Part of The Paper Magician
First published 2014
Ceony Twill stands at Magician Emery Thane's cottage door, devastated by her assignment. She graduated first in her class at Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, dreaming of metal magic, but now faces a lifetime bond with paper spells. Under Thane's guidance, she discovers paper magic creates animated creatures, projects stories as ghostly images, and reveals futures. Her resentment fades as these abilities prove more wonderful than expected. Then an Excisioner attacks their cottage. This practitioner of forbidden flesh magic tears Thane's heart from his body, leaving her teacher dying. Ceony must pursue the dark magician to rescue the stolen heart. Her quest leads her inside the chambers of Thane's still-beating organ, where she experiences his memories and emotions firsthand. This journey through his heart reveals his deepest secrets and true nature. Ceony confronts both the Excisioner's evil and her own feelings for her mysterious mentor.
Genres: romance, adventure, fantasy, young-adult, dark-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, romantic, suspenseful, whimsical
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, mentor-romance, slow-burn
Setting: Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Thane's cottage
222 pages · Paperback · 47North
Content warnings: death, violence