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The Killing Spell
In this spellbinding fantasy debut set in a future where language magic reigns, a young Hawaiian woman must solve a murder to clear her name.
Kea Petrova is dealing with more than her fair share of trouble.
At just twenty-five years old, she’s the youngest of five Hawaiian clan leaders living on the Homestead in outer Los Angeles. Nearly 200 years ago, when a catastrophic flood submerged the Hawaiian islands and unleashed magic into the world, these clans forged a treaty with the city, establishing a new Hawaiian homeland. But that treaty is about to expire.
Kea struggles to keep her small clan afloat, scraping together rent each month through odd jobs and selling her own crafted Hawaiian language spells. While her talent for language magic is her saving grace, she feels like a shadow of those who came before her. Just when she thinks things can’t get any more complicated, the murder of Angelo Reyes—LA’s most prominent Filipino activist—turns her world upside-down.
Angelo was killed by a death spell—something that, due to the properties of each school of language magic, can only exist in Hawaiian. With independent spellsmithing being technically illegal, Kea quickly becomes the prime suspect, known for her spellwork on the Homestead. To clear her name, she must unravel the mystery behind Angelo’s murder and confront LA’s most powerful (and dangerous) players, each wielding their own type of magic. The clock is ticking—can Kea save herself, her clan, and the Homestead before it’s too late?
Kea Petrova is dealing with more than her fair share of trouble.
At just twenty-five years old, she’s the youngest of five Hawaiian clan leaders living on the Homestead in outer Los Angeles. Nearly 200 years ago, when a catastrophic flood submerged the Hawaiian islands and unleashed magic into the world, these clans forged a treaty with the city, establishing a new Hawaiian homeland. But that treaty is about to expire.
Kea struggles to keep her small clan afloat, scraping together rent each month through odd jobs and selling her own crafted Hawaiian language spells. While her talent for language magic is her saving grace, she feels like a shadow of those who came before her. Just when she thinks things can’t get any more complicated, the murder of Angelo Reyes—LA’s most prominent Filipino activist—turns her world upside-down.
Angelo was killed by a death spell—something that, due to the properties of each school of language magic, can only exist in Hawaiian. With independent spellsmithing being technically illegal, Kea quickly becomes the prime suspect, known for her spellwork on the Homestead. To clear her name, she must unravel the mystery behind Angelo’s murder and confront LA’s most powerful (and dangerous) players, each wielding their own type of magic. The clock is ticking—can Kea save herself, her clan, and the Homestead before it’s too late?
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Shay Kauwe
1 book44 followersShay Kaleoʻoluhoʻiloliokawaipāhe Kauwe is a kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiian) author from the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi. She grew up on the Homestead in Waimānalo but moved to Russia because she fell in love with a boy. Her and the boy now live in Honolulu with their poi dog, Iris.
Shay holds an M.Ed in Education and taught English, ESL, and Literacy for nearly a decade.
Shay holds an M.Ed in Education and taught English, ESL, and Literacy for nearly a decade.
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January 31, 2026An absolutely fantastic debut. The Killing Spell is an urban fantasy set in a near-futures Los Angeles that manages to balance humor, romance, and adventure with a murder mystery, all driven by language magic. It also manages to be a thoughtful exploration of the consequences of colonization and the choices the colonized are forced to make in order to survive. I tore through it in two days and loved every second.
April 10, 2026
Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
SIGHHHHH.
I’m going to give up on requesting ARCs, I swear. THE KILLING SPELL attracted me because it combined so many topics I am a nerd for–linguistic politics and social power–with a genre I have long adored (urban fantasy). Unfortunately, I felt like it suffered from a lot of debut author issues with world-building and characterization.
There are many features of TKS that, at first glance, make me excited to recommend to any fan of Ilona Andrews, particularly their Hidden Legacy series. Kea is the breadwinner for her ragtag large family; magical abilities dictate social and political hierarchies in the world; and the MC is unwillingly dragged into magical city politics.
As someone who’s worked in language education my whole career, I was really excited to read about the concept of language magic. Sadly, the magic system of TKS remained at a surface level. There’s a fairly simplistic hierarchy of languages broadly classified as “classical” languages–such as Latin, French, Spanish, etc.–and “emergent” ones, e.g. Chinese and Japanese. Part of the conflict is between classical “purists” and those who champion more inclusivity and openness in designating languages as official magical ones.
Which is very interesting, but because this concept is not extrapolated further into things such as social dynamics, Board politics, and so on, I’m left wondering if the difference between the two groups of languages is just… racism? Odd because, you know, Chinese is one of the oldest continuously used languages in the world. The book also doesn’t give any insight into how other, non-official languages are ranked compared with one another, and why. If you’re going to make an urban fantasy world, I need to believe that the author has thought through the effects of that magic system into every aspect of life.
This haziness around the significance of different language systems applies also to Kea’s language, Hawaiian. Which is really unfortunate because, you know, the whole book revolves around the significance of Hawaiian. One of the most salient features about Hawaiian in TKS is that it is not a written language, and thus cannot have as much magical importance. Or something like that. The problem is, the book doesn’t convincingly show why it is so magically significant when a spell is written down as opposed to when it is spoken. In the story, written and spoken spells seem to both have similar effects. There’s also the added confusion that Kea is apparently not a consistent magical user, and so her spells often backfire. However, it is unclear whether her misfiring spells are the result of Hawaiian’s oral tradition, or because of her own self-doubt, the latter of which is a key feature in the story.
TKS opens with two high-drama scenes. This didn’t work for me, as the scenes felt more like they were placed there to grab readers’ attention and less to set up relevant information for the rest of the story. In the first scene, Kea battles a magical creature that has come onto their property because the youngest member of her family disrupted some wards. My issue with this opening scene is that battling magical creatures is not a significant feature of this magical world–it barely comes up again elsewhere in the book–and it sets up expectations about Kea’s family dynamics in a way that, again, isn’t relevant to the story. In this scene we are introduced to Kea’s large family, but, in addition to having very little on-page time, any time any family member is on the page, they don’t say or do anything that makes them particularly memorable. Readers are told that Kea carries heavy responsibility for the well-being of her family, but in the book she spends so little time with them, and the time we see them spending together is so mundane, that we aren’t really convinced by this aspect of Kea’s internal motivations.
The second scene is even more ridiculous, featuring a flying forest magic fight between Kea and members of her landlord’s family, and then Kea returns from the fight to find that someone has stolen the hard-won groceries from her car. Again, this scene was unnecessary. First, this kind of magic-on-magic fighting is not a staple of this magical LA; similar encounters never happen again, except in one final scene. Second, Kea’s family’s financial insecurity is made out to be a big thing at the beginning, but is kind of forgotten about in subsequent scenes.
Characterization was the other major letdown. Everyone felt one-note, with the author kind of force-telling us about how we’re supposed to feel about them, and not letting that readerly connection happen organically through how the characters talk or act. I felt this especially with Sora, Kea’s love interest. He is introduced as this hot, badass, scarily powerful spell-wielder and new member of the Board, but he spends most of his on-page time from the get-go finding excuses to touch Kea. His favorite thing to do is to reach under her chin to tilt her face up so she can look at him, then to deny vehemently that he has any feelings for her. Sorry, but I’m not convinced of their romantic development or individual character development, not when he starts off and continues like this.
There’s a good story in here somewhere. Unfortunately, it is lost amongst distracting and irrelevant scenes, while the truly interesting aspect of the book–the magic system–is underdeveloped.
SIGHHHHH.
I’m going to give up on requesting ARCs, I swear. THE KILLING SPELL attracted me because it combined so many topics I am a nerd for–linguistic politics and social power–with a genre I have long adored (urban fantasy). Unfortunately, I felt like it suffered from a lot of debut author issues with world-building and characterization.
There are many features of TKS that, at first glance, make me excited to recommend to any fan of Ilona Andrews, particularly their Hidden Legacy series. Kea is the breadwinner for her ragtag large family; magical abilities dictate social and political hierarchies in the world; and the MC is unwillingly dragged into magical city politics.
As someone who’s worked in language education my whole career, I was really excited to read about the concept of language magic. Sadly, the magic system of TKS remained at a surface level. There’s a fairly simplistic hierarchy of languages broadly classified as “classical” languages–such as Latin, French, Spanish, etc.–and “emergent” ones, e.g. Chinese and Japanese. Part of the conflict is between classical “purists” and those who champion more inclusivity and openness in designating languages as official magical ones.
Which is very interesting, but because this concept is not extrapolated further into things such as social dynamics, Board politics, and so on, I’m left wondering if the difference between the two groups of languages is just… racism? Odd because, you know, Chinese is one of the oldest continuously used languages in the world. The book also doesn’t give any insight into how other, non-official languages are ranked compared with one another, and why. If you’re going to make an urban fantasy world, I need to believe that the author has thought through the effects of that magic system into every aspect of life.
This haziness around the significance of different language systems applies also to Kea’s language, Hawaiian. Which is really unfortunate because, you know, the whole book revolves around the significance of Hawaiian. One of the most salient features about Hawaiian in TKS is that it is not a written language, and thus cannot have as much magical importance. Or something like that. The problem is, the book doesn’t convincingly show why it is so magically significant when a spell is written down as opposed to when it is spoken. In the story, written and spoken spells seem to both have similar effects. There’s also the added confusion that Kea is apparently not a consistent magical user, and so her spells often backfire. However, it is unclear whether her misfiring spells are the result of Hawaiian’s oral tradition, or because of her own self-doubt, the latter of which is a key feature in the story.
TKS opens with two high-drama scenes. This didn’t work for me, as the scenes felt more like they were placed there to grab readers’ attention and less to set up relevant information for the rest of the story. In the first scene, Kea battles a magical creature that has come onto their property because the youngest member of her family disrupted some wards. My issue with this opening scene is that battling magical creatures is not a significant feature of this magical world–it barely comes up again elsewhere in the book–and it sets up expectations about Kea’s family dynamics in a way that, again, isn’t relevant to the story. In this scene we are introduced to Kea’s large family, but, in addition to having very little on-page time, any time any family member is on the page, they don’t say or do anything that makes them particularly memorable. Readers are told that Kea carries heavy responsibility for the well-being of her family, but in the book she spends so little time with them, and the time we see them spending together is so mundane, that we aren’t really convinced by this aspect of Kea’s internal motivations.
The second scene is even more ridiculous, featuring a flying forest magic fight between Kea and members of her landlord’s family, and then Kea returns from the fight to find that someone has stolen the hard-won groceries from her car. Again, this scene was unnecessary. First, this kind of magic-on-magic fighting is not a staple of this magical LA; similar encounters never happen again, except in one final scene. Second, Kea’s family’s financial insecurity is made out to be a big thing at the beginning, but is kind of forgotten about in subsequent scenes.
Characterization was the other major letdown. Everyone felt one-note, with the author kind of force-telling us about how we’re supposed to feel about them, and not letting that readerly connection happen organically through how the characters talk or act. I felt this especially with Sora, Kea’s love interest. He is introduced as this hot, badass, scarily powerful spell-wielder and new member of the Board, but he spends most of his on-page time from the get-go finding excuses to touch Kea. His favorite thing to do is to reach under her chin to tilt her face up so she can look at him, then to deny vehemently that he has any feelings for her. Sorry, but I’m not convinced of their romantic development or individual character development, not when he starts off and continues like this.
There’s a good story in here somewhere. Unfortunately, it is lost amongst distracting and irrelevant scenes, while the truly interesting aspect of the book–the magic system–is underdeveloped.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5⭐️ rounded up. Ah, thought I'd love this one, because I go feral for a language-based magic system. For all the things that didn't work for me though, I'll say it's a quick and breezy read. The murder mystery aspect was intriguing enough to get me to keep turning the pages.
The strength of TKS has got to be the absolutely fascinating world where magic is utilized through spells cast in different languages. Every time we learn more about the languages used for magic is a highlight. I'm so intrigued by spellsmithing, which is essentially creating spells according to the language's respective grammar rules, limitations, and staying true to the culture it's rooted to. Given the sociopolitics revolving around language use in general, of course there are themes that I generally enjoy reading about: anticolonialism, racial inequalities, erosion of cultural identity, reclaiming & preserving one's heritage, exploitation of the vulnerable.
Kea is a strong POV character for me to follow. I empathise with her so much as an oldest daughter having to shoulder the burden of taking care of the rest of her family, while juggling her personal journey of getting in touch with her roots that ultimately make her a stronger spellsmith. She does well enough for someone who isn't formally a detective, but the investigative storyline itself could've been more engaging. For one, there's pages wasted on her having to learn to dance just to infiltrate a gala to interrogate a suspect, which she didn't even end up doing! Felt like merely an excuse for Forced Proximity with her love interest Sora. Speaking of whom-
Shockingly (not), I didn't care for the romance. Love to see an interracial couple with no white person involved, but the development was way too rushed. We also barely know anything about Sora other than he's Japanese, Broody & All Serious Business. Why does he even emotionally connect with Kea, aside from her being a decent person to work with. Personally I'd sacrifice the romance to better flesh out the magic system, the actual investigation, and the sadly underdeveloped Hawaiian clans.
Magical creatures (magi) also exist but remove them and nothing really changes??
Overall a decent debut with strong concepts & ideas saddled with a Just Okay execution. I would absolutely be down for another story set in this world though! The language magic is just too good to be kept to one novel.
The strength of TKS has got to be the absolutely fascinating world where magic is utilized through spells cast in different languages. Every time we learn more about the languages used for magic is a highlight. I'm so intrigued by spellsmithing, which is essentially creating spells according to the language's respective grammar rules, limitations, and staying true to the culture it's rooted to. Given the sociopolitics revolving around language use in general, of course there are themes that I generally enjoy reading about: anticolonialism, racial inequalities, erosion of cultural identity, reclaiming & preserving one's heritage, exploitation of the vulnerable.
Kea is a strong POV character for me to follow. I empathise with her so much as an oldest daughter having to shoulder the burden of taking care of the rest of her family, while juggling her personal journey of getting in touch with her roots that ultimately make her a stronger spellsmith. She does well enough for someone who isn't formally a detective, but the investigative storyline itself could've been more engaging. For one, there's pages wasted on her having to learn to dance just to infiltrate a gala to interrogate a suspect, which she didn't even end up doing! Felt like merely an excuse for Forced Proximity with her love interest Sora. Speaking of whom-
Shockingly (not), I didn't care for the romance. Love to see an interracial couple with no white person involved, but the development was way too rushed. We also barely know anything about Sora other than he's Japanese, Broody & All Serious Business. Why does he even emotionally connect with Kea, aside from her being a decent person to work with. Personally I'd sacrifice the romance to better flesh out the magic system, the actual investigation, and the sadly underdeveloped Hawaiian clans.
Magical creatures (magi) also exist but remove them and nothing really changes??
Overall a decent debut with strong concepts & ideas saddled with a Just Okay execution. I would absolutely be down for another story set in this world though! The language magic is just too good to be kept to one novel.
Want to Read
December 4, 2025Native Hawaiian/Pacific adult fantasy book. Sign me up! I'm so excited for this
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
May 8, 2026
Two hundred years after magic arrived and sank the islands of Hawai'i, Kea is the twenty-five year old leader of her clan and is struggling to make ends meet. When she's framed for murder, she makes a bargain with the council of LA mages: find the real killer, or surrender her land.
I really, REALLY enjoyed this one.
It had a lot to like: underdog heroine who has a LOT of shortcomings but is determined to succeed, a taciturn hero with a heart of gold, a fascinating magic system, and tons of twists and turns and political machinations that deal with language, colonialism and diaspora, climate change, magic and the meaning of land and home, and safety versus independence.
I think that if you enjoyed Jade City and Ebony Gate (by way of Babel), I think you'll enjoy this one.
I received an ARC from the publisher
I really, REALLY enjoyed this one.
It had a lot to like: underdog heroine who has a LOT of shortcomings but is determined to succeed, a taciturn hero with a heart of gold, a fascinating magic system, and tons of twists and turns and political machinations that deal with language, colonialism and diaspora, climate change, magic and the meaning of land and home, and safety versus independence.
I think that if you enjoyed Jade City and Ebony Gate (by way of Babel), I think you'll enjoy this one.
I received an ARC from the publisher
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to really like this novel because the premise sounded super cool, but the execution was just okay.
Initially, I thought that this was going to be a post-apocalyptic novel (a destroyed homeland unleashing magic into the world? Very end times), but the vibes were just contemporary urban fantasy. We don't get to see the world pre-magic or experience the transition, so magic was just a fact of life for folks who are licensed to spellsmith (or doing it illegally) and the people who benefit (or not) from the spells.
My favorite part of the story was getting to meet Kea's clan. You're introduced to her family and her clan right in the first chapter within a cute action scene where they're trying to fight off a magical creature who broke past their wards. It was a really promising beginning. A mixture of fun and serious.
I loved the mixed Native Hawaiian and Russian rep. It was very unique and the linguistic and cultural blending was one of my favorite parts. I loved the clan's close-knit ties, including Kea's relationships to her family and clan members. The struggle to lead her little clan and be their voice among the much larger clans on the Homestead was enjoyable to read about.
Unfortunately, the book lost me after all of that. The tone ended up being very older YA, meaning that the worldbuilding was just detailed enough to satisfy the reader. Kea's character arc was also very YA coded. Without going into spoilers, her plot armor became a deus ex machina. All of the story beats took predictable turns. There weren't really any shocking revelations or plot twists if you're well-read in this genre.
The whole spellsmithing thing wasn't all that exciting in the end. It wasn't really utilized as much as I thought it would've been. There was more talking about it and its effects, rather than performing magic.
I think the part that really sealed the older YA vibes deal for me was Kea realizing that different ways and different types of thinking and doing don't have to be hierarchical or better than the other. (But then again, we have people in charge who strictly think in absolutes, so this is on me for thinking that people should know better.)
She also mentioned that, “Academia taught us that there was no value to these unscientific beliefs” re: Native Hawaiian storytelling, myths, traditions, etc. Maybe if you don't study social sciences, languages, the arts, etc.? Since Kea had no formal education or training, the anti-formal learning vibe here was off-putting.
Anyway, this book wasn't all that memorable for me, unfortunately. I just wish that the tone was more adult and matched the seriousness of the premise.
Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for this arc.
Initially, I thought that this was going to be a post-apocalyptic novel (a destroyed homeland unleashing magic into the world? Very end times), but the vibes were just contemporary urban fantasy. We don't get to see the world pre-magic or experience the transition, so magic was just a fact of life for folks who are licensed to spellsmith (or doing it illegally) and the people who benefit (or not) from the spells.
My favorite part of the story was getting to meet Kea's clan. You're introduced to her family and her clan right in the first chapter within a cute action scene where they're trying to fight off a magical creature who broke past their wards. It was a really promising beginning. A mixture of fun and serious.
I loved the mixed Native Hawaiian and Russian rep. It was very unique and the linguistic and cultural blending was one of my favorite parts. I loved the clan's close-knit ties, including Kea's relationships to her family and clan members. The struggle to lead her little clan and be their voice among the much larger clans on the Homestead was enjoyable to read about.
Unfortunately, the book lost me after all of that. The tone ended up being very older YA, meaning that the worldbuilding was just detailed enough to satisfy the reader. Kea's character arc was also very YA coded. Without going into spoilers, her plot armor became a deus ex machina. All of the story beats took predictable turns. There weren't really any shocking revelations or plot twists if you're well-read in this genre.
The whole spellsmithing thing wasn't all that exciting in the end. It wasn't really utilized as much as I thought it would've been. There was more talking about it and its effects, rather than performing magic.
I think the part that really sealed the older YA vibes deal for me was Kea realizing that different ways and different types of thinking and doing don't have to be hierarchical or better than the other. (But then again, we have people in charge who strictly think in absolutes, so this is on me for thinking that people should know better.)
She also mentioned that, “Academia taught us that there was no value to these unscientific beliefs” re: Native Hawaiian storytelling, myths, traditions, etc. Maybe if you don't study social sciences, languages, the arts, etc.? Since Kea had no formal education or training, the anti-formal learning vibe here was off-putting.
Anyway, this book wasn't all that memorable for me, unfortunately. I just wish that the tone was more adult and matched the seriousness of the premise.
Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for this arc.
April 14, 2026
This book instantly transported me back to the early-2000s era of urban fantasy that I absolutely fell in love with; the kind of story that balances quippy humor, gritty magic, and a heroine you can’t help but cheer for. The Killing Spell by Shay Kauwe nails that nostalgic vibe while still feeling fresh and relevant.
At the center of the story is Kea, a sharp-tongued, magic-wielding protagonist navigating a world where language is not only communication but also power, status, and control. Magic is regulated through written language, with Romance languages dominating as the “elite” standard, and newer inclusions like Mandarin and Arabic only grudgingly accepted into legitimacy. Meanwhile, languages like Tagalog are dismissed as inferior, barred from full participation in magical systems.
And then there’s Hawaiian, Kea’s connection, and the most marginalized of all. Because it is traditionally unwritten in this world, its magic is considered unstable, illegitimate, and dangerous. In a society that equates writing with authority (echoing real-world histories where literacy itself was a gatekeeping tool), Hawaiian magic is pushed to the absolute fringes.
When a dangerous Hawaiian spell sets off a chain reaction of political consequences, Kea is pulled into a conflict that forces her to confront both the rigid structures of regulated magic and her own place within them. What begins as a single crisis quickly spirals into a deeper mystery involving colonialism, systemic control, cultural erasure, and long-standing power imbalances embedded within the very language of magic itself.
The pacing is fast and addictive, carrying you through a layered plot full of tension, action, and sharp humor. Kea is an absolute standout! She’s witty, self-aware, and deeply compelling, with a voice that makes even the heaviest moments feel engaging. She’s easy to root for, especially as the stakes grow more personal and the lines between right and wrong become increasingly blurred.
Overall, this is a wildly enjoyable read that delivers both nostalgic urban fantasy vibes and something much more thoughtful beneath the surface. Fast-paced, emotionally grounded, and thematically rich, it’s absolutely worth picking up.
At the center of the story is Kea, a sharp-tongued, magic-wielding protagonist navigating a world where language is not only communication but also power, status, and control. Magic is regulated through written language, with Romance languages dominating as the “elite” standard, and newer inclusions like Mandarin and Arabic only grudgingly accepted into legitimacy. Meanwhile, languages like Tagalog are dismissed as inferior, barred from full participation in magical systems.
And then there’s Hawaiian, Kea’s connection, and the most marginalized of all. Because it is traditionally unwritten in this world, its magic is considered unstable, illegitimate, and dangerous. In a society that equates writing with authority (echoing real-world histories where literacy itself was a gatekeeping tool), Hawaiian magic is pushed to the absolute fringes.
When a dangerous Hawaiian spell sets off a chain reaction of political consequences, Kea is pulled into a conflict that forces her to confront both the rigid structures of regulated magic and her own place within them. What begins as a single crisis quickly spirals into a deeper mystery involving colonialism, systemic control, cultural erasure, and long-standing power imbalances embedded within the very language of magic itself.
The pacing is fast and addictive, carrying you through a layered plot full of tension, action, and sharp humor. Kea is an absolute standout! She’s witty, self-aware, and deeply compelling, with a voice that makes even the heaviest moments feel engaging. She’s easy to root for, especially as the stakes grow more personal and the lines between right and wrong become increasingly blurred.
Overall, this is a wildly enjoyable read that delivers both nostalgic urban fantasy vibes and something much more thoughtful beneath the surface. Fast-paced, emotionally grounded, and thematically rich, it’s absolutely worth picking up.
Read
April 4, 2026This was such a cool read!
The (magical dystopian) dynamics between the Hawaiian Homestead and Los Angeles really hit close to home for me as a Puerto Rican living on the archipielago, and the language-based magic system was incredibly complex and fascinating. I truly would read more books set in this world ‼️.
Seriously, though, THE KILLING SPELL comes out April 14, and to my knowledge it's the first trad published fantasy by an indigenous Hawaiian author 🥹❤️. So go support Shay with a pre-order or library request! Especially if you like your fantasies smart & nerdy w/ a swoony dash of romance. And especially especially if you're into linguistics and are not a language purist 👀.
Okay, that's my spiel! Go read it so we can chat about it, please!!
The (magical dystopian) dynamics between the Hawaiian Homestead and Los Angeles really hit close to home for me as a Puerto Rican living on the archipielago, and the language-based magic system was incredibly complex and fascinating. I truly would read more books set in this world ‼️.
Seriously, though, THE KILLING SPELL comes out April 14, and to my knowledge it's the first trad published fantasy by an indigenous Hawaiian author 🥹❤️. So go support Shay with a pre-order or library request! Especially if you like your fantasies smart & nerdy w/ a swoony dash of romance. And especially especially if you're into linguistics and are not a language purist 👀.
Okay, that's my spiel! Go read it so we can chat about it, please!!
May 5, 2026
Very impressed by this that makes a magical murder mystery plot and combined it with a fascinating magical world that also has a look at how cultures are accepted or not in society as having value
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
April 27, 2026
Set in a post climate crisis re-imagined Hawaii and LA this urban fantasy has a magic system that revolves around language. Ohana, unexpected romance, and a murder to solve are all key factors in this story.
April 20, 2026
This book was beautifully written from start to finish. Such an intriguing concept to weave languages as forms of spell casting (with some history in there too!). I love that the plot wasn’t centered around a love affair between two characters, but rather a love of culture and family.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This story follows Kea who is the leader of her family at only 25 years old in a world where Hawai'i has a 200-year lease on land in California ending soon and needing to be renegotiated (the islands were essentially demolished in an environmental disaster 200 years ago). So tensions are high between the clans of Hawai'i and the leaders of LA, the governmental capital in this world that is run on language magic. Kea's family is struggling as there are monsters roaming around, they do not have a family spell and therefore no say in the new lease, as well as owing a lot of money in mortgage to more affluent Hawaiian clan. As if this isn't enough to concern us, Kea is also roped into an investigation of the death of a board member in LA that appears to have been done with a spell in Hawaiian, working with a guy she does not like, Sora.
I felt that the language-based magic was an interesting concept and I liked that Kea wasn't immediately the best at it. Unfortunately, the book felt a little disjointed at times as we hopped from scene to scene, but it evened out a lot more towards the middle to end of the book. I, personally, did not care about the romance at all. I didn't really feel the chemistry between them at any point. A friendship would have worked just as well.
Overall, I think this book was a really interesting concept. It is also only around 300 pages and, to my knowledge, a standalone. So if you are looking for a shorter fantasy with an interesting world and magic system, check this one out. 3.5 Stars.
*Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own. Thanks as well to Ariel for buddy reading with me :) *
I felt that the language-based magic was an interesting concept and I liked that Kea wasn't immediately the best at it. Unfortunately, the book felt a little disjointed at times as we hopped from scene to scene, but it evened out a lot more towards the middle to end of the book. I, personally, did not care about the romance at all. I didn't really feel the chemistry between them at any point. A friendship would have worked just as well.
Overall, I think this book was a really interesting concept. It is also only around 300 pages and, to my knowledge, a standalone. So if you are looking for a shorter fantasy with an interesting world and magic system, check this one out. 3.5 Stars.
*Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own. Thanks as well to Ariel for buddy reading with me :) *
May 4, 2026
I enjoyed this dystopian/fantasy debut about a world where language has power and different ethnic groups are fighting for their autonomy and more. I don't read a lot of books about Indigenous Hawaiian characters so this was a refreshing change. There was also a bit of romance, some intrigue and a couple good twists. Definitely a great read for AAPI month! Recommended for fans of books like Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes.
April 23, 2026
I loveeee the worldbuilding concept here and would love for this to be a series!! For meee I was less interested in the romance part of this romantasy but that's OK!! I think this could be a good pick for older teens too--it's not ~too spicy~ but it is cool and pretty fast-paced.
April 25, 2026
This book is an absolute love letter to languages, especially, of course Hawaiian, but also Russian, other Polynesian languages, and so so many others. There was so much care that went into this book, it felt like it's own Smithing. The characters were so wonderful! and the climax made me cheer out loud! Will definitely recommend this one
April 12, 2026
Not just the Hawaiian fantasy debut you’ve been wanting, but the one you NEED. This story has world building, linguistics, whodunit, and my favorite — banter between the main characters! Eeeeek! *blushing*.
If you’re looking for an easy and fun introduction to Hawaiian, the people, the beliefs and the mana that ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi holds, this is an excellent start.
Excited to read more from this author!
Mahalo to SagaPress for the ARC of this. This review is completely of my own choice.
If you’re looking for an easy and fun introduction to Hawaiian, the people, the beliefs and the mana that ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi holds, this is an excellent start.
Excited to read more from this author!
Mahalo to SagaPress for the ARC of this. This review is completely of my own choice.
May 3, 2026
" He was the ocean's rage and peace, bottled up and coated in red paint. If I leaned closer, he'd sweep me away. And if I kissed him, I'd surely drown."
- The Killing Spell, by Shay Kauwe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|| 🫑
Welcome to my stop on the tour for The Killing Spell, by @shaykauwe. When I first read the synopsis for this book, I immediately knew this was going to be a clever book and I was not disappointed. Rooted in Hawaiian culture with a deeply complex magic system built around language and etymology, The Killing Spell is about cultural identity, resilience, and justice in the face of adversity. Set in an urban fantasy setting in the not too distant future where flooding has destroyed Hawaiian islands, it is also a great murder mystery with a side helping of romance and delicious banter that breaks up what could otherwise be quite heavy subject matter. I really liked Kea and Sora as FMC and MMC respectively, and although I am someone who normally prefers books more heavy on the romance, the murder mystery plot interspersed with magic kept me fully entertained and invested throughout. I enjoyed the politics as well as the side characters, Kea's family, and - of course- Fiona the chicken.
The ending wrapped everything up really well without being predictable and left me feeling genuinely satisfied. It gave answers without spoon-feeding them, and still left enough emotional weight behind to make the story linger.
This is such a smart, layered read. It has magic, murder, politics, cultural depth, sharp banter, and a chicken with main character energy. What more could you want?
Thank you to @bookramblerpr, @solarisbooks and @shaykauwe for having me on the tour and sending me a gifted copy.
- The Killing Spell, by Shay Kauwe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|| 🫑
Welcome to my stop on the tour for The Killing Spell, by @shaykauwe. When I first read the synopsis for this book, I immediately knew this was going to be a clever book and I was not disappointed. Rooted in Hawaiian culture with a deeply complex magic system built around language and etymology, The Killing Spell is about cultural identity, resilience, and justice in the face of adversity. Set in an urban fantasy setting in the not too distant future where flooding has destroyed Hawaiian islands, it is also a great murder mystery with a side helping of romance and delicious banter that breaks up what could otherwise be quite heavy subject matter. I really liked Kea and Sora as FMC and MMC respectively, and although I am someone who normally prefers books more heavy on the romance, the murder mystery plot interspersed with magic kept me fully entertained and invested throughout. I enjoyed the politics as well as the side characters, Kea's family, and - of course- Fiona the chicken.
The ending wrapped everything up really well without being predictable and left me feeling genuinely satisfied. It gave answers without spoon-feeding them, and still left enough emotional weight behind to make the story linger.
This is such a smart, layered read. It has magic, murder, politics, cultural depth, sharp banter, and a chicken with main character energy. What more could you want?
Thank you to @bookramblerpr, @solarisbooks and @shaykauwe for having me on the tour and sending me a gifted copy.
May 9, 2026
Goodreads challenge book. Feels good to read but don’t think too hard.
Kea is Hawaiian, living in poverty in the outskirts of LA. A few other Hawaiian clans live there too. Someone is killed and Hawaiian was used to create the spell. Sora (hot, skilled, and a clan head) is also tasked to work with her in the investigation.
I think this works well as a romance story. Sora is hot; quietly attracted to her, and you get the usual “protagonist does something amazing with magic that no one else can do”. There is the “collapse from fatigue” part too.
And like romance novels, don’t think too hard about worldbuilding. Sora feels like a blank slate. There is one part where Kea’s inner monologue attributes failure to her being a bad leader, which felt rather surprising. Keanu
2.5/5
Kea is Hawaiian, living in poverty in the outskirts of LA. A few other Hawaiian clans live there too. Someone is killed and Hawaiian was used to create the spell. Sora (hot, skilled, and a clan head) is also tasked to work with her in the investigation.
I think this works well as a romance story. Sora is hot; quietly attracted to her, and you get the usual “protagonist does something amazing with magic that no one else can do”. There is the “collapse from fatigue” part too.
And like romance novels, don’t think too hard about worldbuilding. Sora feels like a blank slate. There is one part where Kea’s inner monologue attributes failure to her being a bad leader, which felt rather surprising. Keanu
2.5/5
April 19, 2026
5★: LANGUAGE AS LAND. MEMORY AS MAGIC. RESISTANCE AS SURVIVAL. ❤️ I went into The Killing Spell expecting something unique, and boy did Shay Kauwe deliver! Beyond distinctiveness, I got something far more grounded—and far more extraordinary: a story about what it costs to hold onto your language, your land, and your people when the world is built to take all three from you.
At its core, this isn’t just “language magic.” It’s a reminder that language is lineage. It carries the weight of ancestors, the authority of elders, and the right to exist on your own terms. Watching Kea navigate a system that ranks languages—and by extension, cultures—felt uncomfortably familiar in the best way. This book doesn’t just gesture at colonial power structures; it shows how they seep into everything, even something as intimate as the words you’re allowed to speak.
What hit hardest for me was the tension between survival and integrity. The Homestead isn’t just a setting—it’s a pressure cooker. You can assimilate for safety, or you can resist and risk everything. There’s no clean answer, and the book doesn’t pretend there is. That ambiguity felt honest.
The climate refugee backdrop adds another layer that lingers. This isn’t a distant dystopia—it’s a plausible future where displacement has already happened, and people are still expected to prove they deserve space. The connection to land isn’t treated as symbolic; it’s survival, identity, and inheritance all at once.
And then there are the quieter strengths:
🌴 The presence of elders as knowledge-keepers—not decorative, but foundational.
🌴 The idea that history isn’t past—it’s active, shaping every decision.
🌴 The insistence that culture isn’t fragile—it adapts, but it doesn’t disappear.
I also appreciated that the humor felt like pure indigenous wit—something I’d expect to hear from my funniest cousins. The romance doesn’t overshadow the story; it humanizes it.
If there’s one thing this book does exceptionally well, it’s this: it reframes power. Not as who controls institutions, but as who remembers, who speaks, and who refuses to let their language die. 🤜🏽💥
That’s the kind of magic that lasts.
And the narrator, Barrie Kealoha, was PERFECT. She is a native Hawaiian multilingual singer, actor, and voiceover artist located on O’ahu. Representation matters, and Kauwe’s people did it right.
Published 5 days ago on 4/14/26, this book currently has a 4.27-star average by 90 GR peeps.
At its core, this isn’t just “language magic.” It’s a reminder that language is lineage. It carries the weight of ancestors, the authority of elders, and the right to exist on your own terms. Watching Kea navigate a system that ranks languages—and by extension, cultures—felt uncomfortably familiar in the best way. This book doesn’t just gesture at colonial power structures; it shows how they seep into everything, even something as intimate as the words you’re allowed to speak.
What hit hardest for me was the tension between survival and integrity. The Homestead isn’t just a setting—it’s a pressure cooker. You can assimilate for safety, or you can resist and risk everything. There’s no clean answer, and the book doesn’t pretend there is. That ambiguity felt honest.
The climate refugee backdrop adds another layer that lingers. This isn’t a distant dystopia—it’s a plausible future where displacement has already happened, and people are still expected to prove they deserve space. The connection to land isn’t treated as symbolic; it’s survival, identity, and inheritance all at once.
And then there are the quieter strengths:
🌴 The presence of elders as knowledge-keepers—not decorative, but foundational.
🌴 The idea that history isn’t past—it’s active, shaping every decision.
🌴 The insistence that culture isn’t fragile—it adapts, but it doesn’t disappear.
I also appreciated that the humor felt like pure indigenous wit—something I’d expect to hear from my funniest cousins. The romance doesn’t overshadow the story; it humanizes it.
If there’s one thing this book does exceptionally well, it’s this: it reframes power. Not as who controls institutions, but as who remembers, who speaks, and who refuses to let their language die. 🤜🏽💥
That’s the kind of magic that lasts.
And the narrator, Barrie Kealoha, was PERFECT. She is a native Hawaiian multilingual singer, actor, and voiceover artist located on O’ahu. Representation matters, and Kauwe’s people did it right.
Published 5 days ago on 4/14/26, this book currently has a 4.27-star average by 90 GR peeps.
February 4, 2026
This book absolutely lives up to the incredible premise. I read the blurb on NetGalley and immediately requested it because of the language based magic system. That part was every bit as cool as I thought it would be, but it was just one piece of this book that I absolutely loved.
The worldbuilding beyond the magic system is really interesting - LA is ruled by a Board with members from clans that specialize in specific languages. Kea, the main character, lives outside LA on the Homestead, a diasporic Hawaiian community after a flood swallowed the islands. There are politics in the Homestead and in LA, and the power games in both were super interesting.
Kea was a great main character and her relationships all felt fleshed out and real. Her family was hilarious, and the other side characters were each interesting in their own way even if it was a love-to-hate-them kind of thing (ahem, Charles).
I can’t wait to read this book in print!
The worldbuilding beyond the magic system is really interesting - LA is ruled by a Board with members from clans that specialize in specific languages. Kea, the main character, lives outside LA on the Homestead, a diasporic Hawaiian community after a flood swallowed the islands. There are politics in the Homestead and in LA, and the power games in both were super interesting.
Kea was a great main character and her relationships all felt fleshed out and real. Her family was hilarious, and the other side characters were each interesting in their own way even if it was a love-to-hate-them kind of thing (ahem, Charles).
I can’t wait to read this book in print!
Did Not Finish
April 24, 2026I decided to DNF at 80 pages
A decent debut, but it did not captivated me.
I appreciated the parts about language and culture.
A decent debut, but it did not captivated me.
I appreciated the parts about language and culture.
May 6, 2026
This was an interesting book! I really liked the concept, but the execution didn't fully work for me.
This is a good debut though and I look forward to reading whatever else this author publishes!
This is a good debut though and I look forward to reading whatever else this author publishes!
May 13, 2026
I really liked the magic system in this book!
April 18, 2026
The Killing Spell is the kind of fantasy that pulls you in straight away and then refuses to let go. From the very first pages, it feels like stepping into a world that is both lyrical and dangerous, where language itself carries weight, history, and power in a way that feels fresh and deeply imaginative.
One of the most compelling aspects is the concept of place-based language. Words aren’t just tools here; they are living forces infused with magic shaped by the ʻāina, rich culture, and identity. That idea alone would be enough to carry the story, but Kauwe goes further, weaving it seamlessly into the characters’ struggles and the broader social structure. The hierarchical system is sharply drawn and the tension between those who uphold it and those who resist it gives the story an ever-present intensity.
Kea’s journey is especially satisfying. Watching her carve out her own place in a treacherous homestead and defend her family and land against an even less forgiving city is incredible. Her story is inspiring and it leaves the door open for countless conversations about how power and privilege show up in the everyday world. There’s a quiet resilience to her that builds over time, making every small victory feel earned. The themes of proving oneself and stepping up as a hero and leader show themselves in a way that feels genuine rather than forced. Life is hard, and Kea’s struggles make it her victories feel more real and earned.
The romance is another highlight, developing with a natural rhythm that never overshadows the larger story but instead deepens it. It adds warmth without softening the stakes. I love a story where the focus is the strong woman’s journey and the romance is side note.
Perhaps most impressive is how The Killing Spell balances feeling complete while clearly laying the groundwork for more to come. I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about this incredible world of languages!
In short, this is a beautifully constructed fantasy with heart, intelligence, and a unique voice. If you’re drawn to rich worldbuilding, meaningful character journeys, and stories that explore power, both personal and societal, this one is absolutely worth your time.
One of the most compelling aspects is the concept of place-based language. Words aren’t just tools here; they are living forces infused with magic shaped by the ʻāina, rich culture, and identity. That idea alone would be enough to carry the story, but Kauwe goes further, weaving it seamlessly into the characters’ struggles and the broader social structure. The hierarchical system is sharply drawn and the tension between those who uphold it and those who resist it gives the story an ever-present intensity.
Kea’s journey is especially satisfying. Watching her carve out her own place in a treacherous homestead and defend her family and land against an even less forgiving city is incredible. Her story is inspiring and it leaves the door open for countless conversations about how power and privilege show up in the everyday world. There’s a quiet resilience to her that builds over time, making every small victory feel earned. The themes of proving oneself and stepping up as a hero and leader show themselves in a way that feels genuine rather than forced. Life is hard, and Kea’s struggles make it her victories feel more real and earned.
The romance is another highlight, developing with a natural rhythm that never overshadows the larger story but instead deepens it. It adds warmth without softening the stakes. I love a story where the focus is the strong woman’s journey and the romance is side note.
Perhaps most impressive is how The Killing Spell balances feeling complete while clearly laying the groundwork for more to come. I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about this incredible world of languages!
In short, this is a beautifully constructed fantasy with heart, intelligence, and a unique voice. If you’re drawn to rich worldbuilding, meaningful character journeys, and stories that explore power, both personal and societal, this one is absolutely worth your time.
May 3, 2026
This was a wonderful magical read, the magic system of using different languages and how the different styles impact the magic was fascinating and unique.
I really loved the distopian setting mixed in with magic and Hawaiian and other cultures. The different perspectives as to what makes a language acceptable for magic was interesting.
The characters were full of depth and character the clashing of the wild Kea and strait laced Sora was full of banter and entertainment.
A special note to this gorgeous cover as well.
April 15, 2026
(This is an ARC Review)
“The Killing Spell” has an absolutely gorgeous concept and it’s exciting to see fantasy rooted in indigenous culture.
I loved the magic system, there were very clear descriptions in the book and I loved the writing of Kea as the quintessential eldest daughter. The weight of her family sits on her shoulders and there are real stakes that add to that burden. Also, the slow burn chemistry between Kea and Sora is palpable and each scene featuring the two of them is electric.
I had expected this novel to be more along the lines of a typical fantasy but was pleasantly surprised at it leaning more into urban fantasy. It sort of give me a “Ruiner” meets “Red City” vibe.
The commentary on cultural erasure and neocolonialism was both relevant and heartfelt.
The only critiques I have are that the pacing felt a bit too slow. As this is a mystery, we need time to develop the problem at hand but I felt there weren’t many moments that give you that rollercoaster sense of dread.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this read and I want to see more stories like this. Shay Kauwe has a lot of potential and I’m excited to see what she does in the future
“The Killing Spell” has an absolutely gorgeous concept and it’s exciting to see fantasy rooted in indigenous culture.
I loved the magic system, there were very clear descriptions in the book and I loved the writing of Kea as the quintessential eldest daughter. The weight of her family sits on her shoulders and there are real stakes that add to that burden. Also, the slow burn chemistry between Kea and Sora is palpable and each scene featuring the two of them is electric.
I had expected this novel to be more along the lines of a typical fantasy but was pleasantly surprised at it leaning more into urban fantasy. It sort of give me a “Ruiner” meets “Red City” vibe.
The commentary on cultural erasure and neocolonialism was both relevant and heartfelt.
The only critiques I have are that the pacing felt a bit too slow. As this is a mystery, we need time to develop the problem at hand but I felt there weren’t many moments that give you that rollercoaster sense of dread.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this read and I want to see more stories like this. Shay Kauwe has a lot of potential and I’m excited to see what she does in the future
April 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an eARC of The Killing Spell for me to read and review honestly. I wasn't paid to review this book and any opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed that the focus of this book was on Hawaiian mythology and the power of spoken words, I'm always happy to read something that isn't centred on Western culture. I felt that this novel did lots of different things than what most fantasy books are offering currently, and I am here for it. It's shocking to think that this was a debut as it was so well-written and shows how powerful spoken words and spells can be in literature. The whole magic system and world building was amazing and well-thought out, the characters were fleshed out and I was hooked when reading this book.
Overall, I'm rating this book 4.5 stars, rounded up
I really enjoyed that the focus of this book was on Hawaiian mythology and the power of spoken words, I'm always happy to read something that isn't centred on Western culture. I felt that this novel did lots of different things than what most fantasy books are offering currently, and I am here for it. It's shocking to think that this was a debut as it was so well-written and shows how powerful spoken words and spells can be in literature. The whole magic system and world building was amazing and well-thought out, the characters were fleshed out and I was hooked when reading this book.
Overall, I'm rating this book 4.5 stars, rounded up
May 4, 2026
Absolutely incredible! I’d love to read more by this author and more set in this fantasy universe she created!
April 14, 2026
E OLA!!! After hearing about Shay’s debut novel from one of her first posts about it, I have been so looking forward to reading this Hawaiian magical realism story about magic in language and the struggles of minority cultures.
Starting off right in the middle of a mo’o attack, this fast-paced story leaves you wanting to keep turning the page and see what Kea, Sora, and the rest of the crew are getting themselves into. The world-building was so unique, but still I was able to imagine everything in my head. In this version of the future, the Hawaiian Islands are flooded and Hawaiians live in Los Angeles, in a form of the Hawaiian Homesteads. Every culture has their own clan and their own magic spells that were forged from their mother tongue. Every family has a strong history and specific type of mana (healing, curses, luck, ‘aina, etc…). If they decide to ingratiate themselves into a bigger clan for safety or financial stability, they have to give over their family’s mana o ka mo’okū’auhau, aka their family’s power. As I kept reading, I could obviously see the author’s vivid creativity, her passion, and her love for her heritage.
As an interpreter, bookworm, and language enthusiast, my world revolves around language. So to have a magic system based on crafting language to the specific situation and harnessing the mana (power/spirit) in language, I felt so satisfied and SEEN! Now I’m going to imagine that my interpreting job is just crafting mana from language transfer!! Whoever says magic doesn’t exist doesn’t understand the real value of LANGUAGE and COMMUNICATION!
Also read if you like a rivals-to-frenemies-to-more romance, a murder mystery, a close-knit ‘ohana, and a love for culture.
Mahalo to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
Starting off right in the middle of a mo’o attack, this fast-paced story leaves you wanting to keep turning the page and see what Kea, Sora, and the rest of the crew are getting themselves into. The world-building was so unique, but still I was able to imagine everything in my head. In this version of the future, the Hawaiian Islands are flooded and Hawaiians live in Los Angeles, in a form of the Hawaiian Homesteads. Every culture has their own clan and their own magic spells that were forged from their mother tongue. Every family has a strong history and specific type of mana (healing, curses, luck, ‘aina, etc…). If they decide to ingratiate themselves into a bigger clan for safety or financial stability, they have to give over their family’s mana o ka mo’okū’auhau, aka their family’s power. As I kept reading, I could obviously see the author’s vivid creativity, her passion, and her love for her heritage.
As an interpreter, bookworm, and language enthusiast, my world revolves around language. So to have a magic system based on crafting language to the specific situation and harnessing the mana (power/spirit) in language, I felt so satisfied and SEEN! Now I’m going to imagine that my interpreting job is just crafting mana from language transfer!! Whoever says magic doesn’t exist doesn’t understand the real value of LANGUAGE and COMMUNICATION!
Also read if you like a rivals-to-frenemies-to-more romance, a murder mystery, a close-knit ‘ohana, and a love for culture.
Mahalo to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 25, 2026
I work to keep my Indigenous language alive and relevant every day so this book spoke to me on so many levels, another of which is being born and raised in LA, and a tuve in the Indigenous community their until I moved back to my own homelands....and this book hit at the heart of the relationships we have with land and community. But, even with all those personal feelings, I fell in love with the characters and how Kauwe inscribed them with the aura of our experiences as Indigenous Peoples. I would love to have a Choctaw community imbued in the magic of this world. Like how cool if other Indigenous Nations added a book to this world, our spells in our languages in the world Kauwe created. Love, love this book
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