So, I was given a chance to review The Wizard and the Welshman by Laura Rayndrop, and I have many thoughts.
The book is the story of Hal Hawthorne, a detective in London who is investigating the death of a woman and is drawn into a world of magical creatures and spells. He partners with a mysterious mage and quickly develops feelings for the young man that could lead to his downfall in Victorian society.
The book is rough and uneven. It wants to be both a mystical retelling of Jack the Ripper while also having the whimsy of a Harry Potter novel. I was never much of a fan of Harry Potter, even before J.K. Rowling’s turn, and the change of theme as they move between the gritty streets of London and the magical places was a little jarring. The romance also comes on very quickly, and there is not much original to be had. The book very much feels like a first-time author writing a bunch of stuff they liked in other novels.
All that being said I ended up enjoying the book more than I thought I would at the beginning. There were a few moments of interesting world building, and I grew to like the characters. I would be interested in to see where the author takes the series from here and hope she can grow in craft and originally.
If you are a fan of m/m paranormal romance and are willing to give some time for a book to woo you over this is not a bad choice.
Paper Phoenix ink 