Many readers hate spoilers (I do!), so I try to keep them out of the descriptions of my books. But many other readers like to know certain things about a book before they invest time in it. Like whether characters will go through traumatic experiences. Or how significant romance is to the plot. Or if there are sex scenes (and if so, how explicit). Or whether anyone dies. Or if there’s a happy ending.
If you don’t want to know in advance, this page is not for you. Otherwise, read on, clicking “show answer” for any question that’s important to you. You’ll get basic details that do not name the characters and, in some cases, an “if you can handle [Famous Book], you’ll be OK with this novel” comparison.
No protagonists die. Several antagonists do, though, in a fight scene that’s traumatic for the protagonists.
If you can handle the fight scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, you should be OK with The Opposite of Magic.
Two main characters get involved in a romantic relationship over the course of the book. Their relationship accounts for perhaps 40 percent of the plot; the fantasy adventure story is the key plot driver. But the two elements work in concert with one another. (I like romance with my plot, not plot as window dressing for romance.)
One. It’s not off-screen; it’s also not particularly explicit or long.
Everyone defines that a little bit differently, but I’d say it’s not angsty overall. It has some tense and emotionally challenging moments.
Yes.
Q: C’mon, give me more than that.
OK, fine, the love interests end up together. That’s what you wanted to know, right? Sheesh.
One protagonist narrowly avoids assassination, a traumatic experience that affects other characters’ emotions and actions for the rest of the book. And one protagonist narrowly escapes death after an encounter with an antagonist.
If you can handle Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, you should be OK with Subversive. No one is killed (people or animals), and there are no battle scenes.
Q: Yes, but what about non-violent trauma?
This is more of a spoiler. You’re sure you want to know?
OK: One protagonist is entrapped into signing a magical contract that gives another character a tremendous amount of power over them.
Two characters develop feelings for each other against their better judgment. One of them suspects magic is playing an unanticipated role, and the other is anxious to avoid pressing that character into an unwanted relationship.
The evolving situation between these characters powers about 40 percent of the plot, with fantasy and political intrigue elements as primary drivers. (I like romance with my plot, not plot as window dressing for romance.)
Yes. There’s one scene of moderate length and explicitness, and several shorter and less explicit scenes. These occur in a dream state the characters refer to as “dreamside,” and they’re all consensual.
Nope. (There’s a point where you might think it’s headed that way, but nope, if you define “love triangle” the way I do: One character can’t make up their mind about two other characters with feelings for them.)
Yes, but it’s not melodramatic (I hope not, anyway!). Though the novel isn’t lighthearted and the characters deal with increasingly stressful situations, they always find ways to cope.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so it’s Act 1 of 3, and the ending reflects that. The novel wraps up some key plot threads, but others will continue to spool out over the second and third books. The romantic plot thread is not wrapped up here, and the main characters remain at odds with each other.
Q: I’m only investing my time in this if you promise the characters get a happy ending in book three. Do they?
You’re sure you want to know?
Certain?
OK, fine, yes. They do.
