His magic could heal anything–except a broken heart.

The war is over, and Korin has come to Triome, the greatest city in the world, for a fresh start. But Triome holds its own secrets, and Korin may not have left all his enemies behind.

A disease stalks the city, a disease made of magic that only a wizard like Korin can cure. But he can’t fight it alone, and his new allies may not be as friendly as they seem. Especially handsome Ádan, who awakens feelings and memories that Korin would rather have left behind, and whose smiling face may be hiding the most dangerous secret of all.

Twisted Magic by Barbara J. Webb is a fascinating introduction to the world with a detailed world of magic that had me swept up into the character of Korin and Triome much faster than anticipated. Not only has she created an intriguing world but the characters are sympathetic and complex.

One of the primary reasons I loved the story was the complexity of the relationship between Korin and Adan, how the blight spreads and how the magic, especially Korin’s, is described. Nothing is simple, not the war, not the knights and certainly not the wizards and that complexity makes for a truly interesting read. It would be interesting to know more about the rest of the world and more about other characters in the city but overall, it is a great first book in a series that sets up more for the characters to do in future.

If you like fantasy with a romantic twist, a romance between two men and a detailed world full of magic, this story is worth checking out. It is the first book so there is a lot being set up but I certainly enjoyed the relationships and can’t wait to read the next book to see where the author takes the characters from here. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 knights