THE MAKER OF SPELLS

A romantasy featuring a courageous bisexual hero who aims to avoid more bloodshed in an escalating conflict.

O’Kell’s debut novel follows a Juno Vera, a spellwright—formerly betrothed to her queen—who must rise above the pain of her emotional loss and, acting as an ambassador to a potentially hostile kingdom, somehow broker peace in a realm teetering on all-out war. With Juno’s engagement to her beloved Artemis—newly crowned queen of Demeterra after the princess’s parents were assassinated—officially over, she’s informed that she is to travel to the kingdom of Aresia where, as an ambassador, she must somehow maneuver around the arrogant king’s ultimatum for Artemis to marry him or risk the nations going to war. Although relatively untested in the complex realm of diplomacy, Juno finds herself a natural and soon discovers dark secrets about the seemingly prosperous Aresia and its mysterious king. With a small group of friends—including Justine, her savvy attendant, and Larance, the steward of the Aresian king’s household who falls for her—Juno uncovers multiple conspiracies connecting the land’s strange magical imbalance to a sickness spreading throughout the Six Realms. While the worldbuilding isn’t exactly noteworthy, the set provides a believable backdrop for Juno’s undercover investigations. O’Kell’s strength is the ability to create deeply developed characters with intense and identifiable emotional connections. The dynamic among Juno and her friends, for example, feels authentic—particularly her somewhat surprisingly intimate connection with Larance. The romantic theme of finding and holding onto love is strong throughout: “Isn’t happiness worth having, even if it might not be forever?” Additionally, the impressively intricate plot combined with relentless pacing and nonstop action makes for a real page-turner.

While not groundbreaking, a solid fantasy adventure well worth reading.