The Last Magician

The Last Magician follows Esta, a skilled thief with the power to manipulate time. In an alternate version of 1902 New York City, she attempts to steal an ancient book that could save her fellow magic-wielders from extinction. A barrier called the Brink surrounds Manhattan, detecting and destroying anyone with magical abilities who tries to cross it. Esta must navigate this dangerous city filled with gangs, secret societies, and dark forces while carrying out her mission to change both past and present. Magic, time travel, and heists combine in this historical fantasy that examines power, identity, and sacrifice. The story explores how far someone will go to protect their own kind and whether the ends truly justify the means.

Readers call this a complex story with engaging magic and time-travel elements, though many note it takes 100+ pages to become invested. The historical 1902 New York setting and morally gray characters draw frequent mentions in positive reviews. Readers highlighted: - Intricate heist plot with twists - Strong character development, especially Esta and Harte - Detailed magical system - Historical research and atmosphere Common criticisms: - Slow beginning and pacing issues - Confusing timeline jumps - Too many characters to track - Romance feels forced Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (32,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (900+ ratings) BookishFirst: 4.3/5 "The first 25% is a slog but stick with it" appears in multiple reviews. Readers who finished often went on to complete the series. One top Goodreads review notes: "This is either a 2-star or 5-star book depending on your patience for complex worldbuilding."

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo A band of thieves plans an impossible heist in a world where magic and technology intertwine.

The Diviners by Libba Bray A young woman with supernatural abilities navigates 1920s New York City while hunting a murderous spirit.

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman A librarian spy travels through alternate worlds to collect rare books while battling dangerous forces.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Two rival magicians compete through their students in a mysterious magical circus that appears without warning.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab A magician who can travel between parallel Londons becomes entangled in a dangerous plot involving forbidden magic and royal politics.

🌟 The novel's time-travel elements were inspired by the author's fascination with New York City's Gilded Age and the stark contrast between extreme wealth and poverty during that period. 🎭 The magic system in the book draws heavily from historical stage magic and illusions performed in Vaudeville shows of the early 1900s. 📚 Lisa Maxwell wrote much of the novel while teaching full-time as a university professor, often working on the manuscript during her lunch breaks. 🗽 The "Brink" featured in the book was inspired by real historical tensions between various immigrant groups in late 19th century New York City. 🎰 The protagonist Esta's sleight-of-hand abilities were developed after Maxwell spent months researching professional card manipulation and consulting with modern magicians.