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A Treason of Magic
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26In a world where magic, desire, and duty collide, it is beauty who is fated to kill the beast in a lush historical fantasy of secrets and star-crossed love by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr.
Two young women. Heirs to altogether different hereditary burdens. Yet bound by a monstrous threat to their village.
Gabrielle is the first woman in Alveus to carry the mantle of Hunter, which comes with an obligation to kill the faery beasts murdering travelers in Brimmond Wood. Wary of the power she wields as guardian of her people, Gabrielle is summoned by her first love, a seductress who shattered her heart into pieces a decade ago.
Isabeau is the rarest of nobility—a lady duke. She is also afflicted by a curse that leaves her in a deep sleep between the gloaming and daylight. How can she begin her tenure as protector when she can’t keep her village safe from whatever stalks its darkest hours? For that, she needs the help of the Hunter.
Against her will, Gabrielle is falling in love all over again. But what new threats will arise when Gabrielle and Isabeau’s star-crossed destinies collide with the beast of Brimmond Wood?
Two young women. Heirs to altogether different hereditary burdens. Yet bound by a monstrous threat to their village.
Gabrielle is the first woman in Alveus to carry the mantle of Hunter, which comes with an obligation to kill the faery beasts murdering travelers in Brimmond Wood. Wary of the power she wields as guardian of her people, Gabrielle is summoned by her first love, a seductress who shattered her heart into pieces a decade ago.
Isabeau is the rarest of nobility—a lady duke. She is also afflicted by a curse that leaves her in a deep sleep between the gloaming and daylight. How can she begin her tenure as protector when she can’t keep her village safe from whatever stalks its darkest hours? For that, she needs the help of the Hunter.
Against her will, Gabrielle is falling in love all over again. But what new threats will arise when Gabrielle and Isabeau’s star-crossed destinies collide with the beast of Brimmond Wood?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 23, 2026
8 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
108 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gabrielle has been training her entire life to be the next Hunter when her father dies. It was only ever supposed to pass to the males in the family but having no sons, the duty fell to the eldest daughter.
When a beast around the estate starts dropping bodies, it's up to the Hunter & the Hunter in training to investigate, and kill whatever is doing the Killing.
This was a fun read. Kind of reminded me of the game Bloodborne in some ways.
Not as actiony as I would have liked, but I thought it was a good balance between the mission and the romance.
My biggest problem with it was the total lack of emotional connection I had with the characters. I felt nothing towards any of them, not even annoyance.. but that could strictly be a me problem and nothing to do with the book itself.
The writing was simple and easy to understand, and I liked the faery lore behind the world. I look forward to reading more by Melissa Marr in the future.
TWs: Death of parent, death in general, murder, decapitation.
Gabrielle has been training her entire life to be the next Hunter when her father dies. It was only ever supposed to pass to the males in the family but having no sons, the duty fell to the eldest daughter.
When a beast around the estate starts dropping bodies, it's up to the Hunter & the Hunter in training to investigate, and kill whatever is doing the Killing.
This was a fun read. Kind of reminded me of the game Bloodborne in some ways.
Not as actiony as I would have liked, but I thought it was a good balance between the mission and the romance.
My biggest problem with it was the total lack of emotional connection I had with the characters. I felt nothing towards any of them, not even annoyance.. but that could strictly be a me problem and nothing to do with the book itself.
The writing was simple and easy to understand, and I liked the faery lore behind the world. I look forward to reading more by Melissa Marr in the future.
TWs: Death of parent, death in general, murder, decapitation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A treason of magic is an atmospheric historical fantasy that is inspired by beauty and the beast. But with a twist. The world is rich with tradition, magic and fae lore, making the premise immediately intriguing.
Gabriel and Isabeau are both burdened by inherited powers and the story delves into themes of duty, leadership, and expectation. While the worldbuilding was strong, the pace felt uneven. Some sections dragged a bit to much, while others felt rushed.
The romance plays a major role in the story, but it wasn’t to my personal preference, which made it a bit harder to fully engage with.
Overall, this book has a strong concept, but it didn’t fully land for me. Readers who enjoy slower, character driven fantasy and fae mythology may enjoy this book more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Gabriel and Isabeau are both burdened by inherited powers and the story delves into themes of duty, leadership, and expectation. While the worldbuilding was strong, the pace felt uneven. Some sections dragged a bit to much, while others felt rushed.
The romance plays a major role in the story, but it wasn’t to my personal preference, which made it a bit harder to fully engage with.
Overall, this book has a strong concept, but it didn’t fully land for me. Readers who enjoy slower, character driven fantasy and fae mythology may enjoy this book more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**
3.75-4 ⭐️
2 🌶
Firstly, it was very cool to see my name as the love interest's name...but also a little weird 🤣 Secondly, anyone who is a fan of more classic faery stories will find this one very interesting. I enjoyed large parts of this story, though I did find the beginning to be rather slow and some of the dialogue didn't flow well at times. But I really liked the idea of a a family whose whole job is to be the Hunter to keep the realm safe from bad faeries, and that it was passed from parent to child. I liked that it was sort of a murder mystery, too!
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who likes these tropes:
☆faeries
☆queer-norm world
☆sapphic romance
☆magic
☆secrets
3.75-4 ⭐️
2 🌶
Firstly, it was very cool to see my name as the love interest's name...but also a little weird 🤣 Secondly, anyone who is a fan of more classic faery stories will find this one very interesting. I enjoyed large parts of this story, though I did find the beginning to be rather slow and some of the dialogue didn't flow well at times. But I really liked the idea of a a family whose whole job is to be the Hunter to keep the realm safe from bad faeries, and that it was passed from parent to child. I liked that it was sort of a murder mystery, too!
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who likes these tropes:
☆faeries
☆queer-norm world
☆sapphic romance
☆magic
☆secrets
January 14, 2026
Set in a world of two queens and their treaty, the Hunter is destined to guard and protect the human territory from any potential faery threats. Intent on hunting down the mysterious faery creature murdering her people, Gabrielle must fight for her life, family, and lover in order to solve the mystery and save her kingdom. With elements of faery lore, romance, and strong female protagonists, A Treason of Magic was a refreshing, quick read that left me surprised by the twists at the end.
Gabrielle has been training since a young age with her father, the Hunter, as he did with his father and so on for many generations. They have no choice but to accept their fate, or otherwise suffer the consequences. She will become the first female Hunter when her father inevitably dies, gaining supernatural strength and abilities—and a secret identity. Gabrielle has guarded her heart for years after a heartbreak and is determined to never marry to stop the Hunter duties from continuing to pass down to future heirs. But this becomes difficult and tension is high when she suddenly finds herself in situations with a past lover, leaving her conflicted. Can she fulfill her Hunter duties and also stop herself from falling in love again with the one who once broke her heart? Will the female Hunter unguard her feelings and finally let herself be with the newly appointed lady Duke?
While I loved the idea of Gabrielle becoming the first female Hunter, the reality of it fell a little flat for me. I wish there would've been a little more action after she gains the Hunter powers. It felt at times, the story told more than it showed when it came to her abilities. I really hoped I would've eventually felt more of a connection with the main characters and learned more from the world-building, especially more about the faeries, but by the end, I was left feeling a little disappointed.
While I often choose stories with strong female characters, this was my first time reading a story involving queer romance between women in power. The romance between the two women was cute and endearing, just felt a little juvenile at times for characters in their early 30s. The romance element is a big portion of the book with some light spicy scenes. I am curious to see how the future between the two could unfold.
Overall, I thought the story was an interesting concept with elements I definitely enjoyed but really was left longing for more connection to Gabrielle and her cursed, lady Duke. I think if the story continues into new novels, there is huge potential to expand on the world-building and various avenues for more Hunter adventures. I would love to read a faster, action-packed story with Gabrielle becoming a confident figher and proving to herself that she can finally step out of her father's shadow.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Treason of Magic by Melissa Marr. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
Gabrielle has been training since a young age with her father, the Hunter, as he did with his father and so on for many generations. They have no choice but to accept their fate, or otherwise suffer the consequences. She will become the first female Hunter when her father inevitably dies, gaining supernatural strength and abilities—and a secret identity. Gabrielle has guarded her heart for years after a heartbreak and is determined to never marry to stop the Hunter duties from continuing to pass down to future heirs. But this becomes difficult and tension is high when she suddenly finds herself in situations with a past lover, leaving her conflicted. Can she fulfill her Hunter duties and also stop herself from falling in love again with the one who once broke her heart? Will the female Hunter unguard her feelings and finally let herself be with the newly appointed lady Duke?
While I loved the idea of Gabrielle becoming the first female Hunter, the reality of it fell a little flat for me. I wish there would've been a little more action after she gains the Hunter powers. It felt at times, the story told more than it showed when it came to her abilities. I really hoped I would've eventually felt more of a connection with the main characters and learned more from the world-building, especially more about the faeries, but by the end, I was left feeling a little disappointed.
While I often choose stories with strong female characters, this was my first time reading a story involving queer romance between women in power. The romance between the two women was cute and endearing, just felt a little juvenile at times for characters in their early 30s. The romance element is a big portion of the book with some light spicy scenes. I am curious to see how the future between the two could unfold.
Overall, I thought the story was an interesting concept with elements I definitely enjoyed but really was left longing for more connection to Gabrielle and her cursed, lady Duke. I think if the story continues into new novels, there is huge potential to expand on the world-building and various avenues for more Hunter adventures. I would love to read a faster, action-packed story with Gabrielle becoming a confident figher and proving to herself that she can finally step out of her father's shadow.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Treason of Magic by Melissa Marr. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own, this is my honest review!
Though I explain why below, I want to preface my review by saying that ultimately I would rate the book 3-3.5 stars on a purely personal preference metric. However, it’s probably closer to a 3.5-4 for a reader who focuses perhaps less on the magic system and world-building and more on character development and a solid romantic arc.
===
A Treason of Magic gives the vibes of a historical fantasy with a fae twist. Gabrielle’s family has been tasked with the role of “hunter” since a treaty between the human and fae queens banished fae creatures from the human realm. The role is typically passed down from father to son, but as the eldest child (being born slightly before her twin sister) and lacking any brothers, the role will fall to her. When a strange – and extremely dangerous – beast starts terrorizing the kingdom, Gabrielle (the hunter-in-training) and her father (the hunter) seek to slay the beast before more harm can come to the kingdom’s citizens.
The book also introduces Isabeau, who, like Gabrielle, is to inherit a role typically meant for a male heir – Duke. As the book progresses, we learn more about Gabrielle and Isabeau’s past, their once romantic attachments and bitter split. We follow them as they try to move forward – needing to work together in order to protect the human realm while also keeping their secrets held close.
All in all I think A Treason of Magic had a compelling plot and was a well-written story. I had a bit of trouble connecting to any of the characters, I found them to be a little stiff (though this is largely a stylistic choice by the author, it just didn’t seem to land for me). The world was relatively small and not overly complex but I think this ultimately helped the story because it was far more about the characters and their development through the plot than it was about the larger struggles taking place within the world.
There was a heartbreaking longing to Gabrielle and Isabeau’s relationship that did hit at times however. I could absolutely feel for the characters when they spoke of and to each other and I’m aaaalllllwaaaayyyys here for a queer fantasy romance. It did at other times feel a little juvenile for characters meant to be in their late 20s/early 30s. With that sometimes pulling me out of the story, the fact that the book lacked the high-fantasy elements I normally hope for in a story ultimately pushed my rating down. That being said, the book didn’t exactly promise that so I can’t really hold it against it.
As I said at the beginning, it’s about a 3-3.5 for me, but depending on the reader, I would definitely still recommend, especially for those who prefer the romantic aspects to the fantasy aspects, or are maybe just getting into the genre!
Though I explain why below, I want to preface my review by saying that ultimately I would rate the book 3-3.5 stars on a purely personal preference metric. However, it’s probably closer to a 3.5-4 for a reader who focuses perhaps less on the magic system and world-building and more on character development and a solid romantic arc.
===
A Treason of Magic gives the vibes of a historical fantasy with a fae twist. Gabrielle’s family has been tasked with the role of “hunter” since a treaty between the human and fae queens banished fae creatures from the human realm. The role is typically passed down from father to son, but as the eldest child (being born slightly before her twin sister) and lacking any brothers, the role will fall to her. When a strange – and extremely dangerous – beast starts terrorizing the kingdom, Gabrielle (the hunter-in-training) and her father (the hunter) seek to slay the beast before more harm can come to the kingdom’s citizens.
The book also introduces Isabeau, who, like Gabrielle, is to inherit a role typically meant for a male heir – Duke. As the book progresses, we learn more about Gabrielle and Isabeau’s past, their once romantic attachments and bitter split. We follow them as they try to move forward – needing to work together in order to protect the human realm while also keeping their secrets held close.
All in all I think A Treason of Magic had a compelling plot and was a well-written story. I had a bit of trouble connecting to any of the characters, I found them to be a little stiff (though this is largely a stylistic choice by the author, it just didn’t seem to land for me). The world was relatively small and not overly complex but I think this ultimately helped the story because it was far more about the characters and their development through the plot than it was about the larger struggles taking place within the world.
There was a heartbreaking longing to Gabrielle and Isabeau’s relationship that did hit at times however. I could absolutely feel for the characters when they spoke of and to each other and I’m aaaalllllwaaaayyyys here for a queer fantasy romance. It did at other times feel a little juvenile for characters meant to be in their late 20s/early 30s. With that sometimes pulling me out of the story, the fact that the book lacked the high-fantasy elements I normally hope for in a story ultimately pushed my rating down. That being said, the book didn’t exactly promise that so I can’t really hold it against it.
As I said at the beginning, it’s about a 3-3.5 for me, but depending on the reader, I would definitely still recommend, especially for those who prefer the romantic aspects to the fantasy aspects, or are maybe just getting into the genre!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first read of 2026! 😊
Thankyou NetGalley and Melissa Marr for this arc ❤️
A Treason of Magic ✨
3.5⭐
LGBTQ Romantasy, deadly faery creatures, curses, hunters and mystery.
🔥Smut included. This is not a closed door book.🔥
Gabrielle is navigating both becoming a new hunter and the reopened wound of heartbreak. She must hunt a murderous faery creature and avenge those who have been killed, all whilst struggling with the pull of desire.
The opening chapter hooked my attention immediately, begining with a dead body being examined by the hunter in training. It very quickly promised mystery and magic. I found the hunters way of investigation different and rather fun to follow.
The world building was easy to absorb and gave me a good understanding for the story. I only hoped for a touch more lore about where the Faery's came from and why. A little of this is wrapped up at the end of the book but I wanted more - If there is to be another book I would hope to see it there but I am unsure currently. Though, I do see potential for a second book.
It took me just shy of a week to get through this book, but to it's credit I had a very busy week. There were times where I questioned the pacing a little, but it didn't deter me from the story.
I liked that the faery's in this book were not beautiful and god-like like my usual Fae reads - they were powerful non-human creatures.
I enjoyed the conflicting and powerful sides to Gabrielle once she became the hunter. I also liked that relationship she had with her family was neither tragic or perfect but somewhere in the middle. There was struggles but obvious love within and it felt realistic.
Isabeau was a more enjoyable character than I expected and I am appreciative of the fact that she wasn't portrayed as completely masculine; she wore trousers but had a softness and elegance to her that read more feminine. And let's face it - trousers are far more practical when your on horse back chasing a girl (and in Gab's case, monsters). 😉
This was a lovely LGBTQ read and for any readers not wishing to read any hate, you wont find any here. There was no questioning or distaste towards loving the same sex to be found. It was the norm within the world to love freely. Very humble❤️👩❤️👩
🔥There is a handful of smut scenes that do go into some detail for any younger/uninterested readers. If you are like me and don't particularly enjoy smut, they are easy to skim over if you just read the speech in-between🔥
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the premise. It was easy to read and not a heavy book. Whilst it kept me guessing, there was a little predictability in the sense that you are clued in. The sort of book where you can turn your brain off and just enjoy.
Enjoy reading ✨
Thankyou NetGalley and Melissa Marr for this arc ❤️
A Treason of Magic ✨
3.5⭐
LGBTQ Romantasy, deadly faery creatures, curses, hunters and mystery.
🔥Smut included. This is not a closed door book.🔥
Gabrielle is navigating both becoming a new hunter and the reopened wound of heartbreak. She must hunt a murderous faery creature and avenge those who have been killed, all whilst struggling with the pull of desire.
The opening chapter hooked my attention immediately, begining with a dead body being examined by the hunter in training. It very quickly promised mystery and magic. I found the hunters way of investigation different and rather fun to follow.
The world building was easy to absorb and gave me a good understanding for the story. I only hoped for a touch more lore about where the Faery's came from and why. A little of this is wrapped up at the end of the book but I wanted more - If there is to be another book I would hope to see it there but I am unsure currently. Though, I do see potential for a second book.
It took me just shy of a week to get through this book, but to it's credit I had a very busy week. There were times where I questioned the pacing a little, but it didn't deter me from the story.
I liked that the faery's in this book were not beautiful and god-like like my usual Fae reads - they were powerful non-human creatures.
I enjoyed the conflicting and powerful sides to Gabrielle once she became the hunter. I also liked that relationship she had with her family was neither tragic or perfect but somewhere in the middle. There was struggles but obvious love within and it felt realistic.
Isabeau was a more enjoyable character than I expected and I am appreciative of the fact that she wasn't portrayed as completely masculine; she wore trousers but had a softness and elegance to her that read more feminine. And let's face it - trousers are far more practical when your on horse back chasing a girl (and in Gab's case, monsters). 😉
This was a lovely LGBTQ read and for any readers not wishing to read any hate, you wont find any here. There was no questioning or distaste towards loving the same sex to be found. It was the norm within the world to love freely. Very humble❤️👩❤️👩
🔥There is a handful of smut scenes that do go into some detail for any younger/uninterested readers. If you are like me and don't particularly enjoy smut, they are easy to skim over if you just read the speech in-between🔥
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the premise. It was easy to read and not a heavy book. Whilst it kept me guessing, there was a little predictability in the sense that you are clued in. The sort of book where you can turn your brain off and just enjoy.
Enjoy reading ✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy recieved by Netgalley
I so badly wanted to love this book, it's atmospheric and the world is intriguing, full of magic and otherworldy creatures, romance and tradition, but unfortunately overall it fell a little flat for me.
I enjoyed the idea of the two main women being in positions of power and both shouldering the weight of different kinds of duty, but also the fact that both women are simply forces to be reckoned with themselves without their titles, both quick minded and skilled fighters and willing to do anything for the ones they love. Individually, I thought they were both very intriguing characters.
That being said I feel like their relationship had the potential to be equally as compelling but instead the constant pattern of them having some kind of moment only for gabrielle to inevitability pull away because of her insecurities over isabeau fully accepting her despite all of the latter's declarations, was too repetitive and it made me lose interest in the development of their relationship.
The most endearing relationships for me were the ones between Gabrielle and her family and then Gabrielle and her village. I appreciated that tragic mix of grief and pride that came with Gabrielle inheriting her powers and how it effects the family as a whole, how her mother and her sister interact with her not just as a daughter and a sibling but as the hunter as well. And I loved that the village protected Gabrielle and seemed to care for her as a person, always being ready to do whatever she needed.
I would have liked to see more world-building, more about the fae, the history of the two worlds and more of a hunt for the beast than what there was. I felt like the plotline of the beast got a little lost to make room for all of the romantic scenes. There were important moments that I think needed more depth and time and then other times where the pacing leading up to significant scene felt slower than necessary and it became difficult to remain interested in the impending outcome.
However, overall this was a really interesting concept and the world itself feels beautiful and rich. I think fans of a slow paced, more romance led fantasy will enjoy this, it just didn't quite meet my expectations.
I so badly wanted to love this book, it's atmospheric and the world is intriguing, full of magic and otherworldy creatures, romance and tradition, but unfortunately overall it fell a little flat for me.
I enjoyed the idea of the two main women being in positions of power and both shouldering the weight of different kinds of duty, but also the fact that both women are simply forces to be reckoned with themselves without their titles, both quick minded and skilled fighters and willing to do anything for the ones they love. Individually, I thought they were both very intriguing characters.
That being said I feel like their relationship had the potential to be equally as compelling but instead the constant pattern of them having some kind of moment only for gabrielle to inevitability pull away because of her insecurities over isabeau fully accepting her despite all of the latter's declarations, was too repetitive and it made me lose interest in the development of their relationship.
The most endearing relationships for me were the ones between Gabrielle and her family and then Gabrielle and her village. I appreciated that tragic mix of grief and pride that came with Gabrielle inheriting her powers and how it effects the family as a whole, how her mother and her sister interact with her not just as a daughter and a sibling but as the hunter as well. And I loved that the village protected Gabrielle and seemed to care for her as a person, always being ready to do whatever she needed.
I would have liked to see more world-building, more about the fae, the history of the two worlds and more of a hunt for the beast than what there was. I felt like the plotline of the beast got a little lost to make room for all of the romantic scenes. There were important moments that I think needed more depth and time and then other times where the pacing leading up to significant scene felt slower than necessary and it became difficult to remain interested in the impending outcome.
However, overall this was a really interesting concept and the world itself feels beautiful and rich. I think fans of a slow paced, more romance led fantasy will enjoy this, it just didn't quite meet my expectations.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Treason of Magic by Melissa Marr.
A Treason of Magic is a lush, atmospheric historical fantasy that blends romance, duty, and fae lore. The premise is immediately compelling as its a Beauty-and-the-Beast–inspired story where the “beauty” is fated to kill the beast. two women burdened by power, expectation, and curses are drawn back into each other’s lives. The world feels richly imagined, with an emphasis on tradition, magic, and the weight of responsibility.
Gabrielle and Isabeau are both interesting protagonists, each carrying a different kind of inherited duty. I especially appreciated the exploration of gender, power, and leadership, as well as the queer romance at the center of the story. Their shared history adds emotional complexity, and there are moments where the tension between love and obligation really shines.
That said, the pacing felt pretty uneven, and I struggled to stay fully engaged throughout. Some sections moved slowly, while others glossed over moments that could have benefited from deeper emotional development. I also found the central conflict with the beast less compelling than I had hoped, as it sometimes took a backseat to introspection and political concerns.
Overall, A Treason of Magic has a strong concept and beautiful atmosphere, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. Fans of slower, character-driven fantasy with romantic elements and fae mythology may enjoy this, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.
A Treason of Magic is a lush, atmospheric historical fantasy that blends romance, duty, and fae lore. The premise is immediately compelling as its a Beauty-and-the-Beast–inspired story where the “beauty” is fated to kill the beast. two women burdened by power, expectation, and curses are drawn back into each other’s lives. The world feels richly imagined, with an emphasis on tradition, magic, and the weight of responsibility.
Gabrielle and Isabeau are both interesting protagonists, each carrying a different kind of inherited duty. I especially appreciated the exploration of gender, power, and leadership, as well as the queer romance at the center of the story. Their shared history adds emotional complexity, and there are moments where the tension between love and obligation really shines.
That said, the pacing felt pretty uneven, and I struggled to stay fully engaged throughout. Some sections moved slowly, while others glossed over moments that could have benefited from deeper emotional development. I also found the central conflict with the beast less compelling than I had hoped, as it sometimes took a backseat to introspection and political concerns.
Overall, A Treason of Magic has a strong concept and beautiful atmosphere, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. Fans of slower, character-driven fantasy with romantic elements and fae mythology may enjoy this, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.
January 25, 2026
I was lucky to read this book as an e-arc and I’m not a particular fan of digital books but this might have just swayed me.
This book reimagines gender norms and relationships within a historical setting and I’m totally here for it. This book discusses love over time, death, loss of parents however to me this books key theme is duty vs desire and how the protagonist takes on the responsibility.
For me this book was slow to get into the beginning however Melissa Marr designed the world beautifully and I could envision a map of the world in my head. The level of detail and description for each scene tied in very well with the story and some perceived behaviours of the characters.
Melissa Marr also clearly illustrated the relationships between characters and the protagonist perfectly. I could understand the characters emotions and reactions to events and the theme of duty vs desire ran throughout the book.
After a tragedy is when this book really picked up pace and I could not put it down the storyline keeps guiding you to what’s next until the final plot twist.
This book pulled at my heartstrings and stirred up a range of emotions and I would recommend reading to anyone is wanting to read a short fantasy romance, historical fiction that goes against gender norms
This book reimagines gender norms and relationships within a historical setting and I’m totally here for it. This book discusses love over time, death, loss of parents however to me this books key theme is duty vs desire and how the protagonist takes on the responsibility.
For me this book was slow to get into the beginning however Melissa Marr designed the world beautifully and I could envision a map of the world in my head. The level of detail and description for each scene tied in very well with the story and some perceived behaviours of the characters.
Melissa Marr also clearly illustrated the relationships between characters and the protagonist perfectly. I could understand the characters emotions and reactions to events and the theme of duty vs desire ran throughout the book.
After a tragedy is when this book really picked up pace and I could not put it down the storyline keeps guiding you to what’s next until the final plot twist.
This book pulled at my heartstrings and stirred up a range of emotions and I would recommend reading to anyone is wanting to read a short fantasy romance, historical fiction that goes against gender norms
January 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the ARC!
This was a quick and easy read, and the concept intrigued me. This book had a lot of interesting elements that meshed well together, but the pacing felt very slow at times and the worldbuilding, especially where the faeries were concerned, was too thin to hold my attention. I liked this take on faeries, especially the sense of danger each time Gabrielle entered the forest, but I wish there was more surprise and discovery to her becoming the Hunter.
I appreciated the queer relationship at the center, and how Gabrielle and Isabeau’s romance had history and weight behind it, and thought Gabrielle and her relationships with both Isabeau and her family were compelling. That said, Isabeau and Gabrielle felt juvenile for being in their mid 30s, especially given that both of their families are pressuring them to get married and have children, as if that isn’t a conflict they would have come up against and/or come to terms with many times by their thirties.
Overall this was an interesting premise and will definitely find its audience, but fell short in a few ways for me.
This was a quick and easy read, and the concept intrigued me. This book had a lot of interesting elements that meshed well together, but the pacing felt very slow at times and the worldbuilding, especially where the faeries were concerned, was too thin to hold my attention. I liked this take on faeries, especially the sense of danger each time Gabrielle entered the forest, but I wish there was more surprise and discovery to her becoming the Hunter.
I appreciated the queer relationship at the center, and how Gabrielle and Isabeau’s romance had history and weight behind it, and thought Gabrielle and her relationships with both Isabeau and her family were compelling. That said, Isabeau and Gabrielle felt juvenile for being in their mid 30s, especially given that both of their families are pressuring them to get married and have children, as if that isn’t a conflict they would have come up against and/or come to terms with many times by their thirties.
Overall this was an interesting premise and will definitely find its audience, but fell short in a few ways for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gabrielle is a daughter of a hunter who is destined to kill the faerie-monsters attacking people. She and her father are trying to solve a mystery of what creature has killed men in the forest. And at the same time there are rumours about Gabrielle’s ex-lover, Isabeau, being cursed.
Mystery, fantasy world with faeries and beasts, sapphic romance, strong female characters.
I liked the mystery part so much, I changed my suspicions every chapter. The tension, the uncertainty - loved it.
As for the romance, it didn’t work for me. It felt like all the tension was built around miscommunication or misunderstanding. And I hate this trope. I didn’t feel connected to fmc’s. In my opinion, the romance and the spice fell flat.
I was happy to see so many strong female characters. Duke, hunter, guards, fmc’s sister…
I had a good time reading this book. It’s a standalone, easy read. It may be read in one sitting.
Mystery, fantasy world with faeries and beasts, sapphic romance, strong female characters.
I liked the mystery part so much, I changed my suspicions every chapter. The tension, the uncertainty - loved it.
As for the romance, it didn’t work for me. It felt like all the tension was built around miscommunication or misunderstanding. And I hate this trope. I didn’t feel connected to fmc’s. In my opinion, the romance and the spice fell flat.
I was happy to see so many strong female characters. Duke, hunter, guards, fmc’s sister…
I had a good time reading this book. It’s a standalone, easy read. It may be read in one sitting.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Magic? Dangerous.
Politics? Messy.
Feelings? COMPLICATED.
A Treason of Magic is the kind of fantasy that looks elegant on the surface and then absolutely wrecks you with secrets, betrayals, and yearning you didn’t sign up for (but enjoyed anyway).
Gabrielle is a certified badass the first female Hunter, out here slaying monsters and shattering expectations while carrying enough emotional baggage to need its own horse. And then there’s Isabeau, cursed, powerful, trapped by duty, and quietly breaking your heart every time she’s on the page. Put them together and BOOM: unresolved history, slow-burn sapphic tension, and feelings that refuse to stay buried.
Melissa Marr excels at atmosphere. The world feels lush, dangerous, and steeped in old magic and older grudges. This isn’t flashy spell-slinging fantasy it’s moody, political, and heavy on consequences. Everyone has an agenda, nobody is fully innocent, and trust is in very short supply.
Politics? Messy.
Feelings? COMPLICATED.
A Treason of Magic is the kind of fantasy that looks elegant on the surface and then absolutely wrecks you with secrets, betrayals, and yearning you didn’t sign up for (but enjoyed anyway).
Gabrielle is a certified badass the first female Hunter, out here slaying monsters and shattering expectations while carrying enough emotional baggage to need its own horse. And then there’s Isabeau, cursed, powerful, trapped by duty, and quietly breaking your heart every time she’s on the page. Put them together and BOOM: unresolved history, slow-burn sapphic tension, and feelings that refuse to stay buried.
Melissa Marr excels at atmosphere. The world feels lush, dangerous, and steeped in old magic and older grudges. This isn’t flashy spell-slinging fantasy it’s moody, political, and heavy on consequences. Everyone has an agenda, nobody is fully innocent, and trust is in very short supply.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✦⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆✦
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND MELISSA MARR!
🪄👑🏹🗡️❤️
Woah woah woah…this book jumped way too quickly into everything. Only two chapters in, there was still no real character or story development, yet the romance trope was already being pushed hard. It made it difficult to care about the characters when I’d been given so little context about who they were or why their connection mattered. It just didn’t start off on the right foot for me, and that was hard to overlook.
The pacing felt off overall. It started aggressively fast and then oddly slowed down later. The story definitely has the potential to be really good but it could’ve benefited from more refining, clearer explanations, and more time spent building the world, characters, and relationships.
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND MELISSA MARR!
🪄👑🏹🗡️❤️
Woah woah woah…this book jumped way too quickly into everything. Only two chapters in, there was still no real character or story development, yet the romance trope was already being pushed hard. It made it difficult to care about the characters when I’d been given so little context about who they were or why their connection mattered. It just didn’t start off on the right foot for me, and that was hard to overlook.
The pacing felt off overall. It started aggressively fast and then oddly slowed down later. The story definitely has the potential to be really good but it could’ve benefited from more refining, clearer explanations, and more time spent building the world, characters, and relationships.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed the themes of this novel and the storyline had a lot of potential. I felt the beginning was a little slow, but it did a good job of building the characters. However, I felt the rushed ending left me wanting more in terms of understanding the Faeries and Isabeau’s heritage. I enjoyed that the story wasn’t too long and was quite easy to read. Overall, the book has a lot of potential and I was glad to see queer representation in a fantasy novel.
Thank you NetGalley and 47North for this ARC. The statements and opinions of this book are entirely my own.
Thank you NetGalley and 47North for this ARC. The statements and opinions of this book are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoy reading a book where the main characters are considered “middle aged”.
I feel like this was a quick and fun read.
The world building was super easy to follow and I really enjoyed it.
I also really liked that fact the Fae weren’t super beautiful like most books make them.
The relationship Gabrielle had with her family felt realistic and not drama for the sake of drama.
I feel like this was a quick and fun read.
The world building was super easy to follow and I really enjoyed it.
I also really liked that fact the Fae weren’t super beautiful like most books make them.
The relationship Gabrielle had with her family felt realistic and not drama for the sake of drama.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. I think this book had a lot of potential. I really found it very interesting. I thought the plot was well paced but there were some times I felt like it dragged a bit. I liked Isabeau and Gabrielle's relationship overall and the queer themes in the book. I liked Gabrielle as a character. Overall I did like this and thought it was a nice and short read.
I will say the description goodreads has here for this book is completely different than what the book I read was even about. Im not too sure what happened here.
I will say the description goodreads has here for this book is completely different than what the book I read was even about. Im not too sure what happened here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 6, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Treason of Magic was low-key intense in the best way. The magic feels dangerous, the choices matter, and everything has this quiet tension running through it. It’s a slower fantasy, but I stayed invested the whole time. If you like thoughtful worldbuilding and character-driven stakes, this one’s a solid read. ✨📖
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Melissa Marr and 47North📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Melissa Marr and 47North📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
December 30, 2025
I've just finished an ARC copy of A Treason Of Magic from Netgalley and I'd rate this book 3.5 stars.
I found it slow to start and I struggled to stay interested but then the end very rushed and so the pacing wasn't quite right.
The storyline itself is very good and definitely has a lot of potential.
I found it slow to start and I struggled to stay interested but then the end very rushed and so the pacing wasn't quite right.
The storyline itself is very good and definitely has a lot of potential.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You can read this for free in Netgalley right now. I just had to pick it up and read it and gave it a very honest review on it.
"There has never been a time i was not yours."
I enjoyed the characters much more than the plot of the story. I adore Isabeau and Gabrielle relationship so much. Isabeau's yearning was intense and the back and forth love confessions and compliments. So darn cute.
Now, as for the story... It fell flat for me after 50% because I already had a hunch on what's about to happen and the pacing was not it for me. The world-building was very vague to me which made it very hard for me to visualise and the faeries as well. I just wish that we could get more world-building and explanation of the history.
Overall, i think the romance outweighs the whole ordeal situation and i think its a cute love story at most.
"There has never been a time i was not yours."
I enjoyed the characters much more than the plot of the story. I adore Isabeau and Gabrielle relationship so much. Isabeau's yearning was intense and the back and forth love confessions and compliments. So darn cute.
Now, as for the story... It fell flat for me after 50% because I already had a hunch on what's about to happen and the pacing was not it for me. The world-building was very vague to me which made it very hard for me to visualise and the faeries as well. I just wish that we could get more world-building and explanation of the history.
Overall, i think the romance outweighs the whole ordeal situation and i think its a cute love story at most.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this book. Idk what’s wrong with these other negative reviews. But it was very interesting. The pacing was good. This book was well written because the creature caught my attention. Thanks to Netgalley for letting me to read this book as an ARC.
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