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Warriors of Magic #2
Strange Familiar: a Dark Fantasy Romance
The second book in the Warriors of Magic trilogy, set in the same world as Bonds of Magic & Renegades of Magic, and which will focus on Alise and Cillian.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
15 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Jeffe Kennedy
98 books1,339 followers💙She/her💙 Award-winning Bestselling Author of epic fantasy romance. Taoist. Swiftie. Santa Fean. Cat lady @sfwa_inc Past-President. Rep by @seyitsme
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 12, 2026
See my review for Magic Reborn, the third book in the trilogy.
March 31, 2025
Another great edition to the overarching story and this trilogy.
I love the dynamic between Alise and Cillian. It’s refreshing to see a fantasy romance where the FMC is more powerful in the world so the MMC has to trust her but also be more creative in resolving problems.
The middle part of this book did stress me out but it ended on a win and I’m really excited to read the final book.
I was gifted an ARC by the author.
I love the dynamic between Alise and Cillian. It’s refreshing to see a fantasy romance where the FMC is more powerful in the world so the MMC has to trust her but also be more creative in resolving problems.
The middle part of this book did stress me out but it ended on a win and I’m really excited to read the final book.
I was gifted an ARC by the author.
March 31, 2025
Wizard Alise (Elal) Phel decides to leave the Convocation Academy for a third time. She accompanies a weakened Archivist Cillian to the house of his birth, only to receive a chilly reception from his grandmother. Asked to leave, Alise returns to House Phel and finds her sister in labor. The happy event is destroyed by the arrival of Lord Elal, her and Nic’s father. Alise agrees to go back with him to save her niece from his evil machinations. Will Alise allow herself to be molded into the wizard that her father wants?
Wizard Cillian Harahel leaves the Academy in disgrace. He returns home on the verge of death due to magically carrying the hidden Phel archives. When Cillian wakes, he finds out that Alise left and without a word of goodbye. He agrees to his grandmother’s demands to remain, only so he can restore the archives without problems. However, Cillian unearths an old conspiracy that could upend their wizard/familiar world. Will Cillian be reunited with Alise? And at what costs for them both?
Alise disappointed me around the middle of the book. I can somewhat understand why she wavered. Alise had been psychologically stunted by her wizard father. Plus, inwardly, she always wanted his love and approval. I wish Alise would have harbored more cynicism and distrust towards her father and his new treatment of her. What I admire the most about Alise is the sacrifice she made for her newborn niece. She gave up her freedom and happiness, so her niece would be free from Elal’s twistedness.
Cillian showed amazing growth in this book. He could have wallowed in despair and misery over his disgrace. Instead, Cillian threw himself whole-heartedly into the project he shared with Alise. He knew it was the only way he could help her at the time. What I adore the most is how Cillian’s presence helped Alise free herself from her father. He has always inspired strength in her when she needed it the most.
STRANGE FAMILIAR is the second installment of Jeffe Kennedy’s dark fantasy romance series, WARRIORS OF MAGIC. A continuation of her BONDS OF MAGIC and RENEGADES OF MAGIC books. It is best to read these series in chronological order, starting with DARK WIZARD. BONDS OF MAGIC introduce the author’s wizard/familiar world, the dynamics between them, and the many characters involved. Each trilogy continues with the on-going plot. The new series picks up where the last one ends with an all-new cast.
I am happy that Jadren (and Seliah) make an appearance in this story. They were mentioned in RELUCTANT WIZARD, which bummed me out. Their parts in the story are small. I feel Jadren’s snarky demeanor gave the story some much-needed levity to counteract the overall heavy situation. I wonder what role they, along with Nic and Gabriel, will play in the next installment!
Wizard Cillian Harahel leaves the Academy in disgrace. He returns home on the verge of death due to magically carrying the hidden Phel archives. When Cillian wakes, he finds out that Alise left and without a word of goodbye. He agrees to his grandmother’s demands to remain, only so he can restore the archives without problems. However, Cillian unearths an old conspiracy that could upend their wizard/familiar world. Will Cillian be reunited with Alise? And at what costs for them both?
Alise disappointed me around the middle of the book. I can somewhat understand why she wavered. Alise had been psychologically stunted by her wizard father. Plus, inwardly, she always wanted his love and approval. I wish Alise would have harbored more cynicism and distrust towards her father and his new treatment of her. What I admire the most about Alise is the sacrifice she made for her newborn niece. She gave up her freedom and happiness, so her niece would be free from Elal’s twistedness.
Cillian showed amazing growth in this book. He could have wallowed in despair and misery over his disgrace. Instead, Cillian threw himself whole-heartedly into the project he shared with Alise. He knew it was the only way he could help her at the time. What I adore the most is how Cillian’s presence helped Alise free herself from her father. He has always inspired strength in her when she needed it the most.
STRANGE FAMILIAR is the second installment of Jeffe Kennedy’s dark fantasy romance series, WARRIORS OF MAGIC. A continuation of her BONDS OF MAGIC and RENEGADES OF MAGIC books. It is best to read these series in chronological order, starting with DARK WIZARD. BONDS OF MAGIC introduce the author’s wizard/familiar world, the dynamics between them, and the many characters involved. Each trilogy continues with the on-going plot. The new series picks up where the last one ends with an all-new cast.
I am happy that Jadren (and Seliah) make an appearance in this story. They were mentioned in RELUCTANT WIZARD, which bummed me out. Their parts in the story are small. I feel Jadren’s snarky demeanor gave the story some much-needed levity to counteract the overall heavy situation. I wonder what role they, along with Nic and Gabriel, will play in the next installment!
April 7, 2025
Read this book in one day, couldn't put it down. Both H and h have been overshadowed by others in their houses. It has made them easy to manipulate, but when they are together they become stronger. I enjoyed their story very much and can't wait for the next book.
April 16, 2025
Really more of 3.5. I have to say I didnt enjoy this book as much as the first one for the simple fact the two main characters who had a romance are not together for most of the book. I was yearning for more of their story together. The writing however was on point and the story itself did keep me intrigued. From reading about Alise and her estranged father to the lengths she will go to protect her family. I cant wait to see how the series ends.
October 21, 2025
🖤💙 Strange Familiar Review 💙🖤
Thank you so much to Jeffe Kennedy for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Strange Familiar is a fantasy romance and book two in the Warriors of Magic series. As always this will be as spoiler free as possible, so if this review feels a little vague - that’s why. After the events at the end of the first book, Cillian and Alise have fled the academy. When their feuding families force their separation, can they find the answers they seek and work their way back to each other?
I adored this book so much! Alise and Cillian are wonderful characters and I really enjoyed their growth in this book. Getting to know more about each of them was such a joy. This is such a great magical world and I love that it intertwines with other series in the same universe
Overall this was a fun five star read!! I really enjoyed these characters and their ongoing story! This book does have some darker elements so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book was a bit of a slow burn but had some detailed spice later in the book, so overall two flames for spice
If you’re a fan of fantasy romance with beautiful world building, engaging characters and interesting magical lore, then absolutely pick this series up! As this is a continuation of the story started in the first book, I absolutely recommend reading them in order.
Thank you so much to Jeffe Kennedy for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Strange Familiar is a fantasy romance and book two in the Warriors of Magic series. As always this will be as spoiler free as possible, so if this review feels a little vague - that’s why. After the events at the end of the first book, Cillian and Alise have fled the academy. When their feuding families force their separation, can they find the answers they seek and work their way back to each other?
I adored this book so much! Alise and Cillian are wonderful characters and I really enjoyed their growth in this book. Getting to know more about each of them was such a joy. This is such a great magical world and I love that it intertwines with other series in the same universe
Overall this was a fun five star read!! I really enjoyed these characters and their ongoing story! This book does have some darker elements so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book was a bit of a slow burn but had some detailed spice later in the book, so overall two flames for spice
If you’re a fan of fantasy romance with beautiful world building, engaging characters and interesting magical lore, then absolutely pick this series up! As this is a continuation of the story started in the first book, I absolutely recommend reading them in order.
April 3, 2025
Alise and Cillian's separation verged on frustrating, but that just made the rescue/ending sweeter. I enjoyed the librarian magic and the reveal about why House Phel fell.
Quibble: the title doesn't work for me
Quibble: the title doesn't work for me
April 24, 2025
I was really really hoping that they would go their separate ways. They could both have taken some time to grow, and then either reunite as lovers or even just friends in the future, and it would’ve been a much more interesting story in my opinion.
March 31, 2025
So good!
April 1, 2025
Meh not my favourite in the series. Hoping Alice goes out of the not secure phase for the trilogy
May 3, 2025
I found the end of this more satisfying than the last and of course look forward to the next book - great characters and a different romance vibe with the bookish hero
November 20, 2025
3.5
It bothers me that I have read the entire book and still have no clue who the "strange familiar" is.
It bothers me that I have read the entire book and still have no clue who the "strange familiar" is.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews