A review by tessa_talks_books
Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

 Time-Marked Warlock is the first in the latest series by Shami Stovall. Set in California, the story focuses on Adair Finch (a warlock and a PI) and Bree Blackstone (a 12-year-old girl), who comes directly to Adair when her mother is murdered and her father taken. The pair use Adair's time magic to figure out the identity of the murderer, find her father, and do a few fun good deeds along the way. But will they solve the mystery without anyone else being killed? Only time will tell.

The magic system in Time-Marked Warlock is not your typical run-of-the-mill system. It's a unique blend of familiarity and novelty that keeps readers like me constantly intrigued. The concept of time magic, derived from a bond with Chronos, is particularly fascinating and practical. The detailed explanation of the differences between warlocks and witches is another aspect that I found well-developed and engaging.

The dynamic between Adair and Bree is not just a subplot, but a captivating aspect of the book. Bree, with her youthful impetuousness and unwavering determination to do good, brings a refreshing energy to Adair's grumpy world. As a detective duo, they inject a fun and light-hearted element into the story. Bree's repeated good deeds, even after each time reset, add a unique and heartwarming touch to the narrative.

I was pleasantly surprised by the pacing of the book, with its twists, turns, and dangers that kept me flipping through the pages at a rapid pace. The use of time magic to solve the case was a particularly enjoyable aspect, adding a unique and intriguing layer to the mystery.

---
Note: It's important to note that some readers may have sensitivities to the portrayal of animals in books (I'm one of them). In Time-Marked Warlock, there are scenes involving cats and a dog in the beginning. I understand that these scenes might be triggering for some, and if I had known ahead of time, I might have declined to read the book. However, I got the sense that those parts of the story would be short-lived, and they were. By around 30%, the triggering scenes were over. I've noticed that the rule to refrain from killing pets in books has long since been forgotten. Still, the story would be better if it could work with a different non-pet animal. For instance, I would have recommended badgers instead of cats or some made-up creature. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings