MoodReads - Romance Book Discovery
The Stacks
DiscoverMy ShelvesReading Stats
Sign upLog in
MoodReads - Romantasy Book Discovery

because goodreads doesn't
have a spice filter

Discover

  • Discover Page
  • Reading Stacks
  • Tropes
  • Moods
  • Creatures
  • Spicy Books

Get MoodReads

  • so what is it.
  • iOS App
  • Browser Extension
  • MoodReads Premium
  • Gift a Subscription
  • For Creators
  • Share MoodReads

Go Deeper

  • FAQ
  • Roadmap
  • Request a Feature
  • vs Goodreads
  • vs StoryGraph
  • Who Built This?

The Serious Stuff

  • Values
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Support

get emails when something big happens. no spam, just news.

© 2026 MoodReads. Built by a romantasy reader for romantasy readers.

rattle the stars, bitches.

Cover of Magic Forged (Hall of Blood and Mercy #1)

Magic Forged (Hall of Blood and Mercy #1)

by K.M. Shea

🌶️🌶️mild·Hall of Blood and Mercy #1·✓ Series Complete
4.3 on Goodreads (13,549)

Rate this book

sign in to add to shelves, track reading status, and see your stats

Available on Kindle Unlimited
find similar →
ReportSpoiler settings

Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

You'll root for the underdog and believe in hidden potential, with a satisfying slow-burn romance that leaves you eager for more.

Synopsis

I'm one scrappy wizard. As someone with barely a flicker of magic, I've spent my life being mocked and surviving fights with bullies. But when my parents die in an accident, and I find myself responsible for our whole wizard house and family, I know my usual tactics aren't going to cut it. The situation veers from bad to catastrophic when my backstabbing cousin stages a coup and takes my family hostage. I barely manage to flee, but the only supernatural willing to help me is Killian Drake - the most feared vampire in the region, and a far more deadly villain than the jerk threatening my family. Is Killian sexy and charismatic? Heck yeah. He's also so powerful that my flight or fight instincts kick in every time our eyes meet. And he's definitely using me as his personal magic detector in his feud against the local fae. But Killian is also the first person to believe I might have more than just a scrap of magic. And if I can convince him to train me, I might get strong enough to free my family and get my house back. I'm not sure what happens when a scrappy wizard is taught how to fight by a hall of deadly vampires, but I'm about to find out. Magic Forged is the first book in the Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy, which features vampires, wizards, fae, and werewolves. It's packed with humor, adventure, and a sweet, slow burn romance between a vertically challenged wizard and the most lethal vampire in town.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Clean paranormal romance with a killer slow burn. Hazel is a nearly-powerless wizard trying to save her magical House, and her only ally is the most feared vampire in the city. K.M. Shea writes sweet romance with zero spice but maximum banter. Book 1 of the Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy set in the Magiford Supernatural City universe.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.31 ★ (13.5k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

270 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2020

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Urban Fantasy Romance

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

First Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (unspecified)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Natalie Duke, Alister Austin

Narrator Count

Dual

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
forced proximityhidden identityadventure romancebodyguard/protection detailboss/employeebeauty and the beastrescue romance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

mysteriousheartwarminghopefulhumorousromanticadventurouswhimsicalswoony

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

conversationalhumorousbanter-heavypunchywarmwitty

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

moderate

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

low

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

comfort read vibes

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

reluctant chosen oneoutcast/lonersnarky/sarcasticwitch/mage

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

dark/tortured soulmorally gray MMCsecretly softvampire lordpossessive alpha

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

grumpy sunshinemutual pininghurt/comfortforbidden loveslow burnhe falls firstprotective love interestonly soft for them

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

Playful banter and protective-vampire energy carry the chemistry. He is intense; she is scrappy. The slow burn delivers on cozy supernatural comfort-food romance.

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

tensionanticipationlonging glancespossessive/protectivesize difference focusplayful banter

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

None
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (10)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
parental deathmurderviolencedeath of loved onekidnappingtraumabloodbullyingcaptivitygrief
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

urban fantasy

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

big city / metropolismanor house / estate

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

vampireswitches/wizards/warlocksfaewerewolves

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

feel-goodfound family feelstension finally satisfiedaddictive read

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

anytime

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

vacationcozy eveningbedtimelazy Sundaypalate cleanser readsummer evening

Hall of Blood and Mercy

Magic Forged (Hall of Blood and Mercy #1)

#1 Magic Forged (Hall of Blood and Mercy #1)

Magic Redeemed (Hall of Blood and Mercy, #2)

#2 Magic Redeemed (Hall of Blood and Mercy, #2)

Magic Unleashed (Hall of Blood and Mercy, #3)

#3 Magic Unleashed (Hall of Blood and Mercy, #3)

this page is just the start

  • import your Goodreads or StoryGraph TBR. we tag every book with spice, tropes, CWs, mood, all of it
  • tell us a vibe (“enemies to lovers fae, high spice”) and BookMatch finds the book
  • 4,000+ romantasy books searchable by 45 fields
  • book clubs, reading challenges, and a community of readers who get it
free account

Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.270
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2020
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.31 ★ (13.5k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Hall of Blood and Mercy #1
Similar picks →

My Notes

Loading...

Short Takes

quick 280-character reactions for this book. drop a thought, rate the vibe, keep scrolling.

Sign in to share your take.

Loading...

Book Chat

live reactions, hot takes, screaming into the void about Magic Forged (Hall of Blood and Mercy #1)

Similar Books

Cover of Magic Strikes

Magic Strikes

Kate Daniels, #3

Ilona Andrews

🌶️🌶️·first person·✓
forced proximitycompetition romancegames/trials romance
Cover of Bloodlines

Bloodlines

Bloodlines, #1

Richelle Mead

🌶️🌶️·first person
bodyguard/protection detailforced proximityhidden identity
Cover of Some Girls Bite

Some Girls Bite

Chicagoland Vampires, #1

Chloe Neill

🌶️🌶️·first person·✓
forced proximityvampire romanceboss/employee
Cover of City of Gods and Monsters

City of Gods and Monsters

House of Devils, #1

Kayla Edwards

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
bodyguard/protection detailforced proximityhidden identity
Cover of Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy, #1)

Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy, #1)

Hidden Legacy, #1

Ilona Andrews

🌶️🌶️·first person
forced proximityforced alliancebodyguard/protection detail
Cover of Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel

The Infernal Devices, #1

Cassandra Clare

🌶️🌶️·multi-POV
love trianglehidden identitycaptive romance
Cover of Industrial Magic

Industrial Magic

Women of the Otherworld, #4

Kelley Armstrong

🌶️🌶️·first person
forbidden loveopposites attractforced alliance
Cover of Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1)

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1)

The Dark Artifices, #1

Cassandra Clare

🌶️🌶️·third person·✓
forbidden loveslow burnhidden identity