Unnatural Magic (2019) starts with the struggles of a gifted girl, Onna Gebowa, who lives in the tiny town of Cordridge-on-Sea (known for its production of excellent pencil erasers). Onna aspires to go to the magic school, Weltsit, but because she is a girl, she doesn’t get admitted.
A second plot line concerns a troll named Tsira who rescues a human called Jeckran. All three characters end up in the city of wizards, Hexos. Someone is murdering trolls and Onna, Tsira, and Jeckran are on the trail of the killer.
The events in The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry (2021) take place a couple of decades after the troll murders in Unnatural Magic. The central character is a down-and-out fire witch called Delaria Wells (aka, “Delly”). Delly signs on as part of a security team to protect a wealthy Bride-to-Be. Also on the team is a troll named Winn Cynallum (who Delly falls in love with). Together, they fight magical mechanical killer spiders and other murderous devices to protect the Bride-to-Be. Who is trying to kill the Bride-to-Be…and why?
If you’re in the mood for some frothy fantasy adventures with some clever mysteries surrounded by magic, I recommend Unnatural Magic and The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry. GRADE: B (for both)
I like the pencil eraser thing. Not really my taste but it sounds like it could be fun, in the right mood.
Jeff, “sounds like it could be fun, in the right mood” describes UNNATURAL MAGIC & THE RUTHLESS LADY’S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY perfectly! Perfect Summer Reading (although Summer is almost over for us!).
Nah! No! Nyet! Nein! Negatory! Not!
Bob, watch out! They might put a spell on you!