I received an advance reader’s copy (ARC) of Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

In Sorcery and Small Magics, Leovander “Leo” Loveage is training as a scriver of minor spells at the Fount, a lauded magical institution. He’s only grudgingly here, at his father’s behest rather than any real desire to become adept at grandmagic. Bad things happen when he uses that, after all, so instead he’ll settle for mediocrity. When a spell in class goes wrong, however, Leo finds himself tied accidentally to Sebastian Grimm, top of the class and Leo’s personal nemesis. Now, Leo is bound to obey Grimm’s every command, not to mention stay in close proximity. Neither of them are thrilled by this, since they can’t stand each other, and so they’re forced to work together to seek out a counterspell before their teachers or the academic board finds out. Control spells are illegal, even accidental ones. So Grimm and Leo set out for the Unquiet Wood, where a powerful witch is rumored to dwell. Now they only need to make it past the strange beasts that live there, and not kill each other out of irritation in the process.

I can’t stand when I start a book only to find that it’s the first of a trilogy when I thought it was a standalone. Worse is when I end up invested in the story, and am left impatiently waiting for book two.

This book is so charming! I had already decided to use that as a descriptor, only to notice that three of the five blurbs on my ARC also called it that. I guess we’re all in agreement, at least. But seriously, the story is so fun and witty and magical that there really is no better adjective.

I quite liked Leo and Grimm. Leo’s chaotic, devil-may-care attitude that he uses to mask his insecurities is entertaining, especially when contrasted with Grimm’s more serious demeanor and his exasperation with Leo. I also liked that, instead of just being a lot of hot air, Leo actually is a skilled magician, and so the reader is left wondering why he doesn’t bother trying to demonstrate it. The way his backstory influences that is moving (though spoilery), and I liked learning more about him. On that note, I would have liked to get to know Grimm better. We see some of his family, his past, and his personality, but I wanted more. I would honestly love to get his POV in the second book, or at least find more depth to the character, because what is there is likable.

I also thought the setting was interesting. Magic schools are nothing we haven’t seen before, but this one, the Fount, was still cool, even though much of the plot doesn’t occur there. It feels like a stuffy English boarding school (or at least my impression of that sort of place) with a good dose of snobbery and hierarchy that only serves to endear Leo to me more for pushing back against all that. And the Unquiet Wood, the other main setting, is such a contrast to the Fount with its wildness and danger. If the Fount is Humperdink’s castle, then the Unquiet Wood is the Fire Swamp, and that’s delightful.

The characters we encounter there, such as Jayne and Sybilla, are very fun and intriguing in their own right, while also serving to expand on the worldbuilding. Through their stories, we learn more about this kingdom and how it works. I also really enjoyed the banter between Sybilla and Leo, plus Sybilla has a pet wolf named Beau. What’s not to like?

As the story progresses, I could tell that the relationship between Leo and Grimm—obviously going to be a romantic one—was going to be a slow burn. And honestly, it’s excellent, a completely believable shift in their dynamic, even if their interactions were initially only caused by magic gone awry. The more time they must spend together and work together, the more the reader can see how their rivalry has been unnecessary. I really just wanted them to get it together and confess their feelings already, but I appreciate that Doocy doesn’t allow anything real to happen when the spell is still acting upon Leo. However, I would like to see where this goes, please. Where is book two?

In the end, I liked Sorcery and Small Magics even more than I thought I would. It might even be on par with Legends & Lattes in terms of a lovely cozy fantasy. The characters are delightful, the setting and action is fun, and the slow burn romance is actually awesome (this coming from someone who is often skeptical of romantic plotlines in media). I’m looking forward to the next installment, even if it’s slightly annoying that I now have yet another series to keep up with.

Sorcery and Small Magics is available now!