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Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets. Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. He knows Stephen's job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician is doing his disappearing act more than seems reasonable-especially since Crane will soon return to his home in China. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, there's only one thing stopping Crane from leaving the country he loathes: Stephen. Stephen has problems of his own. As he show more 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 on 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. Crane isn't sure if he can ask him to. The rats are closing in, and something has to. show lessTags
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“Look, I have three choices. I never see you again so I’m not tempted; I give in to temptation and milk you for power until I’m a raging madman; or I control myself. I don’t like the first two options.”
The second isn’t as good as the first, but it’s close.
Stephen and Lord Crane have returned to London, continuing the relationship they started from ‘The Magpie Lord.’ Stephen’s self-doubts and hectic work schedule interfere, while Lucien has to endure the London life he hates so much. His hatred isn’t helped when a friend starts blackmailing him. This same friend is blackmailing another person in his inner circle. He is thrust into the professional part of Stephen’s life when he assists in an investigation, one show more which ends up opening all kinds of cans of worms.
The story was exciting – plenty happening from the first page, I seriously can’t put these down. Between the relationship struggles, which never grow annoying, and the hectic, frantic plot, the book flies by. I wish the author would have made them longer, they have enough substance to be padded out. Besides the interesting magical system and world she’s created, this plot has the added allure of a Chinese myth of sorcery woven in.
The bedroom scenes are still steamy as Stephen’s submissive side meets Crane’s dominating one. Between moments of stimulating plays are genuinely sweet, heart-squeezing ones. The scene where Lucien reveals his full feelings made me melt. His sarcasm and fashion obsession is funny, his dominance thriller, his sweet side endearing.
“I like to make you know your master," Crane Said." It's only fair. The rest of the time you've got me so thoroughly enslaved, I might as well be wearing a collar with your name on it.”
Besides the two main characters, who I absolutely love, the reveal of Stephen’s partner and her husband was nifty. The scene where they find out the truth was especially awesome. Couldn’t have been better.
I love the magical system and Victorian world K.J. Charles invented. Only wish these books were longer. There’s plenty of humor that works, but it’s not quite as funny as the first. Overall, an excellent sequel with characters I’ve fallen head over heels over. show less
The second isn’t as good as the first, but it’s close.
Stephen and Lord Crane have returned to London, continuing the relationship they started from ‘The Magpie Lord.’ Stephen’s self-doubts and hectic work schedule interfere, while Lucien has to endure the London life he hates so much. His hatred isn’t helped when a friend starts blackmailing him. This same friend is blackmailing another person in his inner circle. He is thrust into the professional part of Stephen’s life when he assists in an investigation, one show more which ends up opening all kinds of cans of worms.
The story was exciting – plenty happening from the first page, I seriously can’t put these down. Between the relationship struggles, which never grow annoying, and the hectic, frantic plot, the book flies by. I wish the author would have made them longer, they have enough substance to be padded out. Besides the interesting magical system and world she’s created, this plot has the added allure of a Chinese myth of sorcery woven in.
The bedroom scenes are still steamy as Stephen’s submissive side meets Crane’s dominating one. Between moments of stimulating plays are genuinely sweet, heart-squeezing ones. The scene where Lucien reveals his full feelings made me melt. His sarcasm and fashion obsession is funny, his dominance thriller, his sweet side endearing.
“I like to make you know your master," Crane Said." It's only fair. The rest of the time you've got me so thoroughly enslaved, I might as well be wearing a collar with your name on it.”
Besides the two main characters, who I absolutely love, the reveal of Stephen’s partner and her husband was nifty. The scene where they find out the truth was especially awesome. Couldn’t have been better.
I love the magical system and Victorian world K.J. Charles invented. Only wish these books were longer. There’s plenty of humor that works, but it’s not quite as funny as the first. Overall, an excellent sequel with characters I’ve fallen head over heels over. show less
YES! Oh yes, I was waiting for this, and it did not disappoint!
After reading the first book, I preordered this, and kept checking back for the release date, and when it downloaded to my kindle last night, I gasped in pleasure and immediately started reading, now finishing at 2AM. And I LOVED THIS! Completely. And I am so happy there is going to be a third book in this series too.
Lucien and Stephen are such great, unique characters. They are very original, very smart (they figured out their problems and were brave enough to face their feelings and obstacles head on rather than cowering and creating more problems between them), and are so wonderful together. I just love them. Their attitudes and personalities always bring a smile to my show more face. Their interactions are often funny too, as are all the great secondary characters. There is a lot of very cool magic in this series as well, and some darker scenes, which just give the books more depth. The books feel very realistic for the time period, and I feel totally immersed in this world whenever I read them. My highest praise for KJ Charles on this series (which is her debut).
The story line is unique and brilliant and new, but continues some of the obstacles from the first book, while leading the reader on a grand mystery. Perfect grammar and editing, I do believe, and no faults that I can bring to mind. Reading this equates to 100% joy in my mind, and this is exactly the type of story I needed. I cannot wait to read the next one, and I want to read a fourth and a fifth at least too! I will take whatever I can get because these books just get to me. This series is among my favorites. Buy both and read them now! And then wait eagerly with me for the third.
P.S. I will never think of magpies the same way again. Now I rather want a magpie tattoo too. show less
After reading the first book, I preordered this, and kept checking back for the release date, and when it downloaded to my kindle last night, I gasped in pleasure and immediately started reading, now finishing at 2AM. And I LOVED THIS! Completely. And I am so happy there is going to be a third book in this series too.
Lucien and Stephen are such great, unique characters. They are very original, very smart (they figured out their problems and were brave enough to face their feelings and obstacles head on rather than cowering and creating more problems between them), and are so wonderful together. I just love them. Their attitudes and personalities always bring a smile to my show more face. Their interactions are often funny too, as are all the great secondary characters. There is a lot of very cool magic in this series as well, and some darker scenes, which just give the books more depth. The books feel very realistic for the time period, and I feel totally immersed in this world whenever I read them. My highest praise for KJ Charles on this series (which is her debut).
The story line is unique and brilliant and new, but continues some of the obstacles from the first book, while leading the reader on a grand mystery. Perfect grammar and editing, I do believe, and no faults that I can bring to mind. Reading this equates to 100% joy in my mind, and this is exactly the type of story I needed. I cannot wait to read the next one, and I want to read a fourth and a fifth at least too! I will take whatever I can get because these books just get to me. This series is among my favorites. Buy both and read them now! And then wait eagerly with me for the third.
P.S. I will never think of magpies the same way again. Now I rather want a magpie tattoo too. show less
Magpie Gate: Season 2 Commencing in...
[b:The Magpie Lord|17730586|The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies, #1)|K.J. Charles|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365084262s/17730586.jpg|24803707] was most certainly one of the best buzz books of 2013. Could the latest addition in the A Charm of Magpies series, A Case of Possession" continue the charm and repeat the buzz?
Hmm let me think about it...
Hell yes!
Round two was just as good as book #1. Don't skip book #1. You really should read the series in order.
This series makes me want to shout from the rooftops with how good the writing is, with how well faceted the characters are, with how show more rich the story telling is. I'm not the biggest fan of reading about the same couple in a series, K.J. Charles has proved how it can be a good thing.
Months have passed since we last saw Mr. Day and Lord Crane. There are now in London and searching through a reputable part of town searching for a murderer and *gulps* giant rats. (Erm, I'm not even going to post pictures of the vermin because they make my skin crawl.) During the fast paced case, we learn more about both main characters, Lucien and his past from the Far East plays a major role and Stephen's role as a justicar does as well. And with all of that into play, there's a mystery to be solved, bonds that are formed and solidified. Add doses of magic, charm and macabre essence to make "A Case of Possession".
The story was entertaining. The added cast of characters (and what a set of secondary characters!) made the story even better. Merrick is back in full force, with more page time. We get to meet Stephen's team of justicars and friends. I know Mrs. Gold will be popular but I love Saint.
Crane, darling Lucien.
He hasn't lost that silver tongue of his. He continues to put it to excellent use.
*grunts* Lucien still has it. He showed a different side that I quite enjoyed. I loved reading about him learning about this new side of him as well.
Can I blame Stephen for want to climb Lucien like a pole? If I didn't love those two together, I'd be pushing Stephen aside to get at him.
And Stephen...he's more frisky. I love it.
The words? I loved them too. This book is word porn for the mind.
I'm so happy where the couple are. I have zillions of quotes but some of my favorite are most telling. You have to read this book to see them for yourself. Even with those giant ratsSWEET MOTHERFUCKING CHEESUS THOSE GIANT ASS RATS!!! They might be stars of a nightmare or three in the future. this story kicked ass. "A Case of Possession" was romantic, creepy, funny, sexy and action filled. Highly recommended.
And of course, I was upset once I reached the end. I almost shook my Kindle to see if more words would magically appear. (It didn't.)
Oh, K.J. Charles, I implore to you:
These characters are fabulous." show less
[b:The Magpie Lord|17730586|The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies, #1)|K.J. Charles|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365084262s/17730586.jpg|24803707] was most certainly one of the best buzz books of 2013. Could the latest addition in the A Charm of Magpies series, A Case of Possession" continue the charm and repeat the buzz?
Hmm let me think about it...
“You look like the cat that swallowed the cream," Stephen said softly.
"That comes later.”
Hell yes!
Round two was just as good as book #1. Don't skip book #1. You really should read the series in order.
This series makes me want to shout from the rooftops with how good the writing is, with how well faceted the characters are, with how show more rich the story telling is. I'm not the biggest fan of reading about the same couple in a series, K.J. Charles has proved how it can be a good thing.
Months have passed since we last saw Mr. Day and Lord Crane. There are now in London and searching through a reputable part of town searching for a murderer and *gulps* giant rats. (Erm, I'm not even going to post pictures of the vermin because they make my skin crawl.) During the fast paced case, we learn more about both main characters, Lucien and his past from the Far East plays a major role and Stephen's role as a justicar does as well. And with all of that into play, there's a mystery to be solved, bonds that are formed and solidified. Add doses of magic, charm and macabre essence to make "A Case of Possession".
The story was entertaining. The added cast of characters (and what a set of secondary characters!) made the story even better. Merrick is back in full force, with more page time. We get to meet Stephen's team of justicars and friends. I know Mrs. Gold will be popular but I love Saint.
Crane, darling Lucien.
He hasn't lost that silver tongue of his. He continues to put it to excellent use.
“Charm's a very dangerous thing. Lucien, tell me," Stephen said thoughtfully. "This respect for shamans, this inviolability..."
"Mmm?"
"Well, I don't know if you remember, but some three weeks ago, you tied me to your bedposts and spent two hours subjecting me to acts of unimaginable depravity. And considering you call me a shaman--"
"I take issue with 'unimaginable'," Crane interrupted, sudden heat and light rushing through him. "I imagine those acts in detail every night you're not there. In fact, I've imagined quite a few more that I have every intention of subjecting you to when I get a chance.”
*grunts* Lucien still has it. He showed a different side that I quite enjoyed. I loved reading about him learning about this new side of him as well.
Can I blame Stephen for want to climb Lucien like a pole? If I didn't love those two together, I'd be pushing Stephen aside to get at him.
“Dear me, Mr. Day. You really do love to get fucked on desks, don't you? Put you on a desk, and you're begging for it. What is so particularly exciting about desks?”
And Stephen...he's more frisky. I love it.
The words? I loved them too. This book is word porn for the mind.
I'm so happy where the couple are. I have zillions of quotes but some of my favorite are most telling. You have to read this book to see them for yourself. Even with those giant rats
And of course, I was upset once I reached the end. I almost shook my Kindle to see if more words would magically appear. (It didn't.)
Oh, K.J. Charles, I implore to you:
These characters are fabulous." show less
Rating: 4.5* of five
Not quite five...although it was set to be...because when the enemy was vanquished, there were still things to be done that weren't. The dead men, the story that inspired the hideous plague of rats were not tied together anywhere near well enough.
But the men are, as always, a delight, and the magpies in their various forms are outstandingly well used. There is nothing not to like in the character development department. There could be a lot more of this majgickq system used and explained, but that's the fun of a series, making discoveries as we go along! And Author Charles already knows the answers to the questions I'm thinking up. I am confident of that. These reads make that completely clear: I am in confident, show more powerful hands as I read, following a competent guide through a well made maze.
What fun. What a delicious escape from the dystopian epic I'm sure I fell into by accident. I want to go home now, please. But in the meantime I have Lucien and Stephen to keep me distracted. show less
Not quite five...although it was set to be...because when the enemy was vanquished, there were still things to be done that weren't. The dead men, the story that inspired the hideous plague of rats were not tied together anywhere near well enough.
But the men are, as always, a delight, and the magpies in their various forms are outstandingly well used. There is nothing not to like in the character development department. There could be a lot more of this majgickq system used and explained, but that's the fun of a series, making discoveries as we go along! And Author Charles already knows the answers to the questions I'm thinking up. I am confident of that. These reads make that completely clear: I am in confident, show more powerful hands as I read, following a competent guide through a well made maze.
What fun. What a delicious escape from the dystopian epic I'm sure I fell into by accident. I want to go home now, please. But in the meantime I have Lucien and Stephen to keep me distracted. show less
“Look, I have three choices. I never see you again so I’m not tempted; I give in to temptation and milk you for power until I’m a raging madman; or I control myself. I don’t like the first two options.”
The second isn’t as good as the first, but it’s close.
Stephen and Lord Crane have returned to London, continuing the relationship they started from ‘The Magpie Lord.’ Stephen’s self-doubts and hectic work schedule interfere, while Lucien has to endure the London life he hates so much. His hatred isn’t helped when a friend starts blackmailing him. This same friend is blackmailing another person in his inner circle. He is thrust into the professional part of Stephen’s life when he assists in an investigation, one show more which ends up opening all kinds of cans of worms.
The story was exciting – plenty happening from the first page, I seriously can’t put these down. Between the relationship struggles, which never grow annoying, and the hectic, frantic plot, the book flies by. I wish the author would have made them longer, they have enough substance to be padded out. Besides the interesting magical system and world she’s created, this plot has the added allure of a Chinese myth of sorcery woven in.
The bedroom scenes are still steamy as Stephen’s submissive side meets Crane’s dominating one. Between moments of stimulating plays are genuinely sweet, heart-squeezing ones. The scene where Lucien reveals his full feelings made me melt. His sarcasm and fashion obsession is funny, his dominance thriller, his sweet side endearing.
“I like to make you know your master," Crane Said." It's only fair. The rest of the time you've got me so thoroughly enslaved, I might as well be wearing a collar with your name on it.”
Besides the two main characters, who I absolutely love, the reveal of Stephen’s partner and her husband was nifty. The scene where they find out the truth was especially awesome. Couldn’t have been better.
I love the magical system and Victorian world K.J. Charles invented. Only wish these books were longer. There’s plenty of humor that works, but it’s not quite as funny as the first. Overall, an excellent sequel with characters I’ve fallen head over heels over. show less
Exciting stuff over, daily life has now re-taken its course. Sure, the sex is still smokin' hawt, and our two heroes are very much enamored of one another... secretly. So they're holding a truckload of secrets from eachother, and they pine. Ooooh is there pining to be had! Which is not to say, that I wasn't breathlessly following each and every long-suffering sigh of said pining.
When it comes to reading M/M romance, for all my indulgence of guilty-pleasure, I vastly prefer contemporary settings to Victorian ones. With M/F couples I find it perfectly acceptable for 'intrepid' heroines to conveniently time their dramatic swooning into the dashing heroes' arms. Even if you'll never catch me condoning such behavior in real life.
When the show more two protagonists are both male, the dynamic changes. They need to hide, there's a constant threat of prison hanging over their heads, so they need to watch their every step very carefully. So much so, that the long awaited confession provides equal amounts of excited stomach butterflies, as well as frustrated teeth grinding. You can tell I wasn't a fan of Romeo and Juliet, even before the double suicide, can you?
In short, this book was all about #relationshipgoals.
In general, I was not keen on the way secondary characters were introduced. It felt like a conversation between your friend and his long-time acquaintances, strangers to you: chock full of inner jokes, that were constantly being cut off by raucous laughter. I can certainly make a case for doing things this way, but I was still mostly confused by it.
Score: 4.4/5 stars
Once again: an awesome murder mystery, with exciting Eastern-Asian flavours, ghosts, and... lots of creepy rats? Despite all that, I couldn't bear to part with the book until I finished it.
=====================
Review of book 0.5: The Smuggler and the Warlord
Review of book 1: The Magpie Lord
Review of book 1.5: Interlude with Tattoos
Review of book 2.5: A Case of Spirits
Review of book 3: Flight of Magpies
Review of book 3.5: Feast of Stephen show less
When it comes to reading M/M romance, for all my indulgence of guilty-pleasure, I vastly prefer contemporary settings to Victorian ones. With M/F couples I find it perfectly acceptable for 'intrepid' heroines to conveniently time their dramatic swooning into the dashing heroes' arms. Even if you'll never catch me condoning such behavior in real life.
When the show more two protagonists are both male, the dynamic changes. They need to hide, there's a constant threat of prison hanging over their heads, so they need to watch their every step very carefully. So much so, that the long awaited confession provides equal amounts of excited stomach butterflies, as well as frustrated teeth grinding. You can tell I wasn't a fan of Romeo and Juliet, even before the double suicide, can you?
In short, this book was all about #relationshipgoals.
In general, I was not keen on the way secondary characters were introduced. It felt like a conversation between your friend and his long-time acquaintances, strangers to you: chock full of inner jokes, that were constantly being cut off by raucous laughter. I can certainly make a case for doing things this way, but I was still mostly confused by it.
Score: 4.4/5 stars
Once again: an awesome murder mystery, with exciting Eastern-Asian flavours, ghosts, and... lots of creepy rats? Despite all that, I couldn't bear to part with the book until I finished it.
=====================
Review of book 0.5: The Smuggler and the Warlord
Review of book 1: The Magpie Lord
Review of book 1.5: Interlude with Tattoos
Review of book 2.5: A Case of Spirits
Review of book 3: Flight of Magpies
Review of book 3.5: Feast of Stephen show less
An interlude read, a sweet and decently written, undemanding story.
I like KJ Charles who does interesting blog posts and reads many of the same books. I'm not really into PNR romance at the moment, but Charles' excellent writing, the sweetness in the characters' connection and the unbelievable coolness of the magpies is something I find terribly comforting. The mystery is decently done, although once or twice I thought it took backseat to the character relationships (what, I'm the only one that focuses on my work all the time?). My most significant challenge with the series isn't the graphic mm sex scenes; it's negotiating how I feel about 1800s period conceptualization and descriptions of 'The Orient' and 'Chinamen' as well as sodomy. show more I thought Charles did a decent job here, not creating characters nearly as racist or homophobic as they surely were back then, despite both elements being intertwined in the plot. So, take that for what you will: too little or too much, I can't really say, but it was interesting enough that it set off a little bell in my reading brain. It's like Edwardian-lite, I suppose.
Three and a half magpies, rounding up. show less
I like KJ Charles who does interesting blog posts and reads many of the same books. I'm not really into PNR romance at the moment, but Charles' excellent writing, the sweetness in the characters' connection and the unbelievable coolness of the magpies is something I find terribly comforting. The mystery is decently done, although once or twice I thought it took backseat to the character relationships (what, I'm the only one that focuses on my work all the time?). My most significant challenge with the series isn't the graphic mm sex scenes; it's negotiating how I feel about 1800s period conceptualization and descriptions of 'The Orient' and 'Chinamen' as well as sodomy. show more I thought Charles did a decent job here, not creating characters nearly as racist or homophobic as they surely were back then, despite both elements being intertwined in the plot. So, take that for what you will: too little or too much, I can't really say, but it was interesting enough that it set off a little bell in my reading brain. It's like Edwardian-lite, I suppose.
Three and a half magpies, rounding up. show less
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Awards
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Contains
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A Case of Possession
- Original title
- A Case of Possession
- Original publication date
- 2014-01-06
- People/Characters
- Stephen Day; Lucien Vaudrey (Lord Crane); Frank Merrick [Charm of Magpies]; Esther Gold; Jenny Saint; Theo Rackham (show all 8); Leonora Hart; Dr Daniel Gold
- Important places
- London, England, UK
- Epigraph
- One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told
Eight for a letter over the sea
Nine for a lover as true as can be
One... (show all) for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for rich
Six for poor
Seven for a bitch
Eight for a whore
Nine for a funeral
Ten for a dance
Eleven for England
Twelve for France - Dedication
- For Caroline, best of mates. Drink?
- First words
- On a hot summer's night, in a small, bare clerk’s room in Limehouse, a few streets from the stench of the river and three doors down from an opium den, Lucien Vaudrey, the Earl Crane, was checking lading bills.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Crane raised his voice in mock protest and grabbed for him, and they laughed and struggled, while outside the windows and on the roof, the magpies circled and gathered and landed in their hundreds.
- Publisher's editor
- Scott, Anne
- Disambiguation notice
- 2014 - Samhain Publishing;
2017 - KJC Books
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- Reviews
- 42
- Rating
- (4.06)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 5
