The Discovery of Magic - Book Tour and Giveaway

 
​Transported to an ancient realm of magic and mystery, can a young woman survive scheming royals, shifting alliances, and impending war? 
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The Discovery of Magic
The Intrigue of Magic Book 1
by L.J. Evias
Genre: Epic Fantasy  

Transported to an ancient realm of magic and mystery, can a young woman survive scheming royals, shifting alliances, and impending war?

Alice Harper yearns to determine her own fate. Desperate to change her parents’ minds about moving away from everything she knows, the gifted archer sets out to win a coveted scholarship. But the seventeen-year-old feels completely out of control when she and her friends stumble through a strange portal to a mysterious world.

Separated from the others, the bold and reckless teen finds herself whisked away to an impossible palace where charming mages offer help. But as she becomes entwined in the politics of the court, Alice grows suspicious of her new allies, and she struggles to distinguish friend from foe…

As she’s pulled deeper into treacherous plots, can the heroic young adult rescue her peers and get everyone home?

The Discovery of Magic is the captivating first book in The Intrigue of Magic epic fantasy series. If you like relatable characters, powerful enchantments, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love L. J. Evias’s battle for courage.

Buy The Discovery of Magic to begin the adventure today!


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​Losing her patience, Alice glared at the man. Why wouldn’t he speak English? In his peculiar uniform, he must be part of some historical reenactment, but he didn’t have to be so unhelpful.
Shielding her eyes from the bright sun, she sought out someone else, only then noticing the wall surrounding them. And the ochre sand scattered across the hard ground.
What was going on?
In the corner of the enclosure, a wooden building appeared to be sheltering people from the heat, but a number of men dressed as soldiers stood guard along the walls. All wore double-breasted navy tunics with gold buttons, but none possessed the decorations of the man in front of her. He must be in charge. But of what?
The man, in his mid-twenties, and with chocolate brown hair, said something unfathomable yet again.
With a sigh, she pulled out her phone to text the others, but there was no signal.
Her skin crawled. This was very wrong.
Cold spread through her limbs as she turned to face the doorway, not a gap in the rock as she’d presumed, but an oval of shimmering light, standing proud of the wall. She gulped. That was not normal.
Swallowing her fear, she pushed against it, but a force prevented her passing.
There was no way back.
The man touched her elbow and gestured to a narrow gap at the end of the enclosure. He spoke more urgently now and looked at her phone with suspicion. Finally, in English, he said, “Come with me.”
Alice almost laughed with relief. “Where am I?”
The pressure on her elbow increased and he gestured forwards with his other hand.
Alice shook her head. “Tell me where I am first.”
The man barked an order in that unfathomable language, and soldiers rushed forward, eager to obey. In the narrow gap, a carriage appeared, with oversized wheels and a golden lion on the side.
The commander gestured forwards again. Could he not understand her?
“What is going on? Where are you taking me?”
He stared at her for a moment, contemplating her words, then said, “To the palace, to the king.”
Alice’s stomach knotted. There was no palace near her home.
Facing the rising dread, she skulked to the exit and stared upon the impossible scene. Desert dunes spread out each side of a stone path, and in the distance, a city poked into the sky, like nothing she’d ever seen. Everything looked to be made of stone, though two towers glinted peculiarly in the sun.
Beside the carriage, the officer held out an arm and looked at her expectantly.
With no way back and no answers here, a palace started to sound appealing. They might have people who could speak her language and explain what had happened.
With one last glance around, she stepped inside the carriage.

L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.

The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.

When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.

Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author's website.


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Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

Sure! Becoming an author was never something I imagined for myself—it still surprises me that I have a book written. While I always enjoyed reading, and penned a few small stories during school years, I never thought about writing a novel. My English school teacher definitely didn’t think much of my skills!

In my early career, I wrote a lot of factual reports and even volunteered as a language editor for a scientific journal. But fiction? That seemed like another world. It wasn’t until I changed jobs and reports were no longer required that I realised I missed writing, so I decided to take a leap and try my hand at creative writing. I thought I'd get stuck after a few chapters, but a not so long later I had rough drafts for three books and had truly caught the writing bug.

From there, several years of editing and learning the craft turned those rough words into the book that exists today. My path may have been unconventional, but that’s what I love about writing—there’s no one right way to do it.


Who is your hero?

For a long time, I didn’t think I had a hero—until I realized how much the character Samantha Carter, played by Amanda Tapping in Stargate SG-1, has influenced my life. Growing up, I was always captivated by ancient history and cultures, so the combination of ancient Egyptian mythology with science fiction in Stargate immediately drew me in.

But it was Samantha Carter who truly resonated with me. Watching her navigate the challenges of a male-dominated field with intelligence, confidence, and resilience showed me that women could not only excel in untraditional spaces, but also bring new dimensions to the world around them. Her impact is something I’ve carried into my writing, where I strive to create realistic characters—both women and men—who face and overcome gender stereotypes, bringing their unique strengths and vulnerabilities to the table.

Do you have a favorite movie?
There are so many great movies out there, but Gladiator has been a long-time favourite of mine. Of course I love the historical aspects, but the emotional journey of the main character—from celebrated general to a slave who has lost everything, to a hero who regains his power to fight against a corrupt emperor to save Rome—is a fantastic tale and so well done. And Hans Zimmer’s score is absolutely perfect.

I’ve just heard that there’s going to be a Gladiator II, which I’m excited about—though I’ll miss Hans Zimmer’s music!

What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always dreamed of going on grand adventures, but practical constraints like time and money have kept those dreams from fully materializing. However, a trip I took to Morocco in 2019, just before the pandemic, had a profound impact on me. I fell in love with the country’s rich culture and vibrant landscapes, which deeply influenced the setting and atmosphere of my book.

I also draw inspiration from fiction and those tantalizing 'what if' questions. For instance, why didn’t Rey accept Kylo Ren’s invitation to rule the galaxy in Star Wars? Or why didn’t Jafar, with all his powers in Aladdin, have more influence from the start? What if an entire society of mages schemed for power? How would the struggle for a throne change if magic were involved? These questions led me to create a world where power is split between mages and royalty, forming the dynamic and intriguing backdrop for my story

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Yes! So many. It’s hard to stay focused on the main story when there are so many intriguing characters. Ademir’s coming-of-age tale, which is also the story of how he met Torvia, is already released as a free novelette called The Duty of Magic. As a noble warrior, his journey is quite different from everyone else’s. At fifty pages, it also serves as a concise introduction to my writing style and the world of The Intrigue of Magic.

I am currently working on the tale of how Torvia became a spy, which dives deeper into her complex past and the history of the two kingdoms. This shorter novel reveals how her talents sometimes led her into trouble. Otis features much more in this book, and his mischievous youth is a delight to write. I may create another story just for him. Another book delves into Kavir’s rise to power, a story that is both thrilling and heartbreaking.

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?

Great question! While many characters from my book would make for intriguing companions, the obvious choice is Darien. He’s the perfect traveling partner for exploring new worlds. Whether it’s wandering through vibrant markets or hiking up remote mountains to take in breathtaking views, Darien’s ability to teleport great distances makes virtually any destination possible. I’d probably settle for travelling to Camfis­-a picturesque medieval town situated by a lake where he takes Alice-but there are so many worlds he could share.

What makes spending a day with Darien even more appealing is his friendly and easy-going nature. Although numerous plots weave around him, he appears to be able to ignore them, at least for now. And with his magical power and royal influence he can pretty much do anything he wants. None of the other characters indulge in their interests so freely, though it would be fun to learn magic alongside Yasmin or Torvia.


What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

People would describe me as a ‘pantser’ or ‘discovery’ writer, as I don’t start with a detailed outline. I begin with a vague sense of some events that might occur and dive straight into writing. I’ve experimented with scene-by-scene outlines before, but I only made it through seven chapters before feeling compelled to start writing. By the time I reached chapter two, the story had already diverged significantly from my outline!

I prefer to let my characters guide the plot. Their motivations often lead them to react in ways that differ from my initial plans, so it makes more sense to let the plot unfurl as the characters develop. The first draft tends to be quite skeletal, but it helps me gain a deeper understanding of each character. During the editing process, I can then enrich the story with greater detail and depth.


What are common traps for aspiring writers?

One common trap for aspiring writers is expecting work to be perfect on the first try. Writing is a skill that requires both practice and experience, and even seasoned authors go through multiple rounds of editing. It’s natural to feel disheartened when the words on the page don’t match the vision in your mind, but this is a normal part of the writing process. Embrace the revisions and understand that each draft brings you closer to the story you want to tell.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I wouldn’t say I believe in writer’s block exactly. When it happens, it’s usually a sign that something else needs attention—either in life or in the story. Sometimes we expect too much from ourselves, and taking a break to recharge can be just as important as pushing forward.

On those rare occasions when I do get stuck, it’s often because I know something needs to happen but I’m not quite sure how to get the story there. In those moments, focusing on the characters’ personalities and motivations usually helps me find a way through.


What kind of world ruler would you be?

An evil dictator for sure! I can imagine starting with the best intentions, trying to do everything right and make everyone happy—but realizing quickly that it never works out. In that situation, no one benefits. Kavir from my novel has got it all figured out. He barely has to lift a finger to ensure people obey his wishes because they’re all too afraid to challenge him—at least openly. Even the kingdom’s rivals respect him. Meanwhile, the benevolent king? He gets accused of being weak, and people start plotting his downfall. It’s easy to see why a democracy might be appealing after all.

How did you come up with name of this book?

I wanted a title that would convey the central theme of the story. For a light fantasy novel with a dash of adventure, Discovery felt like the perfect fit. The teens in the story are discovering a new world and new possibilities, so the title reflects their journey.

The discovery isn’t just about the magic of spells, though magic is prevalent throughout. Magic can be fun and liberating, but also symbolises unequal power, which can sometimes be oppressive. The series name, The Intrigue of Magic, ties into that idea, hinting at the constant scheming and power plays that weave throughout.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

My characters definitely hijack the story! Darien, for instance, was originally supposed to be a villain, but I quickly realised he was just an inexperienced young man grappling with the immense pressure of his position and bound to make mistakes. It will be interesting to explore whether he takes a darker turn as the series progresses.

Torvia also surprised me—I hadn’t anticipated how compelling she would become, so I’ve decided to give her a larger role in the upcoming books. It’s always fascinating to see where the characters lead me.


Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?

Alice is a courageous young woman with a strong sense of justice. She’s not one to back down in the face of unfairness and often stands up for her friends, even when it puts her in danger. Her assertiveness and protective nature make her a formidable ally and a passionate defender of what she believes is right.

Jaime, as the complete opposite, is an overthinker and an avid tinkerer. Adventure is the last thing he’d seek out, but he never hesitates to protect his friends. He’s always there to look out for Alice, especially when her recklessness gets the best of her.

Yasmin, a sheltered princess, is curious and friendly but can be a bit selective about who she interacts with. Due to her privileged upbringing, she can be naive about the realities of the world outside the palace, but her genuine warmth shines through to those who get close to her. Yasmin spends most of her time studying magic, which makes her a powerful mage, but underneath her pride she has a warm heart.

Darien is captivated by foreign magic and the allure of new worlds. As the crown prince, he occasionally shirks his extensive duties in pursuit of his passions, gaining a much wider education than his sister. His irresponsibility can get him into trouble, but his sociable and charming nature quickly restores the peace. While he presents a confident and engaging exterior, only his closest friends know his sensitive and creative side, which he carefully guards from the wider world.

Kavir, the protector of North Parsa, wields unmatched magic and rules with an iron fist. He relies as much on fear as he does on his formidable skills, enforcing his own interpretation of what is right. Despite his ruthlessness, those close to him benefit from the stability and decisive leadership he provides.

To discover more about the other characters, visit this link, or take the character quiz to find out which one you’re most like.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read

The Discovery of Magic is a must-read because it offers a unique blend of adventure, magic, and complex characters that will pull you into a world that feels both fantastical and deeply relatable. At its heart, it's a story of discovery—not just of new worlds and powers, but of self-identity, friendship, and the courage to challenge the status quo.

The characters are multi-dimensional, each grappling with their own internal conflicts while navigating the external pressures of a society divided by magic and royalty. From Alice's fearless pursuit of justice to Darien's struggle between duty and personal exploration, their journeys will resonate with anyone who's ever questioned their place in the world or faced difficult choices.

Beyond the compelling characters, the world-building offers rich layers of immersion, whilst remaining accessible. You can find yourself at home in an extravagant palace, wandering the streets of ancient cities or navigating a turbulent portal realm. Magic is both a help and hindrance, elevating friends and enemies alike—but it’s not always clear which is which. The story is filled with twists, tension, and a mix of lighthearted and intense moments that make for a dynamic read.

If you're looking for a book that combines adventure with depth, and characters that feel real and flawed, then this is the story for you. Whether you're a fan of fantasy, coming-of-age tales, or simply enjoy a good story with heart, The Discovery of Magic promises a fresh and engaging experience that you won't want to miss.

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