Revolutionary (Clandestine Magic 3) by Colleen Cowley-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 29 2020

In this final book of the Clandestine Magic trilogy, Beatrix Harper is poised to help her sister accomplish an audacious goal. They’re on the brink of winning back a key right for typics that wizards took away—and maybe, just maybe, getting women more rights in the bargain.

But first she has to rescue Peter Blackwell, trapped in a dark-magic coma. And figure out what a former friend is plotting after nearly killing Peter and disappearing. And stay one step ahead of the vice president’s men.

What her enemies have planned is worse than she realizes. Far worse.

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REVIEW:REVOLUTIONARY is the third and final instalment in Colleen Cowley’s multi-genre CLANDESTINE MAGIC /paranormal/ UF/ Gaslamp fantasy series focusing on thirty-three year old, wizard/omnimancer Peter Blackwell, and his lab assistant suffragette Beatrix Harper. REVOLUTIONARY should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two RADICAL

NOTE: If you have not read book two RADICAL, there may be spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: CLANDESTINE MAGIC is classified as ‘Gaslamp Fantasy’ – a sub-genre of both fantasy and historical fiction with elements of steampunk and the paranormal. The story line is set in an alternate 21st century, one in which the rise of feminism and equal rights has only just begun, and women are still considered second class citizens with no power, no magic and no rights. For decades wizards aka men, have controlled the world, using magic and the elements to increase their power and domination but subtle cracks begins to fragment their authority, and a magical weapon commissioned by our story line hero is needed to regulate the users of magic.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Beatrix and Peter) REVOLUTIONARY picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two RADICAL wherein omnimancer/wizard Peter Blackwell, following a deadly blast, has been hospitalized, and Beatrix Harper fears for his life. Struggling to keep food on the table, our heroine must go in search of a new job, as her sister Lydia reconsiders her own education. Lydia, a modern day suffragette is fighting for women’s rights, rights forbidden by the wizards in charge but with both Peter and Beatrix’s help, hundreds of women have discovered that not only are they able to wield magic, but some or more capable than the wizards in control. As Peter continues his recovery, our hero will quickly learn that he has been targeted for ‘sins’ of the past, and without his cooperation, the life of the woman he loves, hangs in the balance. What ensues is the continuing and building relationship between Beatix and Peter, and the fall-out as several members of government are battling for control, in an effort to start a war with their Canadian neighbors.

REVOLUTIONARY and Clandestine Magic is an intricate and perceptive story line; an alternate tale of misogyny, discrimination, power and control wherein men and magic rule, and women are considered nothing more than second class citizens. As the women begin to fight for equal rights, their ability to wield magic proves that years of suffering had been at the hands of the men in charge-wizards who refused to step down from their position in power. The premise is dramatic, thorough, intriguing, unique and entertaining; the romance is passionate. Colleen Cowley pulls the reader into an intense and magical story reflective of society as a whole.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Subversive
Radical

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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