What do you think?
Rate this book
Medicine and Magic #2
Postmortem
The magical world calls to me but I want nothing more than to heal.
Working in the ER gives me a chance to help people while hiding from the magical world. It’s a place where few magical folk ever visit, and never by choice.
When a patient comes into the ER with a magical injury, I’m forced to use my magic to heal, but doing so draws the wrong kind of attention to me. This time, I doubt Aron can help, especially since I know my type of magic isn’t dark magic at all.
It’s worse. Much worse.
Wanting nothing more than to hide from my powers, I’m thrust into the center of a budding war between factions of mages. The Dark Council wants to use me, but I worry as much about the mage council discovering what I am. They’ll do worse than burn off my magic. They’ll be forced to kill me.
With my work suffering, I have to find a way to end the magic attacks, or I might not only be forced into the magical world, I might lose my job.
Postmortem is a fast-paced fantasy mystery with a mixture of medicine and magic that will leave you breathless.
Working in the ER gives me a chance to help people while hiding from the magical world. It’s a place where few magical folk ever visit, and never by choice.
When a patient comes into the ER with a magical injury, I’m forced to use my magic to heal, but doing so draws the wrong kind of attention to me. This time, I doubt Aron can help, especially since I know my type of magic isn’t dark magic at all.
It’s worse. Much worse.
Wanting nothing more than to hide from my powers, I’m thrust into the center of a budding war between factions of mages. The Dark Council wants to use me, but I worry as much about the mage council discovering what I am. They’ll do worse than burn off my magic. They’ll be forced to kill me.
With my work suffering, I have to find a way to end the magic attacks, or I might not only be forced into the magical world, I might lose my job.
Postmortem is a fast-paced fantasy mystery with a mixture of medicine and magic that will leave you breathless.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2018
494 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
S.A. Magnusson
21 books51 followersSA Magnusson lives in Minneapolis and writes urban fantasy and scifi. As a practicing physician, SA wanted to mix medicine with a love for fantasy fiction, particularly urban fantasy, creating what one reader described as ER meets the Dresden Files.
Sign up for SA's newsletter and get a free short story: http://eepurl.com/drY6Cb
Website: www.samagnusson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samagnusson
Sign up for SA's newsletter and get a free short story: http://eepurl.com/drY6Cb
Website: www.samagnusson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samagnusson
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 2, 2018
** Review Courtesy of All Things UF **
I’m always a little nervous reading the sequel to a book I loved. Plenty of sequel’s drop the ball and don’t live up to the first book. That is NOT the case for POSTMORTEM. POSTMORTEM is an even better book than FLATLINE is, and it keeps the characters and the story of Medicine and Magic going strong.
Kate being an ER doctor trying to complete her residency is what drew me to the Medicine and Magic series. There were plenty of ER scenes in FLATLINE and those were some of the highlights of the book. However, the plot of FLATLINE focused on Kate being a doctor, not on the ER. The plot of POSTMORTEM revolves around some crazy magical occurrences happening while Kate is working at the ER. POSTMORTEM is exactly what I hoped Medicine and Magic would bring to urban fantasy, a fresh breath of air and a new perspective for a main character.
My only complaint about FLATLINE was the magic system, almost nothing was explained about how the magic worked. People just threw around spells or pulled on raw magic. POSTMORTEM gives a little more in depth description of the magic system. Kate has ignored her magic her whole life and tried not to learn about it, so since the story is told through her eyes, there didn’t seem to be any solid rules to the magic system. As Kate learns more about how magic work, we get so understand the magic system in the Medicine and Magic series more. It is still far from a true hard magic system, but there’s a little less handwavium in POSTMORTEM.
The world of Medicine and Magic also continues to grow in POSTMORTEM, Kate learns that the veil is in place to hold back more than just demons. In addition to that she discovers much more about her own magic and many hints about where it might come from. And once again, all this information is provided to us, the readers, without any info dumping.
POSTMORTEM took a slightly different turn then I expected when it comes to the romance that was slowly building up in FLATLINE, and I loved it. I don’t want to spoil anything so I won’t say any more, except to state that the romance in POSTMORTEM follows in the slow burn fashion, staying far away from the insta-lust I dread.
POSTMORTEM continues the great Medicine and Magic series, improving the world building and magic system, and enhancing the story and characters from FLATLINE. I highly recommend this series, and can’t wait for the next book.
I’m always a little nervous reading the sequel to a book I loved. Plenty of sequel’s drop the ball and don’t live up to the first book. That is NOT the case for POSTMORTEM. POSTMORTEM is an even better book than FLATLINE is, and it keeps the characters and the story of Medicine and Magic going strong.
Kate being an ER doctor trying to complete her residency is what drew me to the Medicine and Magic series. There were plenty of ER scenes in FLATLINE and those were some of the highlights of the book. However, the plot of FLATLINE focused on Kate being a doctor, not on the ER. The plot of POSTMORTEM revolves around some crazy magical occurrences happening while Kate is working at the ER. POSTMORTEM is exactly what I hoped Medicine and Magic would bring to urban fantasy, a fresh breath of air and a new perspective for a main character.
My only complaint about FLATLINE was the magic system, almost nothing was explained about how the magic worked. People just threw around spells or pulled on raw magic. POSTMORTEM gives a little more in depth description of the magic system. Kate has ignored her magic her whole life and tried not to learn about it, so since the story is told through her eyes, there didn’t seem to be any solid rules to the magic system. As Kate learns more about how magic work, we get so understand the magic system in the Medicine and Magic series more. It is still far from a true hard magic system, but there’s a little less handwavium in POSTMORTEM.
The world of Medicine and Magic also continues to grow in POSTMORTEM, Kate learns that the veil is in place to hold back more than just demons. In addition to that she discovers much more about her own magic and many hints about where it might come from. And once again, all this information is provided to us, the readers, without any info dumping.
POSTMORTEM took a slightly different turn then I expected when it comes to the romance that was slowly building up in FLATLINE, and I loved it. I don’t want to spoil anything so I won’t say any more, except to state that the romance in POSTMORTEM follows in the slow burn fashion, staying far away from the insta-lust I dread.
POSTMORTEM continues the great Medicine and Magic series, improving the world building and magic system, and enhancing the story and characters from FLATLINE. I highly recommend this series, and can’t wait for the next book.
August 3, 2018
Things are getting a bit more complicated for Kate. At the hospital Kate misses a couple of things that didn't make her look good in front of a doctor she admires, which makes her doubt her abilities. Her magic life comes in contact with the hospital, causing Kate to have to either think like a Dr. or like how magic works, neither is the best and there are consequences.
As the 2 parts of Kate's lives converge it seems like she is going to have to pick between them. Kate managed to get to the bottom of the magic problems and came up fix that helped a bigger issue.
With how this one ended there are big changes for Kate, it will be interesting to see where things go from here.
As the 2 parts of Kate's lives converge it seems like she is going to have to pick between them. Kate managed to get to the bottom of the magic problems and came up fix that helped a bigger issue.
With how this one ended there are big changes for Kate, it will be interesting to see where things go from here.
May 4, 2018
Still fun.
June 8, 2018
Her whining is starting to chafe ...how inconsistent can one be? On one hand she burries her head in the sand and tries to pretend not to have magic and complains about it through hole book and THEN runs after every magical situation and even provokes them... instead of training her powers she binds them, locks them and hates them and THEN she babbles on and on that she wishes she could use them better and protect herself ... DEAR LORD GIRL, GET A GRIP!!! Either confront situation, face reality and adapt or move to New Zealand and NEVER use magic, forget you have it and burry in the sand up to your nose! Choose one because as of now I get a whiplash from all that swinging, whining AND I wonder if you have a split personality disorder...
September 22, 2020
Lots of action in this UF series which I am thoroughly enjoying. Kate is beginning to embrace her magic while trying to find out exactly what kind of magic it is that she possesses.
May 20, 2018
Okay
This could be a better story. It has enough of a story line to be so, even if it is one that is rather overdone. The Mc is aggravating to me in the way she doesn’t learn all she can about her magic. Also says the same thing over and over and over. That gets really old. And the thing with Aron. I have to wonder how he became an archer because I never see him do anything except get incapacitated all the time. I’m interested enough to check out the next book though. Hopefully won’t have to read the same thing over and over, and more will happen instead of just introspection all the time.
This could be a better story. It has enough of a story line to be so, even if it is one that is rather overdone. The Mc is aggravating to me in the way she doesn’t learn all she can about her magic. Also says the same thing over and over and over. That gets really old. And the thing with Aron. I have to wonder how he became an archer because I never see him do anything except get incapacitated all the time. I’m interested enough to check out the next book though. Hopefully won’t have to read the same thing over and over, and more will happen instead of just introspection all the time.
June 16, 2018
The second book in the Medicine and Magic series is another mixed bag. The story is okay, and I finished it, but the execution had problems.
The dialog is stilted and needlessly repetitive. And stilted. Did I mention repetitive? Far, far too much explaining and (re-re-re)stating the obvious. The geography of Kate's world is amorphous. We hear a lot about various mage councils, demons and fae and other creatures, but there's not a definitive map of the world of magical Minnesota. How large are these councils, and the larger magical world in Kate's town? Who is on these councils? What does it take to be on them? I don't need absolute answers, but some structure would be nice. The tensions between types of magic (mages vs dark mages vs. ... really dark mages?) is a decent idea, but not really fleshed out beyond the occasional attack. And honestly, after the events of the first book, that she's still trying to play possum regarding her magic strains credulity. Some bells just can't be un-rung, and though I would expect her to remain dedicated to her day job, she - or her grandparents - should have stepped up the efforts to understand and control her abilities. Because ready or not, she'd come to the attention of others. Her home had been invaded in the first book. Think Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 versus Terminator 1. In the first movie she was a ditzy waitress who had to be saved endlessly by a time-traveling warrior, but when she survived the final battle, she didn't go back to waitressing. The Judgment Day Sara Conner was transformed by what she'd learned. But she still had hurdles to overcome.
The "magic" is also not clearly defined. Kate refers to "my magic" a lot, and we keep hearing how it's not "standard" mage magic and probably not "dark" magic; its source, her unknown father maybe, is a mystery. It's incredibly convenient though, magically working and failing as the story dictates.
I didn't hate the book, but it's frustrating when the flaws pull me out of the story. Dialogue is a big one; too often it doesn't sound natural. Underuse of contractions, for example. "Does not" instead of doesn't, "I have" in lieu of "I've", etc. Who talks like that? Star Trek aliens, that is who.
I devoutly hope Magnusson sells a ton of books. So she can afford to hire a good editor. Just cleaning up the low-hanging fruit would help a lot. Despite my frustrations, I did find the story interesting, and the mystery surrounding her magic - its power, its limitations, its quirks that confuse the more experienced magical types - keeps me moving forward. So, on to book three.
The dialog is stilted and needlessly repetitive. And stilted. Did I mention repetitive? Far, far too much explaining and (re-re-re)stating the obvious. The geography of Kate's world is amorphous. We hear a lot about various mage councils, demons and fae and other creatures, but there's not a definitive map of the world of magical Minnesota. How large are these councils, and the larger magical world in Kate's town? Who is on these councils? What does it take to be on them? I don't need absolute answers, but some structure would be nice. The tensions between types of magic (mages vs dark mages vs. ... really dark mages?) is a decent idea, but not really fleshed out beyond the occasional attack. And honestly, after the events of the first book, that she's still trying to play possum regarding her magic strains credulity. Some bells just can't be un-rung, and though I would expect her to remain dedicated to her day job, she - or her grandparents - should have stepped up the efforts to understand and control her abilities. Because ready or not, she'd come to the attention of others. Her home had been invaded in the first book. Think Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 versus Terminator 1. In the first movie she was a ditzy waitress who had to be saved endlessly by a time-traveling warrior, but when she survived the final battle, she didn't go back to waitressing. The Judgment Day Sara Conner was transformed by what she'd learned. But she still had hurdles to overcome.
The "magic" is also not clearly defined. Kate refers to "my magic" a lot, and we keep hearing how it's not "standard" mage magic and probably not "dark" magic; its source, her unknown father maybe, is a mystery. It's incredibly convenient though, magically working and failing as the story dictates.
I didn't hate the book, but it's frustrating when the flaws pull me out of the story. Dialogue is a big one; too often it doesn't sound natural. Underuse of contractions, for example. "Does not" instead of doesn't, "I have" in lieu of "I've", etc. Who talks like that? Star Trek aliens, that is who.
I devoutly hope Magnusson sells a ton of books. So she can afford to hire a good editor. Just cleaning up the low-hanging fruit would help a lot. Despite my frustrations, I did find the story interesting, and the mystery surrounding her magic - its power, its limitations, its quirks that confuse the more experienced magical types - keeps me moving forward. So, on to book three.
March 26, 2019
An interesting storyline. I love Kate's struggle between trying to be a good doctor and trying to deal with her magic and all the complications that come from that. Some reviewers have complained about her wiffle-waffle over being involved in magic. I'm more sympathetic with her ambivalent position. She's afraid that she will learn she is something she has been raised to believe is evil. Who would want to find that out. Plus, she didn't have any place, until this book, to practice her magic without it possibly being detected. That was the last thing she wanted.
I'm not liking her grandparents very much in this book. They keep holding things back from her when she really needs to know them. Before that might have been a legitimate argument because she didn't want to learn a lot of things and wanted to be out of the magic side of things but not when she is running into things are they are actually effecting her life they shouldn't be filtering the information. I also don't like the way they treated Derek. Derek is so grateful to them but they made him pick a specific career just to watch over their granddaughter. It is not quite slavery but it is indentured servitude.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
I'm not liking her grandparents very much in this book. They keep holding things back from her when she really needs to know them. Before that might have been a legitimate argument because she didn't want to learn a lot of things and wanted to be out of the magic side of things but not when she is running into things are they are actually effecting her life they shouldn't be filtering the information. I also don't like the way they treated Derek. Derek is so grateful to them but they made him pick a specific career just to watch over their granddaughter. It is not quite slavery but it is indentured servitude.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
February 15, 2019
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Aron,
Kate
Derek
----------------------------------
What happens?
Kate starts the book having a really bad week. She almost misdiagnoses two patients one dying.
This is because she is distracted by the magical element of their illnesses.
Final thoughts
I want to love this book, its so up my street with the whole mystery element of what is she and her magic. However I'm just not in love with how long it seems to take for the story to build. I can't even write a very good what happens because nothing happens aside from Kate looking for what is attacking people. Its kind of it. Aron shows up gets his arse kicked for being a magical super Archer. Least Kate looks good saving him. Again.
Would I read again?: Maybe
Would I read this author again?: Again Maybe
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Aron,
Kate
Derek
----------------------------------
What happens?
Kate starts the book having a really bad week. She almost misdiagnoses two patients one dying.
This is because she is distracted by the magical element of their illnesses.
Final thoughts
I want to love this book, its so up my street with the whole mystery element of what is she and her magic. However I'm just not in love with how long it seems to take for the story to build. I can't even write a very good what happens because nothing happens aside from Kate looking for what is attacking people. Its kind of it. Aron shows up gets his arse kicked for being a magical super Archer. Least Kate looks good saving him. Again.
Would I read again?: Maybe
Would I read this author again?: Again Maybe
July 28, 2018
Keeps getting better
I love me an imperfect hero. They’re so much better and more relatable to than the superheroes who are larger than life and always save the day on time, with nary a dirt smudge to show for it. Kate is my kind of imperfect hero. She’s an ER resident, but she doesn’t have all the answers. She’s smart, but not infallible, and knows martial arts, but still gets her butt kicked. She also has magic, but very little idea how to control it or what kind of magic it even is. All of which combined makes for an interesting, unpredictable story. Plus there’s Aron, the mage archer who keeps appearing to save her or be saved himself. He’s enigmatic enough to keep me on my toes. I’m looking forward to book 3.
I love me an imperfect hero. They’re so much better and more relatable to than the superheroes who are larger than life and always save the day on time, with nary a dirt smudge to show for it. Kate is my kind of imperfect hero. She’s an ER resident, but she doesn’t have all the answers. She’s smart, but not infallible, and knows martial arts, but still gets her butt kicked. She also has magic, but very little idea how to control it or what kind of magic it even is. All of which combined makes for an interesting, unpredictable story. Plus there’s Aron, the mage archer who keeps appearing to save her or be saved himself. He’s enigmatic enough to keep me on my toes. I’m looking forward to book 3.
May 24, 2018
Kate is having a hard time sticking to her resolve of no magic and to be honest I wanted to boot her up the backside and say get on with it! However it all adds up to who she is and the journey towards accepting her magic is what is keeping me reading! Delving deeper into the word of the the Veil and those who inhabit it, this was a kick ass story full of action and intrigue. Fresh, original and a can't put me down plot, honestly I am really enjoying these books and can't wait until the next one comes out.
June 18, 2018
Un deuxième tome très captivant.
Il y a de l'action, de la magie, à peine un soupçon de romance mais beaucoup de suspense. On en apprend un peu plus sur Derek mais on ne sait toujours pas qui était le père de Kate. Donc sa magie demeure toujours un mystère à la fin de ce deuxième tome.
Une histoire différente du premier tome, il n'y pratiquement pas de démons dans ce tome, les métamorphes et les vampires sont également absents. Une histoire différente mais tout aussi intéressante que le premier tome.
Il y a de l'action, de la magie, à peine un soupçon de romance mais beaucoup de suspense. On en apprend un peu plus sur Derek mais on ne sait toujours pas qui était le père de Kate. Donc sa magie demeure toujours un mystère à la fin de ce deuxième tome.
Une histoire différente du premier tome, il n'y pratiquement pas de démons dans ce tome, les métamorphes et les vampires sont également absents. Une histoire différente mais tout aussi intéressante que le premier tome.
June 25, 2018
Might be better if we got out of Kate's head for a while, ie more showing and less telling. Also don't quite get the don't tell me anything about magic attitude of the MC but who then throws herself into any magical situation that presents (whilst often thinking she knows better than other more experienced characters). Agree with other reviewers comments that it's a bit rinse and repeat.
November 7, 2018
Medicine and magic
I enjoyed this book of series. In my opinion it's worth a 5 star rating. I look for a good story and also that book is not dragging too much. Some are too descriptive and too much chitchat; I speed read. Kudos to author !! I will be reading more books by author.
I enjoyed this book of series. In my opinion it's worth a 5 star rating. I look for a good story and also that book is not dragging too much. Some are too descriptive and too much chitchat; I speed read. Kudos to author !! I will be reading more books by author.
July 9, 2018
Middle book miasma, not much movement. Kate pines but I’m not sure why, the question of her magic is still a question, with the added benefit of not being sure who the “bad guys” are? Neither council becomes anything more than a flat backdrop.
January 12, 2019
S.A. Magnusson loves to weave a storyline you can't put down
The author really knows how to catch your attention. Weaving medicine, magic, mayhem, action, someone with sense of honor to humanity....what are you waiting for, read the series.
The author really knows how to catch your attention. Weaving medicine, magic, mayhem, action, someone with sense of honor to humanity....what are you waiting for, read the series.
April 22, 2019
Good, but...
Good plot but, rather slow and the continuous fears and repeating those fears by the main character, makes it little annoying. (No spoilers)Nice inside into the residency.
Good plot but, rather slow and the continuous fears and repeating those fears by the main character, makes it little annoying. (No spoilers)Nice inside into the residency.
May 17, 2018
Magic
Love this story and characters. The development of the main character is wonderful. I look forward to the upcoming adventures.
Love this story and characters. The development of the main character is wonderful. I look forward to the upcoming adventures.
May 21, 2018
In Book #2 we learn more about Kate and her magic but there are still many many questions. On to Book #3!
June 1, 2018
Good read.
I am seriously enjoying this series. The characters are believable and entertaining. I can no wait until the next book.
I am seriously enjoying this series. The characters are believable and entertaining. I can no wait until the next book.
June 11, 2018
This series is getting better and better!
July 2, 2018
good book interesting view for the magic .... it implies a lot to come
December 17, 2018
Great book!!!
Such a great book and an interesting twist on mages and the fae world. It alway leaves me wanting to read more in the end.
Such a great book and an interesting twist on mages and the fae world. It alway leaves me wanting to read more in the end.
August 7, 2018
Book 2 of the Medicine and Magic series continues the story of Dr. Kate Matthews a resident doctor working in the ER as she tries to discover the source of her magic, while helping to protect her city from harm.
November 12, 2019
Another fantastic read. I love the way the author writes, it keeps me engaging and wanting to turn the pages. It is evenly paced and keeps me hooked.
I find the series moves on the characters are really beginning to grow.
I find the series moves on the characters are really beginning to grow.
November 19, 2018
The second book in the series begins with some hurt people coming into the ER, but they are affected by magic of some kind. Kate believes she can help, but people don't seem to want her to try, and her Grandparents really aren't much help either. So, when she gets attacked, and strange things start happening she asks for the archer's help again.
This book was okay. I was really annoyed with how some of the conversations just kept repeating themselves, and how Kate didn't seem to be as powerful in this one as the previous one when she faced Demons. That was a bit annoying. It was also frustrating the way her Grandparents treated her, and all the secrets they kept from her, and how she just took it from them. That was annoying, and I hated that.
I'm not sure if I will read more in this series. It has an interesting plot overall, but I'm a bit annoyed with the characters.
This book was okay. I was really annoyed with how some of the conversations just kept repeating themselves, and how Kate didn't seem to be as powerful in this one as the previous one when she faced Demons. That was a bit annoying. It was also frustrating the way her Grandparents treated her, and all the secrets they kept from her, and how she just took it from them. That was annoying, and I hated that.
I'm not sure if I will read more in this series. It has an interesting plot overall, but I'm a bit annoyed with the characters.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews