The Temptation of Magic by Magan Scott is the latest release in the fantasy romance genre that doesn’t expand the genre as a whole.
About "The Temptation of Magic"
Author: Megan Scott
Series: Empyreal #1
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Page Number: 384 pages
Audible Listening Time: 13 hours 55 mins
Goodreads Rating: 3.96/5
My Rating: 2/5
Megan Scott attempts to construct a world reminiscent of 'The Da Vinci Code', but infused with dark academia and fantasy elements. The protagonist, Nicole, is an Empyreal, a being capable of lethal magic, forced to conceal her identity from the Wake, a mystical syndicate policing her kind. Kyan, another Empyreal, arrives at Nicole's university to hunt a creature that has stolen a mysterious artwork connected to a century-old conspiracy. Nicole also seeks the painting to unravel the mystery surrounding her mother's death and a cryptic warning.
The author endeavours to weave an intriguing tapestry of symbols and ancient art. As an art scholar, Nicole must decipher clues hidden within historical art collections amassed by her late mother. The concept is promising, but the execution falters. The puzzle-solving aspect lacks depth and excitement. Most of the deciphering happens off-page and we as a reader are just informed that Nicole has found a new clue, she already solved it and it means this and that. It was really annoying. I wanted to feel the thrill of solving the mystery.
The Temptation of Magic is categorised as a fantasy romance. But the romance is so boring. There is no reason for Kyan and Nicole to like each other. They don’t feel compatible with each other at all. The words in the book say there is an undeniable attraction between them but I didn’t feel it for one bit. The sexual tension is bland and the spicy scene is so boring that I skipped it entirely.
The only time I felt engaged in the story is when Nicole comes close to getting exposed as an Empyreal and she finds a way out of the situation. Those scenes are some of the best scenes in The Temptation of Magic and it happens a lot to her.
But Kyan’s character is so forgettable that I forgot what he did in the story other than trying to hunt another creature and have sex with Nicole. His character got a well-needed push at the end. But by that time the book was already finished. I think it was left for the sequel to pick up. But I don’t think I’ll read the next book.
I didn’t hate The Temptation of Magic entirely. I loved the author's writing style, and some action scenes were written beautifully. But I don’t think I will pick up the sequel if it doesn’t go viral on social media for something so mind-blowing.
Amazon Blurb of "The Temptation of Magic"
As an Empyreal, Nicole has the ability to kill any deadly supernatural. But if her power ever awakened, the Wake—the organisation that governs supernaturals—would force her to be their loyal huntress. Or kill her, like they did her mother.
To stay safe, Nicole hides in a small university town, convinced the mythological art collection at a local manor contains a final message from her mother. But before she can study it, Kyan McCarter, the Wake’s most skilled Empyreal, arrives on his own hunt. When they discover his prey has stolen a painting for leverage, they’re forced to work together.
As the creature threatens to expose Nicole’s powers, her tenuous alliance with Kyan threatens her heart. If her true identity is revealed, Kyan will hunt her next. No one disobeys The Wake and survives. Especially when the art they’re seeking unveils a conspiracy that would change the lives of creatures and humans forever...
But Nicole may only be able to resist one: her wicked impulses, or a love that could repaint their world. And after a life of hiding her true nature, who could resist the temptation of magic...
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