Strange Familiars

The Seamere College Duology #1

by Keshe Chow

All's fair in love and magic.

Gwendolynne Chan just needs to get through her final year. At Seamere College of Magical Veterinary Sciences, she spends her days using her powers to heal companion animals while her nights are spent studying for exams. As the top student in the magical familiars stream, she is on track to be awarded Dux of the entire school - as long as the pretentious twat Harrisford Briggs doesn't beat her to it.

Harrisford Briggs was born into privilege. His father, the Chief Financial Officer of Magecorp, a major global distributor of magic, expects him to come top of the year. Harrisford, though, can't help but notice that his father has been acting odd. Really odd. And there are strange whisperings, too. Rumours of uncontrollable surges of excess magic, which Magecorp has been trying to cover up, as well as rampant corruption within the Magical Ministry itself.

When these magical surges begin to rock their way through London, causing chaos and explosions and familiars going feral, Gwen and Harrisford find themselves without a reliable source of magic, putting both of their academic careers at risk. To fix this, they must put aside their duelling feelings of lust and loathing, and - along with Gwen's snarky cat familiar - team up to diagnose the problem. If they fail, not only is their education at stake, but also the fate of the magical world.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Adult, Magic, Fiction, Fantasy Romance

432 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 15, 2026

About the author

Keshe was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and migrated to Australia when she was two. She currently lives in Naarm (Melbourne) with her partner, two kids, and two cats.

She has won multiple awards for short fiction, as well as the 2022 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript.

Her second YA fantasy novel, FOR NO MORTAL CREATURE is due out in 2025 with Penguin Random House.

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I can't possibly miss out on a book about a College of Magical Veterinary Sciences, can I? But maybe it should have been the first red flag that the cover isn't overflowing with magical animals and mythical creatures. The magical vet part played such a minor role in the story that the title and the synopsis are basically misleading, and I couldn't be more disappointed about it. Because I was so very intrigued at the beginning. We meet Gwen, a young woman who studies magical medicine at vet school. It's her job to heal witches' familiars when they are setting things on fire or vomit little frogs or leak magic, and if the entire book would have been about that, I would have been happy. Gwen even steals a cat familiar in the very first chapter and I really thought that this is the basis for the perfect story. But instead we get quickly introduced to Gwen's academic rival Harrisford (such a stupid name, really) and have to deal with a half-baked romance for a good chunk of the book. They are polar opposites and don't get along (of course), and they are also competing for the same position. I must admit that their rivalry was believable to me, because both of them had good reasons to become the top graduate and get the prestigious job that comes along with it. Gwen needs it because she literally can't pay for anything if she doesn't get it and Harrisford is under immense pressure coming from his father. At first I liked their dynamic: Gwen the hardworking daughter of an immigrant family and Harrisford being rich and privileged but also very aware of the pretentiousness of it all. But their interactions were just so weird all the time. They were often thinking the absolute worst of each other and suspecting the other of betrayal while also thinking stuff like "he's so pretty" or "I was totally not looking at her ass". And for some reason they were constantly talking about Twilight? Even during the sex scenes? What was that about?

The main plot of this book was about Gwen and Harrisford having to join forces after plenty of familiars start to act strangely and cause dangerous surges of magic. They do some amateur sleuthing to find out what is causing all of that, and they find out that corporations are evil and that the system is broken. That was the main plot and it was SO boring and lacking all of the cool magical vet stuff. The book really made so little of that premise. I think Gwen was in the animal hospital maybe twice and Harrisford once tended to a dragon and then there was this random Chinese unicorn birth scene and that is all we get. Okay, there also is a (telepathically) talking cat, but he couldn't carry the entire story either. I don't think that the author did a very good job in connecting different plot elements to make an intriguing whole. The magical animals were cool but utilized far to little, the main plot was boring, the romance was meh. I didn't hate reading it, but it sure was a disappointment on many levels. 2.5 stars.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Mai ༊*·˚]

Academic rivals to lovers set in a world with magical familiars and the vets taking care of them… yes, yes 🤝👏

_____________

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the ARC.

[Gali · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Strange Familiars" by Keshe Chow is the first book in the Seamere College duology, encompassing a magical veterinary school, academic rivals-to-lovers, conspiracies, and a dark academia setting - exactly the kind of book I adore. It introduces compelling characters whose rivalries, ambitions, and hidden depths make for a great read.

Told in dual first-person perspectives, the story follows two scholars of magical veterinary science: British-born Chinese Gwendolynne and upper-class Harrisford Briggs, whose father is one of the top executives at Magecorp, a major global distributor of magic. Both are top students, competing for the coveted Dux, their school’s valedictorian title, which guarantees the winner a prestigious position in the job market.

Magic is used to heal patients (both human and animal) taken from the Void, but uncontrollable surges of excess magic cause chaos and endanger lives. Along with Gwen’s snarky cat familiar and Harrisford’s bearded dragon familiar, the two must put aside their differences to get to the root of the problem and solve it. Alas, their feelings sometimes get in the way.

I absolutely loved this book! Magic and veterinary science are a winning combination. The writing is smooth, with clear, distinct narrative voices. I loved the division of veterinary departments—the Mythological Creatures stream versus the Magical Familiars stream—the telepathic bond between witches and their familiars, and the glimpses into treatments. Keshe Chow drew from her own experiences in veterinary science, which made the depictions authentic. I also loved how one of the patients, the Centaur - part human, part horse - made treating him so challenging.

The dual perspectives let us really get into the minds of both protagonists, which I appreciated. Gwen is a strong female heroine, and I loved her spirit and determination. Harrisford’s character growth was great too - he transforms from spoiled and privileged into a self-aware, empathetic person. I loved their interactions and watching their slow-burn romance unfold.

And then there are the magical familiars! Percy the cat stole the show for me. Kids and animals always steal the spotlight, don’t they? I loved his wit, gruffness, and arrogance - and I’m not even a cat person. There’s a solid cast of supporting characters, crisp and evocative world-building, richly drawn and alluring characters, and deeply felt friendships. While the world-building isn’t fully developed yet and there are a few plot holes, I’m hopeful these will be addressed in the next book.

The book explores themes of self-harm, racism, classism, social commentary, father–son relationships, and privilege. Content warnings include light gore, mentions of murder, depictions of animal birth, self-harm, surgical procedures, sexual scenes, non-legal prescriptions, sedative use, and alcohol consumption.

The vibe is intense, dark, and driven by academic pressure, the story unfolds at a steady pace, and readers who prefer fully fleshed-out world-building in book one or are sensitive to the content warnings may find it less suited to their tastes. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can hardly wait for the sequel. If you love dark academia, rival scholars, talking animal familiars, and slow-burn romance, this one is for you. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2025...

[rosie (jason todd's version)]

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ 14th nov, pre-release:

WE HAVE A COVER THIS IS NOT A DRILL 🔥 AND ITS SO GORGEOUS OMG??? 🤭🤭🤭

NVM IT GOT REMOVED!! i got a screenshot tho 👅

THE COVER IS BACK!!! and what a stunner she is 🥹💕

[S.A. MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

HELP I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS IS A DUOLOGY AND I NEED BOOK 2 IMMEDIATELY???

THAT ENDING.

This book. Incredible.

Sometimes you read a book that is so obviously written from a place of passion, an author who not only loves the subject matter but is also astoundingly knowledgeable about it. The magical vet school is so authentic. The pure love (and endless exhaustion) of animal care is so well captured. Give me more fantasy STEM that is SMART and proud of it!!!

Top marks for Percy being a cat who can speak and understand humans perfectly, but is still 100% a cat who is constantly judgmental and moody and barfing on random objects. I love Percy.

The two main characters are deliciously complex, both full of their own insecurities and blind spots to work through, both smart and amazing at what they do. This academic rivals to lovers romance is on fire! The chemistry! The camaraderie! The heartbreak! (Honestly, Chow, how dare you???)

And I was so delighted by the cast of side characters, amazing diversity, with all of them fleshed out in their own unique ways.

Impatiently awaiting the sequel.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book of 2026 and it’s 5 stars!

I absolutely loved this book. I’ve already decided to pre-order it—and I’ll be pre-ordering the sequel too.

The academic rivals-to-lovers trope was done so well. I loved watching them slowly open up and learn to trust each other. The magical world was also incredible to read about. I am endlessly jealous of anyone with a familiar—it’s been my obsession ever since I first read The Golden Compass. And honestly, any book with a talking cat and a lizard is already winning in my eyes.

The plot was engaging and well-paced. It’s open-door spice and ends on a cliffhanger.

I also appreciated the representation in this book regarding ethnicity, sexuality, and mental health.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.

[Faiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up! this was a cute read! the strongest part for me was the magic system and world. this is a book truly steeped in magic. it’s not just that people have powers they use at opportune moments - but the whole world itself is dripping in magic.

the fmc gwendolynne is in magical vet school, and as weird stuff starts happening, her and her (ofc handsome) academic rival team up to figure out what’s going on.

the tone of this felt a bit jarring, i think it’s technically adult but it felt YA to me. the characters felt young imo, but there was a ridiculous amount of swearing. i felt like every other page had the f-word which felt a bit silly.

other than that though it was a fun read and im looking forward to book 2!

thank you berkley pub for the ARC!!!

[Erin (erinsreadingroom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ 3.5 stars

Strange Familiars is the first instalment in The Seamere College duology by author Keshe Chow. I immediately became obsessed in my need to get my hands on this book as quickly as humanly possible after falling in-love with the early premise. A rivals-to-lovers tale surrounding two academic students attending a school for magical veterinary science who suddenly find themselves forced to work together in facing against a nefarious mystery? Count me in. Despite knowing the synopsis I admittedly had been expecting a more light and cosy narrative tone throughout the story and therefore found myself (pleasantly) surprised at just how dark and sinister this reading journey turned out to be. I really enjoyed the magic system and the way that magic needs to be procured within this modern-day world. It was eye-opening to learn that just because magic is readily available… it does not mean that it is made to be accessible to everyone and that its access is rooted in privilege. The handling of the themes including but not limited to; classism, racism, societal privilege and financial struggles was executed with the upmost care whilst also refusing to undermine its importance and impact. The inclusion of representation (disability, mental illness, LGBTQ+ and more) felt flawless and read with ease with every new character that we meet.

I’ll forever love the concept of animal familiars in Fiction as I’m sure my fellow animal lovers can attest in just how badly we wish that we could communicate with our pets. Lord Percival the second (Percy) was an utter delight who kept me endlessly entertained with his grumpy demeanour and typical cat-like qualities, paired with the hidden softness that he harbours for his ‘hairless one.’ The variety of familiars on campus opened up a seamless introduction into the seemingly endless variety of creatures that exist within this universe and I loved getting the chance to learn about as many as of them as possible. It was interesting to learn about the surges and how they negatively impact the animals and their ties to magic, however I do wish that some of the explanations had been further expanded upon for greater clarification.

The world-building was executed well-enough for general understanding, however unfortunately for me I found a lot of this to follow a more ‘tell not show’ approach which caused some confusion throughout the book. It took me a while to even realise what a ‘dux’ was and why our two main characters had remained such fierce rivals in their competition for the coveted role over a seven-year period. The explanation surrounding the Void and its components necessary to the plot progression also felt a little lacklustre for me. The best way I can think to explain is it sometimes felt like (in my mind) I’d unintentionally skipped over a paragraph which contained the missing piece in my knowledge, so I’m definitely hoping some clearer expansion on this in the second instalment of the duology.

Admittedly I found myself grinning really hard at the ‘Pride and Prejudice (2005)’ cameo as prior to this moment I couldn’t stop thinking that the dynamic between our two main characters reminded me so much of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. I felt nothing but deep-rooted respect and admiration for Gwendolynne ‘Gwen’ Chan throughout her narrative point-of-view. I deeply sympathised with her struggles and the reality that she’s had to work significantly harder than her more privileged peers in order to be granted the same amount of academic recognition and respect that they receive. Her passionate drive and empathy for animals made her an easy character to like and I had a lot of fun getting to see her evolve as a character. However it also became clear that Gwen harbours a sense of pride that is derived from the insecurity of never wanting to have need or rely on others for survival. Her inability to trust in others finds Gwen in some difficult situations that she struggles to find her way out of, and overall I loved getting to witness her growth as she slowly begins to lean on others.

Harrisford Briggs is the type of character that will test your patience upon introduction as he presents himself to be a privileged, selfish and uncaring individual who cares only for his own ambitions. His privilege made him wilfully blind to the struggles of others which displayed him to regard others with apathy and a complete lack of sympathy. I absolutely loved getting to witness his steady growth as he finds himself in situations that made his own privilege blatantly obvious and the self-awareness that he acquired as a result. Harrisford grows into a deeply empathetic and self-aware man who realises that there’s more sinister things at play that he is in a position to try and resolve. I was obsessed with how deeply he yearned for Gwen and how committed he became in forsaking his own wants in the hopes of further attaining her affection. I love a man who yearns and earns which is exactly what Harrisford Briggs sets out to do, and I cannot wait to see what comes next for his character in the next book.

The relationship progression between Gwen and Harrisford remained fairly inconsistent throughout the majority of this book as every time they seemed to make progress in finding common ground… something else would happen and result in them ending back at the beginning of their tumultuous dynamic. A lot of their struggles came across to me as self-sabotage in their fear of acknowledging what their hidden feelings could warrant for their future. Both Gwen and Harrisford’s aspirations could be interpreted as self-centred and selfish at the beginning of their journey, however I think the exploration of their individual struggles throughout their independent narrative helps to showcase that it’s often much more complex than that. Communication isn’t their strongest attribute and this is something that I’m hoping to see them learn and grow from in the next book. Their chemistry is undeniable and I love nothing more than the tale of a love that should be doomed to fail that instead prospers through grit and determination. I adored getting to see both characters learn how to soften their defences and display their deepest vulnerabilities and fears with trust. There’s so much potential between Harrisford and Gwen that I cannot wait to further explore in the final book of the Seamere College duology, and I will be desperately counting down the days to see what will happen next after that shocking ending to Strange Familiars.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

[readwithacapricorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this to be on everyone’s TBR because it was just that good - yearning, academic rivals, forced proximity and a DOWNBAD MMC?! Actual perfection.

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me, but this book was perfect??? This was exaactly what I needed wrt banter and pining and romantasy and Keshe Chow DELIVERED 😭

Gwendolynne and Harrisford were really peak enemies to lovers, I loved theit obsession with each other, and snarky banter, and the slow, SLOW realisation (and then denial and then REALISATION) that they were in love 😭 they were really academic rivals-ing, and I loved each and every scene they teamed up snarkily and did the best job ever all whilst trading glares and pining glances and basically giving the best damn teamwork possible.

Also, shoutout to Percy, you are THE best cat. Ever.

That cliffhanger? I'm in PIECES. I need book 2 😭

Also the world-building and the magical animals and the plot? 10/10, Keshe Chow is a masterclass at writing these and this book just proves it even more.

So now, with this book AND For No Mortal Creature, I have two Keshe Chow cliffhangers to deal with, I need their book 2's rnnn 😭😭😭

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

[Fanna]

"light academia rivals-to-lovers fantasy set in a magical veterinary school that treats witches familiars and mythical beasts" YES PLEASE.

[M. Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely adored this book and its delightful cast of characters--human, animal, and mythical. This has it all: found family, a dark edge of mystery, wondrous enchantments, and banter that will make you snort into your tea. The ideal read for everyone who fell in love with magical schools as a child and wished for a version for adults. With a rivals-to-lovers romance that crackles with tension, a fantastical veterinary school, and your new favorite fictional feline, Strange Familiars is sure to become your next fantasy obsession!

[clicktojointhemafia]

holy shit— MAGICAL VET SCHOOL?! sign me the fuck up pls!!!

[Cozy Sabie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gwendolynne is sitting against the opposite wall, cross-legged, staring wistfully at the foal. Her coveralls are splashed with muck, her hair is all messy and sticking out in odd directions, and she ... She looks more beautiful than ever."

GENRE: Fantasy
RATING: 5/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc
Tropes: Academic Rivals to lovers, Veterinary school, Witches' familiars, dual POV

Overall Impression: AHHH I loved Strange Familiars guys! You are all in for a treat, it was a lovely book, with actual rivalry between the MCs that has a satisfying development into lovers

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Review:
What a lovely book, one that is so wholesome and covers so many lovely topic, with a focus on veterinary medicine in a magical way! I think one of the things I love about this is that the author, Keshe Chow, is a veterinary herself and you can see the passion in the book itself! And the fact that Percy (our cat in the book) is based on Keshe's late cat is a beautiful ode as well

Also guys, the rivalry in here? TRUE rivals in the sense of academia! We have our MMC who is in a competition with our FMC and wants to up her in everything. I think our MMC undergoes a lot of character development throughout the book and we get to see him address his privileges, the way he goes around in the world and how this changes his thinking & interactions. I will say that in the beginning, Harrisford tests our patience with his understanding of Gwen's life though and the way we see this evolve is a satisfying development in my opinion

Meanwhile, our FMC is a strong MC, one who is fighting to keep her place in the academic world and to save her family as well. She loves with her whole heart WHEN she lets herself get close to others. I think there is a beauty in the internal struggles we see Gwen go through, the "Am I enough?", "Can I do it?" and so much more. (Also, the struggle with studying, how she can't just figure it all out in one go as Gwen says in this quote: "For me, medicine is like building the entire orchestra, one painstaking instrument at a time, only able to construct music from it once I've figured out all the parts."

And together? They bring out each other's competitive traits, they take it all the way in the hatred, only to have that change as they explore and investigate what is happening with the magical surges. I thought that the way we got to read about the twists, the REVEALS in the last few chapters?! OH MY GOD.

I also love that we get to see an insight into being a BiPOC student in academia as well and how this impacts Gwen and the way people treat her for it. This is shaped based on reality and I love that the author chooses to include this, which goes hand in hand with the Harrisford's character development

I think I may have to just somehow find a way to survive till book 2 comes out and I'm not sure how I can manage to do it BUT DO IT I WILL, because I need to know how this ends.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the publishers for the eArc in exchange for my honest review

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s only ever the humans whose names I forget; who I tend to see as an unfortunate, unavoidable side effect of a career working with animals.”

🐈‍⬛ Rivals to Lovers
🐉 Magical Veterinary School
🐈‍⬛ He Falls First
🐉 Banter
🐈‍⬛ Magical London
🐉 Percy the Sassy Cat Familiar (Honestly he is reason alone to read this)
🐈‍⬛ Only One Dragon

“Any time I look at her, draw near her, or touch her, I go completely to pieces—as though my body is just a disparate cluster of cells held together by lust and longing.”

An academy set in a magical London, with talking familiars, mystery and academic rivals… Honestly, need I say more?

This book right here was PERFECTION. The longing, the top notch banter (it’s totally flirting if you are calling your rival a swot, clearly this is my love language), the love of animals (you know when you read a book and you can just tell that the author is so incredibly passionate about a subject? This was that.) Women in STEM… in a fantasy world? Yes please.

“That’s it. I think we’ll have to stay enemies forever.”
“Right, enemies. Of course.”

The love I have for Gwen and Harrisford is immense. Their chemistry was on fire, and their banter had me kicking my feet and giggling. They were messy, insecure, and just so deeply REAL. I loved them.

But the star of the show? Percy. I adore him. He is so quintessentially a cat. He is literally what I imagine a cat would be, if they could speak and I lived for everyone one of his lines. I too would love my very own judgy but loving (In his own way) baked bean loving familiar.

The found family aspect. Are we surprised to hear that I loved it? All the characters were a delight to read about. I will forever be weak for a good found family and this one was everything I could have hoped for.

“This is what Gwendolynne has done to me—made me prioritize someone else more than I prioritize myself. Made me care. Made me feel. And I have to say, it’s fucking glorious.”

The mystery element, I was completely absorbed by the story! I especially enjoyed all the espionage, the hunting for clues and sneaking into places they really shouldn’t be. These are very smart characters and I really enjoyed how competent they were. Some of those twists… I did not see coming!

“Yes, well, my name isn’t really Percy, you know. It’s actually Lord Percival the second, purveyor of the flesh of small defenseless creatures, destroyer of carpet, scratcher of doors, and usurper of recently vacated chairs . . . but I don’t insist that you call me by my proper name now, do I?”

That ending! The way I need book 2… it isn’t healthy. This was incredible in every way and such a joy to read. I have definitely found a new favourite, and I could not be more excited for book 2!


~ Thank You NetGalley, Ace and Keshe Chow for this ARC

[Aurora deTag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun, lots of cute animal familiars, interesting limitations on magic, and an academic rivals to lovers arc. Absolutely a fun 5 star read that I would definitely recommend!

The fact that this is book one in a duology is the only bad thing because THE ENDING! I WAS NOT READY FOR SO MANY EMOTIONS! The cliffhanger is DIABOLICAL and I need book 2 like right now. But in all seriousness, it is great that this is a duology because I feel like there’s so many questions I still have and I’m already dying to return to this world.

This book follows two students at a vet university specifically for treating familiars and other magical creatures. The author uses dual perspectives telling the story which I felt really added a lot of perspective and tension, but also had me yelling at the pages a lot wanting the characters to just communicate! I would describe this book as cozy but maybe just because it was a fast read for me and the romance makes me want to curl up under a nice blanket.

For fans of romance, you will be satisfied with a he falls first rivals to lovers trajectory. For fans of sarcasm, Percy will be your favorite (he was mine). For fans of plot twists, you will never see them coming! And finally, for fans of spice, there is light spice where it makes sense with the character development, which I appreciated as it didn’t feel out of place or forced.

Would absolutely recommend getting this book when it comes out on May 19, 2026!

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the eARC!

TW for this book: self-harm

[BonBon ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastical veterinary school set in a world where you pay for credits to use magic, can have a familiar, and have the option of riding a dragon as transportation?! Ugh I love it here!

The academic rivals to lovers who agree to pause their feud to work together to solve a dangerous magical mystery - had me sat! I adore this world, the characters, the friendship, and of course the animals ✨🔮

I cannot wait for book two, also I peeped some Dramione vibes 🤭 4.5⭐️


🖤Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw Strange Familiars pop up on social media and immediately knew it would be a must-read. So when I heard it was on NetGalley, I ran, and then devoured it within 24 hours!

❤️ Academic rivals to lovers
🐈‍⬛ A magical veterinary school
🧙🏻 Familiars you’ll adore as much as the MCs
🦄 Mythical creatures galore
🌶️ The perfect sprinkle of spice

Strange Familiars follows Gwen as she approaches graduation from a magical veterinary school. Her long-time academic rival, Harrisford, is determined to beat her to the top of the class, and their competitive tension is delicious from the start.

This book is the ideal blend of plot and romance, full of tension, heart and just the right amount of suspense. Add in a snarky cat familiar and it becomes an instant win.

I’m obsessed and already desperate for book 2. I’ll definitely be purchasing a physical copy once it’s released (manifesting a special edition!)

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a duology, Strange Familiars follows academic rivals Gwendolynne and Harrisford as they vie for the top spot at magical veterinary school. From the beginning, the reader is immersed in the world of mythological creatures and magical familiars. The difference in treatment is shown in Harrisford and Gwendolynne’s specialties, respectively.

As the story progresses, it becomes evident that something is wrong with the magic and is having a negative impact on magical creatures. This mystery provides the driving force for Gwendolynne and Harrisford to work together, despite their rivalry. Spending more time around each other, their unlikely chemistry builds into something more substantial. The romance is very much a slow burn, with increased pining as they navigate the change in dynamics of their current relationship.

My favorite aspects of this story were the magical familiars themselves. Percy, Gwendolynne’s cat, is snarky and prickly (but full of useful information). Harrisford’s bearded dragon, Pudding, is full of insight and emotional support. Seeing how magic was used in veterinary care was also extremely unique and well developed. It only seemed natural that it should function the way that Keshe Chow portrayed it.

I am excited to see where the story goes next, and look forward to the conclusion of this duology. Strange Familiars releases on May 19, 2026.

Thank you Berkley/ Ace (via Netgalley) for gifting me with an eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Dario Pacheco · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost I’d like thank NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the amazing opportunity of reading this book before it’s May•4•2026 release date. I am forever thankful and my review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
We step into a world of conspiracies, enemies to lovers romance and animal familiars in this new adult novel from Keshe Chow.
I will be honest this book, when it was announced was a highly anticipated book for me. The idea of academic enemies to lovers and throw in animal familiars and I was sold!
I liked the main character Gwen as she saved a cat from being euthanized and she ends up getting a familiar bond for her time. Percy, the cat, was hilarious as you imagine cats can be when he’s roasting Gwen.
He was probably the best part of the novel.
Now to the more mixed part of the book. I honestly felt like this book was undercooked and explaining the void and these groups of people buying for control of the magic.
I wanted to know more about these kinds of details to help get me more into this story.
The enemies to lovers aspect was okay but wasn’t my favorite in the sense that they were one of those like annoying couples when it comes to interacting with each other. And I wasn’t really shipping them at all.
Overall a so so novel that left me feeling underwhelmed with its execution.
3.5 Rating

[Brittney - TwoDogsandaBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I thought this book was going to be cute cozy read, but it was so much more complex than I was prepared for! The mystery was dangerous and the main characters were flawed and real and I just wanted to smush their faces together and yell “kiss”! I enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read book 2 and see how everything plays out.

[Lyv]

I see the dramione crumbs you are putting down and I am picking them up........

[Brittany Steminist Booknerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

STEM MCs: both in their last year of veterinary school
If you liked Divine Rivals, you might like this book: professional rivals to lovers, difference in socioeconomic status, romantasy, and the endings feel very similar to me.
For the good: Percy is the very best part of this book. He's such a typical cat, and his attitude and how he expresses love is spot on.
If you don't want to read spoilers, you need to turn away right now and stop reading this review.
The content warnings are not explicit or strong enough for what is going on throughout this book. There is almost nothing noted in the warnings about the animal abuse/neglect that is described in the first chapter. I almost DNF'd the book in the first chapter but decided to keep going... thankfully there isn't more of that throughout the book. When a book starts in that low of a place and I'm sobbing within minutes of opening the book, the content warning page should more robust and prepare you better, I think. There is a warning about self harm, but again I don't think that it is clear enough for how we see it throughout the book.
The MCs both seemed so incredibly immature even though they are both in their mid-20's. It almost felt like I was reading a new adult novel where the MCs were 18 and didn't know how to act. Neither one of them could manage to have an honest conversation with each other to save their lives, so miscommunication runs rampant throughout the entire book. It's like both of their entire personalities were anchored in being bitter rivals to the end and everything was about one-upping the other, and neither could see past that rivalry for something more neutral. At some point, the students discover that a professor was lying to them, and their response was total incredulity like professors would never lie... but why? Professors aren't above being human. So weird.
As I was reading this book, I wanted to DNF it so many times. I couldn't get into the storyline at all, and I was questioning whether this was actually a romance or not. Turns out, the answer is maybe? To me, a romance has an HEA or at least an HFN, but this has neither, you get a cliffhanger. I really wish that I would have DNF'd it by the time I got to the end. There is some romance towards the end, but every time they get close to feelings, there's something that happens and more miscommunication or insecurities get in the way, and I just wanted to scream.

[Booksbubblesbiceps · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Original, smart and addictive fantasy•

First things first- I loved this book!

Strange Familiars is such a refreshing read, with a storyline and fantasy elements different from any I have seen before. I was instantly hooked by the idea of magical veterinary students and familiars, and the book just kept getting better.

We meet main characters Gwendolynne Chan and Harrisford Briggs, two rival students chasing the same top prize- a prestigious job offer given to the top graduate of the year. Both are driven and headstrong, but they come from totally different types of families and walks of life. This shapes their characters and guides their choices throughout the book, and the dual first-person narration was a perfect way to experience all the twists and turns with them.

Chan and Briggs are quickly drawn into the web of a magical conspiracy that threatens the world, and they must decide whether to help each other or stay apart. They have help from their friends and magical familiars in discovering the truth. Just wait until you are introduced to Percy the cat, definite best supporting actor in this series.

As the plot gets more mysterious, the tension between Chan and Briggs grows. Their chemistry is incredible, and they share some of the sweetest, most relatable moments I have read in this genre. The spice is between them is spot on and beautifully written.

This book was just a joy to read from start to finish. The author having a veterinary background gave so much depth to the interactions between humans and magical creatures, the prose is spun masterfully, and the writing is just so smart!

Oh, and that cliffhanger. . .
Book 2 can’t come out fast enough!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy of Strange Familiars. All opinions are my own.

[Carmela Agatha Enriquez (agathafeelingg.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for an early copy of Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
Release date: May 15th, 2026

Blurb: At Seamere College of Magical Veterinary Sciences, top student Gwen Chan and her privileged academic rival Harrisford Briggs are forced to work together when mysterious magical surges disrupt London and threaten their futures. As corruption and dangerous magic come to light, the rivals—along with Gwen’s snarky cat familiar—must set aside their animosity to save both their education and the magical world.

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow holds a lot of promise. The premise itself is intriguing, but I felt the execution, particularly the world-building, could have been stronger. There wasn’t quite enough context surrounding the magic system, which made it harder to fully immerse myself in the story and understand its rules and limitations.

That said, I did enjoy the academic rivals-to-lovers dynamic between Gwen and Harrisford. Their banter was entertaining and added some fun moments to the narrative, even if their chemistry didn’t quite ignite for me and sometimes felt a bit forced rather than natural. I’m hopeful that this is something the sequel will improve on.

One standout for me was Percy. I absolutely loved his wit and sarcasm, and I’m genuinely excited to see more of him going forward. Overall, while Strange Familiars didn’t completely cast its spell on me, it sets a foundation that I’m curious to see expanded and refined in the next installment.

[Leandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgally and Berkley for the ARC!

First off- I did not realize this was volume one when I requested it. But that is okay, I regret nothing. It was a fun read. I will be looking forward to the next one. And might read some of the author's other books.

I will say the writing did feel a bit teen but not at all in a bad way. Just enough that I had a suspicion this was her first adult book. I don't believe that took away from the story at all.

Both of the leads, I thought, were very filled out characters. They each had their own ups and downs, weaknesses and strengths.

The world was interesting. I loved the way magic was incorporated into everyday life and how the magical animals interacted with it. Guessing from the note in the front of the book, the author is either a vet or at least went to vet school. Me, knowing nothing about that topic, it felt like something she did know a lot about- and that really came through in the text.

My only complaints (besides it not ending, *rude), was that Gwen did have a few moments of being annoying. She kept not thinking she was good enough, but honestly, that's probably very realistic- just a tad annoying on page.

And honestly, I'm still a bit confused about the void holes and tethers. That could be on me, because I know they were explained a few times. I just didn't follow. I almost need a diagram. I'm sure they are not that complicated I'm just making it harder for myself. I'm also assuming they will be extra explained in the next book. I'm not to worried.

Overall, it is a book I would re-read (because my memory sucks) when the next book comes out and would recommend.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 5 out of 5]

#StrangeFamiliars #NetGalley

With a multitude of romantasy reads, why choose this one ?

For starters, there's the stunning cover framing the FMC and MMC. The Tiffanyeque colors easily capture the reader's eye. The author's description of their physical features appears mirrored with the art.

Then there's a FMC, who is a BBC (British Born Chinese) whose cultural background is effortlessly part of her character. She shares (good and bad) experiences. Whether it be third parties who casually misidentify her with a woman of a wholly different ethnic background or, introduces parts of Chinese mythology in the story, the author showcases her culture nicely. Her male counterpart, the MMC, is also sensitive to what she has experienced. He does this with her directly and even third parties. There's also a imbalance between the characters economically which the author showcases in who can have familiars and how Gwen deals with lack of readily available magic.

Minor characters are also given multi-dimensions whether it be shown thru a personal loss or a betrayal. There were a number of surprises in the book that this reader did not anticipate. Those were seamlessly introduced while the plot continued to thicken.

Choose this one, fellow reader. For this reader, the anticipation for the sequel is strong.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group | Ace via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[bluevioletbb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Expected Release Date: May 2026

All's fair in love and magic.

When Keshe announced her adult debut, I was screaming. I was manifesting an ARC with my whole chest—and then Berkley surprised us by making it available for 48 hours. I ran (truly ran) to NetGalley hoping my request was still pending, and I got lucky. From the moment I saw the cover—absolutely stunning—to reading the synopsis, I knew this book was going to be for me.

Gwendolynne Chan just wants to survive her final year at Seamere College of Magical Veterinary Sciences, heal magical companion animals, and secure her place as Dux. Enter Harrisford Briggs: privileged, brilliant, and deeply irritating. Their academic rivals-to-lovers dynamic was perfection. The slow burn? Immaculate. The yearning? Delicious. I loved the banter, the tension, and the way lust and loathing blurred into something much more complicated. Harrisford’s storyline, especially involving Magecorp and the unsettling magical surges, added real depth and stakes to the plot. The dual POV was so interesting to read.

The magical veterinary aspect was such a refreshing twist—I loved the focus on familiars and animals, especially Gwen’s snarky cat familiar (a standout). The magic system is intriguing and well thought out, and while there are a few slower sections, they clearly serve to build a strong foundation for what’s to come. By the end, I was fully invested and already desperate for book two. An easy five-star read for me, and an incredible start to Keshe’s adult fantasy era. ✨📚

[Lindy's Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a work of magic, literally! I loved this world, the characters, the mystical creatures, the mystery and plot twists. First, can we talk about this world?!? This setting is in the UK, but in a world where mystical creatures and magic are present. Magic is in the atmosphere (needing a familiar to access it), and can be bought from massive corporations online or through vending machines. Our two main characters, Gwendolynne and Harrisford, are rivals at a veterinary college for magical creatures, and they learn to treat unicorns, dragons, qilins, centaur alongside your typical cats, lizards and more. They discover many magical surges are happening, and they work together (because they blackmail each other) to get to the cause. Keshe also juxtaposed Gwen and Harrisford as not only academic rivals but also polar opposites of societal privilege. She thoughtfully approached topics of race, socio-economic status, gender, and privilege in a way to demonstrate how having privilege (wealth, being white etc) really does impact your life. The rivals to lovers romance between Gwendolynne and Harrisford is top-notch. Discovering just how much and how long Harrisford yearns for Gwen melted my heart! The ENDING tugged on my heartstrings, I need the second book immediately!

I received a free e-copy of this book through Netgalley, my thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Anastasia Campo · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ mild spice

- MAGIC BEASTS
- SPELLS
- FANTASTICAL VET SCHOOL
- ACADEMIA BUT MAKE IT FREAKING FASCINATING
- fabulous pacing
- INCREDIBLY FUN world building
- beautiful storytelling
- familiars and mind speaking
- mastering exams and winning the most coveted post grad position
- magical and academic rivals
- a magic system in the fritz
- brooding golden haired beautiful MMC
- sweet and anxious beautiful FMC
- SEXY, SEXY TIMES
- talking cats and bearded dragons
- gothic architecture and hallowed halls

OH EM GEE. I started this book, and suddenly, it was 24 hours later and I was SHOOK. SHOOK at this beautiful story, this world I want to LIVE IN, this incredible romance between these rivals who very much have the hots for eachother. I love this story, omg I LOVE THIS STORY.

Gwen and Harrisford are academic rivals and vying for the same post grad, coveted position, working in the final weeks of their semester to win Dux. They come from opposing vet schools, opposing lifestyles, and couldn’t be more different… until they have to work together to see why the worlds magic is overloading familiars and scorching people and objects around them.

This is absolutely fantastical writing, beautiful world building, emotional, relatable, I can’t get over this book and BOOK 2 NEEDS TO BE IN MY HANDS, IMMEDIATELY.