Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Leon Alcantara is a real son of a witch.

The last in a proud line of witches, he’s come to test his small magic in the big city. Stealing enchanted artifacts pays the rent, but the competition is fierce. And handsome. And great at magic, too.

But Maximilian Drake and his dark, brooding glances are the least of Leon’s problems. A chain of anomalies surges through the city, strange distortions in reality that threaten both Dos Lunas and its people.

Suspected by the arcane authorities, Leon is forced to work with his nemesis to clear his name. But Max is so secretive over his shrouded past. Can he even be trusted? Leon must decide before the anomalies destroy the city — and his entire life.

Book Review

Book one in a new series by Nazri Noor. I have been gradually reading my way through Arcane Hearts by the same author, so there is some familiarity with the writing style. 

 

This is a quick-moving plot and romance. Leon and Maximillian (Max) are “finders”, who have been contracted to find an object – just so happens to be the same object - and the heist goes awry. Now thrown together to solve the mystery behind the object, sparks fly between the two very different characters. Leon is barely scratching out a living as he moves from city to city in search of jobs and sanctuary, while Max is privileged and living comfortably with his very structured routines. 

 

This is a “brain candy” book: light, sweet, easy to read, and entertaining. What I enjoy with these is the magical creativity and the worldbuilding. Each magic user pulls either from a certain lineage or background, like Leon being a Filipino witch. I so enjoy that magical diversity and would like to see those differences expounded upon. What niggles at me are characters who are too perfect in appearance. Perfect countenance, chiseled eight-pack abs, bulging biceps – I’m bombarded with “perfection” enough in media, I like my characters to be more grounded and realistic. Rough around the corners, so to speak.

 

Nazri Noor also has a good balance of supporting characters – the supportive friends as family, the enigmatic bodyguard, and the annoying magical police. The humor is subtle with little quips and jabs inserted throughout which I quite enjoyed.

 

Overall, ‘Hex in the City’ is a fast-paced, fun, engaging read set in the urban fantasy world of Dos Lunas, California. This is perfect for vacation, that commute read, or chilling out after a long day at work. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series will go.

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author vis GRRT for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 242 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	30-June-2023
Price	$4.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Hex-City-Stolen-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B0C8F8WY5B