No Quest for the Wicked by Shanna Swendson

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Now that the Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc. team has defeated the nefarious Spellworks, the only “competition” in town, Katie Chandler doesn’t have much to do as director of marketing, and she’s starting to question her role at MSI. Her boyfriend Owen Palmer, on the other hand, is in hog heaven, translating an ancient and powerful magical manuscript.

But then he finds that the cryptic text describing the location of an enchanted gem known as the Eye of the Moon has radically changed. This deadly stone gives its holder enhanced power over others and a craving for more power. It once caused a terrible war before it was safely hidden and then lost – and now it seems to be in New York and set in an elven brooch that renders its wearer invulnerable. Whoever has this brooch could take over the world.

Katie and Owen must find it before anyone else does, and they’re not the only ones searching. They’ll need all the help they can get, including Katie’s visiting grandmother. But who can they trust when their allies fall under its spell? Not to mention the new enemies who are deadlier than anything they’ve faced before.

It's no secret that I love the Enchanted, Inc. series and I am beyond thrilled that Shanna Swendson has self-published more of the books.  NQFTW is book 6 and the story continues to be fresh and engrossing.  At the end of Much Ado About Magic, I had no idea where the story would go and I am happy to say that I'm still guessing after NQFTW.  

After Owen loses his magic at the end of Much Ado, he goes from being the most powerful wizard of his generation to an immune with no trace of power.  NQFTW deals with Owen's adjustment while he, Katie and Rod embark on a quest with a cast of characters, Lord of the Rings style, that would make Gandalf wince.  This is definitely a comical look at the Fellowship of the Ring and Swendson has no problem pointing out the similarities and making quips.

The entire story takes place over less than 24 hours that will change Katie and Owen's lives in ways they cannot imagine.  With Granny, an elf and a dwarf tagging along, there's no trouble they won't stumble into.  NQFTW is funny, action-packed and full of the kind of crazy we've come to expect from the MSI gang.  

If you haven't read the series, I cannot recommend enough that you pick up Enchanted, Inc.  I've been mesmerized by this story for years and am looking forward to seeing what happens next in Kiss and Spell (book 7).  Check out Shanna's website for more info:

http://www.shannaswendson.com/index.html

~Shel