You’ll Find Nothing Coherent Here

Cozy fantasy with an actual plot and stakes

But not crazy high stakes. Not "save the world stakes." I would describe this as a medium-stakes plot, if that makes sense.

Absolutely delightful prose. I love the way this book is written.

Really cool magic system that basically boils down to: some people can cast spells, some people can write spells, but no one can do both so casters and scrivers (spell writers) have to work together.

Wizard school setting that isn't just a H*rry P*tter copycat.

Queer disaster protagonist who intentionally pushes people away so he can't hurt them (I LOVE this trope)

The other protagonist is a grumpy perfectionist workaholic, but there's more going on beneath the surface

Slow burn romance that's ACTUALLY slow burn

On a similar note: rivals-to-lovers where the rivalry isn't just bullying or outright abuse that gets handwaved away once they fall in love

The romance doesn't overshadow the plot or fantasy elements. (I would describe this as a fantasy novel with a romance, as opposed to straight-up romantasy.)

Delightful side characters

Thoughtful commentary on class politics

Quick Grimm sketch cause I’m still thinking about Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy.

He hates lying to his mom <3

His hair lost its pigment after overusing his magic while casting for the first time

People think he overly scrutinizes spells, but he’s really memorizing them to account for his reading disorder

He planned to take over his mom’s flower trade before discovering he was a caster

His ears turn red when he’s embarrassed

Grimm understood there was a serious issue of Leo’s consent while under the curse (avoided commands, never took Leo’s affection as truth)

He acts similar to his mentor, Phade, who nominated him to the Fount when he was 11

He gets motion sick, poor guy

Phade is the only instructor in the Fount that’ll allow Grimm and Leo to work together

He’s trying to join the Coterie and get a seat in the Citadel so he can change the system from within (we love a man who can organize for systemic change)

People from his village, Dwull, have ostracized him since he was a kid. They blame him for losing control of the rain spell and the subsequent flooding (that distance from others has followed him to the Fount)

He seems only mildly affronted that Leo's Grandmagic threw him out a window in second tier

That man has so much restraint and I just need to know what he’s holding back. Biting his tongue to keep from saying what? Holding himself in check so much that his body trembles from effort. What was he going to do?!