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eidal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Kidnapping
Minor: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Outing
tankytoon's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This second installment of the series is equally as good as the first. The excitement of solving the mystery of who's trying to kill who because of what, remains the same. To this end, I am impressed with Crane's power of deduction and Stephen's intuitive skills.
Speaking of these two MCs,
Crane and Stephen's relationship seemed perilous at first, especially with Crane not knowing where he stands when Stephen does his disappearing act. But we learn that Crane's concern about Stephen's detachment is unfounded as the story progresses.
The novel wouldn't be complete without disturbing descriptions of unnatural possessions so you might not want to be eating while reading this book.
Speaking of these two MCs,
Crane and Stephen's relationship seemed perilous at first, especially with Crane not knowing where he stands when Stephen does his disappearing act. But we learn that Crane's concern about Stephen's detachment is unfounded as the story progresses.
The novel wouldn't be complete without disturbing descriptions of unnatural possessions so you might not want to be eating while reading this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Vomit
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A CASE OF POSSESSION is a great sequel, continuing the romance from THE MAGPIE LORD while maintaining a similar body count. Covert lovers solving a murder is a very scintillating combination and it works well.
The story balance between their relationship and solving the actual murders is artful, so perfectly balanced. I love the rapport between the main characters and it's so great to see both of them in the context of other people they know and/or work with.
This doesn't really wrap up anything left hanging from the first book, the main thing it continues is the ongoing relationship between the main characters but that definitely doesn't end here. The entire storyline starts in this volume and wasn't present previously, and the main plot is introduced and resolved within this book. It doesn't leave anything specific to be picked up later in terms of the specific plot, but since this is a paranormal romance series, the relationship itself is the throughline and definitely has more to be explored. The main characters haven't changed and the POV character is the same. The previous book alternated between Stephen and Crane, but this one is just Crane because it's focused on his perspective on their relationship, and a lot of the tension from that is the uncertainty caused by the way Stephen comes and goes with no notice. Crane's narrative voice is consistent with the previous book. This would mostly make sense if someone read it without the first book, though of course the relationships already in place would lack some of the backstory from before.
This continues the mix of magic, trauma, catharsis, and very steamy sex which made the first book so good, I'll definitely finish reading the trilogy.
The story balance between their relationship and solving the actual murders is artful, so perfectly balanced. I love the rapport between the main characters and it's so great to see both of them in the context of other people they know and/or work with.
This doesn't really wrap up anything left hanging from the first book, the main thing it continues is the ongoing relationship between the main characters but that definitely doesn't end here. The entire storyline starts in this volume and wasn't present previously, and the main plot is introduced and resolved within this book. It doesn't leave anything specific to be picked up later in terms of the specific plot, but since this is a paranormal romance series, the relationship itself is the throughline and definitely has more to be explored. The main characters haven't changed and the POV character is the same. The previous book alternated between Stephen and Crane, but this one is just Crane because it's focused on his perspective on their relationship, and a lot of the tension from that is the uncertainty caused by the way Stephen comes and goes with no notice. Crane's narrative voice is consistent with the previous book. This would mostly make sense if someone read it without the first book, though of course the relationships already in place would lack some of the backstory from before.
This continues the mix of magic, trauma, catharsis, and very steamy sex which made the first book so good, I'll definitely finish reading the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Gore, Rape, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
CWs for A CASE OF SPIRITS: alcoholism, gore, death.rumireads's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Homophobia
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Gun violence, and Vomit