Take a little detour from Kate's upcoming war with her father, I decide to read Magic Stars, a novella about our favorite boy wonder, Derek Gaunt. I read this before I continue to read Magic Binds because I try to read the series chronologically in order and well, the story indeed happen after Magic Shifts and will explain some things.

The story is pretty short but still have some IA trademark, like mythology and violence galore. While Magic Stars is about Derek, Julie also accompany him in order to searching the magical rock and also bring justice to the family that had murdered because of said rock. We will learn that Julie had

been in connection with Roland for some times. This is already hinted in Magic Shifts when Roland ask Julie about her school essay. So, Julie decide to become Kate's Herald like Hugh is Roland's Warlord. Julie also know that she bound to Kate and must follow Kate's order while Kate think she still keep that order thingie as secret. Oh, boy, Kate will have apoplexy when knowing that, especially because Julie know from Roland

. Also we get to know the Sick Fuck..ehm, I mean, Hugh's fate after his failure in Magic Breaks that apparently will lead to his own book. As for our boy wonder, we get to know that he really become a loner now. I always wondering why Derek didn't want to be a beta because his skill allow him to be Desandra's beta in Clan Wolf, but this novella explained the reason behind it.

I do like the interaction between Derek and Julie, but if you think they will be romantically involved, maybe it's too early for that. I feel like Derek still think Julie as his little sister, while it's apparent that Julie has crush to Derek. It already hinted when in Magic Strikes, Julie crying over Derek's body when the boy got crushed by the rakshasas, so I'm really not surprised, lel. But, like I said, while there's a hint of upcoming romance, both Julie and Derek is still young. While Derek maybe don't have any romantic feeling toward Julie, I wonder

if deep inside his feeling toward Julie maybe more than a brotherly feeling. When the letavitsa seduce Derek and well, he kinda accept it but maybe the side that accept is the wolf, the letavitsa in the end said that Derek belong to someone. Well, well, who that person could be? The villain explain that men who can resist letavitsa's seduction is men who already love someone. Soooo, is it what I think is it? Hehehe, only time will tell

. I do support Julie and Derek, but if there's other romantic interest for Julie, I don't mind either. Julie and Ascanio will be a crack to read, while maybe if Julie indeed will be with Derek, Derek will go "woe is me" at first. Heh.

Why I discuss the romance, huh? Why? Because speculating about the shipping is always fun.

A pretty good novella that perfect if you like the boy wonder and want to know more about what he think.