"Higher Magic" by Courtney Floyd is a fabulous dark academia novel following two magic students as they investigate the disappearances of their peers. Told in the first person from the heroine’s perspective, it’s an engaging blend of mystery, magic, and social commentary.
Dorothea Bartleby, a mage student prone to paralyzing panic attacks, was born with the ability to see beyond consensus reality. She’s never felt like she belongs at the academy. To earn her mage candidacy and keep her teaching job, she must pass a final qualifying exam toward her PhD—after already failing once. If she fails this time to prove that classic literature contains magic, she’ll be expelled and lose her position.
Urged to use Digimancy (a fusion of magic and computers), Dorothea reluctantly tries and ends up creating Anne, a talking skull meant to narrate classic stories. Instead, Anne malfunctions and starts narrating Dorothea’s inner monologue like she’s a Jane Austen heroine. With the help of a fellow candidate, James, she tries to fix Anne—only to uncover a deeper mystery. Disabled students requesting accommodations are vanishing, and the administration is looking the other way. As Dorothea investigates, she risks everything she’s worked for. Conspiracy, magic, mystery, a haunted campus, and slow-burn romance are just a few of the ingredients of this compelling book.
This is one of the most original novels I’ve read, with a complex magic system, rich world-building, relatable protagonists, and vivid side characters. I admired how Dorothea faced her fears and persevered despite unsupportive parents and a rigid academic system. I especially appreciated her determination, vulnerability, and refusal to accept injustice. As she says, “sometimes keeping your head down is the same as looking the other way.”
Anne the skull absolutely steals the show. I loved the classical references and the opening snippets in each chapter. Anne is hilarious, and I appreciated the way the author humanized her, making her more than just a magical construct. The novel explores themes like ableism in academia, disability, anxiety, found family, belonging, self-determination, self-worth, community, friendship, and the courage to stand against injustice.
The writing drew me in from the start. The magic system was initially confusing, but it all came together. There’s a helpful content note listing potential triggers (ableism, depression, death, institutional gaslighting), and I appreciated the heads-up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to fans of magic, disability and LGBTQ+ representation, and dark academia. It’s a standalone, but I’d love to read more set in this world. Courtney Floyd truly knows how to capture the reader’s imagination. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: " Higher Magic" by Courtney Floyd
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