A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies: Book 2)

Title:  A Case of Possession  (A Charm of Magpies, Book 2)

Author:  KJ Charles

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing

Length:  159 pages

Rating:  A List

Up All Night Satisfaction

Blurb:  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…

Warning: Contains m/m sex (on desks), blackmail, dark pasts, a domineering earl, a magician on the edge, vampire ghosts (possibly), and the giant rats of Sumatra.

Review:  Seriously love these guys. You have to read the first book in this series The Magpie Lord.  Not only because everything will be much clearer and richer, but also because it is awesome and you deserve to have the full experience.

There is so very much to enjoy about this series set in a magical version of Victorian England: hot men, mystery, intrigue, epic magic battles, delicious sex, love, friendship, references to adventures in China, moments of sweet romance and devotion, incredible tattoos, loyalty, creepy bad guys, and a bond that is growing into something so powerful that it cannot be hidden or ignored.

Stephen is adorable and Crane is his almost immediately. Which was fabulous because he does not consider himself to be that sexy and Crane is fantastic for his ego. He has been alone and lonely for so very long with not only the secret of his magic, but also his sexuality, keeping him isolated. He finds everything he could ever dream of with Crane. He is used to keeping up a blank facade that protects him and his secrets from the world. He cannot hide from Crane, who can truly see him, who keeps looking for him and seems to want only him.

Crane has always had the upper hand in his relationships, he is used to being the one in control, the one who leaves the other man wanting more. It was so much fun watching him struggle with his pride over his fierce need for Stephen. He hasn’t made any commitments to staying in England and with one foot ready to jump onto the next ship to China he will have to decide what he wants and what he is willing to do to keep Stephen in his life or risk losing him.

I adored the relationship between these two stubborn and wary men. Watching them succumb to love and their need for one another was a delight. They have both been abandoned and betrayed. They are used to relying on their wits and risking their lives.

A fabulous series that I highly recommend. I loved every moment of it and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Nina