Magic is poison. Secrets are power. Death is . . . complicated.
Outlaw wizard Corcoran Gray has enough problems. He’s friendless, penniless and on the run from the tyrannical Mages’ Guild – and with the search for his imprisoned grandfather looking hopeless, his situation can’t get much worse.
So when a fugitive drops into his lap – literally – and gets them both arrested, it’s the last straw – until Gray realises that runaway slave Brix could be the key to his grandfather’s release. All he has to do is break out of prison, break into an ancient underground temple and avoid killing himself with his own magic in the process.
In theory, it’s simple enough. But as secrets unfold and loyalties shift, Gray discovers something with the power to change the nature of life and death itself.
Now Gray must find a way to protect the people he loves, but it could cost him everything, even his soul . . .
I’m delighted to be joining in the blog blast for this wonderful debut novel. As soon as I saw the cover and tag lines I knew I wanted to read it.
It was definitely a bit of a slow burn to start with but even so it kept my interest. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but I suddenly realised I was completely invested in the story and definitely wanted to keep reading.
I love the magic system in this book. It’s so well thought through and believable. I really like how it can’t just be used on the spur of the moment or constantly without exacting a toll on the user.
Gray was an interesting and rounded lead, with plenty of flaws but still inherently likeable. Brix made an excellent counter point to him, and was interesting in her own right as well as fulfilling the side-kick roll.
The plot was cleverly put together keeping the reader (along with Gray) wondering just who should be trusted and how far. Some moments were truly horrifying – making the most of a story featuring necromancy I suppose un-dead terrors are par for the course! In the main we had a good old fashioned fantasy quest for a magical object and very enjoyable it was too.
With thanks to Jo Fletcher books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Lord of Secrets is available 8th August 2019
Mug Full of Books 
Great review! I loved this book and I got invested in the story too. I hope we get a second book because I enjoyed the characters
A second book would be great!