Terrestrial Magic, Marina Ermakova

Most sensible people avoid fire-breathing carnivores that prey on humans. But Jordan has built a career out of studying such legendary animals, creatures thought mythological until their reemergence in the world three decades ago. She and researchers like her believe that knowledge is the key to reclaiming the land they’d lost back then, when humanity retreated into designated safety zones.But when the humans moved out, the legends moved in. They were the descendants of mythical heroes, inheriting the powers of their ancestors, and they weren’t afraid of the monsters. Jordan never expected to run into a legend, but when a field expedition turns into a trap for her team, she realises that one deliberately tried to kill her. It’s a diplomatic nightmare the Roman authorities might happily sweep under the rug. But if Jordan doesn’t figure out who attacked her and why, they could try again. Yet even if she does solve the mystery, what could one stubborn scientist possibly do to stop a powerful legend?

Kindle Pages: 267 Publisher: N/A Publication Date: 17th January 2019

Most sensible people avoid fire-breathing carnivores that prey on humans. Most. Enter Jordan.  Jordan studies legendary animals (which is where we get our Percy Jackson meets Newt Scamander vibes). Trundling quickly through your general legendary creatures tropes, Ermakova introduces the concept of legamals. Get it, legendary animals? Okay, you get it. Enter Plot-Device.  A massive re-awakening (or power play if you will) by the families of the demi-gods or past legends, a massive divide between them, and the humans who now have to face a broken worlds (one full of magical brokenness too). Jordan, our resident scientist of legendary animals, goes into the danger zone, to see if he can investigate a sighting of a legamal (huh, I can’t get used to it). After stumbling head-long into magic, and fighting for their lives they know that one of the legend families is trying to kill them. Ermakova triapses through boundaries of conventional and stereotypical legendary creature vibes. By intricatley weaving magic with over-arching character shifts, and astounding world-building, Ermakova builds a novel which leaves you riveted through every turn. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. For more Bookish Content, visit;

| My Blog |   Instagram |