A college student is invited to join a coven lead by a young witch and her brother. A fun and fast paced adventure that has plenty of romance and also darkness reveals itself. Friendships and adversarial relationships are tested. This enjoyable book will appeal to all who enjoy paranormal stories. I couldn’t stop reading it.

A Very interesting and unique story. Good characters. I found the story to be well-written as well. Thank you

Couldn’t put it down!
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Pat Esden’s latest book, the first in her new Northern Circle Coven Series. From the very first pages, I was drawn into the heroine’s story. Chloe is young woman driven to correct the wrongs of her past, even at the expense of darkening her own soul. I love a character who is willing to be a little bad if it’s for the greater good.

Stir in some dark magical forces, a clever and subtle description of the differences between Wiccans and wielders of true magic, and the freight train-esque attraction Chloe feels for Devlin and his reciprocal need for her, and Pat Esden has hit this one out of the park (sorry, it’s the 1st day of the World Series and I have baseball on my mind).

Even if it weren’t for the excellently crafted characters, fresh plot, and the I-need-to-go-to-bed-because-I-have-an-early-day-but-can’t-put-down-this-book pacing of His Dark Magic keeping me enthralled, there were magically-animated metal flying monkeys! Flying monkeys!

I will definitely be waiting to read book 2 of the series.

I didn't find this book interesting at all. Chloe didn't compel me to care about her at all. Read as very young and self centered. The other characters held more appeal. Overall, read like a trite YA book.

*I’d like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in return of an honest review.*
I’m conflicted about this book. I liked the mystery elements and the parts with the coven bonding. But I felt confused for half of the book.

I wasn’t happy with the world-building. For a long time in the beginning, I had many questions swirling inside my mind – What exactly is the context of this world? Does everyone know that witches exist? Do witches and non-magical people have some sort of verbal agreement about living together and minding their own businesses? How does this alternate universe work exactly? – I’m not sure I got proper answers to these questions by the end.

At one point we get to discover that the High priestess of the coven – that the protagonist Chloe is about to join – has a grandfather named Zeus. The name of the high priestess happens to be Athena. I was thrown by that bit. I found myself wondering – Does this mean there are Greek mythological elements in it? – But then I felt foolish and realized that it makes no sense. These are witches not gods and goddesses. I think I’d have liked the author to address this pop-cultural reference in a fun way. But nothing of that.

I’ll give credit to the author for setting up the atmosphere, though. The way she sets up the surrounding nature and locale was impressive. I could almost feel myself being a part of the places.

This was a book where I liked the side-characters a lot more the main ones. I did not like the protagonist Chloe. I found many of her actions and decisions to be superficial. She felt like a very self-involved character to me. Not that I mind self-involved characters. But I like them to be intriguing and complicated. But I never found Chloe interesting.

Even the love interest Devlin left a lot to be desired. Neither did I see any depth to his and Chloe’s relationship and nor did I find their chemistry appealing. Their relationship felt just as shallow and flat like the two characters themselves.

I liked the coven members a lot. All of them had interesting quirks and histories that I wanted to know more of. Sadly, we see very little of them. I think many of them would make better main characters than Chloe herself.

I’ll end it by saying that this book did not feel like the first of a series but rather a sequel. I felt like I was missing something throughout the first half. The premise was very promising and could’ve been executed in a better manner.

I really liked this book. Cloe is not you typical collage student. She’s a Med school student and witch. She meets Devlin and joins a circle. She helps awaken Merlin’s shade, causes Chaos but manages to fix some of the mistakes. This books wasn’t slow moving which I Appreciate. You meet a lot of good and bad Characters. There are twist and turns you never see coming too! I would read the next book anytime!

One tragic impulsive mistake made Chloe Winslow an outcast to her influential magic family. As a medical student, she wants to combine science with sorcery to heal those she hurt and right her wrongs. But brilliant, charismatic Devlin Marsh re-routes her plans with a once-in-eternity offer: membership in the exclusive Northern Circle, a mysterious Vermont coven known for pushing the limits.
When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Pat Esden is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.