Book Review: Magic in Autumn Springs by KB Davenport
Genre(s): Paranormal Fantasy / Fantasy Romance
Book Synopsis:
A picturesque small town. A budding romance. A mysterious grimoire. Welcome to Autumn Springs, a woodsy hamlet in the American South full of charming folks and scenic beauty. Meet Damian Baxter, a 28-year-old homebody who works diligently as a librarian at Autumn Springs College. He spends his evenings in his cozy Victorian home on Starry Night Way reading and curling up with his cat, Marble.
After he unlocks his grandmother’s grimoire, Damian begins a magical journey he never could have imagined. With his trusty feline friend by his side, he trains for an incoming threat from a reclusive neighbor and the most powerful dark witch in town, Elias Robicheaux.
Will Damian be able to protect his uprooted life while managing his busy job and a new romance with Bartley O’Dowd, a handsome Irish transplant with a secret of his own? Come along for a moonlit hayride and discover the mystery and magic in Autumn Springs.
Review:
This is a cute, light-hearted book with a bit of magic, some small-town drama, and a sweet romance. It’s a quick read too.
While magic is central to the story, the author doesn’t go into much detail about how it works or what Damian must do to learn how to use it. The central story is the conflict between Damian and Elias—or rather, their families—and how to prevent Elias from causing a disaster in Autumn Springs. And the major subplot is his whirlwind romance with Bartley. It’s cozy and would be a great read for the Halloween season (clearly, I missed the holiday window, but I needed something lighter after my last couple reads, and this one fit.)
The book moves fast—it’s not a long story, so that’s to be expected—but somethings went a little too quickly for my tastes. I think, from start to finish, the book spans less than two weeks’ time (with the exception of the epilogue,) but in that brief window, Damian not only learns he can use magic but he also masters the ability well enough to stand up to Elias, who has been training since he was a teenager. And the romance, while very sweet, also felt rushed. I would have preferred a little more build up for both aspects of the story.
But I loved the witches’ familiars. Marble the cat was a great addition to the story, and even Harlan the pampered pooch was a lot of fun. The animal companions really made the book for me.
If you’re looking for a cute, easy read with a happy ending, check this one out.
Author website: davenportbooks.wixsite.com
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