A fun adventure with lots of snark, a charming side character, a fascinating magical system, and main characters in their thirties, hooray!!!

Meda is a likable if socially awkward witch with incredible insight into magic but next to no power of her own. Kalcedon is half fae, a layabout, and has more magic than anyone Meda’s ever met.

I found the magic system in this book very intriguing. Witches in the Protectorate use a combination of sigils, hand movements, and their own ‘heat’ (power) to cast spells.

As the description read, very ‘would burn the world for you’ which I enjoyed a lot.

Would recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

i really enjoyed my time here, it was a fast-paced entertaining little fantasy.

it almost felt like a cozy fantasy, though there were some high stakes the pacing made it seem less heavy, this and the fact that there was a complex world-building happening behind the scenes; it almost has the setting of a high fantasy but the writing never truly over-explains anything, it could leave you wondering about some stuff sometimes but it also put the focus more on the characters rather than the fantasy setting and i kinda liked it.

i actually LOVED the FMC, and i screamed and clocked autism from the start (i think the author has described her as neurodivergent/spicy), and as someone who’s also neurodivergent i throughly enjoyed their portrayal of it.

i enjoyed the romance but i also kinda wanted more of it. i felt like it had great moments around the middle of the book but once the story started to wrap-up, i felt a bit more disconnected to them. which is how i feel in general—i think the book wrapped up a bit fast like all the action and the story progression happened in the last 20% rather quickly.

overall really enjoyed it though, the writing is engaging and i would’ve read it in one setting had it not been for work, life, etc…

thank you netgalley and the publisher for offering me an ARC in return for an honest review

This is a lovely, cosy-feeling fantasy novel with enough high-stakes to keep you turning those pages. It’s told from the point of view of Meda, a rather weak-powered witch whose talent lies in spell crafting, though no one sees just how talented she is.

Meda’s world is turned upside down when the powerful ward that keeps her world safe from the terrifying faeries on the other side starts to crumble. She and the powerful half-fae she’s grown up alongside, Kalcedon, have to figure out what’s causing these powerful shields to fail and try to stop them from coming down completely.

I’ve read Caruso’s books before, and I enjoy how they are both lighthearted, but peppered with tender moments and genuine emotion. Her characters are easily liked, even the gruff and grumpy Kalcedon, and the romance that blossomed between him and Meda was very sweet.

While I found the pace dipped a little in the middle of this book, I still cared about the characters, and I wanted to find out what happened to them. Oriak was a fun counter to Kalcedon’s seriousness and Meda’s awkwardness, and I couldn’t help but like him.

I really loved the well-thought-out magic system, and the world Caruso has built here feels very fleshed out. (Though I probably should have looked at the map before reading)

Fantasy romance fans will enjoy this one, especially if you enjoy a touch of cosiness in your stories.

“My God, Meda. I’d rather stop breathing than live in a world without you, and you don’t know if I love you?”
🪶
Meda is a mediocre witch at best. With limited magic at her disposal, she still dreams of becoming a great witch, someone powerful, like her rival and fellow apprentice, the half-fae Kalcedon.
When an ancient ward falters, threatening to bring the vicious fae back into their protected kingdom, Meda might be the only witch capable of translating and repairing the spell and keeping them safe. And this might be her chance to prove to everyone she is good enough.
🪶
I was hooked easily into the story, I adored the magic system, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rivals to lovers portrayal! The bickering and pettiness was perfection, and the slow realization that they actually really cared for each other was delightful.
My new favorite thing is autistic rep in fantasy. Seeing how Meda processed the world around her and the situations and feelings that arose from this was so emotional and special.

(arc review)

4⭐️

Minor Works of Meda is a fast paced cozy fantasy which a whole lot of action! It was so easy for me to get lost in this book because I truly never knew where this story was going. Super interesting world building and magic systems!

Kalcedon, baby, the man that you are😮‍💨🤌🏼 If you’re looking for a virgin mmc that will do literally anything for his girl and says things like “she’s mine” and “tell me how to make you feel good” ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!!

I did feel at times that some things were barely touched on and went by too fast and other things were overly explained, but other than that the writing and the story was incredible!

I really enjoyed Minor Works of Meda. It was so immersive and if felt like being there with them on an adventure!

I was pulled in from the very start and the fast pace and fun adventure vibe kept me hooked the whole time. I think you could definitely read this in one sitting, it held my attention the entire time. I think the pacing was perfect throughout the book, you get a good balance of tension and more quiet scenes, plot and character development, action and romance.

The romance was actually very sweet. They bicker a lot and Kalcedons love language seems to be insulting Meda at the start (Cardan vibes??) but they really grow to be so gentle with each other. There is one spicy scene but it's not overly explicit and it's very refreshing that the MMC is inexperienced and the FMC shows him what to do.

The characters are really likeable and they're all so awkward I love them. It's a very small cast of characters, there are quite a few minor characters along the way but it really focuses on Meda, Kalcedon and the lovable Oraik. I think my favourite of the three is Meda my neurodivergent queen. I'm not sure if it was done on purpose but I love the way her magic is sort of similar to her being ND. She's not less than, she's unique and amazing at what she does, she just does it differently. One thing I'll say is that the characters are supposed to be older (late 30s I think) but I didn't find that very believable, they definitely felt much younger. I think it would have worked better if they were in their late teens or early 20s.

The magic system was so interesting, I wish it had been explained a bit more at the start because while I loved learning more about what they could do and how it worked, I was confused for a good chunk of the book. It's very unique though and I would love to see more of that if there was another book!

I would say this is a cozy fantasy but maybe with higher stakes than your typical cozy read. If you enjoyed Sorcery of Thorns or Emily Wilde, I recommend this one! I'm glad I signed up for an ARC, this is a great read if you want to escape the real world for a bit and I think it's a standalone but I would like another book if that happened!

Meda is a weak witch with big dreams!
And no matter how hard she tries she is no match for her rival - the half fae Kalcedon.

When the powerful wards that protect their land drops they must team up and go on an adventure together to solve the mystery.

This book has such a good pace at the beginning- was really easy to
Follow along and fast paced. The characters are so charming and the way they’re described it’s quite easy to visualise them in your imagination!
There was a downfall for me from about just after half way towards the end where the plots start to thicken and it lost my attention slightly…

But overall it scratched my fantasy slump itch & was such a good read!
Thank you to NetGalley & Victory Editiong for this ARC 💗

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC of this book!

If you’re looking for a cosy fantasy that’s incredibly easy to read, look no further than Meda. It’s short, snappy chapters help draw you in to a quick and easy reading session. But I will admit, that if you really don’t like books that don’t have the most put together plot and kind of just run through situations for the vibes then you’ll more than likely love this!

Meda isn’t the most compelling FMC, she can come across as cold sometimes. But again, I did consume the book in entirely one sitting so there must have been something about her that I did find compelling. I’d recommend this to people who enjoyed Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and books of a similar ilk.

Overall, it was meh. The plot itself was incredibly unique and it had so much potential. The actual execution of the storyline left a lot to be desired. The writing style was also an issue for me. It seemed like the author was trying too hard when it came to the actual writing: use of language, distinction between characters, etc.

Minor Works of Meda is a captivating, fast-paced adult fantasy that embodies the adventurous feel of classical fantasy works. Chapters are short, but the plot is well-developed as are the characters. I personally enjoyed Meda herself as I could relate to her feeling of being out of place no matter where she goes and her longing to make a name for herself. Kalcedon, too, was a great character although I found him to be quite childish for a character that's meant to be 30+ (especially when it came to his refusal to communicate and his possessiveness). Although, at first, it felt a little sudden, I enjoyed their romance as I continued reading and I felt the chemistry was great between them. The nuances between their cultures and histories was well-explored, too.

My *favorite* part of the entire book was the magic system!! I adored the way it was set up and found it quite clever and imaginative as I was reading. I loved the idea of physically casting spells and the visual-language work that went into them. Every time more was revealed about the history of magic, I was delighted. I would happily read another book set in this world whether it be from the POV of a human, witch, or fae just for the magic system alone. (And I do hope I get to read more from this world.)

The ending wrapped up splendidly and I felt like the author did an excellent job at tying everything together at the end. No spoilers, but I personally enjoyed where each character ended up. Overall, the writing is fun and light (most times), the story is quick and engaging, and I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys adventurous fantasy books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm trying to keep this mostly spoiler-free, so I am going to try to be specific, but also vague.

I wish this book would have been longer. I never wanted it to end. I'm not sure if there will be a second based on the way the book ended, but if there was, I'd definitely read it.

The relationship between Meda and Kalcedon was just...chef's kiss. I love how oblivious she was to him, and his grumpy vibes in the beginning. When he flew all night to find her after she left, loved it. I ate that up.

The way the author developed their relationship was really well done. We had the vibes of a slow burn with the one-sided pining for Meda on Kalcedon's side. Not to mention that this was a refreshing read. The fantasy/romantasy market is so saturated, yet this book managed to stand out, which is an impressive feat. The story-telling and world building was good. I feel like there could have been a little more world-building, but the author was being purposefully vague in the beginning. I would have liked more explanation about Kalcedon and other aspects of the world in the end, though.

I genuinely enjoyed the romance, and I think that this author will be an auto-read for me in the future. Also, the cover is stunning!

Absolutely devoured this one. I loved how the main characters were older. It’s definitely a cozy fantasy read but I really enjoyed it. The cover is gorgeous.

Where do I even start with this story? It's been an honour to be an Arc reader for Juliette, and to experience this book before its release. You are all absolutely in for a TREAT!

This may actually be a new found favourite for me and I may just have to add it to my Roman Empire list. The story starts with our introduction to Meda, who is an apprentice/assistance for a seer in a village, with a half-fae named Kalcedon. Constantly referred to as a 'weak witch' Meda has constantly been seen less than when it comes to magic. One late evening the magic wards break, and their teacher gets caught in the crossfire and dies. Nobody knows when the wards have broken, or who could be behind it - given they have protected all the lands for so long. Meda makes it her mission to uncover the meddlesome magic, in order to prevent more of the wards falling and save her human world from a dangerous Fae invasion.

I read this in a little under 24hrs, I just couldn't put it down. It's been a while since I've had a page turner of a book that drew me in and made me feel so quickly for all the characters and what they were going through. The way Juliette depicts and talks about grief in just so wonderful, for a subject that can be, as we understand it - quite raw.

I absolutely fell in love with Minor Works of Meda for many reasons; Having main characters who were over 30, the grumpy vs sunshine dynamic, Fae & Witches, interesting twists and turns, Diverse characters including LGBTQ+ and representation, strong characterisation and the endearing personalities of the characters, an intriguing magic system that was well explained and much much more. Overall, I just loved how 'difference' was celebrated in this book and how there was a message in there of 'it's okay to be different'. Additionally, I felt that any flaws that the characters had were completely justified and really added to their character development on a whole.

I loved that Meda was such a relatable FMC, her justifications of why she didn't certain things - her being completely oblivious to Kalcedon's love for her, her fixation on wanting to solve problems, her wanting to see the good in people, the moments that she really struggled to get to know others, her sometimes brash and not thought out decisions, her thirst for knowledge etc - As a neurodivergent person this really felt very comforting to see a character like her, I actually felt quite seen. She was just such a compelling protagonist.

The world building plays a HUGE role in the storytelling in MWOM and I feel like we get to indulge in all the rich details. We learn about the differences between the islands and the roles they play - despite all the traveling (as quite a bit of traveling occurs in this story) I still felt I could visualise all the places we went to and explored.

There are some books that oversell the tension between the MC and the love interest, but I have to say Juliette gets the tension between Meda and Kalcedon JUST right. There are moments of second guessing, Meda not being sure whether feelings being reciprocated, Kalcedon trying to express how he feels, and really emotional moments that bring their connection with each other alight and make it electric. There is this growing mutual respect and affection that develops in such a natural way between them.

I really appreciated the touch around uncovering ancient language and how Meda made it her mission to understand it and put all her effort into deconstructing and researching. It made for such an intriguing part of the story. There were also so many moments of laughter that caught me off guard, especially in scenes with Oraik. I found his humour, wit, and also his openness about mostly being quite coward like really endearing. I absolutely loved his character development though, and how his belief in himself grew throughout the story.

The most difficult part about this book? accepting it's over. The things I would DO for Juliette to make this into a series?! Whilst I feel like we definitely tied up the loose ends - I'd LOVE for us to have more from the troublesome trio in the future! (please!)

I had a wonderful time reading this book and I will recommend it to all my romantasy girlies out there. The premise feels fresh and familiar at the same time. Even if fae fantasy has been overly done in recent times this novel manages to do something different with a magic system and world building that is entirely too familiar to seasoned readers of the genre.

Its highest point, however, is the character work. Especially the main protagonist Meda. For starts, I feel like we don't get enough characters that are over 30 in this genre and it makes for a much more mature read. Meda is as strong, stubborn and self-assured as they come, while also showing the reader incredible moments of insecurity and struggles with self-awareness. She's well rounded and flawed which makes her all the more believable.

The plot was a bit predictable and the main twist I saw coming right away. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy the overall adventure of the story. The romantic relationship between Meda and Kalcedon was, in my opinion, very well written and developed. Kalcedon I loved fully as a romantic interest, top tier book boyfriend material. Their chemistry was off the charts, the author did a wonderful job balancing emocionally charged moments and sexy times ;)

A sweet fantasy romance featuring a witch with weak magic, a quest to save the isle, a rival half-fae who is just as handsome as he is heartless, and some unlikely friends. Meda dreams about becoming a great witch, the only thing stopping her? The fact that she has weak magic while her rival Kalcedon, a heartless half-fae has so much magic, just being near him makes something in her sing. When their mentor passes away, Meda decides to go on a quest and prove her worth. Yet the quest she takes up means she'll have to travel to far lands, save a prince in disguise, translate spells and fight an unknown enemy.... what's even more surprising is when Kalcedon chases her down, determined not to leave her side... and despite everyone thinking he's heartless... he seems to be very much in love with her if only he could get her to notice him. This was a fun read and I liked the journey that Meda goes on, the book had an "Encyclopedia of Emily Wilde" kind of vibe and I enjoyed it. It's a bit of a cozy fantasy but at it's heart its a fun adventure, filled with romance and fae, and it's got a happy ending. It's a fun read and I'd definitely recommend it!

Release Date: July 15, 2024

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

*Thanks Netgalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I really liked this book. I found the dynamics between characters was fun and interesting to see as the story progresses. Caruso’s writing style was fun to read and kept me engaged as I was reading it. I found that the story was filled with various characters that all had different personalities and I loved being able to experience them and see what they do with each passing chapter. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an entertaining fantasy novel with some interesting character who have a constantly developing relationship with one another.

Minor Works Of Meda by @juliette.caruso.author

This book was absolutely incredible! I simultaneously wanted to read it every minute of the day yet never have to finish it and end the journey. I love these characters so much. Meda is soft but strong at the same time, and though it is not explicitly mentioned, she is neurodivergent and I absolutely loved reading about this world and this story through her eyes. Oraik is someone I want to be my very best friend. I am obsessed with him. Kalcedon is the grumpiest grump who is secretly madly in love and so jealous. They will forever live in my heart and soul. They went on adventures of a lifetime together to save their world, while remaining so soft and lovely. This is a cozy-ish fantasy, light on the romance, and I think anyone who loves stories by Rebecca Ross would enjoy this as well. The ending was satisfying and perfect. The cover is stunning. The art and map are gorgeous. I loved every single thing. This will forever be a comfort story for me and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

Thank you to @netgalley and @victoryeditingngc for the arc!
Pub date: 7/15/24

I enjoyed the unique magic wielding, fun characters and cozy atmosphere in this book! I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between the FMC, Meda and her friend Oraik. Meda, as a character had a fresh feel to her than other characters I’ve read lately- a talented witch with no magic of her own. It was so interesting to read how she felt magic and craved it and her unique skill with it.

The aspects that I didn’t personally enjoy were the romance, which unfortunately took a lot out of it for me. I don’t enjoy bully romances and this felt in that vein with frequent name calling and insults. If that doesn’t bother someone, then I think there is a lot of enjoyment to be found, however, it wasn’t for me.

The pacing felt a little off at times and I noticed at times I was excited to read and didn’t want to put it down, and at others, I considered putting it down entirely. It may have been the moods I was in when I was reading, but it did detract from the read for me.

Overall, there were many things I enjoyed and really appreciated about this book! I felt like the writing/prose itself was great (descriptive and flowing) and I would absolutely read another by this author. Thank you so much to Juliette Caruso and NetGalley for an ARC of this book and an opportunity to read and give my honest review!

An enjoyable cozy fantasy that has quite a few good things going for it:

- older (30's) main character, who is smart, resourceful and talented, but struggles with self-esteem and has difficulties dealing with people outside of her immediate circle - a much more relatable FMC than the barely 20yo tiny great-at-everything not-like-other-girls type that is so common in fantasy genre now;

- a bright ray of sunshine that is Oraik - bless him, he became my favourite character the moment be showed up on the page

- very interesting world-building that had a lot of fun little details

The main reason why it is not a 5-star read for me is absolutely personal - the 'heartless' bit went on for a little too long. I get that Meda is quite oblivious to many things and it is in-character for her, but miscommunication is one of my least favourite tropes and this bit felt like an extension of it.

Overall, a fun, enjoyable and fast-paced read.

N.B. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading a few cozy books recently and this one sounded like another good one to get to!

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Meda. I thought that she was likeable for the most part, but definitely laid into Kalcedon a lot. I feel like him being upset with her in the beginning was justified. Their romance comes and goes throughout the book with them kissing real close to the beginning. There isn’t much development and it was a shame because I didn’t care about the romantic aspect of the book because of it. It could have been left out and still been good.

The mystery plot was a good one and it kept me engaged from the start of it! It popped off and I was really looking forward to seeing where things went. The later part of the book kind of gets sidetracked a bit and I think that is where I fell off again.

One thing that seems to be common for me with books that are labeled as cozy is that there isn’t a lot of world-building and I think that they could use a lot more.

Overall, this was a good book. I did like the author’s writing, but just needed a bit more in some areas.