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Half of a Second Child
For fans of Zodiac Academy, Aycee Lucy’s HALF OF A SECOND CHILD is the first book in a romantasy series about a half witch trapped in the enchanting but politically divided world of Everden.
Ember Blackburn is the second child her mother never wanted, a rejected half witch with a dangerous gift for lies—and ruining lives when she tells them. Ignored by her witch relatives and shut out of Everden, Ember settles for a magicless existence, taking care of her human father on a quiet cul-de-sac in Pennsylvania. Then, a mysterious male witch is ordered to retrieve her, and Ember’s dragged to the picturesque world of witches where she knows she isn’t wanted.
Lethal, truth-telling, and devastatingly handsome, Leland Stray is bound to protect the half witch—an impossible task in a realm taught to despise her for her human breeding. Soon after Ember’s arrival, innocent witches start to go missing, and Ember, the target of every witch with a vendetta against humans, becomes the prime suspect in the disappearances.
A life-or-death entanglement with Leland means Ember must find a way to convince Everden she isn’t a threat, or Leland will suffer. But, haunted by a feeling that something is incalculably wrong with her, Ember will first have to stop being her own worst advocate and convince herself—then the realm—that she belongs.
* * *
🦋 Romantic fantasy
🦋 Magic schools
🦋 Slow burn m/f romance
🦋 LGBTQ+ characters
🦋 Fated mates
🦋 Found family
🦋 Friends to lovers
🦋 Forced proximity
🦋 Low spice
🦋 Emotional hurt/comfort
* * *
Now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited! Paperback and Dust Jacketed Hardcase editions will be added to Amazon shortly.
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2025
6 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Aycee Lucy
1 book7 followersAycee Lucy is an independently published author who lives with her dog and husband in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is currently a pet sitter, and has previously worked in auditing and accounting. Half of a Second Child is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 4, 2026
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I really wanted to love this one but I didn’t like a single MC in this book. The premise sounded amazing. Witchy vibes, a magical academy setting, and a half witch. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with any of the characters, and everything felt very surface level.
🖤 What to Expect
• Half witch FMC
• Magical academy
• Truth telling magic
• Forced proximity
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: December 16, 2025
📝 Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co op for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I really wanted to love this one but I didn’t like a single MC in this book. The premise sounded amazing. Witchy vibes, a magical academy setting, and a half witch. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with any of the characters, and everything felt very surface level.
🖤 What to Expect
• Half witch FMC
• Magical academy
• Truth telling magic
• Forced proximity
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: December 16, 2025
📝 Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co op for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
December 31, 2025
“There’s no one worth burning for.”
“Half of a Second Child,” by Aycee Lucy
I really liked this book. I loved the academy plot mixed with prophecy, found family, and slow burn romance. I liked most of the characters and their quirks, I did like how honest the characters were. I loved how there were M/M and M/F romances currently or in the past, without it being problematic for the world that was built. My main dislike of the book was that Leland, having so many relationships, was supposed to show his need to connect without getting too attached but ended up devaluing his emotions with Ember in my mind. For the most part though, I really liked it, 4 out of 5 stars.
-Slow Burn
-M/M and M/F relationships
-Found Family
-Prophecy
-Academy
-Kidnapped
-Forced Proximity
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.
“Half of a Second Child,” by Aycee Lucy
I really liked this book. I loved the academy plot mixed with prophecy, found family, and slow burn romance. I liked most of the characters and their quirks, I did like how honest the characters were. I loved how there were M/M and M/F romances currently or in the past, without it being problematic for the world that was built. My main dislike of the book was that Leland, having so many relationships, was supposed to show his need to connect without getting too attached but ended up devaluing his emotions with Ember in my mind. For the most part though, I really liked it, 4 out of 5 stars.
-Slow Burn
-M/M and M/F relationships
-Found Family
-Prophecy
-Academy
-Kidnapped
-Forced Proximity
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.
December 23, 2025
This sounded interesting from the blurb - a child not wanted, abandoned by her mother, pulled into a magical world that hates her for being half human.
I liked the writing, and that Ember already knows she is a half witch and what will happen when she turns 18.
Unfortunately I just didn't enjoy the world, and was confused with why things were happening.
This is the kind of book I may have liked the audio book of, rather than reading.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
I liked the writing, and that Ember already knows she is a half witch and what will happen when she turns 18.
Unfortunately I just didn't enjoy the world, and was confused with why things were happening.
This is the kind of book I may have liked the audio book of, rather than reading.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
December 7, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing, for providing me with this ARC.
I requested this ARC on a whim - I thought the title was very intriguing and the summary was interesting. It ended up being a really good surprise, and as a debut, it's really exciting because I have no doubt Aycee Lucy's books will only get better from here, and the bar is already high.
In Half of a Second Child, we follow Ember, a half-witch raised in the human world with her father, and suddenly taken away to the magic world on her 18th birthday. Both the human world and the magic world are separated, with both being aware of the other world, and both worlds hating each other. In the human world, witches are feared and tracked down. In the magic world, humans are put down and feared. In this context, Ember is half of both worlds and is trying to navigate her new life in the magic world.
This premise is nothing new, but I liked the way it was executed. I liked Ember as a main character, whilst she was often making choices that were a tiny bit stupid, she genuinely had the world set up against her, so whatever she did, she would have been blamed and hated for it anyway, so I kinda started to admire her tenacity. I also liked the way she could try to blend in, but also clearly was really introverted, and was constantly thinking of home. She felt pretty realistic, and I wanted to root for her.
I also really liked the world overall - the separation between both worlds, all the different types of witches and the way their magic was materialising, the spell count, the counterparts, the all-witch, the history, everything created a coherent world that made sense and fully immersed me.
The writing was really good, immersive, simple to read, whilst still being engaging and easy to follow. The narration style (first person POV and DUAL POVs) was also well utilised, and I liked having mostly Ember's POV with some of Leland's - it allows for cleverly having both questions raised and answered fluidly with Ember being clueless about the world and Leland knowing way more than he let on.
The characters were also a strong aspect of the story. Whilst some interactions were a bit odd to me (and maybe it was on purpose BECAUSE this is a whole different world with different people), I enjoyed the wholesome nature of friendships - in this dark world with echelons clearly out to no good, it was good to see all those dark intentions and evilness balanced out with the friendships. I also really liked that Leland was an MMC - he was a good mix of mysterious, clearly not wanting to be trusted or to get too close, but with a genuinely good nature. I liked the way he perfectly complemented Ember as a character, and I loved the concept of counterparts and the way it was utilised in the story.
The story and the plots were also really compelling. I liked the way the mystery was slowly built up during the book. To be honest. I thought there would be no way the author would be able to wrap the book up in the last 20% of the book, considering everything that needed to be resolved, but somehow the author did it very cleverly. The ending made sense, the resolution made sense, and most of the plots were concluded nicely. Because I liked the world so much, I do wish the book did not tie up so nicely, because I feel like there would be space and opportunities to expand the story, but it was well wrapped up. I really liked the epilogue, and I wish we would get a second book because I want more of this world, of Leland and of Ember.
Overall, a really good debut with an explosive prologue, a compelling set of characters and good world-building and plot. The pacing was good and, whilst I still think there are a lot of unresolved topics (ex., how does Leland have so much power/magic? What is hinted about him (especially during the prologue), overall politics with Jaxan and Helen, issues with the world have not been fixed), it's still solid as a stand-alone story.
I requested this ARC on a whim - I thought the title was very intriguing and the summary was interesting. It ended up being a really good surprise, and as a debut, it's really exciting because I have no doubt Aycee Lucy's books will only get better from here, and the bar is already high.
In Half of a Second Child, we follow Ember, a half-witch raised in the human world with her father, and suddenly taken away to the magic world on her 18th birthday. Both the human world and the magic world are separated, with both being aware of the other world, and both worlds hating each other. In the human world, witches are feared and tracked down. In the magic world, humans are put down and feared. In this context, Ember is half of both worlds and is trying to navigate her new life in the magic world.
This premise is nothing new, but I liked the way it was executed. I liked Ember as a main character, whilst she was often making choices that were a tiny bit stupid, she genuinely had the world set up against her, so whatever she did, she would have been blamed and hated for it anyway, so I kinda started to admire her tenacity. I also liked the way she could try to blend in, but also clearly was really introverted, and was constantly thinking of home. She felt pretty realistic, and I wanted to root for her.
I also really liked the world overall - the separation between both worlds, all the different types of witches and the way their magic was materialising, the spell count, the counterparts, the all-witch, the history, everything created a coherent world that made sense and fully immersed me.
The writing was really good, immersive, simple to read, whilst still being engaging and easy to follow. The narration style (first person POV and DUAL POVs) was also well utilised, and I liked having mostly Ember's POV with some of Leland's - it allows for cleverly having both questions raised and answered fluidly with Ember being clueless about the world and Leland knowing way more than he let on.
The characters were also a strong aspect of the story. Whilst some interactions were a bit odd to me (and maybe it was on purpose BECAUSE this is a whole different world with different people), I enjoyed the wholesome nature of friendships - in this dark world with echelons clearly out to no good, it was good to see all those dark intentions and evilness balanced out with the friendships. I also really liked that Leland was an MMC - he was a good mix of mysterious, clearly not wanting to be trusted or to get too close, but with a genuinely good nature. I liked the way he perfectly complemented Ember as a character, and I loved the concept of counterparts and the way it was utilised in the story.
The story and the plots were also really compelling. I liked the way the mystery was slowly built up during the book. To be honest. I thought there would be no way the author would be able to wrap the book up in the last 20% of the book, considering everything that needed to be resolved, but somehow the author did it very cleverly. The ending made sense, the resolution made sense, and most of the plots were concluded nicely. Because I liked the world so much, I do wish the book did not tie up so nicely, because I feel like there would be space and opportunities to expand the story, but it was well wrapped up. I really liked the epilogue, and I wish we would get a second book because I want more of this world, of Leland and of Ember.
Overall, a really good debut with an explosive prologue, a compelling set of characters and good world-building and plot. The pacing was good and, whilst I still think there are a lot of unresolved topics (ex., how does Leland have so much power/magic? What is hinted about him (especially during the prologue), overall politics with Jaxan and Helen, issues with the world have not been fixed), it's still solid as a stand-alone story.
November 17, 2025
A gripping first debut, Aycee has created a unique world where witches live in an alternate universe, able to move between realms with the use of portals.
Ember has always known she's a half-witch, a fact she's not thrilled about which isn't helped by the fact she has an absent mother and a sister who lives in the witch realm and doesn't talk to her. Top it off with a sick father and you have a very complicated life.
Then, in walks Leeland. A creator who is tasked with protecting Ember until her selection, when she'll choose which branch of magic to study under. Prior to this, the trees of the schools bow to the witch, of which there are eight. For Ember, all 8 trees bow down to her. A very rare occurrence which triggers a set of events as someone doesn't want her there and will do anything in their power to make sure she doesn't make it to her selection.
I enjoyed the book, although I felt like Sevens (witches who have seven trees bow to them) were supposed to be rare and everyone she met seemed to be a Seven. It would have been nice if a few of the characters weren't a Seven, or an Aspirant as they're also called.
There was a little repetition but this didn't bother me. I hope we get more of Sabrina's backstory in the next book who is also an Eight, like Ember and also one of Ember's aunts.
Ember has always known she's a half-witch, a fact she's not thrilled about which isn't helped by the fact she has an absent mother and a sister who lives in the witch realm and doesn't talk to her. Top it off with a sick father and you have a very complicated life.
Then, in walks Leeland. A creator who is tasked with protecting Ember until her selection, when she'll choose which branch of magic to study under. Prior to this, the trees of the schools bow to the witch, of which there are eight. For Ember, all 8 trees bow down to her. A very rare occurrence which triggers a set of events as someone doesn't want her there and will do anything in their power to make sure she doesn't make it to her selection.
I enjoyed the book, although I felt like Sevens (witches who have seven trees bow to them) were supposed to be rare and everyone she met seemed to be a Seven. It would have been nice if a few of the characters weren't a Seven, or an Aspirant as they're also called.
There was a little repetition but this didn't bother me. I hope we get more of Sabrina's backstory in the next book who is also an Eight, like Ember and also one of Ember's aunts.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.25 stars 🌟
This book got me out of a reading slump! It was fun and magical with intriguing characters and relationships. We follow Ember as she finds herself in Everden as one of very few half witches and the choices that she has to make in order to survive. If you like enemies to lovers in a magical fantasy setting, you will love this!
The story was well paced and I grew to really care about the main characters. I liked seeing how Ember grew into herself as a person alongside Leland's own character development. The writing felt very intimate at the relevant times when the characters opened up and flowed very well.
I wish that there was a little bit more world building and that other characters were fleshed out a bit more. However, I really inhaled this book from about 40% in and couldn't put it down. Captivating and fun, and let's just say, I'm really hoping for a second book!
4.25 stars 🌟
This book got me out of a reading slump! It was fun and magical with intriguing characters and relationships. We follow Ember as she finds herself in Everden as one of very few half witches and the choices that she has to make in order to survive. If you like enemies to lovers in a magical fantasy setting, you will love this!
The story was well paced and I grew to really care about the main characters. I liked seeing how Ember grew into herself as a person alongside Leland's own character development. The writing felt very intimate at the relevant times when the characters opened up and flowed very well.
I wish that there was a little bit more world building and that other characters were fleshed out a bit more. However, I really inhaled this book from about 40% in and couldn't put it down. Captivating and fun, and let's just say, I'm really hoping for a second book!
November 17, 2025
This writer is talented. Aycee has voice and you can't teach that. I felt drawn in and engaged.
I did have a little difficulty understanding the first chapter. She wakes up in Chapter 2 and I wasn't sure if that meant that all of Chapter 1 was a dream sequence? But that's the only part I found hard to grasp.
I personally would label this a fantasy instead of a romantasy. I thought the romance element was too far into subplot territory to be a romantasy.
I liked the ending and I would mention that there is NO cliffhanger. The main plot of this book is resolved and there are only the usual number of open plot threads to allow for the next book in the series. It's not one of those books where the book simply ends in the middle of a thought and you have to buy the second book to continue.
I received the book as a digital ARC.
I did have a little difficulty understanding the first chapter. She wakes up in Chapter 2 and I wasn't sure if that meant that all of Chapter 1 was a dream sequence? But that's the only part I found hard to grasp.
I personally would label this a fantasy instead of a romantasy. I thought the romance element was too far into subplot territory to be a romantasy.
I liked the ending and I would mention that there is NO cliffhanger. The main plot of this book is resolved and there are only the usual number of open plot threads to allow for the next book in the series. It's not one of those books where the book simply ends in the middle of a thought and you have to buy the second book to continue.
I received the book as a digital ARC.
December 1, 2025
What an amazing read! The story will completely consume you in every single way! The ups and downs that the main character goes through keeps you on the edge of your seat! There isn’t really romance it’s almost an afterthought. I wouldn’t consider this romantasy because I just didn’t feel the romance aspect of it. That’s the only reason I gave it 4 stars because I was waiting for it but it didn’t really come! Overall the author wrote an amazing beautiful story of challenges and conquering more than you would expect! Bravo!-Kerin Ray
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pre-read: You had me at Halloweentown.
Post-Read
Thank you NetGalley and Aycee Lucy for the ARC. I absolutely NEED to know what happens next, because this is so good and I'm still very skeptical about people's motives here....
Ember grew up in the human world, along with her father and her sister Ash, but Ember and Ash are half witches so it was always understood that, after turning 18, they would go to Everden, the witch world. But Ember hasn't heard anything from Ash for years, and she's still waiting to go for like 2/3 of a year past that.
While Ash being in Everden is somewhat normal, even as a half witch, Ember is mind-blowing to the rest of the world. Witches do not have siblings, so Ember being a second child is weird to everyone she meets there.
I really enjoyed the characters in this, and I know I probably shouldn't trust someone I have grown to really like, but I don't know who.
Ember - fighter/martyr energy; impulsive, but also a great/loyal friend
Leland - tortured, tragic, and wonderful; with tons of money and seemingly supercharged magic
Skye - throws fruit at people to test their reflexes and loves her cat, so super endearing
Belinda - super sweet glitter bomb with a violent bunny rabbit
Jaxon - with the Halloweentown comparison, he gives Kalabar vibes
Helen - absolute b*tch of a mother, but interesting and I don't get her
Ash - doesn't get enough book time here
The world is pretty complex, but well-built. There are schools that correspond to each of the types of magic but, at this point, we've only really seen the one school. Plus the capital and one additional realm. I look forward to this being built out more.
Post-Read
Thank you NetGalley and Aycee Lucy for the ARC. I absolutely NEED to know what happens next, because this is so good and I'm still very skeptical about people's motives here....
Ember grew up in the human world, along with her father and her sister Ash, but Ember and Ash are half witches so it was always understood that, after turning 18, they would go to Everden, the witch world. But Ember hasn't heard anything from Ash for years, and she's still waiting to go for like 2/3 of a year past that.
While Ash being in Everden is somewhat normal, even as a half witch, Ember is mind-blowing to the rest of the world. Witches do not have siblings, so Ember being a second child is weird to everyone she meets there.
I really enjoyed the characters in this, and I know I probably shouldn't trust someone I have grown to really like, but I don't know who.
Ember - fighter/martyr energy; impulsive, but also a great/loyal friend
Leland - tortured, tragic, and wonderful; with tons of money and seemingly supercharged magic
Skye - throws fruit at people to test their reflexes and loves her cat, so super endearing
Belinda - super sweet glitter bomb with a violent bunny rabbit
Jaxon - with the Halloweentown comparison, he gives Kalabar vibes
Helen - absolute b*tch of a mother, but interesting and I don't get her
Ash - doesn't get enough book time here
The world is pretty complex, but well-built. There are schools that correspond to each of the types of magic but, at this point, we've only really seen the one school. Plus the capital and one additional realm. I look forward to this being built out more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A half-witch raised in the human world. A witch emissary sent to drag her back to a realm she never knew. A magic academy full of secrets, dangerous Bonds, and a deathly prophecy.
If you love magic academia vibes, impossible love, forced proximity, and a vicious ruling Council, Half of a Second Child is an addictive start to a new romantasy world.
4,5 ⭐️/5 — 1🌶️/5 (3 steamy chapters/37)
🧙 Half-witch in a witch world
🪄 Magic academia vibes
⚡️ Forced proximity
💔 Impossible love
❤️🔥 Slow burn
💞 Counterpart/magic-bond
🕵🏼♀️ Missing Aspirants mystery
😈 Vicious magic Council
+ we’ve got art for the FMC and MMC at the beginning and the end, this was so cool.
This book surprised me in the best way. It has strong Zodiac Academy vibes (without feeling like a copy, and more "healthy" and less bully):
-The witch emissary sent in the human realm to retrieve the FMC (Orion sent to retrieve Tory and Darcy)
-The Blessing ceremony where you get magic schools (reminiscent of the Awakening ceremony)
-politics, prophecy, and court enemies woven into the worldbuilding
But at the same time, it feels fresh, softer, and more balanced, especially in the way characters communicate.
💖 A romantasy where people actually talk to each other
I loved that Ember and Leland openly admit, from the beginning, that they don’t particularly like each other… yet they’re not cruel, petty, or playing bully games. They disagree, they push back, they hide things when they must, but the communication is refreshingly healthy for the genre. Honestly? That alone was a green flag.
💞 The Counterpart reveal, and how the book reverses the usual trope
At first, I absolutely adored that Ember was the one who realized the Bond between them. It’s almost always the MMC who knows first in romantasy, so this reversal felt clever.
Of course… later we learn that Leland knew too and simply hid it to protect Ember because of Jaxan. Still, I loved the dynamic it created.
🧔🏻 Leland, a lying Truth-Teller but still a green flag
Yes, he hides things. Yes, he tiptoes around the truth. But despite the secrets, he constantly shows up for Ember:
-He supports her through her etherize panic.
-He confronts Farrah for attacking her.
-He shields her repeatedly from Vyra and Jaxan.
-He’s protective without being controlling.
-He’s conflicted without being cruel.
And he falls for her in that quiet, devastating way that romantasy does best. ❤️🔥
👩🏼 Ember, insecure, hopeful, capable, and painfully relatable
Her relationship with Gray genuinely broke my heart. Feeling like you’re “not enough,” clinging to someone who never chooses you back, that hit home.
Skye helping her see the truth was such a good moment, and the epilogue made it even better.
Ember is altruistic, intuitive, and smart. Even when she gets tricked early on (she’s new to Everden after all), she finds her footing and negotiates with Jaxan in a way that was SO satisfying at the end. Girl learned. Girl adapted. Girl played the game.
😈 Jaxan & Helen, the kind of villains you really hate
Genuinely awful. Manipulative, cruel, vindictive, very much Cyrus-from-ZA energy, and it works.
✨ Worldbuilding, magic, and pacing
Loved:
-Magic academia vibes
-Forced proximity
-Impossible love
-Counterpart/magic-bond
-Missing Aspirants mystery
-The slow unraveling of Everden politics
The beginning was fantastic, rich worldbuilding, emotional hooks, clear stakes. The middle dragged a bit for me. The final third? Amazing. Fast, intense, emotional.
My only frustration? It’s an ARC. Meaning I now have to wait forever for book 2.
These beginnings always get me the same way, because the world is so good and the setup is so compelling that now I’m stuck waiting months, maybe a years, for the continuation.
A compelling blend of magic, tension, forbidden Bonds, court politics, and tenderness. It’s romantic without being cliché, dark without being cruel, and atmospheric without being confusing.
If you love magic academia vibe + impossible love + political fantasy + slow-burn tension, you’ll definitely want this one on your radar.
Thank you Aycee Lucy and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
4,5 ⭐️/5 — 1🌶️/5 (3 steamy chapters/37)
🧙 Half-witch in a witch world
🪄 Magic academia vibes
⚡️ Forced proximity
💔 Impossible love
❤️🔥 Slow burn
💞 Counterpart/magic-bond
🕵🏼♀️ Missing Aspirants mystery
😈 Vicious magic Council
+ we’ve got art for the FMC and MMC at the beginning and the end, this was so cool.
This book surprised me in the best way. It has strong Zodiac Academy vibes (without feeling like a copy, and more "healthy" and less bully):
-The witch emissary sent in the human realm to retrieve the FMC (Orion sent to retrieve Tory and Darcy)
-The Blessing ceremony where you get magic schools (reminiscent of the Awakening ceremony)
-politics, prophecy, and court enemies woven into the worldbuilding
But at the same time, it feels fresh, softer, and more balanced, especially in the way characters communicate.
💖 A romantasy where people actually talk to each other
I loved that Ember and Leland openly admit, from the beginning, that they don’t particularly like each other… yet they’re not cruel, petty, or playing bully games. They disagree, they push back, they hide things when they must, but the communication is refreshingly healthy for the genre. Honestly? That alone was a green flag.
« —You don’t want to be here.
—No, Ember. I don’t. I had no idea—at the age of five—how much it would seem I don’t enjoy being your babysitter. I’m here because I have to be. »
« —We don’t like each other.
—I thought that was obvious.
—Is it?
—I don’t know, Leland. You have ti follow me around when you’d rather be anywhere else. So yes, I’d say it feels obvious. Not to mention you’ve told me as much. But it’s fine. I’m done talking about it. »
💞 The Counterpart reveal, and how the book reverses the usual trope
At first, I absolutely adored that Ember was the one who realized the Bond between them. It’s almost always the MMC who knows first in romantasy, so this reversal felt clever.
Of course… later we learn that Leland knew too and simply hid it to protect Ember because of Jaxan. Still, I loved the dynamic it created.
🧔🏻 Leland, a lying Truth-Teller but still a green flag
Yes, he hides things. Yes, he tiptoes around the truth. But despite the secrets, he constantly shows up for Ember:
-He supports her through her etherize panic.
-He confronts Farrah for attacking her.
-He shields her repeatedly from Vyra and Jaxan.
-He’s protective without being controlling.
-He’s conflicted without being cruel.
« —I don’t want it.
—Take it.
—Stop giving me things.
—Start making effort to take care of yourself, and I will.
—I do take care of myself.
—Do you? Because if that were true, you never would’ve let me in your house.
—Leave me alone, Leland. I don’t need your protein bar.
—I don’t like the blueberry ones. You’ll be doing me a favor. Otherwise, it rots in my pocket realm. »
*he lied and she knows*
« —Why are there groceries on Helen’s porch?
—I don’t know, Ember. Perhaps because you needed them. »
And he falls for her in that quiet, devastating way that romantasy does best. ❤️🔥
« Please don’t look at me like that. I don’t know what to do with it. »
« You are so fucking pretty. Do you know that? »
👩🏼 Ember, insecure, hopeful, capable, and painfully relatable
Her relationship with Gray genuinely broke my heart. Feeling like you’re “not enough,” clinging to someone who never chooses you back, that hit home.
Skye helping her see the truth was such a good moment, and the epilogue made it even better.
Ember is altruistic, intuitive, and smart. Even when she gets tricked early on (she’s new to Everden after all), she finds her footing and negotiates with Jaxan in a way that was SO satisfying at the end. Girl learned. Girl adapted. Girl played the game.
« There was no point denying I’d been looking at him. That I couldn’t stop looking at him. How odd it was that he said he wasn’t an Enchantress. »
« Why didn’t I feel myself around him? One second, I was picturing myself in his bed. And the next second, I hated him. »
« Since the Blessing, I burned. I burned for a touch that was never enough, and I burned the most for Leland. I was always uncomfortable—my blood’s new normal a simmer beneath my skin. But when Leland let go… The only thing worse than him touching me was when it didn’t last, and the pain that followed when I realized it might never happen again. »
« —You’re staring at my mouth
—I know.
—Better?
—No.
—Ember, look at me.
If only he knew the things I saw when I looked at him. »
😈 Jaxan & Helen, the kind of villains you really hate
Genuinely awful. Manipulative, cruel, vindictive, very much Cyrus-from-ZA energy, and it works.
✨ Worldbuilding, magic, and pacing
Loved:
-Magic academia vibes
-Forced proximity
-Impossible love
-Counterpart/magic-bond
-Missing Aspirants mystery
-The slow unraveling of Everden politics
The beginning was fantastic, rich worldbuilding, emotional hooks, clear stakes. The middle dragged a bit for me. The final third? Amazing. Fast, intense, emotional.
My only frustration? It’s an ARC. Meaning I now have to wait forever for book 2.
These beginnings always get me the same way, because the world is so good and the setup is so compelling that now I’m stuck waiting months, maybe a years, for the continuation.
A compelling blend of magic, tension, forbidden Bonds, court politics, and tenderness. It’s romantic without being cliché, dark without being cruel, and atmospheric without being confusing.
If you love magic academia vibe + impossible love + political fantasy + slow-burn tension, you’ll definitely want this one on your radar.
Thank you Aycee Lucy and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
January 13, 2026
Firstly thankyou to Netgalley & Victory Editing for allowing me to read in advance, and to the author, Aycee Lucy, who created a world where I’m desperate to return to in book 2.
“Half Of A Second Child” is Aycee Lucy’s debut novel, which is independently published, and will be available to readers on the 16th of December via Amazon & KU, which fans of the Scholomance Series by Naomi Novik will love.
HOASC follow half-witch, second child & gifted liar, Ember Blackburn, rejected by her own mother, & witch kind, Ember is disinterested in the magic world, and is content living with her paranoid human father in quiet Pennsylvania. That is until her 18th birthday when she’s dragged, kicking & screaming, to Everden, the realm of the witches. There she meets, Leland Stray, gifted with truth-telling and tasked to protect the half-witch in a world against her. Soon after her arrival, witches begin to go missing with the terrifying events pointing to Ember being the culptit. To ensure their shared survival they must prove her innocence.
It is a well paced slow burn of slowly trickled gasoline which ignites to an ending that will have you awake til 5am as it is impossible to put down. The plot twists and turns with surprises that will have you gasping, in tears and laughter. I truly fell in love with the world which is somehow both dark, and whimsical, and an array of unique characters who I would go to war for.
I really enjoyed the magic system (8 schools of magic/individual gifts), the concept of counterparts as fated mates (opposite that complete you), but what I loved most of all was the familiars, which ranged from cat, to even a mosquito, and their own unique personalities & gifts. I also appreciated that while the book flips between 2 perspectives, it mostly follows Ember’s POV, with Leland chapters well spaced throughout.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fav quote: “I never talked about this with you because I don’t think being sad makes you any less whole, but I have been there, Ember. I know how you feel right now, and I know what I needed was a friend to pull me out. How you grew up - it changed how you see yourself. I don’t say this because I think you need to be fixed, but because I see how incredible you are. And on the other side of this is you doing good things. Your heart making a difference in the world”
“Half Of A Second Child” is Aycee Lucy’s debut novel, which is independently published, and will be available to readers on the 16th of December via Amazon & KU, which fans of the Scholomance Series by Naomi Novik will love.
HOASC follow half-witch, second child & gifted liar, Ember Blackburn, rejected by her own mother, & witch kind, Ember is disinterested in the magic world, and is content living with her paranoid human father in quiet Pennsylvania. That is until her 18th birthday when she’s dragged, kicking & screaming, to Everden, the realm of the witches. There she meets, Leland Stray, gifted with truth-telling and tasked to protect the half-witch in a world against her. Soon after her arrival, witches begin to go missing with the terrifying events pointing to Ember being the culptit. To ensure their shared survival they must prove her innocence.
It is a well paced slow burn of slowly trickled gasoline which ignites to an ending that will have you awake til 5am as it is impossible to put down. The plot twists and turns with surprises that will have you gasping, in tears and laughter. I truly fell in love with the world which is somehow both dark, and whimsical, and an array of unique characters who I would go to war for.
I really enjoyed the magic system (8 schools of magic/individual gifts), the concept of counterparts as fated mates (opposite that complete you), but what I loved most of all was the familiars, which ranged from cat, to even a mosquito, and their own unique personalities & gifts. I also appreciated that while the book flips between 2 perspectives, it mostly follows Ember’s POV, with Leland chapters well spaced throughout.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fav quote: “I never talked about this with you because I don’t think being sad makes you any less whole, but I have been there, Ember. I know how you feel right now, and I know what I needed was a friend to pull me out. How you grew up - it changed how you see yourself. I don’t say this because I think you need to be fixed, but because I see how incredible you are. And on the other side of this is you doing good things. Your heart making a difference in the world”
December 17, 2025
3.5⭐️
Ember is the second half-witch daughter of a union between a human father and a powerful witch mother. Both her mother and her sister have left for Everden, the witch realm, long ago, leaving Ember in the human realm with her father. In a world where humans hate witches and eradicate from their realm and half-witches are considered blasphemous in Everden, Ember is a pariah in both worlds. But when she’s taken to Everden, mysterious disappearances start happening, and suspicion quickly falls to Ember. Leland, a mysterious and powerful witch with questionable loyalties, is assigned to protect her. As Ember begins to uncover the truth about her magic and her identity, she grows closer to Leland and may find far more than she ever expected.
This was a fascinating and immersive story with a unique, layered magic system and a complex witch world. The world-building is interesting and complex, and the writing is atmospheric, pulling you into Ember’s emotional journey. Ember is a messy, relatable protagonist who’s just trying to figure out who she is and come into her power and abilities. Leland is the perfect balance of protective and mysterious. The side characters were so fun, forming a quirky, found-family dynamic that added charm and warmth to the story.
The world-building and magic system did take a bit of time to fully understand in the beginning. I felt that was intentional by the author not wanting to give everything away early on. It made it a bit harder to get into in the beginning, but eventually made sense to the overall story. I also would have liked a bit more romantic tension between Ember and Leland. That said, the plot moves quickly, keeping you hooked as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, and I found myself completely binge-reading to the end.
Overall, this really set the pace for a compelling, witchy, twisty, supernatural series with an immersive world and an intriguing central mystery. I’m absolutely planning to continue the series to see where it goes next.
Thank you to Aycee Lucy and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Ember is the second half-witch daughter of a union between a human father and a powerful witch mother. Both her mother and her sister have left for Everden, the witch realm, long ago, leaving Ember in the human realm with her father. In a world where humans hate witches and eradicate from their realm and half-witches are considered blasphemous in Everden, Ember is a pariah in both worlds. But when she’s taken to Everden, mysterious disappearances start happening, and suspicion quickly falls to Ember. Leland, a mysterious and powerful witch with questionable loyalties, is assigned to protect her. As Ember begins to uncover the truth about her magic and her identity, she grows closer to Leland and may find far more than she ever expected.
This was a fascinating and immersive story with a unique, layered magic system and a complex witch world. The world-building is interesting and complex, and the writing is atmospheric, pulling you into Ember’s emotional journey. Ember is a messy, relatable protagonist who’s just trying to figure out who she is and come into her power and abilities. Leland is the perfect balance of protective and mysterious. The side characters were so fun, forming a quirky, found-family dynamic that added charm and warmth to the story.
The world-building and magic system did take a bit of time to fully understand in the beginning. I felt that was intentional by the author not wanting to give everything away early on. It made it a bit harder to get into in the beginning, but eventually made sense to the overall story. I also would have liked a bit more romantic tension between Ember and Leland. That said, the plot moves quickly, keeping you hooked as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, and I found myself completely binge-reading to the end.
Overall, this really set the pace for a compelling, witchy, twisty, supernatural series with an immersive world and an intriguing central mystery. I’m absolutely planning to continue the series to see where it goes next.
Thank you to Aycee Lucy and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 6, 2025
Half of a Second Child felt like stepping into the witchy, whimsical, slightly chaotic lovechild of Halloweentown and The Magicians, but with way more emotional shrapnel and a FMC who could lie you into an existential crisis.
Ember Blackburn is the most relatable “I’m the family disappointment but also weirdly powerful” FMC I’ve read in a while, and I adored her from page one.
This book gave me that delicious feeling of being dragged kicking and screaming into a world that wants nothing to do with you and then slowly, stubbornly earning your place anyway. Ember is prickly, self sabotaging, sarcastic, and so heartbreakingly aware of how unwanted she is that I just wanted to wrap her in a blanket and tell her she absolutely does belong… even if Everden is aggressively determined to disagree.
And then there’s Leland Stray. Mister “I can’t lie, I’m dangerous, and I look like trouble wrapped in great cheekbones.” I loved their dynamic.. slow burn, reluctant partnership, forced proximity, the whole “I have to protect you but also you are a walking disaster” energy. It simmered in the background in such a steady, satisfying way without being the main plot crutch.
The magic school vibes were fun, the political tension added stakes, and the mystery of the missing witches kept things moving. But the real heart of the story is Ember learning she isn’t the broken half witch Everden painted her to be, she’s something new, something powerful, something worth fighting for. And watching her realize that is honestly the best part of the entire book.
This felt like the start of something big, magical, emotional, and a little dangerous and I’m absolutely ready for the next one.
Ember Blackburn is the most relatable “I’m the family disappointment but also weirdly powerful” FMC I’ve read in a while, and I adored her from page one.
This book gave me that delicious feeling of being dragged kicking and screaming into a world that wants nothing to do with you and then slowly, stubbornly earning your place anyway. Ember is prickly, self sabotaging, sarcastic, and so heartbreakingly aware of how unwanted she is that I just wanted to wrap her in a blanket and tell her she absolutely does belong… even if Everden is aggressively determined to disagree.
And then there’s Leland Stray. Mister “I can’t lie, I’m dangerous, and I look like trouble wrapped in great cheekbones.” I loved their dynamic.. slow burn, reluctant partnership, forced proximity, the whole “I have to protect you but also you are a walking disaster” energy. It simmered in the background in such a steady, satisfying way without being the main plot crutch.
The magic school vibes were fun, the political tension added stakes, and the mystery of the missing witches kept things moving. But the real heart of the story is Ember learning she isn’t the broken half witch Everden painted her to be, she’s something new, something powerful, something worth fighting for. And watching her realize that is honestly the best part of the entire book.
This felt like the start of something big, magical, emotional, and a little dangerous and I’m absolutely ready for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review of Half Of A Second Child by Aycee Lucy
* * * * *
A modern supernatural read filled with magic, romance, friendship, manipulation and a prophecy that is about to change one young half-witch's life forever. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me this copy.
It was not easy being half witch and half human - both sides hating each other and her being of both worlds is a complication. Without a dependable mother, and looking after her poor father, no to mention juggling with normal human issues, Ember is just trying to get ready for whatever life throws her way. Months after she was meant to be 'collected', she accepted that she wasn't wanted by the witches...until a stranger comes to the door.
Given the 'choice' to be a dark witch just as a new prophecy rises, Ember is thrown into a world she has only touched the surface of, where she's not prepared to face who she really is.
Interesting read. Wished there was some more detail on certain characters as well as focus on others. Some of the plot took me for a spin with its random changes,and there were more items I wished it could have touched on. I am fascinated by the world and its view on different magics and balance, how Dark Witches aren't actually totally the bad guys. The view of family and friends is also an interesting topic in this book. The FMC and MMC were an interesting refreshing couple, but I would have liked a little more chemistry that would just suck you in - personal opinion for those wanting a little more extra. However, right in the first few chapters of the book where Leland is introduced, you are without a doubt wondering how these two end up.
All in all, good debut read and interested in what else this author can bring to the writing world. Love the little art work at the end.
* * * * *
A modern supernatural read filled with magic, romance, friendship, manipulation and a prophecy that is about to change one young half-witch's life forever. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me this copy.
It was not easy being half witch and half human - both sides hating each other and her being of both worlds is a complication. Without a dependable mother, and looking after her poor father, no to mention juggling with normal human issues, Ember is just trying to get ready for whatever life throws her way. Months after she was meant to be 'collected', she accepted that she wasn't wanted by the witches...until a stranger comes to the door.
Given the 'choice' to be a dark witch just as a new prophecy rises, Ember is thrown into a world she has only touched the surface of, where she's not prepared to face who she really is.
Interesting read. Wished there was some more detail on certain characters as well as focus on others. Some of the plot took me for a spin with its random changes,and there were more items I wished it could have touched on. I am fascinated by the world and its view on different magics and balance, how Dark Witches aren't actually totally the bad guys. The view of family and friends is also an interesting topic in this book. The FMC and MMC were an interesting refreshing couple, but I would have liked a little more chemistry that would just suck you in - personal opinion for those wanting a little more extra. However, right in the first few chapters of the book where Leland is introduced, you are without a doubt wondering how these two end up.
All in all, good debut read and interested in what else this author can bring to the writing world. Love the little art work at the end.
November 23, 2025
Half of a Second Child is a profoundly moving novel that explores the fragile, complex threads of human relationships with sensitivity and grace. Aycee Lucy has a remarkable gift for writing characters who feel achingly real—flawed, tender, and wholly relatable. Their struggles, heartbreaks, and small triumphs are rendered with such emotional honesty that the story resonates long after the final page.
The novel’s emotional depth is its greatest strength. Lucy delves into the delicate and sometimes painful moments that shape a person’s life: decisions made in haste, regrets that linger, and the quiet strength it takes to forgive both others and oneself. The characters’ journeys are intimate, often heartbreaking, yet also full of hope. There are moments that made me pause, reflect, and feel the weight of their choices as if they were my own.
Lucy’s prose is elegant and heartfelt, capturing both the subtle beauty and the quiet pain of everyday life. The story’s pacing allows the emotional beats to land with impact, giving readers time to fully inhabit the experiences of the characters. While at times the narrative moves slowly, this measured rhythm allows for a richer, more immersive reading experience, letting the emotional truths of the story shine through.
Above all, Half of a Second Child is a story about resilience, connection, and the fleeting, precious moments that define a life. It is tender, poignant, and thought-provoking—a novel that lingers in your mind and heart. This is a beautifully told, emotionally charged story deserving of a solid four stars.
The novel’s emotional depth is its greatest strength. Lucy delves into the delicate and sometimes painful moments that shape a person’s life: decisions made in haste, regrets that linger, and the quiet strength it takes to forgive both others and oneself. The characters’ journeys are intimate, often heartbreaking, yet also full of hope. There are moments that made me pause, reflect, and feel the weight of their choices as if they were my own.
Lucy’s prose is elegant and heartfelt, capturing both the subtle beauty and the quiet pain of everyday life. The story’s pacing allows the emotional beats to land with impact, giving readers time to fully inhabit the experiences of the characters. While at times the narrative moves slowly, this measured rhythm allows for a richer, more immersive reading experience, letting the emotional truths of the story shine through.
Above all, Half of a Second Child is a story about resilience, connection, and the fleeting, precious moments that define a life. It is tender, poignant, and thought-provoking—a novel that lingers in your mind and heart. This is a beautifully told, emotionally charged story deserving of a solid four stars.
November 18, 2025
Aycee Lucy's HALF OF A SECOND CHILD is an immersive and uniquely voiced fantasy debut, blending the charm of Halloweentown with the political complexity of The Magicians. The story follows Ember Blackburn, a reluctant half-witch whose quiet life is shattered when she is pulled into Everden, a magical realm defined by deep prejudice against her human heritage.
Ember's arrival immediately triggers danger: she is designated an "Eight," an extremely rare status confirming her immense power and instantly making her a high-value target. She is forced into a high-stakes alliance with the deadly Creator, Leeland Stray, who is bound to protect her. When innocent witches start disappearing, Ember—the unwanted outsider—becomes the prime suspect.
Lucy crafts a gripping narrative of survival and self-acceptance in a hostile world. While the novel features an excellent slow-burn romance, it shines strongest as an intricate fantasy. Critically, the book delivers a full plot resolution and a satisfying conclusion, completely avoiding a series cliffhanger. This is a powerful start to a new series, marked by compelling world-building and a strong narrative voice.
Ember's arrival immediately triggers danger: she is designated an "Eight," an extremely rare status confirming her immense power and instantly making her a high-value target. She is forced into a high-stakes alliance with the deadly Creator, Leeland Stray, who is bound to protect her. When innocent witches start disappearing, Ember—the unwanted outsider—becomes the prime suspect.
Lucy crafts a gripping narrative of survival and self-acceptance in a hostile world. While the novel features an excellent slow-burn romance, it shines strongest as an intricate fantasy. Critically, the book delivers a full plot resolution and a satisfying conclusion, completely avoiding a series cliffhanger. This is a powerful start to a new series, marked by compelling world-building and a strong narrative voice.
December 4, 2025
Thanks for the ARC provided.
"Lying was my gift.
It was something I was born with, like every other witch. We all had a unique, Goddess-given gift. Our gifts, inherent to us, couldn’t be canceled with a spell and didn’t require any effort or concentration to use."
Now, I have to say I'm not the best giving reviews but here I go. Half of a Second Child was a nice surprise for me. This being a debut was absolutely amazing! I wouldn't called it a romantasy 100% because I felt that the romance doesn't really play a BIG part but still, it was nice.
I'm such a sucker for a well-written witch book.
Aycee Lucy created a nice setting for this story, with a lovely prose and an intriguing magic world mixed with tricky politics; I'm not trying to throw anyone under the bus, but for once I was a bit happy of not having the same plot that romantasy and fantasy books in general are having recently (MY OPINION ONLY).
Ember was an amazing character, she's young but still strong and determined. And what to say about Leland *chef kiss* 🤌🏻.
I'm hoping we have a second book so we can explore more about this fantastic magic world.
4.5 ⭐️ / 5 ⭐️
"Lying was my gift.
It was something I was born with, like every other witch. We all had a unique, Goddess-given gift. Our gifts, inherent to us, couldn’t be canceled with a spell and didn’t require any effort or concentration to use."
Now, I have to say I'm not the best giving reviews but here I go. Half of a Second Child was a nice surprise for me. This being a debut was absolutely amazing! I wouldn't called it a romantasy 100% because I felt that the romance doesn't really play a BIG part but still, it was nice.
I'm such a sucker for a well-written witch book.
Aycee Lucy created a nice setting for this story, with a lovely prose and an intriguing magic world mixed with tricky politics; I'm not trying to throw anyone under the bus, but for once I was a bit happy of not having the same plot that romantasy and fantasy books in general are having recently (MY OPINION ONLY).
Ember was an amazing character, she's young but still strong and determined. And what to say about Leland *chef kiss* 🤌🏻.
I'm hoping we have a second book so we can explore more about this fantastic magic world.
4.5 ⭐️ / 5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Raw, intimate, and quietly powerful.
Half a Second Child follows Ember Blackburn through grief, identity, and the haunting echoes of the past. The writing is sharp and achingly honest, and there are moments that land like a punch to the chest. Ember’s inner world is so vividly drawn that it’s impossible not to feel tangled up in her hurt and her hope.
The reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me comes down to a few small things. The middle section drags in places, and I found myself wanting tighter pacing to keep the emotional tension high. Some of the supporting characters felt underdeveloped, almost like they were hovering at the edges of the story instead of stepping fully into it. And while the shifting memories fit the book’s style, the timeline occasionally blurred enough that I wished for a bit more grounding. The ending is meaningful, but it stops just shy of the catharsis I was craving.
Still, this is a deeply affecting read — heavy, beautifully written, and the kind of story that lingers long after the final page. Ember’s journey is worth every minute.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Half a Second Child follows Ember Blackburn through grief, identity, and the haunting echoes of the past. The writing is sharp and achingly honest, and there are moments that land like a punch to the chest. Ember’s inner world is so vividly drawn that it’s impossible not to feel tangled up in her hurt and her hope.
The reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me comes down to a few small things. The middle section drags in places, and I found myself wanting tighter pacing to keep the emotional tension high. Some of the supporting characters felt underdeveloped, almost like they were hovering at the edges of the story instead of stepping fully into it. And while the shifting memories fit the book’s style, the timeline occasionally blurred enough that I wished for a bit more grounding. The ending is meaningful, but it stops just shy of the catharsis I was craving.
Still, this is a deeply affecting read — heavy, beautifully written, and the kind of story that lingers long after the final page. Ember’s journey is worth every minute.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ember Blackburn, a half-witch stuck between two worlds that both want nothing to do with her, is such a relatable and lovable protagonist. She’s prickly, sarcastic, and self-sabotaging, but also stubbornly determined—and watching her figure out her own power and worth is honestly the best part of the book. Leland Stray is the perfect complement—mysterious, protective, and just the right amount of slow-burn tension.
The world-building is really immersive, with magic schools, bowing trees, counterparts, and plenty of political intrigue. I loved the friendships, found family vibes, and how the story explores light and dark magic in interesting ways.
The beginning has a few chapters that are a little info-heavy, some side characters could use a bit more depth, and I wouldn’t have minded a little extra romantic tension—but honestly, those are all minor critiques and none of it took away from how much I enjoyed the story.
"Half of a Second Child" is a magical, fun, and engaging debut! Thank you to NetGalley, Aycee Lucy, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The world-building is really immersive, with magic schools, bowing trees, counterparts, and plenty of political intrigue. I loved the friendships, found family vibes, and how the story explores light and dark magic in interesting ways.
The beginning has a few chapters that are a little info-heavy, some side characters could use a bit more depth, and I wouldn’t have minded a little extra romantic tension—but honestly, those are all minor critiques and none of it took away from how much I enjoyed the story.
"Half of a Second Child" is a magical, fun, and engaging debut! Thank you to NetGalley, Aycee Lucy, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 16, 2025
Oh this book was addictive!
Going into the book, it has a lot of tropes I enjoy and the premise sounded interesting. I was quickly hooked! The magic world/system was really interesting and detailed. The main mystery plot was full of political intrigue, and it’s happening while Ember is learning more about this new magical realm she now calls home. Add in the slow burn fated mates (but do they even actually like each other?) romance element, and there was always a reason to keep on reading! The slow burn was killing me, but in the best way!
The cast of side characters and familiars was fleshed out well too! Lots of endearing characters that I hope we get to learn more about! Also, the fact that one of the most annoying characters in the book has a mosquito as a familiar was so hilarious and delightful to me! I wish we could have gotten to learn more about the magical schools part of this world, but it sounds like that could be coming!
I’m so excited to see that this is the first in a series because I really truly need to know what comes next for Ember and Leland!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
Going into the book, it has a lot of tropes I enjoy and the premise sounded interesting. I was quickly hooked! The magic world/system was really interesting and detailed. The main mystery plot was full of political intrigue, and it’s happening while Ember is learning more about this new magical realm she now calls home. Add in the slow burn fated mates (but do they even actually like each other?) romance element, and there was always a reason to keep on reading! The slow burn was killing me, but in the best way!
The cast of side characters and familiars was fleshed out well too! Lots of endearing characters that I hope we get to learn more about! Also, the fact that one of the most annoying characters in the book has a mosquito as a familiar was so hilarious and delightful to me! I wish we could have gotten to learn more about the magical schools part of this world, but it sounds like that could be coming!
I’m so excited to see that this is the first in a series because I really truly need to know what comes next for Ember and Leland!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
January 4, 2026
A refreshing story of witchy competition and intrigue
This debut combined dark academia vibes, modern paranormal romance, and familiar tropes into a story that still feels distinct. The plot follows an eighteen year old Ember, a half witch and the FMC, drawn from the human world into a hidden magical world. This witch world is ruled by the Echelons, powerful leaders whose control and competition against each other drive much of the conflict. A central mystery runs throughout and keeps the tension steady.
This is compared to zodiac academy and I agree that those fans may enjoy this as well, though this is not as dark with the bullying and more tightly plotted (an improvement, imo). The pacing is controlled with fewer extremes and a clearer focus.
The romance is a slow burn with little payoff in this installment, though the book does include brief explicit MM and MF encounters.
The FMC is convincingly her age, which adds realism but may be less appealing for older readers. Her backstory is one of the book’s strongest elements. The MMC is solid but less developed, and I am hoping for more growth in future installments. The Echelons are intriguing but underdeveloped as villains and could benefit from more depth.
The magic system feels fresh, and the mix of paranormal elements with subtle nods to elements that reminded me of Alice in Wonderland works well. The story ends on a happy for now, to be continued note. Overall, this is a strong debut with good pacing and emotional grounding, and I am interested to see how the series develops
This debut combined dark academia vibes, modern paranormal romance, and familiar tropes into a story that still feels distinct. The plot follows an eighteen year old Ember, a half witch and the FMC, drawn from the human world into a hidden magical world. This witch world is ruled by the Echelons, powerful leaders whose control and competition against each other drive much of the conflict. A central mystery runs throughout and keeps the tension steady.
This is compared to zodiac academy and I agree that those fans may enjoy this as well, though this is not as dark with the bullying and more tightly plotted (an improvement, imo). The pacing is controlled with fewer extremes and a clearer focus.
The romance is a slow burn with little payoff in this installment, though the book does include brief explicit MM and MF encounters.
The FMC is convincingly her age, which adds realism but may be less appealing for older readers. Her backstory is one of the book’s strongest elements. The MMC is solid but less developed, and I am hoping for more growth in future installments. The Echelons are intriguing but underdeveloped as villains and could benefit from more depth.
The magic system feels fresh, and the mix of paranormal elements with subtle nods to elements that reminded me of Alice in Wonderland works well. The story ends on a happy for now, to be continued note. Overall, this is a strong debut with good pacing and emotional grounding, and I am interested to see how the series develops
December 6, 2025
I requested this on a whim from NetGalley and I am so glad that I did.
I struggled on whether to rate this 4 or 5. I wish GR had .5 star ratings, but alas....
I absolutely loved this story. At this risk of sounding snobbish, it's rare that I enjoy debuts as much as I enjoyed this one. I found myself constantly thinking about the next time I could pick up my kindle and continue reading. I really loved the FMC's sarcastic humor which made her really relatable. There were a few moments where I was like "Oh my Gods, Ember is irritating..." and then I realized that I would probably have made the same (sometimes stupid) decisions as her so really... am I the problem?
I think the worldbuilding could use a bit more oomph. There were several times where I caught myself thinking "...did we learn about this already?" But it really wasn't jarring enough to totally pull me out of the story.
If you're into magical academy, chosen-one, and found family tropes, you should really give this one a try.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the eARC.
I struggled on whether to rate this 4 or 5. I wish GR had .5 star ratings, but alas....
I absolutely loved this story. At this risk of sounding snobbish, it's rare that I enjoy debuts as much as I enjoyed this one. I found myself constantly thinking about the next time I could pick up my kindle and continue reading. I really loved the FMC's sarcastic humor which made her really relatable. There were a few moments where I was like "Oh my Gods, Ember is irritating..." and then I realized that I would probably have made the same (sometimes stupid) decisions as her so really... am I the problem?
I think the worldbuilding could use a bit more oomph. There were several times where I caught myself thinking "...did we learn about this already?" But it really wasn't jarring enough to totally pull me out of the story.
If you're into magical academy, chosen-one, and found family tropes, you should really give this one a try.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the eARC.
December 7, 2025
Half of a Second Child is one of those rare books that grabs hold of you emotionally and doesn’t let go. Aycee Lucy delivers a deeply moving, atmospheric story that blends heartache, mystery, and psychological tension with stunning, lyrical writing.
From the very first chapter, the narrative pulls you into a world of grief, memory, and the shadows that linger between truth and perception. The characters feel unbelievably real—flawed, human, and quietly powerful. Their emotions are so vividly drawn that you can’t help but feel every ounce of their fear, confusion, and hope.
The pacing is perfect: slow-burn in the best way, revealing layers of the story piece by piece until everything clicks together in a way that’s both heartbreaking and breathtaking. And the themes—identity, motherhood, trauma, and resilience—are handled with incredible care.
It’s gripping, unsettling, and utterly unforgettable. Half of a Second Child is the kind of book that lingers long after you close the final page.
From the very first chapter, the narrative pulls you into a world of grief, memory, and the shadows that linger between truth and perception. The characters feel unbelievably real—flawed, human, and quietly powerful. Their emotions are so vividly drawn that you can’t help but feel every ounce of their fear, confusion, and hope.
The pacing is perfect: slow-burn in the best way, revealing layers of the story piece by piece until everything clicks together in a way that’s both heartbreaking and breathtaking. And the themes—identity, motherhood, trauma, and resilience—are handled with incredible care.
It’s gripping, unsettling, and utterly unforgettable. Half of a Second Child is the kind of book that lingers long after you close the final page.
December 4, 2025
Our FMC is taken from her normal life to a school (and world) of witches (and, of course, by a mysterious man). But the witches start to go missing.
I really liked the idea of this book, but I found its execution and its characters to be quite monotone. I was never excited or on the edge of my seat, so to speak.
I also do wish that the lore of this world was explained a bit better. I felt in the dark quite a bit. And it’s not like the unexplained things were intuitive, I was just left confused. It felt like the author was expecting me to know what she knows. I didn’t write the book, so you’re gonna have to explain the lore to me in said book.
I think plenty of people will still like this book, I just wasn’t quite for me. As I say, I wanted some more oomph.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I really liked the idea of this book, but I found its execution and its characters to be quite monotone. I was never excited or on the edge of my seat, so to speak.
I also do wish that the lore of this world was explained a bit better. I felt in the dark quite a bit. And it’s not like the unexplained things were intuitive, I was just left confused. It felt like the author was expecting me to know what she knows. I didn’t write the book, so you’re gonna have to explain the lore to me in said book.
I think plenty of people will still like this book, I just wasn’t quite for me. As I say, I wanted some more oomph.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC REVIEW 📚✨️
"Half of a Second Child" by Aycee Lucy 🌙
This story follows Ember, a half-witch who has chosen to stay far away from the magical world... Until she’s taken, very much against her wishes, to Everden. Enter Leland, her assigned protector. Most characters possess a specific magical gift, and Ember’s is lying, while Leland’s is truth. That contrast alone makes their dynamic incredibly compelling.The magic system was especially interesting, and the tree ceremony immediately reminded me of "A Discovery of Witches". The story is full of twists and turns, keeping you guessing at every step. The slow-burn romance builds quietly in the background, adding tension without overpowering the plot, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see how everything would finally unravel.
Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing, for providing me with this ARC. 💚✨️
"Half of a Second Child" by Aycee Lucy 🌙
This story follows Ember, a half-witch who has chosen to stay far away from the magical world... Until she’s taken, very much against her wishes, to Everden. Enter Leland, her assigned protector. Most characters possess a specific magical gift, and Ember’s is lying, while Leland’s is truth. That contrast alone makes their dynamic incredibly compelling.The magic system was especially interesting, and the tree ceremony immediately reminded me of "A Discovery of Witches". The story is full of twists and turns, keeping you guessing at every step. The slow-burn romance builds quietly in the background, adding tension without overpowering the plot, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see how everything would finally unravel.
Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing, for providing me with this ARC. 💚✨️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
December 30, 2025Ah, unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. DNF @ 20%
Though the premise - a half-witch abandoned in the human world by her mother is dragged back into the magical realm and life-or-death hijinks ensue - sounded promising, the writing just fell short for me. At times it felt like a first draft, with the author using brackets to half list things that we’re apparently meant to instinctively just know, ending with “etc etc”. Other times it was just confusing, with characters saying things or reacting in ways that were seemingly out of the blue or made no sense. Things were either overly explained or not explained at all.
I’m interested in where the plot is going but ultimately I couldn’t keep reading as the writing style was not my cup of tea at all.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Though the premise - a half-witch abandoned in the human world by her mother is dragged back into the magical realm and life-or-death hijinks ensue - sounded promising, the writing just fell short for me. At times it felt like a first draft, with the author using brackets to half list things that we’re apparently meant to instinctively just know, ending with “etc etc”. Other times it was just confusing, with characters saying things or reacting in ways that were seemingly out of the blue or made no sense. Things were either overly explained or not explained at all.
I’m interested in where the plot is going but ultimately I couldn’t keep reading as the writing style was not my cup of tea at all.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 24, 2026
An abandoned child who is a half-witch thrown into a magical academy where she is disliked for her "half-ness". Well, sounds promising. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to to, as much as I tried to. I am a sucker for a good dark academia book, however, this one just fell flat. I was not a big fan of the FMC, although I can appreciate her in some ways. And, to be completely transparent I felt that Leland's feelings for the FMC were lost in the fact that he was so needy and the "I'll break your heart before you break mine" kind of way that his many previous relationships overshadowed his with the FMC. All the previous relationships seemed to detract from the "realness" of his feelings in this one and therefore it was just hard to take. All in all the read was not terrible, just felt flat and one dimensional.
November 23, 2025
For this being Aycee Lucy’s debut novel, I am IMPRESSED!! The world building was immaculate, and I was immersed from the first chapter. I think the magic system is very unique with each witch having a gift that they are not supposed to share with others. I also loved Lucy’s version of “fated mates” - counterparts. The idea of two people fated to be together who have opposite gifts is so intriguing! My one comment is that I went into this expecting Halloweentown vibes (based on the book’s description), and I didn’t really feel it. That might just be me, but I still enjoyed the book a lot!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Aycee Lucy, for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Aycee Lucy, for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 20, 2025
I loved this book so much! From about half way though I started getting worried because it would be finishing soon and I knew I'd need to wait for the next one!! This book is so well written. The world building is thoughtful and detailed enough that you can picture it all and get fully engrossed in the story. I loved the main characters, and loved to hate the antagonists! The characters were interesting, mysterious and yet relatable. I loved that the bonds worked in a way I've never come across before (and I read a lot!). I can't wait to read the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
December 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this as a supernatural romance novel, it had that element that I wanted in a opening chapter of a series. I enjoyed the idea of this book from the tagline "Halloweentown meets The Magicians" and it uses that concept perfectly to tell the plot of the book. The characters were so well written and I was glad I got to read this. Aycee Lucy has a strong writing style and am excited to read more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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