Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy was such a nice surprise!

Synopsis

Desperate to undo the curse binding them to each other, an impulsive sorcerer and his curmudgeonly rival venture deep into a magical forest in search of a counterspell—only to discover that magic might not be the only thing pulling them together.

Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics.

He can summon butterflies with a song, or turn someone’s hair pink by snapping his fingers. Such minor charms don’t earn him much admiration from other sorcerers (or his father), but anything more elaborate always blows up in his face. Which is why Leo vowed years ago to never again write powerful magic.

That is, until a mix-up involving a forbidden spell binds Leo to obey the commands of his longtime nemesis, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo’s complete opposite—respected, exceptionally talented, and an absolutely insufferable curmudgeon. The only thing they agree on is that getting caught using forbidden magic would mean the end of their careers. They need a counterspell, and fast. But Grimm casts spells, he doesn’t undo them, and Leo doesn’t mess with powerful magic.

Chasing rumors of a powerful sorcerer with a knack for undoing curses, Leo and Grimm enter the Unquiet Wood, a forest infested with murderous monsters and dangerous outlaws alike. To dissolve the curse, they’ll have to uncover the true depths of Leo’s magic, set aside their long-standing rivalry, and—much to their horror—work together.

Even as an odd spark of attraction flares between them.

Review

5 stars

That book was a lovely surprise and I will say right away that if your love Emily Wilde ‘s Encyclopaedia or Faeries or Legends and Latte, the Spellshop etc then that book is made for you!

Even better if you loved Boyfriend Material but imagine it in Fantasy.

I got that book from Orbit without any prompt and had no idea what it would be about. I didn’t expect anything special from Sorcery and Small Magics but have been enraptured all the same!

It took me longer than one day to read it purely because I had work, chores etc! Otherwise, I didn’t want to stop reading!

OK let’s backtrack and talk about the book: plot, characters, writing well all (or nearly) that you can expect in a (un)proper review!

The plot in a nutshell

Leovander Loveage (Leo for his friends) is attending his last year of magic training under duress. Something went horribly wrong in his childhood and he doesn’t want to write Grand Magic anymore. But if he wants to inherit his mother’s family house, he has to finish his studies.

At The Fount (that’s the magic school) he has a sorcerer he can’t stand or rather, said sorcerer looks mildly disgusted with Leo’s level of incompence. Said sorcerer is perfect student Sebastien Grimm.

When a spell has gone wrong and puts Leo under Grimm’s control, they will both journey to the Unquiet Wood, where monsters freely roam, to search for a mysterious sorcerer who should be able to lift the curse.

Of course, being a journey, it won’t be smooth sailing and they will both have to work with each other if they want to survive. Maybe confronting their greatest fear in the process.

Now let’s talk about the main characters!

-Leovander is flamboyant.

That’s the word I would use for him. He wants to be noticed for his eccentricities , for his music but not for his magic. Haunted by his past, he would rather go out to drink, play the violin and gamble than try to cram spells in his head. He is a scriver meaning that he writes spells that others will cast. Avoiding Grand Magic, he specializes in cantrip and minor spells.

Leo is equal part provocative and endearing, smart and fragile at the same time. He is also reckless and will charge head first into risky situations more than once!

-Grimm is contained and studious.

He doesn’t come from a privileged family and had to study and work hard to become the best caster of his year. A “walk the line” kind of sorcerer, always neat with pressed clothes and excelling at magic. The total opposite of Leovander.

Based on the plot and the characters, you can guess some of the tropes you will find in this story!

-grumpy (Grimm) sunshine (Leo);

-enemies to “we are getting towards something else”;

-a curse and a quest to undo said curse;

-personal growth (confronting your demons and your fears).

To all these elements, you can add a great world building with an original magic system (casters and scrivers; the price to pay to cast magic), monsters roaming in magical woods, some politics as the Coterie (the sorcerers government/elite) is not faultless and lots reckless “romps” in magical woods.

This is light yet insightful, funny yet sometimes sad, adventurous and highly entertaining!

I now want to read the sequel and see home Leo and Grimm’s relationship will progress and where their dreams will take them to!

Thanks for reading!