Book Review: Courting Magic by Stephanie Burgis

Courting Magic
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Publisher: Five Fathoms Press (August 10, 2014)

Description: In Kat Stephenson's Regency England, magic is even more shocking than a stolen kiss. But now that she's eighteen, it's time for wild and magical Kat to be introduced to high society by her older sisters, whether she likes it or not...and to finally have a romance of her own!

Of course, her true love is hopelessly ineligible. But when has Kat ever let Society's opinion stop her from making up her own mind? Once she realizes she's found her perfect match, she's not going to let anything or anyone stand in their way - even if she does have to solve a magical mystery, matchmake for an old friend, and break a few rules along the way!

"Courting Magic" is a sparkling 34,000-word Regency novella set in the world of Kat, Incorrigible.

My Thoughts: Fans of the Kat, Incorrigible series won't want to miss this novella that takes place five years later. Kat has finally lost her battle to postpone her debut into society and is being prepped for her first ball when she is summoned to Guardian headquarters for a new assignment. There is an illusionist about who is impersonating society types and attending social event in order to rob unsuspecting guests.

The plan is that Kat and three associates, who are posing as prospective suitors, will search for the illusionist at the Season parties. Her three co-conspirators are the Marquess of Lanham, the Honorable George Packenham, and Alexander Harding. Alexander isn't a member of the Order despite being the son of the former leader of the Order. His father never married his mother making him socially ineligible. That's really too bad because Kat met him five years earlier and fell in love with him.

Now reunited, both Kat and Alexander know that they can't have a future together and it is breaking both of their hearts. Despite that, they manage to find a way to identify the illusionist, with a couple of embarassing incidents along the way, and stop him. There's a "happy ever after" ending too.

It was nice to see what has been happening since the conclusion of Stolen Magic. I liked seeing that Kat's sisters were happy in the relationships that Kat helped them find. It was also nice to find that the sisters got along much better now that they were all adults.

Favorite Quote:

Some girls liked having their hands kissed by all and sundry. I certainly didn't care for any such nonsense. I could hardly even remember what he'd said that night on the beach in Devon before he'd walked away, after fighting side by side with me in the hardest magical battle of my life.

"It's not finished. I promise you that. I will see you again."

No, I could hardly remember that at all. I certainly hadn't thought about it since then. Especially not at night, before I fell asleep. Or when I was scanning the crowds in the most unlikely places, looking for those broad shoulders and remembering the tingling, breathless feeling of his lips brushing against my hand.

I got this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.