A Case of Possession

REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT DEAR AUTHOR WHERE I RECEIVED THE BOOK AS FREE REVIEWING COPYDear KJ Charles,I reviewed the first book in this series here. Now that some time has passed I can say that it was probably my favorite m/m book last year. I am usually wary of reading the sequel to a beloved book, because I worry whether the sequel will live up to the high bar that the first book raised. I am glad that for me this sequel definitely did. Now I can worry about the third book.This book should not be read as a stand – alone. If you do read this first, I do not think you will be terribly confused, because the adventure/mystery plot is a new one, but the book continues to build up the relationship between the main characters, Lucien Crane and Stephen Day, and most importantly it once again develops their characters in the midst of all that danger, magic and mayhem.One of the main reasons why I often scoff at the possibility of a sequel (or series developed) to a book I loved is because so many authors seem to be so very fond of creating artificial conflicts between the couple, just to break them up for the sake of another book and then putting them back together at the end. But there is absolutely nothing artificial in the tension between Stephen and Lucien in this book, because it arises out of who they are, and the unresolved issues in their relationship are believable because their relationship is only several months old. And of course there is a nice external danger to both of them, which made perfect sense in the context of the mystery/adventure plot.More importantly, the unresolved issues between the men do not make them act like idiots. For example, in the very beginning of the book somebody has decided to blackmail Lucien over his relationship with Stephen and made his demands known to Lucien. It is part of Lucien’s nature to try and protect Stephen (even though he is aware of Stephen’s abilities to protect himself). I was very pleased to see that it did not occur to Lucien to hide the blackmailer’s visit from Stephen, and he let his lover know as soon as possible about the blackmail attempt. I do not know why I was even worried for a second that this would be the source of a quarrel between the guys and a reason for manufactured conflict/breakup/angst (take your pick). I really must start trusting this writer not to lead me towards silly plot turns.I was also pleased to see both men becoming more and more aware of each other flaws, but still loving each other more, not less. It was refreshing to see Lucien realize (with a little push from Merrick) how much Stephen’s pride means to him and try to curb his own “wanting to rescue” tendencies. At the same time Stephen would at least attempt to ask for help, hopefully because he understood that asking for help sometimes did not make him weak. And their declaration of love was so appropriate and so suited to both of them. When we see Stephen’s desire to protect Lucien at all costs despite what it seemed to have cost him in terms of his cherished job, it made me wonder whether these men are really that different inside. I decided not.I must praise the adventure/mystery/magic storyline – I loved it just as much as I loved it in the first book. It made the characters shine, but more importantly it made me hold my breath wondering what would happen next and I read without hesitation the creepiness that I am usually more likely to pass in many other books. I did not want to miss a word; I had to know what was going on. I was also pleased to become more acquainted with Stephen’s partner Esther and other practitioners from his team. I am really hoping that I will see more of them in the next book of these series. I liked Esther a lot, but I think she could have used more fleshing out. Merrick, Crane’s manservant and friend was just as awesome in this book, and I while I was a bit scared to see the extent of his ruthlessness, I am glad the writer did not shy away from it. I liked that we learned more about what Merrick and Crane did in China as well.The writing was just as wonderful as in the first book. Here is an example to give you a taste, so that you can decide whether it works for you. Lucien was asked to do a little translating work for Stephen and his team ;).“Crane knew from Stephen that Mrs. Gold was the senior member of the team, and that she resented the common assumption that she was subordinate to the men. He addressed his next words to her. “Please don’t think this is a vulgar curiosity, but if you want me to translate when someone arrives, it would help to know what I need to discuss. What’s the problem?” The practitioners glanced at each other, quick fleeting looks. Esther Gold said, “Rats.” “Rats?” “Rats.” “We got a rat problem.” Saint wore a malicious grin. “I suppose you know you can hire a man and a dog in any pub in this city,” Crane offered blandly. “It wouldn’t help,” Stephen said. “Joss, show him.” Janossi put a toe under a fold of the sackcloth bundle and flipped it over. Crane walked over and looked at what lay within. It was undeniably a rat. It long yellow teeth were bared in death. Its eyes were blood-filled and bulging, which Crane attributed to Stephen, since he had seen a man dead that way at his hands. Its matted, dirty brown pelt was stiff with filth and dust, its claws were grey and scaly, its naked tail pinkish. It was a rat like any other, except in one respect. It was about four feet long, not counting the tail, and would have stood perhaps a foot high at the shoulder.”I cannot wait for the next installment in this series. Oh and what a refreshing idea it is, to choose not to end every book in the series with the cliffhanger.Recommended.Grade A-

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 (one 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.More @ Ultra Meital Reviews.

A Case of Possession picks up from the end of The Magpie Lord with Lucien, Lord Crane and miniscule mage Stephen Day conflicted over the struggle to keep their illicit love a secret. Steph is being watched by his overlords who suspect him of being a warlock and Lucien is weary of England and wanting to return to Shanghai but not without Steph at his side.When a mutual acquaintance tries to blackmail him and a friend from his Shanghai Trading days, Lord Crane is having none of it. But before he can take measures to nip things in the bud the blackmailer turns up dead, apparently ripped apart by rodents. As Crane and Day are pulled into investigating his death and others with similarities in the docklands area, it soon becomes apparent that all their lives are in danger. So begins a race to discover who is controlling the pack of rats and put a stop to their devillry before Crane's friend is also killed.A Case of Possession felt like a shorter read than it's predecessor but I enjoyed the background it provided about Crane and Merrick's time in the East. Also we get to meet Day's judiciary colleagues and find out more about them in the course of this story.The case is wrapped up neatly, with a pacy, heart-stopping conclusion and, as usual, we get a bonus short story at the end involving Merrick and Day's colleague Saint and a batch of nasty, magically enhanced gin.A rip-roaring, rather gory tale that I tore through in 24 hours. Most enjoyable, if you like that kind of thing.

After The Magpie Lord, I had high hopes for A Case of Possession; I expected it to rise to new levels and have more development that the first book lacked. I wished that Lucien and Stephen's budding relationship would deepen and whisk me away, since I felt the potential was there. However, I found that A Case of Possession took a turn I didn't expect - or really enjoy.The new mystery and plot still had me intrigued; there's blackmail, blood and murder. There's a plague of giant rats slaughtering people that Stephen has to investigate, while he's under suspicion of becoming a warlock. Pressure is building on Stephen's shoulders like no other, and Lucien is increasingly concerned of Stephen's disappearing acts, while dealing with blackmail. Certainly entertaining and kept me turning the page.While Lucien and Stephen's relationship deepened and there was some beautiful scenes between them, the steamy scenes left me cold. Oh, it was passionate and dirty, but it was also kinky. It's a personal preference what anyone enjoys; I don't care much for kinky stuff, and while this still was relatively mild, it was something I don't like reading. Thus, I mainly skim read the steamier scenes and focused on everything else. However, it made me feel less invested into the relationship and well, bleakened the overall enjoyment. I have decided not to read the last book of the trilogy, because well, I'd rather dedicate my time for something that I enjoy all the way through and not romance, where I skip half of the scenes together.Still, I'd recommend this trilogy to anyone who finds it interesting. It's well written and entertaining, and this time it's wholly personal why I decided to drop it. Others seem to have enjoyed the aspects I didn't, so this truly is the case of its-me-not-the-book.

Lucien and Stephen must now test their relationship outside of their bubble and things do not hop smoothly.I love a good pining romance and as Merrick (Secondary Character Hall of Fame candidate) puts it, Stephan has Lucien wrapped around his little finger, and the beauty of it, is that he doesn't even know it.The action is entertaining and the mystery well built, overall a fantastic book all around.

I'm not an avid reader and I struggle to finish books before moving onto the next one, but the mystery and romance in this book was very engaging.Kudos to the author. I'm looking forward to the next one.

I blasted through the first two books. I love the writing, characters, pacing etc. Can't wait for my friend to read these too so we can discuss them. Highly recommend!