This book had a lot of potential and just didn’t hit home the way I wished it had. There was so much going on with what I felt like not enough clear explanation that I felt confused during most of the book.
I loved the idea of the Joan’s and the Cathies and Tino was easily my favorite character just because he was a mess.

I still don’t understand the magic system or the full correlation with the war and what was going on now.

To me this book fell flat and was about 100 pages too long. I liked the characters and the overall plot. However I feel like the world building needed work and the magic system was incredibly vague. It felt like author knew all the rules but didn't want to inform the readers. The ending opens it up for a sequel where hopefully more can be explained

Thank you to the author, publishers, and NetGalley for the access to this e-book ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.75/5 stars

I really, really wanted to love this book. The theme is intriguing, the mystery had me in the beginning, and the possibilities were really there for this story. Unfortunately, this book was far, far too long and tried to achieve so many different aspects, which resulted in lack of depth in most. I enjoyed Bernie as a character but others fell flat. The world building didn’t feel as impactful as I expected, considering it is introduced as a historical fantasy. This is not necessarily a con for me, I just thought the time period would have more of a presence based on how it is described in the beginning. After I got to about 35% of the book, it felt more challenging to want to come back to this story and my engagement seriously floundered as I got to the end.

I enjoyed Linkhart’s writing style and I think this story/series has a lot of potential in the future. It’s clear the author has many interesting plot points and avenues to write about. I do enjoy the idea of mysteries set in a fantasy world and really believe this author can nail it with the future books. I do recommend folks picking it up if it sounds interesting to them because I think this is something a bit fresher in the genre as of late.

The First Degree Magic is dark, bloody, and full of demonic bargains. Set in an alternate 1927 Chicago, it follows Bernice Chandler, a knight of the Order of Joan. Bernice is investigating a string of ritualistic murders with the help of a weary detective and a bootlegging demi-demon. It’s a promising setup, and it mostly delivers.

Let’s start with the good. The setting is fantastic - Linkhart built a cool world where magic is an integral part of history and daily life. Bernice is a battle-hardened, no-nonsense heroine with a past full of ghosts (literally and figuratively), while Tino, the demi-demon gangster, brings charm, danger, and moral grayness. I loved their reluctant partnership.

Now, the rougher edges. The prose is sometimes beautifully immersive, sometimes trying way too hard. There are moments where the writing gets so dense that I had to hack my way through it. And for a book this long, the worldbuilding sometimes feels oddly thin. Chicago in this universe has a wildly different history, but outside of a few key details, it still reads like Generic Roaring Twenties City with Magic.

Anyway, I found The First Degree Magic worth a read. Fans of dark fantasy, capable heroines, and dangerous but charming demons should check it out.

First-Degree Magic centers a murder investigation against a really fascinating alternative history of Post-WWI Chicago and really interesting magic system. I loved the way the introduction hops right into setting up the world in a way that both fleshes out the setting and history and sort of gets it out of the way like a tv opening a la SVU or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (" I'll name me... 'Joan'" haha). The characters too, especially Bernie and Tino, are great characters with really interesting histories.

Overall, it felt like a lot of really great elements that I generally really love, but somehow when it was all put together, it just didn't quite click for me. I wanted more Bernie and the other Joans, I wanted more Tino- and more Bernie and Tino scenes-, and I wanted to care about (or at least consider) a possible relationship between Bernie and Donovan... and I just didn't.

However, because all of the elements were there and the world was so unique, I really think this could have just been a me problem and I would definitely recommend it to others, and I'm really interested in listening to "The Harrowing of Minerva Damson" to see if engaging with the world in podcast form might work better for me because it is a really interesting world and magic system.

Thank you NetGalley & Goblin Booth Productions for the ARC!

J.M. Linkhart’s First-Degree Magic is a gripping debut that blends historical urban fantasy with a murder mystery, set in an alternate 1920s Chicago. It drew me in with its richly detailed worldbuilding, compelling characters, and fast-paced plot.

The setting was a real highlight. Linkhart crafts a fascinating version of 1920s Chicago where magic is woven into daily life. I loved the inclusion of non-Christian magical traditions, which added depth and diversity to the world. The appendix at the back was a great touch, offering extra details on the book’s unique cultural elements.

The protagonist, Bernie (Bernice) Chandler, is a badass magical detective from the Order of St. Joan, a group of demon-slayers sworn to protect the city. Armed with a magic sword and a no-nonsense attitude, she felt like a mix of Buffy and Van Helsing, and I enjoyed following her journey. Her partnership with Jack Donovan, a magician working for the police, added another layer of tension. The police and the Joans have a complicated relationship, and Donovan himself is a layered character with secrets that unfold as the story progresses.

Then there’s Valentino Morandi, aka Tino, a powerful demi-demon and Chicago gangster. Tino is wealthy, charming, and dangerous, but his reality is more complicated. He’s magically bound to the city by the Order and is desperate to break free. His relationship with Joey, his right-hand man, gives insight into his past, making him sympathetic despite his criminal approach. As the plot unfolds, it turns out Tino and Donovan have shared history, which makes their present-day interactions even more tense and intriguing.

The book’s magic system is another great element, one that I've been thinking about since. The title First-Degree Magic gives a hint towards the layered nature of magic in this world, where different practitioners have varying levels of power, with demonic magic being especially dangerous. I loved the variety on display, from a baker who could scry using her dough to magical, compass-like artifact that gives instructions to find lost objects. However, the price of magic is steep, with many practitioners risking possession or corruption by demons.

The pacing of the story was excellent, with plenty of twists and tense moments. I enjoyed the historical vibes, and the author used great little details to embed me in the world. From Bernie’s beaded party dress to Tino’s gangster slang, everything felt authentic to the era. I found myself reading in extra sessions just to see what happened next.

That said, the final showdown left me a bit puzzled. The climax takes place in a building designed as a trap for Donovan, yet Bernie and Tino enter first, dealing with obstacles meant for him while he waits outside. It seemed odd that they didn’t at least attempt to bring him in sooner, especially since he does eventually join the action. The ending also felt abrupt, raising more questions than it answered. While this sets things up for a sequel, I wished for a bit more resolution.

Overall, First-Degree Magic is an excellent start to what I hope will be a series. The characters are complex, the setting is immersive, and the magic is fascinating. Despite some minor structural issues in the climax, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and will definitely be picking up the next book. If you’re a fan of something like Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series but want something with a roaring-twenties flair, this is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Netgalley and Goblin Booth Productions for a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I desperately want to like this. I’ve tried to read it multiple times. Every time, within five minutes, I put it down and go do something — anything — else. I think it’s the descriptions that are doing me in; a character puffed up while baking. Someone crowed a response. I’m finding the work usage so annoying I can’t actually pay attention to the characters or the story.

I may try again at a later point, because the premise is right up my alley, but for now, I’m having to put it down and move on.

Imagine a world where the Roaring Twenties are crackling with more than just jazz and bootlegged booze—where magic weaves through the streets of Chicago like cigarette smoke in a speakeasy. First-Degree Magic by J.M. Linkhart delivers exactly that, blending Prohibition-era grit with an undercurrent of supernatural intrigue. Think Boardwalk Empire meets The Dresden Files, with a dash of The Maltese Falcon for good measure.

At the heart of this spellbinding noir is Bernice Chandler, a Knight Maiden of the Order of Joan (yes, as in THAT Joan). She’s armed with a sword, a sharp mind, and a mission—tracking down a string of Tarot-themed murders that are just a little too infernal for comfort. Helping—or maybe just tolerating—her is Detective Jack Donovan, a man with more secrets than a backroom poker game, and Tino Morandi, a bootlegging demi-demon with a curse hanging over him like an unpaid bar tab. Together, they unravel a mystery that threatens to tip Chicago into a full-on supernatural turf war.

The worldbuilding here? Chef’s kiss. This isn’t just a story that happens to take place in the 1920s; Linkhart brings the era to life, from the clandestine jazz clubs to the smoky backrooms where deals (both mundane and magical) go down. The magic system is seamlessly woven into the setting, feeling like a natural part of the world rather than an overlay. It’s the kind of book where you can practically hear the clink of glasses and the distant notes of a saxophone while demons lurk in the shadows.

The characters are a motley crew of troublemakers, and I mean that in the best way. Bernice is tough but not invulnerable, Tino is the kind of roguish charmer you know is bad news but root for anyway, and Jack… well, Jack broods like it’s his full-time job. Their dynamic crackles with tension, banter, and just the right amount of reluctant camaraderie.

Now, if I had one bone to pick, it’d be that the pacing sometimes stumbles—like a flapper who’s had one too many sidecars. Some sections drag a little, and I found myself wishing for a slightly tighter edit. But honestly? The rich atmosphere and compelling mystery more than make up for it.

If you’re into historical fantasy with a noir twist, First-Degree Magic is worth the read. It’s stylish, immersive, and just the right amount of dangerous. So pour yourself a drink (preferably something illicit), step into the shadows, and prepare to be enchanted.

I really enjoyed this. The magic system and world is interesting, even if just hinted at rather than thoroughly explored. The characters and their history really drive the book and make it what it is. The mystery of the murders and investigation was interesting, and I was along for the ride rather than trying to solve it myself -- that's not really the vibe of this book, I feel. You're not given the pieces to do so, it's more watching the way the characters interact around it. The chemistry between the characters was the only issue to me. It made sense to me and I enjoyed what it developed into, though I didn't necessarily feel it naturally on the page until the very last conflict. A lot of threads are left hanging and a sequel set up, explaining (view spoiler) I'll be interested in reading it and continuing in this world and watching how especially the antagonistic friendships grow.

Thanks to Netgalley and Goblin Booth Productions for an ARC copy of this book.

I loved the cover so much of this book that I needed to get my hands on it to read it! The plot seemed really interesting and I couldn't wait to dive into it. The characters were really interesting and the plot hooked me from the get go. The magic system was minimal, and the world building definitely could have used some time to really flesh itself out!


There is definitely room for the characters and story to continue growing, so hopefully there is more to come that can fully realize the potential of the story and where it could go!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

This one was a little fun. It took me a bit to get fully invested into the story but ultimately it was a good time.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I feel like this was both too long for the story yet lacking the depth and world building I was hoping for after reading the synopsis. There were several major questions I had while reading that went and unanswered, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of how some of then important plot info was revealed. The slow burn romance subplot gelt very forced as well.

I liked Bernie and the Order of Joans, but I wish we saw more interaction and relationships with her sisters of the order. I am so glad that Bernie was written both consistently and logically because nothing makes me more mad than when a fmc who is supposed to be smart and capable makes dumb mistakes. I did find the little bit of history given in regards to the sorcerer’s effort during the Great War super interesting, I just wish there was more of the history woven throughout the story.

All in all, this felt like a typical paranormal fantasy but it had the bones to be so much more, and I’m interested in seeing how Linkhart defines the world building and plot info the future.

This is my first read from J.M. Linkhart. I have to say I did enjoy this book, many concepts about this world I found to be interesting and definitely up my alley as a fantasy and graphic novel reader.

The story is set in a fictional 1920's Chicago that has magic, demons, ghosts and tarot-style murders (one of the most intriguing parts of the story for me, personally). It is still a world that has police (magic ones), gangsters, and noire crime. We follow different characters, most of which we don't find out a lot about but I hope there are more books to come out and continue this story.

Bernice Chandler (my favorite character) is a knight of the Order of Joan trying to investigate a ritual murder while dealing with recurring dreams of an angel and a ghost haunting her. Bernice partners with Jack Donovan, a detective with a dark past, tasked to also solve the murder case while trying to avoid his past coming to light. Another major character is Valentino (Tino) Morandi, a cursed demi-demon with ties to the Order of Joan (white knights). And when I say ties, I mean literally, he cannot leave unless he can find a final item to free himself from the order - so helping with the murder case may present a means to do so.

The mythology, magic, and world building of this book were so exciting, I really enjoyed it. That being said, there were many times in the book where 1920's styles were referenced and other times where I forgot completely that this book was set at a certain time period. The action and mystery reminded me of a TV show, and the finale I could very much picture as a series finale. I do wish we spent more with the characters getting to know them and build more character development. I would still recommend this read!

Fantasy mystery crime thriller, somewhat gruesome in places, Police, gangsters and the Joan’s - the female magic police. Gruesome murders means demons, but may be the darkest demons are of human ilk. Bernice is a Joan charged with solving the crimes. She has a haunting past that drives her. Some of which we are shown, but there seems so much more to that story. There’s a lot going on action wise, though it sometimes feels a little repetitive. I also found myself thinking what can happen that’s going to take another quarter of the book. But the author fills that very well indeed. Thank you to Goblin Booth Productions and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I had the opportunity to read this book via Netgalley, and I was not disappointed. From the first page I was all-in. If magical realism, urban fantasy, and historical fiction are your vibe - this book is worth a read. I enjoyed the story and the world building - but there were some questions left unanswered that seemed unnecessary. I also felt the book danced around the villain a bit too much - I liked the challenge of figuring out who was the bad guy and at the same time felt one too many storylines were in play. For me, this did not detract from fully enjoying this story and looking forward to seeing the author evolve more in the next book, but it did make the book drag out a bit longer than necessary.

I also loved the Order of Joans - and all the potential this idea has going forward. One thing I wish there had been more of was the relationships between the main character Bernie and the sisters in her Order. They felt too much like background characters and it seems like there could be some real depth to that history.

Just - so many unanswered questions. I look forward to seeing if they get resolved in the next story.

I liked a lot of things about First-Degree Magic. I was really hoping for Carnival Row meets The Tainted Cup except with paranormal creatures and magic instead of fae, but I felt like it had a bit of missed potential.

For one thing the book was longer than it needed to be. I frequently found myself having to push through the story as it was heavy on police procedural and magic system descriptions, which I usually find boring, and light on character development and worldbuilding. I wanted the mystery to be a little more twisty with less obvious misdirection and I predicted the killer early.

I liked Bernie's character the best, a fearless knight from the Order of Joans who has an interesting back story. Her back story just sort of dribbled off though and didn't factor much into the plot. I loved her friendship with the demi-demon Tino and their grudging respect for each other. I felt her slow-burn romance with the mysterious occultist police officer was forced and I liked them better as friends. I did like the history of the war effort and the use of sorcerers, and how this factors into the mystery and touches the characters' lives.

For such a long book I think I just wanted more worldbuilding. This was a thrilling gaslamp universe with an intriguing alternate timeline but it could have been set anywhere in historical America the way it was written. I wanted more color, at least more vivid descriptions of food and cultural traditions. Instead it was a typical paranormal fantasy. More about that unique world and how that affected the characters would have made this 4 stars for me... and a less predictable mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The premise of this story was very interesting to me – occult business in the 1920s. I did enjoy that element of the story quite a lot and would have liked to explore it further. It was an interesting take, and it felt new and fresh in the genre, in a way.

Thanks to NetGalley + Goblin Booth Productions for the free e-Arc of this book!

Overall, I felt that First-Degree Magic had a ton of intriguing elements: a unique magical world and society, a plucky POC character that acts consistently/logically, as well as endearing morally grey characters. It was written pretty well and had a lot of great, creative twists that drew on a diverse background of mythology and witchcraft.

While those elements kept me going throughout the story, I couldn't help but feel that the ending left something to be desired. It left many questions unanswered and made for an unsatisfying conclusion. It felt like half the major questions were never answered and the ways in which crucial information was revealed was a bit confusing at points - to the point where I felt lost and had to go back to figure out what they were talking about. I also wished it would've immersed me in the world a little better. I kept forgetting it was supposed to be set in the 1920's and when it was finally brought up I was a bit startled by it.

3/5 because although it left me a bit frustrated, it was only because it was setup to be something so good. I'd be interested to see what else could come of this world/magical society!

This was the first time I think I’ve really really enjoyed an urban fantasy and finished it in one sitting. I loved the characters! They are chocked full of my favorite tropes. Don’t even get me started on the monster. Scary scary! The plot was fast paced and well written. Loved this one and can’t wait for the next big thing from this author!

Thank you to J. M. Linkhart, Goblin Booth Productions, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The concept of this book intrigued me and the book cover art is beautiful! The characterisation was mostly great, the alternative historical scene was fascinating, and the world-building was solid. I just felt that it could have been edited down a little more, which sometimes made the pace drag a little. A solid 4 stars with a few tweaks.