I enjoyed this book and I look forward to the continuation of the series. The story follows two mmc's who both attend a magic academy and are forced to work together as partners. The story did get off to a slow start, but once it picked up it was a fast read. I look forward to seeing the relationship between Leo and Grim and how it grows in the future.

Heads up right out of the gate!!! This is the FIRST book in a series! Don’t get it twisted like me and go in thinking it is a standalone! IT’S NOT.

But that’s a great thing!

Picture this: Rival Wizards. One is placed under a spell by the other. (On accident of course. It’s Rivals to Lovers not Enemies to Lovers. Don’t get it twisted.) Spell puts him under the Casters every command. You see where this is going?

Lmao, I didn’t either lol cause I thought this was a standalone and thought they were getting together at the end. Sooooooo Guess who was shocked when they didn’t??? THIS GUY!

Anywaysssss, it was great! Got some good laughs out of me and of course the character I hated at the beginning (cough Grimm cough) comes out on top as my favorite in the end 🤣 🤣We love the asshole, guard dog aesthetic in this house! For anyone who hates him at the start, you will learn to love him. Guaranteed. It grows on you very fast, just hang in there! But be ready for the squablesss cause they A COMING. These two fight A LOT.

Good plot building. Good characters. Though I will say the society may have confused me in some spots cause I’m a dumb dumb sometimes. I REALLY look forward to the next book! Looks like the tables may be turned (If you know you know) and I’m so here for it! I really hope that if we get some steamy scenes later that they won’t be super ‘fade to the black’ cause the tension between Grimm and Leo is soooo good. Dem scenes would be WILD

4/5 -star rating for this one, but I was on the fence between that and 3.5 stars. With a standalone in mind, I had high hopes for more chemistry to go down between them so when it didn’t cause this is only the tip of the iceberg I was let down. It is a slow burn, but at that point (almost 80% done before I realized XDD) I felt like they would never break that wall. Had I known it was the start of a Trilogy I would have enjoyed it much more and could have paced myself with the book better. That fault was all on meeeeee so 4 stars it is!

My thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the Digital ARC. This book is ALREADY OUT!!! Go check it out for yourself and see what you think!

Sorcery and Small Magics is a cozy-ish fantasy about magical academic rivals Leo and Grim. When Grim accidentally curses Leo, the two have to figure out how to break the curse, figure out how their magic works together, and figure out the strange feelings they have for each other... This book is totally up my alley and I was so excited to read it!

I loved this one!! I'd like the sequel right now. It combines academia, fantasy, magic, coziness, and romance in such a great way. This one is kind billed as a cozy fantasy but I think it's really more fantasy with some cozy. It pushes the boundaries of cozy with some strife, angst, and violence. So, if super cozy isn't your thing, this might be for you! I thought it worked really well together. I loved Leo and Grim too!!

Highly recommend this one!! It it at all seems like something you'd like, definitely give it a try. 5 stars from me! Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the eARC, my thoughts are my own!

Leo accidentally becomes the victim of a forbidden obedience spell cast by his school rival, forcing the two opposites to work together to break the spell. This enemies-to-friends fantasy starts a cozy queer series about challenging assumptions. Compelling characters filled with sweetness set a world full of hints, this will appeal to fans of TJ Klune.

That was so good! I need the next book right now, lol!

I fell in love with Leo and Grimm and their absolutely adorable, fraught relationship. Leo's narration had me laughing quite often, but there was also so much unexpected depth to the story and his character arc.

The magic was not only beautiful and wild, but I loved the intricacies and mystery built into it. And the Unquiet Wood was the perfect blend of ominous and wondrous.

I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC.

While this is a romance, it develops more slowly and also accompanies some nice personal development on the side of our characters. After one accidentally curses the other, the two set out on a quest to try to break it and adventure ensures. People are calling it cozy which I think is fair even with some danger and non-MC death mentioned, such as a parent. There is never a very strong feeling that anything can happen to the two MCs but the overall feeling is just wanting to spend more time with them. Some bigger issues in the world have also been set up as this is a trilogy, it will be interesting to see where the author goes from here. I recommend this to anyone who likes their cozy fantasy with a bit more plot and danger and a slower romance.

Sorcery and Small Magic's by maiga Doocy was a stellar read. The pacing, dialogue, and character develop were all excellent. I can't wait to go and snag a physical copy.
Fans of magical adventure looking for a clean frenmies to lovers read are in for a good time.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.
This is becomes my most favorite book of 2024, The main plot was simple, yet Doocy knows really well to deliver it. The slow burning is soo good.

This was such an interesting take on magic, spells, and how we interact with the world around us. Leo and Sebastian's rivalry devolving into an accidental binding and the adventure that ensues was so cozy and warm at its core.
The biggest thing that threw me as I came close to the end of the book was realizing that this was not a standalone, but instead the beginning of a series. I had to adjust my mindset late into the book after thinking I was reading a book that would be fully wrapped at the end. (This is 100% on me and I still enjoyed this so much.)
I am now (respectfully) impatiently waiting for the next book!

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy.

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy will spellbound any reader with its enchanting worldbuilding, charming characters, and entrancing slow burn romance.

I really loved spending time in this world. I think a big reason why I loved this world is because I really liked learning about this world’s magic system. In Leo and Grimm’s world, scriveners are the only ones who can write spells, and casters are the only ones who can speak them into existence. I like that this means that magic must be shared, must be a collaboration. As the story moves forward, more details and hidden surprises are revealed, stunningly expanding the limits of magic, making it exciting to read what happens next. All the beautiful, thoughtful descriptions of the world and the magic made it easy to both understand and fall in love with everything. However, the darker side of magic creeps in, showing how complicated the world actually is.

Both Leo and Grimm, and the female side characters Agnes, Jayne, and Sybilla, were a joy to read. Leo is a funny and charismatic narrator, full of heart and wit, his voice making the book easy and enjoyable to read. But, he also uses these traits to deflect others from his mistakes and a secret he wishes to keep buried, encouraging the reader to dig deeper into the story. Grimm is Leo’s opposite, with a straight-laced, stoic personality. Some of my favorite scenes in this book were when Leo and Grimm set aside their misgivings about each other and surprised themselves on what they could accomplish together. The female side characters, especially Jayne and Sybilla, were intriguing and strong, and I hope that this won’t be the last we see of them. For Agnes, I’d like to see her become more fleshed out than just being the smart, loyal best friend.

I loved the romance in this book. I loved it so much that I immediately reread the last few chapters after I finished reading the book, hoping to relive the emotions all over again. I loved that the romance is a true slow burn romance. The burn is very, very slow, but the chemistry and tension is undeniable and unforgettable. Leo and Grimm may still have a ways to go, but in the meantime the buildup is authentic, thrilling, and lovely.

This book was one of my favorite reads of the year. Since this book was released just a couple months ago, I know that the next book will probably take another year to release, but I already can’t wait to get a copy. It’s been a while since I’ve had a sequel that I’m this eager for, which is exciting.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. 4.75/5 stars.

This was a lot of fun! The dynamics were the best part of this book for me and the world building was interesting.

Thank you Orbit Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

Thank you Maiga Doocy for getting me out of a reading slump - I DEVOURED this book. It had everything I wanted in it: good pacing, intriguing world building, a well thought out and unique magic system, a rivals to (Maybe? Please? PLEEEEASE?) lovers trope.

The story follows our two MC Leo and Grimm. Leo is on the surface a stereotypical nepo baby - rich, doesn't try very hard, KNOWS he doesn't have to try very hard etc. Underneath the bravado and devil-may-care attitude is someone deeply affected by trauma in his past, so much so that it is interfering with his magic. Grimm, as the name implies, is, well, grim. He comes from a poor family and knows that in order to get ahead in life he has to be better, smarter, faster than everyone else.

Both Leo and Grimm are students at the Coterie. Think Hogwarts if Hogwarts was more like a college and allegedly do not like each other (lol.). They are forced to work together as parnters first during magic class and then later because of an untimely curse Grimm accidentally places on Leo.

I cannot stress enough how fun this book was, how satisfying the ending was, and yet how excited I am for book 2! I need more Leo and Grimm in my life!

Sorcery and Small Magics is another five star read for me. I loved this fun and cozy fantasy debut from Maiga Doocy. This is another book I’ve read where I found the world building and characters to be phenomenal. The magic system was fun and interesting too. I honestly didn’t want this one to end.

The book follows mischievous sorcerer, Leovander Loveage, and his rival, Sebastian Grimm as they return for their final year at the Fount. Leo is a scriver, a sorcerer that writes spells, and Grimm is a caster, a sorcerer that casts the spells. When Grimm accidentally casts a spell that binds Leo to obey his every command, the two must come together to try and find a solution.

Leo and Grimm embark on a journey to the Unquiet Wood to look for a powerful sorcerer to help them break their curse. However this is easier said than done as the two are kidnapped so that Leo can write spells for a group of rogue sorcerers. The two rivals have to learn to work together so they can break the spell and go back to ignoring each other.

This book really was a great cozy fantasy read. Leo is a lovable character and Grimm is so stuffy that their dynamic just works. This book didn’t have a lot of romance, but I feel the slow burn will pay off in the future books. It was so easy getting lost in this world and I am so happy that this is a planned trilogy. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

This was a fun, enjoyable debut. I wouldn’t call it cozy, but it’s certainly on the lighter side. A good book to read for some escapism.

Our main character is Leovander Loveage (Leo), a ne’er-do-well student at a magical academy. His foil is the very well-named (a little on the nose to be honest) Sebastian Grimm. Leo doesn’t particularly *want* to be at the academy, but his father has made clear that he needs to graduate if he wants to receive his inheritance. Leo would much rather play his violin, drink, and cavort, but needs must.

Sorcerers in this world come in two types: scriveners and casters. Scriveners write spells, but cannot cast anything but the most minor of magics. Casters can cast spells, but only spells that a scrivener has written. Leo is a scrivener, and Grimm is a caster. Surprise, surprise, they’re made to partner up in class.

Leo’s is exclusively skilled at small magics: minor charms and cantrips. Cosmetic spells are a particular specialty. The grand magics are beyond him - anything he scribes is all but guaranteed to go terribly wrong. His skills are far from useless, but he embraces the frivolous aspects and takes every opportunity to annoy Sebastian Grimm.

The action proper kicks off when, during a class exercise, Leo gives Grimm a spell to cast that places Leo under a compulsion to obey any command Grimm gives him (it really is entirely an accident, on both their parts). As both of them find the idea of Leo being Grimm’s permanent slave to be utterly repulsive on many levels, they set out to chase down rumors of a sorcerer in an enchanted forest particularly skilled at counter curses.

The book is fun and charming. The two of them get under each others’ skin with effortless ease, and, as is often the case in these books, friction leads to sparks. As I said at the top, it’s easy to read and it’s very fun and enjoyable.

It’s not the greatest book ever. Leo and Grimm are both archetypal characters, and I knew the general shape of the story very early on. I can also predict a few twists that might come about in the second book.

Which I am looking forward to.

Delightful fantasy with an unlikely duo forced to team up after a spell is mistakenly cast, binding them together in unfortunate ways, just weeks before their school’s Trials art set to start. Grimm is determined to work hard and do well at the trials so he can join a coterie and eventually be granted land, and Leo just wants to graduate and keep his head down so he can get his inheritance.

I loved the classic fairy tale-style adventure they end up while trying to find a way out of the curse - all the while learning more about each other - and the curse! - along the way.

Lovely set up for book two, their goals have aligned and they’ve learned how to work well together, but how did the curse truly end? When did Grimm know? And what will happen when Leo figures it out?

This book was everything I wanted from a cozy(ish) fantasy and more! Leo and Grimm are opposites: Leo, who employs silly small charms that embody his lackadaisical personality, and Grimm, a powerful sorcerer who is…well, his name. Grim.

When they are paired together in class at the Fount, a prestigious academy for sorcerers, they accidentally cast a spell that keeps them bound much closer than they’d ever want to be to each other. Worse, when they realize their spell is illegal, they have to resort to less-than-legal means to break it.

I wasn’t expecting to love this story so much, but Leo and Grim were such a fun version of the academic rivals-to-lovers trope, with backstories that deepened their reasons both to resent and not resent (maybe even…like?) each other.

There is a Ghibli-like warmth to parts of this story as Leo and Grim adventure through the Wilderlands in search of a solution that I think will appeal to a wide range of fantasy readers, and just enough action on top of it all.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for review!

While this was fun to read at times, and the audiobook narration was fine as well, it just didn’t have that captivating quality to keep me interested for long periods of time. I kept dropping it and took me a long while to finish. Maybe it just wasn’t for me.

my friend gina put this book on my radar early on, and i’m thrilled that she did because this book worked SO WELL for me!! it feels like it was tailored to my interests, and i am FLOORED that it is a debut novel. the hate to love trope is everything when it’s done well, same with slowburn, and i’m ITCHING to see what maiga doocy has in store for her two main characters.

this story also kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, immersed in a world of magic and scrivening and spells and curses. i felt satiated at the end of reading this, like i’d just finished drinking a warm cup of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an early access copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows a sorcerer as he navigates his own insecurities and trauma. The main character is flawed but endearing most of the time. The plot was entertaining, though I wish the love interest had a POV or development. I am excited to return to this world in the next book to get more background and world building.