I literally adore the world building. It had my attention from the beginning. However, I wished that I cared a bit more of the characters. I kind of got annoyed with them a time to time. Regardless, I still enjoy the story.

Well written Indian Fantasy. Sorely needed. The only weakness was the c plot which was a romance one which it could have done without. But at its core this is a book about sibling relationships and also a really cool motorcycle.

A Magic Fierce and Bright
by Hemant Nayak
YA Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: July 9, 2024
Simon and Schuster
Ages: 13+

Adya is a technomancer, gifted with the rare magic to bring ancient machines back to life, and is using her ability to bring a rickshaw back to life so she can find her sister who disappeared. But her debts have caught up with her and she is to be sold to the British to pay it off. Escaping, she find herself drawn into the politics of war, as was her sister.


This book started off a little slow as Adya, the world, and the magic were introduced, and sadly that was pretty much the explanation. It made for a lot of guessing for the rest of the book about the reasons why, and how, and what. It made it feel as if the last half of the book was hurried, but the ending was more so.

I really did like this world and magic, and with more depth, I would have liked it a lot more. It's a unique world with interesting characters. There were different types of magic, and Adya's was described in detail, but the others were not, mostly summed up and that took away from the story.

A lot more depth to the world, the magic, and the rest of the characters would have earned this another star.

3 Stars

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A Magic Fierce and Bright is set against the lush backdrop of South India, the story follows Adya, a technomancer who can awaken electric machines with her rare magical abilities. This story has a lot of action and violence that I wasn’t expecting. I think it made the story move fast. There was mention of Indian mythological creatures like the naga, drongo and yaksha. All in all a solid YA fantasy where good triumphs in the end. Highly recommend for YA for the unique magic system, diverse setting and characters and easy to follow pacing.

I feel like this book was a bit hard to follow because the pacing was a bit off. Also, I feel like the plot drew me in at first but once I started reading I was struggling to get into everything.

This was not a story I enjoyed reading, but mostly because it felt incredibly medium in every way. The romance was a standard YA fantasy romance- surface level and with little chemistry or progression beyond little quips- and the characters felt very one note and stereotypical to the genre.
I was interested in this book because of the fact that it's an alternate universe India, and because of the tech based magic, but while the world was conceptually interesting, there was never enough information given to make it feel real or for me to take any of it seriously.

What I did like boils down to this- the third act, which adds something unexpected enough to finally get me a little invested. And, against all odds, the motorcycle. I was not excited about a talking motorcycle who spoke entirely in references to other bike models and compared everything to speeds, but... I don't know, blame it on the lack of other interesting characters, or call it good writing on Nayak's part, but that motorcycle really did turn out to be the best part of this whole book.

This book wasn't terrible, it just brought very little new to the genre, and didn't compel me.

unique and dramatic in a way that makes me think a lot about Xiran Jay Zhao! A dramatic fantasy/technomancy romance with cool ideas

A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow .

Really well done! I enjoyed the characters and the world-building very much.

I received an advanced copy of A Magic Fierce and Bright from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

What an absolutely wild ride from start to finish. A Magic Fierce and Bright is a book that has no brakes. There wasn’t a moment when something wasn’t happening. It was an action-filled, fast-paced tale that strapped you in and wouldn’t let go. It was interesting, I’ll give it that, but though it kept my interest, there were some things that I found myself disappointed by.

My complaints can be summed up by one thing: the pacing. While I enjoy fast-paced books and think it was appropriate for this story, it was much too fast at times. In order to get from here to there quickly, a lot of exposition and backstory were skipped over. Nothing was developed: not the setting, not the history, not the magic, not the characters. We got bits and pieces of information, but nothing that solidified my understanding of this world or its characters. We’re 400 years in the future, yet all of these machines that Adya is working on still exist. How long ago did the meteors hit? How long have we had magic? Does it make sense for all of these machines to be in such pristine condition? It seems like it happened some time ago, but why is this war finally coming to a head now? I needed/wanted so much more information than what I got about this world for things to make sense. Not every book needs intense world-building, but this was one where I needed more.

I also don’t understand the magic. Every area seemed to have a different type, but what that type was is beyond me, besides Adya’s people being technomancers. Theirs was the only one I understood. Also, I don’t know how she’s the last one. Is the area she’s in smaller than I think it is? And is her brother not also one? He uses magic. So, is she really the last? And on the topic of characters, I know barely anything about them. As far as I can tell, there was no actual character development, not even off the page, so everyone’s relationships felt stilted and uncomfortable, including the romance.

Despite my gripes, moans, and complaints, I actually did enjoy A Magic Fierce and Bright. Though I know little about it, I thought the magic was fascinating, especially the technological aspect. I think Adya’s magic and how it works were some of the parts that were very well done. I was fascinated by how even the machines had souls, which probably resulted from when magic was introduced. I don’t know that for sure, but I’m going with that. Along with that, I enjoyed the story. While it moved fast and was underdeveloped, it kept me interested in what would happen next. There was never a dull moment, and I can get past a lot of my issues as long as the story is gripping, which it was. I would have loved to know more about this world and its characters, but what I did get was enough to keep me coming back to the end. I would recommend A Magic Fierce and Bright to anyone looking for a quick, easy dystopian/fantasy read.

"A Magic Fierce and Bright" by Hemant Nayak is a thrilling ride through a post-apocalyptic South India where magic and technology intertwine in the most fascinating ways. Adya, our technomancer heroine, can awaken machines with her magical touch, making for a unique and captivating story. As she embarks on a quest to find her lost sister, she's reluctantly paired with a roguish thief who might hold the key to her sister's whereabouts. The vibrant world-building and the quirky, humor-infused narrative style make this book an absolute delight.

The supporting characters, especially the sentient motorcycle, bring a charming dynamic to the story. Adya's fierce loyalty to her family and her journey of self-discovery are both heartwarming and engaging. While the romance subplot didn't quite hit the mark for me, the action-packed plot and rich cultural setting more than made up for it. If you're looking for a fantasy adventure with a unique twist and plenty of heart, "A Magic Fierce and Bright" is a must-read. Thanks to the author and publisher for this fantastic tale!

This was a page turner! The magic system was so unique that it kept me engaged and wanting to learn more. I really liked all the characters. The MC's love for her sister was so nice to see.
I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone that enjoys cinder or iron widow.

I thought that the vibe of this book was really interesting--apocalypse + magic + technology. I found the world and the characters to be really compelling and engaging, thought I do think that the pace of the book itself was a bit too slow in the beginning for my taste.

This book is a really unique future apocalyptic blend of technology and magic. It was a bit of a slow start, but there was a lot to set up and the characters were fantastically engaging. And once things did get moving, the plot was action packed! This is definitely a book worth giving a chance.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Southeast Asian Literature, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
Audience: Young adult (fun for adults too)
Language: A handful of swearing
Spice Level: Kiss
Gore Level: Medium

A MAGIC FIERCE AND BRIGHT is a high-octane fantasy. Adya has the ability to wake machines with her rare magical ability—that's why this is really a combo of fantasy and sci-fi. She wants to find her sister, and the powers-that-be want to use her gift in the political fight for world dominance.

The ancient strife between England and India is featured in this post-apocalyptic story. I felt like it was a genuine way to approach how countries might fight for power—and of course, this is also rooted in history, which also made sense.

I liked how it moved quickly and how Adya had problem after problem pile up on her.
One of my favorite characters is the motorcycle—truly it is so much fun, and its voice is perfect!

I think this book has a good crossover between male and female readers enjoying it. There's a b-plot with a romance, but it is really very minor.

This one is going on my list to watch for a sequel. It would also make an excellent movie (Hollywood, are you listening?). People should give this book some hype!

Happy reading!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

I really loved the concept of it. It's set in a distant future where civilization rebuilt on top of a technological world (and is no longer technological) combined with magic and fantasy elements. I do think some of the world building could have been improved...like why is Britain vampires, fae, werewolves, etc. and then the tribes of India have different powers? Like, why is one singing, why is one tribe technology magic, etc.

I really did like the concept and the plot was well done. Never thought I'd like a sentient motorcycle as a character but here we are. I also think it leaves a lot open in this world for further exploration. The plot did either drag or felt too quick (esp at the end) but I mean....overall I enjoyed it? It was a nice change of pace for YA fantasy.

It was the Iron Widow comp title and the gorgeous cover that first caught my attention with this novel. Trust me, the cover is even more stunning in person.

This story is set in the jungles of South India four hundred years in the future. It’s a world full of magic, and the world-building is explained well and woven into the narrative. Adya’s unusual and highly valuable power is techomancy – she uses her magic to wake machines and communicate with them. One of those machines is a big-hearted Kawasaki motorcycle that became a favorite character and has a significant impact on the story. I liked the idea of machines having a sort of soul. Adya’s twin sister Priya is missing, and the journey to find her is full of obstacles – the first being a towering ring of fire surrounding the city where she was headed. Adya may communicate better with machines than people, but she’s fiercely loyal to her family, determined to find her sister, and keep her younger brother safe. Technomancers are nearly extinct, and Adya risks being captured and/or sold every minute during her search.

Usually I’m partial to one or two of the supporting characters (besides the previously mentioned motorcycle), but this cast is especially likable and well-drawn. I found myself rooting for the unlikely group of soldiers and snickered over their names. Besides the humorous moments, this story is full of tense action scenes and even some heartfelt moments. There’s a hint of romance between Adya and Dsouza, but it’s a very minor portion of the story.

This novel releases today and appears to be a standalone, but there’s potential for a sequel – which I’m totally here for. Recommended for readers who enjoy futuristic settings filled with unusual magic, unexpected characters who’ll steal your heart, and strong sibling bonds.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC. Unfortunately this was not for me. It took a while for the main plot to start, and while the concept intrigued me, I didn't really enjoy reading the book.

A technomancer must team up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this dystopian story mixed in with Indian culture. Adya lives in a world where England is trying to conquer India. She is a technomancer and magic users are rare and being captured. All Adya wants is to find her lost sister Priya and make enough money to take care of her family. Adya's abilities make her a valuable asset and everyone wants her powers to help them win the endless war.... but none of that means anything to her unless she can get her sister. When news comes before her Adya will need to team up with the one rakish thief who gets under her skin like no one else to save her sister... but that means uncovering secrets and conspiracies. This one started off really fun but kind of got stagnant in the middle but did pick up in the end. Overall its a fun read and the magic and world was interesting to read about. I did enjoy Adya as a main character and i liked her interactions with her love interest, I kind of wish it was more fleshed out. I do think it would make an easy fantasy read and for anyone who is looking for a dystopian/tech magic story would definitely have fun with this.

Release Date: July 9,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

**3.5 STARS**

Content Warning: violence, death

+ The world building in this one is very unique. It’s a mixture of sci-fi and fantasy, in India. There is technomancy which is about magic and machines, which I thought was neat but maybe a better explanation of how this world came to be would have been helpful.

+ Adya is the main character and she’s gifted with technomancy. And she’s really connected to her sentient Yamaha motorbike, it’s like a friend to her which I thought was cool. I’d say she is very brave and loves her family. Her family is gone, except for her brother and maybe a sister, who she hasn’t given up hope on finding. Dsouza is her rival but we learn he’s more than a thief or renegade or whatever dangerous guy he’s portraying. I’d say there is some rivalry flirting going on between them but it’s not a focus at all. I think the two of them were fun together.

+ This story has a lot of action and violence that I wasn’t expecting. I think it made the story move fast. There was mention of Indian mythological creatures like the naga, drongo and yaksha.

~ The reader gets thrown into the story which made it hard to get my bearings at first. I would have liked more history about this world and what happened. I could grasp that Britain was trying to invade India but I don’t know why and at first I thought this was taking place in the past but then realized it was in the future since they had modern things.

~ Would have loved to connect more to the characters.

My Final Thoughts:

I thought this was an interesting and unique story because of the technomancy and sentient motorbike. Adya is an interesting character who can make machines magical. The Indian mythology added a lot to the story to make it more fascinating. I do feel like I didn’t quite connect to the characters but the story did move fast because it had so much action, sometimes very brutal. I think if you are into India, rebellion, sci-fi, magic and dystopia, this one may interest you.