BookCompleted2025

A Tower of Half-Truths

by N.J. Prynne

Book 1 in Arcane Pursuits

thief-meets-wizard cozy fantasy with explicit slow burn and mid-thirties protagonists

Find similar

goodreads 3.85/5 68 ratings

Quick fit

Is this story right for you?

A decision-first view of the reading experience.

Think twice if…

Content warnings: Alcohol use, Blood, Gore, Classism, Death, Fire, Gambling, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Depression, Racism/bigotry, Self-harm, Sexism, Addiction, Stalking, Toxic relationships, Vomiting / emesis, Sexual content

Length500 pages

Series statusOngoing series

Spice4/5 · Passionate / intense

PacingMedium

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

Mutual pining
Male/female pairing (M/F)
Slow burn
High
Passionate / intense
Tension finally satisfied

Scholar/intellectual
Slow seduction
The swoon
Professor/mentor
Class difference
Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
Comfort reread material
Secretly soft
Intellectual connection
Tension / anticipation
Addictive read
Cinnamon roll
Experienced x innocent
First time / discovery
Growth-focused
Academic rivals
Longing glances
Earned hope
Tension
Anticipation
Touch starvation
Praise kink
Oral focus

Fantasy promise

Fantasy romance
Academy / campus
Low fantasy / secret magic
Witches/wizards/warlocks
Forced proximity
Library

Steampunk / gaslamp
Humans only
Hidden identity
Manor house / estate
Boss/employee
Big city / metropolis
Opposites attract

Reading experience

Dual POV
Medium
Cozy
Witty
Moderate
Low

Spy/thief
Bisexual MC
Romantic
Warm
Witch/mage
Bisexual love interest (LI)
Whimsical
Atmospheric
Snarky/sarcastic
Queer
Character-driven
Morally gray
MC 30-40
Dreamy
Earnest
Former villain / reformed antagonist
Older MC (40+)
Yearning
Literary
Depression rep
Magical
Mental health rep
Heist energy
Morally complex
Comfort read vibes
Addictive pacing
Slow start explosive finish

Similar in ways that matter

Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

432 pages Completed

Strange Familiars

Keshe Chow

Similar because

Academic rivals · Addictive pacing · Passionate / intense

Different because

Fast pacing rather than Medium.

288 pages Standalone

Tusk Love

Thea Guanzon

Similar because

Experienced x innocent · Cozy · Opposites attract

Different because

It is standalone rather than completed. A shorter read (288 vs 500 pages).

537 pages Standalone

These Bitter Blooms

Emma Hamm

Similar because

Boss/employee · Witch/mage · Cinnamon roll

Different because

It is standalone rather than completed. Spice is lower (3/5 vs 4/5).

Book details

Length: 500 pages
Language: English
Format: Book