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The Poison Paradox
What price is too high to pay for those you love?
Prince Alaric breaks the laws of the gods and his kingdom to bring his brother back from death, but the price is higher than he could have imagined. Exiled, slowly corrupted, and with a brother more shadow than man, he seeks the only man able to fully revive his brother...another exile, his father's former mage, Eamon.
Once the most powerful mage in the kingdom, Eamon vanished years ago. Some say he died, some say he disappeared in a plume of smoke...and others in his hometown of Lithglau whisper the mage brought a young girl back to life.
When Alaric finds Eamon, he's nothing like he expected. For one thing, he's an ogre. For another, he flat-out refuses to help a spoiled prince.
Alaric and his brother are running out of time.
Driven to desperation, Alaric forces the former mage's hand before he realizes the price of a cure for his brother will come at the expense of his own life.
A life that, in Eamon's ramshackle village, he's beginning to enjoy for the first time.
Can he cure his brother without cursing himself? Or will crafting this potion bring only a brief reprieve from the loneliness that plagues him and Eamon both?
The longer Alaric spends in the village in the woods, the more he falls for Eamon—and the more determined he is to change both his and his brother’s fate, no matter the price.
The Potion Paradox features repressed longing disguised as disdain, blessings disguised as curses, curses disguised as blessings, and a very nosy woodland nymph who wants to win a baking competition and doesn't care what ogres she needs to annoy to win it.
Prince Alaric breaks the laws of the gods and his kingdom to bring his brother back from death, but the price is higher than he could have imagined. Exiled, slowly corrupted, and with a brother more shadow than man, he seeks the only man able to fully revive his brother...another exile, his father's former mage, Eamon.
Once the most powerful mage in the kingdom, Eamon vanished years ago. Some say he died, some say he disappeared in a plume of smoke...and others in his hometown of Lithglau whisper the mage brought a young girl back to life.
When Alaric finds Eamon, he's nothing like he expected. For one thing, he's an ogre. For another, he flat-out refuses to help a spoiled prince.
Alaric and his brother are running out of time.
Driven to desperation, Alaric forces the former mage's hand before he realizes the price of a cure for his brother will come at the expense of his own life.
A life that, in Eamon's ramshackle village, he's beginning to enjoy for the first time.
Can he cure his brother without cursing himself? Or will crafting this potion bring only a brief reprieve from the loneliness that plagues him and Eamon both?
The longer Alaric spends in the village in the woods, the more he falls for Eamon—and the more determined he is to change both his and his brother’s fate, no matter the price.
The Potion Paradox features repressed longing disguised as disdain, blessings disguised as curses, curses disguised as blessings, and a very nosy woodland nymph who wants to win a baking competition and doesn't care what ogres she needs to annoy to win it.
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Published June 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
August 22, 2025
Recommend-O-Meter: For cozy fantasy lovers who vibe with the whole concept of Shrek
I’m not kidding. It feels a little bit Shrek-ish, in a good way, featuring its own ogre with his own found family of fantastical creatures. Except the ogre is a powerful mage who once resurrected a girl and paid the price with his curse. And also he’s being chased (in more ways than one) by a prince who desperately desires a potion only he can create, possible doom notwithstanding. Behold: grumpy potioneer ogre Eamon and sunshine-y Prince Alaric.
This book is truly something I’d consider a cozy fantasy. It’s in many parts insanely domestic, because Alaric essentially inserts himself into Eamon’s life while waiting for his potion to be brewed. They even sort-of raise a child together during that time. How much cozier can you get? Sure, there’s the looming certainty of death (or worse) hanging around them, but oh well.
I enjoyed myself. I really did. I was able to read all of it in one day, in between real-life meetings, and I think that worked well for it. It’s not the kind of heavy tale that sticks with you for days; rather, it felt more like a fun little break from heaviness. Strip away all the fantasy and it’s really just a story about two guys getting to know each other, and being known in turn. But with goblins. (Yay!)
Audio Assessment: The narrator was great, super clear and understandable. I especially loved how they did goblin voices, and I felt like it made my experience so much more entertaining. It was a little slow for my taste, but not really a big issue with adjustable speed settings.
[I received an ALC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
I’m not kidding. It feels a little bit Shrek-ish, in a good way, featuring its own ogre with his own found family of fantastical creatures. Except the ogre is a powerful mage who once resurrected a girl and paid the price with his curse. And also he’s being chased (in more ways than one) by a prince who desperately desires a potion only he can create, possible doom notwithstanding. Behold: grumpy potioneer ogre Eamon and sunshine-y Prince Alaric.
This book is truly something I’d consider a cozy fantasy. It’s in many parts insanely domestic, because Alaric essentially inserts himself into Eamon’s life while waiting for his potion to be brewed. They even sort-of raise a child together during that time. How much cozier can you get? Sure, there’s the looming certainty of death (or worse) hanging around them, but oh well.
I enjoyed myself. I really did. I was able to read all of it in one day, in between real-life meetings, and I think that worked well for it. It’s not the kind of heavy tale that sticks with you for days; rather, it felt more like a fun little break from heaviness. Strip away all the fantasy and it’s really just a story about two guys getting to know each other, and being known in turn. But with goblins. (Yay!)
Audio Assessment: The narrator was great, super clear and understandable. I especially loved how they did goblin voices, and I felt like it made my experience so much more entertaining. It was a little slow for my taste, but not really a big issue with adjustable speed settings.
[I received an ALC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
January 16, 2024
This took WAY longer for me to read than expected. It never fully grabbed my attention, it had pretty cute vibes at times. Maybe I am just not a cozy fantasy reader. This definitely has its audience and I would not avoid recommending this to some folks I know. Both Eamon and Alaric are likable, but I feel like their characterization was missing something. I am not fully sure what I want, something more beyond coziness and likability. Perhaps I don’t like the grumpy/sunshine vibes, but slow burn was well executed.
I am going to be real… I requested this because of the title and the blurb. The Poison Paradox evokes an image of bold darkness. I believe you can be cozy and dark at the same time; it is a weird combo but definitely doable. I loved the world and the magic. Necromancy is a fun trope in DnD and apparently in stories too.
Overall, I feel like if this had grabbed my interest back in December when I started it I would have not put it down. But stopping and starting this one is not a way to enjoy reading this one. I am going to give this 3.25 stars. My mood just wasn’t here for it and it felt really long, but it could work for other readers.
I received an advance review copy via Book Sirens, I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.
I am going to be real… I requested this because of the title and the blurb. The Poison Paradox evokes an image of bold darkness. I believe you can be cozy and dark at the same time; it is a weird combo but definitely doable. I loved the world and the magic. Necromancy is a fun trope in DnD and apparently in stories too.
Overall, I feel like if this had grabbed my interest back in December when I started it I would have not put it down. But stopping and starting this one is not a way to enjoy reading this one. I am going to give this 3.25 stars. My mood just wasn’t here for it and it felt really long, but it could work for other readers.
I received an advance review copy via Book Sirens, I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.
Want to read
August 7, 2025So excited to start this ALC!
January 10, 2024
DNF @ 27%.
For me, there felt like a disconnect between what the blurb promises and what the Note to Readers promises. I guess I thought this would be more slice of life? But it just feels like a fantasy book with maybe some light comedy? And I mean “comedy?” with the question mark, because nothing is actually funny.
The Note for Readers says “this story mostly contains bickering, tea drinking, & collecting ingredients for a magical potion”. 27% in, tea has been drank twice… once by some random side character’s wife. Bickering? I guess if that’s what you want to call blackmail and insults. Magical ingredients gathering? Well, the mage just finally left to do that.
And maybe I don’t understand “cozy fantasy”, (mostly) or otherwise…. Because having to locate & recruit the help of a 3 year MIA mage to help finish the spell to bring your murdered brother back to life before both brothers become flesh eating monsters… doesn’t quite feel “low stakes”.
And I think both those plots… of tea drinking and necromantic practices… they feel like two separate books.
But, in spite of my opinion on what is or isn’t a cosy fantasy and if this is one… it’s just not very engaging. Not the characters and not the writing. I read 20% of this, took a 3 day break, and manage to read 20 pages all day. Shovelling slush in the pouring rain was a more appealing task to perform today than reading any more of this.
I’m sure plenty of people will find this lovely, but I am not one of them.
For me, there felt like a disconnect between what the blurb promises and what the Note to Readers promises. I guess I thought this would be more slice of life? But it just feels like a fantasy book with maybe some light comedy? And I mean “comedy?” with the question mark, because nothing is actually funny.
The Note for Readers says “this story mostly contains bickering, tea drinking, & collecting ingredients for a magical potion”. 27% in, tea has been drank twice… once by some random side character’s wife. Bickering? I guess if that’s what you want to call blackmail and insults. Magical ingredients gathering? Well, the mage just finally left to do that.
And maybe I don’t understand “cozy fantasy”, (mostly) or otherwise…. Because having to locate & recruit the help of a 3 year MIA mage to help finish the spell to bring your murdered brother back to life before both brothers become flesh eating monsters… doesn’t quite feel “low stakes”.
And I think both those plots… of tea drinking and necromantic practices… they feel like two separate books.
But, in spite of my opinion on what is or isn’t a cosy fantasy and if this is one… it’s just not very engaging. Not the characters and not the writing. I read 20% of this, took a 3 day break, and manage to read 20 pages all day. Shovelling slush in the pouring rain was a more appealing task to perform today than reading any more of this.
I’m sure plenty of people will find this lovely, but I am not one of them.
dnf
January 26, 2025DNF @ 25%
Can’t do it anymore.
I’m confused by the plot, cosy fantasy shouldn’t be this complicated. I am always annoyed when important backstory is doled out at a trickle. Who TF *are* these characters? I think at a quarter of the book, this should make more sense than it does.
But also this is too…jaunty? It’s getting on my nerves.
I always think I like cosy fantasy, but actually what I like is slice-of-life, I kind of hate the “humour” and style that seems to be associated with cosy. I really should stop reading this sub-genre.
Can’t do it anymore.
I’m confused by the plot, cosy fantasy shouldn’t be this complicated. I am always annoyed when important backstory is doled out at a trickle. Who TF *are* these characters? I think at a quarter of the book, this should make more sense than it does.
But also this is too…jaunty? It’s getting on my nerves.
I always think I like cosy fantasy, but actually what I like is slice-of-life, I kind of hate the “humour” and style that seems to be associated with cosy. I really should stop reading this sub-genre.
December 29, 2023
4+⭐
This is cosy high fantasy with sorcerer princes, lovable grumpy ogres, wood sprites and goblins. The emphasis is on friendship and hope, but it's not full-on cosy: there's necromancy, abusive fathers and angry mobs. But the heroes will prevail and fall in love on the way.
This novel is cosy and fun as it's supposed to be. It's humorous, adventurous, and very much about found family. There are some sad moments and many emotional scenes. The romance is grumpy/sunshine between two kind-hearted men. Definite recommendation for anyone loving cosy fantasy or willing to give it a go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is cosy high fantasy with sorcerer princes, lovable grumpy ogres, wood sprites and goblins. The emphasis is on friendship and hope, but it's not full-on cosy: there's necromancy, abusive fathers and angry mobs. But the heroes will prevail and fall in love on the way.
I wanted to earn my keep.
“No, no, I can do it.”
A bit of vinegar dripped into my eye, but I bit back a shout of pain. If a child could do this, so could I, and what were both eyes for if not for redundancy?
This novel is cosy and fun as it's supposed to be. It's humorous, adventurous, and very much about found family. There are some sad moments and many emotional scenes. The romance is grumpy/sunshine between two kind-hearted men. Definite recommendation for anyone loving cosy fantasy or willing to give it a go.
His kiss was like him, deft and playful and a little sad.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2025
While I'm don't regularly read cozy fantasy stories, I thought this might be the gentle break I need between larger, heavy books. I do think this book has promise, and although not *entirely* cozy (there are some pretty dark themes in here, albeit treated with gentle hands), I think reading a physical or e-copy would have made it better.
The audiobook narration has some issues:
There's some quiet buzzing in the background that you only really notice in between chapters when it goes quiet.
My main issue is: *why* would you have only one narrator for a dual POV story, told in 1st person, that follows two men?
Thomas Busby is doing his best out here and has some lovely vocal qualities, but besides the (overly silly and sometimes hard to understand) voices he does for side characters, it's incredibly difficult to follow who's POV he's reading. A story told in 3rd person would have worked better for an MM romance like this. It didn't help that his voice while narrating Eamon's inside thoughts sounded nothing like his speaking voice (but it did sound like Prince Alaric's). We also dropped so many of the dialog/speech tags, which convoluted these scenes further.
All that to be said, I think this is a cute story for readers of the genre (it's giving grown-up Shrek retelling without being hokey), but is best "eyeball-read" in lieu of the audio version.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Hadley Field, and the publisher for providing me with this audiobook ARC (so excited to be able to listen to more audiobooks from NG).
The audiobook narration has some issues:
There's some quiet buzzing in the background that you only really notice in between chapters when it goes quiet.
My main issue is: *why* would you have only one narrator for a dual POV story, told in 1st person, that follows two men?
Thomas Busby is doing his best out here and has some lovely vocal qualities, but besides the (overly silly and sometimes hard to understand) voices he does for side characters, it's incredibly difficult to follow who's POV he's reading. A story told in 3rd person would have worked better for an MM romance like this. It didn't help that his voice while narrating Eamon's inside thoughts sounded nothing like his speaking voice (but it did sound like Prince Alaric's). We also dropped so many of the dialog/speech tags, which convoluted these scenes further.
All that to be said, I think this is a cute story for readers of the genre (it's giving grown-up Shrek retelling without being hokey), but is best "eyeball-read" in lieu of the audio version.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Hadley Field, and the publisher for providing me with this audiobook ARC (so excited to be able to listen to more audiobooks from NG).
July 20, 2025
I was kindly given a free audio ARC by Victory Editing through Netgalley, to freely share my opinion.
Hear me out; I’m not sure if this is just me, but this story reminds me a lot of *Shrek*. The beginning of the relationship felt like a romance between Shrek and Donkey, but if both were attractive and Donkey were a human. For instance, when Alaric first meets Eamon in the forest and starts following him home, despite Eamon telling him to leave, it’s similar to their dynamic on the movie when they first met. Another example is when Alaric invites creatures to Eamon's home without his consent and befriends everyone. So, if you enjoyed *Shrek*, you might find this story appealing.
Aside from the similarities to *Shrek*, this story itself is a great read, especially as an audiobook. It’s become my go-to while commuting to work and doing chores around the house, as it's light, cute, and cozy. The atmosphere is well-crafted, and the side characters are fun and diverse, though most lack depth or background. My main issue with the book is the ending; it felt rushed and too convenient for the characters. I understand this is cozy fantasy, which typically lacks major conflicts or drama, but I think the execution could have been better. Overall, it’s an entertaining read, and I had fun for the most part.
Regarding the romance, it's a slow-burn, closed-door mxm relationship. They make a cute couple, but I would have preferred fewer scenes with the side characters in exchange for more interactions between the main couple. While I didn’t miss the spice, I would have liked a bit more proximity and longing between them.
Hear me out; I’m not sure if this is just me, but this story reminds me a lot of *Shrek*. The beginning of the relationship felt like a romance between Shrek and Donkey, but if both were attractive and Donkey were a human. For instance, when Alaric first meets Eamon in the forest and starts following him home, despite Eamon telling him to leave, it’s similar to their dynamic on the movie when they first met. Another example is when Alaric invites creatures to Eamon's home without his consent and befriends everyone. So, if you enjoyed *Shrek*, you might find this story appealing.
Aside from the similarities to *Shrek*, this story itself is a great read, especially as an audiobook. It’s become my go-to while commuting to work and doing chores around the house, as it's light, cute, and cozy. The atmosphere is well-crafted, and the side characters are fun and diverse, though most lack depth or background. My main issue with the book is the ending; it felt rushed and too convenient for the characters. I understand this is cozy fantasy, which typically lacks major conflicts or drama, but I think the execution could have been better. Overall, it’s an entertaining read, and I had fun for the most part.
Regarding the romance, it's a slow-burn, closed-door mxm relationship. They make a cute couple, but I would have preferred fewer scenes with the side characters in exchange for more interactions between the main couple. While I didn’t miss the spice, I would have liked a bit more proximity and longing between them.
September 1, 2025
Cute and cozy fantasy monster romance (with LGBTQ+ representation ) about a prince and an Ogre. Alaric seeks out the help of mage Eamon in order to get help for his brother. What ensues is some angst and cute moments. This story was delightful and charming. The characters were well-rounded. Their romance built at a good pace and wasn’t too fast or too slow. You could feel their pining all the through the book! I loved the magical kingdom/village and story telling. It felt as if I were there with the characters themselves. My only complaint was that the ending was too abrupt: I needed more of our two main characters!
I listened to the audio version. The narrator was perfect for the characters.
I listened to the audio version. The narrator was perfect for the characters.
May 11, 2024
I was given an ARC by Book Sirens and am writing this review willingly.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was written in third person instead of first, but I still loved it!
Plot was slow, even for a cozy novel but the characters and the slow burn and the dynamics really REALLY make up for it. I loved Alaric and Eamon and getting to see them annoy each other into falling in love. Just beautiful!
Huge recomendation for anyone who enjoys Sunshine/Grump dynamics, this was done amazingly.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was written in third person instead of first, but I still loved it!
Plot was slow, even for a cozy novel but the characters and the slow burn and the dynamics really REALLY make up for it. I loved Alaric and Eamon and getting to see them annoy each other into falling in love. Just beautiful!
Huge recomendation for anyone who enjoys Sunshine/Grump dynamics, this was done amazingly.
July 27, 2025
ARC REVIEW: This book was so freaking funny! From the crown prince having terrible handwriting to the grumpy ogre feeding the stray cats, this book is a delight.
Sunshine prince x grumpy mage, Magic, curses, dark magic, spell, potions, QUESTS! and of course... ROMANCE!!
The part that had me dying in laughter:
“I don’t have any coin.” -Alaric
“You have your body.” -Shopkeeper
“I’ve been told not to pay for things that way.” -Alaric
“I meant manual labor.” -Shopkeeper
“Oh…” -Alaric
This is a cute, cozy fantasy with humor and will bring a smile to your face.
Sunshine prince x grumpy mage, Magic, curses, dark magic, spell, potions, QUESTS! and of course... ROMANCE!!
The part that had me dying in laughter:
“I don’t have any coin.” -Alaric
“You have your body.” -Shopkeeper
“I’ve been told not to pay for things that way.” -Alaric
“I meant manual labor.” -Shopkeeper
“Oh…” -Alaric
This is a cute, cozy fantasy with humor and will bring a smile to your face.
August 3, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me the audio ARC.
This was a lovely story on all accounts. The narration was great. The characters were diverse and fun and the plot didn't let up the entire time.
The romance was really endearing and grumpy and the found family was lovely.
4.25/5
This was a lovely story on all accounts. The narration was great. The characters were diverse and fun and the plot didn't let up the entire time.
The romance was really endearing and grumpy and the found family was lovely.
4.25/5
December 27, 2023
I enjoyed the premise of this book and really thought the characters were likable and fun. This story follows two characters, Alaric and Eamon, as they attempt to make a potion to save Alaric’s brother. It is described as a cozy fantasy, which I agree with the most part. There is a good bit of action sprinkled throughout the story and especially at the end. There is also some conflict between “monsters” and the humans in the kingdom.
The characters of Alaric and Eamon were well written and I loved the chemistry between them. The relationship gave off strong grumpy/sunshine vibes. This was not a spicy fantasy romance, but the build-up and banter between the two characters was adorable. It did take me a bit to wrap my head around the fact that Eamon was an ogre. Outside of these two characters and one other supporting character named Lily, I had a difficult time keeping track of the other characters. Their traits and actions were not very memorable and until the end I really didn’t see how any of them impacted the story.
Overall, I gave this book a 3.25/5. I enjoyed the LGBTQIA+ representation and thought that the plot was well written. Sometimes I felt the story was moving a bit slow, and it occasionally did take me a minute to get into the world building and understand what was going on, but I really did enjoy this low-stakes fantasy. I recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy and wants a quick read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters of Alaric and Eamon were well written and I loved the chemistry between them. The relationship gave off strong grumpy/sunshine vibes. This was not a spicy fantasy romance, but the build-up and banter between the two characters was adorable. It did take me a bit to wrap my head around the fact that Eamon was an ogre. Outside of these two characters and one other supporting character named Lily, I had a difficult time keeping track of the other characters. Their traits and actions were not very memorable and until the end I really didn’t see how any of them impacted the story.
Overall, I gave this book a 3.25/5. I enjoyed the LGBTQIA+ representation and thought that the plot was well written. Sometimes I felt the story was moving a bit slow, and it occasionally did take me a minute to get into the world building and understand what was going on, but I really did enjoy this low-stakes fantasy. I recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy and wants a quick read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2025
A sweet queer romance, an adventurous fantasy plot, a cosy setting.
Aemon used to be the best potion maker in the realm till the fatal day he saved someone's life and paid the price - becoming an ogre. Alaric needs Aemon to make a complex potion so he can save his brother. They work alongside each other while sparks fly.
The characters were endearing, well defined, and their psychology made sense. The side characters were also quite good, in particular Lilly, the young tree nymph and avid baker, Aemon's adopted daughter. Their relationship was quite sweet.
A key theme of the book is marginalisation and discrimination. This is told through the metaphor of "monsters" who are outcast, feared, and heavily discriminated against within the kingdom. Aemon himself lives in a village that's barely more than a handful of tents with a mix of goblins, werewolves and vampires. That's the site of our cosy setting, and the neighbourly relationships are well handled. The mechanics of how Aemon lives in an actual house with windows and an oven while his neighbours don't have walls? Well, let's not think too carefully about that...
Two things knocked a star off for me. First, I feel like the world-building was sometimes a bit wobbly, particularly in the mechanics of how magic and potions worked. How the final resolution worked out wasn't totally clear to me for example. Second, there were quite a few repetitive passages, especially regarding the slow-burn romance between Alaric and Aemon. They spend quite a lot of time pining for each other with not much happening.
That said, I really enjoyed spending time in the world the authors created and following along the characters' journey. I'm quite curious about the new setting introduced at the end of the book. If a new instalment is published, I'll gladly read it.
I read this book in audio format, which was a bit of a mixed experience for me. The narrator's voice is very lovely, his natural accent very pleasing, and the recording perfectly professional. He does exaggerated voices for all the "monsters", which is just not my cup of tea. Meanwhile, the narration alternates between Aemon and Alaric's inner voices, and those are told using the narrator's natural voice, which I found sometimes confusing. This is an instance where having two separate narrators for the two different points of view might have been helpful. But this is very much a personal preference - your mileage may vary.
[Copy obtained through Netgalley]
Aemon used to be the best potion maker in the realm till the fatal day he saved someone's life and paid the price - becoming an ogre. Alaric needs Aemon to make a complex potion so he can save his brother. They work alongside each other while sparks fly.
The characters were endearing, well defined, and their psychology made sense. The side characters were also quite good, in particular Lilly, the young tree nymph and avid baker, Aemon's adopted daughter. Their relationship was quite sweet.
A key theme of the book is marginalisation and discrimination. This is told through the metaphor of "monsters" who are outcast, feared, and heavily discriminated against within the kingdom. Aemon himself lives in a village that's barely more than a handful of tents with a mix of goblins, werewolves and vampires. That's the site of our cosy setting, and the neighbourly relationships are well handled. The mechanics of how Aemon lives in an actual house with windows and an oven while his neighbours don't have walls? Well, let's not think too carefully about that...
Two things knocked a star off for me. First, I feel like the world-building was sometimes a bit wobbly, particularly in the mechanics of how magic and potions worked. How the final resolution worked out wasn't totally clear to me for example. Second, there were quite a few repetitive passages, especially regarding the slow-burn romance between Alaric and Aemon. They spend quite a lot of time pining for each other with not much happening.
That said, I really enjoyed spending time in the world the authors created and following along the characters' journey. I'm quite curious about the new setting introduced at the end of the book. If a new instalment is published, I'll gladly read it.
I read this book in audio format, which was a bit of a mixed experience for me. The narrator's voice is very lovely, his natural accent very pleasing, and the recording perfectly professional. He does exaggerated voices for all the "monsters", which is just not my cup of tea. Meanwhile, the narration alternates between Aemon and Alaric's inner voices, and those are told using the narrator's natural voice, which I found sometimes confusing. This is an instance where having two separate narrators for the two different points of view might have been helpful. But this is very much a personal preference - your mileage may vary.
[Copy obtained through Netgalley]
July 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!
“I hate that I’m wearing his clothes. I hate that he left you because what you did is the most selfless thing I’ve ever heard. And for him to blame you for what followed makes me want to commit violence. I love that he left you because he never belonged with you if he couldn’t see that. And I hate that I’m wearing his clothes, is all.”
^this scene had me CRYING
I’m a huge fan of a queer cozy romantasy, so this book did not disappoint on that front and it was nice to read something without any actual homophobia; there was never any judgement from anyone about the sexuality of characters. Eamon and Alaric’s rocky start and slow-burn romance was delightful and entirely believable - the deep annoyance, begrudging smiles, longing glances, accidental touches… Grouchy Eamon’s relationships with the townspeople, especially Lily, were so heartwarming and I loved seeing Alaric get welcomed into the fold and become deeply beloved. Alaric was a complex character, forged by his childhood (and adult) trauma and full heart. Getting to see his mask slip more and more with Eamon added so much beauty to their relationship. And the story was not at all boring. The conflict in the story was riveting and really kind of upsetting. I had to keep reminding myself that it was a romance and romances have to have HEAs. I was STRESSED.
Eamon is an exiled mage turned ogre after performing dark magic to bring a young girl back from the dead. He was once the king’s potion master and had been a hero of multiple wars, but now lives in a small ramshackle village of fellow monsters with his adopted daughter, the girl he saved. Alaric, the rambunctious, handsome crown prince, is seeking out the once potion master for desperately needed help in saving his brother and is shocked to find that the ogre he was stalking through the woods is actually the very same magician. Eamon agrees to brew the potion under duress; not only is it the same potion that turned Eamon into an ogre and almost made him lose his soul, but he swore to never brew a potion again. As they collect ingredients and unravel each other’s pasts, Eamon and Alaric grow closer and closer. Suddenly Alaric isn’t quite so eager to sacrifice himself to save his brother and Eamon isn’t ready to lose the man who repaired his heart.
My only real notes for this book are that the narrator is very slow and his voices for the two main characters were pretty similar. I had to adjust the speed significantly and it still felt a bit slow. It’s largely a personal preference thing though. With the voices, I felt like I had to keep reminding myself whose POV I was in the middle of. But other than these small things, I really loved the story.
“I hate that I’m wearing his clothes. I hate that he left you because what you did is the most selfless thing I’ve ever heard. And for him to blame you for what followed makes me want to commit violence. I love that he left you because he never belonged with you if he couldn’t see that. And I hate that I’m wearing his clothes, is all.”
^this scene had me CRYING
I’m a huge fan of a queer cozy romantasy, so this book did not disappoint on that front and it was nice to read something without any actual homophobia; there was never any judgement from anyone about the sexuality of characters. Eamon and Alaric’s rocky start and slow-burn romance was delightful and entirely believable - the deep annoyance, begrudging smiles, longing glances, accidental touches… Grouchy Eamon’s relationships with the townspeople, especially Lily, were so heartwarming and I loved seeing Alaric get welcomed into the fold and become deeply beloved. Alaric was a complex character, forged by his childhood (and adult) trauma and full heart. Getting to see his mask slip more and more with Eamon added so much beauty to their relationship. And the story was not at all boring. The conflict in the story was riveting and really kind of upsetting. I had to keep reminding myself that it was a romance and romances have to have HEAs. I was STRESSED.
Eamon is an exiled mage turned ogre after performing dark magic to bring a young girl back from the dead. He was once the king’s potion master and had been a hero of multiple wars, but now lives in a small ramshackle village of fellow monsters with his adopted daughter, the girl he saved. Alaric, the rambunctious, handsome crown prince, is seeking out the once potion master for desperately needed help in saving his brother and is shocked to find that the ogre he was stalking through the woods is actually the very same magician. Eamon agrees to brew the potion under duress; not only is it the same potion that turned Eamon into an ogre and almost made him lose his soul, but he swore to never brew a potion again. As they collect ingredients and unravel each other’s pasts, Eamon and Alaric grow closer and closer. Suddenly Alaric isn’t quite so eager to sacrifice himself to save his brother and Eamon isn’t ready to lose the man who repaired his heart.
My only real notes for this book are that the narrator is very slow and his voices for the two main characters were pretty similar. I had to adjust the speed significantly and it still felt a bit slow. It’s largely a personal preference thing though. With the voices, I felt like I had to keep reminding myself whose POV I was in the middle of. But other than these small things, I really loved the story.
September 12, 2025
To give my humble opinion about his lovely book:
Characters
The characters in this book were delightful and the relationships between the three main characters Prince Alaric, the magician and Ogre Eamon plus the cute tree nymph Lily were endearing. Although I did miss a little bit more depth in their personalities, which would have made them feel a bit more organic and less like caricatures of certain tropes. But this wasn’t a huge dealbreaker for me.
Romance
The romance in this book was perfectly fitting for the genre: Slow and steady development, with some back and forth between the opposing main characters. You get what you expect: A cute slow-burn romance with LGBTQ+ representation and a grumpy vs. sunshine storyline.
Pacing
Pacing was slow with some drops in tension, which is fine for this cozy genre. I do have to admit though, that my attention started to drift off occasionally. There are some plot elements that appear repeatedly, which didn’t really make me engage with the story or characters more, it just made the story seem a little more drawn out.
Magic System & Worldbuilding
The magic system was quite basic and honestly more of a background information to the story, which might have been what in my opinion lacked the most in this book. As you are quickly immersed into the basic world, there was not much worldbuilding and explanation needed. After a quick exposition the plot focused on a handful of repetitive issues like brewing the life-saving potion or the characters being worried about their relationship. This is more of a personal preference of mine, but an engaging magic usage helps me get over tension dips in the characters relationships – especially in a Romantasy book.
If I compare it to other cozy fantasy/romantasy books this aspect just fell a little flat for me in this one.
Audio Narration
Honestly one of the best aspects of this audiobook, was the narration by Thomas Busby. He gave the characters life with his varied voice acting and it made it enjoyable to listen to.
Conclusion
It was a cute story, although it did have some weaknesses. I would recommend listening to this audiobook if you are in the mood for a story with low stakes and a sweet but straightforward romance plot! Plus, a found family trope always warms my heart, even better if its with an adorable LGBTQ couple.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ALC Audiobook!
*All opinions in this review are my own*
Characters
The characters in this book were delightful and the relationships between the three main characters Prince Alaric, the magician and Ogre Eamon plus the cute tree nymph Lily were endearing. Although I did miss a little bit more depth in their personalities, which would have made them feel a bit more organic and less like caricatures of certain tropes. But this wasn’t a huge dealbreaker for me.
Romance
The romance in this book was perfectly fitting for the genre: Slow and steady development, with some back and forth between the opposing main characters. You get what you expect: A cute slow-burn romance with LGBTQ+ representation and a grumpy vs. sunshine storyline.
Pacing
Pacing was slow with some drops in tension, which is fine for this cozy genre. I do have to admit though, that my attention started to drift off occasionally. There are some plot elements that appear repeatedly, which didn’t really make me engage with the story or characters more, it just made the story seem a little more drawn out.
Magic System & Worldbuilding
The magic system was quite basic and honestly more of a background information to the story, which might have been what in my opinion lacked the most in this book. As you are quickly immersed into the basic world, there was not much worldbuilding and explanation needed. After a quick exposition the plot focused on a handful of repetitive issues like brewing the life-saving potion or the characters being worried about their relationship. This is more of a personal preference of mine, but an engaging magic usage helps me get over tension dips in the characters relationships – especially in a Romantasy book.
If I compare it to other cozy fantasy/romantasy books this aspect just fell a little flat for me in this one.
Audio Narration
Honestly one of the best aspects of this audiobook, was the narration by Thomas Busby. He gave the characters life with his varied voice acting and it made it enjoyable to listen to.
Conclusion
It was a cute story, although it did have some weaknesses. I would recommend listening to this audiobook if you are in the mood for a story with low stakes and a sweet but straightforward romance plot! Plus, a found family trope always warms my heart, even better if its with an adorable LGBTQ couple.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ALC Audiobook!
*All opinions in this review are my own*
August 11, 2025
⭐ Story: 3.75/5 ⭐ | ⭐ Audiobook Performance: 3/5 ⭐
The Poison Paradox is a cosy fantasy with a slow-burn MM romance and a world packed with magic ogres, woodland nymphs, necromancy, potion-making, you name it. We follow Prince Alaric, who’s been exiled after breaking every rule imaginable to bring his brother back from the dead, and Eamon, an equally exiled former royal mage and poison maker. When Alaric finally tracks Eamon down, he’s nothing like the prince expected: grumpy, stubborn, and far more interested in his quiet village life than saving princes or their cursed brothers. Cue the reluctant team-up, a dash of danger, and plenty of grumpy/sunshine tension.
Honestly, when I first saw this book pop up, I was so excited. It had all the things I love: magic, banter, curses, slow-burn romance, and a setting that felt both whimsical and a little dark. Reading along, I even got Witcher vibes, Eamon as the grumpy, world-weary one and Alaric as the stubborn yet endearing counterpoint. The story itself? Loved it once I settled in.
The audiobook, though… this is where things didn’t quite work for me. The narrator did give each character a distinct voice, which I appreciated, but the delivery sometimes felt a bit robotic or disjointed. It also had this odd effect of making the book sound younger, like middle grade or YA, when the story and romance were clearly aimed at adults. I even thought about DNF’ing around the 60% mark because it was pulling me out so much. I tried adjusting speeds, but the tone mismatch stayed.
That said, when I focused on the actual story and the banter between characters, I had a great time. The dynamic between Alaric and Eamon was fun, the slow-burn romance hit the right notes, and the magical village setting was one I’d happily revisit. For me, this one is a better fit for reading with my eyes instead of my ears, so I’d love to get hold of the ebook in the future.
So, final thoughts? Story gets a solid 3.75 stars from me, but the audio performance sits at three stars. If you’re into cosy fantasy with a magical-romantic twist, you might still enjoy the audiobook, especially if the narration style doesn’t make or break your reading experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing, along with NetGalley Co-op Publishers, for supplying me with an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Poison Paradox is a cosy fantasy with a slow-burn MM romance and a world packed with magic ogres, woodland nymphs, necromancy, potion-making, you name it. We follow Prince Alaric, who’s been exiled after breaking every rule imaginable to bring his brother back from the dead, and Eamon, an equally exiled former royal mage and poison maker. When Alaric finally tracks Eamon down, he’s nothing like the prince expected: grumpy, stubborn, and far more interested in his quiet village life than saving princes or their cursed brothers. Cue the reluctant team-up, a dash of danger, and plenty of grumpy/sunshine tension.
Honestly, when I first saw this book pop up, I was so excited. It had all the things I love: magic, banter, curses, slow-burn romance, and a setting that felt both whimsical and a little dark. Reading along, I even got Witcher vibes, Eamon as the grumpy, world-weary one and Alaric as the stubborn yet endearing counterpoint. The story itself? Loved it once I settled in.
The audiobook, though… this is where things didn’t quite work for me. The narrator did give each character a distinct voice, which I appreciated, but the delivery sometimes felt a bit robotic or disjointed. It also had this odd effect of making the book sound younger, like middle grade or YA, when the story and romance were clearly aimed at adults. I even thought about DNF’ing around the 60% mark because it was pulling me out so much. I tried adjusting speeds, but the tone mismatch stayed.
That said, when I focused on the actual story and the banter between characters, I had a great time. The dynamic between Alaric and Eamon was fun, the slow-burn romance hit the right notes, and the magical village setting was one I’d happily revisit. For me, this one is a better fit for reading with my eyes instead of my ears, so I’d love to get hold of the ebook in the future.
So, final thoughts? Story gets a solid 3.75 stars from me, but the audio performance sits at three stars. If you’re into cosy fantasy with a magical-romantic twist, you might still enjoy the audiobook, especially if the narration style doesn’t make or break your reading experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing, along with NetGalley Co-op Publishers, for supplying me with an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 17, 2025
★★★★☆ — A sweet monster romance and an even sweeter tale of found family
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC of The Poison Paradox by Hadley Field and Felix Green, narrated by Thomas Busby.
If I were rating the audiobook on its own, it would be a solid 5 stars. Thomas Busby was incredible. His ability to shift voices and bring the characters to life genuinely elevated the story, I absolutely loved his narration, and I think it really enhanced my enjoyment overall.
As for the story itself, it was pretty good! Not my usual kind of read, since I don’t often pick up Achillean romances (I tend to gravitate more towards woman-focused, especially sapphic stories), but this was such a lovely surprise. I have a well-known weak spot for “grumpy man adopts a kid” plots, and this book delivered on that. While Alaric and Eamon’s romance was sweet and tender, what really touched me was how much they loved Lily, Eamon’s adopted tree nymph daughter. Their love for her, and for the small, outcast village Eamon is the unofficial leader of, gave the book a strong, sincere sense of found family that never felt forced.
Eamon himself was great. A grumpy, prickly bastard on the surface, always ready to grumble and say something unpleasant, but underneath, so compassionate and kindhearted. I really enjoyed how the story slowly showed us more and more of him. I enjoyed Alaric too!
If I had any minor gripes, they were mostly personal preference. I’m not particularly fond of books that linger too much on how attractive characters find each other, it tends to make me cringe a little. Things like, “I couldn’t help but stare at his huge, muscular chest,” just don’t do much for me. That said, it wasn’t excessive here and didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment. I also noticed a few small repetitions, like words or phrases used close together, which might’ve stood out more in the audio format than they would have in print. But again, nothing too distracting.
All in all, I enjoyed this much more than I expected. It was a very sweet monster romance (? kind of, ogres are monsters, right?), and an even sweeter tale of found family and choice.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC of The Poison Paradox by Hadley Field and Felix Green, narrated by Thomas Busby.
If I were rating the audiobook on its own, it would be a solid 5 stars. Thomas Busby was incredible. His ability to shift voices and bring the characters to life genuinely elevated the story, I absolutely loved his narration, and I think it really enhanced my enjoyment overall.
As for the story itself, it was pretty good! Not my usual kind of read, since I don’t often pick up Achillean romances (I tend to gravitate more towards woman-focused, especially sapphic stories), but this was such a lovely surprise. I have a well-known weak spot for “grumpy man adopts a kid” plots, and this book delivered on that. While Alaric and Eamon’s romance was sweet and tender, what really touched me was how much they loved Lily, Eamon’s adopted tree nymph daughter. Their love for her, and for the small, outcast village Eamon is the unofficial leader of, gave the book a strong, sincere sense of found family that never felt forced.
Eamon himself was great. A grumpy, prickly bastard on the surface, always ready to grumble and say something unpleasant, but underneath, so compassionate and kindhearted. I really enjoyed how the story slowly showed us more and more of him. I enjoyed Alaric too!
If I had any minor gripes, they were mostly personal preference. I’m not particularly fond of books that linger too much on how attractive characters find each other, it tends to make me cringe a little. Things like, “I couldn’t help but stare at his huge, muscular chest,” just don’t do much for me. That said, it wasn’t excessive here and didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment. I also noticed a few small repetitions, like words or phrases used close together, which might’ve stood out more in the audio format than they would have in print. But again, nothing too distracting.
All in all, I enjoyed this much more than I expected. It was a very sweet monster romance (? kind of, ogres are monsters, right?), and an even sweeter tale of found family and choice.
July 30, 2025
Thank you to @netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the gifted ALC of The Poison Paradox by Hadley Field and Felix Green, narrated by Thomas Busby in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
The Poison Paradox is a cozy magical journey that completely swept me away. It’s the perfect blend of whimsy, heart, and character-driven storytelling. At the center is a beautifully developed found family that feels authentic and comforting. The emotional connections between the characters give the story so much warmth, and the way they support one another through magical mishaps and emotional challenges is deeply satisfying.
The romance features a classic grumpy sunshine pairing and the enemies to lovers trope, which are two of my favorites. The chemistry between Eamon and Alaric is electric and evolves naturally, full of witty banter, emotional tension, and ultimately, a tender payoff that feels well earned. Their interactions add layers of depth and charm.
The magical elements are creative and enchanting, enhancing the story without overwhelming it. This is a fantasy world that feels lived in and inviting, with just the right touch of wonder. The authors also did a fantastic job weaving in themes of trust, healing, and acceptance.
An element that truly makes the story shine is the cast of delightful side characters. Each one is memorable in their own way and adds humor, heart, or insight to the journey. They enrich the world and make it feel like a place you’d want to return to again and again. In particular, seeing how the main characters interact with others in their lives, really enhances the way you feel about them both individually and as a couple.
Thomas Busby’s narration is absolutely spot on. He brings nuance and personality to every character, capturing their unique voices and emotional arcs with ease. His performance adds so much charm and depth to the story and makes it a joy to listen to from beginning to end.
The Poison Paradox is a magical, heartwarming listen that’s perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, character-driven plots, and found family dynamics. It left me smiling and already hoping for more stories set in this enchanting world.
The Poison Paradox is a cozy magical journey that completely swept me away. It’s the perfect blend of whimsy, heart, and character-driven storytelling. At the center is a beautifully developed found family that feels authentic and comforting. The emotional connections between the characters give the story so much warmth, and the way they support one another through magical mishaps and emotional challenges is deeply satisfying.
The romance features a classic grumpy sunshine pairing and the enemies to lovers trope, which are two of my favorites. The chemistry between Eamon and Alaric is electric and evolves naturally, full of witty banter, emotional tension, and ultimately, a tender payoff that feels well earned. Their interactions add layers of depth and charm.
The magical elements are creative and enchanting, enhancing the story without overwhelming it. This is a fantasy world that feels lived in and inviting, with just the right touch of wonder. The authors also did a fantastic job weaving in themes of trust, healing, and acceptance.
An element that truly makes the story shine is the cast of delightful side characters. Each one is memorable in their own way and adds humor, heart, or insight to the journey. They enrich the world and make it feel like a place you’d want to return to again and again. In particular, seeing how the main characters interact with others in their lives, really enhances the way you feel about them both individually and as a couple.
Thomas Busby’s narration is absolutely spot on. He brings nuance and personality to every character, capturing their unique voices and emotional arcs with ease. His performance adds so much charm and depth to the story and makes it a joy to listen to from beginning to end.
The Poison Paradox is a magical, heartwarming listen that’s perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, character-driven plots, and found family dynamics. It left me smiling and already hoping for more stories set in this enchanting world.
August 1, 2025
✨ World and plot
The world building has a cozy backdrop and is straightforward enough to let the characters and the story shine. The main characters are Eamon, a retired royal mage and Prince Alaric, who’s seeking his help to in order to save his brother.
✨ The MMCs
Eamon is a grump with a big orc heart. He is rising a teenager and their home is always full of their neighbours. Much to his chagrin, folks intrude on his private space with unparalleled glee but Eamon is the “mother-hen” of every village around.
Prince Alaric is the sunshine half of the couple and his friends literally call him… Sunbeam! He’s equally charming and stubborn. He begs, threatens and schemes to get Eamon’s help - which makes him a slightly wicked cinnamon roll. Although he’s a prince with authority in spades at his disposal, he’s reluctant to use it and prefers relying on his bubbly appeal to get his way. Again, much to Eamon’s chagrin and jealousy towards the occasional bar maid.
✨ The couple
The pacing of the romance is exceptionally done. The progression of the relationship felt natural, their closeness was worked towards and earned thought the story. Both MMCs are sweet, have lovable personalities and they act only with care and respect toward each other.
✨ Tropes and vibes
- found family and bonus kid
- “it takes a village” meets its consequence, noisy neighbours :)
- MM slow burn with closed door spice
- a cute spin on the one bed trope - really nice to see something different!
✨ The audiobook
The narrator was genuinely fun. I particularly appreciated how humorous and quirky they made the side characters sound.
✨Themes and message
The main characters try to answer the question of what we owe to each other. Eamon’s heart breaks for a youngling and makes a huge sacrifice to save her, yet his partner leaves him as a result of his choice. Sunbeam wronged his brother but is willing to take any step to repair his mistake, including losing his role of successor to the throne.
July 24, 2025
It took me a while to appreciate this story as it seemed juvenile, slow, and a bit confusing. Why did the magical-fae-paranormal characters populating the “monster” village like creatures from a Grimm’s folktale act so oddly towards one another? Why did Aemon resurrect Lily, a tree nymph, from the dead? Especially knowing it would lead to his physical change into an orc, and which resulted in his lover’s abandonment? And how in the world did Prince Alaric manage get robbed of his money and boots, leaving him with an out of tune lute? Was he that dim witted? Why did he insist on playing the out of tune lute so often? The beginning interactions in the storyline just felt disparate and tedious and I was a bit bored.
However, about halfway through the book, about the point where Alaric convinced Aemon to work together to create a potion to save Alaric’s brother I began to enjoy the story, and got caught up in caring about the characters in the story. I understood Alaric and Aemon’s earlier inexplicable behavior; I understood how important saving Lily was to Aemon and why that decision led to the loss of his lover, and I understood just how committed Alaric was to resurrecting his brother, Prince Cedric, from his suspended death. The quest to procure the elements needed to make potions of all kinds, but especially the deadly potion to bring back the dead, was creative and interesting. The paranormal beings in the village were fleshed out and had purpose. When Field and Green revealed the evil king’s dastardly plan, Alaric’s brother’s misplaced loyalty to a father who used him (a child who craved parental approval and love), and the events surrounding Alaric’s banishment from the kingdom, and I was fully engaged in and enjoyed the climatic ending.
The narrator was delightful. Accent and pace of speaking enjoyable.
However, about halfway through the book, about the point where Alaric convinced Aemon to work together to create a potion to save Alaric’s brother I began to enjoy the story, and got caught up in caring about the characters in the story. I understood Alaric and Aemon’s earlier inexplicable behavior; I understood how important saving Lily was to Aemon and why that decision led to the loss of his lover, and I understood just how committed Alaric was to resurrecting his brother, Prince Cedric, from his suspended death. The quest to procure the elements needed to make potions of all kinds, but especially the deadly potion to bring back the dead, was creative and interesting. The paranormal beings in the village were fleshed out and had purpose. When Field and Green revealed the evil king’s dastardly plan, Alaric’s brother’s misplaced loyalty to a father who used him (a child who craved parental approval and love), and the events surrounding Alaric’s banishment from the kingdom, and I was fully engaged in and enjoyed the climatic ending.
The narrator was delightful. Accent and pace of speaking enjoyable.
September 22, 2025
If you’re into magic, romance, and a bit of mystery, Spellcasting On by Andi R. Christopher is a book you’ll want to check out. It’s the first in a new series, and it’s such a fun way to meet a cast of characters who feel super real and full of personality. The story is set in New Zealand, which gives it a unique vibe, and the mix of magic and everyday life makes it feel both exciting and relatable.
The best part? The relationship between the two FMCs. Their connection grows so naturally, and the sapphic romance is just chef’s kiss. It’s sweet, heartfelt, and totally believable. Plus, the author does an amazing job of slowly revealing this mysterious, magical past that adds a darker twist to the story. It’s the perfect balance of cozy and suspenseful.
That said, there were a few parts where I got a little lost. Some of the New Zealand slang and knitting terms were new to me, so I had to pause and figure them out. But honestly, it didn’t ruin the experience—it just made me feel like I was learning something new while reading.
One thing I loved was how the book made me want to pick up a hobby again. The knitting themes are such a cool part of the story, and they totally inspired me to restart crocheting which I haven't done since middle school (so like nearly 20 years ago??). It’s like the book cast a little spell on me, too!
Disclaimer - I received an advance reader copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and with my honest thoughts and opinions!
Overall, Spellcasting On is a magical, feel-good read with a touch of mystery and a lot of heart. If you’re into sapphic romance, cozy fantasy, or just want a story that feels like a warm hug, this one’s for you. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
The best part? The relationship between the two FMCs. Their connection grows so naturally, and the sapphic romance is just chef’s kiss. It’s sweet, heartfelt, and totally believable. Plus, the author does an amazing job of slowly revealing this mysterious, magical past that adds a darker twist to the story. It’s the perfect balance of cozy and suspenseful.
That said, there were a few parts where I got a little lost. Some of the New Zealand slang and knitting terms were new to me, so I had to pause and figure them out. But honestly, it didn’t ruin the experience—it just made me feel like I was learning something new while reading.
One thing I loved was how the book made me want to pick up a hobby again. The knitting themes are such a cool part of the story, and they totally inspired me to restart crocheting which I haven't done since middle school (so like nearly 20 years ago??). It’s like the book cast a little spell on me, too!
Disclaimer - I received an advance reader copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and with my honest thoughts and opinions!
Overall, Spellcasting On is a magical, feel-good read with a touch of mystery and a lot of heart. If you’re into sapphic romance, cozy fantasy, or just want a story that feels like a warm hug, this one’s for you. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
July 22, 2025
I loved the characters so much, and I loved their blossoming relationship! I like how it unfolded slowly over months, not just instantly in love.
Spoilers below!
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The main problem is making a potion to bring someone back to life -- I'll suspend my disbelief and buy that someone dedicated to helping as many people as he can would bring a child he barely knew back to life and, in exchange, never brew another potion again after he's forced to leave town because of his appearance. I'll pretend that someone used to triage and warfare would make that calculation and still make that choice. I'll even buy that to bring back a soul requires giving up someone else's -- life for life makes sense. It's harder to but that the crown prince would willingly become an orc zombie so his brother (who he thinks he killed but didn't) can come back to life. But sure, I'll buy it. But why would the king get one brother to kill the other, then exile his one heir to search for the potion brewer to bring back his other son instead of just sending his guards to find the potion brewer, especially since he doesn't know about the cost of potion? Why go through all those extra steps? Why not just find the potion brewer again and force him to brew the potion? If he knew so little about the spell, did he even know that brewing the potion required soul binding first? It felt like a plot twist that didn't really need to happen. I appreciated that the quirk of the spell meant the king was removed from power (I saw that coming a mile off, that was a great moment!) at least.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc, all opinions are my own.
Spoilers below!
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The main problem is making a potion to bring someone back to life -- I'll suspend my disbelief and buy that someone dedicated to helping as many people as he can would bring a child he barely knew back to life and, in exchange, never brew another potion again after he's forced to leave town because of his appearance. I'll pretend that someone used to triage and warfare would make that calculation and still make that choice. I'll even buy that to bring back a soul requires giving up someone else's -- life for life makes sense. It's harder to but that the crown prince would willingly become an orc zombie so his brother (who he thinks he killed but didn't) can come back to life. But sure, I'll buy it. But why would the king get one brother to kill the other, then exile his one heir to search for the potion brewer to bring back his other son instead of just sending his guards to find the potion brewer, especially since he doesn't know about the cost of potion? Why go through all those extra steps? Why not just find the potion brewer again and force him to brew the potion? If he knew so little about the spell, did he even know that brewing the potion required soul binding first? It felt like a plot twist that didn't really need to happen. I appreciated that the quirk of the spell meant the king was removed from power (I saw that coming a mile off, that was a great moment!) at least.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc, all opinions are my own.
July 28, 2025
Audiobook Narrator: Thomas Busby
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.
Prince Alaric is on a mission to track down the greatest potions maker in the kingdom to save his brother’s life. Eamon, the aforementioned potions maker, is currently living in a secret village of monsters as an ogre after using dark magic in a potion to bring a young girl back to life, the same potion Alaric requires.
Thomas Busby was fantastic at providing different voices and accents for the many characters during dialogues. Unfortunately, he didn’t differentiate the inner voices of the two main characters' narrations, so it was, at times, difficult to remember whose point of view was being shared.
What I liked: As the title says, this is a mostly cosy fantasy novel, and it really was. The world-building was charming, the characters were well-developed and likeable. The plot was sweet and humorous and worked well. I would happily read more stories set in this world, one I imagined looked much like the movie “Shrek”, for some reason.
What didn’t work for me: There was possibly a bit too much going on with side stories, which lost a bit of the impact of the main plot and distracted me from the bond being built between Alaric and Eamon. Though I still bought into their connection, it could have been better highlighted at times.
Final thoughts: A sweet, grumpy-sunshine romantasy set in a storybook-style world.
Who would enjoy this: Fans of fantasy based romances, found family, and quirky characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.
Prince Alaric is on a mission to track down the greatest potions maker in the kingdom to save his brother’s life. Eamon, the aforementioned potions maker, is currently living in a secret village of monsters as an ogre after using dark magic in a potion to bring a young girl back to life, the same potion Alaric requires.
Thomas Busby was fantastic at providing different voices and accents for the many characters during dialogues. Unfortunately, he didn’t differentiate the inner voices of the two main characters' narrations, so it was, at times, difficult to remember whose point of view was being shared.
What I liked: As the title says, this is a mostly cosy fantasy novel, and it really was. The world-building was charming, the characters were well-developed and likeable. The plot was sweet and humorous and worked well. I would happily read more stories set in this world, one I imagined looked much like the movie “Shrek”, for some reason.
What didn’t work for me: There was possibly a bit too much going on with side stories, which lost a bit of the impact of the main plot and distracted me from the bond being built between Alaric and Eamon. Though I still bought into their connection, it could have been better highlighted at times.
Final thoughts: A sweet, grumpy-sunshine romantasy set in a storybook-style world.
Who would enjoy this: Fans of fantasy based romances, found family, and quirky characters.
October 15, 2025
I gave this four stars because it was fairly well written (no glaring errors to knock me out of the story) and I did find it entertaining. I also really liked that it was clear this society did not care about one’s sexuality at all. The romance between Eamon and Alaric is really sloooooow burn and even though they clearly become a couple, there is no on-page hanky panky.
I found there were a lot of holes in the plotline which left me confused at times. The prologue gave a rather stark picture of what was happening with Eamon and Lily. But then later in the story, when Eamon is telling Alaric what transpired, the story brought Lily’s father into the story but only hinted at what became of him due to bringing Lily back. Even by the end of the story, we never get a full straight forward accounting. And then all the drama about the potion with the king, Cedric and Alaric just muddled the story. And although saving Cedric was central to the plot, we barely get to know him once he’s saved.
The characters were an interesting bunch. I really liked our grumpy ogre, Eamon, from the beginning. Alaric, on the other hand, took a long time to warm up to. His threats and blackmail to get Eamon to help him lingered to far into the story. But at least he eventually redeemed himself. The supporting characters in the magic village were a delightful bunch and regardless of the many quirks, they all supported one another.
I liked that the story ended with the same two ladies from the prologue, but overall, while the ending was mostly satisfying, there were still too many unanswered questions and I was expecting the final line to be “To be continued.”
I found there were a lot of holes in the plotline which left me confused at times. The prologue gave a rather stark picture of what was happening with Eamon and Lily. But then later in the story, when Eamon is telling Alaric what transpired, the story brought Lily’s father into the story but only hinted at what became of him due to bringing Lily back. Even by the end of the story, we never get a full straight forward accounting. And then all the drama about the potion with the king, Cedric and Alaric just muddled the story. And although saving Cedric was central to the plot, we barely get to know him once he’s saved.
The characters were an interesting bunch. I really liked our grumpy ogre, Eamon, from the beginning. Alaric, on the other hand, took a long time to warm up to. His threats and blackmail to get Eamon to help him lingered to far into the story. But at least he eventually redeemed himself. The supporting characters in the magic village were a delightful bunch and regardless of the many quirks, they all supported one another.
I liked that the story ended with the same two ladies from the prologue, but overall, while the ending was mostly satisfying, there were still too many unanswered questions and I was expecting the final line to be “To be continued.”
July 19, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the copy of this E-Arc. All opinions re my own.
I'm not usually one that gravitates towards cozy fantasies, but the description left me intrigued and I'm so glad to have had the chance to give it a listen! We start off with Eamon making difficult decision that will follow him throughout the rest of the story and setting up the magical world. Later on, he meets Alaric a prince on a mission whose smiles are holding secrets.
Already from the start I was hooked in. The book listens easy and keeps you engaged trying to figure out where things will go. The cozy aspect of it was soft like a marshmallow but still had wonderful relationship building and plot advancement. All of the main MCs relationships felt like they had a natural progression, and I enjoyed Eamon and Aleric's individual growths immensely. I really liked how we found out what became of Eamon's decision from the beginning, it felt natural to hear how things occurred and then got us to this point in the story. The epilogue made me laugh and I would love to see more.
The Audiobook itself was wonderful as well! I haven't listened to Mx. Busby before but found that I really enjoy listening to his narration. The voices were all very unique and I had an easy time telling apart the cast of characters. The quality was great, and I think that as an audiobook it really added to my experience hearing the cozy world come to life.
Overall I had a wonderful time, and this was a "side quest" for me as I don't normally read this genre!
I'm not usually one that gravitates towards cozy fantasies, but the description left me intrigued and I'm so glad to have had the chance to give it a listen! We start off with Eamon making difficult decision that will follow him throughout the rest of the story and setting up the magical world. Later on, he meets Alaric a prince on a mission whose smiles are holding secrets.
Already from the start I was hooked in. The book listens easy and keeps you engaged trying to figure out where things will go. The cozy aspect of it was soft like a marshmallow but still had wonderful relationship building and plot advancement. All of the main MCs relationships felt like they had a natural progression, and I enjoyed Eamon and Aleric's individual growths immensely. I really liked how we found out what became of Eamon's decision from the beginning, it felt natural to hear how things occurred and then got us to this point in the story. The epilogue made me laugh and I would love to see more.
The Audiobook itself was wonderful as well! I haven't listened to Mx. Busby before but found that I really enjoy listening to his narration. The voices were all very unique and I had an easy time telling apart the cast of characters. The quality was great, and I think that as an audiobook it really added to my experience hearing the cozy world come to life.
Overall I had a wonderful time, and this was a "side quest" for me as I don't normally read this genre!
July 22, 2025
Oh my goodness, this is such a cozy, feel good, fantasy. The romance is light and fluffy and a really good balance of grumpy/ sunshine. There's no spice. only one or two fade to black (up to your interpretation scenes) and some really likeable characters.
* I don't think this is a spoiler since this happens so early on in the book* but, Mage Eamon vanished into the woods, racing for a cure to save a young girl he barely knew. In his quest to save her, his sacrifice turned him into an ogre but she was ultimately saved, Prince Alaric is now searching for the previously renowned mage and ultimately crosses paths with Eamon who wants nothing to do with the royal family.
Alaric, who has some skill in magic, brings his brother back from the dead. However, he doesn't come back right and now he needs the help of someone who has done the same. He understands there is a cost but he would rather have his brother alive than worry abut what may happen to him once he is restored.
Eamon and Alaric are adorable. In all the best ways, this reminds me of Shrek, we are just missing Donkey. and Fiona is actually Alaric who is so charming and caring. I feel as though the ending is open just enough that we could continue to explore more in the world. There's not a ton of action but it makes up for it with a truckload of heart. this was right up my alley and I hope you will give it a chance. I had the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. I just which when he would talk from each characters perspective, he would continue to use "the voices' to ensure I know who's talking.
* I don't think this is a spoiler since this happens so early on in the book* but, Mage Eamon vanished into the woods, racing for a cure to save a young girl he barely knew. In his quest to save her, his sacrifice turned him into an ogre but she was ultimately saved, Prince Alaric is now searching for the previously renowned mage and ultimately crosses paths with Eamon who wants nothing to do with the royal family.
Alaric, who has some skill in magic, brings his brother back from the dead. However, he doesn't come back right and now he needs the help of someone who has done the same. He understands there is a cost but he would rather have his brother alive than worry abut what may happen to him once he is restored.
Eamon and Alaric are adorable. In all the best ways, this reminds me of Shrek, we are just missing Donkey. and Fiona is actually Alaric who is so charming and caring. I feel as though the ending is open just enough that we could continue to explore more in the world. There's not a ton of action but it makes up for it with a truckload of heart. this was right up my alley and I hope you will give it a chance. I had the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. I just which when he would talk from each characters perspective, he would continue to use "the voices' to ensure I know who's talking.
July 22, 2025
A cute cosy fantasy tale about kindness and finding a way to forgivness.
Eamon's life has changed drastically in the last few years- once a well respected potions master he gave that life up and ended up living in a small community of monsters. Between keeping his head down and raising a young girl the best he can, he tries to make the best of his life.
All that is turned on his head when Alaric a careless Prince stumbles upon him and follows him home.
Undaunted by Eamons appearance Alaric is determined to save his sibling at any means nessisary- even if it means blackmailing an ogre to do it.
Eamon is quick to realise that what hides under Alarics constant fake smiles is a deep pain which he is desperate to remedy. Together they fight with their own conciouses about what the future might look like as they work closely together to help the small monster community while working on Alarics request.
A sweet romance built on a friendship, with a dash of political intruigue and plenty of magic.
The audiobook for this book has been great and although I found the use of one narrator confusing for the different POVs to begin with it soon became clear that both men had very different written voices making their chapters easy to discern from each other.
The voice of Thomas Busby gave the whole story a whimsical and folk tale feel, like being read a bedtime story.
Favourite bit - How Eamon is so mindful of his temper and thoughtful about how people perceive him in his current form.
Eamon's life has changed drastically in the last few years- once a well respected potions master he gave that life up and ended up living in a small community of monsters. Between keeping his head down and raising a young girl the best he can, he tries to make the best of his life.
All that is turned on his head when Alaric a careless Prince stumbles upon him and follows him home.
Undaunted by Eamons appearance Alaric is determined to save his sibling at any means nessisary- even if it means blackmailing an ogre to do it.
Eamon is quick to realise that what hides under Alarics constant fake smiles is a deep pain which he is desperate to remedy. Together they fight with their own conciouses about what the future might look like as they work closely together to help the small monster community while working on Alarics request.
A sweet romance built on a friendship, with a dash of political intruigue and plenty of magic.
The audiobook for this book has been great and although I found the use of one narrator confusing for the different POVs to begin with it soon became clear that both men had very different written voices making their chapters easy to discern from each other.
The voice of Thomas Busby gave the whole story a whimsical and folk tale feel, like being read a bedtime story.
Favourite bit - How Eamon is so mindful of his temper and thoughtful about how people perceive him in his current form.
August 11, 2025
If you took a pinch of Howl's Moving Castle, a dash of House in the Cerulean Sea, and a heap of Shrek, you would get this book. Which sounds really amazing, and it could have been.
Unfortunately, there were some serious issues with editing that stuck out even in the audiobook. There is an editor listed, but I don't think they did the best job.
Where this book really shines is with the characters. Each character is unique in voice and personality. Some are more loveable than others. I really adored Lilly, Alaric, and Eamon, especially Lily.
The plot was a bit too convenient in places, and the pacing was a bit off. There was too much telling and not enough showing. The characters are barely described at all. I can tell you that Eamon is an ogre, Alaric has blonde hair and is about average height, and Lily has brown skin, green leafy hair, and patches of bark on her skin.
Also, I'm really not sure how Lily died from the pox (and had to be brought back), but when the village had an outbreak no one died? There were several confusing points in the book.
Also the narrator was... okay. He did good voices. But, there was only one time he pronounced the g in any of the -ing words, even in the narrative, and it was frustrating. I don't know if it was written that way or if it was his choice, but it was very distracting.
That said, it was mostly a fun and enjoyable read, but not something I would read again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the free audiobook. All opinions are my own and freely given.
Unfortunately, there were some serious issues with editing that stuck out even in the audiobook. There is an editor listed, but I don't think they did the best job.
Where this book really shines is with the characters. Each character is unique in voice and personality. Some are more loveable than others. I really adored Lilly, Alaric, and Eamon, especially Lily.
The plot was a bit too convenient in places, and the pacing was a bit off. There was too much telling and not enough showing. The characters are barely described at all. I can tell you that Eamon is an ogre, Alaric has blonde hair and is about average height, and Lily has brown skin, green leafy hair, and patches of bark on her skin.
Also, I'm really not sure how Lily died from the pox (and had to be brought back), but when the village had an outbreak no one died? There were several confusing points in the book.
Also the narrator was... okay. He did good voices. But, there was only one time he pronounced the g in any of the -ing words, even in the narrative, and it was frustrating. I don't know if it was written that way or if it was his choice, but it was very distracting.
That said, it was mostly a fun and enjoyable read, but not something I would read again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the free audiobook. All opinions are my own and freely given.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
My favorite quotes: “The destination is happy, but the journey has hills.” “They were best friends. They had sleepovers every night.” Oh sweet summer child!
This story has one male narrator. He did great telling the story, his pacing through it was well timed and he excelled at portraying the characters, but the flow made the story feel much longer. His impression of the female characters and creatures that were conversed with were excellent and there were times I even giggled because that's how I would hear those characters in my head. But there were times where when switching between Alaric and Eamon's POV it became a little difficult to keep up because from the POV they sounded very much the same.
I requested this book due to its title, cover, and description but I feel like those elements might have oversold the story itself and it was hard for me to get into. My attention wasn't grabbed until towards the end of the book when we are given more of Eamon's backstory and that makes me feel hopeful for a second book. The elements of the story are absolutely there with the plot, characters, setting, conflict, etc. and I really enjoyed them individually, but as a whole the story did not hit the right spots for me. I believe this might be a better book to digest with eyeballs than ears. Overall I would rate it a 3.75, but rounding down would be terribly rude.
Thank you Netgalley and Audible.AU
This story has one male narrator. He did great telling the story, his pacing through it was well timed and he excelled at portraying the characters, but the flow made the story feel much longer. His impression of the female characters and creatures that were conversed with were excellent and there were times I even giggled because that's how I would hear those characters in my head. But there were times where when switching between Alaric and Eamon's POV it became a little difficult to keep up because from the POV they sounded very much the same.
I requested this book due to its title, cover, and description but I feel like those elements might have oversold the story itself and it was hard for me to get into. My attention wasn't grabbed until towards the end of the book when we are given more of Eamon's backstory and that makes me feel hopeful for a second book. The elements of the story are absolutely there with the plot, characters, setting, conflict, etc. and I really enjoyed them individually, but as a whole the story did not hit the right spots for me. I believe this might be a better book to digest with eyeballs than ears. Overall I would rate it a 3.75, but rounding down would be terribly rude.
Thank you Netgalley and Audible.AU
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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