Magi’s Curse is a sprawling epic fantasy set in a war-torn world on the brink of collapse, where the divine pantheon meddles with mortals and fate itself unravels. The novel centers around Captain Bronwyn Amyna, a resilient and battle-worn soldier tasked with leading a ragtag group into the icy wilderness in search of a mythical artifact said to turn the tide of war. Alongside her is Clara, a broken yet defiant prisoner with a secret past and vital knowledge. As gods debate the role of death and freedom, mortals struggle with politics, survival, and destiny. The book intertwines divine conflict with gritty human drama, laying the foundation for a larger saga of legendary proportions.

I found the writing to be immersive and bold. Christopher Harris doesn’t shy away from violence, pain, or emotion, and his prose reflects that. Some parts feel cinematic, especially the opening clash between gods and the snowy military camps where tension simmers. His world-building is dense and thoughtful without being overbearing. The pacing, though deliberate, allows the emotional weight to settle in. What hit me hardest was Clara’s trauma. Her pain felt real, and her voice carried history. At times, I wished the secondary characters had more dimension to counterbalance the intensity of the leads.

What stayed with me, more than the plot, were the ideas. The gods’ detachment from human suffering felt both timely and deeply symbolic. The exploration of power, divine, political, or personal, felt honest and raw. Harris doesn’t paint in black and white. Clara isn’t a hero. Captain Amyna isn’t perfect. They’re both flawed, battered by systems larger than themselves, and trying to do the right thing in a world that punishes it. There’s something painful and beautiful in that. I didn’t agree with every choice made in the story, but I respected its guts. It’s a rare kind of fantasy that dares to be this emotionally intimate while still being packed with magic, snowstorms, and sword fights.

Magi’s Curse is a rough ride through frost and fire, grief and grit. It’s for readers who like their stories morally murky and their characters relatable. If you enjoy books like The Broken Empire series or The Poppy War, and you don’t mind a slow burn, this one’s for you. I’m still chewing on some scenes. And that’s a good sign. This book haunted me a little. I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series.

Pages: 319 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DWTXGYVF