The Relic Spell, (subtitled: Book 1 of The Phyrian War Chronicles) a novel by Jimena Novaro, is an urban fantasy which combines the high fantasy mysticism of magic casting with the horror adventure of monster-hunting. The start of series, Relic also works as a standalone novel.

Set in the fictional town of Port Monica where both spell-casting and demons exist, we find only a handful of sorcerers (most of them novices) around after a devastating event occurred over a decade in the past. Orion Tamura is a son of famous Daisuke Tamura, a sorcerer who disappeared fourteen years prior fighting in a horrible conflict named the Phyrian War. The demons who pass through the portal to Port Monica following the war have been weaker than their predecessors. Orion and his partner Max Carter fight these creatures with spells and weapons. Orion pulls energy to form spells and Max, Orion’s unrequited love, targets them with swords. The two of them consider themselves the town’s defenders. Orion and Max have been partners for years, but lately Max has started a relationship with kindly Briar, an evocator and granddaughter of a major demon.

A major threat is introduced when Orion, having a normal day at school, suddenly feels a discharge of magic that nearly knocks him sideways. Someone has activated an ancient spell, and the energy it needed sucked the life out of fifty-two people. Max and Orion decide to investigate this massive, magical intrusion into their upstate New York small town.

For people who like intricate and well-thought-out magic systems, Relic is a treat. The novel takes great pains to describe how the magic system works and how to cast spells without ever dragging the narrative down. For people who like magically-enhanced noir detective novels, Relic also delivers. The early part of the novel places Orion in the gumshoe position, following clues while trying to piece together the larger picture of what’s going on. And for people who like fast and frenetic adventure in their fantasy novels, you’ll also want to add this book to your reading list. Encounters with dimensional beings, fighting major demons, near escapes, car chases all happen naturally within the flow of this enchanting novel. Stringing along its backstory in its first half, Relic might be disorienting to some readers at first, however the portrayals of family life, the humor, and the action help to piece together the information needed to enjoy this world and its characters. Midway through the book comes the inevitable backstory of the Phyrian War which might have been dialogue-heavy, however, the way Orion learns about the war is highly creative and a particular highlight.

Orion’s a compassionate character with a strong moral compass and a worthy hero. He’s realistically portrayed and his concern for his family and friends is evident in every scene. He cares about his community. Much like a superhero, he worries about his neighbors, even when they don’t treat him kindly. The other character who shines in Relic is Elsa. Another demon hunter and superior fighter, Elsa’s grim determination and quirky behavior makes her one of the most interesting characters in the novel. Her evolution through the narrative is an enjoyable arc.

While most elements of the book were well-developed, the romantic relationships in the narrative felt a bit forced. Relic is by no means a romantic novel so this didn’t detract from the story, and I sensed most of these scenes were setting up a future novel in the series.

Of all the spectacular elements of Relic, the magic system stands out. The description of casting spells, “Then the energy in front of him, faint at first but growing brighter, traced a pattern.  Golden threads crisscrossed over the doorway…like a cat’s cradle.” Even the sword Max uses has certain metals forged together that work on magical creatures. Drawing energy from the natural world sets boundaries and makes the magic realistic.

I hesitate whenever I pick up the first book in a series. An extra level of commitment is required for reading a number of novels. I’m happy to report Relic nails this aspect. The novel introduces a major conflict and brings it to a logical conclusion. Not all plot elements are resolved—one element is purposely left wide open—but I thought the ending was strong. The climax followed its own path, an imaginative resolution to the “unbeatable” villain scenario, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Relic Spell combines mystery, monsters, and family into an absorbing first offering of a series. It’s a worthy addition to your library if you like to lose yourself in an urban fantasy filled with demon vanquishing.

Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy of this novel from the author in the hopes of a review. Though I didn’t purchase this novel, I have bought other works by this author and would gladly pay for The Relic Spell. So yeah, it’s a fine novel.