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Middle Lands
The Twelfth Enchantment
Garrett Pell, Second Sorcerer of the Middle Lands, is just trying to build a school. Unfortunately, he’s also got missing mage-students, disobedient goats, and a Grand Sorcerer who likes to disappear. Not to mention the distracting presence of the attractive local prince, who keeps mysteriously turning up right when Garrett could use a hand.
Prince Alexandre de Berri knows perfectly well that he’s the youngest and least talented of his brothers. But his father, the king, wants to be on good terms with the magicians, and Alex is good at making friends -- so he’s been ordered to do exactly that. But what began as a royal command turns into very real feelings, and all Alex wants is to solve Garrett’s problems.
Alex’s father isn’t happy. Garrett’s school still needs help. And Alex and Garrett will need to make a choice. But, together, they just might be magic.
Prince Alexandre de Berri knows perfectly well that he’s the youngest and least talented of his brothers. But his father, the king, wants to be on good terms with the magicians, and Alex is good at making friends -- so he’s been ordered to do exactly that. But what began as a royal command turns into very real feelings, and all Alex wants is to solve Garrett’s problems.
Alex’s father isn’t happy. Garrett’s school still needs help. And Alex and Garrett will need to make a choice. But, together, they just might be magic.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2022
15 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 2, 2023
Just like Magician, I fell in love with this cute story from page one! so much so, that I found myself wanting to stop whatever I was doing so I could read everything else this author has written. It’s pretty rare that I find a series that I feel so completely at home with so quickly. I’ve found a lot of fantasy books a little tiresome in the past because they often felt the need to justify its magical world with “wink-and-a-nod” type humor. You know? Those, “woah, did that just happen!?” kind of jokes that are a bit overdone. It’s a breath of fresh air to escape ironic fantasy every now and then. I just really appreciate how completely genuine this series is. The writing here is lovely, it had a real “go-with-the-flow” feeling to it and reading it made me think of gently floating down a river. Anyway, the story follows a Magician named Garrett’s struggle with building the first magical school in the land and the prince Alexandre’s mission from his father, the king, to seduce Garrett in order to gain a mutual beneficial relationship between the kingdom and the school. Only he ends up catching very real feelings for the Magician, and then… the rest is spoilers! The story is actually rather sweet and low on the relationship drama, I promise. I enjoyed how building the magical school worked in tandem with Garrett and Alex’s relationship. Humble beginnings and all that. I had a great time reading this and it had an incredibly patient pace despite only being sixty or so pages long. It’s always nice to read something so earnest. And maybe underneath all the fantastical elements this really is a simple love story, but to me that’s where the real magic is.
"Apples, spices, sweetness, a light burn: almost the same refreshment as the sight of dark eyebrows, merry amber in that glance, the way Alex had sat down beside him. Garrett had to have another drink."
"Apples, spices, sweetness, a light burn: almost the same refreshment as the sight of dark eyebrows, merry amber in that glance, the way Alex had sat down beside him. Garrett had to have another drink."
September 20, 2025
Well, that's different. K.L. Noone is new to me and I thought I'd start with this author by selecting a short piece. I am extremely impressed. 🤩
The story itself is beautiful, witty and like a delicate flower. 🌸
The goats of the Magicians’ School had eaten all the cabbage again. Two of the prospective students had, without explanation, vanished like dandelion-fluff with the spring breeze. And the ice-house refused to stay cold. - These are the first sentences and by then I was already hooked.
The writing style takes a little getting used to, at least for me. English is not my first language and I had to read a few sentences twice to really absorb everything. I can't tell if that's me or if the writing is to "blame". But it didn't annoy me, not even a little bit. It's almost like reading a poem that you can't fully grasp the first time you read it either. I'm curious how this will play out for me when I read a longer book by the author.
A sense shivered, a pebble disturbed. A presence, warm as sun-ruffled velvet, on the unfinished road. Familiar, and also not. 💜
So anyway, here we have sorcerers, princes and kings, and many other things that just belong into a fantasy story. 🦄
Garrett the poor man is plagued by headaches and too many chores. Prince Alexandre is magically always there when he needs him. Dreamlike beautiful how the relationship of the two develops so tentatively and then just explodes into an "I love you" and hot sex. 🔥
“Were you thinking of starting an earthquake for me?”
“I’d do it,” Garrett said, suddenly reckless, truthful, giving it voice, “if you asked. An extremely targeted one.” 😍😍😍
The story itself is beautiful, witty and like a delicate flower. 🌸
The goats of the Magicians’ School had eaten all the cabbage again. Two of the prospective students had, without explanation, vanished like dandelion-fluff with the spring breeze. And the ice-house refused to stay cold. - These are the first sentences and by then I was already hooked.
The writing style takes a little getting used to, at least for me. English is not my first language and I had to read a few sentences twice to really absorb everything. I can't tell if that's me or if the writing is to "blame". But it didn't annoy me, not even a little bit. It's almost like reading a poem that you can't fully grasp the first time you read it either. I'm curious how this will play out for me when I read a longer book by the author.
A sense shivered, a pebble disturbed. A presence, warm as sun-ruffled velvet, on the unfinished road. Familiar, and also not. 💜
So anyway, here we have sorcerers, princes and kings, and many other things that just belong into a fantasy story. 🦄
Garrett the poor man is plagued by headaches and too many chores. Prince Alexandre is magically always there when he needs him. Dreamlike beautiful how the relationship of the two develops so tentatively and then just explodes into an "I love you" and hot sex. 🔥
“Were you thinking of starting an earthquake for me?”
“I’d do it,” Garrett said, suddenly reckless, truthful, giving it voice, “if you asked. An extremely targeted one.” 😍😍😍
Read
June 5, 2023Sweet low-key story of a tired wizard and a hopeful/helpful prince. A prequel to Magician and very much in the same gentle vein. Soothing.
July 6, 2024
Long before the events of Magician, when Lorre and Garrett were first founding their school of magic. Lorre is a great character but (no surprise) not a great teacher or boss.
Turning yourself into a unicorn to avoid conversations is master-level flouncing.
Turning yourself into a unicorn to avoid conversations is master-level flouncing.
September 27, 2025
#The52BookClub
27. Features A Magician
April 22, 2024
3,5 stars.
Short and sweet, not my favorite by this author though (by far).
I would have prefered for it to be longer, to experience more of the falling in love. They were already gone for each other at the start of the book, where the author jumped in (was my feeling).
Lovely writing, as always.
Short and sweet, not my favorite by this author though (by far).
I would have prefered for it to be longer, to experience more of the falling in love. They were already gone for each other at the start of the book, where the author jumped in (was my feeling).
Lovely writing, as always.
April 7, 2024
4.5/5.
This was magical.
I know, I know. How could I say something like that? Kind of lame, yes, but it just fits.
The writing never disappoints. It sucks you in and doesn’t let go until the very last sentence. And even then, every word, every page stays with you.
This really was magical.
This was magical.
I know, I know. How could I say something like that? Kind of lame, yes, but it just fits.
“Rightness lay under his skin, in every breath, each heartbeat. He felt like himself, more so than he’d ever been, with Alex’s hand in his.“
The writing never disappoints. It sucks you in and doesn’t let go until the very last sentence. And even then, every word, every page stays with you.
This really was magical.
“I think your last enchantment worked better than you planned. Healing. A lot of things.”
“It’s not that powerful.”
“I think we are.”
August 27, 2023
Absolutely delightful! Functions as a bit of a prequel to Magician, though they both work as standalone's, and it was fun to be back in this world. Lovely characters, wonderful writing, and just a very cosy, heart-warming read.
April 1, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up
cute!! liked both MCs a lot and I loved the descriptions of the magic, i just wanted a *little* more romance/relationship building between the MCs. it's a short story tho, so that's okay!
cute!! liked both MCs a lot and I loved the descriptions of the magic, i just wanted a *little* more romance/relationship building between the MCs. it's a short story tho, so that's okay!
August 16, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
The Twelfth Enchantment is set in the same universe as K.L. Noone’s novel Magician, but this novella takes place about 200 years prior to the events in the later book. Aside from a few appearances and mentions of the delightfully aloof, gregariously self-absorbed Lorre, the story focuses on Garret and Alex. All the on-page action unfolds at Garret’s unfinished school. As a result, Garret naturally features in every scene, which made me feel like I understood his situation very clearly. All the different ways Garret feels tired and stretched too thin are easy to understand. He and Lorre haven’t completed the build for the school despite having pupils. And what is built isn’t necessarily cutting muster. Lorre’s left Garret to manage it all by himself–which proves difficult when Garret believes Alex is only coming around at the behest of a king who wants a tit-for-tat from magic users. Personally, I loved seeing how involved Garret was with everything at the school. I felt overwhelmed on his behalf, but loved that he always made time for just about everything.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
The Twelfth Enchantment is set in the same universe as K.L. Noone’s novel Magician, but this novella takes place about 200 years prior to the events in the later book. Aside from a few appearances and mentions of the delightfully aloof, gregariously self-absorbed Lorre, the story focuses on Garret and Alex. All the on-page action unfolds at Garret’s unfinished school. As a result, Garret naturally features in every scene, which made me feel like I understood his situation very clearly. All the different ways Garret feels tired and stretched too thin are easy to understand. He and Lorre haven’t completed the build for the school despite having pupils. And what is built isn’t necessarily cutting muster. Lorre’s left Garret to manage it all by himself–which proves difficult when Garret believes Alex is only coming around at the behest of a king who wants a tit-for-tat from magic users. Personally, I loved seeing how involved Garret was with everything at the school. I felt overwhelmed on his behalf, but loved that he always made time for just about everything.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
July 30, 2022
This is a really sweet m/m fantasy romance. The fantasy element is very much present (the setting is a school for magicians, after all) but the focus of the story to me was on the romance. It's a gentle, cozy story, with a minor physical conflict at the end—but most of the story revolves around people, and their interactions. Highly enjoyable.
July 14, 2022
A delightful surprise. I'd like to spend a lot more time visiting the sch0ol.
November 26, 2022
I didn't read either of the other two earlier titles set in the same universe but this did not hamper my reading enjoyment one bit. The world-building and elemental magic is a little 'vague' but this didn't dampen my reading pleasure either. I'm not keen on novellas in general but the plot kept me engaged throughout. And because Garrett and Alex proved such adorable MCs that this simply falls into my
'favorite easy fantasy M-M romance reads' shelf alongside titles such as Imaginary, The Lodestar of Ys and Kogitsune.
'favorite easy fantasy M-M romance reads' shelf alongside titles such as Imaginary, The Lodestar of Ys and Kogitsune.
March 16, 2024
4+⭐
Well, this was lovely. I've read a few of the shorter stories from this author and I've liked them but haven't loved them. This was getting very close to love. A magical world and a humble, rock solid second sorcerer. There's definitely a nice atmosphere here and I'm hopeful for the other titles in this series.
Well, this was lovely. I've read a few of the shorter stories from this author and I've liked them but haven't loved them. This was getting very close to love. A magical world and a humble, rock solid second sorcerer. There's definitely a nice atmosphere here and I'm hopeful for the other titles in this series.
June 13, 2024
Cute but a little too much like Magician. If it had been any longer than a short story I might have given it up.
March 20, 2023
Cute little romance….
Garrett, Second Sorcerer, is just trying his best to get the magicians’ new school up and running. But…things rarely run smoothly when magic is involved, and poor Garrett just can’t keep this many balls in the air…especially when he’s distracted by the gorgeous Prince Alexandre, who…weirdly always seems to know just how to help. But Garrett is wary…he needs to keep the school and his students safe from the threat from Alex’s family. Can Garrett and Alex find a way forward together?
Awwww. It’s a very cute (but rather superficial) story about finding your own truths.
The writing can be lovely, especially when Garrett is experiencing his magic, which is related to the earth and the natural world.
But…there wasn’t a lot of background or character development, and when Garrett’s mentor, Lorre shows up at a critical moment, it’s the deus ex machina “get out of jail free” card, which I often think is just an excuse for lazy writing.
But it’s sweet and better than just OK.
Garrett, Second Sorcerer, is just trying his best to get the magicians’ new school up and running. But…things rarely run smoothly when magic is involved, and poor Garrett just can’t keep this many balls in the air…especially when he’s distracted by the gorgeous Prince Alexandre, who…weirdly always seems to know just how to help. But Garrett is wary…he needs to keep the school and his students safe from the threat from Alex’s family. Can Garrett and Alex find a way forward together?
Awwww. It’s a very cute (but rather superficial) story about finding your own truths.
The writing can be lovely, especially when Garrett is experiencing his magic, which is related to the earth and the natural world.
But…there wasn’t a lot of background or character development, and when Garrett’s mentor, Lorre shows up at a critical moment, it’s the deus ex machina “get out of jail free” card, which I often think is just an excuse for lazy writing.
But it’s sweet and better than just OK.
January 18, 2026
I initially DNF'd this short story, but I have no idea why. This time around I was engaged fairly immediately. I'm always up for a queer fantasy story, no matter the length. Not sure what I could've been thinking.
In fact, the main criticism I have of this story is that it's so short. I didn't realize this was part of a larger universe, but you could feel it throughout. We'd get little tastes of worldbuilding and backstory and relationships, but not enough to really hold onto. All of the students at this decrepit magic school seemed interesting, made crazy choices even, but we don't get to know much about them. Similarly the political relationship between magic & the crown. I wanted to know so much more. I guess what I'm saying is this doesn't work too well as a standalone. But it does mean I've got other books to read to answer my questions, so that is a plus.
I really loved our characters. Even just the tiniest tastes of them really worked to become attached to every single one. I do think because of the short length, the romance at the heart of this moves way too fast. Given the name, this book could've been a tale of how our prince love interest uses each of the twelve enchantments he's given while falling in love with the magician who gave them to him, but all of those uses happen off page! I was bummed. This easily could've been a full novel.
The yearning we do get is SO good, though. Watching a logistics expert fall apart when his crush doesn't come visit him with a goatherd or something was adorable. (But I do wish we could've seen on page the goatherd wrangling possibly enchanted goats to keep them from eating a magical garden. Just saying.)
I definitely want more, so I guess as a taste of a larger universe this did its job. But I really wish there had been more here!!
In fact, the main criticism I have of this story is that it's so short. I didn't realize this was part of a larger universe, but you could feel it throughout. We'd get little tastes of worldbuilding and backstory and relationships, but not enough to really hold onto. All of the students at this decrepit magic school seemed interesting, made crazy choices even, but we don't get to know much about them. Similarly the political relationship between magic & the crown. I wanted to know so much more. I guess what I'm saying is this doesn't work too well as a standalone. But it does mean I've got other books to read to answer my questions, so that is a plus.
I really loved our characters. Even just the tiniest tastes of them really worked to become attached to every single one. I do think because of the short length, the romance at the heart of this moves way too fast. Given the name, this book could've been a tale of how our prince love interest uses each of the twelve enchantments he's given while falling in love with the magician who gave them to him, but all of those uses happen off page! I was bummed. This easily could've been a full novel.
The yearning we do get is SO good, though. Watching a logistics expert fall apart when his crush doesn't come visit him with a goatherd or something was adorable. (But I do wish we could've seen on page the goatherd wrangling possibly enchanted goats to keep them from eating a magical garden. Just saying.)
I definitely want more, so I guess as a taste of a larger universe this did its job. But I really wish there had been more here!!
July 28, 2022
I love all K.L. Noone's books but I have a truly soft spot for her Magician series. This gorgeous prequel, set a couple of hundred years before Magician, contains exquisite descriptions of transforming elements that I had to read over and again because they were so beautiful and eloquent.
It was great to meet a younger Lorre, apparently setting up a magician's school, but more interested in flitting off to weird and wonderful magickings, leaving his talented human colleague, Garrett, to bear the burden. He is initially suspicious of visits to the school from Alexandre, the youngest son of the overbearing local ruler, and I loved the way these two lovely, caring men gradually came to an understanding.
I am in awe of the magical world that the author has created, rooted in medieval lore and aided by her vibrant imagination. I am so glad there is at least one more story to come in this exquisitely written series.
It was great to meet a younger Lorre, apparently setting up a magician's school, but more interested in flitting off to weird and wonderful magickings, leaving his talented human colleague, Garrett, to bear the burden. He is initially suspicious of visits to the school from Alexandre, the youngest son of the overbearing local ruler, and I loved the way these two lovely, caring men gradually came to an understanding.
I am in awe of the magical world that the author has created, rooted in medieval lore and aided by her vibrant imagination. I am so glad there is at least one more story to come in this exquisitely written series.
October 6, 2024
This short story might have pulled me out of a reading slump. It felt sweet and safe and soothing and my only complaint is that it was too short.
The dialogue is so funny and random and it reminds me of how I chat with my friends:
"-The land was unhappy in that corner. There was a murder.
-This morning?
-Eighty years ago. But his bones wanted revenge. I moved them. It should be fine now. I’m going up to the Snow Forest to look for unicorns."
I'm so looking forward to read more about the grumpy Grand Sorcerer in 'Magician'.
The dialogue is so funny and random and it reminds me of how I chat with my friends:
"-The land was unhappy in that corner. There was a murder.
-This morning?
-Eighty years ago. But his bones wanted revenge. I moved them. It should be fine now. I’m going up to the Snow Forest to look for unicorns."
I'm so looking forward to read more about the grumpy Grand Sorcerer in 'Magician'.
November 28, 2022
Silly, sappy grin engaged...
I already liked KL Noone's writing, but this one really tickled me and left me with a silly, sappy grin and warm fuzzies inside. The language and description are lovely and unusual, but it fits the story so well. I love the world building, as I have before, and I like seeing previous characters here and there, and I think the slow, confusing, development of the affection between Garrett and Alex was delightful. I definitely recommend this story.
I already liked KL Noone's writing, but this one really tickled me and left me with a silly, sappy grin and warm fuzzies inside. The language and description are lovely and unusual, but it fits the story so well. I love the world building, as I have before, and I like seeing previous characters here and there, and I think the slow, confusing, development of the affection between Garrett and Alex was delightful. I definitely recommend this story.
February 16, 2023
If you're not paying attention, this is a cute fantasy romance, short and charming.
That's a shame, missing the commentary about never feeling you're enough, about power and lack of, about striving toward your truest self, and so on. You miss the character arcs, how they change each other and why, which makes that climax ring like a struck bell. This is a rich story, a deep story, a showcase for the author's talent.
If you're paying attention.
That's a shame, missing the commentary about never feeling you're enough, about power and lack of, about striving toward your truest self, and so on. You miss the character arcs, how they change each other and why, which makes that climax ring like a struck bell. This is a rich story, a deep story, a showcase for the author's talent.
If you're paying attention.
October 10, 2022
3.5
Above average, sweet fantasy romance. It is set some two centuries before Magician, and Lorre is also there, although his main hobby is... disappearing ;-).
Short, but very enjoyable.
Above average, sweet fantasy romance. It is set some two centuries before Magician, and Lorre is also there, although his main hobby is... disappearing ;-).
Short, but very enjoyable.
July 28, 2023
Charming cozy fantasy, m/m romance. It's about an exhausted wizard trying to start a school of magic who just doesn’t understand why a local (annoyingly handsome) prince keeps showing up to help. The writing has a kind of fairy-tale quality to it that I thought worked for the story, but ymmv. Read the sample.
It’s the prequel to The Magician, which I haven’t read, so I'd say that it works as a stand alone.
It’s the prequel to The Magician, which I haven’t read, so I'd say that it works as a stand alone.
Read
August 14, 2022Look this was very short, but it gelled in a really pleasant way and ended up working for me even though there was little time spent setting things up. I haven't read any of the other books either. Anyway, it just a preface story really, but well set up and executed.
September 20, 2022
I haven't yet read The Magician, but this was an enchanting story of Garret and Alex and a half-finished magic school. Though the story was short, the characters were well developed and the workings with magic fascinating.
October 16, 2022
Cute but very short. Definitely recommend reading Magician (which is amazing) before checking this one out.
Not a lot of sexual tension, but the longing for each other was sweet. I liked the characters and seeing a younger version of Lorre was interesting.
Not a lot of sexual tension, but the longing for each other was sweet. I liked the characters and seeing a younger version of Lorre was interesting.
December 16, 2022
This was soo good! I love love love this author’s writing, especially world building. Author’s idea of magic is the best I’ve ever read, it’s so beautiful and soothing. I wish it was much longer but I’ll take what I can get ❤️
August 14, 2023
The story is good, but too short for real development of characters or insights into them. Lorre makes an appearance, which is funny but a bit cheap.
The romance between Garrett and the prince is not very exciting, but nice.
The romance between Garrett and the prince is not very exciting, but nice.
August 21, 2022
I adore this world K.L. Noone has created. I emerge from reading these books with a smile on my face every time, hating to go back to the real world. Garrett and Alex are a joy.
August 23, 2022
Cute, lightweight, very short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews