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The Magician
478 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 27, 2026
Another Korps book, another great story! This one had a bit of a different feel to the others, having a bit more grittiness to the narration (intended). The main character also has a different feel to the others, but she soon takes to the Korps and there is a lot of familiarity - including some returning characters.
Most of the action is compressed towards the start and end of the novel, with much of the middle given to character and relationship development.
If you liked the previous Korps novels, this is going to be another delight!
Most of the action is compressed towards the start and end of the novel, with much of the middle given to character and relationship development.
If you liked the previous Korps novels, this is going to be another delight!
June 6, 2026
Oh man. Where do I start?
The Magician is a Korpsigin story - set in the wonderful and terrible universe created by Karen/Kraken and populated by a collection of incredibly talented and passionate queer authors. I managed to get to The Magician after Induction by Syntax Takes (A great intro to the universe), and To Crack A Geode (Books 1 and 2!) by Runa Fjord. In retrospect - unless you are emotionally fried after Induction and need a break, I would read this next after Induction. The books both explore the themes of self-identity and self-actualisation, surrounding their own unique characters, and both books do it incredibly well.
To focus specifically on Mabel's incredible writing: The Magician is another one of those books that has seriously changed how I see myself, the world. The pacing of the book is incredible - just quick enough that you aren't left wanting more or feeling bored, just slow enough to give you ample opportunity for the gut-wrenching, soul-splitting sucker punch of every question that Mabel Greysmoke makes you ask yourself. There were multiple points throughout this book, where I would have to close the book at the end of one chapter, just to cry. Not necessarily because of the events within the book (although they did make me cry too!) but because of how often I would sit there and realise that, somehow, someway, Mabel Ramona the Magician herself, almost seemed like she was writing directly to me.
There was multiple times throughout the book, where I was having a particularly hard time reading a chapter. It was heartwrenching and emotionally charged way beyond what I expected, and it would be tinged with confusion. Why does this chapter mean so much to me? Why am I reacting so expressly? Only for me to get to the end of the chapter and ask myself the right question - and the answer was always, invariably, "Lilith, Mabel is YOU. You are upset because Mabel is doing what you do."
This book uncovered some hard truths about my own character, my own identity. It helped me introspect and realise where I fall short, and where I may be able to help others. It has helped me see which of my qualities hold me back, and which of them I can lean on to move forwards. Induction by Syntax Takes was a book that I came out the other side of as a different person - but The Magician by Mabel Ramona is a book that I came out the other side of as the same person, with a different path, and a whole lot of unseen, unknown baggage. I know now what I need to do next - for my own identity and my own actualisation, but I do not know if I have the courage or the strength to do it.
Thank you, Mabel, for this incredible writing. I know, just as well as anyone who would read this, that it came from the heart, and is a deeply personal story. I am greatful you chose to share it (much the same to everyone writing in the Korps universe!), and I am forever joyed to have had the opportunity to read it.
If you are someone struggling with your own identity, your own purpose, or your own value - please please please read this book. I promise it will make you ask the right questions - and often give you answers you did not expect.
The Magician is a Korpsigin story - set in the wonderful and terrible universe created by Karen/Kraken and populated by a collection of incredibly talented and passionate queer authors. I managed to get to The Magician after Induction by Syntax Takes (A great intro to the universe), and To Crack A Geode (Books 1 and 2!) by Runa Fjord. In retrospect - unless you are emotionally fried after Induction and need a break, I would read this next after Induction. The books both explore the themes of self-identity and self-actualisation, surrounding their own unique characters, and both books do it incredibly well.
To focus specifically on Mabel's incredible writing: The Magician is another one of those books that has seriously changed how I see myself, the world. The pacing of the book is incredible - just quick enough that you aren't left wanting more or feeling bored, just slow enough to give you ample opportunity for the gut-wrenching, soul-splitting sucker punch of every question that Mabel Greysmoke makes you ask yourself. There were multiple points throughout this book, where I would have to close the book at the end of one chapter, just to cry. Not necessarily because of the events within the book (although they did make me cry too!) but because of how often I would sit there and realise that, somehow, someway, Mabel Ramona the Magician herself, almost seemed like she was writing directly to me.
There was multiple times throughout the book, where I was having a particularly hard time reading a chapter. It was heartwrenching and emotionally charged way beyond what I expected, and it would be tinged with confusion. Why does this chapter mean so much to me? Why am I reacting so expressly? Only for me to get to the end of the chapter and ask myself the right question - and the answer was always, invariably, "Lilith, Mabel is YOU. You are upset because Mabel is doing what you do."
This book uncovered some hard truths about my own character, my own identity. It helped me introspect and realise where I fall short, and where I may be able to help others. It has helped me see which of my qualities hold me back, and which of them I can lean on to move forwards. Induction by Syntax Takes was a book that I came out the other side of as a different person - but The Magician by Mabel Ramona is a book that I came out the other side of as the same person, with a different path, and a whole lot of unseen, unknown baggage. I know now what I need to do next - for my own identity and my own actualisation, but I do not know if I have the courage or the strength to do it.
Thank you, Mabel, for this incredible writing. I know, just as well as anyone who would read this, that it came from the heart, and is a deeply personal story. I am greatful you chose to share it (much the same to everyone writing in the Korps universe!), and I am forever joyed to have had the opportunity to read it.
If you are someone struggling with your own identity, your own purpose, or your own value - please please please read this book. I promise it will make you ask the right questions - and often give you answers you did not expect.
May 30, 2026
I've laughed and cried through Induction and Realignment, and I certainly did laugh at parts of GSR, but holy MOLY... I was not expecting to cry as much as I did in this one.
Out of all the Korps books I've read so far, this one is the hardest. This story is dark. The events are upsetting. There are times when I'm frustrated with the protagonist. And yet... that's exactly what makes it worth reading, and why I love it as much as I do.
Once again, I feel SEEN. That destructive inner voice that feels so overwhelming sometimes, I hear that very same voice more often than I'd care to admit. But as dark as this story gets? Nihilistic it is NOT. Mabel Ramona has crafted an amazing tale of hitting rock bottom, changing, and true self-discovery through finding love, and learning how to accept that love.
It's a rocky journey, and your heart will hurt more often than not, when you read Greysmoke Rising: Book 1. AND, you will want more. You will also laugh, and feel relief at the right moments. You may even develop an interest in cigars--or at least, in my case, finally get the appeal or see them in a new light. Thank you, Mabel, for this amazing story that has inspired me to keep going, keep writing, keep working to make things better for people I care for.
Out of all the Korps books I've read so far, this one is the hardest. This story is dark. The events are upsetting. There are times when I'm frustrated with the protagonist. And yet... that's exactly what makes it worth reading, and why I love it as much as I do.
Once again, I feel SEEN. That destructive inner voice that feels so overwhelming sometimes, I hear that very same voice more often than I'd care to admit. But as dark as this story gets? Nihilistic it is NOT. Mabel Ramona has crafted an amazing tale of hitting rock bottom, changing, and true self-discovery through finding love, and learning how to accept that love.
It's a rocky journey, and your heart will hurt more often than not, when you read Greysmoke Rising: Book 1. AND, you will want more. You will also laugh, and feel relief at the right moments. You may even develop an interest in cigars--or at least, in my case, finally get the appeal or see them in a new light. Thank you, Mabel, for this amazing story that has inspired me to keep going, keep writing, keep working to make things better for people I care for.
February 23, 2026
Honestly, I don't know what to say other than this is one of my favorite books as well as a current (and relatively long lasting) interest. I highly suggest reading this if you get the chance, as it may just hook you on the amazing setting that is the Korps universe as it did for me.
February 17, 2026
Absolutely loved it. Sad to say the internal voices were very recognizant of what I went through coming to my own transgender journey, but I powered through them to become myself and so can Mabel!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews