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Complementary Magic

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La Magie , the nobility of London, draw their magic from the Great River that runs through the city. But something is amiss in the River. The powers of the upper classes are stagnating, Family Staves of Power are becoming weaker, and the servants and tradesmen with no magic are showing an alarming increase in abilities that were previously dismissed as superstition. When Sorcerer John Harmon is murdered, the Harmon Staff of Power and his vast fortune are passed on to Harmon’s servants, the good-hearted but wholly un-magical Mr. and Mrs Boffin. In this fantastical retelling of Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend , the Boffins and their ward Bella Wilfer must sort through a mystery that reaches from conspiring aristocrats to the darkest corners of London’s underworld.

538 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2021

2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read

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Marilyn Nielson

4 books1 follower

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Jess.
789 reviews
November 13, 2022
12/2021 This book is FANTASTIC! I love Charles Dickens, and Our Mutual Friend is my favorite of his works. Nielson and Spencer have perfectly reimagined that wonderful story with a bit of magic. Excellent writing as well. If you’re a fan of Dickens you will definitely enjoy this one!

8/2022 If you love a good mystery, a little clean romance, and maybe some light magic, this might be exactly what you need! I can’t recommend it enough.

Complementary Magic is Dickens’ story of Our Mutual Friend, but more accessible and with a fun, creative magic system woven into it. The plot parallels the original, but has a life of its own. All kinds of nods, but without being a scene-by-scene reproduction.

It feels like the perfect book for fall/October, if you’re looking for a cozy read. It reminds me of Jonathan Strange & Mister Norrell, but less creepy.
Profile Image for Melissa Vinson.
375 reviews11 followers
August 19, 2022
I read this book for a Dickens-inspired read along on Instagram. I haven’t read the original work by Dickens that this book is based on, Our Mutual Friend, but I plan to rectify that soon.

I felt that this one gets off to a slow start and I think that maybe has something to do with the fact that I didn’t really understand the magic system and how it works, and I was a little frustrated about that, wondering why I couldn’t figure it out. But the more I read, the more I realized that this was the authors’ intention (I think), and that you kind of figure things out as you go along.

I grew to love some of the characters, and really despise others, and to root for the good guys while hoping the villains would get what was coming to them! I really loved the idea of complementary magic and how it works between a married couple. I found it so unique and interesting!

I highly recommend this book to Charles Dickens fans and fantasy lovers alike. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Profile Image for Cayenne.
683 reviews21 followers
February 5, 2022
I enjoyed this book so much! The magic system is wonderful and the message of complimentary magic between a married couple is lovely. It’s a wonderful story with a fantastic ending.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
255 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2022
I wish I hadn't been in a position where I had to stop reading this for awhile bathe finishing it. It would have made getting to know the characters a little easier. The story was a good twist on Dickins. The twist during the reveal was surprising. A little stretched out in places but a fun read for sure.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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