Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Stolen Magic
SERIES: The Mage & His Brute #2
AUTHOR: Ava Marie Salinger
PUBLISHER: Silver Orb Publishing
LENGTH: 332 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2025
BLURB:
Magic defines who they are. But what happens when that power can be stolen?
In a Victorian London where magical privilege divides society, Duke Evander Ravenwood and Viggo Stonewall have forged more than just an alliance—they’ve fallen in love. But their happiness is short-lived when a new threat emerges from the shadows of London’s magical society.
A renowned professor from the Royal Institute for the Arcane has vanished, leaving behind whispers of forbidden magic and mysterious experiments. As Evander begins to investigate, complications arise with the arrival of his enigmatic former lover from Paris. An expert called in to help, Leon Beaulieu brings old emotions and new secrets to light and soon becomes a source of jealousy for Viggo.
Meanwhile, troubling rumours reach the Nightshade network: thralls linked to noble families are disappearing across London. Determined to track down the perpetrator, Viggo and his friends are drawn into a perilous hunt for an elusive adversary working from the shadows.
Realising their cases are intertwined, Evander and Viggo join forces to unravel the mysteries behind the professor’s disappearance and the missing thralls. But their search soon plunges them into a web of conspiracies rooted in decades-old betrayals and ambition—where nothing, and no one, is quite as it seems.
As allies become adversaries and the true mastermind closes in, Evander and Viggo will need their wits—and their trust in each other—if they’re to survive the darkness gathering around them.
Stolen Magic is a spellbinding tale of magic, mystery, and romance that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. Perfect for fans of historical fantasy and LGBT romance, this second instalment in The Mage and His Brute series promises an unforgettable journey through a London where love and magic intertwine in the most unexpected ways.
REVIEW:
Thralls are going missing and the establishment doesn’t seem to care – but Nightshade do. Archmage Detective Evander Ravenwood is called in when magical professors also go missing. When the two cases become intertwined, they discover that more than magic is being stolen.
What a welcome return to the Victorian crime-fighting gang! The story was engaging from the first page, and while the plot was complex, it was easy to follow, making me feel like I was in the room with the investigators.
The story is told in the third person, British English, from the viewpoints of Evander and Viggo. Scenes are set within Victorian England, specifically London, and I could imagine myself navigating the streets and cobbles on foot or in a carriage. Also, the accents in dialogue scenes come through beautifully. My only niggle is that the author had favored phrases. Many scenes were surrounded with dread, frozen in tracks, worried glances and ice in veins, which over time diminished the effectiveness of the drama instead of enhancing it. I understand the gravity of the plot, but the team are seasoned investigators, too. Speaking of investigators – I loved Shaw and her direct, no-frills, say what you see bearing.
Evander and Viggo make a stunning pair. The introduction of Leon, the ex-lover, creates an intriguing subplot that impacts the investigation and their personal lives. However, it is evident that Evander’s household staff, more specifically Hargrove, favour Viggo. Hargrove is another character amongst the stunning cast who deserves a special shout-out.
Throughout the story, I was introduced to brave and malevolent individuals, with innocents caught in the crosshairs. The plot included magical transference, kidnappings, experimentation, magical battles, and a classic good versus evil scenario where those who already have much desire more. Then there’s the delightful relationship between Evander and Viggo, and their deepening understanding, despite others who would prefer Evander for themselves.
RATING: 
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