American Magic by Zach Fehst

When an enigmatic message uploaded to the dark web turns out to contain an ancient secret giving regular people the power to do impossible things, like levitate cars or make themselves invisible, American government officials panic. They know the demo videos on YouTube and instructions for incantations could turn from fantastical amusement to dangerous weapon at the drop of the hat, and they scramble to keep the information out of the wrong hands.
They tap Ben Zolstra, an ex-CIA field operative whose history with the Agency is conflicted at best, to lead the team that’s racing to contain the dangerous knowledge—and track down the mysterious figure behind the leak who threatens that even more dangerous spells will be released one by one until the world as we know it no longer exists.
This sweeping, globe-spanning thriller explores the dark consequences of a question mankind has been asking for centuries: What if magic were real? -indiebound.org 

I loved this book. Ben reminded me of a younger more tech savvy and sarcastic Jack Reacher to the point where it felt kind of like a mash-up a Reacher (by Lee Child) thriller with The Magicians (by Lev Grossman) His slightly reluctant partner Elia has as intriguing back story. I also loved the concept of “what if magic were real”,” and what impact it would have on national security.  

Check out American Magic at your favorite local bookseller, library or consider ordering from indiebound.org. 

Special Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Atria books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.