Release Date: March 17, 2026
*Added on March 17* Links to Buy: The Magic Seeker a book by Jane Buehler - Bookshop.org US
The Magic Seeker: A Fairy Tale with Benefits (Sylvania Book 6) eBook : Buehler, Jane: Kindle Store
I've read almost all of Jane Buehler's Sylvania series at this point, and I love them all. There's something so entirely healing in her quiet and simple fantasy world that's transitioning from monarchy to democracy in both the human and fairy worlds. This is the tough part that few series like to depict, and yet, this is one of the softest fantasy series I've ever read--and I mean that in an entirely positive context.
Each book is centered around one or two characters and a central romance. Although understanding the context of the world makes each book richer, for most of them, I would say you can read them as a standalone. The Magic Seeker, book 6, is the first one where I would recommend reading some of the other books first, particularly the first book in the series, The Forest Bride, and/or the book immediately preceding this one, The Fire Apprentice.
Snowdrop is a quiet character, who's been in the background of others' stories. She is the only daughter of the deposed fairy queen who initiated the central trauma of many characters: sending fairy men to impregnate human women and then steal the half-fairy children. Snowdrop was as much a victim as anyone else, raising and caring for these stolen children while her mother used them as servants. But she feels complicit and she doesn't feel safe or welcome in fairy or human society. This is the story of her gradually coming out and taking her place in the world, learning to form connections even when she's scared.
Buehler also, in all of her books, deals with sex, or what in Sylvania they call 'tumbling' in such a delightfully frank and straightforward way, and here is no exception, except that Snowdrop is on the ace, or asexual, spectrum. Buehler depicts Snowdrop's version of sexuality with her characteristic candor, and while that does involve some sexual activity, it's validating to have a version of that on the page, especially in a fantasy world.
Buehler also expands on the magic system from earlier books, like the power of fairies' name plants, and what exactly was going on with that herd of buffalo! She also deftly deals with the conundrum of where the 'power' to use magic comes from and how it interacts with nature. There's a scene involving bats that still has me laughing. I'm excited for possible romances for characters like the astute Nem, who appears in this book as well as The Woodland Stranger, and just overall excited for this series to continue to develop.
If you like cozy fantasy, I highly highly recommend this series, and if you like romance, I recommend it as an easy gateway into fantasy. We all deserve some softness in this life, and the Sylvania series has a soft (but far from toothless) world for you to land, and face your fears.
Received for review from the author via Booksirens; all opinions are my own!
Comments