Gravespell

Mages & Murder #1

by James Trevino, Elizabeth Sagan

WEDNESDAY ADDAMS meets ONE OF US IS LYING in this magic-filled thriller set at a modern school for wizards.

Alice Howe is an outcast at the elite Deepgrove Academy for Magic, which suits her just fine. But an unwelcome premonition means she’ll have to step out of the shadows. Because now she’s the only one at Deepgrove who knows two terrible things. In seven days her schoolmate Xena Wycomb, daughter of the American President of Magic, will be dead. And, if left unsolved, Xena’s murder will ignite a war.

Despite Alice’s warning, Xena meets her foreseen demise. But before she does, she points a finger at the prime suspects in her own murder, each of whom has a deadly secret to keep.

Christopher: The ex-boyfriend she cheated on and the heir to the biggest magical corporation in the world.
Delvy: The traitorous best friend who is embroiled in a scandal of her own.
Ben: Xena’s new boyfriend, a mage born without magic and the perfect scapegoat.
And of course, Alice herself.

Soon, the four of them are at the center of a huge media scandal, amid a very public murder investigation, which brings the modern wizarding world to the brink of war between those born with magic and those born without. And it all leads back to Xena.

Alice knows she can’t trust devilishly charming Christopher, picture-perfect Delvy, or morose Ben, but they all hold a piece of the puzzle. As suspicion falls on each of them in turn, Alice must find a way to uncover who killed Xena before the whole of magekind meets the same fate.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dark Academia, Mystery

Hardcover

Expected publication March 30, 2027

About the author

James Trevino is fascinated by magical societies full of dark secrets, morally gray characters, and impossible choices. He writes about people who stumble, fight, and sometimes fail, but always try to do better in worlds that are anything but simple. When he’s not writing, James can be found listening to creepypastas, binge-watching fantasy and sci-fi shows, or digging into history, all under the watchful eye of his cat familiar, Wanda.

GRAVESPELL, his debut novel releasing in spring 2027, will be published in more than a dozen countries.

You can find him on Instagram as @james_trevino and TikTok as @james.trevino or at trevinoandsagan.com

Reviews

[Sasha Alsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

SENSATIONAL! Elizabeth and James knocked it out of the park with this book. I wouldn’t be surprised (AT ALL) if this is the next big thing. This book isn’t just a work of art but one of partnership and absolute brilliance. Cannot wait for all to read it!!!!

[Ova Ceren]

Okay - where do we sign up to read this ?

[Tariam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently rewatching the Harry Potter series with my partner so I’m *very* excited to read this! Female main character, wizards, magic and a mystery to solve?? I’m sat.

ps: i’ve been following Elizabeth Sagan’s bookstagram for the last 7 years and she’s the one who recommended ‘The Invisible life of Addie LaRue’ and helped me come out of a major reading slump 3 years ago so I’ll read anything she comes out with

[Vintila Denisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I’LL BE UNBEARABLE WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THIS

[Damaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following you guys since 2017 on instagram! Can’t wait to read your books now!! 🥺🥰 so proud of you!!

[James Trevino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath the modern world, a hidden society of wizards stands on the brink of war. At its heart lies the wondrous Deepgrove Academy, buried deep underground. As corporations strip magic for profit and power, with disastrous consequences, a group of students is drawn into a saga of mystery, murder, and mayhem when they’re accused of kíllíng the daughter of the American President of Magic.

Doesn’t this sound just amazing? Well, I might be biased because I’m one of the authors, haha. But if you give my little heart’s story a chance, I really hope you’ll enjoy it. Thank you, and happy reading!

[Florin Sebastian · Rating 1 out of 5]

O mare pierdere de timp. O combinație de ficțiune proastă parcă scrisă de un Stephen King obosit fascinat de Harry Potter cu tentă de Percy Jackson, popularizată la greu de "autori" prin pseudo-reviewuri și marcată ca o mare inovație a genului, dar de fapt o logoree nici măcar pentru adolescenți, demnă de coșul de gunoi. Păcat! Domnilor "autori" găsiți o meserie și lăsați scrisul pentru cei care au talent;)

[Sanji_karya · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETA read for this. It's an addictive read and when I tell you nothing could have prepared me for that twist at the end... It has the warm magic feeling of Harry Potter, but darker and also surprisingly funny. It's part of a series and I can see where the sequel will go, but the book wraps up in a very satisfying way. I'd be surprised if this doesn't blow up.

[Princess Dil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic school.
Murder mystery.
Female main character.
Drama, nuanced relationships, politics
What does this book not have????

As someone who’s had some insight into the authors’ minds and the privilege of communicating via writing, I know this is going to be a masterpiece. Literally the only thing I’m looking forward to in 2027

[Elizabeth Sagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a spectacular book, not only because my best friend and I wrote it, but also because we've read it ALOUD at least 14 times, and still managed to be captivated, feel chills, and laugh at our own jokes =))

[Marian The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title and synopsis literally gives me goosebumps! I can't wait to read this book and I believe it will be something magnificent! 📖✨❤️ Let's gooo!

[mogan hexner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My excitement about this book is beyond words! I am curious about the plot and the fact it has magic in it makes me so much more intrigued!✨

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sounds sooo good. Really looking forward to reading it!

[Flavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It sounds amazing! I can't wait for the book to be published in Romania.🤩🤩

[Bhavik (Semi Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already know this is going to be super good 😏

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited for this! I have a soft spot for magical schools, and knowing how hard Elizabeth & James worked for this, 2027 can't come fast enough. <3

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One of us is lying" detective drama in a magical setup? I need this right now! Sounds so good. I'm beyond excited.

[Sonia Duță · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you're saying I'm getting both this and the Harry Potter TV series in 2027? What a year to be alive.

[Florina Flower · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MOST AWAITED BOOK EVER!!!!! SOOOO FREAKING EXCITED FOR THIS!!!! AND THE NAME OF THE BOOK *CHEFS KISS* 🖤🖤🖤🤩🤩🤩

[Andreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited for this ! Can't wait 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Irina]

Murder mystery and magic? A combination I am so excited for! Looking forward to the book release to get my hands on it!!

[Maeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

can’t wait to read!!!🥰🥰🥰

[Naia Pard]

modern wizardry?! I am so ready for it!!

[Sammie Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will come back when book is released but sounds AMAZING! All the tropes a girl loves

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait ♡ SO PROUD OF MY BABIES

[Mayte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait!! This is so amazing!! Congratulations 🎊 💞

[Ricky]

It’s been a while since I’ve looked forward to a new YA fantasy this much.

If and when my own are published, they’ll be in good company with this one too.