The Entanglement of Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch: My Book Review

Sara Raasch is THE romance author when it comes to MM fantasy romance books and I got the chance to read her latest new release, The Entanglement of Rival Wizards. Check out my book review below to see what I think of this rivals to lovers romance!

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards Summary:

Sebastian Walsh: Evocation Department. Human. The first of his family to pick college over the military.

Elethior Tourael: Conjuration Department. Half-elf. Pretentious asshole. The latest legacy Tourael at Lesiara U.

Both: Mageus Research Grant finalists.

Sebastian refuses to let anyone snatch this away, least of all a snob riding on old money. But what’s worse than a nemesis stealing your grant? You could both get it. Under the condition you work together.

Sebastian is in hell. Thio’s broody. Takes up their shared lab space with his projects . . . and biceps. Brings treats for Sebastian’s familiar . . .

. . . and is nothing like Sebastian thought.

When Sebastian’s past with the Touraels forces him to choose his research or Thio, the decision should be simple. But while working with his rival is volatile . . . falling for his rival might blow up Sebastian’s future.

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards: My Review

Ever since diving into Raasch’s Royals and Romance series I’ve been OBSESSED with her writing. No other author combines amazing writing, lovable characters, unique fantasy stories and queer romance like Raasch.

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards honestly reads like a contemporary college romance (so don’t turn it away if you’re not a fantasy romance fan) only it involves a human and a half-elf who have both been awarded a grant to continue their research into their respective disciplines. The only problem is that Sebastian and Elethior can’t stand each other despite now needing to work together to complete their degrees.

You never have to convince me to read an enemies to lovers or academic rivals to lovers romance. This trope is my FAVORITE and Raasch does a great job of showcasing their animosity toward one another at the beginning. But you know how hate can create the BEST chemistry!

I honestly thought that this would be a hilarious college romcom with these two having some crazy spell issues going on in their lab but the story actually took a different direction. Sebastian cannot stand Elethior because of his famous family which you come to find out Seb has a history with – and not a good one.

I honestly wasn’t expecting the somewhat dark turn of the story when their respective pasts and issues with the famous Tourael family make themselves known which are both incredibly heartbreaking (and should have trigger warnings of abuse though not on page).

That being said, once their chemistry with one another finally crested over and they started hooking up, I fell for these two. Seb and Elethior’s “let’s just hook up and nothing more” relationship was HOT and set the ground work for me loving them as individuals and as a couple. This is where the book shined in addition to the relationship with Seb and his best friend (whose story we will get next!).

My only hangup besides it getting a bit darker than I anticipated is the research aspect to the story. I found it hard to sink into the first part of the story (before their hooking up started) because I was trying to wrap my head around their school, their respective disciplines and their research. This could just be a me thing but I found it hard to follow what they hoped to accomplish in their projects so I got frustrated and distracted since this was the majority of the first 40% of the book which I hope doesn’t turn new readers away.

But if you love unique fantasy, queer romance then give this one a shot. Just hang in their until the hooking up begins 😊.

*I received an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

More Books by Raasch:

• The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
• Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch

Related Book Lists:

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• Best Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Romance Books
• Best New Queer Romance Books of 2025

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