The Temptation of Magic

July 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 Nicole, secretly a magical being called an Empyreal, moves through life fearing her magic's lack of control. She will become a hunter of evil creatures, but she doesn't know when. Kyan is an Empyreal as well, but he has been hunting evil creatures for centuries, magically transforming into the most deadly enemy of his prey. He works for a shady institution called the Wake and his newest assignment takes him to the college where Nicole is busy with her dissertation on ancient art. When they cross paths the first time, his orders are to keep Nicole away from a supernatural art collection. Nicole recognizes Kyan as a fellow Empyreal--one sent by the Wake. As they cooperate to catch a Specter, they find that even at conflicting purposes, their magic will pull them together. Debut author Scott pays close attention to the details of the English setting; her descriptions are lush and glittering. The inclusion of real art and artists will draw readers into the mysteries of the Empyreal world, the subject of a planned trilogy.

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August 1, 2024
An 18-year-old girl's days of hiding her true supernatural identity are tested when she's embroiled in the mystery surrounding a prominent professor's death. The Palmers are a secretive supernatural family in Cornwall, England. Nicole and her brother, Dylan, pretend to only be Seers like their father and younger sister, Bells, but they're actually Empyreals--rare, powerful hunters who can shape-shift into any being's deadliest predator. Nicole knows that if she and Dylan ever transform, the Wake, or shadowy organization that controls the paranormal world and killed their Empyreal mother, will force them to join their ranks or die. Nicole believes she can decode a final message from her mother hidden inThe Wild Hunt of Odin, a famous folkloric painting, but after Diana Westmoore, the professor and art collector who owns the painting, dies suddenly, the Wake send their best Empyreal assassin, Kyan McCarter, to retrieve the painting and hunt the supernatural killer. Kyan and Nicole are immediately drawn to each other, even though he's lived monastically for centuries, and she's been taught to avoid the Wake at all costs. Their forced proximity causes proverbial sparks to fly. Filled with intriguing worldbuilding, a swoony forbidden romance, and a diverse collection of fascinating mythological creatures who coexist in the human and supernatural worlds, this series opener is ideal for fans of Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, and Sally Green. Main characters are cued white, Dylan is queer, and the supporting cast includes diversity in race and sexual orientation. A promising, page-turning romantasy.(Fantasy romance. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 7, 2025

Gr 8 Up-In Scott's trilogy opener, hidden within our world are the very beings of folklore, who disguise themselves in plain sight through art. However, one species, the Empyreals, are deemed too dangerous to allow free among humans. These shape-shifters transform into their target's most effective predator, having to fight their very nature to maintain control. As such, the ruling entity called The Wake has decreed that all Empyreals must either take binding blood oaths, swearing their allegiance, or face death. One Empyreal, Nicole, has evaded the Wake, disguising herself as a Seer, as she tries to find the clues her Empyreal mother left behind to bring an end to the Wake's rule. Closer than ever to answers, her search is hindered by the arrival of Kyan, an ancient and mysteriously handsome Wake agent. Their sizzling chemistry cannot be denied, but if Nicole is discovered, Kyan will be forced to bring her to the Wake or kill her himself. Deeply rooted in our own art history, this will do well with fans of dark academia. Real-world paintings are repeatedly referenced, helping readers connect and envision Nicole's research. While the dense worldbuilding slows the plot-driven narrative, forbidden romance fans will rejoice in Nicole and Kyan's undeniable attraction. Despite the mystery of Nicole's mother being the driving force of the plot, the rest of her family and friends remain largely, somewhat disappointingly, in the background. VERDICT A rewarding romantasy for those willing to brave the dense narrative.-Elisha Sheffer

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