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Mages and Mates #4
Cast A Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance
Otto Hollen has always protected his younger brothers. Three of them have been chosen to be guardians for the next Great Ward, and Otto’s determined to avoid the final position. Yes, being chosen is a great honor, but Otto’s convinced it will force Owen, his youngest brother, to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Otto would rather die himself than let that happen – even if he has to fight the Earth itself.
Thalion Eisenwald should be celebrating. His father, the unicorn alpha, named Thalion to be his heir. It’s what he’s wanted his entire life. So why does the arrival of two Hollen brothers make him uneasy? He’s heard rumors of new guardians being chosen, but those are stories. Besides, Thalion plans to be the next alpha of the herd, not a guardian for the world.
When the Earth chooses Otto as Thalion's mate, Otto shockingly rejects the bond. Thalion is furious, hurt, and grudgingly impressed. But their brothers' capture changes everything. To save them, Otto will need to accept the bond with Thalion. Faced with an impossible choice, they desperately search for search for a third option. One that doesn’t result in those they love ending up dead.
Thalion Eisenwald should be celebrating. His father, the unicorn alpha, named Thalion to be his heir. It’s what he’s wanted his entire life. So why does the arrival of two Hollen brothers make him uneasy? He’s heard rumors of new guardians being chosen, but those are stories. Besides, Thalion plans to be the next alpha of the herd, not a guardian for the world.
When the Earth chooses Otto as Thalion's mate, Otto shockingly rejects the bond. Thalion is furious, hurt, and grudgingly impressed. But their brothers' capture changes everything. To save them, Otto will need to accept the bond with Thalion. Faced with an impossible choice, they desperately search for search for a third option. One that doesn’t result in those they love ending up dead.
- GenresParanormalFantasy
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2024
32 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 17, 2024
Cast A Spell is the 4th book in the Mages and Mates series. It can be read as a stand alone, but it's best to read the series in order. This is the story of Otto a mage and Thalion a unicorn shifter. I loved this book so much because it has everything I want in a great story. It has lots of action, danger, suspense, and steam. I love how Andy Gallo makes us feel for the characters in the series. I can't wait for the next book. I would definitely recommend this book and series as 5 star reads.
November 27, 2024
amazing storytelling, wonderful characters
Rating: 4.75🌈
Andy Gallo writes about family love, family dynamics and relationships so beautifully, no matter what the theme or situations his characters are facing. Whether it’s a fantasy story, paranormal romance or something completely different, it’s in the realistic relationships between the characters he’s creating and the firm, strong foundations on which their lives have been set that we believe in, magical or not.
And that’s never more apparent than in his Mages and Mates series and this novel in particular.
Throughout this series, book by book, we’ve gotten to know the politically powerful , magical Hollen family as the brothers discover their mates and the fact that they’re part of a larger plan to save their world.
Each novel, by design, has slowly been revealing more of a sinister plot to destroy the Great Ward along with the other thread of the ancient guardians, four magical fated mate couple in a designated place, who are being replaced by the newly mated Hollen brothers. But there’s also more to this still evolving series arc and we get more of those elements here.
In Cast A Spell, Gallo delivers several great new twists and it really makes this series even better in terms of character development and the depths of the storylines. It also derives from the family, on two sides at its core.
The Hollen family, the mages , with Otto now being the brother in line to make his own match and potentially be another chosen new guardian along with whoever is his mate. But there’s a secret or maybe a danger he’s hiding.
The other side is a family or herd of unicorns, one known more for its isolation out in Montana. Its oldest son and heir, Thalion Eisenwald, knows he might be the one the Hollens are looking to as a possible match for Otto, or one of his other brothers.
I don’t want to get into the specifics of this wonderfully fascinating and complex story but it’s got brotherly dynamics that feel very familiar and real even when based in a fantasy setting, as well as realistic emotional moments and inner turmoil that comes from the same places that we can relate to. Fear for those we love.
Gallo has given us a strong narrative, full of excitement, great action, and believable character development that happens between brothers and lovers and multiple characters. All that while bringing together the major elements and characters that’s required to move everything forward to a higher, even darker and more complex storyline for the series.
I believe there’s only one book left. And it comes out next year. That’s Spellbound. I can’t wait for that story. But this amazing universe deserves far more attention than this series. And these characters and magical creatures need more attention and stories. I hope that happens.
I highly recommend this series and the book but none are standalones. All must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the characters and the arc development.
Cover Art by Alex Forza
Mages and Mates series:
Break the Spell #1
It Spells Trouble #2
Under a Spell #3
Cast A Spell #4
Spellbound #5 - June 26,2025
Rating: 4.75🌈
Andy Gallo writes about family love, family dynamics and relationships so beautifully, no matter what the theme or situations his characters are facing. Whether it’s a fantasy story, paranormal romance or something completely different, it’s in the realistic relationships between the characters he’s creating and the firm, strong foundations on which their lives have been set that we believe in, magical or not.
And that’s never more apparent than in his Mages and Mates series and this novel in particular.
Throughout this series, book by book, we’ve gotten to know the politically powerful , magical Hollen family as the brothers discover their mates and the fact that they’re part of a larger plan to save their world.
Each novel, by design, has slowly been revealing more of a sinister plot to destroy the Great Ward along with the other thread of the ancient guardians, four magical fated mate couple in a designated place, who are being replaced by the newly mated Hollen brothers. But there’s also more to this still evolving series arc and we get more of those elements here.
In Cast A Spell, Gallo delivers several great new twists and it really makes this series even better in terms of character development and the depths of the storylines. It also derives from the family, on two sides at its core.
The Hollen family, the mages , with Otto now being the brother in line to make his own match and potentially be another chosen new guardian along with whoever is his mate. But there’s a secret or maybe a danger he’s hiding.
The other side is a family or herd of unicorns, one known more for its isolation out in Montana. Its oldest son and heir, Thalion Eisenwald, knows he might be the one the Hollens are looking to as a possible match for Otto, or one of his other brothers.
I don’t want to get into the specifics of this wonderfully fascinating and complex story but it’s got brotherly dynamics that feel very familiar and real even when based in a fantasy setting, as well as realistic emotional moments and inner turmoil that comes from the same places that we can relate to. Fear for those we love.
Gallo has given us a strong narrative, full of excitement, great action, and believable character development that happens between brothers and lovers and multiple characters. All that while bringing together the major elements and characters that’s required to move everything forward to a higher, even darker and more complex storyline for the series.
I believe there’s only one book left. And it comes out next year. That’s Spellbound. I can’t wait for that story. But this amazing universe deserves far more attention than this series. And these characters and magical creatures need more attention and stories. I hope that happens.
I highly recommend this series and the book but none are standalones. All must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the characters and the arc development.
Cover Art by Alex Forza
Mages and Mates series:
Break the Spell #1
It Spells Trouble #2
Under a Spell #3
Cast A Spell #4
Spellbound #5 - June 26,2025
November 9, 2024
The earth has three of the four new guardian pairings needed to recreate the Great Ward. With how involved the Hollen's family was in the creation of the original ward, Otto Hollen knows that it will be either him or his younger brother Owen who will be chosen as Southern Guardian. He intends it to be Owen. Earth would then relegate him to the position of the fifth mage. Katerina Hollen was the fifth mage, anchor for the original spell; she sacrificed her life in the creation. Owen refuses to sacrifice his younger brother. Sent to the Eisenwald unicorn herd by their mage chancellor father, both mages find their mates. Otto refuses his matebond with Thalion Eisenwald in an attempt to force fates' hand. But a mission to Transylvania requires them to bond.
Otto is rather staid, the mage ambassador to the dragon court. Thal is his father's alpha heir to the herd and used to giving up his wants for the good of the pack. . Even though it breaks his heart, he accepts Otto's refusal to bond. When they do bond, the pages sizzle.
Owen is the stronger mage, but Otto is the better. Owen and his Lysandor live in the moment. Their brothers' maturity and faith in them are guides to growing up and carrying out a successful mission.
Gallo has ramped up the suspense and danger as the series progresses. He keeps putting them into 'there's no way they'll survive' positions. It takes magic and Hollen brains to save the day.
Owen and Lysandor are sweet, but they are very much secondary characters. The other guardian bothers and their mates pop up as secondaries as well. The older ward guardians, Percival and Pelagios, are more helpful than the ones in the earlier books.
The book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I am very much loving this series. The next book's protagonists are already chosen. And not who I expected.
A quick, fun read. I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my review.
Otto is rather staid, the mage ambassador to the dragon court. Thal is his father's alpha heir to the herd and used to giving up his wants for the good of the pack. . Even though it breaks his heart, he accepts Otto's refusal to bond. When they do bond, the pages sizzle.
Owen is the stronger mage, but Otto is the better. Owen and his Lysandor live in the moment. Their brothers' maturity and faith in them are guides to growing up and carrying out a successful mission.
Gallo has ramped up the suspense and danger as the series progresses. He keeps putting them into 'there's no way they'll survive' positions. It takes magic and Hollen brains to save the day.
Owen and Lysandor are sweet, but they are very much secondary characters. The other guardian bothers and their mates pop up as secondaries as well. The older ward guardians, Percival and Pelagios, are more helpful than the ones in the earlier books.
The book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I am very much loving this series. The next book's protagonists are already chosen. And not who I expected.
A quick, fun read. I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my review.
November 21, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up to five
Wow! This was another great installment in this Mages and Mates series! The storyline really moved along at a great pace and kept my attention the entire time. The cover art is absolutely gorgeous as well. The only reason that I took 1/2 star off my rating was that the book could have benefited from another good proofreading. Other than that, this was an excellent book which I can definitely recommend. I’m seriously excited for the next book in this series to come out. The following was my favorite quote from the book:
It was a bittersweet moment. The earth stole something precious from them both, but the world was safer for the theft.
Wow! This was another great installment in this Mages and Mates series! The storyline really moved along at a great pace and kept my attention the entire time. The cover art is absolutely gorgeous as well. The only reason that I took 1/2 star off my rating was that the book could have benefited from another good proofreading. Other than that, this was an excellent book which I can definitely recommend. I’m seriously excited for the next book in this series to come out. The following was my favorite quote from the book:
It was a bittersweet moment. The earth stole something precious from them both, but the world was safer for the theft.
November 30, 2024
Another awesome book in this series. This is book 4 and I recommend reading the other 3 as it deals with an overlaying arc. Otto is a mage and a diplomat. When tasked with his bother Owen to visit the unicorns, he is bothered but went. When both Owen and Otto meet and shake hands with the sons of the alpha, they realize that they are mates with Lysander and Thalia. Otto, even though he is thrilled, rejected Thalian as he was trying to save his brother. As time passes and they have to go on a mission, Otto accepts Thal. I loved the world building and heat between them. There is great action and suspense in this book. I cannot wait to read what happens next.
November 27, 2024
The saga continues
This time, fate chooses 2 sets of fated mates. It'll take all of them to defeat an ancient evil, but only 2 can be the Southern Guardians. You'll never guess who the 5th set of guardians will be! I mean you won't be surprised at all.
These guys are sweet and self sacrificing, and too busy to really show much personality at all beyond overprotectiveness and humility. The story is pretty fun, with hidden libraries and an evil mage with a pretty toy.
This time, fate chooses 2 sets of fated mates. It'll take all of them to defeat an ancient evil, but only 2 can be the Southern Guardians. You'll never guess who the 5th set of guardians will be! I mean you won't be surprised at all.
These guys are sweet and self sacrificing, and too busy to really show much personality at all beyond overprotectiveness and humility. The story is pretty fun, with hidden libraries and an evil mage with a pretty toy.
November 29, 2024
Wonderful!
As usual, Andy Gallo has created a wonderful story full of action and love. This is fourth in the series and I’m really looking forward to reading the fifth installment. Highly Recommended
As usual, Andy Gallo has created a wonderful story full of action and love. This is fourth in the series and I’m really looking forward to reading the fifth installment. Highly Recommended
December 11, 2024
Great addition to the series
This was filled with plenty of fast-paced action, danger, drama, and lots of magic.
This book hit an amazing upwards trajectory, leading to an inevitable explosive ending, and I can't wait.
This was filled with plenty of fast-paced action, danger, drama, and lots of magic.
This book hit an amazing upwards trajectory, leading to an inevitable explosive ending, and I can't wait.
November 28, 2024
Loved this.
Loved this so much. Bring on book five, please. Another excellent chapter in a great series. Keep up the wonderful writing, Andy.
Loved this so much. Bring on book five, please. Another excellent chapter in a great series. Keep up the wonderful writing, Andy.
July 27, 2025
I love this series with my whole heart, but I gotta be honest and say that that love? It has led me to forgive a lot of issues I wouldn’t normally not talk about.
Like repetition. In sex scenes, in love confessions, in thoughts and phrasing… lots and so much of it is the same from book to book. And it got hella dense in this book, so I can’t not say anything. Dude, you wrote that scene almost verbatim in two other books and you know it.
I know you know it because I know it, and that means you know I know it because you know you put it there for me to know. Gimmie something new. Frickin’ UNICORN, and you give me “same shit, different couple” energy. You let me down, man.
ANYHOW🙃
I feel so vindicated, validated, whatever word you want to use, that I was right and the big baddie is indeed who I clocked from the prequel. I love it when a plot comes together. And I truly enjoyed the way this one handled the whole thing from intro to reveal.
And that the next book is my precious angel bb Roderick? I am NOT happy about having to wait, but I will. Just gonna have ants in my pants the whole time.
4/5. Because it could use some polishing, but it’s still shiny asf and I love it.
Like repetition. In sex scenes, in love confessions, in thoughts and phrasing… lots and so much of it is the same from book to book. And it got hella dense in this book, so I can’t not say anything. Dude, you wrote that scene almost verbatim in two other books and you know it.
I know you know it because I know it, and that means you know I know it because you know you put it there for me to know. Gimmie something new. Frickin’ UNICORN, and you give me “same shit, different couple” energy. You let me down, man.
ANYHOW🙃
I feel so vindicated, validated, whatever word you want to use, that I was right and the big baddie is indeed who I clocked from the prequel. I love it when a plot comes together. And I truly enjoyed the way this one handled the whole thing from intro to reveal.
And that the next book is my precious angel bb Roderick? I am NOT happy about having to wait, but I will. Just gonna have ants in my pants the whole time.
4/5. Because it could use some polishing, but it’s still shiny asf and I love it.
November 28, 2024
I loved it!
Otto and Thalion act as big brothers throughout the book and it`s adorable.
Otto puts his brother before him and keeps trying to save his life to the point of rejecting his unicorn mate. Thalion is able to look farther than their mating and see how Otto is suffering and offers to help.
They end mated obviously and they are a very lovely pair.
The end nears and they must keep the barrier to avoid the destruction of their world, together all the Hollen brothers must do their part.
A action packed story, full of magic and matings, some heartache and a lot of communication. Andy Gallo is becoming one of my favorite authors with his way with words, how well he gets you in the story and how he gives depth to his characters.
This is a wonderful series and this instalment is really good, don´t miss it!
Otto and Thalion act as big brothers throughout the book and it`s adorable.
Otto puts his brother before him and keeps trying to save his life to the point of rejecting his unicorn mate. Thalion is able to look farther than their mating and see how Otto is suffering and offers to help.
They end mated obviously and they are a very lovely pair.
The end nears and they must keep the barrier to avoid the destruction of their world, together all the Hollen brothers must do their part.
A action packed story, full of magic and matings, some heartache and a lot of communication. Andy Gallo is becoming one of my favorite authors with his way with words, how well he gets you in the story and how he gives depth to his characters.
This is a wonderful series and this instalment is really good, don´t miss it!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews