Release Date: August 19th, 2025
Rating: 9 out of 10
Spice Level: 3 out of 5
Cover Grade: A
Synopsis
In DOT SLASH MAGIC, a coder named Seven Jones returns to San Diego to attend community college. Encircled by magic-wielding enthusiasts, after she discovers her own power, she reluctantly joins their underground magic club. Seven, a late bloomer, learns to channel her power through an AI program of her making. But when mythical creatures begin hunting students, fear mounts of a hidden killer on campus. With the blame on her and only ex-Navy SEAL Logan supporting her, Seven fights for her life and her purpose while trying to solve who is summoning these mythical creatures.
Strengths: The plot is surprisingly original and gripping from start to finish. Written with a conversational tone and visually engaging storytelling, featuring a witty and humorous protagonist alongside relatable characters and strong moral undertones. It masterfully balances humor and drama, culminating in an unexpected twist at the end that I did not for a million dollars see coming.
Weaknesses: I am not satisfied, I need more! Need to know what happens next! Let’s go! :)
Verdict
Hear, hear, I say!! Such a nostalgic ride through San Diego, I freaking loved it. It's my hometown, so maybe a bit biased, but it was all on point. I had no idea San Diego and coding could be so magical and exciting. This is Hogwarts meets the Matrix, and I am here for it. The ending, as I said, was completely not what I was expecting, and that made it even more exciting for Shipton’s next move. Loved how original this was. (9/10)
Thank you, Liz Shipton, Angry Robot & NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pre-Order Your Copy
Aber Stoat Books (print)
Bookshop.org (eBook)
Libro.fm (audiobook) 🎧
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Other Books by Liz Shipton
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From the Publisher:
Paperback
Publisher: Angry Robot
ISBN: 9781915998743
400 pages
Fiction / Dystopian
Fiction / Fantasy / Urban
Fiction / Romance / Fantasy
Fiction / Romance / Science Fiction
Description:
Including magic, AI and punk culture, Dot Slash Magic is a new, spicy urban fantasy from TikTokker Liz Shipton, perfect for fans of I am Number Four and Zodiac Academy.
When twenty-something coder Seven Jones goes back to school at a community college in San Diego, the last thing she wants is to join some stupid club. And the last thing she expects is for that club to be an underground magic club. Like, actual wizards and sh*t.
Surrounded by a motley crew of magic weirdos, Seven discovers her own power and struggles to control it...until she figures out how to channel her magic through an artificially intelligent computer program.
But when terrifying creatures from all sorts of mythologies show up and start hunting students, Seven fears her magic AI is somehow summoning them. When another student is killed, blame falls on Seven and her "artificial magic."
With only one person - cute ex-Navy seal Logan - on her side, Seven fights for her life against the monsters, and struggles to convince everyone that her AI has nothing to do with them.
But how can she convince her peers when she isn't totally convinced herself?
Dot Slash Magic is a "Romantas-topian" about love and friendship and how we can work together to bring down the real bad guys.
Author Bio:
Liz is a freelance writer, author, and full-time, off-grid liveaboard sailor. She's currently sailing around the world with her boyfriend and dog, turning her real-life adventures into speculative fiction. Her books explore themes of mental health, addiction, technology-creep, climate change, and the looming collapse of society (but, like...in a fun way.) When she's not penning novels about the impending apocalypse, you can find Liz swimming, hiking, telling her dog "I love you" for the bazillionth time today, or watching Taskmaster.
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