Magdalene Nox by Milena McKay is an age gap, ice queen romance, filled with mystery and intrigue. It gives us Magdalene’s point of view of the events that unfold in The Headmistress plus so much more.
For thirty years Magdalene Nox has had a dream to seek retribution from the people and place that so callously discarded her. It should have been simple. Except. A chance encounter in a bar that turns out to be unforgettable turns her life upside-down.
Now the thing she wanted for three decades is entangled with something she’s searched for her entire life. Torn between the two Magdalene has big decisions to make, after all, all is fair in love and war.
This book gives Magdalene’s story set over 30 years. The story and truths behind the mask of The Headmistress.
Writing
Rachel: Mckay is a master of words. She wields them so perfectly and with such precision that they floor me and I’m happy to stay down and be trampled by them over and over. The writing in this book stole my breath, it’s stunning. Mckay is one of very few who can get inside an ice queen’s mind and convey all the turmoil and emotions while keeping the character true to herself. Ice queens are complex, beautiful characters and because of this it is rare that we get their viewpoint, yet McKay keeps writing them and excels at showing readers what makes these majestic creatures tick.
Jenna: I agree, Rachel. There isn’t another author out there who simply gets the characterization of a true ice queen like Milena McKay. The way she was able to capture Magdalene Nox so perfectly took my breath away. The woman is so deeply layered, with deep-seated revenge rooted in her heart that ultimately leads her to find her other half.
Tara: I didn’t know I’d been craving Magdalene’s perspective from The Headmistress until I learned that this book was being written. So, yes, Rachel, you’re absolutely right. One of the things that makes this story so special is seeing the full perspective of the ice queen. Despite knowing all of the story beats, I was still surprised at many points by Magdalene’s interior life, her emotions, and how deeply sensitive she actually is. Her ice queen persona is such an effective suit of armour because she knows she’s the only one who can protect herself, just like she always has.
Jenna: I’ve read The Headmistress and listened to the audio multiple times over the last two years, yet, when reading Magdalene Nox, it was like I was hearing everything for the first time. I mean, I knew what was coming, but I was hanging on McKay’s every word. I was swept away by Magdalene’s revelations. Her emotions were so palpable and raw that I felt her turmoil, resentment, and dare I say, love. McKay’s writing is brilliant!
Tara: Just like with The Headmistress, I found the writing style entrancing. At times, the language almost feels hyperbolic for a contemporary romance and yet it just works because it makes these stories feel like two halves of the same fairy tale. And really, isn’t that sort of what they are? Two girls grew up alone, without the love or belonging they yearned for, only to find what they need in themselves and each other. The broody language and setting are perfect for bringing this to life in a way that makes both books absolute keepers.
Jenna: Dragons comes alive in Magdalene Nox. I could see the run-down buildings, feel the drafty hallways, and smell the salt air on Amber Cliff. It’s a living, breathing being in this book with years of pent-up rage and turmoil and when it finally unleashed, I lost my breath.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Rachel: Where to start? Okay. What I loved most was the fact that we got to see what makes Magdalene who she is today. Her past is complicated, and she has a lot of hurt that has built up. Her mother although in her life is not a stable home for her. They have a convoluted relationship and I loved seeing how this affected so many things Magdalene did. From her marriage to Timothy, to how she saw her friendship with George you can feel how the mother, daughter relationship plays a part.
Jenna: Candace is quite the character and I, too, feel that her emotional and physical detachment when Magdalene was growing up played a major part in who she became as an adult. Their conversations throughout the story shed a lot of light on the intricacies of their convoluted relationship. Wait, I lost count, how many marriages has she had?
Tara: I’m pretty sure Candace has lost count, too, at this point. Their relationship was an especially impactful part of the story for me, because it shows that you can be unparented even while you have a parent in your life, and the lasting effects that can lead to. And yet, Candace has her ways of showing she cares for Magdalene and did all along. For example, she somehow has more insight into Magdalene and her motivations than anyone else, even if she’s never been able to Magdalene’s emotional needs. I also found it interesting that Candace had the villain and their motivation pegged way before Magdalene learns what’s going on (apologies for the vagueness, but no spoilers!).
Jenna: Sir Willoughby’s journey from mangy mongrel to Magdalene’s knight in orange armor is a real highlight for me! Oh! To have been a fly on the wall that first night he scratched at her apartment door and demanded entrance! The staredown that ensued would have made me cower in the corner. The development of their relationship is exquisitely detailed, with him bumping his boxy head against her arm, and her rolling her eyes but giving him an affectionate scratch. Magdalene snapping her fingers and Willoughby heeling, following her everywhere. Willoughby by her side during every emotionally charged moment at Dragons is a pivotal element to this complex story.
Rachel: Agreed. Sir Willoughby is a true ice queen melter. His determination to win over Magdalene was heroic and essential to her journey at Three Dragons. Their relationship is so sweet and filled with respect. I adored getting to see it pan out.
Tara: I think Lee Winter was the person who pointed out that Willoughby is an ice queen too and I loved that we got to see that he’s even more similar to Magdalene than we thought.
Rachel: Getting to see the story from Magdalene’s viewpoint was priceless. How she perceived what was happening, and how everything affected her. Most of all I adored having the privilege to experience just how Sam knocked her off her feet. Sam fundamentally changed Magdalene from their first meeting and when they meet again in the one place Magdalene thinks she owes nothing to, her stars realign, and nothing will ever feel the same again.
Tara: I totally agree. Also, related to what I was saying above, seeing into Magdalene’s perspective lets us in on how differently Magdalene and Sam are, despite both growing up unparented. Magdalene guards her heart and trusts few (although that’s not all Candace’s fault), while Sam lives her life from a place of hope, authenticity, and positivity. The contrast is heightened in this story, because we come to understand exactly why Magdalene operates this way and it’s truly beautiful as she learns she can understand and love Sam.
Jenna: Sam’s honesty, loyalty, compassion, and unassuming nature were a true pleasure to witness through Magdalene’s eyes. Witnessing her developing feelings for Sam that she eventually acknowledges as love is truly special. Who would have thought that THE Magdalene Nox could become smitten? Magdalene is at Dragons for a specific reason with a plethora of must-dos to make the school financially sound. The soft spot (my words, not hers) she develops for Sam causes her to adjust some of those plans because, for the first time in her life, Magdalene has someone else’s happiness to contend with.
Rachel: Exactly. Watching Magdalene turn to goo for Sam was magical, and the romance that builds between them is life-changing. These feelings are foreign to her and although she admits them to herself early on, it takes time for her to come to terms with the fact that she is in love. However, when she does accept them, it is hard at times to see just how much Magdalene had to hold back. Her feelings consumed her, but she was torn because she needed to keep Sam safe.
Heads Up
Rachel: This book is Magdalene Nox’s side of the story from The Headmistress so I’d suggest reading that first. It’s a brilliant book and you won’t be sorry.
Homophobia, Transphobia are present but dealt with by the main characters.
Tara: You’re so right about the reading order, Rachel. The Headmistress was written as a standalone novel, so it can be read by itself. However, this story references some conversations and events from The Headmistress without fully showing them on the page. That was a wise choice, so we don’t get bogged down with dialogue that we already know, but it does mean some things will make a little less sense if you read this one first.
The Conclusion
Rachel: Magdalene Nox is a stunning novel that lets you explore what the ice queen is thinking. So often we get these stories from the melter’s viewpoint and are left wondering about the ice queen’s thought process. McKay as always excels at transporting the reader to the stories setting. This is a brilliant book full of emotional turmoil, friendships, and the most beautiful, steamy romance to make you swoon. I adored every word and reread several paragraphs. This is a must-read from me, you won’t be sorry.
Jenna: Magdalene Nox is a story that I didn’t even realize was missing in my life. Now, I have the complete picture of exactly how Sam and Magdalene earned their happily ever after (and they sure did have to earn it, it wasn’t given to them). Magdalene Nox is a one-of-a-kind book that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride spanning thirty years. It’s an emotional story on so many levels that will tug at those heartstrings. And it’s a must-read for me as well!
Tara: I was almost afraid to read this book, because my love for The Headmistress is so great and my expectations were so high. I am thrilled to say that Magdalene Nox didn’t disappoint. This story felt like a love letter to Magdalene’s fans, letting us see that she’s exactly as wonderful and brilliant as we’d suspected all along. Now, please excuse me while I go reread The Headmistress while Magdalene Nox is still fresh in my mind.
Excerpt from Magdalene Nox by Milena McKay
When she was absolutely certain all eyes were focused on her, Magdalene took several more steps into the Mess Hall, each sounding like a gunshot. Something round, corpulent, and orange rose from the windowsill and after almost brushing against her—which took all her considerable willpower to not recoil from—disappeared from her sight.
Of course, these incompetent people had allowed critters to live at the school, in the Mess Hall of all places. The sheer number of health department regulations broken by the presence of the pest…
Still, she smiled to herself. She could see by the looks on these people’s faces that, given the chance, most of them would have followed the creature. Magdalene pursed her lips and indulged in her emotions, rage and anger and disgust—from thirty years and those set alight today, by the memories, by the carelessness and cruelty of these people—as they raised their dragons’ heads and breathed fire.
Magdalene slowly perused the pale, astonished faces of those around her, then lowered her voice just enough to have their full attention. She knew she probably did not need to. They were hanging on her every word as it was, but they had played with fire, and they should have known better.
“My name is Magdalene Nox. I am the new Headmistress of Three Dragons. And you are all fired.”
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Series: The Headmistress
The Headmistress
Magdalene Nox
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8867898458
Publisher: Indie Author
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