Academic rivalry is beastly . . .
Gwendolynne Chan just needs to get through her final year at Seamere College of Magical Veterinary Sciences. She’s used to being the star healer of magical familiars – except when the obnoxious but annoyingly handsome Harrisford Briggs knocks her from the top spot.
Harrisford Briggs was born into privilege. His father, the Chief Financial Officer of Magecorp, one of the biggest global distributors of magic, expects nothing less than the best. And to top it all off, incurable swot Gwendolynne Chan is on track to beat him. The last thing he needs are the strange whisperings of uncontrollable surges of excess magic – because Harrisford can’t help but wonder if his father and Magecorp has something to do with it . . .
When these magical surges cause animals to wreak chaos across London, Gwen and Harrisford are forced to team up. These bitter academic rivals must put aside their duelling feelings of lust and loathing, and – along with Gwen’s snarky cat familiar – save the magical world.
From Sunday Times bestselling author Keshe Chow, Strange Familiars is whimsical, romantic and dark academia duology perfect for fans of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy.
Tropes you can expect . . .
Academic rivals-to-lovers
Slow burn
Magical university
Found family
Animal sidekicks
Readers are OBSESSED with Strange Familiars:
‘Absolutely amazing . . . a perfect rivals-to-lovers story’
‘This was a perfect clash‘
‘I loved the yearning and the chemistry‘
And so do your favourite authors:
‘An absolute delight!’ BRIGITTE KNIGHTLEY
‘A must-read for any lover of animals and angst’ NISHA J. TULI
‘Full of wonderful rivals-to-lovers romance, humour, and twists’ INDIA HOLTON
Gwendolynne Chan just needs to get through her final year at Seamere College of Magical Veterinary Sciences. She’s used to being the star healer of magical familiars – except when the obnoxious but annoyingly handsome Harrisford Briggs knocks her from the top spot.
Harrisford Briggs was born into privilege. His father, the Chief Financial Officer of Magecorp, one of the biggest global distributors of magic, expects nothing less than the best. And to top it all off, incurable swot Gwendolynne Chan is on track to beat him. The last thing he needs are the strange whisperings of uncontrollable surges of excess magic – because Harrisford can’t help but wonder if his father and Magecorp has something to do with it . . .
When these magical surges cause animals to wreak chaos across London, Gwen and Harrisford are forced to team up. These bitter academic rivals must put aside their duelling feelings of lust and loathing, and – along with Gwen’s snarky cat familiar – save the magical world.
From Sunday Times bestselling author Keshe Chow, Strange Familiars is whimsical, romantic and dark academia duology perfect for fans of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy.
Tropes you can expect . . .
Academic rivals-to-lovers
Slow burn
Magical university
Found family
Animal sidekicks
Readers are OBSESSED with Strange Familiars:
‘Absolutely amazing . . . a perfect rivals-to-lovers story’
‘This was a perfect clash‘
‘I loved the yearning and the chemistry‘
And so do your favourite authors:
‘An absolute delight!’ BRIGITTE KNIGHTLEY
‘A must-read for any lover of animals and angst’ NISHA J. TULI
‘Full of wonderful rivals-to-lovers romance, humour, and twists’ INDIA HOLTON
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Reviews
Strange Familiars is my exact brand of catnip, featuring brilliant academic rivals, magical university, and cheeky animal sidekicks stealing every scene. And let's talk about the romantic tension between Gwen and Harrisford - sizzling, with gorgeous ebbs and flows between wanting and hating, sacrifice and treachery. Chow's world-building is fabulous and imaginative, with a frighteningly accurate exploration of what magic might look like in our late stage capitalism world. Animal lovers will adore the familiars and the accuracy of the veterinary medicine scenes. Percy stole my heart. An absolute delight!
Keshe Chow brings something fresh and fun to the genre with her unique take on a contemporary fantasy romance. Between the burning enemies-to-lovers tension, the incredible world-building, and loveable creatures-of both the human and four-legged variety-readers will find themselves utterly charmed by Strange Familiars. A must-read for any lover of animals and angst
I completely adored this book and its delightful cast of characters--human, animal, and mythical. This has it all: found family, a dark edge of mystery, wondrous enchantments, and banter that will make you snort into your tea. The ideal read for everyone who fell in love with magical schools as a child and wished for a version for adults. With a rivals-to-lovers romance that crackles with tension, a fantastical veterinary school, and your new favorite fictional feline, Strange Familiars is sure to become your next fantasy obsession!
Strange Familiars is supremely enjoyable and addictive reading, full of wonderful rivals-to-lovers romance, humor, and twists that kept me exhilarated right to the end. I can not wait for the sequel! Highly recommended
Skillfully blending the science of veterinary medicine with a realm of mythical, magical beasts, Strange Familiars absorbs you in its world right from the start. Readers will swoon over the sizzle between heroine Gwendolynne Chan and her rival Harrisford Briggs, but familiars Percy and Pudding are liable to steal their hearts. A delight from start to finish
A smart, sizzling, and highly original fantasy about two rival magical vets. A truly delightful and passionate novel!
I loved Strange Familiars! This is a true comfort read-fun and magical, with a delightful academic rivals-to-lovers romance, whimsical worldbuilding and heart-pounding stakes (and my new favourite character, a sardonic cat named Percy!) Don't miss this one!
Romantic, mysterious, and totally magical, I couldn't put Strange Familiars down! Can't wait for the sequel!
Keshe Chow has brewed a potion for the perfect rivals to lovers fantasy romance: richly crafted light academia world building, swoon-worthy, cheek-heating banter, and a twisty central mystery that never lets up
Rivals to lovers has never been quite this exquisitely aching and delightful
A world so vivid, charming, and wildly creative that I felt completely swept away. This book is perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Olivia Atwater-the cast is vibrant, the magic is inventive, and the entire world feels alive on every page-I couldn't put it down!
The romance simmers with tension, the action is pulse-pounding, and the world is detailed, beautiful, and original. Add in one very grumpy (adorable) cat familiar, and I'm utterly obsessed
Smart, suspenseful, and overflowing with passion
A wonderfully fun fantasy romp featuring a delightful cast of characters and the most hilarious cat companion ever. I would die for Percy
Strange Familiars is the most refreshing and unique fantasy I've read in years. I was kicking my feet and giggling the entire way through! Deliciously intelligent, hilarious, real characters that I'll be rooting for always. Everyone needs to read this!!