Radical

Clandestine Magic #2

by Colleen Cowley

Women have no ability to cast spells. That's what wizards have said for generations—and it's a lie.

Beatrix Harper wants to expose it to protect her sister’s life. Her desperate plan: Train tens of thousands of women in secret, then shock the nation with a display of their magic. She thinks it will work—if only she can keep the details from her town’s wizard, Peter Blackwell.

But that’s nearly impossible thanks to their unwanted magical connection. As their Vows tie them ever more tightly together, Peter is never more than a step behind her. Stopping her is nearly as important to him as countering the terrible weapon he wishes he hadn't invented.

What happens when two desperate plans collide?

Radical is the second novel in the completed Clandestine Magic trilogy, set in an Edwardian-feeling 21st century America that appeals to fans of gaslamp fantasy, fight-the-patriarchy characters, intrigue and slow-burn romance with some steam.

If you're a reader who prefers to know certain information upfront, find a link to those details in the author's profile. One scene in the book includes a character discussing a past trauma, and the link has more specifics.

PRAISE FOR RADICAL

“I flew through it and was left wanting more. … The Clandestine Magic books get me knotted up with tension and drag me in completely.” — Delighted Reader

"Secrets, lies, and betrayal are abundant in the story, and just when you think you know what's going to happen, Cowley stuns you with an unexpected and shocking twist. ... I couldn't put the book down, and I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy!" — One Book More

"The discoveries made, the secrets revealed, the implication of the vows and of using magic, there is just so much packed into these pages. ... I hugely recommend giving the series a try." — Life in the Book Lane Reviews

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Historical, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Colleen Cowley writes romantic fantasy in warped real-world settings with wizards, amazing women, swoony pining and swoopy coats.

Get a free book and audiobook at colleencowley.com/new.

If you're a reader who prefers to know certain content details upfront, including whether any tropes you hate are waiting to spring, you can find that at colleencowley.com/details.

Reviews

[Cece ❀Rants, Raves &Reviews❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I was provided with an ARC for an honest review.**

Rally up bitches, the magic feminists are back !!



This was EXACTLY how a sequel should be *thank gawd* where events from the first book have consequences and everything is building up to the epic battle showdown

Women have no ability to cast spells. That's what wizards have said for generations. But it's a lie.

wOmEn ArE 2 wEaK fOr MaGiC



The sequel brilliantly reviews the actions of the first book thru some creative goddamn dialogue

“You seriously asked the sister of the woman running the Women’s League for the Prohibition of Magic, the crucking Women’s League for the Prohibition of Magic, to assist your omnimancy operation?”

Hell yahhh he did !!!

Then immediately gets into the current actions -- with the Women's League working for equality, Beatrix learning her magic & wanting to spread the knowledge, and Peter's struggle with the death device



Heres our MCs: Beatrix Harper a sister, a magic user, a fighter, a manipulator and Peter Blackwell a wizard and a manipulator.

awww aren't they just precious together

Similar to the first book, Beatrix continues to be a strong-ass woman. But she also goes a little more on the rebel dark side compared to the first book... and i love IT!! muhaha

But I really appreciated the character arc of Peter, he really evolves from the original arrogant prick we met

I love Peter so much. His relationship with Beatrix is so well developed. He knows Beatrix as a victim, broken girl, self-sufficient woman, magic-user, and general badass. He's seen it alll and he keeps coming back for her.



My favorite FAVORITE thing about this book was how you totally saw how their dynamic obviously changed and developed. They go from indifferent strangers, to tentative friends, to best friends, to secret enemies, to friends, to lovers.



The character dynamics between them are not quite as fun & bantery as the first book because of all the danger and underlying threats ... but the writing was so well-done I accepted it

“His anger had largely burned itself out—hers too, he thought. But the distance remained.”

Secondary characters
Ella the funny best friend has more of a presence than in the first book which I loved. I love dynamics between my characters, everyone needs friends dammit

“Ella—friend, confidante, co-conspirator—shifted in the seat beside her.”

Lydia... grrrr. I did not like her in the first book. I saw her as cold and distant to Beatrix, the sister who is sacrificing everything for her.

And this book totally addressed that lacking in the first book by giving both more spotlight, showing how both sisters clearly love each other and hate their distance but aren't sure how to reunite

This is where true writing shows: the classic -show don't just tell- was so prominent and well done in this book I wanted to cry. The author DID NOT just simply tell us over and over again about the wisdom of Beatrix and Lydia as a good sister, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!! The author showed their love of family through actions and thoughts

Martinelli straight-up came into this book like



I lowkey forgot about him as a character in the first book but he made an awesome addition. After being assistant to Peter, I thought his character would fade away

Instead, he turns out to be Peter's homie .. and its ADORABLE

“ Martinelli grinned. “It was especially entertaining to watch your face as it dawned on you why the Sedereys invited us to eat with them two weekends in a row.”
Peter sighed. “What am I to do? I can’t very well say, ‘So sorry, Miss Sederey, but I’m desperately in love with Miss Harper."

This was also a *hella* creative writing tool to have two wizards discuss more details about magic and understand some of the crazy Vow shit happening in the first book

"So did the other pair, but then they Vowed a second time—”
“—and their dreams became like an extension of real life, except it was just the two of them?”
“Yes.”
“Did they Vow a third time? One to the other, or each to each?”
“No! Holy shit—what the hell happens after a third time?”
“You can’t undo the Vows. They fuse. They’re permanent.”
For a second or two, Martinelli simply stared at him. “Oh, shit.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Peter muttered.”

While I did love the emphasis on character development, the actual actions were less than satisfactory. I wanted the adventure to be more incorporated throughout the book but it was pretty limited to the end fight scene

“It looks like a birdbath,” Rosemarie said, shaking her head.
It did, in fact. What it most certainly did not look like was a weapon of mass death.”

And OFFFF COURSEEE the book ends on a fucking cliffhanger that leaves you screaming and wanting to know what the fuck happened to spoiler



Overall. Well-fucking done. Everything I loved in the first book -- the unique premise, the fun characters, and pacing --continued in the sequel. But more importantly, the author clearly worked on some of the failings of the first book. Where the sisterly dynamic of the first book felt like two strangers in the same house, the second book addressed and explained the distance. Where the first book had Beatrix as little bit of a pusher over, this book Beatrix purposefully goes against what everyone else is telling her to do what SHE thinks is right .... even if it totally wasn't. Even though it wasn't the usual action-packed fantasy novel I go for, I still was hooked and zoomed right through it because I kept wanting to see what happened next.

I wasn't reading this book just to finish it, I genuinely enjoyed being with the characters-- freaking out with them when things went wrong, laughing at the characters banter together, and celebrating successful plans. and I fucking love that feeling. its the whole reason I read.

For the third book I got some clear and definite expectations
● what the everloving FUCK happened to spoiler
● I need more Martinelli and Peter bromance
● Beatrix needs to admit her goddamn feelings to both her sister and Peter on how she feels about them
● I'm hoping we finally leave the tiny village to go into the city
which will open the environment for hella lot more danger violence and intrigue that this book touches upon but rally its the equivalent of a epic battle in the middle of fucknowhere Montana. there just ain't enough resources to really build it up ya know?

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started a little slowly, but I think it needed to because once it picked up steam it went supersonic. The plot twists - oh yeah, they totally took me by surprise and yet I can see how there was some foreshadowing of them. There was just SO MUCH going on with Plan A's and Plan B's and even Plan C's and D's. However all those plans were useless when... well you'll have to read it and find out but OMG talk about bluffs, double bluffs and triple bluffs.


Before I go any further I need to tell you that this is NOT a stand alone book. You need to read Subversive first, as well as being aware that this ends on a cliffhanger. I have absolutely no idea where the author plans to take us next. Though based on this and Subversive it's going to be one heck of a ride!


The discoveries made, the secrets revealed, the implication of the vows and of using magic, there is just so much packed into these pages. However Colleen Cowley does it all in a way that allows you to keep pace of every startling revelation. I continued to adore both Peter and Beatrix, I also felt that we got to know some of the supporting characters in more depth too. The conversation towards the end between Rosemary and Beatrix was so full of emotion - I may have required a tissue or two for that, and I most certainly needed them for some of those ends scenes between Peter and Bea.


This book crosses the genres and I hugely recommend giving the series a try, hopefully you will love it as much as I am.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a dramatic finish in Subversive, my fingers were tingling to get Radical. And, it jumped right back into the throes. The Clandestine Magic books get me knotted up with tension and drag me in completely. What a ride!

Radical is the second segment of the Clandestine Magic trilogy. This historical fantasy dystopian story series needs to be read in order.

Beatrix has learned the secret of women's magic and now she is prepared to flout wizard, Peter Blackwell's worry that she's taking things too fast without enough thought because she wants the world of suppressed women and male non-magic users to change and break the powerful wizards' hold on them all. She sets about a secret revolution and lies to Peter and her sister. One loose tongue will bring it all down. At night, in her dreams, she joins Peter in their own world where there was no forced vows or forced love and she looks forward to it even if it can't be real. It can't, right?

Peter regrets every moment the forced vow he shares with Beatrix and agonizes over being the only one of them to feel real love. He fears for her and what she might secretly be doing even if she swears she isn't, but he must focus on finding the spell that will control a great weapon and hiding his work from a government that wishes to use it for horrific purposes. The net tightens around him and he knows he has little time. If only...

As I said in my opening, this one opens right where the last left off and the emotional turbulence is right there. I felt both Beatrix and Peter's anguish. Beatrix is lying to Peter and I knew it would be just a matter of time before he was on to her especially since she hides her secrets from her sister who has asked Peter to discover what is going on within the women's organization and the trail is leading him to the person stirring things up. I will admit this book did cross my line for angst and I wanted to get past some stuff, but I wasn't bored. Meanwhile, there is another aching betrayal in this one that left me so sad. It was also a stunning secret that blew things wide open for the final book. To say I really want that story is an understatement. But it's not just the high-octane situation that has me on pins and needles. After all the sparkling chemistry, bitter recriminations, and regrets, the romance makes it to another taunt point. Beatrix has settled things about she and Peter, but, of course, there is a huge barrier to their happiness.

And, so in summary, this second installment kept things edgy and suspenseful with the overall plot, the characters, and the romance. I flew through it and was left wanting more. I classify it as a historical fantasy dystopian though one could also call it a paranormal parallel history too. If any of that grabs your fancy, I enthusiastically recommend it.

My thanks to the author for providing the book to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series so far has been such a wild ride and I love it so much. I enjoy reading the POV of both MC's and things are really starting to ramp up so I think the next book is going to be insanely good and full of excitement.

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, I just love the Clandestine Magic series!! The characters are fantastic, the plot is carefully woven, and the political and social situations are as intricate and complex as the magic. Beatrix and Peter are fascinating characters, and their passionate, angst-filled romance is at the heart of the story.

Dynamically developed, Beatrix and Peter continue to deal with the ramifications of creating multiple vows and binding themselves to each other. Now, irrevocably tethered, they share dreams and emotions, which complicates an already complicated relationship. I loved this part of the book! You can tell that Peter and Beatrix care for each other, but they still don’t trust their feelings because of the vows.

I also like that Beatrix and Peter learn more about their contracts and what happened to others in similar situations. The continued development and explanation of the magic and history of the society contribute so much to the immersive world-building, as do the mundane daily duties and situations that Peter and Beatrix encounter, which stand in stark contrast to the dangerous and potentially deadly magic-related obstacles that plague them.

Beatrix fears for the safety of her sister and friends, and she puts her life in even more danger when she starts teaching other women magic. Peter, who invented something for the government that could destroy everything, is still trying to prevent a cataclysmic catastrophe from occurring. He and Beatrix also struggle with the morality of several of their actions.

Of course, the inequitable government and shady politics are the cause of most of Beatrix and Peter’s problems. Though the couple doesn’t always see eye-to-eye, they both see how the government manipulates, oppresses, and threatens the citizens. Both want to invoke change and end the absolute power that the government holds over the people. Beatrix’s sister and friends, as well as many townspeople, echo these desires.

I liked that many of the minor characters from Subversive have larger roles in Radical. I especially appreciated that Cowley explored the relationship between Beatrix and her sister more. Beatrix and Lydia leave a lot of things unsaid throughout their lives, and they face these unspoken issues and resentments. The scenes where Beatrix and Lydia open up to one another are poignant and moving. It’s interesting that, though Beatrix and Lydia see things so differently, they both act out of respect and love. I think they both learned a lot about each other and themselves in this story.

Peter’s relationships with townspeople, as well as an ex-coworker, are explored in greater detail in Radical as well. These growing relationships help Peter become more sure of himself and his goals. As he becomes closer to others, especially Beatrix and his friends, he seems more determined and sure of himself, and I loved that! He is a solitary man, who often isolates himself, so seeing him slowly open up to others is heart-warming.

Radical is a wonderful follow-up to Subversive. The situations are increasingly more intense and dangerous, and the stakes are so much higher for Beatrix and Peter. Secrets, lies, and betrayal are abundant in the story, and just when you think you know what’s going to happen, Cowley stuns you with an unexpected and shocking twist. The last few chapters left me stunned, heart-broken, and hopeful all at once. I couldn’t put the book down, and I can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy! Thanks so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Colleen Cowley]

This book kicked my butt -- in a good way.

The middle novel in a trilogy is tricky in the same way that the middle of a book (or middle age!) can be difficult. I wanted Radical to be strong in its own right, so it's the one I spent the most time on.

Plotty things I set up in Subversive come to fruition here, and it was so much fun to write them. Characters get to grow and go in unexpected directions. The magiocracy looms larger. And there's this:

If they were caught in the midst of what they came here to do, they’d be thrown in prison. If they’d miscalculated about the woman waiting for them in that building, prison. If this went well but a later step tripped them up—prison.

She would never be ready. But she had to do this.

The books before and after Radical were easier, but this one made me a better writer.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as the first. There was too much convoluted scheming and soul searching and it spoiled the pacing of the story.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series! It's very different and I love how the sexism is portrayed. It's not done in the over the top way we seems to see more of in recent books (I'm looking at you CC3), it's much closer to the real world thing.
Overall it's a great sequel to a great series and I read it in less than a day!

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

$Woop!
Just finished my needed shut-eye after reading the book all night. I cried, I felt pain and swooned! So much excitement.

Now that was a sequel!

This time Cowley's 'Radical' gives us a zoom in view of Beatrix and Peter's relationship and continues the unwrapped revelation of Book 1 'Subversive's ending.

This time Beatrix takes off on a mission to start an underground movement of women magicians who have been informed all their lives that they cannot do magic and have been viewed as the lesser of the species because of that, narrowing their choices to domestic duties and unable to take political positions because of their unmagical state.

Meanwhile, Peter continues to deal with the weapon he helped create and mulls over in anguish on the state of his relationship with Beatrix.

WHY I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT:

1. The angst!!!

Reading how they loved each other but cannot do anything about it because of their principles was so excrutiatingly painful and sweet. I had to stop to cry quietly a few times because I cannot sob as I would have liked as to not wake the dogs.

2. How the major reason of them holding back into making a relationship was resolved.

The reprecussions of The Vow in their relationship was brutal and somehow still right. Peter put Bea in a compulsion to tell him the truth and follow orders and basically took her will away (they were not friends then). It would be weird of Beatrix was okay with that given her conviction for women rights and equality. So, the angst was understandable and I read the books to find out how it would all work out with them.
Radical's ending gives us a hint on the resolve of this issue. So it's something to look forward to in Book 3.

3. The adventure!

This time the adventure and excitement was more subdued than Book 1 where the world building just started. Here, the author inticately knits the complexity of her characters. Still, the League's struggles and Beatrix's underground efforts starts the story. And the fight between the government and the ladies movement becomes more intense than in Subversive.

ISSUES:
1. I had trouble placing on what time period the story was set. There was an ambulance but no smartphones and they had beautiful dresses and stays. Men having long hair was still a thing. Luckily, Colleen Cowley explains the stuff so you can check it out on her site.

2. Ahhh!! Book 3 cannot come sooner.!


This is an honest review in exchange of the ARC. This book will be released this October 2020.

[Rk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Clandestine Magic series had me on the edge of my seat! I was sneakily reading it whenever I got the chance, burning my toast I got so caught up in it, etc. It is really fast paced, and has several interweaving strands of intrigue which tumble all of the characters towards narrowly-avoided disaster over and over again. There are some great twists, and the writing does a good job of conveying this feeling of the characters being desperately and helplessly caught up in the whirlpool of fate. They have their backs against the wall and have the world falling apart around them and are forced to dig themselves deeper and deeper into a hole, and - no, I'm overdoing the metaphors here, but anyway, it's GREAT! The first book sets a lot of stuff up, and it explodes in a big way in the second book. Enjoy it everyone, you're in for a treat :)

[Christina Morland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radical is the thrilling second part of Colleen Cowley's three-part series, Clandestine Magic. (If you haven't read Subversive, the first book in the series, what are you waiting for?)

In Radical, Beatrix and Peter find themselves tested in a number of different ways. They both believe they are doing the only things they can to make their dystopian world a better place for all, but now, they are also forced to question their methods and their values. They certainly question their feelings for each other. And no wonder: how do you know what is true when magic gets in the way?

Cowley's pacing, world-building, and, above all, her character development continue to be stellar in this follow-up to Subversive-- and this book sets up so much action for the third and last installment, Revolutionary. (But don't worry; Cowley's releasing Revolutionary in just a month...another sign of her brilliance: she made sure to finish the entire series before releasing the first book!)

I should note that I was fortunate enough to be a beta reader for this series, so yes, I'm more than a little fangirl-ish about Colleen Cowley's work. But as I said in my review of Subversive, this also means that I've read the Clandestine Magic books many times, and I've loved them with each re-read. I'm confident that many other fantasy and romance readers (or just readers of character-driven, action-packed stories) will love these books, too.

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrix Harper despairs for the life of her sister after an earlier assassination attempt by the government. She is willing to do anything to save her... including teaching thousands of women magic when it is very much illegal to do so. She believes she can push attention off her sister - because women doing magic would be the much bigger threat. But keeping all of this from Peter is turning out to be a lot harder than she thought.

Peter Blackwell is desperate. He is no closer to finding a protection spell big enough to counteract the weapon he made and then stole from the government... the real reason he found himself back in his small hometown. He is also finding it more and more difficult to control his feelings for Beatrix, who is never far from his mind. But he also wonders if he can trust her, as he is constantly worrying about whether or not she is teaching other women magic, which could send him and everyone else involved to prison.

Sparks collide in book 2 of the Clandestine Magic trilogy, which was everything I could want and more!

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You can't do it. You vowed to cause me no harm. You vowed to cause your sister no harm." (quote from the book)

If you read my review of the first book in this series, 'Subversive', I had stated that 'there is an urgency coursing through this novel'. Well, in 'Radical', the second book, that urgency is ratcheted up ten times more! I was on pins and needles on how Beatrix Harper was going to train other women, along with her good friend, Ella McKnight, and not get caught. Or, how she was going to avoid telling Omnimancer, Peter Blackwell, about it due to their 'Vow'. And that is only the beginning of their problems!

"And it was all she could do to keep the truth in. It lodged like a rock in her throat, churned in her stomach, prickled her tongue." (quote from the book)

The angst meter was on red and wizards were popping in and out. Surveillance by the magiocracy was pervasive and who to trust was a major issue. My suspicions on one character kept rising from the first book to this one...I was proven correct but for the wrong reasons.

"Any day could be the day..." (quote from the book)

There was a lighthearted thread running through this story as well that helped to lessen the angst but no where near enough to lessen the tension. You knew something was going to happen and it was going to be disastrous.

"Some things are so vital they 'must' be done." (quote from the book)

I highly recommend this series for its dystopian world building, political intrigue, and off the chart angst. Strong women and a unique plot make for an excellent clandestine magical fantasy!

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it was possible to be more invested in this story and these characters than I was at the end of Subversive, the first in the trilogy. I was wholly wrong. I am all in.
This book is explosive. There is so much going on: secrets and twists, betrayal and intrigue, desperation and desire, emotional carnage and yet another teasing cliffhanger. But all is done carefully enough to allow the story to be followed without confusion.
The relationships between the characters are explored further, and tested to the limit (I think, though who knows what's coming next!).
Another month until book 3 comes out and I can't imagine that I will stop thinking about this story in the meantime. November 29th cannot come fast enough!

[Julie (Bookshelf Adventures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing sequel!

Full review here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars--RADICAL is the second instalment in Colleen Cowley’s multi-genre CLANDESTINE MAGIC /paranormal/ UF/ Gaslamp fantasy series focusing on thirty-three year old, wizard/omnimancer Peter Blackwell, and store clerk/suffragette Beatrix Harper. RADICAL should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book one SUBVERSIVE.

NOTE: If you have not read book one SUBVERSIVE, there may be spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: CLANDESTINE MAGIC is classified as ‘Gaslamp Fantasy’ - a sub-genre of both fantasy and historical fiction with elements of steampunk and the paranormal. The story line is set in an alternate 21st century, one in which the rise of feminism and equal rights has only just begun, and women are still considered second class citizens with no power, no magic and no rights. For decades wizards aka men, have controlled the world, using magic and the elements to increase their power and domination but subtle cracks begins to fragment their authority, and a magical weapon commissioned by our story line hero is needed to regulate the users of magic.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Beatrix and Peter) RADICAL follows several paths and picks up after the events of book one in which Beatrix sister’s Lydia, in her fight for women’s rights, may or may not have been the target of some very powerful men. In an effort to ‘arm’ women with magical powers, powers of which they have been led to believe have not been bestowed to their gendered sex, Beatrix recruits several women volunteers to teach them the ability to work with magic but someone is hoping to take them down, and in doing so destroy any semblance of a relationship between Peter and Beatrix. With the number of visiting wizards both seen and unseen, Peter begins to suspect they are under watch, first discovering the spells and hidden devices in all of their homes. As Beatrix and Peter’s relationship begins to take on a more ethereal existence, someone else is working behind the scenes to destroy everything they have accomplished to date.

RADICAL is a complex and detailed story of secrets and lies, power and control, misogyny, feminism, rights and beliefs. With elements of the paranormal, magic, and mayhem RADICAL is an edgy, unique and haunting tale of challenges, disillusionment, drama and desperation.


www.thereadingcafe.com

[Dave Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blending the tension of an espionage thriller with magic and the nature of love, Cowley creates a tale that will appeal to both fans of fantasy thrills and those of character-driven romance.

This is the second book in Cowley’s Clandestine Magic series. Possible spoilers ahead.

For generations, the lie that only a few men are able to cast magic has made women third-class citizens. A lie that her sister’s near death at the hands of a government agent has made Beatrix Harper more determined than ever to expose. And so she plans the one one thing the government can’t cover up: to train thousands of women across the country in magic then have them all reveal their power at once. All she needs to do is keep it from Peter Blackwell, the wizard that a magical vow forces her to love. Meanwhile, Peter struggles to find a way to foil the secret weapon he never should have created without dragging Beatrix or her sister into further danger. Already torn between days of resisting the Vow and nights of succumbing, they are ill-prepared for an escalation in wizard activity in the town: there is definitely a spying operation, but who is involved and who is it targetting?

Cowley dials up the plots of the previous volume: Beatrix has escalated to changing national politics; Peter is now drawing significant attention for having given up a high-ranking research job for an unpaid role in a backwater; and the morass of Vows that bind them together is strengthening by the day. This raises both the political and romantic tension of the book.

However, the character’s motivations still stem from the same place: Beatrix wants women’s equality but is driven by the belief that exposing the government’s lie will protect her sister; Peter doesn’t want to sacrifice a few people to save the many; and both of them want love not to be forced. This grounds the events in the personal, adding a sense of dire imminence and emotional power without weakening the sense of a broader impact.

Cowley also brings new subplots to the forefront, both making the character’s lives more complex and casting some events of the first book in a different light.

While the themes of equality and moral action that marked the first volume remain strong, this novel is perhaps defined by the question of whether love can ever be a choice. The emotions that Beatrix and Peter experience are the same, so each suffers the same pain by resisting; does it therefore actually matter whether they are imposed by an unintended consequence of magic or by the equally non-rational mix of processes that we call “falling in love”? Placing different perspectives in the mouths of various characters but not offering a single right answer, Cowley creates a tension between making the best of a situation and standing on principle, a tension that resonates more deeply for the wider issue of social reform that pervades the narrative.

Cowley further reveals the parallel non-leaf magic from the first book. While not explicitly stating it is only accessible for women, with the only practitioners being women it is hard to tell whether the sex-based division of magic that the first book seemed to refute is mostly in the characters’ heads or whether Crowley’s metaphysics really do fit men and women for different roles—albeit not quite in the way the government’s claim states.

Beatrix and Peter remain empathetic protagonists. While readers might not agree with their choices, Cowley’s skilled use of dramatic irony makes it very clear their actions are reasonable compromises between conflicting moral drives based on plausibly imperfect understanding rather than stupidity or callousness. As befits the strong romance theme, they both benefit more from each other’s presence than suffer harm—but only barely.

The supporting cast are similarly nuanced, with those returning from the previous volume revealing both new drives and complexities to existing ones.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely. I recommend it to readers seeking urban fantasy that focuses on issues common to all humanity rather than flashy powers, but does not skimp on magical action.

I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radical, (Clandestine Magic 2), Colleen Cowley

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci Fi and Fantasy

Well, after the incredible revelations at the end of book one I wondered where the story would go next.
Its actually a surprisingly complex read, double dealing, betrayals, peter trying to find a solution to the awful machine he made, Beatrix trying to help, covering up to everyone except Peter and her closest friends that she can do magic, her sister Lydia, head of the womens league for prohibition of magic, ( mainly because it keeps women down, only men are allowed to perform magic, females have been told its impossible for them to do it). Beatrix fears her sister's life is in danger, her attempts and that of her friends to protect her, plans a.b.c, d and onward ;-), and of course the Vows. Throw in Peter's former employers, who may or may not be on to him, who may or may not be suspecting of Beatrix for that or possibly because Lydia is her sister. There are so many questions and each have multiple possible answers. All interchange to bring another adventure filled story, that has so much going on.

I really enjoyed it, I think for me being an intrepid romance devotee it was Peter's guilt over the Vows, and Beatrix worries about whether her feelings were real or Vow induced that was the big pull. Hard to answer and tough for both. Then the big issue of the Machine, and peter's horror at what he created, however unwittingly or without choice. There's a core of me that could see this become real if things were as they are here, man's inhumanity, grasp for power never ceases to amaze me. There moments of lightness, its not all suspense driven, anxious jousting for answers, and they were needed. The issues of poor families like the Clarks, who live in Peters old home, who are struggling just to survive never seem to go away whatever life brings. Yet it could be different. There speaks the liberal but care about the lowest in society part of me. Its so wrong that simply where and to whom we are born can determine our wealth, our health.

And just like book one when I thought things could get any worse at the end, there's another massive surprise! Roll on book three ;-)

Stars: Five, another magic fueled, action packed adventure, full of deals, double deals, secrets, betrayals, and total surprises.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher

[coffeebooksandpluvio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reviewing via audiobook, and let me tell you—I absolutely loved it. While I completely understand that audiobooks aren’t for everyone, folks who say they don’t count as “real” reading are kidding themselves. I flew through this series while working, momming, commuting, volunteering, errand-ing, you name it . . . and I was as immersed as I would have been reading the text with my eyeballs.

“We’ve got this. You know how men underestimate women.” “But what if we’re underestimating the wizards? What then?”

The best aspect of this series, hands down, is the magical feminists! Between the establishment of a major resistance, smart depictions of gender disparity, and deft challenging of societal norms, I was hooked. I also felt that food scarcity was handled really well, both from an experience standpoint and when it comes to the politics around it.

Overall, Cowley’s writing is crisp, clean, and thorough. She blends an Edwardian feel with modern day life and a Hades and Persephone twist beautifully. It doesn’t feel like a love story at first, which is refreshing, and the magic system is definitely unique. I enjoyed words like ‘Omnimancer’ and ‘Magiocracy,’ as well as how spells are created/cast using Old English. Color as imagery is done really well, newspaper headlines/excerpts and woven in nicely, and the whole story is both fast-paced and easy to follow.

“I’m consumed by thoughts of you, Beatrix Harper—I’m being burned alive from the inside out.”

In terms of the main characters, Beatrix is strong but in a way that isn’t overdone, and Peter is loveable from the start. Peter has always supported Beatrix, and it’s nice to see Beatrix finally ready to support him after all the chaos they go through together as events—and realization of their true feelings—unfold. Cowley definitely makes us wait for the spice (book three), but it’s worth it! We get to see great side characters too, like Ella and Martinelli.

My only complaint is that the logistics of magic, brewing, and casting could be easier to understand reading the traditional way. That could be because I was listening. I found myself having to replay certain scenes to fully grasp how the magic works.

Check this series out (available in audio, Kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats) if you’re looking for a well-written story with humor, relatable characters, magical prowess, deep themes, and a feel-good ending. I, for one, can’t wait to read more of her work!

[Aila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sequel pissed me off, until about the very end. No one trusted the other and the romance was fraught with tension. I felt like skimming every other page because the plot was going nowhere and no one was communicating. When they (MCs and supporting characters) FINALLY communicated the resolution came, so that made most of the conflict just lack of communication and trust. I really disliked Beatrix in this book and her (low key) selfish (until the end) actions and felt so bad for Peter.

I can’t even call this romantic bc literally the whole time the main leads are like “ohh our feelings aren’t real, it’s the Vow (a spell) making us feel like this, blah blah blahblahblah.” I grew so tired of it like 😭 y’all pls 🤚 stfu and figure out a solution/resolution bc I need y’all to trust each other so this story don’t drag for another 100 pages but ALAS. UGH.

Gonna go start the last book of the trilogy.

Also trigger warnings: mention of child rape and incest from a character’s past, death/murder, mild violence, poison, stalking/romantic obsession towards the heroine

[Granthana Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

#requestedreview

🔸Review requested by 🔸
@colleencowleyauthor
==============

Radical by Colleen Cowley

📓Genre: Fantasy  YA
     Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

🔖The author sent me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🔖This the 2nd book in the Clandestine Magic trilogy that follows the journey of Beatrix Harper, as she continue her ongoing fight to get the desired respect, recognition & fairly-deserved liberation of women in the world of magic.
🔖The strong-willed protagonist takes it upon herself to save her sister. And by deciding to teach magic to thousands of women, Beatrix displays an equally strong conviction to go to any lengths to put in her bit to built a better society and future for women.
🔖Peter also gets a good storyline of his own, and the readers get to dive more into who he truly is & understand the different layers of the character.
🔖Each of the protagonists has to face several hurdles in this intriguing story, which talks about the need to stand up against social injustice and fight back against unfair norms.
🔖I wish the author would've added some more insight to the secondary characters. However, I liked the character arcs of both the protagonists and the well-paced narrative.
🔖Having read Subversive (book 1 of the series), I was already aware of the style of writing & the main theme. And this book advances the series with another nicely penned plot, that mixes the right amount of 'magic' to a heavily socio-political setup.
🔖Overall, with strong characters and a good plot ― this really is a beautiful continuation of a powerful series.

🔸Final Verdict: Great
🔸Book Cover: Perfect for lovers of the fantasy genre.
🔸Writing Style: Well-paced, Interesting
🔸Character Development: Good.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAAAH I WAS NOT EXPECTING THINGS TO GET SO TENSE.

Can't properly review this one because when I finished it at about 10 pm, I immediately started reading book 3 so my memory of where the line between the two was is a bit fuzzy.

THAT CLIMAX THOUGH OH MY GOD PETER.

[Cara (Wilde Book Garden) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally just had to force deep breaths to calm down from the excitement and panic of that ending 😅

RTC!



CW: Grief, unplanned + traumatic pregnancy, WMDs, explosions, coma, attempted mass murder / terrorism, references to: death in childbirth, rape, sexual abuse of children, incest

[Melissa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this in one day (not one sitting only because life happened). Not much I can say that isn't spoilers. I spent the majority of the book seriously irked at Beatrix. Peter deserved so much better than what she did. Repeatedly. But then THAT ENDING! How. Dare? We're all lucky I had the third book ready and waiting, otherwise I might have burned everything down.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! I stayed up way too late reading the second one and I wish I could read the third one right now but I really need to actually get some sleep. This was amazing! Super excited for the third one in the series. The author does an amazing job at having us question consent, friendships, family relationships, and think about really tough issues while telling an amazing story! I really really really like this! Super recommend this series for sure!

[Corey Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Second Installment

Well this book was just as good as the first. It kicked the fast pacing & high stakes of the first book up a notch. What I really like about these books is that they don't end on terrible cliffhangers. Yes, they set up the next book & therefore leave some story threads unresolved, but they tell an encapsulated smaller separate story within the larger overarching plot, which is the way that trilogies are supposed to be. So many authors these days just put out what I can only refer to as episodes, as opposed to whole books with a beginning, middle, & end. I hate books like that, which tell only part of a story & call an "ending" right when you reach the good part. That is not the case here.

Colleen Cowper has carefully crafted a plot that spans three books, each with it's own part of the story that is told & wrapped up within that book. I thought the first one was good, but as I mentioned above, this book just really upped the stakes. It built on the momentum of the first book, picking up pretty much where we left off at the end of Subversive.

We get to delve more deeply into the main characters, as well as a couple of the side characters. I really liked the way one character's past came to light in the form of a massive plot twist that I didn't see coming! The only complaint I can make character-wise is that the protagonists, who are also love interests, are about as dumb as two rocks when it comes to one another. They waste this whole book agonizing on if they really love one another or if it is a side effect of their magical bond from an Unbreakable Vow taken in book one. Of course, it is beyond obvious to the readers (and to other characters, as well) that the pair have come to truly love each other. I reached a point where I wanted to go inside the book & beat their heads together until they figured their shit out. It got a little unbelievable.

One thing that I must comment on that really shines in this series is the worldbuilding. It is such a unique setup that I can't help being impressed. In particular I enjoy the similarities that appear between the real world & the world inside the book. The plot contains both sharp satire & biting political commentary on the state of affairs today, especially with regards to human rights & equality. Bigotry & how it is handled plays a major role in this story, drawing inescapable parallels to today's civil rights issues.

All in all this is an excellent second book, & I am really looking forward to seeing where the author takes us for the final installment. While a lot of things were wrapped up in the conclusion of this book, there are still many questions to be answered & the stakes are actually higher than ever. I am curious how it will all turn out & I can't wait to see Beatrix & Peter finally get the happy ending they've been fighting for!

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radical picks up about two months after the conclusion of the first title, Subversive. The beginning of the book continues to see Peter working on a defense against the weapon he created, while Beatrix and Ella work on their Plan B - teaching women how to use magic in hopes of storming Washington D.C. if Lydia and the League cannot force changes to the magiocracy. The stakes get higher and higher as each progresses in their task. The Clandestine Magic series should be read in order as each book is only one part of the larger picture.

The first half of the book moves a bit slowly as the author details Peter and Beatrix’s individual efforts to move forward with their plans. Beatrix is full of anxiety, worried that Peter will discover her plans. Meanwhile, the pair continue to see their magical bond grow stronger, causing a more fevered desire between their dream-side selves, spilling over into their dayside selves. I enjoyed the book, especially learning more about Peter’s friend Martinelli. There is also a silly side plot involving the town’s young women trying to win Peter’s favor. Although it moves a bit slowly, the author uses the space to ratchet up the stakes while developing the conflicting feelings between Beatrix and Peter.

I continue to love the evolution of Peter and Beatrix’s relationship. What begins with questionable intent develops, changes, and grows. The author allows her characters to ponder some difficult questions and evaluate their morals as Beatrix and Peter analyze their feelings. Their romance is unconventional and heart-wrenching, yet fantastic.

The second half of the book moves with speed and left my heart racing at times. Truths come to light, and some of the facts are quite ugly once uncovered. More than one character finds themselves in potentially mortal danger. The author begins to pull all of the various threads together and surprised me with a couple “AH HA!” moments. And once again, Ms. Cowley leaves listeners at a pause in the story, with many questions unanswered.

Narration: The story is shared from the third person alternating POV‘s of the two main characters Beatrix and Peter. The narrator is a neutral feminine narrator who alters dialogue slightly, adjusting for age, gender, etc. Her voice is gentle and easy to listen to; very suiting for the narrator and characters. Her males are generally lower pitched. Her younger characters tend to be suitably bubbly and more vivacious. She does a good job creating unique character voices, and the voices work great together when performing dialogue between Peter and Beatrix, even with few to no dialogue tags.

After a slow start, Radical ended up being extraordinarily good. Filled with excitement, romance, twists, and turns, I was on the edge of my seat for the last third or so of the book, and I cannot wait for the final chapter of the Clandestine Magic series.

My Ratings:
Story: A-
Narration: A-

Review copy provided by author
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About

[Ani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author. This did not affect my review.

Okay, so I finished this book in 24 hours, which hasn't happened in a long, long time for me. I just couldn't put it down, this book gripped me from the beginning to the end. Now I don't know what to do with the rest of my day, as it's only 3 o'clock in the afternoon and I'm currently quarantined.

As the ending of the first book in the Clandestine Magic trilogy, Subversive, left me emotionally dissatisfied, I was hesitant at first. What would be the future of Beatrix and Peter? Are there any other spies? WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH GARRETT THE ******? (I think it's kind of clear that I don't like the guy very much). Thankfully, I got my answers. Not thankfully, I'm left with other questions. But thankfully again, the third book is already out so I can start it whenever I want!

The book is excellently written, has a comfortable pacing and characters with a lot of depth. The backstories of the characters explain their actions and motivations very well. What I also love about this book is that the characters grow and start seeing things from different points of views. They changed their priorities and don't give up on their goals, no matter what.

The middle book in a trilogy often disappoints, and that was definitely not the case with Radical. I think it's even better than Subversive. The book included complex situations and feelings that can't be dealt with in a quick, easy way. All parties in this series have their unique role in everything that's happening and the story is woven together so, so well. Even the romance in this book is so incredibly unique that I truly can't guess how it will end up, it's almost frustrating!

Radical left things wide open for the last book with a twist that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to see what will happen in the third book, Revolutionary, and I truly believe that this series should be more well known. I highly recommend this series if you're into quick-paced fantasy books where politics and romance play very important roles.

[Andrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suffers from an intense case of middle book syndrome. There are a ton of incredibly repetitive scenes, especially people thinking how they would like to talk about something but its not safe and then sweeping an area for "bugs" in the same four-step process that's described in detail probably several dozen times over the course of the book. Its sort of going for an 1984-style oppressive police state vibe but that's not the world the first book built.

The other thing that really annoyed me is how "overpowered" women end up being. It undermines the point of the conflict and swings the natural power balance so far in the other direction that it actually makes them seem weak and stupid for allowing themselves to be so thoroughly subjugated in the first place. Women can do magic as well as men but the patriarchy/magiocracy hid that from them to keep themselves in power- great. Actually nearly every woman can do magic while only one in a thousand men can- wait, how does that... Actually actually not only can virtually every woman do magic as well as a wizard, they can learn to do it with just a few hours of instruction while wizards need a decade of training- now hold on here, this is getting ridiculous. Actually actually actually not only are all women natural-born wizards that only a very few men can slowly and with great difficulty match, women actually have access to this other kind of magic that's just straight up better than what wizards can ever do and no man can ever learn to do it. Also this other kind of magic is totally intuitive so you don't even need a teacher, you will use it on instinct- so how does *no one know it exists*?! So, um, yeah. This bit really got out of control and completely breaks the whole world if you think about it too hard.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Radical is the continuation of the story that began in Subversive. In a world governed by male magicians, Beatrix wants to help her sister Lydia in her campaign for women’s rights. In order to do this, Beatrix and her friend Ella attempt to do something no one ever thought would be possible. Train women do to do magic.

Beatrix’s actions must be under the radar. Lydia cannot know. And, more importantly, Peter Blackwell, the town wizard cannot know. The first is a challenge. The second is nearly impossible. Beatrix and Peter are magically connected.

In the meantime, Lydia is being spied up, the town is trying to get the wizard married, Beatrix and Peter struggle with their connection, and nobody can trust anybody. Oh yes, there is another wizard that loves Beatrix and will do anything to get her.

While I am really enjoying this alternate history adventure, I felt book 2 dragged just a little. The relationship between Peter and Beatrix seemed to go nowhere. Lydia’s progress on advancing her cause stalled. Add the fact that Beatrix was always worried about something, and I found that I just didn’t enjoy this one as much as book 1. I will say that I was happy with the events that happened at the end of the book, so if you have started the series and enjoyed book 1, Radical is definitely worth reading. Book 3, Revolutionary, was recently released, so binging the series is now in order.

Many thanks to the author provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.