Joseph Swopes debut novel, Need for Magic explores the most powerful magic of all, peoples needs. The beautiful Lilandra masterfully intuits the needs of everyone she meets and of the whole nation of Atani. By promising to meet those needs, she manipulates all she comes across. Even ancient wizards and a skilled Blademasters have needs. As a result, they too are played like puppets by her deft hand.

By refusing to conform to the role the Goodfolk of his village assign him, Keven, a maligned bastard stable hand shows he has a deep understanding of his own needs. A travelling wizard...