Mined in Magic

Falling for Fables #3

by Jenna Wolfhart

Each year, the chasm-dwelling dwarves compete in a series of trials to find the best among them. Chocolate-loving Astrid has never bothered to enter. She'd rather tend to her garden, bake moss cakes, or search the mines for a way to break her curse, which forever binds her to the mountains.

But someone else puts forth her name. She has no choice but to take part, especially when she learns the champion will win the Everstone—a gemstone with enough magic to break her curse.

At long last, Astrid's freedom is within reach.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple. An infuriating shadow demon joins the competition, dead set on winning the Everstone himself. He'll do whatever it takes to succeed, particularly if it involves pilfering Astrid's cakes or tormenting her until she gives up hope.

But when the Everstone goes missing, they agree to join forces to track it down. And deep within the mines, they discover something in each other that is far more powerful than magic.

Mined in Magic is a stand-alone cozy romantasy set in the whimsical world of Falling for Fables.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Fantasy Romance, Dragons, Romantasy

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2024

About the author

Jenna Wolfhart spends her days dreaming up stories about swoony fae kings and rugged blacksmiths. When she's not writing, she loves to do CrossFit competitions, rewatch Game of Thrones, collect Taylor Swift vinyls, and drink far too much coffee.

Jenna has always had a passion for writing, books, and publishing. Previously, she worked for an academic publisher in New York and then completed her PhD in Librarianship, focusing on young adult fiction.

Jenna now lives in England with her husband and her two dogs.

Reviews

[Koisty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Moss Cake Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5

I enjoyed this one, now - it's not as good as Forged in Magic BUT had a good mix of romance, and plot and felt like an adventure. Think of the likes of "Indiana Jones" where our Heroes are on a Treasure hunting mission but add in a little bit of a "Hunger Games" competition without the killing.

This is a standalone dual POV. Astrid is a dwarf who has been cursed to never be allowed to leave her home. She's essentially trapped under the mountain but it's not as scary as what Feyre had to deal with. So she has made herself comfortable surrounding herself with cosy blankets, multiple plants and all the chocolate she can get her hands on - all the while searching for the mysterious Everstone. A magical crystal which is rumoured to have the power to lift her curse. It just so happens that the annual tournament "Fittest Under The Mountain" is in swing and much to her inconvenience someone (much akin to Harry in the Goblet of Fire) put her name up for the competition. She has no choice but to participate or risk the wrath of Thor, while also being forced to deal with another inconvenience in the form of a pesky shadow demon who loves nothing more than to push her buttons. See Tormund knows Astrid is the best person to speak to, to find the Everstone - because he needs it for his own problem.

The banter between Astrid and Tormund was actually adorable. I kept having to remind myself that even though Tormund is a sexy shadow demon... HE IS NOT MORALLY GREY and is nothing but the sweetest gooest cinnamon roll. He is funny, goofy, brave, honourable and just wholesome. His interactions with Astrid just make you want to go awww at his actions because he is just an adorable character.

Astrid is stubborn, determined and strong-willed, but she is also really hard on herself. She constantly shoots herself down and doesn't believe that she is extraordinary and unique. It takes her continuous banter and interactions with Tormund to realise (as he shows her) how impressive and special she is because she is kind, generous and self-sacrificing and can do whatever she sets her mind to. Tormand just makes her believe in herself as every good partner should.

Tropes in this include:
▶ Cosy Fantasy
▶ Dual POV
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Enemies Rivals to Lovers
▶ Treasure Hunting Vibes
▶ Dragons
▶ Interracial/Multicultural Romance
▶ Banter

This book is definitely more action-packed than the others, with racing minecarts, obstacle courses, and giant spiders who like chocolate and dragons. It was cute, lighthearted and fun and a perfect little cozy read to pick up and pass the time.

[shauna ☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third installment was a bit underwhelming compared to the other two, I still enjoyed it though. Forged by Magic remains my favorite, but I have a love for this whole series that I can’t put into words.
I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of Rivellin and Daella in the fourth novel.

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Fates, that laugh was a gorgeous thing."

I can't, any MC who is obsessed with the other MC's smile/laugh has my heart.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lol annoyed me. I loved the first book. But this book? There is a Toughest Under the Mountain Game. But then it doesn’t actually happen?
I’m cursed to stay under the mountain which is why I need this stone. Then I find out it’s my father figure who cursed me. Then I immediately forgive him? Oh, also the stone I needed, yeah he knew where it was but kept it from me. THEN traded the stone for a different stone that condemned our species? Immediately forgiven.
Oh the MMC is randomly cursed too. How do they break the curses? WELL just accepting their fate and tada the curse is broken.

[Vannessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book in this series. Although each book can be read as a standalone, there are reappearances of some of the characters from the previous books in this one.

Astrid is a dwarf cursed to spend her entire days living under the mountain. Oh how she yearns to step outside and feel the grass beneath her toes and the sun shining on her face. The only thing she knows about that can rid her of this wretched curse is the Everstone, a most powerful gem and one she has been mining for ever since she first heard of it years ago. She has never even found a trace of it, but she is determined to never give up on her hopes and dreams.

When the annual Fittest Under The Mountain competition comes around, a group of shadow demons decide to join in with the leader Tormund determined to also get his hands on the Everstone for his own reasons. But when the real Everstone goes missing, taken by someone unknown, they must work together to get it back before the whole village descends into darkness! What starts out as almost hostile enemies soon turns into something a lot more!

I loved this story - Astrid was a fun character - I loved her determination and even though she didn't want to participate in the games, she knew she had to if she ever stood a chance at getting the big prize. Tormund was hilarious - he came across initially as quite arrogant, but once he opened up to Astrid, I couldn't help but like him. I loved how the relationship between them developed as well.

A fun, light-hearted, quick read making for a great fantasy romance! Looking forward to reading the next one!

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author but this review is my own honest one!

[•Mrs Pizza• · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine 🤷‍♀️

[Chenoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quick and fast paced which is exactly what I needed. Is it the best, probably not, but I enjoyed being able to read it fast

[Nádia (weebna) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a nice cozy read but compared to the first two books is a bit of a let down

[Linds (honeyy.fae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna’s Falling for Fables series are low stakes fantasy with a heaping pile of romance and a good sprinkle of spice, and I eat it up every time. This third installment follows Astrid a dwarf with a curse that’s left her stuck under the mountain and unable to leave. I loved seeing this new chunk of world she’s created for us. The plot was consistently adventuresome, the characters charming and the story arch entertaining! I know I can always trust Jenna to deliver a low stakes romantacy that everyone will enjoy!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Mined in Magic“ ist eine wunderbare Fortsetzung der cozy Fantasy-Reihe. Die Protagonist*innen sind wieder absolut liebenswert, und die Drachen sorgen für viele magische Momente. Besonders das spannende Trial und die atmosphärisch beschriebene Minenlandschaft haben mich begeistert. Allerdings wirkt die Handlung stellenweise etwas repetitiv im Vergleich zu den Vorgängern – daher ein Stern Abzug. Insgesamt aber ein sehr empfehlenswerter Teil der Reihe!

[vi.isreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just fine, cutesy and feel good, excellent palate cleanser.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

too cute. maybe my favorite of the series so far?

[Selah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such as sweet and steamy adventurist book!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are a beautiful person, Astrid Balstad. And I’ve been a fool not to sweep you off your feet.”

Mined in Magic by Jenna Wolfhart

📚Blurb:

Mined in Magic (Falling for Fables) https://amzn.eu/d/7usmfTi

✨Review:

Mined in Magic is the third book in the Falling for Fables by Jenna Wolfhart. This cozy fantasy romance is a standalone set in a whimsical world of magic, dragons and other creatures.

“You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”

I love this cozy romance world and even though this is a standalone it still has some characters from the previous book which I adore!! I loved the storyline for this book, it flowed so beautifully and the spice was just the cherry on top.

“I’d gladly give up the sun if it meant I could have you,” “Because the sun has never made me feel the way that you do, Astrid Balstad,”

Astrid and Tormund are my new favourite couple! I loved sassy curvy Astrid who just is the epitome of a sunshine character. Her love of chocolate spoke to me on so many levels! And Tormund! He went from grumpy tense demon to the absolutely obsessed MC. I also adored all of the other characters in this as well!

I cannot wait for the next installment of this series!!!

⛏️ Enemies to lovers
⛏️ Curses/magic
⛏️ Sunshine X Grumpy
⛏️ Cozy HEA romance

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️/5

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mined in Magic

A sweet cozy story that had all the feels. The story was entertaining and loads of fun to read. I loved the little mishaps, the adventure, cute romance, endless banter, and most of all the beautiful magic!

Astrid and Tormund were so much fun together. I loved their story and thoroughly enjoyed their own self growth throughout.

There were so many great tropes in here like: low key enemies/rivals to lovers, found family, forced proximity, curses that teach lessons, delicious chocolate and cakes, dragons, adventure, sweet romance, banter, cinnamon roll characters, a dash of mystery and so much more!!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I love returning to this world. They’re the perfect, quick, cosy romantasy reads that you can speed through in an afternoon.

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first two but still had a fun time. Loved seeing familiar faces but also had a great time seeing a new setting with The Deep and the dwarven community that we’ve heard about in past books.

Looking forward to the next one when it’s out 🫶

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super lovely and cozy book. I consider this a comfort series at this point. I know I can count on a cozy read with low angst, a whimsical world, and a happily ever after. If you’ve read the other books in this series then you know the formula and can expect what is going to happen, but sometimes I don’t want any anxiety while reading and these books are great for when I’m feeling like that.

[Karmen Sonberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m so sad I didn’t love this 3.5 ⭐️ but I cannot round up. The romance wasn’t believable to me. Lacked banter. I felt like I was reading a YA fantasy then 2 spicy scenes thrown in. The last 25% was better. I will still read the next one because I loved the first two.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love this series, it’s so bloody cute. If you need a cosy romantasy, you need to pick up these books!

I thoroughly enjoyed the competition element and seeing more of the cultures and customs of this world.

[Emma Carnicom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute, cozy read. I love this series for the pure fact that they are fun, not super complex, and full of whimsy and wonder.

[Rylei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cozy fantasy read, but I feel like each book in these series he’s progressively been more “meh”. Still a fun and quick read.

[Mariah Hatch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cheesy and the spicy scenes had some Wattpad energy. But this series is great if you’re looking for fluff.

[ak · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the first two to be so good this felt so scattered and off

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8

Just as cosy and heartwarming as the previous books. I love this series so much and every book is a true pleasure to read.

[Zoe Pewtner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am beginning to find it strange that in all 3 books the women are virgins/inexperienced and the men are sex gods. Underlaying message or coincidence? Who can say.

[acourtofbooksandchocolate II Giulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of these cozy books! Astrid ans Tormund were amazing.

[dodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m obsessed with this world and jenna wolfhart’s writing, however compared to the first two books, this one was a bit of a let down. it still has the same cozy whimsical vibes that i love, but the stakes and the conflicts were resolved too easily and the ending felt rushed. still, i loved both the main characters and it was still a very enjoyable read.

[lily౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was something..
i loved the first two, but this one was just okay. I love her writing but the story fell so flat, it’s like we tiptoed around every obstacle and came to a easy conclusion.. idk

[Louise Pike (books.magic.escape) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mined in Magic by Jenna Wolhart, book 3 in (Falling for Fables) series. So if you have read my other reviews on these books, you will know I'm absolutely nuts about this series. They are absolutely phenomenal, full of cosy romance, a hint of spice, hint of danger and mystery, and most of all they have DRAGONS. This is everything I love in a book. You can read them in standalone but I highly recommend reading them in order, because the other characters are in the other books.

This is about Astrid and Tormund, Astrid is a Dwarf and Tormund is a shadow demon and they compete for the fittest under the mountain. Lol seeing them compete to get this magical everstone, the banter between them was hilarious, Tormund tormenting Astrid, and Astrid taking none of the crap was so funny. So the evestone goes missing and they have to join forces to find it as they both need it for different reasons. 

I really enjoyed it, it was so much fun like the other two books, of course it still has dragons and we still see the other characters. I didn't enjoy it as much as the other two books but still gave it a high 4 stars and still highly recommend reading this series. There was one little thing at the end we never found out, and hoping it's in book 4 cause we need that answer. The 4th book is out in April which is Build in Magic and I cannot wait to read it. 

[Nitsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series!! Can’t wait to read the next book! I love the cozy feel of these books and how the characters from the other books are still included 🌼⛏️🕷️