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The Phyrian War Chronicles #1
The Relic Spell
Magic rolls through Orion Tamura’s history classroom like a tidal wave of golden light that only he can see. The spell is deadly, and Orion has no idea who cast it or what they want.
Answers are scarce—all of Port Monica’s sorcerers vanished fourteen years before, including Orion’s father. Armed with his limited knowledge of magic, Orion is the only one left in the city who is strong enough to investigate the origins of the spell.
But the city’s leaders will stop at nothing to censor and sabotage anyone who gets close to the truth. Invisible otherworlders watch every move Orion and his friends make, and a mysterious sorcerer who knows the answers haunts Orion’s dreams.
Answers are scarce—all of Port Monica’s sorcerers vanished fourteen years before, including Orion’s father. Armed with his limited knowledge of magic, Orion is the only one left in the city who is strong enough to investigate the origins of the spell.
But the city’s leaders will stop at nothing to censor and sabotage anyone who gets close to the truth. Invisible otherworlders watch every move Orion and his friends make, and a mysterious sorcerer who knows the answers haunts Orion’s dreams.
Paperback
Published December 17, 2019
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206 people want to read
About the author
Jimena I. Novaro
5 books36 followersJimena I. Novaro always knew she would be a writer. She wrote her first stories before she could spell and hasn't stopped since. She was born and raised by wildlife biologists in the arid steppe of Neuquén Province, Argentina, identifying stool samples, dreaming up other worlds, and climbing mountains without her pants (that one time). She graduated with a major in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. You can get her latest novel, Codex of Mechanical Dreams, for free on her website!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 4, 2022
Orion is in high school, but it’s the least of his worries. He’s busy trying to learn new spells as one of the few sorcerers left in the area. But when a wave of draining magic rolls through his classroom and causes the death of many people in the city, he realizes that something big may be heading his way. With the help of his best friend and his friend’s girlfriend, they try to find the answers to the disturbing magic as demons begin to appear and wreak havoc in the area.
This was an enjoyable urban fantasy read. The world itself was well done; the idea of having people of demon descent and beings from other dimensions was fascinating. A great deal of detail was included, but I was still left with many questions relating to the world. While I would have liked to see a bit more worldbuilding, this is only the first book. The questions I still have relating to this make me excited to read the next work and see what answers will be revealed.
The characters were well written and varied. I loved the diversity of the characters and how seamlessly the author incorporated it. I also liked that Orion was haunted by his father’s legacy and his feelings for his friend, which gave him realistic depth and added some interesting conflict. The secondary characters were all fascinating, and I loved that there were some strong female characters that were just as well equipped as the male main characters!
On a more technical note, there were several typos and errors throughout the work. They were relatively minor so didn’t detract much, but the book could still use another round of editing. The plot lagged a bit near the middle of the work, but the pace quickly picks back up again.
Overall, this was an interesting and unique read of urban fantasy. The worldbuilding was fascinating and the characters were enjoyable, making this a recommendable book. My thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read and review this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was an enjoyable urban fantasy read. The world itself was well done; the idea of having people of demon descent and beings from other dimensions was fascinating. A great deal of detail was included, but I was still left with many questions relating to the world. While I would have liked to see a bit more worldbuilding, this is only the first book. The questions I still have relating to this make me excited to read the next work and see what answers will be revealed.
The characters were well written and varied. I loved the diversity of the characters and how seamlessly the author incorporated it. I also liked that Orion was haunted by his father’s legacy and his feelings for his friend, which gave him realistic depth and added some interesting conflict. The secondary characters were all fascinating, and I loved that there were some strong female characters that were just as well equipped as the male main characters!
On a more technical note, there were several typos and errors throughout the work. They were relatively minor so didn’t detract much, but the book could still use another round of editing. The plot lagged a bit near the middle of the work, but the pace quickly picks back up again.
Overall, this was an interesting and unique read of urban fantasy. The worldbuilding was fascinating and the characters were enjoyable, making this a recommendable book. My thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read and review this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 8, 2020
Five Reasons You Should Read This Book.
Rep: Argentine-Japanese American bi mc, Black side character, nonbinary side character
ARC kindly provided by Jimena Novaro
Rep: Argentine-Japanese American bi mc, Black side character, nonbinary side character
ARC kindly provided by Jimena Novaro
December 18, 2019
The Relic Spell, a novel by Jimena Novaro, is an urban fantasy which combines the high fantasy mysticism of magic casting with the horror adventure of monster-hunting. The start of series, Relic also works as a standalone novel.
Set in the fictional town of Port Monica where both spell-casting and demons exist, we find only a handful of sorcerers (most of them novices) around after a devastating event occurred over a decade in the past. Orion Tamura and Max Carter fight supernatural creatures with spells and weapons. Partners for years, Orion pulls energy to form spells and Max, Orion’s unrequited love, targets them with swords.
For people who like intricate and well-thought-out magic systems, magically-enhanced noir detective novels, or fast and frenetic adventure, Relic is a treat. The novel takes great pains to describe how the magic system works and how to cast spells without ever dragging the narrative down. On the mystery side, the early part of the novel places Orion in the gumshoe position, following clues while trying to piece together the larger picture of what’s going on.
The novel introduces a major conflict and brings it to a logical conclusion. Not all plot elements are resolved—one element is purposely left wide open—but I thought the ending was strong. The Relic Spell combines mystery, monsters, and family into an absorbing first offering of a series.
Set in the fictional town of Port Monica where both spell-casting and demons exist, we find only a handful of sorcerers (most of them novices) around after a devastating event occurred over a decade in the past. Orion Tamura and Max Carter fight supernatural creatures with spells and weapons. Partners for years, Orion pulls energy to form spells and Max, Orion’s unrequited love, targets them with swords.
For people who like intricate and well-thought-out magic systems, magically-enhanced noir detective novels, or fast and frenetic adventure, Relic is a treat. The novel takes great pains to describe how the magic system works and how to cast spells without ever dragging the narrative down. On the mystery side, the early part of the novel places Orion in the gumshoe position, following clues while trying to piece together the larger picture of what’s going on.
The novel introduces a major conflict and brings it to a logical conclusion. Not all plot elements are resolved—one element is purposely left wide open—but I thought the ending was strong. The Relic Spell combines mystery, monsters, and family into an absorbing first offering of a series.
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May 31, 2019This book has been the last five years of my life. Everything I've learned about myself, everything I've learned about the world, has in some way influenced the writing and editing process of this novel. I'm so excited to get to share it with you all very soon! I hope you love these characters as much as I do.
September 21, 2020
Hey Bookworms!
The Relic Spell is the first book in The Phyrian War Chronicles series by Jimena I. Novaro. This queer MG YA Fantasy was enthralling to read, with culturally diverse characters and a spectacular storyline. Port Monica lost all the sorcerers residing in the City fourteen years ago, when the Phyrian War ended. The Sorcerers vanished including Daisuke Tamura, the most powerful sorcerer of his time. Since then, there's only rare demon activity in Port Monica.
Orion Tamura, son of Daisuke, a teenage sorcerer, is the only one of his kind, left to defend Port Monica. And he's joined by Max Carter, his best friend, in fighting demons and otherworldly beings. Max is the sword- yielding warrior, while Orion is the Sorcerer armed with magic. They make an excellent team together, but Orion wants more as he's in love with Max. I also loved the relationship Orion shared with his mother.
But one day, a lethal spell washed over the entire city, a spell so powerful that it channelled through everyone, killing many. Now, it's only upto Orion to find out who's behind this spell and what's the purpose of it. And most importantly how to break it. While tracking the location of this spell Orion comes in contact with another powerful sorcerer, Julian, with a mysterious past. Julian seems to be an ally, but his actions speak otherwise.
The story is action-packed and every thread of fantasy is beautifully explored and explained. The diversity of the characters and representation of it added layers to the story, as it also attacks the social hierarchical structure of the privileged rich and the neglected poor. It's a brilliant book to read, simply put.
Thank you Booksirens for this ARC, I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
-Anshula
@thebookishlawyer
The Relic Spell is the first book in The Phyrian War Chronicles series by Jimena I. Novaro. This queer MG YA Fantasy was enthralling to read, with culturally diverse characters and a spectacular storyline. Port Monica lost all the sorcerers residing in the City fourteen years ago, when the Phyrian War ended. The Sorcerers vanished including Daisuke Tamura, the most powerful sorcerer of his time. Since then, there's only rare demon activity in Port Monica.
Orion Tamura, son of Daisuke, a teenage sorcerer, is the only one of his kind, left to defend Port Monica. And he's joined by Max Carter, his best friend, in fighting demons and otherworldly beings. Max is the sword- yielding warrior, while Orion is the Sorcerer armed with magic. They make an excellent team together, but Orion wants more as he's in love with Max. I also loved the relationship Orion shared with his mother.
But one day, a lethal spell washed over the entire city, a spell so powerful that it channelled through everyone, killing many. Now, it's only upto Orion to find out who's behind this spell and what's the purpose of it. And most importantly how to break it. While tracking the location of this spell Orion comes in contact with another powerful sorcerer, Julian, with a mysterious past. Julian seems to be an ally, but his actions speak otherwise.
The story is action-packed and every thread of fantasy is beautifully explored and explained. The diversity of the characters and representation of it added layers to the story, as it also attacks the social hierarchical structure of the privileged rich and the neglected poor. It's a brilliant book to read, simply put.
Thank you Booksirens for this ARC, I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
-Anshula
@thebookishlawyer
September 24, 2021
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Relic Spell
Being the only sorcerer left in Port Monica, Orion does his best to keep the city safe from magic and demons. But when a spell ripples through the city, killing those too weak to survive the power draw, he is left confused and angered. Orion and his best friend Max begin to search for answers and find that the Phyrian War might have connections to current events. But no one will speak of the war. It’s as if it has been erased from the city’s history. As the two friends hunt for answers they will come up against a foe with immense magical power. And no one will rise up to save Port Monica. It’s up to Orion and Max to save their city.
Orion is so young and carries the world on his shoulders. Even when he has no clue what to do, he still tries. And he’ll have to learn that by taking responsibility for the city’s protection, Orion will have difficult decisions to make. You can’t help but see the toll his responsibilities take on him. And sometimes the choices he makes have horrible consequences. He nears his breaking point as he realizes the reality of two kids facing off against impossible odds is absurd. All Orion wants is advice on what to do, and there is no one to give it to him. Forced to grow up too soon, Orion doesn’t give up. Instead, he meets every challenge head-on.
Jimena I. Novaro has created the perfect balance of reality and fiction. Family is a main theme in Relic Spell, and Orion would do anything for his family. His mother does the best she can to teach Orion the ways of magic, even if her skill level is low. And woven within their stories is an intricate magic system. Even the most powerful of magic users must learn how to harness their power through the use of symbols and materials. But without any fellow sorcerers, Orion is left to learn on the fly with what little tools he has at his disposal.
Readers learn about magic through Orion’s experimentation and it’s wonderful. You’ll experience every emotion alongside Orion ranging from confusion and anger to curiosity and fear. But it all drives Orion into pushing against his boundaries with magic. There is no doubt in my mind the magic system of The Phyrian War series is only beginning to be revealed. Hints are dropped at the end of Relic Spell that alludes to so much more coming for this series.
By the end of Relic Spell, there are still so many questions left about the Phyrian War. I have a feeling it will be an overarching mystery for the series. I love when I have to put the pieces together and learn alongside the characters. Not to mention I want to know more about magic and how it works. There is so much more left to be told about this world. And I am eager to continue my journey.
Being the only sorcerer left in Port Monica, Orion does his best to keep the city safe from magic and demons. But when a spell ripples through the city, killing those too weak to survive the power draw, he is left confused and angered. Orion and his best friend Max begin to search for answers and find that the Phyrian War might have connections to current events. But no one will speak of the war. It’s as if it has been erased from the city’s history. As the two friends hunt for answers they will come up against a foe with immense magical power. And no one will rise up to save Port Monica. It’s up to Orion and Max to save their city.
Orion is so young and carries the world on his shoulders. Even when he has no clue what to do, he still tries. And he’ll have to learn that by taking responsibility for the city’s protection, Orion will have difficult decisions to make. You can’t help but see the toll his responsibilities take on him. And sometimes the choices he makes have horrible consequences. He nears his breaking point as he realizes the reality of two kids facing off against impossible odds is absurd. All Orion wants is advice on what to do, and there is no one to give it to him. Forced to grow up too soon, Orion doesn’t give up. Instead, he meets every challenge head-on.
Jimena I. Novaro has created the perfect balance of reality and fiction. Family is a main theme in Relic Spell, and Orion would do anything for his family. His mother does the best she can to teach Orion the ways of magic, even if her skill level is low. And woven within their stories is an intricate magic system. Even the most powerful of magic users must learn how to harness their power through the use of symbols and materials. But without any fellow sorcerers, Orion is left to learn on the fly with what little tools he has at his disposal.
Readers learn about magic through Orion’s experimentation and it’s wonderful. You’ll experience every emotion alongside Orion ranging from confusion and anger to curiosity and fear. But it all drives Orion into pushing against his boundaries with magic. There is no doubt in my mind the magic system of The Phyrian War series is only beginning to be revealed. Hints are dropped at the end of Relic Spell that alludes to so much more coming for this series.
By the end of Relic Spell, there are still so many questions left about the Phyrian War. I have a feeling it will be an overarching mystery for the series. I love when I have to put the pieces together and learn alongside the characters. Not to mention I want to know more about magic and how it works. There is so much more left to be told about this world. And I am eager to continue my journey.
December 16, 2019
A gripping tale of magic and sorcery with an important message...
From the very start of this story I found myself immersed into an original and intricately crafted world of sorcery that is both full of action and intrigue. Jimena Novaro has written a book that also captures and reflects on modern times with a distinct rich and poor divide in the setting of 'Port Monica'.
We are introduced to main character and hero 'Orion Tamura' who is perhaps the only powerful sorcerer left in town. By day he's a regular school kid from a not so privileged family that includes two younger siblings and a mother to look out for. By night he is joined by best friend 'Max' and together they fight demons - there are a host of creative, fun and chilling creatures they face off throughout the story. On the surface their relationship appears to be of old friends, or even sorcerer and warrior but for Orion he wants more and Max already has someone else, this makes for a conflicting scenario our hero must face as well as the apparent dangers that already lurk in their home town.
There's a mysterious back story to Orion's father who like many other sorcerers vanished during the 'Phyrian War', we only get snippets of what happened and I imagine more of the 'war' will be explored in future stories. Much of the history in this book is what makes everything so well detailed and thought out. I must give credit to the author for bringing to life a world full of depth and even realism for the genre.
A powerful spell is unleashed that threatens to ravage 'Port Monica' and Orion begins his journey to face the evil that is behind it. Along the way he is helped by part demon fighters (Elsa comes to mind), fellow sorcerers (Julian) and even his ex girlfriend in what is an enjoyable voyage of revelations into this bold world of magic where 'natural energy' and 'demon energy' are pitted against one another.
It's very clear to see Jimena Novaro has spent much time writing a story that feels personal and inviting at the same time. The book contains so much for a reader to enjoy, from a wealth of great characters to a story where something is always happening; if there isn't action, there's tension, intrigue or mystery.
Novaro even pays tribute to her own Argentinian routes which is a nice personal touch, while also reflecting on modern society and creating a main character that is bisexual and another character who prefers to be referred as 'they' - a first I have known in any book and a huge step in the right direction for not only story telling but the world.
The Relic Spell is a story about so much more than sorcery and magic, from family, friends to politics and even society it's highly enjoyable!
From the very start of this story I found myself immersed into an original and intricately crafted world of sorcery that is both full of action and intrigue. Jimena Novaro has written a book that also captures and reflects on modern times with a distinct rich and poor divide in the setting of 'Port Monica'.
We are introduced to main character and hero 'Orion Tamura' who is perhaps the only powerful sorcerer left in town. By day he's a regular school kid from a not so privileged family that includes two younger siblings and a mother to look out for. By night he is joined by best friend 'Max' and together they fight demons - there are a host of creative, fun and chilling creatures they face off throughout the story. On the surface their relationship appears to be of old friends, or even sorcerer and warrior but for Orion he wants more and Max already has someone else, this makes for a conflicting scenario our hero must face as well as the apparent dangers that already lurk in their home town.
There's a mysterious back story to Orion's father who like many other sorcerers vanished during the 'Phyrian War', we only get snippets of what happened and I imagine more of the 'war' will be explored in future stories. Much of the history in this book is what makes everything so well detailed and thought out. I must give credit to the author for bringing to life a world full of depth and even realism for the genre.
A powerful spell is unleashed that threatens to ravage 'Port Monica' and Orion begins his journey to face the evil that is behind it. Along the way he is helped by part demon fighters (Elsa comes to mind), fellow sorcerers (Julian) and even his ex girlfriend in what is an enjoyable voyage of revelations into this bold world of magic where 'natural energy' and 'demon energy' are pitted against one another.
It's very clear to see Jimena Novaro has spent much time writing a story that feels personal and inviting at the same time. The book contains so much for a reader to enjoy, from a wealth of great characters to a story where something is always happening; if there isn't action, there's tension, intrigue or mystery.
Novaro even pays tribute to her own Argentinian routes which is a nice personal touch, while also reflecting on modern society and creating a main character that is bisexual and another character who prefers to be referred as 'they' - a first I have known in any book and a huge step in the right direction for not only story telling but the world.
The Relic Spell is a story about so much more than sorcery and magic, from family, friends to politics and even society it's highly enjoyable!
January 29, 2020
I received an advanced review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book definitely reminds me of The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I kept imagining Jay Baruchel as Orion LOL! Filled with lots of actions that I've lost the plot a few times! Honestly, I had to reread it many a times to grasp the terror which had definitely slowed down my reading progress.
I truly applaud Jimena for having written this so well! It's action-packed with loads of fighting scenes and yet she could translate it onto paper neatly! I do enjoy her nicely paced prose and was entertained from the start.
Somehow the overall premise did sounds like Twilight + The Mortal Instruments + Xena LOL! It seems to have borrowed scenes from all over, compressed and refined to become The Relic Spell. I guess this is just me thinking too much whilst reading this with my mind actively envisioning this, imagining that. Hence the comparison started when a scene sounds familiar or a part created similarly like this or that.
All in all, it's YA through and through with much sorcery and bravery plus a little love. It does carry some weight of the current social stigma which is difficult to comprehend with their current self. So relevant and on point, hopefully it will indirectly guide the youngsters accordingly with topics like trying to fit in with the cool kids, proving themselves worthy to others and bullying. Also as there's reference to Orion's love for Max, I wonder if it'll developed in the next few books or so. I liked how this book ends, at least it's not a cliffhanger and leave me hanging much LOL! With so much going on, I wonder how book 2 would fare...
My full review here:
http://www.sholee.net/2020/01/mpov-re...
This book definitely reminds me of The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I kept imagining Jay Baruchel as Orion LOL! Filled with lots of actions that I've lost the plot a few times! Honestly, I had to reread it many a times to grasp the terror which had definitely slowed down my reading progress.
I truly applaud Jimena for having written this so well! It's action-packed with loads of fighting scenes and yet she could translate it onto paper neatly! I do enjoy her nicely paced prose and was entertained from the start.
Somehow the overall premise did sounds like Twilight + The Mortal Instruments + Xena LOL! It seems to have borrowed scenes from all over, compressed and refined to become The Relic Spell. I guess this is just me thinking too much whilst reading this with my mind actively envisioning this, imagining that. Hence the comparison started when a scene sounds familiar or a part created similarly like this or that.
All in all, it's YA through and through with much sorcery and bravery plus a little love. It does carry some weight of the current social stigma which is difficult to comprehend with their current self. So relevant and on point, hopefully it will indirectly guide the youngsters accordingly with topics like trying to fit in with the cool kids, proving themselves worthy to others and bullying. Also as there's reference to Orion's love for Max, I wonder if it'll developed in the next few books or so. I liked how this book ends, at least it's not a cliffhanger and leave me hanging much LOL! With so much going on, I wonder how book 2 would fare...
My full review here:
http://www.sholee.net/2020/01/mpov-re...
February 1, 2020
I received an advanced copy for free courtesy of BookSirens and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
For hafu (half-Japanese) Orion Tamura, Port Monica is home where mundane and non-mundane collide and still reeling from the devastating effects of the Phyrian War 14 years ago. Acting as its protector with best friend (and unrequited love) Max Carter, Sorceror Orion is blindsided and unprepared when the remnants of the War resurfaces.
The Relic Spell can be categorized as a urban fantasy with elements of demon-hunting (bringing to mind Shadowhunters); mystery and plenty of fantasy elements.
What I loved about this book:
- Its world-building : the magic systems utilised (along with its lore) and Port Monica’s history are very inventive - along with the inclusion of different types of beings and their brand of magic (demons and creatures from other dimensions)
- The action scenes are well-written and well-paced
- The Characters introduced are fleshed out (love the diversity in ethniticies and sexualities ; great female characters)
There were a few times though when I was taken out of the story, but it wasn’t too noticeable.
Overall The Relic Spell is recommended to anyone who enjoys world building in fantasy or fantasy in general.
For hafu (half-Japanese) Orion Tamura, Port Monica is home where mundane and non-mundane collide and still reeling from the devastating effects of the Phyrian War 14 years ago. Acting as its protector with best friend (and unrequited love) Max Carter, Sorceror Orion is blindsided and unprepared when the remnants of the War resurfaces.
The Relic Spell can be categorized as a urban fantasy with elements of demon-hunting (bringing to mind Shadowhunters); mystery and plenty of fantasy elements.
What I loved about this book:
- Its world-building : the magic systems utilised (along with its lore) and Port Monica’s history are very inventive - along with the inclusion of different types of beings and their brand of magic (demons and creatures from other dimensions)
- The action scenes are well-written and well-paced
- The Characters introduced are fleshed out (love the diversity in ethniticies and sexualities ; great female characters)
There were a few times though when I was taken out of the story, but it wasn’t too noticeable.
Overall The Relic Spell is recommended to anyone who enjoys world building in fantasy or fantasy in general.
February 5, 2020
Free Advanced Reader Copy provided by Booksirens in exchange for an honest review!
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The plot of this book was, in my opinion, very good.
The characters are unique and very diverse, making its cast very interesting.
The worldbuilding is small (it's the fisrt book so it's expected), but very consistent.
Orion is very relatable in various degrees. As his thoughts are exposed during the entire book we get to know him really well, and I love that he has both good AND bad thoughts, but in a way it never puts into question the fact he IS a good person, but as anyone else, he has dark thoughts from time to time.
The only downside was the way the narrative is done: It's a constant crescendo. It's very VERY heavy. After the problems arise, there is few to no pause in the dramatic action. It's like staying underwater urging for breath but never reaching the surface of the water. It only gets worse and worse and at a certain point it's mentally draining to keep reading. You really get to feel Orion's helplessness at some degree, but at certain point it's too much stuff happening and it's everything too fast and too intense. It's gets a bit tiring after a while.
Looking forward to read the next ones!
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The plot of this book was, in my opinion, very good.
The characters are unique and very diverse, making its cast very interesting.
The worldbuilding is small (it's the fisrt book so it's expected), but very consistent.
Orion is very relatable in various degrees. As his thoughts are exposed during the entire book we get to know him really well, and I love that he has both good AND bad thoughts, but in a way it never puts into question the fact he IS a good person, but as anyone else, he has dark thoughts from time to time.
The only downside was the way the narrative is done: It's a constant crescendo. It's very VERY heavy. After the problems arise, there is few to no pause in the dramatic action. It's like staying underwater urging for breath but never reaching the surface of the water. It only gets worse and worse and at a certain point it's mentally draining to keep reading. You really get to feel Orion's helplessness at some degree, but at certain point it's too much stuff happening and it's everything too fast and too intense. It's gets a bit tiring after a while.
Looking forward to read the next ones!
August 30, 2021
The Relic Spell by Jimena I. Novaro - 4/5 stars
This book is a masterclass in urban fantasy. I absolutely loved this book and the storytelling within. Added to that, the queer inclusion within this book was amazing, as well. With a polysexual main character of color, a side character of color, and a non-binary side character, this book felt like it took place in a community that could actually exist in the world. It also addressed the classism and political corruption that is all too common in old towns like Port Monica. The main character, Orion, experiences struggles with his sexuality, but not just because he's not straight, but because he's attracted to his best friend. It's so refreshing to see an LGBTQ+ character that is able to have struggles related to their identity that aren't just coming to terms with their identity. I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to dive into the sequel.
This book is a masterclass in urban fantasy. I absolutely loved this book and the storytelling within. Added to that, the queer inclusion within this book was amazing, as well. With a polysexual main character of color, a side character of color, and a non-binary side character, this book felt like it took place in a community that could actually exist in the world. It also addressed the classism and political corruption that is all too common in old towns like Port Monica. The main character, Orion, experiences struggles with his sexuality, but not just because he's not straight, but because he's attracted to his best friend. It's so refreshing to see an LGBTQ+ character that is able to have struggles related to their identity that aren't just coming to terms with their identity. I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to dive into the sequel.
March 28, 2020
I loved this book! It had such a great cast of characters! The MC is a bisexual Argentine-Japanese American sorcerer. The side characters were also awesomely diverse, and there was even non-binary rep! I really loved that this book jumped right into the middle of the story. It took me a minute to figure out the world building. But I really appreciated that this was a story about a teenage sorcerer and we didn’t have 5 chapters of set up and world building at the beginning introducing you to the world.
The magic in this story was really beautiful. You had to work to be able to use it. Orion talks about learning how to meditate as a child was necessary before he could start casting spells. And the magic energy for his spells were all around in the world in the form of golden light. This magic system was such a beautiful and believable form of magic, I just loved it. And I really can’t wait for the sequel to come out!
I read this book as a free digital copy from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
The magic in this story was really beautiful. You had to work to be able to use it. Orion talks about learning how to meditate as a child was necessary before he could start casting spells. And the magic energy for his spells were all around in the world in the form of golden light. This magic system was such a beautiful and believable form of magic, I just loved it. And I really can’t wait for the sequel to come out!
I read this book as a free digital copy from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2020
The Relic Spell follows the young and powerful young sorcerer Orian is a teenager in a world were most sorcerers mysteriously disappeared.
Orian is both trying to master his magic and protect a town from the evil that is trying to destroy it.
The world building is very good and kept me interested. This book ends on a cliffhanger as some things are not resolved. I recieved this book from BookSirens for an honest review.
Orian is both trying to master his magic and protect a town from the evil that is trying to destroy it.
The world building is very good and kept me interested. This book ends on a cliffhanger as some things are not resolved. I recieved this book from BookSirens for an honest review.
January 20, 2021
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I love the magic system in this book for Orion case spells using everyday material and his limitations which something we don't see a lot in fantasy or in urban fantasy in this case. Orion and his warrior best friend Max battle to save the the city since there are not a lot of sorcerers left after a situation that took place over a decade ago that also took Orion's father. This is a would that will you in and you get to see all through Orion. He makes other friends along the way and the world building is wonderful. I can't wait to see what happens next.
June 24, 2021
I received this free from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
Orion is a teenage sorcerer defending his town from demons with his best friend Max, and Max’s girlfriend Briar. He’s the son of an infamous and powerful sorcerer that disappeared 14 years ago, along with all of the other sorcerers in town, a moment that no one in the town is willing to discuss. When a powerful entity attacks the town, activating a spell that harms a lot of people, Orion and his friend are the only ones willing to protect the town and get to the bottom of the attacks.
I enjoyed this right from the beginning-only a few pages into the book and Orion and Max are chasing down a demon. The magic system was really interesting; I liked the different branches of magic, and how they interacted with each other, and I liked that it was shown to take a toll on the users. Orion loves to “geek out” about magic, as Max says, and it’s easy to see why! I found all the protection spells and the different ways they could be invoked fascinating.
The characters are really great as well. I love how much Orion cares for his family and cares about protecting innocent people, and how that conflicted with the resentment he felt towards Briar. I felt really sad for him at times! Briar-a part demon girl trying to use her demon magic for good-was fun to read, and personally I enjoyed how many women were in the novel and were necessary to the story. Orion’s inner monologue is also really funny sometimes.
Novaro weaved multiple threads together to create a very compelling plot; there are multiple mysteries to be solved and stories to be uncovered, and I think most of the novel was paced perfectly. The last 15% or so dragged, though, getting bogged down by a lot of action scenes, and what I thought was going to be a confrontation with the “Big Bad” ended up being very anticlimactic. However, I thought the end was still very satisfying! It answered some questions but left enough threads to make the next book in the series all the more enticing.
The Relic Spell is an exciting urban fantasy and a great start to what I hope will be a great series.
Orion is a teenage sorcerer defending his town from demons with his best friend Max, and Max’s girlfriend Briar. He’s the son of an infamous and powerful sorcerer that disappeared 14 years ago, along with all of the other sorcerers in town, a moment that no one in the town is willing to discuss. When a powerful entity attacks the town, activating a spell that harms a lot of people, Orion and his friend are the only ones willing to protect the town and get to the bottom of the attacks.
I enjoyed this right from the beginning-only a few pages into the book and Orion and Max are chasing down a demon. The magic system was really interesting; I liked the different branches of magic, and how they interacted with each other, and I liked that it was shown to take a toll on the users. Orion loves to “geek out” about magic, as Max says, and it’s easy to see why! I found all the protection spells and the different ways they could be invoked fascinating.
The characters are really great as well. I love how much Orion cares for his family and cares about protecting innocent people, and how that conflicted with the resentment he felt towards Briar. I felt really sad for him at times! Briar-a part demon girl trying to use her demon magic for good-was fun to read, and personally I enjoyed how many women were in the novel and were necessary to the story. Orion’s inner monologue is also really funny sometimes.
Novaro weaved multiple threads together to create a very compelling plot; there are multiple mysteries to be solved and stories to be uncovered, and I think most of the novel was paced perfectly. The last 15% or so dragged, though, getting bogged down by a lot of action scenes, and what I thought was going to be a confrontation with the “Big Bad” ended up being very anticlimactic. However, I thought the end was still very satisfying! It answered some questions but left enough threads to make the next book in the series all the more enticing.
The Relic Spell is an exciting urban fantasy and a great start to what I hope will be a great series.
April 9, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Relic Spell was a really fun, light read. The front cover drew me in straight away in all honesty. I know we’re told not to judge books by their covers and sometimes doing so leads to immense dissatisfaction about the story once you sink your teeth into it, but this time it didn’t lead me wrong.
The world building was intriguing and interesting, I got shadowhunter-y vibes from the fighting every now and again, and from the relationship between Orion and Max, but in a good way since I love that show and the dynamics in it. I loved the magic system and the use of mystery that saturated past events surrounding Orion’s father and the war that occurred.
For me the best part was the friendships and relationships between the characters that grew as the book progressed. I loved Orion and I felt quite a strong sense of kinship with him on certain unreciprocated feelings. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’m being careful of how I phrase this but, while the plot was interesting enough to hold my attention, it was definitely the interactions between the characters that kept me going.
Overall I would definitely recommend this one. A nice diverse cast of interesting and different characters rounds out the well crafted relationships and solid plot! Great for fans of urban fantasy YA.
The Relic Spell was a really fun, light read. The front cover drew me in straight away in all honesty. I know we’re told not to judge books by their covers and sometimes doing so leads to immense dissatisfaction about the story once you sink your teeth into it, but this time it didn’t lead me wrong.
The world building was intriguing and interesting, I got shadowhunter-y vibes from the fighting every now and again, and from the relationship between Orion and Max, but in a good way since I love that show and the dynamics in it. I loved the magic system and the use of mystery that saturated past events surrounding Orion’s father and the war that occurred.
For me the best part was the friendships and relationships between the characters that grew as the book progressed. I loved Orion and I felt quite a strong sense of kinship with him on certain unreciprocated feelings. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’m being careful of how I phrase this but, while the plot was interesting enough to hold my attention, it was definitely the interactions between the characters that kept me going.
Overall I would definitely recommend this one. A nice diverse cast of interesting and different characters rounds out the well crafted relationships and solid plot! Great for fans of urban fantasy YA.
December 19, 2020
Good story.
I found it hard to get started with it but I persevered and I am glad I did. It was so in the now and quite believable.
I found it hard to get started with it but I persevered and I am glad I did. It was so in the now and quite believable.
June 5, 2021
*Might oscillate to a 5 depending on my mood🤪*
So, here we are introduced to an alternate universe filled with natural energy, and demonic energy and something in between. And our MC Orion Tamura has to navigate through the mess his life has become - stuck between wanting to do what's right and keeping his family safe - while dealing with the messy feelings in his head, about his best friend and the new girl friend in the picture, & also about his father.
I loved the world (not to live in, thank you very much), the magic, loved the plot, loved following all characters and of course, our MC and his messy thoughts - honestly, one of the very few times I've felt like a teenager MC actually thought like a teenager.
The reason why I have currently knocked off a star is because, while I loved how the story was told, it felt very...... cluttered(?) at times. I'm not sure how else to describe it.😅 Also, I'd have liked there to be a little less of the-MCs-guessing-and-turning-out-to-be-right.
Also, the world building wasn't actually reflected in the people of the city? It didn't exactly feel like the people were aware of everything that was happening (other than all the 'not talking about it' parts) even though the people of Port Monica were supposed to be in on the magic.
Also, also (why is the list getting so long, now?!), I didn't feel the friendship between Max and Orion. I wish we'd gotten a glimpse of the good times between the both of them before/without Briar. Because, while Max did come off as a decent enough guy, I wouldn't exactly have guessed the best friends part if we'd not been told about it.
But, Julian. Now Julian, I love, okay? Their parts in the story were ones I was most excited for. Eager to see if and how their story continues in the sequel. And Elsa, of course. 💚
If you haven't already guessed, yes, I'll be picking up the sequel quite soon. So excited for it!!!!
*I received a free copy of the book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.*
So, here we are introduced to an alternate universe filled with natural energy, and demonic energy and something in between. And our MC Orion Tamura has to navigate through the mess his life has become - stuck between wanting to do what's right and keeping his family safe - while dealing with the messy feelings in his head, about his best friend and the new girl friend in the picture, & also about his father.
I loved the world (not to live in, thank you very much), the magic, loved the plot, loved following all characters and of course, our MC and his messy thoughts - honestly, one of the very few times I've felt like a teenager MC actually thought like a teenager.
The reason why I have currently knocked off a star is because, while I loved how the story was told, it felt very...... cluttered(?) at times. I'm not sure how else to describe it.😅 Also, I'd have liked there to be a little less of the-MCs-guessing-and-turning-out-to-be-right.
Also, the world building wasn't actually reflected in the people of the city? It didn't exactly feel like the people were aware of everything that was happening (other than all the 'not talking about it' parts) even though the people of Port Monica were supposed to be in on the magic.
Also, also (why is the list getting so long, now?!), I didn't feel the friendship between Max and Orion. I wish we'd gotten a glimpse of the good times between the both of them before/without Briar. Because, while Max did come off as a decent enough guy, I wouldn't exactly have guessed the best friends part if we'd not been told about it.
But, Julian. Now Julian, I love, okay? Their parts in the story were ones I was most excited for. Eager to see if and how their story continues in the sequel. And Elsa, of course. 💚
If you haven't already guessed, yes, I'll be picking up the sequel quite soon. So excited for it!!!!
*I received a free copy of the book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.*
April 27, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was really a 3.5/5 stars, but rounded up for very intentional and diverse representation! It's not every day you see a conversation about pronoun use for nonbinary characters in a YA book, and it's gratifying seeing my identity reflected in a main character!
The main reason this isn't four stars is that I felt like something was missing. I'm not sure if it was something lacking from Orion's character or perhaps the side characters (I loved Elsa, but Briar and Max in particular felt flat to me), but the movements of the book felt sometimes sudden and lacking depth. I wanted to know more about the emotional why behind a lot of Orion's decisions, and I wanted to understand the nefarious players in Port Monica better. The latter of those two desires might be fleshed out in future books of this series, however. Time shall tell!
All that being said, this was a really fun read. I've never read such a rewarding exploration of a complex magic system. I have gotten used to Harry Potter-esque wand waving, and the discipline behind the sorcery in this novel was awesome to read. And while the book was fast paced and exciting, there were slow moments of deep resonance that were really great and kept the pacing engaging. Finally, I feel like this book was doing all the right things in its portrayal of marginalized identities without making the narrative all about the trauma of marginalized identities. I'd be excited to see more work from this author doing similar things!
So while I wish I had had a little more, this was still absolutely a quick, fun YA novel with undercurrents of heavy subject matter and I will keep my eyes out for the future books in the series!
This was really a 3.5/5 stars, but rounded up for very intentional and diverse representation! It's not every day you see a conversation about pronoun use for nonbinary characters in a YA book, and it's gratifying seeing my identity reflected in a main character!
The main reason this isn't four stars is that I felt like something was missing. I'm not sure if it was something lacking from Orion's character or perhaps the side characters (I loved Elsa, but Briar and Max in particular felt flat to me), but the movements of the book felt sometimes sudden and lacking depth. I wanted to know more about the emotional why behind a lot of Orion's decisions, and I wanted to understand the nefarious players in Port Monica better. The latter of those two desires might be fleshed out in future books of this series, however. Time shall tell!
All that being said, this was a really fun read. I've never read such a rewarding exploration of a complex magic system. I have gotten used to Harry Potter-esque wand waving, and the discipline behind the sorcery in this novel was awesome to read. And while the book was fast paced and exciting, there were slow moments of deep resonance that were really great and kept the pacing engaging. Finally, I feel like this book was doing all the right things in its portrayal of marginalized identities without making the narrative all about the trauma of marginalized identities. I'd be excited to see more work from this author doing similar things!
So while I wish I had had a little more, this was still absolutely a quick, fun YA novel with undercurrents of heavy subject matter and I will keep my eyes out for the future books in the series!
June 30, 2021
See more of my reviews and other bookish content here!
***Thanks to BookSirens for providing a copy of the book. My review consists of my honest thoughts and opinions about the book.***
This book was a wild ride full of magic, demons, and teenage angst. The pace was almost non-stop from the beginning, and it was hard to put the book down. The author did a beautiful job with the prose in this book, especially the descriptions of the locations and magic system. I was able to picture all of it easily in my head. The world-building was intricate and slowly revealed over the course of the novel, and the story left me with so many questions I need answered. My only complaint would be that the book was excessively wordy at times and I found myself skimming at times without really missing anything. The characters were well-developed, and their backgrounds were intriguing and mysterious. I appreciated the excellent LGBT representation, which was displayed casually throughout the novel. The friendships and relationships between the characters were also compelling, and I especially enjoyed seeing the impact of Orion's crush on the friendship between him and Max. As if that wasn't enough, the story worked beautifully as a metaphor for the fight against systemic economic inequality. I'm excited to see where this series goes next and will definitely be reading the next book. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.
***Thanks to BookSirens for providing a copy of the book. My review consists of my honest thoughts and opinions about the book.***
This book was a wild ride full of magic, demons, and teenage angst. The pace was almost non-stop from the beginning, and it was hard to put the book down. The author did a beautiful job with the prose in this book, especially the descriptions of the locations and magic system. I was able to picture all of it easily in my head. The world-building was intricate and slowly revealed over the course of the novel, and the story left me with so many questions I need answered. My only complaint would be that the book was excessively wordy at times and I found myself skimming at times without really missing anything. The characters were well-developed, and their backgrounds were intriguing and mysterious. I appreciated the excellent LGBT representation, which was displayed casually throughout the novel. The friendships and relationships between the characters were also compelling, and I especially enjoyed seeing the impact of Orion's crush on the friendship between him and Max. As if that wasn't enough, the story worked beautifully as a metaphor for the fight against systemic economic inequality. I'm excited to see where this series goes next and will definitely be reading the next book. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.
January 23, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Something about the book:
Magic rolls through Orion Tamura’s history classroom like a tidal wave of golden light that only he can see. The spell is deadly, and Orion has no idea who cast it or what they want.
Answers are scarce—all of Port Monica’s sorcerers vanished fourteen years before, including Orion’s father. Armed with his limited knowledge of magic, Orion is the only one left in the city who is strong enough to investigate the origins of the spell.
But the city’s leaders will stop at nothing to censor and sabotage anyone who gets close to the truth. Invisible otherworlders watch every move Orion and his friends make, and a mysterious sorcerer who knows the answers haunts Orion’s dreams.
My thoughts about it:
It has a great woldbuildig it takes a while to get in to the book at least for me it was. You get a lot of worldbuilding through this book. but the story is also action packed and has some lovely characters.
Something about the book:
Magic rolls through Orion Tamura’s history classroom like a tidal wave of golden light that only he can see. The spell is deadly, and Orion has no idea who cast it or what they want.
Answers are scarce—all of Port Monica’s sorcerers vanished fourteen years before, including Orion’s father. Armed with his limited knowledge of magic, Orion is the only one left in the city who is strong enough to investigate the origins of the spell.
But the city’s leaders will stop at nothing to censor and sabotage anyone who gets close to the truth. Invisible otherworlders watch every move Orion and his friends make, and a mysterious sorcerer who knows the answers haunts Orion’s dreams.
My thoughts about it:
It has a great woldbuildig it takes a while to get in to the book at least for me it was. You get a lot of worldbuilding through this book. but the story is also action packed and has some lovely characters.
March 20, 2022
3.75 stars, rounded to 4.
I thought the writing was fairly solid, and the plot moved along fairly well in most places (and a bit slow in others). The main cast had a lot of depth in terms of character flaws, quirks, backgrounds and the like; Orion wasn't always likable (neither was Max) but they felt very human, which was good--and their behaviour (Orion's in particular) was called out, both in and out of the narrative. Briar seemed a really sweet girl, which only brought it home more when Orion feels guilty throughout and at the end of the story. I also really appreciated the way Orion's history--his family, his past relationship, his friends, experiences, etc--were sprinkled throughout in a way that felt organic and didn't distract from the story as a whole. It added the layers necessary to give him and the others the impression of being real people.
My only gripe is the way the story ended. Some of the quality felt lost in terms of word flow, but overall, it was a good read.
I thought the writing was fairly solid, and the plot moved along fairly well in most places (and a bit slow in others). The main cast had a lot of depth in terms of character flaws, quirks, backgrounds and the like; Orion wasn't always likable (neither was Max) but they felt very human, which was good--and their behaviour (Orion's in particular) was called out, both in and out of the narrative. Briar seemed a really sweet girl, which only brought it home more when Orion feels guilty throughout and at the end of the story. I also really appreciated the way Orion's history--his family, his past relationship, his friends, experiences, etc--were sprinkled throughout in a way that felt organic and didn't distract from the story as a whole. It added the layers necessary to give him and the others the impression of being real people.
My only gripe is the way the story ended. Some of the quality felt lost in terms of word flow, but overall, it was a good read.
April 29, 2020
The relic spell is a contemporary fantasy that follows the demon hunting duo-Orion,a sorceror and his friend Max.After an unknown spell that gets cast on the whole city Orion,Max and his girlfriend-Briar set out to find the anonymous caster and meet with a lot of loose ends which unravel the long hidden mystery;whilst fighting to keep Port Monica out of harm's way.
Being a sucker for fantasies and mysticism I was really drawn to the book from the very first chapter.It was fast paced and thrilling with all the spell casting,demon slaying and sentiments.Although at some places it felt like a chore to read those prolonged fights.I absolutely loved the concept!
All the characters were really sweet and lovely!I think there could have been more plot twists and depth to the story maybe?which could have made it more mysterious and interesting?But overall it was really a good book although it wasn't up to my expectations.Looking forward to book 2 :)
Thankyou @booksirens for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Being a sucker for fantasies and mysticism I was really drawn to the book from the very first chapter.It was fast paced and thrilling with all the spell casting,demon slaying and sentiments.Although at some places it felt like a chore to read those prolonged fights.I absolutely loved the concept!
All the characters were really sweet and lovely!I think there could have been more plot twists and depth to the story maybe?which could have made it more mysterious and interesting?But overall it was really a good book although it wasn't up to my expectations.Looking forward to book 2 :)
Thankyou @booksirens for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2020
I recieved a free copy of this book via booksirens in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very good book based on magic. I liked the way it unfolded but at times I felt a little confused. It just seemed odd that no-one but a binch of kids was doing anything (although that ofen happens in these kinds of books). I loved the characters and that there was a lot of diversity, it was great to see, especially in a YA book.
I enjoyed the setting, it felt like a lovely place (except all the demons etc). I did struggle to get through this book a bit, once I put it down I found it very difficult to pick up again, but I cannot say why, and that's the toughest bit for me, is it just because I have a lot or is it because something wasn't clicking for me.
I would recommend this book for magic lovers but I will not be continuing with the series myself.
3 stars out 5 stars
This was a very good book based on magic. I liked the way it unfolded but at times I felt a little confused. It just seemed odd that no-one but a binch of kids was doing anything (although that ofen happens in these kinds of books). I loved the characters and that there was a lot of diversity, it was great to see, especially in a YA book.
I enjoyed the setting, it felt like a lovely place (except all the demons etc). I did struggle to get through this book a bit, once I put it down I found it very difficult to pick up again, but I cannot say why, and that's the toughest bit for me, is it just because I have a lot or is it because something wasn't clicking for me.
I would recommend this book for magic lovers but I will not be continuing with the series myself.
3 stars out 5 stars
March 24, 2020
I have received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Armed with his limited knowledge of magic, Orion is the only one left in the city who is strong enough to investigate the origins of the spell.”
Novaro, sets up this book with a lot of building of characters and stories. I love deep character building especially with this being the first book of a series.
I enjoyed how the magic system was so deeply explained as well as the history of magic in the book. Orion and his friends are all facing their own challenges so its not only about magic and war but also about friendship and growth.
Overall, a really fun read that makes me excited to see what else is coming.
“Armed with his limited knowledge of magic, Orion is the only one left in the city who is strong enough to investigate the origins of the spell.”
Novaro, sets up this book with a lot of building of characters and stories. I love deep character building especially with this being the first book of a series.
I enjoyed how the magic system was so deeply explained as well as the history of magic in the book. Orion and his friends are all facing their own challenges so its not only about magic and war but also about friendship and growth.
Overall, a really fun read that makes me excited to see what else is coming.
May 28, 2021
The Relic Spell by Jimena Novaro is a beautifully created story with fantasy, magic casting, adventure, and supernaturals. The storyline is wonderfully written and set in the town of Port Monica (not a real location). There's plenty of drama to satisfy anyone and dives into great detail about how the system works and spells. There's a hint of detective hints with adventure throughout the storyline.
This book is quite LGBT and Queer friendly which is perfect for any reader! Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is quite LGBT and Queer friendly which is perfect for any reader! Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 20, 2021
This is a pretty good story. Very imaginative. Great characters and interesting plot. Well written and a fun read. No actual sexual content but does have some crushes. It does have demon fighting but overall not to much violence. I recommend it for teens and up. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 7, 2021
This story is about a World of Sorcery.
You are now in a detailed world that whisks you off your feet and you cannot help being apart of it.
Great characters ,warriors ,sorcerers.
All action ,fighting demons .
All the adventure you will ever need.
Personal and inviting .
Highly recommend ,a must read.
You are now in a detailed world that whisks you off your feet and you cannot help being apart of it.
Great characters ,warriors ,sorcerers.
All action ,fighting demons .
All the adventure you will ever need.
Personal and inviting .
Highly recommend ,a must read.
March 19, 2021
I'm kinda in the middle about this book. While I liked how the author tackled the magic and how it was described, I found some dull parts that I couldn't pay attention to.
Orion is an interesting character. I liked how down to the ground he was and that we see him worry about all kind of things.
Orion is an interesting character. I liked how down to the ground he was and that we see him worry about all kind of things.
May 10, 2022
This was an interesting take on sorcerers, magic, and everything in-between. It is a fast-paced story that takes the reader on a great adventure that is truly interesting.
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