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Curves & Magic
An elf stands on a battlefield, ready to strike. A fae prince falls for his mortal enemy.
Whether this collection of stories takes you for a journey through a magical landscape or brings a creature from a distant land to your doorstep, you won't be left wanting of magic and excitement.
Strong women, big swords, epic adventures, and beautiful love stories come together in this fantasy book with femme Fatales who look just like you.
Do you like strong heroines, wizards, dragons, and forbidden romance? Then, this set is for you.
Grab your copy of CURVES & MAGIC today. Discover nearly a dozen thrilling high & epic fantasy stories for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Shadow and Bone, and The Seeker that will leave you with a craving for more.
Authors in this collection include USA Today Bestselling Author Rae Hendricks, USA Today Bestselling Author Chandra Trulove Fry, Award-Winning author R.J. Lloyd, Lorna Michaels, Bobbi Jo Green, E.M. Howell, R.H. Nightingale, Wren Murphy, Jesse M. Harvey, AK Mulford, and Alexis C. Maness.
Whether this collection of stories takes you for a journey through a magical landscape or brings a creature from a distant land to your doorstep, you won't be left wanting of magic and excitement.
Strong women, big swords, epic adventures, and beautiful love stories come together in this fantasy book with femme Fatales who look just like you.
Do you like strong heroines, wizards, dragons, and forbidden romance? Then, this set is for you.
Grab your copy of CURVES & MAGIC today. Discover nearly a dozen thrilling high & epic fantasy stories for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Shadow and Bone, and The Seeker that will leave you with a craving for more.
Authors in this collection include USA Today Bestselling Author Rae Hendricks, USA Today Bestselling Author Chandra Trulove Fry, Award-Winning author R.J. Lloyd, Lorna Michaels, Bobbi Jo Green, E.M. Howell, R.H. Nightingale, Wren Murphy, Jesse M. Harvey, AK Mulford, and Alexis C. Maness.
Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2022
29 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Chandra Trulove Fry
93 books620 followersI am a multi-genre author who hails from Redding, California. I live with my husband and children. Reading and Writing are my passions. If I am not engrossed in a book, or writing my next book, then I am either hanging out with my family or spending time with friends. As a writer, it is my hope to bring fascinating worlds to life for readers of all ages!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 19, 2022
Was lucky to get an ARC for The Magic Thief by AK Mulford. IT WAS AMAZING. The characters were beautifully written and I loved their relationships with each other. Especially Val and Tesh's friendship, and the Lesbian Girlfriends that would risk anything for each other.
I'm looking forward to the anthology and to reading the rest of the Novellas!
I'm looking forward to the anthology and to reading the rest of the Novellas!
March 3, 2022
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC for The Magic Thief by AK Mulford which is included in the Curves and Magic anthology.
This short story follows the unlikely pair of Valkiri and Teshi. They are bound to slavery to a sorcerer to steal magical abilities from the recently deceased. Things go awry when they encounter a former fling of Valkiri’s.
I love this short story. It had sweet moments that turned a little spicy. I really liked how AK depicted the struggles of a plus size woman like having trouble finding clothing that fits properly without it being tailored! Lastly, I really enjoyed all the different fantasy creatures. I cannot wait to see if we get a full novel!
This short story follows the unlikely pair of Valkiri and Teshi. They are bound to slavery to a sorcerer to steal magical abilities from the recently deceased. Things go awry when they encounter a former fling of Valkiri’s.
I love this short story. It had sweet moments that turned a little spicy. I really liked how AK depicted the struggles of a plus size woman like having trouble finding clothing that fits properly without it being tailored! Lastly, I really enjoyed all the different fantasy creatures. I cannot wait to see if we get a full novel!
September 8, 2023
Was lucky to get an ARC for The Magic Thief by AK Mulford. It was such a lovely read! Valkiri is a fae with the gift of stealing people's magic at the moment they die. Together with Teshi, a goblin, she gathers magic for her master Gormar in different realms. In one of these realms, she sees someone who she had proclaimed dead. And there is something else...
A very lovely story with beautiful characters. We learn about a world consisting of different realms that you can't visit by just walking there. If this story becomes more than a small novella, I would love to understand more about the construct of this kind of world. How does it all connect? Do people know about the different realms? And if so, how? Also, the whole concept of magic and it being connected to people's souls is so interesting!
I love the relationship the characters have with each other and how protective they are of Valkiri. It's a beautiful novella with really interesting world concept that I would LOVE to see more of!
Update after reading it a second time:
There were a ton of great stories in this book. Some were only a few chapters of a bigger story, others were great small stories. My favourites were The Magic Thief, Deadly Sweet Roles, and The Tide That Binds Us. There was only 1 story that wasn't for me, but overall I loved all of them!
A very lovely story with beautiful characters. We learn about a world consisting of different realms that you can't visit by just walking there. If this story becomes more than a small novella, I would love to understand more about the construct of this kind of world. How does it all connect? Do people know about the different realms? And if so, how? Also, the whole concept of magic and it being connected to people's souls is so interesting!
I love the relationship the characters have with each other and how protective they are of Valkiri. It's a beautiful novella with really interesting world concept that I would LOVE to see more of!
Update after reading it a second time:
There were a ton of great stories in this book. Some were only a few chapters of a bigger story, others were great small stories. My favourites were The Magic Thief, Deadly Sweet Roles, and The Tide That Binds Us. There was only 1 story that wasn't for me, but overall I loved all of them!
August 4, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for The Magic Thief by AK Mulford, a part of this anthology. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!!
The chance to read about a kick-ass main character with my body type is amazing, I can't imagine what it would have been like to grow up with stories like these.
Valkiri is an inspiration, she refuses to let the "skinny gaze" effect her, she owns who she is.
I can't wait to see what Ali does with these characters next, please tell me there will be more?!
I'm eagerly awaiting the full anthology to land on my kindle so I can read about more curvaceous characters.
The chance to read about a kick-ass main character with my body type is amazing, I can't imagine what it would have been like to grow up with stories like these.
Valkiri is an inspiration, she refuses to let the "skinny gaze" effect her, she owns who she is.
I can't wait to see what Ali does with these characters next, please tell me there will be more?!
I'm eagerly awaiting the full anthology to land on my kindle so I can read about more curvaceous characters.
March 5, 2022
I read The Magic Thief by AK Mulford as an ARC and part of this anthology. I love her writing it's the perfect amount of description. I'm rating this 4.5 stars, and the only thing I didn't love was the villain reminded me too much of Gargamel from the smurfs, and it took away from the other characters win for me.
Everything else was top notch! Valkyrie, Teshi and Respyn are likable characters, female, flawed but hold immense love, they represent the misfits of the world. I definitely would love to see this expanded into a whole novel!
Everything else was top notch! Valkyrie, Teshi and Respyn are likable characters, female, flawed but hold immense love, they represent the misfits of the world. I definitely would love to see this expanded into a whole novel!
March 3, 2022
I had the honour of reading the "The Magic Thief" novella by AK Mulford and I absolutely loved it! The characters and plot were amazing and I read the entire thing in one sitting. I'm so excited for the anthology to come out (will update post for that).
March 2, 2022
I received The Magic Thief by AK Mulford as an ARC copy and now I cannot wait for thr rest of these stories!
A Sapphic fun and drama filled quick and entertaining read. I want to know more! A must read!
A Sapphic fun and drama filled quick and entertaining read. I want to know more! A must read!
May 19, 2022
I was fortunate to receive an ARC for one of the stories featured in this book “The Magic Thief” by AK Mulford. The story follows an unlikely pair (that really couldn’t be a more perfect pairing) Valkiri and Teshi. They are branded and forced to do the bidding of an evil sorcerer despite their attempts to flee… until they are reunited with a past flame of Valkiri’s, then everything shifts. The story is full of adventure and spice too! I appreciate that finally there is a fantasy story where the main character is plus size. Representation matters, so I’m excited to read the other stories when this is released and hopefully AK Mulford will write a series all about these characters in the future.
March 6, 2022
Was honored to receive a ARC of one of the novellas in this anthology! The Magic Thief by AK Mulford. Was such a fun read! And I can’t wait to see what other adventures these characters get up to!
Val our MC and her sidekick companion Teshi are enslaved to a sorcerer and are forced to steal magic to survive! But when they run into a certain someone from their past the job goes sideways. Spice and chaos unfold as they fight for not only their freedom but for what could be. ❤️
Val our MC and her sidekick companion Teshi are enslaved to a sorcerer and are forced to steal magic to survive! But when they run into a certain someone from their past the job goes sideways. Spice and chaos unfold as they fight for not only their freedom but for what could be. ❤️
March 5, 2022
✨ARC review! ✨
🗡❤️Curves & Magic is an anthology of fantasy stories about amazing plus sized women who go on epic adventures and each have a bit of romance involved in them.
In these stories you’ll find sapphic love stories, forbidden romance, women who fight and stand their ground in battle or against men in power, hot Fae,time travel, dragons, elves, mermaids, magic and more of the like ✨
I absolutely loved reading these stories and doscovering new authors to add to my TBR and I want to shout out a few that especially stood out me
The book begins with Poppy and the Four Kingdoms by @emhowell_writes z this story had me HOOKED I absolutely loved the story and the chemistry between Poppy and Dresden. Poppy was the lost Fae princess unbeknownst to her who gets teleported to the Fae realm where she meets Dresden who was sent to kill her.
The Magic Thief by AK Mulford
This was a second chance sapphic romance about Valkiri, a Fae slave who stole magic for the High Sorcerer. Teaming up with her friend Teshib(a goblin!) and her lover (a giantess who she stole magic from in the last!) teams up to try and fight the high sorcerer
And finally, I want to shout out The Tide that Binds us by @authoralexiscmaness . This was beautiful sapphic romance about a half human/half mermaid queen who has to fight men in power and stand up to those who’ve harmed the mermaids. Along the way she saves a mermaid and falls in love with her. This story particularly had me anxious at times for good reason too.
There’s many more great stories in this collection and it comes out March 11th! ⭐️
Overall ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5
Thank you again for the opportunity read and review the book early ❤️
🗡❤️Curves & Magic is an anthology of fantasy stories about amazing plus sized women who go on epic adventures and each have a bit of romance involved in them.
In these stories you’ll find sapphic love stories, forbidden romance, women who fight and stand their ground in battle or against men in power, hot Fae,time travel, dragons, elves, mermaids, magic and more of the like ✨
I absolutely loved reading these stories and doscovering new authors to add to my TBR and I want to shout out a few that especially stood out me
The book begins with Poppy and the Four Kingdoms by @emhowell_writes z this story had me HOOKED I absolutely loved the story and the chemistry between Poppy and Dresden. Poppy was the lost Fae princess unbeknownst to her who gets teleported to the Fae realm where she meets Dresden who was sent to kill her.
The Magic Thief by AK Mulford
This was a second chance sapphic romance about Valkiri, a Fae slave who stole magic for the High Sorcerer. Teaming up with her friend Teshib(a goblin!) and her lover (a giantess who she stole magic from in the last!) teams up to try and fight the high sorcerer
And finally, I want to shout out The Tide that Binds us by @authoralexiscmaness . This was beautiful sapphic romance about a half human/half mermaid queen who has to fight men in power and stand up to those who’ve harmed the mermaids. Along the way she saves a mermaid and falls in love with her. This story particularly had me anxious at times for good reason too.
There’s many more great stories in this collection and it comes out March 11th! ⭐️
Overall ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5
Thank you again for the opportunity read and review the book early ❤️
March 11, 2022
I was so excited to receive an ARC for one of the novellas in this anthology (The Magic Thief by AK Mulford) and it was all I needed to be immediately hooked. I'm a huge fantasy reader and I love the genre, but it's hard to find strong, independent female characters. Add to that plus size characters who take charge of their own story and sprinkle in romance? I'm sold. This anthology is quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy stories on my book shelf and now I've discovered a whole other list of fantasy authors to start reading!
March 12, 2022
4.5/5 Stars
Rep : Plus Sized, POC, & Sapphic
18+
I was given this ARC from the author for an honest review of this novella, The Magic Thief. Very minor spoilers ahead
This novella was wonderful and if you to get a taste for A.K Mulford’s writing style this would be a great place to start as it gets right into everything. This book has girl power, a sapphic relationship, friendship, a plus sized main character, and a very interesting magic system.
This book is perfect for fans of high fantasy adventures featuring a person of color, sapphic, plus sized leading woman with a dash of romance and spice.
Spoilers below for some of the plot & relationships
Rep : Plus Sized, POC, & Sapphic
18+
I was given this ARC from the author for an honest review of this novella, The Magic Thief. Very minor spoilers ahead
This novella was wonderful and if you to get a taste for A.K Mulford’s writing style this would be a great place to start as it gets right into everything. This book has girl power, a sapphic relationship, friendship, a plus sized main character, and a very interesting magic system.
This book is perfect for fans of high fantasy adventures featuring a person of color, sapphic, plus sized leading woman with a dash of romance and spice.
Spoilers below for some of the plot & relationships
March 17, 2022
I was lucky to be sent an ARC for The Magic Thief by AK Mulford - a story which is included in this anthology. If Mulford’s work is but a taste of what the other authors came up with the anthology will be superb.
AK Mulford crafts such a highly entertaining story that develops well in the short format. The characters feel full, despite us not knowing as much about them as we would like! (Give us a full story, AK! The prequel, what happens next?! Anything!!)
The story itself is wonderful if only for the fact it represents real issues curvy women face on a daily basis. The representation and diversity is appreciated!
Valkiri, Teshi and Respyn are equally fun characters in their own right.
Teshi is perhaps my favorite only because she reminds me of some of Nott from Crit Role. Her spunky, quick witted attitude is so fun to read!
I won’t go too much into the plot as to not spoil it but -
Valkiri (fae) is able to steal people’s magic. She and Teshi (goblin) work for a powerful sorcerer to collect magic he seems worthy. Their gig, despite being essentially indentured labor, goes “well” until they run into a mark that…well didn’t actually die. Respyn wants her magic back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Will Valkiri & Teshi help her go against the sorcerer? And will Respyn take more than her magic but a heart too?
AK Mulford crafts such a highly entertaining story that develops well in the short format. The characters feel full, despite us not knowing as much about them as we would like! (Give us a full story, AK! The prequel, what happens next?! Anything!!)
The story itself is wonderful if only for the fact it represents real issues curvy women face on a daily basis. The representation and diversity is appreciated!
Valkiri, Teshi and Respyn are equally fun characters in their own right.
Teshi is perhaps my favorite only because she reminds me of some of Nott from Crit Role. Her spunky, quick witted attitude is so fun to read!
I won’t go too much into the plot as to not spoil it but -
Valkiri (fae) is able to steal people’s magic. She and Teshi (goblin) work for a powerful sorcerer to collect magic he seems worthy. Their gig, despite being essentially indentured labor, goes “well” until they run into a mark that…well didn’t actually die. Respyn wants her magic back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Will Valkiri & Teshi help her go against the sorcerer? And will Respyn take more than her magic but a heart too?
March 11, 2022
I received an advanced reader’s copy of A.K. “The Magic Thief” which is short fantasy sapphic romance. I really appreciated how Valkiri was a plus size main character because a lot of the female protagonists out in the fiction world are lacking in diversity. That is one thing I love about Aly is her ability to write a wide range of characters that are extremely lovable and realistic. Way to go A.K! Another hot out of the park!
March 10, 2022
I was extremely lucky to get a ARC copy of The Magic Thief novella by AK Mulford. This was a exciting ride that grabbed you from the first page. An “ugly elf” and a “beautiful goblin” and a sapphic giantess? Sign me right up. This was so much fun and I REALLY hope she does a full length version of their adventures! Curvy main character, realistically curvy too not just big thighs+ little waist. The representation in this book was unmatched and I was left wanting more! This was phenomenal and I cannot wait to read the rest of the novellas when this releases!!
This was probably one of the best trio of characters I’ve met ever to be honest. Every character gave me a reason to love them. Valkiri and Teshi are enslaved by a High Sorcerer and must do his bidding, which is extracting magical power from his targets. However things go awry when they run into a past target, who not only is alive, but was a old lover of Valkiri. This book has just enough of everything, it’s got LGBT+ spice, it’s got action, it’s got beautiful world building and I NEED more. 1000000/5
Must read
This was probably one of the best trio of characters I’ve met ever to be honest. Every character gave me a reason to love them. Valkiri and Teshi are enslaved by a High Sorcerer and must do his bidding, which is extracting magical power from his targets. However things go awry when they run into a past target, who not only is alive, but was a old lover of Valkiri. This book has just enough of everything, it’s got LGBT+ spice, it’s got action, it’s got beautiful world building and I NEED more. 1000000/5
Must read
March 11, 2022
I received an ARC copy of The Magic Thief. Amazing short story by the magnificent AK Mulford. Follow the (mis)adventures of the Fae Warrior Valkiri and her best friend Teshi the Goblin. Together they are doing the bidding of an evil sorcerer and during these adventures they run into a blast from the past that change the whole storytelling from adventurous fantasy to spicy.
The Magic Thief is part of Curves and Magic as one of many short stories written by bestselling authors to bring you a novel full of amazing plus sized women that get the job done.
The Magic Thief is part of Curves and Magic as one of many short stories written by bestselling authors to bring you a novel full of amazing plus sized women that get the job done.
March 11, 2022
Ten short stories with spectacular glimpses into the worlds, lives, and romances of plus size women in fantasy. Each story is unique in its own right and takes the genre of Romantasy to another level. I thoroughly enjoyed the the complete pieces, the ones with full character arcs and HEAs. My curiosity was also piqued with stories that served as prequels or introductions to other series! I appreciated the diversity in body types, characters, and writing style. As a queer reviewer, it was also amazing to see sapphic relationships in many of the stories! All and all, I will recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the fantasy romance genre!. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of A.K. Mulford's "The Magic Thief" from this anthology. It is a magical sapphic fantasy that leaves you wanting more. Mulford has a talent for creating incredibly relatable characters that are perfect in all their imperfections. Would recommend this and any of their other works!
February 19, 2022
Fortunate to get an ARC for an Honest Review for The Tide That Binds us by Alexis Maness. Omg! It was a wild emotional ride for me. I loved it for what the Novella is because it was a holographic mermaid dream come true. It was short, simple, and I gave it a five-star because I was very invested with the story, and omg! The AESTHETICS we're gorgeous! Never have I ever read a strong female lead with seafoam green hair.
And omg yes! This novella reminded me how much I love them mermaids!
It has:
Romance is sweet and HEA!
Bad ass Heroine, QUEEN! - Love, love, love Celestia
Mermaids! Duh!
LGBT+ rep <3
Plus size rep too :D
I just got mad bec some piece of poop tried eff up my girl Celestia! I will protect this woman!
This is my first sapphic romance novel and it just warms my heart! If you want to chill and solve a murder mystery, with mermaids, and fall in love. Then this check it out!
And omg yes! This novella reminded me how much I love them mermaids!
It has:
Romance is sweet and HEA!
Bad ass Heroine, QUEEN! - Love, love, love Celestia
Mermaids! Duh!
LGBT+ rep <3
Plus size rep too :D
I just got mad bec some piece of poop tried eff up my girl Celestia! I will protect this woman!
This is my first sapphic romance novel and it just warms my heart! If you want to chill and solve a murder mystery, with mermaids, and fall in love. Then this check it out!
March 13, 2022
I received an ARC of The Magic Thief from AK Mumford. AK’s short stories are always full of magic, action, and romance, and this was no exception. It also features a plus sized main character and a sapphic romance. All around really fun and entertaining read!
March 29, 2022
Loved this collection of novellas!! I received an ARC from AK Mulford and am so honored that I did. Each story was unique with powerful and relatable characters! I can’t wait to read more from each author.
July 18, 2022
A great concept for an anthology, great love for the bigger girls. Some of the stories were a bit hit and miss, but overall enjoyable.
February 22, 2022
This book is such a cute read if you’re looking to dip your toes into sapphic fantasy. I love love loved the mermaid aspect of this story and found myself smiling at various parts of the story. I loved seeing Celeste come into her power as queen.
July 7, 2022
4 1/2 stars
This collection contains stories from ten different authors, all about magic, strong women, loads of different paranormal creatures and beings, but most importantly, some forbidden romance.
Poppy and the Four Kingdoms by E.M. Howell
The Tide That Binds Us by Alexis C. Maness
Wolf Kind by R.H. Nightingale
Dissemblance by R.J. Lloyd
The Bargain by Mary Kuester
The Shadow and the Rose by Chandra Trulove Fry
Deadly Sweet Rolls by Jesse M. Harvey
Lillie of the Woods by Rae Hendricks
Lillie is a nineteen year old, with older triplet sisters, who blame her for their mother’s death as she died giving birth to Lillie. Their father Malcolm is a mariner and is usually away for two weeks at a time and it is Lillie who is left to do everything around the house, cooking, cleaning, hunting for food and bartering for supplies, as her sisters all refuse to do anything to help. She loves reading books and can’t wait for her father to return from his latest trip. Until the time he doesn’t return! She rides her horse to Paris frequently, to question traders and ask about his ship, but a year later there has still been no sign of him or the ship. She decides to go and look for him herself and tells her sisters they will have to look after themselves, but she will leave them with a month of supplies, so long as they are careful with them. Whilst out doing her final hunt, she meets a man called Remington, who is in fact a wolf shifter and alpha’s son, in a pack calling themselves nomads, as they frequently have to move when their secret is revealed. He wants Lillie, but has to pretend he is just her guardian to his father, as a human mate would not be accepted in the pack. He follows her on her journey and has information for her about her father’s possible location, but it is in a dangerous location, within the forbidden forest, No man has gone in there and ever come back out again. She finds her father’s horse and a garden of black roses, like the one she asked her father to bring back to her. A strong wind forces her into the castle doors and she finds she can’t get back out again. This castle is the home of the cursed Beast, who has been cursed to live for six hundred years, in the form he was cursed to have. If he cannot find true love within the term, then he and all his servants will die. They have all been stuck in the state they were all those centuries ago, but if the curse could be broken, then they could live out the rest of a normal lives. His most trusted servant is Blaize, who took herbs to ensure the Beast, Prince Ambrose, could not control him as he does everyone else. Blaize falls for Lillie as he escorts her around the castle and looks after her and they go quite a long way together in bed, until she holds back from the final step. She has figured out what the Beast is, but doesn’t yet know the full intensity of his curse and how short a time he has left to break it.
I was really enjoying the twist on Beauty and the Beast, with its reverse harem aspect and a very strong female lead, until it suddenly ended with a, to be continued in another book! I had thought these were all complete stories or prequels, but not to come to such an abrupt end.
The Magic Thief by AK Mulford
This story has two friends, stuck together serving their evil master, Gomar Montlyn, the High Sorcerer of the Shadow Mountains. Valkiri Windsborne is a fae warrior with the very rare ability to steal a person’s magic and separate it from their soul and works with green goblin Teshi, who helps to keep her back and make her wait until their target is dead, before taking their magic. Neither of them can escape working for Gomar, they have tried in the past and the punishments for defying him have been a lot worse than the life they are forced to live at the will of his every demand. He has gained a huge variety of magical powers from the work he forces them to do. He sells those he may already have, or has no use for and the rest are stored in his staff. Valkiri isn’t allowed to forget the mistake she made on one of their first jobs, with a giantess called Respyn Phiric, who Valkiri fell for before doing the job, and hadn’t waited to see if Respyn was dead before removing her magic. What followed they didn’t stick around ot see, having already been sent on to their next target. But Respyn hadn’t died even if it seemed like she should have and Gomar went on to ravage the lands of her people, leaving about half the population dead. Gomar wants to be feared by all communities he touches and to have his name revered for generations to come, to have the ultimate power over them all. Valkiri and Teshi’s lives change when they are accosted by Respyn, who wants her magic back! They are already on their next job and have to wait around for their target to die, following their every step, to be ready when death hits them. But with Respyn in the mix, everything changes and Valkiri especially, starts to rethink her life and want something different for her future.
An interesting storyline, with lots of different nuances, from being forced into their current roles and having no choice or power to change what they do, to getting revenge against their captor and a hint of romance and a future.
House of Ember by Bobbi Bentz
The main character Aria Stevenson, has been living a life as a human for as long as she has known. She knows nothing about her real life, until a tall and handsome man, Lord Elio of the House of Ember and his small sidekick, a brownie called Apollo, appear and tell her they are there to take her back to her rightful home. She is actually Aria Igneos, Crown Princess of the House of Ember and her father, the king, had sent her to live with humans to protect her until she came of age to accept her title and duties. Elio ends up carrying her through to a magical tree she would often visit growing up and pretend she was a fairy, and they walk through a portal to the fairy world. They arrive at the palace and she is taken straight to meet her father, who, however much she wants to argue against what she is being told, she can see the similarities between herself and the king! She learns her mother died shortly after she was born and her father felt unable to cope with a newborn as well as his grief. She has just one short week to learn how to access the power of fire her family and House are known for. There are three other Houses, with power over water, air and earth. There was also a long lost House of Dream, which had spirit magic, but there have been no records of anyone wielding that type of magic in centuries. Her training with Lord Elio fails to get her to access any fire and that will be a huge part of her swearing-in ceremony, as she will have to prove her worth and powers, to become such an important part of the House of Ember. It is her first experience of dream walking that gives her information from Elio himself, as to who he wants to be named the Crown Princess, and also his reasoning behind his actions, which are not fully of his own wishes.
A coming of age tale, with a fae raised as human and now suddenly faced with a huge test of her own magic, which seems to be nothing like what her father and those of his people expect to come from her. A little bit of a possible romance, but nothing happens as you expect.
A great mix of short and long stories some that obviously will lead you to have to read the next book(s) in a series. The collection has something for everyone and there isn’t the space to leave reviews for all of them, so I have done a selection of them, for reader’s information. Everyone should be able to find at least a few of the stories that they love, others that they like and maybe one or two they think are alright, but maybe left them wanting. It has everything you want from an assortment of stories and covers lots of different topics. I received an ARC copy of this collection from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the books above.
This collection contains stories from ten different authors, all about magic, strong women, loads of different paranormal creatures and beings, but most importantly, some forbidden romance.
Poppy and the Four Kingdoms by E.M. Howell
The Tide That Binds Us by Alexis C. Maness
Wolf Kind by R.H. Nightingale
Dissemblance by R.J. Lloyd
The Bargain by Mary Kuester
The Shadow and the Rose by Chandra Trulove Fry
Deadly Sweet Rolls by Jesse M. Harvey
Lillie of the Woods by Rae Hendricks
Lillie is a nineteen year old, with older triplet sisters, who blame her for their mother’s death as she died giving birth to Lillie. Their father Malcolm is a mariner and is usually away for two weeks at a time and it is Lillie who is left to do everything around the house, cooking, cleaning, hunting for food and bartering for supplies, as her sisters all refuse to do anything to help. She loves reading books and can’t wait for her father to return from his latest trip. Until the time he doesn’t return! She rides her horse to Paris frequently, to question traders and ask about his ship, but a year later there has still been no sign of him or the ship. She decides to go and look for him herself and tells her sisters they will have to look after themselves, but she will leave them with a month of supplies, so long as they are careful with them. Whilst out doing her final hunt, she meets a man called Remington, who is in fact a wolf shifter and alpha’s son, in a pack calling themselves nomads, as they frequently have to move when their secret is revealed. He wants Lillie, but has to pretend he is just her guardian to his father, as a human mate would not be accepted in the pack. He follows her on her journey and has information for her about her father’s possible location, but it is in a dangerous location, within the forbidden forest, No man has gone in there and ever come back out again. She finds her father’s horse and a garden of black roses, like the one she asked her father to bring back to her. A strong wind forces her into the castle doors and she finds she can’t get back out again. This castle is the home of the cursed Beast, who has been cursed to live for six hundred years, in the form he was cursed to have. If he cannot find true love within the term, then he and all his servants will die. They have all been stuck in the state they were all those centuries ago, but if the curse could be broken, then they could live out the rest of a normal lives. His most trusted servant is Blaize, who took herbs to ensure the Beast, Prince Ambrose, could not control him as he does everyone else. Blaize falls for Lillie as he escorts her around the castle and looks after her and they go quite a long way together in bed, until she holds back from the final step. She has figured out what the Beast is, but doesn’t yet know the full intensity of his curse and how short a time he has left to break it.
I was really enjoying the twist on Beauty and the Beast, with its reverse harem aspect and a very strong female lead, until it suddenly ended with a, to be continued in another book! I had thought these were all complete stories or prequels, but not to come to such an abrupt end.
The Magic Thief by AK Mulford
This story has two friends, stuck together serving their evil master, Gomar Montlyn, the High Sorcerer of the Shadow Mountains. Valkiri Windsborne is a fae warrior with the very rare ability to steal a person’s magic and separate it from their soul and works with green goblin Teshi, who helps to keep her back and make her wait until their target is dead, before taking their magic. Neither of them can escape working for Gomar, they have tried in the past and the punishments for defying him have been a lot worse than the life they are forced to live at the will of his every demand. He has gained a huge variety of magical powers from the work he forces them to do. He sells those he may already have, or has no use for and the rest are stored in his staff. Valkiri isn’t allowed to forget the mistake she made on one of their first jobs, with a giantess called Respyn Phiric, who Valkiri fell for before doing the job, and hadn’t waited to see if Respyn was dead before removing her magic. What followed they didn’t stick around ot see, having already been sent on to their next target. But Respyn hadn’t died even if it seemed like she should have and Gomar went on to ravage the lands of her people, leaving about half the population dead. Gomar wants to be feared by all communities he touches and to have his name revered for generations to come, to have the ultimate power over them all. Valkiri and Teshi’s lives change when they are accosted by Respyn, who wants her magic back! They are already on their next job and have to wait around for their target to die, following their every step, to be ready when death hits them. But with Respyn in the mix, everything changes and Valkiri especially, starts to rethink her life and want something different for her future.
An interesting storyline, with lots of different nuances, from being forced into their current roles and having no choice or power to change what they do, to getting revenge against their captor and a hint of romance and a future.
House of Ember by Bobbi Bentz
The main character Aria Stevenson, has been living a life as a human for as long as she has known. She knows nothing about her real life, until a tall and handsome man, Lord Elio of the House of Ember and his small sidekick, a brownie called Apollo, appear and tell her they are there to take her back to her rightful home. She is actually Aria Igneos, Crown Princess of the House of Ember and her father, the king, had sent her to live with humans to protect her until she came of age to accept her title and duties. Elio ends up carrying her through to a magical tree she would often visit growing up and pretend she was a fairy, and they walk through a portal to the fairy world. They arrive at the palace and she is taken straight to meet her father, who, however much she wants to argue against what she is being told, she can see the similarities between herself and the king! She learns her mother died shortly after she was born and her father felt unable to cope with a newborn as well as his grief. She has just one short week to learn how to access the power of fire her family and House are known for. There are three other Houses, with power over water, air and earth. There was also a long lost House of Dream, which had spirit magic, but there have been no records of anyone wielding that type of magic in centuries. Her training with Lord Elio fails to get her to access any fire and that will be a huge part of her swearing-in ceremony, as she will have to prove her worth and powers, to become such an important part of the House of Ember. It is her first experience of dream walking that gives her information from Elio himself, as to who he wants to be named the Crown Princess, and also his reasoning behind his actions, which are not fully of his own wishes.
A coming of age tale, with a fae raised as human and now suddenly faced with a huge test of her own magic, which seems to be nothing like what her father and those of his people expect to come from her. A little bit of a possible romance, but nothing happens as you expect.
A great mix of short and long stories some that obviously will lead you to have to read the next book(s) in a series. The collection has something for everyone and there isn’t the space to leave reviews for all of them, so I have done a selection of them, for reader’s information. Everyone should be able to find at least a few of the stories that they love, others that they like and maybe one or two they think are alright, but maybe left them wanting. It has everything you want from an assortment of stories and covers lots of different topics. I received an ARC copy of this collection from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the books above.
December 13, 2024
Curves & Magic is an Anthology of short fantasy stories based on strong, beautiful, and curvaceous women who embark on epic journeys.
I want to highlight The Magic Thief by AK Mulford which is part of this anthology.
This story is FANTASTIC!!!!
It’s about two women, Valkiri (fae) and Teshi (goblin) who are bound to slavery by the High Sorcerer of the Shadow Mountains, Gormar.
Valkiri and Teshi have to travel all the lands to extract magical powers from recently the deceased. Gormar then takes the magic and absorbs it in his wooden staff making him the most powerful in all the lands.
While Val and Teshi are on their most recent quest for their next victim, the pair run into Valkiri’s former female lover, a giantess named Respyn.
Drama and epic-ness unfolds and you don’t want to miss it!
I love that this story has a beautiful, strong, and curvy female main character. Aly does an impeccable job of portraying some of the struggles of being a plus sized women. I also love the LGBTQ representation in this story as well! ♥️
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THEIR STORY!
I hope AK continues Val, Teshi, and Respyn’s story!!!
MUST READ!!!
I want to highlight The Magic Thief by AK Mulford which is part of this anthology.
This story is FANTASTIC!!!!
It’s about two women, Valkiri (fae) and Teshi (goblin) who are bound to slavery by the High Sorcerer of the Shadow Mountains, Gormar.
Valkiri and Teshi have to travel all the lands to extract magical powers from recently the deceased. Gormar then takes the magic and absorbs it in his wooden staff making him the most powerful in all the lands.
While Val and Teshi are on their most recent quest for their next victim, the pair run into Valkiri’s former female lover, a giantess named Respyn.
Drama and epic-ness unfolds and you don’t want to miss it!
I love that this story has a beautiful, strong, and curvy female main character. Aly does an impeccable job of portraying some of the struggles of being a plus sized women. I also love the LGBTQ representation in this story as well! ♥️
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THEIR STORY!
I hope AK continues Val, Teshi, and Respyn’s story!!!
MUST READ!!!
October 11, 2022
I love anthologies for the opportunity to explore multiple authors. Always seem to find a new one to follow. There is a theme through the stories, but they are all different and great in their own way. It made for a solid dose of adventure and plenty of entertainment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 21, 2022
4.5 stars.
This was such a fantastic anthology, with plus size badass women at the helm of each story. It’s even more wonderful that this is fantasy, as I’ve noticed that fat rep is severely lacking in this genre, so having this anthology exist is revolutionary in and of itself. I hope more anthologies with plus size protagonists exist in the future in a range of genres, as there is very much a need for it.
The reason I knocked off half a star is because for me, there could’ve been a bit more intersectional diversity, in terms of disabled, neurodivergent and characters of colour. Having those would must tip this to a 5* read, and would’ve benefitted from a bit more intersectionality, but this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. Also, there were some grammatical and spelling errors I feel could’ve done with having a once over from an editor, in a few stories, but again, these were so small that they didn’t take away from the overall impact.
I deffo recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy with no-nonsense, realistic plus size women who are contributing to the fantasy milieu one adventure at a time.
Age rating: 18+
Trigger Warnings (per story):
1. Poppy and the Four Kingdoms by E M Howell: Vomit, alcohol consumption, inebriation, attempted assassination, killing, violence, blood, dead bodies, wounds, opioid/drug den & addicts, use of the word AIDS in an off the cuff context, attempted sexual assault and mentions of cheating ex
2. Lillie of the Woods by Rae Hendricks: Mentions of maternal death during childbirth, poverty, missing person, imprisonment, blood, paternal death (on page), mention of Suicide, sex scene (on page, explicit)
3. The Magic Thief by A K Mulford: Violence, wounds, blood, theft of money, death & dead bodies, alcohol consumption, vomit, mentions of slaughter, sexual scene, broken bones
4. House of Ember by Bobbi Bentz: Internalised fatphobia (very brief, challenged by end), mention of maternal death after childbirth, mention of infidelity and use of a brothel worker for personal gain, inebriation and alcohol consumption.
5. The Tide That Binds Us by Alexis C Maness: Murder, death & dead bodies, mention of maternal death during childbirth, grief & mourning, poison, sexism, kidnap, blood, violence and body wounds, shackles, drowning, and branding
6. Wolf Kind: A Royal Demons Prequel by R H Nightingale: Emotionally manipulative partner, violence, blood, bruises, wounds, maternal death, lying and implied impending war
7. Dissasemblance by R J Lloyd: Mention of segregation, mention of body shaming & fatphobia (overt, challenged by end), mention of entire race death by virus, implied threats of violence, enlistment into army and implied impending war
8. The Bargain by Mary Warren: Mentions of physical lashings and emotional abuse, death of spouse, and grief & mourning
9. The Shadow and the Rose by Chandra Trulove Fry: Body shaming & fatphobia (overt, challenged by end), violence, war & enlistment to fight, body scars, and murder
10. Deadly Sweet Rolls by Jesse M Harvey: Violence, blood and bruises, body horror, mention of missing people, mention of paternal death, mention of funeral, grief & mourning, death and dead bodies, inebriation & alcohol consumption, imprisonment and shackles, and battle (brief, resolved by end)
This was such a fantastic anthology, with plus size badass women at the helm of each story. It’s even more wonderful that this is fantasy, as I’ve noticed that fat rep is severely lacking in this genre, so having this anthology exist is revolutionary in and of itself. I hope more anthologies with plus size protagonists exist in the future in a range of genres, as there is very much a need for it.
The reason I knocked off half a star is because for me, there could’ve been a bit more intersectional diversity, in terms of disabled, neurodivergent and characters of colour. Having those would must tip this to a 5* read, and would’ve benefitted from a bit more intersectionality, but this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. Also, there were some grammatical and spelling errors I feel could’ve done with having a once over from an editor, in a few stories, but again, these were so small that they didn’t take away from the overall impact.
I deffo recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy with no-nonsense, realistic plus size women who are contributing to the fantasy milieu one adventure at a time.
Age rating: 18+
Trigger Warnings (per story):
1. Poppy and the Four Kingdoms by E M Howell: Vomit, alcohol consumption, inebriation, attempted assassination, killing, violence, blood, dead bodies, wounds, opioid/drug den & addicts, use of the word AIDS in an off the cuff context, attempted sexual assault and mentions of cheating ex
2. Lillie of the Woods by Rae Hendricks: Mentions of maternal death during childbirth, poverty, missing person, imprisonment, blood, paternal death (on page), mention of Suicide, sex scene (on page, explicit)
3. The Magic Thief by A K Mulford: Violence, wounds, blood, theft of money, death & dead bodies, alcohol consumption, vomit, mentions of slaughter, sexual scene, broken bones
4. House of Ember by Bobbi Bentz: Internalised fatphobia (very brief, challenged by end), mention of maternal death after childbirth, mention of infidelity and use of a brothel worker for personal gain, inebriation and alcohol consumption.
5. The Tide That Binds Us by Alexis C Maness: Murder, death & dead bodies, mention of maternal death during childbirth, grief & mourning, poison, sexism, kidnap, blood, violence and body wounds, shackles, drowning, and branding
6. Wolf Kind: A Royal Demons Prequel by R H Nightingale: Emotionally manipulative partner, violence, blood, bruises, wounds, maternal death, lying and implied impending war
7. Dissasemblance by R J Lloyd: Mention of segregation, mention of body shaming & fatphobia (overt, challenged by end), mention of entire race death by virus, implied threats of violence, enlistment into army and implied impending war
8. The Bargain by Mary Warren: Mentions of physical lashings and emotional abuse, death of spouse, and grief & mourning
9. The Shadow and the Rose by Chandra Trulove Fry: Body shaming & fatphobia (overt, challenged by end), violence, war & enlistment to fight, body scars, and murder
10. Deadly Sweet Rolls by Jesse M Harvey: Violence, blood and bruises, body horror, mention of missing people, mention of paternal death, mention of funeral, grief & mourning, death and dead bodies, inebriation & alcohol consumption, imprisonment and shackles, and battle (brief, resolved by end)
March 25, 2022
The Magic Thief is a short story included in the Curves and Magic anthology of short Fantasy stories. I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw how short the story was compared to Mulford's other works, but this author never seems to disappoint no matter how few the pages and how much more of the story I want.
In a very short time, you are drawn into Val's story. The friendships, struggles, romance, and action, make the pages fly by, and before you know it, you're at the end, wishing this was a big book all on its own. Great for fans of the LGBTQ community, fantasy readers, and curvaceous women everywhere that have trouble finding clothes that fit just right, this story has a little bit of something for everyone in its pages.
In a very short time, you are drawn into Val's story. The friendships, struggles, romance, and action, make the pages fly by, and before you know it, you're at the end, wishing this was a big book all on its own. Great for fans of the LGBTQ community, fantasy readers, and curvaceous women everywhere that have trouble finding clothes that fit just right, this story has a little bit of something for everyone in its pages.
March 12, 2022
This whole book was amazing. I loved each story but I want to talk about the Magic Thief by AK Mulford.
What a great story. It has everything you could want. Adventure, drama, laughter, and love. Two female friends from different backgrounds are slaves to the same wizard, it is their job to steal magic from others for his greedy agenda. But along the way one of them finds love. They embark on a mission to right some wrongs and fight for good over evil. The banter and relationships between the three is fantastic. Both friendly and romantic. One of my favorite aspect in these stories is the fact that the women don’t have traditional beauty, they are curvy and diverse. I couldn’t get enough.
What a great story. It has everything you could want. Adventure, drama, laughter, and love. Two female friends from different backgrounds are slaves to the same wizard, it is their job to steal magic from others for his greedy agenda. But along the way one of them finds love. They embark on a mission to right some wrongs and fight for good over evil. The banter and relationships between the three is fantastic. Both friendly and romantic. One of my favorite aspect in these stories is the fact that the women don’t have traditional beauty, they are curvy and diverse. I couldn’t get enough.
June 16, 2022
This is a collection of ten stories with a swords and sorcery theme and strong female leads.
I love anthologies for the opportunity to explore multiple authors. I always manage to find some new favorites to explore and this collection is no exception. The stories are well written and easy to read with diverse casts of characters in interesting settings. With multiple authors, settings and characters, there is a lot of variety here which I really enjoyed. Overall, it made for a solid dose of adventure and plenty of entertainment.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
I love anthologies for the opportunity to explore multiple authors. I always manage to find some new favorites to explore and this collection is no exception. The stories are well written and easy to read with diverse casts of characters in interesting settings. With multiple authors, settings and characters, there is a lot of variety here which I really enjoyed. Overall, it made for a solid dose of adventure and plenty of entertainment.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
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