Sorcery and Small Magics (July 2025) Buddy Read Discussion - Sophie & Heloise

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Sorcery and Small Magics Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on July 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 07/0
1st: chapters 1-5
2nd: chapters 6-9
3rd: chapters 10-14
4th: chapters 15-18
5th: chapters 19-22
6th: chapters 23-25

Week of 07/07
7th: chapters 26-29
8th: chapters 30-end


PARTICIPANTS
~ Sophie
~ Heloise

[Héloïse ☾]

chapters 1-5

I started it yesterday and I have to say that I was surprised to discover that it was a lgbt+ romance, as I received it in a fairyloot box, I hadn't found out too much about it when I got it!

We seem to be heading for not necessarily an enemies to lovers, but a rivals to lovers, and I can't wait to see what the author considers a slow burn.

Chapter 5 caught me by surprise too! (view spoiler)[I didn't expect the rapprochement to be linked to a spell gone wrong that means one of them is now at the ‘mercy’ of the other (hide spoiler)]

[Héloïse ☾]

chapters 6-9

To be perfectly honest, I find it very hard to like the characters in this novel. Whether it's Leo or Grimm, Agnes or Cassius, there's nothing about them that I like. Leo is childish, the little we've seen of Grimm only shows him in an embittered light so it's hard to judge, Cassius is super suspicious and Agnes doesn't seem like a good friend despite what Leo says.

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Chapters 1-9

I also have the Fairyloot version!

I adore the fairytale setting, this is making me realise that I need to read more fairytale-esque fantasy. I feel so bad for Leo, his low self-esteem no doubt came from his dad, and it’s like everyone around him has gone along with his dad’s opinions. At least his brother Rainer tries to be supportive.

In terms of the control spell, I initially thought that it was Agnes, now I’m leaning more towards it being Phade, they were acting a little suspicious. Cassius is also a strong contender in my opinion, Leo got a headache right after Cassius gave him the book.

I get what you mean about Leo, I think the author has written him to be too ‘quirky’ and ‘woe is me’, yes people treat him bad, but I’d rather have him be a little more oblivious to it.

[Héloïse ☾]

The edition is really beautiful!
I haven't had much fantasy this year and I've come across a lot of fantasy with a particular setting and I like it.

Yes, I think there was a big problem with his father, but I expected him to be worse actually. Maybe he'll prove me wrong and be particularly awful.

I find everyone suspicious haha
Cassius clearly wants to make himself look good to Leo's father. Or get close to him to get revenge for something maybe?

Yes exactly! He's too quick to be mean to others, it's annoying, even if he apologises afterwards. Maybe (and I hope) it's part of his character development.

[Héloïse ☾]

chapters 10-14

I didn't think Leo's deterioration would be so quick and that it would leave him no respite.

I'm honestly struggling to see how the romance is going to develop so I'm itching to see it.

If I were Leo, I'd be scared too and annoyed that no one was giving a sh*t about me but him blackmailing Grimm when Grimm looks like he wants to become a gentry for his family.... Right.

Anyway, I don't know where I stand with this one but it's entertaining

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Sorry I’ve been MIA, I fell behind and I’ve just managed to catch up.

chapters 15-25

Most of this has been pretty stagnant and boring, I truly need some action. I think the introduction of Sybilla was necessary and it’s moved things along a bit. The incorporation of that little monster thing was interesting, but I’m finding it hard to picture what it looks like lol. The tension between Leo and Grimm is also a bit too anticlimactic for my tastes. To keep it simple, I need more.

[Héloïse ☾]

I fell behind too, so I'm going to try to catch up, but it's true that for the moment, as it's not very engaging, I'm having trouble getting into it... Hope the next chapters will keep me entertained

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Ok, I ended up finishing so I’m just going to drop my final thoughts below……so underwhelming :(

(view spoiler)[ This was a good premise, but a bad execution. I had high hopes for this, even enjoyed the start, but from then it was just one massive snooze fest. I needed more action. Leo was too ‘woe is me’ for my tastes and where was this supposed rivals to lovers? Yeah sure they disliked each other, but there was zero tension or chemistry. Needless to say, I will not be continuing with the series (hide spoiler)]

[Héloïse ☾]

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to read, but between being ill and not being motivated to finish this book, it wasn't easy. I almost dnf several times but I was too far along to give up.

I completely agree, the chemistry was absent and I didn't see any rivals to lovers at all. Ok it's a slow burn but apart from reading between the lines, Grimm's side isn't blatant and it doesn't make you want to know more. I won't be continuing this book series either.