The Golden Age of Magic

A Novel (The Golden Age of Magic, Book 1)

By: Luanne G. Smith

Narrated by: Jess Moran

Against the backdrop of 1920s Hollywood, a young fairy godmother on a mission is embroiled in malicious magic, mystery, and murder in a thrilling historical fantasy by the bestselling author of The Vine Witch.

Celeste is about to become one of the thirteen Fées Gardiennes, a centuries-old sisterhood of fairy godmothers. To be granted full status, she must usher her first protégé onto their path of destiny. Where better to find a starry-eyed ward than in the land of magic and illusion called Hollywood?

It’s 1927. The moviemaking business is booming when Celeste befriends a young studio seamstress whose dreams outshine everyone else’s. Rose is talented and underappreciated and could use some enchanted intervention in her life. Plans proceed swimmingly, and Celeste even catches the eye of a handsome producer. But after a series of unexplained accidents on the studio lot stir up rumors of a curse, Celeste fears the trouble is more personal—the spiteful meddling of a fellow Gardienne out to thwart Celeste’s success.

But the sabotage turns sinister when a starlet is murdered and it’s Rose who stands accused. As vengeance, dark magic, and betrayal wreak havoc, Celeste must come into her full power to save her innocent protégé and secure her own future in a cherished, ancient, and now threatened sisterhood.

©2025 by Luanne G. Smith. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“An enjoyable spin on the classic fairy godmother’s trope…The allure of Hollywoodland comes alive."—Historical Novels Review

Sweet story

I really enjoy Luanne's stories. She approaches magic from different angles and the stories are imaginative.

Good happy story!

This was a cute and happy story. Creative and I enjoyed it! It was a bit elementary but it was a refreshing read.

Wonderful story

I’ve been sitting on this review for a few days because I needed to process what happened in the story. Full disclosure: this is not usually a genre I go for, but the narrator is one of my favorites, so I gave it a shot.

I’m so glad I did!

Every time I thought I figured out what was going on, I was wrong. It was delightful after several books where I was able to pick out the twists almost right away. There were more than a few times when my jaw actually dropped because of what was happening. I listen to books at work & more than once, I had coworkers laughing at the reactions on my face as the tale progressed.

Spot on writing, spot on narration. I am definitely looking forward to the next book & will likely give this one another listen or two to make sure I’ve got all the details down.

Took me awhile to get into, but clever story

I’m glad I stuck with this one but it took awhile to get into. I think the premise is clever and the narration was great, but I spent a good chunk of the book focused on the wrong plot it felt like.

Storytelling Spinning Magic

Loved the beautiful book set beginning of the Fae series. The narrator and author never disappoint.