Description

Desperate to undo the curse binding them together, an impulsive sorcerer and his curmudgeonly rival venture deep into a magical forest in search of a counterspell – only to discover that magic might not be the only thing pulling them together. An irresistible cosy fantasy for fans of A Marvellous Light and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics, content to spend his days thinking up charms that can summon butterflies or turn hair pink. That is, until a mishap with forbidden magic compels Leo to obey his longtime rival, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo’s complete opposite – respected, talented and an absolutely insufferable curmudgeon. They need a counterspell, and fast.

Chasing rumours of a powerful sorcerer, Leo and Grimm enter the Unquiet Wood, a forest teeming with murderous monsters and dangerous outlaws. To break the curse, they’ll have to uncover the true depths of Leo’s magic, set aside their animosity and – much to their horror – work together. Even as an odd spark of attraction flares between them.

‘Maiga Doocy’s voice is nothing short of masterful . . . I would gladly take an arrow for either Leo or Grimm’
Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

‘I loved this book! . . . One of the best slow-burn relationships I’ve seen in a long time. Prepare to get deeply invested in Leovander Lovage and Sebastian Grimm.’
Melissa Caruso, author of The Last Hour Between Worlds

‘With vibrant characters, delicious slow-burn tension and a fascinating magic system, this is a compelling start to the trilogy. Adults yearning for the enchantment of their childhood favourites will be spellbound by this magical adventure’
Kirkus (starred review)

Publisher Review

Maiga Doocy’s voice is nothing short of masterful. Leo Lovage could read me the phone book and I’d be delighted, and I would gladly take an arrow for either Leo or Grimm — Megan Bannen, author of THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY This Ghibli-esque slow-burn fantasy delivers on every promise it offers when it drops Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle inside Patricia A. McKillip’s The Forgotten Beasts of Eld — Library Journal (starred review) I loved this book! Sorcery and Small Magics has a unique magic system and plenty of adventure, but most of all, absolutely wonderful characters in one of the best slow-burn relationships I’ve seen in a long time. Prepare to get deeply invested in Leovander Loveage and Sebastian Grimm — Melissa Caruso, author of THE LAST HOUR BETWEEN WORLDS ‘Reading Sorcery and Small Magics feels like stepping into the world of the ultimate comfort story. Packed with humour and heart, Doocy’s debut had me grinning from ear to ear and giggling the whole way through. This is a cosy, whimsical spin on academia that will give you all the warm fuzzy feels! — Sydney J. Shields, author of THE HONEY WITCH Sorcery and Small Magics smoulders like spell-paper, set aflame by its singular enchanted setting, a spirited violin soundtrack and plenty of charming chaos. The hesitant care that Leo and Grimm show each other as they work to dispel a genuinely terrifying curse is heart-warming — Sylvie Cathrall, author of A LETTER TO THE LUMINOUS DEEP With a vibrantly imagined world and characters that leap off the page, Sorcery and Small Magics positively sparkles with wit and charm. It’s a light-hearted tale of friendship, forgiveness, magic and love. Much like Doocy’s opposites-attract heroes, Leo and Grimm, this book sings, leaving you spellbound and wanting more — Julie Leong, author of THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES As sparkling and delicious as enchanted champagne, Sorcery and Small Magics is full of wit, joy and real heart. I loved it — Stephanie Burgis, author of WOOING THE WITCH QUEEN Charming, cheeky and utterly magical — Davinia Evans, author of NOTORIOUS SORCERER A delightful story of healing, full of heart, with two flawed but irresistible heroes and a fantastic sorceress in the woods! I didn’t want it to end! You won’t want to leave the Unquiet Wood! — Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of THE SPELLSHOP With vibrant characters, delicious slow-burn tension, and a fascinating magic system, this is a compelling start to the trilogy. Adults yearning for the enchantment of their childhood favourites will be spellbound by this modern magical adventure — KIRKUS (starred review)