My Unfamiliar - by Mara Rutherford (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Allison Saft and Sarah Beth Durst, a grumpy mage and a familiar matchmaker navigate their surprising connection in Mara Rutherford's newest cozy fantasy.

Winslow Green is known far and wide for her ability to match mages with the perfect animal familiar. Though she doesn't possess any magic, she has a knack for knowing what her customers need, even if they can't see it themselves.
Still grieving the tragic death of his last familiar, Bastian Triplehorn reluctantly seeks Winnie's aid in finding a new partner. She's determined to live up to her reputation, despite Bastian's excessive grumpiness. Until the inexplicable happens: Bastian sparks a familiar bond with Winnie instead.
Impossible to deny, the two agree to help each other until they can solve the mystery of their connection. As Bastian and Winnie train for a royal mage competition that could solve all their problems--or ruin their lives forever--Winnie gets a taste of what it's like to have magic herself. And Bastian discovers that all of these unfamiliar feelings are a little like magic, too.

Review Quotes

Praise for A Curious Kind of Magic:

"Rutherford's sweetly wrought fantasy is bespelling in itself, combining magic, witches, an enchanted dragon egg, a heist, and a swoonworthy friends-to-lovers romance. From a visit to a grimoire library to a tempestuous journey on the high seas, fantasy fans will find much to enjoy here." - Kirkus

"The novel features lovably rendered characters, sharp wit, and a slow-burning friends-to-lovers romance, making for a delightfully cozy tale." - Publishers Weekly

"The twists and turns will keep readers engaged...Willow is highly relatable--flawed but wants to be a better person--and easy to root for as she grows on her journey to save the shop and herself." - Booklist

"A sweet romance rounds out this soft, slow-paced adventure that will appeal to lovers of cozy fantasy." - Paste, "10 Liars, Thieves, and Con Artists You Have to Catch in Science Fiction and Fantasy Fiction"

"A Curious Kind of Magic is like a rare find in a curiosity shop--unique, intriguing, and irresistible. With a feisty heroine, a budding friendship, a warmhearted romance, and a risky hunt for a mysterious grimoire that leads to adventures and revelations, this story held me spellbound."--Elly Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest King's Daughter

"A Curious Kind of Magic enchanted me from the first page. Brimming with so many bits and bobs of treasure--just like Willow's almost-magical shop!--this is a book for readers who want to root for their heroines and soak in the coziness of a slow burn fantasy. I adored it."--Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Roots and Ruin

"Heartwarming and whimsical, A Curious Kind of Magic is packed full of scams, schemes, adventure, and love of every kind. At its heart, it is--as all my favorite stories are--about the power of friendship. Don't miss this one!"--Allison Saft, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Fragile Enchantment

"This is cozy fantasy at its best: a charming concept; an earnest, endearing heroine; and her equally lovable found family. Reading A Curious Kind of Magic feels like sipping rose hot chocolate while nestling under a fuzzy blanket on a rainy day. It made me so happy, and I can't wait for my own copy!"--Shveta Thakrar, author of the Andre Norton Nebula Award finalist Star Daughter

"If anyone's looking for me, I live in this book now. Seriously, I would love to stow away in A Curious Kind of Magic, eat Fin's pies, tidy the shop with Willow and Bri, and get into the best kind of trouble. Mara Rutherford's sixth book is like a warm hug from an ornery friend. It's sweet and bitter, whimsical and poignant, cozy and also laugh-out-loud funny. Look for me lurking around page 230, taming the ravenous cats."--Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer and Daughter of Smoke & Bone

About the Author

Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world with her diplomat husband and two sons, and currently calls Rome, Italy, home. A triplet born on Leap Day, she is the author of YA fantasy novels including the Crown of Coral and Pearl duology, The Poison Season, A Multitude of Dreams, and A Curious Kind of Magic. When she's not writing, Mara can be found curled up with a good book, a cup of tea, and Mishka (a magical creature often mistaken for a dog).