Magdalene Nox
MAGDALENE
NOX
MILENA McKAY
The Headmistress #2
Print, Paperback
Academia Contemporary Romance
Tropes
Summary
For thirty years, Magdalene Nox has waited patiently for the chance to return to the people who abandoned her and finally claim the revenge she believes she deserves. Her plan is meant to be simple, direct, and long overdue.
Everything changes after an unexpected encounter and one unforgettable night force Magdalene to question the anger that has driven her for so long. Caught between her desire for vengeance and an undeniable connection she never anticipated, she begins to reevaluate both her past and the future she imagined for herself.
As Magdalene returns to the Home of Dragons, old wounds and buried secrets begin to resurface. Alongside Sam Threadneedle, a lonely math teacher who finds herself drawn into Magdalene’s storm of fury, longing, and heartbreak, the two women must navigate a path filled with pain, truth, and unexpected emotion.
What once seemed like a journey fueled entirely by revenge slowly becomes something far more complicated as Magdalene discovers that beneath years of hurt and resentment, there may still be room for forgiveness, healing, and love.
Synopsis adapted from Goodreads
Tasty Thoughts
I'm sitting here in awe. I'm positively stupified. I recently found Milena McKay's work and to say I'm obsessed is putting it very mildly. I'm not even sure how to review this book because I'm not 100% confident that my words will do it justice. As with my review of The Headmistress- you can read the details in the synopsis or in other reviews but I can't help but talk about how this book made me feel. McKay evokes so much feeling from her readers, it's indescribable (but I'm going to try).
McKay's writing is enthralling. It's ethereal. Her prose is stunningly beautiful and achingly visceral. The author very softly, lovingly, SEDUCTIVELY, takes you by the wrist, caressing the delicate skin with her sweet, poetic words, and gently lures you into this universe that's labeled contemporary but feels otherworldly. It's almost a fantasy (if McKay wrote a fantasy novel, my chest cavity could explode with joy) the way her words pour over you like warm honey, coating your mind in this sweet, sweet substance and you'd be utterly delighted to endure its perpetually sticky sweetness, reveling in its warmth. McKay's stellar wording and phrasing are unlike anything I've ever read - it's stunning.
I adored literally everything about this book, but one thing that I cannot get out of my mind is McKay's chapter titles. They're gold standard level - again- just captivating. "Of Serendipitous Poetry & Momentous Discoveries" "Of Perspicacious Mothers & Fuchsia Boas" "Of Ruinous Chaos & Things We Hoped For" "OF Howling Crowds & Unbridled Courage" I mean, COME ON! How do those not draw you in?! How could one not be utterly enchanted ?!
Even her spicy scenes are delivered with so much passion and such a descriptive nature that you can't help but feel what her characters are feeling. She does this in a way that is unique to her, it's unlike anything I've ever read - and I've read amazing spicy, steamy, sexy books for a good portion of my life. McKay has set herself apart by delivering her entire book in a beautiful fashion, consistent and incredibly complementary to the story.
Magdalene is unlike ANY Ice Queen I've ever read. Her back story just flayed me to the bone. Her quest for vengeance and her power were beautifully relayed through these pages and my heart ached for her. Sam - who is so lovely and kind and pure - just melted her. This was beautiful to see through Sam's character in the Headmistress and absolutely devastating to see through Magdalene's eyes in this story. I was completely destroyed and healed in this book.
I did everything I could to pace myself for this book because you can only experience it for the first time, once. And my, oh my. What an experience this was. Beyond measure. Unparalleled.
Read this.
Read every word McKay has written.
That's what I'm going to do.
*I'm on the edge of my seat for the audio version of this book. Abby Craden. Magdalene Nox. The world is NOT ready but bring it regardless. I'm ready for this destruction and resurrection of my SOUL!*
Originally posted on Goodreads
Why You’ll Love It
Forbidden romance
Suspense
No third act break-up
Rivals
More grumpy cat
