A Plague of Magic

Wolf (Beyond Enemies) launches her Arcane Hoard series with this thrilling if familiar fantasy. In an abandoned area of Broadside, gang leader Cima discovers a long-buried treasure chest overflowing with “loose gems, intricate jewelry, [and] gold, silver, metals she didn’t recognize.” Together with her friends Gaudi, Terio, Ackles, and Meesh, she begins selling off the loot, changing their lives overnight. When Cima comes back for more, however, the dragon Yagen appears and tells her the truth about the stolen treasures: they contain magic, a force that has otherwise vanished from Broadside in the wake of a catastrophic event called the Cataclysm and which is capable of corrupting anyone who handles the objects. As if to prove Yagen’s words, fire erupts, a building collapses, and two of Cima’s gang are killed. To save her remaining friends and all of Broadside, Cima must return the stolen items to the chest. But the merchants who’ve purchased from her aren’t eager to let their new treasures go, especially not the members of the ruling Council, which has its own agenda for magic. Though some subplots feel bloated, the search for these precious items propels the plot forward and the found family vibe between Cima and her gang adds charm. This is a promising start. (Sept.)