The magic you make

Ori and Nigel are back, and the adventures that began in The Spells We Cast (2023) have not stopped. The boyfriends and their shape-shifter friend, Bex, managed to kill a famous Depraved demon called the Knife, although it led to Nigel's death and resurrection, thanks to Ori and their incredible soulmate bond. Now, they all know that the Guild is corrupt, and the story of the Culling is just a myth. The question is: How deep does the corruption go? They've found the Resistance and are committed to helping, but there's a sinister memory-altering spell at work making everyone forget the truth about the Culling as soon as they've been told about it. As the stakes get higher, Ori and Nigel argue about the right course of action: fight with the Resistance or disappear to another dimension until the Guild forgets about them. This story also delves into the past, showing how Nigel's father, Reggie, lost his magic and abandoned Nigel as a child. Fans of the first title will enjoy how the story continues without slowing down.

Soul mates Nigel and Orion possess knowledge that could upend the magical world, but some magicians will stop at nothing to prevent that information from getting out. Picking up whereThe Spells We Cast (2023) left off, Nigel and Ori, who are white, are on the run from the Guild and under the protection of the Resistance. After being brought back from the dead, Nigel isn't the same: There's an evil voice in his head that grows stronger with anger. And while the boys and their friend Bex, who's Japanese American, know that magical imbalance is a lie and that the Guild is unnecessarily stripping teen magicians of their powers, a spell prevents other members of the Resistance from remembering this fact. Thankfully, Nigel has a secret informant who's still in the Guild. South Asian American Jaleesa wants to learn more about Nigel's and Ori's powers, which are amplified through their soul mate connection; she might be able to do the same with her girlfriend, white-cued Laurel (although Laurel wants to take down Nigel and Ori). Unlike the first book, which focused on Nigel, this ensemble piece shifts focus among several characters. While this structure slows the pace, particularly in the beginning, it ultimately makes the themes richer as the story delves into relationships, parental expectations, empathy, and animosity from various viewpoints. Filled with riveting magic, this dazzling, queer-affirming world will sweep fans up. Love conquers all in this satisfying duology closer.(Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.