The wealthy seem to exist in a different, glittering world from the rest of us. Almost as if by… magic.
Stephen Oakwood is a young man on the edge of this hidden world. He has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat.
But when a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end.
For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge. To survive, Stephen will have to take his talent and build it up into something greater—for only then can he beat them at their own game.
This is the first book in a new series, and because I really enjoyed the author’s Alex Verus books, I went in with high expectations. Thankfully, An Inheritance of Magic delivers, even if it asks for a little patience at the start.
The urban fantasy setting feels familiar, but the magic does not. Its rules are different, and at first, the way it fits into everyday life feels slightly off balance. As with many series openers, it took time before the magic began to feel organic and properly woven into the world. Once that clicked, the story opened up in a way that was both immersive and full of surprises.
The magic system itself is one of the book’s biggest strengths. It can be subtle or boldly flashy, depending on how it’s used, and part of the fun is discovering its limits and possibilities alongside the main character. There’s a real sense of experimentation and risk, and every choice carries weight. It’s carefully constructed, dangerous, and exciting, with just the right touch of darker stakes to keep you on edge without tipping into grimdark.
The main character’s voice is strong and engaging, carrying the story through the early setup. He initially comes across as younger than his age, adding a sense of vulnerability, but he learns fast and has moments of surprising competence. That balance between uncertainty and sudden capability works brilliantly, and those slightly overpowered moments are a lot of fun to read. I also liked the way he’s forced to think critically and wrestle with tricky questions, because sometimes clever strategy matters just as much as raw power.
The worldbuilding around the powerful houses and their influence felt a bit rushed. It isn’t the amount of information, but how quickly the story jumps from ordinary life into full immersion in the hidden magical hierarchy. The contrast between normal people’s ignorance and the houses’ almost total control is fascinating, but I would have liked a slightly smoother transition to fully sell the scale.
An Inheritance of Magic is a sharp, thrilling start to a brand new series. The magic is inventive, the stakes are high, and power comes at a cost. With fast learning curves, a ruthless magical society, and a protagonist who must match wit with strength, this opener is tense, addictive, and impossible to ignore.
(If needed, please check trigger warnings, especially for harm to animals.)
