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Bonds of Magic #3
Grey Magic
His Darkness, Her Brightness… Together They Defy the World
Lord Gabriel Phel at last holds his dream in his grasp—and faces losing everything. He’s finally won the love of his wife, familiar, and mother of his child, and she offers him a heartfelt commitment he can truly believe in. Together they’re building a true house, one with a growing family of friends and allies that can help them stand against their enemies. And he’s learning to master his magic, to use it as the powerful tool and weapon it should be. But old and new enemies array themselves to take it all away.
Lady Veronica, now fully of House Phel, is doing her best to embrace happiness. After all, she has her hands full managing her mercurial and powerful wizard as he navigates taking his place as the head of their house, and with learning her own extraordinary ability. But she fears whatever peace they win won’t last long. When their enemies inevitably strike—including, perhaps, her own father—they must be ready to defend all they hold precious. It doesn’t help that her idealistic husband insists on making foolishly noble decisions that put them at even greater risk, nor that she loves him all the more for it.
As Nic and Gabriel struggle to put their household in order, giving ill-advised safe harbor to Nic’s runaway sister and risking their lives to save Gabriel’s sister’s sanity, their enemies draw the noose tighter on their well laid plans. When the unthinkable occurs, it’s up to both of them to trust in the nascent, unknown magic they’ve woven together.
Lord Gabriel Phel at last holds his dream in his grasp—and faces losing everything. He’s finally won the love of his wife, familiar, and mother of his child, and she offers him a heartfelt commitment he can truly believe in. Together they’re building a true house, one with a growing family of friends and allies that can help them stand against their enemies. And he’s learning to master his magic, to use it as the powerful tool and weapon it should be. But old and new enemies array themselves to take it all away.
Lady Veronica, now fully of House Phel, is doing her best to embrace happiness. After all, she has her hands full managing her mercurial and powerful wizard as he navigates taking his place as the head of their house, and with learning her own extraordinary ability. But she fears whatever peace they win won’t last long. When their enemies inevitably strike—including, perhaps, her own father—they must be ready to defend all they hold precious. It doesn’t help that her idealistic husband insists on making foolishly noble decisions that put them at even greater risk, nor that she loves him all the more for it.
As Nic and Gabriel struggle to put their household in order, giving ill-advised safe harbor to Nic’s runaway sister and risking their lives to save Gabriel’s sister’s sanity, their enemies draw the noose tighter on their well laid plans. When the unthinkable occurs, it’s up to both of them to trust in the nascent, unknown magic they’ve woven together.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2022
57 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Jeffe Kennedy
99 books1,339 followers💙She/her💙 Award-winning Bestselling Author of epic fantasy romance. Taoist. Swiftie. Santa Fean. Cat lady @sfwa_inc Past-President. Rep by @seyitsme
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
March 7, 2022
Stunning. But I took away a star because I felt that the ending was hurried and incomplete and I have too many unanswered questions. What did her father do to the place? What happens when the bond is broken? Why was House Elal so hungry for the power of House Phel and how did they bring about their fall? Where is Jadan and Shelly? What is the Convocation's response to all that haopened? What is Jaden's secret? I have too many questions???!! I sincerely hope we get the answers in the next book. But as usual this was an epic story set in an intriguing world. Great job on this series Ms. Kennedy!👏👏👏
March 18, 2022
This Beyond-Words-Perfect Book #3 has wrapped up an Arc of Dark Wizard, Lord Gabriel Phel, and his Consort, Lady Veronica "Nic," so satisfactorily that I was practically incoherent in my praise, in my clumsy wording on how much Book Three owned me. All of my dreams, prediction and fantasy about how things should've turned out, weren't even close to the reality of reading Grey Magic. I was so blown away, left speechless and yearned for more!
I could've never imagined what/who could've caused the Fall of a High House, with ancient Wizards like House Phel, to nothing in a couple of generations. I just thought it was something natural, nothing suspicious! And then to be presented with vicious plots and ruthless conspiracy concocted by other High Houses to bring down House Phel‼️I was so enraged and furious on Gabriel's as well as on Nic's behalf‼️
I was screaming ~ yelling ~ cheering on Gabriel & Nic to wipe out their powerful enemies once and for all! His unbeatable magics combined with Nic's unheard of magic of her own were mind blowing! All the fight scenes were still running through my mind while writing this review! I truly wish you could be reading this book with me right now so we could lose our minds loving how they decisively brought their enemies to their knees! Well ~ and sliced off a specific enemy's head or two, too! Their breathtaking triumph was exquisitely done!
All the magics in this World were brand new to me! The World building was super original, fresh, and mesmerizing! The Fantasy/Romance parts were beyond captivating! No surprises here, seeing that Jeffe Kennedy has also written Erotica genre!
I'm looking forward to more stories ~ maybe more spin offs ~ from the World of Bonds of Magic in the near future!
Sharing one of my favorite scenes:
I could've never imagined what/who could've caused the Fall of a High House, with ancient Wizards like House Phel, to nothing in a couple of generations. I just thought it was something natural, nothing suspicious! And then to be presented with vicious plots and ruthless conspiracy concocted by other High Houses to bring down House Phel‼️I was so enraged and furious on Gabriel's as well as on Nic's behalf‼️
I was screaming ~ yelling ~ cheering on Gabriel & Nic to wipe out their powerful enemies once and for all! His unbeatable magics combined with Nic's unheard of magic of her own were mind blowing! All the fight scenes were still running through my mind while writing this review! I truly wish you could be reading this book with me right now so we could lose our minds loving how they decisively brought their enemies to their knees! Well ~ and sliced off a specific enemy's head or two, too! Their breathtaking triumph was exquisitely done!
All the magics in this World were brand new to me! The World building was super original, fresh, and mesmerizing! The Fantasy/Romance parts were beyond captivating! No surprises here, seeing that Jeffe Kennedy has also written Erotica genre!
I'm looking forward to more stories ~ maybe more spin offs ~ from the World of Bonds of Magic in the near future!
Sharing one of my favorite scenes:
Her magic billowed like fire, reaching out for him, embraced in return. He began again, tormenting her with moonlight. Overhead, the moon shone like a beacon, flickers of silver traveling through the glass and struts of the dome.
It would be a very long night, indeed.
And there would be many more to come over a long life together, she'd make sure of it—and House Phel would flourish as a result.
"Are you paying attention, familiar?" Gabriel asked, nipping her sharply.
"Yes, wizard," she answered on a delicious sigh.
Oh, yes.
February 1, 2025
Great adventure with uncomfortable truths exposed. The h is wonderfully brave and shows her absolute trust in the H. Loads of relationships are formed but not every one survives unscathed. The H shows his incredible power and self confidence. He's a powerful wizard and needs to be in this corrupt world.
March 3, 2022
I absolutely love this world the author has created with its bombastic Wizards and much maligned Familiars. Gabriel is this gorgeous, sensitive man who has never wanted to take advantage but only seek to help those who need it. Nic has changed so much as this series has progressed and yes she's still pragmatic, practical and a realist but she's learned to love and that has only elevated her in this readers opinion. This instalment of their romantic journey sees them taking in new Wizards and Familiars to help further advance the fortunes of House Phel but this certainly proves the old adage about keeping enemies close to be more than right with disastrous consequences !
It's always a joy to read this authors work and as much as she could end things here if she wishes it's left with a couple of characters who I'd really like her to revisit. This story with its passionate edge is amusing, occasionally shocking and without a doubt very entertaining so much so that I made myself drag it out as long as possible but I've finally finished it and I'm already extremely keen to read whatever romantic fantasy this author dreams up next !
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
It's always a joy to read this authors work and as much as she could end things here if she wishes it's left with a couple of characters who I'd really like her to revisit. This story with its passionate edge is amusing, occasionally shocking and without a doubt very entertaining so much so that I made myself drag it out as long as possible but I've finally finished it and I'm already extremely keen to read whatever romantic fantasy this author dreams up next !
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
March 11, 2022
PLEASE don't let this be the last in the series! So many intriguing plot threads are yet to be wrapped up, and I am DESPERATE to find out what Jadren's entire deal is! Excellently written, as always -- what a treat, to find this series!
March 9, 2022
FANTASTIC
This is how fantasy romance should be written! Unlike other authors who shall remain nameless, Kennedy doesn’t just fill her books with unending explicit sex, she actually writes killer plots with great characters and fabulous world building. Yes, this book had great sexy times, but it wasn’t the only thing in the book. Thankfully Kennedy can write the sexy times as being organic in terms of emotional an character connection. Nic and Gabriel are fabulous characters. The book is action packed and the secondary characters aren’t just there for comic relief or cardboard cut out placeholders. I honestly can’t wait for the next book. This really is a freaking fantastic series!
This is how fantasy romance should be written! Unlike other authors who shall remain nameless, Kennedy doesn’t just fill her books with unending explicit sex, she actually writes killer plots with great characters and fabulous world building. Yes, this book had great sexy times, but it wasn’t the only thing in the book. Thankfully Kennedy can write the sexy times as being organic in terms of emotional an character connection. Nic and Gabriel are fabulous characters. The book is action packed and the secondary characters aren’t just there for comic relief or cardboard cut out placeholders. I honestly can’t wait for the next book. This really is a freaking fantastic series!
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March 19, 2022Grey Magic is a fantastic end to a great fantasy romance trilogy. We see Nic and Gabriel’s love deepen even as they deal with attacks on their fledging house and as they discover hidden abilities. There’s a lot to be said about a trilogy where the third book is about expanding the connection between lovers instead of finally establishing it. Nic and Gabriel complement each other so well, and yet each exasperates the other in the ways couples can do in real life. They’re wonderful protagonists.
What I loved best about Grey Magic is the way Kennedy increases the reader’s understanding of these magical Houses of power. The worldbuilding is fantastic in this book, as we come to know more and more about how magic operates in this land. I particularly liked how Kennedy examined the secondary roles of familiars and how that could easily turn into abuse. And the way the book ends…let’s just say this, with what Kennedy has set up, I’m desperately hoping she writes more set in this world.
And the other reason I’m hoping for more? The secondary characters in this book just explode, as we get to know the various fledgling wizards who’ve come to join Nic and Gabriel’s upstart House Phel. I loved that these wizards were either new and hungry or resented the order the Convocation represents and want to achieve something different within the structure of House Phel. There are easily half a dozen characters that I want to find out more about, from the wizards Asa and Alise to the familiars Han and Iliana, as well as Jadren and Selly, each mysterious in their own way. The villains in this story are truly despicable, and enough threads are left dangling that I hope additional books will address.
I enjoyed Grey Magic from start to finish. If you haven’t read the first books in this series, I highly recommend starting with those. Kennedy is creating a grand structure here, and it’s best to see it build from the start.
What I loved best about Grey Magic is the way Kennedy increases the reader’s understanding of these magical Houses of power. The worldbuilding is fantastic in this book, as we come to know more and more about how magic operates in this land. I particularly liked how Kennedy examined the secondary roles of familiars and how that could easily turn into abuse. And the way the book ends…let’s just say this, with what Kennedy has set up, I’m desperately hoping she writes more set in this world.
And the other reason I’m hoping for more? The secondary characters in this book just explode, as we get to know the various fledgling wizards who’ve come to join Nic and Gabriel’s upstart House Phel. I loved that these wizards were either new and hungry or resented the order the Convocation represents and want to achieve something different within the structure of House Phel. There are easily half a dozen characters that I want to find out more about, from the wizards Asa and Alise to the familiars Han and Iliana, as well as Jadren and Selly, each mysterious in their own way. The villains in this story are truly despicable, and enough threads are left dangling that I hope additional books will address.
I enjoyed Grey Magic from start to finish. If you haven’t read the first books in this series, I highly recommend starting with those. Kennedy is creating a grand structure here, and it’s best to see it build from the start.
January 24, 2023
2.5 stars
June 12, 2022
Wait--What???
I read this series on my Kindle over the time span of a few days and enjoyed it tremendously. Her magic system is fascinating and unusual, her world building is superb, and her characters are multidimensional and very interesting. As a writer and storyteller, she is skillful. Under any other circumstances, I would leave the full complement of stars but at the end of book 3, she leaves a tangle of plot threads dangling and unresolved that is baffling to me. No mention is made anywhere that another book is forthcoming or another trilogy beginning based on other characters. Instead she commits the ultimate Writer Sin: she ends her series, but not her story, leaving her reader hanging.
These omissions are not small ones! There are two characters unaccounted for, left behind in the middle of a battle. These are not minor characters, either! One of them has a complicated backstory that is teased and alluded to repeatedly, only to have no answers forthcoming. In addition, we don't find out the ultimate prognosis and future ramifications for two afflicted Familiars, or the welfare of the rest of House Phell's people beyond the ones living in the manse following an attack on the estate near the end of the book. We are told the estate is depopulated in a way that is unusual. Then we find out who was locked up, and where, but what about everybody else? They seem to remain missing but no one seems concerned. We also do not learn what the Convocation 's reaction is to story events, despite this being a major concern of the characters and repeatedly referred to, nor do we get any information about the reaction of other Great Houses. At the very least, it seems like we would hear from Jadren's House.
These are major issues that go beyond just saying the ending was rushed. This was simply not an ending.
I can well imagine that all of these things might be handled in a subsequent book except this seems to be a trilogy, not a series, and no author notes hint of of a future book. I am utterly shocked that an editor or publisher would consider this story ready for release. It isn't finished!
I read this series on my Kindle over the time span of a few days and enjoyed it tremendously. Her magic system is fascinating and unusual, her world building is superb, and her characters are multidimensional and very interesting. As a writer and storyteller, she is skillful. Under any other circumstances, I would leave the full complement of stars but at the end of book 3, she leaves a tangle of plot threads dangling and unresolved that is baffling to me. No mention is made anywhere that another book is forthcoming or another trilogy beginning based on other characters. Instead she commits the ultimate Writer Sin: she ends her series, but not her story, leaving her reader hanging.
These omissions are not small ones! There are two characters unaccounted for, left behind in the middle of a battle. These are not minor characters, either! One of them has a complicated backstory that is teased and alluded to repeatedly, only to have no answers forthcoming. In addition, we don't find out the ultimate prognosis and future ramifications for two afflicted Familiars, or the welfare of the rest of House Phell's people beyond the ones living in the manse following an attack on the estate near the end of the book. We are told the estate is depopulated in a way that is unusual. Then we find out who was locked up, and where, but what about everybody else? They seem to remain missing but no one seems concerned. We also do not learn what the Convocation 's reaction is to story events, despite this being a major concern of the characters and repeatedly referred to, nor do we get any information about the reaction of other Great Houses. At the very least, it seems like we would hear from Jadren's House.
These are major issues that go beyond just saying the ending was rushed. This was simply not an ending.
I can well imagine that all of these things might be handled in a subsequent book except this seems to be a trilogy, not a series, and no author notes hint of of a future book. I am utterly shocked that an editor or publisher would consider this story ready for release. It isn't finished!
January 2, 2023
⚠️ Warning. If you're a huge fan of Grey Magic you should probably not read my review.
I love Kennedy as an author and have read lots of her books, this one just didn't do it for me. The following is a note to myself so I don't come back and try to pick up the series again later.
I hate leaving negative reviews. 😮💨
Soooo, I thought book two was a bridge for book three, introducing us to characters who would eventually prove pivotal to the brewing war against the Convocation. It laid out so many rules on magic only for them to become obsolete. It gave us people who didn't matter at all in the grand scheme of things. It gave us conversation after conversation that were basically copied and pasted- It should have been a warning to me that book one was the only book in the series I was gonna like, but it didn't even do that right. (Okay maybe that was my fault.) 🤭😬
Grey Magic should have been a paragraph, not a book. Despite its length, nothing happened but a lot MORE recycled conversations and non-events. If there is a book four, I couldn't care less about reading it as book two and three did a sufficient enough job at boring me.
(This is the book with a random pink seahorse... living in a swamp... nuff said.)
The climax of this book was so uneventful I feel like I could have stopped reading half way through and still would have known the entirety of the plot.
So no, nope, don't recommend this series to anyone unless they like dry, boring reads crammed full of world building and weird sex. Like maybe if someone is a big fan of
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, and they also like fantasy... then this series would tickle their fancy? Maybe?
I love Kennedy as an author and have read lots of her books, this one just didn't do it for me. The following is a note to myself so I don't come back and try to pick up the series again later.
I hate leaving negative reviews. 😮💨
Soooo, I thought book two was a bridge for book three, introducing us to characters who would eventually prove pivotal to the brewing war against the Convocation. It laid out so many rules on magic only for them to become obsolete. It gave us people who didn't matter at all in the grand scheme of things. It gave us conversation after conversation that were basically copied and pasted- It should have been a warning to me that book one was the only book in the series I was gonna like, but it didn't even do that right. (Okay maybe that was my fault.) 🤭😬
Grey Magic should have been a paragraph, not a book. Despite its length, nothing happened but a lot MORE recycled conversations and non-events. If there is a book four, I couldn't care less about reading it as book two and three did a sufficient enough job at boring me.
(This is the book with a random pink seahorse... living in a swamp... nuff said.)
The climax of this book was so uneventful I feel like I could have stopped reading half way through and still would have known the entirety of the plot.
So no, nope, don't recommend this series to anyone unless they like dry, boring reads crammed full of world building and weird sex. Like maybe if someone is a big fan of
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, and they also like fantasy... then this series would tickle their fancy? Maybe?
March 7, 2023
Series are the norm in Fantasy and Fantasy Romance, and I understand why. However, I've discovered that the flow of an author's story through a series can sometimes be clunky from one book to the next, especially with the arc and development of the characters. In Grey Magic, the author does an amazing job of building the story through the series with this final book in the trilogy being a perfect culmination of what was built in the first two books. This is definitely a series I'd recommend reading in order, starting with Dark Wizard.
REREAD NOTE: This is just a brilliant Fantasy Romance trilogy. Kennedy is one of the best, and her craft is full on display in this series.
REREAD NOTE: This is just a brilliant Fantasy Romance trilogy. Kennedy is one of the best, and her craft is full on display in this series.
March 7, 2022
Grey Magic was anti-climatic. After two books of build up, the confrontation with the Consortium just didn't happen. We were introduced to some new antagonists both of whom lacked depth. An already antagonist morphed into a cartoon villain with unclear motives. The ending felt rushed.There were still quite a few questions unanswered questions left at the end of the book which made it very unsatisfying. I was under the impression that the series was a trilogy but now I suspect they'll be another book in the series at least a spin off.
June 13, 2022
Grey Magic, the third (and final?) book in the Bonds of Magic series, picks up at the immediate moment the previous story ended. This book is not a standalone story! Gabriel and Nic have just discovered her alternate form and need to prove they are truly bonded so the Convocation will leave them alone.
Grey Magic is an exciting adventure that more than makes up for the slow-moving second title. There is action, adventure, twist, and turns. We see closure of some series-long threads, while there are other issues left unresolved. There is a full and complete acceptance by Gabriel and Nic of what they have among themselves. I loved seeing them learn more about their magic and unique bond. Both characters come into their own as they finally accept it all and open fully to each other. I love that their morals aren’t compromised and yet they accomplish so much.
The stories center on Nic and Gabriel as they first come together, then bond as Wizard and Familiar, finally falling in love. Each book brings them closer together, even as they uncover some uncomfortable truths about their relationship and the general Wizard-Familiar bond. Both start equally hard-headed and determined, but overtime, they learn to see both sides and come to a middle ground that makes both better individuals.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Gabriel and Veronica. Using a British accent, Ms. Balm narrates the entire story with a deepish and slightly raspy voice. Overall, her performance is soothing and easy to listen to. Giving a partially-voiced reading, she adjusts the dialogue for most characters, albeit just enough to know different characters are speaking. She tends to be a little higher pitched for females, and softer and lower for males. She adjusts appropriately for mood and emotion, especially with Nic.
Although Nic and Gabriel have their HEA, the whole story is more of an HFN. There are so many issues still to be addressed. There are friends and family who are missing (and could most certainly be the main couple for upcoming books). I truly hope the author continues to pen tales from this interesting magical world.
Story: A-
Narration: A-
Review copy received from author
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Grey Magic is an exciting adventure that more than makes up for the slow-moving second title. There is action, adventure, twist, and turns. We see closure of some series-long threads, while there are other issues left unresolved. There is a full and complete acceptance by Gabriel and Nic of what they have among themselves. I loved seeing them learn more about their magic and unique bond. Both characters come into their own as they finally accept it all and open fully to each other. I love that their morals aren’t compromised and yet they accomplish so much.
The stories center on Nic and Gabriel as they first come together, then bond as Wizard and Familiar, finally falling in love. Each book brings them closer together, even as they uncover some uncomfortable truths about their relationship and the general Wizard-Familiar bond. Both start equally hard-headed and determined, but overtime, they learn to see both sides and come to a middle ground that makes both better individuals.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Gabriel and Veronica. Using a British accent, Ms. Balm narrates the entire story with a deepish and slightly raspy voice. Overall, her performance is soothing and easy to listen to. Giving a partially-voiced reading, she adjusts the dialogue for most characters, albeit just enough to know different characters are speaking. She tends to be a little higher pitched for females, and softer and lower for males. She adjusts appropriately for mood and emotion, especially with Nic.
Although Nic and Gabriel have their HEA, the whole story is more of an HFN. There are so many issues still to be addressed. There are friends and family who are missing (and could most certainly be the main couple for upcoming books). I truly hope the author continues to pen tales from this interesting magical world.
Story: A-
Narration: A-
Review copy received from author
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
March 11, 2022
wonderful, wonderful story!
I loved everything about this trilogy. First that it was ONLY a trilogy. Reading series with 10-15 books in it is sometimes daunting- who knows if I'm able to complete them! the relationship progression between Gabriel and Nic, was realistic, warm and witty. It was'nt love at first sight, but they grew together in both love and maturity of character and magical power!. the story line was many faceted and there were many emotional payoffs along the way! I just loved it! and the fact that their story ended happy but with room for other characters stories to emerge was awesome! This Series is a Winner!
I loved everything about this trilogy. First that it was ONLY a trilogy. Reading series with 10-15 books in it is sometimes daunting- who knows if I'm able to complete them! the relationship progression between Gabriel and Nic, was realistic, warm and witty. It was'nt love at first sight, but they grew together in both love and maturity of character and magical power!. the story line was many faceted and there were many emotional payoffs along the way! I just loved it! and the fact that their story ended happy but with room for other characters stories to emerge was awesome! This Series is a Winner!
March 10, 2022
Sexy good read
These two bonded lovers continue to sizzle together in spite of the water magic. Oh, to have a wizard like Gabriel!
These two bonded lovers continue to sizzle together in spite of the water magic. Oh, to have a wizard like Gabriel!
March 4, 2022
House Phel
I just love Jeff's Kennedy books! I hope to read more of House Phel and all the other houses in the future. It's a magical world of fantasy that I just adore.
I just love Jeff's Kennedy books! I hope to read more of House Phel and all the other houses in the future. It's a magical world of fantasy that I just adore.
June 10, 2022
idk it this series started out so well and just…sorta went downhill. book 1 was v interesting, book 2 was v much a filler book with not a lot of plot going on and book 3 is just, a little underwhelming?
i feel like my questions aren’t really answered and tbh, the world created is not really used in an interesting way. sometimes the world felt dark for no reason — like there are such high stakes and nothing really happens.
idk if there’s gonna be a fourth book. i hope so, otherwise this series is just a little floundering.
the 3 stars is solely for the lovely banter and v pretty writing
i feel like my questions aren’t really answered and tbh, the world created is not really used in an interesting way. sometimes the world felt dark for no reason — like there are such high stakes and nothing really happens.
idk if there’s gonna be a fourth book. i hope so, otherwise this series is just a little floundering.
the 3 stars is solely for the lovely banter and v pretty writing
October 5, 2022
Not really a conclusion to the overall story but a HFN for this couple. After 3 books, it seems like the story is just beginning which is annoying. A lot of loose plot points and questions that will hopefully be addressed and answered in the Renegades of Magic series.
March 7, 2023
I really, really liked this series. The reason I am giving 3 stars to this book is the ending - I feel like it's unfinished - there should have been more chapters or even another book...so many questions were left unanswered...
February 16, 2023
I don’t even know what to say. I’ve been trying to write this review since I finished the book last night but everything I write turns into a blabbering, incoherent rave about the series as a whole and how it’s basically my new favorite thing ever and everyone who is a fan of fantasy and/or romance should read it. I’ve clobbered my friends over the head with it, I’ve mooned and swooned at my husband for days while I’ve been reading it, I’ve already decided I’m going to purchase them in paperback because they are too good to live only in my Kindle.
BUT ABOUT THIS ONE only because that’s the one I’m reviewing here.
If you enjoyed the first and second ones, this one will not disappoint. Not one bit. It might even be the best of the three, which is unusual for me to say because I often prefer the first book in a series the most.
But this? This glorious, gorgeous closure to Nic and Gabriel’s story? It. Is. DIVINE.
NOT ONLY does it give us the ultimate horrible thing we’ve been waiting for since the first book, it also gives us the most satisfying conclusion to that part of the story I could imagine. (Surely if you’ve finished book 2 you know by now we aren’t going to see a massive takedown of the Convocation in this series….but it’s GONNA HAPPEN!)
It also gave me an unexpected found family aspect that had me gasping and squealing with its unbelievable cuteness and fierce loyalty. This band of misfit wizards and familiars is so powerful, delightful, complicated, complex, and interesting, and their immediate love of their new house and their fierce protection of it makes my heart SIIIIIING. Those of you who know me well know that my two favorite tropes are “they’re becoming best friends!” and “everyone pulls together in the end”, followed closely by found family, and this book is loaded with all of these!
Jeffe Kennedy’s ability to write ~actually good banter~ (seriously what is wrong with romance authors who think that “good banter” is just sarcasm and pissing each other off, even when it’s out of character?) extends beyond the two mains we’ve been following to this point and positively glimmers in other characters as well. Asa and Gabriel, Iliana and Han, Alise and Nic, Daisy and GF, Asa and Wolfgang, Quinn and Sage, Jadren and….everybody he encounters. You really feel that each of them has their own relationships and boundaries with other people, and the love is really there with all of them. It makes the world feel so very rich and realistic, and it’s so delightful.
Lastly I want to hit on what we began to explore in the second book, namely: Nic and Gabriel’s tentative but successful steps into incorporating bondage into their sex life, both to enhance their magical abilities BUT ALSO because they both want that. The exploration of the building of mutual trust in the process of exploring that aspect of their relationship, and how that mutual trust strengthens them in every other way, and the gentle but clear descriptions of pleasure and pain being not only compatible but, in some cases, the same, felt like a really beautiful introduction to that concept in general. Also…THANK YOU for non-vanilla sex scenes!!! Let’s branch out from the idea that a man giving a woman head is spicy enough.
Okay I’ll stop now but I can’t promise I won’t update again later as I think of more things I absolutely have to say to the people who are definitely not reading this review, especially given how long this is. Anyway I love this book, I love this series, I can’t wait to read more about this world and what’s next for House Phel and the Convocation!
BUT ABOUT THIS ONE only because that’s the one I’m reviewing here.
If you enjoyed the first and second ones, this one will not disappoint. Not one bit. It might even be the best of the three, which is unusual for me to say because I often prefer the first book in a series the most.
But this? This glorious, gorgeous closure to Nic and Gabriel’s story? It. Is. DIVINE.
NOT ONLY does it give us the ultimate horrible thing we’ve been waiting for since the first book, it also gives us the most satisfying conclusion to that part of the story I could imagine. (Surely if you’ve finished book 2 you know by now we aren’t going to see a massive takedown of the Convocation in this series….but it’s GONNA HAPPEN!)
It also gave me an unexpected found family aspect that had me gasping and squealing with its unbelievable cuteness and fierce loyalty. This band of misfit wizards and familiars is so powerful, delightful, complicated, complex, and interesting, and their immediate love of their new house and their fierce protection of it makes my heart SIIIIIING. Those of you who know me well know that my two favorite tropes are “they’re becoming best friends!” and “everyone pulls together in the end”, followed closely by found family, and this book is loaded with all of these!
Jeffe Kennedy’s ability to write ~actually good banter~ (seriously what is wrong with romance authors who think that “good banter” is just sarcasm and pissing each other off, even when it’s out of character?) extends beyond the two mains we’ve been following to this point and positively glimmers in other characters as well. Asa and Gabriel, Iliana and Han, Alise and Nic, Daisy and GF, Asa and Wolfgang, Quinn and Sage, Jadren and….everybody he encounters. You really feel that each of them has their own relationships and boundaries with other people, and the love is really there with all of them. It makes the world feel so very rich and realistic, and it’s so delightful.
Lastly I want to hit on what we began to explore in the second book, namely: Nic and Gabriel’s tentative but successful steps into incorporating bondage into their sex life, both to enhance their magical abilities BUT ALSO because they both want that. The exploration of the building of mutual trust in the process of exploring that aspect of their relationship, and how that mutual trust strengthens them in every other way, and the gentle but clear descriptions of pleasure and pain being not only compatible but, in some cases, the same, felt like a really beautiful introduction to that concept in general. Also…THANK YOU for non-vanilla sex scenes!!! Let’s branch out from the idea that a man giving a woman head is spicy enough.
Okay I’ll stop now but I can’t promise I won’t update again later as I think of more things I absolutely have to say to the people who are definitely not reading this review, especially given how long this is. Anyway I love this book, I love this series, I can’t wait to read more about this world and what’s next for House Phel and the Convocation!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2024
**3.8**
I was hoping the final book would be the strongest but I had the same problems as before. I swear entire chapters could have been removed. It was too much talking about feelings. The final “battle” was really cool in the arcanium and I wanted more scenes like this instead of repetitive banter between our 2 main characters. This had so much potential and could have been incredible. This world is unique I just wish it was handled better.
I was hoping the final book would be the strongest but I had the same problems as before. I swear entire chapters could have been removed. It was too much talking about feelings. The final “battle” was really cool in the arcanium and I wanted more scenes like this instead of repetitive banter between our 2 main characters. This had so much potential and could have been incredible. This world is unique I just wish it was handled better.
March 1, 2022
fun story
Liked this series great concept, good story. Easy read not long but not a lot of fill either fun characters.
Liked this series great concept, good story. Easy read not long but not a lot of fill either fun characters.
March 8, 2022
We get to see their relationship grow.
I love to see how she shows the possibility of the House and he learns to manage others and manage his magic.
I'm all for the "chosen family".
I love to see how she shows the possibility of the House and he learns to manage others and manage his magic.
I'm all for the "chosen family".
December 14, 2023
I said what I have to say about how much I liked this trilogy in general in my review of the first book, Dark Wizard. But I wanted to note that I gave this one fewer stars than the other two because I was mad about the ending, which I genuinely do not think actually qualifies as a legitimate ending.
I can only assume that since the larger storyline continues in a new trilogy with Shadow Wizard following a new romantic pair, Kennedy felt satisfied treating the end of this book more like a middle book in a larger series than like a full conclusion of a trilogy. I am not the authority here, but I disagree with that strategy. I am being vague enough here that I don't consider it a spoiler to say that the main characters are principal actors in a main conflict that builds up over the course of three books (exactly like you'd expect from a book series) and that the book ends without that overarching conflict being resolved at all, but the immediate peril only for the two main characters is for the time being at a lull. I would feel better about this even if the immediate peril for everybody was for the time being at a lull, but not even that was the case. More than that, even, there are seemingly important untied threads regarding the main characters specifically, and I can't understand any justification for either refusing to address them or for waiting until a companion trilogy where these are no longer the main characters to do so.
As far as I am concerned these characters did not do their job as heroes of a story if this is the end of that story. I haven't read the follow-up trilogy yet, and until I get to it I will remain achingly curious how Kennedy handles what appears to be a very unceremonious buck-passing of responsibility to the next couple or if she just wrote a very disappointing ending to an exciting trilogy. I mean, this is a disappointing ending regardless, but it might be only puzzling rather than infuriating depending on how the next books are handled.
I can only assume that since the larger storyline continues in a new trilogy with Shadow Wizard following a new romantic pair, Kennedy felt satisfied treating the end of this book more like a middle book in a larger series than like a full conclusion of a trilogy. I am not the authority here, but I disagree with that strategy. I am being vague enough here that I don't consider it a spoiler to say that the main characters are principal actors in a main conflict that builds up over the course of three books (exactly like you'd expect from a book series) and that the book ends without that overarching conflict being resolved at all, but the immediate peril only for the two main characters is for the time being at a lull. I would feel better about this even if the immediate peril for everybody was for the time being at a lull, but not even that was the case. More than that, even, there are seemingly important untied threads regarding the main characters specifically, and I can't understand any justification for either refusing to address them or for waiting until a companion trilogy where these are no longer the main characters to do so.
As far as I am concerned these characters did not do their job as heroes of a story if this is the end of that story. I haven't read the follow-up trilogy yet, and until I get to it I will remain achingly curious how Kennedy handles what appears to be a very unceremonious buck-passing of responsibility to the next couple or if she just wrote a very disappointing ending to an exciting trilogy. I mean, this is a disappointing ending regardless, but it might be only puzzling rather than infuriating depending on how the next books are handled.
August 21, 2022
Ms. Kennedy really upped the tension and action in this chapter!
In this chapter of Gabriel and Nic's travels, a lot of their pushes to make change and challenge the institution are coming back to haunt them from Nic's punishment from running away to her father demand for her return. I loved reading about the rebuilding of the House of Phel and the new characters coming from different houses. It built the world a bit more for me.
Gabriel and Nic are adorable where one is serious and the other is determined to change the status quo. They compliment each other well and the spice is good between them.
I have mentioned in my previous review, the world in Bonds of Magic is dark because of the oppressive nature of the familiars and the control established by the institutions of wizards. That said, I felt it is balance by that attitudes of Gabriel and Nic who seek to change things and the growing support they receive from others who see the good.
With how this one ended, there is plenty more to unpack in this world and it makes me excited to follow this journey. I can't wait to read more about Gabriel and Nic!
In this chapter of Gabriel and Nic's travels, a lot of their pushes to make change and challenge the institution are coming back to haunt them from Nic's punishment from running away to her father demand for her return. I loved reading about the rebuilding of the House of Phel and the new characters coming from different houses. It built the world a bit more for me.
Gabriel and Nic are adorable where one is serious and the other is determined to change the status quo. They compliment each other well and the spice is good between them.
I have mentioned in my previous review, the world in Bonds of Magic is dark because of the oppressive nature of the familiars and the control established by the institutions of wizards. That said, I felt it is balance by that attitudes of Gabriel and Nic who seek to change things and the growing support they receive from others who see the good.
With how this one ended, there is plenty more to unpack in this world and it makes me excited to follow this journey. I can't wait to read more about Gabriel and Nic!
April 3, 2022
4 stars ✨ This was great. I loved the characters, the intrigue had me hooked and after the grimness of events in the first book were done with, I was really settling down to have fun. And I was having fun, but then the book just… ended. It didn’t feel like all these plot threads were unravelled, but like they were suddenly cut in two. It felt premature. And while I do believe that 3 books is the perfect number for a series, if any couple needed and extra book to finish their story, it was this one!
Still really enjoyable but oddly unsatisfying. I’ll have to hang out for Selly’s book!
Still really enjoyable but oddly unsatisfying. I’ll have to hang out for Selly’s book!
September 18, 2022
Fabulous! Very disappointed thou with the end without the hint of a next book in this series. There are too many directions this series could and frankly should continue. The further exploration of the duel bond, the outcome of the father and mother.. the result of the one characters disloyalty - just to name a few. Certainly there is the next series featuring two of the main characters but there are just too many unanswered questions in this series.. Jeffe, please continue this wonderful series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2022
The plot resolved itself well, but I can't help but be aware there are loose ends? I can't believe there's a real hea when the hero's sister and wizard haven't returned from staying back to hold off foes. The heroine's dad is sent home with his memory intact and nothing to prevent him sharing his (damaging/nefarious/abusive) knowledge. I'm expecting the author has set up for a spin off or for more books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
Very exciting finish to this series, will there be another? It felt like there should be, full of magic, eroticism, social statements, though still a bit hampered by hierarchical structures, but I did enjoy it, couldn't get to sleep till I finished it.
May 18, 2022
eh.
The story itself was very entertaining. Liked the characters, enjoyed the world building, but didn’t like all the bdsm crap. That made a really interesting story just sorta ho hum for me.
The story itself was very entertaining. Liked the characters, enjoyed the world building, but didn’t like all the bdsm crap. That made a really interesting story just sorta ho hum for me.
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