Reggie Johnson needs a job – like, really needs a job.  So it seems like her stars have finally aligned when she sees a listing for an assistant at the company that makes her favorite card game, Spellcraft: The Magicking (bonus if you’re familiar with the game).  Imagine her surprise when she realizes she’s actually been hired to assist with spellcrafting as a witch’s familiar, much to the chagrin of her employer Dru’s super hot nephew Ben.  Reggie’s finally getting the hang of things, but when Dru and her previous familiars are all struck down by curses, she’s reliant on Ben to keep her safe and help break the curses – and it turns out maybe he’s not so bad after all.

This book has such a fantastic premise, with the mixup between the card game and the real intent of the job posting.  It’s kind of let down by a saggy second quarter and fairly flat characters, but the magic system is very fresh and the plot is interesting.  The sex scenes read a bit awkward, but they’re forgivable.  It’s trying to do some work in the end about the patriarchy that isn’t quite accomplished.

I’m most uncomfortable with the word “mongrel” being used to describe characters of mixed magic and human ancestry.  It’s historically been used as a slur against people of mixed race, and I really hope that the author can find an alternative word before the book is released, because I do not think it’ll be received well.

This read didn’t quite live up to my hopes for it, but I’m an easy mark, and it has the feel of a series.  I’ll pick up the next one. Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

CW:

emotionally manipulative parents, one set of whom eventually requires a restraining order