Eternal Magic

What a fascinating and captivating novel! The third book in Alexandra Ivy’s Magic for Hire series, Eternal Magic, keeps the suspense level high in this urban fantasy and paranormal romantic suspense novel. Using contemporary Linden, New Jersey, and nearby areas as the setting, it was easy to visualize Maya’s coffee shop, bookstore, and magic-for-hire office. With a world of mages, witches, vampires, wild magic, and more, what can possibly go wrong?

Maya Rosen has experience with the various supernatural beings in this contemporary setting. She has established her business as a cozy place of safety and protection. However, with unhappy victims of her magic, explosions, and the sudden appearance of vampire Ravyr who she thought died four decades ago, Maya is in for a time of uncertainty and kept on tenterhooks. Even after deciding to team up with Ravyr to resolve several mysteries, her trust of him doesn’t come easily. She’s been betrayed in the past and even their attraction isn’t enough to allow her to fully trust him.

Maya is competent, independent, courageous, and protective of friends and family. She is also willing and able to punish those who prey on the vulnerable. However, she can also be cold, demanding, and impatient at times and feels vampires are ruthless and untrustworthy. Ravyr is strong, loyal, and wants to make a difference in the lives of his people. He has put aside his personal life and longings to pursue that. They soon learn that partnerships require work and don’t happen in an instant. It was great to watch their growth as individuals and as partners. While the story is mainly from Maya’s point of view, there are occasions for others to come to the forefront.

Death, suspense, action, and drama immediately pull readers into the story, which is well-written. It kept me invested in the outcome. The plot is twisty and flows well. Both past and current enemies are woven together seamlessly in the sub-plots. There is the right amount of mystery, tension, apprehensiveness, and romance to keep readers engrossed and wondering what was going to happen next. The descriptive writing doesn’t slow the pace, but enhances the reader’s experience. There are a couple of spicy scenes later in the book and the conclusion is satisfactory. One of the things I loved was the desire to help, teach, and protect those who need it. Themes include trust, betrayal, friendship, power, found family, revenge, murder, found family, and much more.

Overall, this is a fast-paced, intriguing, and entertaining tale with great characterization and plenty of action and danger that kept me engaged throughout the story. This series is best read in order and I believe this is the last book in the series. Will any of the other characters get their own series?

Kensington Publishing – Lyrical Press and Alexandra Ivy provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 25, 2025.