A romance and a voyage of self-discovery.

FYI—It’s not about autumn. It’s about a magical book called the Book of Autumn. So if you are ready for cinnamon spice and fall foliage, you won’t find it in this one.

Having said that, The Book of Autumn follows Marcella Gibbons as she returns to her alma mater, a magical academy in New Mexico. Her history here is complex, and she only returns at the urgent request of her mentor and because her ex asks nicely.

The problem? Well, it seems one of the students who might be possessed murdered another student. The possessed girl is now levitating above her bed and short of puking pea soup, shows all the signs of some otherworldly issue.

Marcella is an expert in this sort of thing and one half of a dimidium—a closely connected duo of magical peeps. Her ex, of course, is the other half. The whole thing drops Marcella right back in the soup she climbed out of when her brother died, when she lost control of her magic, and when her relationship with Max hit the skids.

Good Stuff—interesting take on magic: what it is, how it works, who can do it.

Nicely developed characters

Swoon-worthy Max, if you are into charming cowboys who can work magic—and who isn’t?

The energy is sun-drenched desert with a little ancient cult mixed in, plus the weird dynamics of academia. Highly enjoyable! Thanks to NetGalley and author Molly O-Sullivan for the opportunity to read and review.

Reminder:

Zoraida Grey and the Voodoo Queen is on NetGalley this month.