Kalina lost her husband. In her people’s war against the enemy, Riyad fell in battle, victim to a magical attack gone awry. Kalina was fighting beside him when her own fighting instrument fractured. Now he lies comatose, and in hopes of supporting his cure, Kalina is forced into another career. She must teach music-based magic at the prestigious Chintor Academy, facing skeptical colleagues and teen-student drama.

Worst of all, she’s assigned to train Emil—son of a top general, designated Chosen One, and the most traumatized yet manipulative lad Kalina has ever encountered.

A Study of Shattered Spells marks Josiah DeGraaf’s¹ debut fantasy performance. The project fundraiser proved a 2025 hit, prompting Kickstarter to recognize this as a Project We Love. Slice-of-life scenes with teachers and student drama immerse readers in this familiar fantasy setting, sometimes slow-paced, then shifting tempo for often surprising modern language and tensions. Emil’s complex movements quickly rise in intensity, forcing Kalina to adapt until this relational duet moves to center stage. How can a teacher deal with such a troubled yet narcissistic student? Especially when all know Emil is prophesied to sacrifice his life and save the nation?

Kalina begins her journey less certain, yet grows into her role until she confronts the reality of hard choices between school leader pressures and individual justice. Despite a few moments of slow progression, A Study of Shattered Spells sings an ultimately haunting melody with often-stirring lyrics that test fantasy tropes.

Best for: Older teens and adults who enjoy immersive modern-esque fantasy worlds, yet feel fit for the challenge of complex relational drama.

Discern: A few light vulgar references, some potentially startling mentions of rape and more of sexual assault, one student uses forbidden dark magic to control others, hard choices that balance needs for compassion and justice.