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Cover of The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher
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The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones

by Lex Croucher

Come for the magic school that rejects the chosen-one fantasy; stay for Briar, Bastian, and the messy little found family trying to pry hope out of a very ugly machine.

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goodreads 4.01/5 1,389 ratings

Quick fit

Is this story right for you?

A decision-first view of the reading experience.

Think twice if…

  • Content warnings: Alcohol use, Drug use, Homophobia, Transphobia, Parental death, Grief, Hazing, Bullying, Child neglect, Injury detail, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Dubious consent, Magical coercion, Mind control, Animal abuse, Violence, Drowning, Fire, Self-harm, Torture, Murder, Suicidal ideation, Child abuse, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Classism
Length447 pages
Story statusStandalone
Spice1/5 · Tension / anticipation
PacingMedium

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

  • Childhood friends
  • Nonbinary
  • Slow burn
  • Low
  • Tension / anticipation
  • The angst delivered
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  • Villain
  • Friends to lovers
  • Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
  • Earned hope
  • Dark/tortured soul
  • Betrayal to trust
  • Slow seduction
  • Thought-provoking
  • Morally gray
  • Love/hate tension
  • First time / discovery
  • Book hangover
  • Damaged survivor
  • Mutual pining
  • Tension
  • Redeemed villain
  • Class difference
  • Anticipation
  • Redemption romance
  • Longing glances
  • Found family

Fantasy promise

  • Dark fantasy
  • Academy / campus
  • Contemporary
  • Witches/wizards/warlocks
  • Enemies to lovers
  • Secret society / club
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  • Academy / school
  • Second chance
  • Low fantasy / secret magic
  • Childhood sweethearts reunited
  • Secret society
  • Dark academia romance

Reading experience

  • Third person
  • Medium
  • Dark
  • Witty
  • Heavy
  • High
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  • Outcast/loner
  • Nonbinary main character or love interest (MC/LI)
  • Mysterious
  • Sharp
  • Survivor
  • Queer
  • Emotional
  • Reluctant hero
  • Teen MC (under 20)
  • Tense
  • Character-driven
  • Snarky/sarcastic
  • Angsty
  • Atmospheric
  • Suspenseful
  • Brooding
  • Thoughtful
  • Yearning
  • Hopeful
  • Power corrupts
  • Forbidden knowledge
  • Morally complex
  • Slow start explosive finish
  • Page turner

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Similar in ways that matter

Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

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Similar because

Childhood friends · Childhood sweethearts reunited · Class difference

Different because

It is completed rather than standalone.

Book details
Length
447 pages
Publisher
Harper Voyager
Language
English
Format
Book