'The Mage's Match' by Finley Fenn follows the story of Selby and Agmund, who have a complicated relationship filled with magical affinity, trust issues, and a dangerous foe lurking in unexpected places. Despite the initial challenges and uncomfortable situations, the characters evolve as they navigate through insecurities, dark pasts, and mysteries that threaten their very existence. The plot is a mix of suspense, action, and romance, with a touch of fantasy elements that keep the readers engaged till the end.

Characters:

The characters are complex, featuring a strong yet submissive female lead and an initially arrogant male lead, set against a backdrop of bullying and social class differences.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style blends modern slang with traditional fantasy elements, leading to moments that are both engaging and jarring.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a transactional relationship driven by the need to restore magical powers, intertwined with elements of mystery, social conflict, and character growth.

Setting:

Set in a magical academy-like world, the story balances dark fantasy elements with themes of social class and personal conflict.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, with a slow start focused on intimacy, but it picks up in the latter half as the plot develops.

It was a beautiful, isolated place, surrounded at first by broad swathes of dense forest, and then by rolling, manicured grounds. The main building itself was four stories high, looming grandly over i...

Notes:

The book features a strong female lead with a complex relationship with a male mage.

It's set in a magical world with themes of class difference and bullying.

The plot involves a contract where the female lead agrees to have sex with the male lead to help restore his waning magic.

There are multiple sex scenes in the book, which some readers found repetitive or overwhelming.

The dynamic between the leads swings between hate and romantic tension, often leaning into dark themes such as degradation and dubcon.

The author uses modern slang in a fantasy setting, which some readers found jarring.

The MMC (male main character) begins as an unsympathetic character but shows development throughout the story.

The story includes elements of enemies to lovers, characterized by intense banter and conflict before romantic feelings develop.

The FMC (female main character) can read emotions and thoughts through touch, adding a unique magical element to their interactions.

Overall, the book has received mixed reviews, with some readers loving the steam and plot while others found issues with characters and themes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of degradation, dubcon (dubious consent), and intense power dynamics in the relationships.

Has Romance?

The book features a significant romantic element characterized by sexual tension and physical intimacy.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Regin Agmund was the greatest air-mage in the world. Brilliant, rich, proud, adored, with an elite position in Vakra's powerful, prestigious Coven.

Until he lost his magic.

Even the best experts can't understand it, and every possible remedy has failed.

Regin is furious, miserable, and desperate enough to try anything. Even if that means hiring a greedy, defiant, and oddly compelling stranger to share his bed…

Selby Seng is a poor, travelling pedlar , who practices a rare, illicit brand of earth-magic.

She's shocked when the Coven confronts her with an astonishing claim: she happens to have a deep magical affinity with the great Regin Agmund. And if she agrees to give him her maidenhood - along with three whole months in his bed - she just might bring his magic back.

The price is right, so Selby finally relents - only to discover that in real life, the world's greatest air-mage is dreadful . He's hostile, arrogant, and ruthless, with cruel friends, a jealous ex, and a blind loyalty to a Coven that reeks of death.

But when Regin takes Selby to bed, it's raw and angry and utterly glorious . And as the heat between them keeps rising, Selby can almost forget that this desperate, deadly, delicious air-mage is only in it for the magic…

Or is he?

And when Regin's privileged, powerful world starts to close in on Selby, which side will he choose? What will it cost him to keep his secret, snarky, sexy-as-hell new lover safe - and to win her trust, and her heart, for good?

A scorching, angsty, full-length enemies to lovers fantasy romance.

For fans of cocky alpha wizards, steamy hate scenes, magical mystery and danger, and heartfelt happily ever afters.

Please note: Contains mature themes, intense scenes (with some BDSM), and strong language.

Intended for adult readers.

Ratings (4)

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Reader Stats (13):

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Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (5)

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The Mage's Match

Finley Fenn

Book 1 in the series:The Mages