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Sight Unseen
by Alexis Marie
Published Mar 1, 2026
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About this book
Veda Thorne is living on borrowed time. Burdened by a fatal curse that defies every magical remedy, she has retreated into a life of isolation, waiting for the inevitable. Her solitude is disrupted when she agrees to tutor Antaris, a young boy whose hidden suffering mirrors her own.
This brings her into the orbit of Hiram Ellis, a man who has traded his family’s wealthy, prejudiced legacy for a quiet existence as a single father. Hiram is immediately drawn to Veda’s sharp tongue and fierce protection of his son, but their growing connection is threatened by a dark wave of violence sweeping through their town. When a series of murders leaves behind a trail of enchanted spider lilies, Veda and Hiram realize their lives are inextricably linked to the killer’s twisted agenda.
As they investigate, they must navigate the dangerous intersection of Veda’s fading life and the secrets buried in Hiram’s past. Forced to rely on one another to survive, they find that trust is the most difficult challenge of all. In a race against a predator and a curse, the two must decide if a future built on shifting ground is worth the devastating cost.
Available Formats
Limited time deal: $14.90 Paperback: $12.99
What readers are saying
Amazon CustomerSight Unseen - a stellar debut novel!
"Important note (because of misinformation from people who HAVE NOT read the book): This is NOT a Harry Potter fanfic, and NOT a Dramione rewrite. Sight Unseen is a completely original story with its own world, magic system, characters, and themes. It stands firmly on its own and tackles deeply real, relevant issues, particularly prejudice and systemic discrimination, with intention and care. Sight Unseen is a beautifully written, emotionally devastating slow-burn fantasy romance with a gripping mystery at its core. It follows Veda Thorne, a painfully human protagonist navigating grief, isolation, and the quiet pull toward giving up, until her life becomes entangled with Antaris – a grieving, mute child whose healing becomes inseparable from her own – and Hiram Ellis, a man learning how to confront his privilege, and the terrifying responsibility of caring for a grieving son he never knew existed. The found family dynamic is incredibly moving, the slow-burn romance is exquisitely paced (the tension and banter are chef’s kiss), and the emotional payoff is absolutely worth the wait. Beneath the magic and mystery lies sharp social commentary, particularly in how Seers are treated – a clear reflection of real-world racism and systemic inequality. The writing is vivid, tender, and full of heart. It balances grief, humour, love, and hope with remarkable skill, and the serial killer subplot adds a constant, chilling unease that keeps you hooked until the final reveal. Heart-breaking, hopeful, and unforgettable – this is a story that stays with you long after the last page. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC of this book (TY Amazon!!), and I can't scream loud enough about this stellar debut novel by Alexis Marie!!!!!! ["
February 3, 2026 Verified Purchase
Liz RobinsonMagic but deeply human.
"Sight Unseen by Alexis Marie is a layered story that blends magic with deeply human themes. At its heart, this is a book about overcoming prejudice, learning to truly see one another, and finding family in the most unexpected places. The magic is woven thoughtfully into the narrative—not as spectacle, but as a lens through which love, fear, and belonging are explored. The characters are beautifully drawn, each carrying wounds and assumptions that are slowly challenged as the story unfolds. Watching love grow here feels earned, tender, and quietly powerful. What stood out most is the sense of found family: the way connection forms through shared vulnerability rather than shared history. It’s hopeful without being saccharine, romantic without losing emotional depth, and thoughtful about what it means to choose love in a world that makes that choice difficult. A lovely read that lingers long after the final page—perfect for readers who love stories where magic amplifies the heart rather than overshadowing it. ["
February 6, 2026 Verified Purchase
UkiacatA good combination of Magic and Humanity
"I am really enjoying this book. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is magic but there is a lot of humanity packed into the story. I’ve always liked books that showed us who we are and what humanity does to each other while couching it in a world of magic. The magic provides a “screen” between me and the lessons I think the author wants to focus on. I know the issues are real and important but it is not quite as painful to read about. This book does a lot of that but it keeps me wanting to read it to find out how it ends, rather than making me want to slam the book shut and walk away. ["
April 22, 2026 Verified Purchase
oknazarethI am crushed 💔
"I wanted to love this book so much, I was prepared for it to become my favorite. Sadly, it didn’t work for me. Alexis wrote Measure of a Man, which is one of my absolute favorite fanfictions of all time. I can close my eyes and remember exactly how it made me feel. It was quiet, atmospheric, intimate. It didn’t need chaos to carry emotion. This book did the opposite. And before you come for me, I KNOW this book had to be different, it had to separate itself from HP. I know that. I just didn’t expect a mess. Veda was obnoxiously irritating. Judgmental, biased, stubborn, impossible to deal with. She has no redeeming qualities. And once I start disliking the main character, the book is already lost to me. The magic system was convoluted. There were info dumps and WAY too many characters, most of them impossible to care about because there was no space to give them depth. The seer storyline got on my nerves. I cannot deal with cryptic nonsense that leads nowhere. Make it stop. And I didn’t care one bit about the serial killer plot. It felt like noise. A messy distraction from what could have been a much stronger, quieter story. I did appreciate the parallels between muggleborns and seers, repression and fear. And Antaris is the only reason I didn’t DNF. The detail about Antaris being the brightest star of Scorpius melted my heart. Also, Hiram was hot. Let’s be honest here. But this could have been a quiet story about grief, connection, purpose, and love. Instead, it was overcrowded, overcomplicated, and emotionally distant. Alexis Marie can write. I truly believe that. And I’ll probably read her future books. But this one missed the mark badly. Three stars because it’s not unreadable. But it’s nowhere near what it could have been. 📖 Advanced copy review thanks to Amazon First Reads program. ["
February 13, 2026 Verified Purchase
