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The Othala Witch Collection #6
Red Magic (Sector Six)
"You're not white magic at all. Not a bit o' ye. You're red magic... like me."
Born to be successor to the Regent's throne, and the highest-ranked witch in the holy lands of District 6, Maia sees her birthright as little more than a genetic practical joke, and a source of constant worry. Unlike every other witch Maia knows, and certainly her mother, Maia is a hopelessly, terrible witch. She can't do magic at all, no matter how hard she tries.
Faced with the looming humiliation of being replaced as successor to the throne, Maia is on the verge of giving up when a chance meeting on a lonely pier changes everything for her.
A lone, angry warlock makes a deal with her that morning: he'll tell her who and what she really is, if she agrees to set him free. The fact that he's handsome, frustratingly familiar in some way she can't pinpoint, and seems to know more about her than she knows herself, causes her to take his questionable deal.
In doing so, Maia learns things about her perfect, idyllic kingdom that she never wanted to know, and nothing in her life will ever be the same again.
Praise for JC Andrijeski's Writing
"Andrijeski delivers a whopper of an action flick..." ~ New Myths
"The sexual tension is scorching..." ~ The Muses Circle
"Amazing characters in an out-of-this-world scenario..." ~ The Indie Bookshelf
"The most impressive display of world-building I have seen in a while." ~ I (Heart) Reading
Born to be successor to the Regent's throne, and the highest-ranked witch in the holy lands of District 6, Maia sees her birthright as little more than a genetic practical joke, and a source of constant worry. Unlike every other witch Maia knows, and certainly her mother, Maia is a hopelessly, terrible witch. She can't do magic at all, no matter how hard she tries.
Faced with the looming humiliation of being replaced as successor to the throne, Maia is on the verge of giving up when a chance meeting on a lonely pier changes everything for her.
A lone, angry warlock makes a deal with her that morning: he'll tell her who and what she really is, if she agrees to set him free. The fact that he's handsome, frustratingly familiar in some way she can't pinpoint, and seems to know more about her than she knows herself, causes her to take his questionable deal.
In doing so, Maia learns things about her perfect, idyllic kingdom that she never wanted to know, and nothing in her life will ever be the same again.
Praise for JC Andrijeski's Writing
"Andrijeski delivers a whopper of an action flick..." ~ New Myths
"The sexual tension is scorching..." ~ The Muses Circle
"Amazing characters in an out-of-this-world scenario..." ~ The Indie Bookshelf
"The most impressive display of world-building I have seen in a while." ~ I (Heart) Reading
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2016
38 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Andrijeski
212 books714 followersAlso publishes under the name Julie Light
JC Andrijeski is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes sexy, apocalyptic and cyberpunk-y science fiction romance and mystery books, often with a metaphysical bent. Current works include the gritty, epic, psychic warfare romance, ALLIE'S WAR, which follows Allie Taylor and her antihero partner, Revik, in their attempts to save the world from a dark, psychic force. Her dystopian science fiction romance series, ALIEN APOCALYPSE, features Jet Tetsuo, survivor and slave under alien conquerors, and her GATE SHIFTER series is about a shape-shifting alien and a tough-girl PI from Seattle. Her newest launch is QUENTIN BLACK, a science fiction romance and mystery series that’s a spin-off from Allie’s War but set in our own version of Earth.
JC has a background in journalism, history and politics, travels extensively and has lived abroad in Europe, Australia and Asia, and from coast to coast in the continental United States. She currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
To learn more about me and my writing, please visit http://jcandrijeski.com. For more about the Allie's War series, visit http://allieswarseries.com
If you want to get an automatic email when JC's next book is released, join THE REBEL ARMY at tinyurl.com/JCAndrijeski.
JC Andrijeski is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes sexy, apocalyptic and cyberpunk-y science fiction romance and mystery books, often with a metaphysical bent. Current works include the gritty, epic, psychic warfare romance, ALLIE'S WAR, which follows Allie Taylor and her antihero partner, Revik, in their attempts to save the world from a dark, psychic force. Her dystopian science fiction romance series, ALIEN APOCALYPSE, features Jet Tetsuo, survivor and slave under alien conquerors, and her GATE SHIFTER series is about a shape-shifting alien and a tough-girl PI from Seattle. Her newest launch is QUENTIN BLACK, a science fiction romance and mystery series that’s a spin-off from Allie’s War but set in our own version of Earth.
JC has a background in journalism, history and politics, travels extensively and has lived abroad in Europe, Australia and Asia, and from coast to coast in the continental United States. She currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
To learn more about me and my writing, please visit http://jcandrijeski.com. For more about the Allie's War series, visit http://allieswarseries.com
If you want to get an automatic email when JC's next book is released, join THE REBEL ARMY at tinyurl.com/JCAndrijeski.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
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March 19, 2017DNF @ 35% = no rating.
I just could not get into this story. The writing was off-putting and pedantic. I got bored and started to skim. It felt more like MM Kaye writing in the style of Piers Anthony.
I wanted to love this...and I might have when I was 13 :/
I just could not get into this story. The writing was off-putting and pedantic. I got bored and started to skim. It felt more like MM Kaye writing in the style of Piers Anthony.
I wanted to love this...and I might have when I was 13 :/
July 21, 2017
I loved the chemistry between Maia and Donel! Donel is even gorgeous when dirty, especially with his dark, brooding smolder. And I love the idea of this series of a magical dystopian world (thankfully without vampires and werewolves) where each author can spin their Sector however they want (though I did notice Ravagers and Regents are common factors across the books). I loved that this story was definitely a coming of age, and how Maia grows over the course of the story as she finds how special she is, and uncovers hidden truths about her Sector. The story itself is full of mystery, action, adventure, plenty of magic, a strong heroine, and her gorgeous romance interest. Though I did feel there was room for improvement. I never got a good impression of setting (other than the buildings and the river. I still have no idea what the climate was like, or what any of the vistas looked like (other than looking out at the river). I felt the pacing was a bit slow and perhaps a heavier hand needed on the editing since points get repeated quite a bit (for instance, there is a conversation on a rooftop that’s 5 chapters long!!!) And at other times, things felt rushed (the second to the last chapter just jumped in scenes really fast and it felt like they really didn’t meet any resistance or obstacles. I don’t want to spoil things but I’ll just say there seemed like there was an important scene about Donal’s sister that was just plain omitted that should have been there between the second to the last chapter and the final chapter. And there was no real explanation as to what was going on with the Fire Temple.) Had this been the beginning of a series by the author, I would eagerly continue on to the next book, and over all, I did think it was a wonderful, imaginative read.
March 2, 2019
Incredible magical world
This story builds steadily right from the beginning. We don’t have to wait long to guess something isn’t right with this society. I can’t fathom a mother wishing her daughter would commit suicide rather than embarrass her. Maia comes across an attractive but dirty man in a cage and it changes everything for her. She has been lied to her entire life and learning the truth is liberating. It is amazing to see Maia blossom as an adult and come out of her shell to figure out who she was always meant to be. Donal is roguish but a good man. While they met under strange and not the most honest circumstances, his intensity and courage win her over eventually and he supports her as she finds her way in a world she didn’t even know existed right outside her door until she met Donal. Well written and hard to put down. I highly recommend this.
This story builds steadily right from the beginning. We don’t have to wait long to guess something isn’t right with this society. I can’t fathom a mother wishing her daughter would commit suicide rather than embarrass her. Maia comes across an attractive but dirty man in a cage and it changes everything for her. She has been lied to her entire life and learning the truth is liberating. It is amazing to see Maia blossom as an adult and come out of her shell to figure out who she was always meant to be. Donal is roguish but a good man. While they met under strange and not the most honest circumstances, his intensity and courage win her over eventually and he supports her as she finds her way in a world she didn’t even know existed right outside her door until she met Donal. Well written and hard to put down. I highly recommend this.
June 9, 2017
It was hard to get into. I wasn't bored but it was too informational. The speech was difficult to get into at first. But I persevered because I was familiar with JC's work. It was interesting, yet, because of the world build, was a little off putting. I am intrigued with the story. However I have more questions than answers.
The first half was hard to get into. The speech was a little staccatto and hard to follow. The was a lot of information for this new world build which left me with more questions than answers. However I persevered and once the action and ending came to be I really enjoyed the story.
The first half was hard to get into. The speech was a little staccatto and hard to follow. The was a lot of information for this new world build which left me with more questions than answers. However I persevered and once the action and ending came to be I really enjoyed the story.
March 12, 2017
So alike and still different, or not?
Maia is the successor for the throne of District 6, but a shame that her white magic is terrible. All around her know that as well. To her mother she is a disappointment and soon her fate will be set. Either replacement or her family expects her to spare them the shame.
One encounter at a pier brings her up and close with a warlock who had been locked up there. Sheltered Maia does not understand the meaning of it until he helps her to understand and strikes a bargain with her: he’ll tell her what she is when she sets him free.
Maia is insistently drawn to the warlock, sensing a kind of recognition and what he reveals to her is shocking her. Nothing seems to be the way it appears to be in the kingdom. Now Maia has to choose, believing him and start a new path or denying and going back to her old unwanted life.
When I read the blurb, I wanted to read the book and had high expectations.
The story starts slow and while the kingdom is unknown, everything is explained well so that you can easily follow the journey.
With Maia and the warlock you have two strong and very different characters as well as colliding worlds. The author understands well to bring the story to life, the emotions of the characters and their interactions.
I loved the story of the book and the characters, but what did not meet my expectations is the editing of the book. There are a lot of passages with errors (their instead of there, he instead of she, and so on). And what really ailed me was the end. It felt rushed compared to the rest. You had a good book and then everything was solved in a couple of sentences without explanation. It felt if someone just slammed a sentence in front of you to close the loose ends, but opened up some question’s (Spoiler! f.e. what does mean they can come and go now as they please from the temple, there was nothing mentioned before of them in the temple)
It had still been a good read.
Maia is the successor for the throne of District 6, but a shame that her white magic is terrible. All around her know that as well. To her mother she is a disappointment and soon her fate will be set. Either replacement or her family expects her to spare them the shame.
One encounter at a pier brings her up and close with a warlock who had been locked up there. Sheltered Maia does not understand the meaning of it until he helps her to understand and strikes a bargain with her: he’ll tell her what she is when she sets him free.
Maia is insistently drawn to the warlock, sensing a kind of recognition and what he reveals to her is shocking her. Nothing seems to be the way it appears to be in the kingdom. Now Maia has to choose, believing him and start a new path or denying and going back to her old unwanted life.
When I read the blurb, I wanted to read the book and had high expectations.
The story starts slow and while the kingdom is unknown, everything is explained well so that you can easily follow the journey.
With Maia and the warlock you have two strong and very different characters as well as colliding worlds. The author understands well to bring the story to life, the emotions of the characters and their interactions.
I loved the story of the book and the characters, but what did not meet my expectations is the editing of the book. There are a lot of passages with errors (their instead of there, he instead of she, and so on). And what really ailed me was the end. It felt rushed compared to the rest. You had a good book and then everything was solved in a couple of sentences without explanation. It felt if someone just slammed a sentence in front of you to close the loose ends, but opened up some question’s (Spoiler! f.e. what does mean they can come and go now as they please from the temple, there was nothing mentioned before of them in the temple)
It had still been a good read.
August 9, 2017
This is not the first book I have read by JC Andrijeski and it will definitely won't be the last, but it is one of the best so far.
It had everything I've come to expect from Andrijeski and more. Her characters were well developed and their connection was what made it so enjoyable. I love how the main characters in JC's stories banter and interactions are so well done. It is one of my favorite things about her books. It also helps that the stories are well thought out and creative.
It had everything I've come to expect from Andrijeski and more. Her characters were well developed and their connection was what made it so enjoyable. I love how the main characters in JC's stories banter and interactions are so well done. It is one of my favorite things about her books. It also helps that the stories are well thought out and creative.
June 18, 2017
Lies and more lies
Our heroine has lived her whole life knowing she was different and not worthy. Then along comes our hero and he turns her whole world upside down. Greed and power have ruled for many generations but the power our heroine has is the key to setting things right. Just as in her other books, the authors ability to weave the story is fantastic.
Our heroine has lived her whole life knowing she was different and not worthy. Then along comes our hero and he turns her whole world upside down. Greed and power have ruled for many generations but the power our heroine has is the key to setting things right. Just as in her other books, the authors ability to weave the story is fantastic.
August 7, 2018
I liked it
This book is part of a series that can be read out of order and still be good. Everything is explained in detail where you can practically see it in your minds eye. Like the mossy stairs and the volcano black walls. I just love her writing. I also like how Maia is the rescuer instead of the Donal. Also it has guns, magic, and dragons. What more do you want?
This book is part of a series that can be read out of order and still be good. Everything is explained in detail where you can practically see it in your minds eye. Like the mossy stairs and the volcano black walls. I just love her writing. I also like how Maia is the rescuer instead of the Donal. Also it has guns, magic, and dragons. What more do you want?
August 23, 2018
Entertaining
While there were no surprises, this coming of age story of a young woman maturing into her birthright moved along at a pace sufficient to keep me turning the pages to the end. An easy, pleasant read.
While there were no surprises, this coming of age story of a young woman maturing into her birthright moved along at a pace sufficient to keep me turning the pages to the end. An easy, pleasant read.
September 21, 2018
Rushed ending
I liked the characters, the world building, and the storytelling. Andrijeski does a wonderful job building tension but allows all of that to collapse by packing the ending into 2 chapters.
I liked the characters, the world building, and the storytelling. Andrijeski does a wonderful job building tension but allows all of that to collapse by packing the ending into 2 chapters.
October 2, 2019
Good reading
I really enjoy this author. This was a little different To we we are used to with her but nevertheless an enjoyable read. Loved the use of the lizards and hope you do as well. It was a nice twist.
I really enjoy this author. This was a little different To we we are used to with her but nevertheless an enjoyable read. Loved the use of the lizards and hope you do as well. It was a nice twist.
October 2, 2021
Fire Lizards and Red Magic
Maia finds out she is a red witch, outlawed by the white witches. Sent off to die, she finds an affinity with the fire lizards. Exciting story and adventure.
Maia finds out she is a red witch, outlawed by the white witches. Sent off to die, she finds an affinity with the fire lizards. Exciting story and adventure.
October 15, 2016
Another excellent addition to the Othala Witch Collection!
Sector Six is just as corrupt as the others. The Regent's sister, Lady Annikka holds a deep secret. She tried to hide the darkness of Maia's skin, not withholding her contempt and shame for her daughter's lack of white magic. Maia is in line for next Regent. With her 21st birthday looming, she knows deep down it'll never happen.
When she meets Danal her her world changes...She learns who she really is and where she comes from. New powers arise and she's more powerful than anyone realized.
In a series of dangerous situations, Maia must fight for her life.
If you haven't read the complete Othala Witch Collection, you don't know what you're missing. They're all stand alone and don't have to be read in order. I highly recommend all of these books!
Sector Six is just as corrupt as the others. The Regent's sister, Lady Annikka holds a deep secret. She tried to hide the darkness of Maia's skin, not withholding her contempt and shame for her daughter's lack of white magic. Maia is in line for next Regent. With her 21st birthday looming, she knows deep down it'll never happen.
When she meets Danal her her world changes...She learns who she really is and where she comes from. New powers arise and she's more powerful than anyone realized.
In a series of dangerous situations, Maia must fight for her life.
If you haven't read the complete Othala Witch Collection, you don't know what you're missing. They're all stand alone and don't have to be read in order. I highly recommend all of these books!
September 24, 2017
Red Magic
I liked this book. The world build and character build was interesting with a twist. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I liked this book. The world build and character build was interesting with a twist. I look forward to reading more from this author.
October 22, 2018
Weak story.
The bigotry between the white witches and red witches were so poorly done that it weaken the whole storyline thus the whole book.
The bigotry between the white witches and red witches were so poorly done that it weaken the whole storyline thus the whole book.
January 3, 2019
Sorry
Couldn’t get into it at all. What should’ve gone into one chapter took 6. Disappointing. Really needs a good editor.
Couldn’t get into it at all. What should’ve gone into one chapter took 6. Disappointing. Really needs a good editor.
January 11, 2022
Excellent read
I thought this book was wonderful. Things are not what they seem. I hope you like it as much as I did.
I thought this book was wonderful. Things are not what they seem. I hope you like it as much as I did.
October 22, 2016
Liked it
This was a fun book to read. I liked all the magics with there different way of doing things. Liked the characters also.
This was a fun book to read. I liked all the magics with there different way of doing things. Liked the characters also.
October 20, 2016
Ok so... there was some grammatical errors. The beginning was, in my opinion, slow. But about half way into the book it really picked up and I did enjoy it. I will read the next.
October 10, 2016
Maia is born to be successor to the Regent's throne, and the highest-ranked witch in the holy lands of District 6. However Maia is a hopelessly, terrible witch. She can't do magic at all, no matter how hard she tries. She is soon to be 21 and will have to be replaced as a successor to the throne (probably by being expected to commit suicide).
In an amazing coincidence she is taken to see a trapped warlock that morning during her walk through the market before classes. In return for his freedom he makes a deal with her that morning that he can tell her what she is a why she is unable to do magic but when he does that nothing in her life can ever be the same again.
A great story with lots of clearly described people, places and emotions. I could fee that I was there and could really empathise with Maia and what she was going through. A well written book that I can definitely recommend.
In an amazing coincidence she is taken to see a trapped warlock that morning during her walk through the market before classes. In return for his freedom he makes a deal with her that morning that he can tell her what she is a why she is unable to do magic but when he does that nothing in her life can ever be the same again.
A great story with lots of clearly described people, places and emotions. I could fee that I was there and could really empathise with Maia and what she was going through. A well written book that I can definitely recommend.
October 12, 2016
Medieval world meets Hunger Games in this action-packed adventure filled with talk of magic, some interesting animals and a really sexy warlock. I don't read books from the romance section but I do enjoy it when it comes up in stories as long as it's not overdone. When it comes to romance, I'm like Goldilocks - I like it not too cold and not too hot but just right, and in this story the balance was spot on. I liked the twists in the story - some interesting surprises there and absolutely loved the first part (the medieval part that is). I also enjoyed reading about Maia and how she changed along the way and found myself cheering her on as the story progressed to the great finale.
October 21, 2016
Dragons or Lizards
Which are they this is magical read that seems more complicated than it is and was a very enjoyable reading experience
Which are they this is magical read that seems more complicated than it is and was a very enjoyable reading experience
February 20, 2017
Red Magic by JC Andrijeski is part of the Othala Witch series.
Note: this review contains spoilers!
Imagine growing up knowing that the day you turn 21 you would be banished or killed. That the white magic that is supposed to be your birthright is not yours to control even though you have been studying it since you were 6. That your mother hates you and has as little to do with you as possible.
Now imagine there is a slave. A slave who is a warlock who says he will tell you everything about yourself if you free him. But freeing him takes banishment off the table. If you are caught, you'll be killed.
That's what is happening to Maia in the Red Magic. She is supposed to be in school studying magic, but she is walking through the Water Market smelling the cooking meat she can't eat, watching the normal people. Then an old woman drags her to a cage where a man, a warlock named Donal, is being held. He offers her the truth, the truth about her red magic, in exchange for his freedom.
With literally nothing to lose, Maia pays for his freedom and her world is never the same.
She controls red magic not white, and instead of being inferior to the white witches, she welds more power than any of them. Caught up in a world of magic, greed, corruption, and betrayal Maia and Donal learn what it means to really trust in someone other than yourself and that power can be used for good.
JC Andrijeski never disappoints in character or story development. This is a fantastic tale of a girl with nothing who becomes the ruler of it all.
Note: this review contains spoilers!
Imagine growing up knowing that the day you turn 21 you would be banished or killed. That the white magic that is supposed to be your birthright is not yours to control even though you have been studying it since you were 6. That your mother hates you and has as little to do with you as possible.
Now imagine there is a slave. A slave who is a warlock who says he will tell you everything about yourself if you free him. But freeing him takes banishment off the table. If you are caught, you'll be killed.
That's what is happening to Maia in the Red Magic. She is supposed to be in school studying magic, but she is walking through the Water Market smelling the cooking meat she can't eat, watching the normal people. Then an old woman drags her to a cage where a man, a warlock named Donal, is being held. He offers her the truth, the truth about her red magic, in exchange for his freedom.
With literally nothing to lose, Maia pays for his freedom and her world is never the same.
She controls red magic not white, and instead of being inferior to the white witches, she welds more power than any of them. Caught up in a world of magic, greed, corruption, and betrayal Maia and Donal learn what it means to really trust in someone other than yourself and that power can be used for good.
JC Andrijeski never disappoints in character or story development. This is a fantastic tale of a girl with nothing who becomes the ruler of it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2016
5 stars!!!
I just finished reading this....oh wow! My favorite so far (I'm reading the series in order as they are being released). I found myself totally wrapped up in this book from the very beginning! An extremely thrilling story full of action and magic, powerful witches and warlocks and hidden secrets just waiting to be revealed. Maia and Donal are perfect! And I just loved the fire lizards!
I just finished reading this....oh wow! My favorite so far (I'm reading the series in order as they are being released). I found myself totally wrapped up in this book from the very beginning! An extremely thrilling story full of action and magic, powerful witches and warlocks and hidden secrets just waiting to be revealed. Maia and Donal are perfect! And I just loved the fire lizards!
October 16, 2016
Great story!
I really enjoyed this book in the Othala series. The author did an outstanding job in bringing to life the young princess who doesn't fit into her prescribed place in the kingdom. The "red magic" of the prisoner on the dock is alluring to her for a very good reason and as the story unfolds I wasn't able to put down the book!
I really enjoyed this book in the Othala series. The author did an outstanding job in bringing to life the young princess who doesn't fit into her prescribed place in the kingdom. The "red magic" of the prisoner on the dock is alluring to her for a very good reason and as the story unfolds I wasn't able to put down the book!
October 19, 2016
Good read
I have loved this series. This book, it was about halfway in that I really couldn't put it down afterwards. But once it got good, it stayed good. And so glad for the ending, the happy and sad ending. Loved the reunion. Even if it didn't say much about her. Without spoilers that's all I can say :)
I have loved this series. This book, it was about halfway in that I really couldn't put it down afterwards. But once it got good, it stayed good. And so glad for the ending, the happy and sad ending. Loved the reunion. Even if it didn't say much about her. Without spoilers that's all I can say :)
October 10, 2016
Red Magic was an awesome read. I'm a huge fan of the Quentin Black series, and this book didn't disappoint with the same stellar level of worldbuilding and character development in this interesting standalone novel. Loved the plot and hope to see more of this world in future stories.
December 24, 2016
Enjoyable
This is an interesting story about a society that has Red and White magic. The White witches hold the Red as slaves by controlling their access to their magic.
This is an interesting story about a society that has Red and White magic. The White witches hold the Red as slaves by controlling their access to their magic.
March 30, 2017
It is a great book to read
April 2, 2017
Another good addition in the Othala Witch Collection. I really liked the relationship between our heros and the slow build that brought them together. I liked the background story and environment that was created for the characters and I really liked the characters. A surprisingly good book in a series of hit or misses.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews