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Mage Call: A YA Fantasy of Magic and Rebellion
Magic broke the Hedge. The truth could break everything.Elise thought finding Malvada’s lost chapters would bring her closer to the truth. Instead, it has made her a target.
With the government tightening its grip on magic users, Elise risks everything on a desperate break into the Tower of London and rescue Malvada’s imprisoned son, who may be the key to why the Hedge fell and magic flooded back into the world.
But the Tower holds more than prisoners. Hidden deep within its walls are secrets the Government will kill to keep. Secrets that cast doubt on everything Elise thought she knew.
As Elise’s search for answers leads into the past, Malvada’s own story begins to the truth of what she did inside the Hedge, the choices that brought the barrier down, and the price of setting magic free.
If Elise wants to save the people she loves, she must decide which stories to believe … and which truths are worth risking a revolution for.
With the government tightening its grip on magic users, Elise risks everything on a desperate break into the Tower of London and rescue Malvada’s imprisoned son, who may be the key to why the Hedge fell and magic flooded back into the world.
But the Tower holds more than prisoners. Hidden deep within its walls are secrets the Government will kill to keep. Secrets that cast doubt on everything Elise thought she knew.
As Elise’s search for answers leads into the past, Malvada’s own story begins to the truth of what she did inside the Hedge, the choices that brought the barrier down, and the price of setting magic free.
If Elise wants to save the people she loves, she must decide which stories to believe … and which truths are worth risking a revolution for.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy
3.5 🌟
'But knowing and seeing are not the same. In that moment, I felt like Magic was eating me, devouring the person I had been and leaving someone else in its place. A woman I didn’t know.' (Ch 19)
YA Fantasy | Dystopian-esque + a bit of magic | Rescue Mission
Not a standalone, so if you have not read book 1, you may want to skip this review.
I was looking forward to this book! Elise’s and Malvada’s story continues... It started off at a slow pace, then picked up only just a little bit.
'It was all over. There was no one coming for her, and she was going to betray everyone.' (Ch 7)
It was a rescue mission with high-stakes. Maneuvering through a broken government at war with the people.
“When there’s peace, there’s scope for justice and mercy. There’s no time in war.” (Ch 12)
I kind of got confused at some points where suddenly the scene changed, leaving me to question, 'Umm, what just happened? Did I miss something?' In which case I'd backtrack only to find that I hadn't missed anything. It was just what it was.
Elise gets reunited with some characters from book 1. While I liked Rebecca, I think their relationship was done. I liked Daniel even though he and Elise didn't see eye-to-eye, I thought they would be the better match. This isn't a romance, though, so I didn't place much hope in any strong romances developing.
It was good finally finding out what happened to Maldava beyond the pieces of her journal. What she went through, the battles, trials and tribulations, the unfair turn of events. Like, what more could this girl possibly go through?!
'And so I waited, caught on the island between the two armies of a war that seemed a world beyond me, a war that had no good outcome however the victory fell.' (Ch 26)
There will be a book 3.
eARC courtesy of BookSirens
'But knowing and seeing are not the same. In that moment, I felt like Magic was eating me, devouring the person I had been and leaving someone else in its place. A woman I didn’t know.' (Ch 19)
YA Fantasy | Dystopian-esque + a bit of magic | Rescue Mission
Not a standalone, so if you have not read book 1, you may want to skip this review.
I was looking forward to this book! Elise’s and Malvada’s story continues... It started off at a slow pace, then picked up only just a little bit.
'It was all over. There was no one coming for her, and she was going to betray everyone.' (Ch 7)
It was a rescue mission with high-stakes. Maneuvering through a broken government at war with the people.
“When there’s peace, there’s scope for justice and mercy. There’s no time in war.” (Ch 12)
I kind of got confused at some points where suddenly the scene changed, leaving me to question, 'Umm, what just happened? Did I miss something?' In which case I'd backtrack only to find that I hadn't missed anything. It was just what it was.
Elise gets reunited with some characters from book 1. While I liked Rebecca, I think their relationship was done. I liked Daniel even though he and Elise didn't see eye-to-eye, I thought they would be the better match. This isn't a romance, though, so I didn't place much hope in any strong romances developing.
It was good finally finding out what happened to Maldava beyond the pieces of her journal. What she went through, the battles, trials and tribulations, the unfair turn of events. Like, what more could this girl possibly go through?!
'And so I waited, caught on the island between the two armies of a war that seemed a world beyond me, a war that had no good outcome however the victory fell.' (Ch 26)
There will be a book 3.
eARC courtesy of BookSirens
Review of advance copy
Following the cliffhanger/reveal at the end of Hedge Witch, the sequel Mage Call follows straight on and immediately draws the reader back into the post-Hedge world. In Mage Call, the stakes are even higher, with protagonist Elise on a mission to break into (yes, into) the Tower of London.
The futuristic UK setting feels even more vivid and unsettling in Mage Call. Seeing how the world has shifted and the events that have transpired after the revolutionary match was ignited in Hedge Witch was really exciting.
As with Hedge Witch, Murphy is able to switch between the two character perspectives and dual timeline masterfully. I greatly enjoyed getting to know both main characters in greater depth in this sequel – these are characters that feel genuine and you find yourself relating to them and rooting for them to succeed.
The Hedgefall Chronicles is atmospheric and immersive, and offers something quite different from the usual fantasy and YA stories. Mage Call is a fast-paced sequel that expertly raises the tension from the last book, and I can not wait for the final instalment of the trilogy to arrive!
Highly recommended for fantasy fans, or simply anyone looking for a great story to lose themselves in another world.
The futuristic UK setting feels even more vivid and unsettling in Mage Call. Seeing how the world has shifted and the events that have transpired after the revolutionary match was ignited in Hedge Witch was really exciting.
As with Hedge Witch, Murphy is able to switch between the two character perspectives and dual timeline masterfully. I greatly enjoyed getting to know both main characters in greater depth in this sequel – these are characters that feel genuine and you find yourself relating to them and rooting for them to succeed.
The Hedgefall Chronicles is atmospheric and immersive, and offers something quite different from the usual fantasy and YA stories. Mage Call is a fast-paced sequel that expertly raises the tension from the last book, and I can not wait for the final instalment of the trilogy to arrive!
Highly recommended for fantasy fans, or simply anyone looking for a great story to lose themselves in another world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the first page of this book you are thrown into the world of Mage Call, and carried along in the current of the story. The tightly woven plot, and the (sometimes cruel) twists of fate that the characters face are often shocking but always absorbing. The dystopian world feels vivid, without ever slowing the momentum of the book.
The different perspectives of Elise and Malvada are well balanced, and the consequences of the first book continue to unravel for all of the characters as they collide again throughout this second instalment. Murphy never talks down to her audience, and the complicated emotions that accompany friendship, family, betrayal and romance are all explored throughout Mage Call with nuance.
I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fast paced fantasy and intriguing mystery.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The different perspectives of Elise and Malvada are well balanced, and the consequences of the first book continue to unravel for all of the characters as they collide again throughout this second instalment. Murphy never talks down to her audience, and the complicated emotions that accompany friendship, family, betrayal and romance are all explored throughout Mage Call with nuance.
I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fast paced fantasy and intriguing mystery.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An unbelievable continuation if the Hedgefall series, Mage Call is a triumph. I was enraptured from beginning to end, the way Murphy pulls you into the world she has created and holds you there as the plot unfolds is nothing short of magic itself. I loved these characters, and can't wait to spend more time with them. There were characters I love to hate, the villains in this series are larger than life and terrifyingly realistic despite the fantasy setting. Her heroes are so human you can't help but feel every loss and victory as if it were you're own. I will absolutely be seated for the third installment. Can't recommend this series enough. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mage Call, the second book in The Hedgefall Chronicles, expands the world introduced in the first, deepening the setting and raising the stakes.
I enjoyed spending more time with our two central, complex heroines. The way it handles themes like pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood feels thoughtful and grounded, and spoke to me as a mother.
It’s well-paced, emotionally engaging, and left me greatly looking forward to the final installment. If you haven’t read the first book yet, it’s definitely worth starting there and catching up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed spending more time with our two central, complex heroines. The way it handles themes like pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood feels thoughtful and grounded, and spoke to me as a mother.
It’s well-paced, emotionally engaging, and left me greatly looking forward to the final installment. If you haven’t read the first book yet, it’s definitely worth starting there and catching up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2026
I really enjoyed Mage Call, the second instalment of the Hedge Witch trilogy. The book continues Elise and Malvada’s stories with a split perspective across two halves of the book.
In this book we begin to explore the fantasy elements and world building in more depth. I particularly enjoyed the unique take on the Fae folk, which blends traditional Scottish folk tales with the authors own ideas. This creates a story which has elements of myths and folk tales but with a refreshing and inventive new take.
The book would appeal to fans of fantasy and speculative fiction but also to general fiction, as it’s not too intense on world building - the plot and pacing carrying it well throughout.
Looking forward to the final book!
I received an advance copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this book we begin to explore the fantasy elements and world building in more depth. I particularly enjoyed the unique take on the Fae folk, which blends traditional Scottish folk tales with the authors own ideas. This creates a story which has elements of myths and folk tales but with a refreshing and inventive new take.
The book would appeal to fans of fantasy and speculative fiction but also to general fiction, as it’s not too intense on world building - the plot and pacing carrying it well throughout.
Looking forward to the final book!
I received an advance copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great storytelling which weaves along different paths and characters towards an ending that connects relationships and alliances to set you up for book three.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews