A review by bmadisonw
The Conjurer by Luanne G. Smith

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

The Conjurer is the final book in the cozy fantasy Vine Witch series, and the one I enjoyed the least. This installment focuses on the final member of the trio of magical women who were incarcerated together in the first book, the jinni Sidra, accused of murdering her husband.

Smith leans more into mystery and less into romance in this book, continuing the trend established in book two. Unfortunately, Sidra’s character does not exhibit the same charisma that made the Elena and Yvette engaging. This, coupled with the fact that the big reveal was so predicable, meant I had very little interest in the mystery the author sets up. Sidra’s brother-in-law takes the role of villain, set on revenge for her alleged murder of his brother, but his motivations fall flat and his characterization is more like caricature.

There are some additional twists in the last chapter of the story that essentially retcons happenings from earlier books. While this tie-in was doubtlessly planned deliberately, it just seems unnecessary. 

The best part of this book is the memories Sidra reflects on of the great war in which she met her husband--a jinni from a rival clan--anonymously on a battlefield. I wish I could have read that story instead.