SORCERY AND SMALL MAGICS

Two rival classmates set off on a dangerous mission to undo a curse that has magically bound them in the opening book of the Wildersongs Trilogy.

Leovander Loveage and Sebastian Grimm are students at the Fount—a training school for sorcerers—who have nothing in common beyond a knack for getting on each other’s nerves. Leo is a scriver, one who imbues the words of a spell with magic. But while he’s a master of frivolous charms like turning someone’s hair pink, he’s so far been unable to write any powerful Grandmagic spells without them going horribly wrong. Grimm, on the other hand, is a brilliant caster, serious, studious, and driven. Early in the semester, Leo accidentally collides with a student who's on his way to file spells in the school’s library, and while helping him pick up the scattered pages, unknowingly adds one of these incantations to his own folder. Later, Leo and Grimm are forced together as partners in their Duality class, where Grimm casts the errant spell, thinking it one of Leo’s ineffective charms. It’s not until Grimm tells Leo to “go jump in a lake” during an argument—and Leo does it—that they realize Leo is under a dangerous, and forbidden, control spell. Though Grimm is careful not to give Leo any commands afterward, the effects of the spell soon worsen: The magic compels Leo to stay near Grimm, and he can’t stray from his side without experiencing life-threatening symptoms. Desperate, Leo asks Grimm to travel with him into the Unquiet Wood in search of a mythical sorceress who is known for her unrivaled ability to reverse spells gone wrong. As the journey slowly unravels the truth behind the curse, the depths of their magic—and their feelings for one another—will be tested. The author doesn’t waste any time jumping into the action, creating a propulsive atmosphere that leans on page-turning plot. With vibrant characters, delicious slow-burn tension, and a fascinating magic system, this is a compelling start to the trilogy.

Adults yearning for the enchantment of their childhood favorites will be spellbound by this modern magical adventure.