Magic Betrayed

The Shifter of Sheridan Avenue #2

by Kenley Davidson

Well that didn’t go quite the way I expected…

So the short version is, I used my forbidden magic. But weirdly enough, I’m still breathing. Not only that, but I have a job, a great apartment, and a boss who isn’t nearly as grumpy as he wants everyone to think. The only flaw in all this happiness? I can’t leave the Shadow Court. Ever. Which means there’s no way of finding out whether Callum-ro-Deverin hates my guts.

I get it. He’s a fan of law and order, and my very existence is now a crime. That must be why, when he does finally return to the city after the Symposium, he makes no effort to even talk to me. I feel like a fool for thinking we were friends. For considering for even one moment that there might be a spark of something more.

But when someone betrays me and my family, I’m left without options. I’m going to need help—powerful help—and I’m going to have to master my unwanted magic as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, the only help available is a gorgeous dragon king who may or may not want to lock me up forever. But if it will save my family from a fate worse than death? I’ll promise him anything… even my future and my freedom.

Magic Betrayed is the second book of an exciting new urban fantasy trilogy featuring twisty magical plots, gorgeous dragon shifters, plenty of found family, and a smoldering, slow-burn romance. For fans of K.M. Shea, Shari L. Tapscott, and Annette Marie.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Dragons, Magic, Shapeshifters

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2025

About the author

Kenley Davidson is a romantic fantasy author and unrepentant caffeine addict who believes in the power of storytelling and loves nothing more than a good book hangover. Her books include romantasy, urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and sci fi, but no matter the genre, she writes stories of hope and redemption with characters you can root for, heart-pounding romance without the spice, and happy endings that might just make you cry.

Her favorite things (besides books) are coffee, k-dramas, cats, and playing cozy video games. And also scones.

Kenley currently lives in Oklahoma, where she cares for a menagerie of misfit house plants while waiting for her adult children to occasionally pop in for laundry and a home-cooked meal.

Find out more about Kenley’s books at her website: kenleydavidson.com

Reviews

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was superb!! I loved it even better than the first instalment. The found family vibes are running STRONG, my heart. 😭 The slow burn romance is PERFECTION. And as a someone who relates hard to Raine’s struggles, Callum’s steadiness is the most attractive thing in the world. They’re too precious! 🥰 And the action is HOPPING. I don’t think I took a proper breath the whole way through, haha.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love!

Loved it! Another excellent story! And although it’s part of a series so there’s loose ends, it’s still kind of a stand alone story without a big cliffhanger which is great. And I loved the emotional growth the main character experienced, finally able to accept the love of those around her. Received an ARC.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, Endearing Story

I finished the first book a few hours ago, decided I wanted to at least start the second book before I went to sleep, and now it is 4:30am and I have finished it. Whoops?

I really do love the focus on found family in this series, and I can’t wait till the third one comes out. But at least in the meantime I have some prequel stories to catch up on!

[The Squeaky Clean Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this second book

Wow. I loved this book so much. Maybe even more than the first one because I really feel like we see all of the characters come into their own.

The magic is fascinating, but let's be real I'm here for the amazing character development. The life lessons about found family, worth, and love were beautifully woven into this story.

Yes we get to see more protective dragon Callum showing up which was 🔥🔥🔥 but I loved the little tender moments that balanced everything too.

The action and tension was fun, and I couldn't put the book down.

Very ready for book three and to see where all the loose threads tie up!

Wonderfully and beautifully written as always.

💋Sweet kisses
⚠️Injuries and fantasy fighting
🤬mild swearing

[Idalia Helaena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenley Davidson’s “Magic Betrayed” is the second book in her The Shifter of Sheridan Avenue urban fantasy romance series, and it’s the continuation of Raine’s story. There’s drama and suspense, action and adventure, romance and angst, and I was totally here for it all!

I really loved how much character development Raine goes through in this one. She was always a strong and intelligent heroine, but she’s beginning to learn to let others in and trust more people, and I was really proud of her for that.

And the way Raine’s relationship with the powerful dragon shifter Callum-ro-Deverin progressed over the course of this book was pure perfection. Even though Raine tried desperately not to give into her feelings, their connection soon became impossible to deny.

Kenley Davidson is quickly becoming one of my go to authors, because every time I read one of her books, I immediately get lost in the world she has created and end up never wanting to leave it. I highly recommend giving her books a chance, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Amena · Rating 5 out of 5]

a strong emphasis on the meaning of found family

This book has a strong emphasis on the meaning of found family that I really enjoyed. I also found the final battle scene interesting to read. Waiting for the last book!

[ChattyChihuahua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness just *squeals with delight* so good!!! I loved the romance, I loved the story, I loved the found family. I want the next book now!!! 😭
Warning: once you’re 70% of the way through, get ready to ignore sleeping, feeding yourself, and using the rest room to finish.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Orangetails · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late review because A) I was sick and B) I've been a slow reader, but I was so so blessed to get this book. It delivers all the swoony, action-filled angst without being cheesy, hard to follow, or frustrating, for which I give the author full props. The most important thing I loved, though? COMMUNICATION. Between Raine and Callum, Raine and Faris, Raine and...well, pretty much everyone. She's definitely not spilling her heart to everyone, but our girl has learned to let people in and confess her feelings. Not all the way (she's still traumatized and working through some stuff), but it's enough, and it's refreshing. She's growing and becoming stronger, more open, and bolder, while also tackling even more layers of trauma she's endured. Goodness gracious, she needs a hug. Lots of them.
I do think the romance was a bit sped up in this book, but it wasn't to a ridiculous level. Raine falls pretty hard and fast for Callum, and Callum is definitely smitten with her. Maybe I just forgot how much they already liked it each, I dunno. I guess it would be pretty hard to resist a hot dragon. ;) I also was thrown off by the later twist in their romance, but I ADORED how Callum didn't rush into anything. He explained *said plot twist* and was 100% clear about his feelings on the subject, BUT gave Raine the time she needed to understand it. It's a beautiful example of consent and patience, plus remember what I said about communication? These two actually know how to work with each other, not just in battle and not just in politics.
On more of the plot side, I appreciated how the events of the first book flowed naturally into this one WITHOUT feeling like everything was turned up several levels, as most sequels do. It's more of a linear continuation of what happened, with new twists that fit into the larger puzzle that kinda made me feel a little silly for not realizing sooner. Also, ghost hunters. Gotta appreciate that little nod.
Anyway, it was a fantastic sequel, and I can't wait to see how the series progresses. Raine is already being the kick-butt heroine we know she is at heart, with Callum as her steady partner and Faris & the gang as her family. <3

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic Betrayed is the second book in the series featuring Raine and characters from Dragon of 23rd street series. I enjoyed seeing the characters from Raine's perspective and seeing how well the stories intertwined. Creating a magical world with multiple story arcs is one of Kenley's specialities. The only thing that left me wanting was how downplayed the dragon court is. I think I wanted a little peak back into the world of dragons. The first book of the series, Magic Forsaken, explains more of the shifter court, which is a separate entity, but since Callum's brother is married to the new dragon queen, I still craved a little more insight into the power dynamics between the two. I also was pleasantly surprised by the change in dynamics between Callum and Raine. I wasn't expecting Callum's reaction but was extremely pleased by it. Still I can't complain when it comes to Kenley's writing. Every time one of her books comes out, my husband knows I will be reading for a while :)

Whereas the first book builds up the world post the defeat of Elayara and reveals the consequences of her deadly experiments, this book focuses more on Raine's character development and the romance between her dragon shifter, Callum while still offering plenty of action. I love how Kenley does such a good job of creating tension and conflict without all the stupid cliches authors can use to separate people. Raine is broken not just from her past abuse as Elayara's prisoner but from the powerful guilt she continues to hold on to. I both empathized with her and grew frustrated with her, but by the end of the book, I was proud of her. The author weaves themes of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and shows true love. Not just romantic love, though this definitely qualifies as romantsy, but familial love that is made up of acts of service and not just empty words.

This book makes me want to go back to the first series and reread the books from beginning to end. Definitely a must read!

*I received an ARC copy from the author, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rashelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series but loved this even more in learning more of the background of the main heroine, Raine. We were left on a cliffhanger if Raine and her family would stay or choose to leave. Also she left Callum-ro-Deverin as he was one to uphold laws and she was against all the new laws that he just sanctioned for all courts.
The Shadow King, Faris Lansgrave, offers Raine and her family a place and her old job back. Raine is still friends with Kaira and Portal’s work crew but hasn’t encountered Callum again since she left the night of Blake’s battle with the courts at the Symposium. Yet that will change as Kaira’s wedding is coming up in a few weeks.
During Raine’s work shift, Shane Isaacson, half goblin bounty hunter and person that led Raine to Faris, shows up to issue a warning about a bounty on Kes, her Fae friend who escaped with her. After work when Raine gets home, she is attacked in her apartment and her family is gone. Instead of finding the help she was looking for, Raine accidentally discovers Callum is back and wants to be closely involved with the search. She must make amends and confront her feelings for him also while trying to find her family before it is too late.
Raine needs to discover if the kidnappers are connected to Blake or someone else? If the kidnappers know what Kes’ magic is capable of then they might use her and end up killing her instead.
With assistance from all her new friends, Raine is walking the edge of the need of them and them finding out too much. What if Raine will lose her home, friends, and Callum for real this time with the truth of how she got her powers and why Kes is involved?
I loved this book through all the twists and turns with new information on Raine, Kes, Logan, and Ari’s past life in Elayara’s experiments and dungeons.
It is a clean romance book with no sex. Although there are some curse words throughout the book.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend actually reading the first book in this series before starting this one. I kind of forgot what happened in the last book so at first I was a bit confused about the characters and what happened at the Symposium. I did catch up slowly after a while, but I find that it would help to have the first story fresh in mind before starting this book.

Wow, the hacker (who helped look for location information) was a most unexpected figure.. kinda cool haha. She even plays classical music - "Bach for searches, Wagner for hacking." I was most tickled by this description. Lovely!

The scene where Raine smacked the dragon's nose was cute, and my favourite quote - "I really really wanted to stop waking up in strange places wearing unfamiliar clothes." It's a good thing not all of such instances were bad..

One point that resonated with me - "Family wasn’t just about blood relations." For some reason that really spoke to me, perhaps because when blood relations aren't around/available to lean on, friends are the family that you choose for support. The community that Raine found really illustrated this, given that prior to that, she was used to being on her own and fending for her little adopted family to the best of her ability.

Nearing the end of the book, I was a bit surprised about Raine finally deciding what she wanted and standing firm on it instead of being sacrificial and doing things for other people’s good. It almost seemed to go against her character but I guess one could view it as character development.

As always, enjoyed Ms Davidson's humour and plot development.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

Picking up about three months after the end of book one, we find Raine and her charges living in an apartment, while she works for Finian, and waits for the axe to fall.
When her charges, Kes, Logan and Ari, disappear, Raine has to rely on her new connections to help her find them.
Trust doesn’t come easily to her after all she has been through, and it’s a stretch for her. Fortunately a certain dragon shifter king, whom she *does* trust, is around and more than willing to help.

Raine desperately wants to protect Kes and the kids, but she has her own secrets, which she might just need to reveal in order to solve their disappearance.

If you’ve read the Dragon of 23rd Street, then this series is a companion to that one. Kira, the main character from Dragon of 23rd Street, appears frequently in this book, as do several other characters from the same series. This book is set after that series, and frequently references events from it, so if you haven’t read that series already, I do recommend that you do so back story for this one. This is the second book in this series, and it is not a standalone, building upon the events told in the first book. While there is a hint of romance, this is a clean book with no graphic sex or violence.
It’s an enjoyable story, featuring found family, true mates, and several victims looking to start over in a new life. I’m looking forward to the next book, in which I hope we see a resolution to Raine and Callum’s biggest problems, and of course an opportunity to deal with a certain villain who has been left alone too long!

Recommended for fans of urban, contemporary, and clean fantasy.

[Margaryta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those very few books where I decided to focus my attention on the romantic subplot, rather than the main story line. I would simply DNF it otherwise. Not going to lie, I skimmed through some parts, the plot failed to grab my attention, and a lot of things happened here were way farfetched, but something kept me going.

Unfortunately, some issues I encountered in the first book can be found here as well: I found it hard to tell side characters apart; the romantic subplot is stronger than the fantasy one, besides there was the abundance of action scenes, especially in book 2.

I got a feeling that most of the problems the characters dealt with and a lot of scenes were written to bring the characters together (e.g.breaking into Callum's apartment early in the book). I wished it would've done in a more subtle way, BUT I'm not denying the fact that the romantic scenes were done well enough to make me blush, giggle and kick my feet in the air!

One of the most memorable scenes was when Callum said he didn’t want the heroine to feel uncomfortable, that there wouldn’t be any power imbalance in their relationship, that she doesn’t owe him anything, that even if she rejects him, he will keep the promises he made before. While there still might've been some sort of power imbalance, overall this topic was handled very well, and I think we all can agree that Callum is a “green flag”.

I haven’t decided if I’m going to continue with the rest of the series, as I was slightly less invested in the second instalment. Regardless, I enjoyed the romantic subplot, it was very sweet and pure. I think the author has a gift of writing about tender emotions!

[Shana Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have become such a huge fan of Kenley’s writing. The way she creates the characters and tells the stories just draws you in and leaves you wanting more.

This is the second book in her Shifter of Sheridan Avenue Trilogy with the final book being released later this year, so we won’t have to wait too long. The book picks up nicely where book 1 ended and immediately things go sideways. Raine’s family is kidnapped, the kids she swore to protect, and she never thought she’d ever have to see Callum again after what happened at the Symposium, she just assumed he hated her and wanted nothing to do with her. But in the end, that isn’t the case. Raine grows a lot in this story, and she comes to realize that she does have a family after all, one who will help her to find her family no matter the cost and that she isn’t alone. That she is worth it. This is something that resonates with a lot of us.

I loved all the new characters and love all the characters from the previous book, feeling as if we were family as well. Kenley takes us on such an adventure with magic, fantastic world building, great plot and story and doesn’t leave us with crazy cliffhangers.

I can’t wait for the final book!!!

This story has magic, dragons, fae, elementals, sprites, shapeshifters, found family, torturously slow-burn romance and more! Highly recommend!

I received an arc of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

[SilentSpectra · Rating 3 out of 5]

👌🏼

Raine...isn't the brightest crayon in the box. And in this book, if it wasn't for people who rallied around her, she would have gotten nowhere at lightning speed. The idiocy this book begins with made me contemplate how much I really wanted to see where the story would go because I find it truly absurd that Shane just showed up to somewhere he rarely goes to warn Raine about a bounty being out on Ker, plus they're literally outlaws everywhere but shadow court, and she hears that the power is out in her building and she shrugs it off like it's just "one of those things." There was no, "Shit, I should check on the kids!" especially when, ya know, there were two bounty hunters sitting at a table at The Portal. But no alarm bells went off, and then when she realised her building was the only one without power she still didn't think anything was off? Even with her siren power that warns of danger? Really?! Idiot.

Also, the fact that Raine is so worried about being indebted in any way when her family has been abducted and may be in danger makes me want to throat punch her. My mind simultaneously screeched to a halt and exploded when she asked Callum about how much the hacker was going to cost. Seriously, worry about that when Ker and the kids are safe because any cost would be worth it to save them. IMHO. Well, in Callum's opinion too.

And come on people, can we stop with the heroine idiotically going on walks alone when they know they're in danger? Please.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written and exciting

Rating: 4.5✨⭐️

Magic Betrayed picks up right after the events of Magic Forsaken, the flow almost uninterrupted in the storyline.

Raine is still trying to walk the tightrope between keeping her found family and their past hidden yet work for Callum because they desperately need the funds for food and shelter.

While the reader might acknowledge the naïveté, it’s also realistic to assume that the hardship and fear has made Raine just as desperate as to accept his conditions.

Davidson makes us believe in the story unravels on the pages. The suspicions, fears, and doubts, from all parties exist in this shaky political landscape and paranormal world where there has been such turmoil and infighting.

The growth in the relationships, between Callum and Raine, Raine and Kira, and others is warmly described and real. The suspense and action scenes are vivid and well executed.

My only complaint is the last book isn’t released yet so I need to wait until November to see how it all plays out.

Another recommendation for those who enjoy urban fantasy novels!

Published by: Page Nine Press
Cover Design by: Trif Book Design

The Dragon of 23rd Street (3 book series)- preceding series

The Shifter of Sheridan Avenue (3 book series)- incomplete:

Magic Forsaken #1
Magic Betrayed #2
Magic Claimed #3 - Nov 14,2025

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic installment by Kenley Davidson. I prefer to read my books back-to-back so I don't have to struggle remembering all the players. But Ms. Davidson did a fairly good job of reminding me.

The book was fast paced, full of action and active magic. Emotions ran high (especially that reunion near the end), trust was tentatively offered and rewarded. It was slightly tiresome that Raine kept thinking Callum was mad at her, but I also get where she's coming from with her traumatic past. Once again, the characters are incredibly well done, lifelike, real. I love how Ms. Davidson allows her characters to grow and love each other. I always know that I'm getting a really good plot with my romance when I pick up a Kenley book. And I feel that this book had a lot more romance in it than the last one. More almost touches and longing looks.

A lot less time with the kids in this book, but that can't be helped when they've been kidnapped. I still want to know more about Kes, she's such an interesting character.

Huge props to Kenley for keeping her large cast of characters distinctive from one another. Already itching for the next book.
I want to thank the author and her team for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and freely offered.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

– this is the second book in a trilogy and must be read in order

– this is told from Raine’s point of view

– there are about 8 curse/not nice words

Review:

I devoured this book after reading the first one! It was soo good and now I have to wait until November to finish out the trilogy…😅 But seriously, I’m really enjoying learning more about Raine’s powers and what she and the kids in her care went through under the last fae queen’s reign. I’m also loving that Faris and Callum (as well as their friends, but mainly these two) are trying to get through to Raine that she can not only lean on them, but they will also stand by her and help when needed.

Summary:

Raine thought her life of somewhat freedom would end with along with the Symposium when everything was said and done. But surprisingly, Raine still has a job, a boss who’s way more accepting and understanding than she first thought, and she has a new apartment with better security. The only downside is Raine can’t ever leave the Shadow Court, because if she does then she’ll be arrested for the magic inside her that she’d never asked for in the first place. Which also means that she can’t go to Callum and find out if he hates her. But besides that, everything is going much better than Raine expected.

That is until one night, someone breaks into the new apartment and makes off with the kids she’s been caring for. Raine would do anything to get them back safely, even if it means turning to the powerful people around her and trusting that they have the kids safety as a top priority just as she does. And it means Raine will have to embrace the magic within her so she can be more of a help than if she didn’t use her powers…

[Jagged · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright, I've caught on. I'm not the target audience

I've learned my lesson, 5 books later. This author doesn't write for me. And that's okay.

If you want fluffy, inconsistencies, and zero stakes, this author's got you covered.

These characters are pretty much cookie cutter of each other from series to series. Raine's supposed to be in her late twenties. Could've fooled me several times over. She "yups" about everything like a teenager. Every time, I read it with a pop of the p. All she needed was chewing gum.

The plot is placid. The side characters are there to interrupt pretty much any progress. Raine gets in stupid situations by being stupid. And she refuses to actually defend herself. This means there's no closure to the plot points. But, if you avoid violence while still wanting to read what should be violent interactions, this will be right up your alley.

I need high stakes and consequences. I need plot lines that make sense. I need a world that's actually interactive. And I need real feeling behind characters.
These things are not found here.

I did love Grandma Pearl, though. And her bunny.

Anyway, these aren't for me. And I won't degrade the rating of this author any further when I know these aren't for me.

[Kristi Pihl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic Betrayed sucked me in from the very beginning. The story is suspenseful, but there is also humor and heart-warming moments.

The story picks up three months after Raine exposed her forbidden magic during the battle at the Symposium. Raine’s family is kidnapped by persons unknown. Raine and Callum must solve the mystery of who is behind the kidnapping and rescue her family before it is too late.

This book is fast paced and well written, with vivid language and strong descriptions. I really enjoyed Raine’s continued character development and her interactions with the other characters.

The ending was satisfying with a positive resolution. While it left the story open for the next book, it was not a cliffhanger. I am eagerly waiting for the next book.

This is the second book in a series and should be read in order. The first book is Magic Forsaken, which I highly recommend. I recommend starting with Kenley Davidson’s Dragon of 23rd Street trilogy first for the most enjoyment. That series takes place prior to The Shifter of Sheridan Avenue series.

I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Raine and Callum together. Their relationship has been hard fought for, hard won, hard... almost everything. But they're still there for each other after the dust settles. And I absolutely love that!
I also love how much Raine and Callum have grown with one another as well as separately. Each dealing with their own battles/burdens/insecurities, but they still manage to persevere in their own ways.

I also really liked seeing Raine become more confident, and really seeing her open up, and trust more than just her small chosen family. Likewise, I loved that Callum isn't as rigid as he first was in the previous book, we're able to see more facets of his personality and who he really is.

I'm definitely excited for the last book; I'm loving this trilogy so much! I can't wait to see how things unfold in certain areas, and how the final battle will take place. Really, I'm just so flipping excited to see how things play out for Raine and Callum with how Magic Betrayed ended!
Overall, the action, betrayal, humor, romance, and really just everything kept me engaged and turning pages long into the night so I could get to that final, and mostly satisfying, ending!

[Stephanie Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenley Davidson has done it again! This book is fabulous. Can I just say that I adore Callum? His tenderness toward and understanding of Raine make my heart happy. We need more heroes like him—ones who are tough yet tender, compassionate and protective. He's not perfect, but he's the perfect fit for Raine and hero for this story. Raine also has my heart. What a lovely heroine! Her story makes me want to cry, and I just want to wrap her up in a hug and tell her it's okay to trust again, that some people are safe. Loved seeing her grow in confidence and trust throughout the story!

The mystery, adventure, and unique cast of complex characters that come together in this one make the story absolutely fascinating. I so enjoyed Kenley's pacing, creativity, and character growth in this one. Plus, it's always good to see some old friends from other stories. Especially Kira.

I also know it's a good story when I see pieces of myself in the characters, as I did in Raine, and walk away feeling understood and maybe even a little healed. Kenley Davidson has such a knack for this, and she definitely has a forever fan in me.

I can't wait for the next, and final, book in this series. Thank you, Kenley, for taking me on another wonderful adventure through your stories!

💫 As a note, I received an ARC from the author, but I wrote this adoring review because I wanted to, not because it was required. All opinions stated here are my own.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Shifters of Sheridan Avenue was a fabulous continuation of Raine’s story filled with magic, dragons, secrets and found family. Raine is cautiously settling in to her new life in the Shadow Court, determinedly not thinking about Callum ( and failing) when her little family is kidnapped. Injured by an attack she finds herself on Callum’s doorstep and reluctantly accepts his help. But with Kes and the kids missing she will do whatever she has to bring them home. I loved seeing Raine & Callum’s relationship develop as Raine finds out that her little family isn’t so little and she is loved not for what she can or can’t bring to the table but for who she is. It was wonderful to see how far she has come in accepting the love and friendship of everyone, but most especially how she has learnt to trust Callum and is ready to fight for them.

I received an ARC but all views expressed are my own.

[clean.reads.corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I trust you. No matter who I was facing, if I could only choose one person to have my back? I would choose you."

I am so excited to be back in this world! The magic system and world building in this series is fantastic. I love all of the unique and creative ways the author has the characters use their magic.

I love the theme of forgiveness not only for others, but for yourself. That combined with the theme of found family demonstrate that love and acceptance should not need to be earned or tallied, but should be freely given.

Regardless of genre, this author is a master at creating complex characters that draw you in and tug at your heartstrings. The character growth and emotional depth surpass what you would expect from an urban fantasy novel. The friendship/relationship between Callum and Raine is slow burn perfection! These two have worked their way into my heart and I cannot wait to see what awaits them in the final book of this trilogy!

[Martha Braebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel to Magic Forsaken did not disappoint! The book was fast-paced, intriguing, and page-turning. I was immediately drawn into the book from the very beginning and I loved how Raine and Callum's relationship developed over the course of the novel. I was thrilled to see so many of the characters from Dragon of 23rd Street and it was incredible to see all the overlaps. I also loved how Raine evolved over the novel, finally realising that she wasn't worthless and accepting her magic and who she was. I loved how she chose to fight for Callum and I loved the way the story was told in an absolutely compelling way! I couldn't stop reading once I opened the book and, like many of Kenley Davidson's books, this book is a definite must-read! I cannot wait for the third book.

I received an ARC copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Raine used her “illegal” magic, she has found sanctuary in the Shadow Court, working for Faris and working in his bar. But she hasn’t heard from Callum since.
When her family is kidnapped and Raine injured, she goes looking for help. The bar is closed and locked so she heads over to the symposium building in the hope she can find a land line. To her surprise, she finds Callum. It seems they’re not talking is a big misunderstanding.
This book covers the search for Raine’s missing family, her relationship with Callum and well as the growing family bond with the people she has recently met.
There is more explained about everyone’s powers and their background.
There is some action, surprises, suspense, magic, great characters and interactions. There is also the slow romance between Raine and Callum.
This is an easy, quick read with some darker areas.
Definitely recommend.

[Kathrese · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason for 3 stars is a sequence of events before the final showdown in which the main character is quite simply Too Stupid To Live. The author could have skipped ten-fifteen pages and simply swept the character to the final showdown without the muddled "action" that does not advance the plot, goes on for pages and pages, and paints the MC as a dumb bunny stumbling into an avoidable situation. SMH

I would also add that the MC's love interest is practically perfect in every way; if the main character is keeping secrets, well, so is he as we find in the final chapter.

Mostly, I enjoy the world that Davidson has created and the complex system of magic within it. The author leaves an opening for plenty of conflict to come at the end of this part 2 of 3 series, so we will see how it all lands.

[Destiny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raine is both looking forward to Kira's wedding and dreading facing Callum again. She's pretty sure he hates her after the way things ended at the Symposium. Not to mention, she's now a criminal thanks to the law he unknowingly helped pass.

Blake is still out there, and her best friend, Kes, is still in danger. When Kes and the kids are kidnapped, Raine will take all the help she can get to find them and bring them home.

She and Callum realize their feelings for one another, but Raine struggles with feeling worthy of love and help. Her guilt over her past threatens to keep her and Callum apart.

It had been a while since I read the first book in the series, but it did come back to me. Raine and Callum make a cute couple. He shows Raine she is worthy of being loved and deserving of help just as she is. The theme of found family is very strong in this series.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seamlessly picks up from book one, and you will enjoy it more if you have read book one, so please do so. The action picks up early in the story, as Raine finds that her dear long time friends have been kidnapped. All of her fellow shifters get involved in helping her. Oh yes, Callum is stepping up to the forefront in this book, and we watch the relationship with Raine develop. There is mystery and adventure in trying to solve the kidnapping, but the underlying theme is the support and love of those who care, creating a family of magic users, who are not related by blood, but by the close relationship of care for each other. The last chapter definitely sets the tone for the next book, more obstacles, but more connection to come! I did receive an ARC from the author.