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The Realm Watchers #4
Essential Magic
A supernatural war. A conflict between sister witches. The only thing thicker than blood is blood magic.
With her most lethal supernatural enemies finally vanquished, Autumn Winters figures she must be in for a little downtime. Sure, she keeps encountering a dead coven leader, and her own powers keep growing inexplicably stronger, but magic and ghosts just go with the veil witch territory.
But when the supernatural war continues to escalate, and Autumn’s already volatile sister teams up with a witch bent on winning that conflict, everything changes. Soon, Autumn finds herself not only trying to keep her sister alive, but harboring a secret that can only widen the rift between them. Namely, the werewolf she brought back to life, a man making her feel something strong enough that she questions which side is worth taking.
Essential Magic is the fourth book in the dark, thrilling Realm Watchers urban fantasy series, where nothing is as it seems and only a thin veil exists between our world and another full of ghosts, vampires, magical creatures and other trans-dimensional intruders who walk alongside us unseen by anyone but the realm watchers.
With her most lethal supernatural enemies finally vanquished, Autumn Winters figures she must be in for a little downtime. Sure, she keeps encountering a dead coven leader, and her own powers keep growing inexplicably stronger, but magic and ghosts just go with the veil witch territory.
But when the supernatural war continues to escalate, and Autumn’s already volatile sister teams up with a witch bent on winning that conflict, everything changes. Soon, Autumn finds herself not only trying to keep her sister alive, but harboring a secret that can only widen the rift between them. Namely, the werewolf she brought back to life, a man making her feel something strong enough that she questions which side is worth taking.
Essential Magic is the fourth book in the dark, thrilling Realm Watchers urban fantasy series, where nothing is as it seems and only a thin veil exists between our world and another full of ghosts, vampires, magical creatures and other trans-dimensional intruders who walk alongside us unseen by anyone but the realm watchers.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2017
66 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Malcom
21 books118 followersJ.S. Malcom is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Realm Watchers urban fantasy series, of which Autumn Winters is just the beginning. J.S. lives in Richmond, Virginia, a town full of history and ghosts (not to mention, many other supernatural creatures, including Autumn and Cassie).
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 11, 2017
Sometimes it's handy to be late to the party. For instance, when I finally read Harry Potter, all 7 books were out and I could go straight from one to the next without having to wait. With this series, I finish one and then I have to wait and it's SO HARD! But, luckily the author is prolific and I don't usually have to wait too long. If you haven't read any of these yet, I recommend starting now! This series is so cool in so many ways. J.S. Malcom is a master at writing adventure and there are always threads of the metaphysical throughout. There are also unexpected twists and fascinating characters. And finally, there is always good in the face of evil. So while these stories can be dark at times, they are ultimately uplifting and restorative. That's the review of the entire series. As for the review of this particular book, there are very exciting new developments and wonderful new characters in it. There's more than one surprise and while reading it, I only kind of expected one of them. The main character, Autumn, seems to be doubting less and stepping into her power more. While she still has a ways to go with basic witchery, she certainly has exceptional intuition and common sense. I find I like her more in each book.
All of these books are captivating and do that wonderful thing good books can do where they take you to a different world for a while. I miss that world when the book ends. Needless to say, I'm already wishing for book 5!
All of these books are captivating and do that wonderful thing good books can do where they take you to a different world for a while. I miss that world when the book ends. Needless to say, I'm already wishing for book 5!
June 18, 2017
I have loved this series from the beginning, and J. S. Malcom continues to surprise and entertain me. This is a series that just seems to keep getting better and better with each installment and this book had me flipping the pages on my Kindle long past my bedtime. I was lucky enough to grab a copy of the Haunted by Magic limited edition boxed set a while back. Imagine my surprise when this book was in it! Before it was released separately no less!
Autumn and Cassie continue to grow and change as they explore their supernatural heritage while training with Phoenix and the local coven. Autumn learns more about her unique talents as a veil witch, and surprisingly she seems to have a different skill set than Cassie. The sisters are also knee deep in witch politics; one of the more influential of Richmond's witches wants Autumn to assume leadership of the coven. Cassie is also turning out to be a bit... bloodthirsty. It seems she harbors a grudge against not just the Vamanec Py'rin, but also the vampires and the werewolves, and she's joined a local group of like minded witches who see no problem with exterminating supernaturals from different dimensions. Watching Cassie struggle through readjusting to being in her own body and in charge of her life has been one of the high points of this series. I don't know if there has ever been a better depiction of teenage growing pains in a novel. All the life-or-death teenage melodrama and attitude, with a side of lethal witchcraft and a serious us vs them mentality. Richmond may never be the same.
Essential Magic wraps up the story arc of the previous three books and leaves the door open for future installments. I can't wait to revisit the Realm Watchers with book 5.
Autumn and Cassie continue to grow and change as they explore their supernatural heritage while training with Phoenix and the local coven. Autumn learns more about her unique talents as a veil witch, and surprisingly she seems to have a different skill set than Cassie. The sisters are also knee deep in witch politics; one of the more influential of Richmond's witches wants Autumn to assume leadership of the coven. Cassie is also turning out to be a bit... bloodthirsty. It seems she harbors a grudge against not just the Vamanec Py'rin, but also the vampires and the werewolves, and she's joined a local group of like minded witches who see no problem with exterminating supernaturals from different dimensions. Watching Cassie struggle through readjusting to being in her own body and in charge of her life has been one of the high points of this series. I don't know if there has ever been a better depiction of teenage growing pains in a novel. All the life-or-death teenage melodrama and attitude, with a side of lethal witchcraft and a serious us vs them mentality. Richmond may never be the same.
Essential Magic wraps up the story arc of the previous three books and leaves the door open for future installments. I can't wait to revisit the Realm Watchers with book 5.
January 5, 2018
Definitely interesting read with unexpected developments
I really enjoyed this story from a new author for me, and not the usual type of magical world or witches and other types of paranormal beings that I have read before. The world building and descriptions were excellent, reading about the growth and development of the main character as she's learning what she's capable of on the fly and the unexpected developments kept my attention right through from book 1 to book 4. There's no way I could have predicted many of the events as they came up. All the characters were well developed, though I would have liked to see more of the others as well, but then it is a 1st person point of view story after all. I would like to see more of this story, I wonder if there's a book 5 in the works? I don't usually write reviews but this book definitely deserves it and I need to get my practice in on writing them so I can put in reviews for the first 3 of the series as well.
I really enjoyed this story from a new author for me, and not the usual type of magical world or witches and other types of paranormal beings that I have read before. The world building and descriptions were excellent, reading about the growth and development of the main character as she's learning what she's capable of on the fly and the unexpected developments kept my attention right through from book 1 to book 4. There's no way I could have predicted many of the events as they came up. All the characters were well developed, though I would have liked to see more of the others as well, but then it is a 1st person point of view story after all. I would like to see more of this story, I wonder if there's a book 5 in the works? I don't usually write reviews but this book definitely deserves it and I need to get my practice in on writing them so I can put in reviews for the first 3 of the series as well.
July 5, 2018
I love the complexity of J.S. Malcom’s Realm Watchers series where things are not always what they seem and there are no simple black-and-white answers. That’s certainly the case with the series fourth book, Essential Magic. Another great “veil witch” story in the wonderful urban fantasy veil-separated worlds that this author has created. If you’ve been following along this series I can guarantee that you’ll love Autumn Winters tale in this one. (The book can work for the newcomer too, but really it’s best to start with this series book 1 for maximum enjoyment.) But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
October 2, 2018
Essential Magic (Realm Watchers Book 4): A Veil Witch Urban Fantasy
I absolutely loved ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ this book, just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better, it just surprises me.... what a page turner.... there is excitement, there is friction between the sisters.... there is suspense, I thought the story was going in one direction and I was totally off....
I cannot believe how great the plot was, this is supposed to be the final book, but I truly hope that J.S. Malcom really reconsiders....
I was really hoping to see where things went with Dylan, not that I do not love Ian, I just felt that there was an instant connection with Dylan, and when she felt a sex appeal... that says more than she ever felt with Ian!!!
I definitely recommend this series, each book is a does not have a cliff hanger which is great, but I would read them in order, so you can understand what is going on.
Spectacular job!!!! PLEASE WRITE ANOTHER BOOK IN THIS SERIES ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I absolutely loved ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ this book, just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better, it just surprises me.... what a page turner.... there is excitement, there is friction between the sisters.... there is suspense, I thought the story was going in one direction and I was totally off....
I cannot believe how great the plot was, this is supposed to be the final book, but I truly hope that J.S. Malcom really reconsiders....
I was really hoping to see where things went with Dylan, not that I do not love Ian, I just felt that there was an instant connection with Dylan, and when she felt a sex appeal... that says more than she ever felt with Ian!!!
I definitely recommend this series, each book is a does not have a cliff hanger which is great, but I would read them in order, so you can understand what is going on.
Spectacular job!!!! PLEASE WRITE ANOTHER BOOK IN THIS SERIES ❤️❤️❤️❤️
June 11, 2017
I'm addicted to this series. The books just keep getting better and better. This one had some real twists that I didn't see coming and the characters continue to be complex and fascinating. I can't wait to see where this series goes and my only complaint is that the book just wasn't long enough!
January 24, 2018
Since it's been awhile since I read the previous books, there were gaps there that made me feel like I forgot some important things, however the story became so engrossing that I had forgotten all about it. It really was a great story and I just love Autumn's character. She truly is a good person.
February 11, 2018
A fitting way to complete a series for now
So, I feel like this is then end of Autumn’s series and a segue into Cassie’s. Now, there is a possibility of this continuing but even if it doesn’t, it’s a great series that I thoroughly enjoyed.
So, I feel like this is then end of Autumn’s series and a segue into Cassie’s. Now, there is a possibility of this continuing but even if it doesn’t, it’s a great series that I thoroughly enjoyed.
June 11, 2019
More of J. S. Malcom's Realm Witches Series!
Autumn is leary of Cassie's new friends. After being possessed through her adolescence now can she have any discernment? Supernatural or not, the author understands sisters!
Autumn is leary of Cassie's new friends. After being possessed through her adolescence now can she have any discernment? Supernatural or not, the author understands sisters!
August 29, 2017
A fantastic read.
It took me a while to get to read it, but once I started I couldn't stop. Finished it in 2 nights after supper.
It took me a while to get to read it, but once I started I couldn't stop. Finished it in 2 nights after supper.
March 16, 2019
Well written
Really good series, I started it as it was on kindle unlimited so nothing to lose. Now I'm hooked. Would definitely recommend
Really good series, I started it as it was on kindle unlimited so nothing to lose. Now I'm hooked. Would definitely recommend
May 20, 2019
I luv this book series
This is an amazing read and i can't wait to get through them all. Can't put them down and you have to give us more about the sisters.
This is an amazing read and i can't wait to get through them all. Can't put them down and you have to give us more about the sisters.
October 27, 2019
Love
I absolutely love this series it’s so fast paced that I’ve read them all way too soon wish it didn’t have to end
I absolutely love this series it’s so fast paced that I’ve read them all way too soon wish it didn’t have to end
July 18, 2020
In love
I don’t want it to end! So bitter sweet. I fell in love with these characters & now I don’t know what to do.
I don’t want it to end! So bitter sweet. I fell in love with these characters & now I don’t know what to do.
July 31, 2021
Loving the series
Really enjoying this world. It's deep, the characters are interesting, the story is captivating. Well worth the read. Lots of action without the plot getting lost.
Really enjoying this world. It's deep, the characters are interesting, the story is captivating. Well worth the read. Lots of action without the plot getting lost.
March 25, 2022
Good ending
I like Ian and Autumn. The ending of the series was good. Pay attention or you can get lost. Some twists and turns happen. Its a good read.
I like Ian and Autumn. The ending of the series was good. Pay attention or you can get lost. Some twists and turns happen. Its a good read.
Read
February 13, 2018COULDN'T FINISH
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews