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The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow
Not yet published
Expected 19 Nov 26Perfect for readers of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a sweeping enemies-to-lovers debut epic for romantasy-curious fantasy readers, fantasy-curious romantasy readers, and all lovers of slowburn romance.
Scholar. Healer. Harlot.
In her house, the villainy is her.
Magdalena Overmorrow has been called a scholar, a healer, a harlot. She carves out some measure of freedom for the women of Astoleyn, risking capture and death by caring for them and performing forbidden abortions. When she’s betrayed by a close confidante, she faces banishment to the realm’s desolate northernmost city as an accused witch. There, she must await her trial and possible doom under the watchful aegis of the Lord Proctor of Cair Gramora, a man so pious and humorless it is rumored that he has never once laughed in his life.
When she arrives, though, Magda is surprised to find that the Lord Proctor isn’t the grizzled old priest she expected but a man barely older than she is. As cold and mysterious and beautiful as the mountains at the cair’s northern border, he holds her life in his hands. One word from him could send her to the stake or worse, but she can’t help her fascination with a man and fellow scholar who is more than he appears to be, and the dangerous secrets he is clearly keeping. As her trial draws closer and the intrigue of the isolated cair threatens them both, she and the Lord Proctor must form an uneasy alliance that could either save her life or lead her to martyrdom and ruin.
Scholar. Healer. Harlot.
In her house, the villainy is her.
Magdalena Overmorrow has been called a scholar, a healer, a harlot. She carves out some measure of freedom for the women of Astoleyn, risking capture and death by caring for them and performing forbidden abortions. When she’s betrayed by a close confidante, she faces banishment to the realm’s desolate northernmost city as an accused witch. There, she must await her trial and possible doom under the watchful aegis of the Lord Proctor of Cair Gramora, a man so pious and humorless it is rumored that he has never once laughed in his life.
When she arrives, though, Magda is surprised to find that the Lord Proctor isn’t the grizzled old priest she expected but a man barely older than she is. As cold and mysterious and beautiful as the mountains at the cair’s northern border, he holds her life in his hands. One word from him could send her to the stake or worse, but she can’t help her fascination with a man and fellow scholar who is more than he appears to be, and the dangerous secrets he is clearly keeping. As her trial draws closer and the intrigue of the isolated cair threatens them both, she and the Lord Proctor must form an uneasy alliance that could either save her life or lead her to martyrdom and ruin.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
May 30, 2026
Oh holy heck, this was extraordinary and unexpected. It’s fresh, from the fantasy perspective - a world and magic and pantheon that aren’t quite like any of the ones I’ve seen before - and it’s topical af, but it doesn’t feel like a polemic, or like it’s driven by (as the printz criteria put it) MESSAGE. It’s heartbreaking and sometimes humorous, people’s by really magnificent characters who also seem real. If I had a 10 star option I would give it.
Also the romantasy tag is like, 100% not the point. Marketing copy almost led me to skip over this one and I am so so glad I let the Novik comp in the copy sway me instead.
Also the romantasy tag is like, 100% not the point. Marketing copy almost led me to skip over this one and I am so so glad I let the Novik comp in the copy sway me instead.
August 13, 2026
“… of purging one’s house of any villainy that has plagued it during the hot, slack summer. But this year, more than any other, there is nothing to be done for Magdalena Overmorrow. In her house, the villainy is her.”
Imagine that being the first paragraph of her book. Of If I ever managed to be this witty in my entire life about anything, I would be insufferable. Some books take a minute to pull you in. Others, only one second. Which was the case, for me, with The trial of Magdalena Overmorrow.
This was a very character driven story, where the FMC was 33 (always a bonus) and acted like it. She is awaiting trial for her “black magic” aka performing a medical abortion. The parallels with the real world were absolutely not lost on me and the commentary based on this alone are in front of your face. There is men out there that would willingly burn a woman at the stake given the option, and that says a lot about the world we live in and the unprecedented regression we’re experiencing.
Magda is a witty, intelligent and very straightforward woman and being in her head has been nothing but a pleasure. I really enjoyed the deep dive into her head. She’s an independent woman in a world where reputation is above everything, one’s purity and who she’s been seen with valuing more than her voice, or at least she was. What was impressive to me is how she stood by her beliefs even when threatened with the worst possible outcomes, constantly and without flinching. Magda is the definition of being a good person because she is one in a world filled of forced superficial morality.
“Ah, yes, the two great inevitabilities: death and Domina Overmorrow.” The MMC was so unexpected. I don’t think I’ve ever read one such as himself before, from the role he’s supposed to fill to the way he acts and upholds his values, that while coinciding with the FMCs, can really end up looking differently. Their banter reminded me so much of the irresistible urge to fall for your enemy because it held the same humorous undertone, yet very straightforward and direct.
I could keep yapping but honestly what I must say is that this book has been one of the strongest debuts I have read. The writing quality and the prose were impeccable, and I will be reading everything written by Caitriona Moran. I am truly impressed.
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc, this one ended up being so special!
So once again I sat with this for two days and after looking through my notes I’ve come back with an edit 😂
“Isn’t it strange, she thinks, that the healing arts only became black magic when they were applied to women’s bodies?”
“One accursed day, after a well-deserved beating, I decided I would go out and find another man to lie with, in order to cause my husband the deepest possible pain. What could he do, beat me even harder? Beat me to death? This was, of course, unspeakably evil; a wife’s duty is to submit to her husband, to bear what he asks her to bear, and to not complain, no matter what she suffers.”
I just want to say, considering the world discourse around women’s rights and their right to body autonomy, this book hit such a spot for me. The way it approached the topic, from a conservative world, where female healthcare is trialed for black magic and sentenced to burning at the stake, through testimonies written in forms of letters or just present examples, I am completely floored. This story will stay with me forever and even though it’s not finished and I’m very happy we will be receiving more, I hope for a balm to heal some of my heart.
Imagine that being the first paragraph of her book. Of If I ever managed to be this witty in my entire life about anything, I would be insufferable. Some books take a minute to pull you in. Others, only one second. Which was the case, for me, with The trial of Magdalena Overmorrow.
This was a very character driven story, where the FMC was 33 (always a bonus) and acted like it. She is awaiting trial for her “black magic” aka performing a medical abortion. The parallels with the real world were absolutely not lost on me and the commentary based on this alone are in front of your face. There is men out there that would willingly burn a woman at the stake given the option, and that says a lot about the world we live in and the unprecedented regression we’re experiencing.
Magda is a witty, intelligent and very straightforward woman and being in her head has been nothing but a pleasure. I really enjoyed the deep dive into her head. She’s an independent woman in a world where reputation is above everything, one’s purity and who she’s been seen with valuing more than her voice, or at least she was. What was impressive to me is how she stood by her beliefs even when threatened with the worst possible outcomes, constantly and without flinching. Magda is the definition of being a good person because she is one in a world filled of forced superficial morality.
“Ah, yes, the two great inevitabilities: death and Domina Overmorrow.” The MMC was so unexpected. I don’t think I’ve ever read one such as himself before, from the role he’s supposed to fill to the way he acts and upholds his values, that while coinciding with the FMCs, can really end up looking differently. Their banter reminded me so much of the irresistible urge to fall for your enemy because it held the same humorous undertone, yet very straightforward and direct.
I could keep yapping but honestly what I must say is that this book has been one of the strongest debuts I have read. The writing quality and the prose were impeccable, and I will be reading everything written by Caitriona Moran. I am truly impressed.
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc, this one ended up being so special!
So once again I sat with this for two days and after looking through my notes I’ve come back with an edit 😂
“Isn’t it strange, she thinks, that the healing arts only became black magic when they were applied to women’s bodies?”
“One accursed day, after a well-deserved beating, I decided I would go out and find another man to lie with, in order to cause my husband the deepest possible pain. What could he do, beat me even harder? Beat me to death? This was, of course, unspeakably evil; a wife’s duty is to submit to her husband, to bear what he asks her to bear, and to not complain, no matter what she suffers.”
I just want to say, considering the world discourse around women’s rights and their right to body autonomy, this book hit such a spot for me. The way it approached the topic, from a conservative world, where female healthcare is trialed for black magic and sentenced to burning at the stake, through testimonies written in forms of letters or just present examples, I am completely floored. This story will stay with me forever and even though it’s not finished and I’m very happy we will be receiving more, I hope for a balm to heal some of my heart.
August 21, 2026
Wow, this was really good. It felt fresh and different from so much of the fantasy and romantasy out there. Even though the book is objectively very sad and – for the most part – heartbreaking, it still leaves you with a sense of hope. And the romantic banter is absolutely top-notch.
The story follows Magda Overmorrow, a scholar accused of heresy for practicing abortions. She’s sent north to await her trial under the watchful eye of Lord Proctor Morgan Mallander – a high priest, who’s known for being extremely pious and serious. Of course, the more Magda gets to know him, the more she realizes he’s quite different from the man she imagined.
This is very much a character-driven book rather than a fast-paced, action-packed adventure, but Magda carries the whole thing. She’s clever, witty, funny, and deeply sensitive, though she doesn’t let many people see the depths of what she truly feels. At the same time, Magda is a woman in her 30s, and that sense of maturity really comes through in her character. Genuinely one of the best-written protagonists I’ve come across recently. I also sympathized with her immensely (though I might be a little biased since we share the same name!)
What happens to Magda and what she experiences in the north is objectively tragic, and the book doesn’t shy away from exploring topics such as female agency, unequal standards, misogyny and discrimination. Despite taking place in a fictional world, the underlying mechanisms sadly feel familiar. However, they’re woven naturally into the story rather than being spelled out through heavy handed moralizing.
But apart from the more serious themes, the book also offers plenty of lighter, funny, and heartwarming moments, along with a romantic arc. And damn. Magda and Morgan are exactly the kind of dynamic I love – very slow-burn, very forbidden, pretty tragic (also I’m weak for doomed clergymen who yearn, so that might have something to do with it). The relationship in this book has this kind of tension that feels emotionally affecting even when very little is actually happening between the characters physically. While Morgan is definitely serious, he really doesn’t come across as your standard grumpy shadow daddy. Needless to say, Magda is also pretty far from your typical romantasy heroine.
The worldbuilding is probably the weakest part of the book, as it felt somewhat vague at times. That said, it was easy enough to follow, so I never felt particularly lost. I just wish there had been a map to help visualize everything. Since I only read an early copy, I have no idea whether the final edition will include one.
All in all, this is a genuinely good book that felt refreshingly different from the flood of romantasy we get every day. I’d definitely recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Magda Overmorrow, a scholar accused of heresy for practicing abortions. She’s sent north to await her trial under the watchful eye of Lord Proctor Morgan Mallander – a high priest, who’s known for being extremely pious and serious. Of course, the more Magda gets to know him, the more she realizes he’s quite different from the man she imagined.
This is very much a character-driven book rather than a fast-paced, action-packed adventure, but Magda carries the whole thing. She’s clever, witty, funny, and deeply sensitive, though she doesn’t let many people see the depths of what she truly feels. At the same time, Magda is a woman in her 30s, and that sense of maturity really comes through in her character. Genuinely one of the best-written protagonists I’ve come across recently. I also sympathized with her immensely (though I might be a little biased since we share the same name!)
What happens to Magda and what she experiences in the north is objectively tragic, and the book doesn’t shy away from exploring topics such as female agency, unequal standards, misogyny and discrimination. Despite taking place in a fictional world, the underlying mechanisms sadly feel familiar. However, they’re woven naturally into the story rather than being spelled out through heavy handed moralizing.
But apart from the more serious themes, the book also offers plenty of lighter, funny, and heartwarming moments, along with a romantic arc. And damn. Magda and Morgan are exactly the kind of dynamic I love – very slow-burn, very forbidden, pretty tragic (also I’m weak for doomed clergymen who yearn, so that might have something to do with it). The relationship in this book has this kind of tension that feels emotionally affecting even when very little is actually happening between the characters physically. While Morgan is definitely serious, he really doesn’t come across as your standard grumpy shadow daddy. Needless to say, Magda is also pretty far from your typical romantasy heroine.
The worldbuilding is probably the weakest part of the book, as it felt somewhat vague at times. That said, it was easy enough to follow, so I never felt particularly lost. I just wish there had been a map to help visualize everything. Since I only read an early copy, I have no idea whether the final edition will include one.
All in all, this is a genuinely good book that felt refreshingly different from the flood of romantasy we get every day. I’d definitely recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2026
I’m rather perplexed.
When I read the title and the synopsis, I was expecting a story about a trial. I was also expecting a psychological exploration of the female main character, Magdalena Overmorrow, as well as her motives, what drove her to do what she’s being trialed for as she faces her fate. But… this story wasn’t that at all. And I’m confused.
What disappointed me the most was the absence of the trial. It was expeditiously brushed off. It was dealt with way too quickly at the end, especially for a story with such a title. It was almost ridiculous. I was waiting for this because I was promised one with the title and I thought it was so unique in a romantasy novel, to have a story centered around a trial… I did not get that. I guess I had expectations that were too precise and too high…
It was a slow-paced and underdeveloped at times fantasy story with an insta-love and weak romance, which created a weird dynamic within the story. I definitely did not feel the chemistry between the two characters. I also did not like the dreamed sex scenes, they made me cringe. Magdalena was so obedient and submissive during these scenes, and I really did not like that. The male character was even less developed than Magdalena (and this is rather ridiculous but I did not like his name and every time I read it I winced) so I don’t have much to say about him. I think his priest status could have been more explored, maybe. There were some ponctual time jumps that did more harm to the narrative than good; they broke the story’s pace but added nothing to the characters, they did not evolve. Even though time passed, they were static in a way.
I did like the writing, though. And the use of present tense was surprising, but not unpleasant. I would still recommend this romantasy, but maybe keep in mind that the trial promised in the title isn’t the focal point of the story.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
When I read the title and the synopsis, I was expecting a story about a trial. I was also expecting a psychological exploration of the female main character, Magdalena Overmorrow, as well as her motives, what drove her to do what she’s being trialed for as she faces her fate. But… this story wasn’t that at all. And I’m confused.
What disappointed me the most was the absence of the trial. It was expeditiously brushed off. It was dealt with way too quickly at the end, especially for a story with such a title. It was almost ridiculous. I was waiting for this because I was promised one with the title and I thought it was so unique in a romantasy novel, to have a story centered around a trial… I did not get that. I guess I had expectations that were too precise and too high…
It was a slow-paced and underdeveloped at times fantasy story with an insta-love and weak romance, which created a weird dynamic within the story. I definitely did not feel the chemistry between the two characters. I also did not like the dreamed sex scenes, they made me cringe. Magdalena was so obedient and submissive during these scenes, and I really did not like that. The male character was even less developed than Magdalena (and this is rather ridiculous but I did not like his name and every time I read it I winced) so I don’t have much to say about him. I think his priest status could have been more explored, maybe. There were some ponctual time jumps that did more harm to the narrative than good; they broke the story’s pace but added nothing to the characters, they did not evolve. Even though time passed, they were static in a way.
I did like the writing, though. And the use of present tense was surprising, but not unpleasant. I would still recommend this romantasy, but maybe keep in mind that the trial promised in the title isn’t the focal point of the story.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
September 20, 2026
firmly welcoming this book into its place within the Hot Priest Media canon.
thank you to NetGalley for the arc!!
beautiful, witty and devastating; the kind of book that reminds you how fantasy novels can provide a mirror to both the good and evil in our own world.
Magdalena Overmorrow is a scholar and a healer, and the beginning of the story finds her preparing to stand trial for the crimes of black magic and heresy. while she awaits her trial, she is given over to the care of the Lord Proctor, the high priest of the land and a man she is prepared to hate.
let me first say that I ADORED Magda as a character. she is hilarious and irreverent yet so deeply caring and committed to helping others. the way she continually meets prejudice and persecution with both humour and dignity was amazing and I was rooting for her the whole time.
Catriona Moran is a master of tone, managing to balance dark themes and incisive social commentary with a witty, clever narrative voice and a curious coziness that should feel out of place but doesn’t at all.
the social commentary itself is timely (mild spoilers): Magda’s ‘crime’ is that of providing illegal abortions to women in need, in a land where such action is punishable by execution. but as the story unfolds, you discover she is on trial also just for the fact of her very existence: for being a learned woman, for not being chaste, for not fitting the mold of what her society deems perfect womanhood.
the romance is cute, touching and filled with yearning. The Lord Proctor is nothing like Magda expects him to be: instead of a pious, unsympathetic jailer, she finds a cool, reserved, yet deeply kind and caring man trying to do as much good as he can in an unjust society - and most surprising to Magda, he is sympathetic to her plight and does not believe she should be punished for her actions. the forbidden element to their romance (he is a priest and her warden; she is a charged criminal) adds a wonderful sprinkle of restrained desire and yearning to a profound romantic plot that develops from a place of kinship, mutual understanding and friendship.
that being said, the ending was mildly devastating and I was pleased to see that this is a planned duology and not a standalone because PLEASE YOU HAVE TO FIX THIS MY HEART CAN’T TAKE IT!!
I think what touched me most was the knowledge of how many women in real history like Magda there have been. this story felt like an ode to those women and to the people they helped. and to the hope of a better future for such women even now.
thank you to NetGalley for the arc!!
beautiful, witty and devastating; the kind of book that reminds you how fantasy novels can provide a mirror to both the good and evil in our own world.
Magdalena Overmorrow is a scholar and a healer, and the beginning of the story finds her preparing to stand trial for the crimes of black magic and heresy. while she awaits her trial, she is given over to the care of the Lord Proctor, the high priest of the land and a man she is prepared to hate.
let me first say that I ADORED Magda as a character. she is hilarious and irreverent yet so deeply caring and committed to helping others. the way she continually meets prejudice and persecution with both humour and dignity was amazing and I was rooting for her the whole time.
Catriona Moran is a master of tone, managing to balance dark themes and incisive social commentary with a witty, clever narrative voice and a curious coziness that should feel out of place but doesn’t at all.
the social commentary itself is timely (mild spoilers): Magda’s ‘crime’ is that of providing illegal abortions to women in need, in a land where such action is punishable by execution. but as the story unfolds, you discover she is on trial also just for the fact of her very existence: for being a learned woman, for not being chaste, for not fitting the mold of what her society deems perfect womanhood.
the romance is cute, touching and filled with yearning. The Lord Proctor is nothing like Magda expects him to be: instead of a pious, unsympathetic jailer, she finds a cool, reserved, yet deeply kind and caring man trying to do as much good as he can in an unjust society - and most surprising to Magda, he is sympathetic to her plight and does not believe she should be punished for her actions. the forbidden element to their romance (he is a priest and her warden; she is a charged criminal) adds a wonderful sprinkle of restrained desire and yearning to a profound romantic plot that develops from a place of kinship, mutual understanding and friendship.
that being said, the ending was mildly devastating and I was pleased to see that this is a planned duology and not a standalone because PLEASE YOU HAVE TO FIX THIS MY HEART CAN’T TAKE IT!!
I think what touched me most was the knowledge of how many women in real history like Magda there have been. this story felt like an ode to those women and to the people they helped. and to the hope of a better future for such women even now.
September 2, 2026
Caitriona, HarperVoyager, NetGalley, thank you so much for the BLESSING of this ARC. I am… I’m floored. This book didn’t just impact me, it blew me right out of the water and into the fucking sun.
THE WRITING - first and foremost, my immediate impression was this reads like Austen at her most satirical, and that impression was bolstered and reinforced as I went. The way Caitriona effortlessly weaves this story with beautiful prose and a sparkling yet cuttingly dry wit (that I could never even hope to aspire to in a million years but which is absolute god tier peak writing to me)… I’m on my KNEES.
This story deals with some serious issues that have plagued us for… actually, literally forever. Magda is a well-educated woman of questionable breeding who has inherited a position of good social standing and wealth. She uses this not to faff about with society (not half as much as she could, anyway, and power to her), but to help women in need of the kind of help that she can give, using her knowledge, her magic, and her entire heart.
Magda had me in several different headspaces. I felt, by turns, confident and witty; flippant and playful; consumed with the fiery rage of all women who have come before me in this world and any other; and lost, hopeless and alone. I not only adore her, I want to BE HER. Her character alone reinforced so many of my beliefs that it’s renewed my drive to… well, okay, since this is a review I’ll just say “to yell at stupid people - among other things.” (Books aren’t political? Please kindly, respectfully, fuck off.)
This is a fantasy-forward fantasy romance. There is TENSION, oh yes. There is yearning. But it’s not what you’re used to, and it’s not what you expect - and I LOVED THAT. Having said that, though, I AM SCREAMING AND IF I’M EVER IN A POSITION TO ASK ANYTHING OF CAITRIONA AT ALL IN PERSON it will be a mix of garbled PITH and “please fucking explain me 5000 things thank you very much I love you.”
I am obsessed with this book, and honestly, the many matrilineal lines of my ancestors would’ve fucking LOVED IT. I want to read everything Caitriona has ever written and will ever write. And I have to agree with this note in her acknowledgements.
See you in Hell, Roe v. Wade overturners of the Supreme Court. There’s a special place for you there. It’s cramped so you can’t stand or lie down, and there’s a slit in the door. We use it to poke you with sticks.
THE WRITING - first and foremost, my immediate impression was this reads like Austen at her most satirical, and that impression was bolstered and reinforced as I went. The way Caitriona effortlessly weaves this story with beautiful prose and a sparkling yet cuttingly dry wit (that I could never even hope to aspire to in a million years but which is absolute god tier peak writing to me)… I’m on my KNEES.
This story deals with some serious issues that have plagued us for… actually, literally forever. Magda is a well-educated woman of questionable breeding who has inherited a position of good social standing and wealth. She uses this not to faff about with society (not half as much as she could, anyway, and power to her), but to help women in need of the kind of help that she can give, using her knowledge, her magic, and her entire heart.
Magda had me in several different headspaces. I felt, by turns, confident and witty; flippant and playful; consumed with the fiery rage of all women who have come before me in this world and any other; and lost, hopeless and alone. I not only adore her, I want to BE HER. Her character alone reinforced so many of my beliefs that it’s renewed my drive to… well, okay, since this is a review I’ll just say “to yell at stupid people - among other things.” (Books aren’t political? Please kindly, respectfully, fuck off.)
This is a fantasy-forward fantasy romance. There is TENSION, oh yes. There is yearning. But it’s not what you’re used to, and it’s not what you expect - and I LOVED THAT. Having said that, though, I AM SCREAMING AND IF I’M EVER IN A POSITION TO ASK ANYTHING OF CAITRIONA AT ALL IN PERSON it will be a mix of garbled PITH and “please fucking explain me 5000 things thank you very much I love you.”
I am obsessed with this book, and honestly, the many matrilineal lines of my ancestors would’ve fucking LOVED IT. I want to read everything Caitriona has ever written and will ever write. And I have to agree with this note in her acknowledgements.
See you in Hell, Roe v. Wade overturners of the Supreme Court. There’s a special place for you there. It’s cramped so you can’t stand or lie down, and there’s a slit in the door. We use it to poke you with sticks.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Magdalena Overmorrow is many things, but for now she is a prisoner awaiting trial far to the North, where the people have very different customs than her own. She appears even more a witch and harlot than scholar and healer to them. She becomes a ward of the Lord Proctor, known by reputation so pious that she is stunned to meet a man not much older than she is. As Magda awaits her trial, she learns the language and customs of Cair Gramora. But ultimately, no matter how close she gets to some, neither their friendship nor her own magic can save her from the trial ahead.
This is a really wonderful debut novel. It's a romantic fantasy, with a tender slow burn arc. The book is written in third person present tense, which instead of feeling jarring sets a clever and lovely tone. Normally when a book is in a different tense, it takes a bit of getting used to, but it felt natural to follow Magda on her journey this way. The pacing is a little uneven as you might expect with a debut, but at the same time it feels intentional. (In fact everything about the novel feels intentional, which I love.) The worldbuilding is revealed as Magda learns more about the Cair and the surrounding town. It's also revealed through letters between Magda and her friend Jula, cousin to the crown prince and a lawyer. Letters between Jula and witnesses also reveal Magda's crimes: helping women with unwanted pregnancies.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a staunch, feminist fantasy with romantic overtones. Because the style is a little different between the pacing and the perspective, I would recommend a reader preview the prose first to set expectations. I loved this one, and will be thinking about it for a while. This is NOT a romance with an HEA, for those for whom that matters, but it has a lovely romantic journey. It also has my favorite page of acknowledgements: thanking the Moran's Buffalo sports teams for the ups and downs and emotional trials, and cursing the courts for overturning Roe.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for an eARC. The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is out 11/3/2026.
This is a really wonderful debut novel. It's a romantic fantasy, with a tender slow burn arc. The book is written in third person present tense, which instead of feeling jarring sets a clever and lovely tone. Normally when a book is in a different tense, it takes a bit of getting used to, but it felt natural to follow Magda on her journey this way. The pacing is a little uneven as you might expect with a debut, but at the same time it feels intentional. (In fact everything about the novel feels intentional, which I love.) The worldbuilding is revealed as Magda learns more about the Cair and the surrounding town. It's also revealed through letters between Magda and her friend Jula, cousin to the crown prince and a lawyer. Letters between Jula and witnesses also reveal Magda's crimes: helping women with unwanted pregnancies.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a staunch, feminist fantasy with romantic overtones. Because the style is a little different between the pacing and the perspective, I would recommend a reader preview the prose first to set expectations. I loved this one, and will be thinking about it for a while. This is NOT a romance with an HEA, for those for whom that matters, but it has a lovely romantic journey. It also has my favorite page of acknowledgements: thanking the Moran's Buffalo sports teams for the ups and downs and emotional trials, and cursing the courts for overturning Roe.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for an eARC. The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is out 11/3/2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow! I'm rating it 2.5 stars.
This is a book that I think I would have adored, had it not been for the way the romance plays out. But I suspect that the things that I dislike will work really well for some other readers.
Putting the romance aside for a moment, the book is beautifully written and engages with powerful themes: sexual and reproductive rights and health, religion, how we condemn or sanctify women, the importance of female friendship in oppressive societies, and more. Characters are distinct and well-written.
However, for a book that takes patriarchal violence against women as its main theme, I personally didn't enjoy how the romance really went all in on traditional gender roles. The man rescues, again and again. The woman suffers without trying to plot her escape or gather power to herself. The man harshly judges a woman for her presumed sexual activity (and the later justification that doesn't make it any better). And it's also the man who ultimately saves the day and , rather than anything Magdalena did.
Of course, there are many ways to show resistance! Just managing to survive from one day to the next, or keeping other people's identity a secret, could be a way of resisting. And we regularly see Magdalena protecting, rescuing and fighting for her friends and acquaintances, so it's not necessarily a bad thing that she doesn't seem to fight for her own survival. She's still a woman with agency rather than just a passive victim. But I just found the dynamic of the romance, with Magdalena constantly being protected, rescued, and berated and punished by the love interest, to be really off-putting. It prevented me from enjoying the book as a whole.
Plus, as the novel progresses, Magdalena's passion for female sexual health and women's rights also pales in comparison to her feelings for the love interest. When thinking of the execution that hangs over her head, Magdalena says that she could accept her death if she believed he loved her. I found it frustrating that she was thinking more about the romance and less about how the "crimes" she had committed had saved women's lives, and what would happen to those women if she died. At one point, Magdalena even chooses not to teach women how to brew medicine to save their lives after a botched abortion, even though they ask her to do so.
All the same, I'm sure that other readers will love this story. I think that while I can enjoy a romance, this was just a case of the wrong romance for the wrong story for my personal tastes.
This is a book that I think I would have adored, had it not been for the way the romance plays out. But I suspect that the things that I dislike will work really well for some other readers.
Putting the romance aside for a moment, the book is beautifully written and engages with powerful themes: sexual and reproductive rights and health, religion, how we condemn or sanctify women, the importance of female friendship in oppressive societies, and more. Characters are distinct and well-written.
However, for a book that takes patriarchal violence against women as its main theme, I personally didn't enjoy how the romance really went all in on traditional gender roles. The man rescues, again and again. The woman suffers without trying to plot her escape or gather power to herself. The man harshly judges a woman for her presumed sexual activity (and the later justification that doesn't make it any better). And it's also the man who ultimately saves the day and , rather than anything Magdalena did.
Of course, there are many ways to show resistance! Just managing to survive from one day to the next, or keeping other people's identity a secret, could be a way of resisting. And we regularly see Magdalena protecting, rescuing and fighting for her friends and acquaintances, so it's not necessarily a bad thing that she doesn't seem to fight for her own survival. She's still a woman with agency rather than just a passive victim. But I just found the dynamic of the romance, with Magdalena constantly being protected, rescued, and berated and punished by the love interest, to be really off-putting. It prevented me from enjoying the book as a whole.
Plus, as the novel progresses, Magdalena's passion for female sexual health and women's rights also pales in comparison to her feelings for the love interest. When thinking of the execution that hangs over her head, Magdalena says that she could accept her death if she believed he loved her. I found it frustrating that she was thinking more about the romance and less about how the "crimes" she had committed had saved women's lives, and what would happen to those women if she died. At one point, Magdalena even chooses not to teach women how to brew medicine to save their lives after a botched abortion, even though they ask her to do so.
All the same, I'm sure that other readers will love this story. I think that while I can enjoy a romance, this was just a case of the wrong romance for the wrong story for my personal tastes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ☆
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a thought provoking and beautifully told story and one that I was unable to put down.
It's a slower paced story and very much a character driven story where religion, injustice of women's rights and sacrifice, love and friendship plays a big part in the story of Magdalena a healer who has only helped other women and in this case with unwanted pregnancies is betrayed by one of her own and put on trial for practising black magic. Though what this story reveals is that the magic itself is not evil but that it is the way in which it is used none more so than the application to women's bodies that the church deems sinful. This is a world where magic is accepted but only provided it serves approved ends but when it is to aid women's health, it becomes a crime that is very much punishable by death.
There is a romance but this is very much a subplot to the overall story but it is also so hauntingly beautiful in the way it is told. Magda's relationship with Lord Proctor Morgan a priest close to her age who is thought of as cold and emotionless delivers one of the most beautiful romances. It is a masterclass in slow burn yearning built on lingering glances, slight touches and unspoken desires rather than declarations. It's a romance of epic pining and where the two are on opposing sides of a moral divide struggle against their own feelings for each other and for me this is what moved me the most it was so beautifully done and left a lasting impression on me.
The only thing that I found lacking is that I would have liked a little more world building as it's very subtle leaving me to try and piece together the setting without clear explanation.
The first of a duology that leaves a bittersweet ache behind and the anticipation for the next book to see where the story goes and especially what happens to these characters lives.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a thought provoking and beautifully told story and one that I was unable to put down.
It's a slower paced story and very much a character driven story where religion, injustice of women's rights and sacrifice, love and friendship plays a big part in the story of Magdalena a healer who has only helped other women and in this case with unwanted pregnancies is betrayed by one of her own and put on trial for practising black magic. Though what this story reveals is that the magic itself is not evil but that it is the way in which it is used none more so than the application to women's bodies that the church deems sinful. This is a world where magic is accepted but only provided it serves approved ends but when it is to aid women's health, it becomes a crime that is very much punishable by death.
There is a romance but this is very much a subplot to the overall story but it is also so hauntingly beautiful in the way it is told. Magda's relationship with Lord Proctor Morgan a priest close to her age who is thought of as cold and emotionless delivers one of the most beautiful romances. It is a masterclass in slow burn yearning built on lingering glances, slight touches and unspoken desires rather than declarations. It's a romance of epic pining and where the two are on opposing sides of a moral divide struggle against their own feelings for each other and for me this is what moved me the most it was so beautifully done and left a lasting impression on me.
The only thing that I found lacking is that I would have liked a little more world building as it's very subtle leaving me to try and piece together the setting without clear explanation.
The first of a duology that leaves a bittersweet ache behind and the anticipation for the next book to see where the story goes and especially what happens to these characters lives.
Want to Read
August 17, 2026ꔛ pre-read ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ
Just got accepted for the ARC. I can't wait to read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the e-ARC!
Just got accepted for the ARC. I can't wait to read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the e-ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“No one has taught her the proper prayers for a sinner who doesn’t want to be forgiven.”
For the crime of providing forbidden abortion services, Magdalena Overmorrow is banished to the desolate northern lands to await trial. Assigned as her jailer is the Lord Procter of Cair Gramora, Morgan Mallander, a man said to be entirely humorless. Despite the cold nature of the northern mountains and its Lord Procter, Magdalena is drawn into the lives of the others in the cair - will these alliances prove to be her salvation, or her downfall?
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is an incredibly fresh approach to an entirely heartbreaking story. At the core of a very character-driven plot is Magda; Magda is humorous, intelligent, and deeply kind. Part of the heartbreaking aspect of the plot is how unfair the world is - desperate women sought Magda for abortion services and providing them was a kindness, in the way that every act of healing Magda performs is a kindness. Though Magda is betrayed, with her freedom and possibly her life at stake, she never stops being a kind person at heart and seeking to help others. She has no regrets about the choices that led to her trial, nor does she seek to “change” herself to better her chances during the trial. She firmly expresses an inner belief in herself and her actions that was inspiring. This story, told in her voice, is incredibly compelling and it was a pleasure to live in her head.
The other aspect of the story that hooked me was the dialogue. Magda is incredibly funny, both in her inner thoughts, and when speaking to others, but the banter between her and the Lord Procter was impeccable. Due to the forbidden nature of their friendship, and later, romance, the relationship is slow burn and drenched with yearning. The tension was incredibly emotional, and though it was never heavy handed, Moran did a fantastic job of combining a soft romance with an increasing sense of doom.
Coupled with superb prose, pacing, and overall writing quality, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was refreshing, moving, and unputdownable. I would happily recommend it to anyone as one of my favorite reads of the year.
✨ 5 stars! ✨
Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For the crime of providing forbidden abortion services, Magdalena Overmorrow is banished to the desolate northern lands to await trial. Assigned as her jailer is the Lord Procter of Cair Gramora, Morgan Mallander, a man said to be entirely humorless. Despite the cold nature of the northern mountains and its Lord Procter, Magdalena is drawn into the lives of the others in the cair - will these alliances prove to be her salvation, or her downfall?
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is an incredibly fresh approach to an entirely heartbreaking story. At the core of a very character-driven plot is Magda; Magda is humorous, intelligent, and deeply kind. Part of the heartbreaking aspect of the plot is how unfair the world is - desperate women sought Magda for abortion services and providing them was a kindness, in the way that every act of healing Magda performs is a kindness. Though Magda is betrayed, with her freedom and possibly her life at stake, she never stops being a kind person at heart and seeking to help others. She has no regrets about the choices that led to her trial, nor does she seek to “change” herself to better her chances during the trial. She firmly expresses an inner belief in herself and her actions that was inspiring. This story, told in her voice, is incredibly compelling and it was a pleasure to live in her head.
The other aspect of the story that hooked me was the dialogue. Magda is incredibly funny, both in her inner thoughts, and when speaking to others, but the banter between her and the Lord Procter was impeccable. Due to the forbidden nature of their friendship, and later, romance, the relationship is slow burn and drenched with yearning. The tension was incredibly emotional, and though it was never heavy handed, Moran did a fantastic job of combining a soft romance with an increasing sense of doom.
Coupled with superb prose, pacing, and overall writing quality, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was refreshing, moving, and unputdownable. I would happily recommend it to anyone as one of my favorite reads of the year.
✨ 5 stars! ✨
Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh this very much worked for me. I loved Magdalena so much, I loved the magic system, how slow burn the romance was, the community and friends Magda made. I had some thoughts about the way it might end, but I definitely wasn't expecting That, and I am very excited to read the next book and see what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a good debut. If you’ve been looking for a romantasy featuring older MCs who feel like their ages (33 and 40 in this case), then look no further! Magda and Morgan might be your OTP. The romance was a gradual burn. While I thought the way the spice scenes played out was unique, I could see them being unsatisfactory for some readers. The strong themes surrounding women’s reproductive rights and body autonomy are woven seamlessly into the plot. The world, which has a medieval vibe, feels properly developed and lived in.
The magic system is subtle and vague, which helps it feel digestible and realistic. However, I would sometimes forget there was any magic, so when it would come back into the story it felt jarring to me. The character work was solid for the most part concerning Magda and Morgan, but I didn’t feel strongly connected to any of the side characters. The Doomsingers storyline held no interest for me and felt very underdeveloped. Also, in the last few chapters I didn’t buy Magda’s utter shock about someone the way I think I was supposed to. It was just very obvious to me what was actually happening, so the tension wasn’t there for me.
Thanks to Putnam for the eARC via NetGalley.
The magic system is subtle and vague, which helps it feel digestible and realistic. However, I would sometimes forget there was any magic, so when it would come back into the story it felt jarring to me. The character work was solid for the most part concerning Magda and Morgan, but I didn’t feel strongly connected to any of the side characters. The Doomsingers storyline held no interest for me and felt very underdeveloped. Also, in the last few chapters I didn’t buy Magda’s utter shock about someone the way I think I was supposed to. It was just very obvious to me what was actually happening, so the tension wasn’t there for me.
Thanks to Putnam for the eARC via NetGalley.
Want to Read
July 4, 2026⚖️🕯️ The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow 🕯️⚖️
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
🖤 What to Expect
• Epic Fantasy
• Enemies to Lovers
• Witch Trial
• Morally Gray MCs
• Forced Alliance
• Political Intrigue
_ _ __
📅 Pub Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
🖤 What to Expect
• Epic Fantasy
• Enemies to Lovers
• Witch Trial
• Morally Gray MCs
• Forced Alliance
• Political Intrigue
_ _ __
📅 Pub Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC!
I went into this book with high hopes but unfortunately this book missed the mark for me. What I expected was the story of a woman staunchly fighting for the reproductive rights of women. In reality, any discussion of abortion came as an afterthought to the development of a romance between Magda and Morgan.
I’ll start with what I liked:
- The friendship between Magda and her childhood friend Jula. Jula was extremely supportive of Magda and I appreciated seeing Magda’s platonic relationships.
- Some of the secondary characters like Cass and Tisza seemed to have fairly developed personalities, although I do wish we could have gotten more from others like Sanja and Klees.
Now for my dislikes:
- The magic system: This is poorly explained and I’m still not sure if I entirely understand it. It seems like everyone has the ability to at least cast simple spells but that not everyone is taught how to/maybe don’t even know that they can? This magic either is or is believed to be imbued into humans by the gods. There can also be “miracles” which are thought to be divine magical interventions of the gods. My qualm with this belief that magic is god-gifted is that wouldn’t this make all magical acts sacrosanct? So if Magda uses her god-given magic to perform abortions, how can that be considered a crime? There is a reference to Magda using “black magic”, but it is never explained what black magic is supposed to be.
- The prose: This was written in third person present tense which is not my preference. At times I also found myself having difficulty parsing what I was reading, though this seemed to get better as the book went along.
- The relationship development: I’m not even just referring to the romantic relationship here because I found nearly all of them to be lacking and a lot of this has to do with the authors choice to do a lot of telling rather than showing. For example, there is one scene about halfway through the book where Magda is missing Morgan since he is away. In this scene she says that they spoke every day and she often dined with him. However, from the readers POV I think we have seen maybe five interactions at this point? Either way, not enough for the reader to understand or care why Magda misses him. I don’t understand why we couldn’t have been present for these conversations to at least get a sense of why they liked each other. I mean I finished the book and I don’t think I can tell you any character traits that Morgan has. What does he like/dislike? Why does he like Magda? Similarly, why do Klees and Sanja like Magda? What do they talk about other than relevant plot points when they see each other?
- The plot: I feel that the plot was sacrificed for the sake of trying to bring Magda and Morgan together, but as I mentioned above, this was lacklustre. Magda is awaiting trial for committing illegal abortions, so you think that she would at least reflect on this a little, but not once in the book does she do this. There are also other concepts introduced such as the “doomsingers” but their goal is not explained. They seem like they are meant to be puritanical, but I genuinely have no idea what their end goal was, so there was no payoff for introducing them. There are also several time jumps that are hand waved away because again we don’t actually get to see anything that happens. There are a few scenes that I felt could have had an emotional impact but are skipped over and told to us later. I won’t spoil it, but something happens towards the end which is a huge deal and would be devastating to Magda and Morgan and we just jump ahead 3 months and Magda says her memory is “hazy” regarding this event. I should have been there damn it! Now why should I care about it when I didn’t even get to see it play out?
- Magda and Morgan’s relationship: I won’t rehash what I said above about the development of their relationship, but I do want to specify that I found their relationship distasteful. This man can quite literally send her back to prison with one word and they both acknowledge this power imbalance, but Magda never seems to take it seriously. They even role play as captor and captive where Magda says she’s “playing at being subjugated”. MAGDA YOU ARE QUITE LITERALLY SUBJUGATED!! THERE IS NO PLAYING WHEN THIS IS YOUR REALITY! Morgan also asks for consent and Magda praises him for this “kindness” multiple times. Wow our bare minimum king! I also never want my eyes to come across the words “molten hollow” ever again. Both of them are dumb as rocks when it comes to being secretive about their relationship. Like their relationship is supposed to be a bad thing since he is a priest and she is a heathen but does that stop them from being seen together in public places? Nope!
Overall, I’m not really sure who this book is for. I don’t think it’s for people interested in reading about reproductive rights in fantasy settings, but I also don’t think it’s for romantasy fans since they will likely be disappointed in the ending and lack of tension between the characters. I truly appreciate what the author wanted to do, and discussing reproductive rights and portraying it in media is so important. Unfortunately as a story it just didn’t work to make this impact.
I went into this book with high hopes but unfortunately this book missed the mark for me. What I expected was the story of a woman staunchly fighting for the reproductive rights of women. In reality, any discussion of abortion came as an afterthought to the development of a romance between Magda and Morgan.
I’ll start with what I liked:
- The friendship between Magda and her childhood friend Jula. Jula was extremely supportive of Magda and I appreciated seeing Magda’s platonic relationships.
- Some of the secondary characters like Cass and Tisza seemed to have fairly developed personalities, although I do wish we could have gotten more from others like Sanja and Klees.
Now for my dislikes:
- The magic system: This is poorly explained and I’m still not sure if I entirely understand it. It seems like everyone has the ability to at least cast simple spells but that not everyone is taught how to/maybe don’t even know that they can? This magic either is or is believed to be imbued into humans by the gods. There can also be “miracles” which are thought to be divine magical interventions of the gods. My qualm with this belief that magic is god-gifted is that wouldn’t this make all magical acts sacrosanct? So if Magda uses her god-given magic to perform abortions, how can that be considered a crime? There is a reference to Magda using “black magic”, but it is never explained what black magic is supposed to be.
- The prose: This was written in third person present tense which is not my preference. At times I also found myself having difficulty parsing what I was reading, though this seemed to get better as the book went along.
- The relationship development: I’m not even just referring to the romantic relationship here because I found nearly all of them to be lacking and a lot of this has to do with the authors choice to do a lot of telling rather than showing. For example, there is one scene about halfway through the book where Magda is missing Morgan since he is away. In this scene she says that they spoke every day and she often dined with him. However, from the readers POV I think we have seen maybe five interactions at this point? Either way, not enough for the reader to understand or care why Magda misses him. I don’t understand why we couldn’t have been present for these conversations to at least get a sense of why they liked each other. I mean I finished the book and I don’t think I can tell you any character traits that Morgan has. What does he like/dislike? Why does he like Magda? Similarly, why do Klees and Sanja like Magda? What do they talk about other than relevant plot points when they see each other?
- The plot: I feel that the plot was sacrificed for the sake of trying to bring Magda and Morgan together, but as I mentioned above, this was lacklustre. Magda is awaiting trial for committing illegal abortions, so you think that she would at least reflect on this a little, but not once in the book does she do this. There are also other concepts introduced such as the “doomsingers” but their goal is not explained. They seem like they are meant to be puritanical, but I genuinely have no idea what their end goal was, so there was no payoff for introducing them. There are also several time jumps that are hand waved away because again we don’t actually get to see anything that happens. There are a few scenes that I felt could have had an emotional impact but are skipped over and told to us later. I won’t spoil it, but something happens towards the end which is a huge deal and would be devastating to Magda and Morgan and we just jump ahead 3 months and Magda says her memory is “hazy” regarding this event. I should have been there damn it! Now why should I care about it when I didn’t even get to see it play out?
- Magda and Morgan’s relationship: I won’t rehash what I said above about the development of their relationship, but I do want to specify that I found their relationship distasteful. This man can quite literally send her back to prison with one word and they both acknowledge this power imbalance, but Magda never seems to take it seriously. They even role play as captor and captive where Magda says she’s “playing at being subjugated”. MAGDA YOU ARE QUITE LITERALLY SUBJUGATED!! THERE IS NO PLAYING WHEN THIS IS YOUR REALITY! Morgan also asks for consent and Magda praises him for this “kindness” multiple times. Wow our bare minimum king! I also never want my eyes to come across the words “molten hollow” ever again. Both of them are dumb as rocks when it comes to being secretive about their relationship. Like their relationship is supposed to be a bad thing since he is a priest and she is a heathen but does that stop them from being seen together in public places? Nope!
Overall, I’m not really sure who this book is for. I don’t think it’s for people interested in reading about reproductive rights in fantasy settings, but I also don’t think it’s for romantasy fans since they will likely be disappointed in the ending and lack of tension between the characters. I truly appreciate what the author wanted to do, and discussing reproductive rights and portraying it in media is so important. Unfortunately as a story it just didn’t work to make this impact.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5*
ARC provided by Netgalley.
Non-spoiler section
I am having trouble rating this one as it is certainly more like a 3.75*, close to a 4 but not quite; but I cannot in good conscience change my rating system just for one book (i.e., my rule of rounding down)!
I want to start by saying the prose and quality of the writing itself is an absolute 5*. I would be extremely interested in reading any further books that Moran writes, especially as she grows as a writer since this is her debut novel.
That being said, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a book that just needed a bit more time in the oven.
As mentioned above, the prose is the strongest part of the book. We are told the story through third-person present tense, which I don't find often, but it really lended itself towards the type of story Moran was telling. The use of what I like to call "old-timey speak" (think Bridgerton-esque writing and dialogue) suited the time period well, said time period being a sort of medieval fantasy setting. I particularly enjoyed looking up some new words and adding them to my vocabulary!
The first chapter drops us in when Magda has already been accused and is about to be sent up North as a ward of The Lord Proctor, rather than await trial in prison, helped by her contacts in the law (aka her best friend). For me this setup made sense and wasn't too far-fetched despite the "heinous" crime of black magic she had committed.
I like that Moran starts giving us bits and pieces of the world and the lore from page one and allows us as the reader to gather and parse that information ourselves. I find so many books these days don't trust the intelligence of the reader and do a lot of telling rather than showing; Moran does the opposite. I found this for the information about the gods, the houses/setup of lawmakers and the history of women in Astoleyn.
I also like that this book is centred around women, and women's issues. It isn't subtle about its real-world mirroring, but it isn't heavy handed either. It reminds me of the early reboot Doctor Who episodes in that regard. I very much enjoyed the spotlight on abortion rights, particularly with Roe v Wade being a thing, and in general womens' rights (to go to school, to work, to be anything but a wife).
Unfortunately past the first third of the novel it felt like the purpose of the book started to get confused. There is a love interest but it feels love at first sight-y since they barely interact in the book before suddenly they are realising they are in love with one another. There is less focus on the trial and/or the original reason of abortions and more on the love interest, but that part feels rushed; and then out of nowhere the trial is here after timeskips.
The book is only 460ish pages. That is not very long for a standalone novel, in my opinion. There was a lot more that could have been fleshed out with the abortion side of things; most of that part had happened off-page and before the book began. The book was also split into three "books", each with a part; there's certainly not enough pages of story to warrant this! I wanted more fleshed out about the gods (considering their role, I'll speak about this in the spoiler section), the Houses, even more time spent with the love interest that actually established more reason for them to be in love and for certain things to happen in the last part of the book (again, will discuss more in the spoiler section).
Overall the story needed more structure and less characters. I think at least four or five characters could have been cut for the sake of rounding out the others and it would not have made a lick of difference to the story. (See: Cass, Klees, Sanja, Rowena, any number of the "lords" at the Cairn).
I will repeat though, I will keep an eye on this author for further books as the writing style itself was spectacular, one of my favourites I have ever read.
Spoiler zone
I do take issue with several plot points in this book.
The main one being the Deus Ex Machina that was the deal with the Hermitess that Morgan made at the end.
There was absolutely no guarantee that the crowd would see Magda not burning as a sign from the gods/a miracle/as proof she is a saint. She is already accused of black magic; surely someone, anyone in the crowd, even the HUGE amount of Doomsingers would try and spin it as black magic or accuse her of it? Therefore rendering Morgan's sacrifice useless. This seems like a gaping plothole to me that I simply cannot get past.
Speaking of the Doomsingers, this plot point went absolutely nowhere. They were simply a vehicle for the dock to break in the middle of the book, and that was all. Nothing happened with Morgan’s father either. And at the end of the book they were just… hand-waved away. They seemed pretty scary to me? But sure I guess it’ll be fine now Magda is pardoned (except they were a big thing in the North before anything to do with Magda even happened..?)
Is there actually a reason the Hermitess comes to the city other than to hang around? I don't understand what the actual reason is, if she is Genka, for her to just sit in the bolt hole and refuse to tell people's fortunes. Why is the Lord Proctor beholden to her? I needed a stronger reason for this to even be a thing. This is where fleshing out the stories of the gods would have come in clutch.
"House of the Goose" is mentioned, as well as another house I forget the name of. This is only mentioned once or twice and never again; never explained, no further information. This information seemed like dead words, it could have been cut and it would not have affected the story at all.
At one point Rowena mentions Morgan is Tisza's brother, in front of Cass. A few pages prior, Cass has only been given the information that Morgan is "helping" Tisza - and he doesn't react to the information when Rowena reveals it - so I can only assume this is a continuity error.
The love story annoyed me because I was very much invested and interested in them as a couple. They had the few dreams together (which were exquisitely written), but then suddenly the Mother of Severine house is accusing Magda of bewitching Morgan and saying he's in love with her. A few chapters later Magda "realises" she is in love with him. I absolutely do not believe that within a few months someone could be in love with someone (without being in an established relationship). They spent two dreams together and otherwise mainly avoided each other - they had barely interacted in the book, even despite the timeskip between part 1 and 2! I was sorely disappointed in the way this was written, as even a small change as describing it as "starting" to fall in love or anything less than that would have saved it but I am just too skeptical.
Morgan needed more time on his own on-page to be fleshed out. We saw glimpses of it when he and Magda spoke, and more was revealed about his father, his disposition etc. but it just wasn't enough. I didn't feel enough for the characters.
I did like that he made the sacrifice for her, and they didn’t end up together. We need more books that aren’t just a happily ever after. But it did feel unsatisfying considering the insta-loveyness; I didn’t feel the weight of the sacrifice that heavily at all. He also didn’t need to be quite so much of a dick to her at the end.
I can't lie I was disappointed the direction the book went in and I did find myself reluctant to pick it up once I reached halfway. The only thing that kept me going was the prose and the hope it was just a slow middle and would pick up.
I've got quite strong opinions on this one but I do want to say that 3.5* is a very good rating for me! I would recommend people to give it a go as long as they don't go into it expecting something very political or a hard magic system, or really a lot of plot; this book is more prose and vibes, with some commentary on womens' rights as the baseline.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
Non-spoiler section
I am having trouble rating this one as it is certainly more like a 3.75*, close to a 4 but not quite; but I cannot in good conscience change my rating system just for one book (i.e., my rule of rounding down)!
I want to start by saying the prose and quality of the writing itself is an absolute 5*. I would be extremely interested in reading any further books that Moran writes, especially as she grows as a writer since this is her debut novel.
That being said, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a book that just needed a bit more time in the oven.
As mentioned above, the prose is the strongest part of the book. We are told the story through third-person present tense, which I don't find often, but it really lended itself towards the type of story Moran was telling. The use of what I like to call "old-timey speak" (think Bridgerton-esque writing and dialogue) suited the time period well, said time period being a sort of medieval fantasy setting. I particularly enjoyed looking up some new words and adding them to my vocabulary!
The first chapter drops us in when Magda has already been accused and is about to be sent up North as a ward of The Lord Proctor, rather than await trial in prison, helped by her contacts in the law (aka her best friend). For me this setup made sense and wasn't too far-fetched despite the "heinous" crime of black magic she had committed.
I like that Moran starts giving us bits and pieces of the world and the lore from page one and allows us as the reader to gather and parse that information ourselves. I find so many books these days don't trust the intelligence of the reader and do a lot of telling rather than showing; Moran does the opposite. I found this for the information about the gods, the houses/setup of lawmakers and the history of women in Astoleyn.
I also like that this book is centred around women, and women's issues. It isn't subtle about its real-world mirroring, but it isn't heavy handed either. It reminds me of the early reboot Doctor Who episodes in that regard. I very much enjoyed the spotlight on abortion rights, particularly with Roe v Wade being a thing, and in general womens' rights (to go to school, to work, to be anything but a wife).
Unfortunately past the first third of the novel it felt like the purpose of the book started to get confused. There is a love interest but it feels love at first sight-y since they barely interact in the book before suddenly they are realising they are in love with one another. There is less focus on the trial and/or the original reason of abortions and more on the love interest, but that part feels rushed; and then out of nowhere the trial is here after timeskips.
The book is only 460ish pages. That is not very long for a standalone novel, in my opinion. There was a lot more that could have been fleshed out with the abortion side of things; most of that part had happened off-page and before the book began. The book was also split into three "books", each with a part; there's certainly not enough pages of story to warrant this! I wanted more fleshed out about the gods (considering their role, I'll speak about this in the spoiler section), the Houses, even more time spent with the love interest that actually established more reason for them to be in love and for certain things to happen in the last part of the book (again, will discuss more in the spoiler section).
Overall the story needed more structure and less characters. I think at least four or five characters could have been cut for the sake of rounding out the others and it would not have made a lick of difference to the story. (See: Cass, Klees, Sanja, Rowena, any number of the "lords" at the Cairn).
I will repeat though, I will keep an eye on this author for further books as the writing style itself was spectacular, one of my favourites I have ever read.
Spoiler zone
I do take issue with several plot points in this book.
The main one being the Deus Ex Machina that was the deal with the Hermitess that Morgan made at the end.
There was absolutely no guarantee that the crowd would see Magda not burning as a sign from the gods/a miracle/as proof she is a saint. She is already accused of black magic; surely someone, anyone in the crowd, even the HUGE amount of Doomsingers would try and spin it as black magic or accuse her of it? Therefore rendering Morgan's sacrifice useless. This seems like a gaping plothole to me that I simply cannot get past.
Speaking of the Doomsingers, this plot point went absolutely nowhere. They were simply a vehicle for the dock to break in the middle of the book, and that was all. Nothing happened with Morgan’s father either. And at the end of the book they were just… hand-waved away. They seemed pretty scary to me? But sure I guess it’ll be fine now Magda is pardoned (except they were a big thing in the North before anything to do with Magda even happened..?)
Is there actually a reason the Hermitess comes to the city other than to hang around? I don't understand what the actual reason is, if she is Genka, for her to just sit in the bolt hole and refuse to tell people's fortunes. Why is the Lord Proctor beholden to her? I needed a stronger reason for this to even be a thing. This is where fleshing out the stories of the gods would have come in clutch.
"House of the Goose" is mentioned, as well as another house I forget the name of. This is only mentioned once or twice and never again; never explained, no further information. This information seemed like dead words, it could have been cut and it would not have affected the story at all.
At one point Rowena mentions Morgan is Tisza's brother, in front of Cass. A few pages prior, Cass has only been given the information that Morgan is "helping" Tisza - and he doesn't react to the information when Rowena reveals it - so I can only assume this is a continuity error.
The love story annoyed me because I was very much invested and interested in them as a couple. They had the few dreams together (which were exquisitely written), but then suddenly the Mother of Severine house is accusing Magda of bewitching Morgan and saying he's in love with her. A few chapters later Magda "realises" she is in love with him. I absolutely do not believe that within a few months someone could be in love with someone (without being in an established relationship). They spent two dreams together and otherwise mainly avoided each other - they had barely interacted in the book, even despite the timeskip between part 1 and 2! I was sorely disappointed in the way this was written, as even a small change as describing it as "starting" to fall in love or anything less than that would have saved it but I am just too skeptical.
Morgan needed more time on his own on-page to be fleshed out. We saw glimpses of it when he and Magda spoke, and more was revealed about his father, his disposition etc. but it just wasn't enough. I didn't feel enough for the characters.
I did like that he made the sacrifice for her, and they didn’t end up together. We need more books that aren’t just a happily ever after. But it did feel unsatisfying considering the insta-loveyness; I didn’t feel the weight of the sacrifice that heavily at all. He also didn’t need to be quite so much of a dick to her at the end.
I can't lie I was disappointed the direction the book went in and I did find myself reluctant to pick it up once I reached halfway. The only thing that kept me going was the prose and the hope it was just a slow middle and would pick up.
I've got quite strong opinions on this one but I do want to say that 3.5* is a very good rating for me! I would recommend people to give it a go as long as they don't go into it expecting something very political or a hard magic system, or really a lot of plot; this book is more prose and vibes, with some commentary on womens' rights as the baseline.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I fing loved this book, and I fing hated this book, but I have not in so long been in my feels about a book like this and therefore, it's getting all the stars. I dont make the rules (Yes I do).
Anyway, I probably need to explain myself somehow, right? You see, your honor, I was struggling with this book in the beginning. It's... clunky and felt a bit cheesy but was enjoyable enough and moved quickly. Then the pacing hit a bit of a wall, and I really wondered where this was going.
But... before I knew it, I couldn't put it down? I got past the tiresome info dumping, got used to the misogynistic af religious society and men, got used to the weird sexual humor at times, and just started enjoying the vibes. I felt like the author found her footing, much like Magda found her place at Gramora.
Some background since this is an arc review. The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow follows one woman, the aforementioned Magda, as she is arrested on charges of black magic and generally being a loose moral woman, so obviously she must be a witch. She's transferred north to await trial under the care of the Lord Proctor, a cold, unfeeling man who's never laughed before. WE ALL KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING RIGHT?
When I tell you the end of this book put me through the wringer... It's been 0 days since I cried over fictional characters. I was also ragebaited into scouring the internet to find out this is a two book deal as there's no series title listed with it. The RIOTING if this was how it all ends. (Okay a small part of me would have been secretly pleased at the audacity, but I need book two now.)
Has this in any way, shape, or form been a review? I have no idea. It's late, and I was just personally assaulted by a book, your honor.
In summary, while yes there is quite a bit I might want to fix in this book, at some point, I no longer cared. I do worry a bit of the clunkiness to begin with may trip up other readers and wish perhaps a few more editing passes had been made for a debut. Mostly because I think a 6 star book where I'm hooked from the get go exists. All i know is that I will happily 🗡 my way to the front of the line for bk 2.
If you do care about the things I would like to fix: A) the worldbuilding is a bit pell mell. Somehow, there's no main road to a dukes castle except to one at a time traipse through a bog? Sus. B) its a very religious extremist sort of society, but this felt at odds with how people actually lived? I was a bit confused at overall governing and how/why/who Magda was on trial with C) some occasional moments in the plot that didnt seem to align with what was said/happened earlier in the book D) I would have loved a better overarching plot. I thought there was going to be a bit more of a political mystery, and that never appeared e) an explanation into the magic system. Who has it? Who doesn't? Sometimes its church sanctioned? But also university? Family mages? Wut?
PS hats off to the author acknowledgment and damning the justices who overturned Roe v Wade to hell.
Anyway, I probably need to explain myself somehow, right? You see, your honor, I was struggling with this book in the beginning. It's... clunky and felt a bit cheesy but was enjoyable enough and moved quickly. Then the pacing hit a bit of a wall, and I really wondered where this was going.
But... before I knew it, I couldn't put it down? I got past the tiresome info dumping, got used to the misogynistic af religious society and men, got used to the weird sexual humor at times, and just started enjoying the vibes. I felt like the author found her footing, much like Magda found her place at Gramora.
Some background since this is an arc review. The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow follows one woman, the aforementioned Magda, as she is arrested on charges of black magic and generally being a loose moral woman, so obviously she must be a witch. She's transferred north to await trial under the care of the Lord Proctor, a cold, unfeeling man who's never laughed before. WE ALL KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING RIGHT?
When I tell you the end of this book put me through the wringer... It's been 0 days since I cried over fictional characters. I was also ragebaited into scouring the internet to find out this is a two book deal as there's no series title listed with it. The RIOTING if this was how it all ends. (Okay a small part of me would have been secretly pleased at the audacity, but I need book two now.)
Has this in any way, shape, or form been a review? I have no idea. It's late, and I was just personally assaulted by a book, your honor.
In summary, while yes there is quite a bit I might want to fix in this book, at some point, I no longer cared. I do worry a bit of the clunkiness to begin with may trip up other readers and wish perhaps a few more editing passes had been made for a debut. Mostly because I think a 6 star book where I'm hooked from the get go exists. All i know is that I will happily 🗡 my way to the front of the line for bk 2.
If you do care about the things I would like to fix: A) the worldbuilding is a bit pell mell. Somehow, there's no main road to a dukes castle except to one at a time traipse through a bog? Sus. B) its a very religious extremist sort of society, but this felt at odds with how people actually lived? I was a bit confused at overall governing and how/why/who Magda was on trial with C) some occasional moments in the plot that didnt seem to align with what was said/happened earlier in the book D) I would have loved a better overarching plot. I thought there was going to be a bit more of a political mystery, and that never appeared e) an explanation into the magic system. Who has it? Who doesn't? Sometimes its church sanctioned? But also university? Family mages? Wut?
PS hats off to the author acknowledgment and damning the justices who overturned Roe v Wade to hell.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow. Just looking around for my tortured heart. It might be underneath Moran’s shoe, partially shattered.
I picked this up thinking it’s take me 3-4 days to read, but I was wrong and I had a hard time putting it down and finished it in 1.5 days.
It had a lot of elements that’s like sugar for my brain. Yes to independent women. Yes to one bed at the inn. Yes to strong female relationships. Yes to justice.
Now I will say this- this a romance book that just so happens to take a place in a magical world. If you are looking for quality high fantasy, this isn’t it. Bring your popcorn and your hangover from Fleabag and just come for the swoony vibes.
I do wish the worldbuilding may have been combed through with a few more rounds of edits, but I absolutely see Moran’s interesting voice what she’s bringing to romantic tension.
Let’s hope we don’t have to wait crazy long for book 2. 🤞
My thanks to @Netgalley @putnambooks for this ARC
#thetrialofmagdalenaovermorrow pub date is early November and is a delightful winter TBR pick. Read it & please be tortured like @i.dont.give.a.fantasy.funk and meeeeeee 🤣😅
I picked this up thinking it’s take me 3-4 days to read, but I was wrong and I had a hard time putting it down and finished it in 1.5 days.
It had a lot of elements that’s like sugar for my brain. Yes to independent women. Yes to one bed at the inn. Yes to strong female relationships. Yes to justice.
Now I will say this- this a romance book that just so happens to take a place in a magical world. If you are looking for quality high fantasy, this isn’t it. Bring your popcorn and your hangover from Fleabag and just come for the swoony vibes.
I do wish the worldbuilding may have been combed through with a few more rounds of edits, but I absolutely see Moran’s interesting voice what she’s bringing to romantic tension.
Let’s hope we don’t have to wait crazy long for book 2. 🤞
My thanks to @Netgalley @putnambooks for this ARC
#thetrialofmagdalenaovermorrow pub date is early November and is a delightful winter TBR pick. Read it & please be tortured like @i.dont.give.a.fantasy.funk and meeeeeee 🤣😅
September 29, 2026
what an amazing underrated read omg review to come!!!
MORGAN AND MADGA 4EVER
MORGAN AND MADGA 4EVER
September 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC!
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow by Caitriona Moran will release on November 3rd, 2026.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a romantasy in which Magdalena Overmorrow is arrested for her work helping women by performing forbidden abortions after someone close to her betrays her. She is banished to the realm’s northernmost city as a witch, where she awaits trial under the guardianship of the Lord Proctor — a beautiful man not much older than she is.
Firstly, I don’t know how I feel about present tense use in this book but that’s a me problem and I won’t knock the book for that (I had a similar issue with The God and the Gumiho). I noticed a few errors in the arc but beyond my thing with the present tense I like the actual prose.
I think the marketing for this books is inaccurate. There is not a huge focus on an active plot beyond the romance. Although it is marketed for fantasy curious romantasy readers and romantasy curious fantasy readers, it really really feels like just romantasy as it doesn’t place any emphasis on the magic system (like we basically don’t know anything about it, there is no real explanation anywhere) and the world building is pretty minimal. It’s pretty much just the romance.
This was also marketed as enemies to lovers but I don’t really think they were ever enemies. Magda is cautious of him in the beginning due to the power he has over her and the image of him she has built in her own, but neither of them actually ever appears to dislike each other in a way that suggests enemies. If anything this is like lovers to enemies LOL. Strangers to lovers to enemies to strangers again, which is also important to note for people expecting them to end up together.
This book also definitely hits some common romance tropes like There Was Only One Bed (not in a bad way). Some of the commentary in this definitely feels like Barbie in the way that it is intro to feminism but I generally appreciate the viewpoints and the point of this book isn’t really to expound on the nuances of such topics.
I lowkey don’t really think the romance is paced well but maybe it’s just me. I also think there are issues with introducing what seems like significant elements happening in the plot that have absolutely no payoff. For example, I think there isn’t enough focus on the Doomsinger conflict with how dangerous they are built up to seem. Or with seeing Morgan and Tisza’s evil ass dad and him being a part of the Doomsingers (although there is a point to be made that extremely religious people are also sometimes hypocritical, terrible people). There is also no payoff with Magda teaching Tisza and Cass magic. I thought maybe something would happen in which either/or would have to use their magic to help, but nothing happens beyond them just learning magic. I also think that the existence of magic in general and certain people’s capacity for magic were not utilized enough. Like Morgan has magic, but what can he do with it beyond drawing some symbols to heal Magda and giving it up? Also the prince dying leaving the kingdom with an old, ailing king and no heirs is pretty important but it’s just mentioned and nothing happens with it in the end.
It also appears that the religious system (and Magdalena of course) was inspired pretty heavily by Christianity. This also means that this is doing some pretty heavy lifting for the religion in this world — I think it relies a little too much on people having some background knowledge of Christianity sometimes, but it definitely works as a critique on the culture surrounding Christianity. On that note, this book reminded me of how much I hate the shaming aspect of religions and how much it can hurt people.
Something that was interesting to me was the mention of the moretta masks — masks held in place by the user, traditionally a woman, biting a button attached to the mask between teeth, thereby silencing them — by the council at Magda’s trial who are definitely not women. I’m not really sure if it was just used as a fun aesthetic or if it was on purpose to silence the men for once.
I don’t think I’m exactly the target audience for this specific romance dynamic (priest and heretic essentially, something something corruption) but it is buzzy so I get it. The prose also made the overall reading experience pleasant. Although I had my issues with this book, it is a solid debut that will definitely find its intended audience, and I would still check out books by this author in the future as I do think there’s a lot of great potential.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow by Caitriona Moran will release on November 3rd, 2026.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a romantasy in which Magdalena Overmorrow is arrested for her work helping women by performing forbidden abortions after someone close to her betrays her. She is banished to the realm’s northernmost city as a witch, where she awaits trial under the guardianship of the Lord Proctor — a beautiful man not much older than she is.
Firstly, I don’t know how I feel about present tense use in this book but that’s a me problem and I won’t knock the book for that (I had a similar issue with The God and the Gumiho). I noticed a few errors in the arc but beyond my thing with the present tense I like the actual prose.
I think the marketing for this books is inaccurate. There is not a huge focus on an active plot beyond the romance. Although it is marketed for fantasy curious romantasy readers and romantasy curious fantasy readers, it really really feels like just romantasy as it doesn’t place any emphasis on the magic system (like we basically don’t know anything about it, there is no real explanation anywhere) and the world building is pretty minimal. It’s pretty much just the romance.
This was also marketed as enemies to lovers but I don’t really think they were ever enemies. Magda is cautious of him in the beginning due to the power he has over her and the image of him she has built in her own, but neither of them actually ever appears to dislike each other in a way that suggests enemies. If anything this is like lovers to enemies LOL. Strangers to lovers to enemies to strangers again, which is also important to note for people expecting them to end up together.
This book also definitely hits some common romance tropes like There Was Only One Bed (not in a bad way). Some of the commentary in this definitely feels like Barbie in the way that it is intro to feminism but I generally appreciate the viewpoints and the point of this book isn’t really to expound on the nuances of such topics.
I lowkey don’t really think the romance is paced well but maybe it’s just me. I also think there are issues with introducing what seems like significant elements happening in the plot that have absolutely no payoff. For example, I think there isn’t enough focus on the Doomsinger conflict with how dangerous they are built up to seem. Or with seeing Morgan and Tisza’s evil ass dad and him being a part of the Doomsingers (although there is a point to be made that extremely religious people are also sometimes hypocritical, terrible people). There is also no payoff with Magda teaching Tisza and Cass magic. I thought maybe something would happen in which either/or would have to use their magic to help, but nothing happens beyond them just learning magic. I also think that the existence of magic in general and certain people’s capacity for magic were not utilized enough. Like Morgan has magic, but what can he do with it beyond drawing some symbols to heal Magda and giving it up? Also the prince dying leaving the kingdom with an old, ailing king and no heirs is pretty important but it’s just mentioned and nothing happens with it in the end.
It also appears that the religious system (and Magdalena of course) was inspired pretty heavily by Christianity. This also means that this is doing some pretty heavy lifting for the religion in this world — I think it relies a little too much on people having some background knowledge of Christianity sometimes, but it definitely works as a critique on the culture surrounding Christianity. On that note, this book reminded me of how much I hate the shaming aspect of religions and how much it can hurt people.
Something that was interesting to me was the mention of the moretta masks — masks held in place by the user, traditionally a woman, biting a button attached to the mask between teeth, thereby silencing them — by the council at Magda’s trial who are definitely not women. I’m not really sure if it was just used as a fun aesthetic or if it was on purpose to silence the men for once.
I don’t think I’m exactly the target audience for this specific romance dynamic (priest and heretic essentially, something something corruption) but it is buzzy so I get it. The prose also made the overall reading experience pleasant. Although I had my issues with this book, it is a solid debut that will definitely find its intended audience, and I would still check out books by this author in the future as I do think there’s a lot of great potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2026
“Isn’t it strange, that the healing arts only become black magic when they are applied to women’s bodies?”
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was beautiful and it’s a hard book to properly convey. The writing, the setting, the characters, and the commentary on women’s health and autonomy was 5 stars. But the pacing and the way this story is told, unfolding the past as we slog through the present dropped my rating.
The book is wrapped in a cold and foreboding atmosphere, a trial bound to kill the main character on the horizon, but with a message so strong. The contents of this book, the questions asked and the situations that arise- are so akin to things we see today in the treatment of women in society and in medicine.
I find the publishing of this book to at a perfect timing, when in my country and in so many others, women’s healthcare rights being in limbo, unable to make their own decisions for their bodies, still living in a society where we are not equal.
This book is (purposefully) slow paced, it’s on the day to day life of the main character while she awaits her trial in exile. This is split into three distinct parts and it is only the final last 20% that the actual trial takes place. Which definitely hadn’t been what I expected going into this book.
However, I think this was too long even as I enjoyed the general cast of characters and appreciated this book. Even though I completely understand what the author sought out to do by having it be written the way it was, for me it went back and forth between working and dragging on. Letting us get to know Magda whilst she makes new relations and we see letters from the women she’d helped over the years. But, it lulled at times, having so many mini plot lines I didn’t see the point of, sadly I was getting bored at times. It’s hard with such beautiful, impactful writing to give this a lower rating than I’d have liked.
Because it came to a point where I felt “can we get on to this trial please?”, I didn’t enjoy much of the build up from middle of the book to the end. The romance in this is slow, nor is it the focus by any means. I liked the characters separately but it wasn’t until the end that I actually felt the romantic pull between them. The first book and the last book were my favorite parts. The final 20% is SO good.
To end, this is a duology! I went into it thinking it was a standalone and finished like… what?🤣 Luckily, this doesn’t end on a crazy cliffhanger, more like some side conflicts were kept in limbo. I will be reading book 2.
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley*
US publishing date: Nov. 3rd 2026
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was beautiful and it’s a hard book to properly convey. The writing, the setting, the characters, and the commentary on women’s health and autonomy was 5 stars. But the pacing and the way this story is told, unfolding the past as we slog through the present dropped my rating.
The book is wrapped in a cold and foreboding atmosphere, a trial bound to kill the main character on the horizon, but with a message so strong. The contents of this book, the questions asked and the situations that arise- are so akin to things we see today in the treatment of women in society and in medicine.
I find the publishing of this book to at a perfect timing, when in my country and in so many others, women’s healthcare rights being in limbo, unable to make their own decisions for their bodies, still living in a society where we are not equal.
This book is (purposefully) slow paced, it’s on the day to day life of the main character while she awaits her trial in exile. This is split into three distinct parts and it is only the final last 20% that the actual trial takes place. Which definitely hadn’t been what I expected going into this book.
However, I think this was too long even as I enjoyed the general cast of characters and appreciated this book. Even though I completely understand what the author sought out to do by having it be written the way it was, for me it went back and forth between working and dragging on. Letting us get to know Magda whilst she makes new relations and we see letters from the women she’d helped over the years. But, it lulled at times, having so many mini plot lines I didn’t see the point of, sadly I was getting bored at times. It’s hard with such beautiful, impactful writing to give this a lower rating than I’d have liked.
Because it came to a point where I felt “can we get on to this trial please?”, I didn’t enjoy much of the build up from middle of the book to the end. The romance in this is slow, nor is it the focus by any means. I liked the characters separately but it wasn’t until the end that I actually felt the romantic pull between them. The first book and the last book were my favorite parts. The final 20% is SO good.
To end, this is a duology! I went into it thinking it was a standalone and finished like… what?🤣 Luckily, this doesn’t end on a crazy cliffhanger, more like some side conflicts were kept in limbo. I will be reading book 2.
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley*
US publishing date: Nov. 3rd 2026
Did Not Finish
October 7, 2026Writing style is so important to me and this just didn’t work for me. The story moved SLOW and I couldn’t connect to the characters at all. Also the romance wasn’t really giving anything - why did the characters even like each other?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 stars
Magalena Overmorrow, like any woman who has chosen to live an independent life on her own terms, has been branded by the men of Astoleyn as a wicked woman, a harlot waiting to drive men into temptation and bring them to ruin. She has always ignored their criticism, happy to live her life as a healer and midwife, helping those in her community most in need of help. But when she is betrayed by a patient, those who would like to see her fall finally have the evidence they need: Magdalena, dark witch, has been perversing the magic of the gods to perform highly illegal abortions. She is quickly arrested and ordered to face trial for her crimes, the possible sentence of her heresy and apostasy burning at the stake.
While awaiting trial, she is exiled to the remote reaches of the northern territory, where the strict and unyielding Lord Proctor will oversee her confinement in Cair Gramora. Magda, having heard for years of the Lord Proctor’s incorruptible and humorless nature, is shocked upon arrival to discover that he is barely older than her - though his cold demeanor was certainly not exaggerated. Her task is simple: keep to herself and avoid getting into trouble, something that should be easy enough given the incredibly harsh winters that plague the north. But Magda, unable to ignore those in need of assistance, soon finds herself drawn into the dark underbelly of Cair Gramora, with enemies all around - and only the mysterious Lord Proctor able to protect her. As Maga and the Lord Proctor grow closer, Magda can’t help but be fascinated by this man who holds her life in his hands - even if it brings her to ruin.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is the first book in a new fantasy duology by debut author Caitríona Moran. My thoughts on various aspects of the story are given below.
*World-building/Plot: The plow is fairly straightforward: sentenced at the beginning of the book to await trial for her crimes, each successive chapter is a countdown to Magda’s eventual appearance before the Birch Court; as a result, much of her time is spent exploring within the bounds of her confinement. However, there is still an incredibly rich world developed here, and it was a treat to get to experience the northern territory through Magda’s newcomer eyes. The author’s vivid descriptions perfectly capture a wild, desolate land full of strange happenings and new (to Magda) customs steeped in ancient history. Though we spent a limited amount of time in the capital city of Astoleyn, the setting was still quite developed, and it was easy to see why Magda loved her life (before the trial) so much. Add in additional context from other visitors and it is easy to see that Caitríona Moran has done some really great world-building. My only (minor) complaint is that I wish there were more detailed explanations about the magic system. The use of magic felt a bit “hand-wave-y” throughout - I found myself confused as to what type of magic was possible, as well as who actually was able to wield it - so I hope that this is explored more fully in the next book.
*Character Development: The Trials of Magdalena Overmorrow is very much a character-driven fantasy book, with the relationship between Magda and Morgan featuring heavily. Magda is strong, independent, and willing to stand up for what she believes is right, but she also has an excellent sense of humor and a love of life that makes her an absolute joy of an FMC. However, as much as I liked Magda (which was a lot!), I absolutely loved the Lord Proctor - I’ve always been a sucker for the quiet, buttoned-up MMCs who are a seething mass of emotion and righteous justice beneath the surface, and he fits the bill perfectly. It was refreshing to watch a romance develop between two mature people, with their own obligations and responsibilities, who take the time to get to know each other and develop feelings organically (as opposed to the insta-love, fated mates that are so popular right now). This is definitely a slow-burn full of tension and yearning, and after an absolutely nasty cliffhanger at the end of the book, I am desperate to see what happens between Magda and Morgan in the next installment.
*Pacing/Writing Style: The pacing was fairly even throughout; the events of the book take place over the course of (almost) a year, but the author made judicious use of time jumps to prevent any particular parts of the book from feeling bogged down. Add to that Caitríona Moran’s fantastic writing, and you have a book that can be easily devoured in one or two sittings.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was an incredibly strong debut from Caitríona Moran; though I went into the book knowing very little about it, I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the sequel (especially after that absolutely diabolical ending!). In my opinion some of the best works of fantasy are ones that draw parallels to real-world societal issues and struggles, while still managing to be their own unique “thing”, and this book manages to knock it out of the park. I would recommend The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow for readers looking for a fantasy book with strong themes of social justice, a *true* slow-burn romance, and mature, empathetic characters that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Magalena Overmorrow, like any woman who has chosen to live an independent life on her own terms, has been branded by the men of Astoleyn as a wicked woman, a harlot waiting to drive men into temptation and bring them to ruin. She has always ignored their criticism, happy to live her life as a healer and midwife, helping those in her community most in need of help. But when she is betrayed by a patient, those who would like to see her fall finally have the evidence they need: Magdalena, dark witch, has been perversing the magic of the gods to perform highly illegal abortions. She is quickly arrested and ordered to face trial for her crimes, the possible sentence of her heresy and apostasy burning at the stake.
While awaiting trial, she is exiled to the remote reaches of the northern territory, where the strict and unyielding Lord Proctor will oversee her confinement in Cair Gramora. Magda, having heard for years of the Lord Proctor’s incorruptible and humorless nature, is shocked upon arrival to discover that he is barely older than her - though his cold demeanor was certainly not exaggerated. Her task is simple: keep to herself and avoid getting into trouble, something that should be easy enough given the incredibly harsh winters that plague the north. But Magda, unable to ignore those in need of assistance, soon finds herself drawn into the dark underbelly of Cair Gramora, with enemies all around - and only the mysterious Lord Proctor able to protect her. As Maga and the Lord Proctor grow closer, Magda can’t help but be fascinated by this man who holds her life in his hands - even if it brings her to ruin.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is the first book in a new fantasy duology by debut author Caitríona Moran. My thoughts on various aspects of the story are given below.
*World-building/Plot: The plow is fairly straightforward: sentenced at the beginning of the book to await trial for her crimes, each successive chapter is a countdown to Magda’s eventual appearance before the Birch Court; as a result, much of her time is spent exploring within the bounds of her confinement. However, there is still an incredibly rich world developed here, and it was a treat to get to experience the northern territory through Magda’s newcomer eyes. The author’s vivid descriptions perfectly capture a wild, desolate land full of strange happenings and new (to Magda) customs steeped in ancient history. Though we spent a limited amount of time in the capital city of Astoleyn, the setting was still quite developed, and it was easy to see why Magda loved her life (before the trial) so much. Add in additional context from other visitors and it is easy to see that Caitríona Moran has done some really great world-building. My only (minor) complaint is that I wish there were more detailed explanations about the magic system. The use of magic felt a bit “hand-wave-y” throughout - I found myself confused as to what type of magic was possible, as well as who actually was able to wield it - so I hope that this is explored more fully in the next book.
*Character Development: The Trials of Magdalena Overmorrow is very much a character-driven fantasy book, with the relationship between Magda and Morgan featuring heavily. Magda is strong, independent, and willing to stand up for what she believes is right, but she also has an excellent sense of humor and a love of life that makes her an absolute joy of an FMC. However, as much as I liked Magda (which was a lot!), I absolutely loved the Lord Proctor - I’ve always been a sucker for the quiet, buttoned-up MMCs who are a seething mass of emotion and righteous justice beneath the surface, and he fits the bill perfectly. It was refreshing to watch a romance develop between two mature people, with their own obligations and responsibilities, who take the time to get to know each other and develop feelings organically (as opposed to the insta-love, fated mates that are so popular right now). This is definitely a slow-burn full of tension and yearning, and after an absolutely nasty cliffhanger at the end of the book, I am desperate to see what happens between Magda and Morgan in the next installment.
*Pacing/Writing Style: The pacing was fairly even throughout; the events of the book take place over the course of (almost) a year, but the author made judicious use of time jumps to prevent any particular parts of the book from feeling bogged down. Add to that Caitríona Moran’s fantastic writing, and you have a book that can be easily devoured in one or two sittings.
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was an incredibly strong debut from Caitríona Moran; though I went into the book knowing very little about it, I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the sequel (especially after that absolutely diabolical ending!). In my opinion some of the best works of fantasy are ones that draw parallels to real-world societal issues and struggles, while still managing to be their own unique “thing”, and this book manages to knock it out of the park. I would recommend The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow for readers looking for a fantasy book with strong themes of social justice, a *true* slow-burn romance, and mature, empathetic characters that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Anticipated release date: 11/3/2026
"But though she believes she has committed no crime, she is certainly guilty in the eyes of the law, and probably in the eyes of men as well. No one has taught her the proper prayers for a sinner who doesn’t want to be forgiven."
This is probably one of the best debuts I have read. But I'm also sad this is a debut because I need more books written by this author like yesterday.
This book completely surprised me with how thoughtfully it tackles real issues we are still dealing with today.
The themes in this book are so important to me: abortion, women's healthcare (because abortion IS healthcare), and gender expectations. The author handles them with such conviction that you can tell they mean so much to them, too.
And the romantic tension??? SO GOOD. I’m talking Sunburn-level yearning.
“The gods I worship are not cruel,” he murmurs. His hands still frame her face. “They understand loveliness, grace. Desire. They would look at you and call me a damned fool if I walked away from you.”
The storytelling reminded me greatly of Katherine Arden's style, and our FMC, Madga, reminded me so much of Gideon the Ninth.
My only criticism would be that a map would have been helpful at times and could have added even more to the worldbuilding. That said, I enjoyed this book so much that this didn’t even affect my rating.
This is probably one of my most highlighted ebooks. I mean, look at some of the bangers that were dropped:
"Isn’t it strange, she thinks, that the healing arts only became black magic when they were applied to women’s bodies?"
"If a man can be led into disgrace by a girl of fifteen walking past in last year’s dress an inch too tight at the bosom, shouldn’t we hold that man in contempt for his weakness? Shouldn’t we say, Command yourself, you devil! How can you rule countries, make laws, lead armies, when you can’t even control the laces on your breeches?”
"But more often she is described as voluptuous, also as an insult, on its face, although she knows the intensity of the vituperation is directly related to how much the man who scoffs at the visible curve of her breast wants to take her to bed. Such is the way of things."
Overall, a beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time.
what to expect
33 y/o FMC who acts her age
clergyman that YEARNS
Political intrigue
Didactic themes
Single 3rd person POV
For fans of: Blood Over Bright Haven and Sunburn
Thank you G. P. Putnam's Sons / Penguin Random House, for this gifted arc in exchange for an honest review
Quote taken from an uncorrected proof, subject to change in the final version.
"But though she believes she has committed no crime, she is certainly guilty in the eyes of the law, and probably in the eyes of men as well. No one has taught her the proper prayers for a sinner who doesn’t want to be forgiven."
This is probably one of the best debuts I have read. But I'm also sad this is a debut because I need more books written by this author like yesterday.
This book completely surprised me with how thoughtfully it tackles real issues we are still dealing with today.
The themes in this book are so important to me: abortion, women's healthcare (because abortion IS healthcare), and gender expectations. The author handles them with such conviction that you can tell they mean so much to them, too.
And the romantic tension??? SO GOOD. I’m talking Sunburn-level yearning.
“The gods I worship are not cruel,” he murmurs. His hands still frame her face. “They understand loveliness, grace. Desire. They would look at you and call me a damned fool if I walked away from you.”
The storytelling reminded me greatly of Katherine Arden's style, and our FMC, Madga, reminded me so much of Gideon the Ninth.
My only criticism would be that a map would have been helpful at times and could have added even more to the worldbuilding. That said, I enjoyed this book so much that this didn’t even affect my rating.
This is probably one of my most highlighted ebooks. I mean, look at some of the bangers that were dropped:
"Isn’t it strange, she thinks, that the healing arts only became black magic when they were applied to women’s bodies?"
"If a man can be led into disgrace by a girl of fifteen walking past in last year’s dress an inch too tight at the bosom, shouldn’t we hold that man in contempt for his weakness? Shouldn’t we say, Command yourself, you devil! How can you rule countries, make laws, lead armies, when you can’t even control the laces on your breeches?”
"But more often she is described as voluptuous, also as an insult, on its face, although she knows the intensity of the vituperation is directly related to how much the man who scoffs at the visible curve of her breast wants to take her to bed. Such is the way of things."
Overall, a beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time.
what to expect
33 y/o FMC who acts her age
clergyman that YEARNS
Political intrigue
Didactic themes
Single 3rd person POV
For fans of: Blood Over Bright Haven and Sunburn
Thank you G. P. Putnam's Sons / Penguin Random House, for this gifted arc in exchange for an honest review
Quote taken from an uncorrected proof, subject to change in the final version.
October 11, 2026
The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow
Rating: 5⭐️
I’m at loss for words for how much I loved this book🥹🫶🏻
It has everything i love: an historical setting inspired by the middle ages, a clever and tenacious heroine, deep reflections on the injustices endured by women, magic and the most delicious romance.
Magdalena Overmorrow is a sworn healer and a scholar, she is soon to be tried for practicing black magic and helping women in need with abortion. I found these reflections to be particularly poignant in our particular time, where many would like (and have in some places succeeded already) to reverse this right for which previous generations of women have valiantly fought.
Magdalena is a fantastic main character: she’s charismatic, incredibly smart, capable and well read, a beautiful woman and overall a very compassionate and selfless person. She shines through the book for the cheerfulness with which she faces her own tribulations and the humiliations that many throw her way. She’s definitely a bright and free spirit, seeing her go this unbearable “trial” (not just the process in itself, but everything around it: the insults, the jailing) was definitely hard to read as I felt so sorry for her! And to think that similar situations happened to women in real life makes it all more chilling.
As for Morgan, he’s such a sweet and dear character: genuine, altruistic and just, he deserves all the love! Reading about his relationship with Magda unfold was super precious and so tender❤️
I also loved the cast of main characters: Jula (so clever and loyal!), Cass, Tizsa, Klees, Carine, Sanja. They were all such authentic characters in their own way and enriched the story even further.
The last part of the book wasn’t very easy to read and it had me constantly crying but it was also such a good ending! I’m incredibly sad for the way things had to go but i’m also SO curious to see how things will turn out in book 2 for Magda! I can’t wait to see her in a new setting!
Overall, this story was executed masterfully and I can’t believe it’s a debut!
Thanks a lot to Netgalley and HarperCollins for a free earc, all opinions are my own.
Rating: 5⭐️
I’m at loss for words for how much I loved this book🥹🫶🏻
It has everything i love: an historical setting inspired by the middle ages, a clever and tenacious heroine, deep reflections on the injustices endured by women, magic and the most delicious romance.
Magdalena Overmorrow is a sworn healer and a scholar, she is soon to be tried for practicing black magic and helping women in need with abortion. I found these reflections to be particularly poignant in our particular time, where many would like (and have in some places succeeded already) to reverse this right for which previous generations of women have valiantly fought.
Magdalena is a fantastic main character: she’s charismatic, incredibly smart, capable and well read, a beautiful woman and overall a very compassionate and selfless person. She shines through the book for the cheerfulness with which she faces her own tribulations and the humiliations that many throw her way. She’s definitely a bright and free spirit, seeing her go this unbearable “trial” (not just the process in itself, but everything around it: the insults, the jailing) was definitely hard to read as I felt so sorry for her! And to think that similar situations happened to women in real life makes it all more chilling.
As for Morgan, he’s such a sweet and dear character: genuine, altruistic and just, he deserves all the love! Reading about his relationship with Magda unfold was super precious and so tender❤️
I also loved the cast of main characters: Jula (so clever and loyal!), Cass, Tizsa, Klees, Carine, Sanja. They were all such authentic characters in their own way and enriched the story even further.
The last part of the book wasn’t very easy to read and it had me constantly crying but it was also such a good ending! I’m incredibly sad for the way things had to go but i’m also SO curious to see how things will turn out in book 2 for Magda! I can’t wait to see her in a new setting!
Overall, this story was executed masterfully and I can’t believe it’s a debut!
Thanks a lot to Netgalley and HarperCollins for a free earc, all opinions are my own.
October 4, 2026
2026 has been an incredible year for historical inspired fantasy, and The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow continues that trend. This book is certainly unique from a lot of other popular and recent publications, given its themes and central conceit. The writing is lovely, full of lush descriptions, despite the bleak environment and subject matter. The throughline is women’s rights, and consent is a theme throughout; this book is powerfully unflinching and unapologetic in these dangerous times, where we are faced with history like this and those who want to return to those dark days.
I could relate to Magda’s decision to be clever and cheerful no matter what, and found her an engaging protagonist/POV character. At times, however, I found her decisions frustrating, as her friend and attorney Jula did. But that makes her a realistic character--a strong woman, trying to do her best with the circumstances she’s been given, again, something I could profoundly relate to.
I was worried this book might hit on my own issues with religious trauma, but thankfully, it did not, rather showing the humanity of the church--both the beautiful and caring, and the ugly and prejudiced.
Despite it being on the longer side, I found this to be a quick read once I settled into it. By Magda’s trial, I was crying, and then started crying again reading the author’s acknowledgments.
Trigger warnings for imprisonment, misogyny, harassment referencing potential sexual assault, religious trauma/sin references, queerphobia, capital punishment/executions/burning alive, blood/abortions/childbirth, incest, suicidal ideation, rape (not of/by a main character, mentioned in a letter), torture.
Many thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for my free e-ARC! It has not affected my honest review.
I could relate to Magda’s decision to be clever and cheerful no matter what, and found her an engaging protagonist/POV character. At times, however, I found her decisions frustrating, as her friend and attorney Jula did. But that makes her a realistic character--a strong woman, trying to do her best with the circumstances she’s been given, again, something I could profoundly relate to.
I was worried this book might hit on my own issues with religious trauma, but thankfully, it did not, rather showing the humanity of the church--both the beautiful and caring, and the ugly and prejudiced.
Despite it being on the longer side, I found this to be a quick read once I settled into it. By Magda’s trial, I was crying, and then started crying again reading the author’s acknowledgments.
Trigger warnings for imprisonment, misogyny, harassment referencing potential sexual assault, religious trauma/sin references, queerphobia, capital punishment/executions/burning alive, blood/abortions/childbirth, incest, suicidal ideation, rape (not of/by a main character, mentioned in a letter), torture.
Many thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for my free e-ARC! It has not affected my honest review.
September 17, 2026
Un romanzo che rispetta i canoni del romantasy, ma in maniera così sottile e originale che ho faticato a rendermene conto.
Perché c'è una storia d'amore che si sviluppa parallelamente al processo di Magdalena (studiosa, guaritrice, maga - strega? Apostata?, ma è uno sviluppo cauto, che si mimetizza in tutto il resto.
E il resto è molto ben rappresentato e molto triste: un regno in cui le donne sono ancora oppresse, e quelle che hanno cercato la libertà e sfidato l'ordine costituito sono state distrutte, in un modo o nell'altro; un mondo con una magia strana, persistente ma insieme poco presente, rispetto ad altri autori, ma per quello tanto più credibile; un mondo di violenze e fanatismi, di intrighi di corte e salde amicizie, di fiori e freddi inverni, di anime che si incontrano.
Con una protagonista forse troppo buona per essere vera: Magdalena, il cui unico difetto è di amare la vita (la propria e quella altrui), al punto da rischiare tutto per aiutare. Che ama bere, ballare, fare l'amore; che ride e studia; che ha paura, paura vera, del dolore e di una morte crudele. Un personaggio realistico, che giusto nell'ingenuità (dovuta al rispetto, però, dei canoni romantici) dei rapporti con il Lord Provost (anche lui troppo perfetto, se vogliamo...) tradisce la necessità di rispettare una certa narrazione.
Ma il romanzo rimane godibilissimo, al di là di queste piccole pecche, con una società sfaccettata e interessante, e uno stile ricco, multiforme, raffinato.
Sospetto che arriverà un seguito; vedrò con piacere se l'autrice riuscirà a mantenere questo livello di originalità.
Perché c'è una storia d'amore che si sviluppa parallelamente al processo di Magdalena (studiosa, guaritrice, maga - strega? Apostata?, ma è uno sviluppo cauto, che si mimetizza in tutto il resto.
E il resto è molto ben rappresentato e molto triste: un regno in cui le donne sono ancora oppresse, e quelle che hanno cercato la libertà e sfidato l'ordine costituito sono state distrutte, in un modo o nell'altro; un mondo con una magia strana, persistente ma insieme poco presente, rispetto ad altri autori, ma per quello tanto più credibile; un mondo di violenze e fanatismi, di intrighi di corte e salde amicizie, di fiori e freddi inverni, di anime che si incontrano.
Con una protagonista forse troppo buona per essere vera: Magdalena, il cui unico difetto è di amare la vita (la propria e quella altrui), al punto da rischiare tutto per aiutare. Che ama bere, ballare, fare l'amore; che ride e studia; che ha paura, paura vera, del dolore e di una morte crudele. Un personaggio realistico, che giusto nell'ingenuità (dovuta al rispetto, però, dei canoni romantici) dei rapporti con il Lord Provost (anche lui troppo perfetto, se vogliamo...) tradisce la necessità di rispettare una certa narrazione.
Ma il romanzo rimane godibilissimo, al di là di queste piccole pecche, con una società sfaccettata e interessante, e uno stile ricco, multiforme, raffinato.
Sospetto che arriverà un seguito; vedrò con piacere se l'autrice riuscirà a mantenere questo livello di originalità.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 to 4 stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/athenafreya... )
Firstly, the formatting of the earc was so bad that I could barely read it. Alas, I finished it. I will read the finished copy, though, because my reading experience due to the formatting wasn't satisfactory, and I feel like it didn't do justice to this book.
I really liked the story. I liked how the author balanced a touch of magic, religion and fate, women's rights and misogyny, found family, and a touch of romance. This book is about putting others first, about sacrifice, about the power of making one's choices-and lack thereof- and about women helping and empowering other women. It's about people telling women who to be and what to do and about women who persevere. The portrayal of all this felt so real as if it had happened.
The magic is there, as is the romance, but neither is the focus of the story. It is a character driven story, and Magda carries it very well. She is fierce, smart, competent, resourceful, and kind. My heart broke for her at the end.
Lord Proctor is a serious but fair man, and I believe he complements Magda well.
It is the first installment in a duology and a monthly book box pick. I will renew and read the finished copy so I can enjoy the story without being a detective.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/athenafreya... )
Firstly, the formatting of the earc was so bad that I could barely read it. Alas, I finished it. I will read the finished copy, though, because my reading experience due to the formatting wasn't satisfactory, and I feel like it didn't do justice to this book.
I really liked the story. I liked how the author balanced a touch of magic, religion and fate, women's rights and misogyny, found family, and a touch of romance. This book is about putting others first, about sacrifice, about the power of making one's choices-and lack thereof- and about women helping and empowering other women. It's about people telling women who to be and what to do and about women who persevere. The portrayal of all this felt so real as if it had happened.
The magic is there, as is the romance, but neither is the focus of the story. It is a character driven story, and Magda carries it very well. She is fierce, smart, competent, resourceful, and kind. My heart broke for her at the end.
Lord Proctor is a serious but fair man, and I believe he complements Magda well.
It is the first installment in a duology and a monthly book box pick. I will renew and read the finished copy so I can enjoy the story without being a detective.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this ARC as a widget, I had no idea about this book prior but the synopsis did sound interesting so I gave it a shot.
And WOW, thank you to the publishers because I probably would not have not have noticed this book. It was fantastic and I really did love it.
Magdalena is a midwife, a teacher, a magic user, and a harlot who cares about protecting the women she encounters. She gets betrayed after preparing a tincture to help induce a miscarriage (she did use magic , which she knows will condemn her. At no point does she think herself innocent in the eyes of the law) . With the help of her best friend she gets sent to the north under the protection of a lord Proctor as a mercy while she awaits her trial...and of course there is a romance aspect so we can probably guess what will happen between those two.
It was a slow burn but we got to learn a lot of about the world the story takes place in and really get to know our main characters. It can be a bit slow pacing sometimes but not for filler purposes...everything is intentional.
The ending is bittersweet and while it seems there may be a set up for a sequel, I would be happy if the story ended here because it makes sense.
This is more mature romantasy vibe that doesn't focus on the romance solely but rather the characters themselves.
A fabulous read loved it.
And WOW, thank you to the publishers because I probably would not have not have noticed this book. It was fantastic and I really did love it.
Magdalena is a midwife, a teacher, a magic user, and a harlot who cares about protecting the women she encounters. She gets betrayed after preparing a tincture to help induce a miscarriage (she did use magic , which she knows will condemn her. At no point does she think herself innocent in the eyes of the law) . With the help of her best friend she gets sent to the north under the protection of a lord Proctor as a mercy while she awaits her trial...and of course there is a romance aspect so we can probably guess what will happen between those two.
It was a slow burn but we got to learn a lot of about the world the story takes place in and really get to know our main characters. It can be a bit slow pacing sometimes but not for filler purposes...everything is intentional.
The ending is bittersweet and while it seems there may be a set up for a sequel, I would be happy if the story ended here because it makes sense.
This is more mature romantasy vibe that doesn't focus on the romance solely but rather the characters themselves.
A fabulous read loved it.
Did Not Finish
October 1, 2026 It's Not You, It's Me, Magdalena
Time of death: 45%
First of all, thank you SO very much to Putnam | Penguin Random House and my new book bestie Gwen, who sent me the Widget for this ARC! ILYSM and I am so incredibly honored to be among your chosen!
Okay so. Here's the thing: I actually LOVE Caitríona's writing. It's very well done, entertaining, and funny, and it's so easy to just fall into. No notes there. (Truly. None. lol)
For me, the story was just a tad slow. I did enjoy the characters, but there wasn't a ton of world building or detail about the magic, and it fell a tad flat for me. Maybe this is just a wrong reader, wrong time situation? Because I enjoyed the writing enough that I would absolutely pick up another one of her books in the future!
If you're looking for something slower paced and not super high stakes, this may be for you. I'm sad I won't get to see where the romance heads, because I have a feeling it's gonna be good! But alas, I'm just not invested enough.
Time of death: 45%
First of all, thank you SO very much to Putnam | Penguin Random House and my new book bestie Gwen, who sent me the Widget for this ARC! ILYSM and I am so incredibly honored to be among your chosen!
Okay so. Here's the thing: I actually LOVE Caitríona's writing. It's very well done, entertaining, and funny, and it's so easy to just fall into. No notes there. (Truly. None. lol)
For me, the story was just a tad slow. I did enjoy the characters, but there wasn't a ton of world building or detail about the magic, and it fell a tad flat for me. Maybe this is just a wrong reader, wrong time situation? Because I enjoyed the writing enough that I would absolutely pick up another one of her books in the future!
If you're looking for something slower paced and not super high stakes, this may be for you. I'm sad I won't get to see where the romance heads, because I have a feeling it's gonna be good! But alas, I'm just not invested enough.
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