Sorcery & Small Magics

by Maiga Doocy

Synopsis:

Desperate to undo the curse binding them to each other, an impulsive sorcerer and his curmudgeonly rival venture deep into a magical forest in search of a counterspell—only to discover that magic might not be the only thing pulling them together.

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.

Maiga Doocy’s Sorcery and Small Magics was a fun slow burn. I was a little worried by remembering someone saying it’s Harry and Draco with the serial numbers filed off, but Leo and Grimm didn’t feel like that to me, because there’s no suggestion that they’re on two wholly different sides. Neither of them is remotely close to being evil, or expressing awful opinions (even if Leo is privileged and sometimes snobby). They’re highly incompatible people, at least at the point where they refuse to show anything of their inner selves to one another — but being forced to work together lights sparks, even if we don’t get any explicit confirmation of how Grimm feels by the end.

There’s also a lot going on other than “magical school”, with hints at something weird happening with Leo’s magic, and the system of scrivers and casters setting limits around magic (though it annoyed me that Leo kept breaking those, and it wasn’t quite clear to me whether he’s a special case or anyone could do what he did).

It took me a little bit to get into the book because I wasn’t sure where the romance would come in, and the characters felt too different, but throwing them together for an adventure in a dangerous forest worked well for that — a classic gambit, and I don’t mean that to throw shade. I enjoyed their adventures and discoveries, and the way they snipe at each other along the way.

I’m very curious where it’s going next, and slightly regret reading it when there’s no sign of more on the immediate horizon…

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)