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Alice Winters
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Familiar Beginnings (Demon Magic Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Alice Winters (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 2,639 ratings
Smart men quit while they’re ahead—they lay low and hope disaster blows on by them. Not me. Especially when disaster seems to follow me and my soulmate Havoc, a demon I bound to me three hundred years ago with my magic.

The dark mage Geoff is back from the dead and creating chaos by devouring the hearts of people with magical abilities, giving him overwhelming power as his followers grow. And since I’m one of the strongest mages alive and am leading the resistance against him, he’s coming for me next. Oh, and it might have something to do with the fact that I was also the one who originally killed him. But you can’t blame me; the guy needed to die.

Havoc and I, along with our unlikely band of… (I don’t want to say heroes, I can’t give them that much credit) annoyances will stop at nothing to end the destruction. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a sexy demon by my side every step of the way. For the first time in three hundred years, I’m finally with the person meant for me, and I will do anything to keep from losing him.

Familiar Beginnings is a 63k word sequel to Happy Endings. Contains a powerful mage who just wants to be left in peace, a mysterious curly-haired troublemaker, gargoyles that are literally dumber than stone, a river trip that doesn’t feel at all like a vacation, and a “cat” with some unusual features and deadly claws.
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  1. Book 2 of 4
    Demon Magic
  2. Print length
    198 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    March 26, 2020
  5. File size
    2.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08681BY24
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 26, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 2,639 ratings

About the author

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Alice Winters

Alice Winters

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Alice Winters started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to turn her ideas into written words. She loves writing a variety of things from romance and comedy to action. She also enjoys reading, horseback riding, and spending time with her pets.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
2,639 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a fun read with excellent world-building and engaging characters, particularly appreciating the dialogue and personalities. Moreover, they enjoy the story's blend of romance and memories, with one customer describing it as the "best mage/demon snarky love fest ever." Additionally, the writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it's not written like a YA book, and customers praise the action scenes, with one review highlighting the final battle scene.

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72 customers mention "Enjoyment"72 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a fun read with adventure and banter that makes them laugh hard.

"...I even got teary-eyed a couple of times, but it was still such a fun read!..." Read more

"...It has a bucketful of snark. And such an eclectic fun and overall quirky band of misfits. I Love the supporting cast. I love the action...." Read more

"...As I said, I like the writing style of this author and the idea of this book is solid, but everything stays on the surface. It’s rushed and shallow...." Read more

"I loved these books! If you like Louisa Masters “ghostly guardians” this is the series for you...." Read more

48 customers mention "Story quality"48 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's story, with one review highlighting its snarky dialogue between characters, while others appreciate how the romance is interwoven with magical elements and memories.

"...And yes, it has romance. It has about mid level smut. It has a bucketful of snark. And such an eclectic fun and overall quirky band of misfits...." Read more

"...The dialogue and personalities are fun and the story is interesting, but there are some definite issues with world building and execution...." Read more

"...It’s funny, lots of action, some hot scenes, and a quirky love story...." Read more

"...building and storyline are so well done, the supernatural aspects are just fun additions to the story which allows the characters and story to take..." Read more

33 customers mention "Character development"31 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book, particularly appreciating the dialogue and personalities, with one customer specifically mentioning the engaging supporting cast.

"Still loving this series! The new characters are a blast, and while Havoc is still my favorite, Menace stole the show a few times...." Read more

"...And such an eclectic fun and overall quirky band of misfits. I Love the supporting cast. I love the action. Just go out and read this series...." Read more

"This is a very good book. The dialogue and personalities are fun and the story is interesting, but there are some definite issues with world..." Read more

"...The main characters are so lovable and their banter makes me laugh so many times." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing style"13 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the author's writing style, with one noting it's not typical for YA books, and several praising the narrator's performance.

"...As I said, I like the writing style of this author and the idea of this book is solid, but everything stays on the surface. It’s rushed and shallow...." Read more

"The narrator did such a fantastic job. I bought this audio to get caught up with the series before book 3 & 4. I am really enjoying this series...." Read more

"...Fun, quick, easy to read, and damn hard to put down, yet absolutely not written like a YA book. Strongly recommend!" Read more

"...I can't wait till it comes out on audio. The writing is as always hilarious and unique...." Read more

14 customers mention "Action"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the action in the book, with one customer describing it as a hysterical blend, while another praises the final battle scene.

"...The action is great and I was at the edge of my seat. I love Miles and Havoc and all their crazy friends...." Read more

"Havoc and Miles are the best!! If you like your characters with a huge sass and lots of love, you’ll adore reading this story...." Read more

"I fully enjoyed this ridiculous book, loads of laughs, crazy antics, action and love. I can't wait till it comes out on audio...." Read more

"...I did love the introduction of Venice and the final battle but it was hard to keep the characters straight...." Read more

12 customers mention "Series quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers love this series, with one customer noting it's an amazing follow-up to the first book.

"I enjoyed all three books in the series, it would be nice to get another one to tie up a few loose ends...why DOES Havoc wear his cloak everywhere?..." Read more

"This is a two book series, Familiar Beginnings and Happy Endings...." Read more

"Book 2 is amazing! I love reading and laughing out loud!! I love the new creatures and what they can do magically. Well off to the next book!" Read more

"An amazing follow up to the first book. All the same great characters and more misadventures. A definite must read if you haven’t started this series!" Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with several noting the excellent world building, and one customer highlighting how it provides more details about the world itself.

"...Also, provide more details on the world itself and Miles’s place in it." Read more

"...The world-building is great but the characters development is incredible!..." Read more

"...Miles and Havoc are really couple goals, after being bound to each other for hundreds of years they know each other really well...." Read more

"Highly recommend. The world building was excellent and the main characters were genuinely funny and likable...." Read more

9 customers mention "Fantasy elements"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the fantasy elements in the book, with one review highlighting the range of magical creatures and another noting the quirky band of misfits.

"...And such an eclectic fun and overall quirky band of misfits. I Love the supporting cast. I love the action. Just go out and read this series...." Read more

"...of Menace to their little family is perfect - he's the absolutely embodiment of cat evil...." Read more

"Book 2 is amazing! I love reading and laughing out loud!! I love the new creatures and what they can do magically. Well off to the next book!" Read more

"...I mean, there are new people, new weirdo "pets". I honestly just need more from this whole group." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lisa Tobleman
    5.0 out of 5 stars thoroughly enjoying this book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This series has been a wonderful and entertaining discovery. Stumbled on it, cover seemed a bit reminiscent of a lot of detective sort of noir MM romantacy books recently. And yes, it has romance. It has about mid level smut. It has a bucketful of snark. And such an eclectic fun and overall quirky band of misfits. I Love the supporting cast. I love the action. Just go out and read this series. It has a lot more heart and emotion that I was expecting and I’m Here for it!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Yj
    5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE this series so much! Fun characters and fun plot!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Still loving this series! The new characters are a blast, and while Havoc is still my favorite, Menace stole the show a few times. I even got teary-eyed a couple of times, but it was still such a fun read! Every time Iya appears, I can’t help but smile—I wish we knew more about his relationship with Sam. And Miles, sweet Miles—he and Havoc deserve the happiest ending!
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  • Drew954
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, but…
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very good book. The dialogue and personalities are fun and the story is interesting, but there are some definite issues with world building and execution.

    First one: Miles is said to be the most powerful, but I don’t believe the magic system was explained enough for the reader to understand where he stands compared to everyone else. Second: Havoc is a demon that is bonded or enslaved by mages, but there is no explanation why this happens or what the benefits are. Havoc doesn’t boost Miles’s magic and Geoff had him imprisoned; therefore he’s not a protector, so what’s his purpose? Also, it seems he has very little in-human qualities besides turning into a raven. Third: Miles and Havoc were together for hundreds of years and the demon is introduced as a womanizer, but then as soon as the series begins, he’s monogamous and in love. The monumental shift in their relationship after over 300 years was done so carelessly, I spent the whole first book confused about why didn’t we just start the book with them together. Sadly, I never really cared about them being together. Lastly, Geoff’s motivation was never spelled out, so he is just a one note character. Bad. There was no feeling of urgency or consequence.

    As I said, I like the writing style of this author and the idea of this book is solid, but everything stays on the surface. It’s rushed and shallow. The author should have taken her time with the story and give it more depth, cut down on the amount of characters and spend time developing them. Also, provide more details on the world itself and Miles’s place in it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • D.Mentia
    5.0 out of 5 stars great
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I loved these books! If you like Louisa Masters “ghostly guardians” this is the series for you. It’s funny, lots of action, some hot scenes, and a quirky love story. The main characters are so lovable and their banter makes me laugh so many times.
    Helpful
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  • ScrappyMom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The narrator did such a fantastic job. I bought this audio to get caught up with the series before book 3 & 4.
    I am really enjoying this series. This is book 2 and I am loving all of the crazy cast of characters.
    We finished wrapping up the arc for book 1 and I can't wait to see where we go for her.
    Helpful
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  • Trey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Unique and Funny Take on the Modern Paranormal Theme
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    In a genre that has exploded in recent years, it is delightful to come across this set of 2 books that adds humor to the normal sexuality, werewolves, vampires, demons, etc., in a fun way that seems so realistic and speaks to “every (gay) man”. Everyone will love it, but, as a gay man, I found so much that was relatable. Well, maybe not the supernatural creatures so much, but actually the character building and storyline are so well done, the supernatural aspects are just fun additions to the story which allows the characters and story to take center stage. The relationships and so many of the individual characters are just like people I know, or wish I did. It took me all of about 15 seconds to decide who in my life would be the vegetarian werewolf, and for the rest of the series my friend became said vegetarian wolf. Fun, quick, easy to read, and damn hard to put down, yet absolutely not written like a YA book. Strongly recommend!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • ShannonVM
    4.0 out of 5 stars I hope this isn't the last of these characters!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    4.5*

    I only discovered Alice Winters last year, so I'm not one who has been waiting for this book for years, like some readers have- it's just been about 7 months for me! But as soon as I finished Happy Endings you can bet I was checking to see when book 2 was coming! And let me say, the wait was worth it.

    Familiar Beginnings was just as fun and silly, if not more so, than Happy Endings was and I loved every word. It was action packed and also a little stressful, as Miles and Havoc once again had to go up against their old master Geoff, to hopefully send him, once and for all, back to his final resting place. This go 'round they had some additions to their merry band of "heroes" to help them- and it's true, not all heroes where capes!

    One of my favorite things about this book was getting the peek into Miles and Havoc's past, I really enjoyed seeing how it all started for them. I love their relationship- how they tease each other and are always bantering, but you can totally feel the love. They had me swooning so hard, seeing how much they cared about each other.
    (A bonus was getting to see Miles first meeting with Iya, that made laugh out loud!)

    Alice Winters writes such entertaining books, I honestly can't get enough of her wit and humor. I don't know if this is the last book she'll be writing for these characters, but I hope it's not. I think there's a lot of trouble out there for Miles and Havoc, and Menace, to get into!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I love the mix of sarcastic humour, action and romance that are in Alice Winters' books. There were moments that I was laughing out loud at the ridiculousness of a situation and I loved it. The action is great and I was at the edge of my seat. I love Miles and Havoc and all their crazy friends. I like that Miles is such a powerful mage, but still vulnerable at times and can be seriously hurt. No one should be all powerful. Geoff is a great, dangerous, threatening nemesis, though saying that the final battle is a bit brief for me. With the big bad gone, what's going happen next? I really hope that there will be more to this series. I would love to see what crazy stuff Miles and Havoc get themselves into.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kate Wood
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you read this book in public you will look insane with how much you laugh
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It’s just hilarious. Honestly that pretty much sums it up. I’ve read pretty much all of Alice Winters’ books and her signature style is very much in evidence in this one. It’s an excellent sequel and introduces some fascinating (and awesome) new characters. I won’t spoil anything but suffice to say there’s an epic showdown, naked body painting, possibly evil cats and more use of the word ‘penetrators’ than in any other book I’ve read. Just read it! But not in public because people will act like you are a complete nutter.
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  • XG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the cat!!
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    After the endearing love story and all the dangers and situations in book 1, I'd never imagine that this book 2 could be even better, but the author really outdone herself. Not just the love between Miles and Havoc proved was stronger than ever after being tested again and again, but also the plot was more complex and interesting, that got me glued to my seat the whole time while situations after situations were happening like in a roller coaster whitout giving me any time to think in something else. The action, danger, intrigue and mystery, the bond between Miles and Havoc, the friendship and sacrifice of all the wonderful characters and of course the "cat" (not want to spoiled anything for you but WOW), put this book in the best top 10 of the books I've read this month. Loved It and especially loved the cat!!
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  • A. Santana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente e hilariante
    Reviewed in Brazil on May 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Mais uma excelente história dessa série. Não tem como não amar todos os personagens inclusive os novos que aparecem nesse livro. Criação de mundo ótima e história bem amarrada. Aventura, romance e muita cena engraçada. Adorei e quero muito mais histórias dessa turma. Talvez com um pouco mais de foco em outros personagens.
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  • Mia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
    Reviewed in Spain on June 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I first discovered Alice Winters’s work through her VRC series, and I immediately followed with Demon Magic. I loved both series. I like her quirky characters and her humor, the plot is well developed, and her stories are engaging. At times, Demon Magic has a TJ Klune ring to it, though the hilariousness is more subdued, and the story is rolled up in a bit of Mary Calmes’s brand of excentric characters - though more down to earth and plausible, which goes in Winters’ favour. This happy crossover is further enhanced by a solid writing style and a good sense of rhythm. My only criticism, which applies to the VRC series as well, is that the ‘final battle’/resolution segments are way too short, especially considering the nice tension and sense of anticipation that she has been feeding the reader with until this very point. The resolution of the story is good, but a bit more of dramatism and in length treatment would definitely improve a work that is already very good.
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  • Robin T
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another hit
    Reviewed in Canada on October 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book series makes me laugh so hard. And I am spellbound and can't stop turning pages, can't wait to start next book.
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