OF LIGHT AND NIGHTMARES

THE ASHES OF MAGIC TRILOGY: VOLUME I

by Alex B. Harper ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 24, 2023

This urban-fantasy debut zeroes in on an Australian Chinese philanthropist whose newfound ability may help her protect the world from savage creatures.

Thirty-something Emmeline Taylor-Wu manages the family trust that her parents left. She and her older radiologist brother, Matthew, focus primarily on health care–related philanthropic work in Toronto, much like their mother and father had done. While she’s generally reclusive, Emmeline gladly shows up at a hospital gala, only to spot something amazing—two female guests have blinding auras, the likes of which she’s never seen. As these women explain, they’re nainthe, essentially demon hunters, who keep the monstrous raizour from invading the human world. Apparently, Emmeline is an elystier, or “seeker,” whose rare, untapped skill is identifying humans with the potential to become nainthe. Without someone like her, the nainthe will watch their numbers quickly dwindle. These hunters are all about discretion and not exactly forthcoming with details about themselves. But they need Emmeline and reluctantly bring Matthew into their circle when one of their kind is seriously injured. As Emmeline struggles to master her elystier ability, she stumbles on other skills, some that surprise the nainthe. She also learns that the raizour, who occasionally push through the gateway between worlds, know about Emmeline, which suggests there’s a traitor among the nainthe. She may have to fight these evil, clawed, black-eyed beasts while someone, human or otherwise, shadows her in her own world. It seems only a matter of time before the raizour attack.

Harper aptly develops an electrifying cast in this series opener. Emmeline and Matthew rub elbows with myriad nainthe, who exhibit distinctive personalities. They include gleefully cheeky Anja Loren; her brooding brother, “Executioner” Erik; and others who show Emmeline and Matthew kindness, suppress hostility, or turn out to be outright loathsome. Nevertheless, the story’s highlights are the Australian Chinese siblings. Protective brother and medical professional Matthew relies on his sister; he’s autistic, and Emmeline wholeheartedly defends him when people mistake his stoic behavior for impudence. The two are also fiercely loyal and showcase their charms with their endearing banter. In one text exchange, Matthew says he’s taking Emmeline’s SUV since she dared to drive his new sports car to her breakfast date. “If it’s any consolation,” she writes, “your car is fabulous. I might keep it.” Meanwhile, readers only get a glimpse of what Emmeline may be capable of with her surfacing powers. Similarly, the tale doesn’t dive too deeply into its resident magical beings, although it’s clear that the nainthe are battling malevolent creatures. The scenes with the raizour are tense, as these largely nameless brutes spew hate-filled threats and aim to inflict pain. The gripping novel’s latter half churns out some action as well as betrayals and shocking deaths. Characters also wind up entangled in more than one romantic subplot, and while the relationships are predictable, the directions they take are not. As Harper’s trilogy is just starting, there are many unanswered questions, mostly centering on the nainthe’s and the raizour’s origins.

A riveting series opener that offers magic and monsters.

Pub Date: May 24, 2023

ISBN: 978-1738906406

Page Count: 520

Publisher: ABH Publishing

Review Posted Online: July 21, 2023

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

FANTASY | GENERAL FANTASY