Airy, fun and brimming with magic.
Ever since the barbaric King Roi directed an invasion on Valerra, Mage Mara and likeminded companions have taken their loyalty underground. A toyshop clerk by day, Mara spends her nights putting herself in harm’s way in the name of devotion to the crown. Working as a spy, Mara does whatever needs done in order to protect the land from dark magic and other dangers. However, a new threat is brewing in Mara’s hometown of Bellaryss, and this time around, the trouble may be coming from the inside. With a rebellion in the works, Mage Mara takes on an unlikely apprentice, Arnesto, a handsome fay that has a way with words. Unfortunately, espionage requires more than a smooth tongue and stunning features. Besides an ominous dark threat to Velerra, a singular war on magic is gaining traction. Magic is what saved the land against King Roi, but a division among the people might tear things apart. Will Mara be able to keep her growing feelings for the unsettlingly charming Arnesto in check, all while fighting for her home and her right to wield magic?
If you’re looking for a book that is airy, fun and brimming with magic, look no further than Lady Spy. Part Four in A Serving Magic series, Toni Cabell writes with such ease that this volume can be enjoyed in conjunction with or apart from others in the collection. The plot sits just right, the worldbuilding is thorough and the character composition is top notch. Arnesto is a great example of a likable and distinct character whose personal style and speech patterns are like something out of a Regency Era novel, yet as a fay, his wit and magical acumen make him more than just a spell-slinging pretty face. Cabell’s simple and clear voice makes it easy to visualize the settings, effortlessly introducing fans to all that Valerra has to offer. For readers that appreciate a lighthearted and endearing story that inhabits a dynamic world of magic, Spy Lady is a rollicking fantasy adventure of enchanting proportions.
