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Windflower #2
Microscopes and Magic
Some magical problems take spells and potions to solve… but others can only be understood through the lenses of a microscope.
Marigold Nightfield’s life changed when she absorbed the magic stored in a family heirloom. Now, she’s part of a growing network of magic-working scientists who are trying to change the world for the better, and has a girlfriend from a sprawling, powerful, witchy family.
Things should be coming together perfectly for her… but her magic has a time limit. It’s not hers for keeps and one day, she’ll lose it for good.
When her girlfriend’s work is destroyed by possible sabotage, and strange things start appearing in Wellington’s green belt, Marigold’s amazing new life starts to unravel. With unknown motives and dubious players at work, she faces a destructive force spreading through the city and beyond. She'll have to not only draw on her scientific background and magical abilities, but make new connections and grow in confidence to face this new threat.
Marigold Nightfield’s life changed when she absorbed the magic stored in a family heirloom. Now, she’s part of a growing network of magic-working scientists who are trying to change the world for the better, and has a girlfriend from a sprawling, powerful, witchy family.
Things should be coming together perfectly for her… but her magic has a time limit. It’s not hers for keeps and one day, she’ll lose it for good.
When her girlfriend’s work is destroyed by possible sabotage, and strange things start appearing in Wellington’s green belt, Marigold’s amazing new life starts to unravel. With unknown motives and dubious players at work, she faces a destructive force spreading through the city and beyond. She'll have to not only draw on her scientific background and magical abilities, but make new connections and grow in confidence to face this new threat.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 2, 2021
A sequel to Succulents and Spells which I read a few weeks ago. Kiwi Witches! Kindle Unlimited Novella.
This installment mainly focuses on Marigold, 25, the adorably geeky scientist currently studying to get her PHD and do her thesis. I like her character a lot, she's smart and quirky, but also quite introverted, too. Her relationship with witch Laurel is still going strong, and they are sweet together.
Something is happening with Laurels plants and also other plants locally, Marigold discovers some strange mismash of magic and science is to blame!
Just a short easy read.
This installment mainly focuses on Marigold, 25, the adorably geeky scientist currently studying to get her PHD and do her thesis. I like her character a lot, she's smart and quirky, but also quite introverted, too. Her relationship with witch Laurel is still going strong, and they are sweet together.
Something is happening with Laurels plants and also other plants locally, Marigold discovers some strange mismash of magic and science is to blame!
Just a short easy read.
February 11, 2023
3.5 stars
April 2, 2022
Another sweet story in a magically infused Central New Zealand. These stories are pure popcorn - not filling, but fun fun fun to the last drop.
The writing is still disjointed, and I'm frequently confused how much time has passed, but I really like what the writing is ABOUT: Gentle witchcraft, scholarship, queer lady love, gardening and cooking and friendships. This one also had superb depictions of what it's like to have an anxiety brain. So yeah, it's perfectly imperfect 😻
***
GR Personal Rating System:
★★★★★ 5 Stars ~ LOVED
★★★★☆ 4 Stars ~ ENJOYED
★★★☆☆ 3 Stars ~ LIKED
★★☆☆☆ 2 Stars ~ MEH
★☆☆☆☆ 1 Star ~ NOPE
The writing is still disjointed, and I'm frequently confused how much time has passed, but I really like what the writing is ABOUT: Gentle witchcraft, scholarship, queer lady love, gardening and cooking and friendships. This one also had superb depictions of what it's like to have an anxiety brain. So yeah, it's perfectly imperfect 😻
***
GR Personal Rating System:
★★★★★ 5 Stars ~ LOVED
★★★★☆ 4 Stars ~ ENJOYED
★★★☆☆ 3 Stars ~ LIKED
★★☆☆☆ 2 Stars ~ MEH
★☆☆☆☆ 1 Star ~ NOPE
October 6, 2021
This book continues on with the incredibly cozy witchy mystery style of the first book, Succulents and Spells, and this time has Marigold helping Laurel figure out why her succulents aren't doing so well. I loved how full of science this was as well as magic. I have a video review for the books out so far in this series, and I highly recommend it!
Content Warnings:
anxiety
Content Warnings:
anxiety
April 17, 2023
Full review / all my reviews available on my blog
Well, that’s pretty much more of Succulents and Spells. It’s quick, doesn’t really go anywhere (huge), and is a fun little read.
On the plus side, I like seeing more of Marigold as the primary point of view. It’s a bit weird to swap, but I think I like her more than Laurel. Perhaps it’s because she’s just coming into the magical world?
On the downside… the (a?) big bad is maginanotech bugs. And there’s really no justification for nanotech just existing in this world. I generally only like one real ‘give’ to a story and this is a bit much. Especially when it could totally just be magical and that would be fine. Even magical bioengineering would be better.
Such is life.
It’s cute and if you liked the first, you’ll probably like this. I’m curious what in the world is next…
Well, that’s pretty much more of Succulents and Spells. It’s quick, doesn’t really go anywhere (huge), and is a fun little read.
On the plus side, I like seeing more of Marigold as the primary point of view. It’s a bit weird to swap, but I think I like her more than Laurel. Perhaps it’s because she’s just coming into the magical world?
On the downside… the (a?) big bad is maginanotech bugs. And there’s really no justification for nanotech just existing in this world. I generally only like one real ‘give’ to a story and this is a bit much. Especially when it could totally just be magical and that would be fine. Even magical bioengineering would be better.
Such is life.
It’s cute and if you liked the first, you’ll probably like this. I’m curious what in the world is next…
May 21, 2023
This was decent but I liked the first book better. I appreciate that the series is bouncing around people's perspectives, but it still felt too focused on the protagonist for a story that's so socially oriented. I liked that the plot was better defined, but the storytelling was a little too unfocused for me. I can tell you what the plot is but I can't even really tell you what the dominant mood was in it. It's not bad at all, and I like the characters and how everything worked out, but it didn't quite manage to grip me.
December 24, 2025
Microscopes and Magic is a short, cozy slice-of-life novella about mid-20s lesbian witches doing their PhDs in Wellington.
The stakes are intentionally very low, with the main conflict centering on Laurel’s succulents falling mysteriously (magically) ill. For readers who enjoy gentle, atmospheric stories, this will likely feel comforting and relatable.
It’s a fast read and a good fit for fans of zero-spice, cozy, queer slice-of-life fiction.
I’m looking forward to seeing where Laurel and Marigold end up in book three.
3.5 stars
The stakes are intentionally very low, with the main conflict centering on Laurel’s succulents falling mysteriously (magically) ill. For readers who enjoy gentle, atmospheric stories, this will likely feel comforting and relatable.
It’s a fast read and a good fit for fans of zero-spice, cozy, queer slice-of-life fiction.
I’m looking forward to seeing where Laurel and Marigold end up in book three.
3.5 stars
May 26, 2022
This was the second book with Laurel and Marigold as main characters. I’m not sure it really did all that much to advance their relationship (or threaten it in any way that was convincing; the low-stakes nature of the plot backfired a bit for me). I also found the scenes didn’t flow quite as smoothly and there were a sprinkling of errors. Lovely, but overall unsatisfying.
July 24, 2021
Enjoyable
This was a really enjoyable story. The description does a good job of showing that this story is partly about the growing pains of a new relationship while the couple try to figure out how to fix a problem.
This was a really enjoyable story. The description does a good job of showing that this story is partly about the growing pains of a new relationship while the couple try to figure out how to fix a problem.
November 2, 2022
A lot of my thoughts about Succulents and Spells also apply here. I enjoyed seeing Marigold take center stage to solve a mystery that blends science and magic, and it was delightful to get to read a book with an autistic lesbian protagonist that's not YA. As an added bonus, the New Zealand setting prompted me to Google photos of Otari-Wilton's Bush, which is beautiful. Overall, a good cozy read that makes me eager to continue the series.
April 3, 2021
If you enjoy spending vast amounts of time with a character's thoughts, this is the book for you. It's not generally something I enjoy overly much, but at least it was a quick read.
April 2, 2022
Fun quick read. I like Marigold, and enjoyed her story. Everything does work out a little too neatly - it's like a cozy with magic - but still a good read.
July 23, 2023
Charming!
August 4, 2023
nice low stakes
March 8, 2024
An easy simple romp through native bush problems solved by nanorobots and magic from eithes
May 14, 2023
Spending more time with the characters and learning more from Marigolds perspective while also trying to solve a nanbot infestation on magical plants.
April 28, 2023
Love this series, very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews