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TechWitch #1
Wicked Games
My mother was a wicked witch. Her spells brought nothing but trouble. Since her death, with no power of my own, I’ve stayed far away from magic . . .
In a San Francisco struggling with earthquakes and rising seas, where technology can do things that are close enough to magic, Maggie Lachlan is a computer whisperer. The one they call when no one else can find the elusive bug bringing a complex system to its knees. They call her the TechWitch. But she knows there’s nothing magical about what she does. It’s just hard-earned skill.
So, when billionaire Damon Riley, owner of the world’s biggest virtual reality gaming company, comes calling with a problem that his entire empire of geeks can’t fix, Maggie leaps at the job. Riley Arts is the kind of place she feels at home. All tech. No magic. Except, perhaps, for the undeniable chemistry she has with the man in charge.
But she never imagined stepping into one of Damon’s games would break a spell she didn't know she was under and free the magic her mother said she didn't possess.
Now she has a demon hunting her and the magical world she knows nothing about to navigate. To save herself—and the world—she needs to learn fast.
Because, when it comes to magic, the games are wicked. And losing can be deadly…
Wicked Games is the first book in the TechWitch series, an exciting dark and sexy futuristic urban fantasy from RITA Award nominated author M.J. Scott. This series has witches, demons, an ongoing relationship that will have an HEA, sexy times, and a lot of computer geeks. Perfect if you like the idea of a strong heroine, a hot protective billionaire and magic and technology colliding. Enjoy!
Author's For tropes and CW, please check the author's website.
In a San Francisco struggling with earthquakes and rising seas, where technology can do things that are close enough to magic, Maggie Lachlan is a computer whisperer. The one they call when no one else can find the elusive bug bringing a complex system to its knees. They call her the TechWitch. But she knows there’s nothing magical about what she does. It’s just hard-earned skill.
So, when billionaire Damon Riley, owner of the world’s biggest virtual reality gaming company, comes calling with a problem that his entire empire of geeks can’t fix, Maggie leaps at the job. Riley Arts is the kind of place she feels at home. All tech. No magic. Except, perhaps, for the undeniable chemistry she has with the man in charge.
But she never imagined stepping into one of Damon’s games would break a spell she didn't know she was under and free the magic her mother said she didn't possess.
Now she has a demon hunting her and the magical world she knows nothing about to navigate. To save herself—and the world—she needs to learn fast.
Because, when it comes to magic, the games are wicked. And losing can be deadly…
Wicked Games is the first book in the TechWitch series, an exciting dark and sexy futuristic urban fantasy from RITA Award nominated author M.J. Scott. This series has witches, demons, an ongoing relationship that will have an HEA, sexy times, and a lot of computer geeks. Perfect if you like the idea of a strong heroine, a hot protective billionaire and magic and technology colliding. Enjoy!
Author's For tropes and CW, please check the author's website.
325 pages, ebook
First published October 9, 2018
1120 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Scott
28 books594 followersM.J Scott is a RITA® Award nominated author. She is an unrepentant bookworm. Luckily she grew up in a family that fed her a properly varied diet of books and these days is surrounded by people who are understanding of her story addiction. When not wrestling one of her own stories to the ground, she can generally be found reading someone else’s. Her other distractions include yarn, cat butlering, dark chocolate and fabric. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.
For free reads and all her news and sneak peeks sign up to her newsletter at https://www.mjscott.net!
Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormjscott
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She has also written contemporary romance as Melanie Scott and Emma Douglas.
For free reads and all her news and sneak peeks sign up to her newsletter at https://www.mjscott.net!
Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormjscott
Or Instagram: www.instagram.com/melwrites
Or Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mel_writes
She has also written contemporary romance as Melanie Scott and Emma Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
January 7, 2019
An intriguing beginning that was watered-down along the way. As someone else wrote, it seems the two halves of the book didn't really mesh. And why techwitch? She's a witch who works with code, but without magic. At least in book one.
I could do without the three worst cliché of middle range UF/paranormal: the special snowflake, the tstl moment and lust of first sight. If the last plagued just the first part, the first two cliché ruined the (very open) ending for me.
Still it's an enjoyable reading experience and one I plan to keep reading.
I could do without the three worst cliché of middle range UF/paranormal: the special snowflake, the tstl moment and lust of first sight. If the last plagued just the first part, the first two cliché ruined the (very open) ending for me.
Still it's an enjoyable reading experience and one I plan to keep reading.
June 27, 2022
2.75
Liked the background of this story and the plot involving futuristic tech, video games, magic, and demons- but where I felt the story kind of fell apart was the romance and the male lead.
I mean I thought he was pretty pushy from jump and wasn't feeling his vibe to begin with. Plus he was really up in her business then acted like she majorly betrayed him by not telling him her whole backstory and life changing events she doesn't understand herself after knowing her for what...a week?
Then we find out and he turns into a jerk who kinda blames her for things outside of her control, and like everything was her diabolical grand plan or something?
Like he just wasn't my jam and I hope he is NOT the ML in upcoming books because I won't be reading on if that's the case
Liked the background of this story and the plot involving futuristic tech, video games, magic, and demons- but where I felt the story kind of fell apart was the romance and the male lead.
I mean I thought he was pretty pushy from jump and wasn't feeling his vibe to begin with. Plus he was really up in her business then acted like she majorly betrayed him by not telling him her whole backstory and life changing events she doesn't understand herself after knowing her for what...a week?
Then we find out and he turns into a jerk who kinda blames her for things outside of her control, and like everything was her diabolical grand plan or something?
Like he just wasn't my jam and I hope he is NOT the ML in upcoming books because I won't be reading on if that's the case
July 17, 2019
Huh. Mixed feelings overall. The beginning felt somewhat cliched—you’ve seen this heroine and this hero a million times. And I’m not someone who needs a ton of worldbuilding, but turns out I need SOME. This is set in the future, but WHEN? And it seems to be set in OUR future, but magic is real and it seems fairly accepted it’s real. Okay???
Anyway, then it picked up, but I was disappointed by the end. Major spoiler.
I would probably read the next one, though.
Anyway, then it picked up, but I was disappointed by the end. Major spoiler.
I would probably read the next one, though.
September 28, 2018
4.5 stars I think.
This book is a bit like Ready Player One with witches. The premise is really unique and fascinating and I fell in love with the characters. I really want the next book in the series right now for reasons I don't want to get into (because spoilers), but suffice it to say I did not see that end coming.
This book is a bit like Ready Player One with witches. The premise is really unique and fascinating and I fell in love with the characters. I really want the next book in the series right now for reasons I don't want to get into (because spoilers), but suffice it to say I did not see that end coming.
January 12, 2025
Wicked Games by M. J. Scott is the initiating novel of a sci-fi, game-tech horror, mashup series called TechWitch. The unique story blend is clearly post-modern in its construction and attractive to readers who are familiar with gaming culture, while also creatively stimulating to horror fans.
Here, Maggie Lachlan has developed a reputation as a computer cypher, able to find the little coding issues that can sometimes plague computer systems. Her company is called TechWitch, and her mother was a famous witch, so it's only natural that she herself has been branded the TechWitch despite the fact that she is not gifted in the magical sense. Her mother made it clear before her passing that Maggie did not have the gift.
While present during a gaming event to cheer on her best friend, Maggie meets Damon Riley. Riley is a billionaire sponsoring the event, and when he sees the TechWitch, he approaches her. He says that he is familiar with who she is and that he wishes to hire her. He owns a virtual reality conglomerate, Riley Arts, that is looking to release a unique game that is experiencing serious glitches that have yet to be repaired.
Maggie finds both the opportunity and Riley intriguing. Little does she realize that this is the initial step to finding out that her mother lied. Maggie has latent witchcraft gifts that lay dormant due to demon possession, and her own ignorance of the practices and motivations of those that would prefer to keep her blind to an aspect of her identity she did not wish for nor desire.
Maggie and Damon Riley must navigate their feelings for each other while simultaneously attempting to avoid an almost certain collision of magic and technology in a very near future San Francisco rife with demons and earthquakes. Trigger Warnings for Adult Situations and Language.
Here, Maggie Lachlan has developed a reputation as a computer cypher, able to find the little coding issues that can sometimes plague computer systems. Her company is called TechWitch, and her mother was a famous witch, so it's only natural that she herself has been branded the TechWitch despite the fact that she is not gifted in the magical sense. Her mother made it clear before her passing that Maggie did not have the gift.
While present during a gaming event to cheer on her best friend, Maggie meets Damon Riley. Riley is a billionaire sponsoring the event, and when he sees the TechWitch, he approaches her. He says that he is familiar with who she is and that he wishes to hire her. He owns a virtual reality conglomerate, Riley Arts, that is looking to release a unique game that is experiencing serious glitches that have yet to be repaired.
Maggie finds both the opportunity and Riley intriguing. Little does she realize that this is the initial step to finding out that her mother lied. Maggie has latent witchcraft gifts that lay dormant due to demon possession, and her own ignorance of the practices and motivations of those that would prefer to keep her blind to an aspect of her identity she did not wish for nor desire.
Maggie and Damon Riley must navigate their feelings for each other while simultaneously attempting to avoid an almost certain collision of magic and technology in a very near future San Francisco rife with demons and earthquakes. Trigger Warnings for Adult Situations and Language.
December 27, 2018
Started out good
This book seems like two books in one. First part was excellent, second part was hurried and disjointed. I enjoyed the world that was starting to develop and then it disappeared.
This book seems like two books in one. First part was excellent, second part was hurried and disjointed. I enjoyed the world that was starting to develop and then it disappeared.
June 21, 2020
this book started off incredibly strong. I really liked the whole tech aspect of the story. Somewhere along the way it lost steam and became almost by the books PNR. It got really boring. HOW DO YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE AFTER ONE WEEK. The dude straight up stops doing anything related to the company, and morphs into your very moody, "I have trust issues because of my past, but I'm still going to be overprotective jerk asshole" LI. He literally went from persuing her despite all the very valid HR points Maggie brought up about professionalism and interfering with her job, to beefing with her. Our MC, Maggie just stops being a tech geek and just morphs into your typical overpowered UF heroine (nothing wrong with that but I liked her because she didn't have powers and was just damn good at her job). Her attitude towards magic continues to vary extremely
Other reviewers have mentioned it but it almost felt like two completely different books. How the characters act, the mystery of it all was lost, the whole thing was a disjointed mess. There was a lot of telling.
i really wanted to DNF, but powered through
I liked the twist in the end it was dark and dramatic.
The book has a very interesting concept and definitely the first half is riveting, but lost its vision somewhere along the way :(
Other reviewers have mentioned it but it almost felt like two completely different books. How the characters act, the mystery of it all was lost, the whole thing was a disjointed mess. There was a lot of telling.
i really wanted to DNF, but powered through
I liked the twist in the end it was dark and dramatic.
The book has a very interesting concept and definitely the first half is riveting, but lost its vision somewhere along the way :(
April 1, 2023
Wicked Games was a very interesting book. I picked it up for free in a giveaway and decided to give it a try cause we love a good witch story. The world in this book is set way into the future, like 2053 where the last surviving humans have chips embedded in them that makes every day life easy.
Maggie is a bit of a coder/hacker with a business called Tech Witch and one day she gets hired by Damon Riley who is the CEO of a company called Righteous Games. He is known for his popular, basically VR games that people love to play. However, his newest game is in the beta stages and some of the players are dying from playing them. Maggie's job is to go through the code and try and figure out why people are being targeted in a video game.
Strange and dangerous things begin to happen and while key players are trying to figure out what's going on, things start to hit close to home for Maggie and rings shed rather keep in the past quickly surge forward into her present forcing her to deal with two different worlds.
I really enjoyed this book at the start. The premise sucked me right in. I also really liked the developing insta lust between Maggie and Damon. The story kept me engaged until about 55%. I started having questions at this point especially where Maggie's best friend is concerned and then Maggie and her powers manifesting seemed to come out of nowhere. The ending also left nothing to be desired for me and I don't plan on continuing the series. The potential was there but it just ultimately fell flat in the end.
Maggie is a bit of a coder/hacker with a business called Tech Witch and one day she gets hired by Damon Riley who is the CEO of a company called Righteous Games. He is known for his popular, basically VR games that people love to play. However, his newest game is in the beta stages and some of the players are dying from playing them. Maggie's job is to go through the code and try and figure out why people are being targeted in a video game.
Strange and dangerous things begin to happen and while key players are trying to figure out what's going on, things start to hit close to home for Maggie and rings shed rather keep in the past quickly surge forward into her present forcing her to deal with two different worlds.
I really enjoyed this book at the start. The premise sucked me right in. I also really liked the developing insta lust between Maggie and Damon. The story kept me engaged until about 55%. I started having questions at this point especially where Maggie's best friend is concerned and then Maggie and her powers manifesting seemed to come out of nowhere. The ending also left nothing to be desired for me and I don't plan on continuing the series. The potential was there but it just ultimately fell flat in the end.
June 28, 2022
Maggie Lachlan has a way with code. She can find why a program isn't working when other techs can't. It's not magic, no matter that some call her a Techwitch. When Maggie is hired by a big time gaming guru, Damon Riley, she hopes to make enough money to help her rebuild her grandparents' house. She didn't expect the sizzling tension between her and Damon or the fact that she does have magic. With a demon hunting her, Maggie must not only discover how the code is related to it but survive to long enough to learn how to use the magic within her.
This is a fantastic start to this urban fantasy set in the not so distant future. A huge earthquake had damaged the American west coast, and the country is still recovering. There is a lot of tech, but not so difficult to grasp for the reader. The focus is on gaming, and that's right up my alley. I feel that this book could be considered a little bit gamelit because there is a real life threat in the game. I liked Maggie from the beginning. Strong, smart, and loyal to her friend. Damon is the billionaire Alpha boss, but if you like the trope, then you'll adore him. The tension between them is fabulous! Everything unravels and picks up speed in the second half. A few surprises come with the end. There's so much Maggie doesn't know, but thankfully, there are other books in the series to explore the world more with her.
This is a fantastic start to this urban fantasy set in the not so distant future. A huge earthquake had damaged the American west coast, and the country is still recovering. There is a lot of tech, but not so difficult to grasp for the reader. The focus is on gaming, and that's right up my alley. I feel that this book could be considered a little bit gamelit because there is a real life threat in the game. I liked Maggie from the beginning. Strong, smart, and loyal to her friend. Damon is the billionaire Alpha boss, but if you like the trope, then you'll adore him. The tension between them is fabulous! Everything unravels and picks up speed in the second half. A few surprises come with the end. There's so much Maggie doesn't know, but thankfully, there are other books in the series to explore the world more with her.
December 18, 2018
I really enjoyed the beginning and then it got darker and darker, not at all what I expected from the description. The ending wasn’t technically a cliff hanger because a main plot point was resolved, but nothing else was.
August 24, 2020
The only personal issue for me is the name of the hero, Damon. Once I got past it was an interesting world merging the tech and magic sides of stories. Looking forward to the next instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2023
Interesting concept and was really promising but the second half let it down entirely, it felt very disjointed and rushed which is a shame
June 22, 2025
A few plot inconsistencies that were annoying but fewer than it seemed there would be at the beginning. Ultimately, I found it entertaining even if it was predictable.
June 16, 2023
I enjoyed the beginning, but I lost interest midway int0 the story.
February 10, 2020
Mixed feelings.
Interesting concept, enjoyed the VR idea, the gaming and futuristic atmosphere and world-building. Could have done with some better idea about how tech and magic fit together in this world.
I liked the plot and writing for the most part and it didn't go at all where I expected it to given the series name. I was really enjoying the book until about halfway through, when it became a bit disjointed. The second half was a sudden change of pace as the magic came into play and both the MCs seemed to undergo a personality change as their pasts were dragged up and they seemed to emotionally revert to their YA selves. Reading about the interactions between the characters, their relationship and their responses to the situation then became an exercise in frustration for me.
The plot did have an ending - no cliffhanger -
So, I kinda want to know where they go from here, but not sure I want the no doubt depressing aftermath...
Interesting concept, enjoyed the VR idea, the gaming and futuristic atmosphere and world-building. Could have done with some better idea about how tech and magic fit together in this world.
I liked the plot and writing for the most part and it didn't go at all where I expected it to given the series name. I was really enjoying the book until about halfway through, when it became a bit disjointed. The second half was a sudden change of pace as the magic came into play and both the MCs seemed to undergo a personality change as their pasts were dragged up and they seemed to emotionally revert to their YA selves. Reading about the interactions between the characters, their relationship and their responses to the situation then became an exercise in frustration for me.
The plot did have an ending - no cliffhanger -
So, I kinda want to know where they go from here, but not sure I want the no doubt depressing aftermath...
February 9, 2019
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, especially the world building set in a post-climate change and earthquake devastated San Francisco, but it quickly deteriorated into a less in the second half. Everyone seemed to get hit with the stupid stick, especially the heroine. The plot became obvious and disjointed. Damon was the only one showing any kind of understandable character integrity. Lust became love a little too quickly. Speshul snowflake status was achieved. Just a mess.
October 6, 2021
There were some interesting ideas, a neat premise. The characters were flat, a lot of things just get dropped or have no relevance to the rest of the story, and the gaming felt a lot like it was written by someone who doesn't understand video games or gaming culture. Also the relationships had no substance or meaning and they felt very uneven and unhealthy at best.
October 29, 2018
Soooo damn good. I needed tissues in this book. Cant wait for book2
December 6, 2018
Great read.
This is the first book I have read by M.J. Scott and the story line was riveting and held your interest. I can't wait for the next story line.
This is the first book I have read by M.J. Scott and the story line was riveting and held your interest. I can't wait for the next story line.
June 7, 2023
Hmmm... I don't know if I liked this or not.
December 6, 2022
cut out the porn, tone down on the spontanous romance, add more worldbuilding and actual combine tech and witchery and you might just get a decent story.
July 25, 2023
I did enjoy reading this story. But I have to say I'm not real thrilled with the FMC Maggie. She really gets on my nerves the way she buries her head in the sand and hopes everything thing just goes away. She is in complete denial until it comes back and bites her in the ass.. and then she is ready to deal with it. After she has put those closest to her in danger.. only then is she ready to deal with it. And only as much as she has to, to try to get them away from danger. Instead of trying to learn everything she can about her new reality she pushes it all away.
I understand that she had some kind of bad childhood with her mother being a witch. Although all we get in this story for background is the fact that her mother made some shady deals/tricked her customers into thinking they were getting the read deal when they weren't. And having to run off in the middle of the night from angry customers wanting their money back.. I can't really say that was a childhood so trauma inducing that she wanted nothing to do with magic. So I'm really not buying into that reasoning. Either something else has happened that we haven't learned yet.. or this FMC is just... I'm really trying to think of a good word here but all I keep thinking of is... selfish.. that is what this FMC is. She wants it her way or not at all. Kind of like the way it was with Damon. She was all fine with telling him that she needed time to think and clear her head after they got involved. But the minute that he needed that time after learning a few things.. she wanted to be all hurt and angry about it.
While it is a good story line. And I most certainly want to know more about it. I connected with a few of the characters introduced in this story. I want to know more about Damon, Lizzie, and Cassandra. It wouldn't be the first series I read where I was more interested in the side characters then the main characters. While I might never come to care for Maggie in this series, specially if she keeps on the track she is going on now. But I can see myself coming to love all the rest of them. So I will be reading the next story in the series at the very least and seeing how it goes.
I understand that she had some kind of bad childhood with her mother being a witch. Although all we get in this story for background is the fact that her mother made some shady deals/tricked her customers into thinking they were getting the read deal when they weren't. And having to run off in the middle of the night from angry customers wanting their money back.. I can't really say that was a childhood so trauma inducing that she wanted nothing to do with magic. So I'm really not buying into that reasoning. Either something else has happened that we haven't learned yet.. or this FMC is just... I'm really trying to think of a good word here but all I keep thinking of is... selfish.. that is what this FMC is. She wants it her way or not at all. Kind of like the way it was with Damon. She was all fine with telling him that she needed time to think and clear her head after they got involved. But the minute that he needed that time after learning a few things.. she wanted to be all hurt and angry about it.
While it is a good story line. And I most certainly want to know more about it. I connected with a few of the characters introduced in this story. I want to know more about Damon, Lizzie, and Cassandra. It wouldn't be the first series I read where I was more interested in the side characters then the main characters. While I might never come to care for Maggie in this series, specially if she keeps on the track she is going on now. But I can see myself coming to love all the rest of them. So I will be reading the next story in the series at the very least and seeing how it goes.
May 18, 2023
That was a book I wouldn't have read but for the kindle challenge. Magic that isn't connected to shifters isn't usually my thing but it sounded interesting to put the computer programming of games against magic and demons. I really loved the book, I liked the main protagonist Maggie until she falls into the "I am too tired and hurt and irritated to actually talk to someone about what I believe is going on" category, which as a reaction to it makes the male hero (?) look like a whining child . Although I have absolutely no connection to gaming (apart from maybe Fishdom at the moment) I kinda dug the gaming environment and the premises of the story that there is magic and magic users and that technology may be a tool for the demons from hell to get victims. I loved Maggie's loyalty to Nat, even though I thought Nat was one of the most annoying characters I have ever read.
Not sure why but the sex in the office was cringe worthy for me. Might be that I believe any company that is into technology and computers has a high rate of security just for espionage alone and there would be cameras and maybe even night watchmen around to control the premises. So I am into voyeurism but I don't like watching other people watch, who would have thought. I basically was holding my breath because I seriously thought that they would get caught.
Not sure what I think about Damon, but since this book didn't give a solution/answer/HEA, there will be more books to read. Cliffhanger with a capital C.
Not sure why but the sex in the office was cringe worthy for me. Might be that I believe any company that is into technology and computers has a high rate of security just for espionage alone and there would be cameras and maybe even night watchmen around to control the premises. So I am into voyeurism but I don't like watching other people watch, who would have thought. I basically was holding my breath because I seriously thought that they would get caught.
Not sure what I think about Damon, but since this book didn't give a solution/answer/HEA, there will be more books to read. Cliffhanger with a capital C.
May 26, 2023
I would've loved to give the book 4 stars, but 3.5 is the best I'll do, because of some issues I had with it.
First, the premise in the beginning was this tech-wizz girl. I was so excited about this! In the end, she found the error, but it was "meh". It fell flat. It seemed like the book didn't know which way to go. A person who has technology-powers but doesn't know it. Or a witch with superpowers that has nothing to do with technology. And really, to jump from this mysterious, interesting, tech-wizz to an all-powerful, over-the-top, super-duper witch was just too much. She was MUCH more interesting as a tech-wizz.
The hero was the opposite. He started out as this powerful "mr universe", then turned out this meek, scared,helpless weakling. Ontop of that, he hired her to find the problem, and when she does, he blames her for "burning his company down"! Huh? He wrote the code that was the problem! He burnt his own company down! She probably saved him by finding the error before others got hurt. Did he ever thanked her? No! He didn't even apologise to her for getting her friend involved, after she pleaded with him not to.
It also didn't gel that he asked her to find a problem, then it turns out the problem only started AFTER she was hired. What an irrational turn of events. So everything in the book felt like it was just a set up in the end, to turn her into this absolutely amazing, powerful witch. It felt unnatural.
And seriously, the ending sucked.
I won't read book nr 2. I may have, despite the gripes I had, in the hope that it would turn out well, since I did enjoy the first 3/4's of the 1st book, but it's not on Kindle Unlimited.
First, the premise in the beginning was this tech-wizz girl. I was so excited about this! In the end, she found the error, but it was "meh". It fell flat. It seemed like the book didn't know which way to go. A person who has technology-powers but doesn't know it. Or a witch with superpowers that has nothing to do with technology. And really, to jump from this mysterious, interesting, tech-wizz to an all-powerful, over-the-top, super-duper witch was just too much. She was MUCH more interesting as a tech-wizz.
The hero was the opposite. He started out as this powerful "mr universe", then turned out this meek, scared,helpless weakling. Ontop of that, he hired her to find the problem, and when she does, he blames her for "burning his company down"! Huh? He wrote the code that was the problem! He burnt his own company down! She probably saved him by finding the error before others got hurt. Did he ever thanked her? No! He didn't even apologise to her for getting her friend involved, after she pleaded with him not to.
It also didn't gel that he asked her to find a problem, then it turns out the problem only started AFTER she was hired. What an irrational turn of events. So everything in the book felt like it was just a set up in the end, to turn her into this absolutely amazing, powerful witch. It felt unnatural.
And seriously, the ending sucked.
I won't read book nr 2. I may have, despite the gripes I had, in the hope that it would turn out well, since I did enjoy the first 3/4's of the 1st book, but it's not on Kindle Unlimited.
April 10, 2019
I initially gave this a one star rating. But then I remembered I finished the book; so that counts, right? Anyway, two stars it is.
The idea for this book/series is gripping. It's everything else that was not. Maggie lacked a certain amout of steel that would have propelled her from a 'meh' heroine to a 'badass' one. The beginning of this book was riveting, to say the least. I had such high hopes.
And then everything just fizzled down like a balloon letting out air.
This book was, at most times, frustratingly stressful. Which is something I loathe in a book. The only reason I reached the last page was because I was so ready for Maggie to pull up her big girl pants and deal with people/things like the independent adult/ that she is. Instead I got a half-assed /wave and a ending.
Will I keep up with this series?
Probably Not.
Do I recommend it?
Yes, if you like open ended books and heroines willing to be put on pause for a 'chance' of 'something' between said person and romantic interest.
No, if you don't like to be stressed and frustrated by a one track mind protagonist.
But hey, I'm very aware that I am choosy when it comes to UF (is this a romance?).
Check it out if you're curious, though. And I would be more than happy to read what everyone else thinks :)
Happy Reading & Adios!
The idea for this book/series is gripping. It's everything else that was not. Maggie lacked a certain amout of steel that would have propelled her from a 'meh' heroine to a 'badass' one. The beginning of this book was riveting, to say the least. I had such high hopes.
And then everything just fizzled down like a balloon letting out air.
This book was, at most times, frustratingly stressful. Which is something I loathe in a book. The only reason I reached the last page was because I was so ready for Maggie to pull up her big girl pants and deal with people/things like the independent adult/ that she is. Instead I got a half-assed /wave and a ending.
Will I keep up with this series?
Probably Not.
Do I recommend it?
Yes, if you like open ended books and heroines willing to be put on pause for a 'chance' of 'something' between said person and romantic interest.
No, if you don't like to be stressed and frustrated by a one track mind protagonist.
But hey, I'm very aware that I am choosy when it comes to UF (is this a romance?).
Check it out if you're curious, though. And I would be more than happy to read what everyone else thinks :)
Happy Reading & Adios!
February 10, 2021
Wow, just wow!
This is the first book in a new series. I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It is set in the future where tech is more advanced than what we have now and magic is accepted. Witches can be good or bad and their spells can actually work. Maggie has grown up believing that she has no magical powers and has her own business fixing problems within the code of programs. She stays as far away from anything magical as she can get. Maggie has always know that her Mom was a bad witch, but she is just beginning to realize just how bad she really was. Damon is the founder and owner of the largest gaming company in the world. He hires Maggie to help him with a very unique problem with a game in development. What they discover has implications for the entire world.
I flew through this book and found myself wanting to pick up the next book in this series! There isn't a cliff hanger at the end, per se, but there is the feeling that the larger story isn't quite over yet. There is magic, witches, demons, technology, gamers and a bit of romance all set in a slightly futuristic earth. I had a hard time putting this book down. I just kept want to turn the next page to find out where the story would take me. I loved the characters and their development. The story is from Maggie's POV and she is damaged. She has trust issues and is fiercely independent. I will warn you that everything doesn't work out for everyone in the end. I can't wait for the next book to see where Maggie goes from here!
Merged review:
This is a great short story in the TechWitch series the Ms. Scott made available to her newsletter subscriber fans. This is set before the first book and gives background on Lizzie's childhood, family and early teen years. There is also some information on the world and the witches who inhabit it. A nice fun read for fans, fans of the series and those who are just diving in.
This is the first book in a new series. I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It is set in the future where tech is more advanced than what we have now and magic is accepted. Witches can be good or bad and their spells can actually work. Maggie has grown up believing that she has no magical powers and has her own business fixing problems within the code of programs. She stays as far away from anything magical as she can get. Maggie has always know that her Mom was a bad witch, but she is just beginning to realize just how bad she really was. Damon is the founder and owner of the largest gaming company in the world. He hires Maggie to help him with a very unique problem with a game in development. What they discover has implications for the entire world.
I flew through this book and found myself wanting to pick up the next book in this series! There isn't a cliff hanger at the end, per se, but there is the feeling that the larger story isn't quite over yet. There is magic, witches, demons, technology, gamers and a bit of romance all set in a slightly futuristic earth. I had a hard time putting this book down. I just kept want to turn the next page to find out where the story would take me. I loved the characters and their development. The story is from Maggie's POV and she is damaged. She has trust issues and is fiercely independent. I will warn you that everything doesn't work out for everyone in the end. I can't wait for the next book to see where Maggie goes from here!
Merged review:
This is a great short story in the TechWitch series the Ms. Scott made available to her newsletter subscriber fans. This is set before the first book and gives background on Lizzie's childhood, family and early teen years. There is also some information on the world and the witches who inhabit it. A nice fun read for fans, fans of the series and those who are just diving in.
December 30, 2021
I feel that I am the victim of "bait and switch". This book is a slow burn romance but is missing in the description on amazon. It has many of the cliches such as..
1) I can't be with him because (fill in the blank)"
2) I don't like people telling me what to do but your hot so it's ok
ya know what, never mind. I was going to go into the love interest being a billionaire and protecting her for her own good etc but no. There is more.
On top of the romance cliches there are magic cliches like
1) my parent was an evil magic user and so all magic is evil
2) I don't have magic but I obviously do.
It's like the writer literally got a list of every cliche and wrote a book around them. There is even the oh i am a stressed woman so i must throw up scene. My guess is that the writer, in later books will add in a virtual reality version of "i pinch myself because i might be asleep" and the overused "I can't use my powers because (fill in the blank)". Who knows we might even see a "I need to give up my powers because (fill in the blank)" then the writer will do power resets or something.
I am sorry for such a negative review but It I am angry at being duped into buying a romance with zero indication in the amazon description.
1) I can't be with him because (fill in the blank)"
2) I don't like people telling me what to do but your hot so it's ok
ya know what, never mind. I was going to go into the love interest being a billionaire and protecting her for her own good etc but no. There is more.
On top of the romance cliches there are magic cliches like
1) my parent was an evil magic user and so all magic is evil
2) I don't have magic but I obviously do.
It's like the writer literally got a list of every cliche and wrote a book around them. There is even the oh i am a stressed woman so i must throw up scene. My guess is that the writer, in later books will add in a virtual reality version of "i pinch myself because i might be asleep" and the overused "I can't use my powers because (fill in the blank)". Who knows we might even see a "I need to give up my powers because (fill in the blank)" then the writer will do power resets or something.
I am sorry for such a negative review but It I am angry at being duped into buying a romance with zero indication in the amazon description.
July 20, 2020
The book was enjoyable and readable. Mix of tech and magic was something cool and I especially liked the setting - the future in there seemed sci-fi like yet close to the grasp. Like the kinda eco garbage street cans which would munch down your eco difusable portable coffee cup in a second. Cool.
I liked our main couple. And the way first book ended was...totally normal. In a normal world, totally expected.
*Spoiler*
I mean, if you meet somebody, you have great chemistry and it could be love - but that certain someone would kinda wreck your life one week into the relationship, get you almost killed ( and not in a classic way, but by ...demons) and almost bankrupt your huge successful company in the process...well, that doesn't speak anything similar to "we're good for one another" um, yeah.
So, the ending was totally fine. And as happily ever afters go, original.
But. As it goes, I wasn't so invested in this relationship to continue with another volume. So, that's it. But it was a good read.
I liked our main couple. And the way first book ended was...totally normal. In a normal world, totally expected.
*Spoiler*
I mean, if you meet somebody, you have great chemistry and it could be love - but that certain someone would kinda wreck your life one week into the relationship, get you almost killed ( and not in a classic way, but by ...demons) and almost bankrupt your huge successful company in the process...well, that doesn't speak anything similar to "we're good for one another" um, yeah.
So, the ending was totally fine. And as happily ever afters go, original.
But. As it goes, I wasn't so invested in this relationship to continue with another volume. So, that's it. But it was a good read.
April 2, 2021
I'm putting it in my romance category, but if you only read romance it might not work for you. It's an urban fantasy with romance elements. There's fun in here with the idea of a future San Francisco after the next 'big one' and climate change(it's muggy all the time, please don't make that our actual future!!) and also magic. There are VR cafes and gaming clubs and new drugs and old problems all mixing together in a fun story. I like this combined with Wicked Words: A Techwitch urban fantasy as a single longer book more than I like either book on their own. It's a good choice for fans of J.D. Robb who want a little less police procedural/seeking out butts to kick or are just all caught up with the 50+ books of the In Death series.
Read on my Kobo.
Read on my Kobo.
June 22, 2023
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
3.5*
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
3.5*
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews