Devious Arcana

Devious Arcana #1-3

by M.R. Mathias

In the realm of fantasy, where imagination knows no bounds, comes a time travel romance series that captivates readers and transports them to a world filled with magic, adventure, and intrigue. Using the meticulous world-building established in the million selling The Ward stone Trilogy and introducing well-developed new characters, Devious Arcana invites readers into a sweeping young adult fantasy romance saga where heroism is tested and the line between good and evil often blurs. A warm, nostalgic wonder permeates every page, almost instantly making you feel at home.

An ancient darkness stirs. Mysterious forces conspire against the fragile peace. At the heart of this brewing storm stands Braiden, an unassuming hero, marked by destiny and burdened by uncertainty. With the arcane whispers of fate guiding him, Braiden embarks on a perilous time-travel adventure, armed only with courage and the unwavering love of his beloved Sissy.

Together, they journey through a labyrinth of intrigue and ancient magic, where allies and enemies shift like shadows, and trust is as rare and valuable as gemstones. As their bond deepens through every trial, this fantasy romance blossoms with heart-pounding stakes, echoing the emotional pull of YA enemies to lovers books and high school enemies to lovers books.

If you're searching for vampire romance books for young adults, thrilling young adult fantasy adventure, or the best young adult fantasy romance books, Devious Arcana is your next must-read obsession. With themes of forbidden love, high-stakes magic, and cross-timeline destiny, this series delivers for fans of fantasy romance books for adults and teens alike.

If you loved The Wardstone Trilogy, The Dragoneer Saga, The Legend of Vanx Malic, or Perpetual Fantastica, this new epic time-travel fantasy romance will have you swiping pages long into the night.

Don’t miss the Devious Arcana series, a genre blending, pulse pounding saga full of young adult thriller twists, time travel romance, emotional depth, and the kind of breathtaking imagery only M. R. Mathias can deliver.

This is not your parent’s epic fantasy. This is deep. Relentless. Romantic. Welcome to Devious Arcana.

Genres: Fantasy

512 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2025

About the author

M. R. Mathias is a member of the Authors Guild who cares for his wife, a Breast Cancer Warrior who has Parkinson's. After raising two boys into fine young men, they and two dogs split their time between a modest smalltown home, and an apartment built on a floating dock on Lake Ultura (aka Lake Texoma) which foots into an amazing State Park brimming with all sorts of wildlife. Like the wizards of old, he tends to the animals who share the area and inspire the creatures in his works. He likes to fish, write, play guitar, and he builds all sorts of things out of reclaimed wood. He sold over two million eBooks most of them before eBooks were cool. His work is critically acclaimed, and has earned multiple literary awards, including a coveted Locus Poll nomination.

**Featured in the March 2020, Publisher's Weekly article, "As Luck Would Have It"

"The Master of Epic Fantasy" - Kindle Nation Daily, Nov. 2017

Mathias has authored several fantasy series and compiled an admirable list of accolades along the way.

--Devious Arcana, (ongoing)

--The Wardstone Trilogy (3 Books)

-- Perpetual Fantastica Fantastica (4 Books)

--The Dragoneer Saga (6 Books)

--The Legend of Vanx Malic (10 Books)

--The Crimzon and Clover Short Story Series (8 Books)

--Master Zarvin's Adventures (3 Books)

--Dragon Racers (3 books)

If you are a Kindle Unlimited user, treat yourself to some of the best "hidden gem" fantasy ever written.

Find M. R. Mathias online: mrmathiasbooks .com

Here is what others are saying about M. R. Mathias:

"There are few writers in the genre of fantasy that can equal the creative mind of M.R. Mathias - now acknowledged as a master in this genre of dragons and dwarves, and magic, and spells, and all aspects of fantasy."-- Top 100, Hall of Fame, Vine Voice, Book Reviewer, Grady Harp

"M.R. Mathias imagines a setting that will entice readers and lead them, along with his characters, on a breathtaking adventure." -- Readers Favorite Book Awards review of M. R. Mathias's 2017 Award Winning novel "A Gossamer Lens" from The Legend of Vanx Malic series

"M.R. Mathias is a master at world building and is so good with creative descriptions that you can almost feel the wind whipping through your hair as you soar along on the back of a dragon." -- Readers Favorite Awards review of M. R. Mathias's 2015 "Gold Medal" Award Winning novel "Blood and Royalty" from The Dragoneer Saga"

"You've (Mathias) already achieved much, much more than so many people who like to think of themselves as writers." -- @Gollancz The Deputy Publishing Director of SF, Fantasy & Horror list of the Orion Publishing Group, 2013

Reviews

[M.R. Mathias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite Book Awards
Original Posting: https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...

#kindleunlimitedbooks #kindleunlimitedreads #KindleUnlimited

Devious Arcana: Trilogy 1 by M. R. Mathias is a time travel fantasy omnibus and the first three books in the titular canon. In book one, Nefarious Allure, Braiden Thane, an orphaned debt collector, escapes after a failed job leaves him tied to a murdered royal agent. With only a stolen timepiece, he travels across kingdoms, facing pirates, giants, and wizards while uncovering secrets tied to hidden treasure. In book two, Reluctant Deception, pirate wizard Kizzon Ahlm uses dark magic and blood to hunt Braiden and Lady Cecelia, who stole the only key to Grimm the Marauder’s vault. Separated by time, Braiden must survive, reunite with Cecelia, and master the watch. Book three, Perilous Defiance, sees Braiden and Sissy discovering a hidden stronghold, but an extinct herb is needed to preserve it. Forced to time-travel through deadly marshlands, they face illness, old enemies, and looming judgment, relying on blood magic and unlikely allies to secure their future. “You have not been born yet, boy. How is it that you are even here?”
Devious Arcana: Trilogy 1 by M. R. Mathias is a fantastic fantasy with a unique magical system. I love that the pocket watch isn't just a prop, and that it operates with its own rules, where clicks indicate direction and hand placement controls time. Through this, Mathias portrays a world changing across eras, with Braiden and Sissy journeying through the same locations in different times, giving the setting a tangible presence. Historical artifacts and pirate legends are knitted directly into the plot, such as a letter from Commander Everett Grimm that reveals important backstory. Letters can sometimes feel like information dumps, but Mathias doesn't employ crutches, and it is a testament to their skill as a writer. There are both sizzle and tender, romantic moments, often sharply contrasted with sudden, grisly violence. It's all fun and games until a giant pet’s crushing attack, right? As readers, we are constantly on our toes, fully immersed in political and cultural rivalries that are frequently divided. With intelligent writing and a fully fleshed-out world, this is a series worth reading.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the trilogy as singles. Mr. Mathias has begun an exciting new series in a world that will be familiar with readers of his past Wardstone books. He has brought a fresh onlook into his own created world. This fantasy tale begins with all new likeable characters that make their interactions more enjoyable and enticing. The possibilities that these characters bring to mind will leave you waiting for the next adventure. If you enjoy his created world, make sure to check out his previous Wardstone stories with different characters. In Book 2 The characters continue to develop from Book 1 causing you to feel and think along with them. The scenes are described in such a way that you feel as if you are living them along with everyone involved. What is in store next for Braiden and Sissy? Only "time" will tell. In Book 3 old friends unite along with old foes. Don't get overly attached to all of his characters, because you never know who may not survive to the next book. The scenes are very descriptive and allow you to lose your sense of time as you become more involved in the world that he's created.

[Elizabeth White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say this was more of a 4.5 for me, but we round up. I highly enjoyed these books. It is hard to write a review without spoilers. I was interested and sucked in from the start. There is quite a bit of world building, but it is not hard to follow, and the way things are referenced throughout the book helps settle things in your mind if you are worried you are getting lost. There was also a good amount of humor in it, which I loved. I really loved the characters and how their relationships changed and evolved throughout the books as well. I went directly to the Fourth book and I am devouring it right now, and I am excited to see where this goes. I believe there is another trilogy set in the same world, that I am going to check out as well. It is a great little word to read about.

[KDLediting · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This is a middle grade and up three book box set from the new fantasy series by renowned Dragon Con author M R Mathias.