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Higher Magic
In this incisive, irreverent, and whimsical dark academia novel for fans of Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series and R.F. Kuang’s Babel, a struggling mage student with intense anxiety must prove that classic literature contained magic—and learn to wield her own stories to change her institution for the better.
First-generation graduate student Dorothe Bartleby has one last chance to pass the Magic program’s qualifying exam after freezing with anxiety during her first attempt. If she fails to demonstrate that magic in classic literature changed the world, she’ll be kicked out of the university. And now her advisor insists she reframe her entire dissertation using Digimancy. While mages have found a way to combine computers and magic, Bartleby’s fated to never make it work.
This time is no exception. Her revised working goes horribly wrong, creating a talking skull named Anne that narrates Bartleby’s inner thoughts—even the most embarrassing ones—like she's a heroine in a Jane Austen novel. Out of her depth, she recruits James, an unfairly attractive mage candidate, to help her stop Anne’s glitches in time for her exam.
Instead, Anne leads them to a shocking and dangerous discovery: Magic students who seek disability accommodations are disappearing—quite literally. When the administration fails to act, Bartleby must learn to trust her own knowledge and skills. Otherwise, she risks losing both the missing students and her future as a mage, permanently.
First-generation graduate student Dorothe Bartleby has one last chance to pass the Magic program’s qualifying exam after freezing with anxiety during her first attempt. If she fails to demonstrate that magic in classic literature changed the world, she’ll be kicked out of the university. And now her advisor insists she reframe her entire dissertation using Digimancy. While mages have found a way to combine computers and magic, Bartleby’s fated to never make it work.
This time is no exception. Her revised working goes horribly wrong, creating a talking skull named Anne that narrates Bartleby’s inner thoughts—even the most embarrassing ones—like she's a heroine in a Jane Austen novel. Out of her depth, she recruits James, an unfairly attractive mage candidate, to help her stop Anne’s glitches in time for her exam.
Instead, Anne leads them to a shocking and dangerous discovery: Magic students who seek disability accommodations are disappearing—quite literally. When the administration fails to act, Bartleby must learn to trust her own knowledge and skills. Otherwise, she risks losing both the missing students and her future as a mage, permanently.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2025
38 people are currently reading
10303 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Floyd
2 books27 followersCourtney Floyd grew up in New Mexico, where she learned to write between tarantula turf wars and apocalyptic dust storms. She currently lives at the bottom of a haunted mountain in the woods of Vermont with her partner and pets. Her debut fantasy novel, Higher Magic, will be published by Mira Books in fall 2025.
Courtney's short fiction can be found in Fireside Magazine, Apex’s Strange Libations, and Small Wonders and is forthcoming in Haven Spec. Her audio drama, The Way We Haunt Now, is available for free on all major podcast platforms. Find her online at courtney-floyd.com and on social media as @cannfloyd.
Courtney's short fiction can be found in Fireside Magazine, Apex’s Strange Libations, and Small Wonders and is forthcoming in Haven Spec. Her audio drama, The Way We Haunt Now, is available for free on all major podcast platforms. Find her online at courtney-floyd.com and on social media as @cannfloyd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
December 5, 2025
In a Nutshell: A dark-academia novel filled with witches and magic and supernatural stuff. Fairly cosy despite the darkness. Excellent themes, though a bit preachy at times. Decent characters and plot, slow-ish pace, predictable mystery. A bit too cluttered, but many subplots become relevant later. Had great potential, but somehow, it ends up just ‘good’ instead of ‘fabulous’. Still, recommended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
🔮 Anne. I can’t reveal any spoilers on Anne, so I leave it to you to discover the identity of this amazing character. Their personality, their reporting, and their one-liners further the narrative excellently.
🔮 I didn't expect Jane Austen and other classic lit references in this book – what a pleasant surprise! To be clear, I don’t know how those who aren’t familiar with the classics will feel about these inclusions, but I’ve read most of the included classics so this was an entertaining inclusion.
🔮 Dorothe. A surprisingly understated lead for a fantasy. She isn't dynamic or vivacious, and her lack of confidence further puts her protagonism in question. But her flawed character appealed to me much more than a perfect lead would have.
🔮 This is a dark academia novel where ‘dark’ and ‘academia’ both get equal importance. Dorothe’s dual role as a student and a teacher ensures an unusual two-way look at the university’s issues.
🔮 The accurate depiction of mental health issues, specifically anxiety. Love how the book shows no instantaneous cure and how Dorothe takes almost the entire book to grow in confidence.
🔮 Excellent diversity in the characters. Appreciate the disability rep most of all. Admittedly, this becomes a little preachy at times, but it’s a worthy and uncommon theme, so I can cut it some slack.
🔮 Every chapter begins with a kind of quote, either by a famous person or a distortion of an actual quote or even snippets of diary entries and newspaper articles. These were all fabulous!
🔮 I can’t tell you the main theme of the book as it is directly linked to the mystery, but I can tell you that I absolutely loved it and that it is highly relevant these days.
Bookish Okays:
⚔ The remaining important characters are good but also kinda one-noted. I wish their detailing was more layered.
⚔ The usual ‘kitchen sink clutter’ issue of debut novelists strikes again in this novel. There are way too many important themes that demand our attention. To the author’s credit, most of these topics are actually used in the plot than being mere token entries.
⚔ The magic in this fantasy works both for and against the story. The presence of disparate types of magical powers gives us a good variety but no depth. For instance: Digimancy is barely explained and it is up to us to figure out how it works.
⚔ The worldbuilding is interesting but restricted to the university. I wish there had been more clarity on the non-magical humans as well, especially Dorothe’s parents and their fear about you-know-what-if-you-read-the-book.
⚔ The romance is minimal and doesn’t supersede the plot for the most part, which I appreciate. However, I don’t think the romance was needed at all, especially as there was barely any chemistry between the couple. They worked better as friends.
Bookish Nays:
☠ Honestly, Dorothe’s dissertation went over my head. I wanted to like her project considering it was linked to classical literature, but I just didn’t get it. There needed to be more elaboration on this, especially as it was a key component of the plot.
☠ The mystery is very guessable, not just in terms of the why but also the who. There is one crucial sentence in between that reveals everything immediately, but as Dorothea misses its significance, we have to wait for her team to catch up with the facts. The mystery is also a bit farfetched. Of course, this isn't marketed as a mystery, so… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
☠ The pacing is fairly slow, and the content gets a little repetitive at times. The ending is too dragged.
Overall, this isn't a bad debut at all. There is some strong magic and amazing themes within its pages. But I can't help feeling that this book would have worked wonders in the hands of a more experienced novelist. No doubting the author’s creativity though; all that’s needed is a firmer hand on the edits. Regardless, the theme is an important one, so if you feel strongly about inclusivity and accessibility, you might enjoy this novel. It would help if you are a cozy fantasy fan.
Recommended to those looking for a cozy fantasy with powerful themes and willing to read without overanalysing.
3.5 stars. (This was 3.75 until the final few chapters, but I am anyway rounding it up for the theme.)
My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for providing the DRC of “Higher Magic” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Dorothe Bartleby is a first-generation graduate student who teaches spell-making to freshers while simultaneously preparing for her doctoral submission to become a mage. She had flunked her first exam after freezing with anxiety, so the second attempt is her last chance to prove her thesis that magic existed in classical literature. Her troubles increase when her advisor recommends that she use Digimancy to prove her dissertation. Dorothe isn't destined to use tech well. To add to the challenge, mage students, including a couple of Dorothe’s charges, are vanishing from all over the campus. Now she has to figure out what’s happening while still meeting the deadline of her exam. Luckily, she has help.
The story comes to us in Dorothe’s first-person perspective.
Bookish Yays:
🔮 Anne. I can’t reveal any spoilers on Anne, so I leave it to you to discover the identity of this amazing character. Their personality, their reporting, and their one-liners further the narrative excellently.
🔮 I didn't expect Jane Austen and other classic lit references in this book – what a pleasant surprise! To be clear, I don’t know how those who aren’t familiar with the classics will feel about these inclusions, but I’ve read most of the included classics so this was an entertaining inclusion.
🔮 Dorothe. A surprisingly understated lead for a fantasy. She isn't dynamic or vivacious, and her lack of confidence further puts her protagonism in question. But her flawed character appealed to me much more than a perfect lead would have.
🔮 This is a dark academia novel where ‘dark’ and ‘academia’ both get equal importance. Dorothe’s dual role as a student and a teacher ensures an unusual two-way look at the university’s issues.
🔮 The accurate depiction of mental health issues, specifically anxiety. Love how the book shows no instantaneous cure and how Dorothe takes almost the entire book to grow in confidence.
🔮 Excellent diversity in the characters. Appreciate the disability rep most of all. Admittedly, this becomes a little preachy at times, but it’s a worthy and uncommon theme, so I can cut it some slack.
🔮 Every chapter begins with a kind of quote, either by a famous person or a distortion of an actual quote or even snippets of diary entries and newspaper articles. These were all fabulous!
🔮 I can’t tell you the main theme of the book as it is directly linked to the mystery, but I can tell you that I absolutely loved it and that it is highly relevant these days.
Bookish Okays:
⚔ The remaining important characters are good but also kinda one-noted. I wish their detailing was more layered.
⚔ The usual ‘kitchen sink clutter’ issue of debut novelists strikes again in this novel. There are way too many important themes that demand our attention. To the author’s credit, most of these topics are actually used in the plot than being mere token entries.
⚔ The magic in this fantasy works both for and against the story. The presence of disparate types of magical powers gives us a good variety but no depth. For instance: Digimancy is barely explained and it is up to us to figure out how it works.
⚔ The worldbuilding is interesting but restricted to the university. I wish there had been more clarity on the non-magical humans as well, especially Dorothe’s parents and their fear about you-know-what-if-you-read-the-book.
⚔ The romance is minimal and doesn’t supersede the plot for the most part, which I appreciate. However, I don’t think the romance was needed at all, especially as there was barely any chemistry between the couple. They worked better as friends.
Bookish Nays:
☠ Honestly, Dorothe’s dissertation went over my head. I wanted to like her project considering it was linked to classical literature, but I just didn’t get it. There needed to be more elaboration on this, especially as it was a key component of the plot.
☠ The mystery is very guessable, not just in terms of the why but also the who. There is one crucial sentence in between that reveals everything immediately, but as Dorothea misses its significance, we have to wait for her team to catch up with the facts. The mystery is also a bit farfetched. Of course, this isn't marketed as a mystery, so… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
☠ The pacing is fairly slow, and the content gets a little repetitive at times. The ending is too dragged.
Overall, this isn't a bad debut at all. There is some strong magic and amazing themes within its pages. But I can't help feeling that this book would have worked wonders in the hands of a more experienced novelist. No doubting the author’s creativity though; all that’s needed is a firmer hand on the edits. Regardless, the theme is an important one, so if you feel strongly about inclusivity and accessibility, you might enjoy this novel. It would help if you are a cozy fantasy fan.
Recommended to those looking for a cozy fantasy with powerful themes and willing to read without overanalysing.
3.5 stars. (This was 3.75 until the final few chapters, but I am anyway rounding it up for the theme.)
My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for providing the DRC of “Higher Magic” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
September 18, 2025
3.75 ★—
A talking skull, mysteriously vanishing students, and a high-stakes magic exam.
Higher Magic throws a lot at its heroine, Dorothe Bartleby. While she just wants to finish her graduate program and become a mage, she’s pulled into a dangerous investigation that could cost her everything.
Let me preface this by saying: if you’ve ever dealt with academic anxiety or are still recovering from a stressful study period, this book might hit a little too close to home. The entire story revolves around its heroine retaking a crucial exam while battling extreme stress, sleeplessness, and spiraling self-doubt.
As someone who is naturally anxious, I found it almost too relatable at times.
Bartleby herself is a solid protagonist. She’s deeply passionate about becoming a mage and clearly brilliant, but she struggles with imposter syndrome and constantly questions her worth and abilities. Surrounding her is a vibrant, multifaceted cast, ranging from her caring roommates to her fellow students and her professors.
One of the more prominent side characters, and later love interest, is James, the heir to a wealthy, prestigious magical family. As the story progresses, he and Dorothe grow closer.
Their romance isn’t the main focus of the book, but the glimpses we get are sweet and refreshingly grounded.
That said, the book isn’t without some flaws. At times, the pacing felt unnecessarily drawn out, and there were sections that seemed to stretch longer than they needed to, which occasionally made my attention drift. The central mystery was also a bit predictable, so once the pieces started coming together, I guessed where it was heading well before the reveal. I think the story could have been trimmed by about a quarter without losing anything important.
And then there are also some… interesting word choices. Phrases like “dubstepping heart” pulled me right out of the story, and the frequent use of “hecking” (a term derived from Hekate in-universe) was… memorable, lol. These are purely personal gripes that others might not notice or mind at all, but they did stick out to me.
On the positive side, I really appreciated how the book handled topics like disability, mental health, and accessibility in academic spaces. Even though it’s set in a magical world, the way it addressed accessibility accommodations for students felt very true to life and was written with care and awareness.
This book also fully embraces the “academia” in dark academia. It goes deep into the highs and many, many lows of university life, both from the perspective of a grad student and also from the perspective of an Instructor, which the heroine is as well.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that blends humor, magic, and the intense reality of academic life, complete with exams, self-doubt, and a talking skull, Higher Magic is worth picking up.
🎧 Audiobook Note
🎙️Narration Style: Solo
The audiobook is narrated by a truly wonderful performer who brings each character to life. I especially loved her voice for the talking skull, Anne, which was absolutely delightful!
___________________
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing the ARC, and to Harlequin Audio for the ALC, in exchange for my honest review.
Higher Magic throws a lot at its heroine, Dorothe Bartleby. While she just wants to finish her graduate program and become a mage, she’s pulled into a dangerous investigation that could cost her everything.
Let me preface this by saying: if you’ve ever dealt with academic anxiety or are still recovering from a stressful study period, this book might hit a little too close to home. The entire story revolves around its heroine retaking a crucial exam while battling extreme stress, sleeplessness, and spiraling self-doubt.
As someone who is naturally anxious, I found it almost too relatable at times.
Bartleby herself is a solid protagonist. She’s deeply passionate about becoming a mage and clearly brilliant, but she struggles with imposter syndrome and constantly questions her worth and abilities. Surrounding her is a vibrant, multifaceted cast, ranging from her caring roommates to her fellow students and her professors.
One of the more prominent side characters, and later love interest, is James, the heir to a wealthy, prestigious magical family. As the story progresses, he and Dorothe grow closer.
Their romance isn’t the main focus of the book, but the glimpses we get are sweet and refreshingly grounded.
That said, the book isn’t without some flaws. At times, the pacing felt unnecessarily drawn out, and there were sections that seemed to stretch longer than they needed to, which occasionally made my attention drift. The central mystery was also a bit predictable, so once the pieces started coming together, I guessed where it was heading well before the reveal. I think the story could have been trimmed by about a quarter without losing anything important.
And then there are also some… interesting word choices. Phrases like “dubstepping heart” pulled me right out of the story, and the frequent use of “hecking” (a term derived from Hekate in-universe) was… memorable, lol. These are purely personal gripes that others might not notice or mind at all, but they did stick out to me.
On the positive side, I really appreciated how the book handled topics like disability, mental health, and accessibility in academic spaces. Even though it’s set in a magical world, the way it addressed accessibility accommodations for students felt very true to life and was written with care and awareness.
This book also fully embraces the “academia” in dark academia. It goes deep into the highs and many, many lows of university life, both from the perspective of a grad student and also from the perspective of an Instructor, which the heroine is as well.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that blends humor, magic, and the intense reality of academic life, complete with exams, self-doubt, and a talking skull, Higher Magic is worth picking up.
🎧 Audiobook Note
🎙️Narration Style: Solo
The audiobook is narrated by a truly wonderful performer who brings each character to life. I especially loved her voice for the talking skull, Anne, which was absolutely delightful!
___________________
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing the ARC, and to Harlequin Audio for the ALC, in exchange for my honest review.
October 7, 2025
First of all, let me say how refreshing it is to see an author defend students with disabilities and neurodivergence! I’m so tired of the attitude that if you need accommodations maybe you shouldn’t be allowed to take a class or be in a program or get hired. Ugh! The accommodations actually level the playing field, but a lot of people seem to think they are unfair advantages. Let me assure you—they are not. If someone needs extra time, it’s because it will take them much, much longer to complete assignments than the average person, for example. I’m sick of people being looked down on for trying to get the support they need to be successful.
Anyway, Dorothe Bartleby has failed her first attempt at passing the magical university’s qualifying exam, and she only has until the end of the current quarter to come up with a new topic and present it for second and final attempt—less than four weeks away. Even worse, her advisor wants her to do her project with a branch of magic she is absolutely horrible at.
Bartleby has to teach a class of newbies, hold office hours, research her topic, finish her project AND try not to have more panic attacks while doing so. Enter a mystery of disappearing students, a cute guy, and a very exasperating talking skull, and the plot gets really intriguing.
I do recommend this book, but I’m giving it a 4 because it’s way, way too long, and because the magic system is complicated and overly confusing. The magic is interesting, but it gets bogged down in minutiae, which takes up too much of the book. Simplify the magic system and let the beauty of the rest of the plot shine through, I say.
Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback. Let’s keep those disability & neurodivergent reps coming!
Anyway, Dorothe Bartleby has failed her first attempt at passing the magical university’s qualifying exam, and she only has until the end of the current quarter to come up with a new topic and present it for second and final attempt—less than four weeks away. Even worse, her advisor wants her to do her project with a branch of magic she is absolutely horrible at.
Bartleby has to teach a class of newbies, hold office hours, research her topic, finish her project AND try not to have more panic attacks while doing so. Enter a mystery of disappearing students, a cute guy, and a very exasperating talking skull, and the plot gets really intriguing.
I do recommend this book, but I’m giving it a 4 because it’s way, way too long, and because the magic system is complicated and overly confusing. The magic is interesting, but it gets bogged down in minutiae, which takes up too much of the book. Simplify the magic system and let the beauty of the rest of the plot shine through, I say.
Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback. Let’s keep those disability & neurodivergent reps coming!
August 25, 2025
3.75⭐️
|Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review|
Higher Magic by Courtney Floyd is a dark academia fantasy that blends scholarship, spellwork, and the struggles of graduate life. The story follows Dorothe Bartleby, a first-generation graduate student with one last chance to pass her qualifying exam after freezing with anxiety during her first attempt. When her advisor pushes her to reframe her dissertation using Digimancy-a fascinating fusion of magic and computers, things quickly spiral out of control!!!
The dark academia setting pulled me in right away with its moody, intellectual vibe, and I really enjoyed how unique the magic system felt. It took me a little while to settle into how it worked, but once I did, I found it clever, fresh, and memorable.
I also really appreciated the representation of disability in academia. It was handled thoughtfully and added a layer of realism and depth that’s not often seen in fantasy.
On the flip side, the pacing dragged in spots, and I sometimes wished the cozy elements were more present to balance the darker tones.
Overall, this is a solid recommendation for readers who enjoy academia-driven fantasy with a unique twist. Perfect for those who enjoyed reading Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series and R.F. Kuang’s Babel.
|Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review|
Higher Magic by Courtney Floyd is a dark academia fantasy that blends scholarship, spellwork, and the struggles of graduate life. The story follows Dorothe Bartleby, a first-generation graduate student with one last chance to pass her qualifying exam after freezing with anxiety during her first attempt. When her advisor pushes her to reframe her dissertation using Digimancy-a fascinating fusion of magic and computers, things quickly spiral out of control!!!
The dark academia setting pulled me in right away with its moody, intellectual vibe, and I really enjoyed how unique the magic system felt. It took me a little while to settle into how it worked, but once I did, I found it clever, fresh, and memorable.
I also really appreciated the representation of disability in academia. It was handled thoughtfully and added a layer of realism and depth that’s not often seen in fantasy.
On the flip side, the pacing dragged in spots, and I sometimes wished the cozy elements were more present to balance the darker tones.
Overall, this is a solid recommendation for readers who enjoy academia-driven fantasy with a unique twist. Perfect for those who enjoyed reading Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series and R.F. Kuang’s Babel.
November 3, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for letting me listen to the audio of this book. I’m not sure what to say about Higher Magic. I thought it was a pretty boring story and the magic system didn’t make a lot of sense to me. There were a lot of characters and I had no idea who they were. Our FMC was boring and nothing memorable.
This story just wasn’t very memorable to me and I will probably forget about it in like a month. There was no tension and no real stakes.
This story just wasn’t very memorable to me and I will probably forget about it in like a month. There was no tension and no real stakes.
dnf
September 7, 2025I really wanted to love Higher Magic more than I did. Emily Wilde + Babel is such an intriguing combo of comps for a book to sell me on, and I definitely see the seeds of its inspiration, but they never quite combined in a way that hooked me. Magical higher academia is extremely trendy at the moment - dare I say, overpopulated - but this is the only one I’ve come across that’s also cozy fantasy. That works against it. The stakes don’t feel real or pressing, and the mystery of what’s going on is so glaringly obvious. All of the characters also felt shallow and one-note, particularly James and the flimsy romance subplot. I’m told a trait or two for every side character, but they very rarely demonstrate any actual personality and are mostly interchangeable.
Also, as much as I respect how devoted this book was to building out a comprehensive magic system and accompanying system of academia, it was… kind of boring to read about. I ended up skimming a lot. I think this book could have been edited significantly down, and would have been stronger for it.
The talking skull was the best part. I also loved the queernorm setting and diverse cast of characters, and I like the idea of what this book is trying to do in tackling accessibility issues in academia. However, the plot going on was just so implausible that I struggled to suspend my disbelief.
Dnf @50%
Thanks to nethalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Also, as much as I respect how devoted this book was to building out a comprehensive magic system and accompanying system of academia, it was… kind of boring to read about. I ended up skimming a lot. I think this book could have been edited significantly down, and would have been stronger for it.
The talking skull was the best part. I also loved the queernorm setting and diverse cast of characters, and I like the idea of what this book is trying to do in tackling accessibility issues in academia. However, the plot going on was just so implausible that I struggled to suspend my disbelief.
Dnf @50%
Thanks to nethalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 7, 2025
First off, thank you NetGalley, Courtney Floyd and Halequin Audio for the advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
I very much enjoyed the plot and the idea behind the story! A magical school where students go missing and they need to figure out why?! Yes please!
Where I felt it was a little lacking was in the implementation of the story. The pacing was slow and I think this affected my overall thoughts.
Sophie Amoss did a great job bringing life to the story though I did notice a few errors (for example, tapped to the wall… instead of what should have been taped to the wall). I hope these errors get caught before the release.
Overall, I give it 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4.
I very much enjoyed the plot and the idea behind the story! A magical school where students go missing and they need to figure out why?! Yes please!
Where I felt it was a little lacking was in the implementation of the story. The pacing was slow and I think this affected my overall thoughts.
Sophie Amoss did a great job bringing life to the story though I did notice a few errors (for example, tapped to the wall… instead of what should have been taped to the wall). I hope these errors get caught before the release.
Overall, I give it 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4.
October 10, 2025
「 Audio book from Harlequin Audio
Perfect speed 1.25-1.5x (depending on chapter) 」
「 Narrator: Sophie Amoss 」
3, ‘tis the season for classical literary references, stars
Aww man. This book had everything I usually love during spooky season—cozy vibes, witches, and a hint of dark academia (though it definitely leaned more academic than dark). It should’ve been an easy five stars for me, and while certain parts really worked, overall it felt long-winded. The constant internal thoughts and repeated self-doubt bogged down what could’ve been a really bright plot-line.
Our FMC came across as chaotically boring—which sounds contradictory, but that’s exactly how it felt. I wanted to love this, especially since it’s compared to Emily Wilde (which I adored), but aside from the love interest and the academic setting, I don’t think it’s a great comp.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC.
Perfect speed 1.25-1.5x (depending on chapter) 」
「 Narrator: Sophie Amoss 」
3, ‘tis the season for classical literary references, stars
Aww man. This book had everything I usually love during spooky season—cozy vibes, witches, and a hint of dark academia (though it definitely leaned more academic than dark). It should’ve been an easy five stars for me, and while certain parts really worked, overall it felt long-winded. The constant internal thoughts and repeated self-doubt bogged down what could’ve been a really bright plot-line.
Our FMC came across as chaotically boring—which sounds contradictory, but that’s exactly how it felt. I wanted to love this, especially since it’s compared to Emily Wilde (which I adored), but aside from the love interest and the academic setting, I don’t think it’s a great comp.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC.
July 28, 2025
Higher Magic
Courtney Floyd
2/5 stars
Higher Magic follows Dorothe Bartleby - a graduate student working on obtaining mage status at her university. I wish I could tell you more about what this book was about but honestly I was so confused 90 percent of the time that I actually can't explain any further. I can tell you there is magic - but I don't understand how the magic system works. I can tell you there is a talking skull named Anne which makes some humorous narrations throughout the book - but I can't really explain why or how. I can tell you that there is some light closed door romance but it is not a major feature of the story which I found disappointing. And that is about all I can tell you.
I have to admit, I felt incredibly unintelligent while reading this novel. I have a university bachelor's degree, but I felt like I was reading at an advanced level and I could not follow what was happening here. I really wanted to like this novel. I appreciated the representation and diversity in the book including many non-binary characters and characters with disabilities both mental and physical. I feel like there was a lot of potential with this story and it was an interesting concept. I love a dark academia setting and especially when it involves magic but I just did not connect with this one.
Maybe people more intelligent than I will be able to understand what was happening in the story and enjoy! This one just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Courtney Floyd
2/5 stars
Higher Magic follows Dorothe Bartleby - a graduate student working on obtaining mage status at her university. I wish I could tell you more about what this book was about but honestly I was so confused 90 percent of the time that I actually can't explain any further. I can tell you there is magic - but I don't understand how the magic system works. I can tell you there is a talking skull named Anne which makes some humorous narrations throughout the book - but I can't really explain why or how. I can tell you that there is some light closed door romance but it is not a major feature of the story which I found disappointing. And that is about all I can tell you.
I have to admit, I felt incredibly unintelligent while reading this novel. I have a university bachelor's degree, but I felt like I was reading at an advanced level and I could not follow what was happening here. I really wanted to like this novel. I appreciated the representation and diversity in the book including many non-binary characters and characters with disabilities both mental and physical. I feel like there was a lot of potential with this story and it was an interesting concept. I love a dark academia setting and especially when it involves magic but I just did not connect with this one.
Maybe people more intelligent than I will be able to understand what was happening in the story and enjoy! This one just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2025
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When I read the blurb for Higher Magic, I was intrigued by the premise that Classic Literature contained some kind of magic or spells in it that helped shape the reality of today. Because really haven't books helped to shape our reality? While that portion of the novel remained the most interesting part to me, there were other facets that were intriguing and overall it ended up being an interesting exploration of Dark Acedemia.
Dorothe Bartleby is living under a prophecy that Magic computers would bring Bartleby's greatest failure (most likely) or possible success (less likely). Because of that, she has steered away from anything in the technological magical realm, there have been a few small disasters, and stuck to the other branches of magic. But if she is going to pass her upcoming exam, that would let her stay in Academia, and be allowed to work Higher Magic she will need to use magic computers to increase her data working on Classic Literature.
Bartleby has also noticed that some of the students have gone missing, and not just normal withdrawals from classes. They haven't made it back to their families and the ghost activities at the school have seemed to increase. For some reason, Dorothe seems to be connected to in it in some way and while she should be solely focused on getting ready for her exam, she is also actively working with a few other graduate students to find out what is going on at their university.
Overall, I liked Bartleby and once her narration skull, Anne, was created I thought the overall story was more entertaining and flowed better. Prior to the addition of the talking skull, I was struggling to remain invested in what was happening. The magic of the world was very academic and both nebulous and dense at the same time. A lot of the story is focused on ablism, disability and accommodations. Her roommates and the love interest of James were able to add to the flow of the story and gave Dorothe someone to bounce ideas off which helped the flow of the story in different sections.
I struggled with the plot of the disappearance of some of the students and the why of it. It didn't really make a lot of sense in the long term and that was the central plot to the story. While I found the character interactions fun and the Narration Skull hilarious, at times the rest of the story was hard to relate to. I definitely understood why Bartleby would be anxious about her upcoming test and worried she really didn't belong in academia but I struggled with her need to never ask anyone else for help when it was needed.
Higher Magic was an interesting look at a University specializing in magic theory and how language and stories shape the realities we live in. I enjoyed the exploration of those concepts the most. The side mystery was lacking in plausibility and reason for me and I never bought into it. Still I'm glad I read it just for the skull that narrated inner thoughts randomly.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When I read the blurb for Higher Magic, I was intrigued by the premise that Classic Literature contained some kind of magic or spells in it that helped shape the reality of today. Because really haven't books helped to shape our reality? While that portion of the novel remained the most interesting part to me, there were other facets that were intriguing and overall it ended up being an interesting exploration of Dark Acedemia.
Neuroscience tells us that we all experience reality differently. A big part of that difference comes from language and culture, which are always subtly shaping the way we understand the world. But a not insignificant factor is us. Our embodied experiences. Our quirks and histories. Because even within our cultures and language groups, we’re all of us different.
Dorothe Bartleby is living under a prophecy that Magic computers would bring Bartleby's greatest failure (most likely) or possible success (less likely). Because of that, she has steered away from anything in the technological magical realm, there have been a few small disasters, and stuck to the other branches of magic. But if she is going to pass her upcoming exam, that would let her stay in Academia, and be allowed to work Higher Magic she will need to use magic computers to increase her data working on Classic Literature.
Bartleby has also noticed that some of the students have gone missing, and not just normal withdrawals from classes. They haven't made it back to their families and the ghost activities at the school have seemed to increase. For some reason, Dorothe seems to be connected to in it in some way and while she should be solely focused on getting ready for her exam, she is also actively working with a few other graduate students to find out what is going on at their university.
Overall, I liked Bartleby and once her narration skull, Anne, was created I thought the overall story was more entertaining and flowed better. Prior to the addition of the talking skull, I was struggling to remain invested in what was happening. The magic of the world was very academic and both nebulous and dense at the same time. A lot of the story is focused on ablism, disability and accommodations. Her roommates and the love interest of James were able to add to the flow of the story and gave Dorothe someone to bounce ideas off which helped the flow of the story in different sections.
A lady’s imagination is very rapid. It jumps from exultation to concern, from concern to trepidation in a moment.’” More Pride and Prejudice. I groaned. “You aren’t responding to my commands.”“Bartleby expressed a valid concern. One for which the narration skull had no explanation or excuse. It was, after all, only a narration skull.”
I struggled with the plot of the disappearance of some of the students and the why of it. It didn't really make a lot of sense in the long term and that was the central plot to the story. While I found the character interactions fun and the Narration Skull hilarious, at times the rest of the story was hard to relate to. I definitely understood why Bartleby would be anxious about her upcoming test and worried she really didn't belong in academia but I struggled with her need to never ask anyone else for help when it was needed.
Higher Magic was an interesting look at a University specializing in magic theory and how language and stories shape the realities we live in. I enjoyed the exploration of those concepts the most. The side mystery was lacking in plausibility and reason for me and I never bought into it. Still I'm glad I read it just for the skull that narrated inner thoughts randomly.
September 22, 2025
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for a free ALC / eARC in exchange for an honest review. I am always grateful!
Genuinely, I’m SO conflicted about this one. To start with what really worked for me: Our FMC, Bartleby's struggles as a graduate student and preparing for candidacy felt extremely realistic and relatable as a PhD student myself. At times I was stressing on her behalf because I've been there. I also appreciate the diversity that was central to the plot. Disability representation and ableism is center stage, and I think that this representation is so important and often neglected in this genre.
That said, I don’t think this type of story is for me. You could definitely characterize this into the cozy fantasy / mystery genre, and I don't think I am the target audience. I never felt much suspense or tension, and the conflict resolution didn’t feel very satisfying. This made it hard to want to pick up the book therefore I switched to audio relatively early on. On top of that, the magic system was extremely confusing. We are given no explanation on how the magic system works but works are constantly being thrown around and I genuinely do not understand our FMC's dissertation topic. I also felt like this book dragged and could've been shorter.
The romance was fine. James was very sweet, but the arc itself wasn’t particularly compelling. My favorite character by far was Anna, the talking skull. She was absolutely delightful and brought so much life to the story with her narrations.
The audiobook narration was enjoyable. The narrator kept me engaged, and I really like the voice effects for Anne which brought extra personality. Overall, this book has strong and important themes but didn’t fully land for me in terms of execution.
Genuinely, I’m SO conflicted about this one. To start with what really worked for me: Our FMC, Bartleby's struggles as a graduate student and preparing for candidacy felt extremely realistic and relatable as a PhD student myself. At times I was stressing on her behalf because I've been there. I also appreciate the diversity that was central to the plot. Disability representation and ableism is center stage, and I think that this representation is so important and often neglected in this genre.
That said, I don’t think this type of story is for me. You could definitely characterize this into the cozy fantasy / mystery genre, and I don't think I am the target audience. I never felt much suspense or tension, and the conflict resolution didn’t feel very satisfying. This made it hard to want to pick up the book therefore I switched to audio relatively early on. On top of that, the magic system was extremely confusing. We are given no explanation on how the magic system works but works are constantly being thrown around and I genuinely do not understand our FMC's dissertation topic. I also felt like this book dragged and could've been shorter.
The romance was fine. James was very sweet, but the arc itself wasn’t particularly compelling. My favorite character by far was Anna, the talking skull. She was absolutely delightful and brought so much life to the story with her narrations.
The audiobook narration was enjoyable. The narrator kept me engaged, and I really like the voice effects for Anne which brought extra personality. Overall, this book has strong and important themes but didn’t fully land for me in terms of execution.
August 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Courtney Floyd, and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
This was such a good and interesting read. I loved the conversations about different types of disabilities and mobility aids. This story will hit harder if you or someone you know has a debilitating condition. I felt seen in this story. Not only because I have chronic illnesses, but also anxiety. It can feel isolating when you have any kind of illness, visible or not. Dorothe is such a relatable character who deals with anxiety and panic attacks. She doesn't want to be treated differently, but at the same time, the world is hard to navigate with her anxiety. I personally thought the representation of anxiety was well explored. There was even mention of queerness and disability, which is not talked about much. I would highly recommend this book! If you loved the slower-paced story like Emily Wilde, then you would enjoy this book. It is also an academic setting.
4.5 stars
This was such a good and interesting read. I loved the conversations about different types of disabilities and mobility aids. This story will hit harder if you or someone you know has a debilitating condition. I felt seen in this story. Not only because I have chronic illnesses, but also anxiety. It can feel isolating when you have any kind of illness, visible or not. Dorothe is such a relatable character who deals with anxiety and panic attacks. She doesn't want to be treated differently, but at the same time, the world is hard to navigate with her anxiety. I personally thought the representation of anxiety was well explored. There was even mention of queerness and disability, which is not talked about much. I would highly recommend this book! If you loved the slower-paced story like Emily Wilde, then you would enjoy this book. It is also an academic setting.
November 23, 2025
This was a really intriguing read but one I’m still not 100% sure how I feel about.
On the one hand, I really liked the characters and thought the exploration of ableism within academia was so unique and refreshing. However, I did find the magic system somewhat convoluted at times, to the point where it pulled me out of the story. I’m also not sure that the balance of cozy and dark quite worked here, as I was never quite sure of the vibe the author was trying to create.
That said, I really did love all the discussions surrounding disability and neurodiversity, as well as the wonderfully diverse cast of characters and identities represented. These elements made me wish I’d loved this more than I did, as they had the potential to make this a really standout read but unfortunately the execution, while enjoyable enough, didn’t wow me like I’d hoped.
On the one hand, I really liked the characters and thought the exploration of ableism within academia was so unique and refreshing. However, I did find the magic system somewhat convoluted at times, to the point where it pulled me out of the story. I’m also not sure that the balance of cozy and dark quite worked here, as I was never quite sure of the vibe the author was trying to create.
That said, I really did love all the discussions surrounding disability and neurodiversity, as well as the wonderfully diverse cast of characters and identities represented. These elements made me wish I’d loved this more than I did, as they had the potential to make this a really standout read but unfortunately the execution, while enjoyable enough, didn’t wow me like I’d hoped.
October 26, 2025
That was a wonderful novel. In the midst of all of the magic, its fundamental criticism of academia is an important one.
July 14, 2025
This was a good dark academia fantasy read. This book quickly grabbed my attention and I liked following Dorothe in this story. The author did a great job with the world building and I liked the magic system she created. Overall this was an enjoyable read. Heads up that this book does have content warnings.
📖 Great world building
📖 Unique magic system
📖 Found family
📖 Diverse characters
Thank you to @readmirabooks for the gifted arc.
📖 Great world building
📖 Unique magic system
📖 Found family
📖 Diverse characters
Thank you to @readmirabooks for the gifted arc.
September 11, 2025
ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bartleby & I connected almost instantaneously—
“But first, I was going to head home for consolatory bowl of cereal and some terrible tv.”
A wonderful representation of so many communities ranging from disability, queer, neurodivergent, as well as different cultures. A dark magic academia w/ paranormal twists— I was shocked by how into this I was lmfao. This was packed w/ so much mystery, but to describe this as cozy?
I don’t know about that lol!! I was spooked and riddled with just as much anxiety as the characters trying to debunk this.
I did get the cozy vibes at some moments, but def spooked lmfao.
The camaraderie and found family trope was troping!! So, that’s probably why I felt cozy lol.
It took me a min to grasp the story at certain parts, like all the different characters… But once you do, you’re so set. I haven’t read Babel yet, but after this? I think I’m ready lol! *I was a bit intimidated.
James was so green flag, but everyone is so sus!!
*Esp after the Oracle visit.
The different types of magical practices showcased was diverse. Anne was my fave though. They were just so fun, narrating everyone 🤣 Clock it lmfao.
I also enjoyed the major takeaways from this read—
i.e:
“Every break can be a snack break if you have a snack while taking it.” 🙂↕️ lmfaoo.
So wise… So wise…
But no, I really loved that even your biggest failures can also come w/ your biggest success 💯
Overall, I enjoyed this read more than I thought I would… I love being able to be surprised by a book.
Sophie Amoss did fantastic narrating this!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bartleby & I connected almost instantaneously—
“But first, I was going to head home for consolatory bowl of cereal and some terrible tv.”
A wonderful representation of so many communities ranging from disability, queer, neurodivergent, as well as different cultures. A dark magic academia w/ paranormal twists— I was shocked by how into this I was lmfao. This was packed w/ so much mystery, but to describe this as cozy?
I don’t know about that lol!! I was spooked and riddled with just as much anxiety as the characters trying to debunk this.
I did get the cozy vibes at some moments, but def spooked lmfao.
The camaraderie and found family trope was troping!! So, that’s probably why I felt cozy lol.
It took me a min to grasp the story at certain parts, like all the different characters… But once you do, you’re so set. I haven’t read Babel yet, but after this? I think I’m ready lol! *I was a bit intimidated.
James was so green flag, but everyone is so sus!!
*Esp after the Oracle visit.
The different types of magical practices showcased was diverse. Anne was my fave though. They were just so fun, narrating everyone 🤣 Clock it lmfao.
I also enjoyed the major takeaways from this read—
i.e:
“Every break can be a snack break if you have a snack while taking it.” 🙂↕️ lmfaoo.
So wise… So wise…
But no, I really loved that even your biggest failures can also come w/ your biggest success 💯
Overall, I enjoyed this read more than I thought I would… I love being able to be surprised by a book.
Sophie Amoss did fantastic narrating this!!
September 19, 2025
⭐⭐⭐.5 | 3.75 rounded up
This book is for the anxious, burned-out academics.
I don't think this book will be for everyone, because it's VERY academia-heavy, but I really enjoyed it. It's wonderful to have book that really celebrates the disabled community and shines a light on some of the pernicious attitudes and actions students with disability face. The social commentary is not subtle in this story.
Anne, the talking skull, is the star of the show. I loved every single interaction it was part of and will be thinking.
This is a really promising debut! The magic system was a bit convoluted and hard to follow and the book felt longer than necessary. However, the plot is imaginative, engaging, and fun. The MMC is a major green flag, and the slow burn romance is sweet.
The narrator is fantastic. I had no trouble following who was speaking, despite there being MANY characters. I enjoyed the way she pronounced names true to each character's culture.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
This book is for the anxious, burned-out academics.
I don't think this book will be for everyone, because it's VERY academia-heavy, but I really enjoyed it. It's wonderful to have book that really celebrates the disabled community and shines a light on some of the pernicious attitudes and actions students with disability face. The social commentary is not subtle in this story.
Anne, the talking skull, is the star of the show. I loved every single interaction it was part of and will be thinking.
This is a really promising debut! The magic system was a bit convoluted and hard to follow and the book felt longer than necessary. However, the plot is imaginative, engaging, and fun. The MMC is a major green flag, and the slow burn romance is sweet.
The narrator is fantastic. I had no trouble following who was speaking, despite there being MANY characters. I enjoyed the way she pronounced names true to each character's culture.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 1, 2025
This was such a great witchy academia fantasy read!
- Great world building
- Unique magic system
- Relatable characters
- Humor
- Found family
The storytelling was wonderful and I really like how it touched on deeper messages like disability representation, burnout, self doubt, anxiety, all things that are very real and relatable! Overall I enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend this for a great fall or winter read 🍂
🖤Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!
- Great world building
- Unique magic system
- Relatable characters
- Humor
- Found family
The storytelling was wonderful and I really like how it touched on deeper messages like disability representation, burnout, self doubt, anxiety, all things that are very real and relatable! Overall I enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend this for a great fall or winter read 🍂
🖤Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!
Read
September 22, 2025DNF @ 22%
July 14, 2025
“Higher Magic” by Courtney Floyd follows Bartleby (she goes by her last name) as she works towards her second and last attempt at passing her magic program’s qualifying exam, similar to a thesis defense. As the deadline approaches, Bartleby’s attention is divided between an issue with students across campus disappearing and her latest attempt the exam project, the talking skull/computer program named Anne.
This book grappled largely with imposter syndrome, and issues that students with disabilities deal with on academic campuses, in both obtaining accommodations and dealing with those who negatively about accommodations. The book was also set in a world with a unique mix of magic and technology.
While those elements were great, the book was very slow to start, and I found the first 30% to have minimal impact on the story, with little world building and mostly following Bartleby’s inner thoughts. After that point, the book picked up pace and the mysteries became more consuming, and involved a minor romantic subplot. The book also had some great representation, but it would have felt more impactful if the main character had truly acknowledge her own need for accommodations earlier.
This book grappled largely with imposter syndrome, and issues that students with disabilities deal with on academic campuses, in both obtaining accommodations and dealing with those who negatively about accommodations. The book was also set in a world with a unique mix of magic and technology.
While those elements were great, the book was very slow to start, and I found the first 30% to have minimal impact on the story, with little world building and mostly following Bartleby’s inner thoughts. After that point, the book picked up pace and the mysteries became more consuming, and involved a minor romantic subplot. The book also had some great representation, but it would have felt more impactful if the main character had truly acknowledge her own need for accommodations earlier.
September 14, 2025
3.5⭐️. I think I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. I really appreciated the attempt to write a character who needs accommodations in schooling and to highlight the journey of self-advocacy—that’s such an important perspective, and one we don’t often see in fantasy. The problem was that this element overtook the story. It became repetitive and, at times, distracting from the actual plot.
Much of the book read like a fictionalized memoir—almost as if someone said, “You should write about what happened during your doctorate, but make it magical.” The result felt heavy-handed, as though the author was working through personal struggles with academia, publishing, and systemic ableism on the page. While I respect that intent, it didn’t always translate into a compelling story.
As someone with both a learning and physical disability, I love seeing representation in the media I consume—it’s vital. But here, it felt almost too much, to the point of overshadowing the narrative. The story also leaned into cerebral passages that seemed intellectual just for the sake of it, rather than moving the characters or plot forward. At times it came across as indulgent and a bit “high on the horse.”
That said, I do think it’s worth reading—especially if you’re looking for a fantasy that breaks away from the usual mold and isn’t afraid to tackle big issues head-on. It won’t be for everyone, but for the right reader, the representation and commentary may really resonate.
I fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Harlequin Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
Much of the book read like a fictionalized memoir—almost as if someone said, “You should write about what happened during your doctorate, but make it magical.” The result felt heavy-handed, as though the author was working through personal struggles with academia, publishing, and systemic ableism on the page. While I respect that intent, it didn’t always translate into a compelling story.
As someone with both a learning and physical disability, I love seeing representation in the media I consume—it’s vital. But here, it felt almost too much, to the point of overshadowing the narrative. The story also leaned into cerebral passages that seemed intellectual just for the sake of it, rather than moving the characters or plot forward. At times it came across as indulgent and a bit “high on the horse.”
That said, I do think it’s worth reading—especially if you’re looking for a fantasy that breaks away from the usual mold and isn’t afraid to tackle big issues head-on. It won’t be for everyone, but for the right reader, the representation and commentary may really resonate.
I fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Harlequin Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
September 27, 2025
I was excited to read a dark academia novel with magic and adult characters. Unfortunately, the story didn’t work for me.
The writing tended toward excessive detail and unnecessary wandering, making the book about 100 pages too long.
Dorothe Bartleby, our MC, was stuck in an anxiety loop that had her constantly spiraling. I liked her perseverance. I wanted more of that and less of her incessant self-deprecation.
All the other characters felt bland to me.
The magic system was interesting, though also overly complex. I think the author was going for a Harry Potter kind of thing with the different magical houses, though I’m not sure because the explanations were dense but also vague. And yes, I know that probably makes no sense.
I loved the talking skull!
I appreciated the attempt at diversity and disability representation, but it was all surface level. We’re told students needed “accommodation letters” to give them… something. More time with lessons, maybe? A different type of learning environment, maybe? It’s not really clear, nor is it clear what, exactly, qualifies someone for these accommodations.
But all these complaints are specific to me. Some readers loved this book, and you might as well.
*Thanks to HTP Books (#HiveInfluencer) for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley.*
The writing tended toward excessive detail and unnecessary wandering, making the book about 100 pages too long.
Dorothe Bartleby, our MC, was stuck in an anxiety loop that had her constantly spiraling. I liked her perseverance. I wanted more of that and less of her incessant self-deprecation.
All the other characters felt bland to me.
The magic system was interesting, though also overly complex. I think the author was going for a Harry Potter kind of thing with the different magical houses, though I’m not sure because the explanations were dense but also vague. And yes, I know that probably makes no sense.
I loved the talking skull!
I appreciated the attempt at diversity and disability representation, but it was all surface level. We’re told students needed “accommodation letters” to give them… something. More time with lessons, maybe? A different type of learning environment, maybe? It’s not really clear, nor is it clear what, exactly, qualifies someone for these accommodations.
But all these complaints are specific to me. Some readers loved this book, and you might as well.
*Thanks to HTP Books (#HiveInfluencer) for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley.*
October 7, 2025
3 1/2 ⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
If you are looking for a cute, cozy, witch book that’s an easy read…this is not it. If you are looking for a book with great world building, a mysterious magic based story, this the book for you!
Mage school is like graduate school for magical humans. Bartleby is a teacher at the school, while trying to pass her final test to become a mage. During the summers semester she notices students start to go missing. Could it have some thing to do with students requesting accommodations? She is supposed to be working on her finals project for her re-do of her final test to graduate and become a Mage, but instead she is using her glitching project to figure out what is happening to the missing students. Bartleby and her mismatch friends put together a group with various magical talents to help find the missing students.
I Really enjoyed this magical world and the mystery of who is making students disappear. I did find this audiobook hard to follow at times. The narrator doesn’t do a great job of distinguishing between characters. This book is one you NEED to pay attention to or you will miss vital things.
If you are looking for a cute, cozy, witch book that’s an easy read…this is not it. If you are looking for a book with great world building, a mysterious magic based story, this the book for you!
Mage school is like graduate school for magical humans. Bartleby is a teacher at the school, while trying to pass her final test to become a mage. During the summers semester she notices students start to go missing. Could it have some thing to do with students requesting accommodations? She is supposed to be working on her finals project for her re-do of her final test to graduate and become a Mage, but instead she is using her glitching project to figure out what is happening to the missing students. Bartleby and her mismatch friends put together a group with various magical talents to help find the missing students.
I Really enjoyed this magical world and the mystery of who is making students disappear. I did find this audiobook hard to follow at times. The narrator doesn’t do a great job of distinguishing between characters. This book is one you NEED to pay attention to or you will miss vital things.
Read
October 13, 2025DNF @ 11%
I really wanted to love High Magic, but unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. The premise is intriguing, and I genuinely appreciate the author’s inclusion of characters with disabilities and anxiety — that representation is important and handled with care from what I read.
That said, I struggled with the writing style. The prose felt overly academic and dense, to the point where I found myself rereading passages just to follow what was happening. It felt like the focus on complex language got in the way of flow and readability. Additionally, the political and social commentary was presented very directly rather than being woven naturally into the story, which pulled me out of the narrative.
After reaching about 11%, I realized I was spending more energy trying to parse the language than enjoying the story itself. I decided to set this one aside, though I’m sure it will resonate more with readers who enjoy an academic tone and heavy thematic exploration.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — I appreciate the opportunity to give this one a try.
I really wanted to love High Magic, but unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. The premise is intriguing, and I genuinely appreciate the author’s inclusion of characters with disabilities and anxiety — that representation is important and handled with care from what I read.
That said, I struggled with the writing style. The prose felt overly academic and dense, to the point where I found myself rereading passages just to follow what was happening. It felt like the focus on complex language got in the way of flow and readability. Additionally, the political and social commentary was presented very directly rather than being woven naturally into the story, which pulled me out of the narrative.
After reaching about 11%, I realized I was spending more energy trying to parse the language than enjoying the story itself. I decided to set this one aside, though I’m sure it will resonate more with readers who enjoy an academic tone and heavy thematic exploration.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — I appreciate the opportunity to give this one a try.
July 9, 2025
Higher Magic is an enchanting blend of dark academia, magical theory, and social commentary wrapped in clever prose and unexpected heart.
Dorothe is a refreshingly relatable protagonist - brilliant, awkward, overwhelmed, and constantly underestimated. Her journey through a prestigious magical institution that values perfection over people feels sharp and personal, especially as she grapples with both academic pressure and institutional ableism. The novel balances wit and weight, blending magical academia with timely themes around disability advocacy and imposter syndrome without ever feeling heavy-handed.
Final Thoughts:
Smart, strange, and deeply sincere, Higher Magic is a celebration of finding strength in what makes you different, even when the system tries to erase you. Highly recommended for fans of magical academia with a social conscience - and a sense of humor.
Expected Release Date: 08/07/2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Dorothe is a refreshingly relatable protagonist - brilliant, awkward, overwhelmed, and constantly underestimated. Her journey through a prestigious magical institution that values perfection over people feels sharp and personal, especially as she grapples with both academic pressure and institutional ableism. The novel balances wit and weight, blending magical academia with timely themes around disability advocacy and imposter syndrome without ever feeling heavy-handed.
Final Thoughts:
Smart, strange, and deeply sincere, Higher Magic is a celebration of finding strength in what makes you different, even when the system tries to erase you. Highly recommended for fans of magical academia with a social conscience - and a sense of humor.
Expected Release Date: 08/07/2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.
October 2, 2025
A mysterious story in dark academia fantasy with mages, magic, and a moody vibe - with ghosts!
The plot had a bit of a slow start and it took me a bit to get really into it. The plot is really what kept me intrigued. A bit of mystery, suspense mixed with fantasy and magic really held things together.
I didn’t connect with the FMC off the bat, but she did grow on me once she really found herself and her worth. I do think Anne is the star of this story, funny and blunt enough to make me cringe and laugh out loud.
If you love a book with disability representation you will appreciate the story line and crusade the students take on. I’d even opine to say that is the main plot line of this story!
I did enjoy the story as a whole, and was fully drawn to how the academics and magic intertwined.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC.
The plot had a bit of a slow start and it took me a bit to get really into it. The plot is really what kept me intrigued. A bit of mystery, suspense mixed with fantasy and magic really held things together.
I didn’t connect with the FMC off the bat, but she did grow on me once she really found herself and her worth. I do think Anne is the star of this story, funny and blunt enough to make me cringe and laugh out loud.
If you love a book with disability representation you will appreciate the story line and crusade the students take on. I’d even opine to say that is the main plot line of this story!
I did enjoy the story as a whole, and was fully drawn to how the academics and magic intertwined.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC.
October 13, 2025
Courtney Floyd’s HIGHER MAGIC speaks to the needs of students with disabilities. In this magical mystery, undergraduate and graduate students with accommodation letters are going missing.
This is such a great spin on the magic school setting. Floyd deftly shows the struggles of students with anxiety, ADHD, and mobility limitations. Not just the difficulties they have in completing their work, but also how many instructors believe accommodations are unnecessary, especially at the college level. If they had their way, students who can’t rise to the challenge wouldn’t be in the program.
Graduate student Dorothe Bartleby suffers from debilitating anxiety. She is constantly catastrophizing - to the point where, as a reader, it honestly becomes a bit annoying. Yet I know how realistic this is. Anxiety can be terribly isolating because it can alienate those around you. Fortunately, Bartleby has a strong support circle. Her roommates can tell when she’s spiraling and know how to comfort her.
Bartleby’s graduate project becomes the key to her investigation of the missing students. I can’t say that I fully understood what she was trying to demonstrate with this magic. But it involves a talking skull named Anne, after Anne Boleyn, who rumor says tried to speak after being beheaded. Anne is a delight, so I was fine to gloss over the particulars of the project.
Thank you to HTP for gifting me both the eARC and the ALC of Higher Magic. I enjoyed the audiobook, and narrator Sophie Amoss did a wonderful job with an ensemble cast. When there’s a group of characters in conversation, I never struggled to understand who was speaking.
This is such a great spin on the magic school setting. Floyd deftly shows the struggles of students with anxiety, ADHD, and mobility limitations. Not just the difficulties they have in completing their work, but also how many instructors believe accommodations are unnecessary, especially at the college level. If they had their way, students who can’t rise to the challenge wouldn’t be in the program.
Graduate student Dorothe Bartleby suffers from debilitating anxiety. She is constantly catastrophizing - to the point where, as a reader, it honestly becomes a bit annoying. Yet I know how realistic this is. Anxiety can be terribly isolating because it can alienate those around you. Fortunately, Bartleby has a strong support circle. Her roommates can tell when she’s spiraling and know how to comfort her.
Bartleby’s graduate project becomes the key to her investigation of the missing students. I can’t say that I fully understood what she was trying to demonstrate with this magic. But it involves a talking skull named Anne, after Anne Boleyn, who rumor says tried to speak after being beheaded. Anne is a delight, so I was fine to gloss over the particulars of the project.
Thank you to HTP for gifting me both the eARC and the ALC of Higher Magic. I enjoyed the audiobook, and narrator Sophie Amoss did a wonderful job with an ensemble cast. When there’s a group of characters in conversation, I never struggled to understand who was speaking.
October 10, 2025
Higher Magic is a delight that packs a message. Bartleby is an almost uncomfortably relatable protagonist to anyone who has lived through an anxiety attack (or witnessed one). Her journey from page one to the end is a powerful coming of age look at the part of a person's early 20s/school years when they're figuring out who they are and what that means and how to get to where they want to go. The underlying commentary on the state of academia is not subtle but as it's the main conflict of the story, it also isn't meant to be. Floyd has something to say and she does so deftly and with a truly fantastic amount of world-building.
I think fans of Scholomance, Emily Wilde and Atlas Six would find this truly delightful. It's a cozy look at academia where the characters are truly the heart of the story.
I think fans of Scholomance, Emily Wilde and Atlas Six would find this truly delightful. It's a cozy look at academia where the characters are truly the heart of the story.
October 31, 2025
I enjoyed this even more than I expected to! 4.5 stars rounded up. I feel especially compelled to write a review because I feel like the average rating based on ARC reviews feels unfairly low. Hopefully post-publication this book will find an audience of readers who appreciate it as much as I did!
I was intrigued by this book because it was written by a local author and I read a review of it from a local bookseller. I am a big fan of the dark academia genre and was especially compelled by a “cozy” dark academia book, as I was looking for a lighter, not-super-dark, but still apt-for-October read.
I especially enjoyed this as someone who is adjacent to higher education (my husband is a post-doc and we were together while he completed his arduous dissertation) and I think this is very much written for folks who are at least familiar with graduate school (not saying that you need to have gone to graduate school, but witnessing how imposter syndrome is almost a necessary evil of qualifying exams will definitely help you understand this novel!)
With that all said, I found this book to be thoughtful, humorous, and a fun ride. The magic system was unique, and though I don’t read a ton of fantasy/magic books, I didn’t find it so complicated as to to distract from the plot. I loved how technology and magic were combined - so clever and fun. Familiarity with coding probably helped me appreciate that part.
Also enjoyed the diverse cast of characters and the messaging re: inclusion, mental health, diversity. There were a lot of themes relevant to higher ed in the real world. I thought this novel did a lovely job of tackling some heavier topics while still feeling like a light and fun book. It was never too heavy but also didn’t feel like pure fluff. There were real points being made.
I thought there were a few areas that could have been improved. I didn’t like the pacing of character development (not learning about protagonist’s family and background until super late in the novel, for example.) I felt like there were characters who had too much detail or too little detail given, or their details were revealed at odd times. Perhaps they just needed more room to grow?
Similar for the magic system, the school, and supporting characters. I felt a bit like we were thrown into the story without enough background for how things fit together.
I can easily overlook those flaws because this was a refreshing and creative take on magical/dark academia. I enjoyed the themes, the characters, and the plot. I laughed and even teared up a bit, and I finished the book feeling enriched by the experience of reading it.
Need more books like this, please!
I was intrigued by this book because it was written by a local author and I read a review of it from a local bookseller. I am a big fan of the dark academia genre and was especially compelled by a “cozy” dark academia book, as I was looking for a lighter, not-super-dark, but still apt-for-October read.
I especially enjoyed this as someone who is adjacent to higher education (my husband is a post-doc and we were together while he completed his arduous dissertation) and I think this is very much written for folks who are at least familiar with graduate school (not saying that you need to have gone to graduate school, but witnessing how imposter syndrome is almost a necessary evil of qualifying exams will definitely help you understand this novel!)
With that all said, I found this book to be thoughtful, humorous, and a fun ride. The magic system was unique, and though I don’t read a ton of fantasy/magic books, I didn’t find it so complicated as to to distract from the plot. I loved how technology and magic were combined - so clever and fun. Familiarity with coding probably helped me appreciate that part.
Also enjoyed the diverse cast of characters and the messaging re: inclusion, mental health, diversity. There were a lot of themes relevant to higher ed in the real world. I thought this novel did a lovely job of tackling some heavier topics while still feeling like a light and fun book. It was never too heavy but also didn’t feel like pure fluff. There were real points being made.
I thought there were a few areas that could have been improved. I didn’t like the pacing of character development (not learning about protagonist’s family and background until super late in the novel, for example.) I felt like there were characters who had too much detail or too little detail given, or their details were revealed at odd times. Perhaps they just needed more room to grow?
Similar for the magic system, the school, and supporting characters. I felt a bit like we were thrown into the story without enough background for how things fit together.
I can easily overlook those flaws because this was a refreshing and creative take on magical/dark academia. I enjoyed the themes, the characters, and the plot. I laughed and even teared up a bit, and I finished the book feeling enriched by the experience of reading it.
Need more books like this, please!
September 23, 2025
Cozy mystery meets romance in a fantasy world.
I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded, it was an urban fantasy (of the witchy variety) that was reminiscent of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist romances’s in its language and tone. However, the romance was second stage to the cozy mystery unfolding in the academic setting. With corruption, deadlines, and unjust rules meant to suppress anyone other than the white elite able bodied people the mystery in the center of this story was both compelling and frustrating in its relatability.
Urban Fantasy
Amateur Slueths
Close Proximity (classmate)
Found Family
Academic Setting (Graduate Students)
Fight for Equality
❌🌶️ Clean Romance
I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded, it was an urban fantasy (of the witchy variety) that was reminiscent of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist romances’s in its language and tone. However, the romance was second stage to the cozy mystery unfolding in the academic setting. With corruption, deadlines, and unjust rules meant to suppress anyone other than the white elite able bodied people the mystery in the center of this story was both compelling and frustrating in its relatability.
Urban Fantasy
Amateur Slueths
Close Proximity (classmate)
Found Family
Academic Setting (Graduate Students)
Fight for Equality
❌🌶️ Clean Romance
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