Magic Rift

by C. C. S. Jones

Book two of The Last Mage series.

The guessing is over. Only one mage remains, and her name is Lusa. But as her truth spreads, so do darker whispers-villagers vanishing, unnatural weather, harvests failing. Every sign points back to magic. Inside Lusa, it wars. Outside, it tears the realm wide open.

While Lusa is drawn into shadowed hands eager to turn her powers to their purpose, Kaden-bound to her by fate but forced into the role of imperial ambassador-finds himself ensnared in the perilous politics of the elven courts, where every alliance hides a blade and every truth carries a price. Why she alone remains is the question that consumes her, the rift pulling her closer to the answer. And as the divide between light and dark deepens, one truth becomes terrifyingly the greatest danger may not be the enemy at the gates, but the power within.

455 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

C.C.S. Jones is an award-winning fantasy author who writes bold, emotionally charged stories about fierce women standing at the edge of transformation. Her breakout novel Magicbound launched The Last Mage series with a five-star seal from Readers’ Favorite, and her latest release, Daughter of Ash and Myth, kicks off The Mythic Saga—a YA fantasy steeped in mythology, monsters, and girl-powered grit.
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With a background in education and a passion for character-driven storytelling, she blends high-stakes plots with gritty emotion and vivid, cinematic storytelling to portray strong girls in all their complexity and truth.

When she’s not writing or workshopping with fellow writers at DFW Writers’ Workshop, she’s performing on stage, chasing storms with her son, or savoring quiet moments with her soulmate, their three incredible kids, and sweet baby grandson. A devoted coffee drinker, she’s forever inspired by the power of stories to fight, heal, and shine.

Reviews

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic Rift by C.C.S. Jones is a plot-driven fantasy that proves romance and intimacy doesn’t need page time to leave an emotional impact. This is book two in The Last Mage Series and I was hooked from the beginning. By Chapter 5, the tension between Lusa and Kaden is drawn out so carefully, every unspoken word heavy with sadness and longing. The emotional intimacy was breathtaking. Chapter 8 delivers one of the most powerful scenes I’ve read in a long time. You can feel Lusas rage, and it’s raw and palpable. And then the final scene absolutely broke me. I turned the page, expecting more only to realize it was the end. Beyond the emotional plot twists and turns, the worldbuilding is fascinating. The magic system is sentient—alive and aware—with pools of light and dark magic alongside elemental magic, all woven seamlessly into the plot. Magic Rift is a story about choices, loss, restraint, and the kind of love that hurts because it is filled with separation and longing. If you like your fantasy layered, your magic alive, and your emotions devastated, this one will stay with you. For readers who love Carissa Broadbent and The War of Lost Hearts trilogy, but want the romance without the spice, this would be a good one for you. I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a really great read that will grab you within moments and take you away to a new reality in which to explore. It moves along at a great pace, making for an easy and enjoyable read in which you can forget your everyday worries and escape for a time. The characters are so real that you feel as though you know them personally and you want to be there for them. This book will not disappoint and needs to be read. You will not be sorry.