The Forbidden Spell: Mark of a Caster Book One
Young Adult; Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror; (Market)
Senrind’s life has always been dictated by magic.
Cursed from birth, he is forced to live out his life stuck as a wolf. Sure, it’s been fine living with his pack in the mountains. But Senrind can’t help wanting more. He’s never visited the city or had a conversation with another human being. That is, until a fortune teller introduces him to a shapeshifting cat named Carithway.
Carithway can help him break his curse, but in exchange for a heavy price.
Senrind finds himself pulled into a world of witches, spells, and potions. All the while searching for the answers to his past: Who cursed him? And why?
His father might know the answers, problem is, he’s dead. It seems Senrind’s only chance of discovering the truth is to attend the Coven’s celebration of Samhain (or Halloween, as the people of Evercast call it). On this night, and this night only, the dead can revisit the living.
Senrind isn’t the only one with secrets, though. Carithway seems to be hiding something. Something significant.
Plot/Idea: 7 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 7.50 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: The first entry in a series, the plot’s arc finds a satisfying conclusion. While the book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, the stage is set for more stories with these characters, stories readers will likely welcome thanks to the strength of the characters and the fanciful setting full of monsters and magic.
Prose: The writing effectively conveys a captivating mood and sense of place. Dialogue supports characterization nicely, distinguishing individuals and supporting the setting and worldbuilding.
Character/Execution: The book takes the time to develop the characters and their relationships, and in many ways, the novel’s plot feels like a precursor to a larger story not yet told. The budding potential of the protagonist as a magic user combined with the storybook feel of the narration will surely excite many readers for continued adventures.
Date Submitted: August 26, 2022
