Marked by Magic: The Soulstealer’s Secret

I had the great privilege to beta read this upper middle grade book.

Marked by Magic: The Soulstealer’s Secret. Releasing November 10.

Now you can learn what I learned: This is a fun, funny book and also a meaningful book.

Yes, it’s a book about a school (though something of a steampunk school, not a magic school). If that’s going to put you off, you might as well write off middle grade books. For readers of that age, school is their primary adventure, where everything happens—and everything changes.

And there’s a young hero discovering his powers and his place in the world. Again, that’s common in MG because a middle grade hero has no back story They’re ab initio, too young to have any earlier origin. This is where their story begins.

This book is where Leif Andreist’s story begins. In the kingdom of Vederfiel, Leif’s a poor fit at Archon Academy, not because of academics, but because of battle class. In a land once torn by war, the people put great emphasis on prowess in combat, and they laud their hero, Lord Andreist—Leif’s father. But it seems like Leif will never live up to the family legacy. He ranks near the bottom of battle class. He and his friends, twins Antony and Adara, are tormented by bullies, particularly Terach Bukari (who ranks at the top of battle class). He’s not without allies: his father’s retainers, and Sir Drandurling, the Mechanics teacher. But Leif spends a lot of time alone, doubting his future.

Then things turn darker. Leif develops a strange rune, which literally marks him as trouble. Long ago, Vederfiel abandoned magic and banned its practice in favor of elaborate mechanical devices. Through no fault of his own, Leif is (as the title says) marked by magic. Now he’s not just a disappointment, he’s secretly a criminal.

At first he feels lost; but surprisingly, Sir Drandurling knows more about magic than any proper instructor should. Indeed, he expected Leif’s power to emerge. He takes the young man under his wing, teaches him about his abilities, and assigns him a bodyguard: the delightfully eager but careless Krowder. (My biggest laughs in the book happened when Krowder interpreted his mission in… interesting ways.) Leif’s confidence grows, though he still fears what his father will say.

But when Leif’s father is abducted by mysterious forces, it sets Vederfiel on course for war with an ancient enemy—even though Leif is sure a different, more powerful enemy is to blame. No one listens to him; so Leif must mount a commando rescue mission and stop a war. His team: Antony, Adara… and Terach, who has secrets of his own.

The rescue mission begins a new page in Leif’s book. With limited help from Drandurling, the students are on their own to find what’s really going on. Using their mechanical skills and Leif’s magic, they face mysteries and foes, as well as a surprising mastermind with plans for both kingdoms. And even if they succeed, Leif will still bear the forbidden mark…

I enjoyed Leif’s journey, and also Terach’s. Both had lessons to learn about legacy and expectations, and how to find your own path among them. I look forward to more in this series.