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Magic and Romance #1
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards
Ali Hazelwood meets
Dungeons & Dragons
in this enemies-to-lovers fantasy academia romcom where rival grad student wizards are forced to work together without killing—or falling for—each other.
Will they conjure love, or evoke chaos? Two rival wizards are about to find out.
Sebastian Evocation Department. Human. The first of his family to pick college over the military.
Elethior Conjuration Department. Half-elf. Pretentious asshole. The latest legacy Tourael at Lesiara U.
Mageus Research Grant finalists.
Sebastian refuses to let anyone snatch this away, least of all a snob riding on old money. But what’s worse than a nemesis stealing your grant? You could both get it. Under the condition you work together.
Sebastian is in hell. Thio’s broody. Takes up their shared lab space with his projects . . . and biceps. Brings treats for Sebastian’s familiar . . .
. . . and is nothing like Sebastian thought.
When Sebastian’s past with the Touraels forces him to choose his research or Thio, the decision should be simple. But while working with his rival is volatile . . . falling for his rival might blow up Sebastian’s future.
Will they conjure love, or evoke chaos? Two rival wizards are about to find out.
Sebastian Evocation Department. Human. The first of his family to pick college over the military.
Elethior Conjuration Department. Half-elf. Pretentious asshole. The latest legacy Tourael at Lesiara U.
Mageus Research Grant finalists.
Sebastian refuses to let anyone snatch this away, least of all a snob riding on old money. But what’s worse than a nemesis stealing your grant? You could both get it. Under the condition you work together.
Sebastian is in hell. Thio’s broody. Takes up their shared lab space with his projects . . . and biceps. Brings treats for Sebastian’s familiar . . .
. . . and is nothing like Sebastian thought.
When Sebastian’s past with the Touraels forces him to choose his research or Thio, the decision should be simple. But while working with his rival is volatile . . . falling for his rival might blow up Sebastian’s future.
Audible Audio
First published August 26, 2025
1465 people are currently reading
21308 people want to read
About the author
Sara Raasch
30 books7,421 followersSara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,829 reviews
August 21, 2025
Sit down, please. I need to talk to you. This book is not two academic rivals who once said something rude to each other at orientation and now loathe one another. This is not a simple miscommunication, or a battle for glory, or even a competition to prove themselves. This is a love story between several people, some romantic and some platonic, and it was so good that I had to put it down and walk around a few times. Does the guy on the cover 100% look like Ruhn Danaan, Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae romancing Milo from Atlantis: The Lost Empire? Yes of course but that’s not the point. The point is that this is a book about two people working together to better the world, the difficulty of navigating family dynamics as an adult, the enduring protectiveness a lifelong friendship, and an invisible fox named Nick. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be taken aback by how hot this is? Who needs open door when this one just blows the whole thing off its hinges? Wizards: the better bang.
September 18, 2025
I struggle with the enemies-to-lovers trope; it's simply not my cup of tea, and after this book, I can confidently say that I still don't really like it.
The characters are supposed to be young adults at 24, yet their behavior feels more akin to that of immature teenagers. The rivalry that exists between them is exaggerated and somewhat one-sided, rendering them both difficult to like.
The author's attempt to transition these two from bitter enemies to casual friends with benefits, and ultimately to romantic partners, felt awkward and unconvincing.
There's a saying that fits perfectly with the book: "romance is dead; toxicity is in." It baffles me to think why anyone would want to engage with someone who constantly belittles and undermines them. Sure, it was in the beginning but how can you feel attraction for such a person in the first place? Just because one character possesses striking good looks does not justify tolerating their harmful behavior.
The way the romance developed did not make up for the way both of them treated each other in the beginning.
And honestly, I didn't like how they treated each other even after they got over the stupid rivalry.
Furthermore, the narrative is overly saturated with sexual encounters and laden with an abundance of tragic backstories, each rooted in dysfunctional family dynamics. To be frank, this book could easily have been retitled "Two Toxic Individuals from Toxic Families."
The characters are supposed to be young adults at 24, yet their behavior feels more akin to that of immature teenagers. The rivalry that exists between them is exaggerated and somewhat one-sided, rendering them both difficult to like.
The author's attempt to transition these two from bitter enemies to casual friends with benefits, and ultimately to romantic partners, felt awkward and unconvincing.
There's a saying that fits perfectly with the book: "romance is dead; toxicity is in." It baffles me to think why anyone would want to engage with someone who constantly belittles and undermines them. Sure, it was in the beginning but how can you feel attraction for such a person in the first place? Just because one character possesses striking good looks does not justify tolerating their harmful behavior.
The way the romance developed did not make up for the way both of them treated each other in the beginning.
And honestly, I didn't like how they treated each other even after they got over the stupid rivalry.
Furthermore, the narrative is overly saturated with sexual encounters and laden with an abundance of tragic backstories, each rooted in dysfunctional family dynamics. To be frank, this book could easily have been retitled "Two Toxic Individuals from Toxic Families."
September 29, 2025
This was so CUTE! And the HEALING??? So good.
October 9, 2025
Did I actually tear up towards the end of this book?!! Yes, yes I did, even if it was not what I expected!
I expected a fun rivals to lovers fantasy romance, but along the way I also got two people working through some pretty serious trauma and things got emotional. It's a fantastic romance about magical graduate students in a prank war forced to work together when they receive joint funding. They have such different personalities in a way that works and the development of their relationship is really well paced, equally including physical and emotional elements. Definitely one to pick up and the audio narration is great! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I expected a fun rivals to lovers fantasy romance, but along the way I also got two people working through some pretty serious trauma and things got emotional. It's a fantastic romance about magical graduate students in a prank war forced to work together when they receive joint funding. They have such different personalities in a way that works and the development of their relationship is really well paced, equally including physical and emotional elements. Definitely one to pick up and the audio narration is great! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
September 8, 2025
"I’ve seen him smile so many times. So many different flavors of it, I could write a thesis on the dozens of ways Elethior Tourael’s lips move. But this smile? It puts all the others to shame. It’s joy and relief, it’s ecstasy and an unspoken, vibrant finally."
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I got
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I want
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I got
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I want
August 24, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
i won’t lie — the ruhn danaan-esqu mmc on the cover is what drew me in…
this is perhaps cornier and campier than the holiday series! still a fun read though if you don’t mind the corniness/campiness!
i won’t lie — the ruhn danaan-esqu mmc on the cover is what drew me in…
this is perhaps cornier and campier than the holiday series! still a fun read though if you don’t mind the corniness/campiness!
July 3, 2025
Cute if cringe
November 5, 2025
It is safe to say I'm happy I gave this author a second chance. I read
The Nightmare Before Kissmas
and I low-key hated it, but I kept coming back because let's be honest, the covers of her books are adorable.
This book is super silly, seriously, like Seb said: “What’s the point of magic if you don’t get to use it for silly shit anyway” , the magic system and the world-building in this book are weird and random and extremely silly. Still, after all, that's what magic is for (?). I, for one, decided to ignore everything that didn't make sense and just vibe with it, and I am 100% supporting my decision.
Seb and Thio had maybe not the best start for their relationship, at least, this is not marketed as enemies to lovers and instead is very accurate "rivals to lovers," even if the rivalry was practically one-sided from Seb’s side, since Thio (apparently) always liked him. There is a lot of magic and spell talk, as well as some shitty family dynamics. The best part of the book was the super charming and swoony romance, followed by the friendship between Seb and Orok; it was just wholesome.
This book is super silly, seriously, like Seb said: “What’s the point of magic if you don’t get to use it for silly shit anyway” , the magic system and the world-building in this book are weird and random and extremely silly. Still, after all, that's what magic is for (?). I, for one, decided to ignore everything that didn't make sense and just vibe with it, and I am 100% supporting my decision.
Seb and Thio had maybe not the best start for their relationship, at least, this is not marketed as enemies to lovers and instead is very accurate "rivals to lovers," even if the rivalry was practically one-sided from Seb’s side, since Thio (apparently) always liked him. There is a lot of magic and spell talk, as well as some shitty family dynamics. The best part of the book was the super charming and swoony romance, followed by the friendship between Seb and Orok; it was just wholesome.
August 28, 2025
5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
All of Sara Raash’s MM paranormal romcoms are just an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT. I giggled and kicked my feet the whole time. There was a lot of fun banter and some spicy hot 🥵 scenes.
2.5/5 🌶️
All of Sara Raash’s MM paranormal romcoms are just an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT. I giggled and kicked my feet the whole time. There was a lot of fun banter and some spicy hot 🥵 scenes.
November 24, 2025
"I'll happily leave you alone after tomorrow," I tell Elethior. "They're going to award that grant to me, then I'm never going to think about you or your family again."
"Oh, baby boy," he coos. "We both know every bit of that's a lie."
I am dead.
On the floor dead.
This book had no right to be so emotional with trauma and spicy.
My cheeks burn."I'm serious, Elethior. That was the agreement, we'd start with my project, then-"
"Thio."
My words trip over themselves, tongue flicking against my teeth. "What?"
He shrugs. Totally chill. "I've had your dick in my mouth. Figure you can call me Thio now."
I absolutely loved Seb and Thio together! The fact that Elethior had a pretty dirty mouth, but did cute little blushes all the time. SCREAM. And the clear desperation between the two? SCREAMING. I loved that even after they started their little FWB (or enemies with benefits), they still fought, and even after they started more, they STILL fought. That's what I want to read! The second the enemies/rivals get together, all the fun banter and tension usually disappear. But not with this one. No sir.
Orok stretches his arms out for a hug. He's blocking the hall, and he knows it.
"I'm being held hostage."
"Yes. Hug me, dumbass."
I am SO GLAD we are getting Orok's book because the friendship between Seb and Orok was top-level found family. The funny moments (all of Sara's adult books so far have been hilarious, to be fair). I almost cried during some of their parts. And I loved how Sara made them a little too dependent on each other as they tried to overcome their past trauma. Oh, that was just perfect.
I have so many tabs in this book, and I was going to add more quotes, like some spicy ones, but just read this masterpiece, or you'll miss out on that. That's all.
______________
Review to come but holy shitttt this was *chefs kiss*
"Oh, baby boy," he coos. "We both know every bit of that's a lie."
I am dead.
On the floor dead.
This book had no right to be so emotional with trauma and spicy.
My cheeks burn."I'm serious, Elethior. That was the agreement, we'd start with my project, then-"
"Thio."
My words trip over themselves, tongue flicking against my teeth. "What?"
He shrugs. Totally chill. "I've had your dick in my mouth. Figure you can call me Thio now."
I absolutely loved Seb and Thio together! The fact that Elethior had a pretty dirty mouth, but did cute little blushes all the time. SCREAM. And the clear desperation between the two? SCREAMING. I loved that even after they started their little FWB (or enemies with benefits), they still fought, and even after they started more, they STILL fought. That's what I want to read! The second the enemies/rivals get together, all the fun banter and tension usually disappear. But not with this one. No sir.
Orok stretches his arms out for a hug. He's blocking the hall, and he knows it.
"I'm being held hostage."
"Yes. Hug me, dumbass."
I am SO GLAD we are getting Orok's book because the friendship between Seb and Orok was top-level found family. The funny moments (all of Sara's adult books so far have been hilarious, to be fair). I almost cried during some of their parts. And I loved how Sara made them a little too dependent on each other as they tried to overcome their past trauma. Oh, that was just perfect.
I have so many tabs in this book, and I was going to add more quotes, like some spicy ones, but just read this masterpiece, or you'll miss out on that. That's all.
______________
Review to come but holy shitttt this was *chefs kiss*
August 27, 2025
i've been sitting here for ten, maybe fifteen minutes, trying to figure out how to write this review.
is the book perfect? fuck no. it's ridiculous and corny, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch. but, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch, i've spent the last 24 hours in complete bliss. i've either been literally laughing out loud while reading (something i RARELY do), or texting my friends in a sobbing frenzy so i can cry about how such a bright, silly book has reduced me to tears.
raasch has the incredible ability to take a story, a concept that's absurd and easy to dismiss, and give it real emotional weight. ptsd, trauma bonds, the complexities of navigating through/healing toxic family dynamics. she'll settle you in with a few jokes, a lovely romance, until suddenly you're clutching at the book trying to read through all your tears.
entanglement of rival wizards might just be my favorite from her yet.
is the book perfect? fuck no. it's ridiculous and corny, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch. but, just like every other book i've read by sara raasch, i've spent the last 24 hours in complete bliss. i've either been literally laughing out loud while reading (something i RARELY do), or texting my friends in a sobbing frenzy so i can cry about how such a bright, silly book has reduced me to tears.
raasch has the incredible ability to take a story, a concept that's absurd and easy to dismiss, and give it real emotional weight. ptsd, trauma bonds, the complexities of navigating through/healing toxic family dynamics. she'll settle you in with a few jokes, a lovely romance, until suddenly you're clutching at the book trying to read through all your tears.
entanglement of rival wizards might just be my favorite from her yet.
November 8, 2025
4 stars. Steamy, frothy, and containing just the right amount of silliness balanced with seriousness, The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is yet another delightful queer romance from Sara Raasch but this time with a distinctly D&D-esque flavor to it.
August 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
this is marketed as an lgbtq+ stem-esque paranormal rom com and it absolutely delivers on that promise! the enemies-to-lovers partnership is a really cute setup, and the general banter/quirkiness is a lot of fun. the side plots were enough to keep me engaged, and the romance is cute.
however, the latter half of the book is a bit spice-heavy; i love spice in romcoms, but when scenes start to over-saturate the narrative, i start to lose interest a bit.
despite that, this was still a really fun read, and im definitely down to give the second book a go!
**thank you to Tor/Bramble for the ARC copy**
this is marketed as an lgbtq+ stem-esque paranormal rom com and it absolutely delivers on that promise! the enemies-to-lovers partnership is a really cute setup, and the general banter/quirkiness is a lot of fun. the side plots were enough to keep me engaged, and the romance is cute.
however, the latter half of the book is a bit spice-heavy; i love spice in romcoms, but when scenes start to over-saturate the narrative, i start to lose interest a bit.
despite that, this was still a really fun read, and im definitely down to give the second book a go!
**thank you to Tor/Bramble for the ARC copy**
August 9, 2025
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is described as Ali Hazelwood meets Dungeons & Dragons. And that description had me hooked!
Rating: 3.5★
What to expect *⁀➷
➳ MM romance
➳ Single POV
➳ STEM romance w/ magic 🪄
➳ Forced-proximity
➳ Rivals to lovers
➳ Spiceeee 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
➳ Humor and drama
Description: Sebastian and Elethior are grad students at Lesiara U in rival programs. When they're both chosen as recipients of the Mageus Research Grant, they are confronted with the harsh reality that they'll be forced to work together for the next couple months...
This book had a really strong start and some crazy sexual tension. They hated each other but you could tell they just wanted in each other's pants. And that's a good time. However, B-plots interfered in the romance in a way that felt like an excuse to put artificial tension in their relationship.
The STEM vibes weren't particularly strong in this book. That could be because its magic-related, but I think its mostly because by the end, the book had devolved into a sexfest. Sex at the lab, sex at home, sex in the car, etc... I like spice, but not when it takes away from other aspects of a book. I would have appreciated more emphasis on the research they had been building on. Once they get together (*wink wink*), nothing else really matters.
The spice was definitely spicy 🔥 so I would recommend this book to anyone who's in the mood for some sexual tension. But if you're looking for STEM-vibes, I probably wouldn't. Well, I would recommend the first half, but not the second.
This review has been really negative so I want to explain that I had a good time reading this book. I like Sebastian and Elethior and their romance is fun and flirty. I also like the friendship between Sebastian and Orok (who will be getting his own book!) The humor was also spot-on. However, as a whole I just wanted the book to give me a little more than it did.
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is out August 26th!
Pre-read *⁀➷
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Can you believe it?? I got a PHYSICAL ARC at COMIC CON!!! I almost don't want to touch it I'm so excited!!
Edit 8/5/25:
I just realized that I have like 3 ARCs that are all coming out in the next 3 weeks so I am STRESSING and must finish all these books lickedy-split
Rating: 3.5★
What to expect *⁀➷
➳ MM romance
➳ Single POV
➳ STEM romance w/ magic 🪄
➳ Forced-proximity
➳ Rivals to lovers
➳ Spiceeee 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
➳ Humor and drama
Description: Sebastian and Elethior are grad students at Lesiara U in rival programs. When they're both chosen as recipients of the Mageus Research Grant, they are confronted with the harsh reality that they'll be forced to work together for the next couple months...
This book had a really strong start and some crazy sexual tension. They hated each other but you could tell they just wanted in each other's pants. And that's a good time. However, B-plots interfered in the romance in a way that felt like an excuse to put artificial tension in their relationship.
The STEM vibes weren't particularly strong in this book. That could be because its magic-related, but I think its mostly because by the end, the book had devolved into a sexfest. Sex at the lab, sex at home, sex in the car, etc... I like spice, but not when it takes away from other aspects of a book. I would have appreciated more emphasis on the research they had been building on. Once they get together (*wink wink*), nothing else really matters.
The spice was definitely spicy 🔥 so I would recommend this book to anyone who's in the mood for some sexual tension. But if you're looking for STEM-vibes, I probably wouldn't. Well, I would recommend the first half, but not the second.
This review has been really negative so I want to explain that I had a good time reading this book. I like Sebastian and Elethior and their romance is fun and flirty. I also like the friendship between Sebastian and Orok (who will be getting his own book!) The humor was also spot-on. However, as a whole I just wanted the book to give me a little more than it did.
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards is out August 26th!
Thank you to Tor for gifting me an early copy of The Entanglement of Rival Wizards! All opinions are my own.
Pre-read *⁀➷
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Can you believe it?? I got a PHYSICAL ARC at COMIC CON!!! I almost don't want to touch it I'm so excited!!
Edit 8/5/25:
I just realized that I have like 3 ARCs that are all coming out in the next 3 weeks so I am STRESSING and must finish all these books lickedy-split
November 2, 2025
4 Silver Stars
with Golden Sparks
it gave me F.T. Lukens books vibes, but funnier & enemies to lovers (& more Adult), with D&D world building.
I liked the academic premise too.
The characters were realistic & believable. I liked Sebastian and Elethior & Orok. The banters and friction were so good.
I wanted to read the Royals & Romance at first, but then decided to read that one in November & this one, with magic+D&D vibes, in October, because the mood fit.
I liked it, but after a while, it stopped being new for me. (I think where it was mainly academic than D&D. Or when the hostility resolves, you know?)
The plot was lagging a bit. A little too much at graphic details (it's Adult, folks), and being dramatic. (also you know I'm not a fan of overly-used cusswords)
-
Plot: ★★★(★)/5
World building: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★/5
Writing style: ★★★★/5
concept: ★★★★/5
with Golden Sparks
it gave me F.T. Lukens books vibes, but funnier & enemies to lovers (& more Adult), with D&D world building.
I liked the academic premise too.
The characters were realistic & believable. I liked Sebastian and Elethior & Orok. The banters and friction were so good.
I wanted to read the Royals & Romance at first, but then decided to read that one in November & this one, with magic+D&D vibes, in October, because the mood fit.
I liked it, but after a while, it stopped being new for me. (I think where it was mainly academic than D&D. Or when the hostility resolves, you know?)
The plot was lagging a bit. A little too much at graphic details (it's Adult, folks), and being dramatic. (also you know I'm not a fan of overly-used cusswords)
-
Plot: ★★★(★)/5
World building: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★/5
Writing style: ★★★★/5
concept: ★★★★/5
December 24, 2025
was this perfect? no. Was this perfect for me??? YES. 🫢💅
would I call this an enemies to lovers? Maybe a one sided rivalry romance but with a mutual dislike and secret yearning ;)
it’s probably not a 5 star book but I can’t give it anything below 5 stars because of how much FUN I had while reading it. Butterflies, thunderbolts you name it, I felt it ✨💗✋ it was also so funny and sassy! Literally my type of stupid humor.
“This is the last time our codependency cockblocks me. You are whatever’s the opposite of a wingman.”
“A thigh-woman,” I say without missing a beat.”
I did not pay MUCH attention to the magic system and universe but it was relatively easy to follow after a few chapters and the 💗ROMANCE💓 oh my god!!! So goood. So slow and magicallll ✨✨ wonderful characters tbh. It was also the perfect balance and sexy and sweet, with a slow burn and then a bang (ha) at the end. I was happy because YES MAKE ME WAIT. MAKE ME YEARN FOR THEM.
“He grins, viciously pleased. “I’ll help you forget, I promise. I’ll fuck you so good you won’t remember your own name beyond me calling you baby. But I can do that and still respect you,”
ugh bye I’m dead
would I call this an enemies to lovers? Maybe a one sided rivalry romance but with a mutual dislike and secret yearning ;)
it’s probably not a 5 star book but I can’t give it anything below 5 stars because of how much FUN I had while reading it. Butterflies, thunderbolts you name it, I felt it ✨💗✋ it was also so funny and sassy! Literally my type of stupid humor.
“This is the last time our codependency cockblocks me. You are whatever’s the opposite of a wingman.”
“A thigh-woman,” I say without missing a beat.”
I did not pay MUCH attention to the magic system and universe but it was relatively easy to follow after a few chapters and the 💗ROMANCE💓 oh my god!!! So goood. So slow and magicallll ✨✨ wonderful characters tbh. It was also the perfect balance and sexy and sweet, with a slow burn and then a bang (ha) at the end. I was happy because YES MAKE ME WAIT. MAKE ME YEARN FOR THEM.
“He grins, viciously pleased. “I’ll help you forget, I promise. I’ll fuck you so good you won’t remember your own name beyond me calling you baby. But I can do that and still respect you,”
ugh bye I’m dead
September 9, 2025
"He looks deservedly proud. “And I’m going to wine and dine the fuck out of you. I haven’t had many good things in my life that my family didn’t ruin.” He interlaces his fingers with mine. “So this? I’m going to do this right.”
4.75⭐️
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards was something to behold. I enjoyed the entire thing from start to finish, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t usually enjoy enemies-to-lovers. Well, it’s more like rivals, obviously, but you get my meaning.
I first read The Nightmare Before Kissmas, which I gave 5 stars, but I’ve been stingier with my ratings this year. My fiancé said I hand out 5 stars too easily, so now I’m doing it to spite him (and myself, I guess). If this were last year, this would’ve been a full 5-star read, no question. But this year we’re going with a solid 4.75, which still rounds up to 5 stars on Goodreads, so who fucking cares.
Sebastian and Elethior are everything. I loved them, and I want more of them, though I’m excited to see Orok in the next book because I loved him too. Sebastian and Elethior had so much chemistry, it was fantastic. From the jump, you could tell Elethior wanted to jump Sebastian’s bones, so it wasn’t hard to watch them shift from rivals to lovers.
This book also deals with some pretty dark things, especially things that happen to Sebastian and Orok. I didn’t see it coming, and it hurt really bad. I cried a few times, and I fucking love that. I love being so invested in characters that I can shed tears for them. The world-building was also great, and it made me realize we need more magical university books out there that don’t suck.
Also, why is every other book I read about a dude named Sebastian? Just curious.
Overall, I thought this was fucking great. The only downside for me was the dramatic, almost cliché third-act breakup that really killed my mood, even if it only lasted two chapters. Still, fuck that shit.
4.75⭐️
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards was something to behold. I enjoyed the entire thing from start to finish, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t usually enjoy enemies-to-lovers. Well, it’s more like rivals, obviously, but you get my meaning.
I first read The Nightmare Before Kissmas, which I gave 5 stars, but I’ve been stingier with my ratings this year. My fiancé said I hand out 5 stars too easily, so now I’m doing it to spite him (and myself, I guess). If this were last year, this would’ve been a full 5-star read, no question. But this year we’re going with a solid 4.75, which still rounds up to 5 stars on Goodreads, so who fucking cares.
Sebastian and Elethior are everything. I loved them, and I want more of them, though I’m excited to see Orok in the next book because I loved him too. Sebastian and Elethior had so much chemistry, it was fantastic. From the jump, you could tell Elethior wanted to jump Sebastian’s bones, so it wasn’t hard to watch them shift from rivals to lovers.
This book also deals with some pretty dark things, especially things that happen to Sebastian and Orok. I didn’t see it coming, and it hurt really bad. I cried a few times, and I fucking love that. I love being so invested in characters that I can shed tears for them. The world-building was also great, and it made me realize we need more magical university books out there that don’t suck.
Also, why is every other book I read about a dude named Sebastian? Just curious.
Overall, I thought this was fucking great. The only downside for me was the dramatic, almost cliché third-act breakup that really killed my mood, even if it only lasted two chapters. Still, fuck that shit.
October 7, 2025
Literally TOO cute. I was giggling. This perfectly balanced its tension/spice with really sweet romance and emotional growth
June 13, 2025
magical rivals to lovers bliss
December 22, 2025
I fear that I am obsessed with this 😌 Working together to heal trauma and do magic STEM research but make it sweet and funny and shockingly sexy??? I’d like 6 more please. 😍
September 7, 2025
Oh man. I was so excited for this book - and it didn’t let me down. New to the queer romantasy genre, I remember reading the blurb for this and seeing the DND/critical role vibes and academic rivals to lovers - and thinking - this sounds awesome. A bit different, a lot spicy. It was such a fun good time, but also addressed some more serious issues with mental health and such.
In this magical collegiate world - there are two main kind of magics that this story is focused on - evocation and conjuration - and the two are usually at odds and in competition. Thus how the rivalry between Sebastian and Thio began. But when the grant they are both competing for gets awarded to … both of them, they have to work together on their projects. Sparks fly - in more ways than one. The past clashes with the present. And between family issues and academic pressures, they will both be tested. But when the tension between them reaches a boiling point - will their chemistry be enough to keep them together?
In this magical collegiate world - there are two main kind of magics that this story is focused on - evocation and conjuration - and the two are usually at odds and in competition. Thus how the rivalry between Sebastian and Thio began. But when the grant they are both competing for gets awarded to … both of them, they have to work together on their projects. Sparks fly - in more ways than one. The past clashes with the present. And between family issues and academic pressures, they will both be tested. But when the tension between them reaches a boiling point - will their chemistry be enough to keep them together?
August 27, 2025
This was everything I wanted. I cried, I laughed and I thought "HOT!" countless times. Sara Raasch just knows how to write chemistry, and almost immediately I knew this would be perfect.
I went in thinking it would be just a fluffy book, and it definitely isn't, there's a lot of darkness and trauma in these pages, but the pain is definitely worth it.
I loved this book so much, and now I'm desperate for the next one.
I went in thinking it would be just a fluffy book, and it definitely isn't, there's a lot of darkness and trauma in these pages, but the pain is definitely worth it.
I loved this book so much, and now I'm desperate for the next one.
August 12, 2025
OMG YALLL THIS BOOK!
This book had me in my feels for the entire last quarter! I ADORE Sebastian and Elethior (who has the best nickname - Thio), and their entire love story. And that ending?! A++.
If you want academic rivals to lovers, with forced proximity, excellent banter and UST, humor and pranks, all the feels, and really cute animal familiars - you need to pick up this book.
Sebastian and Elethior are in their last year of grad school, and they both applied for the same grant. Now the two will be forced to work together. I really loved the world in this - there is magic, but it's still very much our world.
For me, it was a love of seeing the two of them learn more about the other and destroying their preconceived notions of the other. There is also grief, trauma, and deep emotions in both of their pasts and childhoods. I've just finished this so my thoughts my change, but right now I enjoyed this one more than her prior series - it's a bit heavier, not so over the top in humor, and the whole story from start to finish just really worked for me.
Also - gotta give a shout out to Orok, who is the best best friend you can have. I'm SO glad we'll be getting more in this world and another book! He needs his HEA too!!
I received a review copy from the publisher. My thoughts are my own.
This book had me in my feels for the entire last quarter! I ADORE Sebastian and Elethior (who has the best nickname - Thio), and their entire love story. And that ending?! A++.
If you want academic rivals to lovers, with forced proximity, excellent banter and UST, humor and pranks, all the feels, and really cute animal familiars - you need to pick up this book.
Sebastian and Elethior are in their last year of grad school, and they both applied for the same grant. Now the two will be forced to work together. I really loved the world in this - there is magic, but it's still very much our world.
For me, it was a love of seeing the two of them learn more about the other and destroying their preconceived notions of the other. There is also grief, trauma, and deep emotions in both of their pasts and childhoods. I've just finished this so my thoughts my change, but right now I enjoyed this one more than her prior series - it's a bit heavier, not so over the top in humor, and the whole story from start to finish just really worked for me.
Also - gotta give a shout out to Orok, who is the best best friend you can have. I'm SO glad we'll be getting more in this world and another book! He needs his HEA too!!
I received a review copy from the publisher. My thoughts are my own.
August 14, 2025
This was very silly in a way that I initially loved, but then it became so cartoonishly horny that I had a hard time not rolling my eyes actively while reading it. I really love the way the author writes anxiety and trauma responses, and in previous books it worked a lot better for me, but in this story a lot of the vulnerability just felt like a vehicle to get to another sex scene which undermined the impact. I almost gave it 4 stars but the longer I sat with it the more I felt let down by how the relationship development happened.
December 22, 2025
Це було настільки cozy що годі було і описати! А dnd тематикааааа 😍🔥 персонажі вони такі дурники.
September 14, 2025
Mais um romance muito bom de Sara Raasch!!!
Adorei os personagens e toda a história da magia estudada na universidade, tenho gostado muito destes livros onde a magia é uma ciência estudada pela academia.
Adorei os personagens e toda a história da magia estudada na universidade, tenho gostado muito destes livros onde a magia é uma ciência estudada pela academia.
October 11, 2025
The concept was so cool, but sadly the execution left things to be desired (in my opinion anyway). Definitely needed more fleshing out. The romance happened so quickly too, needed more build up for my taste.
October 4, 2025
First, I would like to have a word with whoever called this “lighthearted” or “cozy fantasy” because you can’t have literal war crime level tragic backstories and then be like ‘omg this was soooo cute’. Cozy fantasies should NOT have a military industrial complex in the world building, and even less so as a core part of the story.
Also, there was not a single healthy relationship in this book. And not only that, so much of the progression of the main relationship felt clunky and disjointed. Almost as if the relationship advanced in random stages because that’s what the book needed to be able to progress and not because the characters themselves actually built on their relationship.
Ultimately I had so many issues with this book (the writing, god the writing!) and I’m quite disappointed since this seemed like it would be the perfect book for me.
Also, there was not a single healthy relationship in this book. And not only that, so much of the progression of the main relationship felt clunky and disjointed. Almost as if the relationship advanced in random stages because that’s what the book needed to be able to progress and not because the characters themselves actually built on their relationship.
Ultimately I had so many issues with this book (the writing, god the writing!) and I’m quite disappointed since this seemed like it would be the perfect book for me.
September 24, 2025
"A book that I read" energy for this one, sadly.
Academic rivals/enemies to lovers, grad students with the bare minimum of actually being in grad school, fantasy sprinklings in, two fucked up families.
This had the making of being an interesting romance but turned out to be very corny, very cheesy, very preachy, and very boring. Meh
Academic rivals/enemies to lovers, grad students with the bare minimum of actually being in grad school, fantasy sprinklings in, two fucked up families.
This had the making of being an interesting romance but turned out to be very corny, very cheesy, very preachy, and very boring. Meh
September 17, 2025
Very fun though i would not recommend listening to the audiobook at work unless you want to get all blushy while processing course reserves.
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