My Thoughts: This audiobook was incredibly dull. I had a hard time staying engaged. The story was very slow and at times felt repetitive. The writing was in third person, which is difficult for me. I also found the FMC to be annoying. This book was definitely not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the perspective from an administrator of a magic school. The book was fast paced from the beginning. It slowed down in the middle and then picked back up again at the end. I really enjoyed the second person perspective at the end of the book - it was really well done. While there were definitely high stakes, this leaned more towards a cozy fantasy for me.

When you're young, reading about the students in a magical boarding school save the day seems totally fun and pretty plausible. When you're my age (and especially if, like me, you're a parent) you start to wonder where TF the teachers are and why they aren't protecting these kids any better...

The Incandescent is about Dr. Sapphire Walden, Director of Magic at a magical boarding school i England. She has to deal with teaching a higher level class, sitting in on other teachers' lessons, getting donations from parents, finding speakers for career day, AND making sure there are no demonic incursions on school property. Saffy knows she's one of the smartest invokers out there, and she's usually right about predicting her students' moves, meaning that she saves the day quite often. But when she's wrong, she's spectacularly wrong. From the moment her most precocious students summon a demon, Saffy's routine school year goes sideways, even though she manages to keep the casualties to a minimum. There is a moment when her students need to save the school, but the way it plays out is perfectly satisfying - and perfect for the book, which makes it perfect, full stop.

As you can see, I absolutely LOVED this. The character work is top notch, and Emily Tesh has some of the best world building out there. She gives great magical basics in the form of a literal lesson on magical ethics, but also includes practical displays like a demonically possessed photocopier. The importance of good teachers is underscored, but Tesh's characters are allowed to have their own personal lives. All around this is really just a great book, and I recommend it to any fantasy reader - but especially to those who grew up on middle grade magical school books.

I listened to the audiobook and narrator Zara Ramm was great. I highly recommend the audio for readers who want the full posh British boarding school experience.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.

Yes, it’s a boarding school for those with magical powers, set in the UK. Yes, some people are born with the ability to do magic. Yes, there are demons threatening the school. YET, it is different from the Harry Potter books in that this focuses on the faculty and administration much more than the students. The world building is easier since it’s a boarding school like other British boarding schools. A board of governors and standards that must be met. Some graduates may go to Oxford to continue studying magic. Others may study law. Anyway, it’s really a human story about an administrator who is also a former student. She and the security officer must wrestle a demon summoned by a student. Things get more complicated (and equally interesting) from there. Just like good sci-fi, this fantasy novel is really about the human condition. Great fun and escapism. Well written and well narrated. Very enjoyable.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheIncandescent for review purposes. Publication date: 13 May 2025.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh blends academic fantasy with something darker, stranger, and a little more unhinged. Imagine Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia but if the chipper professor was secretly possessed by a demon and maybe kinda liked it.

The magic system is subtle but evocative, and the university setting feels delightfully lived-in—full of dusty tomes, sharp intellects, and morally ambiguous choices. The dynamic between the characters simmers, especially as secrets unravel and identities blur. There’s queer yearning, ancient magic, and enough simmering tension to keep the pages turning.

That said, the pacing falters at times, and the narrative occasionally loses focus under the weight of its own atmosphere. It’s gorgeously written but not always tightly plotted.

If you like your fantasy academic, your characters emotionally repressed, and your metaphors for internal darkness a little too literal, The Incandescent will definitely cast a spell on you.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh is a beautifully written novel that effortlessly blends dark academia with rich, lyrical prose. This book feels like a more mature, nuanced version of Harry Potter where we get to follow the teachers, with all the magic, mystery, and deeply developed characters, but with a complexity that resonates with adult readers.

One of the standout elements of the book is the gorgeous writing and prose. The setting is steeped in a haunting academic environment, that feels entirely British and magical. I loved the inclusion of modern elements alongside the magical school.

The absolute best part of this story is our main character, Dr. Walden. She is a remarkable protagonist who steals the show with her dry wit, sharp intelligence, and emotional depth. She’s the kind of main character who feels both larger than life and deeply human. Her internal dialogue and deadpan observations had me cackling throughout the book—there’s something deeply refreshing about a heroine who is not only brilliant and capable but also unapologetically sarcastic and funny. Her humor never undermines the gravity of the story; rather, it brings a welcome sharpness and levity that makes her all the more endearing. Dr. Walden's flaws are also a key element of the story - and I loved the way Tesh explored the way our flaws can derail all of our best intentions.

The Incandescent feel like a beautiful heartfelt tribute to teachers and those in education. Our FMC has a fierce love for her students. Her dedication to their well-being and growth adds an emotional resonance to the story. It was so beautiful to follow a teacher who has genuine respect, dedication and love for her students.

However, while the relationships between Dr. Walden and her students are rich and moving, the romantic subplot feels noticeably underdeveloped. It doesn’t have the emotional weight or narrative integration of the rest of the story, and at times, it feels more like a distraction than an enhancement. The book would have been just as strong—if not stronger—without it.

Additionally, the plot occasionally loses its momentum. While the immersive worldbuilding and introspective character work are captivating, the story sometimes drifts. These periods of meandering can slow the reading experience, though never enough to detract from the novel’s overall power.

Despite these minor drawbacks, The Incandescent is an unforgettable read. Emily Tesh has crafted a vivid, intelligent, and emotionally resonant story. I sincerely hope Tesh returns to this world—and to Dr. Walden—in future books. There’s so much more to explore, and I would eagerly follow this brilliant, sarcastic, and unexpectedly heartfelt character wherever she goes next.

Honestly, The Incandescent had me at sapphic dark academia. This was a fantastic new take on magic schools told from the perspective of one of the schools professors.

I loved the magic system and how great this started out, but the story lost me somewhere around the middle. Zara Ramm's excellent though, so at 4 stars for that.

What a fantastic idea!! Dark academia fantasy from the perspective of an elder millennial teacher? I feel like this book was made for me. The Incandescent follows Dr. Walden, a bisexual woman in her late 30's who teaches at a magic school and tries to protect the students from demonic incursions. But demons are attracted to technology, and they just can't seem to stay away from cell phones!

This is a standalone fantasy set in a magical version of the real world. It is funny, action-packed, and sometimes a bit dark. It also offers a really fresh perspective on the magic school subgenre which I really appreciated. Loved it! The audiobook is great. I feel like the narrator really captured the ironic sense of humor, and the different characters that come into play. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

The Incandescent features an older FMC (late 30’s), a highly detailed and well-developed magic system, and sapphic relationships all tied together in a story of self-discovery, belonging, and power. I have never read a dark academia fantasy book told from the perspective of the faculty, rather than the students, and I really enjoyed this fresh perspective - if you're a teacher, I think you will particularly love this story!

I thought the audiobook narrator, Zara Ramm, was wonderful and would highly recommend the audio version of this book if you’re interested in it!

I’ve been frothing at the mouth since I heard about this. Dark academia but it’s about one of the professors? And her love interest(s) is an adult?!?!?! Oh and it’s sapphic???? Yes please!!!! Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the review copy, because I ate this up! Zara Ramm did a great job with the narration!

When Mark showed up I immediately distrusted him, and I wasn’t sure if that setup was because there was something suspicious going on or because he was a man. I mean, definitely the latter part. If you want to know if my instincts were right, read the book.

This was a really good commentary on blame and responsibility and how actions in your youth can shape who you become as an adult. But it was also demons and magic and learning.

I loved it so much and while it works so well as a standalone I hope there end up being companion novels in the universe because I never want to leave it.

Going into this book, I had no idea that this would become one of my favorite reads of the year. Magical schools are nothing new but Emily Tesh does something really great here by making it from the POV of an educator (and a demon???) instead of student. It brought something truly fresh to the Dark Academia genre. The voice actor had a clear and distinct voice that perfectly fits a distinguished teacher and made the entire experience very immersive. (Please sign me up for one of Saffy’s classes asap)

My only complaint? I wanted more of Laura.

🌟4.5 Stars🌟

This was so much fun! If you want some sapphic British boarding school dark academia fantasy I think you’ll love this.

I loved the magic system, especially the idea of demons possessing inanimate objects that you treat as sentient. The imp possessed printer was just delectable. Walden was a great protagonist with the perfect mix of awkward internalized anxiety and outward confidence. Her love of her students was what really made me adore her. What keeps this from being a five star for me is that I think we needed more time with Laura. I totally understand why she has to depart for plot reasons, however more time would have meant her and the relationship were better fleshed out. Overall this slapped and I definitely need to give Tesh’s sci-fi book a shot.

Thanks to the publisher for a free audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

One thing Emily Tesh is great at is creating a world. The Incandescent is properly world-built, and the lore is very well-described and thought out. The idea of having a school that deals with demons was really interesting. I think the school she created and its world were very well thought out. I enjoyed the idea of the main characters being the professors at this school instead of the school itself. Usually, it is focused on the students. The setting was really cool. Magicians and demons coming together to use powers was such an interesting concept. Her writing is just always highly immersive, and it feels like she is in the world that she is writing about. Her vocabulary is always fine-tuned to the world that she is creating.

At this academy, the students, who are magic users, have to know how to deal with and understand the complexities of demons. Demons are drawn to those who use magic, so they are all put into this academy for their safety, because they can learn to understand how to handle them instead of trying to figure it out on their own. Our main character, Doctor Walden, is the director of this academy, and she has also attended herself.

I think Dr. Walden was a great main character. She is fallible and not a very easy-to-understand character, which I do enjoy. I love super complex characters, who are not always the nicest, and she fits the bill. Furthermore, sapphic stories are the ones I am most interested in, so the fact that there is a great sapphic romance in this story was really important to me. Their build-up was filled with dislike, then such great yearning that I fell hard for both of them. I was highly invested in their relationship.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was really good at reading out the book and getting me immersed in the story. She had an interesting voice and was great at being emphatic, depending on what the narration called for.

As for the plot, I think it was really well-written and thought out. At no point was I not engaged with the story that was occurring. I think the phoenix being part of our main character was introduced well and created a good tension for this story. I enjoyed the fights that they had with the demons throughout the novel, finding the way they were written and resolved well-constructed.

If you're a fan of magical schools and crusty professors that truly have a molten heart, this will be right up your alley.

Dr. Walden is an alumna of Chetwood Academy and has ended up back at the school first as a teacher and now as a director, who also teachers. Her days are filled with hectic activity as she balances all her responsibilities, but she loves it. And she's good at it.

However she's still fallible and more than capable of overestimating herself.

Here and there bigger than imp demons pop up at the school and need handling, but after one such situation, somethings changes. It's subtle, and goes unnoticed by Dr. Walden until it can no longer be ignored.

I love Dr. Walden's character. She's so droll, but loving in an awkward way. The students are interesting. The slight smidge of romance is just enough and the humor is dry, but just my style.

Spoilery: I know the Phoenix is supposed to be a big bad, but I cracked up at how it immediately made Dr. Walden go on runs and start cooking healthy meals for herself after taking over. I would need to be possessed for those things to happen to.

I loved this dark academia fantasy that is focused on a Director of Magic at a high-end magical boarding school. Doctor Saffy Walden is a wonderful character, and I was there for her, flaws and all. A lot of the book is Walden just doing her job, teaching and protecting the students at her school, but there are greater forces at work with epic demon threats, along with some small romance storylines. I enjoyed Tesh's Hugo-winning science fiction novel Some Desperate Glory, but this book cements her as an auto-read author for me. Zara Ramm is pitch-perfect narrating the audiobook. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an audiobook review copy.

Dark acadamia about a queer magical teacher in a school where they summon demons?!?! Say no more. Immediately yes. I loved it. I gobbled it up. It wasn't a PERFECT 5-star read but came very close! I look forward to more from this author.

Oh my goodness.

I've read the digital and now I got to listen to the ALC. Oh the narrator, Zara Ramm, KILLED IT! She really gave life to the wonderful humor in the prose and I already LOVED Walden and the Kids and she really gave them life. One of the best audio renditions I've been able to listen to. Ahhh!!! This was amazing!

Easiest 5 star.

Thank you NetGalley, Tor, and Emily Tesh for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Stunning work

“The Incandescent”is a beautifully written and atmospheric sapphic dark academia fantasy with demons.

The main character is Walden, the 38-year-old Director of Magic at Chetwood Academy. She’s not only incredibly competent at her job, but also a complete badass. I really liked her, and it was refreshing to read about an “older” (aka not a student) protagonist in this kind of setting.

The sapphic romance is well-done, adding just the right amount of sweetness to the plot.

Overall a great, moody read.

The Incandescent follows a Director at a magical school . I loved the premise/following an older main character, and this book is extremely well-written. That being said, I could NOT connect with the main character and found multiple parts of this book as boring. I think there is absolutely an audience for the Incandescent that will love this book, specifically teachers or people who endure a monotony of paperwork.

Narration performed by Zara Ramm was well done, and I love her accent.

I received an ARC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Magic, high schoolers, demons, mystery, and plenty of hubris fill the pages of Emily Tesh’s second novel — The Incandescent.

Set in modern day England, Dr. Sapphire Walden is both a teacher, and the Director of Magic at the Chetwood School — not to mention one of the most powerful practitioners of magic in not just England, but the world. Her primary duty is protecting Chetwood from demonic incursions. However, when unusual happenings involving demons begin to occur, Dr. Walden starts down a path that leads to hard truths, and unexpected revelations.

This novel takes the reader on a long and winding ride through dark academia, where nothing and no one can be trusted. While magic and intrigue are at the heart of this novel, it is highlighted with humor, romance, and a dash of sex. Admittedly, it can be a bit slow to start, even as an audiobook, but it soon picks up, and compels you to keep reading — if for no other reason than to know what happens next. I would personally like to see more stories from Chetwood, and Dr. Walden, in the future. However, even if this is a standalone novel, it is very much worth the read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the pleasure of listening to the advanced copy of this audiobook.