Adrian Elias and Sage Tamir have been brought together by destiny as soul mates and they aren’t taking that exceptional gift for granted. However, before they can get accustomed to their new life together, they find themselves in trouble and inconvenienced by the powerful council of mages known as the Echelon Imperial. After being called to a mandatory meeting, they are given an ultimatum that could be deadly if they don’t choose wisely.

If that isn’t enough, the vampire Archduke of Chicago, Salino Laurent, calls in the favor owed him for saving Sage’s life. But when Adrian and Sage hear about what he wants, the two mages wonder if it’s even possible and, if so, is it worth the risk? More importantly, will they survive?

On top of that, Adrian gets a time-sensitive case, and this one he knows he can’t do alone. It is magic deeply rooted in darkness; he will need Sage. But if they fail, then a young boy may not get the chance to see his next birthday.

For anyone else, these would be extraordinary circumstances, but for Adrian and Sage, it is starting to feel like a Monday. With everything coming at them from all directions, they will need to be able to trust each other and what they share more than ever before.

The Reviews

JTorleif
4.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying, but now I have to wait for the next book again…
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2022
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I was a bit worried, at the end of the first book, that there was nothing to lengthen Adrian’s lifespan to match Sage’s - especially after the introduction of vampirism. It’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine to read about a relationship where an immortal being gets an HEA but the partner isn’t also made immortal, or is only long-lived as long as the immortal allows it. Unless the relationship is into that kind of power exchange, I find that situation to be stressful and unhealthy and dislike when authors try to make me find it acceptable. But I needn’t have worried, because we get a hint that the events of this book have changed something fundamental.

If the mage’s council is so worried about things, why are they just going after Adrian and Sage? They claim to have dominion over all supernals, so why not also target Salino? Do they know that Sage is also a vampire? What do they know about the pact with the dark god? How do they know what happened? And why are they so insistent that Adrian and Sage join them through coercion? If our MC’s would be valuable assets for their agenda, wouldn’t it be wiser to seduce and entice? I just see Adrian and Sage cooperating in the short term, but working to overthrow the whole system long-term to spite the council’s arrogance.

How will Salino’s actions impact vampire society? What kind of balance will he find with Adrian and Sage now?

Raven reads
5.0 out of 5 stars Actions have consequences
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2022
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And all magic has a pride that must be paid. This is something that Sage and Adrian are becoming all to familiar with. And what an interesting dynamic we have going on here between Sage, his mate and love Adrian, and Salino the vampire Archduke. This is going to get very complicated and intriguing before all is said and done. I am extremely curious where this is going to end up, especially with that Mage Imperium forcing Sage and Adrian to join their ranks. This is an amazing series and definitely worth a read. Just be warned, it is dark and some actions are certainly questionable but our two..three?…MCs are working towards something good.

Lee Casey
4.0 out of 5 stars This story twists in interesting ways
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2022
This is book two in the Mages and Mayhem series.

The adventures of Sage and Adrien continue and yet again I find myself enjoying the story despite it not being to my usual tastes. This time there’s an added complication, Salino the vampire archduke and a certain debt the two men owe him for saving sage’s life. This Gordian Knit of a tale keeps winding and draws us further and further into a story where two very much opposite men make decisions that shake the very foundations of their world. If the paranormal fantasy isn’t enough for you the sex is fantastic and this time includes a threesome with Salino that is pretty hot and teases of further trysts between the three being possible in the future. The story does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but like the last book it’s more of a tease of the next twist than a traditional cliff.

If you enjoyed the first book and like stories that twist in unexpected ways definitely keep reading the series because this one was of a similar caliber to book one.

I was given a copy of this book for free, but this is an honest review.