Stop the Magician.
Steal the book.
Save the future.
In modern day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.
Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.
But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past. – Goodreads.com
First – this is a gorgeous cover and, combined with the description, immediately intrigued me. Second – at over 500 pages, it’s a chunk, and I hesitated to request it because of time limitations. Third – the time commitment was completely worth it, as this is one of the better books I’ve read this year.
The author has created a unique world, unlike any other I’ve read involving magic, and from the first page, I was captivated. Esta is clever, impulsive, and a skilled thief and the friction between her and cunning magician Harte is born from the moment they see each other. The supporting characters are all well-drawn and untrustworthy and through Esta and Harte’s eyes, the reader gradually learns who is reliable.
With grand heists, sleight of hand, time travel, and wicked, unexpected twists, this didn’t seem as hefty of a book once I got into it. I was somewhat disappointed at the end when realizing this isn’t a standalone, but honestly don’t mind spending more time with these characters. The Last Magician is scheduled for publication July 18th, 2017.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Books and Such 
Sounds good, Teri. I love a good fantasy and don’t mind that it’s a serial at all. You intrigued me with the magic system. On my TBR list!
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The magical world-building really grabbed me on this one, Diana. Wouldn’t mind spending more time with these characters in the future.
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Check out the book, The Last Magician, by Lisa Maxwell, from the Books and Such blog
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I enjoyed Greg Van Eekhout’s California Bones series, so this may be one to look for, too!
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I’m not familiar with that one, Deby – will have to look it up.
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It’s full of cool creatures, magic, and heists. Full disclosure, though — the mages get their power through cannibalism.
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Definitely not something I would have expected!
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Not to give too much away, but the ‘bones’ in California Bones come from magical creatures which are hunted and consumed to give people powers. However, those who have the powers can then become prey to more powerful magi. The author doesn’t shy away from exploring the full implications of this.
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I read something recently that was similar – becoming more powerful and then becoming prey. Not exactly cannibalism, but it was compelling.
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Wonderful review! I’m looking forward to reading this one and also Unhooked by the same author 🙂 I hope it delivers! I didn’t know it was going to have a sequel so maybe I’ll wait until then to dive in.
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Thanks, Sophie! This was the first book I’ve read by this author, but I looked up Unhooked – can’t say I’ve read any Peter Pan retellings – yet, but it sounds really good. I know what you mean about sequels. Sometimes it’s best to wait until the second book comes out so you’re not left hanging for so long.
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I haven’t either so that’s why I’m curious 🙂 If anything, it should be an interesting take on the fairy tale.
Definitely! I hate waiting hahaha
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Awesome cover! This sounds like a book for me, because I love urban fantasy.
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Then you’d really enjoy this, Stacy.
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