What do you think?
Rate this book
The Opposite of Magic
Emily Daggett’s childhood dream of finding a wizard just came true—fifteen years late and in the entirely wrong way.
Alexander Hartgrave is a thirty-year-old IT worker instead of a proper silver-haired mage, and they dislike each other the minute they meet.
And OK, maybe he starts to grow on her—like mold, sarcastic and weirdly attractive mold—but he's annoyingly resistant to the idea that he ought to be teaching her magic and ushering her on an adventure.
She’ll get one out of him if it's the last thing she does.
That couldn't go entirely wrong, could it?
The Opposite of Magic is a standalone romantic fantasy that appeals to fans of enemies to lovers, hidden magic, odd basements and being careful what you wish for. If you’re a reader who prefers to know some content details upfront, scroll to the author biography for a link to that information.
Alexander Hartgrave is a thirty-year-old IT worker instead of a proper silver-haired mage, and they dislike each other the minute they meet.
And OK, maybe he starts to grow on her—like mold, sarcastic and weirdly attractive mold—but he's annoyingly resistant to the idea that he ought to be teaching her magic and ushering her on an adventure.
She’ll get one out of him if it's the last thing she does.
That couldn't go entirely wrong, could it?
The Opposite of Magic is a standalone romantic fantasy that appeals to fans of enemies to lovers, hidden magic, odd basements and being careful what you wish for. If you’re a reader who prefers to know some content details upfront, scroll to the author biography for a link to that information.
390 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2013
202 people are currently reading
692 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Cowley
12 books145 followersColleen Cowley writes romantic fantasy in warped real-world settings with wizards, amazing women, swoony pining and swoopy coats.
Get a free book and audiobook at colleencowley.com/new.
If you're a reader who prefers to know certain content details upfront, including whether any tropes you hate are waiting to spring, you can find that at colleencowley.com/details.
Get a free book and audiobook at colleencowley.com/new.
If you're a reader who prefers to know certain content details upfront, including whether any tropes you hate are waiting to spring, you can find that at colleencowley.com/details.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 3, 2013
Anything I enjoyed this much I had to give five stars. It’s not five star as in this-changed-my-life or this-is-a-work-of-staggering-genius. More in the sense of I smiled early and often--and that’s how I ended the book too. More in the sense of I made the mistake of starting this late and found myself watching the sun rise because once started I didn’t want to stop. More in the sense that I loved the characters and would like to spend more time with them--if this isn’t the beginning of a series, then I guess I’ll just have to read this again--and again.
The biography on Cowley’s website says that her “favorite sort of fantasy is present-day. Because there’s such possibility in the idea that something magical could be happening right under your nose.” That’s a lot of the charm of The Opposite of Magic. Cowley added that when she first encountered the Harry Potter books in her twenties, she “would occasionally dream” she was at at Hogwarts. And that is what her debut book reminded me of--Harry Potter. In a good way--although I see some playful allusions to it, this isn’t some Harry Potter clone like Riordan’s Percy and the Olympians books.
For one, if this is a Harry Potter, it’s definitely one for grown-ups. Our heroine Emily Daggett is a twenty-something--an adult--one of the faculty at Ashburn College. Even if, especially at first, she displayed the curiosity and sense of wonder of an eleven-year-old. When she discovered magic she reminded me of that fan in Galaxy Quest when told “it’s all real.” The sharp-tongued Alexander Hartgrave intrigued me from the beginning. The man had a certain flair; as the author put it, “even his compliments were insulting.” He reminded me of Professor Snape--if Snape were an IT director and more sexy than surly. I relished his clashes with Emily.
But really the way the novel is reminiscent of Harry Potter is the whole idea of hidden magic in our ordinary world. The magical system and basic premise itself though isn’t quite like anything I’ve read. But the bottom line is that it’s just such a witty and fun book to read with lots of memorable turns of phrase, great sense of pace and a nicely twisty plot. In the interest of full disclosure, I did receive a free copy of this ebook from the author for early review--but no strings. Truly, a good read--I loved it.
The biography on Cowley’s website says that her “favorite sort of fantasy is present-day. Because there’s such possibility in the idea that something magical could be happening right under your nose.” That’s a lot of the charm of The Opposite of Magic. Cowley added that when she first encountered the Harry Potter books in her twenties, she “would occasionally dream” she was at at Hogwarts. And that is what her debut book reminded me of--Harry Potter. In a good way--although I see some playful allusions to it, this isn’t some Harry Potter clone like Riordan’s Percy and the Olympians books.
For one, if this is a Harry Potter, it’s definitely one for grown-ups. Our heroine Emily Daggett is a twenty-something--an adult--one of the faculty at Ashburn College. Even if, especially at first, she displayed the curiosity and sense of wonder of an eleven-year-old. When she discovered magic she reminded me of that fan in Galaxy Quest when told “it’s all real.” The sharp-tongued Alexander Hartgrave intrigued me from the beginning. The man had a certain flair; as the author put it, “even his compliments were insulting.” He reminded me of Professor Snape--if Snape were an IT director and more sexy than surly. I relished his clashes with Emily.
But really the way the novel is reminiscent of Harry Potter is the whole idea of hidden magic in our ordinary world. The magical system and basic premise itself though isn’t quite like anything I’ve read. But the bottom line is that it’s just such a witty and fun book to read with lots of memorable turns of phrase, great sense of pace and a nicely twisty plot. In the interest of full disclosure, I did receive a free copy of this ebook from the author for early review--but no strings. Truly, a good read--I loved it.
November 29, 2021
I love love this book. I’ve met IT guys just like this snarky, competent jerk with a heart of gold. Fun view of a world like ours but different.
March 16, 2022
2.5 rounding down.
Has flashes of brilliance, but shows a far far less developed writer than her later Clandestine trilogy.
Has flashes of brilliance, but shows a far far less developed writer than her later Clandestine trilogy.
January 30, 2014
Opening lines: ‘…Emily didn’t do anything more exotic than press send on an email, for God’s sake, but every pixel on the screen wobbled and came to rest off kilter…’
Emily Daggett is in her late 20s and firmly believes in magic. So much so that she teaches history at university – specializing in the study of magic through history. She is unwilling to let go of her belief in a fantasy world and all she wants is to be trained to be trained as a wizard and do magical stuff. The reality is though she is stuck in the depths of a university as a contract history professor and doing constant battle with her computer. Nothing magical about that. Her constant PC breakdowns brings her into daily contact with the bald grumpy IT technician Alexander Hartgrave. He is always rude and abrupt with her and seems to despise her for the breakdowns. This all changes when one night, working late Emily falls asleep in her room at the university and is woken up when she hears footsteps in the night. She follows the footsteps (as any girl would alone at night in spooky basements beneath a university) and discovers that there is a secret room with Alexander in it, and he can do magic! Of course she begs him to teach her, begging turns to nagging and finally she learns the bitter truth. There is magic everywhere, but he can’t teach her magic as she kills magic, she is anti-magic, and as modern magic is deeply integrated into technology her life is at risk. Emily is crushed, she can never fly safely, can’t drive a modern car or use a smart phone she even kills watches. Despite this shaky start their relationship develops as she needs to learn how to survive in a world stuffed full of technology. Then the baddies appear, or are they baddies? Lives need to be saved and Emily now has not only found out that magic is real she now knows there is magic for good and magic for evil and she has to work out who is telling the truth before any more lives are lost.
I loved Emily’s lack of ability with her work computer – in fact I SO relate to just doing innocent things on the computer and having the whole thing crashing!! I also firmly believe in magic – I just haven’t found evidence of it yet, unless I am a magic killer too – gee that would explain a lot! Emily is stubborn and smart with very strong ethics. She’s not afraid of hard work and is willing to stand and fight for what she thinks is right. Then there is Alexander. I found him to be totally sarcastic and horrible at first until I finally got to see the real man – the caring, sharing, likeable man. I do feel that the support acts could have been padded out more, I would have liked to get to know some of them better – even the baddies, what did the choose evil over good. I am not sure if there is going to be a sequel at this stage but there is certainly scope for one and maybe then we can learn the backstories of some of the other characters. The message certainly comes over that everything in the world is not black and white – there are shades of grey – and I thank that grey is magic. I enjoyed the story it is very clever with plenty of witty repartee, humour, twists and turns and drama to keep me turning the pages. There is romance too but it is really secondary to the exciting adventure that is front and centre of the plot. I will certainly read any sequel to The Opposite of Magic, in fact the author is working on a series that is also magic in the modern world and I would happily read them too.
Rating: C – Above average. Was very readable and I really liked it but was easily able to put it down and walk away for a while.
Emily Daggett is in her late 20s and firmly believes in magic. So much so that she teaches history at university – specializing in the study of magic through history. She is unwilling to let go of her belief in a fantasy world and all she wants is to be trained to be trained as a wizard and do magical stuff. The reality is though she is stuck in the depths of a university as a contract history professor and doing constant battle with her computer. Nothing magical about that. Her constant PC breakdowns brings her into daily contact with the bald grumpy IT technician Alexander Hartgrave. He is always rude and abrupt with her and seems to despise her for the breakdowns. This all changes when one night, working late Emily falls asleep in her room at the university and is woken up when she hears footsteps in the night. She follows the footsteps (as any girl would alone at night in spooky basements beneath a university) and discovers that there is a secret room with Alexander in it, and he can do magic! Of course she begs him to teach her, begging turns to nagging and finally she learns the bitter truth. There is magic everywhere, but he can’t teach her magic as she kills magic, she is anti-magic, and as modern magic is deeply integrated into technology her life is at risk. Emily is crushed, she can never fly safely, can’t drive a modern car or use a smart phone she even kills watches. Despite this shaky start their relationship develops as she needs to learn how to survive in a world stuffed full of technology. Then the baddies appear, or are they baddies? Lives need to be saved and Emily now has not only found out that magic is real she now knows there is magic for good and magic for evil and she has to work out who is telling the truth before any more lives are lost.
I loved Emily’s lack of ability with her work computer – in fact I SO relate to just doing innocent things on the computer and having the whole thing crashing!! I also firmly believe in magic – I just haven’t found evidence of it yet, unless I am a magic killer too – gee that would explain a lot! Emily is stubborn and smart with very strong ethics. She’s not afraid of hard work and is willing to stand and fight for what she thinks is right. Then there is Alexander. I found him to be totally sarcastic and horrible at first until I finally got to see the real man – the caring, sharing, likeable man. I do feel that the support acts could have been padded out more, I would have liked to get to know some of them better – even the baddies, what did the choose evil over good. I am not sure if there is going to be a sequel at this stage but there is certainly scope for one and maybe then we can learn the backstories of some of the other characters. The message certainly comes over that everything in the world is not black and white – there are shades of grey – and I thank that grey is magic. I enjoyed the story it is very clever with plenty of witty repartee, humour, twists and turns and drama to keep me turning the pages. There is romance too but it is really secondary to the exciting adventure that is front and centre of the plot. I will certainly read any sequel to The Opposite of Magic, in fact the author is working on a series that is also magic in the modern world and I would happily read them too.
Rating: C – Above average. Was very readable and I really liked it but was easily able to put it down and walk away for a while.
March 28, 2014
The Opposite of Magic by Colleen Cowley
I received this book in exchange for an honest review by the Author and the “Lovers of Paranormal” Group on Goodreads.com
This is a brilliant book that I absolutely loved. This book is very well crafted. The book follows the story of Dr Emily Daggett, a member of Ashburn Colleges faculty, she has few friends, lives in the basement of the College building to save on money, is working hard to get tenure, just wants her computer to work properly so as to avoid the grumpy IT -Guy and is completely obsessed with all things magic. Then one fateful night she stumbles on the very same IT- Guy, Alexander Hartgrave in a room that she didn’t know existed, doing some wonderful things. I don’t want to spoil the story, so that is all I am going to say about the plot. But I will say that the plot is excellent, and very well thought out. The style of writing is rich and descriptive and flows well, making the book an easy read. The characters are well described and true to life. The romantic element between Emily and Alexander is touching, but it is not the usual formulated love story that you see over and over again. This book is a real page turner that will have you hooked until the very end. If you love books with a Supernatural theme, then you will enjoy this one. I hope this book is part of a series as I can’t wait for the next book to come out, otherwise I will just have to go and re-read this one. I will definitely be looking for more of this talented authors work.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review by the Author and the “Lovers of Paranormal” Group on Goodreads.com
This is a brilliant book that I absolutely loved. This book is very well crafted. The book follows the story of Dr Emily Daggett, a member of Ashburn Colleges faculty, she has few friends, lives in the basement of the College building to save on money, is working hard to get tenure, just wants her computer to work properly so as to avoid the grumpy IT -Guy and is completely obsessed with all things magic. Then one fateful night she stumbles on the very same IT- Guy, Alexander Hartgrave in a room that she didn’t know existed, doing some wonderful things. I don’t want to spoil the story, so that is all I am going to say about the plot. But I will say that the plot is excellent, and very well thought out. The style of writing is rich and descriptive and flows well, making the book an easy read. The characters are well described and true to life. The romantic element between Emily and Alexander is touching, but it is not the usual formulated love story that you see over and over again. This book is a real page turner that will have you hooked until the very end. If you love books with a Supernatural theme, then you will enjoy this one. I hope this book is part of a series as I can’t wait for the next book to come out, otherwise I will just have to go and re-read this one. I will definitely be looking for more of this talented authors work.
October 21, 2013
If You Love Magical Romance, You'll Love This!
Author Colleen Cowley has produced a novel with all my favorite elements: romance, humor, adventure, and magic. Her heroine is a young woman I could identify with: a quirky introvert with a bookworm's love of magical adventure. Her hero captured first my interest and then my heart. He is difficult, disagreeable, and mysterious. What woman could fail to be attracted by such magnetism? Oh, he does have charisma, believe me, with his unconventional appearance, the long dark duster that he wears almost like a superhero's cape, and his seeming inability to stay away from our heroine, who finds him both irritating and fascinating. Their dance of attraction begins to agitate slowly, threading details of the hero's secrets and hints of his past into the tapestry of their relationship. As the dance quickened, I found myself growing a bit breathless as I, too, fell under the spell of Alexander Hartgrave, the irresistible enigma - so much so that when the actual adventure commenced with a bang, I couldn't read fast enough to find out everything I wanted to know. The climax of the adventure was unexpected and perfectly executed by this talented author. I found it to be an enormously satisfying read, and I urge you: read now! You'll want to thank me - but thank the author instead, for the gift of this well-crafted tale.
Author Colleen Cowley has produced a novel with all my favorite elements: romance, humor, adventure, and magic. Her heroine is a young woman I could identify with: a quirky introvert with a bookworm's love of magical adventure. Her hero captured first my interest and then my heart. He is difficult, disagreeable, and mysterious. What woman could fail to be attracted by such magnetism? Oh, he does have charisma, believe me, with his unconventional appearance, the long dark duster that he wears almost like a superhero's cape, and his seeming inability to stay away from our heroine, who finds him both irritating and fascinating. Their dance of attraction begins to agitate slowly, threading details of the hero's secrets and hints of his past into the tapestry of their relationship. As the dance quickened, I found myself growing a bit breathless as I, too, fell under the spell of Alexander Hartgrave, the irresistible enigma - so much so that when the actual adventure commenced with a bang, I couldn't read fast enough to find out everything I wanted to know. The climax of the adventure was unexpected and perfectly executed by this talented author. I found it to be an enormously satisfying read, and I urge you: read now! You'll want to thank me - but thank the author instead, for the gift of this well-crafted tale.
October 8, 2013
If I were to discuss everything I loved about this book, I'd have to retype the entire novel. So, to keep it concise, I'll just say that the author combines all the elements of great storytelling in a novel that defies genres. Is it a fantasy? Yes -- and yet the main characters have to deal with real-world problems, too. Is there romance? Yes -- and yet the romantic elements avoid all of the weakness of formulaic romances. I fell in love with the main characters, and yet I appreciated the fact that neither is perfect. I couldn't get over how real they felt, even while they were experiencing this fantastical adventure.
The Opposite of Magic is a fun, clever book, and yet, it's something more than that, too. I can't get the characters out of my head, and the author's ideas about magic in the modern world have stuck with me. So, if you're looking for that rare gem -- a novel that offers an escape and yet still makes you think -- this is it.
The Opposite of Magic is a fun, clever book, and yet, it's something more than that, too. I can't get the characters out of my head, and the author's ideas about magic in the modern world have stuck with me. So, if you're looking for that rare gem -- a novel that offers an escape and yet still makes you think -- this is it.
November 21, 2021
In the middle of reading thoughts: How things have changed! I'm not used to reading books that assume that I'm educated enough to understand a conversation in German without translation or explanation included. It was kind of an ego boost (to assume the average reader is that educated), but also an anachronism, because most books like this are more easy-reader level now. Regardless, I was glad to have my kindle in order to highlight and translate so I didn't miss anything. ;-)
I enjoyed this and particularly the way it wasn't predictable. Its not perfect, but it was a fun read.
I enjoyed this and particularly the way it wasn't predictable. Its not perfect, but it was a fun read.
May 3, 2021
Strong start, but almost DNF, because this book just dragged on for way too long. I wound up skimming a lot towards the end in particular. I think this book would have been better if it had been edited down to 200 pages instead of being dragged out for almost 400 pages. Still it started as an interesting concept and was free on KU.
August 6, 2016
Hmm...this was an interesting read for me. I enjoyed the book and the story, but it read like a children's book for me. Not sure that is what the author meant, but it was good, just unexpected and so I kept having issues with the story. I kept forgetting that Emily is supposed to be older. I remember in the middle of the book she yells how she is 26 and I thought wait what? Really? I kept thinking she lived at home and was an early teenager. Not that she was an adult, living on her own with a college degree and teaching. I am not that much older than her, but man she did not seem her age at all. And it was not just the child like wonder and amazement with magic. It was just how she acted. I am basically a big kid myself, but I don't really act like a child...like you can still tell I am an adult (though if you come in my house most people assume I have kids...which I don't and when they find out they look at me strangely...like why all the toys then?). So I get the child-like aspect she should have, but she just came off like a child to me.
It is not that I didn't like Emily, though she did get on my nerves at times with how immature she was. If she could have done the same things in a different way and I wouldn't have been as annoyed by them. She is very naive and very....she wants her way all the time. Hartgrove didn't want to teach her about magic, but she just keeps pestering him until he gives in somewhat. She could be a bit annoying at times, but she was not all bad. I did enjoyed her wonder of magic and if this was a children's book and was younger then I think she would be a great character. As an adult she just didn't make sense to me so I had some issues trying to resolve that in my mind.
Hartgrove was fun. I liked how grumpy he was, how he always egged Emily on and riled her up. I liked how he felt responsible for some horrible things that had happened so he was trying to right the wrongs. I enjoyed reading him, though the end where he tells Emily a sort of lie was a bit much. I didn't understand why Emily was dead set on that sort of lie (not really, but it kind of is) being something that makes her be unhappy forever, especially since she didn't get any details! It is obvious that if you knew Hartgrove he blames himself for a lot of things. It just seemed a bit much that she wouldn't even try and get the details and see it from his point of view. Again if she were much younger I would have just written this off to age, but she is older and it didn't make sense to me. It felt like she was just being a stubborn little kid.
As for the basic story I enjoyed it. I don't read many stories about magic and it was a fun read. Again there were parts where I was just like really? I also felt it was a bit simplistic and I just can't get the idea that it is a children's book out of my head. It is like the early Harry Potter books. I read them and could understand why everyone loved them so much, but they still read like children's books to me. They were kids books, but not written like the children were idiots so adults could read them as well. Good, but not amazing adult books. Does that even make sense? It is just a different category for me and while I enjoyed the story a lot it still was missing something to make it more grown up. I don't know. I enjoyed it, but have a hard time reconciling everything in my head.
It is not that I didn't like Emily, though she did get on my nerves at times with how immature she was. If she could have done the same things in a different way and I wouldn't have been as annoyed by them. She is very naive and very....she wants her way all the time. Hartgrove didn't want to teach her about magic, but she just keeps pestering him until he gives in somewhat. She could be a bit annoying at times, but she was not all bad. I did enjoyed her wonder of magic and if this was a children's book and was younger then I think she would be a great character. As an adult she just didn't make sense to me so I had some issues trying to resolve that in my mind.
Hartgrove was fun. I liked how grumpy he was, how he always egged Emily on and riled her up. I liked how he felt responsible for some horrible things that had happened so he was trying to right the wrongs. I enjoyed reading him, though the end where he tells Emily a sort of lie was a bit much. I didn't understand why Emily was dead set on that sort of lie (not really, but it kind of is) being something that makes her be unhappy forever, especially since she didn't get any details! It is obvious that if you knew Hartgrove he blames himself for a lot of things. It just seemed a bit much that she wouldn't even try and get the details and see it from his point of view. Again if she were much younger I would have just written this off to age, but she is older and it didn't make sense to me. It felt like she was just being a stubborn little kid.
As for the basic story I enjoyed it. I don't read many stories about magic and it was a fun read. Again there were parts where I was just like really? I also felt it was a bit simplistic and I just can't get the idea that it is a children's book out of my head. It is like the early Harry Potter books. I read them and could understand why everyone loved them so much, but they still read like children's books to me. They were kids books, but not written like the children were idiots so adults could read them as well. Good, but not amazing adult books. Does that even make sense? It is just a different category for me and while I enjoyed the story a lot it still was missing something to make it more grown up. I don't know. I enjoyed it, but have a hard time reconciling everything in my head.
November 9, 2013
The Opposite of Magic. Colleen Cowley.
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews.
I was contacted by Colleen after she read my review of another fiction book about magic. Having read and been hooked by the sample I was eager to review the whole story. I wasn't disappointed, its a fabulous read, full of a slow burn romance, spells, magic, battles and mystery.
Like Emily I’ve been fascinated by stories about magic since childhood – and in my heart I’d love to think that actually magic could be real...some people never grow up I guess:) As a child I was convinced I’d be able to fly, or move things with my mind if I just tried hard enough – must have looked slightly mad to onlookers :) I asked my parents for a magic wand once for Christmas, dad said they were very expensive and if he bought me one he'd have no money for presents for everyone else. Silly man! I told him I'd just magic what he needed.....didn't get one though :(
Anyway, back to the book...Emily – how I identify with her, and I share the way tech hates her, it hates me too.....She was such a persistent character she made me laugh. I could understand they way her mind worked - at school I was always getting board rubbers thrown at me for day dreaming, or asking questions that teachers didn't want to answer..so when she kept on at Alex for information he clearly didn't want to give I was rooting for her, and understood her burning need for answers. I loved the way their relationship changed from one of dislike to love, a real slow burn but welcome change. Also the way he wasn't some Merlinesque person but an IT worker. What seems less like magic than technology – then Colleen manages to merge them both :) Clever stuff, and opened up the whole plot of danger, disaster, wizards and witches, good and evil, leading to a fast moving, life threatening climax to the ending.
Its a great story, with plots that flow easily, a cast that seem real, and a feeling of magic running through the whole book. There were just the right amount of characters to tell the story, Bernie and Willi – loved them and of course the trio of offensive and selfish evildoers to create the danger needed. Sometimes authors bring in so many different people that they detract from the plot, and I have to keep backtracking to see where they all fit in. Here though colleen has the perfect balance of people needed to tell the story, and it works to create a novel that's easy to read and fun and enjoyable. I do love a bit of romance in my reading too, and its just perfect here. Enough to add interest but not to dominate the story. To add emotion especially when things go wrong, and to make me feel good at the end :) I love my HEAs. Priced at just £1.94/$3.09 for 252 pages its a bargain.
Stars: great book, cracking read, full five stars.
NB: ARC supplied via author.
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews.
I was contacted by Colleen after she read my review of another fiction book about magic. Having read and been hooked by the sample I was eager to review the whole story. I wasn't disappointed, its a fabulous read, full of a slow burn romance, spells, magic, battles and mystery.
Like Emily I’ve been fascinated by stories about magic since childhood – and in my heart I’d love to think that actually magic could be real...some people never grow up I guess:) As a child I was convinced I’d be able to fly, or move things with my mind if I just tried hard enough – must have looked slightly mad to onlookers :) I asked my parents for a magic wand once for Christmas, dad said they were very expensive and if he bought me one he'd have no money for presents for everyone else. Silly man! I told him I'd just magic what he needed.....didn't get one though :(
Anyway, back to the book...Emily – how I identify with her, and I share the way tech hates her, it hates me too.....She was such a persistent character she made me laugh. I could understand they way her mind worked - at school I was always getting board rubbers thrown at me for day dreaming, or asking questions that teachers didn't want to answer..so when she kept on at Alex for information he clearly didn't want to give I was rooting for her, and understood her burning need for answers. I loved the way their relationship changed from one of dislike to love, a real slow burn but welcome change. Also the way he wasn't some Merlinesque person but an IT worker. What seems less like magic than technology – then Colleen manages to merge them both :) Clever stuff, and opened up the whole plot of danger, disaster, wizards and witches, good and evil, leading to a fast moving, life threatening climax to the ending.
Its a great story, with plots that flow easily, a cast that seem real, and a feeling of magic running through the whole book. There were just the right amount of characters to tell the story, Bernie and Willi – loved them and of course the trio of offensive and selfish evildoers to create the danger needed. Sometimes authors bring in so many different people that they detract from the plot, and I have to keep backtracking to see where they all fit in. Here though colleen has the perfect balance of people needed to tell the story, and it works to create a novel that's easy to read and fun and enjoyable. I do love a bit of romance in my reading too, and its just perfect here. Enough to add interest but not to dominate the story. To add emotion especially when things go wrong, and to make me feel good at the end :) I love my HEAs. Priced at just £1.94/$3.09 for 252 pages its a bargain.
Stars: great book, cracking read, full five stars.
NB: ARC supplied via author.
April 23, 2014
Emily Daggett had always hoped to find proof that magic actually exists, but when she finds a real life magic user (who REALLY doesn't like to be called wizard), it's just all wrong - her beloved novels had really promised better! The man is obnoxious, frowns at the idea of a wand and refuses vehemently to teach her anything. At least he agrees to let her watch him doing magic... sometimes. As if her life hadn't been hard enough already - teaching and researching in a small College on a one year contract and with very meager prospects for further employment - Emily is told that she will never be doing any magic. With her childhood dream gone she is just about to call it a day (or half a year) when suddenly she finds herself head over heels in an adventure that could be right out of a fairytale. Except that there is no wise old wizard on her side and the difference between good ad bad is far from black and white. At least Emily has got one thing on her side: She's The Opposite of Magic.
"Once upon a time..." is usually how tales about magic, evil wizards, obnoxious convincers and far-too-nosy-for-their-own-good researchers start. Not that these characters sound or are in any way usual, and neither is their story - which is why this book doesn't start, but end with those famous words.
With an enchanting lovestory, lots of humor and wonderfully flawed and endearing characters this tale has all the classic ingredients of a good novel, but also that extra twist that makes it absolutely unique.
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in some time. The characters and story have depth and seem to be taken just out of real life. The plot is enthralling and funny and takes a few unexpected turns and the love story is authentic in my opinion. I recommend this book to everyone who likes books about magic (so to everyone there is ^^).
I received this book in exchange for an honest review by the Lovers of Paranormal group.
"Once upon a time..." is usually how tales about magic, evil wizards, obnoxious convincers and far-too-nosy-for-their-own-good researchers start. Not that these characters sound or are in any way usual, and neither is their story - which is why this book doesn't start, but end with those famous words.
With an enchanting lovestory, lots of humor and wonderfully flawed and endearing characters this tale has all the classic ingredients of a good novel, but also that extra twist that makes it absolutely unique.
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in some time. The characters and story have depth and seem to be taken just out of real life. The plot is enthralling and funny and takes a few unexpected turns and the love story is authentic in my opinion. I recommend this book to everyone who likes books about magic (so to everyone there is ^^).
I received this book in exchange for an honest review by the Lovers of Paranormal group.
October 29, 2022
Having devoured the Clandestine Magic series, I was sure I would enjoy this story just as much. I was not disappointed!
Emily is so easy to identify with, and Alexander Hartgrave - well he's not your average wizard, and is a rather unlikely hero on the face of it, but like Emily I found myself gradually warming to him. Oh there is so much to this man than he wants to reveal, and he hates being called a 'wizard', preferring the term 'convincer'! The bickering and banter between these two characters made them really come alive and at times made me want to laugh out loud.
I'm not going to give away any 'spoilers', you really need to read this great story and experience all its twists and turns yourself. Sufficient to say the supporting characters are strong and realistically drawn, including the evil antagonists, there is intrigue, suspense and danger aplenty, and as in the best romances, for me anyway, a gradual journey to a reluctant friendship which eventually turns to love, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
If you like magic, mystery and romance and you've never read any of Colleen Cowley's books I can recommend that you start with this one. I'm pretty sure you'll want to read her other books too.
(By the way, the version I read has a new cover - so much better than the old one, check it out on Amazon)
Emily is so easy to identify with, and Alexander Hartgrave - well he's not your average wizard, and is a rather unlikely hero on the face of it, but like Emily I found myself gradually warming to him. Oh there is so much to this man than he wants to reveal, and he hates being called a 'wizard', preferring the term 'convincer'! The bickering and banter between these two characters made them really come alive and at times made me want to laugh out loud.
I'm not going to give away any 'spoilers', you really need to read this great story and experience all its twists and turns yourself. Sufficient to say the supporting characters are strong and realistically drawn, including the evil antagonists, there is intrigue, suspense and danger aplenty, and as in the best romances, for me anyway, a gradual journey to a reluctant friendship which eventually turns to love, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
If you like magic, mystery and romance and you've never read any of Colleen Cowley's books I can recommend that you start with this one. I'm pretty sure you'll want to read her other books too.
(By the way, the version I read has a new cover - so much better than the old one, check it out on Amazon)
December 20, 2013
In exchange for an honest review on RI & R, I was given the chance to read the book, The Opposite of Magic by Colleen Cowley.
I was excited to read this, after reading the blurb, and those of you who know how clumsy I am can see how this would be appealing. You hope, and picture, certain situations I life going perfectly, according to plan, only to have it all back fire on you. Trust me, I have these days OFTEN.
To see Emily dream, and have hopes, for things in life to exist, and in the manner she's always dreamt of, is highly relatable. To have some hopes be crushed as it was NOT in the manner she dreamt, is a normal thing, again easy to picture.
The way the story unfolds, the twists, turns and how sometimes, when we think our dreams have been eternally extinguished only to have your eyes open wider when you can actually see the whole picture is actually better than what we, Emily, had hoped for, is what makes this a great story.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful version of perspective, and life lessons.
I was excited to read this, after reading the blurb, and those of you who know how clumsy I am can see how this would be appealing. You hope, and picture, certain situations I life going perfectly, according to plan, only to have it all back fire on you. Trust me, I have these days OFTEN.
To see Emily dream, and have hopes, for things in life to exist, and in the manner she's always dreamt of, is highly relatable. To have some hopes be crushed as it was NOT in the manner she dreamt, is a normal thing, again easy to picture.
The way the story unfolds, the twists, turns and how sometimes, when we think our dreams have been eternally extinguished only to have your eyes open wider when you can actually see the whole picture is actually better than what we, Emily, had hoped for, is what makes this a great story.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful version of perspective, and life lessons.
March 8, 2021
I loved this book so much I actually read it twice in order to get all the details I missed during the first reading (because I read it fast :D).
I related strongly to the main character, because come on, who doesn't wish they found out magic was real? She came off a little childish at times, but the point of the book was to see her mature, so it didn't bother me too much, especially since she was otherwise capable, intelligent, and brave (I've since started reading The Paper Magician which has a terribly whiny main character and it makes me appreciate Emily even more). There weren't many characters in the book and the plot, despite involving basically the whole world, felt a bit small in scope because of it, but it worked well.
I enjoyed the fact the author kept poking fun at some fantasy tropes/clichés like the main characters always being orphans, etc.
It's a standalone book but I definitely wouldn't mind if there were a sequel.
I related strongly to the main character, because come on, who doesn't wish they found out magic was real? She came off a little childish at times, but the point of the book was to see her mature, so it didn't bother me too much, especially since she was otherwise capable, intelligent, and brave (I've since started reading The Paper Magician which has a terribly whiny main character and it makes me appreciate Emily even more). There weren't many characters in the book and the plot, despite involving basically the whole world, felt a bit small in scope because of it, but it worked well.
I enjoyed the fact the author kept poking fun at some fantasy tropes/clichés like the main characters always being orphans, etc.
It's a standalone book but I definitely wouldn't mind if there were a sequel.
April 7, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal, LoP).
When I first started reading this book, I really wasn't sure if I was going to like it; Emily Daggett, college professor, has made it her life's mission to be a wizard, even though she's never been able to definitively prove magic is real. To me, Emily is nothing more than a middle schooler in a grown-up's body. True, she's 26, but she seemed to be an immature 26, trying to prove that magic is real. Alexander Hartgrave is the moody IT guy who seems to actively dislike Emily (because she's not very computer savvy?). Anyway, the first half of the book just seemed to drag on; finally a little past the halfway point the story begins to pick up and bless us, Emily finally begins to act like an adult. But for me, it was too little too late; I had no connection to any of the characters in the book.
When I first started reading this book, I really wasn't sure if I was going to like it; Emily Daggett, college professor, has made it her life's mission to be a wizard, even though she's never been able to definitively prove magic is real. To me, Emily is nothing more than a middle schooler in a grown-up's body. True, she's 26, but she seemed to be an immature 26, trying to prove that magic is real. Alexander Hartgrave is the moody IT guy who seems to actively dislike Emily (because she's not very computer savvy?). Anyway, the first half of the book just seemed to drag on; finally a little past the halfway point the story begins to pick up and bless us, Emily finally begins to act like an adult. But for me, it was too little too late; I had no connection to any of the characters in the book.
October 27, 2020
Once upon a time...
As usual I must point out the The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream are 5 star stories. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were 4 stars,
That said, this writer ranks 4stars too. Sure, the writing isn't as majestic as Tolkien. She makes up for that by her thoroughly new take on magic. She writes as well as Lewis, and quite frankly her take on contemporary affairs, and the subject of her new books, makes more sense than Lewis ever did, despite the number of fans of Lewis there are out there. She is truly a must read, despite the romantic features of her work. AND she can write, unlike many of the Kindle Unlimited authors.
Read this book. Then read Subversive and Radical. You owe it to yourself to think sometimes. And MS. Cowley makes you think.
As usual I must point out the The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream are 5 star stories. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were 4 stars,
That said, this writer ranks 4stars too. Sure, the writing isn't as majestic as Tolkien. She makes up for that by her thoroughly new take on magic. She writes as well as Lewis, and quite frankly her take on contemporary affairs, and the subject of her new books, makes more sense than Lewis ever did, despite the number of fans of Lewis there are out there. She is truly a must read, despite the romantic features of her work. AND she can write, unlike many of the Kindle Unlimited authors.
Read this book. Then read Subversive and Radical. You owe it to yourself to think sometimes. And MS. Cowley makes you think.
February 12, 2021
Interesting Premise, But...
I liked the idea of the story and some of the characters, but Emily is frankly dumb. She has a PhD but acts like a 13 year old. She thinks because of the way magic is written about in books that real magic must be the same. Nevermind that there are every book writes about magic differently, for a professor of history to make this assumption is just irritating. And yes, this is supposed to be her flaw that she finally overcomes, but it's hard to believe that a grown woman would need to learn this. Not to mention she jumps to conclusions how many times? And even though she ends up wrong, she never seems to learn to ask more questions before making decisions.
I liked the idea of the story and some of the characters, but Emily is frankly dumb. She has a PhD but acts like a 13 year old. She thinks because of the way magic is written about in books that real magic must be the same. Nevermind that there are every book writes about magic differently, for a professor of history to make this assumption is just irritating. And yes, this is supposed to be her flaw that she finally overcomes, but it's hard to believe that a grown woman would need to learn this. Not to mention she jumps to conclusions how many times? And even though she ends up wrong, she never seems to learn to ask more questions before making decisions.
September 23, 2021
Opposites attract
Ms Cowley sees magic differently than most. She creates a character whose talent is the opposite of magical. Dr Emily Doggett can't be around magic without undoing it. Her specialty is History of Magic but there aren't many openings for college professors in that field. And somehow, she manages to muck up her computer constantly to the point that the head of IT hates her. She discovers quite by accident that there is a secret room in the basement where her office is located and the adventure she's always wanted begins.
Ms Cowley sees magic differently than most. She creates a character whose talent is the opposite of magical. Dr Emily Doggett can't be around magic without undoing it. Her specialty is History of Magic but there aren't many openings for college professors in that field. And somehow, she manages to muck up her computer constantly to the point that the head of IT hates her. She discovers quite by accident that there is a secret room in the basement where her office is located and the adventure she's always wanted begins.
December 9, 2021
Better Than Expected! Stick With It!!
After reading some of the reviews, I didn’t have high hopes for this. And especially since the beginning does seem to creep along rather slowly and boringly. BUT…
I’m so glad I stuck it out. It does begin to pick up steam, and starts to engage the reader more and more.
I also truly appreciate the fact that the author didn’t feel the need to turn this into a trilogy, like every other author out there, especially in the E-world for the last few years.
The wrap up is happily ever after and leaves no lose ends to wonder about later.
After reading some of the reviews, I didn’t have high hopes for this. And especially since the beginning does seem to creep along rather slowly and boringly. BUT…
I’m so glad I stuck it out. It does begin to pick up steam, and starts to engage the reader more and more.
I also truly appreciate the fact that the author didn’t feel the need to turn this into a trilogy, like every other author out there, especially in the E-world for the last few years.
The wrap up is happily ever after and leaves no lose ends to wonder about later.
September 6, 2021
Great story!
Loved this from start to finish. I absolutely loved this unique take on magic and how it works. The main character was very relatable to anyone who grew up loving to reading adventures. This story had a wonderful romance, action, adventure, and friendship. Couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend!
Loved this from start to finish. I absolutely loved this unique take on magic and how it works. The main character was very relatable to anyone who grew up loving to reading adventures. This story had a wonderful romance, action, adventure, and friendship. Couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend!
June 17, 2015
I LOVED the characters and the ingenuity of the paranormal aspects of the story. I couldn't give the novel 5 stars because there were times I felt that the magic system could have been developed a little further, but I will definitely be checking out other works by this author.
June 18, 2021
Great read
I enjoyed the main cast of characters a great deal. This was a fun, enticing, easy read. Would definitely recommend
I enjoyed the main cast of characters a great deal. This was a fun, enticing, easy read. Would definitely recommend
December 17, 2023
The book was enjoyable, but nothing outstanding for me.
The writing was good, the background story interesting, but limited and didn't make enough sense. Too many loose strands. Like why and by whom was magic "hidden" after the enlightenment age until the computer/information age? Too many holes.
And if almost all could do magic, 2 assassins surely would not be enough to wink unplanned magic out of existence and only kill "hundreds" in the past 50+ years since computer chips were used?
I liked the main characters, all 4 of them. Especially the male lead. He was brooding and German. A nerd but still decisive and a bit controlling. But also unsure, sweet, gentle and kind at times. I adored the use of his language in the book. I liked how goodness in the end prevailed, and was found to be real.
I liked the female lead, her optimism and spirit and barging in attitude (no restraints and no impulse control or sense of danger). I adored how her principles were more important to her, than just falling for a guy. I liked her relationship with her father, that she could talk to her him about it all, that was precious. Though she had little contact with them throughout the 5 months, which was a bit strange, to say the least. I didn't like her manipulating the male character so much. And I didn't like that their love story was basically done and dusted by the first half of the book. It should've been building more towards the end.
The end scene on the other hand, was too dragged out. And the training was soooooooo super boring. I ended up skipping some pages. No one wants to read pages and pages of someone jumping from point A to point B. The most exiting bit was when she was stranded next to the road and the action following that scene. Pity we didn't see more such scenes thereafter, but just boring training. And then the dragged out (too much talking and repetitive actions) end battle. And the whole "discovery" of the room's secrets was a bit too contrived. More than 'a bit' actually.
All in all, it kept me entertained for a day.
The writing was good, the background story interesting, but limited and didn't make enough sense. Too many loose strands. Like why and by whom was magic "hidden" after the enlightenment age until the computer/information age? Too many holes.
And if almost all could do magic, 2 assassins surely would not be enough to wink unplanned magic out of existence and only kill "hundreds" in the past 50+ years since computer chips were used?
I liked the main characters, all 4 of them. Especially the male lead. He was brooding and German. A nerd but still decisive and a bit controlling. But also unsure, sweet, gentle and kind at times. I adored the use of his language in the book. I liked how goodness in the end prevailed, and was found to be real.
I liked the female lead, her optimism and spirit and barging in attitude (no restraints and no impulse control or sense of danger). I adored how her principles were more important to her, than just falling for a guy. I liked her relationship with her father, that she could talk to her him about it all, that was precious. Though she had little contact with them throughout the 5 months, which was a bit strange, to say the least. I didn't like her manipulating the male character so much. And I didn't like that their love story was basically done and dusted by the first half of the book. It should've been building more towards the end.
The end scene on the other hand, was too dragged out. And the training was soooooooo super boring. I ended up skipping some pages. No one wants to read pages and pages of someone jumping from point A to point B. The most exiting bit was when she was stranded next to the road and the action following that scene. Pity we didn't see more such scenes thereafter, but just boring training. And then the dragged out (too much talking and repetitive actions) end battle. And the whole "discovery" of the room's secrets was a bit too contrived. More than 'a bit' actually.
All in all, it kept me entertained for a day.
February 16, 2023
I liked the beginning of this a lot, and loved that slow burn! I would probably give this 3.5 stars, or even three, but really like this author, so it’s getting four. Mostly I found the ethically grappling with killing people to be a really shallow exploration of what that means. She doesn’t even try to talk to him… then it turns out that his actions led to people’s death and for some reason that is totally okay. And like… I didn’t have an issue with it, but it just seemed like she gave it no thought. She’s just like, ‘oh, well if you didn’t literally do it, then it’s totally fine, no further discussion needed’. But literally killing people is never ever okay for some reason. I just found this very rule based, rather than ethically and contextually examined. So that weirded me out. Felt a little like the white person argument that violence against Nazis is bad, and just like. No, no it’s not. Punch that Nazi every single time. The writer gets around it by having the baddies killing their own people, either by accident or on purpose, and like - that’s convenient… Now your characters get to stay pure or something… What an easy way to determine morality. One of the side characters avenges his dead wife by killing the super evil dude, but that is the only death allowed and it’s the side character who we are least connected to who does it. I just… was disappointed by what felt like a really shallow examination of what is a highly complex and emotionally difficult idea.
Also, there were multiple times where she just immediately doubts him, and sure, he has been secretive, but surely she knew him well enough to question it a bit more.
Update, 13/02/2023: read the short stories, which were very cute. Too short to properly review, but sweet little extras to enjoy.
Also, there were multiple times where she just immediately doubts him, and sure, he has been secretive, but surely she knew him well enough to question it a bit more.
Update, 13/02/2023: read the short stories, which were very cute. Too short to properly review, but sweet little extras to enjoy.
January 11, 2024
This is the fifth book I've read in Cowley's Clandestine Magic world. I freely admit that this one took longer to get into than the others, which caught my interest from the first pages. I also had to set it aside for a few days, which also contributed to it taking longer to get into.
I think the main difference between the Clandestine Magic series and this one was that the magic that was present in the series from the very beginning was completely absent in this one--it was a fairly run-of-the-mill struggling new faculty member having conflict with a tech guy, which waved the "enemies to friends" trope flag from the start. It's a trope that I enjoy, but that wasn't what I was expecting from Cowley. Fortunately, my stubbornness at sticking it out was amply rewarded and the reasons for the slow start made absolute sense. And, TBH, I think this was my absolute favourite book of hers so far. I loved the characters, I loved their stories and the direction their histories took the plot. I was really sad when the book ended.
Fortunately for me, the next book in the series is coming out fairly soon, but my fingers are crossed that she's hard at work on her computer, because she can't write fast enough for me!
I think the main difference between the Clandestine Magic series and this one was that the magic that was present in the series from the very beginning was completely absent in this one--it was a fairly run-of-the-mill struggling new faculty member having conflict with a tech guy, which waved the "enemies to friends" trope flag from the start. It's a trope that I enjoy, but that wasn't what I was expecting from Cowley. Fortunately, my stubbornness at sticking it out was amply rewarded and the reasons for the slow start made absolute sense. And, TBH, I think this was my absolute favourite book of hers so far. I loved the characters, I loved their stories and the direction their histories took the plot. I was really sad when the book ended.
Fortunately for me, the next book in the series is coming out fairly soon, but my fingers are crossed that she's hard at work on her computer, because she can't write fast enough for me!
July 20, 2025
The anti-magic was an interesting concept. The FMC (Emily) was enthusiastic about magic, but not annoyingly obsessive and inconsiderate. The author really knows how to write wizards/MMC's with an attractive demeanor. They're not perfect and excessively handsome (I assume), but they seem like men who are protective and caring in a non-alpha way. Plus they're not manwhores.
During the one intimate scene, the foreplay had great dialogue. The sex was very quick. Kinda wished it was longer, but it was tasteful. The main focus of the story was the relationship building between the main and supporting characters, the plan preparation/execution, and the Emily trying to figure out "the truth."
About 68% into book, I started losing interest, and the villain seemed like a cliche. Emily was too easily misled. And she was frustrating and naive during her capture. I couldn't get into the final fight scene either for some reason..maybe because it seemed too chaotic and confusing for me. The action scenes weren't as exhilarating as the break-in & escape scenes in the final "Clandestine Magic" book.
At 88%, I was able to get back into the story...when Emily was learning the origin of the Inferno room. I plan on reading the bonus stories.
During the one intimate scene, the foreplay had great dialogue. The sex was very quick. Kinda wished it was longer, but it was tasteful. The main focus of the story was the relationship building between the main and supporting characters, the plan preparation/execution, and the Emily trying to figure out "the truth."
About 68% into book, I started losing interest, and the villain seemed like a cliche. Emily was too easily misled. And she was frustrating and naive during her capture. I couldn't get into the final fight scene either for some reason..maybe because it seemed too chaotic and confusing for me. The action scenes weren't as exhilarating as the break-in & escape scenes in the final "Clandestine Magic" book.
At 88%, I was able to get back into the story...when Emily was learning the origin of the Inferno room. I plan on reading the bonus stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2023
Colleen Cowley just writes characters and relationships I love and get so wrapped up in. She's also great at balancing characters and story - I was totally fine just vibing with our main characters, but then when we got to the Big Plot Stuff I was still along for the ride.
I also love how close Emily is with her parents, and I just love Emily in general - she's so smart and good and real and I wanted her to be happy so much. I also really liked Alexander and loved their relationship. This is a contemporary fantasy and does fall a liiiittle bit into the contemporary hate-to-love trap (where their reasons for hating each other are a little silly/over-the-top), but by not dwelling on that part of their relationship too much Cowley easily won me over. And she's just so talented at writing chemistry!!
I also adored the way Emily's abilities were used.
(Personally, I also think Cowley is one of the best at battle/action scenes! I often get bogged down or bored in those and I never do with hers, even when they last several chapters.)
Officially a favorite author for me 💞
CW: Violence, grief, kidnapping, references to torture
I also love how close Emily is with her parents, and I just love Emily in general - she's so smart and good and real and I wanted her to be happy so much. I also really liked Alexander and loved their relationship. This is a contemporary fantasy and does fall a liiiittle bit into the contemporary hate-to-love trap (where their reasons for hating each other are a little silly/over-the-top), but by not dwelling on that part of their relationship too much Cowley easily won me over. And she's just so talented at writing chemistry!!
I also adored the way Emily's abilities were used.
(Personally, I also think Cowley is one of the best at battle/action scenes! I often get bogged down or bored in those and I never do with hers, even when they last several chapters.)
Officially a favorite author for me 💞
CW: Violence, grief, kidnapping, references to torture
September 14, 2016
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be read at The Nightly Book Owl.
After twenty-six years that had nothing in common with fantasy novels, her life was finally heading the proper direction.
Emily Daggett is a twenty-six year old woman who has never quite outgrown her love of fantasy novels. Her academic specialty is even the study of magic throughout history. Despite having grown up, she, like many of us, still wants to believe in something otherworldly, and well, magical. This comes in a form that she least expects – Alexander Hartgrave, a bald, grumpy IT worker who seems to despise her for her complete failure with anything technological. The novel shows us their relationship and dives deeper into incorporating magic in a cold and real world. However, there’s a problem. Emily apparently is one of the rare few that cannot use magic. She’s anti-magic. Talk about irony.
I liked this book a lot. The contemporary fantasy aspect of it was refreshing to me. There are no castles, no damsels in distress, no dragons to be slayed, and no curses to be broken. There is, however, a woman’s initial inability to distinguish fantasy from reality, a soul tortured by guilt, a tentative and unsure relationship, and a man’s greed from power.
“’You’re confusing life with fairy tales, Daggett.’”
Emily is such a relatable character. I’m sure most of us feel the same way that she does – we’re clinging on to the imagination of our childhood when anything was possible. We still dream. It was great to see a character that embodied this unwillingness to let go of the appeal of magic, and it was great to see her gradually accepting that magic is not as fancy and romantic as it seems in books. I love her character. She’s stubborn, smart, and has one heck of a conscience. She’s no damsel in distress, and she won’t stand by being treated as one, and throughout the book, she more than proves her worth through hard work and determination. She holds her weight intellectually and physically to Alexander, and because of this, their relationship works on so many levels.
Alexander Hartgrave is proof that snarkiness and intelligence should not equal to being an asshole. He also proves that you don’t have to be gorgeous to get a girl and that sexiness isn’t defined by outer appearance. He’s awesome, funny, caring, and totally likeable. His reason for staying away from Emily initially completely makes sense, and I found myself falling in love with the character throughout the book. Cowley has an amazing talent of making us care about her protagonists. We want to believe in them, and we want to root for them. Hartgrave and Dagett are so wonderful together without sacrificing each other’s true selves.
Not just because the two questions might be related, but because a mystery involving a shadowy wizard promised adventure. Nothing was more seductive than that.
I am not a huge fan of romance, but The Opposite of Magic is proof that done well, it can be enjoyable. The romance in this novel wasn’t the main aspect, but it was the highlight of this novel for me. It was both magical and real at the same time. It was a nice pace, and it’s almost as if it sneaks up on you. You don’t realize that you care for Hartgrave until Emily realizes it. You don’t realize how much you’re rooting for the two until their relationship is endangered. I was completely surprised at how much I loved these two together. Cowley did an amazing job on their relationship, making it so real and relatable.
Moving on to the magic part of this book, it was a little weaker than the rest of the book. It was interesting because it involved such a major theme in this novel, the relationship between magic and technology – the balance between the natural world and technological advances. The concept is really great, but as a huge science-fiction fan, the execution of the magic could have been a little more thorough, seeing as how it attempts to blend magic with science.
Another problem I had with the book is that Emily doesn’t quite act her age. I understand that she embraces the child in her, but at one point in a person’s life, we learn to contain this and act our age. I found myself forgetting her age and thinking she was eighteen or in her early twenties. If that were her true age, the novel would have made more sense, and I probably would have read it without batting an eye at it.
Another problem that I had was the ending. The whole book was so real despite the fantasy aspect that I was a little disappointed at the ending. It was a bit unrealistic and much too happy and clean for my taste. The whole book is such a nice example of magic living in a cold and real world that I was a little thrown off at the niceness of an ending where it seemed as if everything just worked itself out too coincidentally.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend it to contemporary fantasy lovers and for those who still hold their childhood dreams dear to them. I had my problems with it, but the good definitely outweighed them. I truly love Daggett and Hartgrave and their relationship. This book is great in showing us that life is not a fantasy. Even in a book where magic is incorporated in the world, Cowley reminds us that there is still a distinction even if they are sometimes intertwined. The real world is not as clean-cut and good as it is in a fantasy, and it is important to remember that. The Opposite of Magic is an enjoyable and fun read to feed our hopes and dreams of magic while reminding us not to throw away what we know of the world that not everything is black and white - there are gray areas.
”You take a few spare facts and embroider them into a love story. ‘He must be good, he’s fighting a dark wizard’ – as if life had anything to do with books. As if evil people never occasionally do the right thing.”
This review can also be read at The Nightly Book Owl.
After twenty-six years that had nothing in common with fantasy novels, her life was finally heading the proper direction.
Emily Daggett is a twenty-six year old woman who has never quite outgrown her love of fantasy novels. Her academic specialty is even the study of magic throughout history. Despite having grown up, she, like many of us, still wants to believe in something otherworldly, and well, magical. This comes in a form that she least expects – Alexander Hartgrave, a bald, grumpy IT worker who seems to despise her for her complete failure with anything technological. The novel shows us their relationship and dives deeper into incorporating magic in a cold and real world. However, there’s a problem. Emily apparently is one of the rare few that cannot use magic. She’s anti-magic. Talk about irony.
I liked this book a lot. The contemporary fantasy aspect of it was refreshing to me. There are no castles, no damsels in distress, no dragons to be slayed, and no curses to be broken. There is, however, a woman’s initial inability to distinguish fantasy from reality, a soul tortured by guilt, a tentative and unsure relationship, and a man’s greed from power.
“’You’re confusing life with fairy tales, Daggett.’”
Emily is such a relatable character. I’m sure most of us feel the same way that she does – we’re clinging on to the imagination of our childhood when anything was possible. We still dream. It was great to see a character that embodied this unwillingness to let go of the appeal of magic, and it was great to see her gradually accepting that magic is not as fancy and romantic as it seems in books. I love her character. She’s stubborn, smart, and has one heck of a conscience. She’s no damsel in distress, and she won’t stand by being treated as one, and throughout the book, she more than proves her worth through hard work and determination. She holds her weight intellectually and physically to Alexander, and because of this, their relationship works on so many levels.
Alexander Hartgrave is proof that snarkiness and intelligence should not equal to being an asshole. He also proves that you don’t have to be gorgeous to get a girl and that sexiness isn’t defined by outer appearance. He’s awesome, funny, caring, and totally likeable. His reason for staying away from Emily initially completely makes sense, and I found myself falling in love with the character throughout the book. Cowley has an amazing talent of making us care about her protagonists. We want to believe in them, and we want to root for them. Hartgrave and Dagett are so wonderful together without sacrificing each other’s true selves.
Not just because the two questions might be related, but because a mystery involving a shadowy wizard promised adventure. Nothing was more seductive than that.
I am not a huge fan of romance, but The Opposite of Magic is proof that done well, it can be enjoyable. The romance in this novel wasn’t the main aspect, but it was the highlight of this novel for me. It was both magical and real at the same time. It was a nice pace, and it’s almost as if it sneaks up on you. You don’t realize that you care for Hartgrave until Emily realizes it. You don’t realize how much you’re rooting for the two until their relationship is endangered. I was completely surprised at how much I loved these two together. Cowley did an amazing job on their relationship, making it so real and relatable.
Moving on to the magic part of this book, it was a little weaker than the rest of the book. It was interesting because it involved such a major theme in this novel, the relationship between magic and technology – the balance between the natural world and technological advances. The concept is really great, but as a huge science-fiction fan, the execution of the magic could have been a little more thorough, seeing as how it attempts to blend magic with science.
Another problem I had with the book is that Emily doesn’t quite act her age. I understand that she embraces the child in her, but at one point in a person’s life, we learn to contain this and act our age. I found myself forgetting her age and thinking she was eighteen or in her early twenties. If that were her true age, the novel would have made more sense, and I probably would have read it without batting an eye at it.
Another problem that I had was the ending. The whole book was so real despite the fantasy aspect that I was a little disappointed at the ending. It was a bit unrealistic and much too happy and clean for my taste. The whole book is such a nice example of magic living in a cold and real world that I was a little thrown off at the niceness of an ending where it seemed as if everything just worked itself out too coincidentally.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend it to contemporary fantasy lovers and for those who still hold their childhood dreams dear to them. I had my problems with it, but the good definitely outweighed them. I truly love Daggett and Hartgrave and their relationship. This book is great in showing us that life is not a fantasy. Even in a book where magic is incorporated in the world, Cowley reminds us that there is still a distinction even if they are sometimes intertwined. The real world is not as clean-cut and good as it is in a fantasy, and it is important to remember that. The Opposite of Magic is an enjoyable and fun read to feed our hopes and dreams of magic while reminding us not to throw away what we know of the world that not everything is black and white - there are gray areas.
”You take a few spare facts and embroider them into a love story. ‘He must be good, he’s fighting a dark wizard’ – as if life had anything to do with books. As if evil people never occasionally do the right thing.”
April 5, 2022
This was a near 3.5 for me. The complexity and depth that I saw in Cowley's Clandestine Magic series wasn't in this book, and it could be because she hasn't honed her craft yet. This appears to be her debut novel and when compared to her later work, you can see and feel the difference. That's not to say that the story was bad. It was cute and you can see hints of Cowley's genius but there was just a certain something missing.
The H and h were cute together (grumpy/sunshine) but the heroine seemed immature for someone in their late twenties, early thirties. There were chapters that really could have been taken out altogether as well. It was too long. While I saw what Cowley was doing, it seemed the story could have worked better as a duology. The last 25% could have been expanded into a sequel.
But overall, it contained Cowley's humor and interesting premise, which made the experience better than mediocre. While not her best work, it's still better than some of the drivel being published out there.
The H and h were cute together (grumpy/sunshine) but the heroine seemed immature for someone in their late twenties, early thirties. There were chapters that really could have been taken out altogether as well. It was too long. While I saw what Cowley was doing, it seemed the story could have worked better as a duology. The last 25% could have been expanded into a sequel.
But overall, it contained Cowley's humor and interesting premise, which made the experience better than mediocre. While not her best work, it's still better than some of the drivel being published out there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews