As agents of MAD—the Magical Alliance Division—Bel, Nico, and Garen are often called across the seas for assignments that are as dangerous as they are unusual, and their new mission in Australia proves no different. But they won’t just be facing the two unknown monsters that have been eating people residing near the river the beasts have claimed as their home; they’ll also have to confront a ghost from Bel’s past—together, and with the support of their team, they’ll do everything in their power to ensure that neither problem gets the best of them. 

Adventurous, captivating, and very funny, A Mage’s Guide to Aussie Terrors is a heartfelt, feel-good story that returns to A.J. Sherwood’s urban fantasy version of the world. Following on shortly after the events of the first novel, A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars, I enjoyed the continuation of MMCs Bel’s, Nico’s, and Garen’s journey as they settle into their lives as a throuple, their bond as mage-familiar-familiar, and their broader relationships with their friends and MAD teammates. Nico’s antics were, again, a major highlight, especially with MAD teammate and fellow mischief maker Wicky, but I especially loved the strong found family aspect that was key to the narrative, as well as the focus on Bel’s emotional journey as he works through and comes to peace with past traumas.