I grew up on stories full of magic, and now as an adult I go out of my way to find new magic world to to explore in books, movies and podcasts. Of all the worlds, the once that Charlie has introduced me to is by far my favorite. It’s charming, enthralling, mysterious, suspenseful, and it make me want to drop out off collage to hunt down the magic school and re-enroll there.

If you want a world to obsess over, characters to to laugh, cry and scream at or just gorgeous book for your bookshelf then this the North Tower is for you.

So amazing, start to finish!!! I love when authors make it so you feel as if you are discovering a fantastical world along with the main character, and take their time building the history and details of it all. Such an amazing fantasy with a badass and funny female lead, and a twinge of horror that gives you shivers of excitement! I have so many emotions swirling around with everything that happened, but the biggest emotion I'm feeling is impatience. Cuz I need book 2 ASAP!!!

“My name is Charlie Heart. The world bends to me.”

Let’s get a couple things out of the way first in regards to what this book offers:

✨a mysterious school for magic
✨an unwitting heroine ready to run
✨a supernatural murder mystery
✨magical training scenes
✨a complex host of quick-witted characters

There are some easy parallels that could be drawn between The North Tower and Harry Potter, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a fast-paced tale of a girl torn between answers, anchors, and escape, confronted with a side of herself she never knew existed. With an intriguing system of biologically based magic and a mystery in which literally EVERYONE is suspect, the truth of Charlie’s reality is twisted and you never know who to trust.

The book is definitely a build-up toward darker, larger things, but it was so immersive that at no point could I predict what was coming — so, too, was I invested in Charlie’s reactions and choices. She’s such a believable heroine and I can’t wait for all the “cheese and rice” to come! 💫

Friends! I found your next fantasy series! Let me introduce you to The North Tower, the first in The Royal Trilogy series.
Hagood does a great job on a number of fronts. First, the pacing is spot on throughout the entire book. It clips along at a good pace, keeping you engaged, but doesn’t miss any details along the way.
Second, I loved these characters. Hagood had me loving so much more than our MC Charlie (keeping names to myself to not spoil!) I am so invested in Charlie and this group and felt that she laid excellent groundwork to keep building on the character development in the next book in the series.
Third, it’s a fun story! Magical wars, mystery, a school setting - so many elements I love, all wrapped in a great mystery that I sense is going to epically scale as the story continues.
I’m so excited to share this one with you all and support this wonderful indie author!

A contemporary, young adult version of the Willow origin story intersects with the magical school setting and underdog protagonist of Harry Potter--albeit with a darker twist--in this thrilling debut from young adult author Michelle N. Hagood.

Directly from the start of the prologue, Hagood draws readers into a dangerous parallel world of magic, wards, and secrets in which no one with a wand can be trusted. Nineteen-year-old Charlie, who is barely surviving her meager existence in Salina, Kansas, is whisked suddenly into this sinister world when an escape plan is violently interrupted by a strange and inexplicable incident on the road. From there, she finds herself dragged into a magical reality that feels far too good to come without strings attached. After all, the Magisterium feels more like a prison, and someone within its obsidian walls is most definitely a killer.

With in-depth world building, truly sinister threats, and a complex cast of characters (and suspects), Hagood weaves a chilling tale of murder, magic, and mystery that will keep readers guessing until the last page.

Wow!! I am not a big reader of fantasy but I LOVED this book! The storytelling is intricate and draws you in from the very first chapter. The characters are interesting and their personalities are unique and well-developed. The story has so much going on but it’s completely engaging and original with not a single detail missed. I was racing through pages up until the very end. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!