By Janella Angeles
This book is about a female magician, Kallia, who is determined to change the accepted rules of society. In the land of Soltair, only men are allowed to do “Performance Magic”, women relegated to the more menial magic that assists in housekeeping and child-rearing. Men get to take center stage, dazzling with acts that take one’s breath away, marveling in mystery, with a pretty girl at their side to provide the final ornament.
Kallia is not content with the role she has been cast in life. She was born as a magician, not taught, and as such is possessed of talent and skill of which few in the entire land can boast. Performing nightly at a house of forbidden pleasures, she is able to hone her skills and learn from the Master, Jack, who is cold to everyone except his protege.
Breaking free from her gilded cage seems equally dangerous and impossible, but those are Kallia’s schedule. She races away to the city of Glorian, a dead, haunted place that is hoping a magical competition will revive it and the capital it desperately needs from tourism.
Befriending those on the fringes: the overlooked and the looked down upon, Kallia is able to earn her place in the competition. Despite the reticent judges’ misgivings and disapprobation, she continues to impress and win over the viewing public. Defying expectation and logic, Kallia becomes the leader in the competition while strange and terrifying events transpire around them all.
Magicians are going missing, or worse – tortured just shy of death for parts. Kallia’s past continues to nag at her, while other people’s pasts are the key to solving this mystery. Tragedies seem to be what unite each character. Before long, the competition is about survival, rather than rank and fame. Love, loyalty, and sacrifice are all tested.
Soundtrack
- Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police
- Do You Believe in Magic by The Lovin Spoonful
- Magic Dance from The Labyrinth Soundtrack (David Bowie)
- 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
- I Put a Spell on You from the Hocus Pocus Soundtrack (Bette Midler)
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- Breaking gender barriers and glass ceilings
- Lots of intrigue, mystery, and shady pasts
- Romance and a love story
Cons
- STOP ENDING BOOKS ON OBVIOUS CLIFFHANGERS TO FORCE US TO BUY THE SEQUEL – if we like the story, we will anyway. It’s a compulsion.
- Pretty obvious love match from the get
- Aaros the assistant deserves a bigger part!!