Arcane Entanglement

The Mage and His Brute #1

by 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Magic, Paranormal, M M Romance, Romance, Mystery

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2024

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.

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Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to a series. It has a rich world filled with magic and tragedy related to certain magic users and non-magic users.

Evander and Viggo make a wonderful couple. They had an instant attraction and balanced each other other perfectly. I cannot wait to see their relationship further develop in future books. I also really enjoyed all the side characters, especially the plucky Miss Shaw. She had some great one liners.

It is a slow burn, but there are a few sexy moments scattered throughout. I do wish that the sexy times had been described in more detail and that those scenes had been longer. Occasionally, the descriptions of what was going on with the magic got a little cartoonish to me.

I received an ARC of this from GRR and this is my honest opinion.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

2.75 stars

A lot of this book feels half formed. There are ideas there, but without being grounded with a sense of reality or without events having any sense of consequence or danger. The writing is decent, though the author relies heavily on info dumps and heavy-handed exposition, especially in the beginning, and the pace is fine; it’s just that so much of what I wanted from this — interesting characters, a solid romance, a lively plot — only ever half delivered. This is the first book in the Mage and his Brute series, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing on to book two.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Arcane Entanglement is the first book in the historical fantasy noir series The Mage and the Brute set in an alternate Victorian London. Duke Evander Ravenwood is no simple mage; he has the powers of an Archmage which once brought ruin to Europe. When an investigation into a brutal murder leads him to the notorious underground magic-resistant brute Viggo Stonewall, they are forced into an uneasy alliance. Unfortunately, Evander is the antithesis of everything stands for—magical, noble, and rich—but their chemistry is undeniable and a mutual forbidden desire simmers between them. But can they set aside their differences in politics, class and magic long enough to have a relationship and save London from the plot of a dark mage?

I love the world the author built here. It is vast, well thought out, rich in details, and with a robust magic system. The historical setting and criminal investigation aspect certainly gave a noir feel to the story. The framework for a truly fantastic series is set. However, I think the plot of this first book was a bit too straightforward and needed more adversity to keep up the tension and mystery. The characters (outside of the main villain) were swayed/folded too easily so it didn’t feel like there was much of a struggle. The action set pieces was great though, and the humor very on point despite it being a bit too modern for its setting.

Both Evander and Viggo are complex men with a forbidden attraction (that everyone seems to just accept anyway). Evander is noble to a fault in both heritage and bearing. Viggo’s tragic history was startlingly heartbreaking and drives his character’s identity and motivations which is why I am iffy on his rapid about-face towards Evander. Their romance was far too insta-love and was bordering on fated lovers. I thought it was out of place for such a gritty story, and it was not set up in a way where I thought a soulmate situation was appropriate. They were already exchanging love declarations in their third meeting on the second day they knew each other! It was too much too fast. I liked them together, but I wanted them needed to work for their romance more.

Arcane Entanglement delivers a likable MM historical romantasy noir and sets up a world I would like to dive into more.

*Thank you to GRR Tours for the eARC.

[Terri]

DNF at 33%. I tried, but there's a ton of edit fails, and I am done trying to forgive them. Meaningless scene breaks, poor transitions, typos internal contradictions... And I could tell it was going to get worse. Already the pace is uneven.

[Kashonna Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The world building was phenomenal. Being able to visualize the scenes based on the description helps you to really immerse yourself.
Getting a breakdown of the classification of all the citizens and where they fall on the matter of importance sets you up to know who are main players are and why we should root for them.
Now our lovely mage, Duke Evander is such a stand up guy. Even though, based on his status, he could be living a life a leisure he instead he tries to make the lives of the less fortunate better. He tries to even out the playing field even though there are many trying to harm his cause. One way he is trying to help is by being on this world's police force. When he is called to investigate a murder, he later finds himself in need of help from Viggo. The Brute who is the yin to a mages's yang. Viggo considers Evander his enemy due to his status as a mage. Afterall mages have used there powers against the magic less and tried to wipe them out. Even though he wants to hate the instant attraction he felt couldn't be ignored. Soon our duo is racing against the clock trying to figure out what the main antagonist is after, how to stop him and figure out who is the mastermind behind it all.
If you like fantasy, and old UK this a good book to try.

[Janee Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for my Christmas present Bryanna! Good pacing, interesting cast of characters, interesting plot, and I liked the couple.

[Cassie Colbers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh, I wanted so badly for this to be my next series obsession. A magic based Sherlock Holmes type mystery with a gay romance is right up my alley. But the whole book fell flat.
There were several concepts introduced and then instantly tossed right out the window. That along with a pretty heavy handed writing style made for a rushed feeling book.
My biggest frustration was the insta love. I’m not opposed to insta love on principle but this one felt extremely forced. Especially since this was the perfect situation for insta attraction and then a slow burn and some pining.
Another other frustration I had was how we have this super shadowy network of spies but our love interests meet and suddenly everyone can just know who they are? This would have been such a cool concept to keep, and honestly would have been a fantastic point of tension between the love interests worlds. But it just became a convenient way to move the plot forward when it would get stuck.
The book started out with such promise but was just a little disappointing by the end.

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75* rounded up.
This is the first in a new series that is rich in world building with a guiding appendixes at the beginning for reference. I don’t often read historical fiction novels and I agreed to read this through GRR. I am so glad I did, there is pace and it is well written, I found it to be enjoyable and entertaining, there is intricate intrigue with twists and turns. Once Duke Evander meets Viggo the heat in the story cranks up these two opposites in class and status are enamored with each other. There is plenty of action and some violence which kept me reading when I possibly should have stopped for the evening. I am really looking forward to the next in the series and hopefully get some answers to questions that are still not answered. I would definitely recommend it.

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mage and His Brute (Arcane Entanglement 1)
By Ava Marie Salinger
Published by the author, 2024
Four stars

This is the start of what will be a hugely fun series. We’re in an alternate Victorian England, and indeed Victoria, Regina Imperatrix appears herself at one point. The rather significant twist here is that it is a world ruled by magic. There are degrees of magical power, and specialization within the ranks of those who have magic. Not insignificantly, all people of noble blood are magical. People without any magic are known as thralls, and are at the bottom of the social order. One sort of non-magical human stands out: the Brute—a non-magic human with super strength and stature. Brutes are immune to magic, which is in itself a kind of super power.

We enter this world through the eyes of Evander, Duke of Ravenwood, who is a powerful mage. Indeed, he is more powerful than anyone knows. Power is political, and too much power can be dangerous in its own way. The duke is exceptional among his class in that he is also a highly-trained detective and part of the Arcane wing of the Metropolitan Police in London.

Evander Ravenwood’s best friend is Lady Genevieve Hartley, who has used her noble status and avoided marriage in order to set her up in the only sort of business a woman has access to. She is a delightful, if somewhat enigmatic character, and one of the few people close to the duke who knows him well.

The duke and his lady collaborator are exceptional as magical nobles: they treat their thrall servants with care and kindness. They are, in their discreet way, fighters for justice in a world that treats the non-magical as little more than slaves. Because of the duke’s power, he and Lady Ginny can move easily in the highest social circles, and thus obtain both information and social connections to help them in their quest.

Then a violent murder of a magical artisan comes to the duke’s attention, and quickly a dark conspiracy suggests itself, tainted by dark magic. As Evander and his partner Rufus Grayson investigate, they find themselves allied with Viggo Stonewall, a celebrated Brute and fighter, as well as a rare thrall who has become a successful antrepreneur.

The complication we all hope for is instant: the duke is enthralled by the intelligent and handsome Brute. It’s a delicious set up that turns into a page-turner as the plot gets uglier and more violent.

Salinger writes a good complete narrative arc, leaving plenty of loose ends to follow in the next installment, without an unnecessary cliffhanger. She has a good sense of the period, and this world fits nicely into the genre of contemporary romantic quasi-historical fantasy of which it is a part. My only quibble is that she really needs to learn how to use British titles properly. It’s a distraction that breaks the spell.

[purely.romantic · Rating 5 out of 5]

CWs and CNs at the end.

Ava Marie Salinger is back with a new gaslamp fantasy series set in Victorian England where magic are woven into the fabric of the late 19th century. I very much enjoyed this introduction to a new set of characters and the specifics of the worldbuilding, all alongside a really fun murder mystery that laid the foundations for the continuing series arc.

We meet Evander Ravenwood, a Duke and member of the police’s Arcane Division, and his team when a worrisome murder leads straight to a much more sinister plot and organization that threatens to recreate history by enslaving all non-magic users. In his quest to solve this mystery, Evander meets Viggo, a particular type of non-magic user who is also among the lower classes, and the two men, though from polar opposite parts of society, are immediately drawn to each other as they work together.

One of the strongest parts of this book is the worldbuilding, and much like Salinger’s previous urban fantasy, I enjoyed the intricacies around the social politics and hierarchies of this world. We are also introduced to a really well fleshed out history of magic and magic-users, the clashes and violence enacted upon non-magic users and the still simmering after effects of it. It was really interesting to see both main and side characters grapple with their own connections to it and how it continues to shape them and their choices. Both main characters were instantly interesting and I always enjoy it when they wield powerful abilities and have to figure out how to put their skills together to get out of some very hairy situations.

For folks used to the breakneck speed of the Fallen Messengers series, this one was a bit slower and I enjoyed the action but also when things slowed down both for the intimate scenes as well as the more problem solving moments. I do wish that the two mains had a little more time before they fell into a relationship, and a handful of moments where the language felt out of place for the time period caught me off guard. Despite this, this was a promising first book and I’m eager to see where the rest of the series takes us!

CWs: discussions of past genocide within the story’s world; discussions of violent deaths of family in the past; classism and magic-based discrimination; murder.

CNs: This is the first book in a new gaslamp fantasy series set in an alternate Victorian England. It features two characters from opposite ends of the magic systems and society. The novel is low to modertate heat and does contain several on-page sex scenes. I received an ARC from GRR Tours and this is my voluntary review.

[Taylin Clavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Love Bytes – 5 hearts.
Evander is a British mage nobleman with a cause and a secret, or several. There are those who believe that the magically blessed should not be equal to people with none. And with tensions rising, Evander must keep his eyes open. However, nature has seen to it that some members of society have heightened immunity to magical influences. When Evander encounters such a being in the Brute called Viggo, a future that could spell disaster or give him all that he ever hoped for is possible.
Oh myyyyy, where to start? I loved it – is a good beginning. Thereafter, I’ll be fangirling till the next book comes out. Arcane Entanglement is the first tale in a series that contains within its covers action, murder, romance, and danger at all levels of society, from Queen Victoria to the scullery maid - and sass. Imagine Bridgerton meets Sherlock Holmes with a hefty dose of Grindelwald. What’s not to love!!! If the blurb interests just a little bit - the best thing to do is read it. Once I picked it up – only the need for sleep made me put it down.
The story is written in British English, in the third person, from the viewpoints of Evander and Viggo. The setting is London, England, in the era of Queen Victoria. However, it is an AU version of the UK, where magic is widely known and used. And like many universes, some fight for good, and others, who want power, and the subjugation of anyone deemed a threat to that power.
At the beginning, there is an appendix containing a glossary of terms. Most things were logical, and while it is stated that one can go back and refer to them, it is unnecessary. However, it is worth noting that the term Brute - is not a mindless, musclebound individual but a non-magical, incredibly strong, intelligent individual who can also resist magic.
Evander is a Duke with principles. He’s a detective and a powerful mage intent on doing right for the people. His household contains an eclectic array of loyal staff with various entertaining personalities. Also, Evander’s friend Ginny and Met Officer Shaw are gutsy women with sass who made quite the impression.
Viggo is a brave Brute, and lead man of the underground information network, Nightshade. He, too, has a loyal following. His people get where many can’t, and I look forward to discovering more in the next of the series.
In short, Arcane Entanglement is a magical book of murder and intrigue with a Moriarty-level bad guy that spans all levels of Victorian society. Bravo – Ava Marie Salinger.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received an electronic ARC via GayRomanceReviews- thank you!**

Ava Marie Salinger introduces readers to the world of The Mage and the Brute with Arcane Entanglement. In an alternative history Victorian London, magic separates the classes. Special Arcane Inspector Duke Evander Ravenwood intends to do his part to ensure equal treatment of those without magic (thralls) and those who have it, which is why he signed on with the Metropolitan Police to begin with. Unfortunately, he does have to investigate the occasional murder. When an artificer turns up dead in an alley, Evander quickly identifies the work of dark magic. He finds his must turn to the legendary Ironfist Brute, Viggo Stonewall, who leads the information guild, Nightshade. Viggo has reason to hate mages, but finds himself inexplicably drawn to Evander. Romance must wait, of course. That would be a conflict of interest for the Inspector, and they should probably save all of London first.

This was definitely a great time. Salinger put the effort into not only re-building the world with magic and providing readers with an appendix of terms (thanks very much!), but she also built out her side characters. A pet peeve of mine is when side characters only exist to support the main, particularly in romance. Salinger neatly avoided the trap with delightfully clever sides (Inspector Rufus Grayson, Forensic Mage Lyra Shaw and Lady Ginny Hartley were standouts) as well as characters who serve comic relief while still maintaining steady competence at their jobs (Mr. Hargrove, Mrs. Sinclair, Sly, and Razor).

Time was well balanced between plot and character development in addition to a well paced progression overall. Salinger leaves tons of room for expansion of this story and this world while wrapping up the A plot quite nicely

Fans of KJ Charles' A Charm of Magpies will love The Mage and the Brute. I very much look forward to future installments and readily subscribed to Salinger's newsletter.

[Xanthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Ava's writing with the Fallen Messengers series and so, I had to read this new series of magic and mystery set in Victorian London and, wow, it didn't disappoint.
The author's world building is on point from the start and I found it so easy to imagine an old London, down a dank alley where a murder scene is found. Evander is clearly apart from those he works with, by his name, his clothes, and air of nobility. But his magic, that's on a level all on its own above everyone else's, they just don't know it yet. Viggo is a hugely interesting character, no wonder Evander is so taken with him! They are so different, and come from such different worlds but seem to fit so seamlessly, like they are just meant to be.
It comes in very handy during this case as Evander and his team look into the murder of a charm weaver which takes them down much darker avenues than they could have expected. His friend and confidante, Ginny, enable him to meet the infamous Brute, the thrall head of Nightshade, an underground information guild. These two together shouldn't work but there are immediate sparks and you can just feel the chemistry. They also work, and fight, well together, especially when it comes to the dark mages who are starting to show themselves in the world, this time with an evil plot that the team are yet to figure out.
It's a fantastic mystery set in a very interesting London and has two brilliant leads in Evander and Viggo. I can't wait to see what happens with the two of them, considering the views of the general population and the nobility. There's also a series arc plot that has begun and I can't wait to explore it further.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonders of 19th century Britain are powered by magic. The story is very steampunk. The world is divided into those with magic. And those who do not, called thralls. Thralls have a few rights, hard earned after an evil band of mages led by an archmage tried to destroy the magicless in the War of Subjugation. Someone with a lot of dark magic desires to complete the destruction.
Evander Ravenwood is a Duke, an Arcane investigator at Scotland Yard, and an archmage capable of manipulating all four elements. Viggo Stonewell is a Brute, resistant to most magic. Having his entire village murdered during the War, he has no love of mages. Evander outs himself saving another Brute, a friend of Viggo.
Viggo is a 'witness and potential collaborator' (loc 2184) in an active case. Though they share an instant attraction, Evander is the investigating officer in the murder case that brought them together. There's lots of pining, lots of kissing. And the kissing is kindle melting. Their chemistry is off the charts.
Worldbuilding is delightful. Secondaries are as well. Viggo's men, Evander's business partner. his investigating team and household staff are supportive. And they all have opinions they're not afraid to share. No staid Victorians here.
The mystery was well casted. Very absorbing. Building and building.... and ending in a cliffhanger. But book two is only a few months away. And it will be fun seeing what this chaotic found family gets up to next.
An enjoyable read. Just the right length for an introduction in a new world. Ms Salinger is a new author to me, and the endcap says it's her first dive into MM. I hope there's lots more.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my review.

[Tashyka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic is an integral part of late-nineteenth-century England in Ava Marie Salinger's new gaslamp fantasy series. An entertaining murder investigation set the stage for the ongoing story arc, and I loved getting to know the new characters and the worldbuilding details in this installment. When a disturbing murder leads to a far worse conspiracy and organization that threatens to rewrite history by enslaving all non-magic users, we meet Evander Ravenwood, a Duke and member of the police’s Arcane Division, along with his crew. While investigating this mystery, Evander crosses up with Viggo, a lower-class non-magic user; despite their social differences, the two men are irrevocably drawn to one another and end up working together to solve the case. The intricate social politics and hierarchies of this world are one of the book's finest points, and I appreciated them just as much as in Salinger's earlier urban fantasy. We also learn about the complex past of magic and those who wield it, including the violent conflicts that broke out between magic users and those who did not, and the lasting ramifications of these conflicts. Witnessing the protagonists and supporting characters struggle with their personal ties to it and how it influences their decisions was fascinating. The two protagonists piqued my interest right away, and it's fun when they gain superpowers and have to work together to solve tricky problems.I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Andrew James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good, but…

I really enjoyed this story and its characters. The writer did a great job overall, though I think there’s room to push things further. More world-building would be especially helpful. I’d love a clearer sense of the country itself, what life is like for people beyond the servants, and more vivid descriptions of the settings.
Magic and Organizations:

There was a lack of clarity around the hierarchy of magic users and brutes. I understand that archmages are powerful, but there wasn’t much context to show what sets them apart from others. I also felt the main character came across weaker than he should have; as an archmage, he seemed to run out of power and strain too easily. In addition, we saw very little of Viggo in his role as head of the guild. It often felt like he abandoned his responsibilities the moment he met Evander.
Romance:

The romance moved a bit too quickly. It veered toward insta-love, which rarely feels satisfying. I think their first kiss—and the deepening of their relationship—should have happened later in the story. Viggo shifted from hating mages to loving Evander almost instantly, which made their connection feel less authentic. As a result, I found myself skipping some of the intimate scenes because they felt unearned.

[SNik · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in series (The Mage and His Brute). Paranormal historical fantasy. Slow burn. Opposites attract.

Duke Evander Ravenwood is a powerful mage, full of secrets including the extent of his powers and his hidden work in bringing equality to the magic-less. During an unusual murder investigation with magical elements he crosses paths with the leader of the information network Nightshade, and there is an instant connection between Evander and Viggo. This book has a tremendous and interesting world build, where there is magic at different levels and many of those with magic try to subjugate those without causing diverse and extreme societal classes.

Evander and Viggo come from very different backgrounds but they immediately recognize something special between them. The immediate feeling of something deeper when they first meet was a little surprising and I do wish there was more relationship building to match the excellent intrigue, action and fun set of secondary characters that are in this story. Overall though I was entertained and invested in Evander and Viggo, so sign me up for more of this series, I wouldn’t want to miss a thing. 4.5 rounded up

[Emilyrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant start to a new series and I was hooked from the very beginning! I don't usually read books with too much of a historical element but I do enjoy paranormal mm romance and I love the author's other series so this was a no-brainer. Evander and Viggo were both such great characters in their own right so when they were together things just went from strength to strength. Viggo is a fighter; he's been through so much, he's protective, caring and loyal. Evander had that element of mystery around him but it also shone through that he was just as protective, caring and loyal as Viggo. The world building was another massive strength; it was complex but it built in such a way that I never felt overwhelmed. I also really loved the secondary characters - Evander's staff had me laughing out loud and all of Shaw's scenes had me with a smile on my face too. I'd say the story ends with a solid HFN. I really hope these two don't get put through the wringer too much in book 2 but I'm very much looking forward to more in the series. If you like paranormal mm romance I would absolutely recommend this book!

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Siobhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ava Marie Salinger’s Arcane Entanglement is a story that instantly grabbed my attention. I love it when stories mix history and magic, creating a blend to make the known the unknown, which meant I went into this story with high expectations. Unfortunately, the book failed to grab me in the way I had hoped.

Although the story started off by immediately throwing the reader into mystery, I struggled to connect with the story. While things were happening, it felt rather stiff. It was not quite a case of telling without showing, but it was close enough that it made intense elements feel a bit flat. I was able to overlook this, mostly, and continue, but I found things to be too easy to suck me in completely. Everything felt like it was conveniently handed or accepted, which meant I was constantly wanting for something more to hit hard. Mostly, I think the fact that I struggled to connect from the start meant I was a bit jaded throughout my reading of this, which is why I was never as invested as I had hoped to be.

While many clearly loved this mix of magic and history, it did not pack the punch needed to suck me in deep and have me deeply invested.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new and exciting series by Ava Marie Salinger and also the first book I have read by her. I found this book to be a great blend of magic, alternate history, adventure, romance and mystery although given that this is book one and Viggo and Evander start out as enemies there is not all that much romance. Yet! There definitely is a lot of heat between them though, if you know what I mean.
The story is exciting and there is a lot of action and some interesting magic idea. I like how Salinger has combined all the elements of her story and how even when there are explanations about things she never comes across as if she’s giving her readers a lecture. Instead explanations are woven very naturally into the tale, which is nice in a book like this where there is a lot to explain.
I expect that the next book will be even more interesting as a lot of this book had to set the foundation of the story. This series will definitely need to be read in order for the reader to understand what is happening.

I got a copy of this book from GRR and this is my honest opinion of it

[Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked it at first in spite of it's narrative oddities -- large amounts of info dumping, dual perspective that goes back too far in time and repeats events by both characters.
I'd be willing to forgive the glossary at the front (which ruins the plot surprises) and the insta-love (which could have been bettered by having someone or something working against their love)
The real sins, I think, are Evander having a hero complex, like Harry Potter. The scene after the train station -- any other police procedural would have the forces fall back and regroup; this team moves forward, leaving no time for the story to develop. The story falls ill to action-action-action scene in the second half of the book.
Also, in the beginning, there's too many characters, some which go by the first name, some by the last, some by a nickname. It's very confusing. It's also strange that Rufus (I don't know his last name) works alongside Evander but has less personality than Evander's servants.
My favorite characters are the house staff, Viggo, and Ophelia. I'll start book two but I can't promise to finish it.

[Miruru Shouting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fantasy England, magic (runes, elements), insta-attraction (not insta-love), opposites attract, mage x magicless Brute, royalty x regular person, hidden identity, crime/mystery, medium burn, high steam at the end only.

I initially DNF this but was convinced to give it another try, and I'm glad I did. The first 32% didn't pull me in, but afterwards, the plot and angst started to pick up and we're introduced to the 2nd MC. There's insta-attraction, but due to being opposites in everything, Evander and Viggo were both reluctant to trust the other or start anything despite their attraction.

I loved seeing Evander be so powerful and humble, keeping his powers and background under wraps, while also fighting for the magicless (thralls) that society has been looking down on due to past history. Love all the side characters of Evander's friends and household staff, and Viggo's staff/best friends.

The mystery background takes precedent, but the relationship is medium burn since Evander and Viggo don't fight it much. The steam is mostly put on the back burner due to the ongoing case, but we get lots of steam at the end of the book. Looking forward to Book 2 to see how the ongoing plot connects.

[Elaine Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arcane Entanglement kicks off with a gripping murder investigation that sets the stage for a larger, dangerous conspiracy aiming to enslave all non-magic users. The story introduces Evander Ravenwood, a Duke and member of the Arcane Division of the police, along with his team. During the investigation, Evander crosses paths with Viggo Stonewall, a lower-class non-magic user, and despite their social differences, the two men are drawn to each other and form an unlikely partnership to uncover the truth. The book excels in its exploration of complex social politics, the rigid hierarchies between magic users and non-magic users, and the lasting impact of past violent conflicts between the two groups. As the characters grapple with their personal ties to these issues, their struggles add depth to the plot, making both their relationships and the broader societal themes compelling and thought-provoking. It also tells a story of mystery, politics, prejudice, and forbidden love, with high stakes for both the characters and the society they are trying to save.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in from the very first page and never let go. I was glued to the story, unable to put the book down, sitting at the edge of seat just waiting for the next clue to uncover some of the mystery. The action, suspense, and twists and turns were non stop. The world building was both phenomenal and fascinating, so detailed without it being a boring info dump. I could picture it so clearly. The characters, including the side characters, were fully developed and so intriguing. A world full of eclectic characters, each possessing their own personality, powers, and snark (looking at you Ms. Shaw 😂)
Viggio and Evander may have been enemies on paper but with one look the chemistry just sizzled. The relationship does move fairly quickly and it's acknowledged by both MCs. But it's still well developed and does not feel rushed (when you know you know, lol).
Now I'm anxiously waiting for the next book. The enemy might have been defeated in this book but he wasn't the only one. This is my new addiction ❤️❤️

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a Victorian world with magic, Duke Evander Ravenwood works as a detective. This work leads him to Viggo Stonewall, who is the leader of Nightshade, an information guild. At first glance, both men realize there is an attraction, but cannot act upon it until the investigation is over. With the magical elite against the non-magical thralls, there is much going on.

There is so much to adore in this book. Both Evander and Viggo are a bit unique, but fit together well. Evander’s servants are all thralls and they can be amusing. There is the have and the have nots which in this case are the magical and nonmagical, the thralls. The plot was intriguing and kept you glued to the pages to see what would happen next. I would give this one a 5+++, maybe even more. I recommend it and cannot wait for the next one in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had a lot of great world building, creating a Victorian London not too different from the real one...aside from the magic. Victorians do be Victorianing with the attempted genocide of those "lesser" humans only just being over, and some looking for ways to do it again. This was very much a "suspension of disbelief" story as well. Don't expect people to interact with different classes in the way you'd expect them to (but at the same time, do. Because classes). The main characters were interesting, with a few of the side characters apparently being comic relief. There's definitely room to build in this series, though there was a slight cliffhanger at the end if you're not into that kind of thing. Overall, a good mystery and a nice romance with a bit of spice and quite a bit of humour.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the authors "Fallen Messenger" series and was excited about the start of a new series. Especially the fact that the genre is Steampunk was a big draw because to be honest, there are precious few MM steampunk books. which is a shame, as I love the genre

and I was not disappointed!!! I loved both MCs and there friends. The fact that we have strong female characters as secondary characters is great - but unfortunately not seen very often in MM books.

the world-building was well done and I never got the feeling of information overload or not enough information to follow and enjoy the story.

the fact that the enemies-to-lovers trope was relatively fast resolved was maybe a bit disappointing but it was well done.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to get more books with Evander and Viggo

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this novel more than I did. The premise and setting both sounded intriguing but the execution left a bit to be desired, for me at least.

For the most part I felt that there were some intriguing ideas and premises tossed out -for example, Evander's connection to the royal family- but they never seemed to be followed up properly. And the plot itself was so frenetically paced at times that I felt that there was never any chance for the characters to breathe, much less for actual character development to happen. The concept of the Brute also didn't seem all that well-formed either.

That said, it is a fun book if you temper expectations. There were definitely some fun set pieces in the book - I had just hoped that there would have been a little bit more connective tissue between said set pieces.

[Alias11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love alternate-historical novels, and when I saw that was paired with an MM relationship and magic, I had to try this new series. The world-building is comprehensive, although there is a bit of info-dumping in this first book that drew me out of the story a little. Still, it was worth it to meet these too MCs: Evander, a powerful mage, and Viggo, leader of an underground group of the magicless, in a world where magic separates the haves from the have-nots. They would be expected to be at odds, but there is a simmering attraction between them. The romance wasn't quite as slow-burn as I expected, but they are a couple I wanted to root for, and they learn to work together to find a common adversary. I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book in the series.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.