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Arcane Agent #1

Deadly Illusions: Arcane Mage World Series 2

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Battle Mage or Magical Engineer?
Like that was even a real question.
Battle Mage. Obviously.

Magical Engineers live quiet, boring lives.
I crave excitement.
And as an agent for the Arcane Mage Intelligence Agency,
That’s exactly what I get.

It’s a pretty great life.
I go on solo missions, kicking ass and taking names,
I hook up with men whenever I want to blow off some steam,
And I hang out with my family if I’m ever after company.

Everything changes when my psycho uncle fails in his attempt to kill my father.
Now, I’m in charge of the manhunt against him.
I’ll make sure he pays for threatening those I hold dear.

The only problem?
I’m no longer working solo,
And the team I’ve been assigned is a threat to both my sanity and my heart. Suggested Reading
Chaotic (Arcane Mage Series book 1)
Hectic (Arcane Mage Series book 2)Erratic (Arcane Mage Series book 3)
Frenetic (Arcane Mage Series book 4)
Ecstatic (Arcane Mage Series book 5)
Deadly Illusions (Arcane Agent book 1)
Charismatic (Arcane Mage Series book 6)


* Author note : This book is the first book in a spinoff series of the Arcane Mage Series. It takes place midway through Ecstatic (book 5 in the Arcane Mage series). While this book can be read separately, please be warned that for a better experience, I fully recommend you read Charisma's story first. This book is a paranormal reverse harem story with slow build, where the heroine doesn't have to pick among her romantic interests. It has a strong female character as lead, lots of cursing, violence, magic, and sexual content. Because of that, it's not recommended for readers below the age of 18.*

266 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2022

219 people are currently reading
323 people want to read

About the author

T.S. Snow

25 books520 followers
A scientist at heart, T.S. Snow lives in a land far far away, secluded from most authors and readers (rumor has it that if you open your wardrobe you can find her hiding in there trying to take a nap). T.S. has a thirst for learning new languages, even if she is mostly worried about finding out new curse words in them. She has an amazing support system that include a loving boyfriend, her family, friends and her loyal - if completely lazy - dog. When she's not writing, T.S. can often be found causing complete chaos with her friends on social media, inhaling unhealthy amounts of coffee, or napping. Mostly napping.

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5 stars
462 (61%)
4 stars
207 (27%)
3 stars
67 (8%)
2 stars
15 (1%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Profile Image for Jeanny.
2,059 reviews171 followers
June 12, 2022
3.5 stars
Cliffhanger ending.
This is a spin-off so I came in a bit biased bc I already loved Blair. This book just cemented it. I’m also a fan of 2 out of 3 MMCs (Callum being left out). Ofc I’ll follow the series.
Profile Image for 4foxsake.
892 reviews14 followers
June 12, 2022
great book.

Lots of back and forth with potential mates, bad guys, blah blah Blair is a badass until the last 10% it finally heats up and shocker of shockers ends on a cliffy. Not a huge fan of Blair and the “I can’t have a relationship to protect you BS” but I’ll keep reading anyway as I love the authors writing and Charisma books.
Profile Image for Mimi.Reads.Smut.
607 reviews63 followers
September 11, 2022
So Much Fun!

I love Blair and I’m so excited to read her story! Her interactions with her nana make me laugh allllll day long. Blair kicks booty, as usual, and I loved getting her POV! The guys are all fascinating in different ways and I’m enjoying the varying ways they engage with Blair. Can’t wait to read more!
89 reviews
June 14, 2022
This book is hard to rate for me. I had the same issue with it that I had with Ecstatic. I love the world, I like the characters...but there is NOTHING happening. And as soon as something starts to happen, the book just stops. I don't have a problem with cliffhangers and I don't mind this cliffhanger. What I mind is that I had to read an exorbitant amount of thoughts and not a lot of action up until the end, when finally something started to happen and it just stopped. It's just not enough substance for me. I just feel like I read a very long stream of consciousness of Blair's thoughts and that's the book...
Profile Image for RLbooks (in and out).
1,000 reviews482 followers
June 10, 2022
I love the Arcane World, it’s a happy place where I know I’m going to laugh, be intrigued, and fall in love with the characters and their romance. Deadly Illusions is the first book in Blair’s series and we get a lot more from the leather wearing bad***, including some hints at deeper softness and insecurities. This read flew by for me and yes, it does end in a pretty big cliffhanger (but it could have been worse). This is told in first person, multi-POV. No ow/om drama and no mm/ff. I’d call this medium burn with some steam later in the book and Ms. Snow’s said it’ll be a slow build, which I love in my reverse harem reads. You don’t have to have read the series that started prior to this (Arcane Mage series), but it would be helpful and add to the enjoyment imo.

Blair’s story starts with a prologue a few weeks prior with at Arcane Academy and a run-in with a professor we get just a taste of. Then we’re in the present time and Blair is leading the charge to find Ricardo after what happened in Charisma’s last book. She’s paired with two new-to-us agents and there’s definitely some friction (of the attraction kind and the conflict kind). She also unexpectedly runs into the hot professor again so while Blair likes her boundaries and walls, she’s suddenly got men all over testing her restraint. We meet the final love interest a bit later and he’s a bigger mystery than the others and probably my favorite so far.

I really like all of the guys and each has their own distinct personality. There’s more character development to come as this is the first in the series but you get a nice sense early on. I also like that this isn’t a pre-established group so the dynamics will hopefully be entertaining as they get going. There’s also a fated mates element.

Plot-wise, some investigating is happening and leads are followed up on, but the rebellion dodged capture for years so they won’t simply roll over now. Grandma Alma shines in her scenes, per usual, and adds some hilarity and a peek at the softness for Blair. I’m excited to see where this cliffhanger leaves us and how the characters will grow, along with the investigation. Another winner from Ms. Snow and another series of hers to love.
Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,858 reviews22 followers
February 7, 2023
Good

WARNING! Cliffhanger! This is a level 4.5/5, it’s not quite a life in the balance one, but it might make you scream, and since book 2 isn’t out yet (Feb 2023), you WILL have to wait.

Blair is a talented Illusion mage with the AMIA, the magical enforcement agency, who has been tasked with tracking down her uncle, the man who has been leading the rebels.
Being teamed up with two other agents isn’t something Blair appreciates, especially not when one of them rubs her the wrong way and BOTH of them appeal in ways decidedly not professional…

Blair was a larger than life character in Charisma’s series, and we begin to see here that she has issues. Issues like her harem might just be building before she’s ready for it, or like an insane uncle causing mayhem, or like a troublesome grandmother up to mischief!
This book introduces us to most (maybe all, I’m not sure) of Blair’s harem, sets up an interesting plot regarding the evildoers from the main series, and in general, just begins the story for Blair and her gang.
It does end on a pretty massive cliffhanger, so if you’d rather avoid that, you’ll have to wait!
This is a spin-off from the Arcane Mage World Series that features Charisma, and takes place just after book five of that series. In that respect, it isn’t a standalone, a lot of setup for this series comes from that, and it’s best if you’ve read those books first (or 1-5 from that series anyway). The author’s recommended reading order is in the blurb and in the book if you need it.

It’s a great read, despite the ending, and does feature a lot more from our favourite grandmother, which makes it a good choice for those who enjoy their RH with a magical flair, and a few sprinkles of humour.
Profile Image for beth m.
873 reviews
June 13, 2022
love Blair

I just love this world especially all the female leads, my only issue which is probably the issue I have with all of these series- it’s too short. Every time I feel like I’m getting somewhere or that some bit of storyline is picking up it ends, and it’s so frustrating. It’s not that I care that it ended on a cliffhanger, and I appreciate a well laid out story, but I just didn’t feel like it really went anywhere. The only thing that happened in the book was they were on a wild goose chase, she worked with two of her main guys, she met another of her main guys and then it ended on a cliffhanger.

I love the work this author puts out don’t get me wrong I have gotten all the audiobooks and I love re-listening to them. I love the world, characters, interactions and I hate being this reader, but I feel like I’m going to have to wait till all of the series is completed, I feel like I’m being fed snippets with each book that comes out, never really getting much from it or getting to a point, I wish the author would make these books longer and more substantial instead of cutting it up piece by piece.
Profile Image for Rachel (Galaxy Girl Reads).
744 reviews32 followers
June 9, 2022
What can I even say about this book to adequately explain how much I love it?

In writing Blair's story, T. S. Snow proceeded to hurt me then justifies it by saying "I didn't unalive anyone".

Because that's now the bar for her cliffhangers. Anything less than death is clearly "not that bad". 😂

Blair is an absolute baddie but beyond what she shows the world on the outside she is a soft, overly caring (anxious as flock) person that would do anything to protect her family.

Gran is an absolute gas in this book, as always and I don't think any reader can avoid shuddering at the escapades she gets up to.

Daniel Mirare is minnnneeeee. Dont even @ me on this. I never pick the nerdy ones but hot damn that boy is FIIIIIIINE.

Brant is also top tier spank bank material. Just all around yummy, ridiculous awdwardness.

As of right now, even with a ceasefire in place, Goldcross is up there with Theo in likeability for me🤣😂

Also. Because why choose. Ryder is also MINE. I licked him. He's Definitely mine.
1,068 reviews5 followers
June 19, 2022
Blair is Cool

*****Spoilers*****

Loved this one but by equal measure absolutely hate that I got into this series when there's only one book out. It always means I have to wait impatiently for the next one. Blair is badass but we don't really know why other than that she has a wicked nickname. She's also sexually free and has a grandmother that is hilarious and able to speak with and send ghosts to do errands for her. Blair is put on a case to find her uncle Richardo who's dispatched every other mage sent against him so Blair gets two men assigned and the three go off looking for clues.

The book could use more world building and the way this one ends is crap. More information about the different mages and their powers would be a good start as well as an explanation about the AMIA.
78 reviews
June 15, 2022
Aaaaaggggghhhhh!

Where to begin? At first I couldn't get into the thought of liking Blair without feeling guilty. The guilt stemming from feelings of disloyalty to Char. But as the book kept developing, I realized that there was room for other Female Mages in my life. Thank you T. S. Snow for opening my mind and my eyes to this world you dropped me into, and left me. I'm happy to say I've found my new imaginary home. Even though I think the book could have been several HUNDRED pages more. Can hardly wait for the next one. Thank you for writing (and imagining) this Amazing World.
Profile Image for Leeann.
399 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2022
Blair is just as fantastic as I expected

I loved her when we met her in Chars story and she's a perfect lead in this. She's so very different from Char, being a lot more prickly and determined to stay single due to her family obligations. Her guys are also all so different and I can't wait to see how they're going to mesh together!
That cliff has me so intrigued about where the next book will take us!! I just hope wherever it is it involves more Grandma Alma because she's an absolute hoot and I laughed my way through most of her scenes
315 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2022
Sighs

Ok so she just blamed her character for how she left us. But dammit woman !!!!!
Ok so it started off kinda slow. But picked up speed along the way. But to come to a screeching halt like that. Just OUCH !!!!!
So now not only do we need to wait for the next book in Char's story. But the next in Blair's too.
Just not fair I tell you !!!
But this is a good start to this spin-off series. Be interesting to see where it goes.
So until next time.....
162 reviews
June 12, 2022
Yes

Yes I liked it. All of it. Well mostly all of it. Hate the cliffhanger. But who doesn't. This book is Blair's. It promises all you have come to expect with the author. The FMC and the MMC are a bit older then the previous books. I think that's why I may have had a bit of an "itch" when it came to some interactions. I didn't think childhood issues would play out as long. I'm sure I'll
be over it before the next book comes. Highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Shauni.
573 reviews
July 31, 2022
That ending! OMG!

Reading Char's story, I loved loved loved Blair and was ecstatic to find out she was getting her own series. This book did not disappoint in the slightest. Her nan is the best character I've ever come across... I was crying with laughter over her antics. I'm definitely looking forward to reading what's next for Blair and to getting to know her guys even more. Loved it!
Profile Image for ♏Vanessa♏.
1,579 reviews7 followers
January 9, 2026
A different kind of magic

A different kind of magic, the book was the best TS Snow book I've read so far. We have a strong, badass FMC, with 4 hotties that are also have magic. There are secrets, fated mates, some spice, but a ton of tension, and lots of action too. Ends on a cliffhanger, and I'm definitely finishing the series. Nana was a hoot, super funny side character, and her spy ghosts, brilliantly done.
Profile Image for Tannith.
325 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2022
I’ve loved reading Char’s story, and I’ve been intrigued by Blair since she was introduced, so I’ve been extremely excited for this book. It definitely did not disappoint! Blair is kickass! I loved meeting her potential harem members too. Definitely recommend this book, even with one of the authors classic gut kick cliff hangers
Profile Image for Missy Cetnar.
135 reviews
June 10, 2022
Another winner!

I loved all of Char's books and this one was just as good! I highly recommended reading the Chaotic series first do you understand what's going on here. I love the continuation of another series but from a different POV. I just hate the cliffhanger! I love this author though and forgive this error as I know it will be worth the wait on the next book.
999 reviews7 followers
June 13, 2022
Deadly Illusions, Arcane Mage World Series Two, Arcane Agent Series Book One by T.S. Snow is part of the Arcane Mage Series by T.S. Snow. We've met Blair in Char's series. We all fell in love with the kick butt heroine that is Blair! Great book. But the cliffhanger! Must have the next book now please!!
94 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2022
ahhhhhhhhh!! cliff hanger from hell

This was so amazing and the cliffhanger totally got me. Was not expecting it and bam. Amazing book. Yes, it will be much much better to read after reading the series this one is connected to. Trust me. The other series is one of my all time favorites. I have read them multiple times.
Profile Image for NewFriendJen.
497 reviews19 followers
August 14, 2022
amazing

Blair was already such a wonderful character in the Arcane Mage series, but to get to explore her story alongside the original series is better! She deserves the whole dang world, and I can’t wait to watch her story play out!

That ending though! I have a love-hate relationship with cliffhangers and the author always has such great ones!
697 reviews
September 15, 2022
Secrets wrapped up in more

Blair is a kick butt take names don't listen to anyone's garbage agent stuck with a team trying to go after Ricardo. Blair lives in her own world but I loved the overlap with Char's world and snippets we've already seen in the other books. I can't wait to Ser how her story plays out
Profile Image for Mari.
3,139 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2022
This was just as good as I expected but I hate that I have to wait another 9 month for the next book. I think I will probably re-read the first book, when the second book is released. I really hope the story is either finished then or it won’t take too long for the next release, I really want to know what Ryder is up to and im looking forward to shenanigans from Alma.
Profile Image for Hannah Wenna.
Author 12 books82 followers
September 23, 2022
different

Series two in the arcane world is not less amazing!! I’m a huge fan of Blair and love getting to see the inner squishy heart of hers!!
It takes a bit to get into the book as you go from char to Blair - I’m loving where the story is going can’t wait to read more in this spinoff
216 reviews
September 23, 2022
holy hell sign me up

What a great new start to Blair’s spin off!! I just want more and more! I love her sass and her strength so much. She is an amazing lead lady. That ending though just makes you want to scream but squeal with excitement at the same time hehe. Give me more Blair and nana!! Soooo good must read!
Profile Image for Heather Gilbert.
1,780 reviews85 followers
January 26, 2024
continuation

This picks up where the main series left off, well… chapter 1 does, the prologue happens a bit towards the end of book 4 I think. Now we have Blair as the FMC, who I just loved in Char’s adventure. This is a bit convoluted and the guys are introduced super fast, but just introduced.

Cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Bryannaa.
23 reviews
May 13, 2025
Rating high because it was just genuinely entertaining I ate it up, I LOVE a strong badass FMC. I honestly loved it so much because the FMC and MMC banter isn't giving highschool. I HATE when grown people act like genuine children!!
-why choose
-cliffhanger
-strong/powerful/confident fmc
-no mm? at least in the first book
-grumpy/nerdy/kinda phsyco/flirty mmcs
-fated mates
106 reviews
June 10, 2022
Love this addition to the Arcane world, Blair is such an awesome character. I'm looking very forward to getting to know her and her men better. Couldn't put the book down, I binged it all in one go. As I always do with this authors work.
Profile Image for Janet.
212 reviews
June 13, 2022
loved

I loved Char, but I think Blair and her story is now one of my favorite stories from TS Snow. It does have a cliffy, but we all know that Ms. Snow’s stories are always worth the wait.
223 reviews1 follower
June 17, 2022
excellent book terrible ending

Such a good book, Blair’s own story is unique…totally ruined with cliff hanger. Good thing I read endings first, won’t be reading until other are out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews

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