BBNYA 2025 Finalist Review: Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall
An engaging urban fantasy mystery where clever worldbuilding and found-family bonds prove just as powerful as magic.
Urban fantasy often thrives on larger-than-life heroes, dangerous magic, and high-stakes adventures, but Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall adds something equally compelling to the mix: heart. The first installment in The Chronos Chronicles introduces readers to Adair Finch, a retired private investigator whose reputation as the world's most powerful warlock is matched only by his determination to leave that life behind.
Of course, retirement rarely lasts long in fantasy fiction. When twelve-year-old witch Bree Blackstone arrives on Finch's doorstep seeking help after her mother's murder, he finds himself drawn back into a world of magic, mystery, and danger. What follows is an engaging blend of supernatural investigation, clever worldbuilding, and an unexpectedly touching found-family story that kept me turning pages long after I intended to stop.
Welcome to my stop on the 2025 BBNYA Finalist Tour
The Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) celebrates standout indie fiction, and I always love being part of that discovery process.
Today's post is a review of Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall, this year's 3rd-place finalist.
About BBNYA
The Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is a yearly competition that helps readers discover exceptional indie books.
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About Time-Marked Warlock
Time-Marked Warlock By Shami Stovall
Series: The Chronos Chronicles #1
Published by Capital Station Books on August 2024
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery
Formats: Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 374
Adair Finch is the most powerful warlock in the world, and one of the best private investigators for hire.
He has dealt with corporate vampires, murderous werewolves, and even fae royalty. Everything was perfect until he lost one case—the case where he also lost his brother.
So Finch retired. From magic. From PI work. From everything.
Bree Blackstone, a twelve-year-old witch, doesn’t know or care about any of that except Finch’s reputation. In the middle of the night, she bangs on Finch’s door. Her mother has been murdered, and now the assassin is after Bree as well.
Reluctantly, Finch agrees to help, only to discover something sinister has been brewing in town while he ignored the world… He’ll need to dust off all his old skills and magic before it’s too late.
Reader Resources
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Review at a Glance
| Genre: | Urban Fantasy Mystery |
| Setting: | Contemporary Magical World |
| Length: | 374 Pages |
| Content Rating: | PG-13 |
| Ideal Reader: | Readers who enjoy urban fantasy mysteries, magical detective stories, found-family dynamics, and fast-paced adventures with low romance. |
| My Rating: | ★★★★½ |
| Quick Take: | Equal parts magical detective story and found-family adventure, this series opener delivers mystery, humor, and characters worth following into future books. |
Contains murder, grief, magical violence, threats against a child, parental loss, and references to death. Readers should also be aware of an animal death and brief mentions of child death.
Why This Book Stands Out
Rather than focusing solely on magical battles or mystery-solving, Time-Marked Warlock succeeds through the growing relationship between a retired warlock and the young witch who refuses to give up on him. The combination of inventive worldbuilding, strong character dynamics, and a compelling central mystery creates a fantasy adventure that feels both entertaining and emotionally grounded.
My Thoughts
One of the strongest aspects of Time-Marked Warlock is its worldbuilding. Shami Stovall creates a magical society populated by witches, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, and fae, yet the setting never feels overcrowded or difficult to follow. The supernatural elements are woven naturally into the story, creating a world that feels both imaginative and lived-in. Rather than relying on lengthy explanations, the author allows readers to discover the rules and history of the world alongside the characters, making the experience engaging from the very beginning.
The characters are equally compelling. Adair Finch's reputation as the world's most powerful warlock could have easily made him feel untouchable, but his grief, regrets, and reluctance to return to his former life make him a much more relatable protagonist. His growing partnership with Bree Blackstone, a determined young witch searching for answers after her mother's murder, provides much of the heart of the story. Their relationship develops naturally throughout the investigation, evolving from necessity into a genuine bond that gives the novel its emotional foundation.
The mystery at the heart of the novel keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. Each new clue pulls Finch and Bree deeper into a conspiracy that is larger and more dangerous than either expected. The investigation balances action, humor, and magical intrigue well, making it difficult to put the book down once the plot gains momentum. While the story delivers plenty of exciting moments, it never loses sight of the characters at its center, ensuring that the stakes feel personal rather than purely world-ending.
What surprised me most was how effectively the novel balances its lighter moments with themes of loss, responsibility, and healing. Beneath the magical battles and supernatural mysteries is a story about people learning to move forward after tragedy. The found-family elements add warmth without becoming overly sentimental, and they provide an emotional anchor that elevates the book beyond a straightforward urban fantasy adventure.
In Conclusion
Time-Marked Warlock is an engaging start to The Chronos Chronicles, combining inventive worldbuilding, memorable characters, and a compelling supernatural mystery into a thoroughly entertaining read. The blend of humor, action, and emotional depth makes it appealing to both fantasy readers and mystery lovers, while the growing relationship between Finch and Bree gives the story lasting heart. Readers who enjoy character-driven urban fantasy, magical investigations, and found-family dynamics will likely find themselves eager to continue the series after turning the final page.
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Meet the Author
About Shami Stovall
Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. Before that, she taught history and criminal law at the college level, and loved every second. When she’s not reading fascinating articles and books about ancient China or the Byzantine Empire, Stovall can be found playing way too many video games, especially RPGs and tactics simulators, or hugging John.
Email: [email protected]
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Gina's Author Hub
More 2025 BBNYA Finalists
You can find all my 2025 BBNYA Finalist reviews and spotlights in the BBNYA hub.
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