Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

I did not read this book, so I am so sorry that this is how I review it. I'm going to pretend that it's literally the best book ever, but it was an automatic approved arc, and it's wrecking my ratio. So, this is what you're getting from me about it.

“Some stars aren’t meant to be followed “
# Kate Lawrence the author of # The Magi Menagerie is a wonderful storyteller. This is a fantasy novel. And very entertaining.💜🐾🐾Thank you for the advance copy.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

Fun little read with some good world building and interesting characters! Some of it was a little too wordy which is my only grievance. I will definitely be on the look out for the next book.

Very interesting start to a new series. Wonderful world building. I cannot wait for the next book to be released.

Let me start off by saying that I really liked this book! It was a fun read with an interesting plot, that make me hooked from the start. The characters were very lovable and easy to get attached to. Diego was particularly my favorite, I loved learning about his backstory and adventures throughout the book. The world-building was good and her words felt very visual. I could easily picture out the scenes and that´s something that I really take into account while reading. One thing that I was very fond of were the elements of the occult, such as crystals, astrology and energy work. Overall, It was a fantastic book and I´m looking forward to reading the next one!

I received an ARC of this eBook for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Our main character is Ezra he is on the run although he doesn’t know why.

I have to admit I was really drawn to this book by the cover and description, however, I really struggled with it.

There is a lot to take in between world building, the constant change in character narrative as well as the whole host of characters themselves!

There is nothing wrong with this book as such but it’s just not for me. The book is well written with a well developed world and a jilted lover sub-plot filled with angst.
I do like the references to the characteristics of each of the astrological signs. Although the portrayal of Diego’s ‘Mexican’ character seems a little stereotypical with some of his language.

The book is engaging and well written and I did enjoy it from around 60% onwards and has definite promise as a series.

The plot twist and cliff-hanger ending – ooft. That’s a sore one.

4 ⭐️

This book was amazing. Fast paced and exciting, it kept me on the edge of my chair. I rooted for Ezra but did not like the evil prediction at the end of the book. I can only hope it's wrong but unfortunately I don't know when the next one will be out. I hate waiting....

'The Magi Menagerie': 3⭐

(Unpaid Review: thank you to @netgalley, @kalelawrence and the publishers for allowing me to read this eArc copy in exchange for a review.)

Historical Fantasy is a favorite genre of mine. This book delivered a new perspective and a whole new world to dive into! Loved all the characters and how the entire story felt real, as if I was there.

This is certainly an author from whom I want to read more from the future! Recommended!

I loved this book so much. The pace was intense throughout and kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first chapter. I liked the way the author used multiple POV, and each of the characters was complex and provided something unique to the story. The writing was engaging, and I particularly liked the dialogue in this book as it made the characters feel real and exuded each of their individual personalities. The magic system and the secret societies that wielded it were interesting, and I enjoyed learning about them in the book. I'm a sucker for political intrigue and conspiracies, and there was plenty of each in this story. However, I found some of the explanations of the magic system to be a bit unwieldy and would have liked a bit more clarity about it, which will hopefully come in subsequent books. One of my favorite things about this book was the integration of bits of ancient history into the story, along with the turn of the century setting in Ireland. The book is heavy on tropes, including found family, absent/dead parents, forbidden lovers, and chosen one/prophecy, but it did manage to surprise me with a couple twists despite being largely linear in other ways. In regards to the characters, I enjoyed the portrayal of Jonas and his struggle with following authority vs. doing what he believed to be right, especially given his history with his father. Ezra was also an interesting character due to his determination to seemingly avoid his destiny, and Diego was just an absolute delight to read. Overall, I enjoyed the adventure and had a lot of fun reading this book. Therefore, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

The opening pages were very dramatic and I was hooked! I loved the story, the authors take on how magic exists and that it was set in the past. I wasn't so keen on how the author described emotions or actions and this grated on me which took away some of the enjoyment. I will look out for the next book in the series and will recommend to middle and high schoolers.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

The Magi Menagerie has a lot of elements that drew me in: an interesting time period (mostly in the early 1900s Europe but it also jumps to other interesting times and places), magic, secret societies, a link to astrology... but the best part was the adventure and the found family and the relationships between the characters. There is queer representation, social commentary, xenophobia, women's suffrage- many themes close to my heart! The book has a few mysteries to solve, fast pacing and a few plot twists that kept me guessing- and I loved visiting Istanbul (then Constantinople) through its pages!

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC.

This book was a fun read and a great adventure to take. There is magic, history, some forbidden love and more! I really enjoyed the world this author created.

I like the diversity of the characters and how they formed this family together. It did take me about 25% of the book to really start connecting with them all. I had a hard time keeping up with the multiple POV’s in the beginning.

Overall, a really cool world to explore and a story worth the read.

A Magi Menagerie is probably best suited to young adults and teens. It's a story where a youngster's parents die while on route to a new home in a new country. Young Ezra is placed into the boarding school where his parents intended him to go, while working as a janitor, earning him a lower place on the food chain. However, after discovering he is being followed, and still running away from harm, he discovers the Magi.

It was written well, just not for a more adult reader

Thank you to Net Galley & the publisher for providing me a copy of this book!

The story follows Ezra as his world is forever changed when he learns the truth of his family's past. He is suddenly thrust into a world where secret societies exist, people have supernatural powers, and each side is fighting against each other.

While I was pulled in with the cover and the premise, the story itself failed to capture and keep my attention. I often found myself somewhat bored and frustrated by some of the actions the characters took. I love books with representation, but I did feel like some of the characters were stereotyped in their role. It was also hard for me to really connect with the characters. When the next book is released, I might re-read this one and re-evaluate how I feel overall.

The Magi Menagerie is a really interesting and compelling read. The forbidden romance was excellent and the character development was spectacular. There was definitely some parts that needed improvement but it was still an excellent read.

This book follows Ezra as he and his family emigrate from London. On this journey, Ezra finds himself in Belfast with the Irish chapter of the Magi. Ezra finds a new home with the Irish chapter and adventures with them to discover what is going on. Each and every character is built upon and have their own issues they must work through. Jonas is the leader with a devastating past to conquer as well. Overall, the magic system and world building is phenomenal. This book covered a lot of heavy material to say the least. It also has a diverse set of characters. As this is the beginning of the tale, it's a bit open ended and left with a plot twist.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Magi Managerie

Author: Kale Lawrence

Book Series: The Magi Managerie Book 1

Diversity: Turkish Muslim mc
Mexican bisexual side character
Gay side character
Indian side character

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, magic, secret society

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publication Date:

Publisher: EnchantFire

Pages: 397

Recommended Age: 16+ (Gore, Violence, Racism, Religion, Romance, Sexual content, Language, Homophobia)

Explanation of CWs: There are incidents of gore and violence, including a train explosion. Racism and homophobia are present in the novel. There is some sexual content, it does fade to black. There's also some romance and language.

Synopsis: Some stars aren't meant to be followed...

For seventeen years, Ezra Newport and his parents were habitual immigrants, traveling from their Ottoman Empire home across 20th century Europe. As the Newports migrate to Belfast, Ireland, Ezra wants nothing more to settle into a consistent life and lay the foundation of his architectural dreams. But after a strange, mechanical bounty hunter murders his mother and prompts the disappearance of his father, Ezra discovers that his parents had actually been on the run. Now, their enemies are targeting him, and they won’t stop until he is dead.

In a moment of desperation, Ezra’s fate collides with the Third Order of the Magi, a secret society dedicated to using their supernatural powers to protect their communities. With increasing violence around the world, the Magi are fairly certain they know who’s behind the attacks on Ezra and his family since the same group could also be threatening their own existence.

Both Ezra and the Magi’s survival hinges on knowledge only Ezra’s father has and the key to saving them could be buried within history itself. In a race across continents and time, both Ezra and the Magi must secure an ancient Babylonian artifact before hell is unleashed on the world. And, against all odds, Ezra must decide where his allegiances truly lie, despite what is written in the stars.

Review: For the most part this was an okay book. I liked the premise of it and I enjoyed the story for the most part. The writing was well done, the characters were well developed, and the world building was good.

However, I got bored with the book early on and it was a struggle to keep reading. I felt like the disconnect happened because of how the story was laid out in the book. The book uses multiple POVs throughout the book and it became very frustrating to be wrapped up in Ezra's story and then to jump to someone else's. I felt like that didn't help me connect with the characters whatsoever and I think if the book focused on one point of view throughout the entire book that it would have been better for me. I also felt some of the diverse characters had some stereotyping.

Verdict: It was ok, just didn't connect with me.

I really love the cover of this book, it’s spectacular. This was an easy, enjoyable read which I got through rather quickly. The world-building was interesting, and the magic system and characters were well fleshed out. I appreciated the dual POV of Ezra and Jonas. This book ended on a cliff-hanger, which has me eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

Did not finish.

I requested this book from Netgalley because the concept appealed to me. I read 20% and couldn’t continue. It just didn’t grab me - maybe our timing is off and this book and I will need to try again in the future.

I found the dialogue very stilted and unnatural. The phrasing was uncomfortable - can you confiscate features?
“With a profound seriousness confiscating his features, Jonas struggled to meet Diego’s eyes.”

The language was overplayed - “devoured with untamed ferocity” - or overused - “ah, we meet again.”

Every character sounded the same or like an overblown stereotype.

However, the concept felt sound - even this early in the book. I want to know what happens to Ezra. The world building was solid - the Magi history was delivered clearly and enticingly - and I wanted to know how the magic worked and what they could do.

I just struggled with the delivery.

I might pick it up and try again another time but right now I will keep reading other books that already have me hooked.

Cover thoughts: eye-catching and arresting. It has a magical YA film poster feel to it (the font, maybe?) and the gears feel very steampunk magic. I’d definitely pick this cover up in store.