Cinnamon Soul

Cinna and Hokuren, Book 1

Fiction - Fantasy - General
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 05/14/2025
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Quinn lives in the Pacific Northwest and spends time each day either writing or thinking about writing. This leaves little time for other activities, but he still finds a way to squeeze in things like playing Dungeons & Dragons, walking around the neighborhood, and reading as many other books as possible. Along with Columbo, who takes on a dual role as lead writing assistant and very affectionate cat, Quinn is excited to present Cinnamon Soul and share future novels starring Cinna and Hokuren with everyone.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Gabriel Santos for Readers' Favorite

Quinn Lawrence's Cinnamon Soul takes us to a realm of waning magic in which, despite the widespread use of magical artifacts and the influence of gods and various ancient legacies, few people can replicate or even understand the magical feats of previous generations. Hokuren is a former Velles' City Watch member trying to establish herself as a seeker (a private investigator) alongside Cinna, her assistant and bodyguard. Business is going poorly, but she manages to capture the elusive Master Thief and receive a well-paying job from the prince to find his missing daughter. Unfortunately, the top suspect, Captain Davenport, is one of the few who can match ancient wizards, and his mystery runs much deeper than anyone imagines. Hokuren and Cinna soon become entangled in a massive conspiracy, searching for the truth while fighting for their lives.

As one of the best fantasy stories I've read recently, this novel has everything I love and more. The characters are charming, and Hokuren and Cinna's growing bond as they face increasingly complex challenges despite their completely different backgrounds and personalities is the book's highlight for me. It's like a buddy cop story in a fantasy setting, featuring many action scenes, mysteries, and hijinks, but also touching heart-to-heart moments. Quinn Lawrence is an expert at making the world feel alive without compromising the story's fast pacing, seamlessly introducing places, concepts, and characters throughout the investigations and adventures. Overall, Cinnamon Soul was a delightful read that left me craving more of this world and its characters.

Emma Megan

Cinnamon Soul by Quinn Lawrence is a compellingly written, fast-paced fantasy. It follows a hardworking elf and a talented private investigator as they forge a wonderful and touching friendship while fighting against the forces of the elite. After capturing Velles's most notorious thief, Cinna and Hokuren need more new clients for their flagging business. When Prince Leopold's daughter goes missing, he hires Hokuren to find her. However, the Captain of the Balance Guard, who wears a suit of golden armor that he never takes off, also disappeared. While trying to find the prince's daughter, Cinna and Hokuren become entangled in an elf kidnapping scheme and discover that a magic that's no longer supposed to be possible lies behind every strange and dangerous thing that happens. Will they find the prince's daughter?

Cinnamon Soul by Quinn Lawrence is a gripping mystery that immediately sweeps readers into a story driven by powerful female characters. It has everything I want in a fantasy: immersive writing and a complex plot filled with depth, mystery, suspense, elves, magic, villains, action scenes, and raw moments. This book has found a special place in my heart and will remain there for a long time, mainly due to the life journeys of Cinna and Hokuren, which are marked by completely different backgrounds and unique, strong personality traits. Anyone who enjoys stories featuring badass women, emotional depth, and rich world-building should read it. It's a true escape from reality and the story never feels predictable or dull.

K.C. Finn

Cinnamon Soul by Quinn Lawrence kicks off the Cinna and Hokuren series with a bang in this sharp, sassy fantasy mystery. We're with our world-weary PI and her charmingly mysterious assistant for a real adventure. Hokuren is in desperate need of a case (and cash), and finds both when a prince hires her to find his missing daughter. What seems like a standard kidnapping quickly unravels into a larger conspiracy involving kidnapped elves, ancient magic, and secrets Hokuren would rather not face. Alongside her reluctant partner Cinna, an elf with secrets of his own, she chases down leads and fights off dark forces, all while maintaining a killer sense of humor and a soft spot she’d never admit to.

Author Quinn Lawrence has a distinct author voice that echoes the characters perfectly, and absolutely nails that in this book to give you an immediate sense of who they are and what their mission is. I had so much fun following Hokuren through back-alley magical scrapes and sarcastic interrogations, and I really liked the development of her dialogue and action descriptions. She’s a badass with baggage, and I loved her for it and immediately wanted to root for her. Cinna’s slow-reveal backstory adds great emotional depth, and their chemistry (professional and otherwise) keeps things crackling. The world is layered with just enough magic to feel rich but never overwhelming, and the pacing hits that perfect balance of action and character beats. Overall, Cinnamon Soul is a smart, snarky mystery that blends fantasy and noir with heart, and I'd highly recommend it to fans of found families and magical mayhem.