Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets.
A Charm of Magpies, Book 2
Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. True, Stephen’s job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician’s disappearing act bothers Crane more than it should. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, Crane knows a smart man would hop the first ship bound for China. But something unexpectedly stops him. His heart.
Stephen has problems of his own. As he investigates a plague of giant rats sweeping London, his sudden increase in power, boosted by his blood-and-sex bond with Crane, is rousing suspicion that he’s turned warlock. With all eyes watching him, the threat of exposure grows. Stephen could lose his friends, his job and his liberty over his relationship with Crane. He’s not sure if he can take that risk much longer. And Crane isn’t sure if he can ask him to.
The rats are closing in, and something has to give…
Review:
The second installment in A Charm of Magpies is an extraordinarily fun romp. I think this is even better than the first book, The Magpie Lord, and that's a tall order!
This novel follows Lord Crane, a domineering earl, and his lover, magician Stephen Day, as they seek to uncover a very curious plague of giant rats in London. This mystery provides a fun backdrop to the main story arc - Crane and Stephen.
In The Magpie Lord we got to see their attraction to each other blossoming, but in this second book, we get to see their relationship unfolding. Both men are incredibly strong in their own ways and fiercely independent. There is a huge question mark over whether these two can actually get together for more than just mind blowing sex.
The female characters in this novel really help to make it a winner for me. Leonora Hart, a friend of Crane's, especially. I love her sense of humour and her brashness. I also enjoyed finding out more about Stephen's work partner, Esther Gold. These two characters are what makes this novel, for me, superior to the first. What can I say? I'm a sucker for awesome women!
KJ Charles' research also needs commendation. Victorian London is not portrayed as being entirely comprised of white people! There's a strong focus in this novel on Chinese migration, which really adds a nice depth to the book.
KJ Charles' style is witty and fun. The sex scenes are ridiculously steamy.
A Case of Possession is superb.
More Information:
Title: A Case of Possession
Author: KJ Charles
Genre: Paranormal/Historical/Romance
Length: Novel
Length: Novel
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publishing Date: 28 Jan. 2014
Type: m/m
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