Last Magician - Reprint (Last Magician) by Lisa Maxwell (Paperback)

I wasn't sure when going into this book if I was going to like it. I'm usually iffy about period pieces but this book grabbed me immediately and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The incorporation of magic in this world was amazing and I love the changing of it through the years. It is explained in such a way that is easy to fall into the world. I love the explanation that over the years magic has changed and sort of faded so much in people that something that was once a power is now more a skill someone will have. I also see parallels to today's political climate and world. The characters are all pretty well-rounded and flow easily. I especially like that there aren't extra descriptions that aren't needed. Everything is pretty straightforward and that's the way I like to read things. It's also the way I write. I've never been to New York and don't know much of the history but I feel like Lisa Maxwell did a great job of historically fleshing the world out. I believe 100% the physical history of New York outlined in TLM. I really enjoyed this world and I can't wait to keep reading more of the series.

Usually, I shy away from time travel books because I tend to take some issue with them, like with complicated plots involving rules of time travel and it not being done well. However, I really enjoyed this book, and I think because the focus wasn't so much on the mechanics behind the time travel, but on being immersed in 1902 New York, that I was more okay with it. This book gave me Six of Crows and A Darker Shade of Magic vibes. There's a heist plot, and little cons along the way, with rival gangs, a leader of the gang called the Devil's Own, who has a limp + cane + is a morally gray character, and people with the ability to use magic who are called Mageus. However, the Mageus in the story are treated badly, persecuted, in hiding from the Order (a group of people who consist of the rich and powerful in New York who don't have magic and believe in the occult sciences), and trapped by a border of corrupt magic called the Brink that Mageus can't cross without losing their magic and/or dying. The book talks quite a bit about immigration and immigrants and how they're treated, especially the Mageus, which probably matches the attitude toward real immigrants during that time, but also parallels what's going on today too. There's little twists along the way, one big one that I suspected, but also some other big surprises near the end. The book is set in 3rd person omniscient, and it was interesting to see everyone's thoughts, into their personalities, and what drives them. Esta's struggles with the knowledge of her future/present-day friends, doing her job, and getting to know and care for the past 1902 crew she's going to betray. She's a good thief, and clever, and was enjoyable to read. I loved her sassy dialogue and chemistry with Harte. Harte Darrigan is the Magician she's supposed to stop. he loves the spotlight, pretends to be a regular magician, and wants to rise above where he grew up, and after Dolph (the leader of the Devil's Own) puts the idea in his head, wants to leave New York City. He also plays a game of deception and lies like Esta, running many cons along the way and having his own objective, which is to steal the Book (the Ars Arcana) for himself. I loved whenever he and Esta were on the same page, and while there's instant attraction on his part, the romance is only part of the plot, not the focus, and I'm loving the slow burn. Dolph, Jianyu, and Viola were all interesting characters with their own fraught histories and unique personalities. There's different affinities for magic that the characters have (for example, Viola has an affinity for healing or killing, Jianyu can control light) that add to the story, a wide cast of characters beyond those that Esta deals with, and I really enjoyed the world building. Some areas were a little slow for my taste, but the book was still good, and I'm really looking forward to book 2, especially with that ending!

Everything about this book is amazing. Characters, setting, plot, story telling, THE COVER! This book is getting a 5 star rating from me 100% and I’ll be diving into my ARC of The Devil’s Thief very very very soon.

This captivating story has so many good elements and characters. The research that went into writing it shows in how well constructed the world is and it is so easy to get lost in the story. It tells the story of a thief, Esta, who can travel between times. Esta travels back to 1902 where she is to preform her biggest heist of all, stealing THE BOOK from the magician. This is not just any book, but the book that holds all the secrets and will determine the future for the Mageus (those with an affinity for magic). The story takes place in New York, mostly in 1902, but despite the year, always in New York. 1902 is gritty and dark and full of mistrust for magic with the desire to control it. Strongly recommend!!