Pride and Prejudice meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in this steamy MM historical fantasy romance!
Length: 82,000 words
Series: The Mage and His Brute, Book 1
Genre: Historical, Fantasy Romance.
Heat: 4 out of 5
He thought he had to choose between duty and desire.
But what if he could have both?
In an alternate Victorian London where magic reigns supreme, Duke Evander Ravenwood hides a dangerous secret — he is an Archmage of unparalleled power. When a brutal murder throws him into the path of Viggo Stonewall, the notorious leader of the underground information guild Nightshade, Evander’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel.
Forced into an unlikely alliance, Evander and Viggo find themselves drawn into a web of conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of their society. With tensions rising between the magical elite and the oppressed thralls, they must navigate a treacherous landscape of politics, prejudice, and forbidden desire to find a common enemy.
But in a world where magic divides the haves from the have-nots, their growing attraction could be their greatest weakness — or their most powerful weapon. Can Evander and Viggo’s burgeoning relationship withstand the storms to come? Or will the shadows of the past and the dangers of the present tear them apart?
The Mage and His Brute is an MM Fantasy Romance series of passion, power, and the unbreakable spirit of those who refuse to be subjugated. Strap in for a wild ride filled with scorching romance, breathtaking magic, and a struggle for justice that will keep you on the edge of your seat in Arcane Entanglement, Book 1!
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EXCERPT
Shaw watched Rufus leave with a conflicted expression.
“What’s the matter?” Brown asked.
“I’m wondering if I should go out there and secure one of those lost melons.”
Brown squinted. “They ain’t lost, Shaw. And what you’re describing is theft.” The alchemist glanced at Evander. “Help me out here, your Grace.”
“Mr. Brown is right, Miss Shaw,” Evander said as he wandered deeper into the alley. “You’ll get in trouble with the law.” He paused and arched an eyebrow at the forensic mage. “I’ll bring you a melon next time my cook buys some, so please refrain from accidentally nicking one of those unfortunate cantaloupes on your way out of here.”
Shaw brightened and fist-pumped the air. Brown muttered under his breath.
Something clinked against Evander’s boot. He frowned and lifted his foot out of the puddle he’d just stepped into. Water dripped into the dirty spill, spreading ripples across the brown surface.
A faint blue light flashed weakly beneath it.
Evander’s pulse quickened. He squatted and carefully moved aside the rock his boot had dislodged, exposing a small object.
Shaw and Brown joined him as he picked it up and brought it to eye level.
“What is that, your Grace?” the alchemist asked curiously.
Evander stared at the small crystal vial. It had a slim body and two tapering ends, fitting easily in the palm of his hand. A clear, sparkling azure liquid filled the hollow chamber within.
It didn’t look like the sort of thing you’d find in the East End.
Evander’s heart slammed against his ribs.
His intuition was telling him the object was a magical item. One linked to the victim.
His gaze shifted to the dead man, gauging the distance between the body’s point of impact and the location of the vial.
Was it on him when he fell?
The hairs lifted on the back of Evander’s neck in the next instant.
The air in the alley thickened with a suddenness that made his ears pop. Dread chilled him when his breath misted in front of his face.
Dark magic!
Shaw and Brown doubled over before he could shout a warning. Their hands rose to clutch their temples even as their faces contorted in expressions of pure agony, the suddenness of the invisible attack robbing them of breath and stealing their cries before they could form.
The only thing that protected Evander from the debilitating effect of the spell that incapacitated his associates was his powers.
Arcane Entanglement by Ava Marie Salinger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a Special Investigator for the Arcane Division of the Metropolitan Police, Duke Evander Ravenwood has seen his share of unspeakable oddities. His latest case brings him in contact with a Brute. Viggo Stonewall, a Brute with no magic, head of an organization called Nightshade, famous in his own right as the Ironfist Brute.
Evander and Viggo are wonderful characters. Both noble, dedicated to the people and the world around them. Evander is an incredibly talented mage, capable of controlling the elements using them to solve crimes and to protect the thralls who have no magic. Viggo is a brute with incredible strength and formidable intelligence. People find him fascinating, the equivalent of a rockstar in Victorian England.
Good backstory helped set the tone of the series to come. I felt that the mystery was too easily solved though. With such powerful characters everything seemed almost to easy. (Evander refusing to consummate their relationship until the case was solved really hurried the case along). This book was definitely instalove. Their interactions were very spicy even without the ultimate act.
This book had the best supporting characters. Most of them were incredibly cheeky, intelligent, and unequivocally supportive of the leading men.
This is a very involved book. I really recommend reading the appendix at the beginning just to become familiar with the terms in the book. I referred back to it quite often.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
About the Author:
Ava Marie Salinger is the romance pen name of an Amazon bestselling author with a passion for writing addictive tales. Known for her action-packed and thrilling urban fantasy novels, she has expanded her repertoire with the introduction of the M/M urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers.
Additionally, she has penned the scorching hot contemporary M/M romance series Nights and Twilight Falls as A.M. Salinger.
When not immersed in her writing, Ava can be found curating inspiring music playlists, indulging in her love for nature, marveling at the latest gadgets, and savoring Chinese cuisine.
Connect with Ava: https://linktr.ee/avamariesalingerauthor
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