A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies #2) by K.J. Charles

I'm worried. I'm actually WORRIED. I finished this AMAZING book and I'm now realizing it means I only have ONE novel left of Stephen and Lucien. I'm NOT ready to say goodbye! I loved everything about this book. As in the previous one the pace is excellent, left me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what's going on, but I was also hooked to the romance part as both men struggle with their emotions towards one another and how they can make it work with the amount of complications around them.

Stephen Day is busy, but more than busy it's obvious he is reluctant to make a habit of his affair with Lucien Vaudrey (our Lord Crane). It can't last, not with the difference in lifestyle and rank and especially not when Lucien gets bored or annoyed with living in London and returns to his home in China. Lucien actually doesn't know WHAT he wants to do. He has enough dealings at the moment but what upsets him the most if how illusive Stephen is. He wants him in his bed, he wants to wake up with Stephen in his arms. But as Merrick his manservant puts it - he gives Stephen exactly the things he DOESN'T want.

To make things even more difficult Lucien is being blackmailed by the same guy who brought Stephen into his life and he isn't the only one he is blackmailing.. This isn't China.. If it was, he would have gotten him killed and got on with it.. Now he needs to find a way to make this problem disappear because it makes Stephen even more reluctant to have ANYTHING to do with him. Especially since the other Justiciars are starting to suspect Stephen new found powers (those he gets from his connection to Lucien and the Magpie Lord).



But who have time to consider relationships when people are murdered by giant rats?! Stephen comes for Lucien's help as a translator, trying to speak with Chinese shamans. But once Lucien realizes the issue he remembers a tale he heard about giant rats and from there on they start tackling the mystery together with the other Justiciars. They are suspicious of him at first but our Lord Crane has his own charm.

All the little stories and tales in this one gets mixed up together and through it all they get even closer than before. Lucien can't bare it anymore. He needs to make Stephen realize he is here for him for the long run if only Stephen accepts and stays.

There is much more I could say about this one. It was HILARIOUS, it was also action packed, it was sweet and romantic and totally raw at others. I truly couldn't have asked for more. It was simply an AWESOME novel and I can't wait to start the next one even though I'm sad to start saying my goodbye.

Can't recommend this book and series enough. A MUST READ!

A Case of Spirits: Like in the previous novel, this is also a sort of bonus little story of our two MCs. I think it was originally published on it's own but as it seems it's added on the very end on the current edition. It's actually a bit more than just a scene between them, it's a mystery in which Merrick's life and health is on the line and so you can imagine how Lucien would be taking it. But with Stephen by his side as well as his magic wielding friends things get resolved quick enough. It was a nice little story, really enjoyed it even though it was fairly short. Any added time with these two is a blessing.

Rating: ★★★★★

E-Book Edition

194 pages

Read on: 21-22 March 2020

ABOUT THIS SERIES

 

A Charm of Magpies is a MUST READ simply FANTASTIC Paranormal Romance series set in Victorian times by  K.J. Charles. The (main) series follows Lucien Vaudrey - Lord Crane and Justiciar and Magic Practitioner Stephen Day.

There are not enough amazing words to describe how much I love and recommend this series. It has everything anyone can wish for. Great romance with a beautiful build up. Banter galore. An interesting setting in Victorian London with more than a little sprinkle of magic. Action and mystery in every book keeping me at the edge of my seat for the mystery to resolve as well as for these two to find their solace together.

GRAB IT NOW! You won't regret it.

In "Jackdaw" we revisit Jonah Pastern who was a sort of a villain in "Flight of Magpies". We understand his reasons for acting the way he did and how he redeemed himself, not only from his action there but his life in general with help and support from Ben - the man he did it all for. It was a treasure of a book as well.

Ned and Crispin are a new couple as well, they have a short novella (of them getting to know each other) and a short novel of them pretty much saving the world.. It takes time in the same timeline as "Jackdaw" each explains why they were pretty much on their own fighting evil with very little help. I didn't really like these two together. They have a lot of potential but at their current state they are barely functioning which I had a difficult time with honestly.

Books:
A Charm of Magpies
0.5 The Smuggler and the Warlord (Published 30 November 2013) ★★★★★
1. The Magpie Lord (Published 3 September 2013) ★★★★★
[ 1.5 Interlude with Tattoos (Included in "The Magpie Lord") ]
2. A Case of Possession (Published 6 January 2014  ★★★★★
[ 2.5 A Case of Spirits (Included in "A Case of Possession") ]
3. Flight of Magpies (Published 28 October 2014)  ★★★★★
[ 3.5 Feast of Stephen (Included in "Flight of Magpies") ]

 

The World of Magpies
Edward "Ned" Hall & Crispin Tredarloe:
A Queer Trade (Rag and Bone prequel) (Published 2 February 2016)  ★★★★
Rag and Bone (Published 1 March 2016)  ★★★
Benedict "Ben" Spenser & Jonah Pastern:
Jackdaw (Published 9 November 2017)  ★★★★★