Rating: 4.75🌈
Andy Gallo writes about family love, family dynamics and relationships so beautifully, no matter what the theme or situations his characters are facing. Whether it’s a fantasy story, paranormal romance or something completely different, it’s in the realistic relationships between the characters he’s creating and the firm, strong foundations on which their lives have been set that we believe in, magical or not.
And that’s never more apparent than in his Mages and Mates series and this novel in particular.
Throughout this series, book by book, we’ve gotten to know the politically powerful , magical Hollen family as the brothers discover their mates and the fact that they’re part of a larger plan to save their world.
Each novel, by design, has slowly been revealing more of a sinister plot to destroy the Great Ward along with the other thread of the ancient guardians, four magical fated mate couple in a designated place, who are being replaced by the newly mated Hollen brothers. But there’s also more to this still evolving series arc and we get more of those elements here.
In Cast A Spell, Gallo delivers several great new twists and it really makes this series even better in terms of character development and the depths of the storylines. It also derives from the family, on two sides at its core.
The Hollen family, the mages , with Otto now being the brother in line to make his own match and potentially be another chosen new guardian along with whoever is his mate. But there’s a secret or maybe a danger he’s hiding.
The other side is a family or herd of unicorns, one known more for its isolation out in Montana. Its oldest son and heir, Thalion Eisenwald, knows he might be the one the Hollens are looking to as a possible match for Otto, or one of his other brothers.
I don’t want to get into the specifics of this wonderfully fascinating and complex story but it’s got brotherly dynamics that feel very familiar and real even when based in a fantasy setting, as well as realistic emotional moments and inner turmoil that comes from the same places that we can relate to. Fear for those we love.
Gallo has given us a strong narrative, full of excitement, great action, and believable character development that happens between brothers and lovers and multiple characters. All that while bringing together the major elements and characters that’s required to move everything forward to a higher, even darker and more complex storyline for the series.
I believe there’s only one book left. And it comes out next year. That’s Spellbound. I can’t wait for that story. But this amazing universe deserves far more attention than this series. And these characters and magical creatures need more attention and stories. I hope that happens.
I highly recommend this series and the book but none are standalones. All must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the characters and the arc development.
Cover Art by Alex Forza
Mages and Mates series:
Break the Spell #1
It Spells Trouble #2
Under a Spell #3
Cast A Spell #4
Spellbound #5 – June 26,2025
Buy link:
Cast A Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 4)
Blurb
Otto Hollen has always protected his younger brothers. Three of them have been chosen to be guardians for the next Great Ward, and Otto’s determined to avoid the final position. Yes, being chosen is a great honor, but Otto’s convinced it will force Owen, his youngest brother, to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Otto would rather die himself than let that happen – even if he has to fight the Earth itself.
Thalion Eisenwald should be celebrating. His father, the unicorn alpha, named Thalion to be his heir. It’s what he’s wanted his entire life. So why does the arrival of two Hollen brothers make him uneasy? He’s heard rumors of new guardians being chosen, but those are stories. Besides, Thalion plans to be the next alpha of the herd, not a guardian for the world.
When the Earth chooses Otto as Thalion’s mate, Otto shockingly rejects the bond. Thalion is furious, hurt, and grudgingly impressed. But their brothers’ capture changes everything. To save them, Otto will need to accept the bond with Thalion. Faced with an impossible choice, they desperately search for search for a third option. One that doesn’t result in those they love ending up dead.
Cast a Spell is a 75K word fated mates romance with high-stakes magical battles and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This fourth and penultimate book in the Mages and Mates series. It can be read as a stand alone, but it’s best to read the series in order. Cast a Spell includes talking swords, ancient curses, and a no nonsense unicorn grandmother who dishes out life lessons with a large scoop of tough love.
- Publisher: ; 1st edition (November 21, 2024)
- Publication date: November 21, 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 290 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 