One of my favorite author duos, Homeward for a Spell is a cozy fantasy romance. It’s a story about asking us what we really want and when we will start to live for ourselves. Plus the action was so great! Keep reading this book review of Homeward for a Spell for my full thoughts.
Summary
Sage has made her living as a ranger, moving constantly between adventuring parties, but has never had the chance to lead one. So when she’s offered the chance to hire a crew of her own in pursuit of a rare magical artifact, it seems a dream come true—until she learns that they’re headed into the most inhospitable part of the kingdom with winter looming. Still, it’s a chance to finally put her name on the map… and how bad could it really be?
Araphi has always loved music, in defiance of her powerful family’s priorities. All she wants is one last chance to perform before she’s married to a man she does not love for the good of the family. So when she sees a poster seeking a bard for a party, she eagerly sneaks away to audition. Only to discover that the party in question is no festival, but an adventuring party, led by a woman she’s been fascinated with since she first laid eyes on her. It’s an unexpected twist, but if she takes the job, she’ll still be back in time for her own wedding… and how bad could it really be?
What follows is a life-altering journey for them both, filled with danger and misfortunes as their ragtag band of adventurers—most of whom have just met—must learn to work together to overcome the many obstacles before them. Not the least of which is the explosive chemistry between the rugged party leader used to watching her own back, and the pampered city-girl bard who may be far out of her element but is beginning to feel at home for the very first time.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
We love a good questing group and I will read any book with a bard in it! Homeward for a Spell is a charming fantasy which forces both Sage and Araphi to confront their own fears. The fear that we cannot get too close to someone, the fear of living our own lives. Homeward for a Spell is, in some ways, a story about escape, but it’s about the idea of running towards someone, something, a dream, rather than escaping from something. To know that we have to choose our future, our happiness, ourselves. Homeward for a Spell had no business to try to reveal my need for control and my difficulties with teamwork! To not feel like the responsibility lies always on my shoulders.
Homeward for a Spell is a lovely sequel to Homegrown Magic. Podos and Pacton ask us how we balance our own personal ambitions versus the greater good. It asks us what we are willing to sacrifice for the world, for ourselves, and for our loved ones. There is a complicated relationship with home, homecoming, and what home means. Homeward for a Spell has Sage and Araphi asking themselves if they can find someone who loves them and sees them for who they are and what they love. While Homegrown Magic is definitely my favorite, this sequel has plentiful action and takes you on a full quest vibe!
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Find Homeward for a Spell on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.