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A Study of Shattered Spells
Only teachers know what really happens at a magic school…
Chintor Academy is celebrated as the place where the best music mages are forged. But beneath the surface, bullies rule with cruelty, teachers scheme against each other, and the student destined to save their nation is far from ready.
Kalina didn’t know what she was getting into when she agreed to teach at Chintor. Now, as a first-year teacher, she’s tasked with finishing the training of this prophesied violinist. Their nation’s sworn enemies are nearing victory, and she has mere months to prepare him before their country collapses.
When Kalina uncovers the abuse of a vulnerable student, she’s thrust into a dangerous dilemma. Exposing the school’s underbelly means she’ll be fired and unable to prepare their hero. Keeping quiet means her students will suffer.
The fate of the nation—and her soul—hangs in the balance.
Chintor Academy is celebrated as the place where the best music mages are forged. But beneath the surface, bullies rule with cruelty, teachers scheme against each other, and the student destined to save their nation is far from ready.
Kalina didn’t know what she was getting into when she agreed to teach at Chintor. Now, as a first-year teacher, she’s tasked with finishing the training of this prophesied violinist. Their nation’s sworn enemies are nearing victory, and she has mere months to prepare him before their country collapses.
When Kalina uncovers the abuse of a vulnerable student, she’s thrust into a dangerous dilemma. Exposing the school’s underbelly means she’ll be fired and unable to prepare their hero. Keeping quiet means her students will suffer.
The fate of the nation—and her soul—hangs in the balance.
Unknown Binding
First published September 1, 2025
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About the author
Josiah DeGraaf
2 books427 followersJosiah DeGraaf is a literature nerd who loves epic fantasy stories with imaginative worlds and authentic characters. He loves crafting fantastical stories about characters who face the same dilemmas we do when we try to do the right thing.
He works as the program director of the Young Writer’s Workshop and as a staff writer for Lorehaven.
Outside of work and writing, he enjoys engaging in lively intellectual discussions, playing board games, hiking to gorgeous overlooks, and hanging out with his eight younger siblings. He lives in a small river town just north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He works as the program director of the Young Writer’s Workshop and as a staff writer for Lorehaven.
Outside of work and writing, he enjoys engaging in lively intellectual discussions, playing board games, hiking to gorgeous overlooks, and hanging out with his eight younger siblings. He lives in a small river town just north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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September 16, 2025I first started working on this novel during COVID when many schools, including mine, were shut down for an extended season. My experience being a classroom English teacher inspired me to write a magic school novel from the teacher’s perspective. And it’s surreal to see this book finally out there.
To my former English students (who aren’t in high school anymore!): I became a teacher because I loved great works of literature. But I kept teaching because I learned I loved you all more. Thank you for the many joys you brought into this young teacher’s life.
To my former coworkers that I taught alongside: You showed me what it looks like to be a good teacher. Thank you for being there to support me on the hardest days–and for celebrating my successes with me. We had the best Tuesday night trivia team, even if we didn't win all that often.
And to the many people who helped make this book possible: my editors, illustrators, beta readers, Kickstarter backers, and street team members…thank you for believing in this story.
I hope you enjoy getting a glimpse about what life looks like on the other side of the teacher’s desk.
To my former English students (who aren’t in high school anymore!): I became a teacher because I loved great works of literature. But I kept teaching because I learned I loved you all more. Thank you for the many joys you brought into this young teacher’s life.
To my former coworkers that I taught alongside: You showed me what it looks like to be a good teacher. Thank you for being there to support me on the hardest days–and for celebrating my successes with me. We had the best Tuesday night trivia team, even if we didn't win all that often.
And to the many people who helped make this book possible: my editors, illustrators, beta readers, Kickstarter backers, and street team members…thank you for believing in this story.
I hope you enjoy getting a glimpse about what life looks like on the other side of the teacher’s desk.
August 26, 2025
I don’t read much dark academia, but Shattered Spells is easily my favorite…and in my top five favorite books of the year. Josiah nails the human aspects of this story, creating no-win scenarios and forcing his characters to confront hard thematic questions…then bringing it all to a satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to the next installment of Chintor’s Legacy.
November 8, 2025
emil has one hater and thats me so if I die, u know why ✋️
July 2, 2025
Guys I think this is going to be my top read of the year.
I was blown away by this book. I'd been hyping it up ever since it was announced and was eager to see how it measured up.
As someone who works in the education system, I could definitely tell this was written by someone who worked in education. It felt like someone had peeked into my own school (even though I work at an elementary and very much not magic school). It captures perfectly the struggles teachers face.
But beyond that, it captures the struggles all people face when it comes to giving grace while also holding wrongdoers accountable and taking sin seriously. The themes in this book are so deep, this review definitely can't do them justice.
I have not despised a villain this hard in quite some time. I think the reason these villains are so effective is that they aren't big bad magical entities--they're people with very real ideas, people that we could run into any day of the week.
The content warnings at the beginning are no joke, though. I did find myself feeling a little triggered, especially when it came to the injustices within the school and how people dealt (or didn't deal) with issues such as sexism and abuse, because they're topics that have impacted my life very personally. And yet even these topics are handled with sensitivity and grace.
I cannot recommend this book enough, and I have a very strong feeling it will wind up as my top read of this year. Looking forward to book two!
Sensitive topics/content:
-sexism and misogyny
-racial/cultural prejudice
-bullying
-abuse (including physical, mental, and sexual abuse)
-sexual assault and rape (some of these are handled via a metaphor and some are handled literally)
-one instance of language (one use of b*****d)
Representation:
-none
I was blown away by this book. I'd been hyping it up ever since it was announced and was eager to see how it measured up.
As someone who works in the education system, I could definitely tell this was written by someone who worked in education. It felt like someone had peeked into my own school (even though I work at an elementary and very much not magic school). It captures perfectly the struggles teachers face.
But beyond that, it captures the struggles all people face when it comes to giving grace while also holding wrongdoers accountable and taking sin seriously. The themes in this book are so deep, this review definitely can't do them justice.
I have not despised a villain this hard in quite some time. I think the reason these villains are so effective is that they aren't big bad magical entities--they're people with very real ideas, people that we could run into any day of the week.
The content warnings at the beginning are no joke, though. I did find myself feeling a little triggered, especially when it came to the injustices within the school and how people dealt (or didn't deal) with issues such as sexism and abuse, because they're topics that have impacted my life very personally. And yet even these topics are handled with sensitivity and grace.
I cannot recommend this book enough, and I have a very strong feeling it will wind up as my top read of this year. Looking forward to book two!
Sensitive topics/content:
-sexism and misogyny
-racial/cultural prejudice
-bullying
-abuse (including physical, mental, and sexual abuse)
-sexual assault and rape (some of these are handled via a metaphor and some are handled literally)
-one instance of language (one use of b*****d)
Representation:
-none
December 25, 2025
I think I will have to add charcoal and deep green to my fandom colors XP
Wow. How to even start with a review… this book reminded me of Sara Ella’s Coral in the nuance and sensitivity with which Josiah dealt with the topics in this book.
Ah. There’s a place to start.
Make no mistake— this is a book about abuse. It is deeply woven into the plot and themes and there is no escaping that. “Speaking up” should be a simple thing, but it’s not, and A Study of Shattered Spells highlights that. It’s the melody in this symphony of themes in this book and I love it just for that.
Because I was a victim. That’s the most common role portrayed in stories battling abuse— the victim. And as a victim, I wanted a black and white bad guy to root for. I wanted the victims to find healing. I wanted justice.
But I didn’t expect to find that the focus was not on the victims. Sure, victims were an important part of the story. But ASOSS is more nuanced than that.
We have Kalina, who was in the dark while one of her sisters was horrifically sexually abused for years as a child. We have Headmaster Bren, the man who believes in the all important “forgive and forget” phrase that plagues as deep as churches in society today. We have Leneya, Meliya, Hanandoi, and the other students whom were our main bully’s victims.
And we have Emil. The emotionally manipulative chosen one on his way down a dark and dangerous path. The perfect example of how the abused become the abuser.
Having known Josiah a bit as a teacher and mentor, and having heard pieces about this story, I knew that this sort of thing was coming. Well written stories about abuse? I’m all for it. It’s those kinds of stories that helped me heal. It’s those kinds of stories I want to write.
So it’s funny that while I knew the train was coming, and with all of my heart I wanted to hate Emil… I couldn’t. Because somehow, like Kalina, I wanted him to change. I sympathized with his brokenness even if I did want to strangle him a few times.
When I was younger I was a little more like Ashinara. I wanted to believe the best about people and that people could change. It was that kind of hope that kept me silent for years, and had me suffer through bad friendships that broke my trust.
Now, I’m afraid I’m a bit more like Jadoni. At the risk of hurting myself again, I don’t want to believe people can change. I want the bad guys to be punished. End of story.
But after reading ASOSS… I realized I resonated the most with Kalina. I might have a Jadoni exterior, but I genuinely wanted Emil to change. I still wanted punishment— and he got it— but I wanted him to repent as much as Kalina did.
That’s truly what this story does most beautifully. It tackles the hardest part of dealing with abuse situations as a Christian— the balance between grace and repentance. Kalina’s insistence for repentance is a voice that one doesn’t find very often in stories about abuse. We focus on the grace and ignore the repentance— and then we have situations like Emil’s.
Dear Kalina. I wanted to hug her. Her struggle to do the right thing, to protect people when in the past she felt like she failed… I wanted to crawl inside the book, wrap my arms around her and tell her that it wasn’t her job to protect her sister from something she couldn’t have stopped. That it was okay to keep wanting Emil to change. That I wished I could have a heart a little more like hers. That I wished I could have told my own sisters more times that it wasn’t their fault, what had happened to me, either.
This is a shattered story. There are broken people. We get excerpts from the main abuser, Emil. It’s a difficult story to read, and if you are under 14, or a minor over fourteen and haven’t had conversations about sexual abuse with your parents, I would say to wait on reading this book.
But if you’re looking for a story that explores not just how abuse affects the victim, but others around them, and the complexities of how hard it can be to speak up… if you want to learn about how we can have grace and repentance in these situations… then read A Study of Shattered Spells.
Well done, Josiah DeGraaf.
On the more technical storytelling side of things, the audiobook was fantastic (it’s free on Everand if you have a subscription there, guys), the setting and magic system glorious, and despite my procrastination on reading I became deeply attached to the characters and even more deeply satisfied with the ending. I have had such a hard time getting into fantasy, but this kept me entertained through a long bus ride home on Christmas Eve. I read it through audiobook, ebook, AND paperback— all the formats XD
(ALSO YES TO MARRIED COUPLE ROMANCES I LOVED KALINA AND RIYAD SO MUCH EVEN THOUGH HE’S UNCONSCIOUS THE FLASHBACKS WERE SO CUTE)
All in all, I expect to reread this again in the future, and I will treasure it as another story that masterfully handles its themes— while still being an engaging read.
Content warnings: As mentioned above, sexual abuse is an intrinsic topic to the storyline. Kalina’s sister was sexually abused by a friar in the past, and it is discussed several times. A student is forced to kiss and make out with another student. There’s discussion of how he forced another female’s students boundaries to include suggestive touching and kisses. A main character’s childhood physical and emotional abuse is repetitively discussed. The MC is accused of being physically abusive to a student. “Klyte” is used slightly excessively as a substitute curse word— I didn’t mind it so much until halfway through and then it became rather repetitive.
There’s a short discussion about a kid being a bastard. A student brings up being persuaded to sleep with most of the boys in her year. Toxic dating behaviors are deeply discussed. The romantic flashbacks between Kalina and Riyad were wonderfully sweet and I adored them wholeheartedly. No content warnings for those outside of one or two romantic touch moments.
It’s not as violent as I thought it would be, given the fact that my strongest memories before this of Josiah’s writing is a visceral description of a man getting his arm severed XD. A handful of potentially gruesome medical descriptions, but that’s it.
Wow. How to even start with a review… this book reminded me of Sara Ella’s Coral in the nuance and sensitivity with which Josiah dealt with the topics in this book.
Ah. There’s a place to start.
Make no mistake— this is a book about abuse. It is deeply woven into the plot and themes and there is no escaping that. “Speaking up” should be a simple thing, but it’s not, and A Study of Shattered Spells highlights that. It’s the melody in this symphony of themes in this book and I love it just for that.
Because I was a victim. That’s the most common role portrayed in stories battling abuse— the victim. And as a victim, I wanted a black and white bad guy to root for. I wanted the victims to find healing. I wanted justice.
But I didn’t expect to find that the focus was not on the victims. Sure, victims were an important part of the story. But ASOSS is more nuanced than that.
We have Kalina, who was in the dark while one of her sisters was horrifically sexually abused for years as a child. We have Headmaster Bren, the man who believes in the all important “forgive and forget” phrase that plagues as deep as churches in society today. We have Leneya, Meliya, Hanandoi, and the other students whom were our main bully’s victims.
And we have Emil. The emotionally manipulative chosen one on his way down a dark and dangerous path. The perfect example of how the abused become the abuser.
Having known Josiah a bit as a teacher and mentor, and having heard pieces about this story, I knew that this sort of thing was coming. Well written stories about abuse? I’m all for it. It’s those kinds of stories that helped me heal. It’s those kinds of stories I want to write.
So it’s funny that while I knew the train was coming, and with all of my heart I wanted to hate Emil… I couldn’t. Because somehow, like Kalina, I wanted him to change. I sympathized with his brokenness even if I did want to strangle him a few times.
When I was younger I was a little more like Ashinara. I wanted to believe the best about people and that people could change. It was that kind of hope that kept me silent for years, and had me suffer through bad friendships that broke my trust.
Now, I’m afraid I’m a bit more like Jadoni. At the risk of hurting myself again, I don’t want to believe people can change. I want the bad guys to be punished. End of story.
But after reading ASOSS… I realized I resonated the most with Kalina. I might have a Jadoni exterior, but I genuinely wanted Emil to change. I still wanted punishment— and he got it— but I wanted him to repent as much as Kalina did.
That’s truly what this story does most beautifully. It tackles the hardest part of dealing with abuse situations as a Christian— the balance between grace and repentance. Kalina’s insistence for repentance is a voice that one doesn’t find very often in stories about abuse. We focus on the grace and ignore the repentance— and then we have situations like Emil’s.
Dear Kalina. I wanted to hug her. Her struggle to do the right thing, to protect people when in the past she felt like she failed… I wanted to crawl inside the book, wrap my arms around her and tell her that it wasn’t her job to protect her sister from something she couldn’t have stopped. That it was okay to keep wanting Emil to change. That I wished I could have a heart a little more like hers. That I wished I could have told my own sisters more times that it wasn’t their fault, what had happened to me, either.
This is a shattered story. There are broken people. We get excerpts from the main abuser, Emil. It’s a difficult story to read, and if you are under 14, or a minor over fourteen and haven’t had conversations about sexual abuse with your parents, I would say to wait on reading this book.
But if you’re looking for a story that explores not just how abuse affects the victim, but others around them, and the complexities of how hard it can be to speak up… if you want to learn about how we can have grace and repentance in these situations… then read A Study of Shattered Spells.
Well done, Josiah DeGraaf.
On the more technical storytelling side of things, the audiobook was fantastic (it’s free on Everand if you have a subscription there, guys), the setting and magic system glorious, and despite my procrastination on reading I became deeply attached to the characters and even more deeply satisfied with the ending. I have had such a hard time getting into fantasy, but this kept me entertained through a long bus ride home on Christmas Eve. I read it through audiobook, ebook, AND paperback— all the formats XD
(ALSO YES TO MARRIED COUPLE ROMANCES I LOVED KALINA AND RIYAD SO MUCH EVEN THOUGH HE’S UNCONSCIOUS THE FLASHBACKS WERE SO CUTE)
All in all, I expect to reread this again in the future, and I will treasure it as another story that masterfully handles its themes— while still being an engaging read.
Content warnings: As mentioned above, sexual abuse is an intrinsic topic to the storyline. Kalina’s sister was sexually abused by a friar in the past, and it is discussed several times. A student is forced to kiss and make out with another student. There’s discussion of how he forced another female’s students boundaries to include suggestive touching and kisses. A main character’s childhood physical and emotional abuse is repetitively discussed. The MC is accused of being physically abusive to a student. “Klyte” is used slightly excessively as a substitute curse word— I didn’t mind it so much until halfway through and then it became rather repetitive.
There’s a short discussion about a kid being a bastard. A student brings up being persuaded to sleep with most of the boys in her year. Toxic dating behaviors are deeply discussed. The romantic flashbacks between Kalina and Riyad were wonderfully sweet and I adored them wholeheartedly. No content warnings for those outside of one or two romantic touch moments.
It’s not as violent as I thought it would be, given the fact that my strongest memories before this of Josiah’s writing is a visceral description of a man getting his arm severed XD. A handful of potentially gruesome medical descriptions, but that’s it.
September 9, 2025
delivers with flying colors 👏
this was an absolutely enthralling story, from the masterful pacing to the vibrant world and the overpoweringly human characters.
while I admit I haven't experienced either directly, the topics of sexism and abuse are close to my heart and I deeply appreciated the way they were handled here.
the ending wrapped it all up beautifully, on a surprisingly hopeful tone (which I appreciate immensely), almost to the point I wonder what the next book in the series has to go on...at least I can guarantee there's no despicable cliffhangers at the end 😉
definitely places in my top five of the year, 10/10 recommend ✨️
this was an absolutely enthralling story, from the masterful pacing to the vibrant world and the overpoweringly human characters.
while I admit I haven't experienced either directly, the topics of sexism and abuse are close to my heart and I deeply appreciated the way they were handled here.
the ending wrapped it all up beautifully, on a surprisingly hopeful tone (which I appreciate immensely), almost to the point I wonder what the next book in the series has to go on...at least I can guarantee there's no despicable cliffhangers at the end 😉
definitely places in my top five of the year, 10/10 recommend ✨️
August 24, 2025
Oh. My. Goodness.
I don't like fantasy. Fantasy certainly isn't my favorite genre to read. But A Study of Shattered Spells was absolutely worth it.
Difficult themes of abuse are tackled throughout the entire story, but they're handled so well that I wasn't bothered by them.
I'd absolutely recommend this brilliant musical fantasy story for any older teens or adults.
I don't like fantasy. Fantasy certainly isn't my favorite genre to read. But A Study of Shattered Spells was absolutely worth it.
Difficult themes of abuse are tackled throughout the entire story, but they're handled so well that I wasn't bothered by them.
I'd absolutely recommend this brilliant musical fantasy story for any older teens or adults.
October 16, 2025
I need the sequel.
October 17, 2025
(Note: while I was on the street team, and was requested to write a review, this review is comprised entirely of my own opinion, and I tried hard to be as honest as possible in sharing my thoughts.)
Okay, first up: this book is written for adults. I would only very hesitantly recommend it to teen readers, and it's definitely not for kids.
This is the main reason that I'm not marking this book as a five-star read. It's not for everyone. Some of the content is extremely heavy and thought-provoking. But that said, I did really enjoy this book!
Quick summary:
Kalina, a Commander in an army of music mages, is stuck in a bad situation. Her husband is in a coma following the explosion that shattered her cello and left her unable to perform magic. By all, accounts, she should have died. And their General blames her for their losing war.
Then she gets an offer to teach at the kingdom's most prestigious magic school: Chintor Academy. She's not a teacher, but for some reason they think she has what it takes, not only to teach music and battle strategy to teens, but to teach the prophesied hero who will one day turn the tide of the war, Emil Mahdson.
Kalina quickly realizes that things at this school are not what they seem to be. The teachers aren't all trustworthy, the students even less so. And the 'prophesied hero' Emil is at the center of every concern.
Can Kalina stand up to injustice and make the best of a horrible situation? Can she stay silent when the future hangs in the balance? And most of all, can she live with herself when all is done?
Wow. I recently finished the book and - wow. There's so much I could write about, I'm not sure where to start.
Let's start with content warnings. I'll put them in spoiler brackets so that you can choose whether to read them or not.
I think that most of these difficult topics were very carefully and sensitively handled. They were all shown through the perspective of someone who has a very strong sense of right and wrong. However, other people may not agree, so please use your own discernment when it comes to what you are comfortable reading.
Every character in this book is brilliantly written, and by that I mean that every character is human and, as such, flawed. Even the protagonist, Kalina.
None of the characters felt like 'cookie-cutter characters' and every single character, even the likeable ones, annoyed me at some point. On the other end of the spectrum, even the unlikeable characters gave me hope.
There are points at which right and wrong become somewhat blurred. Does the end ever truly justify the means? Not every mistake that was made ends up being resolved or even addressed, and so I would be very careful recommending this book to younger, more impressionable readers.
I'm not sure what to say about the fantasy religion... in some ways, I could see it mirroring what I know Mr. DeGraaf believes. But all the same I was careful how much I chose to read into that. I don't know if it's supposed to be an analogy, so I decided to treat it in the same way as I'd treat any other fantasy religion: with caution. Which, let's face it, I'd do even if it was meant as an analogy.
Now onto the real spoilers: my thoughts about it all.
To end, A Study of Shattered Spells is recommended to readers 18+ (or extremely mature) who like reading fantasy, dark fantasy, stories with magic schools, or like me, enjoy over-analyzing flawed characters.
Thanks, Josiah DeGraaf, for sharing such a thought-provoking story with us.
I look forward to seeing what comes next... in 2027.
Authors are cruel sometimes.
Okay, first up: this book is written for adults. I would only very hesitantly recommend it to teen readers, and it's definitely not for kids.
This is the main reason that I'm not marking this book as a five-star read. It's not for everyone. Some of the content is extremely heavy and thought-provoking. But that said, I did really enjoy this book!
Quick summary:
Kalina, a Commander in an army of music mages, is stuck in a bad situation. Her husband is in a coma following the explosion that shattered her cello and left her unable to perform magic. By all, accounts, she should have died. And their General blames her for their losing war.
Then she gets an offer to teach at the kingdom's most prestigious magic school: Chintor Academy. She's not a teacher, but for some reason they think she has what it takes, not only to teach music and battle strategy to teens, but to teach the prophesied hero who will one day turn the tide of the war, Emil Mahdson.
Kalina quickly realizes that things at this school are not what they seem to be. The teachers aren't all trustworthy, the students even less so. And the 'prophesied hero' Emil is at the center of every concern.
Can Kalina stand up to injustice and make the best of a horrible situation? Can she stay silent when the future hangs in the balance? And most of all, can she live with herself when all is done?
Wow. I recently finished the book and - wow. There's so much I could write about, I'm not sure where to start.
Let's start with content warnings. I'll put them in spoiler brackets so that you can choose whether to read them or not.
I think that most of these difficult topics were very carefully and sensitively handled. They were all shown through the perspective of someone who has a very strong sense of right and wrong. However, other people may not agree, so please use your own discernment when it comes to what you are comfortable reading.
Every character in this book is brilliantly written, and by that I mean that every character is human and, as such, flawed. Even the protagonist, Kalina.
None of the characters felt like 'cookie-cutter characters' and every single character, even the likeable ones, annoyed me at some point. On the other end of the spectrum, even the unlikeable characters gave me hope.
There are points at which right and wrong become somewhat blurred. Does the end ever truly justify the means? Not every mistake that was made ends up being resolved or even addressed, and so I would be very careful recommending this book to younger, more impressionable readers.
I'm not sure what to say about the fantasy religion... in some ways, I could see it mirroring what I know Mr. DeGraaf believes. But all the same I was careful how much I chose to read into that. I don't know if it's supposed to be an analogy, so I decided to treat it in the same way as I'd treat any other fantasy religion: with caution. Which, let's face it, I'd do even if it was meant as an analogy.
Now onto the real spoilers: my thoughts about it all.
To end, A Study of Shattered Spells is recommended to readers 18+ (or extremely mature) who like reading fantasy, dark fantasy, stories with magic schools, or like me, enjoy over-analyzing flawed characters.
Thanks, Josiah DeGraaf, for sharing such a thought-provoking story with us.
I look forward to seeing what comes next... in 2027.
October 7, 2025
Well. That was a ride. This book wasn't at all what I expected, but that made it all the better. I don't think I've ever quite read a book like this, and I couldn't put it down. The plot was gripping, the magic system was entirely unique, and the characters... well, almost all of them were terribly flawed and it made me want to rip my hair out, but that was excellently portrayed and so fascinating to read.
This book tackles some hard topics, including abuse and SA. I think these topics were handled very sensitively and this book showcases themes that are SO important to talk about, but I would advise caution if the topics listed at the front of the book are triggering to you, as it was hard for even me to read at some points. (More frustration at the characters than anything else, but still worth considering.) I do think the subjects were handled appropriately for upper teens, but it really comes down to the individual.
I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!
This book tackles some hard topics, including abuse and SA. I think these topics were handled very sensitively and this book showcases themes that are SO important to talk about, but I would advise caution if the topics listed at the front of the book are triggering to you, as it was hard for even me to read at some points. (More frustration at the characters than anything else, but still worth considering.) I do think the subjects were handled appropriately for upper teens, but it really comes down to the individual.
I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!
June 13, 2025
It's a rare book that I can honestly say I truly believe in.
A Study of Shattered Spells is one of them.
Where do I even begin? Yes, Sanderson fans will eat up the magic system, and it hits at a very interesting angle of the magic school dynamic--but what I can't get over is Josiah's thematic handling. Emil's character... without getting into spoilers, he felt viscerally real, and anyone who's worked with incredibly messy kids will feel Kalina's pain as his teacher. Josiah's ability to incisively get to the root of flawed worldviews and why they fail is truly impressive, especially as he tackles sensitive topics that few other male writers handle with such insight and care. And the way he captures the agonizing effort of striking a balance between grace, accountability, and justice when it comes to abuse situations just feels so real.
I'm forcing my family to read this and will be harassing my library until they get it on the shelves. Get it on your bookshelf--there's a reason I finished the whole thing in less than a day.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
What happens when the chosen one turns out to be an abuser?
How do you handle it, as the responsible adult, when you know this kid could have turned out better if he'd been dealt a better hand in life--and you desperately want him to change--but you can't force him to make good choices or even believe anything you say? And you're caught between your hope for him and your duty to protect the others under your care?
Watching Emil was painful, as someone who has been in a position like Kalina's before. I believe in grace and the ability for anyone to change... but that person has to actually want to change. It's so much worse when you know the cards they've been dealt have been awful, and you know that's not their fault--but they absolutely must be held accountable for hurting others. It's so real, and it happens so often. How do you even effectively hold someone responsible for their actions when you know their history has altered their psyche in ways they can't help? Where do you draw the line? The right decision becomes so fuzzy, and Josiah captured that reality perfectly. It's so hard to pull off well, but I was not disappointed with the way he didn't pull punches and showed the consequences of different manners of handling the situation. ***Bigger spoilers ahead*** It hurt so much watching Emil spiral into a villain. The conversation between Kalina and Chineya in chapter 54 put the feeling to words.
"I'm not grieving for him."
"No. But you are grieving for the person he could have been."
Yeah. Go read it.
A Study of Shattered Spells is one of them.
Where do I even begin? Yes, Sanderson fans will eat up the magic system, and it hits at a very interesting angle of the magic school dynamic--but what I can't get over is Josiah's thematic handling. Emil's character... without getting into spoilers, he felt viscerally real, and anyone who's worked with incredibly messy kids will feel Kalina's pain as his teacher. Josiah's ability to incisively get to the root of flawed worldviews and why they fail is truly impressive, especially as he tackles sensitive topics that few other male writers handle with such insight and care. And the way he captures the agonizing effort of striking a balance between grace, accountability, and justice when it comes to abuse situations just feels so real.
I'm forcing my family to read this and will be harassing my library until they get it on the shelves. Get it on your bookshelf--there's a reason I finished the whole thing in less than a day.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
What happens when the chosen one turns out to be an abuser?
How do you handle it, as the responsible adult, when you know this kid could have turned out better if he'd been dealt a better hand in life--and you desperately want him to change--but you can't force him to make good choices or even believe anything you say? And you're caught between your hope for him and your duty to protect the others under your care?
Watching Emil was painful, as someone who has been in a position like Kalina's before. I believe in grace and the ability for anyone to change... but that person has to actually want to change. It's so much worse when you know the cards they've been dealt have been awful, and you know that's not their fault--but they absolutely must be held accountable for hurting others. It's so real, and it happens so often. How do you even effectively hold someone responsible for their actions when you know their history has altered their psyche in ways they can't help? Where do you draw the line? The right decision becomes so fuzzy, and Josiah captured that reality perfectly. It's so hard to pull off well, but I was not disappointed with the way he didn't pull punches and showed the consequences of different manners of handling the situation. ***Bigger spoilers ahead*** It hurt so much watching Emil spiral into a villain. The conversation between Kalina and Chineya in chapter 54 put the feeling to words.
"I'm not grieving for him."
"No. But you are grieving for the person he could have been."
Yeah. Go read it.
August 28, 2025
A story about a magic school from the perspective of the teacher. The premise alone of this story was intriguing, but I had no idea I was in for a deep, relatable look at what life feels like when you're facing extremely difficult decisions, and trying to make the right choice when no one else seems to. DeGraaf's characters rang so true and he created a world I hope to see more of.
A Study of Shattered Spells is simply and deeply relatable, touching you with sweet moments and an unexpected, yet exactly what you'd hope for ending.
A Study of Shattered Spells is simply and deeply relatable, touching you with sweet moments and an unexpected, yet exactly what you'd hope for ending.
August 28, 2025
Very well structured and well-thought through, with many different intriguing quandaries for the lovable characters to work their way through (and to think through as a reader). The worldbuilding was also largely well done, although unfortunately I found that the dialogue was quite stilted with too much exposition which sometimes left the characters' speech feeling clunky and unnatural, among a couple of other nitpicks where I felt it lacked subtlety or could have been better written. Still, a wonderful escapist read with hard topics dealt with very tastefully and gracefully, an absolutely fascinating insight into the teacher's side of education, and a very exciting debut for Josiah!
Fangirly notes: that climax was so good and I’m still lowkey conflicted about Emil - annoying manipulative little guy but I still feel a tiny bit bad for him, though I was still rather satisfied by what happened at the end (;
Fangirly notes: that climax was so good and I’m still lowkey conflicted about Emil - annoying manipulative little guy but I still feel a tiny bit bad for him, though I was still rather satisfied by what happened at the end (;
June 23, 2025
Wow
um...WOW.
Readers, you are NOT ready for this book.
This was unlike anything I've ever read. It's completely unique and rare.
I was amazed by the way Josiah handled sensitive topics with grace. Parts of it were definitely hard to read, as depictions of evil always are, but in the end I saw their necessity to the arc and overall story. I don't think I've read a book with more purely human characters.
Also like woah, Emil. What an incredibly hard and complex character to write. There were parts when I wanted to love him and parts when I absolutely despised him. He was written in such a way where, he not only fools the characters, but he also fools the readers. His arc was such a heart wrenching one.
On an un-thematic note, the worldbuilding was absolutely INCREDIBLE! It was so immersive and the magic system was mind-blowing and yet simple enough to comprehend. (Also I absolutely cannot wait for the hardcopy to come in the mail, because the illustrations were pretty dim on the kindle and I can't wait to see them in full size and full color! I adored the additional art, it was absolutely worth it. I am ALL for the "art for stories for all ages" because art shouldn't be just a thing for kids books!)
This book kind of reminded me of when I read a Shakespeare tragedy or a classic book depicting hard things. I was haunted by it, sometimes disturbed, but in the end I could not help but be amazed at the story that was woven.
Caution to readers though, I would not hand this book to just anybody. Some really rough topics such as sexual abuse and bullying are handled (I believe they were handled very honestly and with grace, always depicting evil as evil and nothing else,) however these are big elements in the characters' arcs. There's no descriptions or anything, however there's mentions and honest conversations about these issues. I also believe the right kind of reader for this would be the reader not just looking for entertainment, but willing to think deeply about our world and the gift of grace we have to combat evil. Josiah says in the beginning of the book that this was written for an adult and highschool-aged audience, so my personal rating would be 15/16+ depending on the person.
All in all I cannot say I always enjoyed this book. I cannot say that I was entertained every moment. And that is alright, because I realize that was not its purpose. There were CERTAINLY times that were brilliant and entertaining. But it's also so much deeper than that.
Anyway, I'm so so so proud of my YWW instructor for his debut novel! This was a long time coming and I'm so glad I got to read it.
um...WOW.
Readers, you are NOT ready for this book.
This was unlike anything I've ever read. It's completely unique and rare.
I was amazed by the way Josiah handled sensitive topics with grace. Parts of it were definitely hard to read, as depictions of evil always are, but in the end I saw their necessity to the arc and overall story. I don't think I've read a book with more purely human characters.
Also like woah, Emil. What an incredibly hard and complex character to write. There were parts when I wanted to love him and parts when I absolutely despised him. He was written in such a way where, he not only fools the characters, but he also fools the readers. His arc was such a heart wrenching one.
On an un-thematic note, the worldbuilding was absolutely INCREDIBLE! It was so immersive and the magic system was mind-blowing and yet simple enough to comprehend. (Also I absolutely cannot wait for the hardcopy to come in the mail, because the illustrations were pretty dim on the kindle and I can't wait to see them in full size and full color! I adored the additional art, it was absolutely worth it. I am ALL for the "art for stories for all ages" because art shouldn't be just a thing for kids books!)
This book kind of reminded me of when I read a Shakespeare tragedy or a classic book depicting hard things. I was haunted by it, sometimes disturbed, but in the end I could not help but be amazed at the story that was woven.
Caution to readers though, I would not hand this book to just anybody. Some really rough topics such as sexual abuse and bullying are handled (I believe they were handled very honestly and with grace, always depicting evil as evil and nothing else,) however these are big elements in the characters' arcs. There's no descriptions or anything, however there's mentions and honest conversations about these issues. I also believe the right kind of reader for this would be the reader not just looking for entertainment, but willing to think deeply about our world and the gift of grace we have to combat evil. Josiah says in the beginning of the book that this was written for an adult and highschool-aged audience, so my personal rating would be 15/16+ depending on the person.
All in all I cannot say I always enjoyed this book. I cannot say that I was entertained every moment. And that is alright, because I realize that was not its purpose. There were CERTAINLY times that were brilliant and entertaining. But it's also so much deeper than that.
Anyway, I'm so so so proud of my YWW instructor for his debut novel! This was a long time coming and I'm so glad I got to read it.
September 16, 2025
Getting to experience a magic school story from a teacher's perspective was so much fun. I love the magic system, the characters, and details that made it feel a little like stepping back into Hogwarts. Not only that, but the main character faces incredibly difficult challenges and has to figure out what the right thing to do is. It's not easy, and it's not crystal clear. She makes mistakes. And I'm glad, because sometimes doing the right thing is way too easy for characters, and that doesn't reflect real life. I found myself constantly wondering how she was going to get out of this mess, and the situation kept getting worse. I won't spoil the end, but it was epic. This story is both fun and meaningful, so I definitely recommend checking it out, especially if you're a Potterhead like me. :)
Also, I just want to say that I’m devastated that this book is over and I need more stories with these characters ASAP.
Also, I just want to say that I’m devastated that this book is over and I need more stories with these characters ASAP.
December 24, 2025
3.5 stars.
When I first picked this book up, I thought it would be my next five star read. I'm really, really sad that it wasn't. It was still a good read, however, it just didn't fully meet my expectations.
I love the world this book is set in. I need to get that out first before I list my cons. And the magic in it was so fascinating and cool. But I knew something wasn't clicking for me while I was reading it...and I think it's the fact that the conflict doesn't feel pressing, even though it is. Something about the characters fell flat for me too, but I can't name what it is. Emil...don't even get me started on him. I know he's a complex character, but I never have read about someone who fully believed in what they were doing as much as him. I liked Kalina well enough, but I didn't have any special connection to her or anything.
I don't know if I'll continue this series when the second book comes out. I probably will, but I just don't know at the moment.
When I first picked this book up, I thought it would be my next five star read. I'm really, really sad that it wasn't. It was still a good read, however, it just didn't fully meet my expectations.
I love the world this book is set in. I need to get that out first before I list my cons. And the magic in it was so fascinating and cool. But I knew something wasn't clicking for me while I was reading it...and I think it's the fact that the conflict doesn't feel pressing, even though it is. Something about the characters fell flat for me too, but I can't name what it is. Emil...don't even get me started on him. I know he's a complex character, but I never have read about someone who fully believed in what they were doing as much as him. I liked Kalina well enough, but I didn't have any special connection to her or anything.
I don't know if I'll continue this series when the second book comes out. I probably will, but I just don't know at the moment.
September 21, 2025
“Because what if sacrifice wasn’t about seeing what you lost but seeing what you gained?”
THIS. THIS BOOK. 10/10, would highly recommend for anyone who’s ever been a teacher or has dealt with wayward kinds of leadership in the past. The world-building was precise and unique, the plot (especially the end!) is incredibly gripping, and OH MY it’s been a long time since I’ve desperately wanted to strangle a character but this story certainly brought forth that burning sense of injustice. (But don’t work, there were plenty of characters to love as well!)
My favorite thing about this book is its themes, especially the ones of manipulation, abuse, and good vs. evil. In our modern world, there are two types of stories. The first one is where all the characters are black and white. There are heroes and villains, and there’s never any confusion as to which is which. On the other hand, there has been a recent rise in morally gray characters as well. Many YA and Adult novels are telling you that “It’s okay that this character murdered dozens of people because they’re just misunderstood 😇.” This trend has blurred the lines between good and evil and only seems to showcase darkness fighting more darkness. However, A Study of Shattered Spells creates the perfect balance between these two types of stories. It handles light and darkness, not optimistically or simply, but realistically.
There are definitely good guys and bad guys, but that’s made clear throughout the story instead of being blatantly obvious at the beginning, just like real life. Sometimes we trust in the wrong people, we think someone is good when they’re really being manipulative, and you have to spot the true hero or the real villain before it all goes wrong. The author expertly handles this theme, and I couldn’t have asked for a better debut novel.
THIS. THIS BOOK. 10/10, would highly recommend for anyone who’s ever been a teacher or has dealt with wayward kinds of leadership in the past. The world-building was precise and unique, the plot (especially the end!) is incredibly gripping, and OH MY it’s been a long time since I’ve desperately wanted to strangle a character but this story certainly brought forth that burning sense of injustice. (But don’t work, there were plenty of characters to love as well!)
My favorite thing about this book is its themes, especially the ones of manipulation, abuse, and good vs. evil. In our modern world, there are two types of stories. The first one is where all the characters are black and white. There are heroes and villains, and there’s never any confusion as to which is which. On the other hand, there has been a recent rise in morally gray characters as well. Many YA and Adult novels are telling you that “It’s okay that this character murdered dozens of people because they’re just misunderstood 😇.” This trend has blurred the lines between good and evil and only seems to showcase darkness fighting more darkness. However, A Study of Shattered Spells creates the perfect balance between these two types of stories. It handles light and darkness, not optimistically or simply, but realistically.
There are definitely good guys and bad guys, but that’s made clear throughout the story instead of being blatantly obvious at the beginning, just like real life. Sometimes we trust in the wrong people, we think someone is good when they’re really being manipulative, and you have to spot the true hero or the real villain before it all goes wrong. The author expertly handles this theme, and I couldn’t have asked for a better debut novel.
September 10, 2025
While excellently done, this book betrayed me. (Right off the top, I'd like to say this one's for adults only, due to story content, in my opinion; I'll explain later.)
The worldbuilding was lush and immersive. (Also, we have handy students running around so that you're educated with them about the variety of unique quirks this world has...) The magic system is impeccable, really cool, and attached to music, which is Brilliant.
The characters are diverse, and so realistic or convincing I'd swear I'd known at least two of them in-person.By the way, with the mixed feelings this book brings about for several characters, I'd just like to add that I really, really, hated Mito all the way down. Thank you.
And did I mention there were pictures in the book? I would give this book a standing ovation for that alone.
So why my strange comments? Here's where the rub comes in. The author gives a content warning that this book is written for adults, but in such a way that he believes teenagers could read it, dealing with issues he saw or dealt with as a real-life teacher in a public school system; dealing with the aftermath of several kinds of abuse. (You can see that here, in fact. https://josiahdegraaf.com/a-study-of-... )
But when I read the letter, I assumed that the issues of abuse of several kinds were subplots, not nearly as relevant to the overall narrative as they turned out to be. I'm not saying that it was poorly handled... but I'm saying that my expectations were subverted and I felt pretty upset about it at first. Your expectations as a reader are also misled through the use of unreliable narration through some specialized POV passages, which, as you might guess, riled me up quite a bit when the reveal happened.
I had a hard time taking breaks for meals once I got started. It took me a week to read more than two chapters due to severe migraines... but once I really got into the story, I was inseparable from my Kindle. I was hoping for several things, very hard, and drawn in with Kalina, our protagonist.
Is there a happy ending, ultimately? Yes and no; certain outward goals are met and things are won, but others are lost and some people suffer, some people are unrepentant, and that hurts a lot when you've grown to love or hope with a certain character.
I think that the book is a good one, but due to the topics of rape, physical abuse, and emotional manipulation that are discussed and the intensity of my initial reaction (I yelled at the book and cried for about twenty minutes), I would say that this isn't a book I'd hand to someone under 18. It was hard to go through the loss and betrayal of certain characters, and realize just how depraved some people can be, even in a narrative.
God's grace is very well-shown here: grace and love are something you can't force someone to accept, and if they persist in turning their back upon it, that sometimes the path of love is the one that is hardest--- pursuing justice without regard for feeling. It also shows that grace and love are things that only God can awake. We must do our best, and leave it in His hand.
So, while this book is extremely well-done... I would be wise to urge you to be mindful before you read it. I gave the information I did so that you could make your best decision. If you think yourself ready for a hard read, I wholeheartedly recommend it! But for my more sensitive friends, I'd hesitate. If you really wanna read it but you're unsure, find a good, fairly-emotionally-stable and faith-grounded buddy to read this with!
The worldbuilding was lush and immersive. (Also, we have handy students running around so that you're educated with them about the variety of unique quirks this world has...) The magic system is impeccable, really cool, and attached to music, which is Brilliant.
The characters are diverse, and so realistic or convincing I'd swear I'd known at least two of them in-person.
And did I mention there were pictures in the book? I would give this book a standing ovation for that alone.
So why my strange comments? Here's where the rub comes in. The author gives a content warning that this book is written for adults, but in such a way that he believes teenagers could read it, dealing with issues he saw or dealt with as a real-life teacher in a public school system; dealing with the aftermath of several kinds of abuse. (You can see that here, in fact. https://josiahdegraaf.com/a-study-of-... )
But when I read the letter, I assumed that the issues of abuse of several kinds were subplots, not nearly as relevant to the overall narrative as they turned out to be. I'm not saying that it was poorly handled... but I'm saying that my expectations were subverted and I felt pretty upset about it at first. Your expectations as a reader are also misled through the use of unreliable narration through some specialized POV passages, which, as you might guess, riled me up quite a bit when the reveal happened.
I had a hard time taking breaks for meals once I got started. It took me a week to read more than two chapters due to severe migraines... but once I really got into the story, I was inseparable from my Kindle. I was hoping for several things, very hard, and drawn in with Kalina, our protagonist.
Is there a happy ending, ultimately? Yes and no; certain outward goals are met and things are won, but others are lost and some people suffer, some people are unrepentant, and that hurts a lot when you've grown to love or hope with a certain character.
I think that the book is a good one, but due to the topics of rape, physical abuse, and emotional manipulation that are discussed and the intensity of my initial reaction (I yelled at the book and cried for about twenty minutes), I would say that this isn't a book I'd hand to someone under 18. It was hard to go through the loss and betrayal of certain characters, and realize just how depraved some people can be, even in a narrative.
God's grace is very well-shown here: grace and love are something you can't force someone to accept, and if they persist in turning their back upon it, that sometimes the path of love is the one that is hardest--- pursuing justice without regard for feeling. It also shows that grace and love are things that only God can awake. We must do our best, and leave it in His hand.
So, while this book is extremely well-done... I would be wise to urge you to be mindful before you read it. I gave the information I did so that you could make your best decision. If you think yourself ready for a hard read, I wholeheartedly recommend it! But for my more sensitive friends, I'd hesitate. If you really wanna read it but you're unsure, find a good, fairly-emotionally-stable and faith-grounded buddy to read this with!
September 7, 2025
This book is more than a gripping plot—it’s skillfully structured to make you think.
A Study of Shattered Spells purposefully and sensitively engages with difficult questions about how to respond to abuse and protect vulnerable people from it. The author effectively gives you the tools to process the story’s dilemmas for yourself as he eventually guides you to a satisfying thematic conclusion.
The story rejects the temptation of easy answers. Instead, it forces the characters into dilemmas where every possible decision comes with a high cost and the ideal solution doesn’t exist.
A wide variety of potential answers are thoroughly explored through the perspectives of the characters, and the consequences of their beliefs are the strongest argument for their value.
The opposing viewpoints are given the chance to make their best arguments, and though the author gives them no excuses, most of the difficult characters also have positive characteristics (or at least the potential for them) and are given the dignity of compassion.
This is an excellently structured story that engaged my attention and my mind. It more than fulfilled the promises of the plot and theme in surprising ways. It’s a worthwhile reading experience (and a great example if you want to learn how to powerfully execute your story’s theme!)
A Study of Shattered Spells purposefully and sensitively engages with difficult questions about how to respond to abuse and protect vulnerable people from it. The author effectively gives you the tools to process the story’s dilemmas for yourself as he eventually guides you to a satisfying thematic conclusion.
The story rejects the temptation of easy answers. Instead, it forces the characters into dilemmas where every possible decision comes with a high cost and the ideal solution doesn’t exist.
A wide variety of potential answers are thoroughly explored through the perspectives of the characters, and the consequences of their beliefs are the strongest argument for their value.
The opposing viewpoints are given the chance to make their best arguments, and though the author gives them no excuses, most of the difficult characters also have positive characteristics (or at least the potential for them) and are given the dignity of compassion.
This is an excellently structured story that engaged my attention and my mind. It more than fulfilled the promises of the plot and theme in surprising ways. It’s a worthwhile reading experience (and a great example if you want to learn how to powerfully execute your story’s theme!)
September 19, 2025
This coming-of-age teacher story pulled me through with the question of whether or not a bully can change. It was interesting to have that played out in fantasy. The music-based magic system was interesting, though it gave me the nails-on-chalkboard shivers every time I thought about actually listening to a musical battle. I didn’t love the main character,0 but I liked that the battle was won through her ability to empower others.
July 11, 2025
7 things I absolutely love about this book:
1. The themes! You get to see the characters wrestle with different perspectives, and this book makes you really think about what grace means.
2. The worldbuilding! A musical magic school from the perspective of a teacher? Sign me up! The details of this world are rich, beautiful, and compelling, and the illustrations are as well.
3. Kalina doesn’t know what to make of the chosen one in her school—is he as bad as some of the other teachers say? And I’m right there wondering with her the whole time. The tension is delicious.
4. There are high stakes (training the hero to end the war to save her husband’s life), and the stakes just keep getting higher as both Kalina and I (the reader) get invested in this teaching role and these kids…
5. Kalina’s memories with her husband. ❤️ It is not often that you see a light romance subplot about a married couple! I’m not sure it is even gushy enough that I can call it a romance subplot, but their interactions are so wholesome and sweet.
//He hugged her tighter. “And even if we lose again, we’ll work through those challenges together. Because you’re not responsible for everyone.”
“I know,” she lied.//
6. This book wrestles with really heavy and important topics (bullying, harassment, and the aftermath of physical and sexual abuse), which adds to the story’s realism and relevance, and pulls you along for conversations that really makes you think. If you are looking for an escape to a fictional world where nothing *really* bad or complicated ever happens, this is not the book for you. This is a story that tackles reality in a fictional world and narrative to add a profound level of perspective.
7. This book is somewhat allegorical, but it is refreshingly frank about the religion it features. Followers of the Ternion don’t agree on everything, often misrepresenting its grace. Kalina herself doesn’t always trust the Ternion. This story even goes so far as to acknowledge sexual abuse in the church, in all its messy controversy. This book is anything but “preachy.” And yet there is a subtle faith and hope that persists through the storyline.
3 Kalina quotes!
“but it’s easier to kill Kaldians than to connect with kids.”
Kalina… 😆
“But if boys like Jacir didn’t start following rules soon, Hanodoi wouldn’t be the only student bullied.”
Is that a threat? 😮
“Fire was a fickle element. You could never quite predict its movements—even as a mage. You could only light it, give it fuel, and see where it went. Perhaps I can use that as a reminder. A living symbol of where my responsibilities begin and end.”
❤️🔥
1. The themes! You get to see the characters wrestle with different perspectives, and this book makes you really think about what grace means.
2. The worldbuilding! A musical magic school from the perspective of a teacher? Sign me up! The details of this world are rich, beautiful, and compelling, and the illustrations are as well.
3. Kalina doesn’t know what to make of the chosen one in her school—is he as bad as some of the other teachers say? And I’m right there wondering with her the whole time. The tension is delicious.
4. There are high stakes (training the hero to end the war to save her husband’s life), and the stakes just keep getting higher as both Kalina and I (the reader) get invested in this teaching role and these kids…
5. Kalina’s memories with her husband. ❤️ It is not often that you see a light romance subplot about a married couple! I’m not sure it is even gushy enough that I can call it a romance subplot, but their interactions are so wholesome and sweet.
//He hugged her tighter. “And even if we lose again, we’ll work through those challenges together. Because you’re not responsible for everyone.”
“I know,” she lied.//
6. This book wrestles with really heavy and important topics (bullying, harassment, and the aftermath of physical and sexual abuse), which adds to the story’s realism and relevance, and pulls you along for conversations that really makes you think. If you are looking for an escape to a fictional world where nothing *really* bad or complicated ever happens, this is not the book for you. This is a story that tackles reality in a fictional world and narrative to add a profound level of perspective.
7. This book is somewhat allegorical, but it is refreshingly frank about the religion it features. Followers of the Ternion don’t agree on everything, often misrepresenting its grace. Kalina herself doesn’t always trust the Ternion. This story even goes so far as to acknowledge sexual abuse in the church, in all its messy controversy. This book is anything but “preachy.” And yet there is a subtle faith and hope that persists through the storyline.
3 Kalina quotes!
“but it’s easier to kill Kaldians than to connect with kids.”
Kalina… 😆
“But if boys like Jacir didn’t start following rules soon, Hanodoi wouldn’t be the only student bullied.”
Is that a threat? 😮
“Fire was a fickle element. You could never quite predict its movements—even as a mage. You could only light it, give it fuel, and see where it went. Perhaps I can use that as a reminder. A living symbol of where my responsibilities begin and end.”
❤️🔥
August 21, 2025
What first interested me in A Study of Shattered Spells was the music based magic system and the prospective swap of the chosen one from a mentor’s POV. I was impressed by the fleshed out world, magic system, characters, and themes creating a masterpiece of a great story.
Part of the reason why I love this book so much is that it subverts and deconstructs many fantasy tropes (specifically ones tied down to magical schools). Emil is the chosen one, but he’s not the noble pure of heart that’s expected. He feels like Zelos Wilder or Luke Fon Fabre in more ways than one. Instead of following in Emil’s POV (outside of some journal entries), we’re following Kalina, a battle mage turned teacher, who has to impart her knowledge to teen musical magicians without any magical abilities of her own. Kalina has only months to train these students, especially Emil, before their enemies potentially defeat their country in war. It dives deep into prophesies, chosen ones, what it means to be a proper teacher, how to navigate the good old boys system in a school, morality in war, with much more, making for a thematically solid story.
There is some heavy subject manner in this Adult Fantasy, but I feel content wise, is fine for most teens to read. While this book doesn’t depict sex crimes, it does mention and discuss the consequences of said actions. Same thing with bullying and abuse (of multiple types). It also does deal with sexism and racism (mainly from the fantasy sense). Though the topics are considered seriously and with care for both victims and the wrongdoers.
The world building was done well, as we’re treated to a continent at war, where musical instruments are used as implements for magic. The magic system is explained in detail in the classes and by the end of the story, I had a clear understanding of how things worked. We’re given plenty of depth of the national conflict that led to the war, which ties into the belief systems of the countries involved, which makes the war feel more realistic. Often, the terrain and landscape is of importance and it helped flesh out the area even further.
The characters were well fleshed out. Starting with our protagonist, Kalina, here’s clearly personal stakes for her as well as the obvious ones of saving her country from being conquered. She’s doing the best she can in the situation she’s in. She���s caring and clearly at least a decent teacher, but often second guesses herself, which made her super relatable. And I really wanted to hug her when things kept getting worse in her teaching skills. But it’s clear she has a sharp mind. We also see her in flashbacks with her husband, which was really adorable.
The rest of the cast was able to stand out with memorable traits and served their roles well. They felt like real people, not just good and evil one notes. By the time I got to the end of the book, I despised the villains, and no, I’m not talking about the other country.
The pacing was great, and while on the slightly slower side, it allows for the themes to sink in big time. The prose was easy to read and rather descriptive. The narrator, Sybil Johnson, has an excellent voice and her range in voice made the story a nice and refreshing adventure. I also liked the extra pictures to help enhance the story.
I’ll be back for more of the Chintor’s Legacy series! Highly recommended if you like deconstructions of fantasy tropes and magic schools!
*I purchased my copy on Kickstarter.*
Part of the reason why I love this book so much is that it subverts and deconstructs many fantasy tropes (specifically ones tied down to magical schools). Emil is the chosen one, but he’s not the noble pure of heart that’s expected. He feels like Zelos Wilder or Luke Fon Fabre in more ways than one. Instead of following in Emil’s POV (outside of some journal entries), we’re following Kalina, a battle mage turned teacher, who has to impart her knowledge to teen musical magicians without any magical abilities of her own. Kalina has only months to train these students, especially Emil, before their enemies potentially defeat their country in war. It dives deep into prophesies, chosen ones, what it means to be a proper teacher, how to navigate the good old boys system in a school, morality in war, with much more, making for a thematically solid story.
There is some heavy subject manner in this Adult Fantasy, but I feel content wise, is fine for most teens to read. While this book doesn’t depict sex crimes, it does mention and discuss the consequences of said actions. Same thing with bullying and abuse (of multiple types). It also does deal with sexism and racism (mainly from the fantasy sense). Though the topics are considered seriously and with care for both victims and the wrongdoers.
The world building was done well, as we’re treated to a continent at war, where musical instruments are used as implements for magic. The magic system is explained in detail in the classes and by the end of the story, I had a clear understanding of how things worked. We’re given plenty of depth of the national conflict that led to the war, which ties into the belief systems of the countries involved, which makes the war feel more realistic. Often, the terrain and landscape is of importance and it helped flesh out the area even further.
The characters were well fleshed out. Starting with our protagonist, Kalina, here’s clearly personal stakes for her as well as the obvious ones of saving her country from being conquered. She’s doing the best she can in the situation she’s in. She���s caring and clearly at least a decent teacher, but often second guesses herself, which made her super relatable. And I really wanted to hug her when things kept getting worse in her teaching skills. But it’s clear she has a sharp mind. We also see her in flashbacks with her husband, which was really adorable.
The rest of the cast was able to stand out with memorable traits and served their roles well. They felt like real people, not just good and evil one notes. By the time I got to the end of the book, I despised the villains, and no, I’m not talking about the other country.
The pacing was great, and while on the slightly slower side, it allows for the themes to sink in big time. The prose was easy to read and rather descriptive. The narrator, Sybil Johnson, has an excellent voice and her range in voice made the story a nice and refreshing adventure. I also liked the extra pictures to help enhance the story.
I’ll be back for more of the Chintor’s Legacy series! Highly recommended if you like deconstructions of fantasy tropes and magic schools!
*I purchased my copy on Kickstarter.*
August 23, 2025
A Study of Shattered Spells was such a refreshing story—intriguing, original, enlightening, compelling (lol, iykyk). The illustrations are amazing. The story is powerful. Real characters struggle with real issues in a world where music is magic and brokenness touches everyone in some way. The ending was unexpected and astonishing and satisfying and exactly what it needed to be. I’m already on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2 to come out.
August 25, 2025
I'm logging this two months after reading it so I don't remember everything I wanted to rave about but that just means I'll need to do a reread now that I have my shiny signed paperback from Josiah's Kickstarter :D
October 17, 2025
2.5 or 3⭐️
Not for me. I can definitely see how others would relate to it, especially if they are a teacher. I liked the magic system with the instruments.
Not for me. I can definitely see how others would relate to it, especially if they are a teacher. I liked the magic system with the instruments.
October 27, 2025
Christian dark academia? Yes, please!
This book ministered to me in the most unexpected way. The content is tough, but the message is beautiful. And the compelling conflicts drew me in...I read it in just a few sittings.
It delivered on its promise: face the darkness of the world with more confidence!
This book ministered to me in the most unexpected way. The content is tough, but the message is beautiful. And the compelling conflicts drew me in...I read it in just a few sittings.
It delivered on its promise: face the darkness of the world with more confidence!
Read
September 18, 2025In which a battle mage finds herself withdrawn from the war front to teach at a magic school. The students are feisty, some fellow profs curmudgeonly, and Kalina is faced with the constant choice of being “on the students’ side” versus doing what is best for them. I’ve never been a teacher, but if it’s anything like this - phew, tough job.
This book is clear about what it wants to be - a school story giving the teacher’s perspective - and it does that to the fullest. Even before Kalina enters Chintor, she’s awash with doubts and questions. Whether she’s equipped to teach. What the students will think of a teacher who can no longer perform magic. How to interact with a child who’s grown up being hailed as the prophesied savior of the nation. There’s no easy answers, and as Kalina gets to know the students and staff, she gets closer to that discomforting not-so-young adult realization that maybe no one knows what they’re really doing and everyone is just doing their best (which might be the worst, depending on your point of view).
There’s a violin on the cover. Let’s talk about the music. Personally, I could’ve gone for a lot more musicality. To the Chintor students and soldier musicians, music is very much a tool. Instruments are literally that, implements with which to create sound and a desired effect. I’m not saying that engaging with music is always a touching, soul-changing experience (when I was made to practice every day, I certainly didn’t always see the beauty in it), but there’s still this human connection to song that’s magic in its own way. Alone in a quiet room, assembling an instrument becomes a familiar puzzle, an old friend, a medium to transpose emotion into expression. Apart from a couple off hand remarks, this story doesn’t make room for that.
But hey, they’re at war, things are stressful. I’d be eager to see more music in future books, as well as more sightings of the fantasy beasties (the illustrations are very neat).
This book is clear about what it wants to be - a school story giving the teacher’s perspective - and it does that to the fullest. Even before Kalina enters Chintor, she’s awash with doubts and questions. Whether she’s equipped to teach. What the students will think of a teacher who can no longer perform magic. How to interact with a child who’s grown up being hailed as the prophesied savior of the nation. There’s no easy answers, and as Kalina gets to know the students and staff, she gets closer to that discomforting not-so-young adult realization that maybe no one knows what they’re really doing and everyone is just doing their best (which might be the worst, depending on your point of view).
There’s a violin on the cover. Let’s talk about the music. Personally, I could’ve gone for a lot more musicality. To the Chintor students and soldier musicians, music is very much a tool. Instruments are literally that, implements with which to create sound and a desired effect. I’m not saying that engaging with music is always a touching, soul-changing experience (when I was made to practice every day, I certainly didn’t always see the beauty in it), but there’s still this human connection to song that’s magic in its own way. Alone in a quiet room, assembling an instrument becomes a familiar puzzle, an old friend, a medium to transpose emotion into expression. Apart from a couple off hand remarks, this story doesn’t make room for that.
But hey, they’re at war, things are stressful. I’d be eager to see more music in future books, as well as more sightings of the fantasy beasties (the illustrations are very neat).
September 16, 2025
I’ve been excited about A Study of Shattered Spells for close to a year now. As soon as information about it started to drop, months before the Kickstarter campaign opened, I was captured by it. A dark academia novel featuring a magic school and a music-based magic system, told from a professor’s perspective and written from a Christian worldview? I can’t think of any description more specifically tailored to my interests and reading tastes.
The story opens to warfare, with battles being waged by musicians. Each instrument pairs with a different type of magic and is wielded in different ways. I was immediately fascinated. Magic and musical instruments could have been a cheesy pairing. But starting the story off in a place where the stakes were so high kept that from being the case.
Our main character is Kalina, a young but broken war commander. An explosion left her husband in a coma and her magic destroyed, but she was still standing in the aftermath. After a battle gone wrong, she is recruited to leave the battlefield behind and use her innovative mind to help train the prophesied savior of her nation during his last year at Chintor Academy, Rizade's premier magical music academy. I really enjoyed having an adult perspective character in an academic setting. As someone who has taught in the past, I really connected with DeGraaf's portrayals of Kalina's classroom successes and failures. Including the triumph she felt over small wins.
I really enjoyed the twist on the whole “chosen one” trope. DeGraaf displays new and thought-provoking facets in an archetype that has been utilized countless times through the millennia. Is someone above reproach and infallible simply because they’re chosen by prophesy? Of course not. But DeGraaf takes these questions a step further by turning the mirror back on those this child of prophecy is meant to save. Do we sometimes rest on prophecies? Do we see these ephemeral promises as an excuse to stop putting in real effort of our own? Another theme woven throughout the story is the necessity of repentance. No one is ever too far gone for forgiveness, even those guilty of great atrocities. But repentance is a necessary step that many refuse to take. Admitting your mistakes and making amends is far more difficult than leaning into the villainy others see in you.
This novel goes into some dark territory, especially in regards to an act equivalent to mental rape, Compelling, that is done by one student to another repeatedly before the offending student is caught. The way cover-up ensued to shield the abuser—who is the star of the school—while sending the abused student away felt sadly true to life. That exact scenario has played out time and again in reality. Which made it all the more difficult to stomach, in spite of how well it was handled by DeGraaf. Kalina, because of family trauma in her past, has a desperate desire to protect others from abuse. And to train them to defend themselves against it. Her helpless rage in the face of the injustice of it all is something to which most everyone can (or should) relate.
On paper, this book was perfect for me, as if it had been written solely with me in mind. However, even though it was technically flawless in its pacing and word craft, it was missing an essential spark of life, in my opinion. This is an admittedly subjective issue, but I was never able to emotionally connect to the characters, the world, or the music. One of the points being driven home in this book was the importance of harmony, of working with others to create something bigger than yourself. Kalina was always pointing out to her students that music could be appreciated for its beauty, not just its power. But I never felt that from this story. Music was never more than a tool in the hands of its wielders, and the characters felt much the same way to me. They were expertly crafted on paper, but they never lived and breathed in my imagination.
A Study of Shattered Spells is a wonderful addition to many of my favorite subgenres. While I might not have developed an emotional connection to the world or those who populate it, I’m still very glad to have visited. I will definitely be reading any further installments DeGraaf shares with the world. Thankfully, this story in a way that was satisfying while still leaving me hungry to know what happens in the next book, which is coming in 2027.
The story opens to warfare, with battles being waged by musicians. Each instrument pairs with a different type of magic and is wielded in different ways. I was immediately fascinated. Magic and musical instruments could have been a cheesy pairing. But starting the story off in a place where the stakes were so high kept that from being the case.
Our main character is Kalina, a young but broken war commander. An explosion left her husband in a coma and her magic destroyed, but she was still standing in the aftermath. After a battle gone wrong, she is recruited to leave the battlefield behind and use her innovative mind to help train the prophesied savior of her nation during his last year at Chintor Academy, Rizade's premier magical music academy. I really enjoyed having an adult perspective character in an academic setting. As someone who has taught in the past, I really connected with DeGraaf's portrayals of Kalina's classroom successes and failures. Including the triumph she felt over small wins.
“Good heroes don’t let other people bear their responsibilities.”
I really enjoyed the twist on the whole “chosen one” trope. DeGraaf displays new and thought-provoking facets in an archetype that has been utilized countless times through the millennia. Is someone above reproach and infallible simply because they’re chosen by prophesy? Of course not. But DeGraaf takes these questions a step further by turning the mirror back on those this child of prophecy is meant to save. Do we sometimes rest on prophecies? Do we see these ephemeral promises as an excuse to stop putting in real effort of our own? Another theme woven throughout the story is the necessity of repentance. No one is ever too far gone for forgiveness, even those guilty of great atrocities. But repentance is a necessary step that many refuse to take. Admitting your mistakes and making amends is far more difficult than leaning into the villainy others see in you.
“If grace was only for small mistakes, would it really be grace? What if grace is for the things we can’t make amends for?”
This novel goes into some dark territory, especially in regards to an act equivalent to mental rape, Compelling, that is done by one student to another repeatedly before the offending student is caught. The way cover-up ensued to shield the abuser—who is the star of the school—while sending the abused student away felt sadly true to life. That exact scenario has played out time and again in reality. Which made it all the more difficult to stomach, in spite of how well it was handled by DeGraaf. Kalina, because of family trauma in her past, has a desperate desire to protect others from abuse. And to train them to defend themselves against it. Her helpless rage in the face of the injustice of it all is something to which most everyone can (or should) relate.
On paper, this book was perfect for me, as if it had been written solely with me in mind. However, even though it was technically flawless in its pacing and word craft, it was missing an essential spark of life, in my opinion. This is an admittedly subjective issue, but I was never able to emotionally connect to the characters, the world, or the music. One of the points being driven home in this book was the importance of harmony, of working with others to create something bigger than yourself. Kalina was always pointing out to her students that music could be appreciated for its beauty, not just its power. But I never felt that from this story. Music was never more than a tool in the hands of its wielders, and the characters felt much the same way to me. They were expertly crafted on paper, but they never lived and breathed in my imagination.
A Study of Shattered Spells is a wonderful addition to many of my favorite subgenres. While I might not have developed an emotional connection to the world or those who populate it, I’m still very glad to have visited. I will definitely be reading any further installments DeGraaf shares with the world. Thankfully, this story in a way that was satisfying while still leaving me hungry to know what happens in the next book, which is coming in 2027.
September 20, 2025
After Kalina's accident, her whole world changed. Then one of the best magic schools presents an offer. Get the prophetic student prepared for his position, and her/her husband are cared for. Yet, things are not always as they seem. Beneath the surface: bullies run amuck, teachers are back stabby, the student is far from prepared, and alliances are like currency. When Kalina stars uncovering abuse within the school morals and dilemmas come to the forefront.
🎻I am a sucker for anything dark academia, fantasy, and magic involved. This book instantly hit top 5 for my reads this year! It wasnt just a book, i was teleportated and deeply enthralled into this read. The magic system was so unique to any i have read before; as music and instruments were the weapons/magic. Usually in dark academia we follow the students. This book we get to follow the teacher/ teacher relationships as she navigates her first year teaching. Though some of her students become just as important as her, and I loved getting to watch those relationships/students grow. Her husband is in a coma and you see the tug of loyalty/love/caregiving for him; while also struggling with her own duties.
🎻Though it is set in a magically setting, the characters are so human! there is a character (or many) that each reader can identify with. There were many moral dilemmas threaded within, no-win scenarios, and even apologies/confronting the hard topics. It also shows that there isnt always one right answer in those scenarios. Though written with tact, and has the reader pondering the same situations within themselves. It ends on one of the most sweetest cliffhangers.
🎻The best way to sum this read up? the best magical system ive read since Narnia, and a consistent thread of "do the right thing come what may" within the characters. I can't wait for book 2, and to see where the story leads. I feel this will be a constant re-read for me 🤗
"Remaining here means either staying silent and becoming a part of the problem, or speaking up and violating my pledge to support this school" -Elder Kalina
"You're so much more than you think you are human"
"face the brokenness of the world with confidence"
Like reads like: A Deadly Education, Dead Poet’s Society, and Magic for Liars? Just like fantasy and dark academia in general? You will eat this book up!!
🎻I am a sucker for anything dark academia, fantasy, and magic involved. This book instantly hit top 5 for my reads this year! It wasnt just a book, i was teleportated and deeply enthralled into this read. The magic system was so unique to any i have read before; as music and instruments were the weapons/magic. Usually in dark academia we follow the students. This book we get to follow the teacher/ teacher relationships as she navigates her first year teaching. Though some of her students become just as important as her, and I loved getting to watch those relationships/students grow. Her husband is in a coma and you see the tug of loyalty/love/caregiving for him; while also struggling with her own duties.
🎻Though it is set in a magically setting, the characters are so human! there is a character (or many) that each reader can identify with. There were many moral dilemmas threaded within, no-win scenarios, and even apologies/confronting the hard topics. It also shows that there isnt always one right answer in those scenarios. Though written with tact, and has the reader pondering the same situations within themselves. It ends on one of the most sweetest cliffhangers.
🎻The best way to sum this read up? the best magical system ive read since Narnia, and a consistent thread of "do the right thing come what may" within the characters. I can't wait for book 2, and to see where the story leads. I feel this will be a constant re-read for me 🤗
"Remaining here means either staying silent and becoming a part of the problem, or speaking up and violating my pledge to support this school" -Elder Kalina
"You're so much more than you think you are human"
"face the brokenness of the world with confidence"
Like reads like: A Deadly Education, Dead Poet’s Society, and Magic for Liars? Just like fantasy and dark academia in general? You will eat this book up!!
July 6, 2025
Quite possibly the best book I've read all year. And quite possibly my favorite romantic relationship...ever--despite one of them being in a coma for like the entire thing (there are flashbacks).
This book had me hooked from page one, and several times I stayed up way later than I should have reading. It's filled with relatable characters dealing with really hard choices. And I LOVED the magic-school-teacher vibes. The magic system was cool, too. I don't completely understand what all the different instruments can do and what the boundaries on what they can do are, but that's okay.
There were a few times when I felt like shaking the characters for not seeing through certain deceptions, but it felt reasonable enough for someone in the moment.
Content:
Language: made up fantasy swear words only
Violence: there's a war going on, so there's that
Sexual: Mentions of sexual abuse. It's never on screen, but its implications do color a lot of the story.
General: The biggest content warning I'd have for this would be the abuse (really, the whole gamut- sexual, physical, emotional, by different characters at different times). It's not on screen and it's handled well and sensitively, but if it is a trigger you do not wish to read about, this may not be the book for you.
This book had me hooked from page one, and several times I stayed up way later than I should have reading. It's filled with relatable characters dealing with really hard choices. And I LOVED the magic-school-teacher vibes. The magic system was cool, too. I don't completely understand what all the different instruments can do and what the boundaries on what they can do are, but that's okay.
There were a few times when I felt like shaking the characters for not seeing through certain deceptions, but it felt reasonable enough for someone in the moment.
Content:
Language: made up fantasy swear words only
Violence: there's a war going on, so there's that
Sexual: Mentions of sexual abuse. It's never on screen, but its implications do color a lot of the story.
General: The biggest content warning I'd have for this would be the abuse (really, the whole gamut- sexual, physical, emotional, by different characters at different times). It's not on screen and it's handled well and sensitively, but if it is a trigger you do not wish to read about, this may not be the book for you.
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