I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and the amount of mystery, along with the character builds. I definitely will be recommending this to customers that are fans of the sci/fi fantasy genre!

Ever wondered what would happen if you combined AI with magic? Seven is about to find out. She didn’t want to attend college, but it made her parents happy and gave her a boat. And when she stumbled upon a magic club, she didn’t expect the magic to be real. Yet, it is. Seven can’t channel her magic by herself, though, so she winds up coding an AI to help her with it. And when someone then turns up dead? The rest of the club assumes it must be due to the magical AI. Now Seven, and handsome ex-Navy seal, Logan, have to work out what’s really going on and prove that it wasn’t her AI. Right?

This book sounded so completely fun, and uber relevant to the conversation we’re having about AI today, so I was super excited to get a copy of this one. Thank you to the team at Angry Robot for my early copy!

Chaos. That’s the word that describes this book. Chaos in the best kind of way.

It was funny, it was emotional. There were twists and turns that I really didn’t expect. Especially at the end. The explanation for this magic? What happened to those who died? I didn’t expect that whatsoever. I’m now really hoping there’s a sequel, because where it suggested the plot was going?

Yeah, I need that.

It’s so wild.

The AI stuff really was so relevant. There were conversations on how AI is pretty useless in this day and age, especially generative AI. But it’s the people in charge of it that can be a problem. It really got me thinking, and it really shows that we need to be thinking about the future of this technology, as it’s not likely to go away.

The AI program was named Dot, and they definitely had hints of M-Bot from the Sanderson novels. It had me giggling, but at the same time, the bot was definitely still dangerous.

Jumping over to the relationships in the book.

The romance started off one way, went on to what was mentioned on the back, and then veered sideways again. Logan wasn’t what you expected, and it definitely added some interesting dynamics. And then the relationship that’s actually happening? Yeah, that was definitely really cute, and I ship it. But, again? The ending? I need to know where it’s going to go!

I really enjoyed the friendships, too. I love Angel and Julian. Alisha was fun, and Sol? Well, I didn’t like her to start with, but she definitely became more interesting.

My one negative point was that there were Harry Potter references that really weren’t needed. Especially when you consider the queerness and the fact that there’s a gender non-conforming side character? Yeah, really not necessary.

The audiobook was easy to listen to. There was only one narrator, but the voices varied enough and was pretty decent.

But that aside, I really liked this book and couldn’t recommend it more.

What an enjoyable listen this was! The story was so different from what I have read.
A coding program that can summon magic? An introverted, skeptic of magic & uncertain FMC named Seven? An AI (Dot) with a cute voice and is constantly learning bad jokes? An ending had me at the edge of my seat? I was so invested!

It was what I needed to read at the moment.

4.5 stars rounded down because of pacing

The narrator Mary Pochatko was outstanding, when she would use a different voice for Dot it made me smile every time.

This mildly spicy urban fantasy takes place in an academic setting, with some sci-fi elements. We follow Seven Jones as she discovers that magic is real and the AI she's building could be summoning mythical monsters.

This was such an interesting and unique story, the author takes time to develop the characters, so it feels a little slow in the beginning, but with a huge payoff. Several laugh out loud moments, a couple fantastically spicy scenes, and an ending leaving you questioning it all. I was invested in all the characters and hope the author continues their stories.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC.

I was fully prepared to give this book a lower score for a large portion of this book, and not because the story isn't interesting. It was not at all like I expected, though, I am not quite sure what I expected.
For most of the book, I really didn't like Seven. I couldn't relate to, or connect with, her in any way. I like the side characters, though I never really felt like we got to know any of them all that well, but that is to be expected with the personality of the MC. A lot of the characters both surprised and didn't surprise me.
Also, people are not kidding about that ending! The last 15% of the book was an adventure I didn't expect to go on and raised my rating of the book quite a bit.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of the audiobook for my honest review.

AI and magic…. Oh the possibilities….

Seven Jones is a coder who finds herself making a deal with her parents. She’s got no better prospects at the moment, so a flight home from half a world away and college sound a whole lot better.

Finding herself taking an AI class, and then accidentally joining a weird magic circle leads to a completely unexpected and new future. Coding magic into an AI app that she built allows her to use it as a conduit for her magic… or, is it her magic?? It’s hard to know and Seven finds herself in a little trouble with the Board. Is her magic, if it is hers safe, or is it black magic? Does it matter?

Shit hits the proverbial fan as her friends begin to die. Naturally Seven Jones is the first to fall under suspicion, her possible ‘bad magic’ to blame. The roller coaster ride begins, and it’s going way too fast for anyone to get off.

Liz Shipton is a tick tokker and previously unknown to me. I am SO grateful that I have found her. I found myself laughing out loud in public at the dry humour and the beautifully snarky protagonist. I would have enjoyed a fuller look at some of the side characters, but honestly, there just wasn’t room to do so. I can appreciate the fast pace of the plot as the story gets deeper

‘Dot Slash Magic’ had me laughing, crying, and even feeling like I’d been punched in the gut at one point… I am praying that there will be a sequel!!!! Seven Jones is far to amazing to just vanish after one tale. A really human character, with flaws and all!

If you like urban fantasy, tech, and magic… this is definitely the book for you!

Thanks NetGalley for the audio ARC, and Mary Pochatko for doing such a great job with the reading.


#Dot Slash Magic
#Liz Shipton
#NetGalley
#Urban Fantasy
#Tantor Media

I loved Dot Slash Magic. It had a unique magic system that was integral to the story. Seven was a well developed character that I understood and sympathized with.

Dot Slash Magic follows Seven Jones after she has been lightly blackmailed by her parents into taking college classes for a year. As she seems into the routine of classes she stumbles upon a group of students doing magic. After relived agreeing to join the club, Seven finds it hard to control her magic until Dot comes along. Dot is a magical A.I. program Seven accidentally created.

I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and their flaws. All the relationships were messy and felt real to me. And the twist left me stunned in the best possible way. I really hope to see more from this world in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

I dont recall ever reading a story as such. The plot was engaging, unique and interesting - what a concept to connect AI and magic!

Seven, the MFC, is a strong protagonist with a feisty personality. She can be snappy and joking in the same scene. The character shows strong signs of mental health disorder with her hyperfixation of Nirvana and ASMR sounds - she’d listen to them exclusively.

The author presents us with love triangle trope but, to me, both MMC were very average. They had strong physical features and special personality traits that defined their whole character but they were so unmemorable I can’t seem to remember their names.

There’s a good and bad guy. Good guy helps FMC with her cat whereas Bad guy doesn’t ever remember of FMC’s cat existence. Basically they’re like water and fire. We’re told to believe FMC is choosing but the overall plot turns this fact around; last act of the book explains she had no power over what’s been happening.

I’m not sure how I feel about the ending - it seems futuristic, different to what I’m used to in other contemporary fantasy. The book ends on a soft cliffhanger, closing some plot holes and pausing the story nicely.

Overall it’s a very unique story, if you can pass the fact MMCs are boring and there’s no chemistry between characters and FMC is sometimes annoying when her coping mechanism is making weird and awkward jokes in serious moments.

So imagine that The Matrix meets Cinderella…or Pretty Woman. That’s how I feel with this book!

We meet Seven Jones as her family is trying desperately to coerce her into going back to school for college. She really wants no part of it. But they sweeten the offer with a bribe she cannot refuse….

And so she begins at the local community college.
And she meets a lot of people…

And the crazy thing is that she starts to feel like she’s fitting in…. after she incorporates a ‘magical’ program into her phone/laptop….

Yes, there are Magicks. Yes, there’s competing guys. Yes there are women who are nice… and, not so nice… Yes there’s competing guys are instructors… some are terrific, some are duds… just like in real life…

But when strange ‘beings’ start appearing, and what looks like WWIII … well, just what have we gotten ourselves into here??

This was strange. This was different. This was scary. This was magical. This was crazy!
And, I never would’ve guessed that ending in a million years!!!!! 😮😮😮

#DotSlashMagic by @LizShipton and narrated nicely by @MaryPotchatko.

4 Magick-al🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars for me!!


***** THIS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES STARTING 8/19/25!!! *****

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #TantorMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

3.5 rounded up to 4
The premise here had me instantly hooked. Coding magic into an AI program that might be summoning monsters? That’s exactly the kind of genre mash-up I want more of. Dot Slash Magic blends urban fantasy, tech intrigue, and a dash of romance into something fast-paced and a little chaotic.

Seven is a prickly, skeptical lead who doesn’t want to be anyone’s chosen one, and that reluctance gives her an interesting edge. I enjoyed her dry humour and the way she approached magic with a coder’s logic even when things got messy. The side characters are a mixed bag: some had great moments, others felt underexplored, but the group dynamics brought energy to the story.

The magic system is unique without being overcomplicated, and the AI angle raises some smart ethical questions without bogging the plot down. The mystery side (dead students, summoned monsters, suspicious allies) kept me engaged, though the pacing sometimes stumbled, with a few key scenes feeling rushed while others lingered too long.

The ending was bold enough to make me curious about a sequel, but I closed the book feeling like a few threads could’ve been tied up more cleanly. If you like your fantasy modern, your magic systems unconventional, and your heroines a little snarky, this is worth a shot.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this audiobook.

wow.

This sci-fi, fantasy is the perfect mix of world building, character development and just enough romance! Normally I struggle with a stand alone fantasy, I feel like they are missing at least one of the above items, but there was nothing missing from this story and they even had an incredible magic system.

The use of AI with Magic in a book was so interesting and such a great change to the magic systems they we are used to. I was worried that the technology aspect would hurt the magic aspect of it, but it only added to it and made you question the ethical side of this universe.

Overall this perfect had incredible character journeys with twists that you couldn't see coming. I was hooked from the very beginning to the last word.

Thank you Netgalley and Liz Shipton for the Audio ARC. My thoughts and review are my own and have not been biased by the fact.

Thank you Netgalley and Tantor audio for the advanced listeners copy of this book!

I have been following this author’s social media for a while and enjoyed her reels. I’m glad I finally got around to reading one of her books.

I love this author’s voice and the narrator really conveyed it well. The narrator, Mary Pochatko, was a perfect choice and I enjoyed her performance.

The story was super enjoyable and nerdy! I am not usually a sci-fi and urban fantasy reader but this was very good! 4.5 stars

I was very fortunate to receive both an advanced copy of this book as well as an ALC and my reviews for them will be very similar. Like I stated in my previous review, OH MY GOSH this book is so much fun! This was my first Liz Shipton book and now here I am rushing to read more.

First, this book is so funny. Like 'actually make me laugh out loud in a public setting' funny., which was a little awkward when I was on my lunch break. I really didn't know what to expect for my first urban fantasy book / academia book, but holy I loved the entire ride. I loved Seven as a strong FMC, and also all the other supporting characters for a found family story. The world building also was great. Plus, as someone who knows the very basics of coding, it was super funny to see this used in a fantasy background.

I loved the chaos-ness of the story and reminds me of Evil Dead / Bruce Campbell / Shaun of the Dead chaos fighting styles. On top of that, the spice? WE LOVE! Also had some really unexpected moments but in the best way. On top of everything, I also thought this was a great commentary for the discussion of AI in art and science, and even magic.

I will say, Mary Pochatko really brings this story to life. You can tell she had such fun narrating the story and breathing life into these characters. Especially with the really chaotic scenes. It just was so much fun to listen to and did a wonderful job performing this book. I will definitely be checking out more of her work.

Thank you to Liz Shipton, RBmedia and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 stars rounded up

2.5/5 rounded down because I just could not get into this.

I just really didn't get this book. I liked the idea of it and I think making books about AI is very important for the current conversation on it (AI is bad, if you do not know that already, I don't know what to tell you other than to move out from under that rock).

This is a book about magic but also AI but also a motley crew of characters, dropping out of college, romance (did NOT need to be there, especially because he was a GARBAGE person), and so much more that I just didn't get. There was just so much going on. I see what the author was trying to do, but it didn't work out. There was just too much going on that it was hard to keep track of everything. It felt like there was a lot going on just for the sake of having a lot going on, it really didn't add anything to the reading experience (in a positive way).

The pacing was also weird and I think that really added to my confusion over this whole book. I also could not stand the AI voice acting decision that was made, it just sounded so bad. People trying to speak like robots has always felt so awkward to me and it was really awkward here.

This book was just not for me. The cat lives though, so there's that. I love cats.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

THAT ENDING! 🤯🔥💻

I'll admit, it took me until about 30% into the book to really get into it. I'm so glad I stuck with it because the plot took a totally different direction with a MASSIVE twist at the end that just wasn't even something on my radar! I ❤️ the plot in this and as a Software Engineer, it was great to read about a FMC in STEM 🤓

I only have two negative points and one is nothing to do with the author or writing:
1. I didn't particularly like any of the characters. They each had their own faults and normally that makes them relatable but each character had moments that made my face scrunch up 😅 No spoilers - I will also not forgive any of them for not reacting stronger to the betrayal that comes to light near the end.
2. Mary Pochatko, the narrator, gave our FMC, Seven, a deep voice when speaking her dialogue. It felt odd when she would then have dialogue with male characters who she voiced with a higher voice than our FMC.

This was a fantasy unlike anything I have read before. It gave me that nostalgic comfort dystopian feeling from the 2010s Divergent era mixed with magic, superpowers, and absolute chaos. The story blended so many elements including multicultural and LGBTQIA+ representation, gasp-worthy twists, and moments where I was truly wondering what could possibly happen next.
I was frustrated with the main character more than once, but the author brought everything together in such a satisfying way. The world feels expansive enough for more books if she chooses to continue, yet the ending still felt complete.

The middle section did slow down and could have been a little shorter, but the emotion, shock value, bursts of action, and touches of romance kept me invested. Once you push through, the payoff is so worth it.

This book has made me want to read more fantasy, and I will definitely be picking up more from this author.

This book is brilliant and you should read it.
Oh, you want something more in depth? Okay.
If you already know Liz Shipton from social media, you know how fun and clever she is, but you also know her voice, and if you are like me, it will be her you'll be hearing telling you the story, and that, already, was gold.
I switched after a few chapters to the audiobook, and omg, are you really telling me that Seven and Logan are done by the same narrator?! I was amazed by the range of Mary Pochatko's voices.
So why is Dot Slash Magic so good? Well, first, there is a cat; no further development is needed on this point.
Second, the unique magic system—it is so clever and unseen, I don't know how Liz thought about it, but it's simply genius. And it works! I was doubtful at first, when hearing about the book, but it actually makes so much sense. I also liked the fact that magic was explained by science, like both can coexist and work together.
There is mystery, some (very) tense moments, a lot of laughter, and even some swoon times.
This book is a multilayered satire, written with genius and intelligence. It is so clever and actually political.
It simply blew my mind.
Cherry on the top, Mary narrated with brio Liz's words, elevating an already clever, witty, and fun text.

The book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but a book 2 is expected, seeing how it ends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

This book surprised me. It took a bit to get into but once the story was built it took off.

The magic system is so unique. Makers (people who can do magic) use conduits to wield magic. It is always something that they are good at. One character is good at soccer and so when she plays she is basically charging up her well. Twin sister characters dance as their conduit. Our FMC well she is different in her mind is not really good at anything. She half attempts multiple things. She ends up making her conduit out of code because she is actually pretty good at coding. She turn the code into an app that she stores in her watch named Dot and talks to it telepathically. She tells Dot what spells she wants to use and Dot does in for her.

During one of her training sessions she tells Dot to do “it’s worse” causing Dot to create chaos that starts opening portals and summoning mythological creatures. She must find a way to stop and send the creature back.

The ending threw me a bit. I was not expecting the ending to take me where it did.

I tried. I was really fascinated by the concept and loved the cover. But the narrator drove me crazy because she sounded exactly like a woman who, frankly, rubs me entirely the wrong way in real life. I had a very difficult time listening to her voice and trying to separate the voice from the book. I feel badly about this because it is neither the author nor the narrator's fault that this happened - but it was a reality nevertheless .

I persevered for a long time through, because I was really enjoying the story. I found the way Shipton melded magic and tech to be fascinating, and while the characters were a little too YAfor me - even though only one was technically of that age and frankly she was the least childish one - I still enjoyed watching Seven learn about magic and her own role in The Magic World. But just after a third of the way in things just got too weird, and at that point the blend of narration and story lost me.

Seven was an altogether irritating character to me, and many of her compatriots were not much better. That in and of itself isn't necessarily a problem - I get that a story without conflict isn't much of a story - but after a while I just wanted to slap them all, and that didn't exactly endear me to a book where I was already struggling...

I do want to reiterate that the narration is absolutely positively not bad or likely to be a problem for anyone but me. She does an excellent job voicing the characters distinctly and bringing emotion to the story. My irritation with the narration was entirely my own and related to my experiences in the real world with someone who sounds nearly identical to this narrator at the speed I listen to (2.0). It is unfortunate because without that I might have been able to stick with this one a little longer to see if I got over the weirdness hump, but ultimately I just couldn't do it. I may try picking this one up in book form to see how everything ends though.

While there was quite a bit I didn't understand regarding the computer/coding stuff, this book was incredibly enjoyable! A great new take on urban fantasy that does not disappoint. The magic system is completely new and worked in so well that it's almost believable. The characters are engaging and the sexual is perfection. The narration would be better if done duel style but the narrator does a great job with differentiating the voices and the writing style mixed with the narration makes it easy to follow character dialogue. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!