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A Forty Something Fury #1
A Forty Something Fury
Midlife crisis or magical apocalypse? Can't it be both?
Angie Daly thought her biggest problems were keeping her struggling bookstore afloat and surviving her eccentric family. At forty-something, that means supporting her twenty-something twins, ignoring her divorced parents hooking up above her garage, tolerating her husband’s sea-shanty band phase, and propping up her best friend through a bitter divorce.
That all feels manageable until Angie wakes in the middle of the night to find two elves, an aggravated fairy, and a gluttonous miniature giant tearing through her refrigerator. The fae in her kitchen claim she is a legendary Warrior, the only one capable of stopping a warlock who feeds on magic and plans to drain the fae world dry.
Fairy tales are real. Some of her friends and neighbors are not human. And when Angie’s best friend vanishes, denial stops being an option.
It’s high time for Angie to dig deep and discover her inner warrior witch. Because if she fails, she will lose more than her sanity. She will lose her friend, her world, and herself.
Midlife magic proves messy and entertaining as Angie’s chaotic family life collides with a hidden fae world in this fast-paced, funny urban fantasy. — Kim Watt, author of Baking Bad and other fantasy series
Angie Daly thought her biggest problems were keeping her struggling bookstore afloat and surviving her eccentric family. At forty-something, that means supporting her twenty-something twins, ignoring her divorced parents hooking up above her garage, tolerating her husband’s sea-shanty band phase, and propping up her best friend through a bitter divorce.
That all feels manageable until Angie wakes in the middle of the night to find two elves, an aggravated fairy, and a gluttonous miniature giant tearing through her refrigerator. The fae in her kitchen claim she is a legendary Warrior, the only one capable of stopping a warlock who feeds on magic and plans to drain the fae world dry.
Fairy tales are real. Some of her friends and neighbors are not human. And when Angie’s best friend vanishes, denial stops being an option.
It’s high time for Angie to dig deep and discover her inner warrior witch. Because if she fails, she will lose more than her sanity. She will lose her friend, her world, and herself.
Midlife magic proves messy and entertaining as Angie’s chaotic family life collides with a hidden fae world in this fast-paced, funny urban fantasy. — Kim Watt, author of Baking Bad and other fantasy series
- GenresAmazon
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Bryon Cahill
22 books48 followersBryon Cahill is an author for all ages. A stay-at-home dad by day and night, he writes by proverbial candlelight in the wee strange hours of morning.
In the past, Bryon was an award-winning writer and editor of literary publications for teens. His stories, influenced by phantasmagorical classics such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, do often steer off-course, alighting on the wings of the fantastical.
When not writing or Dadding, Bryon dreams of sleeping sheep. He summers, winters, springs, and falls with his loving family along the sunny beaches of the Jersey Shore.
In the past, Bryon was an award-winning writer and editor of literary publications for teens. His stories, influenced by phantasmagorical classics such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, do often steer off-course, alighting on the wings of the fantastical.
When not writing or Dadding, Bryon dreams of sleeping sheep. He summers, winters, springs, and falls with his loving family along the sunny beaches of the Jersey Shore.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 20, 2026
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
3.75*
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review (& noted the wrong date, sorry had 20th March not 10th).
I liked the premise.
I liked the characters.
[] I didn't really connect with the MC, but unlike other times I did not find that that hindered my enjoyment of the story. I found the premise itself reason enough to want to find out how the story ended, even if I didn't feel invested on the MC's behalf on a 'personal' level.
I enjoyed the story.
Needs better proof reading:
1. MC's dad's surname is given as Smith, yet her maiden surname (& a plot point) is Daly. -- We're told her parents were married and that MC gave up her father's name for her husband's but she's still a Daly.
2. MC's mother is called Margaret Petersen, yet later in the book we learn MC's married name is Petersen, but its definitely her mother she's talking to, not her mother-in-law.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
3.75*
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review (& noted the wrong date, sorry had 20th March not 10th).
I liked the premise.
I liked the characters.
[] I didn't really connect with the MC, but unlike other times I did not find that that hindered my enjoyment of the story. I found the premise itself reason enough to want to find out how the story ended, even if I didn't feel invested on the MC's behalf on a 'personal' level.
I enjoyed the story.
Needs better proof reading:
1. MC's dad's surname is given as Smith, yet her maiden surname (& a plot point) is Daly. -- We're told her parents were married and that MC gave up her father's name for her husband's but she's still a Daly.
2. MC's mother is called Margaret Petersen, yet later in the book we learn MC's married name is Petersen, but its definitely her mother she's talking to, not her mother-in-law.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
Review of advance copy received from Author
A great read for anyone over forty (or nearing it) and feeling like they need to liven things up a bit. Angie is a character so many of us can relate to, having settled into a normal life in her middling years. Without falling too much into stereotypes, the characters in this story take you on an enjoyable adventure with enough twists and character development to make for an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Autre
I wish I would be as cool and badass at forty! This was just a really nice read.
It's a truly funny Fantasy with for once a normal woman in her forties just trying to hold her life and family together. And the side caracters are hilarious and sassy!
It's a truly funny Fantasy with for once a normal woman in her forties just trying to hold her life and family together. And the side caracters are hilarious and sassy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Bryon Cahill for the opportunity to read an advance copy of A Forty-Something Fury.
I truly appreciate the trust you place in readers when you share your work before publication. It means a lot to be invited into Angie’s world early, to experience the humor, heart, and magic before it reaches everyone else.
Thank you for creating such a vibrant, chaotic, and empowering story, and for allowing me to be part of its journey. I’m so grateful for the chance to read and share my honest thoughts. Wishing this book every success it deserves to find its people. 💫📚 A Forty-Something Fury is a sharp, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt urban fantasy that proves midlife is the perfect time for destiny to show uploud, messy, and absolutely uninvited, finally.
Angie Daly is a bookstore owner barely holding things together. Her shop is struggling, her family life is chaotic in the most lovingly exhausting way, and her emotional bandwidth is already maxed out before magic ever enters the room. From the very first chapter, the voice is confident and witty, grounded in real-world frustrations that feel painfully relatable: money stress, adult children finding their way, eccentric parents, and the quiet resentment of never quite having time for yourself.
Then the fae arrive. In her kitchen. Eating her food. What follows is a delightful collision between domestic chaos and supernatural nonsense. Elves, fairies, giants, warlocks, and long-buried truths about Angie’s lineage all come crashing into her carefully balanced (barely) life. The humor lands beautifully, often dry, sometimes absurd, and always character-driven. The dialogue sparkles, especially in moments where Angie’s internal monologue clashes with the sheer ridiculousness of what’s unfolding around her.
What really makes this book shine, though, is heart. Beneath the jokes and magic is a story about identity, inheritance, and finally stepping into yourself after years of prioritizing everyone else. Angie isn’t a young, wide-eyed chosen one. She’s tired. She’s skeptical. She swears. And she still shows up when it matters. That makes her journey feel earned and deeply satisfying.
The supporting cast is equally strong. Angie’s family dynamics are chaotic but loving, filled with banter and warmth. Her friendships feel real, messy, and emotionally grounded. Even the magical characters have distinct personalities that add texture rather than gimmicks. The balance between the human world and the fae realm is handled with clarity and charm, making the fantasy accessible without losing its sense of wonder.
The pacing is brisk but not rushed, with a strong sense of momentum that keeps things engaging while allowing space for emotional beats. By the final chapters, the story has grown into something larger than its premise, still funny, still magical, but also quietly affirming.
A Forty-Something Fury is a love letter to second chances, late-blooming power, and the idea that it’s never too late to become extraordinary, especially if you’re already holding everything together with duct tape and caffeine.
Highly recommended 👌🏻
My Verdict: A Love Letter to Second Chances
A Forty-Something Fury is more than just a funny urban fantasy; it’s a quietly affirming love letter to the late-bloomer. It suggests that power doesn't have an expiration date and that being "extraordinary" is often just a natural extension of the resilience required to survive everyday adulthood.
This is a must-read if you love:
Midlife Magic: Stories where the heroine is over forty and over it.
The "Domestic Fantasy" Subgenre: Where magical battles happen between laundry loads.
Witty Prose: Character-driven storytelling that makes you laugh out loud.
Found Family: Heartfelt, messy, and grounded relationships.
I truly appreciate the trust you place in readers when you share your work before publication. It means a lot to be invited into Angie’s world early, to experience the humor, heart, and magic before it reaches everyone else.
Thank you for creating such a vibrant, chaotic, and empowering story, and for allowing me to be part of its journey. I’m so grateful for the chance to read and share my honest thoughts. Wishing this book every success it deserves to find its people. 💫📚 A Forty-Something Fury is a sharp, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt urban fantasy that proves midlife is the perfect time for destiny to show uploud, messy, and absolutely uninvited, finally.
Angie Daly is a bookstore owner barely holding things together. Her shop is struggling, her family life is chaotic in the most lovingly exhausting way, and her emotional bandwidth is already maxed out before magic ever enters the room. From the very first chapter, the voice is confident and witty, grounded in real-world frustrations that feel painfully relatable: money stress, adult children finding their way, eccentric parents, and the quiet resentment of never quite having time for yourself.
Then the fae arrive. In her kitchen. Eating her food. What follows is a delightful collision between domestic chaos and supernatural nonsense. Elves, fairies, giants, warlocks, and long-buried truths about Angie’s lineage all come crashing into her carefully balanced (barely) life. The humor lands beautifully, often dry, sometimes absurd, and always character-driven. The dialogue sparkles, especially in moments where Angie’s internal monologue clashes with the sheer ridiculousness of what’s unfolding around her.
What really makes this book shine, though, is heart. Beneath the jokes and magic is a story about identity, inheritance, and finally stepping into yourself after years of prioritizing everyone else. Angie isn’t a young, wide-eyed chosen one. She’s tired. She’s skeptical. She swears. And she still shows up when it matters. That makes her journey feel earned and deeply satisfying.
The supporting cast is equally strong. Angie’s family dynamics are chaotic but loving, filled with banter and warmth. Her friendships feel real, messy, and emotionally grounded. Even the magical characters have distinct personalities that add texture rather than gimmicks. The balance between the human world and the fae realm is handled with clarity and charm, making the fantasy accessible without losing its sense of wonder.
The pacing is brisk but not rushed, with a strong sense of momentum that keeps things engaging while allowing space for emotional beats. By the final chapters, the story has grown into something larger than its premise, still funny, still magical, but also quietly affirming.
A Forty-Something Fury is a love letter to second chances, late-blooming power, and the idea that it’s never too late to become extraordinary, especially if you’re already holding everything together with duct tape and caffeine.
Highly recommended 👌🏻
My Verdict: A Love Letter to Second Chances
A Forty-Something Fury is more than just a funny urban fantasy; it’s a quietly affirming love letter to the late-bloomer. It suggests that power doesn't have an expiration date and that being "extraordinary" is often just a natural extension of the resilience required to survive everyday adulthood.
This is a must-read if you love:
Midlife Magic: Stories where the heroine is over forty and over it.
The "Domestic Fantasy" Subgenre: Where magical battles happen between laundry loads.
Witty Prose: Character-driven storytelling that makes you laugh out loud.
Found Family: Heartfelt, messy, and grounded relationships.
April 6, 2026
If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding life together with caffeine, sarcasm, and sheer determination—A Forty-Something Fury is going to feel like it was written just for you.
Angie Daly is not your typical chosen one. She’s juggling a struggling bookstore, a wildly chaotic family, and the kind of everyday stress that feels all too real. Her life is already full before magic ever shows up… and then it quite literally crashes into her kitchen. Elves in the fridge. A fairy with attitude. A tiny giant with no concept of portion control. And suddenly, saving the world is added to her already overwhelming to-do list.
What makes this story shine is how real Angie feels. She’s skeptical, exhausted, a little overwhelmed—and completely relatable. She doesn’t leap into destiny with excitement. She questions it. Pushes back against it. Wonders how on earth she’s supposed to be anything special. And that hesitation makes her journey all the more powerful.
Because when it counts… she shows up.
The humor in this book is absolutely one of its strongest points. It’s sharp, dry, and perfectly timed, often coming from Angie’s internal reactions to the absurdity unfolding around her. The contrast between her very normal, very messy life and the magical chaos invading it creates moments that are laugh-out-loud funny without ever losing heart.
And there’s a lot of heart here.
Beneath the fae antics and supernatural adventure is a story about identity, about rediscovering yourself after years of putting everyone else first. It’s about realizing that strength doesn’t disappear with age—it evolves. Angie’s growth feels earned, layered, and deeply satisfying, especially as she begins to embrace the truth about who she is and what she’s capable of.
The supporting cast adds even more depth, from her eccentric but loving family to a wonderfully odd group of magical companions who feel more like found family than anything else. The world-building strikes a great balance—rich enough to feel immersive, but grounded enough to stay accessible.
By the end, what starts as quirky and chaotic grows into something meaningful, empowering, and quietly inspiring.
If you love urban fantasy with humor, heart, and a main character who proves it’s never too late to step into your power, this is an absolute must-read.
Because sometimes the person who saves the world… is the one who was just trying to survive the week.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Angie Daly is not your typical chosen one. She’s juggling a struggling bookstore, a wildly chaotic family, and the kind of everyday stress that feels all too real. Her life is already full before magic ever shows up… and then it quite literally crashes into her kitchen. Elves in the fridge. A fairy with attitude. A tiny giant with no concept of portion control. And suddenly, saving the world is added to her already overwhelming to-do list.
What makes this story shine is how real Angie feels. She’s skeptical, exhausted, a little overwhelmed—and completely relatable. She doesn’t leap into destiny with excitement. She questions it. Pushes back against it. Wonders how on earth she’s supposed to be anything special. And that hesitation makes her journey all the more powerful.
Because when it counts… she shows up.
The humor in this book is absolutely one of its strongest points. It’s sharp, dry, and perfectly timed, often coming from Angie’s internal reactions to the absurdity unfolding around her. The contrast between her very normal, very messy life and the magical chaos invading it creates moments that are laugh-out-loud funny without ever losing heart.
And there’s a lot of heart here.
Beneath the fae antics and supernatural adventure is a story about identity, about rediscovering yourself after years of putting everyone else first. It’s about realizing that strength doesn’t disappear with age—it evolves. Angie’s growth feels earned, layered, and deeply satisfying, especially as she begins to embrace the truth about who she is and what she’s capable of.
The supporting cast adds even more depth, from her eccentric but loving family to a wonderfully odd group of magical companions who feel more like found family than anything else. The world-building strikes a great balance—rich enough to feel immersive, but grounded enough to stay accessible.
By the end, what starts as quirky and chaotic grows into something meaningful, empowering, and quietly inspiring.
If you love urban fantasy with humor, heart, and a main character who proves it’s never too late to step into your power, this is an absolute must-read.
Because sometimes the person who saves the world… is the one who was just trying to survive the week.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 10, 2026
This is the story of Angie Daly a married, bookstore owning, suburban mom, living her mid-life as the unappreciated workhorse of the family, when the hidden Fae world comes to visit and eat her leftovers. Apparently only Angie (assuming she's the correct Angie Daly) is the capable of stopping the evil warlock who intent on drinking the fae world dry. Angie doesn't want to take up the mantle of legendary Fae Warrior, but when her best friend goes missing, she assumes the role and sets out to stop him.
This was a truly funny story with a "normalish" woman in her forties just trying to hold her life and family together. It was fun and lighthearted, yet action filled and the cast of side characters were hilarious and sarcastically witty! This book pairs a bookstore setting with the kind of chaotic, supportive family / friend dynamics I gravitate toward, just my cup of tea. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
This was a truly funny story with a "normalish" woman in her forties just trying to hold her life and family together. It was fun and lighthearted, yet action filled and the cast of side characters were hilarious and sarcastically witty! This book pairs a bookstore setting with the kind of chaotic, supportive family / friend dynamics I gravitate toward, just my cup of tea. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am a huge fan of urban fantasy. This author amazed me with his storytelling and how real Angie behaved. When she discovered she had warrior powers, she came into a world of fae creatures. They needed her help taking down a warlock. She was reluctant to join their quest because she did not believe she was anything special. As she completed more complex tasks, Angie realized she had to help her fae friends. I laughed at many of the antics the group did. I was shocked when Angie found out she really is fae. Now I cannot wait to read more of Angie and this ragtag group of friends.
March 10, 2026
A Forty Something Fury was an interesting book. The story is creative and the characters are well developed, but I just couldn't really get into it even though I normally really like this type of book. I just really didn't connect with Angie enough to care about the story. That being said, the book is well written, so another reader might very well enjoy it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A twisty, utterly riveting tale with an intriguing and exciting plot and a lot of humour. I loved the characters, Angie is absolutely awesome, but Edgar is my favourite. Highly recommended!
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own..
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own..
March 14, 2026
What happens when you get a sword of destiny with the name misspelled? Angie is about to find out as she goes from wife, mother, and bookstore owner to the Warrior. It was a quirky and enjoyable read with great characters and several interesting twists.
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May 6, 2026This is such a good book! I would love to have powers like Angie. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Angie owns & runs a bookstore & has entered her 40's. Ellie is her dear friend & co-worker. Angie is married to Clive & has twin teens, Mae and Robbie. Her dad lives over her garage. One night a noise downstairs wakes Angie up. She goes down to the kitchen and finds multiple someones raiding her kitchen. She yells at them to get out of her house and they start telling her why they are there. She tells them to clean up when they are done and restock the refrigerator and goes back to bed. The next morning the kitchen and frig look just as they should be. That night the same thing happens. Angie asks who they are. Turns out Edgar is a dwarf giant (really tall), Aelwyn & Elthirion are twin elves and very tiny Prim is a disgruntled fairy. She flies all over the kitchen while telling her that she is the Warrior and the sword is her destiny. They need her to kill this warlock who is stealing Fae powers and killing them. This is a page turner with some funny moments and lots of mystery. Did I tell you that Edgar can split the air open and make a portal to any where he wants to go including other realms? This story is amazing and I am excited to start the sequel!
I am an ARC reader.
I am an ARC reader.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews