Dawning Magic

by Niki Contreras

Witches are not real. At least, that’s what seventeen-year-old Rory Davidson has always believed. But when tragedy forces her to the paranormal capital of the United States, everything she knows is called into question. New Orleans seems eccentric at first, but Rory soon discovers that it is more than voodoo dolls for tourists. Magic flows freely and when strange things start happening to her, she must accept the fact that witches are in fact real, and she is one of them. With the help of the gorgeous boy from school and an over-the-top shopkeeper, she may yet learn to control her power.But something Dark is brewing in the heart of the Crescent City and she doesn’t know who she can truly trust. An ancient evil and a powerful curse threaten. Now, Rory must make peace with her past because she may be the only one strong enough to save New Orleans.

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

Reviews

[Kelsey Ruud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story of this book. Rory and her sister move to New Orleans to live with their aunt after their mother is killed in a car accident and its there that Rory figures out that she is a witch. She meets a young man who is also a warlock and Ace begins teaching her how to use and control her magic, while a voodoo shop owner named Simone also invites her to join her coven of light witches. As her magic powers increase, Rory is also plagued with dreams/memories from a previous life and soon the past and the present will collide.
This was a decent young adult fantasy, with relatively believable characters and an interesting storyline with the connection to the past. My main complaints were there were several editing errors and some abrupt transitions that both sometimes led to confusion about what was going on exactly. You figure it all out by the end but it was distracting while reading.

[Kim Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawning Magic by Niki Contreras is an absolute gem for fans of paranormal romance. Set against the rich, mystical backdrop of New Orleans, the story weaves magic, mystery, and sizzling romance into a spellbinding adventure. The witches are powerful and complex, the plot is fast-paced with just the right amount of twists, and the chemistry between the characters is off the charts. Contreras does a fantastic job blending the charm of the supernatural with real emotional depth, making it easy to get lost in the story. It’s a captivating read from start to finish—10/10, highly recommend!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a good fantasy novel with witchcraft and romance whipped together, this one is for you. As an added bonus if you love classic fairytales, there is a Sleeping Beauty-ish backstory. Trust that this is no Disney fairytale though.

The story revolves around Rory, a teenage girl forced to move to New Orleans with her younger sister after their mother tragically dies. As if adjusting to a new life in a new city wasn’t hard enough, she is thrust into a dangerous, yet exciting magical world she never knew existed.

Magic, love, betrayal, and loyalty. This novel blends it all into an intriguing adventure you won’t want to end. I always love reading books that have me begging for more.

Overall, I give Dawning Magic 4.5 out of 5 stars (not an option on Goodreads, but it still deserves the extra half star). There was some slight predictability and the jumpy timeline was a bit confusing at times, but neither were enough to take away much from the story.

Thank you to the author, Niki Contreras, for this ARC and the opportunity to review it! I truly enjoyed it and look forward to her future works.

This novel will be released on November 17, 2020.