The Entanglement of Rival Wizards

Raasch (Go Luck Yourself) enchants with this queer fantasy romance. Sebastian “Seb” Walsh is a hot-headed college student studying the magical discipline of evocation and preparing to apply for a research grant he needs to graduate and secure a job in the nonprofit sector. Also competing for the grant is Elethior “Thio” Tourael, a conjuration student from a wealthy family who run an unethical magical research and military development company. Between their departments’ long-standing rivalry and Seb’s personal and moral qualms with the Tourael family, the two students are sworn enemies. Their grant proposals, however, are strikingly similar, leading the college to award the funding to both boys with the stipulation that they work together, hoping the collaboration will end the animosity between the two departments. Forced to share a lab, they butt heads as they work towards their goals, all while sexual tension mounts, especially when Seb learns that Thio doesn’t support his family’s immoral practices. Raasch pulls from familiar fantasy and romance tropes while adding in enough unique worldbuilding details to keep things fresh, and she handles themes of trauma and family strife with care. The fun magic school setting, animated and complex characters, and steamy enemies-to-lovers romance will have readers hooked. Agent: Amy Stapp, Wolfson Literary. (Aug.)