Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy crime novel. The setting of post WWII America with a different history of colonialism was very interesting and convincingly portrayed. The blend of supernatural and mundane in both the story and the characters was well executed and entertaining. I very much enjoyed this story and the characters. The plot was wonderful, the mystery original and novel enough to keep me guessing at every turn. And that epilogue?!?!?! OMG when is the next book because I HAVE to know what that is all about. A very enjoyable read. Solid 4.5/5 stars. A genuinely enjoyable story and a series I cannot wait to continue.

This was a strong start to the Degrees of Magic series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this horror novel. The characters were so well written and was invested in the magical element of this world. The concept worked so well in this genre and was enjoying the overall feel of this. J. M. Linkhart wrote this well and left me wanting more from the characters and this world.

I believe I over hyped myself going into this read and wasn't quite met with the expectations I held. While I loved the magic and the secrets, it just didn't quite hold my attention at times and I found myself having to go back and reread sections to understand what was going on. Overall I fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Goblin Booth Productions for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First-Degree Magic offers an intriguing supernatural murder mystery set against an imaginative, alternative Prohibition-era Chicago. The setting – infused with magic and post-WWI tension – adds an atmospheric and original backdrop to the Tarot Killer case. It’s clear the author put a tremendous amount of care and attention into weaving the mystery and slowly revealing the characters’ connections, which kept me reading to see how it would unfold.

That said, the execution didn’t fully land for me. While the concept was strong, the characters felt underdeveloped – Donovan came across as flat, Tino’s personality felt exaggerated and overplayed, and Bernie, meant to be a strong female lead, often felt ineffective. The writing lacked some of the nuance needed to bring the story and relationships to life, and the pacing dragged at times making it difficult to get through such a long book.

Still, there’s a lot of creativity here and a lot of effort clearly went into this book. Readers with a love for historical fantasy or supernatural mysteries may find more to connect with and enjoy here.

Overall 2.5 / 5 stars.

Love women with swords? then this is a book for you. We follow Bernie, a knight of Joan, as she battles her past demons, tries to solve a ritual murder case, and an angel reappearing in her dreams which from past experiences she knows only to be an omen for disaster to come.

Alongside her we have Tino, a demi-demon under the Order's rule, and Jack Donovan, a detective occult specialist with the normal police force. With more to the story than initially meets the eye, we untangle a twisted history between the two which dates back to the great war.

Set to a backdrop of Chicago, this book is filled to the brim with culture and diversity. I loved how religions are more equalised and visible in their society due to how they are protections against magics and demons. It will keep you hooked from start to finish with unexpected alliances and a powerful build up to the stories climax, which while long will still leave you wanting more. Our conclusion providing more questions than answers, I cannot wait to see where this goes as its highly likely this is the beginning to a wonderful series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Goblin Booth Productions for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Magic murder mystery with angels and demons and sorcerers!

This book had me hooked from the start with just wanting answers, but it really started to shine as the book picked up speed with the dynamics between the characters.

I need to see Bernie and Tino have a genuine conversation and become friends (and hopefully more?) because they are similar in more ways than they realize, but are so inherently unwilling to trust people that it makes for a complicated relationship. However, I think it would really wholesome if it happened. And very interesting as well seeing as we’ve got some angelic influences on Bernie and demonic influences on Tino… I love the drama.

And then we get to our third MC, Donovan who I really, really dislike. His entire being just screams red flag and some of the things we read from his POV just feel… icky. I’m interested to see where his character arc goes from here, because right now I’ve got a pretty low opinion of him.

In terms of the plot, this book was intense and mysterious, since all 3 of our leads are involved in solving a murder spree. I’m hoping we get to learn more about the sorcerers in question and more background on this team/unit Tino and Donovan were a part of. I feel like a lot of that context is going to be important in what happens next.

Overall, an enjoyable story that I highly recommend!

First-Degree Magic has all the makings of a magnetizing murder mystery with the added elements of a fantasy world. Bernie is a Joan, a detective of magical crimes. She finds herself on the case for a bloody double homicide with etchings of a ritual. Unfortunately for her, she has to deal with not only the flaky-at-best Tino, a demi (human/demon), but also an occultist from the police, Donovan. While they work to prevent more of these gruesome murders in a 1920's Chicago, there is more to uncover than just who the murderer is.

There is so much going on with all three main characters that the ending still has you wondering what will happen next. Half the time I couldn't take Tino seriously because the way he talked felt so Looney Tunes, but I also just loved him too much to care. He has more heart than any full human ♡ I am curious to see what happens with Tino and The Order considering certain events in the book.

Donovan is not what he seems, and yet perhaps exactly what you think? He is running, and it seems that those demons of his past have caught up now.

Bernie, of the three, may be the least interesting. Her background is the most fully explored, which also means there is the least amount of questions in the end. It just leaves me wondering more about Tino, Donovan, and their history.

This is definitely a great pick for both mystery and fantasy/paranormal readers alike! Highly recommend to read with a friend of book club and theorize together.

Thanks to NetGalley and Goblin Booth Productions for providing an eARC of First-Degree Magic in exchange for this honest review.

First-Degree Magic by J.M. Linkhart is a unique debut that blends historical urban fantasy and murder mystery together. Intense world building, unique plot, and interesting characters are some highlights of this book!

In an alternate 1920's Chicago, magic is woven into daily life. Bernie (Bernice) Chandler is a knight with the Order of Joan, a group of demonslayers sworn to protect the city. With her sharp mind and the help of Jack Donovan and Tino Morandi, they are tasked with solving a string of Tarot themed murders. Secrets and lies force all three to work together before the killer can set forth an evil more powerful than any of them could imagine. Can our badass magical detective Bernie, her secretive partner Jack and the cursed demi-demon Tino stop the killer before they unleash hellfire on Chicago?

This was definitely a different genre then I usually read but the summary intrigued me so I was excited when I got approved by NetGalley. The setting is great, where magic is woven into every part of daily life. Out protagonist Bernie is badass and will take no sh!t from anyone, but also has a ton of ghosts, literally and figuratively, in her past. I did feel like this was a bit too long, 456 pages, some parts got to be a bit repetitive but for a new to me author and unfamiliar genre, I enjoyed this debut! Can't wait to see where this story goes!

Thank you to NetGalley, J.M. Linkhart, and Goblin Booth Productions for this ARC!! Publication date: May 6th 2025.

First, thank you NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

I first was intrigued by the cover of this book, and then reading the synopsis I knew it was going to be good. I’m a sucker for anything 1920’s and that’s when this book takes place, in an alternate Chicago.
Serial murders based on Tarot, a badass FMC, two MMC’s (one more likable than the other IMO, which is I’m sure a hot topic since he’s a Demi demon) and all the webs of magic, lies, deceit, and everything else in between that brings them together to stop the Tarot Killer.
Copper books usually aren’t my thing but I have to say I really enjoyed this one with the magic elements mixed in. Also, if you don’t do well with gore/brutality the descriptions of the murders may not be for you. I enjoyed them though. 😇

I love a bit of urban fantasy, and I have recently come upon an appreciation for novels set just after WWI, so when I saw something which combined both interests on NetGalley, I jumped at the opportunity to read it - and I am so glad I did.

First-Degree Magic is not a book one flies through. It demands thought, and careful reading. It is rife with unreliability, with liars, with secrets, with suspense, and all of those things require close attention, but what it gives you in return is a twisty, excellently built story with compelling, and fleshed out characters.

In an alternate America, where colonialism was never realised, and magic never died out, a Knight Maiden of the Order of Joan, the beautiful, keen, and secretive Bernie Chandler, is tasked with solving a series of brutal murders. In her corner, Jack Donovan, an occultists working for the police who seems to have just a bit too much knowledge, and the reluctant and scheming Tino Morandi, a demi-demon gangster who wants to help Bernie about as much as he wants a hole in the head. You might think this is a classic love triangle set-up.... you'd be wrong. As Bernie plays piggy in the middle, the truth an elusive ball tossed over her head by the warring factions of Tino and Donovan, the situation around them spirals further out of control - more people are dying, tension is mounting, and a terrifying face from Bernie's past reappears at the worst time. Engaging and well-paced, this is a mystery, a thriller, and in places a meditation on what it is to be human.

I thoroughly enjoyed First-Degree Magic, and I am excited to see what comes next. J.M. Linkhart is a brilliant writer, and I think has set herself up to continue this into a truly genre defining historical urban fantasy series. I have many a theory about where this series may go, and I will be waiting with baited breath to see if I am correct! 5 stars.

I really loved the concept of this book, it felt like a fresh take and i was really excited to read it. The world building was good, I enjoyed the Joans, the crime scenes, the tasteful dealing of complex topics without bringing the story down. Really there was so much of this book I enjoyed. But it really only had me captivated until about half way through, hence only 3 stars. I feel the two main characters povs started to feel a little samey?That wouldn't have put me off but then the introduction of a new and significant pov almost felt like an entirely new storyline being injected. I can understand why the new pov was introduced and I really enjoyed the character and finding out about their history but I feel like it took away from the main storyline and disrupted the flow.

It was still a very fun story and a really great concept, I just feel like there were some issues with the storyline flow and progression that took away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

There were elements of this book I really enjoyed, such as the alternative history with magic woven into real events and the magic system itself. The world-building was really interesting.

Where the book suffered for me was on the writing. I think it could've done some more fine tuning as parts of the story dragged or felt unnecessary and some of the point of view changes were a bit jumpy.

I liked having the multiple points of view but again I think some were unneeded or just ended up being repetitive - I might be biased though, Tino was my favourite character and I wish there'd been more from his perspective.

It's an enjoyable read I just didn't really connect with it.

4/5 stars: This is the first entry in Linkhart's Degrees of Magic series which is a Historical Fantasy Mystery that takes place in Chicago, 1927 and features a troubled woman who's an Order of Joan Knight-Maiden, a demi-demon bootlegger bound to the city by the Order of Joan and a detective with a secretive history must work together to solve a series of tarot-style murders before the killer summons forth an evil of the highest degree, upsetting the balance between the infernal and divine and leaving Chicago burning in hellfire. With plenty of plot twists, Linkhart has written a nicely paced mystery that's well balanced and will leave you on edge until the final reveal. The world building is interesting and well done, I really like Linkhart's alternate historical take mixing multicultural and religious elements (without getting preachy.) Written in multiple POV, Linkhart's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable. Bernie, Donovan and Tino are complete opposites and are at opposite purposes in normal circumstances but manage to work together to solve the case. Each one has complex and unique issues and I appreciated how Linkhart unfolded their pasts and stories. With tact and sensitivity, Linkhart touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and CWs. Interesting start to a new series, can't wait to see what's next.

I received this eARC thanks to Goblin Booth Productions in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I wanted to love this book. It sounded right up my alley with magic and mystery and alternate reality 1920s Chicago. A badass heroine from a not-so-secret society named after Joan of Arc teaming up with a cop who seems to be more than he appears and a half demon? Brilliant.

However... this book is way too long with very little character development. Clearly it's a setup for a duology or trilogy, but this book alone could have been a whole trilogy with it's length and the amount of storylines. Fantasy will always be more complex than other genres, but it wasn't that the storylines were complex or hard to keep up with, they just dragged along. There was more development of how magic worked in this world than of the world and characters.

It was a slog to get through, but I am glad I finished it as I did enjoy the overall mystery and the characters, but I didn't actually care about any of them as there was no real development of their characters.

Overall, I liked the dialogue and story, but could have used about 200 less pages.

Even though I’m not a fan of books that take place in the past, I went ahead and requested this book. The blurb appealed to me and I was willing to take the risk. The setting didn’t feel too much like the past, especially with the addition of magic. I really came to like Bernice, even if I’m still a little confused about what happened in her past. I also really liked Tino and Jack for different reasons, even if their past makes them a little gray…or maybe not. You’ll have to read for yourself. This was a little wordy at times and probably could have been pared down quite a few pages, but I did enjoy this book with its interesting plot. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

This had me split down the middle feelings wise.
There were things I loved and things I could have done without..

Loved:
- The writing style
- The people & places within the story
- Paced really well
- Story development

Disliked:
- Character development
- Story was a little all over the place
- Toooo long

Overall I did enjoy the idea of mysteries set in a fantasy world and like I said I enjoyed the author's writing style. I hoping the next is a little shorter but, catches up a lot of the story and makes it feel whole and make sense.

This book had a lot of potential and just didn’t hit home the way I wished it had. There was so much going on with what I felt like not enough clear explanation that I felt confused during most of the book.
I loved the idea of the Joan’s and the Cathies and Tino was easily my favorite character just because he was a mess.

I still don’t understand the magic system or the full correlation with the war and what was going on now.

To me this book fell flat and was about 100 pages too long. I liked the characters and the overall plot. However I feel like the world building needed work and the magic system was incredibly vague. It felt like author knew all the rules but didn't want to inform the readers. The ending opens it up for a sequel where hopefully more can be explained

Thank you to the author, publishers, and NetGalley for the access to this e-book ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.75/5 stars

I really, really wanted to love this book. The theme is intriguing, the mystery had me in the beginning, and the possibilities were really there for this story. Unfortunately, this book was far, far too long and tried to achieve so many different aspects, which resulted in lack of depth in most. I enjoyed Bernie as a character but others fell flat. The world building didn’t feel as impactful as I expected, considering it is introduced as a historical fantasy. This is not necessarily a con for me, I just thought the time period would have more of a presence based on how it is described in the beginning. After I got to about 35% of the book, it felt more challenging to want to come back to this story and my engagement seriously floundered as I got to the end.

I enjoyed Linkhart’s writing style and I think this story/series has a lot of potential in the future. It’s clear the author has many interesting plot points and avenues to write about. I do enjoy the idea of mysteries set in a fantasy world and really believe this author can nail it with the future books. I do recommend folks picking it up if it sounds interesting to them because I think this is something a bit fresher in the genre as of late.

The First Degree Magic is dark, bloody, and full of demonic bargains. Set in an alternate 1927 Chicago, it follows Bernice Chandler, a knight of the Order of Joan. Bernice is investigating a string of ritualistic murders with the help of a weary detective and a bootlegging demi-demon. It’s a promising setup, and it mostly delivers.

Let’s start with the good. The setting is fantastic - Linkhart built a cool world where magic is an integral part of history and daily life. Bernice is a battle-hardened, no-nonsense heroine with a past full of ghosts (literally and figuratively), while Tino, the demi-demon gangster, brings charm, danger, and moral grayness. I loved their reluctant partnership.

Now, the rougher edges. The prose is sometimes beautifully immersive, sometimes trying way too hard. There are moments where the writing gets so dense that I had to hack my way through it. And for a book this long, the worldbuilding sometimes feels oddly thin. Chicago in this universe has a wildly different history, but outside of a few key details, it still reads like Generic Roaring Twenties City with Magic.

Anyway, I found The First Degree Magic worth a read. Fans of dark fantasy, capable heroines, and dangerous but charming demons should check it out.