Wow. I was exhausted after all of the action in this book. Very good.
Many thanks to Entangled and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion..

Magic corrupts, Magic Conquers by A.J. Locke is quick supernatural story with a strong female character that readers will be able to connect and cheer for throughout the story.
This is part of a series and is book 2. It can be read as a standalone story due to the author helping readers catch up quickly at the beginning of the story.
The good guys win but not without heart ache and loss. If you are into magical stories this will be one you want to pick up.
Thank you to Netgalley

A.J. Locke is a new to me author. The cover drew me in, and once I read the blurb, I knew I needed to read it. This was such a thrilling ride. A.J. Locke’s writing style is unique, immersive, and descriptive. She made it easy to picture every detail of the story, which was well-developed. All the characters were interesting and loveable. This second book in the series can be read as a standalone. However, I loved it so much that I’ll definitely go back and read the first. Penn is of course my favorite character. She’s so relatable and intriguing, and a bonafide bad azz. Callan is a sweetheart. I adore his confidence and loyalty. The story sucked me in right from the beginning. It was fully engaging with adventure, danger, tragedy, suspense, evil, magic, friendships, and laugh out loud moments. An absolute must read! Thank you to Entangled Publishing for gifting me this fantastic new book in exchange for an honest review.

5 Magically-Fantastic Stars!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing/Amara for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the 2nd in a series, and for me, I think they should be read in order. I have not read the first so, I was a bit lost. There are a lot of names, places and different creatures. Don't give up as it gets better. Goes back in time 300 years to save magic-but has other consequences. 3 stars

Another good book by A.J. and a nice sequel also! I loved how everything developed and I'm hoping to see more from this author.

This is what I live in fantasy writing, I’m in the world but I didn’t get 300 pages of descriptions. AJ Locke did an amazing job of giving me enough descriptors to build the world and the characters but left the main focus on the action! Book two dives into what happens after you save the world .,,oh we want you to save it again! With a strong FMC and some pretty fabulous side characters this was an absolute win!

This was another one of those stories, where I wanted to be right there with everybody else, and be a part of the family. It was fast paced and suspenseful, and I can’t wait to read the next one.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Whew! This one came out the gate swinging. The stakes are higher and the worldbuilding is more expansive. The character glossary really came in clutch as I was given new names and locations in this newly formed world of Nova Celes.

Penn is still getting settled into this new world when unforeseen consequences result from changing the timeline's in the previous installment. She's a bit of a celebrity in this timeline and it seems that every group wants a piece of her. New villains and great threats as Penn tries to figure out how to prevent the ones she loves from being erased in this timeline.

Non stop action kept me entertained albeit a little confused. We were constantly being introduced to new people and new places and it took a little time for me to get acquainted to this magical world that vaguely resembles New York. The love between this found family leads the story and that cliffhanger has me ready for more!

This series is becoming more and more entertaining as this new instalment is even better than the first and I had a lot of fun.
Penrae is a strong and likeable character, well rounded and never over the top. The world building and the plot are well developed and I found this story compelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Magic Corrupts, Magic Conquers is the second book in the Warrior of the Divine series!!! The second installment is just as magical and exciting as the first and rarely do I keep the same excitement in fantasy series but A.J. Locke keep the story fresh and fast paced keeping me interested and rooting for this amazing cast!



The world Locke created is fresh and interesting. There are magical creatures and modes of magical transportation and an immensely scary big bass that we are rooting for Pen to defeat!



This is not a fantasy series to miss!!

A huge, huge thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for granting me an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

I am so fortunate to have been granted a copy of this book! Book one was fantastic, but in my opinion book 2 is even better!!

I read this book in one sitting. Actually I didn't even put it down to go to the bathroom or when I took it dog out or ate. I carried the book with me everwhere. I just couldn't put it down.

I just love Penn and can not get enough of her. The book ended on a cliffhanger, so I will get to revisit her again in the next release.

The cover is beautiful! Can't wait for my hardcopy to arrive!

Pennrae is back to the present time, adjusting to all the changes. On her way to a meeting with the Council members, she is suddenly attacked by a being she’d never seen before - an ancient forest guardian known as a Kiabi. Turns out it is after her and only the use of her Divine magic saves her from this first attack. Pennrae’s sudden appearance has wrecked havoc with magic and released an evil force that wants to destroy the world. So we dive back into this world of magic, time travel, friendship and love.

I was glad I’d read the first book in the series, but there is enough backstory to allow anyone to slide into the story, but to fully appreciate the story read Magic Dark, Magic Divine.

I received an advanced reader copy of the book from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley. This is my honest opinion.

This sequel went in an unexpected and interesting direction, though it ultimately wasn't for me. It's a great world, but could be a little hard to follow. I like Penn, but the side characters didn't feel distinct or well-developed enough for me to connect with the story. The action scenes were great.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

MAGIC CORRUPTS, MAGIC CONQUERS is the second book in the Warrior of the Divine Sword series and follows on from book one, so I really do recommend you read that one first. It's been a while since I read it and it took me some time to remember what had gone on in book one and how it was relevant to now.

Penn and the others are all here, trying to move along in this new world. When Penn is attacked by a magical human tree (stick with me) it turns out her actions in book one have consequences. This girl never catches a break! And if that isn't bad enough, something happens with Gideon that no one expected, Toji is clinging on by his fingernails, and Callan finds out more of his mum's legacy. Phew!!! I'm exhausted just with that.

This book is non-stop action so make sure you are well-rested before diving in. It also comes with one helluva cliffhanger too, so consider yourself warned. It was an amazing follow-up to the previous book and definitely left me wanting more. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 14, 2023

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

What would you choose to do if you were in this situation: You can stay in the past with your family and everything that you know or go back to the present time (300 years later) with your found family and a handsome young man that you have fallen in love with?

This book picks up right where book one left off and you will be wiped into events after events happening that you won’t realize that you already finished the book, and it will leave you wanting more. I really enjoyed that even though this is book two you could pick it up as a standalone and still be able to understand the book. This book did not have a recap right away about everything that happened in book one or repeat non stop what happened in that book as well. Instead, it was engaging and a new set of events that Penn will have to overcome/defeat.

I thought the author did a great job with making this book its plot but at the same time following what happened in book one. I really enjoyed getting to see the new magic system and learning about the creatures. The way Locke interweaves the past and present in this book was done so well. I really enjoyed getting to see the way Locke, attention to details really helped me to connect with this world and the characters.

You will see many characters that were in book one and new ones. I was able to connect with most of the main characters because they were so relatable and honestly, I wouldn’t mind having Toji or Gideon as my friends in real life. Penn is still a badass when it comes to fighting the evil in the world, but at the same time she is still unsure about emotional parts of her life, she is also very loving/caring about the ones that she considers as family. You see her character growth continue in this book. Callan is the world’s sweetest guy; I love how he is so confident but at the same time he is not scared to show his love and worry to his friends. The chemistry between those two is intense and I love how they threw everything out the window and got together. However, Ashe is one furry/familiar that I would love to have with me. She is so cute, but dangerous.

I cannot wait until the next book comes out, be prepared if you read this book, you will have a small cliffhanger at the end, and it will leave you wanting to know what is going to happen next. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading fantasy, with magical creatures, magic, romance, and great characters.

I want to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

This is pure paranormal fantasy. Penn is a master magician fighting to save her world. It is filled with lots of action. The author does a good job of describing the characters and bringing them to life. The plot is one that fans of this genre will enjoy.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

What a wild, transformative and emotive ride. This book will leave you speaking out loud, laughing along with Penn, Ashe and the crew. It will also leave you guys wrenched. This is the 2nd in the series but can be read as a standalone. I long for the next installment to see how Penn ends up.

Magic Corrupts, Magic Conquers is book two in a series but I feel like it could be read alone without losing too much. Pennrae Is back after bringing magic back to the world but is dealing with big consequences from her actions. Her notoriety is following her wherever she goes and some bad magical creatures are coming knocking. Penn is in a fight for her life, the lives of her people, and the whole world as her divine magic has awoken the biggest bad she has met yet. Penn must once again prove herself as a warrior to save the world even if she suffers some big losses. This book ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger and will leave you wanting more. Magically addicting and action packed, this fantasy flies by for an entertaining read. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

I received this book as an ARC from netgalley in return as an honest opinion.

I didnt read the first book but the description and the cover captivated me so I wanted to give it a chance regardless. Lemme tell you something Im glad I did. I read this book at every chance I could. the bathroom, the shower (kindle), traveling to school, in between classes. I genuinely loved this book and I loved the characters. It seems like its a set up for another book but this book was beautiful even though I didnt like the ending. Ill check out the first book and reread this one just to connect to the main character again because i love her even though she was going through it this book. Penn is a relatable character for some and thats what I really enjoyed.

I jumped into this book having not read the first book. Despite this, I really enjoyed Magic Corrupts, Magic Conquers. I felt so much for Penn because my girl couldn’t catch a damn break. She really was carrying the entire world on her shoulders and I wanted nothing more for her to have nice long vacation, but I guess that’s not possible when you’re always saving the world.

I am going read the first book because I would’ve enjoyed watching the relationship between her and Callan develop and the rest of the events during the Before Times.

It ended on a cliff hanger that made me audibly gasp, so I know I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this early!