The Golden Age of Magic

Golden Age of Magic #1

by Luanne G. Smith

Against the backdrop of 1920s Hollywood, a young fairy godmother on a mission is embroiled in malicious magic, mystery, and murder in a thrilling historical fantasy by the bestselling author of The Vine Witch.

Celeste is about to become one of the thirteen Fées Gardiennes, a centuries-old sisterhood of fairy godmothers. To be granted full status, she must usher her first protégé onto their path of destiny. Where better to find a starry-eyed ward than in the land of magic and illusion called Hollywood?

It’s 1927. The moviemaking business is booming when Celeste befriends a young studio seamstress whose dreams outshine everyone else’s. Rose is talented and underappreciated and could use some enchanted intervention in her life. Plans proceed swimmingly, and Celeste even catches the eye of a handsome producer. But after a series of unexplained accidents on the studio lot stir up rumors of a curse, Celeste fears the trouble is more personal―the spiteful meddling of a fellow Gardienne out to thwart Celeste’s success.

But the sabotage turns sinister when a starlet is murdered and it’s Rose who stands accused. As vengeance, dark magic, and betrayal wreak havoc, Celeste must come into her full power to save her innocent protégé and secure her own future in a cherished, ancient, and now threatened sisterhood.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Magic, Historical Fantasy

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

Luanne G. Smith is the Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Vine Witch series, The Raven Spell books, The Witch's Lens, The Wolf's Eye, and The Golden Age of Magic coming July 1, 2025.

(*Scam Alert* SHE IS NOT ON FACEBOOK and she does not sell marketing or writing advice online. It is a scam.)

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Reviews

[Mary Mac · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plotline has a lot of promising potential but the execution was so, so poor. I read the entire thing out of sheer curiosity to see if it could get worse and indeed, it did. It's been awhile since I've read something this poorly written.

Predictable, full of cliches, several loose ends and unresolved plotlines, decisions and events presented with little to no explanation, and written like a teenage author's first novel. I spent many chapters truly stunned that the characters were taking so long to figure out who the mystery antagonist was. I understand wanting to create suspense, sure, we don't want the mystery solved in chapter two. But if the readers can figure out the mystery, but have to trudge through another eight or ten chapters of the characters blindly ignoring the obvious... Well, frankly, the reader gets bored and the characters just come across as dunces. Kind of counter to the whole "strong independent woman" vibe the author seemed to be shooting for (and missing).

One star is generous and it's due solely to the plotline. French fairy godmothers in 1920s Hollywood? A really creative idea that could potentially become a riveting book. If only it were authored by someone with better vision.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall Vibes: 1920s Fairytale
Hot Sauce Scale: 0 (no romance / dropped romance plotline)

The Golden Age of Magic is a short, quick, inoffensive read. I picked it up off Amazon First Reads this month and breezed through it. The story follows Celine, a Fées Gardiennes (Fairy Godmother), who leaves 1920s Europe and travels to the Fée-less country of America because she has upset another Gardienne. This is meant to be a fresh start for Celine and a chance for her to usher her first protégé into a Happily Ever After. With no other Gardiennes currently in America, she has her pick of fresh talent and wishes. She decides to find a dreamer in Hollywood after getting a postcard in the mail mistakenly. She finds a young seamstress with tons of potential working at a movie studio that is experiencing terrible, unnaturally bad luck and decides that she will be her first protégé.

There are some twists and turns and some unexpected developments. I have one major end-of-story nitpick and will begin light spoilers here.
We do not get resolution for the movie studio or owner Nick West. The meddling of the skulk caused major accidents and misfortune at the studio. With the skulk removed by the Gardiennes, does the studio recover financially? It really seems like a romance plot was dropped between Nick and Celine. I understand not wanting to have a romance plotline in your novel, as it can be cliché when shoehorned in, but if it's introduced, at least resolve it.

I personally thought that Anaïs's views on society were a bit too modernly described for the time period. I do not believe that the term "patriarchy" was used in that specific context until at least second-wave feminism. Based on other historical mentions (the first talkie coming soon, the Great War, liquor being illegal), this book has to take place after 1920 but before 1927. Women would have just recently gotten the right to vote in America. I could easily see Anaïs having strong views on women's suffrage and her feminism reflected through that lens. But instead, her depiction is modern and lacking any historical context. I thought this was a miss, especially in the development of Anaïs’s character.

Finally, the biggest nitpick of all nitpicks. I think the author used the word "infamous" when she just meant "famous":

Everyone knew about Dorée’s first protégé. He was infamous. Several of the artist’s paintings hung in the Musée d’Orsay for all to admire. He was gone now, outlived by his benefactor, but esteem for the man had been engraved in time.

I sat there seriously trying to figure out who an infamous painter could even be. I had a moment where I thought to myself, "Did Dorée train Hitler?!?" No, it can't be. This is too early in the timeline for that. I tried my best to use other context clues, and I think the painter being referred to is Renoir. I can't even comprehend how Renoir would be considered infamous, especially in the context of someone commenting on him in the 1920s. I know this is a really stupid tangent, but I spent way too much time trying to figure out if Dorée had mentored some sort of pre-Hitler Hitler because of the word "infamous" being used here. My brain could not stop focusing on this. I am so sorry.

Overall, this is a quick read with an interesting concept and likable characters. I think some more time could have been spent wrapping up some loose ends, especially because the book is so short. It would not have hurt to have an extra chapter to bring some more resolution or to complete introduced storylines.

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

oouuuuu.. this was goooooooooooood!

Like really REALLY good

Old Hollywood meets a fairy godmother finally being the FMC??!! SIGN ME THE FU$K UP!!!!!!!! Oh , OH, ANDD she gets the cutest fuzzy side kick?! Yes PLEASEEEE

This was such a a fun and creative read all around

[Vegannic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I didn't think this was great at all. Basic story and written in the style that bugs me, where they explain the story in their dialogue, which is just irratating as people don't talk like that in real life haha. It's a bug bear of mine when reading books. Had the concept to be a great book but I just found it boring.
Read as a Kindle First Reads free book of the month

[Crystal Palmisano-Dillard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dnf'ed at 60%.

At first the sweetness of this story was a draw. I like the original concept of modern (okay slightly more modern) fairy godmothers, but Celeste's naiveté became grating. It got to the point of stupidity. To the point that I didn't want her to succeed. Maybe I'm a grump. But here we are.

I think a bit more depth of character, feelings other than confusion, might have helped.

[The Man from DelMonte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t get on board with this at all. Some of the ideas underpinning the story are good but the set up was unconvincing. It might be lovely and romantic to start off in Paree but it makes no sense because straight away the FMC is dispatched to Hollywood.
There are epochal events happening in Russia, China, India and elsewhere but instead a quarter of their order decamp to the American west coast in order to counter a threat to the nascent film industry?
The Fee Gardiennes are very parochial given both how powerful they are and how limited in numbers.
The author’s work is variable. When she’s up, she’s up (The Vine Witch, The Raven Spell) and when she’s down, she’s down.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book needs a lot of reworking. The animals were the only characters I liked. Extremely predictable. Loose ends. Boring. I just didn’t care about finding out what happened and would have DNFd this if I hadn’t been reading it for a book club. The stakes were never high enough.

[Laura Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1927 Hollywood, where illusion and ambition collide, Celeste, a fairy godmother-in-training, must prove herself by guiding a young woman toward her destiny. She finds her protégé in Rose, a talented but overlooked studio seamstress. As dark magic and betrayal swirl around her, Celeste must unlock her full powers to save Rose and secure her place in a centuries-old order of fairy godmothers.

Narrator was great! Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the ARC!

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

a perfectly fine book just not my favorite

[Paul Pope · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. Languished over this tome for months. It’s to easy to get distracted when the story gives you nothing to focus on.
Cannot recommend.

[Joanne Lebrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read. Fun to experience 1920s Hollywoodland (was the at the original name for Hollywood for real?) from Fee Gardinere (fairy godmother meets guardian angel) perspective. Loved the story and I was drawn to read it each time I had a minute. Recommended! I’ve read a few Vine Witch books (first one is always the best) but as this is also a series I’ll atleast give book 2 a try!!

[Charlene Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nice Riff on Fairy Godmothers

This story is a very good riff on the fairy godmother stories. Interesting characters, a twist, and lots of magic; this is well worth a read!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a June ARC from Prime First Reads. Overall, I feel the story has potential and I wonder if this is going to become a series (or at least a trilogy). There's very little backstory about the Fees Gardiennes or any of the individual sisters. The character development is minimal. I think it could be fleshed out with follow-up books. The plot was interesting, but left a lot of unanswered questions due to the short length of the story. It would have benefited from a slightly longer, more detailed length. The writing style was decent, but dragged a bit at the beginning and then felt rushed at the end. I'd like to see the story continue with a few more books that address these issues.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sounds like an interesting plot

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Golden Age of Magic was my Kindle First Reads selection for June 2025..

The Golden Age of Magic by Luanne G. Smith is a historical fantasy taking place in Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties. The main character is a young fairy godmother in search of a talented young protege to help guide to fame and fortune with her magical influence. Celeste has arrived in America on the run from a vengeful fellow fairy godmother, one of the Fées Gardiennes, a sisterhood of fairy godmothers she aspires to join after successfully completing her first mission and finds her protege in Rose-- a talented young seamstress who works at a studio helping to sew costumes, but dreams of being a fashion designer; however, the studio where Rose works seems to be cursed. Celeste soon comes to fear that the troubles she tried to leave behind in Europe have followed her across the ocean to continue their quest for vengeance, but things may be even more complicated than they first appear and darker magic may be afoot...

This book was creative and entertaining enough, but I just didn't love it either.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided an ALC via Brilliance Audio and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Set in 1920s Hollywood, this follows Celeste, who is essentially a junior fairy godmother out on her first solo mission. She left France when another of her order felt slighted and her mentor felt it was best for her to leave the country until tempers settled. She is in search of her first protégé to nudge them to greatness with their inherent talents. In Hollywood she is drawn to a talented yet unknown seamstress working hard on the set of a movie. She also finds darkness and chaos on the set, which makes her mission more complicated than anticipated.

I thought the author did a good job explaining the magic. The sisterhood of the Fées Gardiennes and their counterparts the Skulks were also well explained, though it does take until the end of the book to get the information. This has a slight romance subplot, but it doesn't really go anywhere. Perhaps that develops more as the series progresses. I anticipate we will get to know Celeste more as well as the series progresses and she grows into her role as a full fledged Fées Gardiennes. I'm anxious to see how the series progresses and learn more about the other members of the order.

Overall I really enjoyed the plot and the concept of the book. The narrator did a good job with the story and the characters.

[Timothy Burbage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed some parts of this story, and really didn't enjoy others.

I enjoyed the world building of there being fair godmothers who looked after artists and members of the European royal families in marriages and love stories, just like the fairytales. I liked the detail of since WW1 Europe had changed so drastically that there weren't many royal families left.

I enjoyed the setting of 1920s Hollywood and I got the glitz and the glamour. I liked Rose as a protege, though I wanted to spend a lot more time with her.

I enjoyed the way that the fairy magic worked, and how powerful the glamour could be. Disappearing at will, being able to talk your way in and out of any situation, giving good luck as a reward.

What I really didn't like was the mystery. We didn't even know there was a mystery at the start, and then when it came about the red herrings were removed quickly and easily. Because the villain was a surprise, we got no time with them and didn't really understand their motivations.

This meant that there was no plot for the first 3rd of the book. Literally none. I had to put this book down and read another one in between because I was getting so frustrated with this. This was almost a dnf because the first third is so boring.

[Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's relatively short and easy to get into, although I still struggle a bit with getting attached to books written in 3rd person POV. I didn't read it fast but I really wanted to know what's next. There's magic, mystery, sabotage, and a murder. It's a generally good time!

If you like the writing of Once Upon A Broken Heart, I think you'll like this too.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cute historical fantasy. I was hoping for an epilogue with a little more interaction with Celeste and Nick either as more of a goodbye or continuing the relationship, but I see there is a book #2 so hopefully that will be included! In contrast I loved that the dreams being fulfilled were not all just marriage, and that Celeste rejected that idea for her first protege.

[Flora · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 stars

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this concept. It was different than anything I’ve read before!

[Amanda Berggren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 for me. A cute book with some exciting conflict and likable characters

[Julia Moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid beach read - love me some magic! But hard to follow and I auto-piloted. Justice for the romance arc.

[Rhys Battles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celeste is an initiate Fèe Guardienne, which is basically a Fairy Godmother. And she has to find her protégé and help them on their path to success. But when she is sent half way around the world to a place she has never been she is a little uneasy. Everything starts to go wrong and she does everything in her power to right the wrongs. But what happens when she runs out of power and has to save herself.

It took me about 6 chapters to really get the feels for this book but I am so glad I didnt put it down. I truly enjoyed the story and the characters. Though I felt the plot twist was predictable it didn't take away from the story in any fashion. If you're a fantasy reader that has been skeptical about picking up a historical fiction book I truly think this could be your vibe.

There is just enough of a historical element to be intriguing with a big dose of magic and mischief.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well written and easy to follow. Each chapter was just the right length to get in one or two each day in my busy schedule. I enjoyed the slightly different take on magic that exists in the world and the balance of good and evil as the central theme.

[Lydia H · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the entire book I was thinking about giving it four stars, (though I would probably say 7/10), but the entire concept absolutely enchanted me. So I gave it 5 stars (about 9/10).

The writing and pacing are smooth. The characters are interesting. The descriptions of the clothing and the scenery is mystical and bright. The concept is amazing. I’ve never read a fantasy book quite like this. Halfway through the book I was sad that the second book wouldn’t be available immediately to me!

I truly enjoyed this book. It didn’t feel cheap. It didn’t feel like Smith was trying too hard. It was a genuinely nice story with good morals about perseverance and the balance of life, and the acceptance that comes with the balance of life. Can’t wait until the next book comes out—I’ve preordered it!

[Kat Colangelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I really liked the plot but it was a little slow in parts and kept repeating aspects of the magical rules. I loved the characters and they had their own personalities and character development.

I just do not understand why Nick was dropped?! And never heard of again? I absolutely adored their relationship build up and thought how good their ending will be either together or not. But just nothing written about him was just odd.

Also I guessed the janitor, about half way in. Nick was too obvious and she hadn't had enough interactions with anyone else. Maybe if the guard had a name and more pleasant interactions even if he still did his job.

I loved the end scenes with the ship! They're powerful women! I also loved their sidekicks.

My favourite quote, "You dance in the air and light, we loom in the muck and shadow".

[Faith Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

A balancing act.

I love the idea of fairy godmothers knocking around. It kind of makes perfect sense when you think of some people who appear to have charmed lives & do indeed have meteoric rises. Equally, the idea of Skulks, whose sole purpose is to bring about the decline of said "charmed " ones, also seems plausible. It's a pretty common occurrence that high-flyers self combust spectacularly. That appears to hold true whether it's a famous beauty, a business tycoon or artist etc. Some part of their lives implodes. So maybe there's truth to this tale!

[Opal Edgar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this book, fair godmothers at the centre of the plot? 1920s Hollywood? French touch? The exploitation and realisation of dreams? What could I possibly not love?
And the cover is just superb, I was really excited.

And then I struggled through the first chapter, the writing was so bland and the character so lacking in personality. Then we get this lukewarm second chapter where the "problem" is presented and its kind of "meh", especially since our flat main character barely reacts... and then we're hit with a third chapter where the magic is just crazy overpowered and I wondered why I was bothering reading this. I have only limited hours in my life and more stories to discover than could fill hundreds of lifetimes.

I was very disappointed by the quality of the writing, especially its lack of any voice or emotion. I could not force myself to continue and cannot recommend to anyone.

[Blurb It Down Official · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into The Golden Age of Magic expecting an enchanting historical fantasy with a touch of whimsy and in many ways, it delivered. The premise is undeniably appealing: a secretive magical order, an uncertain heroine, and the glittering backdrop of 1920s Hollywood. There’s a lot of potential here, and I found myself invested in the characters and their challenges.

Celeste is a likable protagonist. She’s earnest, a little overwhelmed, and determined to make things right even when everything starts going spectacularly wrong. Her growth arc was satisfying, and I appreciated the underlying message: magic isn’t just about fixing problems for others, it’s also about finding the courage to face your own.

That said, the book is a bit of a mixed bag. The concept is strong, but the setup didn’t always feel convincing. While starting in Paris gives the book a dreamy, romantic flair, the sudden pivot to Hollywood, of all places, felt jarring. At a time when the world was on the brink of dramatic political change, the narrative zooms in on the nascent film industry instead of engaging with the broader historical moment. Given how few Fèe Gardiennes there are, it seemed odd that so many of them would be deployed to California over far weightier global matters.

From a writing perspective, the dialogue occasionally veers into exposition-heavy territory. Characters often explain major plot points to one another in ways that don’t feel natural, which pulled me out of the story at times. It’s a personal pet peeve of mine when conversations feel like narration in disguise.

And yet, I still enjoyed this book. The plot twist, though predictable, didn’t diminish the charm. If you’re a fantasy reader who’s wary of historical fiction, this might be your ideal crossover. It delivers just enough vintage glamour to intrigue without getting bogged down in historical detail, and it leans heavily on magic and mayhem to keep the pages turning.

Who Should Read It?
- Fans of light historical fantasy
- Readers who love magical realism with fairy-tale roots
- Anyone craving a whimsical twist on the 1920s
- YA-to-adult crossover readers looking for magical coming-of-age arcs

Final Verdict
The Golden Age of Magic is a story with heart and sparkle. An entertaining blend of magic, mentorship, and mischief. While the world-building and writing style didn’t always land for me, the core story is sweet and hopeful. It may not be flawless, but it’s a lovely escape. If you’re in the mood for a fairy godmother tale with a side of vintage glam, give it a try.

Grateful to NetGalley, 47North, and Luanne G. Smith for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review.