A sapphic magical school story told from the teacher's perspective; and it's everything you didn't know you needed
Book Overview
If you've ever wondered what Professor McGonagall might have been thinking whilst dealing with the chaos of magical teenagers, Emily Tesh has written the book for you. The Incandescent is a sapphic dark academia fantasy that flips the magical boarding school genre on its head by placing us firmly in the sensible shoes of Doctor Sapphire Walden, Director of Magic at the prestigious Chetwood School.
Walden is one of the most powerful magicians in England, and her days are filled with meetings, risk assessments, teaching A-Level Invocation to four talented (and chaotic) sixth formers, and securing the school's boundaries from demonic incursions. She's brilliant at her job; and she knows it. When asked to fill in a risk assessment form's column for mitigation in case of demonic incursion, she writes a single word: "Me."
But when an ancient demon that has waited patiently beyond the school's wards begins to stir, even Walden and the aggressively competent Chief Marshal, Laura Kenning, may not be able to contain the threat. As the danger escalates, Walden must confront an uncomfortable truth: the entity she most needs to protect her school from might just be herself.
Set in a contemporary England where magic is an accepted part of society (and where demons might inhabit your mobile phone), The Incandescent is an urban fantasy that feels refreshingly grounded. Tesh, herself a former teacher, infuses the narrative with authentic details about the realities of education; the paperwork, the meetings that could have been emails, and the genuine love of helping young people learn and grow. It's a love letter to teaching wrapped in a demon-summoning package.
The book deftly explores themes of privilege, power, and the British class system through the lens of an elite private school. It examines what it means to be an educator in an institution built on centuries of tradition and generational wealth, whilst also delivering page-turning magical battles and a slow-burn sapphic romance that features delicious enemies-to-lovers tension.
Reasons to Read The Incandescent
A fresh perspective on magical schools: Tired of reading about students causing mayhem? This grown-up magic school story puts you in the shoes of the exhausted, dedicated adults keeping everyone alive. It's competency porn for anyone who's ever wondered about the faculty's side of things.
Hugo Award-winning author: Emily Tesh won the Hugo Award for Best Novel with Some Desperate Glory and is also a World Fantasy Award winner. Her writing is intelligent, literate, and layered with nuance.
Sapphic romance with enemies-to-lovers tension: The slow-burn romance between Walden and Marshal Laura Kenning simmers throughout the book. It's not the central focus, but it adds a compelling thread of personal stakes and emotional complexity.
Authentic British setting: Written by a British author who has actually taught, this captures the reality of UK education with sixth formers, A-Levels, and the particular dynamics of an English boarding school. No American-ified Hogwarts here.
Sharp social commentary: Beneath the demon-summoning and magical battles lies a thoughtful exploration of class, privilege, and power within elite educational institutions. The book understands how these systems operate and isn't afraid to examine them critically.
Fascinating magic system: Invocation, evocation, instantiation—the magic here is well-integrated with modern life. The concept that demons can inhabit any object with 'self-ness' (including your phone) is both clever and unsettling.
Perfect for fans of the Scholomance series: If you loved Naomi Novik's A Deadly Education, this is frequently compared to it—but with an adult protagonist and a distinctly British sensibility.
A flawed, compelling protagonist: Walden is brilliant, dedicated, and deeply flawed. Watching her make increasingly questionable decisions whilst remaining sympathetic is a masterclass in character writing.
Standalone satisfaction: In an era of endless series, this book tells a complete, satisfying story in one volume whilst leaving room for readers to imagine more in this world.
Witty, understated humour: From possessed school printers to risk assessment forms for demon summoning, the book balances its darker moments with dry British wit that never feels forced.
Final Thoughts
The Incandescent is a sophisticated, razor-sharp dark academia fantasy that proves there's still plenty of life in the magical school genre when you approach it from the right angle. Emily Tesh has delivered a book that's simultaneously a love letter to teaching, a critique of elite institutions, and a genuinely thrilling supernatural story.
If you're looking for a sapphic fantasy with an adult protagonist, enjoy dark academia settings, or simply want a magical school story that feels fresh and intelligent, this book deserves a place on your reading list.
Book Details
Title: The Incandescent
Author: Emily Tesh
Publisher: Tor Books / Orbit
Publication Date: May 2025
Pages: 432
Format: Standalone novel
Genre: Dark Academia, Urban Fantasy, Sapphic Romance, Magical School
