I knew from the moment I read the synopsis that this book would be right up my alley.

I wasn't wrong. 

There is something so joyous about the way Benjamin writes, the way his enthusiasm and wonder come through in his words. You can tell he adores his world, and by extension, the reader does too. I love when tech and magic intermingle, and it's done to perfection in this story. The world building is next level, it's well thought out and tangible, yet familiar enough that as a reader you can fall into Spellfords world and not spend half a book trying to picture where they are or how the magic system works.  

But the true magic is in the characters, Brent as the soft-around-the-middle dad who is navigating life and parenthood in the best way he can, all while pining for a life long gone and something more for the future. Pax, his half-orc best friend, with banter for days, a connection on more than one level with Brent and an insatiable appetite for fried chicken (too relatable). Then Victoria, Brent's 17 year old daughter, whose origins are shrouded in mystery and who just wants to be a normal kid...when she's anything but. 

The overarching storyline about Brent and Victoria's past is mysterious and compelling, each piece unravelling then knitting together until you have quite a few 'aha' moments. The attraction between Brent and his boss, Arden, is brilliant and peppered with fun; there were also so many parts where I laughed out loud, enjoying the ridiculousness tempered with more solemn topics. But all the banter and the looseness in Benjamin's writing works spectacularly for this world. 

If you want to read about:

✨️ found family
✨️ magic & tech infused world
✨️ second chance at love 
✨️ dad bod (it's a trope now!)
✨️ father/daughter bond
✨️ queer & disability rep 
✨️ banter (soooo much banter)

then you can't pass this book up! You shouldn't anyway. 

Please note, this is an honest review as I read it in arc form.