First book in a new UF series is rather formulaic with a main character that can be quite frustrating and is not very engaging. I also found the story to be very slow to develop. Didn't hold my interest enough to want to read the next book.

The war between the Fae and humans is over. The Fae are now located on reservations and need a special pass to visit the human areas. Half-fae may live in the human areas but must be registered with the PTF (Paranatural Task Force). Artist Alex Blackwood is notified of the murder of her best friend, Aiden Daye. Her life is turned upside down following this news. Alex discovers she is half-fae and this has influenced her art. The murder of her best friend devastates Alex and she is determined to help find his murderer. This leads to much danger for Alex as well as many new revelations.

A Drop of Magic is the first book in author L.R. Braden's Magicsmith series. This is a great story of murder, mystery and life choices. I really enjoyed the entertaining storyline and well-developed characters.

I look forward to the next installment of L.R Braden's book.

A drop of Magic by L. R. Braden, a great Fantasy Read that's reminiscent of Patricia Briggs. Alex's best friend has died and his death opens up so many questions for her, and her life changes in a lot of radical ways. Really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to future books.

This is a fun first volume. I liked Alex, and I really liked how fae and fae lore were worked into the modern world setting (and I particularly liked the secret reason that the fae went to war against humanity). My only real problems were with the number of secondary and tertiary characters and the overall pacing of the story. There were lots of men with normal names coming and going -- James, David, Jake, Marc, Luke -- and I had trouble keeping them all straight; additionally, there were a host of tertiary characters who only appeared once, maybe twice, and then disappeared from the story. Finally, *so much* happened between the first appearance of the villain and the final showdown at the end of the book that I had *completely forgotten* he even existed; I had to flip back to figure out who he was.

Overall, an enjoyable read with some neat magic and strong world-building, but I recommend that it be read in a single sitting so that you can keep the characters straight.

Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed this book! Characters were strong, story interesting and moved at a great pace. Have already ordered to sell in my store - looking forward to handselling it! Looking for more in this series.

I enjoyed the book immensely, and will be starting book two shortly. The plot moved quickly, at some points leaving me confused but not enough to frustrate. The setting was secondary to the characters. They were well written and carried the story. I loved the fact that there were more than one race/species of far. I recommend this book to all fantasy lovers!

Alex Blackwood, a metalsmith artist, is pulled into the fae world when her best friend is killed. Her whole life quickly changes and gets dangerous. She fights fae, creates amazing art, and makes new friends and new enemies. I really liked Alex. She was strong and held up well with all the craziness that was being thrown at her. Her ability was interesting and unique as well. I can’t wait to see how she will wield in the future.

This world and characters are fascinating and intriguing. I was captivated quickly and couldn’t put the book down. There are also a lot of side characters that I want to know more about, especially James. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.*

After the Faerie Wars, the world clings to a fragile peace forced on the Fae by humanity. Someone is trafficking in illegal magical artifacts and metalsmith, Alex Blackwood is plunged into the world of the half-fae after her best friend is murdered. To catch a killer, retrieve a dangerous artifact and stop a war, Alex will have to accept that she’s an unregistered fae “halfer” with a unique magical talent.

The first book in a new urban fantasy series is an original, riveting read that takes readers on an adventurous and thrilling ride. The characters are strong and full of vibrant life with some unique characteristics and personalities that readers draw readers into their story. The plot is fast paced and full of thrilling suspense, adrenaline pumping excitement with unexpected twists, all of which combine to keep readers on their toes and holding on to the edge of their seats with mysteries to clear up, surprising revelations, secrets being revealed and a bit of romance blossoming between Alex and James who has secrets of his own.

The author has created an original alter earth world with her own unique flair and elements that makes the read engaging, fun and exhilarating with all entertaining and cool characters that ensure that readers enjoy the experience and want more.

Alex Blackwood can sense feelings and memories from places and objects. She is a gifted artist that works with iron. After her best friend’s murder, she is thrown into the world of the fae by Malakai, who has been sent by his fae lord to get to the bottom of a series of murders and recover a very important fae artifact. Alex finds out she is half-fae in the process, and she starts to doubt her own place in the world.

The murders and the efforts to solve them were intriguing, and it wasn’t clear who was responsible until it was revealed at the end.

James is Alex’s boss, and they develop a romantic relationship. It would have been more interesting if James could have played a more active role in the investigations Alex did with Malakai. There would have been more opportunities for relationship development between them. As it is, I didn’t really feel much of a connection between them and I wasn’t very invested in them as a couple.

Alex is an interesting character, and she had a lot of development as a character, but she was the only one. It is an interesting world, and I would love to read more in the series.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this , and I recommend it to everyone.

Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

After the Human-Fey war ended, the world seems to be divided against how they felt about the fey and the know fey were registered and sent to live at a reservation, but tensions were high. Alex is content with her quiet life of metalworking and working at a bookstore, but when strange men show up in her work studio demanding something she knows nothing about, her world goes quickly out of her control. With new unwanted guests showing up at her house, a mysterious guy showing up, multiple attacks and the death of one of her close friends, Alex needs to determine who she really is and what she is willing to do.

Ok first off, A Drop Of Magic is listed as a paranormal romance but I totally disagree with that. This is very much an Urban Fantasy, which I am not even a little complaining about because I am happy finding new urban fantasy series to jump into. When I first read the synopsis I 100% thought urban fantasy but then every listing I see says romance I was kind of anticipating a different kind of book. A Drop of Magic had almost no romance (there was not even a love interest mentioned for at least half the book), basically a chaste kiss and potential thoughts about entering into a romance, but what it did have was tons of action, danger, mystery, bad guys and some pretty awesome Fey antics- and when the fey are involved you know it is going to get messy.


A Drop of Magic is the first in what appears to be a pretty awesome new series, so this book had some issues resolved and others are just hinted at to come. This is the first book by L.R. and I am super impressed by her world building and characterizations, her ability to take something we all know and love (cough cough the evil/lovely fey) and make her own kind of story. There were for sure elements of Patricia Briggs' Mercedes Thompson series here when it come to the Fey and having a reservation and classification system, but I feel like everything else was all it's own and I loved it. I highly recommend this series starter to anyone looking for a new urban fantasy adventure with a great new heroine. I know I will be keeping an eye out for the next book.

Alyssandra Blackwood, better known as "Alex" to her friends, is an artist. Working with metal is her passion. She currently has several sculptures in a friend's gallery. She mostly keeps to herself, but she's forced to come out of her shell when two strangers show up at her door and threaten her.

They believe Alex has a magical item in her possession. When Alex learns that they are more than likely responsible for the death of a close friend, who was in possession of said item, things really take a turn. Suddenly, Alex finds herself mixed up in some really bad business. What will happen when she gets too close to the truth?

A DROP OF MAGIC is the first book I have read by author L.R. Braden and it will not be my last. It is the start of what promises to be a great series titled THE MAGICSMITH. It centers around Alex, who is just discovering some really interesting things about herself and the people in her life. A DROP OF MAGIC had me up burning the midnight oil. There were surprises around every turn. And what a great note to end on! I cannot wait to read about what Alex gets up to next.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed reading this first book in a new Urban Fantasy series following Alex, an artist / metalsmith who is going to go after her best friend's murderer with the help of a fae named Kai. We meet a few secondary characters and the world created is interesting.

I thought the romance would be more developed in this book but I'm guessing the author wants to build it slowly over the three books planned for this series. It's a bit disappointing because I usually love having a romance in Urban Fantasy. Also, is it just me that felt like there might be more than one love interest? Mmh.

Overall, I liked A drop of magic and I thought it was a quick read. However, I'm not sure yet if I'll read the sequel Courting Darkness coming out in August. It wasn't a new favorite so I might stop here but we'll see.

<i>(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

Good world building but leaves a few things hanging for the next book.. Curious to see where the series goes... Nice debut entry.

This was a really great series starter. Alex and Kai were very engaging characters, I enjoyed following along with Alex as she dealt with the murder of her friend and the revelation of what she really was. The storyline drew me in, I am so looking forward to reading more of Alex's adventures.

I was intrigued by this book, and I was excited to read it. This is the author’s debut title, but really I couldn’t tell. The characters were fascinating, the plot was rapid-paced, and I felt like I could see every scene like I was watching a movie. And, TBH, when I first started this book, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it because it dragged a little. Once, though, we got to heart of the action, the book just flew by. The book was very original, and I can’t wait to read more in this universe, find out what happens to everyone including Alex’s cat, and what happens when Alex meets her family. Loved this book, and recommend to anyone who loves urban fantasy. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Really on the fence with this one. I liked the world and felt there was a lot of potential, but it didn't live up to my expectations. My main problem was Alex. I like my heroines with some spunk, and unfortunately she was almost TSTL. She was always scared and clueless. She buried her head in the sand and was constantly surprised by obvious developments. Also the end left a lot to be desired for me. The who done it reveal came out of left field, the romance seemed added in as an afterthought, and the response to their error in suspects (and thier deaths) was brushed aside. I will read the next book of the series and hope that and hope that I see growth in both the characters and the author.

Alex’s job is a metalsmith but she soon finds its a gift likely a side effect of her fae nature. Alex’s life gets turned upside down when one of her friends goes missing and fae start coming out of the woodwork. Alex is drawn into a new world- one she never suspected. Alex will have to team up with some unlikely partners to solve the mystery of her missing friend and the keys to her past.

I enjoyed this book and the work the author did in setting up the platform for an exciting series. I enjoyed the characters and the world building. I especially like this genre and feel like this story stood out for many different reasons. The character was unique and strong as well as not willing to think outside the box while weighing the pros and cons of her decisions. I’m intrigued about her new and old friends and wonder if there will be a romantic connection. The author did a great job leaving the reader wanting to know more. Overall, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5.

I received a free copy of A DROP OF MAGIC (Book 1 of The Magicsmith) by L.R. Braden in exchange for a honest review. #AdropOfMagic #NetGalley

A Drop of Magic is the first book in The Magicsmith series by L.R. Braden. It is currently scheduled for release on July 31 2019. With the world clinging to a fragile peace forced on the Fae by humanity after the Faerie Wars, metalsmith Alex Blackwood is plunged into the world of the half-fae who traffick in illegal magical artifacts. Her best friend’s murder and his cryptic last message place her in the crosshairs of a scheme to reignite the decade-old war between humans and fae. Worse, violent attacks against her and the arrival of a fae knight on a mission force Alex to face a devastating revelation of who and what she is. To catch a killer, retrieve a dangerous artifact, and stop a war, Alex will have to accept that she’s an unregistered fae “halfer” with a unique magical talent—a talent that would change everything she believes about her past, her art, and her future. Her world is crumbling around her, and Alex will have to decide who to trust if she and the world are going to survive.

A Drop of Magic starts with the basics needed for a complex urban fantasy world and a strong main character. Alex has been through a lot, and tries to do her bet in her art and day job while still trying to keep a safe emotional distance from her friends and acquaintances. Everything is turned upside down when her good friend is killed and her own identity is brought into question. I like that she struggles a little with the chaos that begins to surround her- but still manages to keep moving forward and trying to solve the mystery. The murders and missing items of the story were very well written, and I thought the danger and sleuthing for the characters and readers alike hit a good balance, and I am glad to say that the conclusion was not on my radar, and I was a little surprised. I enjoyed learning about the characters closest to Alex, and really like that there were multiple possibilities for romantic interest the story never made that leap. I hate when all the world and character building gets pushed aside for a romance- even though I love a good love story. I have a feeling that romance is coming, but I was gla to get a solid understanding of Alex and her world beforehand. Some of the twists I saw coming, while others managed to sneak up on me and take me by surprise. I liked that the story did have a solid, satisfying conclusion but left plenty of room for more revelations and twists in future complications. I also enjoyed the collection of fae and shifters that made their appearance, and cannot wait to see what else pops up in the future.

A Drop of Magic is a good start to an urban fantasy series. I think I will be continuing this one to see where it goes.

A Drop Of Magic, is a new urban fantasy ... I was not here for. I read that it had romance elements or some romance, and really there was hardly none. This book had a lot of potential and I liked the world the author created. Though I didn't care for much else to be honest. Overall the story had lots of unexpected turns, and suspense and the characters IMP were okay,. My fav character was the CAT! .