They Left Magic In Their Wake

At the end of the world, there will be magic.

Earth has been decimated by climate change. Humanity has fractured into isolated tribes. A child born in the southwestern desert of the United States appears to have magical powers, a strict taboo in his part of the world. In four other locations, people discover magical items. No one knows how they work or where they’re from. Although these strange objects capture the imagination, using them is risky and dangerous.

The five tribes at the heart of this novel:

Southwestern Desert Tribe: Zadie and Nora have fled their tribe where human reproduction is so rare, pregnant women are burned at the stake as witches. Zadie gives birth to triplets, only one born alive. The surviving infant shows signs of having magical powers, another punishable taboo.

Northeastern Mountain Tribe: Finley is a young boy too curious for his own good. Meddling with strange technology he finds in a cave, he eventually boards a flying ship that takes him far away from the only world he’s ever known.

Tribe in Akihabara, Japan: Exploring post-apocalyptic Tokyo, Emiko, Katsuki, Rin and Ko discover ancient manga and D&D items, as well as glowing cubes they mistake for dice. When the long-dead neon lights of Tokyo begin to flicker, the teenagers get caught up in the most intense adventure of their lives.

McMurdo Station Tribe—Located in the Land of Magical Ice, Formerly Antarctica: Settlers at the abandoned McMurdo Station practice a form of mysticism, their ancestors having fled religious persecution as well as the droughts and fires of Australia. Arthur Campbell and Harrison Clark are researchers studying the strange technology that runs the place.

Vostok Station Tribe—Located in the Land of Magical Ice, Formerly Antarctica: The original settlers of the abandoned Vostok Station fled the extreme heat, fires and droughts of Brazil. Years later, giant squid and a spaceship emerge from Lake Vostok as the ice begins to melt. Salvador Siqueira and his crew leave their station to investigate.

Marilyn Peake's They Left Magic in Their Wake is an utterly addictive blend of fantasy and science fiction, set in a post-apocalyptic world that feels both eerily familiar and breathtakingly original. From the first page, Peake captivates the reader with a richly imagined setting where remnants of our present-day society have become myth and legend, shaping the beliefs and survival of future generations.

One of the most thought-provoking aspects of the novel is how the characters perceive what we consider modern technology—neon signs, computers, and airplanes as relics of an ancient time. It was strange yet fascinating to read about their awe and misunderstanding of these artifacts, and it made me wonder if one day, people will look back at our present world with the same sense of longing and nostalgia, wishing to be part of a past that has been lost to time.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is its unique narrative structure. While most of the story unfolds through a third-person perspective, allowing for a broad and immersive view of this transformed world, one tribal element is written in the first person. This creative decision adds depth and immediacy, providing an intimate look at one group's experiences in a way that feels fresh and engaging. It’s a technique I haven’t seen before in a novel, and it worked brilliantly, enhancing the emotional pull of the story.

The world-building is exceptional, immersing the reader in each tribe’s way of life and the struggles they face. Peake crafts a setting that is both fantastical and scientifically plausible, blending elements of magic with remnants of lost technology. As the characters navigate this landscape, encountering phenomena that seem supernatural yet hold the echoes of forgotten science, the novel raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of progress, knowledge, and belief. The contrast between what the characters perceive as mystical and what we, as readers, recognize as the remnants of our present world, adds an extra layer of depth and wonder to the reading experience.

Beyond its immersive world, the novel also delivers on emotional depth. The characters are compelling, each with their own struggles, hopes, and determination to carve out a life in this strange new reality. Their journeys—filled with discovery, danger, and moments of profound revelation—kept me turning the pages late into the night. The relationships between them and their interactions bring warmth and humanity to a world that could otherwise feel bleak. Zadie and Nora stood out as my favorite characters; their strength and willpower were incredible, making their storylines particularly moving and inspiring. Their perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenges was nothing short of remarkable, and I found myself deeply invested in their fates.

It’s important to note that the novel contains themes of child and infant death, which may be triggering for some readers. These moments are deeply emotional and handled with sensitivity, adding to the novel’s overall poignancy and weight.

 As I reached the final pages, I found myself yearning for more. The ending is thought-provoking. I really want a part two to this book (I'm hoping there is) because the ending left so many unanswered questions and I felt like it could have been extended a little longer. There are many elements of the world that beg to be explored further. 

Overall, They Left Magic in Their Wake is a fascinating, beautifully written novel that defies genre conventions and delivers a gripping, imaginative tale. It’s a must-read for fans of both fantasy and science fiction, especially those who love unique storytelling techniques, and narratives that linger in the mind long after the final page. 
Thank you to the author who sent me a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

To buy the book:
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USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Marilyn Peake writes science fiction and fantasy. She’s one of the contributing authors in Book: The Sequel, published by The Perseus Books Group, with one of her entries included in serialization at The Daily Beast. In addition, Marilyn has served as editor for a number of anthologies. Her short stories have been published in numerous anthologies and on the literary blog, Glass Cases.

AWARDS: Silver Award, two Honorable Mentions and eight Finalist placements in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards, two Winner and two Finalist placements in the EPPIE Awards, Winner of the Dream Realm Awards, Finalist placement in the 2015 National Indie Excellence Book Awards, Winner of “Best Horror” in the eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards, Semi-Finalist placement in the Young Adult category of the Kindle Book Awards, and Gold Award in the Fantasy / Science Fiction category of the eLit Book Awards.