Orrin Grimm is just a mundane cog in the machine that is helping science maintain magic in the world, until everything goes pear-shaped. When Orrin is tasked with the unthinkable job of rounding up unregistered magic users, his own magic status is called into question and, with his work-crush Andrew at his side, he has to decide if he helps the powers that be or others like him. (MM, scifi, HEA)
Orrin as a child had looked at his father and knew something wasn’t right. His smile had no life; it was wrong. His skin felt like a candle. A man picked him up and carried him elsewhere. He said he had been… was… dad’s friend. He asked Orrin if his dad showed him his trick of moving something without his hands. Orrin said yes, and the man asked him to show him. When Orrin took off his shoes and used his toes to physically move the little ball, the man smiled and sank to the floor with his hands on his face. Then his mom found them, said something to Jim, and put Orrin’s shoes back on his feet. She yelled at Jim again about Charlie, Orrin’s dad, being dead, and Orrin knew that word. When “dead” happened to Grandma Becca, it meant she didn’t come back…
Drew Hicks was studying Orrin Grimm’s info when the CEO’s son, Ivan, teased him about looking for a boyfriend. Drew explained that Orrin applied for the biometric statistical analysis position, but Doctor DuMarque sent his résumé to Drew because he thought Orrin would be perfect for their project. Ivan got serious and said Drew would really want Orrin on the project team whether Orrin was interested or not! But he didn’t explain. When Drew saw Dr. DuMarque, he was told Grimm was now his direct subordinate and the two of them were the entire department for now, the other candidates already dismissed. With magic talents starting to reappear and in unexpected ways, Drew and Orrin’s work will be invaluable. But they will need to track down these instances rather than rely on self-reporting of the magic showing up, at least to determine if it is just urban legend or really occurred as if something had changed. Drew and Orrin would travel to the people for their research. Lines of magic reemerging without a traceable link back to the lab would not make them look good. And magic not following family lines was disturbing.
But when Orrin’s own routine lab tests came back showing anomalies, meaning he was Enhanced, he is put in an awkward situation! With his new job partnered with Drew Hicks, tracking down other undocumented Enhanced, will Orrin be risking losing the beginning attraction between himself and Drew? And is it right to forcefully expose other Enhanced who would prefer to remain hidden?
This is a very intriguing story, well-written and easy to read despite some of the jargon thrown in. Well into the story, I was still trying to figure out what they were ultimately up to! The characters are very well drawn so the reader feels like they are real people. (The best example is how Ivan will irritate you beyond endurance.) Grab your copy and get drawn into this fascinating story. I can’t believe this is only the beginning!
For me, it took a few chapters to get into this book, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. This is a story about people who have magical abilities. It is also about certain people trying to control who gets to keep their abilities and who doesn't. Orrin and Drew and their friends are in a fight to keep the magically enhanced people from harm. Meanwhile Orrin is trying to figure out he and his fathers complicated history. There is a lot of intrigue and adventure in this book. Seems like a really good start to this series. I enjoyed all of the interesting supporting characters as well. I did receive a copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
Any book that combines magic and science is bound to catch my attention. I enjoyed the author's approach to using science to analyze magic. The main characters are lovely people, and I was very engaged by the way the first chapter was written.
The story did have a tendency to bounce around a bit. My very dyslexic brain absorbed the information fairly well, but I can see how the flow of the story might be challenging for some readers to follow. I am going to continue the series because I am very curious about the overreaching plot.
Overall, it was an entertaining read with some engaging characters.
I’d have to say, my favourite part of this story was the banter between the characters. It wasn’t quite what I expected (I expected more romance), but the storyline is exciting and complex. I’ll admit I got confused between Drew and Orrin ( the two main characters) a time or two, but the secondary characters Royce and Birdie were a hoot!
3.5 - New to me author. Liked the characters and the story was interesting, but the writing was a bit jumpy and left me confused at times. I still liked it though and would like to see where it goes.
I like the ideas behind this story and it has potential to be an interesting series. The style of flipping back and forth between the main characters perspectives was interesting as well, if at times confusing.
This is an interesting start to a new series. A meteorite in the 1400's brings psychic abilities to the world and over time they've weakened. Working for a company that seeks to strengthen magic, Drew and Orrin are assigned to tracking down unregistered abilities of those that have fallen through the cracks of bureaucracy. What they find puts them at risk. Of course they find the time to fall in love. And despite the angst of death hanging over them, this is a rather sweet story.
Great start to a new series. This is a crazy unique Universe with so many exciting things happening! Orrin is great and his chemistry is fun and sexy. Can't wait for the next.
As a child, Orrin Grimm knew something was different but he's uncertain what it is. As an adult, he tries to figure out the complicated past that is his life.
Drew Hicks just happened to be studying Orrin's file when his father did a little interceding. He hires Orrin to be a subordinate and dismisses everyone else.
When Orrin's lab work shows he has anomalies, he is stunned but they are also partnered with one another to tack down others who possess unique abilities. Do the other enhanced people wish to be found or remain hidden? Will Orrin and Drew continue with the foundation they have or will they fall apart?
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**