The Discovery of Magic: The Intrigue of Magic Book One by L. J. Evias begins with young Alice, who is eager to stay with her friends and enters an archery contest to win a scholarship that might persuade her parents to let her remain. Picnicking after winning the contest, Alice finds herself transported to North Parsa through a cave portal while searching for her friend Eliot. In North Parsa, Alice meets Prince Darien, who explains the realm’s magical nature and the one-way portals. Meanwhile, Emily follows Alice into the cave, ending up in a bustling city where she takes a job to pay off debts, concerned about Eliot's fate. In a desert, Jordan and Jaime search for Eliot, facing dire conditions but finding hope when they discover a well. As Alice adjusts to life in the royal palace, she learns about local customs, the importance of the Royal Mage, and the difficulty of communicating across different worlds while desperately seeking to reunite with her friends.

Eliot is such a little stinker! All the trouble he causes in The Discovery of Magic by L. J. Evias is reminiscent of Edmund in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but more distracted by pure youth than being straight-up pernicious. Evias gives readers several point-of-view characters as they venture forward in their own stories, which I personally liked and felt that Evias did well in this ambitious format. The world-building is great with detailed political structure and magical elements, like the differences between the North and South Parsan kingdoms which are clearly articulated through dialogue. Evias dishes up the angst that accompanies young love, and I enjoyed the convoluting of who likes who. The magic system is wonderful and following along with Alice as she learns it was the best part for me. Evias is authentic in depicting the frustrations of youth with Alice pining for less basic spells even though she hasn't mastered those yet. “Becoming a mage was not as exciting as she had first thought.” Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-executed entry to a new series and I look forward to seeing where we go next.

The Discovery of Magic by L.J. Evias introduces readers to an enchanting new fantasy series filled with mystery, danger, and magical discovery. Following a young protagonist, Alice Harper, who suddenly uncovers hidden magical abilities, the story weaves together elements of traditional fantasy with fresh twists on familiar tropes. As ancient powers emerge and dark forces gather, Alice must navigate increasingly complex alliances while mastering her newfound abilities. The narrative explores themes of self-discovery and destiny while building a rich world where magic lurks around every corner and ancient secrets threaten to upend everything Alice has ever known. Through challenges and revelations, the story examines the price of power and the responsibility that comes with wielding it.

Author L.J. Evias has created such an engaging magical world that I found myself completely immersed in its mysteries and machinations. The way Alice's journey of discovery is developed feels fresh and exciting, even within the familiar framework of magical awakening stories, and the new twists on beloved tropes give the novel an unpredictable and exciting feel. What particularly captivated me was the author's ability to build suspense through both action and character development, creating a story that feels both personally intimate for readers to connect to well-narrated characters, but also epically scaled with big, atmospheric scenes to marvel at. The attention to detail in crafting the magical system and its associated lore brings new depth to every revelation, while the character work ensures that each new development carries emotional weight. The pacing masterfully balances moments of wonder and discovery with darker elements of danger and intrigue. Overall, The Discovery of Magic is a compelling start to what promises to be an exceptional fantasy series for readers who appreciate carefully crafted magical worlds and meaningful character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.