A brilliant new supernatural series. What a fantastic mix of supernatural creatures, history, art and of course, a good bit of romance. Well written with great family strength and moral fortitude just waiting to be tested! Give it a try, you know you want to!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this arc!

This was a highly anticipated read for me and it did not disappoint! I seen the author promoting it on TikTok way back when she was still writing it and followed her journey.

This book started off quite slow and I wasn’t sure if I was going to love but I’m so glad I did! This book was everything I needed it to be!

Kyan had a hard exterior and was taught that love just meant loss but he didn’t realise this could potentially be everything he needed.

Nicole would do anything to keep her and her family safe and through following her gut instincts she does everything in her power to make sure she sticks true to her word.

The character development and pace of the plot was excellent in this novel and I truly believe it will be a widely loved book, I already cannot wait for book 2!

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott
Book 1 - Empyreal Trilogy
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️5/5
🌶️ this book is steamy
Fantasy, Art Fiction, Dark Fantasy
Multi POV
➳ secret messages hidden in art
➳ supernatural academia
➳ clashing factions
➳ forbidden love
➳ supernatural hunters
➳ paranormal romance
➳ enemies to lovers
➳ secret powers/magic
➳ fae, druids, sirens, immortal beings
➳ conspiracies
➳ rich & evocative lore
➳ celtic mythology
➳ alliance of convenience
➳ secret societies
➳ prophecies/legacy
➳ artefacts of power

✨ “I encourage you to forget what you think you know of the world. Because if these artists didn’t believe such creatures were real, they entertained the supernatural through allegory, fairy tale or religion and with such artistic fervour that might make you believe they were. You will be shown that beneath the human history of the world, art reveals a secret, seething, supernatural one.“ ✨

Art is more than just aesthetic expression; it is a conduit for exploring the supernatural and uncovering secrets that challenge our understanding of reality. It has the transformative power to reveal deeper truths about the world.

Art serves as a window into the supernatural realm, even if it is interpreted as allegory or myth by humans. Artists throughout history have depicted supernatural beings with such conviction that it blurs the line between reality and imagination.

In this world there is a supernatural art conspiracy—a secret kept alive through centuries. Art holds secrets capable of threatening powerful institutions and possessing this knowledge can be both a source of danger and leverage for survival. Art is not merely decorative but a repository of hidden knowledge with far-reaching implications.

📚📚📚

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧
Prepare to be entranced by Megan Scott’s debut novel, “The Temptation of Magic,” a spellbinding exhibition of mythology, art history, and romance that will transport you to a world where dark and dangerous secrets lurk beneath the canvas of reality.

From secret messages delicately embedded into artwork to the pursuit of supernatural truths reminiscent of uncovering lost masterpieces, every page invites you to decipher the intricate layers of mystery, betrayals and revelations. Drawing inspiration from classics like “Serpent and Dove” and “A Discovery of Witches,” Scott crafts a forbidden romance that feels both mesmerising and haunting.

It’s not just the plot that is gripping—Scott’s character development is a masterpiece in its own right. Each character is meticulously crafted with their own motivations and secrets. As the story unfolds, you’ll find yourself drawn into their world, exploring the hidden depths of their souls with the same reverence as studying the brushstrokes of a timeless classic.

The pacing is impeccable, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Unlike many fantasy novels, Scott avoids the dreaded cliffhanger ending, instead delivering a satisfying conclusion while setting the stage for future instalments.

Whether you’re a fan of annotating your books or simply enjoy getting lost in a mesmerising tale, “The Temptation of Magic” is a must-read. With its meticulous world-building, steamy romance, and compelling characters, this book is destined to be one of the best of 2024. You will definitely want to purchase a digital and physical copy, one for reading and one for annotations.

Intrigued readers will delight in the meticulous lore woven throughout the narrative, while romance enthusiasts will swoon over the steamy and yearning-filled romance. And for those who appreciate a well-crafted mythology tie-in, Scott’s dedication to research shines through, making each revelation feel both thrilling and authentic.

“The Temptation of Magic” is a captivating debut that will leave you yearning for more. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy reader or new to the genre, this is one book you won’t want to put down.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
💖
<b>LIKES:</b>
⋆ The Lore of this world was absolutely meticulous. There’s secret messages hidden in the classical masterpieces of our world today, and as a result i was able to look up the artworks to match the mood of The Temptation of Magic.
⋆ The romance aspects were honestly everything I look for. It was steamy and there was some serious yearning going on. The ending left me screaming for certain reasons, in the best way, and i’m dying to know what happens next. I’m also hoping other (non main/pov) character’s romantic relationships blossom in the next books because i found myself wanting to do a bit of matchmaking.
⋆ The mythology tie ins were absolutely an unmatched level of dedication. The amount of research and planning necessary to make all of the pieces fall in line as they have must have been years in the making. The things I would do for a physical copy of this ARC to annotate …. 🧎🏼‍♀️
⋆ Every character felt like a fully developed person who exists in and out of this book. Every choice, felt genuinely motivated by the character and not a hollow means to move the plot for. When the characters were nervous … i was nervous. This is one of those books that you feel their pain and joy as a reader. I will read any book Megan Scott writes.

❤️‍🩹
DISLIKES:
⋆ No dislikes to note.

<b>Fantasy Scoring</b>
Worldbuilding ➷ ✅ 5/5
Foreshadowing ➷ ✅ 5/5
Plot ➷ ✅ 5/5
Relationships ➷ ✅ 5/5

Thank you to the Megan Scott, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, Magpie and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

She has the ability to kill any deadly supernatural. But if her power ever awakens, the organisation that governs supernaturals, would force her to be their loyal huntress. Or kill her, like they did her mother. Nicole hides in a small university town with her family to stay safe, she’s convinced the mythological art collection at a local manor contains a final message from her mother. Before she can begin her study of the art another Empyreal, Kyan, arrives on the scene. When they discover his prey has stolen a painting for leverage, they’re forced to work together.

As the creature threatens to expose her powers, her tenuous alliance with Kyan threaten her heart. If her true identity is revealed, she will be hunted next. No one disobeys the governing body of supernaturals and survives. Especially when the art they’re seeking unveils a conspiracy that would change the lives of creatures and human forever. After a life of hiding her true nature, who could resist the temptation of magic.

A forbidden romance steeped in mythology and magic that will leave you wanting more. This may be the first in a series but it takes the fantasy world by storm: magical creatures, forbidden alliances and supernatural creatures are prowling across the pages. There isn’t anything about this book to to like cause it has it all. There is a magic in reading something that entices you from he very first page and magical creatures existing alongside humans is one of them. Imagine is this was real.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘵

I could not believe that this is a debut book. From the writing, the world building, the characters, the magic system, the dark academia setting, one of the most unique fantasy systems, this was a masterclass from start to finish, I was completely and utterly engrossed into this world where empyreals and supernatural beings exist. For me, this book is if Serpent and Dove had a baby with The Mortal Instruments.

Nicole was such an interesting heroine, she gave of black cat/angry gf energy with her badass personality and attitude, but you can see why due to the magnitude of love and loyalty she has for her family. Kyan was a perfect match for her through and through, he was powerful and so dedicated to a cause, loyalty is something they both had in spades. This book is perfect for fans of books such as Fourth Wing and I really think this will be the next best fantasy series upon release. I cannot wait to see where Megan Scott takes this next.

Thank you to Netgalley, Megan Scott and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review ♥️

oh my god, this book was so, so good! it has a ton of interesting and unique elements, from the complex fantastical setting to the way art and history are woven into the story.

what immediately drew me in was the concept of Empyreals and how it related to a vast multitude of commonly-known supernatural creatures. I think I could compare Empyreals to Shadowhunters in terms of their protective nature, however Megan Scott managed to create a whole new world where things aren’t so black and white. I particularly loved how the characters’ sense of right shifted as the story progressed.

another stunning aspect was the art! here, history is painted, and also manipulated, through art, which I think was one of the story’s most compelling devices. there’s nothing like a famous painting that conceals secrets within!

while I was fascinated by the book, I did think it dragged on a bit towards the end - it was odd that the eagerly-anticipated climax took place at around 80% of the story, followed by quite a bit of talking and walking/standing around. however, the ending moments were awesome and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!