“…you have all the caution of an inebriated toddler!” What an absolute gem of a book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sorcery and Small Magics is such a cozy matched with consequence story, filled with nostalgic Ella Enchanted fairytale vibes, and peppered with haunting things that go bump in the night. It’s just pure magic.

Leovander Loveage and Sebastian Grimm are as incompatible as they come. Leo is impulsive and indulgent, while Sebastian is strict and reserved. But when an illegal curse forces them to work together to stay out of trouble, they may just find there is something more between them. 👀

Thank you to Orbit Books, Maiga Doocy, and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you as well to Hachette Audio for the advanced audiobook. The narrator, Ciaran Saward, has the voice of a dream. I hybrid listened and followed the epub of this story.

Sorcery and Small Magics comes out on October 15th.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an E-ARC of this book for review purposes

This is such a cute and cozy fantasy romance! The relationship was very slow burn, and it felt like it could’ve moved a tiny bit faster once some of the trials they’d dealt with in the Unquiet Woods were over, but overall it had good development and chemistry. The scenes of them using the spellsongs were also always very beautiful and romantic. This book is also funny as hell; Leo is a MMC after my own heart. Can’t go wrong with a failwife who uses humor and a sunny disposition to mask the fact that he’s dying inside and has no self esteem.

If you’re a big Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries fan, you’ll love this. Not only for the grumpy-sunshine romance, but also for all the weird-ass little creatures that our heroes meet in the deadly magical woods.

My one wish was that we got maybe some more bonding scenes with the side characters early on. I wanted Leo to talk with Sebastian’s parents more! Felt like a missed opportunity, both for him to see Sebastian embarrassed and also learn about him more directly.

Sorcery and Small Magics is the story of Leovander (a scivener who writes magic) who becomes bound to his rival Sebastien (a caster, who need spells written for them) after the wrong spell is accidentally cast during a class project. The two are forced to work together to remove the curse before they get found out and grow closer as a result.

The relationship between Leo and Sebastien is the highlight of the book and develops beautifully. This is the first book of the trilogy and the relationship is definitely a slow burn one, but the book leaves them in a good place. The supporting cast of the book is fantastic as well, leaving you wanting more of them (I especially like the sorceress they turn to for help in the latter half of the book). The world building and the magic system both compliment the growing relationship and are interesting in their own right.

Okay, intentionally or not, this is the perfect romance book for anyone on the ace scale. Those seeking spice should opt for another book, this is low simmer all the way through.

There are TONS of tropes, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, "enemies" to lovers, etc.

In this magical world, Leo is a bit of a flibbertigibbet. He avoids the deep, powerful spells in favor of amusing or simple, useful spells. There's a sad reason for this you eventually learn. On the other end of the spectrum, Grimm is very serious and always seems to be vaguely annoyed by Leo's silliness.

When they're paired together in a class and a spell that binds them together is accidentally cast, they set out on an adventure to undo it. However along the way, the spell may potentially resolve itself.

There's a dash of adventure with monsters and traitors but lots of slow burning affection development (my favorite!).

I'm glad this is just the start of a series as there was barely an admission of affection between our duo (even though we ALL see it).

I mostly really enjoyed this. There were so many tropes (enemies to crushes, forced proximity enforced by magic) and plot elements (one MC being cursed and the other being surly about it, a QUEST) I adore. I was engaged pretty much right from the start and definitely invested in the outcome for these characters. I also liked the side characters and the world building. The main thing that let me down somewhat was the ending. I knew this was the first in a series, but I thought it was going to be the type of series where every book focuses on a different couple. I even had a guess as to who the next couple would be. But this book isn't really a stand alone. Some plot elements are wrapped up but the relationship has barely been cemented as a friendship, and the MCs are still wary of one another and still have a hard time communicating when it leaves off. I'm excited for the rest of the series but I hoped for a little more communication and affection between them. I liked that it wasn't blatantly obvious that the MC whose POV we don't get is pining for the MC whose head we are in, but at the same time I wished for a little more warm fuzzies between them. Hopefully that comes in future books. I'll absolutely be reading whatever comes next!

Sorcery and Small Magics follows Leovander Loveage and Sebastian Grimm after an unfortunate magical mixup links them together in an unexpected way. The magic system was so interesting, and I love that there is potential to build upon what we know in future books. The monster-filled forest setting was so fun, and I loved the side characters we meet throughout the book. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy!

Narration by Ciaran Saward was outstanding and truly brought this book to life.

I received an ARC and ALC from Orbit Books | Orbit and Hachette Audio | Orbit via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sorcery and Small Magics is the first book in a cozy, slow burn fantasy romance series. This book is built around a strong character driven plot, which results in exquisite characters with strong development. Truly, Leo and Grimm are the best part of the book. The character growth is well done for both of them. I’m a sucker for banter and loved it between these two. I also really appreciated the world building and magic system development. Both were well done in general but even more so for a debut. I especially loved the Unquiet Wood forest. I felt the pacing was appropriate for the book and had no issues with it keeping my attention. The one thing I was hoping for was better developed surrounding characters. I’m hoping this is further explored/developed in the next book since I love having a rich and varied cast. I combo read this via ebook and audiobook, but I was particularly drawn to the audiobook. Ciaran Saward’s narration was whimsical and fitting for Leo making the experience all the more enjoyable. I don’t think you could go wrong with either choice, but the audiobook was such a great experience that I would strongly recommend checking it out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Leo and Grimm were such great characters I was really loving their dynamic. The enemies to lovers(?) was STRONG. Leo was written to be their disaster who you never know will make a fool of myself or anyone else but I really started to feel for him. Sebastian was written to be an aloof standoffish prick with no emotions but we see him open up slowly. This was a book with heavy side characters and I appreciated all the people we got to meet. I have some suspicion about how the spell got to Leo but I will have to see in book 2.

I loved the world building here as well. We get magic but there’s so many rules. Casters and Scrivers. Scrivers can’t Cast and Casters can’t write. And the monsters in this world all sounded super cool.

I have a few hunches and questions for book 2 and I’m happy this is a trilogy cause that means there’s more that could happen?!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review and what a lovely time I had inside of this world! I am super excited for this one to get published and watch people eat it up. This will settle so nicely into the cozy fantasy genre. This isn't cozy like Legends & Lattes because there are certainly stakes. It's closer to Emily Wilde but a little less cozy than that even. It is one of those books that just feels like a grown up fairy tale in all the lovely little ways.

The book follows two young guys at a school for magic. In this world, there are people who write spells, Scrivers, and there are people who cast them...casters? Maybe? Anyway, one of our main characters, Leovander, is a scriver but only of very small spells. Silly little things that change hair color or make a butterfly appear. It is clear that something has happened in his past that has him convinced if he tried to write larger, more serious spells something seriously bad would happen. Our other main character, Grimm, is a serious dude. He is a caster with prospects and plans. The two have a history of dislike for each other and get paired up in a spell class. One day, Grimm accidently casts a spell snuck in to their batch of spells to practice that puts a curse on Leovander and he is now completely under Grimm's control. Grimm can tell him to do literally anything and he will be compelled to do it. The spell grows and changes and, eventually, Leo is following Grimm all over campus because he just needs a glimpse of him to feel okay. A school break comes up and none of the things the two have done to try and break the curse are working. The curse has become untenable and the two, much to Grimm's dismay, decide to wander into The Unquiet Wood to find a mysterious sorceress who may be able to help them break the curse. The story goes from there and it is lovely. The interplay between the two is funny. The magic is interesting. The characters you meet along the way feel important and well flushed out. The more we learn about the spell, the more compelling the push to a conclusion and even what comes after. I am NEVER early to series, especially fantasy series, and now I am SO sad that I have to wait however long I have to wait until the next in the series comes out!

Thank you Orbit and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a lovely, funny, heartwarming book.

I’ll admit to finding Leo an irritating MC at the start. He comes across as entitled and lazy and while I could definitely tell he had emotional damage, he still frustrated me. BUT character growth is my jam and I definitely got it with this one.

But his adventure into the woods with Grimm is where things in this book really start to pick up, and I found myself falling head over heels for both of these characters. The ways they needled and goaded each other, the sniping and snarking, the kind words and the way they looked out for each other. Watching these two idiots slowly, softly fall in love with each other was everything.

I absolutely LOVED the plot. A magical curse? A mysterious sorcerer in the woods? Outlaws? Every part of it was engaging and exciting while still maintaining a beautiful cosy element the entire time.

I can’t wait to get my hands on book two.

A masterpiece.

I have said it before and I'll say it again, I'm usually not a cozy fantasy fan (or am at least very critical of them because they're usually boring), but this was delightful. I loved all of the characters intensely and was deeply emotionally involved in their journeys. My only complaint is that I didn't know it was a to-be trilogy, so the ending surprised me to be left on a cliff hanger, but that honestly isn't even really a complaint, it's me already itching for the second book.

Highly recommend. 5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Characters: 5/5
Leo and Grimm are some of my favorite characters this year. Leo is a self sabotaging character that never takes anything too seriously, and Grimm is a quiet reserved grumpy individual. They are so well written and I loved their opposing dynamic, plus the resulting banter.They made for the perfect hate to love character dynamic and when it comes to the MM romance, it was the perfect Slow-burn that had me kicking my feet. I felt like all the characters truly were real people with desires, and inner turmoil. The main characters had the most growth throughout. They had believable motivations and past traumas that painted their actions.

The side characters also had distinct personalities, but we never got enough time with them for me to form any opinions on them. I am hoping we can spend more time with them in book 2!

Story/Plot: 4.5/5

The Story of Sorcery and Small Magics is immersive, and fast paced. The magic system is familiar yet innovative. I felt like not a bit of the plot was wasted, and every scene was important towards character or world building, and moved the plot forward. I thought the addition of Leo’s unique flavor of magic was also a great twist on the established world building.

I only wish the book hadn't wrapped up as soon as it did. I wanted even more time in this world and I wanted to know the next steps the characters were facing in more detail. The ending was a little to abrupt for me.


Writing: 5/5
The writing in this was superb. It kept me engaged and had a perfect blend of gorgeous descriptions and witty humor. The dialogue was also fantastic, and every character had a very distinct voice. I thought the pacing was great and there were no lulls in the plot for me. It was easy to read and had some cozy feels, while also keeping the stakes high.

Final Verdict: 5/5
For a debut novel this was well crafted and I can’t wait for more from Maiga Doocy. This was a perfect blend of magic, cozy vibes, and slow burn romance for me to devour. This book isn’t even out yet and I need book two already.



Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Let’s make something clear. I do not like romance, I’m rarely fond of mlm books, I think rival to lovers is often incredibly poorly done. And this books entire plot is the same plot as many a fanfic I’ve looked at and refused to read over the years for their over soppy, trope-filled nature. By all account this should not have been a book I enjoyed. That being said I <i>ate this book up</i>. It was spectacularly well paced, the two main characters where adorable and excellently characterized, the plot, their character grown, the worldbuilding, all of it? Fantastic. When I finished this book I was genuinely devastated as I remembered it was an arc and that the 2nd book wasn’t out. Because I desperately want to read it right now. This book was utterly fantastic and I cannot wait to read more.

A fantastically charming cozy fantasy. This lovely debut by Maiga Doocy is a great slow-burn romantasy that's perfect for fall. A magic school, a dark forest, and a gay romance - what more could you want?

Full review to come!Thank you to NetGalley Orbit for providing me with an eARC of Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy in exchange for an honest review.

A fantastically charming cozy fantasy. This lovely debut by Maiga Doocy is a great slow-burn romantasy that's perfect for fall. A magic school, a dark forest, and LGBTQ+ representation - what more could you want?

I really had a great time with this whimsical fantasy romance. Leo and Grimm were truly opposites, but they fit together so well. They are academic rivals to lovers with sunshine and grump personalities and it was lovely to follow their journey. Note – it really is a slow burn!

The book starts in an academic setting. There are those that write spells, and those that cast them. Our main character, Leovander Loveage, can write spells, but he has to be careful, as large spells tend to go very wrong for him. Sebastian Grimm, however, is a bit of a golden boy. And of course they’re thrown together for a school project that goes very wrong – Leo gets bound to Grimm.

Embarking on a quest to undo this spell…or some may say curse…Leo and Grimm go on a charming adventure through a dark forest filled with daunting creatures and mysterious sorcerers alike. It had really great pacing, balancing plot and dialogue very well.

It was truly very easy to fall in love with our characters as the story went on. And I also really enjoyed the side characters throughout the novel. It was giving found family vibes, and I think that’s something we will see continue to grow in the future books of this trilogy.

This book contains no spice, so it’s great for anyone that’s looking for a fun, wholesome, adult cozy fantasy romance. It’s definitely great for those looking to fill the void after reading books such as Legends & Lattes or The Spellshop. Low-stakes, cozy vibes, and perfect for the fall time.

The worst part about this book? Finding out that it’s a trilogy and we have to wait who knows how long to read the second one!

This was a delightfully cozy magical school misfit adventure romp. Leo is immediately lovable as the screwball with a tune in his heart and a nemesis to annoy. Grim is just the right curmudgeonly prodigy from humble origins who is Leo's foil. Agnes is the wildly talented and supportive to a fault towards Leo. I loved them and everyone their paths crossed immediately. The story and worldbuilding isn't super complicated but still feels loved in. However, for all the romping through magical woods to break a curse, something about all the narrative beats felt too simplistic. The curse in itself is a hilarious romance trope which touches on consent issues, and yet by the end, the simmering slow burn never resolves itself and there's some not insignificant hand waving around how things are resolved. I imagine the dangling loose ends are sequel bait, ones which I will happily follow but I'm still annoyed at the pacing and abrupt stop.

I really wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did. Two sorcerers who really don’t like each other are forced into an epic quest when a spell gone wrong links them together. The world building, character building and overall plot are top notch and my only complaint is that I wanted more of all of it but now have to wait for the next book in the series…ugh. I received a digital review copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley.

While not a terrible book, this just didn't work for me. I disliked both main characters enough that some small part of me was hoping they'd actually get offed early so I could be finished with the book. As well, the writing felt a bit juvenile with none of the characters fleshed out beyond annoying and rebellious meets surly and sulky. I certainly didn't see why either would be attracted to the other and couldn't help but want to say, "run far away!".

Story: Leo attends a prestigious school for magicians. But he hates everything about it and only attends because his parents are forcing him to do so. His rival is Grimm - a quiet and uptight boy who considers Leo a travesty. When put together for a magic class, a spell is accidentally cast on Leo forcing him to do whatever Grimm says. While potentially annoying, the real problem with the spell is that it is a) highly illegal and b) slowly evolving into something much more problematic over time. Can the two work together long enough to find a counter in time?

So yes, I found both leads problematic. Leo spends most of his time sulking, rebelling, and of course the self-doubt that the magic of a love interest always seems to cure. Because yes, he is a special snowflake with magic. Grimm is a 'by-the-rules' guy who didn't have the advantages of an aristocratic family connection like Leo and so despises Leo for purposely throwing away all that Grimm has had to struggle to obtain. Que silly mcguffin to throw them together and obfuscate that they aren't enemies but madly in love.

The plot meanders, there is far too much inner dialogue, the side characters are cardboard cutouts (YA friends archetypes) and the plot honestly is just silly. They are supposed to be on a dangerous quest through a monster-ridden forest that felt more like Disneyland and certainly there was never a worry that they were in harm's way. Queue quirky witch character cliché and I had to throw my hands up in disgust over this one.

I do get what the writer was going for here - something lighthearted, enemies-to-lovers, with a fairytale like atmosphere and clearly yet another Harry Potter derivative. But whiney self destructive characters aren't my cup of tea and everything felt heavily plotted so we can throw the boys together. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I received an arc for this book and am utterly blown away by how much I adored it. I’m not a cozy fantasy reader and this definitely toed the line but had enough action and tension to keep things exciting. I could see this being such a fun movie franchise.
And the characters?? Ugh my heart, I love them😭. This was such a unique story and the ending left things open with enough anticipation to want more. The authors writing style was so genuine and easy but super well done, it felt like very high quality writing and I think that’s why I loved this book so much. I’m very excited to receive this as my Fairyloot October book.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me the ARC of Sorcery and Small Magics for an honest review. I to be very honest, I put off reviewing this book for a while because I wanted to make sure I was fair but it turns out that this isn’t going to be much of a review because I really just didn’t care for this book. I really didn’t like the main character at all and it was hard to appreciate the story. I think the writing was decent but I found Leo to be very immature and self destructive in nonsensical ways and just extremely annoying. So much so that I had to walk away from the book several times because I found him so ridiculous. I also didn’t really understand the magic system where one group writes spells for the other to cast because neither group can do both well enough to be independent from the other. So with the strong dislike of the main character and a few other quibbles there’s really not much more for me to say.

A solid setup for a trilogy. The worldbuilding is interesting, the characters are likeable, and there was just enough unexpected to stay compelling. Hopefully the next book can expand on this good intro.