The Forbidden Spell

Mark of a Caster #1

by Kaely Rose

Senrind’s life has always been dictated by magic.

Cursed from birth, he is forced to live out his life stuck as a wolf. Sure, it’s been fine living with his pack in the mountains. But Senrind can’t help wanting more. He’s never visited the city or had a conversation with another human being. That is, until a fortune teller introduces him to a shapeshifting cat named Carithway.

Carithway can help him break his curse, but in exchange for a heavy price.

Senrind finds himself pulled into a world of witches, spells, and potions. All the while searching for the answers to his past: Who cursed him? And why?

His father might know the answers, problem is, he’s dead. It seems Senrind’s only chance of discovering the truth is to attend the Coven’s celebration of Samhain (or Halloween, as the people of Evercast call it). On this night, and this night only, the dead can revisit the living.

Senrind isn’t the only one with secrets, though. Carithway seems to be hiding something. Something significant.

The Forbidden Spell is Kaely Rose’s debut novel. A cozy Halloween tale, filled with plenty of magic, mystery, ghosts, and pumpkins to satisfy any autumn cravings (and maybe a little romance too). Ideal for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Queer, Magic, M M Romance, M M Fantasy

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2022

About the author

Kaely Rose was born on July 23rd, 1989 in California. She lives in Utah with her family.

Her passion for magic, fairy-tales, and art was nurtured by her grandmother Jo Elon. When she was asked what she wanted to do when she grew up, she had one of two answers: to be an artist or to write children’s books. Her passion for both continued into adulthood but in time she favored writing.

She is inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Studio Ghibli’s films, and the video game series The Legend of Zelda. She loves cats, tea, and Halloween (same as her grandmother). These passions drove her to write her first book series Mark of a Caster.

Reviews

[mikael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I tried to win it in a giveaway but it ended up only being one dollar on Amazon, so I just couldn't resist.
The overall vibe and plot is fantastic. It's cozy, spooky and exactly what October feels like. The characters are precious, and I liked learning about the magic system a lot. I'm such a sucker for seeing shifters (astrals, as they're called in this case) that aren't wolves or cats, so this also made me happy!
The romance wasn't quite realized by the end, but it seems to be still building up, so I think this is intentional since this looks to be a series.
The author is an OC cultivator and this book is her baby, set out into the world. I can just tell, as an OC creator and lover myself!
My only gripe was that the writing style wasn't overly gorgeous or easy to read, but I can completely sympathize, especially since this is a debut publication! I think it's a very strong start, and for one last high point, I was able to find some concept sketches which I go absolutely feral for and loved seeing. I hope that there'll be a book 2, because I'll certainly be first in line!

[Shu Wei Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for hosting a giveaway of her debut novel on Storygraph. Here is an honest review in exchange for the copy won:

I'M MELTING I LOVE SENRIND AND CARITHWAY 💖

The characters are charming and incredibly lovable, the plot is engaging and it is so atmospheric! A combination of autumnal and wintry vibes, hot comforting drinks, magic both whimsical and dark and plenty of gay pining, the sweet sweet blossoming of affections sitting somewhere between enemies to lovers and friends to lovers. I'm still melting and internally gasping at every memory of key moments in the story, gosh book 2 when?

My only real gripe was I wished the first half of the book was more engaging; it was very atmospheric but the writing was not lyrical (?) enough to compensate for the slow plot progression. The second half of the book on the other hand was so well-paced but I did also feel like some of the various conflicts were resolved too quickly and cleanly.
Honestly, small nitpicks since this is Kaely Rose's debut novel! Ah I'm so excited to follow this story and Kaely's writing journey from here onwards 💖

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was the perfect book to kick start Autumn. If you love fall, witches, romance, LGBTQ, and cozy vibes, then this is a must read! 🕯📖

[SydneysBookNook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read a cozy fantasy before, but I believe this fits the definition. I won this book in a giveaway, so I didn't really have any expectations before reading it, and I'm so glad that I did! The Forbidden Spell was part fantasy, part mystery, and part love letter to cats (an amazing combination). I can't wait to read more from the author!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Recieved in a giveaway on Storygraph*

This is very much a debut novel and parts of the writing really shows that, but to say I didn't enjoy it would be totally incorrect!
I truly loved the characters and the world of magic here and honestly, I'm really interested for any future follow up stories in this world.
(I see that 'Book One'~)

Oh, and the character profiles on the author's website are so lovely, as well as the guide to the Irish words/turns of phrase in the back! - if I wasn't sticking to my rating system for my own consistency I'd give a bonus star just for those, though then I'd also have to give points just for how much I love Carithway haha

[Bobbi Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a chance on this book by an author I had never read before (Kaely Rose) I found that it was her first publication. I am very glad I did go ahead and pick this book, as it was very enjoyable and the first part of a trilogy. Now I am looking forward to the next volume to come out... I have fallen in love with the two main characters Senrind and Carithway and need to know how the ending of book #1 turns out for the unlikely twosome, and how the story will continue. Thank You Kaely Rose for writing this story.

[Florient Calliste-Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

Lovely story filled with interesting characters - ended quickly though - since it's book 1- hopefully there will be a book 2- very clean read no deeply troubling sex scenes - superb

[Alisha (booksmellz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to a curse put on him at birth, Senrind’s been forced to live stuck as a werewolf, unable to change into a human. With the help of his friend, Quinn, they go to a fortune teller who introduces them to a shapeshifting cat named Carithway.

Carithway can help him break the curse, but Senrind in return, must help Carithway out at his shop. Sentrind agrees and is thus thrown into a world of witches, spells, potions, and magic. As Sentrind tries to find answers to his past, he undercovers secrets from his father as well as something Carithway is hiding too. Was Senrind safer in his wolf form and now that he’s human - what can he do to help?

I’m not sure what it is with me stumbling upon cozy fantasies with found family tropes but I’m here for it and absolutely love it. The characters of this book are all so lovely and I’m a sucker for cats with magic, so Carithway could always make me smile.

With a lot of books, the main character gets everything bad thrown at them. But with this book, though there are trials and learning paths, Senrind seems to be doing well and it wasn’t filled with suspense and danger around every corner - hence why I’m calling it cozy fantasy. Sometimes that’s just what you need though.

There is a little romance in this book - but it’s just beginning, which I love because it seems very much more authentic and not rushed into in a few pages. This novel is marked as being #1 in the series, so I’m excited to see this relationship grow as well as the rest of the storyline continue.

This is a cozy read that would be perfect to snuggle up with in the fall - or honestly, you can be like me and read it right at the beginning of Summer and dream about the fall weather that’s mentioned in the book!

*Thank you Kaely Rose and The StoryGraph for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[McKinley Reinhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got through this so quick, it’s a great autumn/Halloween season read! I love fantasy books as well as historical, so to have a fantasy book about witches, cats, sorcerers and wolves set in a fictional Victorian town in Ireland was absolutely perfect for me! The characters are all really sweet with their own unique personalities. Senrind and Carithway are great characters but I think Aster is my fave! I also have a soft spot for Mirage & Quinn! (Not really a spoiler but) the graveyard is my absolute fave, the descriptions she writes for the settings make me so happy. I wish I could go there! I appreciate the magical aspects and the ranks having clear rules, makes it super immersive and always fun to learn about. The LGBTQ representation was also very refreshing and I absolutely love it. If you like tea, magic, animals, Victorian period, and mysteries, this book is for you!

[Kathleen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how when you read, you imagine the characters and the world in which they live in your mind's eye? Kaely Rose makes it so easy to do that. She immediately draws you in into a fully formed world and characters, where not a detail is awry.

Carithway and Senrind are an unexpected pair, each being from such different worlds. The gifts they have and discover they have throughout are delightful and unexpected. I am in love with her imaginary magical world; I want to live there, where everyone is so full of life and hope and dreams.

I have a hard time accepting that this is her first book -- she is an amazing writer. I cannot wait to read the second in this series, and anything else Kaely Rose writes.

[L'Anonimo Del Sublime · Rating 4 out of 5]

È una lettura veramente piacevole, anche se all'inizio non scorre molto e ho fatto un po' fatica ad andare avanti la trama è interessante e i personaggi ancora di più. In particolare, ho trovato i protagonisti molto umani e ho amato come si è sviluppato il loro rapporto e i loro sentimenti durante tutto il libro. Un'altra cosa che ho apprezzato è riguardante le coppie: da una parte sono stata ben felice di trovare coppie saffiche, dall'altra sono anche felice che PER ORA la mia coppia prediletta non sia diventata canon, poiché preferisco quando le coppie si sviluppano con calma lungo il corso di più libri. Infatti, almeno su questo fronte ho le aspettative alte per il prossimo libro, e non vedo l'ora che Kaely finisca di scriverlo

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a cute cover and concept (cat and wolf romance) but ultimately disappointing. Lots of telling and very little showing. I wanted to know about the characters instead of pages and pages describing the magic system.

[Nike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.
The world building was fun and enjoyable, the side characters were fleshed out and entertaining but I especially loved Carithway with his prickly yet sweet personality and the gradual development of his realationship with Senrind.

[Sklyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Note: I received a copy of this book through a giveaway on Storygraph.

This book reads like a first draft. I could not keep track of all the inconsistencies in Sengrid’s backstory. He lives in the mountains but has boxes of possessions. His friend’s family promised to take him in and care for him, but he still lives in the mountains. He remembers a rug getting torn up by werewolf pups but he lives in the mountains. Then there is supposed to be cat vs wolf hate but both seem to not even care. And then sharing a room with a servant? Like why can’t he be an employee? It would make more sense for the cat’s economic class. And the non main characters feel like props instead of characters.
There is a great concept here, but it needed to be hashed out more.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It may seem wonderful to obtain everything you’ve ever wished for, but there is little more destructive to the soul. To want is to dream, and dreams are the fibre of our being. Without them, we lose ourselves.”