
Member Reviews

When Magic Fades*, a spellbinding story, is an emotional and adventurous journey through the canal city of Arteria, where danger and beauty coexist. This book is a remarkable exploration of resilience, identity, and the unlikely connections that shape us.
Silvie, a former child soldier, finds herself stripped of the life she once knew—her magic gone and her hearing partially lost. Sent to an unfamiliar city as an alchemist's apprentice, she must rebuild her world from the ground up. Azura, the privileged daughter of the alchemist, lives a life of comfort but is equally constrained by her circumstances. Despite their differences, Silvie and Azura forge a compelling bond that is as unexpected as it is transformative.
The city of Arteria is richly imagined, with its vibrant canals masking a dark secret: the cadaveri, terrifying walking corpses born from the overuse of magic. The looming threat of these creatures heightens the tension, making every choice the characters make feel urgent and profound.
What makes *When Magic Fades* shine is its layered storytelling. Silvie and Azura’s relationship evolves beautifully, filled with vulnerability and strength. Their struggles to define themselves outside of societal expectations are deeply relatable, and their courage in the face of overwhelming odds is inspiring.
The prose is vivid and lyrical, painting a world that feels both fantastical and grounded. The themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the cost of power resonate powerfully, making this book a thought-provoking read as well as an exhilarating adventure.
If you’re a fan of richly built worlds, emotionally complex characters, and high-stakes drama, *When Magic Fades* is a must-read. It’s a story that lingers, leaving you eager for more of Silvie and Azura’s journey.