Unnatural Magic

Onna can write the parameters of a spell faster than any of the young men in her village. So when the arcane academy decides it's untoward to teach a woman magic she sets sail for the city-state of Hexos in search of more enlightened attitudes.

Tsira has never felt at home within her troll clan. Striking out alone to find work in a human city, she stumbles on a half-dead soldier in the snow and the two form an unexpected bond.

But a string of mysterious murders draws them both into a deadly conspiracy and now Onna and Tsira must uncover who is targeting trolls before their homeland is torn apart...




Genre: Fantasy

"I have never read another novel that gave me so much of what I wanted so soon, and then just kept delivering the goods, page after page after page. Love, lust, magic, murder...This book has it all!" - Lara Elena Donnelly

"I didn't think you could fit so many things I loved into one book--tough-talking lady-trolls and cowardly captains, true love and found families, Holmesian hijinks and gender politics--but C.M. Waggoner made it look easy. Unnatural Magic is a raucous, indulgent delight." - Alix E Harrow

"C.M. Waggoner's Unnatural Magic is a brilliant and terrifically fun book. I could have happily spent twice as long with Onna and Tsira in their compelling world and still wanted more. There's adventure and magic and murder, oh--and did I mention how much fun you'll have reading this?" - Kat Howard

"Unnatural Magic is peopled with unforgettable characters, whose changing relationships form the beating heart of this fast-paced, beautifully written story. Within the compelling tale lie some big themes--power, magic, gender and sexuality among them--and the author weaves them in skilfully, with just the right combination of compassion, insight and humour. This one goes straight onto my Keepers shelf." - Juliet Marillier

"What a marvelous debut! I want to climb inside C.M. Waggoner's world of powerful trolls, cheeky wizards, and mathematical magic and make myself at home. She seamlessly weaves politics, love, and magic into a novel that challenges everything we know about fantasy--and comes out victorious." - Chloe Neill

"The most unique, haunting, magical, treacherous, romantic, combative novel I've read in a long time. Action, betrayal, peoples at war, strange magic and stranger love--a whole new take on fantasy!" - Tamora Pierce

"Complex and fascinating, Waggoner's debut offers fantasy readers a new viewpoint on magic, love, responsibility, and sacrifice. The themes of found family and unlikely, hard-earned trust are warmly convincing, and Waggoner's system of magic is unique and deeply satisfying." - Vivian Shaw