69 books
—
283 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Spellhacker” as Want to Read:
Spellhacker
by
From the author of The Disasters, this genre-bending YA fantasy heist story is perfect for fans of Marie Lu and Amie Kaufman.
In Kyrkarta, magic—known as maz—was once a freely available natural resource. Then an earthquake released a magical plague, killing thousands and opening the door for a greedy corporation to make maz a commodity that’s tightly controlled—and, of cour ...more
In Kyrkarta, magic—known as maz—was once a freely available natural resource. Then an earthquake released a magical plague, killing thousands and opening the door for a greedy corporation to make maz a commodity that’s tightly controlled—and, of cour ...more
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Spellhacker
I'm so thrilled to announce my second stand-alone book with HarperTeen, SPELLHACKER! It's the story of a heist gone wrong in a futuristic world with magic, starring a girl named Diz who is basically a cactus secretly filled with marshmallow. Diz is joined by her NB childhood friend Remi (who she is definitely not dating), her fierce bestie Ania, and her dad-friend Jaesin. I love the magic system, setting, and found family dynamics in this book, and I hope you do, too! ✨
To show you how much the e ...more
Got this in January Faecrate, just not for me. Going to be dropping some book boxes at some point.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Oh this was a fantastically fun mix of disaster friend-squads, sci-fi heists, magic, and sarcastic quips. Such a nice little checklist of all the good things books should have :') I liked reading the author's first book (The Disasters!) so I was ready for moooore. And this was really fun. It's action heavy and delightfully magical and very very techy.
[magic and scifi]
Honestly not a usual mix! It had a video game quality to it at times, so think Warcross x Illuminae. I did think the focus was goi ...more
[magic and scifi]
Honestly not a usual mix! It had a video game quality to it at times, so think Warcross x Illuminae. I did think the focus was goi ...more
Dec 04, 2019
h o l l i s
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
finished-in-december-2019,
lgbtqia,
ya,
fantasy,
ebook,
hello-diversity,
2019-reads,
arc,
grief-or-loss,
meh
I've not really had the best luck with queer fantasy lately and that is such a shame. Here is another story that has a great concept that just didn't quite win in execution. But unlike another recent read, at least I didn't hate this one? And also, unlike that same book, at least this author prefaced the novel with definitions for the magic system?
And speaking of the magic system, it felt.. new. The fact that not everyone could use it, and there were different levels of ability, but there didn't ...more
And speaking of the magic system, it felt.. new. The fact that not everyone could use it, and there were different levels of ability, but there didn't ...more
This was an absolute delight. Also, have I mentioned it features gays on a heist??
“Yeah, I know, I’m a bit of a disaster. But hey, aren’t we all? Doesn’t mean we can’t fly.”
Spellhacker follows Diz, an 18 year old techie who runs an underground business with her motley crew of friends, making some extra cash on the side by siphoning maz for their clients. The group is finally ready to go on their separate ways after having completed their very last heist, anxious to move on from the dangerous gi ...more
“Yeah, I know, I’m a bit of a disaster. But hey, aren’t we all? Doesn’t mean we can’t fly.”
Spellhacker follows Diz, an 18 year old techie who runs an underground business with her motley crew of friends, making some extra cash on the side by siphoning maz for their clients. The group is finally ready to go on their separate ways after having completed their very last heist, anxious to move on from the dangerous gi ...more
This was pretty good. I enjoyed it but it was a bit predictable and just overall ok. I enjoyed the representation, the friendship group and the plot but nothing really amazed me. There's nothing bad about it and I did enjoy it, just not enough to give it four stars.
Wow what a rambling review to nowhere! :P
...more
Wow what a rambling review to nowhere! :P
...more
January 24, 2020:
Spellhacker is riding on a magical substance called maz against the backdrop of scientific support so it does blend the two genres of fantasy and science-fiction very well. Portraying a diverse set of characters, from POCs to LGBTQ+, with a great intention and a normalized manner of pure existence instead of justification is commendable: lesbian, gay, non-binary characters along with the mention of brown skin and headwraps. Definitely a magnetic choice for those who love squad s...more
This was everything I ever could have wanted and I'm shook
Found family? Check!
Disaster queers? Check!
Idiot main character who you can't help but love? Check!
Commentary on climate change? CHECK!
Cool magic? Check!
Fast-paced exciting plot? Check!
Adorable slow burn love interest? Check!
Plot twists that will leave you shook? Check!
Lots of feelings? Check!
Banter, banter, and more banter? Check!!
I could go on I'm sure, but I think you get the gist. Now go read th ...more
Found family? Check!
Disaster queers? Check!
Idiot main character who you can't help but love? Check!
Commentary on climate change? CHECK!
Cool magic? Check!
Fast-paced exciting plot? Check!
Adorable slow burn love interest? Check!
Plot twists that will leave you shook? Check!
Lots of feelings? Check!
Banter, banter, and more banter? Check!!
I could go on I'm sure, but I think you get the gist. Now go read th ...more
Spellhacker is a fantastic mix of fantasy and science fiction. I can tell you right now it is going to be a pain deciding whether to put it in our YA fantasy or YA Sci-fi section but the pain will be worth it to share this adventure of a novel with our readers. Tech hackers, best friends, diverse romantic relationships, conspiracy theories, magic literally woven with technology and gadgets, explosions, heists and enough action to keep you glued to the pages, M.K England seriously delivers with t
...more
I read an early version of this book, and let me tell you -- you're in for an absolutely wild ride!
THE TWISTS! THE TURNS! The amazingly loveable characters and their fabulously real and dear friendships!
The world is new and cool, the magic and tech blend is expertly executed, and you are not ready for the ending, ya'll.
Preorder this book ASAP ...more
THE TWISTS! THE TURNS! The amazingly loveable characters and their fabulously real and dear friendships!
The world is new and cool, the magic and tech blend is expertly executed, and you are not ready for the ending, ya'll.
Preorder this book ASAP ...more
Spellhacker is one of my most anticipated releases this 2020 and I adored reading it! It’s absolutely delightful! With queer characters everywhere and a fast-paced and fun story, you just can’t help but enjoy this book!
Good writing
The writing style is good! Spellhacker is told in the first person point of view and that really allowed me to get to know the main character and see the story unfold the way she saw it. The tone is light and fun, but it can also get exciting or thrilling and even emot ...more
Good writing
The writing style is good! Spellhacker is told in the first person point of view and that really allowed me to get to know the main character and see the story unfold the way she saw it. The tone is light and fun, but it can also get exciting or thrilling and even emot ...more
Jan 17, 2020
Kal ★ Reader Voracious
marked it as dnf
DNF @ 35%This is a quirky and queer read and I'm so bummed that this book didn't work for me!
I actually really enjoyed the first 20% or so, but once I realized the bulk of the plot hinged on miscommunication as a plot device... it kind of was all I saw. (view spoiler) ...more
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Edelweiss. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Found family, standing up when others would stay silent, and all the queer magic, Spellhacker is a story that celebrates resistance and love. Featuring a queer MC, nonbinary love interest, bi side character and some other smaller but adorable queer characters, Spellhacker is a story of choosing with whom we will take a stand. The world building in Spellhacker is magical, colorful, and ...more
Found family, standing up when others would stay silent, and all the queer magic, Spellhacker is a story that celebrates resistance and love. Featuring a queer MC, nonbinary love interest, bi side character and some other smaller but adorable queer characters, Spellhacker is a story of choosing with whom we will take a stand. The world building in Spellhacker is magical, colorful, and ...more
No sophomore slump for M.K England's new book. I adored all the Final Fantasy vibes in this amazing novel as well as the prickly lead Dizzy. It's a standalone I would love to read more of, just like Disasters. 😭
...more
This was such a fun read, with a lot of fantasy mixed with bits of sci-fi, making this novel tons better. I’m already a fan of both genres so it worked out perfectly. But, what made this an even more interesting read, were the characters included in here. I appreciated the diversity and originality of them, and the story that was created for the reader. Aside from Diz, we see the three others that made this story what it is.
“We already have Ania for a techwitch, and Remi the spellweaving prodigy ...more
“We already have Ania for a techwitch, and Remi the spellweaving prodigy ...more
Spellhacker is the queer sci-fi fantasy book you've been waiting for! There is a wild magic system, inventive tech, high stakes, heists, and at the very heart of it, found family and love. I absolutely speed through this book and I think it's a damn good time.
READ the full review at BookCrushin.com
...more
READ the full review at BookCrushin.com
...more
Quite an action packed thriller set in a land where technology and magic were amalgamated beautifully.
Once magic (maz) was freely available, an earthquake brought about a spellplague and a corporation which took advantage. Now maz was sold to a select few who could afford. Diz and her friends siphoned of this maz and sold it to their clients. A job gone bad and the maz blew up on their faces, they knew they had to act fast.
My first book by author M. K. England, this was a complete fun of a ride. ...more
Once magic (maz) was freely available, an earthquake brought about a spellplague and a corporation which took advantage. Now maz was sold to a select few who could afford. Diz and her friends siphoned of this maz and sold it to their clients. A job gone bad and the maz blew up on their faces, they knew they had to act fast.
My first book by author M. K. England, this was a complete fun of a ride. ...more
Full review to come
----
1/23/20: Listening to the audio this time and I regret nothing.
----
1/23/20: Listening to the audio this time and I regret nothing.
Jan 20, 2020
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
got-blessed-early
Review going live on the blog at midnight EST because UBB doesn't want to get along with block editor.
The author/publisher provided a free copy of the book for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a review copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore do not affect the opinion or content of the review.
I love heists in books. We've got a group of people (each who are talented AF), something goes wrong (oop--) and then they're scrambling to fix things. Sometimes there's a character ...more
The author/publisher provided a free copy of the book for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a review copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore do not affect the opinion or content of the review.
I love heists in books. We've got a group of people (each who are talented AF), something goes wrong (oop--) and then they're scrambling to fix things. Sometimes there's a character ...more
First, shout out for LGBTQ representation! In this story, it's more the norm to be queer than straight and I loved it. Second, the found family aspect was fun and sweet. M.K. England is great at putting together a misfit group of kids with a strong bond that makes me happy.
The magic system was interesting and I have some questions still. Why can only some people use magic? If it comes from the earth, why can't everyone harness it? And why are there different levels of magic use? It was almost a ...more
The magic system was interesting and I have some questions still. Why can only some people use magic? If it comes from the earth, why can't everyone harness it? And why are there different levels of magic use? It was almost a ...more
Fun fun fun
3.5 stars
TWs: terminal illness, death of parents.
Despite having owned a copy of The Disasters for about a year, I ended up reading Spellhacker first and I enjoyed it once it got going. This is an urban fantasy romp where magic, or "maz", is a purchasable commodity. I loved the found family elements and the subtle challenges to capitalism.
The magic system could have been developed further and I felt the plot wasn't always cohesive, but the final fight scenes were pretty great. There was a twist ...more
TWs: terminal illness, death of parents.
Despite having owned a copy of The Disasters for about a year, I ended up reading Spellhacker first and I enjoyed it once it got going. This is an urban fantasy romp where magic, or "maz", is a purchasable commodity. I loved the found family elements and the subtle challenges to capitalism.
The magic system could have been developed further and I felt the plot wasn't always cohesive, but the final fight scenes were pretty great. There was a twist ...more
I'm also a book blogger: Vee_Bookish
This is such a fun book. Magic meets technology and perfect pacing as Diz and friends find themselves on the run after what was supposed to be one last, easy heist. When the story starts there's clearly the start of a rift happening between the friends as everyone but Diz plans to leave the city Kyrkarta in search of a better life, and Diz feels completely abandoned.
Diz was such a flawed and complex character, clearly torn between extreme anxiety of wanting an ...more
This is such a fun book. Magic meets technology and perfect pacing as Diz and friends find themselves on the run after what was supposed to be one last, easy heist. When the story starts there's clearly the start of a rift happening between the friends as everyone but Diz plans to leave the city Kyrkarta in search of a better life, and Diz feels completely abandoned.
Diz was such a flawed and complex character, clearly torn between extreme anxiety of wanting an ...more
1.7 stars
I didn't even read the synopsis before starting this book. Just the book title attracted me enough to start this book. But seriously this book disappointed me.
The plot is good enough to attract fantasy and sci-fi lovers. A group of four people who somehow are victims of a disease named spellplague. Their last ever heist goes wrong and they get entangled in a dangerous world saving mission.
Now about characters of this book which is one of the reasons i didn't enjoy this book. Characte ...more
I didn't even read the synopsis before starting this book. Just the book title attracted me enough to start this book. But seriously this book disappointed me.
The plot is good enough to attract fantasy and sci-fi lovers. A group of four people who somehow are victims of a disease named spellplague. Their last ever heist goes wrong and they get entangled in a dangerous world saving mission.
Now about characters of this book which is one of the reasons i didn't enjoy this book. Characte ...more
THIS WAS SUCH A FUN BOOK. WHILE I DIDNT HAVE MUCH EXPECTATIONS FROM IT AS I HAD NOT BEEN ENJOYING MUCH YA FANTASY WHILE THIS ONE HAS THINGS LIKE ANGRY,INDECISIVE,HOT TEMPERED MC , COMMUNICATION ISSUES, PREDICTABLE PLOT THERE ARE STILL OTHER THINGS I QUITE LIKED THE WORLD BUILDING MIX BETWEEN MAZ AND DAILY LIFE. EVEN HOW IT PLAYED INTO PEOPLE’S LIFE AND CITIES CONCEPT WHICH I QUITE LIKED.I ALSO LIKED HOW MC HAD FACED CONSEQUENCES AND WAS NOT FORGIVEN EASILY. THE LAST ACTION SCENE WAS DONE SO WELL
...more
3 stars
Spellhacker is a YA fantasy standalone that is full of magic, adventure, hacking and interesting characters. It felt like a mash up of Ready Player One, the grishaverse and Into the crooked place but not as good. Basically 4 young adults (around 18yo) find something wrong with the leading powers and try to fix it/save the world. It's been done alot and it was decent but sadly didn't blow my socks off.
I loved the magic known as maz, it was unique and probably one of the few things I would ...more
Spellhacker is a YA fantasy standalone that is full of magic, adventure, hacking and interesting characters. It felt like a mash up of Ready Player One, the grishaverse and Into the crooked place but not as good. Basically 4 young adults (around 18yo) find something wrong with the leading powers and try to fix it/save the world. It's been done alot and it was decent but sadly didn't blow my socks off.
I loved the magic known as maz, it was unique and probably one of the few things I would ...more
3.5 stars
Another enjoyable sci fi from M. K. England. I loved disasters and this book was no less amazing.
Spellhacker pretty much reminded me of disasters in the story telling , twists and majority of the plot device.
Spellhacker follows Dizzy and her friends while commiting their last heist before college & real life starts. Since the entire book follows Dizzy's PoV , we couldn't get a clear picture on what she looked like except she has half shaved head and lots of hair in the other half. I wou ...more
Another enjoyable sci fi from M. K. England. I loved disasters and this book was no less amazing.
Spellhacker pretty much reminded me of disasters in the story telling , twists and majority of the plot device.
Spellhacker follows Dizzy and her friends while commiting their last heist before college & real life starts. Since the entire book follows Dizzy's PoV , we couldn't get a clear picture on what she looked like except she has half shaved head and lots of hair in the other half. I wou ...more
Spellhacker by M.K. England is a solid new YA LGBT+ sci-fi fantasy. It isn't quite as great as their previous release, The Disasters, but there's a lot to love. I will always enjoy the found family trope and this is a great example of it. The magic system is very unique and inventive and there are even cool gadgets and tech. In the end, though, I had more questions about certain elements than I would have preferred. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a pretty decent job, but there
...more
Want to see more...
Bookstagram
Website
This was soooo good.
I loved the concept of the power/magic that is advancing them but also killing them off at the same time.
I loved the Trans voices in this!
...more
Bookstagram
Website
This was soooo good.
I loved the concept of the power/magic that is advancing them but also killing them off at the same time.
I loved the Trans voices in this!
...more
3.5 🌟
Before we begin, a little disclaimer: I am part of the Spellhacker Launch Crew and I was provided with an e-ARC of the book via Edelweiss+, but I want to make sure that you know that neither of these two circumstances have affected my rating nor will influence my review in any way.
Usually, when I start writing a book review I know what I am going to say, more or less, and I already know what rating I gave to the book on Goodreads. This time is different, because ever since I have finished t ...more
Before we begin, a little disclaimer: I am part of the Spellhacker Launch Crew and I was provided with an e-ARC of the book via Edelweiss+, but I want to make sure that you know that neither of these two circumstances have affected my rating nor will influence my review in any way.
Usually, when I start writing a book review I know what I am going to say, more or less, and I already know what rating I gave to the book on Goodreads. This time is different, because ever since I have finished t ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA Buddy Readers'...: Spellhacker by M.K. England --> Starting March 20th 2020 | 12 | 7 | Mar 21, 2020 10:07AM |
Readers also enjoyed
M. K. England grew up on the Space Coast of Florida watching shuttle launches from the backyard. These days, they call rural Virginia home, where there are many more cows but a tragic lack of rockets. In between marathon writing sessions, MK can be found drowning in fandom, rolling critical hits at the gaming table, digging in the garden, or feeding their video game addiction. They probably love S
...more
Related Articles
Debut author M.K England's takes readers to infinity and beyond.
12 likes · 2 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“It’s only the magnaz that’s acting up. This’ll be almost entirely terraz. Watch my back?”
—
0 likes
More quotes…
