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Clandestine Magic #3
Revolutionary
Can she save him from the dark magic that's killing him?
Beatrix Harper knows now that she loves Omnimancer Peter Blackwell—the insidious Vows that ensnared them are gone. But if she can't untangle the new enchantment trapping him in a coma, he'll never wake again.
As if that wasn't enough, the fate of women's rights in her repressive country rests on her shoulders. Once blissfully anonymous, she's now in the crosshairs of wizards willing to do anything—anything—to maintain the status quo.
Perhaps most dangerous of all is Beatrix's former best friend, a powerful witch who nearly killed Peter. She's out there somewhere. At any moment, she could strike again.
As resourceful as Beatrix is, that's too many disasters to handle. How can she protect everyone and everything she cares about with wizards bearing down on her and a rogue witch closing in?
Revolutionary is the final novel in the 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, including whether any tropes you hate are waiting to spring, go to the author's profile for a link to those details.
PRAISE FOR REVOLUTIONARY
"Clandestine Magic is the type of series that you think about long after you finish it, and Revolutionary is a wonderfully satisfying conclusion." — One Book More
"It feels more like I’m closing a chapter on my life, as though I’m saying goodbye to friends, and less like I’m simply closing a book. The trilogy is a highlight of my very bookish year." — itsKoo Reviews
"The story had me on the figurative edge of my seat, unable to get even close to guessing what would happen next. . ... The only bad thing about this book is that it had to end." — Life in the Book Lane Reviews
Beatrix Harper knows now that she loves Omnimancer Peter Blackwell—the insidious Vows that ensnared them are gone. But if she can't untangle the new enchantment trapping him in a coma, he'll never wake again.
As if that wasn't enough, the fate of women's rights in her repressive country rests on her shoulders. Once blissfully anonymous, she's now in the crosshairs of wizards willing to do anything—anything—to maintain the status quo.
Perhaps most dangerous of all is Beatrix's former best friend, a powerful witch who nearly killed Peter. She's out there somewhere. At any moment, she could strike again.
As resourceful as Beatrix is, that's too many disasters to handle. How can she protect everyone and everything she cares about with wizards bearing down on her and a rogue witch closing in?
Revolutionary is the final novel in the 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, including whether any tropes you hate are waiting to spring, go to the author's profile for a link to those details.
PRAISE FOR REVOLUTIONARY
"Clandestine Magic is the type of series that you think about long after you finish it, and Revolutionary is a wonderfully satisfying conclusion." — One Book More
"It feels more like I’m closing a chapter on my life, as though I’m saying goodbye to friends, and less like I’m simply closing a book. The trilogy is a highlight of my very bookish year." — itsKoo Reviews
"The story had me on the figurative edge of my seat, unable to get even close to guessing what would happen next. . ... The only bad thing about this book is that it had to end." — Life in the Book Lane Reviews
505 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2024
372 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Cowley
12 books145 followersColleen 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
April 11, 2024
I read this both trying to savour every moment of this final book, whilst also being absolutely desperate to find out what happens next. I wanted to complete the story yet at the same time never finish it, because this story of Beatrice, Peter, Rosemary, Lydia, Martinelli et al has rapidly become one of my favourite series' ever.
There was just so much that happened in this final instalment, with twist upon shock upon surprise. Not once did the pace drop, this held my attention with a firm grip and a depth of emotion that had me laughing, crying and raging in equal measure. The story had me on the figurative edge of my seat, unable to get even close to guessing what would happen next.
Colleen Cowley surpassed all my expectations with Revolutionary, it had action, it had adventure, it had love and it had battles of good verses evil on an epic scale. She created a tale that was the very essence of magical, both in storyline and in its ability to transport the reader into another world.
The only bad thing about this book is that it had to end. Despite the inequalities of the world, I'd love to actually spend time with Bee, Peter, their family and friends. I do hope the author has more stories in the pipeline and I don't have to wait too long for her next book.
There was just so much that happened in this final instalment, with twist upon shock upon surprise. Not once did the pace drop, this held my attention with a firm grip and a depth of emotion that had me laughing, crying and raging in equal measure. The story had me on the figurative edge of my seat, unable to get even close to guessing what would happen next.
Colleen Cowley surpassed all my expectations with Revolutionary, it had action, it had adventure, it had love and it had battles of good verses evil on an epic scale. She created a tale that was the very essence of magical, both in storyline and in its ability to transport the reader into another world.
The only bad thing about this book is that it had to end. Despite the inequalities of the world, I'd love to actually spend time with Bee, Peter, their family and friends. I do hope the author has more stories in the pipeline and I don't have to wait too long for her next book.
Read
October 3, 2020When I started down the road that ended with this book, I thought I was writing one novel, not a trilogy. I was more of a seat-of-the-pants novelist then, and I had to get partway into the first book before I realized that, in fact, it was the first book and not the sole one.
That's a roundabout way of saying that there's a scene in this book that I had in mind from nearly the beginning. It was really something to finally get to write it. Even better was dreaming up a bunch of plot twists that wouldn't have come to me if I hadn't let this story steep for as long as it did.
I've spent the last eight years with Beatrix, Peter, Rosemarie, Ella, Joan, Lydia and a bunch of other characters bumping around in my head. I love them all. It was so much fun to write them, so absorbing to think about this warped version of our world, such a good distraction to have this alternate reality to escape to whenever our actual reality felt hard to take. (And yeah, this setting is a dystopia, sure. But so is actual 2020.)
Thank you to every reader who's given these books a try. Thank you especially to Christina Morland, endlessly patient chief beta reader (and an amazing author) -- without her support and advice, this trilogy might never have been finished.
And, of course, thank you from the bottom of my heart to the many, many women and men whose fight for civil rights gave us more and better choices about our lives. As Beatrix put it in Subversive: "Nobody—least of all you, Omnimancer—will convince me that a real choice about what sort of life to pursue would be anything but good for women. And men, too."
That's a roundabout way of saying that there's a scene in this book that I had in mind from nearly the beginning. It was really something to finally get to write it. Even better was dreaming up a bunch of plot twists that wouldn't have come to me if I hadn't let this story steep for as long as it did.
I've spent the last eight years with Beatrix, Peter, Rosemarie, Ella, Joan, Lydia and a bunch of other characters bumping around in my head. I love them all. It was so much fun to write them, so absorbing to think about this warped version of our world, such a good distraction to have this alternate reality to escape to whenever our actual reality felt hard to take. (And yeah, this setting is a dystopia, sure. But so is actual 2020.)
Thank you to every reader who's given these books a try. Thank you especially to Christina Morland, endlessly patient chief beta reader (and an amazing author) -- without her support and advice, this trilogy might never have been finished.
And, of course, thank you from the bottom of my heart to the many, many women and men whose fight for civil rights gave us more and better choices about our lives. As Beatrix put it in Subversive: "Nobody—least of all you, Omnimancer—will convince me that a real choice about what sort of life to pursue would be anything but good for women. And men, too."
October 17, 2020
The epic conclusion to the Clandestine Magic Trilogy, Revolutionary picks up where Radical left off. Peter is in the hospital with Beatrix holding vigil by his side. The pressure mounts as Peter remains in a coma, and Beatrix has to deal with outside forces that continue to try to manipulate them. Beatrix, who has realized that her feelings for Peter are real and not because of the vows, determines to do whatever it takes to pull Peter out of this suspicious coma and figure out who is targeting them.
Not only do Beatrix and Peter have to deal with his coma, hospital bills, scandalous rumors, and changing powers, they also continue to face governmental spying and threats, as well as the pressures and dangers of endorsing and promoting a cause that threatens the patriarchy. Death threats, kidnappings, weapons of mass destruction, and murder add to their troubles and reveal the precarious and deadly situations the couple finds themselves in. How will Beatrix and Peter ever find their happy ending?
In my reviews of the previous books in the series, I commented on the richly developed characters, but the character development is so fantastic and layered that it deserves repeating. Cowley introduces so many different and dynamic characters, both old and new, with defined and interesting stories. I loved seeing their stories grow, develop, and change and was especially pleased to see Rosemarie, Ella, and Martinelli’s stories expanded upon. Even the antagonists are fascinating in their manipulative and deadly ways. However, at the heart of the story is Beatrix and Peter.
The love story between Beatrix and Peter is one of my favorites this year! Vow or no vow, they have a strong and unshakable connection, and their love for each other only seems to grow. I loved how their relationship progressed and that they finally had a chance to examine their feelings without any magical influence.
Beatrix and Peter’s references to Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 are beautiful and poignant, as are their heartfelt declarations. Of course, their actions further exemplify how much they care for each other. They are each other’s staunchest supporters, and they continually come to each other’s rescue. Theirs is the love of a lifetime, and their swoon-worthy relationship progresses to new levels in this story. Now that they’ve embraced and can trust their feelings for each other, they seem much more willing to show and say how they feel. Beatrix and Peter understand each other well, but in this book, they really learn to understand themselves. Both learn to forgive, share their burdens, and depend on others. Beatrix and Peter also learn to trust in those who support them. The couple learns who their true friends and allies are, and they open themselves up to embracing these relationships. I think Peter shows tremendous growth in this regard, as he started the series so closed off and distrustful, which is understandable considering the horrible burdens he faced.
Though the story is a piece of fiction and takes place in a dystopian, patriarchal, and magical society, the themes and situations in the book strongly resonate in our world. Job loss, oppression, sexism, government control and domination, betrayal, and discrimination are just some of the issues that Beatrix and Peter face. I found myself comparing their society to ours, and there are many similarities. The author suggests that the story is about 100 years behind in women’s rights, and it really made me think about how hard people worked for equal rights in America and how far we still have to go.
Clandestine Magic is the type of series that you think about long after you finish it, and Revolutionary is a wonderfully satisfying conclusion. The characters, the plot, the themes, the love story – there is a poignancy and depth in every aspect of this beautifully nuanced story. Thanks so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Not only do Beatrix and Peter have to deal with his coma, hospital bills, scandalous rumors, and changing powers, they also continue to face governmental spying and threats, as well as the pressures and dangers of endorsing and promoting a cause that threatens the patriarchy. Death threats, kidnappings, weapons of mass destruction, and murder add to their troubles and reveal the precarious and deadly situations the couple finds themselves in. How will Beatrix and Peter ever find their happy ending?
In my reviews of the previous books in the series, I commented on the richly developed characters, but the character development is so fantastic and layered that it deserves repeating. Cowley introduces so many different and dynamic characters, both old and new, with defined and interesting stories. I loved seeing their stories grow, develop, and change and was especially pleased to see Rosemarie, Ella, and Martinelli’s stories expanded upon. Even the antagonists are fascinating in their manipulative and deadly ways. However, at the heart of the story is Beatrix and Peter.
The love story between Beatrix and Peter is one of my favorites this year! Vow or no vow, they have a strong and unshakable connection, and their love for each other only seems to grow. I loved how their relationship progressed and that they finally had a chance to examine their feelings without any magical influence.
Beatrix and Peter’s references to Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 are beautiful and poignant, as are their heartfelt declarations. Of course, their actions further exemplify how much they care for each other. They are each other’s staunchest supporters, and they continually come to each other’s rescue. Theirs is the love of a lifetime, and their swoon-worthy relationship progresses to new levels in this story. Now that they’ve embraced and can trust their feelings for each other, they seem much more willing to show and say how they feel. Beatrix and Peter understand each other well, but in this book, they really learn to understand themselves. Both learn to forgive, share their burdens, and depend on others. Beatrix and Peter also learn to trust in those who support them. The couple learns who their true friends and allies are, and they open themselves up to embracing these relationships. I think Peter shows tremendous growth in this regard, as he started the series so closed off and distrustful, which is understandable considering the horrible burdens he faced.
Though the story is a piece of fiction and takes place in a dystopian, patriarchal, and magical society, the themes and situations in the book strongly resonate in our world. Job loss, oppression, sexism, government control and domination, betrayal, and discrimination are just some of the issues that Beatrix and Peter face. I found myself comparing their society to ours, and there are many similarities. The author suggests that the story is about 100 years behind in women’s rights, and it really made me think about how hard people worked for equal rights in America and how far we still have to go.
Clandestine Magic is the type of series that you think about long after you finish it, and Revolutionary is a wonderfully satisfying conclusion. The characters, the plot, the themes, the love story – there is a poignancy and depth in every aspect of this beautifully nuanced story. Thanks so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
March 10, 2021
Holy Hannah! This third and final book in the Clandestine Magic trilogy was on hyper drive and me along with it!
At the end of book two, 'Radical', Peter Blackwell is in a coma. Now, he is in the hospital with Beatrix at his side trying to find some way to help him recover. But she no longer has a job and danger is just a wizard away. How can she keep him safe, pay the bills, and help her sister revolutionize Washington, D.C....all without showing she can do magic?
"He floated in the abyss, aware of his body only when a nurse shifted him or Beatrix took his hand, and then only in the faintest of ways-as if he were hanging on to the physical world by a spider's thread." (quote from the book)
So when things start going from bad to worse, and enemies upping the ante on your demise, the situation goes even further downhill. Having some time to reflect and realize what is important to both of them, they each make very difficult decisions.
"Ten days. Ten. Every hour he went without spell casting was harder than the last." (quote from the book)
I was completely enamoured with Peter and Bea and the choices they made separately and together. I was cheering for the women who stepped up for what they believed in despite the danger to themselves. And I am completely blown away by how invested I became in this whole trilogy set in a dystopian world full of magic and wizardry...what a rush! I highly recommend it!
January 14, 2025
This series was an absolute delight to read! I thoroughly enjoyed almost every aspect of it. It's a magical romance with a strong feminist theme that kept me hooked from the very first book to the final page. I’m definitely planning to explore more books by this author. Plus, if you sign up for her newsletter on her website, you can get a prequel and a second epilogue sent straight to your email for free. Both are short, engaging, and absolutely worth reading!
November 29, 2020
The brilliant culmination of the Clandestine Magic trilogy, Revolutionary opens with Beatrix and Peter stuck, each of them, in a seemingly impossible trap. Throughout this book, they must confront challenges requiring them to decide what is most important to them--and how much they're willing to sacrifice for their convictions, their friends, and for each other. As I neared the last page, I didn't want this series to end--yet I was so satisfied with how the story concluded. I loved this book and this series more than I can say.
One of the aspects I appreciate most about Colleen Cowley's writing is her ability to weave together the ordinary and the extraordinary, in the process creating a fantasy that feels achingly true. Her fast-paced plots and crisp, compelling prose makes this series such a thrilling read; I always want to read one more page (and one more after that). Cowley has created a brilliant new world; at the same time, her characters and the challenges they confront help me see my own world anew.
As the beta reader for this series, I met Beatrix and Peter years ago when I first read Subversive. Since then, I have read and reread these books, not because I've been asked to read them, but because I could not stop thinking of these characters. It wasn't just Beatrix and Peter who hooked me (though goodness knows how much I love them); so many of the secondary characters drew me in, as well. These books teem with life, love, and hope, even in their darkest moments, and it's this quality (the balance of hope and despair, reality and fantasy) that makes this series truly magical.
Many, many thanks to Colleen Cowley for bringing these stories into my life! And congratulations to all the readers out there just discovering this series; you're in for such a treat.
One of the aspects I appreciate most about Colleen Cowley's writing is her ability to weave together the ordinary and the extraordinary, in the process creating a fantasy that feels achingly true. Her fast-paced plots and crisp, compelling prose makes this series such a thrilling read; I always want to read one more page (and one more after that). Cowley has created a brilliant new world; at the same time, her characters and the challenges they confront help me see my own world anew.
As the beta reader for this series, I met Beatrix and Peter years ago when I first read Subversive. Since then, I have read and reread these books, not because I've been asked to read them, but because I could not stop thinking of these characters. It wasn't just Beatrix and Peter who hooked me (though goodness knows how much I love them); so many of the secondary characters drew me in, as well. These books teem with life, love, and hope, even in their darkest moments, and it's this quality (the balance of hope and despair, reality and fantasy) that makes this series truly magical.
Many, many thanks to Colleen Cowley for bringing these stories into my life! And congratulations to all the readers out there just discovering this series; you're in for such a treat.
December 5, 2020
4.25 stars--REVOLUTIONARY is the third and final 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 his lab assistant suffragette Beatrix Harper. REVOLUTIONARY should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two RADICAL
NOTE: If you have not read book two RADICAL, 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) REVOLUTIONARY picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two RADICAL wherein omnimancer/wizard Peter Blackwell, following a deadly blast, has been hospitalized, and Beatrix Harper fears for his life. Struggling to keep food on the table, our heroine must go in search of a new job, as her sister Lydia reconsiders her own education. Lydia, a modern day suffragette is fighting for women’s rights, rights forbidden by the wizards in charge but with both Peter and Beatrix’s help, hundreds of women have discovered that not only are they able to wield magic, but some or more capable than the wizards in control. As Peter continues his recovery, our hero will quickly learn that he has been targeted for ‘sins’ of the past, and without his cooperation, the life of the woman he loves, hangs in the balance. What ensues is the continuing and building relationship between Beatix and Peter, and the fall-out as several members of government are battling for control, in an effort to start a war with their Canadian neighbors.
REVOLUTIONARY and Clandestine Magic is an intricate and perceptive story line; an alternate tale of misogyny, discrimination, power and control wherein men and magic rule, and women are considered nothing more than second class citizens. As the women begin to fight for equal rights, their ability to wield magic proves that years of suffering had been at the hands of the men in charge-wizards who refused to step down from their position in power. The premise is dramatic, thorough, intriguing, unique and entertaining; the romance is passionate. Colleen Cowley pulls the reader into an intense and magical story reflective of society as a whole.
www.thereadingcafe.com
NOTE: If you have not read book two RADICAL, 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) REVOLUTIONARY picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two RADICAL wherein omnimancer/wizard Peter Blackwell, following a deadly blast, has been hospitalized, and Beatrix Harper fears for his life. Struggling to keep food on the table, our heroine must go in search of a new job, as her sister Lydia reconsiders her own education. Lydia, a modern day suffragette is fighting for women’s rights, rights forbidden by the wizards in charge but with both Peter and Beatrix’s help, hundreds of women have discovered that not only are they able to wield magic, but some or more capable than the wizards in control. As Peter continues his recovery, our hero will quickly learn that he has been targeted for ‘sins’ of the past, and without his cooperation, the life of the woman he loves, hangs in the balance. What ensues is the continuing and building relationship between Beatix and Peter, and the fall-out as several members of government are battling for control, in an effort to start a war with their Canadian neighbors.
REVOLUTIONARY and Clandestine Magic is an intricate and perceptive story line; an alternate tale of misogyny, discrimination, power and control wherein men and magic rule, and women are considered nothing more than second class citizens. As the women begin to fight for equal rights, their ability to wield magic proves that years of suffering had been at the hands of the men in charge-wizards who refused to step down from their position in power. The premise is dramatic, thorough, intriguing, unique and entertaining; the romance is passionate. Colleen Cowley pulls the reader into an intense and magical story reflective of society as a whole.
www.thereadingcafe.com
December 22, 2020
Life is in the balance for a wizard, a women's movement leader, and possibly more if they can't stop a madwoman and the government conspirators all on their tail. Finales should be GRAND and this one was coming off a big surprise ending so I was raring to press forward.
Revolutionary is the third book in a trilogy and must be read in order.
Beatrix Harper has many regrets, but as she sits at the hospital bedside of Omnimancer Peter Blackwell who is in a magically induced coma thanks to a traitor from her own group, they weigh heavier on her mind. She feels responsible for so much and knows that the bitterness she felt at Peter's actions is gone and in it's place she sees her own choices and actions as no better. Right now with no magical vow binder her to him, she understands that their love was real and his cautions were wise. Her sister's leadership of the women's movement is teetering on a knife blade as they fight for a Constitutional Amendment and for Equal Rights. What Beatrix says and does are under the microscope of the media and those who can help or oppose their group's goals. When the crisis comes and it is not far off, she must summon her strength and secret magic abilities to stop a mass killing, a war, and the loss of everything she holds dear.
Peter Blackwell is being held unresponsive by a powerful spell. He is aware of Beatrix at his bedside, but he needs to leave his coma state or the very people he was trying to avoid would have him in their control once again. Why can't he find Beatrix in dreamscape? The trigger to that magical bomb and the bomb itself may be gone, but the plans are out there and the failed experiments that someone in government or at the test site will figure out eventually. Peter has lost much in his life and faces new losses now, but has gained something of great value, too. He will do what he must to keep Beatrix safe and support what she believes in because he has come to share her beliefs. Betrayal and those out for their own gains work to undermine everything and take them all to the brink of disaster.
Revolutionary was an abso-fab final book. It pulled all the loose threads in, it took the danger and trauma to a new level, brought tougher villains and conflict, ratcheted up the action, and delivered the romance that was but a glimmer and then a remote possibility in the earlier books. Peter and Beatrix have been on a journey that started as enemies and has come to something quite different just as the people they were then have fundamentally altered. Things get dire and stay that way as an enemy who can't lose seems to hold all the cards. I loved this feeling and was riveted to see how Peter and Beatrix could pull it off. There were more twists and surprises in this one which is why I was vague in my summary. I enjoyed the interesting place everyone was in at the end. It will be tough to say good-bye to the characters and world of the stories.
For those unfamiliar, this trilogy is a mash up of dystopian, fantasy, and romance. The dystopian is a result of a modern world in which women are second- no make that third class citizens- while non-magik men fall into the second class category. At the top are the magic-wielding wizards who call all the shots. The fantasy is of course the magical abilities that aren't only found in men, by the by... And, the romance? Well, that is a nice slowburn, spicy enemies to lovers building throughout the trilogy. The reader will detect strong parallels to human rights grievances in our own world that give the nod to some spectacular historical movements and leaders. And, beyond all that there is the pulse-pounding political intrigue.
So, I am sad, but oh so satisfied to have read this last book and seeing the characters come into their own and all the conflict come to culmination. It's exciting, but also mentally evocative. Definitely recommend!
My thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book to be read in exchange for an honest review.
Revolutionary is the third book in a trilogy and must be read in order.
Beatrix Harper has many regrets, but as she sits at the hospital bedside of Omnimancer Peter Blackwell who is in a magically induced coma thanks to a traitor from her own group, they weigh heavier on her mind. She feels responsible for so much and knows that the bitterness she felt at Peter's actions is gone and in it's place she sees her own choices and actions as no better. Right now with no magical vow binder her to him, she understands that their love was real and his cautions were wise. Her sister's leadership of the women's movement is teetering on a knife blade as they fight for a Constitutional Amendment and for Equal Rights. What Beatrix says and does are under the microscope of the media and those who can help or oppose their group's goals. When the crisis comes and it is not far off, she must summon her strength and secret magic abilities to stop a mass killing, a war, and the loss of everything she holds dear.
Peter Blackwell is being held unresponsive by a powerful spell. He is aware of Beatrix at his bedside, but he needs to leave his coma state or the very people he was trying to avoid would have him in their control once again. Why can't he find Beatrix in dreamscape? The trigger to that magical bomb and the bomb itself may be gone, but the plans are out there and the failed experiments that someone in government or at the test site will figure out eventually. Peter has lost much in his life and faces new losses now, but has gained something of great value, too. He will do what he must to keep Beatrix safe and support what she believes in because he has come to share her beliefs. Betrayal and those out for their own gains work to undermine everything and take them all to the brink of disaster.
Revolutionary was an abso-fab final book. It pulled all the loose threads in, it took the danger and trauma to a new level, brought tougher villains and conflict, ratcheted up the action, and delivered the romance that was but a glimmer and then a remote possibility in the earlier books. Peter and Beatrix have been on a journey that started as enemies and has come to something quite different just as the people they were then have fundamentally altered. Things get dire and stay that way as an enemy who can't lose seems to hold all the cards. I loved this feeling and was riveted to see how Peter and Beatrix could pull it off. There were more twists and surprises in this one which is why I was vague in my summary. I enjoyed the interesting place everyone was in at the end. It will be tough to say good-bye to the characters and world of the stories.
For those unfamiliar, this trilogy is a mash up of dystopian, fantasy, and romance. The dystopian is a result of a modern world in which women are second- no make that third class citizens- while non-magik men fall into the second class category. At the top are the magic-wielding wizards who call all the shots. The fantasy is of course the magical abilities that aren't only found in men, by the by... And, the romance? Well, that is a nice slowburn, spicy enemies to lovers building throughout the trilogy. The reader will detect strong parallels to human rights grievances in our own world that give the nod to some spectacular historical movements and leaders. And, beyond all that there is the pulse-pounding political intrigue.
So, I am sad, but oh so satisfied to have read this last book and seeing the characters come into their own and all the conflict come to culmination. It's exciting, but also mentally evocative. Definitely recommend!
My thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book to be read in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2020
NON SPOILER REVIEWS
The story picks up right after it left off in the last book, Radical. With no job and left to take care of Peter who has no insirance, Beatrix shoulders the burden of worry both of Peter's life and on her family's support given her lack of job.
They deal with hospital bills, paying the roof over their head, Washington's endless cook ups to bring them down that turns more violent as time passes, forwarding women's rights, Peter's lack of job, and his' R& D job from before offering to solve all of their problems in exchange for the very thing he left for in the first place...
As sad as I was to see the end of Beatrix and Peter's story, it is good to see this couple deal with problems, both old and new, and how time and time again they conquer them with the same ingenuity that they had dealt with all of the others in the first books. It is something I have always loved about their characters.
Anyway, if you had read the first books, you know that there are the REALLY BIG PROBLEMS that kept the ball turning in the last two books.
Here, they FINALLY deal with it and barely got out of it alive.
This is a story of redemption, of dealing with past fuck-ups, and having people you love by your side to support you in your quest to redeem yourself and save the world while at it..
For me, this was a 5-perfect wrapped-up ending with a bow!
Hope to read a few snippets of their life in peace...
Or Lydia's...
The story picks up right after it left off in the last book, Radical. With no job and left to take care of Peter who has no insirance, Beatrix shoulders the burden of worry both of Peter's life and on her family's support given her lack of job.
They deal with hospital bills, paying the roof over their head, Washington's endless cook ups to bring them down that turns more violent as time passes, forwarding women's rights, Peter's lack of job, and his' R& D job from before offering to solve all of their problems in exchange for the very thing he left for in the first place...
As sad as I was to see the end of Beatrix and Peter's story, it is good to see this couple deal with problems, both old and new, and how time and time again they conquer them with the same ingenuity that they had dealt with all of the others in the first books. It is something I have always loved about their characters.
Anyway, if you had read the first books, you know that there are the REALLY BIG PROBLEMS that kept the ball turning in the last two books.
Here, they FINALLY deal with it and barely got out of it alive.
This is a story of redemption, of dealing with past fuck-ups, and having people you love by your side to support you in your quest to redeem yourself and save the world while at it..
For me, this was a 5-perfect wrapped-up ending with a bow!
Hope to read a few snippets of their life in peace...
Or Lydia's...
December 22, 2020
I love a series wherein everything comes together and the ending is realistic as well as satisfying. Well done, Ms. Cowley!
February 18, 2024
An epic conclusion!
The perfect ending to this series!
The political intrigue takes a bit more space it this books with the fight for the typics and women right escalate. It makes the reading a little bit more complexe but no less entertaining!
I highly recommend this series
The perfect ending to this series!
The political intrigue takes a bit more space it this books with the fight for the typics and women right escalate. It makes the reading a little bit more complexe but no less entertaining!
I highly recommend this series
August 15, 2022
These books stress me out like nobody's business but I love them so much.
This was a really, really satisfying finale and I'm so impressed at the way Cowley pulled everything together. Her writing is so skilled in the way it balances characters and plot, humor and darkness, setting and action, etc.
And I love these characters so much - Peter and Beatrix are 100% going on my OTP shelf. They're fantastic characters alone and I love them together, too - which is kind of the definition of an OTP! And the character arcs!!! Peter's, especially. So good.
The supporting cast is also great: I LOVE Rosemarie, I ended up loving against my initial reservations, and I really appreciated Lydia by the end of this series. And Sue!! I love her so much and I LOVE her friendship with Beatrix. And Hickock!!
I really liked the nuanced look at activism, specifically the agony of trying to decide when to go for broke and when to ~ease into it~ to avoid putting people off your cause (as frustrating and ridiculous as that is!)
I am relieved at the "knitting" development - do I think it maybe could have been set up a little better? yes, but I'm so relieved I don't actually care that much lol.
And I found the ending really satisfying in a lot of ways. I don't love
My only major issue with this series is still that I wish it were more intersectional. We do get some people of color as important characters (and again, I love Rosemarie so much!!), and there are small references in this third book to racism being a force that is at least somewhat at play in this alternate U.S., but if that were the case I think that should have been dealt with more. And the magic and gender discussions in this series, while often excellent, are VERY binary and heteronormative. I think part of this is explained by the fact that, with the alternate history elements, this series essentially feels like it's taking place in the early 1900's and those issues weren't as openly discussed at that time, but 1) if you're adding magic that gives you a lot of room to change things, and 2) there were several specific opportunities related to plot or themes to deal with gender in a more nuanced way. So basically, while the commentary itself was great, I think it could have and should have been more inclusive.
With that caveat, I do really love this series and would definitely recommend it.
CW: Attempted murder, mind / body control, misogyny, panic attacks, PTSD, grief, references to: racism, poverty, unplanned pregnancy, torture, stalking, sexual abuse, rape, incest
This was a really, really satisfying finale and I'm so impressed at the way Cowley pulled everything together. Her writing is so skilled in the way it balances characters and plot, humor and darkness, setting and action, etc.
And I love these characters so much - Peter and Beatrix are 100% going on my OTP shelf. They're fantastic characters alone and I love them together, too - which is kind of the definition of an OTP! And the character arcs!!! Peter's, especially. So good.
The supporting cast is also great: I LOVE Rosemarie, I ended up loving against my initial reservations, and I really appreciated Lydia by the end of this series. And Sue!! I love her so much and I LOVE her friendship with Beatrix. And Hickock!!
I really liked the nuanced look at activism, specifically the agony of trying to decide when to go for broke and when to ~ease into it~ to avoid putting people off your cause (as frustrating and ridiculous as that is!)
I am relieved at the "knitting" development - do I think it maybe could have been set up a little better? yes, but I'm so relieved I don't actually care that much lol.
And I found the ending really satisfying in a lot of ways. I don't love
My only major issue with this series is still that I wish it were more intersectional. We do get some people of color as important characters (and again, I love Rosemarie so much!!), and there are small references in this third book to racism being a force that is at least somewhat at play in this alternate U.S., but if that were the case I think that should have been dealt with more. And the magic and gender discussions in this series, while often excellent, are VERY binary and heteronormative. I think part of this is explained by the fact that, with the alternate history elements, this series essentially feels like it's taking place in the early 1900's and those issues weren't as openly discussed at that time, but 1) if you're adding magic that gives you a lot of room to change things, and 2) there were several specific opportunities related to plot or themes to deal with gender in a more nuanced way. So basically, while the commentary itself was great, I think it could have and should have been more inclusive.
With that caveat, I do really love this series and would definitely recommend it.
CW: Attempted murder, mind / body control, misogyny, panic attacks, PTSD, grief, references to: racism, poverty, unplanned pregnancy, torture, stalking, sexual abuse, rape, incest
October 7, 2020
“Revolutionary” is the stunning conclusion to Colleen Cowley’s Clandestine Magic trilogy. With the vows now destroyed, Beatrix Harper finally realizes that she is in love with the town’s Omnimancer Peter Blackwell of her own accord. Unfortunately, Peter is now in a coma due to the work of her best friend Ella, who is now missing and presumably on the run. Finding employment with Senator Gray, Beatrix works on finding a cure for Peter, strengthens her ties to the League, and keeping a roof over her head.
This was such a beautiful ending to a series that I absolutely loved. The plot was interesting, the banter hilarious, the love story sweet with just the right touch of angst.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a beautiful ending to a series that I absolutely loved. The plot was interesting, the banter hilarious, the love story sweet with just the right touch of angst.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2020
The distribution of power has clear consequences especially when we understand that those in power have no reason to want to share it. If you have power, why would you give it up? The growing number of women trying to dismantle the patriarchy pose a threat to those in power, and those in power will do anything to keep it. In Revolutionary, we find out what anything means.
Like the two novels before it, I was unsure of the path Cowley was leading me on. Cowley had me suspicious of everyone and made me doubt my own instincts multiple times. I was her puppet, and she continually pulled my (heart) strings. (I am just too gullible.) The plot twists oh my! Beatrix and Peter went through so much with and for each other. The ending was one they deserved.
It is bittersweet to have The Clandestine Trilogy come to an end. I always feel this way when I finish reading books I love, and I definitely loved this trilogy. It feels more like I’m closing a chapter on my life, as though I’m saying goodbye to friends, and less like I’m simply closing a book. The trilogy is now a highlight of a very bookish year. (4.5 stars rounded to 5)
Like the two novels before it, I was unsure of the path Cowley was leading me on. Cowley had me suspicious of everyone and made me doubt my own instincts multiple times. I was her puppet, and she continually pulled my (heart) strings. (I am just too gullible.) The plot twists oh my! Beatrix and Peter went through so much with and for each other. The ending was one they deserved.
It is bittersweet to have The Clandestine Trilogy come to an end. I always feel this way when I finish reading books I love, and I definitely loved this trilogy. It feels more like I’m closing a chapter on my life, as though I’m saying goodbye to friends, and less like I’m simply closing a book. The trilogy is now a highlight of a very bookish year. (4.5 stars rounded to 5)
February 12, 2021
Unfortunately the last book in the trilogy left me with pretty mixed feelings. The story moved at a better pace than the last installment so I was never bored but it never quite managed to hit the right stride of buildup and resolution. Sometimes reveals would come too early or be foreshadowed too often, sometimes we'd get a reveal first and then a tension building scene that doesn't really work because we've already gotten the reveal. It wasn't a huge problem by any means and several of the twists still landed pretty well but I never quite got engrossed in it.
It also kind of just randomly ended. The story wasn't done, the conflict wasn't resolved, we just ended up fast forwarding through all the really difficult parts of the aftermath as they got resolved behind the scenes. It was definitely a weird decision.
It also kind of just randomly ended. The story wasn't done, the conflict wasn't resolved, we just ended up fast forwarding through all the really difficult parts of the aftermath as they got resolved behind the scenes. It was definitely a weird decision.
December 28, 2020
#RequestedReview
🔸Review requested by 🔸
@colleencowleyauthor
==============
Revolutionary by Colleen Cowley
📓Genre: Fantasy YA
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠(4.1)
🔖The author sent me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🔖I always feel that the trickiest part of any story ― is the ending. And having read this final book in the Clandestine Magic series, I can safely say, the author has delivered a brilliant end to an equally interesting trilogy.
🔖The story picks up where the previous one ended, primarily focusing on Beatrix Harper. (Feel free to scroll down to chk out the review of the 2nd book ☺️)
🔖With Peter Blackwell ending up in a magically induced coma, Beatrix finds herself fighting not just against the discriminations of her patriarchal society, but also to find a cure for the man she loves.
🔖Through an engaging storyline, the character development of both the protagonists feels effortless & believable. Even the secondary characters have been given proper attention & there are a good number of twists to keep the readers hooked.
🔖The story also advances the passionate romance between Beatrix and Peter, as finally accept their feelings for each other.
🔖The world-building is skillful. But the best part is the author's ability of merging realistic elements with fantastical ones.
The society painted in the story highlights social issues like women's rights, the struggle for establishing a society that's free of discrimination ― things that are prevalent in today's reality.
🔖Overall, this intriguing tale of struggle, sacrifice, trust, betrayal, love & loss is a definite must-read!
🔸Final Verdict: Great
🔸Book Cover: Beautiful
🔸Writing Style: Engaging
🔸Character Development: Good.
🔸Review requested by 🔸
@colleencowleyauthor
==============
Revolutionary by Colleen Cowley
📓Genre: Fantasy YA
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠(4.1)
🔖The author sent me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🔖I always feel that the trickiest part of any story ― is the ending. And having read this final book in the Clandestine Magic series, I can safely say, the author has delivered a brilliant end to an equally interesting trilogy.
🔖The story picks up where the previous one ended, primarily focusing on Beatrix Harper. (Feel free to scroll down to chk out the review of the 2nd book ☺️)
🔖With Peter Blackwell ending up in a magically induced coma, Beatrix finds herself fighting not just against the discriminations of her patriarchal society, but also to find a cure for the man she loves.
🔖Through an engaging storyline, the character development of both the protagonists feels effortless & believable. Even the secondary characters have been given proper attention & there are a good number of twists to keep the readers hooked.
🔖The story also advances the passionate romance between Beatrix and Peter, as finally accept their feelings for each other.
🔖The world-building is skillful. But the best part is the author's ability of merging realistic elements with fantastical ones.
The society painted in the story highlights social issues like women's rights, the struggle for establishing a society that's free of discrimination ― things that are prevalent in today's reality.
🔖Overall, this intriguing tale of struggle, sacrifice, trust, betrayal, love & loss is a definite must-read!
🔸Final Verdict: Great
🔸Book Cover: Beautiful
🔸Writing Style: Engaging
🔸Character Development: Good.
June 12, 2021
I won't lie to you, kids. The first half of this book felt like the author was just stalling until she could come up with a proper plot. Once the story got going, though, it was good. Good ending for the series.
September 29, 2023
Dnf’ed at 46%
November 10, 2021
What a fantastic finish to an amazing trilogy. It has so much of what is best in a good story. Plus, addresses some of those annoying things that romance novels do that make no sense in the real world. This wasn’t about a HEA with a baby. It was about changing the world to be more just. And falling in love with a supportive partner along the way.
Great and thrilling adventure and satisfying conclusion!! Worth reading!
Great and thrilling adventure and satisfying conclusion!! Worth reading!
Read
December 14, 2024Far too stressful for anti-pomegranate propaganda
November 29, 2020
Absolutely amazing conclusion to the Clandestine trilogy.
Full review on my blog here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
Full review on my blog here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
March 25, 2025
This whole series was super interesting. Magical modern time, but with an uber repressive 1900s mentality. Particularly for women, basically minimal human rights. The focus of the political sphere in the book was on magic vs. non-magic men, but there was always the silent scream of WOMEN in all the undercurrents.
I really liked the character of Beatrix. She was smart and thoughtful and full of sass. I enjoyed her relationship with Peter through all its wild ups and downs. There was a lot that happened in this book, and the conclusion for me was satisfying.
I really liked the character of Beatrix. She was smart and thoughtful and full of sass. I enjoyed her relationship with Peter through all its wild ups and downs. There was a lot that happened in this book, and the conclusion for me was satisfying.
January 15, 2021
Cowley continues her tale of an America changed by the existence of magic with a blend of political thriller and romance that will appeal to fans of either.
This is the third and final book in Cowley’s Clandestine Magic series. Possible spoilers ahead.
After being used to power a weapon of magical destruction, Peter is in a coma. Pretending to be his fiancée has allowed Beatrix to remain at his side for now; however, the government wish to move him to another facility. She doesn’t trust their motives, but with no access to his savings and no money of her own to pay his hospital bills how can she resist? Meanwhile, the fight for non-wizard rights is starting to gain ground—but is internally riven by the question of whether to push for women’s equality too.
While the opening of the book is a skilful portrayal of Beatrix’s fear that Peter will never awaken, it will come as no surprise that he does not spend the entirety of the book unconscious. Thus, the first major thread of this book is the continuation of their potential romance. With Peter’s heart having stopped long enough for him to have technically been dead, the mutual Vow that forces them to love each other is broken; so, it should come as a pleasant surprise that they still have feelings for each other.
Unfortunately, they both know the government is spying on them constantly, so they cannot discuss most of the things they want to without either revealing Peter’s attempts to sabotage the weapons’ program or doing damage to the effort for typic rights. As Beatrix’s claim that they secretly became engaged is the public reason why they spent time together outside work, this means that each knows the other cannot admit to not loving the other. While this proceeds with many of the common tropes of misunderstood intentions and self-destructive selflessness common to a mutually unspoken romance plot, Cowley’s use of the entirely plausible risk that sharing true feelings will hand victory to an oppressive state removes the sense that the protagonists should try just talking to each other which can make such tales frustrating for some.
In parallel with their romance, Peter is now the focus of attention from groups and individuals. The government are determined to pay for his care, even after he recovers his faculties; the military want him back badly enough to offer him favourable terms; wizards accuse him of being a traitor, some even threatening violence; someone unknown attempts to protect him. Cowley deftly provides evidence that might explain some or all of these things, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty where both characters and readers may weave theories that explain some or all of them but not be certain which are connected or how.
On the wider stage but no less featured, Beatrix, her sister, and her friends are drawn deeper into the political struggle against wizard rule. Balanced between the nuanced opinions of individuals, and the fundamental question of whether to risk everything for a perfect world or seek the more likely move to a slightly better one, this thread is neither a facile choice between an obvious good and bad nor a byzantine exercise in moral relativity.
In addition to concluding the arcs started in the previous volumes, Cowley provides more perspectives on her alternate USA and her metaphysics of magic. Upholding some possible character certainties while subverting others, these are likely to please readers who enjoyed the world-building of the previous volumes. Unfortunately, those readers hoping for an insight into how other societies treat magic are likely to be disappointed.
Peter and Beatrix remain highly sympathetic characters, flawed enough that they make mistakes but decent enough that their flaws are forgivable. Whether or not readers agree with their choices, they are likely to both fully understand why they have made them and feel their successes are earned.
The returning cast are consistent with the previous volumes while revealing further—sometimes conflicting—drives and traits. Similarly, new characters display a level of complexity that suits their presence in the various narratives without becoming distracting. This provides an engaging sense that this is one story taking place in a vibrant world rather than the story around which everything revolves.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely. I recommend it to readers seeking a romance, political thriller, or urban fantasy where any two enhance the third rather than any being the part that gets in the way.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review
This is the third and final book in Cowley’s Clandestine Magic series. Possible spoilers ahead.
After being used to power a weapon of magical destruction, Peter is in a coma. Pretending to be his fiancée has allowed Beatrix to remain at his side for now; however, the government wish to move him to another facility. She doesn’t trust their motives, but with no access to his savings and no money of her own to pay his hospital bills how can she resist? Meanwhile, the fight for non-wizard rights is starting to gain ground—but is internally riven by the question of whether to push for women’s equality too.
While the opening of the book is a skilful portrayal of Beatrix’s fear that Peter will never awaken, it will come as no surprise that he does not spend the entirety of the book unconscious. Thus, the first major thread of this book is the continuation of their potential romance. With Peter’s heart having stopped long enough for him to have technically been dead, the mutual Vow that forces them to love each other is broken; so, it should come as a pleasant surprise that they still have feelings for each other.
Unfortunately, they both know the government is spying on them constantly, so they cannot discuss most of the things they want to without either revealing Peter’s attempts to sabotage the weapons’ program or doing damage to the effort for typic rights. As Beatrix’s claim that they secretly became engaged is the public reason why they spent time together outside work, this means that each knows the other cannot admit to not loving the other. While this proceeds with many of the common tropes of misunderstood intentions and self-destructive selflessness common to a mutually unspoken romance plot, Cowley’s use of the entirely plausible risk that sharing true feelings will hand victory to an oppressive state removes the sense that the protagonists should try just talking to each other which can make such tales frustrating for some.
In parallel with their romance, Peter is now the focus of attention from groups and individuals. The government are determined to pay for his care, even after he recovers his faculties; the military want him back badly enough to offer him favourable terms; wizards accuse him of being a traitor, some even threatening violence; someone unknown attempts to protect him. Cowley deftly provides evidence that might explain some or all of these things, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty where both characters and readers may weave theories that explain some or all of them but not be certain which are connected or how.
On the wider stage but no less featured, Beatrix, her sister, and her friends are drawn deeper into the political struggle against wizard rule. Balanced between the nuanced opinions of individuals, and the fundamental question of whether to risk everything for a perfect world or seek the more likely move to a slightly better one, this thread is neither a facile choice between an obvious good and bad nor a byzantine exercise in moral relativity.
In addition to concluding the arcs started in the previous volumes, Cowley provides more perspectives on her alternate USA and her metaphysics of magic. Upholding some possible character certainties while subverting others, these are likely to please readers who enjoyed the world-building of the previous volumes. Unfortunately, those readers hoping for an insight into how other societies treat magic are likely to be disappointed.
Peter and Beatrix remain highly sympathetic characters, flawed enough that they make mistakes but decent enough that their flaws are forgivable. Whether or not readers agree with their choices, they are likely to both fully understand why they have made them and feel their successes are earned.
The returning cast are consistent with the previous volumes while revealing further—sometimes conflicting—drives and traits. Similarly, new characters display a level of complexity that suits their presence in the various narratives without becoming distracting. This provides an engaging sense that this is one story taking place in a vibrant world rather than the story around which everything revolves.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely. I recommend it to readers seeking a romance, political thriller, or urban fantasy where any two enhance the third rather than any being the part that gets in the way.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review
August 26, 2021
Excellent Wrap up
The books of the Clandestine Magic trilogy aren't the flashiest looking, but let me tell you, Colleen Cowley, their author, really knows how to plot. Revolutionary is the third and final book in the Clandestine Magic series (although there are both a prequel & an epilogue novella available via subscription to the author's newsletter).
There was a lot going on as we went into this book, coming off of the dramatic, unexpected twist that occurred at the end of Radical, the previous book in the set. First and foremost, I was thrilled that in this book Beatrix & Peter are finally able to be completely clear about their deep feelings for one another, which is something that drove me CRAZY during the previous book, during which the pair were constantly second guessing whether the other's feelings were genuine or a side effect to a complex magical vow they had taken. Throughout their confusion, it was perfectly clear to readers that both of their feelings were absolutely genuine! Thus, I found it such a pleasant relief to see our two protagonists happy & at last able to be together in a public way.
One of my favorite things about this series is the political aspect; a major plot element involves rallying to get votes for equal rights & generally affecting change in the way things are done in the story's alternate American setting. There were so many parallels with real life activism as well as the shady lengths some members of the government are willing to go to in order to discredit those who stand to change the status quo. The battle for equality between wizards & "typics" (as non-magic users are called) was a major theme running through the series, and while the movement wins some major battles in this book (not without some crippling setbacks on the way, I might add), I did like that the story made it clear that the road was still long & the battle far from over. It is nice to know that these strong female characters are still out there fighting for their rights; that there is still plenty of work for them to do.
There is a happily ever after-- well, at least a happy for now-- ending. Although there were several extreme lows that had me wondering how our heroes could ever manage to emerge victorious, it all ultimately worked out in the end-- in a clever way that made sense in context of the story. No deus ex machina BS here. The whole wrap up was well done. The story was filled to the brim with a very human cast of characters who you could really care about & readily root for their actions (complimented by an exceedingly antagonistic set who you grew to hate & cheered when they finally got what was coming to them). As noted in my previous reviews for this series, the worldbuilding was especially fascinating to me. It was such a thoughtful & unique setting: a modern America far different from our own, having taken a dramatically different direction, in large part due to the magical abilities presening in only a small percentage of the population. It was sort of a contemporary gaslamp fantasy, and I'd never read anything else quite like it.
All in all I really enjoyed this series, & tore through each one eager to see what would happen next. I'm only sorry Cowley doesn't have a larger library of books for me to read next, because based on the Clandestine Magic trilogy, I will gladly read anything else she writes! If you like magic, politics, & a little something different to your fantasy worlds, then Revolutionary (as well as it's earlier companions, Subversive and Radical) is for you!
The books of the Clandestine Magic trilogy aren't the flashiest looking, but let me tell you, Colleen Cowley, their author, really knows how to plot. Revolutionary is the third and final book in the Clandestine Magic series (although there are both a prequel & an epilogue novella available via subscription to the author's newsletter).
There was a lot going on as we went into this book, coming off of the dramatic, unexpected twist that occurred at the end of Radical, the previous book in the set. First and foremost, I was thrilled that in this book Beatrix & Peter are finally able to be completely clear about their deep feelings for one another, which is something that drove me CRAZY during the previous book, during which the pair were constantly second guessing whether the other's feelings were genuine or a side effect to a complex magical vow they had taken. Throughout their confusion, it was perfectly clear to readers that both of their feelings were absolutely genuine! Thus, I found it such a pleasant relief to see our two protagonists happy & at last able to be together in a public way.
One of my favorite things about this series is the political aspect; a major plot element involves rallying to get votes for equal rights & generally affecting change in the way things are done in the story's alternate American setting. There were so many parallels with real life activism as well as the shady lengths some members of the government are willing to go to in order to discredit those who stand to change the status quo. The battle for equality between wizards & "typics" (as non-magic users are called) was a major theme running through the series, and while the movement wins some major battles in this book (not without some crippling setbacks on the way, I might add), I did like that the story made it clear that the road was still long & the battle far from over. It is nice to know that these strong female characters are still out there fighting for their rights; that there is still plenty of work for them to do.
There is a happily ever after-- well, at least a happy for now-- ending. Although there were several extreme lows that had me wondering how our heroes could ever manage to emerge victorious, it all ultimately worked out in the end-- in a clever way that made sense in context of the story. No deus ex machina BS here. The whole wrap up was well done. The story was filled to the brim with a very human cast of characters who you could really care about & readily root for their actions (complimented by an exceedingly antagonistic set who you grew to hate & cheered when they finally got what was coming to them). As noted in my previous reviews for this series, the worldbuilding was especially fascinating to me. It was such a thoughtful & unique setting: a modern America far different from our own, having taken a dramatically different direction, in large part due to the magical abilities presening in only a small percentage of the population. It was sort of a contemporary gaslamp fantasy, and I'd never read anything else quite like it.
All in all I really enjoyed this series, & tore through each one eager to see what would happen next. I'm only sorry Cowley doesn't have a larger library of books for me to read next, because based on the Clandestine Magic trilogy, I will gladly read anything else she writes! If you like magic, politics, & a little something different to your fantasy worlds, then Revolutionary (as well as it's earlier companions, Subversive and Radical) is for you!
April 22, 2024
I don’t know. It was hard to put down, and I liked it, but I didn’t love it. Maybe that’s mostly due to personal taste. A great deal of this book and series (but esp bk 2 and 3) was focused on politics, political intrigue. Which to me is always somehow simultaneously boring and stressful (politics are stressful enough in real life, tbh). I skimmed a lot of the first 2/3 of the book, and was consistently frustrated with our MCs. I thought the most interesting part of the story, women’s magic (knitting), should’ve been a much bigger focus, but Beatrix just spends book 2 and most of book 3 either avoiding it or doing poorly with it, which felt completely inconsistent with book 1. When it actually comes back into play, it barely does. It’s somehow very unsatisfying, and then confusing as to how or if it is continued to be used.
The romance felt a little flat (and I don’t get how they resolved their problems with staying childless? Did they figure out dreamside again? Or just resolved to never do the real thing? It was unclear), and the ending in general also felt unsatisfying somehow. Ella’s ending seemed really wrong, considering what happened to her by him. The situation with Peter and his magic was predictable, but the entire book kind of felt like there was opportunity to figure out something fundamental to the magical system, and thus how to use it, or even tap into knitting since Beatrix filled him with *her* life force to save him. I was on edge, expecting something awesome or heartwarming or at least neat, but we never get it (not really, anyway). So that left me feeling deflated. Both he and Beatrix had little personality, but at least in book 1 their personalities contained *some* passion, some drive. Again, just that general flatness all around. The ending should’ve felt satisfying, because by definition it was happy, but the flatness somehow killed it.
Overall I think there was just too much going on. Too many little conflicts. Subplots, partial subplots? There were a lot of doors opened in this series but we didn’t get to actually step through all (most?) of them, or properly explore what lay beyond. And maybe some of their answers come up in her free Interlude book, but I’m just tired by this point. I doubt I’ll read it.
However, it was a pretty decent story. Much better than many others I’ve read this year. It was well written and edited, and I didn’t feel like there were any gaping loopholes- it was clear the author cared about that. She put effort into this world, and she did well.
Random aside, it was very disorienting to start this series and realize it takes place, literally, where I live. Unfortunately that ruins it a bit for me. I see Ellicott City and its surroundings everyday, and many of the places mentioned on a regular basis. Just takes the sparkle out of the setting for me? Obviously not the author’s fault, though. But I was constantly trying to figure out where they were on the map, how they were managing these many forest walks (OEC is extremely hilly, though it flattens a bit as you get further away), was the mansion where the female institute is, would that make the walk to his house really strenuous, and why no mention of the infamous river? Was it there? It’s fiction, I know. But that’s part of why living here drains the fun away.
Also corsets were just bras. They were never truly uncomfortable, at least not by themselves. It’s a myth.
The romance felt a little flat (and I don’t get how they resolved their problems with staying childless? Did they figure out dreamside again? Or just resolved to never do the real thing? It was unclear), and the ending in general also felt unsatisfying somehow. Ella’s ending seemed really wrong, considering what happened to her by him. The situation with Peter and his magic was predictable, but the entire book kind of felt like there was opportunity to figure out something fundamental to the magical system, and thus how to use it, or even tap into knitting since Beatrix filled him with *her* life force to save him. I was on edge, expecting something awesome or heartwarming or at least neat, but we never get it (not really, anyway). So that left me feeling deflated. Both he and Beatrix had little personality, but at least in book 1 their personalities contained *some* passion, some drive. Again, just that general flatness all around. The ending should’ve felt satisfying, because by definition it was happy, but the flatness somehow killed it.
Overall I think there was just too much going on. Too many little conflicts. Subplots, partial subplots? There were a lot of doors opened in this series but we didn’t get to actually step through all (most?) of them, or properly explore what lay beyond. And maybe some of their answers come up in her free Interlude book, but I’m just tired by this point. I doubt I’ll read it.
However, it was a pretty decent story. Much better than many others I’ve read this year. It was well written and edited, and I didn’t feel like there were any gaping loopholes- it was clear the author cared about that. She put effort into this world, and she did well.
Random aside, it was very disorienting to start this series and realize it takes place, literally, where I live. Unfortunately that ruins it a bit for me. I see Ellicott City and its surroundings everyday, and many of the places mentioned on a regular basis. Just takes the sparkle out of the setting for me? Obviously not the author’s fault, though. But I was constantly trying to figure out where they were on the map, how they were managing these many forest walks (OEC is extremely hilly, though it flattens a bit as you get further away), was the mansion where the female institute is, would that make the walk to his house really strenuous, and why no mention of the infamous river? Was it there? It’s fiction, I know. But that’s part of why living here drains the fun away.
Also corsets were just bras. They were never truly uncomfortable, at least not by themselves. It’s a myth.
April 21, 2021
I had to think for a while about why this series wound up disappointing me, once I'd finished all three books. There are several problems. This review covers the entire series, not just the third book.
Part of the problem for me is that it's more of a logic puzzle than a character-driven story. The emotional content is spare, and I wound up unconvinced of the romantic attachment between the primary couple. There is a lot of magic, almost too much for me, and the story revolves around a political situation and a power structure that seems uncomfortably rigid and imposing, even by the end of the story when it has improved a tiny bit. There are a lot of twists and turns, and at many points in the story the reader doesn't know whom to believe or trust. No one seems to be trustworthy or reliable. Part of that is a result of the way the mystery unfolds, but some of it has to do with characters who just aren't that likeable, and with whom I could not relate very well. I didn't identify with anyone in this story except one secondary character who was also under suspicion for much of the time.
The conclusion doesn't feel that satisfying to me. It turns out that one protagonist is dramatically altered, and the main couple both wind up doing work that they don't seem to have any passion for, whereas in the first two books of the series, even with the problems they were going through, I felt this intense connection to their omnimancer work, and a connection between them as they go about the work, which is what kept me reading the story. How they wind up leaves me a bit cold, so that what should be a reasonably happy, romantic ending falls kind of flat. The whole business with Vows, the magical contracts wizards can enter into, gets confusing, with the rules seeming to change too much as the story moved along. New spells and magic are introduced at the end, making the enemy almost impossible to defeat. Most characters are never described, even in the beginning of the series or when they're introduced, so I had no pictures in my mind of most of the characters, except from my own random imaginings, so that when racial issues were mentioned in passing, I felt kind of clueless and lost, where I would like to have been able to feel some empathy. All this, combined with the dystopian nature of the story setting, bring me to conclude that this story definitely isn't my cup of tea. I'm sorry to say this, because I can tell that a lot of thought and a lot of work went into writing it, and it is well edited, technically, except for a few places where there seemed to be some confusion with past participial usage.
Part of the problem for me is that it's more of a logic puzzle than a character-driven story. The emotional content is spare, and I wound up unconvinced of the romantic attachment between the primary couple. There is a lot of magic, almost too much for me, and the story revolves around a political situation and a power structure that seems uncomfortably rigid and imposing, even by the end of the story when it has improved a tiny bit. There are a lot of twists and turns, and at many points in the story the reader doesn't know whom to believe or trust. No one seems to be trustworthy or reliable. Part of that is a result of the way the mystery unfolds, but some of it has to do with characters who just aren't that likeable, and with whom I could not relate very well. I didn't identify with anyone in this story except one secondary character who was also under suspicion for much of the time.
The conclusion doesn't feel that satisfying to me. It turns out that one protagonist is dramatically altered, and the main couple both wind up doing work that they don't seem to have any passion for, whereas in the first two books of the series, even with the problems they were going through, I felt this intense connection to their omnimancer work, and a connection between them as they go about the work, which is what kept me reading the story. How they wind up leaves me a bit cold, so that what should be a reasonably happy, romantic ending falls kind of flat. The whole business with Vows, the magical contracts wizards can enter into, gets confusing, with the rules seeming to change too much as the story moved along. New spells and magic are introduced at the end, making the enemy almost impossible to defeat. Most characters are never described, even in the beginning of the series or when they're introduced, so I had no pictures in my mind of most of the characters, except from my own random imaginings, so that when racial issues were mentioned in passing, I felt kind of clueless and lost, where I would like to have been able to feel some empathy. All this, combined with the dystopian nature of the story setting, bring me to conclude that this story definitely isn't my cup of tea. I'm sorry to say this, because I can tell that a lot of thought and a lot of work went into writing it, and it is well edited, technically, except for a few places where there seemed to be some confusion with past participial usage.
October 3, 2021
Revolutionary is the final book in the Clandestine Magic trilogy, a series that must be read from the first book for maximum enjoyment. There will be spoilers for the first two books in this review.
Our story opens just a few weeks since the conclusion of Radical, with Peter in a coma after barely surviving the explosion of a magical weapon fueled by his life source. Although unconscious, his mind is very much awake, and in fact, listeners are privy to his POV while in the coma. From there, we follow Beatrix’s attempts to cure Peter, help her sister and the League win rights for typics, and figure out what the Vice President wants with a weapon of mass destruction.
Revolutionary is a non-stop, heart-pounding adventure! There are so many ups and downs, I had to take a breather more than once. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse for our main characters, the author would lift them up (and my heart), giving them a reprieve. But not for long, because Peter and Beatrix find themselves in dire straights over and over. It was an exhausting read in some ways, but well worth the journey!
The story starts with Beatrix working to save Peter, then the pair is forced to address their feelings while in the spotlight and working on the campaign for typic rights. The author uses a new narrative style for large parts of the book - giving readers headlines and bits of articles written by various news sources. It’s an effective and entertaining way to share different views the nation has towards the couple. Finally, the story shifts focus to the climatic plotline - trying to discover why the government is so intent on continued development and testing of the weapon Peter helped develop at the Pentagram. Overall, the story flows well and the entire book gives this reader a perfect conclusion to the series. However, I became a bit frustrated at points, when the low points seemed to be too much or go on too long. Yet, the author always pulled the pair out of the depths before I was ready to toss the book!
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.
In the end, Revolutionary is an emotional ride filled with ups and downs and surprising twists. It’s a wonderful conclusion to this unique and entertaining trilogy, with a bonus peek into the future. I highly recommend the entire trilogy, and when you are finished, check out the author’s website for links to a prequel and an epilogue story.
My Ratings:
Story: A-
Narration: A-
Review copy provided by author
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Our story opens just a few weeks since the conclusion of Radical, with Peter in a coma after barely surviving the explosion of a magical weapon fueled by his life source. Although unconscious, his mind is very much awake, and in fact, listeners are privy to his POV while in the coma. From there, we follow Beatrix’s attempts to cure Peter, help her sister and the League win rights for typics, and figure out what the Vice President wants with a weapon of mass destruction.
Revolutionary is a non-stop, heart-pounding adventure! There are so many ups and downs, I had to take a breather more than once. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse for our main characters, the author would lift them up (and my heart), giving them a reprieve. But not for long, because Peter and Beatrix find themselves in dire straights over and over. It was an exhausting read in some ways, but well worth the journey!
The story starts with Beatrix working to save Peter, then the pair is forced to address their feelings while in the spotlight and working on the campaign for typic rights. The author uses a new narrative style for large parts of the book - giving readers headlines and bits of articles written by various news sources. It’s an effective and entertaining way to share different views the nation has towards the couple. Finally, the story shifts focus to the climatic plotline - trying to discover why the government is so intent on continued development and testing of the weapon Peter helped develop at the Pentagram. Overall, the story flows well and the entire book gives this reader a perfect conclusion to the series. However, I became a bit frustrated at points, when the low points seemed to be too much or go on too long. Yet, the author always pulled the pair out of the depths before I was ready to toss the book!
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.
In the end, Revolutionary is an emotional ride filled with ups and downs and surprising twists. It’s a wonderful conclusion to this unique and entertaining trilogy, with a bonus peek into the future. I highly recommend the entire trilogy, and when you are finished, check out the author’s website for links to a prequel and an epilogue story.
My Ratings:
Story: A-
Narration: A-
Review copy provided by author
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
April 9, 2022
This book was a fantastic, and in most ways satisfying end to the series. I feel like there was a lot of action at the end that meant that a lot of the attention was given to that, and some of the other emotional arcs felt a little rushed and tied up neatly. Ella’s story for example. (Spoilers) I also really hated the ending for Ella being trapped in her rapist and tormentor’s body. That felt cruel. Peter was both released and stifled by his magic, and I also found it quite cruel that the book didn’t give him back his powers. The thing that gave him so much joy, and when he was finally in a place where he could use it the way he wanted. Without others controlling him. It just once again, felt cruel. I thought it was doing a Jane Eyre feminist thing with Peter being Mr. Rochester at the end of Jane Eyre - he looses his eyesight and has to rely on Jane for a time before gaining it back. So was looking forward to him getting it back, but then… no.
I hated how the series gave a few throw away lines to the fact that people of colour have it even worse than women and non-magic users, and just. Why completely ignore it except for a few throw away lines? Read my first review for what I had been hoping the author might do. ‘Cause yeah… very white feminist-y vibes of remaking history to be all about white woman’s struggles, and really not including other intersectional struggles. But - I do get that it’s a massive topic to write about, and so maybe it’s better that she avoided it rather than write some really uncomfortable and misguided take?
So those are my reasons for not giving it five stars, but, I mean… four stars. I still reeeeeeeally loved this book. And I am so ready to read more from this author. What she has come up with is extraordinary. Great, relatable, grounded and well thought through characters. Fantastic writing. Wonderful exploration of themes and topics through a really well constructed alternative fantasy world. Absolute love. 💕
I hated how the series gave a few throw away lines to the fact that people of colour have it even worse than women and non-magic users, and just. Why completely ignore it except for a few throw away lines? Read my first review for what I had been hoping the author might do. ‘Cause yeah… very white feminist-y vibes of remaking history to be all about white woman’s struggles, and really not including other intersectional struggles. But - I do get that it’s a massive topic to write about, and so maybe it’s better that she avoided it rather than write some really uncomfortable and misguided take?
So those are my reasons for not giving it five stars, but, I mean… four stars. I still reeeeeeeally loved this book. And I am so ready to read more from this author. What she has come up with is extraordinary. Great, relatable, grounded and well thought through characters. Fantastic writing. Wonderful exploration of themes and topics through a really well constructed alternative fantasy world. Absolute love. 💕
August 18, 2025
“Revolutionary” is the third and final book in the Clandestine Magic trilogy. It picks up right where the second book left off and stirs up even more intense emotions. I had a hard time reading this one — not because it was bad, but because the entire series revolves around truly complicated relationships and events. I read all three books back-to-back, and in hindsight, that was probably too much for me. (I should have taken a cozy break in between.)
Despite its heaviness, I don’t think this book stands out from the other two installments — for better or worse. The structure is similar: a moderately paced beginning, a slower middle, and a truly fast-paced, emotional ending. All three books follow this pattern, and I think that’s a plus, as it allows space for both action and strong character arcs.
At this point in the story, I was having a full-on pity party watching the MCs battle what felt like an avalanche of problems. Adding a miscommunication trope on top of it all just messed with my brain even more! Fortunately, there’s an HEA, so it all works out in the end — but what an adventure this trilogy has been… WHAT AN ADVENTURE!
I have to be honest with you, though: even though I enjoyed this trilogy immensely, I wouldn’t recommend it to just anyone. It’s heavy. Really heavy. The politics, the complexity of human interactions, the very nature of the main couple’s relationship… While it’s fascinating, it’s also deeply anxiety-inducing. So I’d recommend it only to readers who enjoy the vibes of Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders, House of Cards, Iron Jawed Angels, etc. I think the author did an excellent job merging these elements and adding a touch of magic, making it feel incredibly fresh from a romantasy perspective.
🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂
🍂 women’s rights movement
🍂 21st-century America with magic and corsets
🍂 he falls first
🍂 messy magical bargains
🍂 enemies-to-lovers
🍂 Oppenheimer vibes
🍂 complex characters
🍂 lots of politics
Despite its heaviness, I don’t think this book stands out from the other two installments — for better or worse. The structure is similar: a moderately paced beginning, a slower middle, and a truly fast-paced, emotional ending. All three books follow this pattern, and I think that’s a plus, as it allows space for both action and strong character arcs.
At this point in the story, I was having a full-on pity party watching the MCs battle what felt like an avalanche of problems. Adding a miscommunication trope on top of it all just messed with my brain even more! Fortunately, there’s an HEA, so it all works out in the end — but what an adventure this trilogy has been… WHAT AN ADVENTURE!
I have to be honest with you, though: even though I enjoyed this trilogy immensely, I wouldn’t recommend it to just anyone. It’s heavy. Really heavy. The politics, the complexity of human interactions, the very nature of the main couple’s relationship… While it’s fascinating, it’s also deeply anxiety-inducing. So I’d recommend it only to readers who enjoy the vibes of Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders, House of Cards, Iron Jawed Angels, etc. I think the author did an excellent job merging these elements and adding a touch of magic, making it feel incredibly fresh from a romantasy perspective.
🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂
🍂 women’s rights movement
🍂 21st-century America with magic and corsets
🍂 he falls first
🍂 messy magical bargains
🍂 enemies-to-lovers
🍂 Oppenheimer vibes
🍂 complex characters
🍂 lots of politics
August 4, 2024
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!
“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!
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