The Temptation of Magic is a fresh read and great fantasy debut from Megan Scott! This gave me all the vibes of Vampire Diaries/The Originals mixed with Discovery of Witches in all the best ways. Loved the magical artwork-based storylines throughout. Can’t wait for book 2!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and while it's wasn't a five star for me, I did still have a great time and it definitely did not disappoint. While the setup and setting of the book are pretty standard, I do feel like this is one of the more original magic systems/fantasy worlds I've read this year. I do feel like some of the pacing was a little wonky - the end seemed to drag a bit in my opinion, but I will absolutely be picking up the sequel.

An excellent new series with supernatural creatures, excellent characters, and an enchanting location. This first entry does a great job of balancing world building with action, suspense, and the right amount of romance. The protagonists are relatable, the side characters feel well done and fleshed out, and the antagonists are well done as well. The pacing for the story is great and left me ready to read the next one. Overall a major accomplishment for the author.

I loved the mix of art history, mythology, and modern in this book. I enjoyed the mystery and twists that you got along the way. I am excited to see where we go next and find out more about this world.

I wanted to love this one! On paper, it had all the makings of a new favorite read: dark academic mystery, urban fantasy, enemies-to-lovers romance. However, I had a really hard time placing the book--the writing itself seemed younger, but the romance (and violence at the end) really took a sharp Adult turn. I had a really hard time tracking with the worldbuilding, especially in the first few chapters which were very heavy on info-dumping. The more the plot went on, the more it began to feel like a Twilight retelling, with generic tropes like fated mates, an alarmingly older love interest, evil society that just wants to rule the world for... reasons??

But the biggest issue I had is the spice, in a book clearly marketed as YA; I was really liking the romance aspect, until it started getting really heavy and definitely Not YA!

Very grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc; I really thought I'd love this one!

This one did not grip me like I expected it too. It took awhile to get through for me and that’s just never fun. The characters weren’t awful, and the plot points kept me going but overall it just wasn’t a hit. This is a read once and never think about again type of book.

Thank you so much to Harper Collins and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for review!

The Temptation of Magic is a dark academia romantasy perfect for fans of A Discovery of Witches and Serpent & Dove. Natalie searches for an ancient secret hidden inside a supernatural art collection while attempting to keep her own supernatural identity hidden from the Wake, shadowy society that governs their world. When an art collector is murdered and the painting Natalie needs stolen, she’ll do anything to track it down, even if it means working with the handsome assassin the Wake sends after the killer, who would hunt her next if he knew the truth.

I was intrigued by this story’s premise, particularly the idea of famous artwork holding secret magic that only some can decipher and the dark academic vibes. Unfortunately, I found the world building quite confusing and the romance, a significant force in the story, didn’t grab me. Perhaps this is better suited to another reader!

A really entertaining fantasy novel that is the first installment into what appears to be an incredibly well built world. The premise feels familiar and yet entirely new at the same time, with an interesting magic system and enthralling characters and magical species. Writing is good with a decent pace that kept me glued to the plot from start to finish.

This book, full of dark academia, art history, romance, and magic captivated my mind fully, interweaving so much hisotorical roots in folklore and legend to real life, to the modern present day. As an archaeologist, and a current student, this book satiated my historical mind, and the wonderous side of mythology and monsters. Would highly recommend, similar titles would include Babel by RF Kuang, or the Book of Longings.

5/5 stars!!

Such a stunning story!!! Megan Scott created a world that blends fantasy, intrigue, and romance into a stunning story. I absolutely adored the comparisons to A Discovery of Witches and Serpent & Dove, which were 5-star reads for me!! No wonder I ate this one up!!!

This is a fantastic Dark Academia story. It features a romance as well between Nicole and Kyan as they search for a missing painting that will help put an end to the evil forces at work.

This is a wonderful dark academia romantasy! Nicole is working on how to defeat the Wake when a key painting is stolen. When she has to work with Kyan to recover she is none to pleased. However, they find a way to work together ... and eventually learn they can be so much more.

Nicole is an Empyreal, but she hasn't made the full change yet. Her mother taught her to run should that ever happen or if she met another Empyreal. Her whole family has been on the run since her mother was murdered by an Empyreal many years ago and they still don't know the full story of why. Nicole is determined to find out through clues her mother has left for her in supernatural pieces or artwork. Nicole is studying art as a college student and living a pretty normal life around searching for her mother's clues, and she is starting to get somewhere when her mentor dies unexpectedly and an Empyreal shows up to investigate.

Kyan is also an Empyreal and has been for centuries. He is conscripted to the Wake, a supernatural justice provider who are more than they seem. He is a loyal and faithful hunter and just there to do a job and get back out. Part of that job is also to bring back any Empyreals he comes across once they have started hunting to the Wake.


Told in dual POV - Nicole and Kyan, this was a blend of fantasy, romance, mystery, and a very interesting clue/ scavenger hunt. The Empyreal creature is essentially a shapeshifter which was a pretty interesting way to use a supernatural creature but put a spin on it.

The book overall had lovely pacing, once you made it past the 100-page point, the reader was given enough to hold on, but also not enough so they wanted to keep pushing forward. I know that for some this might seem a bit slow and lagging but for me I thought it was nicely balanced.

I appreciated the push and pull of the romantic elements. It was insta-love, but they are both so confused that they don't realize it, so that was a good move and like most books with forbidden romance, bit built up the danger and action within the plotline. I liked Nicole, she was determined and smart, but as most MCs was stubborn as well - thinking she can take on the world alone and that put her in some bad situations. That said, I liked her interests in Art History and wanted more of that, I love art, and it would have been cool to 'see' some of that art come through more. Kyan was your classic emo-boy to start. He is just getting by, doing what he needs to do, being angsty, but Nicole challenges him and he is interested in her for that reason to start - she pushes him.

There are more books coming in this series, but the author doesn't leave you on a complete cliffhanger. Quite a few things are wrapped nicely, so that you feel like you have some conclusion although there is more to come.

An amazing first title from Scott. Such a fun romantasy that sweeps you off your feet and into Nicole and Kyan's world. I felt like I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

THE TEMPTATION OF MAGIC marks a captivating debut for the Empyreal Series, weaving a picture of fantasy, intrigue, and romance that promises to enthrall readers. The novel introduces us to Nicole Palmer, an Empyreal with the rarest shapeshifting ability, who finds herself pursued by the Wake, a clandestine organization that reigns over the supernatural realm.

Scott's dedication to research is evident, with each mythological element feeling authentic and well-founded. Her narrative prowess shines as she blends classic and innovative fantasy elements to create a world that offers a fresh perspective specifically both innovative and respectful of the traditions it draws from. I concur with the critics and fans alike, the book has an exceptional world-building, with a lore that is both meticulously detailed and seamlessly integrated into the story. Scott crafts a universe where magical beings are a norm, yet she elevates the narrative by introducing the Empyreals, adding a layer of depth and mystery to the lore. The ingenious use of art as a conduit for hidden secrets and messages is a stroke of genius, providing a unique angle to the fantasy genre.

This novel is a spellbinding blend of mythology, art history, and romance. It invites readers to step into a realm where the secrets are as profound as they are perilous, hidden beneath the surface of a reality painted with a magical brush. For those who seek an escape into a world of fantasy, THE TEMPTATION OF MAGIC is your portal to the extraordinary.

4.5/5 Stars

Nicole Palmer is an Empyreal, a supernatural shapeshifter hunted by the Wake, an organization that governs all supernatural beings. After the death of her mother, Nicole is searching for an encoded message she left behind hidden in a supernatural art collection. In search of the collection, she finds herself in the midst of Kyan McCarter, a Wake Assassin on the hunt.

I was so intrigued by this concept, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this. The world building was great. The use of art was so interesting, and I loved learning more about the different types of supernatural creatures. The character dynamics were also super fun. I liked how we got both Nicole and Kyan's POVs as it helped us see the thoughts of both characters. I really liked Nicole, I thought she was fiercely loyal to her family, who I loved btw. I'm a big fan of the forbidden love trope, and thought Nicole and Kyan were complete opposites, but had great chemistry. Throw in one sided enemies to lovers and I am a goner. I liked how they had to learn to trust each other, and become so protective of one another. Kyan is one of my new favourite characters of all time. His backstory was heartbreaking, and everything he'd been through made me like him even more. This does drag a bit in the middle, which is why I dropped half a star, but I still really loved it.

This doesn't feel like a debut novel, and I'm so excited to see what this author comes out with next.

This cover and the premise sounded so good to me and I fully expected to love it. Sadly, I just don't think it was for me. I think I'm still in denial about not loving young adult anymore, or even romantasy as much anymore either. Objectively, I think readers of the genre are going to love this one. I felt is was solidly written, especially for a debut. But I don't think I'm the audience for this type of story anymore. I can totally see the references to both Serpent and Dove and A Discovery of Witches. I liked the magic and the world and the dark academia vibes. It also has many tropes that readers love, like fated mates and forbidden romance, I think this definitely would have been a four or five star read for me when this genre was at the height of my reading tastes. Even though it's not something I will continue, I can see this becoming a popular series.

This was a very well written and enjoyable fantasy read from a debut author. Anyone who has enjoyed Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, or Twilight will love this. I won a giveaway and received a digital ARC through NetGalley that included this book so was unsure what to expect before reading it, but as I enjoyed the previously mentioned books pretty well, this one was also fun. I liked the dark academia vibes and actually wished for more! I do feel as if there was more explicit spice than warranted for a book marketed as upper YA, but overall this was a unique story in a romantasy driven publishing industry.

The chemistry, the mystery entwined?! Wow. This book such an amazing read and a fantastic debut for Scott. Both the characters and world are incredibly strong and I'm so excited to see more from this series!

The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott is a fun mix of dark academia, forbidden romance, and paranormal creatures. Set in a small university town, it follows Nicole, a supernatural art student hiding her true identity from a corrupt organization called The Wake. Things get complicated when Kyan, an Empyreal sent by The Wake, arrives in town, and their lives quickly intertwine.

I loved the unique creatures, dual POVs, and the world-building. Nicole and Kyan’s chemistry is great, and the mystery kept me hooked. If you’re into paranormal romance with a twist, this one’s worth checking out!