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Sorcery and Small Magics

The Sunday Times bestselling cosy fantasy

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Sorcery and Small Magics

By: Maiga Doocy
Narrated by: Ciaran Saward
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Summary

 'Maiga Doocy's voice is nothing short of masterful . . . I would gladly take an arrow for either Leo or Grimm'
Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

'This is the fastest I've devoured a book in a long time. One of the best reads of the year for me! 10/10, I miss Leo and Grimm already' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Desperate to undo the curse binding them together, 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. An irresistible cosy fantasy for fans of A Marvellous Light and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics, content to spend his days thinking up charms that can summon butterflies or turn hair pink. That is, until a mishap with forbidden magic compels Leo to obey his longtime rival, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo's complete opposite - respected, talented and an absolutely insufferable curmudgeon. They need a counterspell, and fast.

Chasing rumours of a powerful sorcerer, Leo and Grimm enter the Unquiet Wood, a forest teeming with murderous monsters and dangerous outlaws. To break the curse, they'll have to uncover the true depths of Leo's magic, set aside their animosity and - much to their horror - work together. Even as an odd spark of attraction flares between them.

'I loved this book! . . . One of the best slow-burn relationships I've seen in a long time. Prepare to get deeply invested in Leovander Lovage and Sebastian Grimm.'
Melissa Caruso, author of The Last Hour Between Worlds

'A delightful story of healing, full of heart, with two flawed but irresistible heroes and a fantastic sorceress in the woods! I didn't want it to end'
Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Spellshop

Readers are falling for this magical debut:

'Wow, oh wow, this has to be one of my favourite romance *and* fantasy novels EVER'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Ughhh this was so good! How am I supposed to wait for the next one?!'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I honestly loved this. Leo and Grimm are precious, the slow burn delicious . . . one of the strongest debuts I've read in a long time'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I cannot believe this is a debut, it was incredible, I absolutely ate it up. The character building was just perfection, the world was beautiful. I NEED MORE'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Excuse me a minute while I just mourn the end of this book!!! I didn't think I'd read anything as good as The House in the Cerulean Sea yet here we are with Maiga Doocy's debut novel!! What a beautiful read!'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Love love love! This is such a fun cosy read!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'If you're in the market for the perfect cosy, character driven slowwwww burn queer romantasy, Sorcery and Small Magics is the PERFECT read. I absolutely loved it!'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐©2024 Maiga Doocy Fantasy Magic Fiction Heartfelt Magic Users

Critic reviews

Maiga Doocy's voice is nothing short of masterful. Leo Lovage could read me the phone book and I'd be delighted, and I would gladly take an arrow for either Leo or Grimm (Megan Bannen, author of THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY)
This Ghibli-esque slow-burn fantasy delivers on every promise it offers when it drops Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle inside Patricia A. McKillip's The Forgotten Beasts of Eld (Library Journal (starred review))
I loved this book! Sorcery and Small Magics has a unique magic system and plenty of adventure, but most of all, absolutely wonderful characters in one of the best slow-burn relationships I've seen in a long time. Prepare to get deeply invested in Leovander Loveage and Sebastian Grimm (Melissa Caruso, author of THE LAST HOUR BETWEEN WORLDS)
'Reading Sorcery and Small Magics feels like stepping into the world of the ultimate comfort story. Packed with humour and heart, Doocy's debut had me grinning from ear to ear and giggling the whole way through. This is a cosy, whimsical spin on academia that will give you all the warm fuzzy feels! (Sydney J. Shields, author of THE HONEY WITCH)
Sorcery and Small Magics smoulders like spell-paper, set aflame by its singular enchanted setting, a spirited violin soundtrack and plenty of charming chaos. The hesitant care that Leo and Grimm show each other as they work to dispel a genuinely terrifying curse is heart-warming (Sylvie Cathrall, author of A LETTER TO THE LUMINOUS DEEP)
With a vibrantly imagined world and characters that leap off the page, Sorcery and Small Magics positively sparkles with wit and charm. It's a light-hearted tale of friendship, forgiveness, magic and love. Much like Doocy's opposites-attract heroes, Leo and Grimm, this book sings, leaving you spellbound and wanting more (Julie Leong, author of THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES)
As sparkling and delicious as enchanted champagne, Sorcery and Small Magics is full of wit, joy and real heart. I loved it (Stephanie Burgis, author of WOOING THE WITCH QUEEN)
Charming, cheeky and utterly magical (Davinia Evans, author of NOTORIOUS SORCERER)
A delightful story of healing, full of heart, with two flawed but irresistible heroes and a fantastic sorceress in the woods! I didn't want it to end! You won't want to leave the Unquiet Wood! (Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of THE SPELLSHOP)
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 favourites will be spellbound by this modern magical adventure (KIRKUS (starred review))
A delightful combination of cosy academia and romantasy in a tender, sincere, funny bundle (BOOK RIOT)
All stars
Most relevant
this book was made for me, right up my alley

the only bad thing about this book is that the trilogy is not yet out.

Reader is S tier, I'll most definitely listen to more of his performances

What a delight. I want more

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So lovely, well written and so well ready. Genuinely enjoyed this work and looking forward to the next book in the series.

Outstanding

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Easy listen and the narrator did a great job drawing me into the story. A enjoyed the plot and characters - the contrast of the two MMCs was good fun and their development was brilliant. Very very slow burn/steam (not in it for the spice with this one) and interesting magic system that I don’t think I’ve read before. Just overall a beautiful story and I happily listened to it over a couple of days.

Lovely story with excellent narration

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I was expecting more MM romance. The story was good but it was a little lacking of substance, though I still enjoyed it. the later chapters were more exciting and made me want to read on.

The later chapters were exciting and more engaging than the earlier ones

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The concept of magic is cool, with those who write it and those who can perform it being different types of sorcerer. Also there's different types of magic - charms, canters and grand magic and as the story progresses we unravel more interesting details about the magic of this world. There are also fun magical flora and fauna.
But there's not loads of world building and the story jumps right in without starting with a load of backstory or anything.

The story has the settings of a magical uni and an epic journey. I'd say it's medium stakes.

The enemies to lovers element is at a level which I can find enjoyable - not anything crazily dramatic, they haven't commited terrible atrocities against one another, but also don't just dislike each other for the sake of it.

Loveage is seemingly irresponsible and carefree but does have a certain resilience, moral standards and self awareness that I enjoyed. At first I thought he might annoy me but I quickly came to root for and empathise with him. He is the narrator and I find his internal monologue relatively relatable - he's not an epic hero from the get go, nor is he unbearably inconsiderate. He's a very fun storyteller. Though it makes sense that from Grimm's perspective he's really bloody irritating.

Equally Grimm comes across very cold and aloof and you can understand why Loveage feels judged and put down by him, especially when considering Loveage's own insecurities surrounding his abilities.

They are characters with intricacies that get unveiled as the story unfolds and more of them we see, the more I like them.

The narrator (audiobook) performs Leo very well, you can really feel and believe his emotions and personality.

I found the ending outstanding - unexpected, emotional and beautiful. I cannot wait to read/listen to the next one, I'm sensing a power couple in their future.

Really enjoyed it, looking forward to the next one

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