Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for this advanced listener copy!

This was SO GOOOOOOD 😍😍

Sapphic hogwarts meets super natural! That’s what I’m gonna call it.
Absolute 6 star read.
I loved the urban fantasy academia world Emily created here!
Excellent diverse representation in characters.
Mature tone to this book was perfect for me.
Dr Sapphire Walden, 38, is the director of Magic at Chetwood Academy, a prestigious magical boarding school in England. Her job is to keep everything running smoothly, including the looming threat of demon possession around every corner, and the threat of the ancient XXL demon that's been lurking in the shadows of the school for decades, electronic devices being possessed by lesser demons, high school drama, and teaching students invocation(summoning demons for magical purposes) keeps Saffy busy and she hasn't had a romantic interest in years. Enter her rival, hot butch Chief Marshall Laura Kenning(basically demon police), resident Marshall at Chetwood, who is uber swoon worthy in my humble opinion. The romance subplot does not at all detract from the fantastic plot at work here. This one blew me away. The character development is perfection & I love the writing style so much!
Looking forward to reading Emily's other works.

Narration by Zara Ramm was FANTASTIC and perfectly fit the book. Her voice IS Saffy, couldn't have been cast better.

TALK ABOUT A MASTERPIECE! The Incandescent was as good, if not better than I could have hoped for. It follows a head of a magical school with an expertise in demons. Throughout the story, we understand her complicated past, powerful magic, and dedication to her students. This is perfect for anyone who loved The Magicians or A Deadly Education. It reads like a dark academia television series!

This might take worst book of the year for me. Or biggest disappointment. Started of really really good, the comparison to Naomi Novak was spot on, however after the first conflicted happened the book turned so bad. Basically a 40 year old woman questioning every choice in her life while then deciding to hook up with a colleague who clearly is up to no good. There was no good second act conflict especially after how cool and wild the first one was and the end was a major let down and disappointment after a terrible second half.

Other than a bad American accent I did really enjoy the narrator!

I couldn't tell you what the plot of this book is beyond an administrator's POV of a magical school and her run-in with demons. It gives you an alternative take on academia from the teacher/staff perspective, which is always refreshing. There is some good banter from the MC. Unfortunately, I was pretty bored the whole time.

This was really cool. I loved this was set in the school but didn't follow students. Its rare to see a dark academic book that follows teachers. The magic system was also really interesting.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

This is for everyone who reads a magical school book and wonders wtf the teachers were doing.

This boarding school is a bit less dangerous than The Scholomance, but otherwise similar. Saffy is the competent and overworked head of the school, constantly working to keep the wards in good order and teach and guide her students and faculty. I loved her no-nonsense attitude. While I was suspicious of a certain character from their introduction, the path we took at the end still surprised me, in a really great way.

This book also dives into some fantastic discussions on privilege, inherent bias, systemic prejudice, survivor’s guilt, the impact of teachers, and more. I really loved that it wasn’t just a “magic book.” The end was really fitting. There are consequences in the real world, but there is also hope and healing.

There’s a tiny bit of romance too.

Highly recommend, especially for those who love magic while also thinking “I’m too old for this 💩”.

This book was fun. It’s a dark academia set in a magic school, but instead of following the students like we’re used to, we’re following the teachers.

If you ever wondered what Harry Potter would be like from the perspective of a professor like Hagrid or Dumbledor (sorry if I spelled his name wrong), then this is absolutely the perfect book for you.

The narrator was awesome for the audio. Her voice was perfect. She made me feel like I was really with our lovely main character. She sounded so sweet and sincere and serious.

I’d recommend this to anyone who likes books with magical schools involved.

Thank you very much to Macmillan Audio for an ALC. All opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by the manner in which I received it.

I enjoyed this magical, dark academia novel, it sure started out strong but lost my interest about half way through and then picked back up. This is the first novel I read by this author, I will be sure to check out other works by this author. If you are in education and enjoy fantasy I would give this a try. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to listen. The narrator did an amazing job.

The Incandescent is a new take on dark academia and I am here for it. Overall I really enjoyed this one. We meet Dr. Walden, badass, Director of Magic at Chetwood school where demons and magic are not in short supply. I loved this take on how a school is running from a professor's perspective, it added new depth to a story type I already love! 

Dr. Walden is the professor in the background trying to make sure the school runs efficiently and safely for its students. She cares deeply for her students as individuals and is quite snarky herself. She has to unwind a bunch of trouble after the accidental unleashing of a demon and all the consequences. You have fun banter, strong students, caring professors, and an old school.  

Further, the audio narrator brings Dr. Walden to life in such a fun way, without spoiling it, she makes it clear what voice is Dr. Waldens. It was such a unique experience. I would definitely recommend you read!  Thank you to the publisher for providing an ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The overworked and often underappreciated Dr. Walden spoke to me in ways the average MC doesn’t. She spoke directly to my elder-millennial teacher heart. This was really a unique perspective. So often the MCs would have been the students at Chetwood. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved that too but this was so enjoyable and original. It was fast-paced and action packed. The fight scenes were well done and not at the expense of the relationships or character building. Definitely a top read (or listen) of 2025!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the ALC!

4.5⭐ rounded up
Dr. Sapphire "Sapphie" Walden is the Director of Magic at Chetwood School, a private school in the UK. Her job includes a lot of things: classes, meetings, securing the schools boundaries; she doesn't have time or make time for much else.

How to describe this queer fantasy novel? I haven't yet read the books it's compared to, but imagine a magic school story from the perspective of a upper 30s aged administrator, talented enough to be recognized and offered a job for the U.S. government (that she declined). It's a bit slice of life, and maybe a bit cozy fantasy with some significant points of action.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will be published on 5/13/25. I'll be posting to Instagram soon.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I think it had a good storyline overall but a lot of it felt repetitive and a parts could have been cut out or that the pacing could have been handled differently. I enjoyed seeing the character growth was the main character came to terms with what happened in her childhood.

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.