Book Shelf: Ruthless Magic (Conspiracy of Magic #1) by Megan Crewe

In the contest to keep their magic, the only options may be die... or kill.

Each year, the North American Confederation of Mages assesses every sixteen-year-old novice. Some will be chosen. The rest must undergo a procedure to destroy their magical ability unless they prove themselves in the mysterious and brutal Mages' Exam.

Disadvantaged by her parents' low standing, Rocío Lopez has dedicated herself to expanding her considerable talent to earn a place in the Confederation. Their rejection leaves her reeling—and determined to fight to keep her magic.

Long ashamed of his mediocre abilities, Finn Lockwood knows the Confederation accepted him only because of his prominent family. Declaring for the Exam instead means a chance to confirm his true worth.

Thrown into the testing with little preparation, Rocío and Finn find themselves becoming unlikely allies—and possibly more. But the Exam holds secrets more horrifying than either could have imagined. What are the examiners really testing them for? And as the trials become increasingly vicious, how much are they willing to sacrifice to win?

The first in a new series by USA Today bestselling author Megan Crewe, Ruthless Magic combines the magic of Harry Potter with the ferocity of The Hunger Games alongside a poignant romance. Fans of Cassandra Clare and Holly Black, look no further for your next urban fantasy fix. 

More info on Goodreads.... 


Review: 

Ruthless Magic is Megan Crewe’s latest release and is a blend of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, introducing readers to a magical world of deception, action and high stakes competition where not everyone will make it out alive.

Though they live in the same society, mages Finn Lockwood and Rocío Lopez couldn’t be more different. Finn comes from a family of privilege, whose ties to the mages governing body, North American Confederation of Mages, runs deep. Too bad Finn doesn’t seem to have inherited any of his family’s power or ability. Rocío on the other hand is a supremely gifted mage, but her family’s lowly stature mean she is often overlooked and ostracised. Wanting to prove their worth above all measure, Finn and Rocío’s greatest hope is in securing a coveted position with the Confederation to study and train in magic. Yet when Rocío is rejected and Finn’s selection is only due to his family’s position, both teens decide to declare for the Exam, a mysterious test offering them a second chance. Neither teen is prepared for the secrets and dangers that come with the Exam but as they become unlikely allies in a series of deadly trials, Finn and Rocío quickly discover that nothing is what it seems and their examiners may be testing them for a future neither of them is prepared to enter into…..

Heading into Ruthless Magic I wasn’t sure what it expect. The only novel I had read by Megan Crewe in the past was her debut novel upon its release and I wasn’t really a fan. That being said, I was willing to give Ruthless Magic a go…..and I was delightfully surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel. If ever there was an example of how far an author had come with their writing style and abilities over a number of years, it was Ruthless Magic.

Unfolding through the back and forth perspectives of both Finn and Rocío, Ruthless Magic allows readers a well-rounded look at the society they live in. Finn and Rocío really are from the very opposite ends of the spectre so we as the readers are immersed in both sides of this magical world—if only for a brief time. With the majority of the novel taking place whilst the novices are within the Exam, readers will only have a small glimpse into the overall world within Ruthless Magic before finding them drawn into a very Hunger Games-esq competition where competitors try to outsmart and outlast each other through a series of trials that increase in danger with each round.

Both main characters Finn and Rocío are quite likable and develop well throughout the story as their circumstances change. During their time in the Exam they both come to reassess their thoughts and beliefs about the world they live in; especially Finn who having come from wealth has been very sheltered and isn’t aware of what is lacking in his society. Discovering some of the double standards and hypocrisy leave the teens determined to be the voice of change against an unjust system.

There’s a lot of potential within Ruthless Magic. Civil unrest is a real possibility as our main characters vow to fight a corrupt system. How they plan to tackle this remains to be seen, but I’m keen to see what Megan Crewe has planned for the series and her world next.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Another World Press
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: May 30th 2018
Purchase: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Final Thoughts: Better than I anticipated; I'm keen to read more.