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Sunday, November 17, 2019

Review: Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey @torbooks @gaileyfrey

Magic for Liars 
by Sarah Gailey


Publisher: Tor Books
Publish Date: June 4, 2019
Hardcover
336 Pages
Standalone
Genre: Fantasy

Sharp, mainstream fantasy meets compelling thrills of investigative noir in this fantasy debut by rising star Sarah Gailey.

Ivy Gamble has never wanted to be magic. She is perfectly happy with her life—she has an almost-sustainable career as a private investigator, and an empty apartment, and a slight drinking problem. It's a great life and she doesn't wish she was like her estranged sister, the magically gifted professor Tabitha.

But when Ivy is hired to investigate the gruesome murder of a faculty member at Tabitha’s private academy, the stalwart detective starts to lose herself in the case, the life she could have had, and the answer to the mystery that seems just out of her reach.


My Review:


I've seen people describe this book as an adult Harry Potter. I would disagree - I think this is more like The Magicians meet a non-magical private investigator.  What a fun read.  Twin sisters - one magical, one not. (Obvious sibling tension).  Their worlds collide as one is a teacher at the magical school while the other is the PI hired to come solve the murder.

I found Ivy to be a really fun character.  I would imagine if I was in her position and found that somehow my twin sister got all the magic and I was left with nothing that I wouldn't be all too happy either.  She's a bit snarky and very good at her job.

There were aspects the story that were predictable and I didn't find the reveal shocking in any way.  However, I did appreciate the sentiment behind everything that did happen. It's nice to see a little different of a story line.  I find myself wishing this was a series.  I'd love to see more of Ivy in the future.  However, as a stand alone, I am happy to see where the story went.  I mean, who doesn't like a little magic in their life?  So happy this was a book club choice.

★★★★

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