A Void of Magic

I am legitimately upset that I finished reading this book as quickly as I did. I yelled out "NO!" when the last page ended, that is how engrossed I was in this story, and you better believe that I will be picking up subsequent books in the series just as fast as I can get my hands on them.

This book was exceedingly well written and edited. I was pulled into the story from the very first paragraph and emerged only after the last page was turned… at 4:14 AM. I didn't run into any obvious typos or grammatical errors. The narrative flowed effortlessly and the world-building and plot of the story were fantastic and filled with an array of colorful and enigmatic characters. Blake and Kennedy had a sizzling spark between them that had me cheering for Blake from the sidelines (no matter how much Kennedy denied him).

I adored everything about this book except maybe that it ended. I am devastated that I can't just pick up the next book in the series right away - because this was an ARC - and it's not even released yet at the time I'm writing this review. UGH.

If you love paranormal romances and urban fantasy, I would highly recommend you pick up this book. You won't regret it. I was absolutely floored by how good this story was.

A Void of Magic

By: Sandy Williams

A Void of Magic is the first book in Sandy Williams’ new Kennedy Rain series. Kennedy’s parents own and run a hotel called “The Rain,” which provides safe haven for “paranorms” such as vampires and werewolves. Once on the grounds of the hotel, a paranorm cannot use supernatural abilities and loses typical constraints. Kennedy has worked for years to distance herself from The Rain, but when her parents unexpectedly leave town, Kennedy must step up and solve the ever-increasing problems and conflicts between supernatural paranorms. This fast-paced fantasy novel combines the expected vampires and werewolves with unique and thought-provoking supernatural concepts and entities. The result is a story that I could not put down until the very last page – in fact, I can barely wait until the next book in the series is released!

The Rain Hotel is the only null zone on the planet. It is (*in appearance*) a safe heaven for paranormals who need to escape, at least temporary, from their magic, and the Rain family has run it for centuries protecting the secret of paranorms' existence.
Kenney Rain, however, doesn't want anything to do with it. So bad that an ill-timed vacation has forced her back among the paranorms' world, with all its secrets and feuds. So much worse that she has found herself amid a paranormal mess, with the insufferable daughter of the local Alpha wanting her to host her wedding unconcerned by the war that will spark from it, a missing groom (who is, btw, the scion of the most powerful vampire around), two unreachable parents with mysterious whereabouts, and tons of secrets.

This book is UF at its finest and totally blew me away.
I loved everything about this, including but not limited to:
- the interesting and well-crafted world-building
- the beautiful storytelling and flow of the story
- the unpredictable storyline full of twist
- our oh-so relatable heroine
- the Rain Hotel staff
- the secrets
- the reasons that kept Kennedy away from the paranormal world and the choices she made that entangled her with it again
- the believable hint of romance that connects Kennedy to Blake
- the starcrossed relationship between Nora and Jared
- all the unanswered questions that I hope will be sated in the next book(s)

Five years ago Kennedy ran away from the Rain after angering the alpha werewolf and vampire by harbouring unsanctioned paranorms during their crazy periods e.g. the full moon. Now she’s back to cover as her parents go on vacation, but discovers all is not what it seems at the Rain and juggling school, a job, a love sick vampire and werewolf - with the consequences of that love, Kennedy doesn’t think things could get any worse.

Honestly, I loved this book. It’s very much going into the NA genre and so has that easy read writing style. I generally couldn’t put this book down and was itching to read it whilst I was in work. The plot was so good and I loved how the romance is slow burning, so the focus was more on the world building and the mysteries that Kennedy has to solve.

This book took me back to why I fell in love with reading and why paranormal romances will always be my favourite. It sort of reminded me of the Morganville Vampires series, with this hidden place for paranormals. The whole concept of the hotel is really interesting and I can’t wait to find out more about the treaty.

I have nothing bad to say about this book because I loved every part of it. The writing was just amazing and I loved all of the characters- especially Jared with his quirky personality. This is one of those books that could never be too long. I feel like I could read a million pages and not be bored.

Overall, if you love a good paranormal book, this one is definitely for you. I’m literally itching to get my hands on the second one because I need to know what happens and the little preview chapter has me craving more. It’s definitely a book I’ll be rereading constantly in the future.

Rated ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a chance to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Release date: 27th July 2021

Loved this book! Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the arc. I thought the synopsis sounds interesting and completely different than anything I have seen. The book starts a little slow, but picks up super fast and I couldn’t put it down. It is a very fast read and really kept my attention throughout it. The characters were fun and honestly was just such a great book. I can’t wait until the next one! I had one of the authors other series on my tbr, but never got around to it. Definitely going to prioritize it now!

Kennedy Rain and her family have run the Rain Hotel for ages. The only place the paranormal can go and void their magic. She thought she could get away and lead a normal life. Not happening. Just found another favorite series! This is a new, unique storyline that I couldn’t put down. Sucked me in from page one and held on the whole way through. Looking forward to more in this series!

Would 100% recommend!!

I received a copy of this wonderful book via NetGalley (thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op). All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the world that Sandy has created for her Kennedy Rain series. Like her other series, it’s clear she likes to steer away from the cliche worlds that her paranorms are usually found in and really pulls it off.

I loved seeing kennedy’s development throughout the book, thought the dialogue between characters is fun and engaging, and there is a definite slow-burn tension developing between Kennedy and Blake which felt natural and unforced. Steamy too, I love me an alpha!

The concept of the hotel reminded me of Ilona Andrews Innkeeper Chronicles so if you loved those then definitely give this book a read.

So engaging that I read this in one sitting! Cannot wait for the next in the series!

I am glad that I got a chance to read an eArc of this book. The writing I loved as it carried the story and the plot. And for the length of the novel, I am happy that I could read it in a day. I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the plot throughout the story. It kept me wanting to find out what would be happening next. Seeing the character relationships develop through the story made me interested in what would happen between them. It didn't go in the direction that I thought it would go in. I am excited to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next.