Revolution

October 1, 2019

In the 1950s during the height of the Cold War, a former colleague contacts Karen O'Neil, a researcher for the Office of Magical Research and Development, with concerns about a discovery he made for his boss, the billionaire owner of Magnus Industries. After her friend is murdered en route to his home in Cuba, Karen and her colleagues travel to Havana to discover what was so important. There they encounter beautiful American actresses, corrupt government officials, rebels, Soviet spies, and mobsters obsessed with magic. Karen becomes entangled in the search for a missing girl who is connected to the deadly magic being harnessed by Magnus Industries, which must not fall into the wrong hands. VERDICT This supernatural spy thriller, sequel to Breach, can easily be read as a stand-alone and hits all the right notes. The fun and thrilling fantasy/thriller mashup will remind readers of Jim Butcher or Lev Grossman with a little Robert Ludlum or John le Carré thrown in.--Terri Lent, Patrick Henry High Sch., Ashland, VA

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 28, 2019
The jam-packed second novel in Goodwater’s intricate Cold War fantasy series (after Breach) blends history, magic, and James Bond–style intrigue. In 1958, Karen O’Neil works as the head researcher for the Department of Theoretical Magic in Washington, D.C., despite struggling with her own magic ever since a battle in Berlin three years ago left her questioning her powers. A package sent by a former colleague puts Karen on the trail of an international mystery involving a missing child and monsters created by the government. Her search for the truth takes her to Havana, Cuba, where the Communist revolution is brewing, magic hungry mobsters vie for power, the Soviets watch Karen’s every move, and what starts as a straightforward mystery spirals into a complex political chess match. Goodwater imbues each member of his extensive cast of spies, rebels, and shadowy villains with a distinct voice and motivation. By turns humorous, suspenseful, and deeply disquieting, this meaty thriller will keep readers on the edges of their seats. Agent: Jennifer Udden, Barry Goldblatt Literary.

October 15, 2019
As he did with mid-1950s Berlin in Breach (2018), Goodwater channels a classic Cold War episode combining espionage and the supernatural to create a thrilling alternative version of events. This time he captures Havana on the eve of revolution, a city overflowing with American movie stars and businessmen, Russian and CIA agents, organized crime, corrupt government officials, and disaffected militants. A package arrives for magician Karen O'Neil at her office in Washington, DC, sent by an old colleague working for an influential research company in Cuba. Karen can control magic without spells but discovered that magic itself cannot be trusted and is now reluctant to use it. The parcel contains a mysterious cube imbued with more stored magical power than anything previously thought possible. When it speaks in the voice of a child pleading for help, Karen feels compelled to investigate at the source. Can she confront the hotbed of intrigue and paranormal scheming waiting on the island without using her talent? This fast-paced spy fantasy will entice history buffs and have series fans anticipating another installment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)