So, this is a bit of a tricky one. I'll be honest, I DNF'd this. But that said, I don't think it was any fault of the book itself and Maiga Doocy is such a competent writer, I really wanted to talk a little bit about it and share the facets that make it so special (even if it wasn't my cup of tea).

So, first, Sorcery and Small Magics gives us a peak into an atmospheric magic academia that reminds me of a cross between Naomi Novik’s The Golden Enclaves and Ursula K LeGuin’s A Wizard of Earthsea. Just enough of a familiar setting not to feel completely blindsided by world building but unique enough that I didn't feel bored with it.

The narration itself is quick and voicey, with a visceral fanfic quality (which I say with love since that’s the kettle that brewed me lol).

The magic system felt quite unique, involving a partner system based on who draws the spells and who speaks them, which naturally led to banter and forced proximity between the main couple. Leovander is fun loving, work eschewing and just wants to play lttle magical tunes and chill whereas Sebastian is very serious and studious. The two of them together provide an oil-and-water, Jaskier and Geralt dynamic that I know will be absolute catnip to some girlies, especially considering the fated mates variation that happens between them due to a spell gone wrong.

I suspect this is a case of Right Book, Wrong Time for me. Maybe one day I’ll pick this one up back again and fall in love.

This is a very cute MLM fantasy romance. The magic system is mostly unique, it has an engaging plot, and it's a quick read. I assume that in the following books Sebastian Grimm's character will be complicated and expanded on; otherwise, I have no critiques.

An utter delight! I don't usually gel with cozy books, but the unique magic system and a setting that was more interesting and whimsical than the usual cozy fare elevates it, as does the banter and sloooow burn between Leo and Grimm. Doocy's prose is effortlessly readable and between that and the fanfic-ish conceit, I flew through this one. Extremely charming and I'll be picking up book 2.

I feel like it is rare these days for me to actually enjoy and savour the process of reading a book; usually, I read to pass the time and because I enjoy the feeling of finishing books. But Sorcery and Small Magics reminded me of that wonderful feeling of genuinely enjoying reading.

The best way I can describe this book is simply: a good and fun time. Just two little magical guys who do not like each other, one of them gets cursed, they go on an adventure to break the curse, and they perhaps fall in love along the way. Nothing revolutionary, but most certainly enjoyable. The thing I enjoyed most was the banter between the main characters and how their dynamic evolves over the story. I also liked how the book portrayed the protagonists' feelings regarding being near the end of magic school. The explorations of self-doubt, youthful ambition of dismantling corrupt systems, wanting to forge one's own path, and fear of taking the risks needed to reach one's full potential made the characters feel relatable and human, even as they were battling monsters. I was also quite impressed with how easy and pleasant to read the writing was. I can't remember the last time I read a fantasy book and felt like I fully understood what was happening all the way through.

Overall, this was really nice! A fun, enthralling story with great character dynamics and a good balance of adventure and cozy vibes. I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel.

I really enjoyed the world building and the magic system created here. The characters were also very likeable. However, it seemed rushed at times. I would have liked fewer action sequences and more depth to them. Overall, a fun read that I really liked.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Orbit books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found the pacing in this book to be excellent and breezed through this story. It was fun entertaining and light.

I do think that this book would have benefited from a dual pov, especially since it’s a “slow burn” (and if my suspicions are right, Sebastian’s pov would only strengthen this).

I will say that this book reminded me a bit of fanfic, but I still really liked it. I’m looking forward to continuing this series.

Looking forward to the continuati0n of this series. The main characters are both extremely likable and Doocy's humor and care for her story shines through.

An easy read, reminiscent of A Marvellous Light so if you liked that book then I recommend this! The pacing dragged a bit at times and I wish we had a Grimm POV but I did like this and will pick up the sequel. 3.5 stars.

So happy to have received a copy of this from Orbit via Netgalley. The moment I read the summary for this, I thought it had comparable vibes to CL Polk's Kingston Cycle and Freya Markes' Binding Trilogy, and I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured in within a day. Though less thematically tense than Polk's and Markes' works, I still felt pulled along by the narrative, and while fairly straight forward, it was still interesting.
The prose and tone of the novel was light and easy to read. I instantly took to the mild, purposeful disaster that was the main character Leo, though I still remain a little disconnected from the other main character Sebastian. I felt that I didn't get enough of an emotional connection to him, that although we got to see more into him as the story progressed it was still more from the antagonistic perspective of Leo for 75% of the book before Leo's own perspective started to shift and then get a little confused by the spell. To me Sebastian is still a very closed off character, but I'm amenable to it because this is the first of a series and there is still more to come for these two. I'm hoping the next book may be from Sebastian's POV.
The book is set in a fairly typical Mideval fantasy setting with the worldbuilding focused more on the magic, and the two types of sorcerers who use it. We learned a little about the society and political landscape, slanted more to its impact on sorcerers then on the world in general. I suspect that future books in the series will continue to expand on what's been established, given the main character's goals, but hopefully it wont be focused solely on magic users.
The romance aspect of this book is light. It's there, the characters clearly have started to catch feelings that aren't dictated by the
spell, but the author's own description that this book is slow burn is accurate because they're still slow burning. I like it. I like that there wasn't a sudden jump to something because it would have been forced and seemed curse driven not just to the reader but to the characters as well. Leo and Sebastian still have a ways to go, have only just really become friends after years of anamosity and I'm interested in how the author plans to explore that.
Definitely something I'd recommend to people who like low stakes and don't mind a few predictable tropes. Overall, a 4.5 ☆ read for me.

This was a delightful combination of the magical academy and cozy fantasy mystery genres. An unfortunate curse tangles two young men at a magical academy up in an adventure they must finish in time for finals. They must overcome their prejudices, differing backgrounds and the monsters and rogues in the Unquiet Woods without losing their place in school or letting the curse become permanent! A great read for fans of Travis Baldtree's 'Legends & Lattes' or Rebecca Thorne's 'Can't Spell Treason without Tea'.

thank you immensely for the opportunity to read this prior to it's publication! having published my five-star review on goodreads immediately upon my completion, here's that same review!

this book is so so magical in it's own right, not to even mention the artistically crafted magic system, nor the many whimsical perils and triumphs of leo and grimm. i cannot wait for book two !!

A slow burn grumpy/sunshine enemies-to-lovers MM romance between a scriver (one who writes spells) and a caster (one who casts spells). After being paired together during school, these two find themselves mixed up in a spell that they need help undoing. There’s talk of a sorcerer in the woods who may be able to create a counterspell, so the two embark on a quest.

This was so enjoyable to read and to be immersed in this magical world. I loved the magic system and how it’s set up as a two person system. This book gave me the vibes of Sword in the Stone with Merlin and Madam Mim, Ella Enchanted, that 1989 animated movie Happy Ever After, a bit of Rapunzel. This was a very slow burn romance, which I appreciated as this is set to be a trilogy. This really sets up future explorations of their relationship in subsequent books. I look forward to continuing with their journey. 4.25

I thought I would enjoy this book; sadly, I did not. I flew through this, not because I was enjoying it, but because I wanted to get it over with and off my digital shelf. :/

The first two chapters grabbed my attention, but not long afterward, the book went downhill for me. The pacing was incredibly slow in certain parts, and this book was far more “cozy fantasy” than I was expecting (I don’t vibe with cozy fantasy, for what it’s worth). Leo Loveage was a protagonist I found deeply annoying, and I don’t say that lightly. My threshold for “annoying protagonist” is relatively high; I can sympathize with immature protagonists if I understand why they are the way they are, and I generally enjoy Walking Disaster-type characters.

Unfortunately, Leo Loveage didn’t work for me. At all. As it turns out, I can’t stand characters who constantly and intentionally make their lives worse for themselves. He didn’t have any goals or ambitions other than to fail as a sorcerer and waste his life, and I wasn’t given enough background to sympathize with why he would act that way. Whenever Grimm called him out for his privilege, I was like “yeah, he’s right, why am I in this whiny nepo-baby’s head again?” His behavior was finally explained near the 75% mark of the book, but for me it was too little, too late. That explanation should have come much earlier.

His interactions with Sebastian Grimm were also not enjoyable to read about. I love slow-burn romances; Jane Austen’s Persuasion is still one of my favorite romances of all time. And I enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers or rivals-to-lovers arc. But Leo’s constant antagonizing of Grimm felt mean-spirited and juvenile rather than humorous or endearing. I felt zero chemistry between the two. Even when the romantic relationship begins to develop, it’s completely ruined by the nature of the forced proximity curse between them so it left me feeling icky rather than swoony. Seriously, I don’t understand what the author was thinking. And I don’t trust anyone who’s been raving about this book for its queer romance. The whole premise of the book was fanfic AF, and that’s another thing I don’t say lightly. I don’t, on principle, have an issue with fanfic that’s turned into published fiction. But there are just some ideas that work as an interesting AU/thought experiment in fanfic but feel cringe in original fiction, IMO.

There was an interesting theme regarding trauma, but the emotional “breakthrough” that happens feels like it came out of nowhere, with no buildup, and could be read as a “love conquers emotional wounds” message which I generally dislike. All in all, this book had the emotional resonance of a wet paper towel for me.

super readable, but as a story this felt incomplete. i didnt really buy the slowburn romance--partly because i found Grimm to be a very inscrutable character, and partly because i wasnt feeling any tension whatsoever between these characters (slowburn only works if there is, in fact, a "burn")--and i didnt like how this ended so abruptly. it felt like a one-book story that was split into two books just for the sake of it. but the writing really is great. a lot of the debuts i read feel like theyre trying too hard, but the writing in this one strikes the perfect balance between earnest and funny. too bad the story and the character work didnt follow suit...

thank you to Orbit for the eARC!

4.5 on StoryGraph

Such a delightful cozy fantasy novel that kicks off this coming of age / slow-burn romance novel.

First, let’s talk tropes. This book starts in a magic school full of college aged pupils, so you get a little bit of academia before heading off on our quest. We have magical mishaps that lead to forced proximity of our rivals (antagonists might be a better descriptor) to friends duo. Yes, this is a true slow burn, we’re in this for the long haul! If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy novel with these scenarios and banter, this book has it in spades.

The world building and atmosphere in this book is excellent, and the magic system along with the cost of said magic is beautifully done. The reveals and build up in this book as we uncover more of Leo and Grimm’s secrets is very well done!

Our main duo here are just lovely. Grimm still has enough mystery that I’m looking forward to seeing what more is uncovered in the next books. Leo is just getting started with his potential and growth and watching him flourish will also be delightful. Still, dying over the ending with Grimm though. The poor man needs a hug.

Lovely start to a series and so much potential to build upon here for a stellar follow up. I’ll check it out for sure.

I enjoyed this book A LOT. I thought the magic system was interesting and creative, and I liked the MCs and supporting characters. I'm also very much here for books where the romance is more of an undercurrent than the main focus.

I get that this is book one in a trilogy, so it makes sense that not all the plot threads are wrapped up at the end. That said, I'll be very interested to see whether something that seemed like a continuity error gets revealed in book two (or three???) to have been intentional.

Overall, I thought this was a very successful debut.

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

When Leo is paired with his worst rival in his spell class during his last year of magical college, he couldn’t imagine a worse fate. That is until an accident gives Sebastian Grimm the power to control him, a very annoying and highly illegal spell. Now the two must work together to counter the curse before anyone finds out and they are expelled, or worse: have their magic bound.

The world that Maiga Doocy has created here is really unique as far as magic goes. Casters have the power to actually use magic to cast spells but they cannot do it without the help of a Scrivers, someone who uses words to imbue the spell with the magic. This leads to quite a bit of classism in the book’s universe as the sorcerers are usually titled gentry. Leo comes from a famous, wealthy family and is hailed as a magical genius from childhood. Whereas Grimm comes from a more provincial background and has worked hard to be accepted as a Caster. It seems from the very begining they were set up to be rivals and their constant needling of each other at school only proves it.

Leo’s magic was really interestingly portrayed as he doesn’t traditionally cast spells like other Scrivers, claiming that anything other than “small magic” (charms and tricks) hurts the people around him. He uses his music to cast through songs instead, which is incredible in itself considering that he shouldn’t even be able to perform magic that way since he isn’t a caster. With his spellsongs he and Grimm are able to accomplish things that would normally require large groups of casters to perform together, something not even Sybilla could manage to do when she tried! I am interested to see him build this skill and the unique ways he could use it in book two.

I especially loved Sybilla’s tower. What a cool piece of magic! She literally crafted her memories into infinite rooms that provide everything she could ever need or desire. It let her experiment with all sorts of magic: counter curses, protection barriers, fashion, travel, etc. In fact the only reason she even meets people is because they seek her out for her magical research and inventive spellwork! I hope she will be a reoccurring character if only as a sort of mentor for Leo as he explores his new confidence and his magical ability.

The romance here is a slow burn. Like super slow. Which was a nice change from the current love-at-first-sight or fated-to-be-together trends that are overwhelmingly abundant in both fantasy and romantasy novels right now. And then of course learning the curse wasn’t actually for control but was a love spell raises a lot of ethical implications. Is Leo really falling for him or is the spell compelling his feelings like it does his actions? Can Grimm really trust those feelings if he were to confess them? Honestly I felt the build up was more organic and therefore a more realistic representation of romance. I am actually glad that there was no big confession or passionate scene after the curse was broken. I would love to get Sebastian’s POV in book two and see if he had been falling for Leo during the adventure or if it is something that will continue to build now that they are friends.

Overall a fun and inventive fantasy that will keep you on the edge of your seat (seriously I finished it in about 5 hrs in one sitting!) while the rivals fight off monsters, magical outlaws, and their very opposite way of doing things (not to mention their morals) to break the curse. I eagerly await book two and all its possibilities for Leo and Sebastian’s new adventure—and hopefully their growing feelings for each other!

Thank you to NetGalley, Maiga Doocy, and Orbit for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

4.75 stars

I absolutely loved this book! It is so adorable and cozy mixed with some real life aspects like grief of a parent. They accidentally create a curse that binds them together. The forced proximity makes them slowly start to understand each other. It felt like a cozy queer read with some magical elements. A category that I love to pieces.

I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC.

Sorcery and Small Magics was a fun, witchy book that I did not know was the first in a trilogy, and was absolutely delighted to find out at the end. (I mean that truly. There is a lot of build up and foreshadowing, themes that demand deeper exploration, and as I was reaching the end, I was wondering how it was all going to pay of satisfactorily. I was thinking that it would need more books to properly do the story and the characters justice.) Even so, the general arc of book one wraps up tidily enough that it can be read on it's own, which is a charm in of itself.

I started reading this right before bed, thinking I would just read a couple chapters and go to bed. I was exhausted, and just wanted to unwind. That is not what happened, evidently. I was swept into the story, reading long into the night (morning?) and was left half-feverish from lack of sleep, my eyes stinging and dry from staying awake and staring at a screen for so long.

Totally worth it.

The world building is decent, and I fully expect book 2 to dive further into it. There are tons of interesting tidbits to draw conclusions from: the seemingly isolated nature of their country, the need for scrives and casters in the role of soldiers (what are they truly fighting against), the hierarchal nature of their society, the rouges in the woods, the fact that nobody has been able to recreate healing magic, the reliance on outdated spells and shows of might when the people are suffering, the silver blight, why exactly is our main character's magic so different than anyone else's (and why the witch in the woods seemed to understand him, are there more like him?).

A lot of that world building revolves around the need for military/magical might, but the reluctance to bring anyone outside of the highest members of society to facilitate that. The books certainly dips its toes into criticisms of the wealthy/elite and their fundamental disconnect with the majority of the people in the world, and yet they are the ones seeming to make the decisions. Our main character comments about how he might like to be a farmer, and the other character (rightfully) puts him in his place about the romanticized view he has on farming. There are plenty of moments where the main character makes comments or jokes, and doesn't really understand why they could be insulting or hurtful until it's kind of spelled out for him. His reality is vastly different.

I fully expect that disparity between the populace is going to be a driving force in book two, especially now that it seems romantic entanglement for the two mains seems to be inevitable (now that they've got that love spell circumvented (by the other character falling in love, right? Right? Someone please say right!))

If you were a fan of Rainbow Rowell's Carry On, or Alexandra Rowland's Running Close to the Wind, I think you would like this book. It's got a very similar set up to Carry On, in that it is two magic students who can't seem to stop fighting with each other, but also can't seem to stay away. One of them has a magic that they can't seem to control. One of them is very imperious and studious (and is duking it out for top spot with the other man's best friend). They're forced to rely on each other to solve a magical mystery/crisis. The similarities kind of stop there. It's worth mentioning though, because it is a fun set up, structurally. I also mention Running Close to the Wind (a recent read of mine) because of the humor. While not so in your face as Running Close to the Wind, Sorcery and Small Magics is funny. As in RCttW. the main characters narration is often incongruous to the severity of the situation, and is meant as a shield to hid from their much more serious, competent natures from those around them. They play the roll of the jester, the rake, as a distraction from something hidden within, and it is oh-s0-delicious when that character comes pulled apart and they are shown to be quite powerful.

️This book could cure whatever's wrong with me and give me cooler, better problems.

Below are my observations and thoughts written in real time during the reading process; there will be spoilers:
✨️I am GAGGED by the rivals-to-lovers actually feeling like rivals.
✨️This is the first time in a very long time that an obvious "there was only one bed" flavor scenario has popped up where I've felt that giddy "there was only one bed??" type of response to. Oh no, in this group of sorcerers where two people antagonize each other have to pick new partners at random? 👀 I wonder which name 👀👀 our protagonist will pull out of a hat 👀👀👀👀
✨️The magic system is so fascinating! I love the concept of the necessity of partnership between sorcerers. And how refreshing not to have a "magic scary :(" world, but rather "magic will make you landed gentry".
✨️This book has got me giggling and kicking my feet.
✨️Oh nooo, the grumpy strong hot one accidentally cast a compulsion spell on the cheeky one that makes him obey his every word, feeling empty without command? That's sooo terrible 😩💦💦💦 what can possibly be done to remove this awful curse 👀 🧙‍♂️🍆💦
✨️Oh NOOO, the grumpy strong one doesn't WANT to use this sudden and total power over his rival, even if it would prove satisfying, because he's UPRIGHT with STRONG MORAL FIBER 😫💦💦💦💦💦🍆💦💦💦
✨️Maiga Doocy, you sly dog, you have got me gnashing my teeth, stomping, frothing at the MOUTH. Hate that this is a debut novel, because I'd like to go on a Brandon Sanderson-level binge of your work.
✨️A couple of guys in lingerie blowing each other would be less gay than whatever the fuck these two have going on. Nevertheless, I do hope they get a mouthful.
✨️I can't overstate how cool the magic system is. I'm genuinely obsessed.
✨️Omegaverse mpreg is less gay than whatever these two have going on. Put that in your blurb and smoke it.
✨️oh my god there was only one blanket
✨️I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!!!!!!! Thinking about ending it all