curses, Leo and Grimm enter the Unquiet Wood, a forest infested with murderous monsters and dangerous outlaws alike. To dissolve the curse, they’ll have to uncover the true depths of Leo’s magic, set aside their long-standing rivalry, and—much to their horror—work together.
Even as an odd spark of attraction flares between them.
This was an easy-to-read story that is about two people who find themselves thrown together by an inadvertent curse and then have to find common ground to get themselves out of the situation. In the course of their misadventure, you can quickly tell that this is also a romance (M/M).
I like the way that the magic in this book required both a scriver and a caster in order to perform a spell. That was a unique piece of worldbuilding that added unexpected depth to the plot and the problem-solving required of the characters.
This book was good but also somewhat forgettable. I didn’t realize that it was going to be the first part of a series. I think that it would have worked better as a stand-alone if the author could have moved events along more quickly. However, the story implies that there are greater evils happening in this world that I expect our characters will be drawn into in later books. In the end, I was rather disappointed by the conclusion of this first book, and I don’t know if I’ll pick up the next volume.
One odd thing that I noticed while reading this book is that I have come across a lot of characters named Grimm lately – in this book, Perfectly Wicked by Lindsay Lovise (reviewed here), and Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher (review coming soon; paid links).
What books have you read lately that have a unique approach to magic? Let me know in the comments.
Find more of my reviews here.
Salvage – a flash fiction science fiction story with a winter holiday theme