I am fascinated by K.J. Charles\' A Charm of Magpies series featuring Stephan Day and Lucien Vaudrey, the Earl Crane, and set in an alternate version of Victorian England in which magic is an acknowledged presence in the world. Stephan is a justiciar who polices abuses of magic and Crane is descendant of the magical magpie Lord. Together, they are a perfect conduit for the power of the magpie. Their love and passion brings forth a magic that renews Stephan\'s powers and threatens his very existence.

Stephan has seen the violation that comes from stripping individuals of their magic. It is something he works to prevent and would never do himself. Yet, he knows that the other justiciars are becoming suspicious about where Stephan\'s power is coming from. If he doesn\'t admit the truth, he may be found guilty of vile acts of magic. If he does admit the truth, he may hang for his homosexuality. Stephan is struggling with how to protect himself and his lover while they work together to find out who is controlling giant rats to kill people who all share Crane\'s ties to China. The danger mounts from all sides as Stephan and Crane work to solve the mystery while sorting out what the future holds for them.

A CASE OF POSSESSION is an exciting addition to an enthralling series. I thoroughly enjoyed so many elements of this story— the magic, the mystery, the relationship, and the characters (to name just a few). Stephan and Crane are both dealing with heavy burdens that add depth to the story and highlight the emotional strength that accompanies the magical energy that permeates their relationship. K.J. Charles provides quite a bit of back story for Crane as his life in China provides critical clues for solving a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I appreciate the characters of Stephan and Crane more with each story and am excited to see what\'s in store for us in book three.

Book Summary

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.