(Closer to 3.75 stars)

I did quite enjoy this book overall. It just took me longer than I expected to get into it. I think at first I was distracted by how the author was setting the atmosphere and building the world. There was nothing wrong with the writing, I think that it was written cinematically. Personally, I struggle with that amount of specificity and level of detail right in the beginning of a book. I struggled to immerse myself initially, but I got there eventually.

Because I'm American, there were phrasing choices that took me out of the narrative slightly. That's nit-picky, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

This story had a nostalgic feeling to me. I drew a lot of comparisons to books like I Am Number Four and City of Bones, both structurally and thematically. These were books that I ate up when I was younger. I am curious if this is intended to be a trilogy or a longer series perhaps? Either way, I am certainly interested in continuing on with the next installment.

I liked the two main characters a lot. I was into the romance. I thought that the magic system was really interesting and the conflict was solid. I liked the aspects of dark academia. The mystery surrounding her mother is engaging. I love the art references and the Celtic details. I'm interested to learn more about The Wake.

Overall, I'm happy to have had the opportunity to read this and will be on the look out for the next one!

4 stars!

The Temptation of Magic is the beginning of a new fantasy trilogy that weaves the ideas of magical creatures, art, and conspiracies by debut author Megan Scott.

I read this book in only two sittings because not only was I sucked in by the art-related plotline, but I also became increasingly invested in the romance. Kyan and Nicole are two of my new favorite characters, Bells needs to be protected with my whole heart, and I felt that the family aspect and the found family created was so compelling.

I was also super interested in the world created by Megan Scott. There were numerous familiar magical species mentioned, but the titular creature (an empyreal) was new and very interesting. It was also great to see a contrast between an empyreal who knew what was going on and familiar with their powers contrasted with someone who was a complete novice.

I also thought it was really fun to use art as a vehicle for secrets. I found the plot really compelling, and there was enough revealed in this book to keep me satisfied while still excited for book two.

I think my biggest issue unfortunately was in the pacing, which kept it from being a full five star for me. The middle third is very slow with not much going on, which was okay because I was invested in the characters, but I do think we could've gotten to the final action a bit sooner.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED The Temptation of Magic. It had a unique premise and set itself up very nicely for a series. My only complaint is that it's listed as young adult and I think it is closer to new adult. While the two main characters don't actually have sex, many of the descriptions of regarding intimacy between the characters as well as how the characters felt themselves were more than implied.

The world is full of supernatural creatures and The Wake is responsible for sending out Empryeals to kill them. Empryeals are humans who are able to transform into the creature they are trying to kill. They have also sworn an oath to be loyal to The Wake and to bring in any new Empryeals that are discovered. Nicole is an Empryeal in hiding with her family. After her mom died and left her family a cipher that would hopefully lead to their freedom, Nicole has spent all of her time and energy researching different supernatural paintings. When her advisor dies, Nicole meets her mysterious "grandson" Kyan. It doesn't take a long interaction for her to realize he is everything she and her family is running from. However, the two form an unlikely alliance when they realize their goals run parallel to each other. Kyan is in town trying to kill a Spector who also happens to have something to do with the painting that Nicole is so desperately trying to find. As the two work together, they both uncover secrets that will forever change their relationship, the course of Nicole's future, and the unwavering loyalty Kyan has towards The Wake.

I also really loved Callum, another Empryeal and oldest friend to Kyan. It's difficult to decipher whether his motives are pure or not, but he charms his way into everything and he has inserted himself into the entangled plot that Nicole and Kyan find themselves in.

The ending was so well done. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but it does set up the second book so nicely. I am really excited to see what happens. I do hope Nicole and Kyan don't spend too much time a part. Their interactions are some of my favorite parts.

This started out SO strong, and I will absolutely be continuing the series, but it did end up at a 3 star for me. I absolutely loved the character and atmosphere, but the plot felt stagnant starting very early around 20%. There is definitely a lot of insta love, but I don't mind that.

A lot of promise!

Thank you Netgalley and Harpercollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"The Temptation of Magic" by Megan Scott brings you into a world that is a blend of urban fantasy, art history, and romance. The world-building within this book is well-detailed and unique; the setting is definitely a highlight as well as the art element within the story.

Scott introduces you to a captivating world filled with Empyreals, supernatural creatures whose presence adds depth and intrigue to the story. Scott created a story where the lines between good and evil blur, keeping you on the edge of your seat as characters navigate moral complexities. One of the book's standout features is its integration of art and history, which adds layers of depth to the plot. Through art, Scott unveils hidden secrets and mysteries, captivating you with the allure of famous paintings concealing ancient truths. Even though I personally am not very interested in art, I was still in awe over the breathtaking descriptions in this book about the art pieces, and the book actually made me interested in art. I think readers who enjoy art and/or art history would especially enjoy this book; I also don’t think I’ve read much urban fantasy that centers around the art world.

While the book excels in its world-building and imaginative elements, I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven, particularly towards the middle. The ending was also a bit drawn out, though the gripping climax and satisfying resolution left me eagerly anticipating the sequel.

Despite these issues with pacing, I still greatly enjoyed the immersive atmosphere and compelling storytelling. Scott's skillful blend of modern life with mystical elements drew me into the story, keeping me engaged throughout.

I also really enjoyed the romance in "The Temptation of Magic.” Nicole's fierce loyalty and determination paired with Kyan's enigmatic charm create a dynamic and captivating relationship that made me really enjoy the development of their relationship, and I definitely can’t wait to read more about their pairing in the sequel.

Overall, if you're a fan of contemporary fantasy with a strong romantic plot, this book is sure to cast a spell on you.

When I first heard about The Temptation of Magic last winter I had an inkling this would be a book for me — and it very much was! Without creating any spoilers it checked so many of my boxes: forbidden love, academia setting, supernaturals, mystery, an excellent ensemble cast, and the kind of story that kept me glued to the pages. I loved the pull between Kyan and Nicole — how their relationship developed. Was it on the fast side? A tad, but there was a good reason for that which I won’t reveal here. I loved Kyan’s history and how he was at a place in his life ready to receive someone like Nicole into it. As for Nicole, I loved how protective she was of her family. How strong she was and how she had to fight against her true nature. I enjoyed the myth and history woven through the book and how yes, there’s a villain in this book, but there’s one much larger looming in the background. Also, the mystery of Nicole’s mother and .… oh, I’m so curious!! I feel that The Temptation of Magic was a solid start and I can’t wait to read more from Megan Scott!

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for the gifted copy for review!

The Temptation of Magic is the first in a series of books about Nicole and Kyan, two supernatural creatures whose biology equips them to be the world's most powerful predators and protectors, Empyreals. Kyan is an Empyreal and a member of the Wake, an ancient organization that has the stated mission of protecting all creatures of the earth. He does this by hunting down creatures that the Wake identifies as dangerous and killing them in the moment before they can kill someone else. Nicole is also an Empyreal, but she successfully lives in hiding because she's never submitted to her body's instinctive urge to transform for protection. Nicole and Kyan cross paths while tracking the murderer of one of Nicole's professor's, and the tension and mystery of the story build as their attraction to each other does.

I think this is a good book, but the inconsistent pacing kept it from being great. The book starts out relatively quick, but then a third to a half of the book is pining with minimal to no plot progression, and it's so slow.

Kyan is pitched as kind of a complicated character, but he's really a cinnamon roll. Even so, Nicole can't trust him, because he is loyal to an organization that he would be compelled to turn her over to if he confirmed what she was. There's a lot of narrative time spent researching in libraries and talking about paintings. For me, the story's foundation and characters were more compelling than it's execution. Disappointing for me, but for some I think it could be a promising start to a new adult romantasy series.

Thank you NetGalley and HaperCollins for providing a digital ARC of this book for me to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had never read a book by this author - I believe this may actually be her debut book - but the premise was an intriguing one, and this was a solid first novel of a series that I will continue.

Standout aspects of the book included:
- the world building
- the unique concept of 'empyreals' - not something I've seen done in other fantasy books
- the double POV of both the main female and male characters, which aided in the worldbuilding aspect and gave a wider scope to the plot of the novel
- the relationship between the main leads - paced well and realistically

Areas I feel could use improvement:
- the pacing at times absolutely dragged and I found myself skimming paragraphs a few times as certain details were over-explained
- the writing, while sophisticated for a first-time novelist, felt a bit clumsy at times

Overall, a compelling read, and I look forward to reading the next in the series!