Ruthless Magic

by Megan Crewe

Overview

In the contest to keep their magic, the only options may be die... or kill.

Each year, the North American Confederation of Mages assesses every sixteen-year-old novice. Some will be chosen. The rest must undergo a procedure to destroy their magical ability unless they prove themselves in the mysterious and brutal Mages' Exam.

Disadvantaged by her parents' low standing, Rocío Lopez has dedicated herself to expanding her considerable talent to earn a place in the Confederation. Their rejection leaves her reeling--and determined to fight to keep her magic.

Long ashamed of his mediocre abilities, Finn Lockwood knows the Confederation accepted him only because of his prominent family. Declaring for the Exam instead means a chance to confirm his true worth.

Thrown into the testing with little preparation, Rocío and Finn find themselves becoming unlikely allies--and possibly more. But the Exam holds secrets more horrifying than either could have imagined. What are the examiners really testing them for? And as the trials become increasingly vicious, how much are they willing to sacrifice to win?

The first in a new series by USA Today bestselling author Megan Crewe, Ruthless Magic combines the magic of Harry Potter with the ferocity of The Hunger Games alongside a poignant romance. Fans of Cassandra Clare and Holly Black, look no further for your next urban fantasy fix.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781989114001
Publisher:	Another World Press
Publication date:	05/30/2018
Series:	Conspiracy of Magic , #1
Pages:	350
Sales rank:	904,564
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.78(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Megan Crewe is a Canadian author of young adult fiction, including the Earth & Sky trilogy, the paranormal fiction novel Give Up the Ghost, and the postapocalyptic Fallen World trilogy.

Austin Rising hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico-where he began acting at the age of four. After high school, he decided to take his passion to the University of Denver, where he studied theater. He then moved to Los Angeles to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the prestigious South Coast Repertory theater. In front of the camera, Austin can be seen in Better Call Saul, The Night Shift, In Plain Sight, New York Prison Break: The Seduction of Joyce Mitchell, Longmire, Hostiles, and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Behind the microphone, Austin has been narrating since 2015, amassing many critically acclaimed titles under his belt, such as the Last War series by Peter Bostrom, the Overworld Chronicles by John Corwin, and Models by Mark Manson. Being a gifted mimic since a very young age, Austin loves to perform young adult, science fiction, fantasy, and LitRPG titles which lend themselves to dynamic characterizations.

Jennifer Jill Araya has been trained as an opera singer and orchestral cellist, lending a musicality and depth of understanding to her narration that help bring her authors' stories to life. When she's not narrating, Jennifer can be found hiking, biking, running, or generally exploring her home city of Cincinnati with her husband Arturo and their two children.

Editorial Reviews

06/01/2018
Gr 7 Up—As student novices anxiously await the news if they have been Chosen by the North American Confederation of Mages, Finn and Rocío are looking to prove themselves for different reasons. Finn, wealthy and with the proper surname, wants to be Chosen because of his skill and not his lineage. Rocío wants to show that a poor girl with no name legacy can be Chosen because of sheer talent. When Finn turns down his Chosen status to earn his way and Rocío is denied, they both enter the brutal mages' exam to validate their worth. Faced with horrific wartime situations, the ghosts of their loved ones, and fellow examinees willing to kill to be a Champion, Finn and Rocío band together to pass and more importantly, to survive. This is a fast-paced urban fantasy with influences of "Harry Potter" and "The Hunger Games." The cast is composed of teens of different races, classes, abilities, and sexual orientations. Although there are strong themes here, the plot relies too much on action and not enough on world-building or character development. For example, there are several moments when Finn states that he is weak in magic and confidence, but he consistently demonstrates a lot of certainty in his actions. The exam/challenges take up most of the narrative, which leaves little room for readers to understand the rules of this world and the role that magic plays in it. VERDICT A strictly additional purchase.—Dawn Abron, Zion-Benton Public Library, IL

School Library Journal