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Jenny O'Kell is a Canadian fantasy writer who loves ethical quandaries, psychological depth... and spells, and dragons, and love triangles.
She holds a Ph.D. in Romantic Literature. In addition to her past life as an academic / university instructor, she worked for eight years as a government policy advisor. Her short fiction has appeared in Queer Toronto Literary Magazine.
She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she grew up. When she's not writing, she's usually gardening, painting or baking with her very helpful toddler and their dog Pretzel.
The Maker of Spells is her first full length novel.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Maker of Spells by Jenny O'Kell introduces readers to Juno Vera, a talented spellwright embroiled in a complex web of romance and political intrigue. As she works to prevent an impending war while dealing with personal heartbreak, Juno must navigate the dangerous waters of foreign court politics where magic and diplomacy intertwine. What results is a rich fantasy world where personal relationships and political maneuvering carry equal weight and a narrative that explores themes of duty, love, and sacrifice while maintaining a sense of wonder and possibility throughout the story.
Author Jenny O'Kell brings much emotional depth to this fantasy through masterful worldbuilding and character development, making you feel like you could fall right into her world and find your own place in it, just as her heroine does. The prose strikes a perfect balance between lyrical description and narrative momentum. I was completely immersed in the magical realm, but there were also moments of space to appreciate the gorgeous language usage and gaze at the poetic landscapes and magical lore being conjured up. The way the author handles complex political situations while maintaining the core action and emotion of the story shows remarkable skill. The development of Juno as the central character ties perfectly into the world around her, with many challenges changing Juno as she overcomes each one. What particularly captured my attention was how O'Kell created situations where every choice carried real weight, with an up-close narrative description that has your heart in your throat every time Juno has to make a big decision. The romantic elements also feel natural through brilliant dialogue exchanges and with plenty to read between the lines. Overall, I strongly recommend The Maker of Spells to readers who enjoy fantasy that combines political complexity with genuine emotional depth.
