What do you think?
Rate this book
Izzie Berens: Arcane Enforcer #5
The Forbidden Spell
Some spells are never meant to be cast.
When Izzie Berens, top agent for the Paranormal Defense Agency, experiences a vision of reality shattering around her, she knows something is terribly wrong. A rogue wizard has uncovered a forbidden spell so powerful it could warp time, space, and magic itself—if he succeeds in casting it.
With the celestial alignment that fuels the spell just days away, Izzie and her team must race against time, tracking down lost artifacts, battling ancient guardians, and navigating a web of magical conspiracies. But they’re not the only ones on the hunt. The wizard’s followers will stop at nothing to protect their leader’s dark ritual.
From hidden temples to underground magical enclaves, every step brings them closer to a final, brutal showdown. But as the spell nears completion, even reality itself begins to betray them. Warped magic, shifting timelines, and devastating illusions make it impossible to tell friend from foe.
Failure means unmaking reality itself. And Izzie? She’ll risk everything—including her own soul—to stop it.
Perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, and K.F. Breene, The Forbidden Spell delivers pulse-pounding action, sharp humor, and a heroine who never backs down.
When Izzie Berens, top agent for the Paranormal Defense Agency, experiences a vision of reality shattering around her, she knows something is terribly wrong. A rogue wizard has uncovered a forbidden spell so powerful it could warp time, space, and magic itself—if he succeeds in casting it.
With the celestial alignment that fuels the spell just days away, Izzie and her team must race against time, tracking down lost artifacts, battling ancient guardians, and navigating a web of magical conspiracies. But they’re not the only ones on the hunt. The wizard’s followers will stop at nothing to protect their leader’s dark ritual.
From hidden temples to underground magical enclaves, every step brings them closer to a final, brutal showdown. But as the spell nears completion, even reality itself begins to betray them. Warped magic, shifting timelines, and devastating illusions make it impossible to tell friend from foe.
Failure means unmaking reality itself. And Izzie? She’ll risk everything—including her own soul—to stop it.
Perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, and K.F. Breene, The Forbidden Spell delivers pulse-pounding action, sharp humor, and a heroine who never backs down.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
About the author
Martha Carr
570 books776 followersOkay, I'm a late bloomer who's a big DC comics fan and spent my childhood summers on the Jersey shore but I was born under a wandering star and have lived in different parts of America ever since. That's enough about me. Need to feel inspired today? Looking for something to make you root for an ordinary hero? I'm all about that in everything I write.
I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.
There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.
Thank you for checking out my stories!
I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.
There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.
Thank you for checking out my stories!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 11, 2025
Cue the theme from the old Batman TV show..
Despite its entirely campy production, one thing which can definitely be said about that 1960’s Batman series was that it had an incredibly catchy theme. That music literally embodied the feeling of running.. either in pursuit of someone/thing or of running away while being chased.
THAT energy is embodied in this book. Throughout much of the book, Izzie repeatedly moans about how she feels like she should be doing something more. And STILL that same music would apply as tensions gradually rise as you read. And then all Hell breaks loose and Izzie goes gallivanting across realities in an attempt to bring it all back together. At that point she really IS running…. *** cue Batman music***
There is a very tight “tension” stretching across every page of this book. And though absolutely nothing happens for almost 1/2 of the book, the reader will scarcely notice this fact as they plow forward to a resolution.
This is pure, and purely great, fun!
Despite its entirely campy production, one thing which can definitely be said about that 1960’s Batman series was that it had an incredibly catchy theme. That music literally embodied the feeling of running.. either in pursuit of someone/thing or of running away while being chased.
THAT energy is embodied in this book. Throughout much of the book, Izzie repeatedly moans about how she feels like she should be doing something more. And STILL that same music would apply as tensions gradually rise as you read. And then all Hell breaks loose and Izzie goes gallivanting across realities in an attempt to bring it all back together. At that point she really IS running…. *** cue Batman music***
There is a very tight “tension” stretching across every page of this book. And though absolutely nothing happens for almost 1/2 of the book, the reader will scarcely notice this fact as they plow forward to a resolution.
This is pure, and purely great, fun!
June 8, 2025
Wow, a great story!
The Forbidden Spell, the fifth book in the fabulous Izzie Berens: Arcane Enforcer series, kept me turning the pages until the very end.
There was so much happening, with different worlds, or alternate realuties, it was fascinating.
The Forbidden Spell, the fifth book in the fabulous Izzie Berens: Arcane Enforcer series, kept me turning the pages until the very end.
There was so much happening, with different worlds, or alternate realuties, it was fascinating.
June 13, 2025
Different realities
Izzie and crew are trying to stop a ritual that could fracture everything. Izzie ends up going to different realities of the world. Will she be able to stop the ritual?
Izzie and crew are trying to stop a ritual that could fracture everything. Izzie ends up going to different realities of the world. Will she be able to stop the ritual?
August 5, 2025
good
I did like this book, but it was a bit confusing. I felt like there were descriptions of things that were a little overdone. I also had a hard time following stuff in certain places. Overall, I thought this was a decent book and I will read the next book in the series.
I did like this book, but it was a bit confusing. I felt like there were descriptions of things that were a little overdone. I also had a hard time following stuff in certain places. Overall, I thought this was a decent book and I will read the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews