Magic and Decay

by Rachel Higginson

Magic and Decay is a Rachel Higginson Halloween Special! This fast and fun novel packs a punch when Rachel takes three of her favorite couples from three different series and throws them into the Zombie Apocalypse. Eden and Kiran from the Star-Crossed Series, Ivy and Ryder from the Siren Series and Reagan and Hendrix from Love and Decay join forces to survive a regular but deadly day at the end of the world. Ivy’s seductive Siren call doesn’t just apply to human men. Zombies of all shapes, sizes and states of decay flock to her, unable to resist her pull. Armed with limited resources and dwindling Magic, the three couples fight alongside each other to stay alive and unbitten. But even with all of these supernatural powers combined, no one is safe when Zombies are involved. Magic and Decay is a stand-alone novel. You do not need to have read any of these series to enjoy this book.

Genres: Zombies, Young Adult, Fantasy

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2014

About the author

Rachel Higginson is the best-selling author of The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series.

She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.

Reviews

[Lenore Kosinski]

4.5 HILARIOUS stars -- OK, not just hilarious. There was lots of action and intense situations and all that good stuff. BUT OH MY GOD -- this is like a Rachel Higginson fan DREAM. It contains all of your fave characters with all their delicious snark. Even if you've never read a book by Ms. Higginson, I dare you to read this and not become intrigued enough to dive into one of her series. The characters are sassy, strong, willful, vulnerable, kickass, sweet, smart, and HILARIOUS. Watching them interact was a treat. While you did not need to have read any of the series to enjoy this book, I won't guarantee that they won't make you curious, and they won't cause super minor spoilers if you're not caught up (like me on L&D). But it's so worth it.

You know what made this book just that extra bit of something? It was epically meta. Have you seen the 2011 Muppets movie?? That's the kind of meta I'm talking about. Subtle digs at each series. Subtle digs at the author. Fabulous mini easter eggs for those who have read the series. Some examples:

"I read somewhere once that the smell was the worst, the absolute worst. And I definitely agreed." -- Eden

"You get the whole looking pretty act going on though. That's apparently enough to write a whole book about." -- Eden

Those aren't even the best, but I don't want to give it away. THIS. THIS is what made the whole book for me. Seriously awesomesauce.

And that last chapter?? I did NOT see that coming AT ALL and pretty much fell off the couch. Bravo Ms. Higginson. I tip my hat to you.

[Laura Hernandez]

Truly found this read enjoyable and was not disappointed. This author reels you in and keeps you glued to your seat.

[Hayley]

This was such an amazing story!
Eden & Kiran, Reagan & Hendrix, Ivy & Ryder, and even Stella & Seth and Ellie & Fin make an appearance in this awesome collage of all of your favorite characters from Rachel Higginson's books. If you have read Rachel's books or just want a quick read full of adventure, romance, and swoon-worthy alpha-males, you have to buy this book!
You don't need to have read all of Rachel's books to understand the story, but I would suggest it to get a better understanding of the characters and the storyline.
Well done, Rachel!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Tracey Milito]

Loved it

I loved the mash up of different characters from different stories experiencing the zombie apocalypse. It was a great little treat.

[Cari]

Magic and Decay is an absolute treat from Rachel Higginson to her readers! When I first read that Rachel was writing a Halloween mashup that would feature characters from three of her series, I had no idea how she would manage it, but of course she did and it was great. This is short and full of action and could be read by someone who has not yet read Rachel's other series, but I honestly think it wouldn't be very enjoyable if you weren't already invested in these characters. Kiran and Eden from the Magic series are one of my favorite book couples and Reagan and Hendrix from Love and Decay are so kickass and dear to my heart. Eden and Ryder from the Siren series aren't as special to me, but their story is definitely working up to an exciting point. All of these characters are in Zombieland in Magic and Decay and I guarantee that fans of these series will love seeing them interact. Plus, there's a little bit of Stella and Seth in there at the end and I sure do love them, too!

Thank you Rachel for doing this one for your fans! :)

[Deanna]

So many people I love from Rachel's different books converged into the Zombie world from Love and Decay!

Though there might be one HUGE outlier!

(Hendrix, anyone? I mean, this guy should be dead and gone, right?)

My favorite fictional couple, Eden and Kiran. And then there's another one of my top favorite couples, Ivy and Ryder. And of course there's Reagan. Can't have a zombie world without her kickbutt self in it, can we? It just wouldn't feel the same.

...And, sadly, there's also Hendrix.

This was just a fun book that mashed a bunch of these characters together into a fun, action-packed, Zombie story. Short, sweet, and just the right amount of gore and magic. :)

[Kirsten]

Write a Halloween mash-up to thrill your fans - Check!
Add in Reagan & Hendrix and the ever horrible feeders - Check!
Throw in a handful of your favorite couples, all from different series with different talents and personalities to kick feeder behind - Check!

Yep, yep, and yep! I'm knew that I would go all in! I am here to tell you that Rachel did not disappoint!


This stand alone novella lives up to the Rachel Higginson hype. She has created a novella with an overwhelmingly awesome mix of characters! The combination is epic and brings together book boyfriend accents, sassyness, snarkiness, strength, and independence into one pretty little package.

You do not have to read any of the series to appreciate this book BUT I highly recommend that you stop what you are doing and go get them all - and FAST! You will be hooked in no time!

[Mandy Reads Indie]

I adored this short, fun read to no end! We get taken back to the LOVE AND DECAY setting but with a few old friends thrown in. Yep, that's right! Not only do we get a bit more Reagan and Hendrix (who are my favorite book couple of all time) but we get some screen time with Kiran and Eden and Ivy and Ryder.

Although I have only read book one from the Siren Series, I still enjoyed reading about Ivy and Ryder and didn't feel like I was missing anything. In fact, it makes me want to catch up sooner on that series. I was also reminded of how much I love my love/hate relationship with Kiran. He wasn't as bad as I have remembered him in the past. So in the end it all worked out well for me. ;)

I definitely recommend this quick read if you have a few minutes on your hands or in-between books. 5 Zombie/Magic Packed Stars!

[Aret]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! All of my FAVORITE characters in one story, what could be better! If you've read Rachel's books you know who they are, if not, you should eventually find out but you don't need to have read them to enjoy these awesome characters!

There is zombie action, drama, magic...all the fun stuff that makes a great book!The interaction between the characters was exciting to read..Reagan was her same smart a@@ self. It was fun seeing all the guys together.

This was just a fun, entertaining book to read and I totally recommend you give it a try!

*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Rakes]

Loved this book. I have only read Love and Decay but there are so many inside jokes just from that one book that I can't image how much greatest his would have been had I read all of R. Higginson's series!
Lots of humor and action. You don't have to know all the characters because they are pretty well worked out so you know what's going on without a bunch of useless rambling.
Loved seeing Reagan and Hendrix and if they alluded to what I think they alluded too with Haley... OMG. Read this. get your Love and Decay fix now!

[Cassandra Mello]

This just brought up more questions haha, I was really hoping it would take place in a past version of L&D (I wanted a tiny bit more Kane gosh darn it!) there was a lot of sadness to the Reagan chapters and though I enjoyed the Star Crossed series I really read this one for Reagan and Hendrix and it was well written but yeah not a fine spot in their relationship clearly so the idea that this is further in the future (Texas? Hayley possibly pregnant?? ) than the season we're in... yikes!

[Crystal Simpson]

I adored this book, all my favs in one place what's not to love. Oh and the subtle hints of what's to come made me smile. But the real treat is the couple of chapters at the end for the next book, five stages of grief. I was a blubbering mess IN THE FIRST COUPLE CHAPTERS! I mean cmon at least buy me dinner schmooze me a little. No, no way not Rachel she dives right in and yanks your heart through your chest right away. It's a good thing we will all have the rest of the book to put it back together again.

[Shannon Deberry]

As with anything Rachel writes this is one fantastic short story a special episode for the holidays! What's so great about this story is she pulls in couples from her other series, and the join in the fight with the zombies. I loved this mash up of her characters worlds colliding. And as usual I just want to read more!

[Elisa]

This was a fun read that anyone who has read one of Rachel Higginson's many series would enjoy. Magic and Decay places the main characters from many of her books in the landscape of her Love and Decay series. The interaction between the characters was witty and it was fun seeing them all interact.

[Samantha]

loved it like I knew I would! 3 couples from 3 books combined :)
loved Hendrix&Reagan like always
loved Kiran&Eden like always
love Ryder&ivy and now I nee to start their story which is on my kindle but I hadn't got around to yet!

and even tho they are only there for a chapter I'm kinda wondering why fin&Ellie didn't know about the zombies?!;)

[Nylah :)]

Check out my review here! http://sunshinesunscreenandabook.blog...

Snippet of my review:''I'm not gonna lie, I am not particularly fond of zombie books. However''

[Amy]

OMG!! Amazing read. It was so fun reading about the many characters that I love to read about all together. I just wish it wouldnt end!!! Now I need the Redeemable Prince and Love and Decay and The Heart to come out already!!
MORE MORE MORE
Very creative Rachel Higginson!!

[Alayna Payton]

I loved this so much! Reagan and Hendrix are one of my favorite couples and I missed the chemistry between Eden and Kiran. i didn't know Ivy and Ryder but they were great additions, now I have to go read their series. I love crossovers from different series and this was perfect!

[Trish Nguyen]

This is a cute short read. I love how rachel was able to blend all of their very different personalities together for this Halloween treat!

[Melissa Gouveia]

Great mash up of characters. I wasn't sure how she'd accomplish integrating them in to each other's lives, but it was done successfully and with such creativity.