In a fantasy landscape saturated with epic battles and world-ending threats, Sorcery and Small Magics offers something refreshingly different—an intimate story about the power found in what we consider insignificant. Maiga Doocy’s debut novel weaves together magic, romance, and self-discovery with a deft hand that makes even the smallest charms feel momentous.
The Story: When Small Magic Meets Big Problems
The novel follows Leovander Loveage, a sorcerer who specializes in minor magics—delicious but supposedly insignificant spells that earn him little respect in the prestigious halls of the Fount, where sorcerers train. When a mix-up results in him being bound by a forbidden control spell to his long-time rival Sebastian Grimm, Leo must confront his complicated relationship with more powerful magic, which he has avoided since a tragic incident in his past.
What begins as a desperate quest to break their curse evolves into a journey through the dangerous Unquiet Wood, where monsters lurk and outlaws hide. Along the way, Leo and Grimm must navigate not only external threats but also their growing feelings for each other, complicated by the very curse they’re trying to break.
Strengths: The Magic in the Details
Character Development
Doocy excels at character work. Leo’s voice is instantly engaging—witty, self-deprecating, and hiding deeper wounds beneath his flippant exterior. His journey from avoiding his true potential to embracing it feels earned and authentic. Sebastian Grimm serves as an excellent foil, his rigid exterior slowly cracking to reveal unexpected depth.
World-Building
The magic system is particularly well-crafted, offering a fresh take on the relationship between scrivers (who write spells) and casters (who perform them). The distinction between “small” and “grand” magic provides an interesting commentary on how society values different forms of power.
Romance
The slow-burn romance between Leo and Grimm is masterfully handled. Their antagonistic relationship evolves naturally, with the curse serving not as the cause of their feelings but as a catalyst for confronting them. The tension between them is palpable, making their eventual moments of connection deeply satisfying.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing
The middle section of the novel occasionally drags, particularly during the characters’ stay at Sybilla’s tower. While these scenes contain important character development, they could have been tightened without losing their impact.
Secondary Characters
While Agnes and Cassius are well-drawn, other secondary characters feel less developed. The outlaws, in particular, could have been more fully realized given their importance to the plot.
World Context
Some aspects of the larger world remain unclear. The political structure and the full scope of the Coterie’s role could have been better explained without breaking the intimate focus of the story.
Writing Style: Charm and Wit
Doocy’s prose shines brightest in moments of humor and heart. Her writing has a musical quality that suits Leo’s character perfectly, especially in scenes involving his spellsongs. The banter between characters is particularly well-crafted, managing to be both funny and revealing of deeper character dynamics.
Themes: The Power of Self-Acceptance
The novel explores several compelling themes:
- The value of supposedly “minor” talents
- The weight of past trauma and self-imposed limitations
- The courage required to be vulnerable
- The different forms love can take
These themes are woven naturally throughout the story, never feeling heavy-handed or preachy.
Representation and Diversity
The book offers positive queer representation, with the romance between Leo and Grimm treated as natural and unremarkable within their world. The diverse cast of characters feels organic rather than tokenistic.
Target Audience
Sorcery and Small Magics will appeal to fans of:
- Character-driven fantasy
- Slow-burn romance
- Enemies-to-lovers tropes
- Stories about finding one’s place in the world
- Fantasy novels like In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan or The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Final Verdict:
Sorcery and Small Magics is a strong debut that proves sometimes the most powerful magic lies in the smallest moments. Despite some pacing issues and underdeveloped elements, the novel succeeds on the strength of its central relationship and its fresh take on magical systems.
The book sets up an intriguing world and engaging characters that leave readers eager for the next installment in the Wildersongs trilogy. Doocy has established herself as an author to watch in the fantasy romance genre.
Reading Experience
Best enjoyed:
- When you want something cozy but not simplistic
- If you appreciate character development over action
- For fans of romantic fantasy who prefer intimate stakes to epic ones
- By readers who enjoy exploring the quieter corners of magical worlds
This debut novel marks Doocy as a promising new voice in fantasy, particularly for readers who appreciate stories that find magic in the margins and power in the personal.