Traces of Magic: Book IV: Healing Down to the Roots

Traces of Magic #4

by Patrick J. Dolan

The poisonous ideas spread by the Assassins’ Guild start to infect even the paladins, but this does not interfere with the conversion of many (but not all) of the druids to Christianity. Incorporating some junior magic users at part of the druid schools in the Valley upsets some city folks - including Madam Nadine, who attacks their compound and puts out a “gift” contract on one of the senior magic users. In her attempt to cover up that crime, she seduces someone to activate the weather control spell in the “fishbowl,” with effects more devastating than those of the Death Monster. Some of the same characters who helped fight that Death Monster now face the need to destroy the fishbowl—but they have to do so within Madam Nadine’s quarters. What affect that attempt might have on the future of that whole area concludes the struggle and the story of the pre-history of Kentucky.

484 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2019

Reviews

[Chris Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are parts of this book that I enjoyed as much as, or more than, others in the series, but this final entry is too long and felt very preachy. Maybe I'm just too much of a plebe, but reading multiple chapters of theological/magical discussions with no action was rather dull. I enjoyed spending time with Philip, Freddie, and even Nadine, but the storylines were cut short by a desire to place this series in history and give lots of Kentucky-themed easter eggs. There were also elements that seemed thrown in for fun, like the Prince of the Air, which seemed pointless. Give the story another run by an editor, and maybe split it into two novels, and it might have worked as well as the others.

[Vale Anira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the very first page. Rev. Patrick J. Dolan weaves faith, magic, and morality into a story that feels both fantastical and deeply human. The struggle between light and darkness runs deep as the Assassins’ Guild spreads corruption, even among the paladins, while the druids’ journey toward Christianity brings hope and renewal.
Madam Nadine’s destructive schemes and the devastating fishbowl storm kept me turning pages in awe. I could feel the chaos, the faith, and the redemption battling within every scene. By the end, I was struck by how powerfully the story mirrors real spiritual healing rooting out evil not just in the world, but in the heart.
A moving, imaginative tale of courage, grace, and the deep magic of redemption.

[Evania Reeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely captivated by this installment of Traces of Magic. The tension between the Assassins’ Guild and the druids felt electric, and the moral struggles of the paladins added so much depth. The way Rev. Dolan weaves faith and magic together is nothing short of brilliant. I was on edge during the fishbowl sequence heart racing the whole time! Truly a story that lingers long after the last page.

[Talia Mariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the first chapter. The complexity of the characters, especially the junior magic users navigating the druid schools, made the story feel alive. Madam Nadine is the kind of villain you love to hate, and her schemes kept me turning pages late into the night. Dolan’s writing is immersive and layered I couldn’t put it down.

[Anira Dane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing Down to the Roots is a masterpiece of suspense and world building. The tension between faith and magic, the moral choices, and the high stakes of the fishbowl made every chapter pulse with energy. I felt like I was right there in the Valley, facing danger alongside the characters. Absolutely gripping.

[Liora Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything quite like this. Rev. Dolan blends history, fantasy, and spirituality in such a seamless way that the story feels both epic and personal. The transformations of the druids and the daring mission in Madam Nadine’s quarters had me cheering, gasping, and at times, holding my breath. Pure magic.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The depth of storytelling in this book is extraordinary. Each character feels real, each choice significant. I was especially impressed by the way junior magic users were integrated into the druid schools so creative And the climax, inside Madam Nadine’s domain, was nothing short of breathtaking. A book that challenges, excites, and inspires.

[Mariel Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this series all over again. Dolan’s exploration of morality, magic, and faith is nuanced and thought provoking. The threats of the Assassins’ Guild, the ethical dilemmas faced by paladins, and the high stakes with the fishbowl spell kept me fully engaged. I laughed, I feared, I hoped it was a full emotional journey.

[Hart Creel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels alive. The world building is intricate, the characters’ struggles resonate, and the action sequences are pulse pounding. Madam Nadine is such a deliciously devious antagonist, and her manipulation of the fishbowl spell had me biting my nails. Dolan’s ability to mix suspense, magic, and history is extraordinary.

[Eric John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down! Every chapter offers new surprises and moral questions that really made me think. The pre history of Kentucky has never felt more thrilling, and the daring attempt to destroy the fishbowl inside Nadine’s quarters was a breathtaking climax. Dolan’s storytelling is both bold and deeply human.

[Kaela Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rev. Dolan has outdone himself. Healing Down to the Roots is full of tension, wonder, and heartbreak. I loved seeing the druids’ conversion journeys, the city folks’ reactions, and the magic battles unfold. The interplay of faith and mystical forces made the story feel unique and unforgettable. Truly a standout in fantasy literature.