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Sorcerers and Saints

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A tale of magic, miracles and madness

Melbourne’s magic is broken, and it’s going to take a cursed saint, a surly sorcerer, and a hell of a miracle to fix.

Born into a family of cursed saints, Mara Corvo has never met a heart ache she couldn’t heal. The price she pays for such a gift is that no one can remember her afterward…except for a drunk sorcerer that should never have been able to find her tea shop to begin with.

Augustus Vance has lived with his failure for over a century. In his effort to stop a rogue sorcerer, he killed the woman he loved, and left a hole in Melbourne’s magic that he’s never been able to fix. When a chance encounter accidentally lands him in Mara’s store, he has his first dangerous dose of hope in decades.

If the women of the Corvo family have one golden rule, it’s to stay the hell away from sorcerers, and yet there’s a wild, dangerous magic in play, that keeps bringing Augustus to Mara’s door.

Only together, can they heal the hole in magic, and maybe with a big enough miracle, they might even be able to heal each other.

‘Sorcerer’s and Saints’ is a new fantasy romance for readers who loved ‘The Night Circus,’ ‘Chocolat,’ and ‘The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.’ Please note, this is an adult fantasy and it has swearing and sex scenes.

Paperback

First published April 7, 2022

130 people are currently reading
1161 people want to read

About the author

Amy Kuivalainen

50 books432 followers
Amy is a best-selling author of fantasy, paranormal, and romance novels. After realizing she wasn't fit for academia, she channelled her passion for ancient history, magic, and mythology into her storytelling. With Amy's books, you can always expect adventure, mystery, and sizzling romance.

For those wondering, her Finnish surname is pronounced 'Quiver-lay-nen.'

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5 stars
220 (39%)
4 stars
202 (36%)
3 stars
109 (19%)
2 stars
18 (3%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Rachael.
202 reviews287 followers
March 20, 2022
“Like all magic, if you keep your eyes open and search for it, it will always find you, and you will never be the same again.”

Stunning magical story of grief and all that we do for love. I’m such a fan of Amy’s writing style, especially the way she incorporates magic in her modern world and character building. How she created an enemies turned into friends & then lovers, a divine tea shop, snarky talking cat, and lovely little hints of mythology, were fantastic. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Alyson Walton.
926 reviews22 followers
May 16, 2023
This was delightful!!!!
This story isn't faced paced. It doesn't contain earth-shattering smut or ramble on for 500 pages, but it is beautifully written. The characters are very likeable and, in my opinion, cleverly crafted so that they are believable. This is a love story that proves love isn't easily obtained or established. Can't recommend this enough ❤️
Profile Image for zuzanka.
97 reviews
April 10, 2022
3.5 Miła, krótka i przyjemna. Nie jest to książka wysokich lotów, ale po moich ostatnich lekturach ta była jedną z przyjemniejszych na jakie się natknęłam. Relacja Augustusa i Mary była urocza, jak i również urok tych bohaterów z osobna. Mogę polecić na light reading.
Profile Image for Martina P.
452 reviews11 followers
August 14, 2023
A lovely magical book about a saint and a sorcerer, tea, heartache, cat, grief and love. A slowburn with a predictable story, but somehow you don't mind and don't care and just let it go and enjoy it while it lasts.
Profile Image for Brandi B.
3 reviews
July 24, 2024
The characters and plot are fantastic as well as Amy’s imagination and writing. If you like to not be able to guess what will happen next this is for you. A lovely book that highlights the impact of the metaphorical weight we carry and how the only way to put it down is to really review why we picked it up in the first place.
Profile Image for ⋆☾°Monce⋆✦。.
13 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2022

“Maaaarrraaa! The sorcerer has me and is going to hurt me if you don't open up and talk to him!"
"What are you doing?" Augustus whispered harshly.
"Saving your ass," Athanasius hissed. "Mara! Help!”

Let’s be honest… the cat was the best fucking character!! Flynn rivals my love for Athanasius :)It had a great plot and I loved the characters. It’s a quick read because it isn’t too long and is a stand alone. It’s perfect to read in one day or in between series! I’m glad that Mara finally found someone to be with!! There was only one spice scene but it was good.
Profile Image for mith.
934 reviews307 followers
March 16, 2023
This was so charming! I absolutely love books like this, full of magic and romance and a lowkey stakes plot. It feels so cozy and simple and I adore it. I loved these characters and had so much fun reading it!
Profile Image for Nicole Marshall.
302 reviews7 followers
March 6, 2025
This was cute and cozy, but I think I need some stakes (not necessarily high ones) in my romances.
Profile Image for Amy.
44 reviews
August 9, 2025
more of a lighthearted romance with a little spice, I liked the characters!

I think it would've been a 4 star if there was a stronger plot and stakes.
Profile Image for Riri.
190 reviews16 followers
March 11, 2022
This reminded me a lot of Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher. It's got a plot that doesn't feel too threatening, a sweet romance, and interesting world building. Also, I loved Mara as a protagonist, she was gentle and kind, but still tough when she needed to be.

Although I didn't vibe with everything in this book, if you're looking for a light fantasy with a sweet (and steamy) romance, this is worth picking up!

Profile Image for Victoria Lederer.
221 reviews
March 10, 2022
Amy has quickly become one of my favorite writers. When I saw this newest release, I knew I had to pick it up. I found this to be a beautiful story and love what blossoms between our MCs Mara and Augustus. When you are in need of a good standalone, this will do the trick!
Profile Image for Lindsey Robison (theinfernalqueen).
430 reviews23 followers
March 14, 2022
This book was absolutely delightful!

I loved Augustus and Mara so so much! Their story was one of love, laughter and just pure magic at its finest! While this did remind me of The Night Circus, I felt that it was more connected to Howls Moving Castle in a way that had my heart swooning!

Also, I need a book about Connor asap I can already tell he’d be a delicious character to read about plus he’s perfect for an age gap romance!

If you want a story that will touch your heart, make you root for love & bring magic to yours soul? This is the book for you!
Profile Image for Monica.
86 reviews
August 15, 2022
A simply magical book you must add to your library!

I’m here to tell everyone who will listen that Amy is an absolute magician herself and I will always recommend her books. I have loved everything she has written, it is always so beautifully written with equal focus on the plot and the characters. Sorcerers and Saints is no different, she masterfully blends magic and reality in a way that feels so natural. Plus, you cannot help but fall for these characters from their first introduction and just sink even deeper as you learn more about them. S&S is a automatic 5 star and I am thankful that she was bullied into finishing it.🖤
Profile Image for Jeralyn Mason.
108 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2022
Cute and easy read. Had a Sorcery of Thorns vibe.
Profile Image for Ciru.
1,730 reviews
March 21, 2022
Allow me to start with a spoiler and the reason why the book lost a star.



With that out of the way...

"You're too old to be this naïve. Interested is what he looked. Do I need to remind you of the dangers of having an affair with a sorcerer? I'm living proof of the consequences."


I want this book made into a series. I want someone to perfectly play Athanasius' sarcastic, haughty, why-are-you-acting-like-you-don't-have-eyes role. The fact that he was a cat fit him perfectly. He carried most of the humourous scenes of the book and he was my favourite side character.

Having spent most of her life alone, Mara was more comfortable in her head than she was in the outside world.


I loved the fact that both Mara+Augustus were mature characters. In age as well as temperament (that is until they largely get their hearts involved and we have most of the middle of the book being them reluctant to tell each other that they love one another). They each have their heart ache and they do heal each other but this largely fell on Mara.

"Truth and belief are very different things, and neither one needs the other to be real."


Humans play a very minor part in this book. They mainly serve as silent, background characters. I loved the fact that it was largely all the different supernaturals and their beliefs center stage.

"I'm sorry," he said eventually. He rubbed the back of his neck irritably. "I didn't expect it to be that complicated, and you plunging in like that scared me. Be a saint, Mara, but don't be a martyr, okay?"


Refer to my above spoiler. While Mara's nature is to heal, she carried such a heavy martyr mentality. And one could say it was due to her family history, but I just wanted her to buck the death standard from way before the start, from way before Augustus stepped into her shop.

God, he was going to be an idiot for that smile; he just knew it.


I loved how their romance was sweet, exceedingly cute, initially started off as friends (or rather friends who want to bone but don't want to tell each other) and that they tentatively learnt each other.

"Our relationship began with a stolen pocket watch and a dead whore," he began ominously,


I enjoyed the writing. The story flowed, just enough description to paint you a picture of what is what and move you from the past to the present, the supernatural to the everyday Melbourne taking place outside their sphere.

"There is a blessing that can pour forth from a martyrdom, but the martyred are never there to witness it." — Sayings of the Blessed Crow.


Again, a lot of emphasis on the martyrdom and I've just remembered that in the end, Augustus gets tea-counselling. Mara doesn't get that. She is just instantly healed by someone having remembered who she is and paying attention to her longer than one cup of herbs and spices.

Also, in the grand scheme of things, we still don't know who was behind it all, from the start. The wrong person is essentially caught but we do not have their initial villan backstory properly sorted out.

In short, I enjoyed reading this. Would recommend it, just wasn't a fan of some aspects of the book.
Profile Image for Bibliochi .
16 reviews
May 4, 2022
🪄 Fact: No cup of ANY beverage (hard liquor included) is a cure when it comes to matters of the heart, but we all like to give it our best shot anyway🥃. This book had a take on grief that was so different and unexpected, I really enjoyed it.

🪄 It’s a quick read and I’m all for a story with dual POV’s. I didn’t read the blurb when I started this one, so I was not expecting a magical tea shop where the owner (Mara) can heal your heartache with a cup of tea. People blab their secrets and have no filter when they’ve been drinking, so why not make what they’re drinking a specially made cup of tea without the hangover.

🪄 My heart ached for Mara. We all seek moments of solitude but for her it was some next level shxt. Being forgotten by everyone she meets with only her grandfather turned cat as the ONLY being alive who remembers her, until she meets Augustus, is too much for even my socially awkward, introverted self to take. Athanasius reminded me of a more sarcastic Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, if that’s even possible 🐈‍⬛ I liked his banter with Augustus and how protective he was of Mara.

🪄 The way Augustus and Mara kept circling each other in a game of “will they-won’t they” was sweet, if you’re into that kind of thing. It’s definitely a slow burn, so not much spice 🌶 but I can’t exactly fault it for that when a lot of emotional healing and building trust was going on.

If you believe in miracles this book is for you!

🏷 #chichischoice
#sorcerersandsaints #amykuivalainen #magic #bookreview #fantasynovel #quickread #booklover #mystery #romance #ereader #slowburn #bookblog #bookcommunity
Profile Image for Deedee.
146 reviews
October 16, 2022
Ok, this book deserves a review.

But the thing is, I dont have any words.
There's just these feelings.

The feeling of knowing I am never gonna find a book like this so soon again.
The feeling that this book was worth every second of my "im-supposed-to-be-studying" time.
The feeling that I can only try and uplift this book.

Y O U H A V E T O R E A D T H I S!



LEMME TALK FACTS:

The plot---- Its exactly the way you're thinking, but make it 100 times better.
The thing about this book is that, there wasn't any big conflict to resolve. The main focus were the h and H and rest of the things were just factors in the progression of their relationship.

● The h is perfect. Shes strong. She knows how to handle pervs(beats the shit outta some before the
H can intervene) . Shes independent(can handle her own tyvm). She comes from
magickkkkkk!! Shes been alone as the people she meets forget all about her afterwards. She needs
to be loved (NOT IN A DESPERATE WAY).


● The H. Ok. Hes dreamy. So dreamy.
He's older than her.
He's the best known sorcerer(isn't it charming).
He's sweet and kind and not at all an egotistic sh*t.
He's simply curious about our h at first, hence he keeps finding her afterwards (see, hes the
unique guy. Only person who ever remembers our h and her little shop) and no matter how she
tries to hide, he keeps on finding her.

I think Im not doing em any justice.


You just need to know, I am bad at writing reviews hence I avoid doing it.
But this book, it made me click on "write a review" and here I am.

☆☆☆☆☆
Profile Image for MidnightBookish.
283 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2022
Book: Sorceres and Saints
Author: @akuivalainen

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"Truth and belief are very different things, and neither one needs the other to be real."

“Like all Magic, If you keep your eyes open and search for it, it will always find you, and you will never be the same again…”

“Sacrifice and healing always require three things; blood, tears, and acceptance”

Melbourne’s magic is broken and only a cursed saint and grumpy sorcerer to finally fix it…
Mara is a Saint… a saint who can heal any heart ache but the price for that? Is that no one ever remembers her afterwards, until one day a really annoying drunk sorcerer finds her store and remembers every single part of it…
Augustus is a Sorcerer who married to his job and alcohol! All he wants is to fix the Magic and be alone!!
They’re not supposed to be friends! should hate each other but no, they can’t stop themselves and all they want is to be together and get to know each other so why not trying to fix whatever is broken with the Magic? Mara and Augustus are so imperfectly perfect for each other!
I can’t tell you guys how magical and lovely this book is, there’s so much magic in it… it was the perfect book to start my week and end May reading journey…
#SorcerersandSaints #bookoftheday #book #bookpics #bookgrammer #bookrecommendations #booksarelife #booksaremagic #booksarelove #booksareessential #booksarebetter #booksarefun #ReadmoreBooks
Profile Image for Flynne.
59 reviews3 followers
May 30, 2022
Yasss 👏👏👏

So, I normally have a hard time with romances written in third person because most are written with a sort of detachment that cheapens the experience. So many authors fall prey to telling versus showing and/or focusing too much on world building when it should take a back seat to the plot (relative to the genre, that is.) Romantic/PNR fantasy has to tread a fine line without going too far one way or another, and the author nailed it here. We got to be privy to the character's thoughts but also got to see them with an outsider's perspective. At times it even dipped to third person omniscient, which worked.

I fell in love with this book from the very beginning, and that is so rare for me. Mara and Augustus' relationship unfolded slowly but beautifully, aided by excellent writing and a small cast of secondary characters, namely Athanasius and Flynn. The world is rife with opportunities to explore, and I really hope the author continues to write books in the same vein as this one. It was sweet with a hint of spice (more wouldn't be amiss, but that's a personal preference 😏). This is the first I've read from the author, but I will definitely be looking at her other works as well.

Random swoon: Mara's Blood Moon outfit without her glamour. Yes, please.
Profile Image for Victoria.
169 reviews
March 13, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/4

**Themes / summary not spoilers **

Melbourne is a city filled with wonderful and magical creatures. But the city’s magic is broken, and a sorcerer is to blame. Looks like he’ll need a miracle to fix it…. And there’s a resident saint that might be able to do just that.

Mara is such an interesting character. She’s magical in nature but she is, in fact, a Saint, descended from a long line of saints. She is blessed and cursed to be able to heal grief in others, but at the cost that they never remember her after she helps them. It’s a lonely way to live.

Augustus was a cocky young sorcerer that got caught up in some problematic magic as a younger man and has paid the price a few times over as he remains in a city with broken magic, on a seemingly never ending quest to fix it. As he searches for answers, he spends less and less time interacting with others and more time focusing on his guilt. It’s a lonely way to live.

This book explores the importance of grief, healing, and learning to accept help from others. We get a beautiful relationship that builds from wary allies to friends to lovers, all based in trust and the discovery that they are the only people who can truly see the other. For Mara, not being forgotten or only valued for her gifts, but instead just valued as her self is a revelation. For Augustus, Mara is able to bear witness to all of his darkest secrets and guilts and still see the good in him. These two really show how beautiful and integral the feeling of being truly known is to a relationship.

I loved the unique aspects of magic and myth in this book, and as always in Amy’s books, the character chemistry was incredible.

If you’re looking for a unique stand-alone filled with magic, a contemporary urban setting, sassy side characters, and foundations in some uncommon myths / cultures, (not to mention some great sexual tension & a bit of smut), this book is for you!
Profile Image for Chesa Reed.
137 reviews7 followers
June 6, 2022
Oh my, This book was MAGICAL! Never have I read a book about Saint’s as magic weilders. The fmc Mara is from long line of Saints, each blessed with a special kind of miracle. Mara’s miracles have the power to heal grief. She does this by luring those nearby into her tea shop, telling her their stories of heartbreak or loss, and then through a cup of tea custom to each patron, their grief is washed away. Her family also comes from a long line of curses. Her’s? Nobody remembers her after they leave her shop. Until one day a drunk sorcerer stumbles into her shop. Sorcerers and Saints are never supposed to mix. “"Sorcerers and Saints don't mix for good reasons, Judge. The magic is too dangerous. Something to consider before hearts get involved." This story is unlike anything I’ve ever read, and kept me interested every step of the way.

One quick note. The fmc is from a nomadic family in Europe. The slur g*psy is used once, in the context of the fmc asking if that is all someone sees her as.
Profile Image for Ayala.
268 reviews
March 25, 2023
This was such a sweet, cozy book, full of magic and romance and a low key stakes plot.

“Like all magic, if you keep your eyes open and search for it, it will always find you, and you will never be the same again.”

Sorcerers (Augustus) and Saints (Mara) is magical story of grief and all that we do for love. I really enjoy Amy’s writing style, especially the way she incorporates magic in her modern world and character building. How she created an enemies turned into friends & then lovers, a divine tea shop, snarky talking Grandpa cat, and lovely little hints of mythology (cute little reference to her name meaning bitter in Hebrew). This book was a short and sweet one and done with a happy ending. Perfect for a cozy, rainy day.

I did prefer The Magicians of Venice series more only because she had more room to flesh out the story and characters over three books.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emma.
8 reviews
May 22, 2022
I liked this book much more than I thought I would. I picked it up completely on a whim without having looked into it much and was pleasantly surprised. It has a fairly rich world and I personally enjoyed seeing Melbourne be the setting, which I haven't really seen before as many of these types of books are set in America or occasionally the UK.

The characters were interesting, but I would have preferred a little bit more background into things such as saints and wizards as we are presented with a world where everyone is aware and therefore it is not explained.

My biggest peeve with this book is I felt it ended quite abruptly, I think I would've enjoyed sitting with the characters some more.

Overall an easy, enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Mor’s Bookclub.
33 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2022
This book was everything!

From the first line of this book I was instantly hooked. Mara’s and Augustus’s journey was endearing, and I couldn’t love the little saint and the possessive sorcerer more 🥺 It wasn’t just their compatible personalities, or their banter, it was the way they were able to embrace each other’s heartache and accept each other’s faults and past. Last but not least, let’s talk about my love for Athanasius. He was perfect, and his love and dedication to Mara made me miss my grandfather even more. This is an absolute must read; and will be one of my comfort reads for years to come.
77 reviews
May 3, 2022
This is a very solid fantasy romance book. It is a perfect read to get over a more stressful and heart-renching story (SJ Mass I'm looking at you). It's a good recovery book, easy to read and nothing stressful about it. The story is sweet and simple, the characters are uncomplicated and enjoyable to read about. Overall the book is really good. I do wish the ending had a little more angst and a little more umph, it did feel a bit anti-climactic. There were many points in the story where things could have been amped up, and the stakes could have been higher. But, nonetheless this is a great and easy read. It would be perfect for a beach-side vacation. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Ashley.
284 reviews39 followers
March 26, 2022
sweet, slow burn

This was a sweet, slow burn story about forbidden love between the saint of grief and a sorcerer. Mara is cursed and not remembered by anyone but her grandfather who is trapped as a cat and a sorcerer who needs her help to grieve his worst deeds in life.

This is a shorter book, just over 200 pages, which is just right for the easy pace of the story. There were several very cute and humorous comebacks and banter between characters. There is one very short spicy scene.
Profile Image for Indigoberry.
117 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2022
Mild mild spoiler.

Low hanging fruit with me, dark haired, sassy sorceror, talking cat and wonderfully complex and strong FMC. Just a win all around! Deffo buy to add to my collection if it comes out in hard copy. Only critiques, the boxing seemed a little on the nose (lol) and the slow burn was great but it went from sexy crush to endless love with only a brief stop inbetween (a stop that was enjoyable but almost didn't quite fit in with the general feel of the story?)

Quite Sorcery of Thorns vibes.

All in all loved it.
Profile Image for Kylee.
476 reviews3 followers
November 17, 2022
2nd book I’ve read by this author and I enjoyed them both.

I especially loved this book is based in Melbourne, Australia. Lots of references to places I know.

Completely new storyline & magic base from anything I’ve read. A saint who helps people heal their grief by making them tea and is always forgotten once she’s healed them.
A sorcerer who broke the magic in Melbourne and has spent years trying to fix it. He finds Mara’s tea shop and remembers her. So this book is based around their friends to lovers romance and how Mara helps Augustus heal from his past grief.
Profile Image for Janet Welling.
875 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2023
Magical

Sweet, romantic story with lots of supernatural elements. Mara and Augustus are both magical, in their own way, yet they have lived lives of heartache and loneliness. What happens when two souls come together to fix the broken magic causing unrest in Australia? They might just heal each other at the same time. Lovely read with great banter between the hero and heroine and, an obnoxious cat who may be more than he first appears to be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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