The Witchkin Murders

I received a free copy of THE WITCHKIN MURDERS (Magicfall: Book 1) by Diana Pharaoh Francis in exchange for an honest review. Magicfall brought the return of magic to the world and a war between the magical witchkin and the humans. The war is now over, and the magical and nonmagical people reside uneasily together in this strange new post-apocalyptic world. Prejudice is rampant, and police assistance is only available to the nonmagical. Kayla was a police detective before Magicfall; afterward, she had to quit because she was affected by magic and would no longer be considered human. For four years, Kayla avoided law enforcement and trouble by keeping mostly to herself and by scavenging for now-scarce commodities in areas now consumed by wild magic. However, trouble and police involvement crash down on Kayla when she stumbles over a black magic sacrifice and can’t keep herself from calling Ray, her former partner. As Kayla and Ray work together to solve one mystery, they learn Portland will soon be destroyed if they can’t stop the perpetrator. Since the world’s at risk, can Kayla and Ray put the past behind them, share their secrets, and work together again?

This was a pretty good story. I’d classify this as an urban fantasy romance. Though there isn’t any actual sex in the book, there are a lot of fantasies and some explicit discussion of body parts affected by lust. Though my personal preference would be that the fantasies and such just be acknowledged and not detailed, that is my own taste. I would recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy law enforcement investigations, to fans of romance with a supernatural theme, and to fans of Diana Pharaoh Francis.

#TheWitchkinMurders #NetGalley

[Review published on Goodreads under the name Kavanagh]

One (incoherent) sentence: OOOH SHIT MAGICAL POWERS GIRL DANG

I'm wow-ed by the world author Diana Pharaoh Francis created in the Witchkin Murders. The world building is done really well, author Diana did a thorough job with it. If you're into books set in a magical version of our reality, this book is right up your alley!

Unfortunately, i have a dislike for the MC's love interest. The way he behaved didn't sit right with me and so, i couldn't feel much for the romance.

Overall, it's a pretty solid read with brilliant plot, loved the inclusion of other cultural folklores than the really common ones. This book is set to be released on the 4th of June, would reccomend a read!

4 stars

A very good book, engaging and entertaining. I loved the world building, the cast of characters and the plot.
I look forward to reading the next book.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This novel was an excellent read to start the series! So much action and mystery, involving murders and magic. The author draws you into this new world. Magicfall occurred four years ago, and some people developed special abilities and powers. This did not sit well with the humans. Kayla is one of those people, who had to leave a job she loved because of her own transformation that she could not control. Her partner, Ray, felt betrayed by her sudden leaving, but he was keeping secrets of his own. Kayla reaches out to Ray after she discovers several witchkin murdered. Their meeting after four years does not go that smoothly, but they will put aside their issues to focus on the crime committed. However, humans do not get involved with witchkin. A kidnapping of a powerful family hits Kayla close to home and Ray is the lead detective. This leads them on a hunt for the killers and each discovering more abilities about their own transformations and their connections to the powerful gods and deities of the past. I am cannot wait to read the next novel in the series!

This is an awesome book. The world building is great. I can't wait to read what comes next!. #TheWitchkinMurders #NetGalley

Magic, secrets and of course murder fuel the plot of this story that's set in a somewhat alternative world. The last thing Kayla needs is her ex partner getting wind of why she really quit the force but the universe is certainly having a lot of fun at her expense. First it gave her the worst family imaginable, then it decided to turn her into a Monster and now it's got Kayla working with Ray on a case again only this time would you believe there are godly tantrums to sort out ?
I really liked the world building going on here with lots of mystery to keep me turning the pages. Kayla is one tough cookie and can really take care of herself but at times she truly walked around blinkered. Ray simply confused me. The Ray we meet knows that he's desperate to be with Kayla but the Ray he was when he worked with her wasn't really interested as he had a lover. So his constant thoughts about what I will politely describe as his honeymoon tackle just felt forced.
Now you've probably noticed I'm not saying too much about the plot. Well simply it's perhaps slower initially than I wanted but then we get information about Kaylas family which frankly I wanted more of. Bad things keep happening though and Kayla and Ray are in the thick of it which means Ray discovers the secret that Kayla has struggled to kept hidden . The twist is that they both have not been honest and in this biased society it's high time for change.
So why only a four ? Well the big explanation at the end felt too convoluted to me . I liked that the future for Ray and Kayla not to mention the other Witchkin looked more promising and I can see great potential for this series. It s just that the last chapter introduced a character who I honestly am nonplussed by but hopefully the next book will expand these ideas.

I’ve been a fan of this author for a few years. I haven’t read everything she’s written as not everything appeals to me. When I saw this new series, I jumped at the chance to read it as it is just what I love. I was not disappointed. Great writing, intriguing characters, and an interesting plot make up this series starter. I love the way thing progressed in the story, and I am really looking forward to seeing more with the formation of something that happened at the end. And, speaking of the end, it threw me a little with a lot of romance (I don’t want to spoil the ending so I can’t say much) when I felt the book was more about the murders and the world. That’s not a bad thing, just a little confusing as the rest of the book didn’t focus so much on it. I do want to learn more about Kayla’s family and what happens now with everything that happens. I am really looking forward to more. Check it out if you like urban fantasy. Highly recommend, and I received a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

The Witchkin Murders
(Magicfall Book 1)
by Diana Pharaoh Francis 

Kindle Edition, 354 pages
Expected publication: June 7th 2019 by Bell Bridge Books


Goodreads synopsis:
Four years ago, my world—the world—exploded with wild magic. The cherry on top of that crap cake? The supernatural world declared war on humans, and my life went straight to hell.
I used to be a detective, and a damned good one. Then Magicfall happened, and I changed along with the world. I’m witchkin now—something more than human or not quite human, depending on your perspective. To survive, I’ve become a scavenger, searching abandoned houses and stores for the everyday luxuries in short supply—tampons and peanut butter. Oh, how the mighty have fallen, but anything’s better than risking my secret. 

Except, old habits die hard. When I discover a murder scene screaming with signs of black magic ritual, I know my days of hiding are over. Any chance I had of escaping my past with my secret intact is gone. Solving the witchkin murders is going to be the hardest case of my life, and not just because every second will torture me with reminders of how much I miss my old life and my partner, who hates my guts for abandoning the department.

But it’s time to suck it up, because if I screw this up, Portland will be wiped out, and I’m not going to let that happen. Hold on to your butts, Portland. Justice is coming, and I don’t take prisoners.


***

5 Stars

This is the first book in the Magicfall series. The author is a new one for me and I was not disappointed. Awesome stuff lives in these pages. I realized later that I had another of the author’s books in my Kindle Library (THE CIPHER). So, I may be reaching for that one soon hoping it is as stellar as this one.

This book has a pretty interesting magic system. I used to wonder what people meant when they said that, and this book really schooled me on magic systems and what they truly mean. Basic premise: one day life was normal. The next day some Gods decided that keeping the magical folks of the Earth suppressed was not good. Thus began the war between the Witchkin and the Humans. Witchkin is another name for magical folk. During Magicfall a lot of normal humans changed into other things, witches, mages, technomages, shifters, etc. The whole merging of technology and magic was a very cool concept.

The story is pretty much about two detectives. One became a witch but hid his powers. One became a shifter, or a monster as she came to refer to herself. This is the story of what happens after they meet again four years later after Magicfall. They had been the closest of friends, partners on the force. When Kayla finds three Witchkin murdered and calls Ray to investigate he knows there could be a problem. The human world doesn’t think Witchkin are worthy to protect and serve. The police only protect humans. The Witchkin are little better than vermin. Ray does investigate even though he can’t do it officially. He does it for Kayla.

This book was fascinating. I was enthralled by Kayla and how she dealt with what Magicfall had done to her. She was barely coping. Ray was the same way. He had magic he didn’t know how to control. And being a detective and a witch was not actually playing by the police rules. They each struggled with who they were without the other. They were both hurt and suffering. Being away from each other had cost them immensely in many ways. The Witchkin Murders drew them together.

The book is kind of epic. It has great scope. And I wasn’t sure The title Witchkin Murders did it justice. The title is true but doesn’t quite seem to fit. I would have loved to see a morphed version of Kayla on the cover transforming from the Blue and Gold Water Dragon to her normal human form and Ray with his detective’s badge, magic flowing around it. I don’t have an idea for a new title. But I think Magicfall might have been a better choice.

I am completely invested in this world. I love all the characters, maybe not Dix, but everyone else. Like I said, it was fascinating. I don’t read a lot of fantasy but when they paired it with detectives all the little bells in my head were screaming Yes, Yes, Yes!

This isn’t going to be everyone’s speed. But if you like to read great characterization, conflict and resolution then you need to read this. My highest recommendation.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Amazing book! My eyes are blurred from not being able to put it down. The intricately detailed and designed world is beyond words. This is the first book by this author I have had the pleasure of reading but it definitely won't be the last. The story is built around Kayla. Her past, her family, her state of being propels this book into epic fantasy. A truly great book!

Read one of Diana Pharaoh Francis's other series way back when and vaguely remember enjoying it so was happy to get re-acquainted with her. I loved this! There was a lovely "slow-burn" on everything! Not only the romance but learning more about Kayla and her life before and after the magicfall. Francis really knows how to keep you turning the pages. Loved Ray also!! Can't wait to see what happens with the next installment!!

The Witchkin Murders is my introduction to this author's works and it hit the spot for a supernatural craving. Magic hit and turned the world to crap as the Witchkin went to war with humans. Many of the humans found themselves changed including our heroine of this story, Kayla. Kayla is a monster and she gave up her life as she knew it to hide the fact. A series of Witchkin murders puts her in the path of her former partner Ray. Witchkin are considered less than human and thus below notice of the human police. But something big is brewing and Kayla and Ray will both give up their secrets to save the city that they swore to protect. Interesting and unique, the story twists and turns with a little romance to spice things up for one satisfying fantasy read rich in myths and imagination. (On a side note, I really hope this is a new series and not a one off because I need to know what happens next.) My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

I received a free copy for an honest review from Netgalley.

This is not the first book by this author I’ve read. I liked the voice and attitudes of the characters in the previous two series’ i’ve read, and this definitely does not disappoint. Like her other books, this is an alternate history- magic came and literally exploded out; changing the landscape and fabric of humanity.
Before, Kayla was a decorated detective, partnered with Ray, and disappeared from the force after Magicfall. According to the history in the book, there was war and species tensions after.
The plot for this is twofold- there’s personal mysteries to sort out, and a kidnapping to solve. There’s too much tied up to go much farther than that, but the plot moves along well, and there’s intelligent introspection the these characters- there are no unrealistic personal issues or rampant senseless stupidity to make a situation or part of the story work. These are just good solid real characters that make you want to read, and root for them.
This was a good mash up of religions and mythologies, and brought some new ones that haven’t really been used yet in fantasy yet. I’m really excited for this series, and hope to read many more in the future.

If you liked the Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson or Hidden Legacy series I think you’d like this as well.

I really liked this urban fantasy about an ex-cop who teams ups with her former partner to solve a series of murders in a Portland transformed by a magical apocalypse.

The weakest part of the story is the romance between the two leads, Kayla and Ray. It’s of the “I want him/her, but they can’t possibly want me, so I’ll just keep it a secret” variety. That’s fine as a starting point, but when both characters come back to that thought again and again over the course of the book, it gets to be a bit much for me. Just talk to each other, you idiots! Luckily, they finally do talk, so that particular brand of angst won’t get dragged out any further.

What really makes the novel is the worldbuilding, which is terrific. Basically, the world as we know it has been transformed by wild magic loosed upon it by powerful supernatural beings. Technology only works because some humans became technomages able to integrate magic and tech. Other people died or were altered in strange ways. Now the remaining nonmagical folk live in uneasy peace with the “witchkin”—witches, shifters, and other creatures who aren’t remotely human. The variety of these characters and the weird magical world they live in leaves a lot of room for creative storytelling in future volumes.

Enough plotlines were left open at the end that sequels seem likely, and I’m in! If you like urban fantasy, do yourself a favor and give this book a try.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

First and foremost, I want to say I ADORED this book. Excellent original premise that isn't overdone, fantastic plot and good pacing - with one issue, which plagues a lot of authors in my opinion.......

For a good part of the book, it feels like the author couldn't decide if she was writing an urban fantasy or romance novel. I'm sorry, but the "OMG we're about to die - and WHY can't I get his rock hard abs out of my head" is ridiculous to me, and took away quite a bit from whats was times of great momentum, broken by inappropriate "lust". Now to be fair, some readers like this, but I'm not one of them. Give me the sexual tension, in appropriate places in the story and for G'd's sake, lets NOT drag it out for chapter after chapter? I like a little more realism in my urban fantasy, particularly in what are going to be the main characters.

Wasn't sure how much I was going to like this book - but wow! Loved it! Loved the plot and the characters. Can't wait to read more - know there will be many at more store interested in this one!

A good start to this new series by Diana Pharaoh Francis. I liked the characters and the world building and will look to read more.

Awesome story, much different then I usually read. This is a story about Kayla who is not quiet what you see, and Ray her ex- partner who has some of his own secrets. Kayla is an ex-detective who stumbles upon a murder, not your ordinary murder. It leads her on an adventure full of danger and a witch, a god or 2 and and is it love? Well you will have to read the book! Did I mention a dragon?

This book was read as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a great book , I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend to everyone.

The world exploded with wild magic and the supernatural world declared war on humans and Kayla life went straight to hell. She used to be a detective and now she’s witchkin and a scavenger trying to hide her secret. But any chance she had of escaping her past and keeping her secret disappears when she discovers a murder scene that screams whit signs of black magic ritual. She has to work with her old partner who hates her for abandoning the department and if she screws this up, Portland will be wiped out.

This new urban fantasy screams suspense and magic and while most of the story doesn’t have a lot of romance per say, it does hint at the possibility of a romantic feelings between Kayla and old partner Ray. The chemistry burns hot and heavy throughout the story as they clash, sending sparks flying in every direction. The relationship is chock full of emotional upheaval due to secrets that stem from what happened when magic fell. These two strong, bold characters along with strong supportive characters easily draw readers into their story as they struggle to come to terms with working together again and with how they really feel.

Readers can’t stop reading very fast paced and suspenseful story that is full of stunning twists that change everything in this post-apocalyptic world full of wild magic and monsters where the divide between humans and supernaturals is boiling over the top. Unique elements and a wonderfully descriptive futuristic setting makes it easy for readers to imagine so they really can’t help but this energetic and stunning read.

When Kayla Reese quit the force in the wake of Magicfall, she was hiding something. The return of magic to the world gave her a gift, or maybe a curse, that would only hurt the people she cared about. Better to leave on her own terms, better to walk away, better to abandon her friends than be branded a monster - the enemy - be hunted by her coworkers. When she wanders into a crime scene, she is forced to face her past and embrace her gifts if she has any hope of saving her friends and the city she calls home.

Witchkin Murders was a fun urban fantasy novel with a mystery twist. I spent a lot of time wondering what Kayla's other form was since the reveal comes quite late in the story. The other characters are also well rounded. I look forward to the second book.

As with every book I've read by this author the world building is top notch. The characters were engaging and full fleshed out, they read as real people and not flat or two-dimensional. The storyline was very interesting and hooked me from the beginning, I really enjoyed it and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

*Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

When the Guardians rose up, tired of the magical community living in hiding from the humans, they brought forth magic and war to the humans. But many people who thought that they were just simple humans had hidden powers brought forth as well, causing them to be altered in surprising ways, even at times losing their human shapes. Kayla is one of the altered ones, leaving behind her past as a police officer to instead scavenge and attempt to get a hold of her unwelcome new abilities. But it seems like the past can't leave Kayla behind, instead dragging her into a murder investigation that brings both sides of her life into conflict.

I have been a super fan of Diana's ever since I discovered her urban fantasy series Diamond City Magic and I have been keeping an eye out for a new world from her. I was so excited when I discovered The Witchin Murders was coming out, which sounded exactly like what I needed in my life. The world that Diana created was really interesting, almost like a mix of post turn Atlanta from the Kate Daniels' series where an event triggered humans to turn into something other with out any real reason or desire, mixed with the dystopian feel of the Diamond City Magic series, where crime and corruption run rampant. I really liked what was created here, I was able to be completely submerged in the world, never able to predict what would pop out next, keeping em on my toes.

The story is narrated by two different characters, Kayla and Ray, both which have secrets and are involved in crime solving. Kayla gave up everything about her life to try to get a grip on her personal changes, distancing herself from the job and the people she loved, but now she has come across a murder that the police won't touch since the victims are hot of the human variety, making her the only person who can help the magical community. I spent a good majority of the book trying to guess what Kayla was now but I can tell you my guesses did not do her justice. Ray on the other hand has kept everything about his life the same- even though his secret could change that. He has spent the last four years since the change hating Kayla for running away, but really he felt abandoned and hurt. Can I just mention that while this is an urban fantasy/police procedural story, it is also every bit the romance I like to see as well? Yep, there is some unresolved feelings between the two former partners and boy was it fun to watch unfold.


I am so glad that this is a series because I am not ready to say goodbye to the characters or the complicated, dangerous world, but it is really nice that the story seemed to wrap up and not leave the reader hanging. I am a fan of Diana's writing and I can't wait until I can back to the Magicfall world.

Title: The Witchkin Murders (Magicfall Book One)

Publisher: BelleBooks Inc

Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis

Pages: 288pp

Price: $17.95 / $7.99

Magic returned to the world, and it came back with a vengeance. Gods, fae, dryads, shapeshifters, witches, and many others -- most in hiding for millennia, others newly-created with the upswell in magic -- made war against humanity, hoping to wipe out the infestation that was destroying the world. But humanity had it's own weapons: technology, and the technomages whose own powers unexpectedly blossomed. The war crawled to a standstill, and an uneasy truce was reached .... And so it is in Portland, the landscape remade, the people traumatized, but getting on with their lives. Among the survivors are Kayla Reece and Ray Garza, once partners in the Portland police department. But when Magicfall came, Kayla was transformed into ... something. It took her years to learn to control the change. And Ray ... well ... he has secrets of his own related to Magicfall. But now someone is killing witchkin all over Portland, and the dryads and witches are demanding that Kayla put a stop to it. Additionally, Ray has been saddled with a politically tricky kidnapping. When the two cases unexpectedly dovetail, the former partners find themselves reluctantly working together, racing to save the city they both love ... and one another ....

Wowza, where to start. Okay, first, I love the world-building here. Francis does a terrific job of describing a remade Portland, from the abandoned buildings to the salvaging to the sentient forests and glass mountains to the burgeoning toilet paper manufacturing industry (really, do not under-estimate the importance of toilet paper in a post-collapse society). Humanity has done its best to maintain the previous level of civilization, including transportation, agriculture, and technology. For the most part, small pockets have succeeded in doing so, but they are isolated: there is no longer a national government or an internet, but the technomages are working on a magical version of an inter-city computer network.

In the wake of the war, there is also (understandable) prejudice on both sides. The Portland police are technically only supposed to investigate human-on-human or witchkin-on-human crime. Witchkin are not considered human (even those who were changed during Magicafall), and are barely tolerated by the human-dominated citizenry. Healing has begun, though, if only slowly. And it turns out that Kayla and Ray are the key to bringing together the people of Portland.

Well, eventually. I have the feeling that's going to take a few books.

As for Kayla and Ray: they are great characters. Kayla comes from a wealthy, but abusive, background. As a result, she grew up tough and extremely protective of others. Ray is dedicated and intelligent and hates the current state of affairs in Portland; but only with Kayla's reappearance in his life does he begin to see a way out of it. Together, they make just the sort of team who can take on the Big Bad which is coming to wreck havoc.

Happily, the polytheism in the books is quite explicit. As the witch Raven notes:

You are aware that the gods of most of the religions of the world actually exist? [....] From Zeus to Jesus to Quetzlcoatl and everything in between. They all exist [....].

At another point, fellow witch Sarah says, "There are and have been many divine beings in this world. Some are small gods, some are powerful deities."

And that is where Kayla comes in. But to say more would spoil the surprise. Suffice to say, there is more than one pantheon at work in Portland.

(Speaking of Kayla, please ignore the cover. She does not dress or pose like that. She wears very practical scavenger clothing.)

The Witchkin Murders is a terrific addition to the growing corpus of polytheist-friendly urban fantasy/paranormal romance, and I can't wait to read the next book. There are Deities aplenty, magical species, technomages, witches and covens, and heroes fighting the good fight because someone has to save the day. Recommended to fans of Ilona Andrews, Zoe Archer, Clara Coulson, Jolene Dawe, and Helen Harper.

I received an ARC from net galley in exchange for a honest review.

A really nice foray into urban fantasy. Really has the potential to become a great series.

I reminded me a lot of the Kate Daniels Series. I plan to read more of this author in the future.

Diane Pharaoh Francis “The Witchkin Murders – Magicfall” is a great addition to the paranormal urban fantasy oeuvre. Francis knows how to write interesting stories and this “kitchen sink” urban fantasy successfully melds the paranormal, post-apocalyptic, romance and detective genres in the first in a new series about a much changed world after Magicfall and the Witchwar. The world erupted in a cataclysm, magic was strewn around affecting a vast slice of people. Magical creatures have come out of closet and a war was fought prior to the start of the novel. Now humans and the magical creatures live in an uneasy peace, both needing each other. But some humans have gained powers as well and have stayed hidden. But the time for hiding for one of them has ended.

Kayla Reese is an ex-cop, who quit the force four years ago when magic caused her transformation into something else. Her ex-partner Ray Garza is still on the force. When Kayla left the force abruptly, without revealing the reasons, Ray erupted on her hurt and shocked. They have not talked since then, although Garza has been spying on Kayla.

On Kayla' way back into town, she stumbles onto the remnants of a murder scene. Three witchkin shifters have been gruesomely killed and staked out in a park. Kayla calls Ray to have him investigate. The police arrive in force, but are reluctant to investigate. The witchkin are not their jurisdiction.

But it seems across town another crime has occurred, two prominent citizens have been kidnapped, and they were secretly witches with familial ties to Kayla. Now Kayla and Ray are forced to work together to investigate both the murders and kidnappings. And we also learn that Ray has been having problems with Kayla leaving the police force because he had emotional feelings for her, feelings that have become harder to hide. Now they will be forced to work together and face their feelings.

Soon enough we learn that Kayla can transform into a 35 foot long magical sea dragon and that Ray has been hiding that he has magic.

Francis expertly doles out the revelations slowly about Kayla’s powers not wanting to give away the store in one big gulp, but there is much more to Kayla and these Witchkin murders than we first suspect.

There are big players involved, gods have come to town and are engaged in murder as the preliminary steps in a god war, which it will be up to Kayla, Ray and some witches to stop.
While the novel builds a little slowly through the first few chapters, there is plenty of action to go around. These detective magical mashups are like quest novels, with the investigation, impelling the action forward like the traditional quest. Kayla will soon have to learn to harness her powers and Ray will have to confess his feelings and his magical skills.

I know that Francis has won a few awards for Romance novels, but I thought the Romance angle was a little overdone. But liked the magic confrontation as Kayla comes into her powers and understands her new place in this world. The ending fight has all of the best elements of fantasy magical battles, and the characters and story are rock solid.

Definitely worth a read. Cannot wait for the next.

Witches, mages, and Gods. Oh my! Great characters with an exciting new world to explore. Action, mystery, and romance kept me glued to my ereader. The Witchkin Murders is the first book I’ve read by Diana Pharaoh Francis and definitely won’t be my last! I’m looking forward to more in the series!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Diana Pharoah Francis introduces the Magicfall series with The Witchkin Murders. Wild magic reentered and reshaped the world at Magicfall. Kayla has become a shapechanger and quit the police force and her detective partner. She changes into what she thinks is a monster, but is the form of a protective river spirit. Kayla and Ray, her former partner, reunite to track the kidnapper of her grandmother and aunt. Spirited paranormal police procedural.

A great read, definitely not what a I expected from the outset. Loved this world, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Excellent start to a new series. Lots going on but the author kept it going with the pace at a high level. Very enjoyable, well done.

Overall, a very enjoyable, if occasionally formulaic urban fantasy story, featuring a murder investigation and many mysteries to be solved. The world building is excellent, and the characters well developed.

Magicfall ripped apart the world as it was. Kayla, like many, was transformed - not a fact she could hide from her colleagues on the police force, so she quit precipitously. When she encounters a triple murder several years later, she contacts her former partner Ray. That case quickly tangles with another that reveals some of Kayla's secrets and forces the two to continue working together. And Ray, too, has his own giant secret.

Gods, shape shifting into non-standard shapes, magic from multiple traditions - there's really nothing not to like here! I'm also a HUGE fan of what Kayla is and LOVE LOVE LOVE that she comes to better accept herself by the end.

I will note, for those picking it up for the romance angle, there is a fair amount of mutual pining and lusting and a bit of making out at the end, but no sex. Understandable, given how much action is in the book, but given that it's categorized as both romance and sci-fi/fantasy, figured it was worth a mention.

I didn't realize this was a spin off series. I highly recommend you read the other one first. While I was confused at some points, excellent world building made it so I didn't get lost. The characters are complex and intriguing as they are still developing. And while this story was resolved, the next one was set up nicely. I was sucked in quickly and wasn't ready for the book to end.

Wow! This was so good. This was a fascinating world with amazing characters.

Magicfell was an explosion of magic that revitalized and unleashed magic upon the world. Old creatures came back to life and some humans found they were no longer human. Kayla, a ex-cop, left the force right after magicfall when she realized she was a shifter. Four years later she comes across a magical murder and calls in her old partner, Ray, to investigate.

I really loved all the characters in this book. Kayla was strong, powerful, and was born to be a cop. I really loved her shifted side. It was very unique and mysterious. Ray a good cop who is really stubborn. He knows he messed up with Kayla and is trying to fix their relationship, and take it further. I really enjoyed their struggle to overcome their past and have a future relationship.

I can't wait to read the next book.

*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*

Set in a slightly alternative world, magic has made things difficult for some. Kayla is a former cop who left the field due to magic transforming her into a monster. She left everything behind, including her former partner, Ray. Kayla is forced back into her old life when she stumbles on the bodies of some local witchkins. Things only get more complicated from there. Now Kayla is dealing with witches, family drama, gods and her strong feelings for Ray. What is a girl to do but to fight back against those that try to hold her down.
I liked the world building in this book. The ending did feel a bit rushed to me. I am interested in what the future has in store for Kayla and Ray.

I've always enjoyed Diana Pharaoh Francis and the new Magicfall series doesn't disappoint! It did start out a bit slow but world building takes time lol - look forward to more with Kayla and Ray. Thank you NetGalley.

BOOK BLURB


Four years ago, my world—the world—exploded with wild magic. The cherry on top of that crap cake? The supernatural world declared war on humans, and my life went straight to hell.

I used to be a detective, and a damned good one. Then Magicfall happened, and I changed along with the world. I’m witchkin now—something more than human or not quite human, depending on your perspective. To survive, I’ve become a scavenger, searching abandoned houses and stores for the everyday luxuries in short supply—tampons and peanut butter. Oh, how the mighty have fallen, but anything’s better than risking my secret.

Except, old habits die hard. When I discover a murder scene screaming with signs of black magic ritual, I know my days of hiding are over. Any chance I had of escaping my past with my secret intact is gone. Solving the witchkin murders is going to be the hardest case of my life, and not just because every second will torture me with reminders of how much I miss my old life and my partner, who hates my guts for abandoning the department.

But it’s time to suck it up, because if I screw this up, Portland will be wiped out, and I’m not going to let that happen. Hold on to your butts, Portland. Justice is coming, and I don’t take prisoners.

About the Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis is the acclaimed author of a dozen novels of fantasy and urban fantasy. Her books have been nominated for the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award and RT’s Best Urban Fantasy. The Witchkin Murders is the first book in her exciting new urban fantasy series—Magicfall.

Visit her at dianapfrancis.com, and find her on Facebook.

My Thoughts


Featuring main female character who is now a scavenger who used to be a highly effective police detective.

However the world changed four years ago when supernatural world declared war on humans, changing somewhat more significantly for Kayla Reese then she was ever prepared for or expected.

Now Portland, Oregon is the scene of some horrifically staged murders showing signs of black magic rituals.

For our heroine main character solving the witchkin murders become her obsessive focus, not only because she herself is now one of the members of this race designation but also because the Human Police Force are not going to care at that point of her discovery.

Reuniting with her former and now estranged partner, Ray Garza is both a blessing and a curse for Kayla.

This first book of course set up the characters, events and world those events shaped for it's myriad human and non-human inhabitants and was for the most part even-keeled and easy to follow.

It did have a few glitches for me as felt like some of the conflicting emotions from the female/male leads was drawn out a tad too long, along with a few other inconsistencies that disrupted the flow here and there but overall did not detract much for me in the end resulting product.

Only had the pleasure prior to this first foray into newest offering of reading the Horngate Witches series, which is in a different league for me.

The Witchkin Murders and Magicfall event consequences are neither lessor nor better, just more heavy Fantasy oriented than expected as billed as more Urban Fantasy genre.

Having read for last four days am now done and would not mind in the least continuing with the series when other books become available from authors publisher as this first one ended at a very provocative point in the ending.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

A truly amazing novel. It includes mystery, character, magic, a little romance, and a lot of intrigue.

There are multiple layers to this story, and there is a feeling of a fully formed world one in which a lot more could hopefully be explored. The richness of this story led me to read straight through and I think it'll do the same for anyone else.

I received this copy from netgalley in exchange for a frank review and it is my opinion that this is well worth the purchase and well worth the time to read.

The only downside ia the main male character acts like a sexist and misogynistic guy playing alpha male for most of the book. It starts out not so bad but gets worse as time goes on. He acts like his opinion and his alone are right and worthy of respect and he shows a clear lack of respect toward a woman who was once his partner .

The Witchkin Murders (Magicfall #1) by Diana Pharaoh Francis is a cool urban fantasy series opener. I especially loved getting to know the new rules of our world since the event called Magicfall when the supernatural world declared war on humans and rained down magic on them changing everything up in a massive way. Kayla used to be a great detective, but now she is a scavenger and a witchkin who's no longer quite human. The magic system that the author has created is very cool and I liked seeing how it blended into the human world, especially when it comes to the technomages. Overall, I couldn't get enough of this addictive series opener. It's my first book from Francis and it certainly won't be my last.

This takes place on earth after a magic fall where some receive magic and those that had it all along have, for the most part, come out of the closet.

Kayle was a detective prior to the magic fall. However, when the magic hits she becomes a shapeshifter. Fearful of her partner's reaction, she quits her job.

The story takes place 4 years later. Kayla and her former partner, Ray, meet at the,
site of a murder. They join forces to find the killer

I am a fan of the author. For the most part I enjoyed the book. I found the relationship between Kayla and Ray predictable. The plot dragged in spots. However I would give a sequel a try.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S97RNV7?ref=cm_sw_em_r_rw_mw_7t9op5viazgyq

True to life tale of "what if", in this case what if magic is suddenly a force that must be taken into account everyday. The author shows us the true shortages that will happen- forcing the protagonist to survive without things as vital as toilet paper and such. Loved it!

THE WITCHKIN MURDERS by Diana Pharaoh Francis is the first book in her Magicfall series. To me, this was a combination of urban fantasy, murder mystery and supernatural police procedural, with a little paranormal romance.

Four years ago, Magicfall, an explosion of wild magic, occurred and the world was forever changed. While this story takes place in Portland, Oregon, the rest of the world is in similar or worse shape. There was a war between some supernaturals and those that were human and many died on both sides. Lives changed overnight. Some humans became something else and are known as Witchkin.

The main protagonist, Kayla Reese, was changed into something else and left her job as a police detective to become a scavenger. One day on her way home, she senses something is wrong and finds three individuals murdered as part of a black magic ceremony. She calls her old detective partner, Ray Garza. With this scenario, the story is off and running.

The book hooked me immediately. It combines some of my favorite genres into one enjoyable, entertaining read. The characters are three-dimensional, compelling and have their own flaws and virtues. Their motivations are believable and well-drawn. The relationships between Kayla and Ray as well as with the other characters are a little predictable, but I did not mind that in this case. The tension throughout the book made it a page turner. The author did a great job of world building with vivid descriptions that gave a clear sense of time and place.

This is the only book that I have read by this author but I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I believe those readers that enjoy combining police procedurals with supernatural suspense in an urban fantasy environment will enjoy this book.

Many thanks to BelleBooks – Bell Bridge Books and Diana Pharaoh Francis for a digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

Combining the authors take on urban-fantasy, murder-mystery and a supernaturally tinged procedural romance, The Withckin Murders is the latest take on a magical-war. Combining some of YA's most popular tropes, the MC offers a likeable and realistic character, whilst leaving enough to the imagination for a meaningful story-line.