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Forgotten Kingdoms
Of Mischief & Mages
A sorceress with lost power to claim the throne.
A royal thief fading to a cursed heart.
A forgotten love that will destroy their world.
When Adira’s crook of a boss sends her to a Las Vegas casino as one of his goons, her world turns upside down and she’s tossed through the gates of a strange, dangerous world of Mage courts and curses.
Disoriented and convinced she’s in a twisted afterlife, Adira is overtaken and robbed by a band of highwaymen whose seductive leader stirs something in her soul.
Soon, royal guards rescue her and believe her to be a powerful blood mage, prophesied to protect the kingdom. But while dining with the mage prince, his drunken stepbrother stumbles in, and Adira recognizes him as the thief who ambushed her in the forest.
As their forgotten pasts intertwine, Adira and a thieving prince may be the only ones who can unravel a spreading degeneration of the Mage kingdom, but enemies of old are rising and it will become a battle between spell casters where one wears the crown and the prize for the rest is death.
AUTHOR NOTE: This dark romance book contains a fierce female lead that will bring a villain to his knees.
You will get enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and the forbidden love that will destroy a kingdom. Content is for mature audiences and 18+ recommended.
A royal thief fading to a cursed heart.
A forgotten love that will destroy their world.
When Adira’s crook of a boss sends her to a Las Vegas casino as one of his goons, her world turns upside down and she’s tossed through the gates of a strange, dangerous world of Mage courts and curses.
Disoriented and convinced she’s in a twisted afterlife, Adira is overtaken and robbed by a band of highwaymen whose seductive leader stirs something in her soul.
Soon, royal guards rescue her and believe her to be a powerful blood mage, prophesied to protect the kingdom. But while dining with the mage prince, his drunken stepbrother stumbles in, and Adira recognizes him as the thief who ambushed her in the forest.
As their forgotten pasts intertwine, Adira and a thieving prince may be the only ones who can unravel a spreading degeneration of the Mage kingdom, but enemies of old are rising and it will become a battle between spell casters where one wears the crown and the prize for the rest is death.
AUTHOR NOTE: This dark romance book contains a fierce female lead that will bring a villain to his knees.
You will get enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and the forbidden love that will destroy a kingdom. Content is for mature audiences and 18+ recommended.
396 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2024
1363 people are currently reading
9902 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Andrews
68 books6,842 followersWriting is a beautiful thing.
I consider myself blessed I'm able to do this for a living. I live for fantasy books as a reader and author. I adore books like An Ember in the Ashes, The Night Angel Trilogy, Harry Potter, The Great Library series...I could go on.
Before I write I have four young humans I keep alive and love them to the stars and back again. I live in Utah with my sexy husband, the kiddos, two paranoid dogs, and a sinister cat. Between finishing a second degree, running a business, and eating too much chocolate, I love writing early in the morning when no one is awake. If you can't tell, I basically function on caffeine.
I consider myself blessed I'm able to do this for a living. I live for fantasy books as a reader and author. I adore books like An Ember in the Ashes, The Night Angel Trilogy, Harry Potter, The Great Library series...I could go on.
Before I write I have four young humans I keep alive and love them to the stars and back again. I live in Utah with my sexy husband, the kiddos, two paranoid dogs, and a sinister cat. Between finishing a second degree, running a business, and eating too much chocolate, I love writing early in the morning when no one is awake. If you can't tell, I basically function on caffeine.
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February 9, 2024The way I'm just sitting here, WAITING FOR THIS LIKE MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT😩🙏🏻
May 10, 2024
L.J. Andrews, a master of her craft, consistently delivers captivating stories. Her books are not just good; they are intriguing, swoony, and epic. With Of Mischief & Mages, she once again proves why she is the queen of romantasy.
Of Mischief & Mages is a standalone book in the Forgotten Kingdoms series. There are some connections to other books from the series, but you can read each book as a standalone.
The book got me from page one; it was full of great world-building, great main and side characters (and this is where LJ excels), perfect banter, a love story for the ages, and a perfect amount of spice.
The premise is the same as in other books in the series - a girl gets taken to Las Vegas ("Lost Vegas" for some 😁) and thrown into a fantasy world. As it turns out, every girl was part of a bigger sacrifice to save the world of Terrea, and the price was that they were reborn on Earth. Still, after some time, they are all taken back to their homelands where they navigate new worlds, new people, and lost memories (that slowly return), grasp who they were before the sacrifice, and try to find themselves and their past again.
Adira, the FMC, is a character you can't help but connect with. Despite her seemingly impossible situation, she navigates her way, always feeling like she's found her place. Her strength, determination, and willingness to do whatever it takes to save her loved ones will resonate with you.
Kage Wilder 🖤 LJ Andrews sure knows how to spoil us with true morally grey MMCs with a heart of gold. I see some of her other characters in Kage (hi, Ari, and Kase 🤍🤍), but Kage is still his own person and a perfect addition to the world of LJ Andrews.
Of Mischief & Mages is a unique blend of romance and fantasy, offering a portal fantasy, fated mates, forced proximity, forbidden love, found family, breaking a curse, powerful worldbuilding, a great and intricate magic system, secrets, and unexpected discoveries. It's a treasure trove of elements that will keep you hooked from start to finish!
I was honored to be a part of the ARC team again and to have the privilege of reading this book. As always, I'm offering my honest opinion 🌷
Of Mischief & Mages is a standalone book in the Forgotten Kingdoms series. There are some connections to other books from the series, but you can read each book as a standalone.
The book got me from page one; it was full of great world-building, great main and side characters (and this is where LJ excels), perfect banter, a love story for the ages, and a perfect amount of spice.
The premise is the same as in other books in the series - a girl gets taken to Las Vegas ("Lost Vegas" for some 😁) and thrown into a fantasy world. As it turns out, every girl was part of a bigger sacrifice to save the world of Terrea, and the price was that they were reborn on Earth. Still, after some time, they are all taken back to their homelands where they navigate new worlds, new people, and lost memories (that slowly return), grasp who they were before the sacrifice, and try to find themselves and their past again.
Adira, the FMC, is a character you can't help but connect with. Despite her seemingly impossible situation, she navigates her way, always feeling like she's found her place. Her strength, determination, and willingness to do whatever it takes to save her loved ones will resonate with you.
Kage Wilder 🖤 LJ Andrews sure knows how to spoil us with true morally grey MMCs with a heart of gold. I see some of her other characters in Kage (hi, Ari, and Kase 🤍🤍), but Kage is still his own person and a perfect addition to the world of LJ Andrews.
Of Mischief & Mages is a unique blend of romance and fantasy, offering a portal fantasy, fated mates, forced proximity, forbidden love, found family, breaking a curse, powerful worldbuilding, a great and intricate magic system, secrets, and unexpected discoveries. It's a treasure trove of elements that will keep you hooked from start to finish!
I was honored to be a part of the ARC team again and to have the privilege of reading this book. As always, I'm offering my honest opinion 🌷
March 12, 2024
5✨
2🌶️
At this point all of Emily’s (LJ) books are top tier for me 😂. I’m a life long fan.
I jumped into this book without much knowledge of what was going on lol. The “our world” bit is very brief and I found it easy to fall right into the story.
I loved that Adira was a little stabby and could handle her own including Kage. Kage was grumpy, I loved it. For a standalone I feel the slow burn was perfect. It wasn’t too long but it wasn’t instant either. (It IS faster than most slow burns though but because we know going into this that it’s getting a lost love back, it think that’s okay!)
The relationship and love that forms naturally between Kage and Adira (again) is beautiful and I just wanted them to be happy 😭. The devotion to one another was *chef’s kiss* even when they couldn’t stand the other 😂.
I read this in under 24 hours. If you want a quick & fun romantasy where you fall in love with all the characters, PICK THIS UP🫶🏼
2🌶️
At this point all of Emily’s (LJ) books are top tier for me 😂. I’m a life long fan.
I jumped into this book without much knowledge of what was going on lol. The “our world” bit is very brief and I found it easy to fall right into the story.
I loved that Adira was a little stabby and could handle her own including Kage. Kage was grumpy, I loved it. For a standalone I feel the slow burn was perfect. It wasn’t too long but it wasn’t instant either. (It IS faster than most slow burns though but because we know going into this that it’s getting a lost love back, it think that’s okay!)
The relationship and love that forms naturally between Kage and Adira (again) is beautiful and I just wanted them to be happy 😭. The devotion to one another was *chef’s kiss* even when they couldn’t stand the other 😂.
I read this in under 24 hours. If you want a quick & fun romantasy where you fall in love with all the characters, PICK THIS UP🫶🏼
February 29, 2024
Do you know what’s incredible? How this book was agonizingly slow while also being unreasonably fast paced. Nothing is happening while everything is happening. You don’t know the characters literally at all but … actually no but. Make it make sense.
April 2, 2024
this was a chore to read. hard to get into & couldn’t care about the characters and story. the plot felt forced, and the ending was underwhelming. overall just meh
I absolutely love everything else by this author but this just didn’t hit for me :/
2.5 ⭐️
I absolutely love everything else by this author but this just didn’t hit for me :/
2.5 ⭐️
Read
March 17, 2024DNF: Threw in the towel at 38% / Chapter 17
Reading this feels like a chore, and I don’t feel any connection to the characters whatsoever.
It’s so strange how it *reads* as if SO much is happening and the stakes are so high.. yet I personally feel like it’s just *dragging* and the story is agonizingly dull and slow..
I wanted to love this, and had high hopes because of all the rave reviews but it’s just not for me.
Reading this feels like a chore, and I don’t feel any connection to the characters whatsoever.
It’s so strange how it *reads* as if SO much is happening and the stakes are so high.. yet I personally feel like it’s just *dragging* and the story is agonizingly dull and slow..
I wanted to love this, and had high hopes because of all the rave reviews but it’s just not for me.
March 5, 2024
loved it, but heartbroken 😩 (iykyk)
At first, I was hesitant to read this book because I had started to read another one in this series (by a different author) and wasn’t impressed. BUUUUT then I remembered it was LJ. LOOOL, jokes on me. I will 100000% read anything by this author because she’s impeccable.
Loved the characters & their relationships - I quickly fell in love with the whole crew. The over arching story was perfection & I appreciate the way the story was crafted. Highly recommend buying the book, snuggling up on the couch, and settling in for a good read. The end though killed me and healed me all at once.
Reading this one had given me the gumption to try the other stories in this series - wish me luck.
At first, I was hesitant to read this book because I had started to read another one in this series (by a different author) and wasn’t impressed. BUUUUT then I remembered it was LJ. LOOOL, jokes on me. I will 100000% read anything by this author because she’s impeccable.
Loved the characters & their relationships - I quickly fell in love with the whole crew. The over arching story was perfection & I appreciate the way the story was crafted. Highly recommend buying the book, snuggling up on the couch, and settling in for a good read. The end though killed me and healed me all at once.
Reading this one had given me the gumption to try the other stories in this series - wish me luck.
February 23, 2024
A hill I will die on is that no one writes supporting characters, devoted lovers, and found family like LJ Andrews. Of Mischief and Mages is no exception.
The pacing of the story is perfection- Adira gets sucked into a new realm from Las Vegas pretty quickly and from that moment on we are on an adventure with her to figure out where she is and what this curse that everyone is under is (a wonderful way to world build by the way- experiencing it unfold and new to us as it is to Adira -or so we think). We meet Kage, and immediately he is wonderfully wicked and genuinely interesting- hes determined to figure this all out and hes on a clock. Neither of them can shake the feeling that the other is important to them.
There is magic- runes and spells and some gore. After all, they are battle mages and damned good ones at that.
The pull of fated lovers throughout the book is done so well that you are on the edge of your seat for them to realize who they are to each other.
The revelation on who the enemy is was actually so heartbreaking. I couldn't really hate our bad guy - I was as torn as Adira and Kage about it all.
Love was the catalyst of the curse, just as love was the end of it.
The spicy scenes were perfectly placed and felt earned by our lovers. Not just sprinkled in for the sake of spice.
The ending is beautiful and full circle. No loose strings.
The supporting characters *cough* Cyland *cough* are perfection. They are funny and strong, and the MC would not be who they are without them.
Overall, I loved this book. I was resentful of the real world whenever I had to put it down because the story was never boring and there was constantly a new truth to be found or a clue that got our loves closer to breaking the curse.
Definitely a story I will go back and reread and recommend to anyone who loves fantasy.
The pacing of the story is perfection- Adira gets sucked into a new realm from Las Vegas pretty quickly and from that moment on we are on an adventure with her to figure out where she is and what this curse that everyone is under is (a wonderful way to world build by the way- experiencing it unfold and new to us as it is to Adira -or so we think). We meet Kage, and immediately he is wonderfully wicked and genuinely interesting- hes determined to figure this all out and hes on a clock. Neither of them can shake the feeling that the other is important to them.
There is magic- runes and spells and some gore. After all, they are battle mages and damned good ones at that.
The pull of fated lovers throughout the book is done so well that you are on the edge of your seat for them to realize who they are to each other.
The revelation on who the enemy is was actually so heartbreaking. I couldn't really hate our bad guy - I was as torn as Adira and Kage about it all.
Love was the catalyst of the curse, just as love was the end of it.
The spicy scenes were perfectly placed and felt earned by our lovers. Not just sprinkled in for the sake of spice.
The ending is beautiful and full circle. No loose strings.
The supporting characters *cough* Cyland *cough* are perfection. They are funny and strong, and the MC would not be who they are without them.
Overall, I loved this book. I was resentful of the real world whenever I had to put it down because the story was never boring and there was constantly a new truth to be found or a clue that got our loves closer to breaking the curse.
Definitely a story I will go back and reread and recommend to anyone who loves fantasy.
March 8, 2024
dnfed at 57%
I love this author, truly. I have read every other book from her and loved them. This one didn’t do it for me and I’m not excited to leave a less than stellar review. I think this is a really compelling premise and I love how LJ can write a morally grey character, see Erik Bloodsinger or Valen Ferus. There was so much tension in the Ever King, it was beautifully written.
This book, however, was really choppy. The base for the characters was great and I think if it was a full series or even a duet it would have been perfect. This is a super complicated world and magic system that needed more explanation and time to unfold. Having an epic love story like Adira and Kage, being ripped apart and tossed into different lives with no memories makes for a really layered past and romance. I think too many things couldn’t have been explored properly in the allotted standalone and it left the book feeling really rushed.
I also had a problem with continuity. It seemed like a character was in one place doing something and was suddenly somewhere else. It was hard to follow and I found it too easy to put down.
I write this review to be constructive and also point people who haven’t read anything from this author to her other books. The Ever King is a spinoff from the Broken Kingdoms series, I really suggest reading the main series first. It was amazing and I always recommend those to fantasy readers.
I love this author, truly. I have read every other book from her and loved them. This one didn’t do it for me and I’m not excited to leave a less than stellar review. I think this is a really compelling premise and I love how LJ can write a morally grey character, see Erik Bloodsinger or Valen Ferus. There was so much tension in the Ever King, it was beautifully written.
This book, however, was really choppy. The base for the characters was great and I think if it was a full series or even a duet it would have been perfect. This is a super complicated world and magic system that needed more explanation and time to unfold. Having an epic love story like Adira and Kage, being ripped apart and tossed into different lives with no memories makes for a really layered past and romance. I think too many things couldn’t have been explored properly in the allotted standalone and it left the book feeling really rushed.
I also had a problem with continuity. It seemed like a character was in one place doing something and was suddenly somewhere else. It was hard to follow and I found it too easy to put down.
I write this review to be constructive and also point people who haven’t read anything from this author to her other books. The Ever King is a spinoff from the Broken Kingdoms series, I really suggest reading the main series first. It was amazing and I always recommend those to fantasy readers.
March 12, 2024
RATING: 4.5 (Rounding Up)
In 2023, I first discovered L.J. Andrews through her Ever Seas series and ever since then she has been one of my favorite fantasy/romantasy authors. Therefore, I was thrilled to hear that Andrews was coming out with a new standalone book, Of Mischief and Mages.
What is particularly unique about this release is that Andrews along with a group of other authors put together a series of standalone novels called the Forgotten Kingdoms, that all take place in a shared world. The connection throughout all books is the premise--a magical girl was sacrificed then reborn in the mortal world, and they all get sucked back to their respective lands 50 years later. You don't need to have read any of the other books to enjoy Of Mischief and Mages and the books can be read in any order.
In Of Mischief and Mages, we meet Adira, a young woman who is working almost like an enforcer for a not so nice loan shark type in Las Vegas. As the story opens, Adira finds herself transported to a magical kingdom that is almost too fantastical to be real and feels like something out of her dreams. Soon enough, as she tries to get answers about where she is and why there is a feeling of familiarity to this place, Adira finds herself at the mercy of a handsome rogue and his band of thieves. They steal her things and leave her stranded and fuming.
When Adira makes her way to the castle of the crowned prince, Destin, he is hopeful that Adira is the returned blood sacrifice from the renowned House Ravenwood, who was a fierce battle mage with power over blood and curses. The only problem is that Adira can't remember any of that and just when she thinks things can't get any worse, the crowned prince's annoying step brother, Kage, turns out to the very thief who had stolen from her. However, more problematic than any of that is the strange pull that Adira feels towards Kage Wilder and the way that she can feel his inner pain and turmoil.
Adira is soon drawn into the troubles of Magiaria as she learns the kingdom is under an evil curse that has wiped its peoples memories and is slowly drowning prince Kage in its darkness. As she and Kage reluctantly become allies, the group works tirelessly to find a source of magic strong enough to break the spell. It's a race against time and Andrews weaves in plenty of twists and turns to keep her reader guessing just how things will turn out. Definitely be prepared for the twist at the end. Even though I had a sense of what may be coming, Andrews still knows how to land a powerful emotional punch that left me sad, pained and happy all at the same time. She is not afraid of touching on the painful to lend depth to her story and characters.
Andrews is a master of the love-to-hate you relationship and the push and pull between Kage and Adira is delightful from the start. Both of these characters are fierce, stubborn and strong and the banter between them and the way in which Andrews builds the tension in their relationship is just so fun to read. It soon becomes clear to both Kage and Adira that the connection between them goes much deeper than they could have ever imagined and it leads to some very interesting revelations and quite a few fiery exchanges.
Another aspect that I love about Andrews novels is the way that she weaves in the concept of found family and the attention she pays to the development of the other characters outside her main couple. She always creates such rich and diverse personalities and that is once again on display in Of Mischief and Mages. It's touching to see how much Kage cares for his trio of friends and they really are central to helping both Kage and Adira discover what they mean to each other and to fighting the curse that has plagued Magiaria for so long. My favorite by far was Cy, who added a wonderful dose of humor and irreverence when we most needed it and I loved the arc of his individual story. If anything, as a standalone, I found myself wishing I had more time to process the way that things resolved at the end but this was still such a fun read.
If you are looking for a fast paced fantasy read that has rich character relationships, a complex and devoted love story and plenty of fiery banter to keep you smiling and laughing, then definitely give this latest novel from Andrews a read. It does not disappoint!
In 2023, I first discovered L.J. Andrews through her Ever Seas series and ever since then she has been one of my favorite fantasy/romantasy authors. Therefore, I was thrilled to hear that Andrews was coming out with a new standalone book, Of Mischief and Mages.
What is particularly unique about this release is that Andrews along with a group of other authors put together a series of standalone novels called the Forgotten Kingdoms, that all take place in a shared world. The connection throughout all books is the premise--a magical girl was sacrificed then reborn in the mortal world, and they all get sucked back to their respective lands 50 years later. You don't need to have read any of the other books to enjoy Of Mischief and Mages and the books can be read in any order.
In Of Mischief and Mages, we meet Adira, a young woman who is working almost like an enforcer for a not so nice loan shark type in Las Vegas. As the story opens, Adira finds herself transported to a magical kingdom that is almost too fantastical to be real and feels like something out of her dreams. Soon enough, as she tries to get answers about where she is and why there is a feeling of familiarity to this place, Adira finds herself at the mercy of a handsome rogue and his band of thieves. They steal her things and leave her stranded and fuming.
When Adira makes her way to the castle of the crowned prince, Destin, he is hopeful that Adira is the returned blood sacrifice from the renowned House Ravenwood, who was a fierce battle mage with power over blood and curses. The only problem is that Adira can't remember any of that and just when she thinks things can't get any worse, the crowned prince's annoying step brother, Kage, turns out to the very thief who had stolen from her. However, more problematic than any of that is the strange pull that Adira feels towards Kage Wilder and the way that she can feel his inner pain and turmoil.
Adira is soon drawn into the troubles of Magiaria as she learns the kingdom is under an evil curse that has wiped its peoples memories and is slowly drowning prince Kage in its darkness. As she and Kage reluctantly become allies, the group works tirelessly to find a source of magic strong enough to break the spell. It's a race against time and Andrews weaves in plenty of twists and turns to keep her reader guessing just how things will turn out. Definitely be prepared for the twist at the end. Even though I had a sense of what may be coming, Andrews still knows how to land a powerful emotional punch that left me sad, pained and happy all at the same time. She is not afraid of touching on the painful to lend depth to her story and characters.
Andrews is a master of the love-to-hate you relationship and the push and pull between Kage and Adira is delightful from the start. Both of these characters are fierce, stubborn and strong and the banter between them and the way in which Andrews builds the tension in their relationship is just so fun to read. It soon becomes clear to both Kage and Adira that the connection between them goes much deeper than they could have ever imagined and it leads to some very interesting revelations and quite a few fiery exchanges.
Another aspect that I love about Andrews novels is the way that she weaves in the concept of found family and the attention she pays to the development of the other characters outside her main couple. She always creates such rich and diverse personalities and that is once again on display in Of Mischief and Mages. It's touching to see how much Kage cares for his trio of friends and they really are central to helping both Kage and Adira discover what they mean to each other and to fighting the curse that has plagued Magiaria for so long. My favorite by far was Cy, who added a wonderful dose of humor and irreverence when we most needed it and I loved the arc of his individual story. If anything, as a standalone, I found myself wishing I had more time to process the way that things resolved at the end but this was still such a fun read.
If you are looking for a fast paced fantasy read that has rich character relationships, a complex and devoted love story and plenty of fiery banter to keep you smiling and laughing, then definitely give this latest novel from Andrews a read. It does not disappoint!
March 20, 2024
This book can be read as a standalone in a series of 8 interconnected stories each written by a different author. They each involve a character from a fantasy realm who has been forced to live in modern-day Las Vegas.
LJ Andrews is a new auto-buy author for me! She is the queen of witty banter and spicy romance, which also having unique and interesting fantasy worlds and magic systems. The wilding & thief in this story (Adria & Kage) were just what I needed after binging the serpent & songbird (The Ever King/Queen books).
Read this if you enjoy: dark romance, banter for days, forced proximity, found family, unique magic system, portal fantasy, second chance romance, lost memories, morally grey characters, and a fierce female main character.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦; 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴—𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘦.”
“𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘯.” “𝘊𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬. “𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘈𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘢.”
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
LJ Andrews is a new auto-buy author for me! She is the queen of witty banter and spicy romance, which also having unique and interesting fantasy worlds and magic systems. The wilding & thief in this story (Adria & Kage) were just what I needed after binging the serpent & songbird (The Ever King/Queen books).
Read this if you enjoy: dark romance, banter for days, forced proximity, found family, unique magic system, portal fantasy, second chance romance, lost memories, morally grey characters, and a fierce female main character.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦; 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴—𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘦.”
“𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘯.” “𝘊𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬. “𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘈𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘢.”
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
April 6, 2024
4.5.
For a romantasy stand alone this was really good. I've tried one in this series before, but I didn't like the author's writing style at all, so I DNF. However, as all of the books are written by different authors, and I knew I'd enjoyed books of L.J Andrews before, I gave this one a try - and I'm glad I did.
The books are all standalone, but with a cross-over, so they can be ready independently and I don't feel like I lost anything having not read the others.
There is a decent over-arching plot and the main couple have great chemistry, and they - along with the side characters - are well characterised.
If you're a fan of the genre then give this a go.
For a romantasy stand alone this was really good. I've tried one in this series before, but I didn't like the author's writing style at all, so I DNF. However, as all of the books are written by different authors, and I knew I'd enjoyed books of L.J Andrews before, I gave this one a try - and I'm glad I did.
The books are all standalone, but with a cross-over, so they can be ready independently and I don't feel like I lost anything having not read the others.
There is a decent over-arching plot and the main couple have great chemistry, and they - along with the side characters - are well characterised.
If you're a fan of the genre then give this a go.
September 8, 2025
Need a great romantasy standalone? Add this one to your TBR.
This tale of mages and curses and forgotten love was great. I loved Adira & Kage’s journey—it had all the tension, drama, and romance I was looking for.
LJ packed so much into just one book. It’s impressive how rich the world-building, magic system and character development here is for a standalone. The found family vibes in particular were on point.
Plot wise, nothing surprised me, but the twists landed well. A convenient magical ability aided a lot of expository, after-the-fact explanations at the end, which I didn’t love, but also—a full romantasy arc in a standalone isn’t easy, so it works fine.
I generally look for a bit more hate and a bit slower of a burn in my reads—but patience in a one off is perhaps near impossible. LJ’s MMCs always say delicious things that have you swooning and highlighting, and Kage is no exception.
I also loved the fun nods to the interconnected stories in this world. I’m just envisioning one big group chat with all of the authors plotting out who to borrow and for what. So fun!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded 🆙
This tale of mages and curses and forgotten love was great. I loved Adira & Kage’s journey—it had all the tension, drama, and romance I was looking for.
LJ packed so much into just one book. It’s impressive how rich the world-building, magic system and character development here is for a standalone. The found family vibes in particular were on point.
Plot wise, nothing surprised me, but the twists landed well. A convenient magical ability aided a lot of expository, after-the-fact explanations at the end, which I didn’t love, but also—a full romantasy arc in a standalone isn’t easy, so it works fine.
I generally look for a bit more hate and a bit slower of a burn in my reads—but patience in a one off is perhaps near impossible. LJ’s MMCs always say delicious things that have you swooning and highlighting, and Kage is no exception.
I also loved the fun nods to the interconnected stories in this world. I’m just envisioning one big group chat with all of the authors plotting out who to borrow and for what. So fun!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded 🆙
July 1, 2024
Started skimming after 72%💔
I picked this up knowing exactly what I was getting (1 of 8 copies of the exact same plot just different baddies) and expecting nothing more. But oh my god. It was somehow disappointing. The writing is actually a hate crime. I’m so confused because I adore the Ever King series! But there can’t have been an editor or even a second read of this book. Why did I read “no mistake” NINETEEN TIMES??? Why is a single sentence taking up half my screen? Who is talking right now? Where are we?? Matter fact, where did you come from?! 😭
The premise was super cool, so I’ll prolly end up picking up a different book in this collection. But this author is my new #1 opp now
I picked this up knowing exactly what I was getting (1 of 8 copies of the exact same plot just different baddies) and expecting nothing more. But oh my god. It was somehow disappointing. The writing is actually a hate crime. I’m so confused because I adore the Ever King series! But there can’t have been an editor or even a second read of this book. Why did I read “no mistake” NINETEEN TIMES??? Why is a single sentence taking up half my screen? Who is talking right now? Where are we?? Matter fact, where did you come from?! 😭
The premise was super cool, so I’ll prolly end up picking up a different book in this collection. But this author is my new #1 opp now
February 26, 2024
Adira has never felt like she belonged. Working for a ruthless Las Vegas lone shark as a collector/thief, she suddenly finds herself transported to another time and place.
Lost and desperate to find a way home, she crosses paths with a quirky woman and group of thieves. Oddly, she feels an inexplicable connection with their dangerous and dashing leader.
Thrust into a strange world of magic, curses, and prophecies, Adira learns that she may be the key to help save the kingdom and that her fate may be tied to the thief Kage. As pieces of the past begin unraveling, memories fight to resurface. But will it be enough to stop the darkness poisoning the kingdom?
Tropes/themes:
💫Dark romance
💫Morally gray MCs
💫Forced proximity
💫Unique magic system
💫Found family
💫slow-burn 🌶️
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦; 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴.
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴.”
"𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘔𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
“𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴.”
There’s something magical about the way the LJ Andrews’ writing immediately connects you to the characters. This book gripped me from the very first sentence and had me tearing up in the prologue.
Andrews took me on an emotional journey- I swooned, cried, laughed, gasped out loud. I loved the masterful balance of humor with the romantic elements and dark themes of a high stakes world brimming with dark magic and war.
Adira and Kage completely captured my heart- their banter, their ignited passion, and what they are willing to sacrifice for each other. And the found family? Truly EPIC. While this story is an interconnected standalone with other stories, I could read a thousand books featuring these characters alone!
Of Mischief and Mages is a suspenseful tale steeped with rich characters, innovative magic systems, and love that burns across lifetimes. This book has everything I love in a portal fantasy romance and will keep you reading late into the night!
Thank you so much LJ for the opportunity to read this ARC! I am leaving my honest and voluntary review
Lost and desperate to find a way home, she crosses paths with a quirky woman and group of thieves. Oddly, she feels an inexplicable connection with their dangerous and dashing leader.
Thrust into a strange world of magic, curses, and prophecies, Adira learns that she may be the key to help save the kingdom and that her fate may be tied to the thief Kage. As pieces of the past begin unraveling, memories fight to resurface. But will it be enough to stop the darkness poisoning the kingdom?
Tropes/themes:
💫Dark romance
💫Morally gray MCs
💫Forced proximity
💫Unique magic system
💫Found family
💫slow-burn 🌶️
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦; 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴.
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴.”
"𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘔𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
“𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴.”
There’s something magical about the way the LJ Andrews’ writing immediately connects you to the characters. This book gripped me from the very first sentence and had me tearing up in the prologue.
Andrews took me on an emotional journey- I swooned, cried, laughed, gasped out loud. I loved the masterful balance of humor with the romantic elements and dark themes of a high stakes world brimming with dark magic and war.
Adira and Kage completely captured my heart- their banter, their ignited passion, and what they are willing to sacrifice for each other. And the found family? Truly EPIC. While this story is an interconnected standalone with other stories, I could read a thousand books featuring these characters alone!
Of Mischief and Mages is a suspenseful tale steeped with rich characters, innovative magic systems, and love that burns across lifetimes. This book has everything I love in a portal fantasy romance and will keep you reading late into the night!
Thank you so much LJ for the opportunity to read this ARC! I am leaving my honest and voluntary review
February 25, 2024
This portal fantasy romance is a book in Forgotten Kingdoms collection, a set of fantasy romance stories by different authors where each book contains fated mates and ends with a HEA. Tropes include found family, a stabby FMC, banter, fated mates, touched her/him and die and memory loss. Please see content warnings for spicy content and violence.
The Lovely: I loved, loved these characters and their relationships, main and otherwise. It’s pretty clear from early in what the MC’s relationship is but this serves to increase the tension and angst because *they* don’t know. And, oh, so much tension and angst. I also loved the side characters that form a found family, something the FMC hasn’t had. All around, delicious and heart warming relationships.
Also Lovely: I also loved the plot and didn’t see the big twist at the end coming. There was a small bit of cross-over with two of the other Forgotten Kingdoms novels but you don’t have to have read those to understand what was happening. I also loved the magic system in this story - it’s unique as to how it’s organized and some of the magical skills are unique too.
The Mundane: My only meh was I felt like the ending and the final conflict wrapped up too fast, given what had been building. I thought it would take a bit longer, maybe have a few more scenes.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Now, I will read anything by this author as most of her books become comfort reads. I like the idea of this collection - containing a fated mate trope and HEA - and do plan to read more in this collection (I’ve already read Of Elves and Embers). I especially want to read the other book that was crossed over in this story - Of Serpent and Ruin. If you want a standalone fantasy romance with a wonderful character romance relationship and found family, I think you would like this book.
The Lovely: I loved, loved these characters and their relationships, main and otherwise. It’s pretty clear from early in what the MC’s relationship is but this serves to increase the tension and angst because *they* don’t know. And, oh, so much tension and angst. I also loved the side characters that form a found family, something the FMC hasn’t had. All around, delicious and heart warming relationships.
Also Lovely: I also loved the plot and didn’t see the big twist at the end coming. There was a small bit of cross-over with two of the other Forgotten Kingdoms novels but you don’t have to have read those to understand what was happening. I also loved the magic system in this story - it’s unique as to how it’s organized and some of the magical skills are unique too.
The Mundane: My only meh was I felt like the ending and the final conflict wrapped up too fast, given what had been building. I thought it would take a bit longer, maybe have a few more scenes.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Now, I will read anything by this author as most of her books become comfort reads. I like the idea of this collection - containing a fated mate trope and HEA - and do plan to read more in this collection (I’ve already read Of Elves and Embers). I especially want to read the other book that was crossed over in this story - Of Serpent and Ruin. If you want a standalone fantasy romance with a wonderful character romance relationship and found family, I think you would like this book.
January 7, 2026
This was a fun standalone, but also sort of confusing because it's a part of a larger world by other authors. And I don't have any intention of reading the other books in the series.
Most of the plot was entirely expected, but it did have some fun twists in there that I wasn't anticipating. The romance was sort of a reincarnation thing and we basically know that from the start of the book, but not necessarily why.
It was fun to see the modern day beginning and FMC blended into this medieval magical fantasy world.
If you liked the magic in her new series Broken Souls and Bones, you'll really love the magic in this book! I would love to see more of the blood and bone magic explored. It's vicious, gritty, unique, and perfect for dark fantasy lovers!
I listened to the audio of this and really loved the dual narration. The female's was pleasant to listen to and I already loved the male's voice from another series, so I was very excited to hear him again.
Read if you love:
-Fated mates
-Reincarnations
-Curses
-Bone and blood magic
Most of the plot was entirely expected, but it did have some fun twists in there that I wasn't anticipating. The romance was sort of a reincarnation thing and we basically know that from the start of the book, but not necessarily why.
It was fun to see the modern day beginning and FMC blended into this medieval magical fantasy world.
If you liked the magic in her new series Broken Souls and Bones, you'll really love the magic in this book! I would love to see more of the blood and bone magic explored. It's vicious, gritty, unique, and perfect for dark fantasy lovers!
I listened to the audio of this and really loved the dual narration. The female's was pleasant to listen to and I already loved the male's voice from another series, so I was very excited to hear him again.
Read if you love:
-Fated mates
-Reincarnations
-Curses
-Bone and blood magic
February 28, 2024
First of all, so much gratitude for being an ARC recipient.
This book was stellar!! Gripping from the get go and not a dull moment. The slow burn was real slow, until it wasn't.
I loved the premise and I'm excited to read the connecting books (even though this is a stand alone).
I do wish it had a touch more spice- though the final scene was perfect.
This book was stellar!! Gripping from the get go and not a dull moment. The slow burn was real slow, until it wasn't.
I loved the premise and I'm excited to read the connecting books (even though this is a stand alone).
I do wish it had a touch more spice- though the final scene was perfect.
February 26, 2024
Thank you L.J Andrews for sending me an ARC for an honest review 😊
Overall I enjoyed the book! Although the lost memory trope isn't a favourite of mine, Andrews just does an amazing job with making her characters so likable and I loved the FMC and MMC ❤️
I will say I still prefer her Broken Kingdoms and Ever Seas series, Of Mischief and Mages is still a very fun read and somehow manages to not feel rushed even though its a standalone.
Overall I enjoyed the book! Although the lost memory trope isn't a favourite of mine, Andrews just does an amazing job with making her characters so likable and I loved the FMC and MMC ❤️
I will say I still prefer her Broken Kingdoms and Ever Seas series, Of Mischief and Mages is still a very fun read and somehow manages to not feel rushed even though its a standalone.
April 6, 2024
I’ve been reading a lot of witchy/mage fantasy lately and IM EATING IT ALL UPPPPPP.
Okay. So. This book was honestly pretty good!!! Especially for a kindle unlimited book…most of these be kinda bad but this ate.
I do have to say that this plot was pretty interesting and I honestly would’ve preferred the book being longer by 150-200 pages. It felt kinda rushed with how complex the plot was. I was confused at times because I feel like the book should’ve just been longer and explained things better.
I do have to say that I just love how they are badass battle mages. Like Kage is a BONE BATTLE MAGE????? No kidding he can like snap peoples bones or rip them out and use them as knives and stuff it was so sick. His specialty was so cool I’ve never read anything like that before or even heard of it. I also liked Adira’s specialty…she was a blood battle mage. Like she can summon blood and use it in any way it’s so cool.
Honestly the first 200 pages I was SATTTTTT and I couldn’t put it down. But I feel like when everything was going down it felt rushed and that annoyed me. Like that final battle was so quick and underwhelming😭 cmon girl give me MOREE.
Anyways, combined with the fun I had reading the majority of this book with the underwhelming battle and expected ending, imma have to give this book 3 stars. It was 100% four stars for me at first but the side quests were random asf when we should’ve been focusing on writing about the REALLY BAD EVIL VILLIAN KILLING EVERYONE.
Okay. So. This book was honestly pretty good!!! Especially for a kindle unlimited book…most of these be kinda bad but this ate.
I do have to say that this plot was pretty interesting and I honestly would’ve preferred the book being longer by 150-200 pages. It felt kinda rushed with how complex the plot was. I was confused at times because I feel like the book should’ve just been longer and explained things better.
I do have to say that I just love how they are badass battle mages. Like Kage is a BONE BATTLE MAGE????? No kidding he can like snap peoples bones or rip them out and use them as knives and stuff it was so sick. His specialty was so cool I’ve never read anything like that before or even heard of it. I also liked Adira’s specialty…she was a blood battle mage. Like she can summon blood and use it in any way it’s so cool.
Honestly the first 200 pages I was SATTTTTT and I couldn’t put it down. But I feel like when everything was going down it felt rushed and that annoyed me. Like that final battle was so quick and underwhelming😭 cmon girl give me MOREE.
Anyways, combined with the fun I had reading the majority of this book with the underwhelming battle and expected ending, imma have to give this book 3 stars. It was 100% four stars for me at first but the side quests were random asf when we should’ve been focusing on writing about the REALLY BAD EVIL VILLIAN KILLING EVERYONE.
May 10, 2024
I enjoyed it but I really think the book would have been better as a series. Certain areas and plot points should have been expanded but instead was just told to you at the end. Not a fan of this one but I love the authors other works.
February 25, 2024
I love LJ Andrews stories so I was incredibly excited to dive into this one! And now she’s got me wondering if I’m a lost mage who’s just…a bit late in getting brought back home?🤣 Adira is an orphan with no friends stuck working for a loan shark in Vegas, until she’s sucked through a portal to another world. One where she immediately clashes with a thief who steals her bag and breaks her bones. Upon being discovered by the king’s guards, she finds out she’s a lost mage who sacrificed herself in a blood sacrifice to save their land, and was fated to return after fifty weaves. Brought to the palace, she meets Prince Destin, who’s kind and welcoming, but she also meets his younger step brother, with a different face—but she knows it’s him. The thief. Prince Kage.
He doesn’t know whether to kill her to protect his secrets or pull her closer, drawn to her despite himself. And she is much the same. Working to bring out her lost magic, she instead finds it only reacts in his presence. But Prince Destin warns her about Kage’s darker side, and she is stuck between two brothers, trying to find her place in an almost familiar world, and trying to unlock her magic that can break the curse that is threatening their entire world to darkness…but none more so than Prince Kage.
I loved following Adria’s journey! With everyone’s memories erased of the past, leaving only vague impressions or bits of solid memories, they’re left to rely on their hearts and intuition to guide them. It reminded me a bit of Ari and Saga’s story, but very different at the same time! The memories of the past slip through to Adira as well, and she knows she loved a prince—she’s just not sure which one. And the marriage tattoo bands around her fingers only reinforce this. With Kage surly and violent, one might think Destin was the obvious contender. Only her heart beats for Kage, in ways she doesn’t understand. She’s connected to him—feeling his pain as if it’s her own. As they begin to grow closer, the more her magic comes out, and the more his darkness is pushed back.
Kage has taken on the degradation, the curse blackening his veins and limiting the time he has left. But his focus is on finding a stone and not himself, until Adira blows into his life, and he cannot stay away. Every time the two get close, there Destin is, and Adira is torn between them. But as it becomes clear to Adira that Kage is being targeted, they embark on a quest with his friends to unveil the past, return her magic, and save their world—along with Kage. It was a thrilling story to unravel! I had my suspicions about who the villain was right off, and while I was correct, I doubted myself at several points. And for good reason! Things are not as they seem, and when the truth comes out, it’s absolutely heartbreaking.
LJ managed to craft a mystery that had such pain and wretched love behind it that I was completely blown away by the motivations. I honestly cried so much during this story! The quest along the way was wonderful, as was the time Adira and Kage spent together at any point—but I did love Adira’s relationships with everyone. She is immediately taken into Kage’s group, and Gwyn, Cy, and Asger are fantastic! As is Hugo, and Gaina! There’s so many great characters. And watching Adira go from this lost girl to someone surrounded by friends and loved ones was beautiful. She was able to find herself and those she loved, willing to risk everything to protect them. That they were torn apart and had to deal with that was really sad, but it’s worth it for the resolution! There’s happiness, sadness, grief, heartbreak, anger, and so many mixed up emotions! Mischief and Mages absolutely takes you on a ride, and I 100% recommend it!
I received an eARC of this book. These are my honest thoughts and review.
He doesn’t know whether to kill her to protect his secrets or pull her closer, drawn to her despite himself. And she is much the same. Working to bring out her lost magic, she instead finds it only reacts in his presence. But Prince Destin warns her about Kage’s darker side, and she is stuck between two brothers, trying to find her place in an almost familiar world, and trying to unlock her magic that can break the curse that is threatening their entire world to darkness…but none more so than Prince Kage.
I loved following Adria’s journey! With everyone’s memories erased of the past, leaving only vague impressions or bits of solid memories, they’re left to rely on their hearts and intuition to guide them. It reminded me a bit of Ari and Saga’s story, but very different at the same time! The memories of the past slip through to Adira as well, and she knows she loved a prince—she’s just not sure which one. And the marriage tattoo bands around her fingers only reinforce this. With Kage surly and violent, one might think Destin was the obvious contender. Only her heart beats for Kage, in ways she doesn’t understand. She’s connected to him—feeling his pain as if it’s her own. As they begin to grow closer, the more her magic comes out, and the more his darkness is pushed back.
Kage has taken on the degradation, the curse blackening his veins and limiting the time he has left. But his focus is on finding a stone and not himself, until Adira blows into his life, and he cannot stay away. Every time the two get close, there Destin is, and Adira is torn between them. But as it becomes clear to Adira that Kage is being targeted, they embark on a quest with his friends to unveil the past, return her magic, and save their world—along with Kage. It was a thrilling story to unravel! I had my suspicions about who the villain was right off, and while I was correct, I doubted myself at several points. And for good reason! Things are not as they seem, and when the truth comes out, it’s absolutely heartbreaking.
LJ managed to craft a mystery that had such pain and wretched love behind it that I was completely blown away by the motivations. I honestly cried so much during this story! The quest along the way was wonderful, as was the time Adira and Kage spent together at any point—but I did love Adira’s relationships with everyone. She is immediately taken into Kage’s group, and Gwyn, Cy, and Asger are fantastic! As is Hugo, and Gaina! There’s so many great characters. And watching Adira go from this lost girl to someone surrounded by friends and loved ones was beautiful. She was able to find herself and those she loved, willing to risk everything to protect them. That they were torn apart and had to deal with that was really sad, but it’s worth it for the resolution! There’s happiness, sadness, grief, heartbreak, anger, and so many mixed up emotions! Mischief and Mages absolutely takes you on a ride, and I 100% recommend it!
I received an eARC of this book. These are my honest thoughts and review.
February 27, 2024
Adira is working in Las Vegas until she is thrown through a portal into a different world. While she is trying to figure out where she is or what to do, she finds herself robbed by a group. Royal guards find her and rescue her. It isn’t until dinner when the Prince’s drunken stepbrother arrives, that she realizes he is the thief. She is angry towards him, but can’t help to notice that she feels safe around him. As their forgotten pasts intertwine, Adira and a thieving prince may be the only ones who can unravel a spreading degeneration of the Mage kingdom. But there are enemies around who will do anything to prevent that.
Of Mischief and Mages has:
🖤 Portal fantasy
🩸 Fated mates
🗡️ Forced proximity
✨ Found family
🍄 Magic system
⚡️ Forbidden love
Of Mischief and Mages is a portal fantasy that pulled me along with it. There is a mystery aspect to the story that had me intrigued from the start. The world created was very unique compared to what I’ve been reading, and I got completely lost in it. I’ve found that LJ Andrews has a way of writing the found family trope. You meet the side characters and love them all by the end of the story. Adira and Kage’s relationship was fiery from the beginning. While their pasts were forgotten, it was obvious that something was between them. They couldn’t stay away from one another, and the time they spent together caused the chemistry to burn between them.
This book is apart of a series, but can be read as a standalone. It publishes today and I highly recommend it!
February 28, 2024
Another great addition to this series! And this one is a tad different from what we have seen in this series so far. Like many before her, Adira is dragged into this new world but this time, she is on her own. The ones who should have come for her didn’t. And she lands there (and eventually believes that she is in fact in a new world), she learns that the land is plague with magic that has made them forget what happened fifty years ago. Memories of the war, how it ended, and what happened after is blurry. But it doesn’t take long for them to realize that Adira was one of the girls who sacrificed herself to save their kingdom. She must regain her memories and her magic to save the land that is suffering. Plus she wants to learn why she feels so connected to Prince Kage. What I really loved about this book in particular is that we have more complications than what we have seen in the story so far. It isn’t just our main girl who has memory problems, it’s everyone here. Plus, there were several plot twists in this story that were just so, so good! I was genuinely surprised by some of them and I loved it. I also loved the characters in this one. We get a nice set of characters who are family by choice and not blood. This world has been a lot of fun to explore and this land in particular with mages was definitely interesting. We got a sneak peek of the next girl in this series with her cameo and I am definitely looking forward to it!
March 8, 2024
Of Mischief and Mages - LJ Andrews
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice : 🌶🌶
“Whatever spell had ensnared me, I never wished to be set free. Never had I felt such a delirious sort of need at a woman’s touch. Madness—brilliant, intoxicating madness—robbed me of all thought until all that was left was Adira’s body against mine.”
⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️
Tropes :
⚔️ dark fantasy romance
🏰 slow burn
⚔️ cursed kingdom
🏰 unique magic system
⚔️ modern/medieval mix
“Should your hands find her again, these broken bones of yours will be found lodged in the throat of your corpse.”
⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️
Review:
I absolutely loved this book. It cemented me as an LJ Andrews stan. One of my favorite things about her writing is her ability to write such an incredible cast of characters. I fell in love with each little member of their found family, and by the end was so sad that it is a stand-alone because I just wanted more of this little group. Because this has a mix of modern and medieval times there were some moments - IYKYK - where those converged where I literally couldn’t breathe I was laughing so hard. I really enjoyed the plot and world building in this as well, I think she did an incredible job at building a robust and intriguing world and magic system considering this is a stand-alone story. The tension from the slow burn was brutal but delicious, and the spice we did get when the slow burn finally caught fire was absolutely spectacular. I also have to say that this had one of the best villain stories that I’ve read in a while that was complex and honestly a little heartbreaking. Definitely check this out if you are looking for a good bingeable stand-alone fantasy read.
“Who are you, Wildling? Some punishment to torment me? Some final blade to stop my breath at the end?”
⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice : 🌶🌶
“Whatever spell had ensnared me, I never wished to be set free. Never had I felt such a delirious sort of need at a woman’s touch. Madness—brilliant, intoxicating madness—robbed me of all thought until all that was left was Adira’s body against mine.”
⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️
Tropes :
⚔️ dark fantasy romance
🏰 slow burn
⚔️ cursed kingdom
🏰 unique magic system
⚔️ modern/medieval mix
“Should your hands find her again, these broken bones of yours will be found lodged in the throat of your corpse.”
⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️
Review:
I absolutely loved this book. It cemented me as an LJ Andrews stan. One of my favorite things about her writing is her ability to write such an incredible cast of characters. I fell in love with each little member of their found family, and by the end was so sad that it is a stand-alone because I just wanted more of this little group. Because this has a mix of modern and medieval times there were some moments - IYKYK - where those converged where I literally couldn’t breathe I was laughing so hard. I really enjoyed the plot and world building in this as well, I think she did an incredible job at building a robust and intriguing world and magic system considering this is a stand-alone story. The tension from the slow burn was brutal but delicious, and the spice we did get when the slow burn finally caught fire was absolutely spectacular. I also have to say that this had one of the best villain stories that I’ve read in a while that was complex and honestly a little heartbreaking. Definitely check this out if you are looking for a good bingeable stand-alone fantasy read.
“Who are you, Wildling? Some punishment to torment me? Some final blade to stop my breath at the end?”
⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️🏰⚔️
March 7, 2024
I’ve finally gotten around to writing my thoughts up about this book and I gotta say @authorljandrews will always be one of my favourite authors. I was a little apprehensive at first to start this standalone book as I’m just so in love with her other series, but Jesus this was good - and I never read standalone books.
I’m not gonna give away spoilers, because this is an absolute must read for those romanticy readers out there!
I love how Adira - the FMC - was literally just thrown out of the world she knew and fully adapted to the way of life that she’d been thrust into. I loved her growth, the way she adapts and accepts, her fiery personality and her love and devotion to those around her.
Kage - the MMC - is an actual heart throb. LJ has a way of creating male characters that just seem to take a grip on you and not let you go. I loved his story, and how it pans out. I love his own devotion to the people he loves, and I love how through his own battle he’s still there doing all he can for others while everyone else thinks he’s just this idiotic prince.
It’s crazy how in one book you get a gripping, thrilling story and world that all makes perfect sense without it seeming rushed, where every piece of information is important and there’s no drizzle of pointless facts.
LJ has such a brilliant mind for world building and complex characters, I will forever stand by her work and I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity again to ARC read for her.
I’m not gonna give away spoilers, because this is an absolute must read for those romanticy readers out there!
I love how Adira - the FMC - was literally just thrown out of the world she knew and fully adapted to the way of life that she’d been thrust into. I loved her growth, the way she adapts and accepts, her fiery personality and her love and devotion to those around her.
Kage - the MMC - is an actual heart throb. LJ has a way of creating male characters that just seem to take a grip on you and not let you go. I loved his story, and how it pans out. I love his own devotion to the people he loves, and I love how through his own battle he’s still there doing all he can for others while everyone else thinks he’s just this idiotic prince.
It’s crazy how in one book you get a gripping, thrilling story and world that all makes perfect sense without it seeming rushed, where every piece of information is important and there’s no drizzle of pointless facts.
LJ has such a brilliant mind for world building and complex characters, I will forever stand by her work and I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity again to ARC read for her.
February 27, 2024
Huge thank you to LJ Andrew’s for an ARC of this amazing book! This is LJ’s epic installation of the Forgotten Kingdoms collection, 8 standalone fantasy books featuring a heroine who was sacrificed for her kingdom and their journey to reclaim the lives they lost.
This book was so so good- I did not want it to end! I loved the attention to detail in this book. From the start I was intrigued by the world map, description of mage clans and specialties, and glossary of spells. The opening scene was intense and vivid, setting a powerful foundation for the rest of the book. Coupled with the flip to modern day Las Vegas, I was hooked. I immediately enjoyed the FMC and her humor and that only grew as I got to know her better throughout the book. I really liked the magic system and the world building was done in a way that felt so natural.
The mystery came together so beautifully; I loved that it all fell into place so seamlessly, with breadcrumbs hinting at answers dropped along the way. It was fast paced, the romance/spice added to the plot, and the emotional journeys were layered with magical machinations.
This is my favorite LJ Andrew’s book so far and I’m both devastated and begrudgingly content that it’s a standalone. I will definitely be checking out the other Forgotten Kingdoms books, just for a chance to glimpse Adira again!
This book was so so good- I did not want it to end! I loved the attention to detail in this book. From the start I was intrigued by the world map, description of mage clans and specialties, and glossary of spells. The opening scene was intense and vivid, setting a powerful foundation for the rest of the book. Coupled with the flip to modern day Las Vegas, I was hooked. I immediately enjoyed the FMC and her humor and that only grew as I got to know her better throughout the book. I really liked the magic system and the world building was done in a way that felt so natural.
The mystery came together so beautifully; I loved that it all fell into place so seamlessly, with breadcrumbs hinting at answers dropped along the way. It was fast paced, the romance/spice added to the plot, and the emotional journeys were layered with magical machinations.
This is my favorite LJ Andrew’s book so far and I’m both devastated and begrudgingly content that it’s a standalone. I will definitely be checking out the other Forgotten Kingdoms books, just for a chance to glimpse Adira again!
March 18, 2024
I should preface this review by saying I will read any and everything LJ Andrews writes. I absolutely love her work and her writing style is just everything I love about reading, this book was no different.
One of the elements I love most about this author's writing is the way she seamlessly weaves little details from earlier, seemingly insignificant moments, into the bigger picture. I wasn't sure if she would manage this in a standalone story, but I was so happy to be mistaken!
The premise of this series of connected standalones is that the female heir to various kingdoms, princesses, warriors, etc, all sacrificed themselves to save their kingdoms and the realm from a dark foe. Fifty years later, having been "reincarnated" in a sense, and grown up in the human world, these women find themselves back in the fabled realm, discovering their past, their fates, and their hidden magic. LJ does such a beautiful job of spinning Adira's previous life, her human life, and her fated journey in her return to Magiaria. The way tiny elements of the story were hinted at, then delved into later when you'd almost forgotten about them had me on the edge of my seat!
I loved every second of this book and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre of fantasy! (Please ignore the read dates, I was slumping hard and the length of time it took me is not indicative of how great a book this is 😅)
One of the elements I love most about this author's writing is the way she seamlessly weaves little details from earlier, seemingly insignificant moments, into the bigger picture. I wasn't sure if she would manage this in a standalone story, but I was so happy to be mistaken!
The premise of this series of connected standalones is that the female heir to various kingdoms, princesses, warriors, etc, all sacrificed themselves to save their kingdoms and the realm from a dark foe. Fifty years later, having been "reincarnated" in a sense, and grown up in the human world, these women find themselves back in the fabled realm, discovering their past, their fates, and their hidden magic. LJ does such a beautiful job of spinning Adira's previous life, her human life, and her fated journey in her return to Magiaria. The way tiny elements of the story were hinted at, then delved into later when you'd almost forgotten about them had me on the edge of my seat!
I loved every second of this book and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre of fantasy! (Please ignore the read dates, I was slumping hard and the length of time it took me is not indicative of how great a book this is 😅)
February 26, 2024
OK portal fantasies aren’t usually my thing but LJ Andrews is my thing and she did an amazing job with this standalone portal fantasy.
Of Mischief and Mages is a story of love and sacrifice. It follows our broody prince Kage and Las Vegas under the table debt collector turned mage Adira on their journey to cure a curse on the lands of Magiaria.
As always LJ Andrews is on point with her character banter. I loved our side characters Cy and Asger with all their witty remakes and comments but really had so much fun reading all the character interactions with each other.
Since Adria come from the mortal realm it was so funny reading g the reactions that Kage, Cy, Gwyn and Asger had both when she was trying to explain different things in the mortal world like “ moovies” 🤣 and when they were going through her bag that ported over with her.
It was refreshing to read a great standalone in the midst of all the series I have been reading. I felt the storyline was perfect and did not leave me wish any unanswered questions or loose strings. The characters were fun and engaging and the tension turned love with Kage and Adira was perfect.
You better believe I have already preorder my physical copy to add to my trophy shelf.
Of Mischief and Mages is a story of love and sacrifice. It follows our broody prince Kage and Las Vegas under the table debt collector turned mage Adira on their journey to cure a curse on the lands of Magiaria.
As always LJ Andrews is on point with her character banter. I loved our side characters Cy and Asger with all their witty remakes and comments but really had so much fun reading all the character interactions with each other.
Since Adria come from the mortal realm it was so funny reading g the reactions that Kage, Cy, Gwyn and Asger had both when she was trying to explain different things in the mortal world like “ moovies” 🤣 and when they were going through her bag that ported over with her.
It was refreshing to read a great standalone in the midst of all the series I have been reading. I felt the storyline was perfect and did not leave me wish any unanswered questions or loose strings. The characters were fun and engaging and the tension turned love with Kage and Adira was perfect.
You better believe I have already preorder my physical copy to add to my trophy shelf.
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