Clandestine

Clandestine Magic #0.5

by Colleen Cowley

In an America run by wizards and a century behind on women's rights, Beatrix Harper quietly toils for the resistance ... and the only wizard her town ever produced is having a massive crisis of conscience.

Peter Blackwell is glad enough to be part of the system she's opposing. The problem, as he sees it, is the weapon he never should have made for the government. Once you've let a figurative genie out of a bottle, how do you stuff it back in?

They're on a collision course—and as Beatrix gets her first glimpse of how wizards fight back, Peter must decide how far he's willing to go to correct a terrible mistake.

CLANDESTINE is the prequel to the Clandestine Magic trilogy and can be read first, or in any order. It's free for readers of Colleen Cowley's newsletter, both as an ebook and an audiobook.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Historical Fiction, Alternate History, Novella

Unknown Binding

About the author

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

Get free ebooks (and one free audiobook) at colleencowley.com/new.

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

Reviews

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

I read this after reading book 1. I know that this is a prequel but I would suggest reading it after book 1 to fully understand what is going on in the world.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clandestine is a short prequel story to the Clandestine Magic trilogy. I listened to the audiobook after I finished the series. It outlines the events leading up to the first book, Subversive. Even though it is a prequel and gives no spoilers for the series, I feel that it is best enjoyed by one who has read the series, or at least the first book. The short is enjoyable, the narration on point (it's the same narrator who did the series). However, the plot is a bit lacking, which is why I feel that it is best enjoyed after one has read the series. The story is more like "a few weeks in the life" of the two main characters, Peter and Beatrix, rather than a self-contained story. That said, I give the story a B, mostly because I loved the series so much and really enjoyed getting a bit more.

The book is a free download for those who subscribe to the author's newsletter.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice novella who gives lots of additional informations!

Although the events happen before the second books I would recommend reading it after. There is a lot of world building that is assumed is already known. So it’s a bit hard to follow if you read it first

[Bibliotherapy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4. This is the short story prequel to the Clandestine Magic series. As a reader who finished the trilogy before picking up this prequel, I thought knowing too many spoilers might ruin this story for me. But it didn't. I actually enjoyed it more knowing how things would turn for all the characters.

What Cowley did well, despite the brevity of the story, was provide more backstory and information on the characters' motivations. I understand now why Beatrix and Ella were such good friends and how heartbreaking it was for Beatrix to see the terrible change in Ella. I also had a greater understanding of Peter's bitterness toward the Harpers. It was interesting to see the thought process that occurred that eventually brought Peter back to Ellicott Mills.

Cowley is a wonderful storyteller, and even more impressive that she can consolidate that into less than 50 pages.

[Jessica Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would make more sense if you read the novels first. Because I haven’t read them and these characters mean nothing to me.

I do like the Baltimore and Maryland setting. I recognize the places they’re supposed to be. 😆🙃

[Tempest Reign · Rating 5 out of 5]

ꜱᴛᴀʀ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: N/A

I adored this novella set just before the main Clandestine Magic series. I enjoyed the banter, magic, world-building, feminine rage, and how the whole book had a sense of urgency about getting to the ending. I'm really excited to keep reading!

[Deena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked this better than I thought i would based on the start. There are some problems, but I can see trying the first full-length title in the series. I wasn't much impressed with the female MC< but I was interested in the male one. We'll see.

[Melissa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting to see where it all began. So pleased to have gotten to read this! Didn't think I'd miss Peter and Beatrix like I do, but here we are!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine, but really didn't add anything to the main series.

[Gina Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice set up and introduction to characters novella. Will be continuing series...

[Rikke's Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially a prologue to a full trilogy, and it was a really good lead-in, it's certainly made me intrigued in this alternative timeline where magic exists and women never got the vote!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Dana Birch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to get the backstory in this prequel of sorts for the first book, Subversive.

[Erin-Joi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook on BookFunnel. All opinions are my own.

This was a short prequel to the Clandestine Magic Series. It is an interesting premise. I am familiar with the town that is being imitated, so it brought up interesting images as I listened. (County seat of Howard County, Maryland is Ellicott City) The real historic town went through some ugly flooding not too long ago, so hearing about it in a book was nice.

The story gave a good introduction to the political and social situation in an era when women are considered inferior. My only objection was that the story ended abruptly. I am guessing it is so that it fits with the opening of book 1, but that didn't stop the feeling of coming to a full stop when the action was still in progress.

The characters are quite the ensemble, and occasionally, I had trouble with who was who. this would probably be moot if I was reading instead of listening and could easily flip back a few pages, but doing so would still pull me out of the story. In general, I enjoyed the story. 4 stars.