The Bitter Seed of Magic (A Spellcrackers Novel)

BOOK: The Bitter Seed of Magic (A Spellcrackers Novel)
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Table of Contents
 
 

The Bitter Seed of Magic
is another satisfying installment of the Spellcrackers series. Genny [is] a realistically strong heroine . . . believable and likable. There is no shortage of danger and excitement along the way and even a touch of humor too. If you love urban fantasy and are a fan of sexy, to-die-for vampires, then I can’t imagine why Suzanne McLeod isn’t already on your list of must-read authors.”

LoveVampires
 
“Fantabulous . . . even better than the second book.
The Bitter Seed of Magic
is an action-packed adventure filled with twists and turns. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to end . . . Genny is a great character. She is intelligent and has a big heart. She is courageous and very lovable. Suzanne McLeod created a very fascinating and complex world. I didn’t want the book to end. Give this series a try! It’s well worth your time; you won’t regret it.”

Book Lovers Inc.
 
“[A] story that had plenty of twists and turns, some magical double-dealing and, perhaps best of all, a beautifully paced mystery that took smarts alongside kick-ass attitude to solve. Back that up with some character growth, a good pinch of romance and some skullduggery . . . and the reader really has a treat in store.”

Falcata Times
 
“Fun characters, good plots, fun dialogue, some steam and lots of humor to go along with the suspense and mystery. What else could I ask for in a novel? Wonderful! If you’ve already read the first two in the [Spellcrackers] series, you’re going to enjoy this third book. If you haven’t read any of them yet, what are you waiting for? Ten out of six possible stars . . . I love this series.”

Rabid Reader
 
“All of the books in the [Spellcrackers] series are
just so good
. . . amazing! There is the usual amount of action you[’ve] come to expect . . . always exciting . . . It’s so difficult to put the book down! I find reading McLeod’s novels, like Karen Chance’s, to be exhausting—but in a really good way! So much happens! I absolutely loved this book . . . I can’t recommend [it], or this series, enough! McLeod is still up there with my favorites!”

Ink and Paper
“I love this series, and I think [
The Bitter Seed of Magic
] might be my favorite so far! If you haven’t checked out this book yet, then I would definitely recommend picking it up soon! I loved it.”
—The Book Bundle
 

The Bitter Seed of Magic
is a real page-turner with good characterizations and expertly drawn senses of time and place. I read this in one sitting, which has to be a good sign.”

The British Fantasy Society
PRAISE FOR THE COLD KISS OF DEATH
“Suzanne McLeod’s London is filled with magic, fantastic creatures, forbidden secrets and dangerous desires.
The Cold Kiss of Death
takes you down those streets on a fast, twisty-turny ride that will keep you glued to the pages to the very end.”
—Devon Monk, author of the Allie Beckstrom novels
 
“A book with a lot of emotional depth . . . a story well told.”
—Charlaine Harris, #1
New York Times
bestselling author of
Dead Reckoning
 
“An exciting and satisfyingly complex read. Genny makes a realistically likable yet kick-ass heroine. Throw in an imaginatively realized fantasy London . . . and it’s clear that this book is a sure-fire winner for fantasy fans. Fans of Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison and Charlaine Harris would do well to add Suzanne McLeod to their reading lists. Faeries, vampires, mystery and magic—this book has it all!”

LoveVampires
 
“A clever, twisty paranormal . . . It’s a seductive and enthralling urban fantasy that at times is surprisingly gritty too . . . with the fast-paced action, you’ll be treated to a dark and frenzied climax. Urban fantasy fans should enjoy this seductive paranormal thriller that crackles with blood, lust and wit.”

Total Sci-Fi Online
 
“Genny is the Anita Blake of the fae world mixed with Rachel Morgan. She is tough, likable, and the series as a whole is dark, action packed and full of mystery. I look forward to book three and anything else this author can offer paranormal readers. [McLeod] is an author you need to check out if you are a lover of the genre.”

Amberkatze’s Book Blog
“Great writing, enough sass to make [Genny] believable and, above all, a tale that makes us all want to visit to see the ‘hidden’ side of this ancient city . . . perhaps Britain’s premiere urban fantasy author.”

Falcata Times
 
“The writing is fast [and] the plot pitched at a perfect (sometimes breathless) pace. [McLeod] has proved that she’s going to be a strong presence in the urban fantasy genre.”

SFRevu
 
“Genny is hot, independent and kicks major magical and paranormal butt. Fresh, unique and urban paranormal fantasy at its best . . . This series is fascinating, and this author is on my must-read list.”
—ParaNormal
Romance.org
THE SWEET SCENT OF BLOOD
“The fast pace of the plot and the fascinating cast of characters will give you a happy little vacation between two covers.”
—Charlaine Harris, #1
New York Times
bestselling author of
Dead Reckoning
 
“I loved it to pieces . . . a splendid first novel. Fast and furious, funny and fae, the first Spellcrackers book is a cracker of a read . . . damned good.”
—Simon R. Green,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Bride Wore Black Leather
 
“I really loved
The Sweet Scent of Blood
. The interactions among the magical cast are beautifully handled, and Genny’s narrative voice is perfect . . . all in all, a great read, and a great world, which I’m looking forward to revisiting.”
—Mike Carey, author of the Felix Castor novels
 
“Surprisingly assured and pleasingly engaging. Good fun . . . and nice to read a British-style Dresden or perhaps a Rachel Caine.”
 
“From the opening passage, [McLeod’s] characters jumped off the page and took the reader by the hand through a London that blended myth and legend with the modern world . . . a tale that will stay with the reader long after the final page is turned . . . The undead and the fae face off in a no-holds-barred tale. Definitely an author to watch.”

Falcata Times
Ace Books by Suzanne McLeod
 
THE SWEET SCENT OF BLOOD
THE COLD KISS OF DEATH
THE BITTER SEED OF MAGIC
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
 
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
 
THE BITTER SEED OF MAGIC
 
An Ace Book / published by arrangement with The Orion Publishing Group
 
 
Copyright © 2011 by Suzanne McLeod.
 
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
For information, address: Gollancz,
an imprint of The Orion Publishing Group,
Orion House, 5 Upper St. Martin’s Lane,
London WC2H 9EA, United Kingdom.
 
ISBN : 978-1-101-55369-5
 
ACE
Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
 
 
 

http://us.penguingroup.com

For Corrie and Sophie, faithful friends
Prologue
BOOK: The Bitter Seed of Magic (A Spellcrackers Novel)
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