Magic Dark and Strange

Written by Kelly Powell

Narrated by Karissa Vacker

The Bone Witch meets Sherlock Holmes in this thrilling historical fantasy about a girl with the ability to raise the dead who must delve into her city's dangerous magical underworld to stop a series of murders.



Catherine Daly has an unusual talent. By day she works for a printer. But by night, she awakens the dead for a few precious moments with loved ones seeking a final goodbye. But this magic comes with a price: for every hour that a ghost is brought back, Catherine loses an hour from her own life.



When Catherine is given the unusual task of collecting a timepiece from an old grave, she is sure that the mysterious item must contain some kind of enchantment. So she enlists Guy Nolan, the watchmaker's son, to help her dig it up. But instead of a timepiece, they find a surprise: the body of a teenage boy. And as they watch, he comes back to life—not as the pale imitation that Catherine can conjure, but as a living, breathing boy. A boy with no memory of his past.



This magic is more powerful than any Catherine has ever encountered, and revealing it brings dangerous enemies. Catherine and Guy must race to unravel the connection between the missing timepiece and the undead boy. For this mysterious magic could mean the difference between life and death—for all of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705223987

Kelly Powell

Kelly Powell has a bachelor’s degree in history and book and media studies from the University of Toronto. She currently lives in Ontario. She is the author of Songs from the Deep and Magic Dark and Strange. Visit her online at PowellKelly.com or on Twitter @KellyCPowell.

[bookofsecrets · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

MAGIC DARK AND STRANGE is a YA historical fantasy set in the Victorian-like city of Invercarn. The main character is 17-year old Catherine Daly who works at a print shop by day, and by night she raises the dead for grieving families who just want a few more moments with their departed loved ones — for a price. She and Guy Nolan, a watchmaker’s son, end up entangled in a mystery involving a charmed timepiece said to be buried in an unmarked grave. Catherine’s boss wants her to retrieve this item at any cost, but she and Guy get more than they bargained for when the coffin is opened.

There was much to enjoy in this Gothic mystery — dark atmosphere, creepy cemeteries, slow-burn romance, clever characters, and a Victorian setting. I was disappointed, though, with the lack of world-building. All of this amazing magic, and no explanation of where it comes from and how it works. Why is Catherine magical? Has she always been that way? It almost felt like this was book two of a series. Some backstory was missing. MAGIC DARK AND STRANGE had a lot of potential, but it needed to be fleshed out more.

[danielle.desrochers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting premise and characters. I'm sad this is a standalone, I'd like to revisit this world!

[sennebec · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a literary 'What goes Around, Comes Around.' We meet Catherine unearthing a recently buried corpse so she can use her unusual talent-using a piece of metal newspaper type coupled with her blood, to reanimate the deceased and allow a family member who missed the funeral to say goodbye. In this case, that act opens a giant and unexpected can of worms that threatens her day job, results in her meeting a mysterious young man, joining forces with another, the son of a watchmaker and repairer, tracking down a potentially powerful object, murder and more. It's a quick and very enjoyable read, one deserving of a spot on many library shelves.