Ami's Hoard

Agatha Bird is not a new author to me. Before she had a published book, I read a few of her wonderful free online fiction (even one of her fan fiction). I really enjoy Bird’s narrative which is why I was excited when I saw this one listed at Dreamspinner Press’s coming soon page.

Recipe for Magic dwells in a world of a magic school – where mage students are paired by the Oracle to display their power at the Senior Trial. Connor Roth is a fire mage, he comes from a great family of magic; his father is a First Mage of the King’s council. Connor has plans … one of them is to succeed at the trial and becomes the youngest mage to ever sit in the King’s council. Except on the day of the pairing, Connor is paired with Landyn Glendower. A water mage. Two mages with opposing elements are unprecedented. It never happens. It is like a sign that he is doomed.

At first Connor is acting all “woe-is-me”, being attached to a water mage, who is not popular, heck, Connor doesn’t even know if Landyn is good at his magic. It just ruins his plan and his popularity. He becomes a pariah because of this pairing. However, slowly Connor finds out more about Landyn and he realizes who his friends truly are. And that sometimes opposites attract and can be bound for great things.

I found this a very solid enemies-to-lovers story – with a message of trying to look for other people’s qualities beyond the surface. Connor learns that Landyn is more than meets the eye. He opens his eyes to others who may not value the same things he does, who may not really care about popularity or showing off power just because they can.

I really loved their banter – and their private sessions of training their magic and their attempts to know each other. I loved the quiet times too, when they were in the kitchen, working together to make a great meal (because Landyn sometimes forgets to eat and Connor needs to feed him). It is wonderful little tale, filled with youthful emotion. There is also a great display of magic dragons – which I thought would be perfect if translated to visual platform.

My biggest complaint for this story was the rushed ending. I thought it would have been nice if Bird extended the ending just a few more pages to highlight the Trial. I felt rather dissatisfied with how it ended.

Overall, I totally loved this first published novella of Agatha Bird. Here’s to more in the near future, Ms. Bird!

PS: For my smutty-lover friends, this story contains no-sex scenes. Only kiss. Consider this an advisory for your reading pleasure :)