The Impure

by C.M. Nyx

Prudence Everhart has waited her whole life for her Claiming, the night when Verin, the Dark Lord, unlocks the full strength of her magic. But when the ceremony turns into chaos, Prue is thrust into a world of betrayal, secrets, and bloodshed she never saw coming.

Hunted, burdened with a power she barely understands, and forced into the forbidden Phantom Grove forest, Prue must decide who she can trust, and how far she’ll go to uncover the truth about her destiny.

Because in a world where light and dark are at war, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

About the author

C.M Nyx is a Indie Author that shares a home with her husband, two children, dog Luna, cat Garfield, and her many characters.

The Queen herself loves to edge and tease her readers with wicked words and dark fantasies.

She's local to Memphis, Tn but loves to travel! Her go to is the beach but the mountains call to her in a way that inspires all the fantasy words she puts to paper.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love witches, magic and the fight between good and evil, with a solid grey area- this book is for you!

Prue is a light mage entering into her new existence since the dark lord released her magic during her Claiming. The world she knew has been shattered and she is now on a journey to find the truth. She enters into a world where she doesn’t know who to trust, forms bonds with an unlikely crew, and uncovers things that rock her to her core.

This book has a solid plot line and it unravels at a great pace. I didn’t feel rushed when information was revealed , but it also didn’t drag out forever. It kept me engaged all the way through. The main character Prue, starts off as a sweet girl excited about her future. But somewhere between her magic awakening and her entire world going topsy turvy, she understandably shifts into a whole other person. I don’t want to give away plot lines, but I wish that when she does this huge personality shift, that more of her sweet side would still seep through. You get glimpses of regret, but her hardness seems wins out towards the end of the book.

From the beginning I wasn’t a huge fan of her best friend, Reyson, I never really understood their dynamic. They are super close when the book starts, their banter is cute. But then, later, he is presented as her protector with an underlying hint at feelings? But maybe not? I would have liked more definition to their relationship. What is meant by him being her protector? There is no clear outline as to their actual bond. Is it a bond of friendship and he feels strong protective feelings for her, like the pulling of heart strings, or is it an actual bond like that of her familiar?

Other than some personal nuances, (I am not a fan of huge flowery descriptions, I am a more meat and potatoes, get me to the action, kinda girl) this was a solid read. I did enjoy this book. I am interested in reading the next in the series, because it ends with a cliff hanger and I just have to know what happens next!

I did receive an ARC of this book, but the opinions above are all my own. Thank you C.M. Nyx! It was a pleasure to read your debut fantasy novel!

[BrewedBookDragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prue is a Mage coming of age and into her full powers (The Claiming) on her 18th birthday. There are light and dark mages separated into two cities and ruled by two different councils. We have political intrigue, found family, betrayal, good vs evil with some gray areas, and finding blood relatives you didnt know you had.

This is her debut fantasy novel and the first of the Misfir Coven Series. There is plenty of going on, the writining was clear and the story is paced well...we are getting the necessary world building, history, and character building to move this series forward. It ends on a cliffhanger!!

There isnt romance nor tension in this series it feels like a YA fantasy but there are trigger warnings:

Foul/explicit language
Gore
A sexual/torture scene (not involving any of the main characters, and not in detail.
I would add grief and death of a parent/firend to the list

I am waiting for the next book and interested to see where this all goes.

[Phoenix Fyreheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

First things first, I don't think this was exactly my cup of tea. That being said, it was a pretty good read. There's some great world building, relatable characters and, best of all, NO SPICE. Y'all know I love my no spice stories hehe. There was a lot of language though, so if you don't care for that, you might want to skip this story, or pretend the words aren't there.

So just because it wasn't my favorite, that doesn't mean it wasn't good. I still very much recommend this to my YA, no spice, witchy women and give it a nice 3.5 star rating!!

Ravenheart Rating: 7/10
Spice Factor: NONE and I LOVE it!

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of C.M. Nyx and when I heard she was writing fantasy. I had to see how it was. And it definitely did not disappoint. It is a palate cleanser if you read dark plot. This has very little spice so its also a good YA book too. The characters definitely have a personality that everyone can relate to. And the scenery is great. You can imagine yourself in this book and I cant wait for the second book

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a series and it was refreshing for me to read a book where it was not centered around romance. If you want a unique magical world, witches and demons, an evil plot trying to be executed and stopped and found family this book is for you. The cast of characters is diverse and you come to love them, well most of them. You are left on quite a cliffhanger so I’m hoping we don’t have to wait too long for the next one!

[redreads4861 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to see how Prue handles what life throws at her was so good. She had to be strong and unwavering in order to keep her promise to her mom. I loved every second of this book. The twists that you don't see coming were so good. That cliffhanger... If C.M is gonna do one thing it's get you all worked up just to make you wait!!!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally dont like this genre but this book was amazing! I like Prudence she is a complex person that is relatable. But unlike her I am not sure who to trust even Reyson, Jude and Ravina are all questionable to me. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I cant wait for the next book. This will have you about ready to slip off your seat.

[Momma T's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read. A zero spice, YA fantasy. Prudence has some trust issues. Which I totally felt right a long with her. Very relatable. The story flowed. There was no confusion in what was happening or where it was going.

My Issue: It was nothing new. It didn't catch my attention. Maybe it's a little bit younger than YA? The world-building was there, but the world was simple.

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first C.M. Nyx read and it was a solid fantasy. I enjoyed the magic system and political intrigue. The constant question of who to trust and how blood doesn't equate to the strongest bonds.

I would give this a 3.75 and I will definitely read the next book in the series. Just be warned, the story ends on a big cliffhanger!

[Cassie McCaslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time ever reading a fantasy book that doesn’t have any spice. It was definitely worth the read! The plot twists came out of nowhere and the energy of the book was top tier! The cliffhanger will be the death of me but now I can’t wait for book 2 so I can find out what is going to happen next!

[tammy crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

magical fantasy tale of becoming of age an into magic. I immediately love the strong an brave MFC on the journey to keep her word to her mom. But I feel she was to trusting of her companion characters on her journey. Guess I will wait to see if I'm right in the book? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[CHERYL]

Just finished this and what a ride! Love the main character-Prue. She's strong, powerful, and demanding while knowing when to be gracious. With a new coven of both light and dark mages supporting her, Prue sets off on a journey of vengeance and discovery.

I can't wait for the next in the series!

[Marilyn Formosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great first installment to the coven of misfits series. A lot of emotions in play: love, hate, loss, anger.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Prue's story, the adventure, the action, the magic, the heartbreak. This story kept me pulled in, the cliffhanger however kills me haha but its worth it. I cant wait to see whats next.