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The Broken Bonds of Magic #1
The Malice of Moons and Mages
For Audra, survival means lying and stealing from the Moon and Starling tribes who have pillaged her people and stripped them of their magic. No scorned lover, monstrous aunt, or prison bars will keep her from getting what she wants. But when she finally obtains the dragon’s eye jade—the one thing that could save her spell-wounded brother and return her people to their former glory—fate intervenes.
Haunted by his part in his father’s death, Lua is determined to put an end to the chaos of the former Rajav's madness. As the most powerful, and most hated, mage in the Moon tribes, he must claim his throne before the impending dual lunar eclipses or risk his sociopathic sister dooming their people. But when he’s betrayed and left for dead by the man he called brother, his magic anchors him to the foul-mouthed woman who plucks him from the sea.
Stalked by a former comrade-in-arms who is compelled to kill for a love he can never possess, Audra and Lua race to reach the Silent monastery and break the unwanted bond or risk it destroying them both. As their combined magic and desires grow increasingly entangled, identities are revealed, deep-seeded hatreds are questioned, and uncomfortable truths eat away at the very foundation of their beliefs.
With time running out and loyalties tested, the begrudging pair must overcome not only those who would stop them, but also themselves. Before it's too late.
Haunted by his part in his father’s death, Lua is determined to put an end to the chaos of the former Rajav's madness. As the most powerful, and most hated, mage in the Moon tribes, he must claim his throne before the impending dual lunar eclipses or risk his sociopathic sister dooming their people. But when he’s betrayed and left for dead by the man he called brother, his magic anchors him to the foul-mouthed woman who plucks him from the sea.
Stalked by a former comrade-in-arms who is compelled to kill for a love he can never possess, Audra and Lua race to reach the Silent monastery and break the unwanted bond or risk it destroying them both. As their combined magic and desires grow increasingly entangled, identities are revealed, deep-seeded hatreds are questioned, and uncomfortable truths eat away at the very foundation of their beliefs.
With time running out and loyalties tested, the begrudging pair must overcome not only those who would stop them, but also themselves. Before it's too late.
- GenresFantasy
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2025
8 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
N.V. Haskell
11 books18 followersN.V. Haskell is an award-winning speculative fiction writer who lives somewhere between suburbia and haunted creeks with her long-suffering spouse, rescue dog, and generations of groundhogs and squirrels that she can’t help but feed. After many years in healthcare, she remains stubbornly optimistic. When not hiking, reading, or watching C or K Dramas, you can find her incognito at Comic Expos or Renaissance Fairs. Her debut novel, The Malice of Moons and Mages, released in April from Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing. For more information, visit her website at www.nvhaskell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 25, 2025
˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
i was hooked from the first page, the twists and turns kept me flipping through the pages. i loved the unique magic system and did i mention there are dragons too?
if you're looking for LGBTQ+ representation, this book has it. it has multiple same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples.
i just didn't really like the multiple POVs, it was really hard to follow since there were so many characters. i also got a bit confused about the politics, but in the end it got cleared up.
anyways, such a fun read. can't wait for book two!!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
i got the ARC, hope it delivers
i was hooked from the first page, the twists and turns kept me flipping through the pages. i loved the unique magic system and did i mention there are dragons too?
if you're looking for LGBTQ+ representation, this book has it. it has multiple same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples.
i just didn't really like the multiple POVs, it was really hard to follow since there were so many characters. i also got a bit confused about the politics, but in the end it got cleared up.
anyways, such a fun read. can't wait for book two!!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
i got the ARC, hope it delivers
February 28, 2025
*4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for this book!
I don’t consider fantasy as my go-to genre, and if I do read it I am looking for a story that transcends the format and delivers relatable characters and a gripping plot. Haskell delivered everything with “The Malice of Moons and Mages.” This book is an introduction to a world where magic is the foundation for power, and love and loyalty are often caught in the crosshairs. Audra and Lua are our primary guides, and as they are forced to navigate this reality bound to each other not by choice, but necessity, we learn the rules, pitfalls, and heartbreak alongside them. Haskell masterfully builds tension as the story progresses, arriving at an ending that perfectly fits this story but leaves us wanting more.
Did I mention there are dragons?
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for this book!
I don’t consider fantasy as my go-to genre, and if I do read it I am looking for a story that transcends the format and delivers relatable characters and a gripping plot. Haskell delivered everything with “The Malice of Moons and Mages.” This book is an introduction to a world where magic is the foundation for power, and love and loyalty are often caught in the crosshairs. Audra and Lua are our primary guides, and as they are forced to navigate this reality bound to each other not by choice, but necessity, we learn the rules, pitfalls, and heartbreak alongside them. Haskell masterfully builds tension as the story progresses, arriving at an ending that perfectly fits this story but leaves us wanting more.
Did I mention there are dragons?
March 25, 2025
3.75✨
The Rajav Li-Hun is dead and the courts of the Moon mages is turned upside down. Through a turn of events, the Oji Lua finds himself tethered to a skilled thief with her own missions. Together they must head on a journey to break their bond while powerful forces hunt them down at every turn.
Audra is highly skilled, insanely stubborn and loyal to her core. I don’t love or hate her. I find her incredibly passionate especially on her quest for justice. I found similar traits in Lua as well which makes them a fantastic pairing. This is portrayed as enemies to lovers but I found the former part fizzes rather quickly. I would have liked a bit more tension between the two of them. I do think romantasy fans will love our “touch her and die” MMC.
The magic system here is like a breath of fresh air. Sets itself apart within the genre. The only issues I had with it is that everything was insanely fast paced. Found myself putting it down because the world building felt so overwhelmed. The first few chapters are pure unlimited chaos that only is ramped up but 3 POV’s. Eventually it gets into a good stride and all comes together neatly. It is a ruthless and mystical high fantasy world. Fans of gripping vivid fast paced high fantasy with a touch of romance will devour this.
Thank you to Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing, N.V. Haskell & Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Rajav Li-Hun is dead and the courts of the Moon mages is turned upside down. Through a turn of events, the Oji Lua finds himself tethered to a skilled thief with her own missions. Together they must head on a journey to break their bond while powerful forces hunt them down at every turn.
Audra is highly skilled, insanely stubborn and loyal to her core. I don’t love or hate her. I find her incredibly passionate especially on her quest for justice. I found similar traits in Lua as well which makes them a fantastic pairing. This is portrayed as enemies to lovers but I found the former part fizzes rather quickly. I would have liked a bit more tension between the two of them. I do think romantasy fans will love our “touch her and die” MMC.
The magic system here is like a breath of fresh air. Sets itself apart within the genre. The only issues I had with it is that everything was insanely fast paced. Found myself putting it down because the world building felt so overwhelmed. The first few chapters are pure unlimited chaos that only is ramped up but 3 POV’s. Eventually it gets into a good stride and all comes together neatly. It is a ruthless and mystical high fantasy world. Fans of gripping vivid fast paced high fantasy with a touch of romance will devour this.
Thank you to Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing, N.V. Haskell & Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Our story starts out with the (realistically) badass FMC being jailed for stealing dragon's eye jade to save her baby brother who had a spell cast on him and to return her people of the Western tribe to their former glory. The Western Tribe was decimated after a war between the Moon and Starling tribes and a bid for power. Fate intervenes when we meet our MMC after he and Audra bond unwillingly Lua has some serious generational trauma to contend with and a psychopathic sister who has no empathy and her only goal is complete control. In this true enemies to lovers romantasy our FMC and MMC are conflicted with their differing background and figuring out if their loyalties and feelings are due to the bond or something more.
I will say that the first couple of chapters were pretty confusing. I am one who loves multiple POV's and intense world building but it was just too much too fast. That being said once you push through meeting each character the story really ramps up and keeps you hooked. There is great comedic banter between our FMC and MMC within the first 30% of the book but once the romance was introduced I felt it lacked chemistry and could seem a little bit controlling and obsessive at times. Also....Moonie....I can't get over that nickname I despised reading it several times throughout the book. I kept thinking that Selene would have some type of redemption arc but nope that girl is actually insane.
All in all I loved the plot twist towards the middle of the book and how things were built up at the end for a possible duology...trilogy? I'm not sure but I can't wait to read it!
Our story starts out with the (realistically) badass FMC being jailed for stealing dragon's eye jade to save her baby brother who had a spell cast on him and to return her people of the Western tribe to their former glory. The Western Tribe was decimated after a war between the Moon and Starling tribes and a bid for power. Fate intervenes when we meet our MMC after he and Audra bond unwillingly Lua has some serious generational trauma to contend with and a psychopathic sister who has no empathy and her only goal is complete control. In this true enemies to lovers romantasy our FMC and MMC are conflicted with their differing background and figuring out if their loyalties and feelings are due to the bond or something more.
I will say that the first couple of chapters were pretty confusing. I am one who loves multiple POV's and intense world building but it was just too much too fast. That being said once you push through meeting each character the story really ramps up and keeps you hooked. There is great comedic banter between our FMC and MMC within the first 30% of the book but once the romance was introduced I felt it lacked chemistry and could seem a little bit controlling and obsessive at times. Also....Moonie....I can't get over that nickname I despised reading it several times throughout the book. I kept thinking that Selene would have some type of redemption arc but nope that girl is actually insane.
All in all I loved the plot twist towards the middle of the book and how things were built up at the end for a possible duology...trilogy? I'm not sure but I can't wait to read it!
September 25, 2025
Legend of Korra meets the Green Bone Saga in this sweeping world build that's more than "just" a romantasy.
I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of character and development of the tangled web of people involved in this book as someone who has read far too many romantic fantasies that underestimated the reader. The world and magic systems are well developed on a level not often found in many romantic fantasies of our tiktok times.
The actual story feels like a true old-fashioned epic and it has many characters that I could empathize with, even the ones who were a bit villainous. There's plenty of descriptive language that really immerses you in the lands passed through on the journey and it has one of the better opening chapters I've read in quite a while. I knew I'd love it from paragraph one.
Can't wait for the next!
I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of character and development of the tangled web of people involved in this book as someone who has read far too many romantic fantasies that underestimated the reader. The world and magic systems are well developed on a level not often found in many romantic fantasies of our tiktok times.
The actual story feels like a true old-fashioned epic and it has many characters that I could empathize with, even the ones who were a bit villainous. There's plenty of descriptive language that really immerses you in the lands passed through on the journey and it has one of the better opening chapters I've read in quite a while. I knew I'd love it from paragraph one.
Can't wait for the next!
February 18, 2025
This epic romantasy unfolds in a magical land where mages draw their power from the sun, Starling, and two moons—Silence and Song. I loved the celestial names, though it took me a moment to distinguish which was which.
The story follows Audra, a resilient Westerner willing to do whatever it takes for her family, and Lua, a powerful Moon mage on the run.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the magic bonding. I’m not usually drawn to the bonded mates trope, but this one was executed so beautifully that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it.
I also adored the rich, whimsical lore. Some of the political elements went over my head, and I found myself confused at times—but since political intrigue isn’t something I typically enjoy, that might have been more about me than the book itself.
The story features multiple points of view, though I was most invested in Audra and Lua’s perspectives. While I didn’t feel as connected to the other POVs or their romances, I can see how they add depth and complexity to the narrative.
If you’re looking for diverse representation, this book delivers. Most of the relationships are MM or FF, and both MC's have had same-sex partners.
This story is yet to be published on April 1st, and I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story follows Audra, a resilient Westerner willing to do whatever it takes for her family, and Lua, a powerful Moon mage on the run.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the magic bonding. I’m not usually drawn to the bonded mates trope, but this one was executed so beautifully that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it.
I also adored the rich, whimsical lore. Some of the political elements went over my head, and I found myself confused at times—but since political intrigue isn’t something I typically enjoy, that might have been more about me than the book itself.
The story features multiple points of view, though I was most invested in Audra and Lua’s perspectives. While I didn’t feel as connected to the other POVs or their romances, I can see how they add depth and complexity to the narrative.
If you’re looking for diverse representation, this book delivers. Most of the relationships are MM or FF, and both MC's have had same-sex partners.
This story is yet to be published on April 1st, and I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 31, 2025
I did not enjoy this. I will say the plot was interesting and had potential. That's about the only positive I can say about it.
The writing was so clunky I actually had to reread some passages and they still didn't make sense. The relationship between Lua and Audra had zero chemistry. It started as enemies to lovers and the thing that started softening her to him was him kicking rocks out of the road (???). They had little dialogue and by the end were in love somehow.
For the first few chapters I had next to no idea what was going on. So many names, titles, places, etc were rattled off with practically no explanation. For instance, the terms Oji and Oja are used liberally throughout and aren't actually explained until the 70% mark.
There was an attempt at world building toward the beginning, which just looked like word vomit that I decided to accept I wouldn't understand in the hopes that it would be expanded upon later.
The magic system was barely explained. One tribe ranks by stars and takes power from the moons, another has no ranking and takes power from the sun. The third I have no idea. They just have magic. And there are dragons.
The only character I liked was Audra's aunt. Most everyone else lacked a personality, and those that had one were evil, just cause.
The writing was so clunky I actually had to reread some passages and they still didn't make sense. The relationship between Lua and Audra had zero chemistry. It started as enemies to lovers and the thing that started softening her to him was him kicking rocks out of the road (???). They had little dialogue and by the end were in love somehow.
For the first few chapters I had next to no idea what was going on. So many names, titles, places, etc were rattled off with practically no explanation. For instance, the terms Oji and Oja are used liberally throughout and aren't actually explained until the 70% mark.
There was an attempt at world building toward the beginning, which just looked like word vomit that I decided to accept I wouldn't understand in the hopes that it would be expanded upon later.
The magic system was barely explained. One tribe ranks by stars and takes power from the moons, another has no ranking and takes power from the sun. The third I have no idea. They just have magic. And there are dragons.
The only character I liked was Audra's aunt. Most everyone else lacked a personality, and those that had one were evil, just cause.
March 22, 2025
Absolutely spellbinding. The Malice of Moons and Mages is a gripping high fantasy novel with elements of magic, political intrigue and destiny. The story follows thief Audra and the mysterious ‘Moon’ after a fated encounter leaves them searching for solutions. Their journey together, however, unearths more questions than answers, and the pair are running out of time.
Fans of rich world-building and imaginative magic systems will find this story immensely enjoyable. Fans of romantasy will adore an excruciating slow burn and a ‘touch her and die’ main male character. Fans of immense spice who prefer romance over plot, you might want to sit this one out.
A dazzling introduction to what will undoubtedly be a stunning series, The Malice of Moons and Mages will stay with the reader long after the last page.
I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book through NetGalley. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.
Fans of rich world-building and imaginative magic systems will find this story immensely enjoyable. Fans of romantasy will adore an excruciating slow burn and a ‘touch her and die’ main male character. Fans of immense spice who prefer romance over plot, you might want to sit this one out.
A dazzling introduction to what will undoubtedly be a stunning series, The Malice of Moons and Mages will stay with the reader long after the last page.
I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book through NetGalley. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.
May 23, 2025
Firstly, I got given this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review (albeit being a little late!)
I went in not having heard of this author and not particularly in the mood for an arc, but can honestly say I really enjoyed this book!
The writing was great, and the pacing was also great.
There is minimal romance, hard world building and dragons!
Not gunna lie - it took me a few chapters to get my head around the world building because there’s so much going on - but once I did it was better to follow.
The magic system is really intricate and unique, and one I’ve not seen before.
You’ve also got the “touch her and die” trope which is 🤌🏻 is classed as enemies to lovers, but I would have liked to see the enemies part for a little longer as it seemed to fizzle out very quickly - however I’m guessing that the way the bond was created is going to play a part in the next book so in a way I’m guessing this was intended?
Either way this was a great book and I’m looking forward to book 2!
I went in not having heard of this author and not particularly in the mood for an arc, but can honestly say I really enjoyed this book!
The writing was great, and the pacing was also great.
There is minimal romance, hard world building and dragons!
Not gunna lie - it took me a few chapters to get my head around the world building because there’s so much going on - but once I did it was better to follow.
The magic system is really intricate and unique, and one I’ve not seen before.
You’ve also got the “touch her and die” trope which is 🤌🏻 is classed as enemies to lovers, but I would have liked to see the enemies part for a little longer as it seemed to fizzle out very quickly - however I’m guessing that the way the bond was created is going to play a part in the next book so in a way I’m guessing this was intended?
Either way this was a great book and I’m looking forward to book 2!
April 22, 2025
2.5*
I'll start with what I liked about this story. I think that there was a good foundation in the plot, and there were times that I found both characters and circumstances compelling.
What I struggled with the most was the writing. The first 10% or so was very hard to get through especially. There is one scene in particular within the first few chapters where Audra the FMC is in jail and there is a dead couple in the cell next to her. She is describing this deceased couple and in the next paragraph goes on to talk about her long thick hair with no segue. It was extremely jarring. Similarly, there is a scene where Lua, the MMC, is interacting with a side character, and twice in this interaction is the word thick used to describe the side characters body. This includes the sentence: "An abdomen so thick it hid his genitals." This side character is only present for a couple of pages, so why was this relevant to mention TWICE? No one else's body type was described like this, so it was extremely odd.
Another problem with the writing was how tribes and characters were discussed. Having finished this book, I still don't think I can tell you who was in what tribe and which moon did what. I think maybe a glossary or something would have helped because I think there were four moon(?) tribes plus the "western" people who could also do magic. This situation was surprisingly not helped by the multiple POVs and only served to make the story more disjointed and confusing. Ultimately there were just too many characters to keep track of.
The next thing that took me out of the story were the plot conveniences. The main example I can think of is that Audra is in need of a disguise and she just happens to come across a pair of scissors and an outfit sitting unused in someone's yard.
Onto the character relationships and development. I liked Audra at first, she was very scrappy and had to do things for herself. As soon as her and Lua got together I was dismayed to see her agency decrease until she was completely dependent on him within a matter of weeks (or months? The timing is unclear). In the beginning she is independent and by the end ".... she couldn't imagine an existence without him." This is after several instances of Lua being incredibly manipulative and using magic to pester her into doing his bidding. There is even one point where Lua says "no one has access to her (Audra) without his (Lua's) permission." That just felt gross and on top of the writing being all telling and no showing for their relationship, his attentions just felt fake and obsessive and their relationship felt rushed and false.
I think this author has potential and I could see them writing a really good epic fantasy someday. This story was just a miss for me, unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC!
I'll start with what I liked about this story. I think that there was a good foundation in the plot, and there were times that I found both characters and circumstances compelling.
What I struggled with the most was the writing. The first 10% or so was very hard to get through especially. There is one scene in particular within the first few chapters where Audra the FMC is in jail and there is a dead couple in the cell next to her. She is describing this deceased couple and in the next paragraph goes on to talk about her long thick hair with no segue. It was extremely jarring. Similarly, there is a scene where Lua, the MMC, is interacting with a side character, and twice in this interaction is the word thick used to describe the side characters body. This includes the sentence: "An abdomen so thick it hid his genitals." This side character is only present for a couple of pages, so why was this relevant to mention TWICE? No one else's body type was described like this, so it was extremely odd.
Another problem with the writing was how tribes and characters were discussed. Having finished this book, I still don't think I can tell you who was in what tribe and which moon did what. I think maybe a glossary or something would have helped because I think there were four moon(?) tribes plus the "western" people who could also do magic. This situation was surprisingly not helped by the multiple POVs and only served to make the story more disjointed and confusing. Ultimately there were just too many characters to keep track of.
The next thing that took me out of the story were the plot conveniences. The main example I can think of is that Audra is in need of a disguise and she just happens to come across a pair of scissors and an outfit sitting unused in someone's yard.
Onto the character relationships and development. I liked Audra at first, she was very scrappy and had to do things for herself. As soon as her and Lua got together I was dismayed to see her agency decrease until she was completely dependent on him within a matter of weeks (or months? The timing is unclear). In the beginning she is independent and by the end ".... she couldn't imagine an existence without him." This is after several instances of Lua being incredibly manipulative and using magic to pester her into doing his bidding. There is even one point where Lua says "no one has access to her (Audra) without his (Lua's) permission." That just felt gross and on top of the writing being all telling and no showing for their relationship, his attentions just felt fake and obsessive and their relationship felt rushed and false.
I think this author has potential and I could see them writing a really good epic fantasy someday. This story was just a miss for me, unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC!
July 20, 2025
Lua and Audra couldn't be more different from one and other. Oji (firstborn prince) Lua is the most powerful Mage of the Song and Silence Moon Tribes, his magic so strong that no one save his bonded Anchor, his lifeline, can touch him; Audra is a lowborn Western master thief who'll do whatever it takes to save her brother and her people. Polar opposites. But their stories have a mutual beginning, each escaping confinement with grit and skill. Audra may be an expert at thievery, but even she manages to get caught stealing an artifact for her brother Ferin, landing herself in jail. Elsewhere, Lua finds himself betrayed by his Anchor and captured on a boat at the behest of his sister Selene, a Song mage so eager to take the Rajav seat of power for herself, she blatantly murdered their father to facilitate the transition of power during the Moon's eclipses.
After her escape, Audra ends up working on a smuggle ship; when a body is seen floating in the water, Audra grabs hold of the strange young man. As Lua regains consciousness, he is horrified to learn his off-putting female rescuer can touch him: his magic has Anchored her to him. She is too untrained and weak for this Anchoring be sustainable in the long run, and she frankly has better things to do with her time. They race against the clock, his sister's merciless General, and the rival Starling Tribe, making their way to the Silence Moon Tribe's monastery in order to break the bond before it breaks them.
The first volume in The Broken Bonds of Magic is a high stakes thrilling fantasy novel told from multiple third person points of view. This is an almost cinematic approach to storytelling which I think worked really well for this particular book, since we're dealing with multiple rival parties on their journeys to reach the same destination, all with very different motivations and end goals. The chapters are short, keeping the action and the plot moving at a steadily fast pace; because there are multiple PoV's, the reader is kept in the loop up to a certain point with regards to various motivations, with the chance to watch plans and betrayals unfold from all angles. The third person narration still allows for mystery, with many genuinely unexpected surprises being revealed along the way. Seeing all of these perspectives and discoveries come together in the end is explosive and quite satisfying.
The book's strength is its action-packed plot and the way it's told, but there is also a strong love story. I enjoyed Haskell's approach to the beloved magical bond trope: she doesn't glorify the concept. On the contrary: the author has Audra questioning the level of influence the bond has on her romantic build-up and tension with Lua, which makes the moments of gentle authenticity really stand out, lending their romance more credibilty (especially after the halfway mark). What worked best for me, is that while Lua is a very powerful man both in strength and position, Audra is extremely capable as well - and Lua recognizes that in her, gives her that recognition, and is not at all intimidated by her. That's the foundation. The love story is set up beautifully for the sequel.
On the other hand, Haskell does include the downside to a magic bond, highlighting the one-sided and not entirely consensual relationship between Selene and her Anchor Bolin. The latter already had a beloved before he was Anchored: Selene's General Xiang, a vicious man who will stop at nothing to protect Bolin.
Xiang is one of the most interesting characters of the book, because he's a protective man deeply in love, while capable of ending the world for his loved one. He's despicable, but you also can't help but sympathize with his desperation at times. And Selene is an excellent villain, perfect to root against in every single way, but with enough weaknesses and insecurities to keep her from being a one-dimensional character. As always, I give bonus points for female villainy. And this one is scarily cruel at times. The family drama aspect only makes her worse, in a good way.
The one thing I would have liked to see is more cohesion in the worldbuilding. Most things are clarified by the end of the book, but several things are explained a bit late, such as the meaning of the titles used by Lua's family. It would have been a more seamless reading experience had information like that not been dosed in bits and pieces the way it was, but given up front. What I also missed was more background information on the westerners and the Starlings, but I am quite confident we'll get that in subsequent books. Another point to note: scenes of brutal violence and self-defense are included, with quite a bit of gore. It did not bother me, but I can imagine this could be difficult for other readers. Please consult the (spoilery) trigger warnings I've posted below.
The Malice of Moons and Mages is a stunning series opener: the way the story culminates leaves open so many avenues for future books, and because the ending has thrown me for such a loop, I'm very eager to find out what happens next. That's what I want from a first volume: this hunger for more. Particularly now that I know this author isn't one for predictability. Can't wait to let myself be blown away by the next part!
Thank you NetGalley and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.
Following below is a list of potential (spoilery) Trigger Warnings:
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Animal cruelty, child abuse/kidnapping, dubious consent (not between romantic leads), genocide, gore, parental death, patricide, several instances of (mass) murder, violence
After her escape, Audra ends up working on a smuggle ship; when a body is seen floating in the water, Audra grabs hold of the strange young man. As Lua regains consciousness, he is horrified to learn his off-putting female rescuer can touch him: his magic has Anchored her to him. She is too untrained and weak for this Anchoring be sustainable in the long run, and she frankly has better things to do with her time. They race against the clock, his sister's merciless General, and the rival Starling Tribe, making their way to the Silence Moon Tribe's monastery in order to break the bond before it breaks them.
The first volume in The Broken Bonds of Magic is a high stakes thrilling fantasy novel told from multiple third person points of view. This is an almost cinematic approach to storytelling which I think worked really well for this particular book, since we're dealing with multiple rival parties on their journeys to reach the same destination, all with very different motivations and end goals. The chapters are short, keeping the action and the plot moving at a steadily fast pace; because there are multiple PoV's, the reader is kept in the loop up to a certain point with regards to various motivations, with the chance to watch plans and betrayals unfold from all angles. The third person narration still allows for mystery, with many genuinely unexpected surprises being revealed along the way. Seeing all of these perspectives and discoveries come together in the end is explosive and quite satisfying.
The book's strength is its action-packed plot and the way it's told, but there is also a strong love story. I enjoyed Haskell's approach to the beloved magical bond trope: she doesn't glorify the concept. On the contrary: the author has Audra questioning the level of influence the bond has on her romantic build-up and tension with Lua, which makes the moments of gentle authenticity really stand out, lending their romance more credibilty (especially after the halfway mark). What worked best for me, is that while Lua is a very powerful man both in strength and position, Audra is extremely capable as well - and Lua recognizes that in her, gives her that recognition, and is not at all intimidated by her. That's the foundation. The love story is set up beautifully for the sequel.
On the other hand, Haskell does include the downside to a magic bond, highlighting the one-sided and not entirely consensual relationship between Selene and her Anchor Bolin. The latter already had a beloved before he was Anchored: Selene's General Xiang, a vicious man who will stop at nothing to protect Bolin.
Xiang is one of the most interesting characters of the book, because he's a protective man deeply in love, while capable of ending the world for his loved one. He's despicable, but you also can't help but sympathize with his desperation at times. And Selene is an excellent villain, perfect to root against in every single way, but with enough weaknesses and insecurities to keep her from being a one-dimensional character. As always, I give bonus points for female villainy. And this one is scarily cruel at times. The family drama aspect only makes her worse, in a good way.
The one thing I would have liked to see is more cohesion in the worldbuilding. Most things are clarified by the end of the book, but several things are explained a bit late, such as the meaning of the titles used by Lua's family. It would have been a more seamless reading experience had information like that not been dosed in bits and pieces the way it was, but given up front. What I also missed was more background information on the westerners and the Starlings, but I am quite confident we'll get that in subsequent books. Another point to note: scenes of brutal violence and self-defense are included, with quite a bit of gore. It did not bother me, but I can imagine this could be difficult for other readers. Please consult the (spoilery) trigger warnings I've posted below.
The Malice of Moons and Mages is a stunning series opener: the way the story culminates leaves open so many avenues for future books, and because the ending has thrown me for such a loop, I'm very eager to find out what happens next. That's what I want from a first volume: this hunger for more. Particularly now that I know this author isn't one for predictability. Can't wait to let myself be blown away by the next part!
Thank you NetGalley and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.
Following below is a list of potential (spoilery) Trigger Warnings:
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Animal cruelty, child abuse/kidnapping, dubious consent (not between romantic leads), genocide, gore, parental death, patricide, several instances of (mass) murder, violence
April 2, 2025
“And magic, she was learning, was greedy, shortsighted, and terribly addictive.”
In her debut novel, The Malice of Moons and Mages, N.V. Haskell leads readers through a world filled with magic, political conflict, and very gray characters. The ending keeps readers hooked with several well played twists and a heart-crushing climax that left me staring at the wall for a good thirty seconds.
In this romantasy, the fantasy elements take center stage, and the romance helps readers connect to the world and understand the magic. It’s also a refreshing twist on the bonded pair trope. The book has a steep learning curve, but savvy fantasy readers will quickly get immersed in the world and characters.
Five characters tell our story: Our love interests, Audra and Lua; Lua’s sister, Selene; Selene’s general Xiang; and Audra’s friend and former lover, Traq. As the story progresses, these five move closer and closer to a battle as the complex political situations of their world and their own conflicting loyalties put them on a collision course.
*Minor Spoilers Ahead*
The story opens with Audra, a Westerner and a thief, who is stealing a jade in the hopes of healing her brother, who was injured many years ago in an attack by the Moon Tribes. We then meet Lua, an incredibly strong and incredibly violent Moon Tribe mage. In our introduction to him, he’s murdering several of his comrades, including his anchor – a person Moon mages magically bond with in order to feed their magic. Audra meets Lua in a weakened state and drifting in the sea. She nurses him back to health, and his magic bonds to her. Neither is pleased by this, and they journey together to Lua’s tribe’s monastery to break the bond. A romance develops during their journey and is complicated by the fact that Lua’s people destroyed Audra’s. This political history creates a fantastic push and pull between the two and keeps the romance from depending on overdone conflicts common to the genre.
Along the way, we learn that Lua and his sister, Selene, are the children of the late ruler of the Moon tribes and in a political squabble over which of them will rule next. Enter Xiang, Selene’s general. He’s a Westerner who has sworn allegiance to Selene, and he’s hunting Lua and Audra. We also meet Traq, another Westerner, but he’s sworn allegiance to the other tribe responsible for destroying the Westerners, the Starlings, and has become a Starling mage. His unit is sent to investigate Lua.
Our characters are quickly caught in a web of conflicts that kept me turning pages wondering what would happen next. N.V. Haskell delivered in the best way with a slew of surprises that set up major opportunities for world expansion and conflict in future books. Needless to say, I’m hooked.
In her debut novel, The Malice of Moons and Mages, N.V. Haskell leads readers through a world filled with magic, political conflict, and very gray characters. The ending keeps readers hooked with several well played twists and a heart-crushing climax that left me staring at the wall for a good thirty seconds.
In this romantasy, the fantasy elements take center stage, and the romance helps readers connect to the world and understand the magic. It’s also a refreshing twist on the bonded pair trope. The book has a steep learning curve, but savvy fantasy readers will quickly get immersed in the world and characters.
Five characters tell our story: Our love interests, Audra and Lua; Lua’s sister, Selene; Selene’s general Xiang; and Audra’s friend and former lover, Traq. As the story progresses, these five move closer and closer to a battle as the complex political situations of their world and their own conflicting loyalties put them on a collision course.
*Minor Spoilers Ahead*
The story opens with Audra, a Westerner and a thief, who is stealing a jade in the hopes of healing her brother, who was injured many years ago in an attack by the Moon Tribes. We then meet Lua, an incredibly strong and incredibly violent Moon Tribe mage. In our introduction to him, he’s murdering several of his comrades, including his anchor – a person Moon mages magically bond with in order to feed their magic. Audra meets Lua in a weakened state and drifting in the sea. She nurses him back to health, and his magic bonds to her. Neither is pleased by this, and they journey together to Lua’s tribe’s monastery to break the bond. A romance develops during their journey and is complicated by the fact that Lua’s people destroyed Audra’s. This political history creates a fantastic push and pull between the two and keeps the romance from depending on overdone conflicts common to the genre.
Along the way, we learn that Lua and his sister, Selene, are the children of the late ruler of the Moon tribes and in a political squabble over which of them will rule next. Enter Xiang, Selene’s general. He’s a Westerner who has sworn allegiance to Selene, and he’s hunting Lua and Audra. We also meet Traq, another Westerner, but he’s sworn allegiance to the other tribe responsible for destroying the Westerners, the Starlings, and has become a Starling mage. His unit is sent to investigate Lua.
Our characters are quickly caught in a web of conflicts that kept me turning pages wondering what would happen next. N.V. Haskell delivered in the best way with a slew of surprises that set up major opportunities for world expansion and conflict in future books. Needless to say, I’m hooked.
March 22, 2025
Thank you to N.V. Haskell for the ARC of The Malice of Moons and Mages!
We open The Malice of Moons and Mages with our heroine, Audra Shan, as she escapes prison. She has just stolen some rare jade from a merchant to help her brother recover from a spell that was cast on him years ago, but she was caught and incarcerated. Audra manages to escape but while she is on the ship back home, she accidentally ends up bonding to Lua, the oldest son of the Moon tribe's late Rajav when she rescues him from a near drowning. Lua is a powerful mage but was betrayed by his anchor on his vindictive sister's orders. Now Lua has to get to his tribe's monastery before the upcoming lunar eclipse so he can take his father's place as Rajav before his barbaric sister brings down the tribe with her malice.
This book was so good. I have had a challenging run of indie titles lately so I am thrilled to find an indie published romantasy that is absolutely phenomenal.
First off, this novel is multi-POV told in third person, past tense– the elite way to write a fantasy novel. N.V. Haskell did a great job of pivoting POV at the right moments in time to give us what we needed to know while maintaining the suspense of the plot. The voices of Lua and Audra in particular were very clear.
The magic system in this book is intricate. I feel like we've barely scratched the surface of the possibilities magic can unlock in this world, mostly because Audra has barely unlocked her own power. I can't wait to see what comes next from her or if what Audra discovers unlocks additional avenues to explore with some of the other characters.
This is a fantasy-first book that has romance in it, but the romance is almost based in obsession. I love an obsessive, borderline toxic relationship in a fantasy novel. Both our main romance plot line and the sub-plot with Xiang and Bolin have obsessive qualities. It's only Audra who recognizes the danger of losing herself in Lua and makes a pointed decision to maintain her identity and dreams.
Selene, Lua's sister, is terrifying. She is savage and has no ethical code beyond claiming more power. She will lie, cheat, steal and kill to get what she wants without any regard for how it will impact those around her, even her own anchor. She's a terrifying villain because there is no floor to her depravity. The political intrigue in this world is mostly based in how savage Selene is. And because everyone is scared of her, there is no way to tell who is trustworthy and who will sell our main characters out to obtain some safety from Selene's wrath.
I loved this. Can't wait to see where the series goes from here!
We open The Malice of Moons and Mages with our heroine, Audra Shan, as she escapes prison. She has just stolen some rare jade from a merchant to help her brother recover from a spell that was cast on him years ago, but she was caught and incarcerated. Audra manages to escape but while she is on the ship back home, she accidentally ends up bonding to Lua, the oldest son of the Moon tribe's late Rajav when she rescues him from a near drowning. Lua is a powerful mage but was betrayed by his anchor on his vindictive sister's orders. Now Lua has to get to his tribe's monastery before the upcoming lunar eclipse so he can take his father's place as Rajav before his barbaric sister brings down the tribe with her malice.
This book was so good. I have had a challenging run of indie titles lately so I am thrilled to find an indie published romantasy that is absolutely phenomenal.
First off, this novel is multi-POV told in third person, past tense– the elite way to write a fantasy novel. N.V. Haskell did a great job of pivoting POV at the right moments in time to give us what we needed to know while maintaining the suspense of the plot. The voices of Lua and Audra in particular were very clear.
The magic system in this book is intricate. I feel like we've barely scratched the surface of the possibilities magic can unlock in this world, mostly because Audra has barely unlocked her own power. I can't wait to see what comes next from her or if what Audra discovers unlocks additional avenues to explore with some of the other characters.
This is a fantasy-first book that has romance in it, but the romance is almost based in obsession. I love an obsessive, borderline toxic relationship in a fantasy novel. Both our main romance plot line and the sub-plot with Xiang and Bolin have obsessive qualities. It's only Audra who recognizes the danger of losing herself in Lua and makes a pointed decision to maintain her identity and dreams.
Selene, Lua's sister, is terrifying. She is savage and has no ethical code beyond claiming more power. She will lie, cheat, steal and kill to get what she wants without any regard for how it will impact those around her, even her own anchor. She's a terrifying villain because there is no floor to her depravity. The political intrigue in this world is mostly based in how savage Selene is. And because everyone is scared of her, there is no way to tell who is trustworthy and who will sell our main characters out to obtain some safety from Selene's wrath.
I loved this. Can't wait to see where the series goes from here!
July 16, 2025
This is the debut novel by N. V. Haskell (https://nvhaskell.com). The Malice of Moons and Mages was published in early April and is the first book in her Broken Bonds of Magic series. It is the 31st book I completed reading in 2025.
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence and mature language, I categorize this novel as R.
The story opens with the clever thief Audra imprisoned on Callaway Island. She has survived by twisting the truth to her advantage or ignoring it altogether. Her people had their magic stripped away by the Moon and Starling tribes. She has no reluctance in stealing from either of them if it means survival. Audra makes her escape, but must crawl her way through the festering sewer. Once out of prison, she completes her escape by stowing away on the Requin, a ship leaving the port.
Lua is the most powerful mage, but he is also the most hated among the Moon tribes. He is haunted by the part he played in his father’s recent death. His father, the former Rajav, had teetered on the edge of madness and had brought chaos to the lands. When Lua encounters and kills others with magic, he grows stronger by absorbing their power. His closest friend betrays him, leaving his body floating in the sea.
The Requin comes across a man’s body floating in the sea. The Captain sends Audra, who is impersonating a man, into the sea to recover him. Their struggle in the water somehow magically binds the two. Both are recovered by the crew of the Requin.
Lua is being pursued by General Xiang. He intercepts the Requin, though by that time, Audra and Lua have fled ashore. They are heading to the Silent Monastery. Only there will they be able to find a way to break the magic that anchors them to one another. Lua must claim the throne before the approaching eclipse, or it will fall to his sister. Her rule would be even worse than the former Rajav.
The bond between Lua and Audra grows in many ways. Their magical abilities intertwine, and their feelings for one another grow stronger. Will they survive? Will Lua be able to take his rightful seat?
I enjoyed the 10 hours I spent reading this 362-page fantasy. I found the storyline of this novel somewhat hard to follow. I do like the simple but colorful cover art. I give this novel a rating of 3.8 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence and mature language, I categorize this novel as R.
The story opens with the clever thief Audra imprisoned on Callaway Island. She has survived by twisting the truth to her advantage or ignoring it altogether. Her people had their magic stripped away by the Moon and Starling tribes. She has no reluctance in stealing from either of them if it means survival. Audra makes her escape, but must crawl her way through the festering sewer. Once out of prison, she completes her escape by stowing away on the Requin, a ship leaving the port.
Lua is the most powerful mage, but he is also the most hated among the Moon tribes. He is haunted by the part he played in his father’s recent death. His father, the former Rajav, had teetered on the edge of madness and had brought chaos to the lands. When Lua encounters and kills others with magic, he grows stronger by absorbing their power. His closest friend betrays him, leaving his body floating in the sea.
The Requin comes across a man’s body floating in the sea. The Captain sends Audra, who is impersonating a man, into the sea to recover him. Their struggle in the water somehow magically binds the two. Both are recovered by the crew of the Requin.
Lua is being pursued by General Xiang. He intercepts the Requin, though by that time, Audra and Lua have fled ashore. They are heading to the Silent Monastery. Only there will they be able to find a way to break the magic that anchors them to one another. Lua must claim the throne before the approaching eclipse, or it will fall to his sister. Her rule would be even worse than the former Rajav.
The bond between Lua and Audra grows in many ways. Their magical abilities intertwine, and their feelings for one another grow stronger. Will they survive? Will Lua be able to take his rightful seat?
I enjoyed the 10 hours I spent reading this 362-page fantasy. I found the storyline of this novel somewhat hard to follow. I do like the simple but colorful cover art. I give this novel a rating of 3.8 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
April 15, 2025
Am I reeling? Yes.
Do I need the next book? Immediately.
The Malice of Moons and Mages is phenomenally written in multiple POVs that seem to all be telling a different story but as they slowly converge they add to the building suspension of the plot.
As the first novel, it is a pretty solid foundation for the lore, history, and magic system. In all honesty, the story is quite slow in the beginning and takes time for it to build momentum within the plot but also for fully understanding the interconnection between the characters and their history… but when it’s built…damn, brace yourself 🌜✨🪐🌛
Audra is a gem💚; she is fierce and uncompromisingly herself. She is tender-hearted but vicious if need be. Her development throughout the story is a pleasure to witness, as she goes from (literally) down-in-the-dumps to coming into a wonderful, yet small part of her full potential. I cannot wait to see where her story goes 🐉
Now Lua, do I forgive him for his past misdeeds? yes. Why, you may ask? because he blossoms into a loving, self-less, and considerately protective man. Who is learning that vulnerability is not a weakness and brutality is not always a strength. Looking past his hard, impenetrable exterior made from his lifetime of tough-love, he is actually a softy by nature and is in desperate need of affection. Between you and me, he was the character I was rooting for throughout the story; he may not have been the most moral or the kindest, but he proved himself to be the true Rajav.
Let me just say that, when N.V. Haskell has the next instalment ready, I will be waiting 🌸
A few of my favourite quotes ❤️🪻:
Many thanks to Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing, LLC & NetGalley for a copy. All above opinions are uniquely my own.
Do I need the next book? Immediately.
The Malice of Moons and Mages is phenomenally written in multiple POVs that seem to all be telling a different story but as they slowly converge they add to the building suspension of the plot.
As the first novel, it is a pretty solid foundation for the lore, history, and magic system. In all honesty, the story is quite slow in the beginning and takes time for it to build momentum within the plot but also for fully understanding the interconnection between the characters and their history… but when it’s built…damn, brace yourself 🌜✨🪐🌛
Audra is a gem💚; she is fierce and uncompromisingly herself. She is tender-hearted but vicious if need be. Her development throughout the story is a pleasure to witness, as she goes from (literally) down-in-the-dumps to coming into a wonderful, yet small part of her full potential. I cannot wait to see where her story goes 🐉
Now Lua, do I forgive him for his past misdeeds? yes. Why, you may ask? because he blossoms into a loving, self-less, and considerately protective man. Who is learning that vulnerability is not a weakness and brutality is not always a strength. Looking past his hard, impenetrable exterior made from his lifetime of tough-love, he is actually a softy by nature and is in desperate need of affection. Between you and me, he was the character I was rooting for throughout the story; he may not have been the most moral or the kindest, but he proved himself to be the true Rajav.
Let me just say that, when N.V. Haskell has the next instalment ready, I will be waiting 🌸
A few of my favourite quotes ❤️🪻:
Many thanks to Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing, LLC & NetGalley for a copy. All above opinions are uniquely my own.
May 6, 2025
The Malice of Moons and Mages was an interesting read. It started off strong with our FMC Audra engaging in shenanigans and thievery. I was very interested to see what she needed to accomplish and how her journey would pan out.
The MC Lua was determined and brutal in accomplishing his goals. Unfortunately for our FMC, when they eventually met, that meant she had to come along with him first before she could finish what she started. I found their romance a bit lacking, often overlooked by the world building. The author gave us a unique magic system, but it felt a bit complicated and when coupled with the political machinations and history of the world I found myself needing to reread certain parts and then eventually having to move on, still not fully sure I remembered everything that was just explained.
The story felt like it went super-fast yet at the same time it read very dry when discussing the history and politics. I liked the LGBTQ+ representation and enjoyed the secondary characters and their motivations for their actions. The sister was actually not even remotely redeemable which was different.
Overall, the book was good, with a decent plot and moderately interesting characters. I felt like the confusion from the lore and politics made the story take way longer to read. I probably would have rated it 3.5 if I did half stars but I did finish it and it’s certainly memorable, so I bumped it up to a solid 4 stars. Would I pick up the next one? It would depend on my mood and how long my TBR is.
Grade
4/5 ⭐ overall
3/5 💗 romance
2/5 🌶️ spice
The MC Lua was determined and brutal in accomplishing his goals. Unfortunately for our FMC, when they eventually met, that meant she had to come along with him first before she could finish what she started. I found their romance a bit lacking, often overlooked by the world building. The author gave us a unique magic system, but it felt a bit complicated and when coupled with the political machinations and history of the world I found myself needing to reread certain parts and then eventually having to move on, still not fully sure I remembered everything that was just explained.
The story felt like it went super-fast yet at the same time it read very dry when discussing the history and politics. I liked the LGBTQ+ representation and enjoyed the secondary characters and their motivations for their actions. The sister was actually not even remotely redeemable which was different.
Overall, the book was good, with a decent plot and moderately interesting characters. I felt like the confusion from the lore and politics made the story take way longer to read. I probably would have rated it 3.5 if I did half stars but I did finish it and it’s certainly memorable, so I bumped it up to a solid 4 stars. Would I pick up the next one? It would depend on my mood and how long my TBR is.
Grade
4/5 ⭐ overall
3/5 💗 romance
2/5 🌶️ spice
August 16, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.
This book is told from multiple points of view but the main characters are Audra a western mage whose powers are yet to bloom and Lua a disgraced mage . Audra is desperately trying to get a jade amulet home to her brother to his life, Lua is fighting for his life and trying to become the Rajav ruler of his people. The Western has been mostly wiped out and so have the western dragons, while the moon and starling tribes continue fighting. Lua has thirteen stars and is the most powerful mage in the moon tribe, after severing his anchor to survive he is unexpectedly anchored to Audra while he plucks him of the sea on the request of the sailors boat she has snuck on. Lua and Audra are on a race against time to get to the Silent monastery to break their bond, while trying to fight their growing attraction and feelings for each other.
I liked this book it was an enjoyable read, it was a lovers to enemies romantasy and I was sucked in from the first page. To unpick this book there is a lot going on plot wise but is not so convoluted that you can’t follow what is going on. At first I couldn’t stand Lua but I gradually warmed up to him as the book went on, he gave off touch her and die vibes when anyone tried to hurt Audra. Audra was plucky and was fighting to survive in a world that was hostile towards her people, would I recommend this book? Yes I would it had everything I was looking for enemies to lovers, touch her and die and two strong lead characters.
This book is told from multiple points of view but the main characters are Audra a western mage whose powers are yet to bloom and Lua a disgraced mage . Audra is desperately trying to get a jade amulet home to her brother to his life, Lua is fighting for his life and trying to become the Rajav ruler of his people. The Western has been mostly wiped out and so have the western dragons, while the moon and starling tribes continue fighting. Lua has thirteen stars and is the most powerful mage in the moon tribe, after severing his anchor to survive he is unexpectedly anchored to Audra while he plucks him of the sea on the request of the sailors boat she has snuck on. Lua and Audra are on a race against time to get to the Silent monastery to break their bond, while trying to fight their growing attraction and feelings for each other.
I liked this book it was an enjoyable read, it was a lovers to enemies romantasy and I was sucked in from the first page. To unpick this book there is a lot going on plot wise but is not so convoluted that you can’t follow what is going on. At first I couldn’t stand Lua but I gradually warmed up to him as the book went on, he gave off touch her and die vibes when anyone tried to hurt Audra. Audra was plucky and was fighting to survive in a world that was hostile towards her people, would I recommend this book? Yes I would it had everything I was looking for enemies to lovers, touch her and die and two strong lead characters.
November 11, 2025
In her debut novel, The Malice of Moons and Mages, N.V. Haskell conjures a world brimming with magic, political unrest, and gloriously gray characters. The story barrels forward with relentless tension, culminating in a heart-crushing finale that left me staring at the wall in stunned silence.
This romantasy gives fantasy its rightful spotlight, letting the romance serve as the emotional tether to the characters and the intricate magic system. It’s a refreshing, original take on the bonded-pair trope—equal parts tender, volatile, and fated in all the right ways.
Haskell’s world-building is a triumph—layered with distinct nations, faiths, and a magic system that feels both ancient and alive. Dragons, secrets, and a constant sense of peril weave through every page. Audra’s stubborn resilience and Lua’s enigmatic power create a dynamic that smolders with tension and depth. Their enemies-to-lovers arc unfolds naturally, every shift in emotion feeling earned.
While the learning curve is steep, fantasy fans will relish being thrown into the deep end. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and brimming with twists that set the stage for an even larger saga.
This book is full of love, loss, and sacrifice—where heroes and villains often blur, and every choice cuts deep. N.V. Haskell’s debut is beautifully written, fiercely imaginative, and utterly unforgettable.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review—I’ve already preordered my physical copy and can’t wait to dive back into this world.
This romantasy gives fantasy its rightful spotlight, letting the romance serve as the emotional tether to the characters and the intricate magic system. It’s a refreshing, original take on the bonded-pair trope—equal parts tender, volatile, and fated in all the right ways.
Haskell’s world-building is a triumph—layered with distinct nations, faiths, and a magic system that feels both ancient and alive. Dragons, secrets, and a constant sense of peril weave through every page. Audra’s stubborn resilience and Lua’s enigmatic power create a dynamic that smolders with tension and depth. Their enemies-to-lovers arc unfolds naturally, every shift in emotion feeling earned.
While the learning curve is steep, fantasy fans will relish being thrown into the deep end. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and brimming with twists that set the stage for an even larger saga.
This book is full of love, loss, and sacrifice—where heroes and villains often blur, and every choice cuts deep. N.V. Haskell’s debut is beautifully written, fiercely imaginative, and utterly unforgettable.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review—I’ve already preordered my physical copy and can’t wait to dive back into this world.
November 15, 2025
Finishing this book feels like an accomplishment in itself. I generally stop reading when a story keeps me confused past the 70% mark, yet here I stayed, rereading sections as if the meaning might suddenly appear if I stared hard enough. Unfortunately, it never did.
There is simply too much information thrown at the reader at once. Not gradually introduced, not thoughtfully layered—just stacked. I genuinely tried to keep up, but the worldbuilding and magic system felt so convoluted that even a second read-through of certain passages didn’t help. The beginning, especially, was messy enough that it drained my enthusiasm. It’s difficult to enjoy a story when the foundation isn’t clear.
The FMC began with strength and authority, which made her initial chapters engaging. By the end, that independence seemed to dissolve completely, leaving her as a character whose motivations revolved almost entirely around the man in the narrative. It felt like a loss of the original voice she started with.
Audra and Lua’s relationship also didn’t land for me. It felt rushed, underdeveloped, and occasionally so uneven that I found myself not liking Lua at all. There were brief moments where the book hinted at something great, which made the shortcomings even more noticeable. The potential was there; the execution wasn’t.
On a lighter note, the cover is genuinely beautiful. It’s the kind of design that makes you want to own a physical copy, regardless of how you felt about the story itself.
Thank you for the ARC
There is simply too much information thrown at the reader at once. Not gradually introduced, not thoughtfully layered—just stacked. I genuinely tried to keep up, but the worldbuilding and magic system felt so convoluted that even a second read-through of certain passages didn’t help. The beginning, especially, was messy enough that it drained my enthusiasm. It’s difficult to enjoy a story when the foundation isn’t clear.
The FMC began with strength and authority, which made her initial chapters engaging. By the end, that independence seemed to dissolve completely, leaving her as a character whose motivations revolved almost entirely around the man in the narrative. It felt like a loss of the original voice she started with.
Audra and Lua’s relationship also didn’t land for me. It felt rushed, underdeveloped, and occasionally so uneven that I found myself not liking Lua at all. There were brief moments where the book hinted at something great, which made the shortcomings even more noticeable. The potential was there; the execution wasn’t.
On a lighter note, the cover is genuinely beautiful. It’s the kind of design that makes you want to own a physical copy, regardless of how you felt about the story itself.
Thank you for the ARC
April 6, 2025
actual rating: 2,5⭐️
This was unfortunately a miss for me.
I really enjoyed the first 25% of this which made me think that I was going to live this book. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
I really liked the rich worldbuilding, complex characters as well as the writing style but I struggled a lot with the rest of the book.
For me, the biggest issue were the multiple POVs.
I did really liked that we git to see the thoughts of both main characters, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care about the others enough to read about them so often. Every time one of these chapters came up (which was o f t e n) I had to force myself to not just close the book and never pick it up again.
And while I enjoyed reading about Lua and Audra at the beginning, I also started to struggle with their chapters toward the end. Not only did it feel like we were just being told about important moments instead of actually seeing them, which made the development of their relationship feel very jerky because it felt like we’d just get random developments without seeing what actually caused them, but I also didn’t like the direction in which the developments went.
The plot was intriguing but, unfortunately, not interesting enough to salvage this book.
Overall, I had a really hard time getting through this, which is really sad considering the strong beginning this had. Unfortunately, this was not for me.
(Thanks NetGalley for the ARC)
This was unfortunately a miss for me.
I really enjoyed the first 25% of this which made me think that I was going to live this book. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
I really liked the rich worldbuilding, complex characters as well as the writing style but I struggled a lot with the rest of the book.
For me, the biggest issue were the multiple POVs.
I did really liked that we git to see the thoughts of both main characters, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care about the others enough to read about them so often. Every time one of these chapters came up (which was o f t e n) I had to force myself to not just close the book and never pick it up again.
And while I enjoyed reading about Lua and Audra at the beginning, I also started to struggle with their chapters toward the end. Not only did it feel like we were just being told about important moments instead of actually seeing them, which made the development of their relationship feel very jerky because it felt like we’d just get random developments without seeing what actually caused them, but I also didn’t like the direction in which the developments went.
The plot was intriguing but, unfortunately, not interesting enough to salvage this book.
Overall, I had a really hard time getting through this, which is really sad considering the strong beginning this had. Unfortunately, this was not for me.
(Thanks NetGalley for the ARC)
April 29, 2025
Thank you to Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing, N.V. Haskell & Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Malice of Moons and Mages follows Audra, a young thief on the hunt for a cure for her ailing brother, and Lua, an on the run mage and heir to his father's throne. Finding themselves unexpectedly bound together, they're racing against the clock to the dual lunar eclipse while being hunted by Lua's own people.
This book definitely has a more unique magic system than in other fantasy books that I have read. In the beginning, the world building was a bit confusing and I found myself re-reading. It didn't take long for things to clear up and understand who's who and who's worships who. Initially, I also wasn't a fan of the multiple POVs. I was a bit bias in the beginning, only wanting Lua or Audra's POV but that quickly changed. I think having the multiple POVs made the story have more depth. I appreciated the complexity of each character and their motivations in the story, specifically Xiang. I hope going into the second book the multiple POVs remain.
I loved the tension between Audra and Lua and was happy to find that the romance was a slow burn and didn't consume the entire story. The politics making up the story was also really interesting and kept me hooked. I liked that the villain in this is a sibling. It just adds an extra layer of angst and interest for me.
The Malice of Moons and Mages follows Audra, a young thief on the hunt for a cure for her ailing brother, and Lua, an on the run mage and heir to his father's throne. Finding themselves unexpectedly bound together, they're racing against the clock to the dual lunar eclipse while being hunted by Lua's own people.
This book definitely has a more unique magic system than in other fantasy books that I have read. In the beginning, the world building was a bit confusing and I found myself re-reading. It didn't take long for things to clear up and understand who's who and who's worships who. Initially, I also wasn't a fan of the multiple POVs. I was a bit bias in the beginning, only wanting Lua or Audra's POV but that quickly changed. I think having the multiple POVs made the story have more depth. I appreciated the complexity of each character and their motivations in the story, specifically Xiang. I hope going into the second book the multiple POVs remain.
I loved the tension between Audra and Lua and was happy to find that the romance was a slow burn and didn't consume the entire story. The politics making up the story was also really interesting and kept me hooked. I liked that the villain in this is a sibling. It just adds an extra layer of angst and interest for me.
April 18, 2025
*The Malice of Moons and Mages* is a captivating dark fantasy that pulls you in with its unique magic system, gripping plot, and morally complex characters. From the very first chapter, the tension is palpable, and the stakes quickly rise as the protagonist navigates a world filled with dangerous magic, hidden secrets, and treacherous alliances.
What I truly loved about this book is how the author creates such a rich and immersive world. The intricacies of the magic and the deep lore behind the moons and mages are fascinating, and they really elevate the story. The pacing is tight, especially in the first half, and the twists and turns kept me hooked throughout.
The characters, particularly the lead, are complex and relatable, even in a world so filled with danger and intrigue. The relationships—both allies and adversaries—are nuanced and unpredictable, making for some incredibly tense and satisfying moments.
If there’s one thing that kept me from giving this a full five stars, it would be a slight drag in the middle, where the plot slows down a bit. However, the stunning finale more than makes up for any pacing issues, with an ending that left me eager for more.
Overall, *The Malice of Moons and Mages* is a fantastic read for fans of dark, atmospheric fantasy with deep world-building and morally gray characters. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the next installment!
What I truly loved about this book is how the author creates such a rich and immersive world. The intricacies of the magic and the deep lore behind the moons and mages are fascinating, and they really elevate the story. The pacing is tight, especially in the first half, and the twists and turns kept me hooked throughout.
The characters, particularly the lead, are complex and relatable, even in a world so filled with danger and intrigue. The relationships—both allies and adversaries—are nuanced and unpredictable, making for some incredibly tense and satisfying moments.
If there’s one thing that kept me from giving this a full five stars, it would be a slight drag in the middle, where the plot slows down a bit. However, the stunning finale more than makes up for any pacing issues, with an ending that left me eager for more.
Overall, *The Malice of Moons and Mages* is a fantastic read for fans of dark, atmospheric fantasy with deep world-building and morally gray characters. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the next installment!
April 1, 2025
Five stars!
This was an excellent read! Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC; I had such a great time with this story.
This had everything I love in a great fantasy novel: a cool magic system, politics, plotting, deep lore, action-packed fights, and dragons! What else could you need?
For the characters (or, at least those who are Starling and Moon), magic is the foundational basis upon which all other facets of life exists, and everything else is secondary. However, Audra didn't grow up with either tribe, and she has a few (well, more than a few) thoughts on things. Lua is seemingly set in his ways, but also has never had the opportunity to do things differently. The forced proximity in this had me screaming, and the sheer anxiety of the last few chapters had me staying up late to finish this book.
I also really appreciated that in the world the author built, queer relationships are normal and accepted.
I am really interested in learning more about the Western mages, the underlying lore of the three tribes, and of course, the dragons! "After all, how hard can it be to steal a mage?" I don't know, but I absolutely need to find out. Book 2 can't come soon enough.
This was an excellent read! Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC; I had such a great time with this story.
This had everything I love in a great fantasy novel: a cool magic system, politics, plotting, deep lore, action-packed fights, and dragons! What else could you need?
For the characters (or, at least those who are Starling and Moon), magic is the foundational basis upon which all other facets of life exists, and everything else is secondary. However, Audra didn't grow up with either tribe, and she has a few (well, more than a few) thoughts on things. Lua is seemingly set in his ways, but also has never had the opportunity to do things differently. The forced proximity in this had me screaming, and the sheer anxiety of the last few chapters had me staying up late to finish this book.
I also really appreciated that in the world the author built, queer relationships are normal and accepted.
I am really interested in learning more about the Western mages, the underlying lore of the three tribes, and of course, the dragons! "After all, how hard can it be to steal a mage?" I don't know, but I absolutely need to find out. Book 2 can't come soon enough.
April 14, 2025
I'm not a regular romantic fantasy reader, but when the genre is done well I really like it. I'd rate Rebecca Ross's Divine Rivals as a favorite. Haskell's The Malice of Moons and Mages is up there in the higher echelons now, too. First of all, you don't have to worry about dumbed down prose here. It's incredibly readable, but the language is just expressive and rich enough as you go along.
The character work is very well done. Audra is a fun character to spend time with. She has a certain zeal, despite her burdens and past trauma, and early on it feels very much like an adventure story with her. Lua's more difficult to love, but that's by design as you get to know him along with Audra. That being said, this is not a cozy read. The world Haskell creates here can be quite brutal, in ways. Which I think nicely offsets the romance. I think what Haskell does best here is get the balance right.
In fact, she's baked it into the magic system, in some ways, so that the fantasy and romance aspects are irrevocably linked, which means that neither one dominates, which made the book even more enjoyable to me. I felt like we got the best of both worlds, without a strong reliance of the tropes of either.
I was gifted an Ebook of this release.
The character work is very well done. Audra is a fun character to spend time with. She has a certain zeal, despite her burdens and past trauma, and early on it feels very much like an adventure story with her. Lua's more difficult to love, but that's by design as you get to know him along with Audra. That being said, this is not a cozy read. The world Haskell creates here can be quite brutal, in ways. Which I think nicely offsets the romance. I think what Haskell does best here is get the balance right.
In fact, she's baked it into the magic system, in some ways, so that the fantasy and romance aspects are irrevocably linked, which means that neither one dominates, which made the book even more enjoyable to me. I felt like we got the best of both worlds, without a strong reliance of the tropes of either.
I was gifted an Ebook of this release.
April 17, 2025
Thank you to the publisher, which provided me an ARC copy. The thoughts in this review are unbiased.
-
A strongly engaging story with fast pacing, interesting characters, and an intriguing world. This book had me hooked from the start thanks to both the romance or the exciting plot that was unfolding. It’s a great read for a fast-paced light fantasy that borders just a bit more on the adult side of young adult.
Told in multiple perspectives, we are able to get a sense of many characters and perspectives while also keeping the plot moving across the board. While this is engaging and fun, it also is a bit jarring when nearing the end, where chapters get short and many perspectives must be shown as the story climaxes.
Overall, the book leaves you wanting more—and not just in the “this is the first book in the series” kind of way. The world is intriguing and fun, but we breeze through the setting in favor of plot advancement and other things, leaving the notion of a slightly shallow environment.
The characters also feel slightly flat, again in favor of plot advancement, and it feels like we could get a stronger hold on who they are.
I give this a 4/5 because I enjoyed reading it, but I would say it’s a solid 3/5 due to trying to do too much in too few words.
-
A strongly engaging story with fast pacing, interesting characters, and an intriguing world. This book had me hooked from the start thanks to both the romance or the exciting plot that was unfolding. It’s a great read for a fast-paced light fantasy that borders just a bit more on the adult side of young adult.
Told in multiple perspectives, we are able to get a sense of many characters and perspectives while also keeping the plot moving across the board. While this is engaging and fun, it also is a bit jarring when nearing the end, where chapters get short and many perspectives must be shown as the story climaxes.
Overall, the book leaves you wanting more—and not just in the “this is the first book in the series” kind of way. The world is intriguing and fun, but we breeze through the setting in favor of plot advancement and other things, leaving the notion of a slightly shallow environment.
The characters also feel slightly flat, again in favor of plot advancement, and it feels like we could get a stronger hold on who they are.
I give this a 4/5 because I enjoyed reading it, but I would say it’s a solid 3/5 due to trying to do too much in too few words.
April 24, 2025
🌘 3.5 stars (rounded up)
The Malice of Moons and Mages by N.V. Haskell was an enchanting concept with moments of real magic, even if the execution didn’t always hit the mark for me. The celestial magic system had serious potential, and I loved the moody, moon-drenched vibe threaded through the world-building. It definitely scratched that fantasy-romance itch, with plenty of intrigue and slow-burn tension between characters.
Audra and Lua had some compelling chemistry, and the forced proximity/enemies-to-lovers setup was juicy in theory—but at times, their dynamic felt a little underdeveloped. The pacing dragged in places, and while the multiple POVs added breadth, it sometimes left the emotional core a bit scattered. I wanted just a little more bite, a little more heat, and a little more heart.
Still, I’d say this is a solid start to a series with a lot of potential. It had me invested enough to keep reading, and I’ll be watching closely to see how the author builds from here. Worth a read if you love magical power struggles, complicated love, and moonlit secrets.
#TheMaliceofMoonsandMages #NetGalley #FantasyRomance #CelestialMagic #EnemiesToLovers #DarkFantasy #MagicalIntrigue #WitchyReads #ARCReview #BookReview
The Malice of Moons and Mages by N.V. Haskell was an enchanting concept with moments of real magic, even if the execution didn’t always hit the mark for me. The celestial magic system had serious potential, and I loved the moody, moon-drenched vibe threaded through the world-building. It definitely scratched that fantasy-romance itch, with plenty of intrigue and slow-burn tension between characters.
Audra and Lua had some compelling chemistry, and the forced proximity/enemies-to-lovers setup was juicy in theory—but at times, their dynamic felt a little underdeveloped. The pacing dragged in places, and while the multiple POVs added breadth, it sometimes left the emotional core a bit scattered. I wanted just a little more bite, a little more heat, and a little more heart.
Still, I’d say this is a solid start to a series with a lot of potential. It had me invested enough to keep reading, and I’ll be watching closely to see how the author builds from here. Worth a read if you love magical power struggles, complicated love, and moonlit secrets.
#TheMaliceofMoonsandMages #NetGalley #FantasyRomance #CelestialMagic #EnemiesToLovers #DarkFantasy #MagicalIntrigue #WitchyReads #ARCReview #BookReview
April 27, 2025
*ARC review*
The Malice of Moons and Mages is the first book in a new fantasy series following the journey of Audra, a young female thief and Lua, a mage who is the heir to his father’s throne. Thrust together, their fates become bound as they rush to reach a monastery before the forthcoming dual lunar eclipses.
“It only takes a word to make you sleep, a thought to move your limbs. Make no mistake, if you test me, you will live as I see fit.”
This story has an interesting magic system where mages become bonded to another person (known as their ‘anchor’) and this enables them to siphon energy for spellcasting and they also feel each other’s pain. Mages are split into different factions who worship the two moons and the sun.
Audra and Lua are engaging main characters with their own motivations. Their unintentional bond – an unusual occurrence in this world – generates a lot of great tension as they find the forced proximity frustrating at first but then grow to value it. Each chapter switches the perspective to show events from alternative points of view until all of the characters arrive at the same destination. The ending left me curious about what lies ahead for the main duo, and I would be interested to read more about the future of this world.
The Malice of Moons and Mages is the first book in a new fantasy series following the journey of Audra, a young female thief and Lua, a mage who is the heir to his father’s throne. Thrust together, their fates become bound as they rush to reach a monastery before the forthcoming dual lunar eclipses.
“It only takes a word to make you sleep, a thought to move your limbs. Make no mistake, if you test me, you will live as I see fit.”
This story has an interesting magic system where mages become bonded to another person (known as their ‘anchor’) and this enables them to siphon energy for spellcasting and they also feel each other’s pain. Mages are split into different factions who worship the two moons and the sun.
Audra and Lua are engaging main characters with their own motivations. Their unintentional bond – an unusual occurrence in this world – generates a lot of great tension as they find the forced proximity frustrating at first but then grow to value it. Each chapter switches the perspective to show events from alternative points of view until all of the characters arrive at the same destination. The ending left me curious about what lies ahead for the main duo, and I would be interested to read more about the future of this world.
July 16, 2025
The first 50 pages were so confusing and there were so many explained worldbuilding details and plot coincidences that it was so clunky to read. I was completely lost.
Add that to the fact that neither of the main characters are likeable, and it left me with pretty much no reason to continue reading. So I had to leve this one unfinished, as there was nothing engaging me to read the next chapter, much less the next 300 pages.
This isn't a case of "good, but not my cup of tea," because this is exactly the kind of story I usually devour. And it's not a case of "fantastic premise but poor execution," because the fantastic premise was executed competently (objectively speaking). I think there is definitely a space for this book and I believe it will find its readers--I just am not going to be one of them, though I will recommend it to others who are interested in something original and evocative. Sometimes it just doesn't click, and the book can still be amazing for other readers even if it fails to connect to every single reader, which is why I'm leaving it at 3 stars.
***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***
Add that to the fact that neither of the main characters are likeable, and it left me with pretty much no reason to continue reading. So I had to leve this one unfinished, as there was nothing engaging me to read the next chapter, much less the next 300 pages.
This isn't a case of "good, but not my cup of tea," because this is exactly the kind of story I usually devour. And it's not a case of "fantastic premise but poor execution," because the fantastic premise was executed competently (objectively speaking). I think there is definitely a space for this book and I believe it will find its readers--I just am not going to be one of them, though I will recommend it to others who are interested in something original and evocative. Sometimes it just doesn't click, and the book can still be amazing for other readers even if it fails to connect to every single reader, which is why I'm leaving it at 3 stars.
***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***
April 23, 2025
3.5*
A promising start.
I was initially pulled in by the rich worldbuilding, compelling characters, and the author’s beautiful writing style. The first quarter of the book set high expectations, it felt immersive and full of potential.
Unfortunately, that momentum didn’t last.
As the story unfolded, I found it increasingly difficult to stay engaged. The pacing became uneven, and I started to feel disconnected from the characters I was originally invested in. Important moments in the narrative were often summarized rather than fully developed, which made key relationship dynamics feel abrupt or unearned. It was as if we were being told what to feel, without being given the emotional beats to get there naturally.
While the plot had an intriguing premise, it ultimately didn’t feel strong or cohesive enough to carry the rest of the book. What started as a compelling read turned into something I had to push myself to finish.
This one, sadly, just wasn’t for me, but I would say to give it a go if you like a beautiful writing style with an engaging enough world.
(Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.)
A promising start.
I was initially pulled in by the rich worldbuilding, compelling characters, and the author’s beautiful writing style. The first quarter of the book set high expectations, it felt immersive and full of potential.
Unfortunately, that momentum didn’t last.
As the story unfolded, I found it increasingly difficult to stay engaged. The pacing became uneven, and I started to feel disconnected from the characters I was originally invested in. Important moments in the narrative were often summarized rather than fully developed, which made key relationship dynamics feel abrupt or unearned. It was as if we were being told what to feel, without being given the emotional beats to get there naturally.
While the plot had an intriguing premise, it ultimately didn’t feel strong or cohesive enough to carry the rest of the book. What started as a compelling read turned into something I had to push myself to finish.
This one, sadly, just wasn’t for me, but I would say to give it a go if you like a beautiful writing style with an engaging enough world.
(Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.)
May 13, 2025
The Malice of Moons and Mages was a very interesting read with a magic system I have never seen before anywhere else. The world was rich and interesting with a base in ancient Asian influence. The characters were all complex and driven by all different needs, which we got to see with the changes of point of view.
Overall, while it was a cool system, the world was not fully explained. I found myself checking to see if this was a sequel, as it felt like I was expected to know what was going on without any explanation. I felt like only halfway through the book did I have a kind of understanding on the different types of mages, and even then I was struggling.
The changes in POV gave more insight into each character and did make the pacing move quite well. It took a minute to get used to it but, by the end, I thought it was absolutely necessary.
The Romantic aspect did feel a little unearned, as the characters knew each other an extremely short time and didn’t like each other for most of it. The change from dislike and mistrust to absolute love was a little jarring. I couldn’t quite root for their romance.
Overall, I’d pick up the sequel as I’m interested to learn what happens.
Overall, while it was a cool system, the world was not fully explained. I found myself checking to see if this was a sequel, as it felt like I was expected to know what was going on without any explanation. I felt like only halfway through the book did I have a kind of understanding on the different types of mages, and even then I was struggling.
The changes in POV gave more insight into each character and did make the pacing move quite well. It took a minute to get used to it but, by the end, I thought it was absolutely necessary.
The Romantic aspect did feel a little unearned, as the characters knew each other an extremely short time and didn’t like each other for most of it. The change from dislike and mistrust to absolute love was a little jarring. I couldn’t quite root for their romance.
Overall, I’d pick up the sequel as I’m interested to learn what happens.
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