The Temptation of Magic - by Megan Scott (Hardcover)

About the Book

"He was an Empyreal, her greatest threat, her greatest fascination. Everything she'd been warned against. And yet she wanted him, still. As an Empyreal, Nicole has the ability to kill any deadly supernatural. But if her power ever awakened, the Wake-the organisation that governs supernaturals-would force her to be their loyal huntress. Or kill her, like they did her mother. To stay safe, Nicole hides in a small university town, convinced the mythological art collection at a local manor contains a final message from her mother. But before she can study it, Kyan McCarter, the Wake's most skilled Empyreal, arrives on his own hunt. When they discover his prey has stolen a painting for leverage, they're forced to work together. As the creature threatens to expose Nicole's powers, her tenuous alliance with Kyan threatens her heart. If her true identity is revealed, Kyan will hunt her next. No one disobeys The Wake and survives. Especially when the art they're seeking unveils a conspiracy that would change the lives of creatures and humans forever... But Nicole may only be able to resist one: her wicked impulses, or a love that could repaint their world. And after a life of hiding her true nature, who could resist the temptation of magic"--

Book Synopsis

An International Bestseller!

Perfect for fans of A Discovery of Witches and Serpent & Dove, this mesmerizing dark academia romantasy debut delves into a dangerous supernatural society hidden within our own--where forbidden love and immortal hunters collide, and a dark truth may unravel the entire world.

Nicole Palmer and her family have been in hiding for years from the Wake--a shadowy organization that governs all supernatural creatures. If the Wake discovers that Nicole is an Empyreal--a rare kind of creature that can shapeshift into any creature's natural predator--they'll force her to join them or kill her for resisting.

Like they did her mother.

Nicole is close to uncovering a secret message hidden in a supernatural art collection--a message from her mother about how to destroy the Wake for good. But when the collector is murdered and a key painting stolen, the Wake sends their best Empyreal assassin to track down the dangerous creature on the loose.

Kyan McCarter is handsome, perceptive, and the last person Nicole wants to work with to find the stolen painting. Their search sparks a powerful connection between them, but if Kyan finds out that Nicole is a rogue Empyreal, he'll have no choice but to hunt her next. After all, no one disobeys the Wake and survives.

Review Quotes

"A dark jewel of a book, glinting with adventure, a gorgeous dark academia setting, and spellbinding romance." --NATASHA J. HASTINGS, author of How to Charm a Viscount

"An intoxicating blend of the supernatural, Celtic mythology and an atmospheric Cornish town, Scott weaves an enthralling tale of desire and temptation. I was lured in by the gorgeous descriptions of art and the coastal setting, and ensnared by the characters and thrilling plot as it unfurled."--RACHEL GREENLAW, author of Compass and Blade

"Simmering romance melds with dark academia in this lush, immersive tale--I was completely spellbound from the very first pages." --LYNDALL CLIPSTONE, author of Lakesedge and Tenderly, I Am Devoured

"Lush and glittering." -Booklist

"Filled with intriguing worldbuilding, a swoony forbidden romance, and a diverse collection of fascinating mythological creatures who coexist in the human and supernatural worlds, this series opener is ideal for fans of Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, and Sally Green... A promising, page-turning romantasy."
--Kirkus Reviews