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Mages & Murder #1
Gravespell
Not yet published
Expected 6 Apr 27Win a free print copy of this book!
9 days and 13:25:10
10 copies available
U.S. only
Wednesday meets One of Us Is Lying in this magic-filled thriller set at a modern school for wizards. A new start to a fantasy trilogy from James Trevino and Elizabeth Sagan.
Alice Howe is an outcast at the elite Deepgrove Academy, which suits her just fine. But an unwelcome premonition means she'll have to step out of the shadows. Because now she's the only one at Deepgrove who knows two terrible things. In seven days her schoolmate Xena Wycomb, daughter of the American President of Magic, will be dead. And, if left unsolved, Xena's murder will ignite a war.
Despite Alice's warning, Xena meets her foreseen demise. But before she does, she points a finger at the prime suspects in her own murder, each of whom has a deadly secret to keep.
The ex-boyfriend she cheated on and the heir to the biggest magical corporation in the world.
The traitorous best friend who is embroiled in a scandal of her own.
Xena's new boyfriend, a mage born without magic and the perfect scapegoat.
And of course, Alice herself.
Soon, the four of them are at the center of a huge media scandal, amid a very public murder investigation, which brings the modern wizarding world to the brink of war between those born with magic and those born without.
Alice knows she can't trust her fellow suspects but they all hold a piece of the puzzle. As suspicion falls on each of them in turn, Alice must find a way to uncover who killed Xena before the whole of magekind meets the same fate.
Alice Howe is an outcast at the elite Deepgrove Academy, which suits her just fine. But an unwelcome premonition means she'll have to step out of the shadows. Because now she's the only one at Deepgrove who knows two terrible things. In seven days her schoolmate Xena Wycomb, daughter of the American President of Magic, will be dead. And, if left unsolved, Xena's murder will ignite a war.
Despite Alice's warning, Xena meets her foreseen demise. But before she does, she points a finger at the prime suspects in her own murder, each of whom has a deadly secret to keep.
The ex-boyfriend she cheated on and the heir to the biggest magical corporation in the world.
The traitorous best friend who is embroiled in a scandal of her own.
Xena's new boyfriend, a mage born without magic and the perfect scapegoat.
And of course, Alice herself.
Soon, the four of them are at the center of a huge media scandal, amid a very public murder investigation, which brings the modern wizarding world to the brink of war between those born with magic and those born without.
Alice knows she can't trust her fellow suspects but they all hold a piece of the puzzle. As suspicion falls on each of them in turn, Alice must find a way to uncover who killed Xena before the whole of magekind meets the same fate.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 6, 2027
About the author
James Trevino
3 books42.8k followersJames Trevino is fascinated by magical societies full of dark secrets, morally gray characters, and impossible choices. He writes about people who stumble, fight, and sometimes fail, but always try to do better in worlds that are anything but simple. When he’s not writing, James can be found listening to creepypastas, binge-watching fantasy and sci-fi shows, or digging into history, all under the watchful eye of his cat familiar, Wanda.
GRAVESPELL, his debut novel releasing in April 2027, will be published in more than a dozen countries.
You can find him on Instagram as @james_trevino and TikTok as @james.trevino or at trevinoandsagan.com
GRAVESPELL, his debut novel releasing in April 2027, will be published in more than a dozen countries.
You can find him on Instagram as @james_trevino and TikTok as @james.trevino or at trevinoandsagan.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I know this is only coming out in April but I saw it was Wednesday (one of my favourite shows) reminiscent & I just couldn’t stop thinking about it so here we are! Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc 💜🐍
« normal is overrated. »
They weren’t lying when they mentioned Wednesday Addams in the synopsis. I fell head over heels for this one!
Gravespell follows 4 well balanced POVs in a magical academy for mageborns. Our first POV is Alice, an outcast (who’s very happy with that title, thank you very much) who has a snake 🐍 familiar (loved Darling so much) who has a vision that Xena (a very popular girl) is going to die in a week’s time.
The second POV follows Ben, the only void (absence of magic) in this magical academy, who is Xena’s boyfriend.
The third POV is Delvy, Xena’s best friend and the last one is Chris, Xena’s ex boyfriend and heir to a destructive company.
When I tell you the found family had me on the floor I’m not even being dramatic. I loved all 4 pov’s equally and I loved Vlad, Alice’s best friend, too. Alice’s family was the sweetest and made me so envious.
We follow them along this murder mystery while the world goes south. Our MCs go through so much character development & emotions, it’s impossible not to feel for them. They had so much growth, and I just loved reading about them. Their character arcs were so well defined & they were multi layered.
The magic system, the familiars system, the politics, the academics… it was all so unique & everything was well thought out. I was glued to the page and couldn’t put it down. It was so addictive and nothing was as simple as it seemed. The complexity behind the politics/power balance was truly astonishing. The stakes were so high & dark that it was impossible not to feel anxious.
I highly recommend this. It was absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait for the sequel.
« normal is overrated. »
They weren’t lying when they mentioned Wednesday Addams in the synopsis. I fell head over heels for this one!
Gravespell follows 4 well balanced POVs in a magical academy for mageborns. Our first POV is Alice, an outcast (who’s very happy with that title, thank you very much) who has a snake 🐍 familiar (loved Darling so much) who has a vision that Xena (a very popular girl) is going to die in a week’s time.
The second POV follows Ben, the only void (absence of magic) in this magical academy, who is Xena’s boyfriend.
The third POV is Delvy, Xena’s best friend and the last one is Chris, Xena’s ex boyfriend and heir to a destructive company.
When I tell you the found family had me on the floor I’m not even being dramatic. I loved all 4 pov’s equally and I loved Vlad, Alice’s best friend, too. Alice’s family was the sweetest and made me so envious.
We follow them along this murder mystery while the world goes south. Our MCs go through so much character development & emotions, it’s impossible not to feel for them. They had so much growth, and I just loved reading about them. Their character arcs were so well defined & they were multi layered.
The magic system, the familiars system, the politics, the academics… it was all so unique & everything was well thought out. I was glued to the page and couldn’t put it down. It was so addictive and nothing was as simple as it seemed. The complexity behind the politics/power balance was truly astonishing. The stakes were so high & dark that it was impossible not to feel anxious.
I highly recommend this. It was absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait for the sequel.
December 3, 2025
Beneath the modern world, a hidden society of wizards stands on the brink of war. At its heart lies the wondrous Deepgrove Academy, buried deep underground. As corporations strip magic for profit and power, with disastrous consequences, a group of students is drawn into a saga of mystery, murder, and mayhem when they’re accused of kíllíng the daughter of the American President of Magic.
Doesn’t this sound just amazing? Well, I might be biased because I’m one of the authors, haha. But if you give my little heart’s story a chance, I really hope you’ll enjoy it. Thank you, and happy reading!
Doesn’t this sound just amazing? Well, I might be biased because I’m one of the authors, haha. But if you give my little heart’s story a chance, I really hope you’ll enjoy it. Thank you, and happy reading!
December 3, 2025
I think this is a spectacular book, not only because my best friend and I wrote it, but also because we've read it ALOUD at least 14 times, and still managed to be captivated, feel chills, and laugh at our own jokes =))
November 26, 2025
SENSATIONAL! Elizabeth and James knocked it out of the park with this book. I wouldn’t be surprised (AT ALL) if this is the next big thing. This book isn’t just a work of art but one of partnership and absolute brilliance. Cannot wait for all to read it!!!!
Want to Read
November 24, 2025Okay - where do we sign up to read this ?
Review of advance copy received from Author
You think you’ll guess who did it. Think again.
Gravespell was my #1 read for 2027, so, imagine my utter delight when, this week, I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Magic truly exists and is the string that seamlessly interwove four PoVs into a heart-pounding, jaw-dropping tale of mage students who would have never crossed paths if it hadn’t been for the daughter of the American President of Magic (better said, the lack of her).
Right from the start you are submerged into ‘the greatest mage school in the American Grand Arch’, buried deep beneath our cities like the entire mage world. It’s a Tuesday and you follow Alice down the magically-lit corridors after having received a cryptid message from the most popular girl, with whom Alice hadn’t exchanged many words—well, aside from when Alice told her that she’s going to die. And now Alice, the outcast, finds herself embroiled with three notorious students in this miss popularity’s murder case.
The writing is bestspelling. Devastatingly so (my perturbed sleep schedule can attest to it). It charms you into lowering your defenses, even when you’re swaddled in them. ‘It’s just another murder case in an Academy setting. What can be so amazing?’ you say. You try to cling onto those shields, futilely so, when Alice grazes it with her sharp humor, Christopher scoffs at the pathetic attempt, Delvy gives you a sympathetic smile for having tried, and Ben assesses your next moves, ready to strike harder into your just-softened heart.
I finished it in one day and a half. (after I purposefully paced myself!)
I have to show some decorum I told myself, like a toddler left to oversee the candyshop. But my will was chipped away at every turn of the page ‘just one more. It’ll be the last one’ and it never was. I've been hexed, I tell you!
I sipped every line filled with witty quips, well-timed jokes and intricate worldbuilding. I gulped down their personal tragedies, the grief they had to carry on their young shoulders bent by the weight of their books and studies, and rejoiced at the heartfelt moments they shared, and the laughter that came even when their faces were still puffy from crying. It was inspiring to see how they kept on pushing onwards, striving to persevere despite everything that was coming their way (and I DO mean EVERYTHING).
Should you read it? Hmm…only if you want your heart to pound like crazy while you grip the edge of your seat, too immersed in those pages to even lift your head to properly reach for the tissue box. You get to live the confusing experience of bursting out in laughter while your vision is still blurred by unshed tears!
I would also like to make a note on the inclusion of Romanian folklore elements in the story. It was so neatly done. Those insertions were the cherries on the top of this bittersweet cake. And I am saying this as someone who (being Romanian) usually skips paragraphs in which there are insertions about Romania/Transylvania because they usually make me cringe. TOTALLY not the case here! I got to feel for the first time excitement to read about tidbits related to my country’s myths and customs and each time they made me grin and giggle like a fool.
July 3, 2026
I absolutely loved Gravespell
This was such a special read for me because it’s the first book I’ve ever read by Romanian authors, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.
The writing is incredibly engaging and flows effortlessly, making it almost impossible to put the book down. The plot is well crafted, and I was genuinely surprised by several of the twists along the way. Every reveal felt earned, and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end.
While some of the character dynamics may feel familiar to fantasy readers, the authors managed to give them their own unique charm through thoughtful details and strong character moments.
My absolute favorite part, though, was the incorporation of Romanian folklore and superstitions. Those elements added so much atmosphere and made the world feel fresh and distinctive. As a Romanian reader, it was incredibly exciting to see pieces of my own culture woven so naturally into the story.
For a debut novel, Gravespell exceeded all of my expectations. I’m also incredibly proud to be part of this book’s Street Team and to support such a fantastic release.
If you’re looking for a fantasy with an engaging plot, unexpected twists, memorable characters, and a touch of Romanian folklore, I can’t recommend this one enough. I truly hope you’ll give it a chance—you won’t regret it!
This was such a special read for me because it’s the first book I’ve ever read by Romanian authors, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.
The writing is incredibly engaging and flows effortlessly, making it almost impossible to put the book down. The plot is well crafted, and I was genuinely surprised by several of the twists along the way. Every reveal felt earned, and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end.
While some of the character dynamics may feel familiar to fantasy readers, the authors managed to give them their own unique charm through thoughtful details and strong character moments.
My absolute favorite part, though, was the incorporation of Romanian folklore and superstitions. Those elements added so much atmosphere and made the world feel fresh and distinctive. As a Romanian reader, it was incredibly exciting to see pieces of my own culture woven so naturally into the story.
For a debut novel, Gravespell exceeded all of my expectations. I’m also incredibly proud to be part of this book’s Street Team and to support such a fantastic release.
If you’re looking for a fantasy with an engaging plot, unexpected twists, memorable characters, and a touch of Romanian folklore, I can’t recommend this one enough. I truly hope you’ll give it a chance—you won’t regret it!
November 19, 2025
Currently rewatching the Harry Potter series with my partner so I’m *very* excited to read this! Female main character, wizards, magic and a mystery to solve?? I’m sat.
ps: i’ve been following Elizabeth Sagan’s bookstagram for the last 7 years and she’s the one who recommended ‘The Invisible life of Addie LaRue’ and helped me come out of a major reading slump 3 years ago so I’ll read anything she comes out with
ps: i’ve been following Elizabeth Sagan’s bookstagram for the last 7 years and she’s the one who recommended ‘The Invisible life of Addie LaRue’ and helped me come out of a major reading slump 3 years ago so I’ll read anything she comes out with
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was so, so excited for Gravespell, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a book that simply wasn't for me. Despite giving it a fair chance, finishing it only confirmed that I won't be continuing with the series.
The writing often felt awkward, almost as though the book had been translated from another language. Certain sentence structures and word choices disrupted the pacing and atmosphere, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story.
The multiple POVs were another major frustration. Most switches added nothing new, often revisiting the same scene without offering a fresh perspective. The characters' voices were so similar that I frequently didn't even notice when the POV had changed. Introducing so many seemingly important characters only to focus primarily on Alice and Chris made those additional perspectives feel even more unnecessary.
The plot was painfully predictable, with a murder "mystery" that was far too easy to solve and ultimately felt like background noise to Alice and Chris's developing relationship. Even at under 400 pages, the story struggled to hold my attention, and the obvious similarities to a certain popular magical school universe only added to my frustration.
Overall, Gravespell was a disappointing read filled with awkward writing, unnecessary POV switches, and an underwhelming mystery. I genuinely wanted to enjoy it, but instead found myself rolling my eyes far more often than I'd like to admit.
I was so, so excited for Gravespell, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a book that simply wasn't for me. Despite giving it a fair chance, finishing it only confirmed that I won't be continuing with the series.
The writing often felt awkward, almost as though the book had been translated from another language. Certain sentence structures and word choices disrupted the pacing and atmosphere, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story.
The multiple POVs were another major frustration. Most switches added nothing new, often revisiting the same scene without offering a fresh perspective. The characters' voices were so similar that I frequently didn't even notice when the POV had changed. Introducing so many seemingly important characters only to focus primarily on Alice and Chris made those additional perspectives feel even more unnecessary.
The plot was painfully predictable, with a murder "mystery" that was far too easy to solve and ultimately felt like background noise to Alice and Chris's developing relationship. Even at under 400 pages, the story struggled to hold my attention, and the obvious similarities to a certain popular magical school universe only added to my frustration.
Overall, Gravespell was a disappointing read filled with awkward writing, unnecessary POV switches, and an underwhelming mystery. I genuinely wanted to enjoy it, but instead found myself rolling my eyes far more often than I'd like to admit.
July 8, 2026
3,5⭐️
Review of advanced readers copy from Netgalley
🪄First of all, I wanna thank Netgalley and the authors, James and Elizabeth, for trusting me with their baby.
“Gravespell” is their debut ya fantasy novel and I expect great stories from them.
This one was just the beginning…
🪄We’re thrown right into the action, from the very first chapter, is fast paced and you have to keep up with all the events, so you won’t miss a thing. That’s the catch here… if you don’t keep up, well… your loss…
Every chapter comes with another revelation or not? 🫢, the multiple perspectives offer different angles from which you can see the story. Who to trust or not trust, how relationships were build before the murder and after, because even though Alice, Ben, Delvy and Christopher have nothing in common but the fact that they’re all suspects in Xena’s murder, this four students unite to solve the mystery and prove that they’re innocent.
🪄Alice was my favorite character from this story. I liked her sarcasm, that she didn’t wanted to display an image of who she wasn’t or that she could easily be played as a fool. I liked the friendship she had with Vlad, the Romanian student, and that they trusted each other most of the times. I even liked her familiar, though i’m not a fan of snakes 🐍 🫣.
🪄I felt sorry for the others- Ben, Christopher and Delvy - because they were seen as nothing more than Xena’s something and it was expected from them to act in certain ways. They were caught in the middle of nastiness, and even though they proved they are trust worthy, there was always something that stood in their way.
🪄I liked the idea of the story, the mystery vibes, the Romanian references (it felt like a piece of home 🥰), but I wanted more of the magical world and from the found family trope. This is just a personal preference, not that it was something wrong with the story. I’m fond of the found family trope and I do want one built chef’s kiss when I stumble upon it on books.
🪄Another issue, if I can say like that, that I had, was with the characters’s ages. They were 15-16 years old, but acted like 18 years old, even had some lines that didn’t sound at all teenager like. And that confused me a couple of times while reading.
🪄The story was also predictable for me; I suspected some of the plots and that ruined the element of surprise, but I think this happened because I’ve read so many books over the years and there are few things that surprise me in books anymore.
🪄There were some moments when I had my heart in my throat, but I’m not gonna say when and where, because I want that you to have your heart pounding like crazy too 🤣.
🪄Even so, I do recommend with all my heart “Gravespell” and I’m looking forward to find out how the story will develop in the upcoming books, but also what the authors have prepared for the characters 🫢.
Review of advanced readers copy from Netgalley
🪄First of all, I wanna thank Netgalley and the authors, James and Elizabeth, for trusting me with their baby.
“Gravespell” is their debut ya fantasy novel and I expect great stories from them.
This one was just the beginning…
🪄We’re thrown right into the action, from the very first chapter, is fast paced and you have to keep up with all the events, so you won’t miss a thing. That’s the catch here… if you don’t keep up, well… your loss…
Every chapter comes with another revelation or not? 🫢, the multiple perspectives offer different angles from which you can see the story. Who to trust or not trust, how relationships were build before the murder and after, because even though Alice, Ben, Delvy and Christopher have nothing in common but the fact that they’re all suspects in Xena’s murder, this four students unite to solve the mystery and prove that they’re innocent.
🪄Alice was my favorite character from this story. I liked her sarcasm, that she didn’t wanted to display an image of who she wasn’t or that she could easily be played as a fool. I liked the friendship she had with Vlad, the Romanian student, and that they trusted each other most of the times. I even liked her familiar, though i’m not a fan of snakes 🐍 🫣.
🪄I felt sorry for the others- Ben, Christopher and Delvy - because they were seen as nothing more than Xena’s something and it was expected from them to act in certain ways. They were caught in the middle of nastiness, and even though they proved they are trust worthy, there was always something that stood in their way.
🪄I liked the idea of the story, the mystery vibes, the Romanian references (it felt like a piece of home 🥰), but I wanted more of the magical world and from the found family trope. This is just a personal preference, not that it was something wrong with the story. I’m fond of the found family trope and I do want one built chef’s kiss when I stumble upon it on books.
🪄Another issue, if I can say like that, that I had, was with the characters’s ages. They were 15-16 years old, but acted like 18 years old, even had some lines that didn’t sound at all teenager like. And that confused me a couple of times while reading.
🪄The story was also predictable for me; I suspected some of the plots and that ruined the element of surprise, but I think this happened because I’ve read so many books over the years and there are few things that surprise me in books anymore.
🪄There were some moments when I had my heart in my throat, but I’m not gonna say when and where, because I want that you to have your heart pounding like crazy too 🤣.
🪄Even so, I do recommend with all my heart “Gravespell” and I’m looking forward to find out how the story will develop in the upcoming books, but also what the authors have prepared for the characters 🫢.
August 12, 2026
I read an advanced copy thanks to the authors and NetGalley.
This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. A mix of dark fantasy and mystery thriller full of plot twists and magic, set in a modern school for wizards, incredible world-building and an epic adventure, written so brilliantly! You cannot stop reading it once you started, despite the long chapters because you don’t even feel them.
I wish I could tell you more, but it is better to wait until it is published and you all have the pleasure to discover this amazing YA debut and the first in a series.
This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. A mix of dark fantasy and mystery thriller full of plot twists and magic, set in a modern school for wizards, incredible world-building and an epic adventure, written so brilliantly! You cannot stop reading it once you started, despite the long chapters because you don’t even feel them.
I wish I could tell you more, but it is better to wait until it is published and you all have the pleasure to discover this amazing YA debut and the first in a series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I say you're in for a treat, you are in for a fucking treat. So, I wanted to give it some grace because, well, you know, marketing as Young Adult, Wednesday Addams, One of us is Lying, etc.. But y'all… Are you sure we read the same thing???? DID WE ALL REALLY READ THE SAME THING?
First of all, before I even begin, let me save you the trouble: if you think the words Spellophone and Humile are, well, something . Save yourself the read because those words are TWO VERY TERMS from the book that made me close the arc, laugh very hard, and say, “No fucking way this is YA, right? Are my eyes working? I’m not reading some middle-grade novel?” No, guys, this happened in less than 10 pages. I'm not kidding.
Anyway, I put myself through 281 pages, approximately two days' worth of reading hours that I’ll never get back, so YOU didn’t have to. You might want to grab a chair, a drinkseveral drinks to get through this with me.
Let me give you the good things first:
- I love that the authors are really passionate about their work. I can tell there's a LOT of passion in this work. I'm really happy for them. I love that they love their book, and I hope they continue to for their future projects.
- I liked the historical snippets we got from their magical revolution in Trevino & Sagan’s world.
- The Romanian rep was lovely, but they weren't even a part of the main cast.
That is it.
On to everything else: Spoilers ahead; read at your discretion; this is VERY long.
If you come across this, go in with zero expectations, drunk and head empty, then maybe, maybe you'll have a better time than I did. And god, if you seek anything, just see yourself out the door right now. Close the book, save yourself the headache. if you read this review and decide to read it and end up liking the book, I’m glad it worked out for you.
Thanks netgalley & sourcebooks fire for the earc for an honest review. You will not be seeing me for the next installment, but I do hope the authors have something better for me in the future.
First of all, before I even begin, let me save you the trouble: if you think the words Spellophone and Humile are, well, something . Save yourself the read because those words are TWO VERY TERMS from the book that made me close the arc, laugh very hard, and say, “No fucking way this is YA, right? Are my eyes working? I’m not reading some middle-grade novel?” No, guys, this happened in less than 10 pages. I'm not kidding.
Anyway, I put myself through 281 pages, approximately two days' worth of reading hours that I’ll never get back, so YOU didn’t have to. You might want to grab a chair, a drink
Let me give you the good things first:
- I love that the authors are really passionate about their work. I can tell there's a LOT of passion in this work. I'm really happy for them. I love that they love their book, and I hope they continue to for their future projects.
- I liked the historical snippets we got from their magical revolution in Trevino & Sagan’s world.
- The Romanian rep was lovely, but they weren't even a part of the main cast.
That is it.
On to everything else: Spoilers ahead; read at your discretion; this is VERY long.
If you come across this, go in with zero expectations, drunk and head empty, then maybe, maybe you'll have a better time than I did. And god, if you seek anything, just see yourself out the door right now. Close the book, save yourself the headache. if you read this review and decide to read it and end up liking the book, I’m glad it worked out for you.
Thanks netgalley & sourcebooks fire for the earc for an honest review. You will not be seeing me for the next installment, but I do hope the authors have something better for me in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Is it love if you love someone only when that someone is who you want them to be?"
În primul rând, vreau să le mulțumesc autorilor @elizabeth_sagan, @james_trevino pentru oportunitatea de a citi cartea lor de debut, "Gravespell", ce va fi lansată oficial în aprilie 2027 (traducerea în română, la ledaedge) și pentru șansa de a face parte din #streetteam. Este o onoare!
Am pornit în această aventură plină de entuziasm și nerăbdătoare să descopăr acest prim volum din seria "Mages & Muder", o serie YA dark academy/fantasy cu accente puternice de thriller! Am pășit pe holurile Academiei de magie Deepgrove, curioasă să mă alătur celor 4 personaje principale, Alice, Ben, Chris & Delvy în eforturile lor de a rezolva misterul morții colegei lor, Xena, fiica uneia dintre cele mai importante și influente figuri din lumea magică. Și ce investigații, comploturi, secrete și jocuri de putere se petrec înlăuntrul academiei! Cei 4 nu sunt doar simpli colegi ai Xenei, dar și principalii suspecţi, legăturile lor cu aceasta ducând la nenumărate piste și teorii.
Mi-a plăcut enorm lumea creată, sistemul magic ce mi-a amintit de Harry Potter, lupta dintre cei născuți cu magie și cei născuți fără, găselnița referitoare la magia tradițională vs. magia creată prin tehnologie, referirile despre o Americă fictivă în care cei considerați "diferiți", trebuie alungați, exterminați, etc. Am apreciat perspectivele multiple ale personajelor, prin care ajungem să cunoaştem temerile, năzuințele, secretele celor 4. Am fost încântată să găsesc multe referințe despre țara noastră, prin prisma lui Vlad, studentul străin și al lui familiar înspăimântător. Personajul meu favorit rămâne, însă, Alice, datorita inteligenței sale, a adorabilului ei sarcasm și a faptului că este un personaj autentic, cu coloană vertebrală. Foarte mult mi-a plăcut și de Keziah Hale, e o figură deosebită! Sunt mândră că am reușit să rezolv corect o parte din misterul morţii Xenei, însă, până în final, am avut parte de alte dezvăluiri la care nici nu visam!
Cu drag ii ofer nota maximă, căci lumea creată este reușită, personajele sunt atent creionate, iar stilul de scriere este acaparant. Aștept cu nerăbdare continuarea ! Felicitări autorilor pentru această carte magică!
În primul rând, vreau să le mulțumesc autorilor @elizabeth_sagan, @james_trevino pentru oportunitatea de a citi cartea lor de debut, "Gravespell", ce va fi lansată oficial în aprilie 2027 (traducerea în română, la ledaedge) și pentru șansa de a face parte din #streetteam. Este o onoare!
Am pornit în această aventură plină de entuziasm și nerăbdătoare să descopăr acest prim volum din seria "Mages & Muder", o serie YA dark academy/fantasy cu accente puternice de thriller! Am pășit pe holurile Academiei de magie Deepgrove, curioasă să mă alătur celor 4 personaje principale, Alice, Ben, Chris & Delvy în eforturile lor de a rezolva misterul morții colegei lor, Xena, fiica uneia dintre cele mai importante și influente figuri din lumea magică. Și ce investigații, comploturi, secrete și jocuri de putere se petrec înlăuntrul academiei! Cei 4 nu sunt doar simpli colegi ai Xenei, dar și principalii suspecţi, legăturile lor cu aceasta ducând la nenumărate piste și teorii.
Mi-a plăcut enorm lumea creată, sistemul magic ce mi-a amintit de Harry Potter, lupta dintre cei născuți cu magie și cei născuți fără, găselnița referitoare la magia tradițională vs. magia creată prin tehnologie, referirile despre o Americă fictivă în care cei considerați "diferiți", trebuie alungați, exterminați, etc. Am apreciat perspectivele multiple ale personajelor, prin care ajungem să cunoaştem temerile, năzuințele, secretele celor 4. Am fost încântată să găsesc multe referințe despre țara noastră, prin prisma lui Vlad, studentul străin și al lui familiar înspăimântător. Personajul meu favorit rămâne, însă, Alice, datorita inteligenței sale, a adorabilului ei sarcasm și a faptului că este un personaj autentic, cu coloană vertebrală. Foarte mult mi-a plăcut și de Keziah Hale, e o figură deosebită! Sunt mândră că am reușit să rezolv corect o parte din misterul morţii Xenei, însă, până în final, am avut parte de alte dezvăluiri la care nici nu visam!
Cu drag ii ofer nota maximă, căci lumea creată este reușită, personajele sunt atent creionate, iar stilul de scriere este acaparant. Aștept cu nerăbdare continuarea ! Felicitări autorilor pentru această carte magică!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
YA Fantasy (yet I'm 64!) 🫶
Did you ever read a book so fast that when you were done, you wanted to start right over again? Gravespell did that too me.
From the 1st chapter we have action. A fun, fast-paced drama.
Four students (who dont get along) at a modern magic school find they must work together to solve a mystery.
No spoilers here. I went in blind and so should you. I didn't see the ending coming, so now I must reread to pick up clues!
Well done, James and Elizabeth on your debut novel.
Did you ever read a book so fast that when you were done, you wanted to start right over again? Gravespell did that too me.
From the 1st chapter we have action. A fun, fast-paced drama.
Four students (who dont get along) at a modern magic school find they must work together to solve a mystery.
No spoilers here. I went in blind and so should you. I didn't see the ending coming, so now I must reread to pick up clues!
Well done, James and Elizabeth on your debut novel.
September 17, 2026
A masterclass in magic, suspense, mystery and murder. James and Elizabeth wove a tangled web that perfectly balanced a magical world with a twisty murder mystery. Then hit us with even more mysteries as the story unfolded.
Xena is murdered at Deepgrove Academy for Magic. Then Alice, Delvy, Chris and Ben finds her body and are immediately the main suspects. They band together to try to figure out who killed Xena.
I would have loved to learn more about the magic and what the classes entailed, but we will get more books for that, so I'll do my best to be patient.
The characters are all unique, flawed, and has such incredible character growth throughout this book. I loved seeing these characters learning to trust each other as the plot progressed. Oh, and Vlad is the best bestie ever!
It's going to be a struggle waiting for book 2, since book 1 isn't even out yet, but this book is so worth it! Fans of Harry Potter, Wednesday, and a good YA murder mystery will love this! Pre-order now to get a stunning deluxe edition!
Xena is murdered at Deepgrove Academy for Magic. Then Alice, Delvy, Chris and Ben finds her body and are immediately the main suspects. They band together to try to figure out who killed Xena.
I would have loved to learn more about the magic and what the classes entailed, but we will get more books for that, so I'll do my best to be patient.
The characters are all unique, flawed, and has such incredible character growth throughout this book. I loved seeing these characters learning to trust each other as the plot progressed. Oh, and Vlad is the best bestie ever!
It's going to be a struggle waiting for book 2, since book 1 isn't even out yet, but this book is so worth it! Fans of Harry Potter, Wednesday, and a good YA murder mystery will love this! Pre-order now to get a stunning deluxe edition!
October 9, 2026
This book was so good I literally couldn’t put it down! I love the multiple POVs, the YA drama, the unique magic system, and the shocking ending! No spoilers here all I’m going to say is if you get to the last four chapters be ready to not be able to physically put the book down!
February 6, 2026
This book was everything I thought it would be and more. I expected a great, amazingly written book, but I did not know what the style would be like. I was nervous. I now understand I was nervous in anticipation of reading one of the best books I've ever read. And it's "only" their debut, SO CAN YOU IMAGINE?
The world building is exceptional. All the beautiful, magical ideas and concepts intertwine perfectly, creating this vibrant world full of like. I had moments when I wondered, what if it actually is real? What if underneath our feet, this vast world actually does exist!
The characters are wonderul, and I loved how real they felt. We have several POVs that are so thoroughly distinct that by the end of it, I had separate voices in my head for each character.
All of the characters have these well structured, developing arcs that are so naturally paced, that it sparked this joy of finally reading a fantasy book where the characters seem so real, that the world in itself becomes real.
--- POSSIBLE SPOILERS
The worldbuilding of the academy was incredible. The myths and legends, the imagery, from bioluminescent flowers and gargoyles to saying thank you to the ghosts preparing the meal. A joy. Exquisite.
I found my old self in the old Delvy, and then with each chapter she evolves and comes into herself, it reminded me so much of myself in the best, weirdest, possible way. I am so proud of her!
Ben is an innocent cutie patoot that went through too much and didn't deserve any of it. I hope he gets to kick several asses in the next book.
The slow burn, enemies to lovers trope was exceptionally cosy and cute. They don't jump their bones from the moment they see each other and I APPRECIATE THAT. Their chemistry grows and builds and I did giggle and kick my feet repeatedly. I also love Alice and Chris together. And individually. Alice is a badass, powerful mage, but humble. She doesn't know how cool she is. Chris is not afraid to open his eyes, look around him and make the hard decision. They're great people. I want to be part of their Coven of Death and Vlad.
Vlad. My brother Vlad, because we are both Romanians. Seeing our beautiful culture interwebbed in Liz and James's story was wonderful. From strigoi, blood spells and zacusca, to Baba Cloanta, Dochia and the Merry Cemetery (which I have to say is better in the book that in real life). It was brilliantly and cleverly done, and each romanian element (especially the deochi) made me smile and laugh. I also loved what a pivotal role Vlad had. As he should.
As for the most important part that impressed me and I did not expect, that would be the worldbuilding outside the academy. The way it mirrors our own world in beauty and cruelty. I wish i was told as a child that the world is full of wonders, but that evil exists. That there is corruption, and prejudice and pain. That there are people in power who always want more. The book reflected that, and more. It showed both the beauty and the flaws of the world we were introduced to. And i hope that as many young adults as possible will read this and realise what is most important in life. To not judge. To help one another. To be kind. Just like the lovely characters I had the honour to meet in this book.
Thank you, Liz and James, for creating this wonderful world. I cannot put this book in a top of something. It is unique for me, I will wear it in my soul from now on, like my most beloved books. And i cannot wait for the next one.
The world building is exceptional. All the beautiful, magical ideas and concepts intertwine perfectly, creating this vibrant world full of like. I had moments when I wondered, what if it actually is real? What if underneath our feet, this vast world actually does exist!
The characters are wonderul, and I loved how real they felt. We have several POVs that are so thoroughly distinct that by the end of it, I had separate voices in my head for each character.
All of the characters have these well structured, developing arcs that are so naturally paced, that it sparked this joy of finally reading a fantasy book where the characters seem so real, that the world in itself becomes real.
--- POSSIBLE SPOILERS
The worldbuilding of the academy was incredible. The myths and legends, the imagery, from bioluminescent flowers and gargoyles to saying thank you to the ghosts preparing the meal. A joy. Exquisite.
I found my old self in the old Delvy, and then with each chapter she evolves and comes into herself, it reminded me so much of myself in the best, weirdest, possible way. I am so proud of her!
Ben is an innocent cutie patoot that went through too much and didn't deserve any of it. I hope he gets to kick several asses in the next book.
The slow burn, enemies to lovers trope was exceptionally cosy and cute. They don't jump their bones from the moment they see each other and I APPRECIATE THAT. Their chemistry grows and builds and I did giggle and kick my feet repeatedly. I also love Alice and Chris together. And individually. Alice is a badass, powerful mage, but humble. She doesn't know how cool she is. Chris is not afraid to open his eyes, look around him and make the hard decision. They're great people. I want to be part of their Coven of Death and Vlad.
Vlad. My brother Vlad, because we are both Romanians. Seeing our beautiful culture interwebbed in Liz and James's story was wonderful. From strigoi, blood spells and zacusca, to Baba Cloanta, Dochia and the Merry Cemetery (which I have to say is better in the book that in real life). It was brilliantly and cleverly done, and each romanian element (especially the deochi) made me smile and laugh. I also loved what a pivotal role Vlad had. As he should.
As for the most important part that impressed me and I did not expect, that would be the worldbuilding outside the academy. The way it mirrors our own world in beauty and cruelty. I wish i was told as a child that the world is full of wonders, but that evil exists. That there is corruption, and prejudice and pain. That there are people in power who always want more. The book reflected that, and more. It showed both the beauty and the flaws of the world we were introduced to. And i hope that as many young adults as possible will read this and realise what is most important in life. To not judge. To help one another. To be kind. Just like the lovely characters I had the honour to meet in this book.
Thank you, Liz and James, for creating this wonderful world. I cannot put this book in a top of something. It is unique for me, I will wear it in my soul from now on, like my most beloved books. And i cannot wait for the next one.
August 16, 2026
Gravespell este povestea unei societăți magice în declin din cauza luptei pentru putere, mai ales în contextul unei magii exploatate de corporații dornice de mai mult, tot mai mult, totul văzut prin ochii unor tineri elevi, implicați fără voie într-o anchetă care vizează moartea unei tinere care le-a fost prietenă, iubită, un alt fel de soră.
Patru personaje principale, patru perspective dinamice, 4 versiuni ale unei povești despre aceeași persoană și societate, trăite atât de personal și divers încât nu ar fi avut nicio șansă să se intersecteze dacă nu ar fi fost acest incident care să-i aducă împreună.
În loc ca mărturiile lor să conteze, mai tare îi acuza. În loc să se susțină, se dezbină, înainte de a înțelege că societate e pregătită să-i exileze.
Un război mediatic, un joc de putere care nu ia pauză, o poveste despre prietenie, familie și puterea de a fi cine trebuie, dincolo de tot ce ai crezut ca trebuie să fii, raportat la ce ți-au spus alții.
Un univers magic magistral conceput, o academie plină de surprize, personaje carismatice, realist concepute, un sistem politic dureros de ancorat în realitatea din zilele noastre, o magie care se poate termina când dorința de mai mult nu contenește.
O poveste în care ne reamintim că magia e în noi, e iubire, e familie, e experiența și curaj de a lupta pentru ceva mai bun și mai frumos.
Patru personaje principale, patru perspective dinamice, 4 versiuni ale unei povești despre aceeași persoană și societate, trăite atât de personal și divers încât nu ar fi avut nicio șansă să se intersecteze dacă nu ar fi fost acest incident care să-i aducă împreună.
În loc ca mărturiile lor să conteze, mai tare îi acuza. În loc să se susțină, se dezbină, înainte de a înțelege că societate e pregătită să-i exileze.
Un război mediatic, un joc de putere care nu ia pauză, o poveste despre prietenie, familie și puterea de a fi cine trebuie, dincolo de tot ce ai crezut ca trebuie să fii, raportat la ce ți-au spus alții.
Un univers magic magistral conceput, o academie plină de surprize, personaje carismatice, realist concepute, un sistem politic dureros de ancorat în realitatea din zilele noastre, o magie care se poate termina când dorința de mai mult nu contenește.
O poveste în care ne reamintim că magia e în noi, e iubire, e familie, e experiența și curaj de a lupta pentru ceva mai bun și mai frumos.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
STOP SCROLLING because I just found your next 5-star obsession! 😁
Elizabeth and James did an absolutely phenomenal job and I am beyond thrilled and 100% sure that this book is going to be the next big thing! I am incredibly honored to have had the chance to play even a small part in their amazing success story. I just know that years from now, when this series wraps up and is wildly popular, I’ll be so incredibly proud to look back and say I got to read the ARC of the debut volume 🥹
What I completely adored was the constant nod to Romania, its customs, traditions, and even famous landmarks, masterfully woven into a magic school setting. We’ve got fantasy, thriller and romance, all blended together flawlessly! I was totally clueless about the culprit and couldn’t come up with a single theory, I was right there with the characters, completely blown away by every single twist and turn! The characters growth is stunning, you feel their desires and motivations so deeply, and you just can't help but fall in love with every single one of them.The ending left me a bit mind blown and confused, but dying to jump into the next book immediately, so it absolutely nailed its mission!
Elizabeth and James did an absolutely phenomenal job and I am beyond thrilled and 100% sure that this book is going to be the next big thing! I am incredibly honored to have had the chance to play even a small part in their amazing success story. I just know that years from now, when this series wraps up and is wildly popular, I’ll be so incredibly proud to look back and say I got to read the ARC of the debut volume 🥹
What I completely adored was the constant nod to Romania, its customs, traditions, and even famous landmarks, masterfully woven into a magic school setting. We’ve got fantasy, thriller and romance, all blended together flawlessly! I was totally clueless about the culprit and couldn’t come up with a single theory, I was right there with the characters, completely blown away by every single twist and turn! The characters growth is stunning, you feel their desires and motivations so deeply, and you just can't help but fall in love with every single one of them.The ending left me a bit mind blown and confused, but dying to jump into the next book immediately, so it absolutely nailed its mission!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Very fun premise and did keep me entertained, but the friendships & romance felt very fickle and kept switching back and forth very easily. One second a character is accusing another of murder and the next page they’re like I’ve never loved you more!! I think if this book had focused more on the found family elements & magic system over romantic plotlines it would’ve been stronger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
OMG I’LL BE UNBEARABLE WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THIS
Did Not Finish
October 9, 2026Unfortuantely, this story wasn't for me, but it gave me strong Over My Dead Body by Sweeney Boo, Elite, and Pretty Little Liars vibes. It's quite a mix! If that's your thing, give it a go, you might enjoy it.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ ARC review ✨
GRAVESPELL by Elisabeth Sagan & James Trevino
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I entered this world with a fear of the unknown, because I realized, since I started reading, that not everyone is good at writing such stories.
The description attracted me. I knew since I read it that I wanted to read the book. It seemed to be my taste. But what I read exceeded my expectations. It surprised me in a pleasant way. It was better than I imagined.
I can honestly say that I didn't expect to like it so much that I would only think about it. As soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked. It captivated me and kept me anchored in the story until the end. It started at a critical moment and continued to revolve around that moment.
I became attached to some characters and some I came to love, after they made me curse at them at first 😅.
Alice is my favorite. I waited with bated breath for her perspective every time and she made me cry the most. I also liked her grandmother. Her whole family.
Christopher had his moment of glory when he managed to get closer to Alice gradually, although I couldn't trust him. He gave me a strange feeling, as if he was proving to be a real Crane.
Delvy was half-and-half. I felt sorry for her. She annoyed me, but then I came to love her, especially after reading more about her.
Ben was... I think he was the only one I loved from the beginning, besides Alice, without suspecting him. He didn't make me think at all that he had anything to do with what happened. And his story, his parents'... It helped with the image of innocence that I attributed to Ben.
I don't know what to say about Xena, without seeming I'm like her 😆. I couldn't love her. Only towards the end did I manage to understand her relationships and behavior towards others.
And I liked it when I found out about her and Ben and my heart broke for Ben.
It was easy for me to visualize every place and every action. I felt like I was a spectator beyond the Veil, but I could see through the Veil. And how much I was annoyed by some of the secondary characters... 😩
Even though I couldn't think so far ahead as to see anyone capable of murder.
Each chapter had its moment, because it took me by surprise and made me even more curious about what was to come.
We have magic, in the modern world. We have mages and voids. Other creatures like gargoyles and solomonaries (which are mentioned). The Moroi and the Strigoi and other creatures from Romania, creatures of fairy tales and legends, are often mentioned, especially as a lesson.
We have a mystery. We have a crime that needs to be solved and I admit that as the investigation of The Coven of Death progressed or not, I tried to solve the case with them.
It's a good thing that I'm a nerd, because I love mythology and fairy tales, especially Romanian ones. Because I was pleasantly surprised to find a few elements. And I didn't think they didn't do justice to those old stories at all. They were on point.
In addition to magic, which was interesting and thrilling to read about, we also have politics. Because someone hates anyone who is not strong, born, not taught.
I liked how the relationship between the 4 characters was formed. There was nothing forced. It took a few unfortunate events to make them get even closer. But I found it cute. Especially when two pairs were formed, to say like that. Each with their own pain, their own problems.
There are a few plot twists that I didn't expect at all. After I found the last one, I wanted to throw my phone out the window 💀, I really didn't expect something like this. Just like I didn't expect a revelation that surprised me and made me love at least a little bit a character that I couldn't like at first.
I liked how a relationship was formed and how it went. I also felt sorry for one character, because whatever he did, he didn't deserve what happened to him.
I made some theories and some of them I was right, even if not entirely. Because I didn't know how it happened or why. I assumed, after receiving some details related to both the case, but also to a certain grimoire.
GRAVESPELL by Elisabeth Sagan & James Trevino
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I entered this world with a fear of the unknown, because I realized, since I started reading, that not everyone is good at writing such stories.
The description attracted me. I knew since I read it that I wanted to read the book. It seemed to be my taste. But what I read exceeded my expectations. It surprised me in a pleasant way. It was better than I imagined.
I can honestly say that I didn't expect to like it so much that I would only think about it. As soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked. It captivated me and kept me anchored in the story until the end. It started at a critical moment and continued to revolve around that moment.
I became attached to some characters and some I came to love, after they made me curse at them at first 😅.
Alice is my favorite. I waited with bated breath for her perspective every time and she made me cry the most. I also liked her grandmother. Her whole family.
Christopher had his moment of glory when he managed to get closer to Alice gradually, although I couldn't trust him. He gave me a strange feeling, as if he was proving to be a real Crane.
Delvy was half-and-half. I felt sorry for her. She annoyed me, but then I came to love her, especially after reading more about her.
Ben was... I think he was the only one I loved from the beginning, besides Alice, without suspecting him. He didn't make me think at all that he had anything to do with what happened. And his story, his parents'... It helped with the image of innocence that I attributed to Ben.
I don't know what to say about Xena, without seeming I'm like her 😆. I couldn't love her. Only towards the end did I manage to understand her relationships and behavior towards others.
And I liked it when I found out about her and Ben and my heart broke for Ben.
It was easy for me to visualize every place and every action. I felt like I was a spectator beyond the Veil, but I could see through the Veil. And how much I was annoyed by some of the secondary characters... 😩
Even though I couldn't think so far ahead as to see anyone capable of murder.
Each chapter had its moment, because it took me by surprise and made me even more curious about what was to come.
We have magic, in the modern world. We have mages and voids. Other creatures like gargoyles and solomonaries (which are mentioned). The Moroi and the Strigoi and other creatures from Romania, creatures of fairy tales and legends, are often mentioned, especially as a lesson.
We have a mystery. We have a crime that needs to be solved and I admit that as the investigation of The Coven of Death progressed or not, I tried to solve the case with them.
It's a good thing that I'm a nerd, because I love mythology and fairy tales, especially Romanian ones. Because I was pleasantly surprised to find a few elements. And I didn't think they didn't do justice to those old stories at all. They were on point.
In addition to magic, which was interesting and thrilling to read about, we also have politics. Because someone hates anyone who is not strong, born, not taught.
I liked how the relationship between the 4 characters was formed. There was nothing forced. It took a few unfortunate events to make them get even closer. But I found it cute. Especially when two pairs were formed, to say like that. Each with their own pain, their own problems.
There are a few plot twists that I didn't expect at all. After I found the last one, I wanted to throw my phone out the window 💀, I really didn't expect something like this. Just like I didn't expect a revelation that surprised me and made me love at least a little bit a character that I couldn't like at first.
I liked how a relationship was formed and how it went. I also felt sorry for one character, because whatever he did, he didn't deserve what happened to him.
I made some theories and some of them I was right, even if not entirely. Because I didn't know how it happened or why. I assumed, after receiving some details related to both the case, but also to a certain grimoire.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow... what a fantastic debut! I am genuinely so incredibly proud of James Trevino and Elizabeth Sagan for creating such a wonderful story together.
One of the things that impressed me the most was how seamlessly their writing blended. If I hadn't known this book had two authors, I never would have guessed. There were no noticeable changes in writing style or pacing, it all felt cohesive and flowed effortlessly from beginning to end.
The mystery was undoubtedly the strongest part of the book for me. It kept me guessing throughout, and I genuinely did not see the main twist coming. I absolutely loved being surprised because it doesn't happen very often anymore, and Gravespell completely delivered.
The magic system was another huge highlight. Yes, there are little touches that might remind readers of Harry Potter or Wednesday, but everything still feels incredibly fresh and original. The world-building was phenomenal, creating a magical school I would happily spend time exploring. Between the wickedly funny torches, Larry the biting desk, a wonderfully unique librarian, and the fact that they serve tiramisu at school... I mean, come on! What more could we ask for? 😂❤️
The story itself is just so entertaining. It flows effortlessly, making it one of those books where you keep turning pages without even realizing how much you've read. It was an absolute pleasure to get lost in.
The romance was also incredibly sweet and perfectly suited to the YA age of the characters. It never overshadowed the mystery, instead complementing the story beautifully, and I'm already looking forward to seeing how the relationships, both romantic and friendship ones, develop in the next book.
The cast was another strength, with every character bringing something memorable to the story. That said, Alice completely stole my heart. She's smart, snarky, authentic, and delightfully weird in the best possible way. I really hope we get even more of her in book two. And I honestly never thought I'd say this because I have a genuine snake phobia... but I absolutely adored Darling!
Finally, I have to mention the part that meant the most to me personally: the Romanian references, folklore, and, of course, Vlad. Every single one of those moments filled me with nostalgia and made me so grateful to see my culture represented with so much care in such a modern fantasy. It added an extra layer of magic to an already fantastic story and made this book even more special for me.
I'm forever grateful to have been part of the street team for this incredible debut. After that ending, I'm already counting down the days until we get news about book two because I need to know what happens next!
Thank you to the authors for entrusting me with your story in exchange for my honest review.
One of the things that impressed me the most was how seamlessly their writing blended. If I hadn't known this book had two authors, I never would have guessed. There were no noticeable changes in writing style or pacing, it all felt cohesive and flowed effortlessly from beginning to end.
The mystery was undoubtedly the strongest part of the book for me. It kept me guessing throughout, and I genuinely did not see the main twist coming. I absolutely loved being surprised because it doesn't happen very often anymore, and Gravespell completely delivered.
The magic system was another huge highlight. Yes, there are little touches that might remind readers of Harry Potter or Wednesday, but everything still feels incredibly fresh and original. The world-building was phenomenal, creating a magical school I would happily spend time exploring. Between the wickedly funny torches, Larry the biting desk, a wonderfully unique librarian, and the fact that they serve tiramisu at school... I mean, come on! What more could we ask for? 😂❤️
The story itself is just so entertaining. It flows effortlessly, making it one of those books where you keep turning pages without even realizing how much you've read. It was an absolute pleasure to get lost in.
The romance was also incredibly sweet and perfectly suited to the YA age of the characters. It never overshadowed the mystery, instead complementing the story beautifully, and I'm already looking forward to seeing how the relationships, both romantic and friendship ones, develop in the next book.
The cast was another strength, with every character bringing something memorable to the story. That said, Alice completely stole my heart. She's smart, snarky, authentic, and delightfully weird in the best possible way. I really hope we get even more of her in book two. And I honestly never thought I'd say this because I have a genuine snake phobia... but I absolutely adored Darling!
Finally, I have to mention the part that meant the most to me personally: the Romanian references, folklore, and, of course, Vlad. Every single one of those moments filled me with nostalgia and made me so grateful to see my culture represented with so much care in such a modern fantasy. It added an extra layer of magic to an already fantastic story and made this book even more special for me.
I'm forever grateful to have been part of the street team for this incredible debut. After that ending, I'm already counting down the days until we get news about book two because I need to know what happens next!
Thank you to the authors for entrusting me with your story in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into Gravespell, especially since magic systems involving wands aren't usually my favourite. However, this book surprised me in the best possible way.
One of the things I loved most was how quickly the story begins. Within just a few pages, something major happens, and from that moment on the book never really slows down. There isn't a long introduction explaining every detail of the world before the story starts. Instead, you're thrown straight into the action, which immediately caught my attention and made it difficult to put the book down.
I also really enjoyed the multiple points of view. They allowed me to understand each character's motivations and see the same events through different perspectives. It added depth to the story and made the relationships between the characters feel much more dynamic.
The pacing was another highlight for me. There was always something happening, and every chapter left me wanting to know what would happen next. I found myself constantly questioning everyone's motives, trying to figure out who could be trusted and where the mystery was leading. The suspense kept me engaged from beginning to end.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was watching the relationships between the characters evolve. Seeing complete strangers slowly grow into people who were willing to risk everything for one another felt natural and rewarding. Their development was one of the strongest parts of the story.
The ending tied everything together in a satisfying way. I appreciated that the final events felt meaningful and that the characters' choices carried lasting consequences rather than feeling pointless.
While there were a few moments where I wished certain scenes had been explored in more depth, they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, Gravespell was an exciting debut that kept me turning the pages. I'm definitely curious to see where the story goes next and look forward to reading more from Elizabeth and James Trevino.
One of the things I loved most was how quickly the story begins. Within just a few pages, something major happens, and from that moment on the book never really slows down. There isn't a long introduction explaining every detail of the world before the story starts. Instead, you're thrown straight into the action, which immediately caught my attention and made it difficult to put the book down.
I also really enjoyed the multiple points of view. They allowed me to understand each character's motivations and see the same events through different perspectives. It added depth to the story and made the relationships between the characters feel much more dynamic.
The pacing was another highlight for me. There was always something happening, and every chapter left me wanting to know what would happen next. I found myself constantly questioning everyone's motives, trying to figure out who could be trusted and where the mystery was leading. The suspense kept me engaged from beginning to end.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was watching the relationships between the characters evolve. Seeing complete strangers slowly grow into people who were willing to risk everything for one another felt natural and rewarding. Their development was one of the strongest parts of the story.
The ending tied everything together in a satisfying way. I appreciated that the final events felt meaningful and that the characters' choices carried lasting consequences rather than feeling pointless.
While there were a few moments where I wished certain scenes had been explored in more depth, they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, Gravespell was an exciting debut that kept me turning the pages. I'm definitely curious to see where the story goes next and look forward to reading more from Elizabeth and James Trevino.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Povestea ne poartă într-o academie de magie unde o crimă amenință să declanșeze un război, iar un grup de studenți, fiecare cu propriile secrete, încearcă să descopere adevărul înainte să fie prea târziu. .
Pur și simplu am devorat această carte. De la primele pagini am fost atrasă într-o lume în care magia, misterul și secretele se împletesc perfect, iar fiecare capitol aduce noi întrebări și noi suspiciuni. În momentul în care credeam că am descoperit adevărul, apărea o nouă răsturnare de situație care schimba complet tot ce credeam că știu.
Mi-a plăcut enorm ritmul poveștii. Nu există momente în care să simți că acțiunea stagnează, iar misterul este construit atât de bine încât pur și simplu nu poți lăsa cartea din mână. Este genul acela de lectură care te face să spui „încă un capitol”, iar înainte să-ți dai seama ai ajuns la final.
Un detaliu care m-a bucurat enorm a fost menționarea României și a unor obiceiuri din folclorul nostru. A fost atât de frumos să regăsesc astfel de elemente într-o poveste fantasy și mi s-a părut că au fost integrate într-un mod firesc și plin de farmec.
Iar finalul... wow. Nu m-aș fi așteptat niciodată la o rezolvare atât de complexă. Toate piesele puzzle-ului s-au așezat perfect, iar ultimele capitole m-au lăsat complet fără cuvinte.
Pur și simplu am devorat această carte. De la primele pagini am fost atrasă într-o lume în care magia, misterul și secretele se împletesc perfect, iar fiecare capitol aduce noi întrebări și noi suspiciuni. În momentul în care credeam că am descoperit adevărul, apărea o nouă răsturnare de situație care schimba complet tot ce credeam că știu.
Mi-a plăcut enorm ritmul poveștii. Nu există momente în care să simți că acțiunea stagnează, iar misterul este construit atât de bine încât pur și simplu nu poți lăsa cartea din mână. Este genul acela de lectură care te face să spui „încă un capitol”, iar înainte să-ți dai seama ai ajuns la final.
Un detaliu care m-a bucurat enorm a fost menționarea României și a unor obiceiuri din folclorul nostru. A fost atât de frumos să regăsesc astfel de elemente într-o poveste fantasy și mi s-a părut că au fost integrate într-un mod firesc și plin de farmec.
Iar finalul... wow. Nu m-aș fi așteptat niciodată la o rezolvare atât de complexă. Toate piesele puzzle-ului s-au așezat perfect, iar ultimele capitole m-au lăsat complet fără cuvinte.
November 16, 2025
BETA read for this. It's an addictive read and when I tell you nothing could have prepared me for that twist at the end... It has the warm magic feeling of Harry Potter, but darker and also surprisingly funny. It's part of a series and I can see where the sequel will go, but the book wraps up in a very satisfying way. I'd be surprised if this doesn't blow up.
November 19, 2025
The title and synopsis literally gives me goosebumps! I can't wait to read this book and I believe it will be something magnificent! 📖✨❤️ Let's gooo!
November 20, 2025
My excitement about this book is beyond words! I am curious about the plot and the fact it has magic in it makes me so much more intrigued!✨
November 28, 2025
So you're saying I'm getting both this and the Harry Potter TV series in 2027? What a year to be alive.
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