Magic can’t be real, right? Tell that to the werewolf glaring at me with his near-black eyes or the handsome vampire lounging in the corner. Did I enjoy growing up rejected by everyone I encountered because of my physical abnormalities? Hell no! The only thing I ever wanted was to be accepted by someone. Not everyone, just anyone. A normal job and one solid meal a day would’ve been nice too. You … nice too.
You know that old saying, “Be careful what you wish for?”
Yeah, that one really sucks.
After a vampire kidnapped me, I suddenly became wanted by all the wrong people. Why would those blood sucking fiends want a deformed, malnourished woman who looked more like a little girl? The elemental mage who stole me from the vampires and forced me into a role I wasn’t prepared for, didn’t provide any explanations.
I thought I wanted to know the answers, but discovering the truth forced me into a fight for my life. One I wasn’t sure I could win.
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It’s not very often that I find myself connecting to a protagonist the way that I did AJ. In spite of the hardships that she endured over her life, she was a very likeable character. Even though she was often taunted for her appearance, she didn’t give up. When things began to change, getting both better and worse, she didn’t back down from the challenge. She took it all in stride, doing what she needed to do in order to get to the bottom of the mystery of her life.
There are plenty of magical beings sprinkled throughout this story to keep it interesting. There are also touches of romance and friendship. Besides AJ, the other main characters in the story were also well done though I didn’t connect with them like I did AJ. They certainly added their own type of magic to the story, keeping me engrossed until the end.
A very strong start to a promising series.
4.5 Stars
AJ Johnson lacks confidence in herself and hides her disfigured appearance under a scarf. Barely surviving on her own after being fired a week earlier, AJ’s luck changes when a phone call promises new employment. After a quick and strange interview, she is hired and is to begin her new housekeeping position the following day.
When AJ arrives at her new post, she is ushered upstairs. Feeling unnerved, AJ soon realizes that she is in trouble when she is locked inside a room, and she is not alone. From here on, AJ is thrust into the world of the supernatural where vampires, mages and shifters exist. A world she never thought was real and only belonged in books. But AJ’s adventure is just beginning as she realizes she’s not just among creatures from folklore, fantasy, and fairy tales; she is one of them.
I enjoyed this fantasy story, finding it a quick and easy read. The plot and characters are interesting and likeable, and I found myself rooting for a pairing among the characters. The story is well-written and the description allows for good imagery. The only drawback for me was the ending. While I understand the story continues in the next book, the end of book was not as satisfying of an ending I would have liked.
I do recommend this story to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels with vampires, mages, and shifters, and I look forward to reading the second book of the series.
Can this lady do nothing wrong? I absolutely loved the story and characters of this new series and with its twists and turns, unpredictable developments and deep plots, it promises to take you along on one heck of an adventure in the future books as well. There are thousands of vampire/werewolf/mages/witches books available but this one still manages to set its own standard which imo makes it stand shoulders above all but a few. If you want to get into urban fantasy, this book is where you should begin. If you already love the genre, this should be your next read! Bravo Bostic
Oh, wow. What a wild ride. Nobody is quite what they seem, who you expect … or even who you think they are. Very well-written, Magister’s Bane is a rollercoaster story that will pull you in and keep you engrossed from the first pages to the very end. Beyond, in fact, since the end is a cliffhangar on multiple points. I am eagerly awaiting the next book!
When I saw this book available for pre-order, I got very excited as I enjoyed all of this author’s other books. When I read what it was about, I was disappointed that it wasn’t another in her existing series as I love the characters so much. My disappointment vanished as soon as the book arrived on my kindle. I was hooked from the very start.
Great characters, great story. You are never really sure what is happening or who to really trust as you slowly learn about the paranormal world along with the main character. There are a few twists and turns that keep you addicted to reading more. The author leads you on a journey which you enjoy so much you are not sure you want to reach the destination.
I really hope the author does a follow up.
I was hooked right from the start and knew I had to read the entire series before I hit the end of the second chapter.
Well-written, solid characters and world, and a pace that will keep you gripped right until I the end. The characters stay with you. You’ll replayed scenes in your head. You’ll want to read it again when you’re done.
I enjoyed reading about AJ. Her heartbreak and survival through her young life.
Who can she trust? Who can she turn to for answers.
From being a disfigured and over looked human one day — to the one who can lead the paranormals to safety the next.
What should AJ do and can she depend on her partner?
I recommend this book, and author.
If you’re looking for a new paranormal fantasy to read, download Magister’s Bane.
A wonderful book!
An intriguing urban fantasy which hooks you from the very beginning. The heroine is not only likable but also relatable, and the handsome heroes complete the picture perfectly. Among all the twist, there was one which surprised me to the point I shouted out loud at my kindle-might’ve scared some neighbours.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! A great start to a thrilling series! AJ is living a life of poverty and unemployment, partly in part to her hideous looks. Just as an unbelievable job offer fall in her lap, AJ’s miserable life gets turned upside down when she gets kidnapped by vampires. They question her, wondering why she was hiding and who her parents were. Things get crazy as she gets rescued by a mages and stowed away at a protected lair. AJ gets a serious overload and crash course in the supernatural world and that she is a mage. As the story unfolds, AJ is feeling overwhelmed with each new surprise and begins to question who she can rely on and who is conspiring against her. There’s plenty of drama, action, and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages just to see who’s an ally or foe. Maybe you can figure it out along with AJ, because if not, she will end up dead. I highly recommend this one!
Wow I can’t wait to read the next in this series, I’ve not been able to put this book down, talk about a page turner
All my favourite things: great likeable heroine handsome heroes and lots of magic and intrigue. Bring on book 2!