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REVIEW: Stolen Magic by Ava Marie Salinger
The Mage and His Brute: Stolen Magic – Ava Marie Salinger
Magic defines who they are. But what happens when that power can be stolen?
In a Victorian London where magical privilege divides society, Duke Evander Ravenwood and Viggo Stonewall have forged more than just an alliance—they’ve fallen in love. But their happiness is short-lived when a new threat emerges from the shadows of London’s magical society.
A renowned professor from the Royal Institute for the Arcane has vanished, leaving behind whispers of forbidden magic and mysterious experiments. As Evander begins to investigate, complications arise with the arrival of his enigmatic former lover from Paris. An expert called in to help, Leon Beaulieu brings old emotions and new secrets to light and soon becomes a source of jealousy for Viggo.
Meanwhile, troubling rumours reach the Nightshade network: thralls linked to noble families are disappearing across London. Determined to track down the perpetrator, Viggo and his friends are drawn into a perilous hunt for an elusive adversary working from the shadows.
Realising their cases are intertwined, Evander and Viggo join forces to unravel the mysteries behind the professor’s disappearance and the missing thralls. But their search soon plunges them into a web of conspiracies rooted in decades-old betrayals and ambition—where nothing, and no one, is quite as it seems.
As allies become adversaries and the true mastermind closes in, Evander and Viggo will need their wits—and their trust in each other—if they’re to survive the darkness gathering around them.
Stolen Magic is a spellbinding tale of magic, mystery, and romance that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. Perfect for fans of historical fantasy and LGBT romance, this second instalment in The Mage and His Brute series promises an unforgettable journey through a London where love and magic intertwine in the most unexpected ways.
Stolen Magic is the second book of the historical fantasy series The Mage and His Brute by Ava Marie Salinger. It picks up where Arcane Entanglement left off, with dark mages exploiting magicless thralls for nefarious reasons.
Scotland Yard’s Special Arcane Investigator Duke Evander Ravenwood and his team are tasked with finding missing professors from the Royal Institute for the Arcane. Meanwhile, his lover Viggo Stonewall and Nightshade investigate the disappearance of thralls, only to discover the two cases are connected.
I’m glad the main case isn’t a murder mystery, which is a nice change from the usual police procedural. Viggo and Evander initially pursue separate leads until the overlap becomes clear.
Just to spice things up, Evander’s ex and fellow Special Arcane Investigator, Comte Leon Beaulieu, enters the scene to assist, as one of the missing professors was from France. This got Viggo’s hackles up.
Viggo and Evander were refreshingly drama-free despite Leon’s efforts to rekindle old flames. Amid frantic investigations, it’s super sweet how they always make time to be together at the end of their busy day. They’re total relationship goals!
The only sour note is Jasper, Evander’s manservant, who is creepily invested in his master’s sex life. His salacious comments quickly turned from gag to grating
The atrocities done to the downtrodden thralls were even more horrific in this installment. They were used as experimental human conduits to transfer magic, which led to agonizing deaths.
While the villains and twists are somewhat predictable and the fight scenes less intense than in book one, the case itself is compelling. And Evander unleashing his archmage powers to their fullest was glorious!
The unexpected teamwork between Viggo and Leon was a fun bonus. They might actually become friends if they keep this up.
Stolen Magic continues the fight for justice against overprivileged mages. Though lighter on surprises and action, overall, it still delivers heart, thrills, and magic.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Conduit
Artist: The Spill Canvas
Album: ConduitP.S.
The Mage and His Brute is best read in order.
Watch a kungfu-fighting archmage and a trainstopping brute get twisted up in each other in Arcane Entanglement
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STOLEN MAGIC: Amazon UK | Audiobook
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REVIEW: Arcane Entanglement by Ava Marie Salinger
The Mage And His Brute: Arcane Entanglement – Ava Marie Salinger
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.
Force 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?
Arcane Entanglement is a spellbinding tale of magic, mystery, and romance that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. Perfect for fans of historical fantasy and LGBT romance, this first instalment in The Mage and His Brute series promises an unforgettable journey through a London where love and magic intertwine in the most unexpected ways.
Arcane Entanglement opens the fantastic historical fantasy series, The Mage And His Brute by Ava Marie Salinger. Blending urban fantasy, murder mystery, and slow-burn romance, this is a fast-paced, action-packed story that barely lets its characters catch their breath.
Duke Evander Ravenwood, a mage and special arcane investigator with Scotland Yard, is looking into the murder of a charm worker when he stumbles upon a dangerous magical artifact. Dark mages want it badly, and soon Evander finds himself ambushed, hunted, and fighting for his life.
His investigation brought him to Nightshade, an underground information guild led by Viggo Stonewall. The attraction was instantaneous, but with an active case and strict rules, anything beyond a friendship is forbidden. Together with their team, Viggo and Evander must catch a murderer and stop dark mages from obliterating half of London and igniting another war.
Set in an alternate Victorian era divided between magic users and non‑magic thralls, the story explores a society still scarred by a brutal past conflict of the two. Among the thralls are brutes—massive, magic‑immune warriors like Viggo, who possess superhuman strength. It is said he stopped a moving train with his bare hands. The brutes defended the thralls during the war.
I have mixed feelings about the pacing. The author loves teasing secrets, and while I appreciate not being strung along, the reveals often come too quickly to build real tension. Some twists feel predictable or anticlimactic, and major secrets are treated as earth‑shattering one moment, then casually known by everyone the next. Evander also breaks rules, including direct orders from the Queen, with surprisingly few consequences.
One major inconsistency is when a brute was magically compelled to act against his will by the dark mages. Also, Viggo and Evander’s relationship was supposedly forbidden, but then everyone they know was cheering them on. Class tensions are present but not deeply explored, although I’m guessing this will come into play in the next books.
Still, Ava Marie Salinger created a compelling historical police procedural set in an incredibly fascinating world. The writing tends to be info-dumpy, which is understandable because there are so many things that need to be established. The magic system is well-conceived, and the story might be heavy on info-dumps, but it is still easy to read.
It was thrilling to tag along with Viggo and Evander in their investigation, and it’s a delight to watch them fall for each other. It happened lightning fast, but still leaves room for yearning, pining, and delicious unresolved tension. They bring out the best in each other, and their healthy dynamic is refreshing.
My favorite part is the fight scenes. The plot leaps from one high octane fight to another, and it was SPECTACULAR! I didn’t mind Evander’s secret arch‑mage status being revealed early because the display of high‑level magic is jaw‑dropping. Viggo’s train‑stopping moment is pure MCU energy!
So despite some complaints, I was thoroughly entertained and can’t wait to start on the next installment.
Arcane Entanglement is a story of magic, secrets, and murder where the strongest mage and the strongest brute unraveled a plot to destroy the city and bind their destinies together. Overall, a twisty-turny magical extravaganza!
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Tangled
Artist: Adrian Crowley
Album: Measure of Joy
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RELEASE BLITZ: P.O.O.F My Life! by D.G. Carothers
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COVER REVEAL: The Lost Lovelies by Vanora Lawless
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Lemniscate by Sean Ian O’Meidhir & Connal Braginsky (Excerpt)
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REVIEW: The Monster of Elenhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht
The Monster of Elenhaven – Jennifer Giesbrecht
The city of Elendhaven sulks on the edge of the ocean. Wracked by plague, abandoned by the South, stripped of industry and left to die. But not everything dies so easily. A thing without a name stalks the city, a thing shaped like a man, with a dark heart and long pale fingers yearning to wrap around throats. A monster who cannot die. His frail master sends him out on errands, twisting him with magic, crafting a plan too cruel to name, while the monster’s heart grows fonder and colder and more cunning.
These monsters of Elendhaven will have their revenge on everyone who wronged the city, even if they have to burn the world to do it.
The Monster of Elenhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht is my Halloween read, and what a fabulously creepy little novella it is!
Elenhaven is a German-flavored coastal city of a fictional kingdom in the north. Its sea is black, and eldritch creatures are said to crawl out of its depths. Its factories are almost gone, and the city is barely recovering from a plague that struck some years ago. The sun makes its appearance a few short months after winter, which is most of the year.
Unknown to the residents, a monster is lurking in the shadows. This monster cannot be killed, not even with bullets, knives, or being dropped from a tower. This monster, who calls himself Johann, took a special interest and began stalking a gentleman named Florian Lichenbloom, who harbored his own dark secret.
The world-building is eerily atmospheric. I can easily picture the forboding coastline, grey overcast skies, and Elenhaven, which seem to be perpetually sinking in the shadows. The lore is detailed enough to answer questions and complete the narrative, but also left me wanting another visit to Elenhaven for more because it’s hella fascinating!
There is romance here, but this is not romance, so we know what that means for our couple. Still, this was so good, I didn’t mind. The ending was bittersweet and satisfying, and also creeptastic if you think of all it implies.
This is horror, and if there is such a thing as cozy horror, this novella is the epitome of one. After all of Johann’s skulking around and his confrontation with Florian, the two played house and proceeded to kill me with Johann’s outrageous flirting and Florian’s adorably blushy tsundere-ing.
All while secretly carrying out Florian’s devious plot for revenge, which at first glance was just an eye-for-an-eye thing but is really one of the most insidious plans one could unleash on the whole world.
The cuteness was on a different level that I momentarily forgot there’s devilry afoot. As the story progressed, we learn of Florian’s tragic past and a surprising connection to Johann, a full circle built on grief, rage, despair, and dreams. It was devastating and beautiful, painful and sweet, and ultimately, a gift to be carried wherever the monster went.
Overall, The Monster of Elenhaven is a story of kindred souls, revenge, and tragedy. It began with curiosity and ended with a gift. A spine-tingling tale where dreams come to life as a nightmare that fulfils the heart’s deepest, darkest desires.
Rating:
5 Stars – absolutely perfectSoundtrack: Black Water
Artist: Of Monsters and Men
Album: Beneath the Skin
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THE MONSTER OF ELENHAVEN: Kindle | Audiobook
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REVIEW: That Mafioso Magic by Nicholas Bella
Mages & Mayhem: That Mafioso Magic by Nicholas Bella
Private detective, Adrian Elias, knows what trouble looks like, and ruthless mobster and lion shifter, Sage Tamir, was just that with a capital T. On top of smelling like heaven, the man has the face of an angel, with a body made for unbridled sin. A combination Adrian finds very hard to resist.
Unfortunately, someone is trying to kill Sage and they’re using magic to do it. Sage usually takes these types of matters into his own hands, but this time, he’s out of his league. He believes the only person who can help him is the down-on-his-luck detective. Problem is, Adrian doesn’t want to take his case because he feels it may be too dangerous. Never mind the volcanic-level attraction they seem to share for each other raising the stakes. Magic and mayhem awaits.
Reader Advisory: 18 and older. Strong adult situations and language. A sarcastic PI and a no-nonsense mobster will keep you turning the pages way past your bedtime. Best order that pizza, because once you start this book, you won’t want to stop.
That Mafioso Magic is the first book of the shifter paranormal/urban fantasy series, Mages & Mayhem, by Nicholas Bella. The fated mates pairing of a lion shifter mafia boss and a private detective mage intrigued me right away.
Firstly, Sage Tamir and his pride of all-female lions is so Wakanda-coded, I was imagining Killmonger, yes, him, since Sage is a bad boy after all, and the Dora Milaje as mafiosos. Sage is also a mage, though not a particularly strong one. He makes his spells look more powerful than they really are, so he’s feared as the Lion King who can also do magic.
Adrian Elias is also not a particularly strong mage, but he can do enough to help him beat bad guys and solve cases as a PI. My first impression of Adrian was that of a grizzled John Constantine-type character, so I was surprised to learn he was only 26 years old. I would have preferred him to be older, but Adrian is gritty, resourceful, and doesn’t back down from a fight, not even from a powerful vampire archduke.
The first meeting between Sage and Adrian was a nuclear explosion of uncontrollable primal lust; they had people running out of the room, scrambling to get out of their way. When heads cleared and things cooled down, they learned about a grimoire and their destiny. They agreed to collaborate to find out who is trying to kill Sage while also continuing Adrian and his partner Xavier’s investigation into a missing child.
I really appreciated that the author avoided the training trope but was able to create a believable way for Sage’s and Adrian’s magic to grow stronger. I also liked that they were neither the least nor most powerful but strong enough to stand toe to toe with formidable enemies.
I enjoyed the world-building, the secondary characters, and the dynamics between the main characters, as well as the various plot threads. However, the narrative presented two key plot threads that were exciting on their own, but when combined, they felt diminished. Additionally, there was too much telling instead of showing, which would have been more effective.
The opening chapter where Adrian and Xavier were rescuing children and fighting the bad guy was very suspenseful and chilling. Sadly, the continuation of the search for the missing child possessed by a demon seemed like an afterthought. If the book had been written solely as a police procedural or murder mystery, it would have been quite riveting.
The mafia business where Sage and Adrian had to ask a favor from Sage’s vampire nemesis, Archduke Salino Laurent, was hella fun but all over the place. Salino is fabulously sinister and gorgeous! I wouldn’t be surprised if the three end up a poly.
Kinda want them to poly given how Sage and Adrian are both attracted to Salino while also hating his guts. I can’t wait for the vampire archduke to cash in his favor! Pretty obvious who’s my favorite character here.
Overall, That Mafioso Magic could benefit from a tighter, more cohesive writing that could enhance the story’s impact. Still, there is plenty to like about this series, plot threads I’m looking forward to, and characters I’d love to see more of. It’s not setting my world on fire, but it’s keeping it alive with just enough magic and mayhem,
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Lionhearted
Artist: Porter Robinson feat. Urban Cone
Album: Worlds
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That Mafioso Magic: Kindle | Audiobook
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Dream Swimmes by Jo Carthage (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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PROMO BLITZ: Stolen Magic by Ava Marie Salinger
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PROMO BLITZ: Born To Be Legends by Hailey Turner
