Fairyloot Adult #32: October 2024
I’m almost caught up on my backlog of subscriptions! As I write this, I still owe you two Fairyloots and Illumicrates each, 2 for October and 2 for November. The first of these I received was the Fairyloot adult for October, delivered on the afternoon of the 22nd of that month. The problem was that I wasn’t home at all that day, but I did get a message that I had received the box. Huh?
So I expected another delivery at one of the neighbors, but when I got home that evening, it turned out that they had simply dumped the package on the sidewalk. I hate when they do this no matter the circumstances, because anyone can just run off with it, but this time it was extra problematic, since it had been pouring all day and the box was completely soaked by the time I could take it inside.
So I held my breath when I unpacked it, but all in all it wasn’t too bad. The box in particular was wet, but the book inside was not really wet, but moist with a slightly warped cover and pages. So I decided to leave it to dry overnight near the heating system, between two heavy books, before considering filing a complaint. And fortunately this solved the problem completely!
Still, not to be repeated… but it seems to be the modus operandi of the new driver in the area for Colis Privé. He doesn’t even wait after ringing the doorbell, but immediately puts the parcels in front of the intended door, rings the doorbell and leaves…
Anyway, there’s no point in whining about this, so on to October’s theme: Forbidden Spells. The book promised to be an whimsical, cozy fantasy with a grumpy/sunshine dynamic and forced closeness.
This turned out to be Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy.
Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics.
He can summon butterflies with a song, or turn someone’s hair pink by snapping his fingers. Such minor charms don’t earn him much admiration from other sorcerers (or his father), but anything more elaborate always blows up in his face. Which is why Leo vowed years ago to never again write powerful magic.
That is, until a mix-up involving a forbidden spell binds Leo to obey the commands of his longtime nemesis, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo’s complete opposite—respected, exceptionally talented, and an absolutely insufferable curmudgeon. The only thing they agree on is that getting caught using forbidden magic would mean the end of their careers. They need a counterspell, and fast. But Grimm casts spells, he doesn’t undo them, and Leo doesn’t mess with powerful magic.
Chasing rumors of a powerful sorcerer with a knack for undoing curses, Leo and Grimm enter the Unquiet Wood, a forest infested with murderous monsters and dangerous outlaws alike. To dissolve the curse, they’ll have to uncover the true depths of Leo’s magic, set aside their long-standing rivalry, and—much to their horror—work together.
Even as an odd spark of attraction flares between them.
This is a book I hadn’t really heard or seen before I unboxed it from my Fairyloot box. It does sound like something that would be fun to read without requiring too much brainpower.
The cover of the Fairyloot edition has the same layout as the standard edition, but indeed with a different colour palette. And yes, I think it’s very successful! I think these new colours radiate much more coziness and playfulness. Usually I tend more towards deeper colours, especially blue, but I think I ultimately prefer the new colour palette here. Also extra nice is the gold foil for the title, which completes the picture.
On the back of the cover we also find an alternative cover with illustrations of the characters by @_saintdri. Very nice style, but since I’m not a fan of characters on the cover, I’m glad Fairyloot provides this as an alternative.
The sprayed edges by @alyesasworld, which continue on the three sides, really catch the eye. Very nice colours and playful illustrations, which fit the cover nicely.
Under the dust jacket is a hardcover in a beautiful green colour, with so many gold foil illustrations that I found it difficult to photograph. The illustrations are again by @_saintdri and I can’t immediately put my finger on why, but it reminds me a bit of the style of ancient Egypt. Maybe the way it is depicted in 2D with the angular faces and the long hands? In any case, I think it is beautiful. Just from these illustrations alone you can already deduce a lot about the two characters, I think.
The same artist also did two illustrations for the endpapers. Really cool that they used the same artist for all the character illustrations, given the unique style, it keeps the uniformity nicely. Some parts of these endpapers are also inlaid with glossy foil, which does take the illustration to a higher level, but makes it harder to photograph.
This book also comes with an annotated chapter and a bound-in letter from the author with digital signature.
For a moment it looked like I would have to request a new copy from Fairyloot, but in the end it all worked out fine. And I definitely think this edition is a success! Very beautiful colours with well thought out and executed illustrations.
Cheers,
Charlotte
