Hi everyone. Today I am featuring the prequel to "The Intrigue of Magic Series," that is on sale for a limited time at 99¢. You can find a sneak peek below for both the prequel and book 1 in the series. Dive into them today to find out why you should start this series today. Happy reading :).
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What would you risk to prove you belong –
Your life? Your freedom? Or the fate of a kingdom?
The Cost of Magic
Prequel to The Intrigue of Magic Series
by: L.J. Evias
Genre: YA Epic Fantasy, Swords & Sorcery
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Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
The Royal Guard Tests
Mavron grinned as he drew his blade. “Not so confident now, eh?”
Grinding her teeth, Torvia moved into position. Despite the morning’s exercises, Mavron still seemed fresh, and had a massive height and reach advantage over her.
“No magic,” Charla reminded them. “To be a royal guard, you must be able to fight on worlds without magic.”
Torvia clenched her jaw. This was going to hurt. But she wasn’t going to let Mavron or Charla or anyone else stand in her way. She deserved to be a royal guard. Prince Ademir needed her, and she wasn’t going to be left behind every time he went away. Not anymore. She had to pass this challenge.
With a scream, Mavron charged, his weapon raised.
Swiftly pulling out her own slender sword, Torvia ducked out of the way and jabbed forward. Mavron easily intercepted and shoved her back, before hammering his sword down. Without the slightest amount of restraint, he slammed his sword against hers again and again. He wasn’t even trying to get past her guard.
No matter how many times she dodged, he found a way to counteract her next move, forcing her to meet his blade. With every blow, he pushed her back, until he knocked her right over.
Torvia cursed as the others cheered, even the girl amongst them. Throwing herself out of the way, she narrowly avoided a slash to the stomach, but for a moment, Mavron was off balance.
She struck, but Mavron had anticipated her move, and swatted her away like a hapless locust. With one foot, he shoved her back into the ground.
Struggling for breath, Torvia rolled away, and leapt to her feet. This fight wasn’t going well. Despite its slender size, her sword already weighed her down, and her limbs ached with the effort.
Victory in his eyes, Mavron lunged, swiping down.
Torvia leapt forward, bracing for the pain as she blocked his sword. Her arm shuddered with the impact and her shoulder throbbed in protest, but her other hand was already sliding inside her tunic to the blade hidden within.
Malice twisted Mavron’s lips and he leaned into his sword, attempting to force her to the ground again. Until she slipped the dagger to his throat. “Do you yield?” she growled.
Mavron stiffened, his eyes going wide. “No,” he muttered. “You didn’t. You can’t.”
“Yield. My dagger is at your throat.”
Full of hate, Mavron’s eyes moved to hers. After a moment, he relaxed his posture, bringing his sword down. “You cheat,” he spat.
“A dagger is not magic.”
Mavron switched his gaze to Charla. “She forfeits the challenge,” he said assertively.
Unamused, Charla shook her head. “A guard thinks with her head as much as she uses her weapons.”
His temper getting the better of him, Mavron threw down his sword and glared at Torvia. “You’re only here because Prince Ademir favours you.”
Charla strode forward, her voice rising. “Torvia has just defeated you in spell and blade. She fully deserves to be here.”
BLURB:
She’s young, gifted, and desperate to prove she belongs. But some lessons come with a cost.
Torvia has one goal: to earn her place as a royal guard and repay the prince who saved her life. But despite her powerful magic, the prince refuses to send her into danger, and the princess wants her in court.
Everyone has a plan for Torvia’s future. None of them match her own.
So when a charming older boy offers secret lessons and a chance to escape her overprotective guardian, Torvia is tempted. He’s clever. He listens. And the magic he shows her is unlike anything she’s seen before.
But every step she takes draws her further from the path she planned – and one wrong move could cost her the mission, her future, and the prince who’s counting on her.
The Cost of Magic is a dark coming-of-age prequel to The Intrigue of Magic, a young adult epic fantasy series, perfect for readers who crave fierce heroines, tangled loyalties, and the high price of choosing your own path.
Start The Cost of Magic today and discover how one girl’s ambition can change the fate of a kingdom.
** Only .99cents for a limited time! **
Purchase your Copy Today!
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The Discovery of Magic
The Intrigue of Magic Book 1
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
What readers are saying:
'A creative first novel in the Intrigue of Magic series, the contemporary characters are endearing and believable figures with magical threats, delicate alliances, and savvy manipulators at every turn. The world-building is strong, with thematic undercurrents pointing back to contemporary life in a way that inspires a continuing sense of empathy for the characters. Evias' care with character interaction and modern-day social parallels make it a distinctly compelling start to a new series.'
- Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
'The world-building is great with detailed political structure and magical elements...Evias dishes up the angst that accompanies young love, and...is authentic in depicting the frustrations of youth...Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-executed entry to a new series and I look forward to seeing where we go next' - Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
'...offers a balance of lightheartedness and tension, making it accessible to both younger and older audiences. This first book in the series holds great promise and delivers a charming and enjoyable story.' - Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★
'L. J. Evias' thrilling fantasy adventure will keep readers glued to the pages...The Discovery of Magic is a well-written, clean fantasy to be enjoyed by fantasy lovers young and old'
- Delene Vrey, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
'The Discovery of Magic is a compelling start to what promises to be an exceptional fantasy series for readers who appreciate carefully crafted magical worlds and meaningful character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.' - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
'A suspense-filled, magical adventure with a strong, reckless protagonist to root for. Highly recommended!' - The Wishing Shelf, ★★★★
Jaime and Jordan spar
Jaime dodged sideways, almost too late, as a sword slashed at him from his right. It wasn’t like him to be this distracted in a fight, but with his escalating schoolwork, his brothers’ nagging and now Jordan’s revelation, it was a wonder he could pay attention at all.
Fortunately, the large boy who had swiped at him stumbled before regaining his footing, allowing Jaime an easy victory. Others wouldn’t be that cumbersome, yet Jaime’s thoughts returned to Jordan and Alice.
A small hope remained that the girls wouldn’t turn up, but that was currently being devoured by a monster that had recently taken up residence inside him, writhing in his stomach and filling him with anxiety.
Perhaps he could distract Alice or Jordan and delay the situation until he’d figured out what to do. Or maybe he could introduce Jordan to someone else. Then Jaime would have plenty of time to figure out whether he really did have feelings for Alice.
Up the hill, blonde hair blowing in the breeze caught his attention. Alice and Emily, with Eliot running ahead. This was no time to be putting all his hope into wishful thinking. He’d just have to tell Jordan he didn’t like the idea.
His mind made up, he threw himself back into the melee, finding a new opponent, more skilled and more eager than the last. He lunged, then dodged, spun around his opponent, then lunged again, his sword slashing. Back again, dodging out of reach, then thrusting forwards until the other boy’s tiredness began to show. Enthused, Jaime delivered the final blow, the clang of his sword ringing out above the din of the other combatants.
As his adversary yielded, two more rushed Jaime, one from each side, making him regret taking his time with his previous opponent. He couldn’t afford to tire himself out yet, not while several people still fought.
Sucking in a quick breath, he swiftly sidestepped, swung his sword around above his head, and cut across the first rival before they could do anything to stop him.
At the same time, the other lunged, but he was not quick enough for Jaime. Darting behind the felled boy, Jaime brought his blade round to strike, and with a few well-timed blows, had the second boy on his knees, capitulating.
With the rush of victory surging through him, he glanced around for his next opponent.
Only Jordan remained, surveying him with a smirk. The expression unsettled Jaime. Although Jordan was more committed to LARPing, Jaime’s fencing skill gave him a strong advantage, and Jordan knew it. Whatever Jordan had planned, he would not be easy to beat.
Approaching slowly and purposefully, Jordan let his gaze drift towards Alice. Both girls were watching intently. Even Eliot was quiet and still beside them.
Suddenly, Jordan’s smile vanished, and he locked his eyes on Jaime, his intent to impress Alice written all over him.
Adrenaline coursed through Jaime, reawakening his tired muscles. The previous fighting had been just for fun, but this was his chance. He could stop Jordan. Beat him for his own good. He’d never ask out Alice then.
BLURB:
A world ruled by magic. A palace full of secrets. A girl who refuses to back down.
Seventeen-year-old Alice Harper had her future mapped out—win an archery scholarship, protect her friends, and stay in control. But when a portal hurls her into a kingdom where magic rules and obedience means survival, she lands in a palace gripped by fear—and under the eye of the most powerful man in the realm.
The Royal Mage doesn’t just control the court—he controls people. With power, with fear, with enchantments no one dares resist. And for reasons Alice can’t explain, he’s taken a disturbing interest in her.
The only person who seems to want to help is the prince. He’s charming, clever—and very possibly lying. Caught between dangerous truths and beautiful deceits, Alice must decide who to trust before her friends are lost forever.
She’s not afraid of a fight. But in a world where magic is control, and trust is the most dangerous choice of all, surviving will take more than arrows—it will take everything she’s got.
The Discovery of Magic is the thrilling first book in The Intrigue of Magic, a YA epic fantasy series perfect for fans of court intrigue, character-driven fantasy, and bold heroines who don’t just survive—they fight for each other.
Buy The Discovery of Magic today to enter a world where freedom is fragile—and every alliance comes at a cost.
Purchase your Copy Today!
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L.J. Evias
L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.
The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.
When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.
Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author's website.
Follow L.J. Evias at the Following Links:
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