*SWOON* Ace and Rory's love story is my favorite kind. They both genuinely care about one another but are still trying to figure out why they are in the relationship. The paranormal elements only add to the absolutely delightful romance.

Since this series had quite a strong series-opener in Spellbound, I had reined in my expectations for this book when I started reading it (since second books often suffer from not meeting certain lofty expectations). So, you can imagine my glee when I not only enjoyed this book but found it to be even better than Spellbound. I simply could not put this book down once I started.

The events of this book started a number of days after the events of Spellbound and just like that book, it once again pulls the reader into Prohibition-era USA and all the paranormal activities surrounding our group of heroes. With fresh, powerful, more terrifying bad guys doing terrible things and another powerful relic that was adequately shrouded in deep mystery, our group was left scrambling for answers to prevent the atrocities from continuing. This made for a fast paced book which went perfectly with the tone of the story.

However, aside this story being about action, adventure and the paranormal, it was about Rory and Arthur further growing and solidifying their relationship despite pressures from Arthur's family, high society and a pesky ex-lover(who you'll either love to hate or hate to love or both). Usually, I dislike exes coming in to "stir the pot" in books but in this case, it worked well to show Rory and Ace's strength of character as well as the strength of the bond they shared.

Looking back at Spellbound and how much I could not stand Rory, I was content to see his growth as a person from the prickly nineteen year-old frightened that the world was out to get him to this quietly strong young man who stood up for what he believed in and the people he cared about. My only wish for him was for him to have been less reckless(even though it came from a good place) and more willing to accept help from people who obviously wanted the best for him.I do not know whether it was pride or a need to prove himself over and over again but going forward in the series, I hope he comes to find that accepting help does not make one weak.

Ace once again was pillar of strength for everyone and although he went through some hell in this book, he still stood by the people who needed him. Some might say he was "perfect" but I just saw a man who tried to do his best at all time. I must add that as with Spellbound, this story had exclusively "Fade to Black" sex scenes with absolutely no explicit material but it took nothing from the story in my opinion so do not let it be a deterrent to picking this series up.

There was no epilogue as this was not the conclusion to Ace and Rory's story so this book ended as HFN with quite a number of things up in the air concerning the characters, the new relic and "The Big Bad". If the next book is the last in the series, then I expect that everything should be rounded off in that. If it is not, then it certainly wouldn't be a pain to go on this exciting, action-filled journey with these two men and their merry band of paranormals ending in a solid HEA for all.

3.5* A good follow-up, but it's essential to reread book 1 before embarking.

This picks up almost seamlessly from where book 1 left off, and the way in which this book stopped - on an ending that's getting the leads to a HEA, but not for a while - makes it clear that this MO will continue. If you don't reread book 1 before jumping into this one, you'll be confused with the new characters who appear from Arthur's past, and with who's who from those you might still remember vaguely. What didn't help was that occasionally Zhang was called by this name and also Jianwei, which I didn't clock for a while, and Rory was called Teddy and Theodore on top, as well as by his original and adopted (appropriated) surnames, and several of Arthur's brothers and family members make appearances, so it was hard to keep on top of everyone. I don't know why authors do that and go back and forth, because it's baffling and irritating and it slows down the read whilst I have a 'uwot??' moment.

The tale isn't very different from the first - artifacts; powers; shady people; having to hide that the leads are gay men in 1920s America; Rory, poor guy, with his inferiority complex but possibly the most powerful paranormal of them all; and add in a former love interest to muddy the leads' romance, as well as a few new bad guys with unknown powers, and you have another interesting book.

If you like slow burn and unexpressed love, this'll be for you. If you like paranormal tales, ditto. If you're looking for action, action, action you may be a little frustrated because at times it felt as if some of the repetition needed to have been caught and culled by the editors - there were sections that I needed to skim-read because of deja vu/repetition. Tbh, there were a few too many characters and the love interest didn't at all feel organic and tbh, had he not appeared, he and the supposed storyline that allowed him to cross from London to the US, wouldn't have been missed. But, saying that, without him we wouldn't have seen how Rory's powers have grown and there wouldn't have been so much danger and damage (I was wondering how regular people weren't querying what they were seeing) and angst.

Though I appreciate the quality of the writing and the research that the author's done, I'm not sure that I saw the leads as a couple that will ever be equals and I am looking forward to being wrong. Rory has so much against him - poverty, lack of education, slightness of stature, his lower social class, his terrible financial situation, racism/the way his Italian ancestry is looked down upon, and his inferiority complex (which I got), that I can't see him and Arthur (who was also called Ace, confusingly) being together in an equal relationship. Unless it involves magic and time travel to a period where they can be openly and honestly together? To a better version of America than the one of 2020?

I will read the final book in the series because there's a great sense of camaraderie between the paranormals and everyone looked out for the others, and the tale isn't your average PNR. I also liked Arthur's family and the Kenzies' support and loyalty for each other, but what price family and reputation and standing when he and Rory come out as a couple? Heartache, shame and banishment? I hope not, given the political stuff that popped up in here.

ARC courtesy of Carina Press and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

*~~*ARC kindly provided from the publisher/author to me for an honest review *~~*

Full review to come

5 stars

Oh no…I was so bored… I ended up skimming the last 30% of this book.

This was a book I was looking forward to because I remember really liking Spellbound, but now I barely remember why I liked it and this book did not remind me…

Arthur is constantly trying to use his privilege to buy Rory’s comfort and make his life his definition of easier, but Rory doesn’t want Arthur to buy his affection. He’s used to getting by on his own merits, even if that means wearing a worn jacket and living in a tenement with rats. There’s ways to do class disparity but this just kept feeling like it was missing the mark somehow.

In many ways Rory is the only character I like, but even then I just…wasn’t connecting with this story at all. The plot has potential and I do still like the world, but I just could not connect to this story and my attention kept drifting. It’s possible I just am not in the right mood, but regardless this book just did not work for me.

I’m sure others who enjoyed Spellbound and Jordan L Hawk’s Whyborne & Griffin series will love this sequel, but for me it was a miss.

Allie Therin’s Magic in Manhattan series continues with book two, Starcrossed, which begins shortly after the climactic events of the previous book (Spellbound) and finds Rory and Arthur facing off against a powerful and terrifying enemy intent on forcing Rory to unlock the secrets of an incredibly dangerous relic.

Starcrossed is a direct sequel to Spellbound, and the author doesn’t spend much (if any) time recapping the events of the previous book, so it doesn’t stand alone. That’s not a complaint per se – long recaps of ‘previously on…’ can be tedious and I’m glad Ms. Therin doesn’t go there - but on the other hand, it’s been a year since I read Spellbound, and I think I might have been able to get into Starcrossed more easily than I did had I re-read it first.

After Rory single-handedly preventing the destruction of Manhattan by using the powerful relic to which he is now bound, a ring that can control the wind, Arthur took him out of the city to the Kenzie estate in upstate New York, ostensibly to let him rest but also in hopes of getting to spend a bit more time with him.  Unfortunately, this hasn’t really happened as Arthur’s family seems to have scheduled his every waking moment and his attention is almost always required elsewhere.  Rory is disappointed although not surprised.  He still finds it hard to believe that a man like Arthur – handsome, sophisticated and from a wealthy, well-connected family – could see anything in a scrawny, nameless nobody from Hell’s Kitchen, but he’s working on it.

A couple of days before they’re due to return to the city, Arthur receives news that a relic – a lodestone – is missing from the inventory of the possessions of the late Luther Mansfield (a business mogul who had traded in dangerous magical artefacts).  Arthur is eager to get back to Manhattan, but is obligated to attend his brother John’s fundraiser (John is an alderman looking to a Senate run) where he encounters Mansfield’s lawyer, who is nervous and cagey and speaks vaguely of seeing inexplicable things before clamming up and telling Arthur to forget it.  A day later, Arthur is disturbed when John tells him about a dream he’d had, of Arthur during the war in a situation Arthur has never revealed to anyone.  Someone is using magic on his brother and, as later becomes clear, on Arthur, too, when his dreams, ones he’s had since the war, take on a grotesque, nightmarish quality they’ve never had before.

Magic induced dreams, missing artefacts, a relic imbued with the worst, most vile kind of magic, and the reappearance of old enemies all combine to propel the story towards a tense, exciting climax as Rory and Arthur confront a terrifying figure from Arthur’s past – and receive help (of a sort) from a most unexpected quarter.

As in the previous book, the setting of Prohibition Era New York is really well done, and I enjoyed meeting Jade and Zhang again, together with Sasha and Pavel - a powerful alchemist who has become trapped I his own magic - about whom I grow increasingly curious.  The author sets up her different story threads well and draws them skilfully together, although the pacing lags a bit in the middle with the focus on the sub-plot concerning Arthur’s wartime ex, an English viscount whom Arthur’s family want him to escort around the city and accompany to a society wedding.  Rory is jealous (of course) and (inadvertently) destroys things because he’s unable to control his growing magical powers, while  Arthur is obviously very torn between his familial obligations and his desire to live his own life. He’s forever having to rush off in the middle of important plot developments because he has to be somewhere else, and although his frustration at this is palpable, it cuts down on his page time with Rory to the extent that I sometimes felt they spent more time apart than together.

I like both characters, and am pleased that while Rory has left some of his brattishness behind, he’s still a quick-tempered adorable grump who will absolutely take down anyone who threatens Arthur’s safety.  I like his straightforwardness, his determination and his vulnerability, and that he’s slowly starting to believe that Arthur really does see him as someone worth loving.  I appreciated that Ms. Therin doesn’t sweep aside the issues affecting their relationship, which aren’t simply limited to the fact that homosexuality was illegal at this time.  The class difference between them is just as insurmountable a problem;  outside their small circle of friends, Rory and Arthur need reasons to spend time together in a way that, as Arthur’s ex quite rightly points out, Arthur doesn’t need in order to spend time with a man of his own social class.

But for all of their lovely, understated declarations and passionate kisses, I don’t really get a ‘lovers’ vibe from these two.  As in the first book, it’s kissing and innuendo and then fade-to-black - and while I absolutely support an author writing their story their way, I can’t help but feel there’s something missing in Arthur and Rory’s relationship as it’s written.  Love scenes can be valuable tools to show the development of trust that comes with being sexually intimate with someone, and sometimes actions really do speak louder than words.  I’m not saying there should be pages and pages of explicit sex scenes, and I certainly don’t think an author who isn’t comfortable writing sex should be forced to do so because it’s ‘expected’.  I’ve read books where I wish the author hadn’t gone there and have felt the story would have worked just as well without.  I just don’t think that’s the case here, and that the opportunity to create a deeper connection between the characters has been missed.

The plot is complex and carefully constructed, and the big set scene at the end is vividly depicted; the writing is generally good overall, although Ms. Therin has the habit of using awkward contractions, such as Arthur’d  said his parents had it built or Harry’d given paid work to him – which look odd and unnatural on the page.

Even with the reservations I’ve expressed, Starcrossed is an entertaining read featuring likeable characters, a strongly evoked period setting and an intriguing storyline.  If you enjoyed Spellbound, then you’ll probably enjoy this, too, and like me, will be looking forward to book three, Wonderstruck, next year.

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Starcrossed is a sequel to Spellbound and in no way stands on it’s own. We dive right in to the continuing adventures of Rory and Arthur (aka Ace). As the book opens, they have left Manhattan and are spending time at Ace’s brother’s family home, where Rory and Ace can’t let anyone know they are a couple. As much as they were able to resolve in Spellbound, they live in a world hostile to gay men. Ace has too high a social profile to be even kind of out of the closet.

Starcrossed is all about the loose ends left from their Coney Island adventure. There are still bad guys at large, former friends turned enemies who might yet be saved, and figuring out if Rory can really be part of Arthur’s life in any way that gives them equal footing.

Therin continues to build an interesting and complex world. I appreciate that for the most part, her characters are nuanced and no one is evil to be evil. No one we’ve met yet anyway.

One of the things I noticed about Therin’s writing is that she does not default to white. When describing a new character, she specifically states if they are white. It was a bit jarring to read and then to realize how much I have internalized the white default – that characters are white unless specifically indicated as not. Once I noticed it and had my moment of huh? it was great.

I received Starcrossed as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Spellbound, book one of this series, was one of my absolute favorite reads last year, and Starcrossed was therefore on my extremely-anticipated list for 2020. I was so excited to return to Therin's world and meet Arthur and Rory again.

Although Starcrossed wasn't quite as strong as the series opener, it was still a really enjoyable read. Therin does a nice job balancing character development, relationships, and plot.

We jump right into the story where Spellbound left off. Although I appreciate that Therin didn't spend pages and pages recapping the last story, a few nods here and there to the worldbuilding & events established in book 1 would've been nice - I read a lot of books and recalled the general arc of book #1 pretty well, but not the details of the minor characters and more nuanced plot points.

This is a romance series in addition to a historical fantasy, and the romance is really sweet and probably my favorite aspect of the books so far. This being book 2 where the relationship was initially established in the previous novel, our new lovebirds do of course hit some early bumps in the road. I was anticipating not enjoying those parts much (I never like relationship drama just for the sake of it), but Therin actually navigates this nicely and puts an interesting new spin on a little flare of jealousy as it affects paranormals.

Overall, I came and stayed for the characters, although the plot does get more interesting towards the end and sets up book 3 nicely - I'm excited to continue with the next installment of this series in 2021!

3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley, Carina Press, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this novel early in exchange for an honest review.

This is the continuing story of Rory Brodigan and Arthur ‘Ace’ Kenzie. This volume takes place just after the end of the last, and has Rory and Ace recovering from those events on a visit to Ace’s brother’s house upstate. Rory finds himself in possession of a relic that gives him incredible power but tends to go a little haywire when he gets angry or upset. So, of course finding out that Ace’s ex-boyfriend is in town for a wedding and that it’s sorta up to Ace to escort him around is making things… windy.

On top of that, Ace and his brother start to have startlingly vivid nightmares of the war, and they’re pretty sure someone is making them happen, but they’ve no idea who.

I read this one directly after finishing Spellbound, so I didn’t have any problems trying to remember what had just happened. I have to say that I enjoyed this one a lot more than Spellbound, and I’m not sure that I’m just more comfortable with the characters, or that they are ‘together’ now from the start and so they act as a team working towards the goal. Either way, I did like Rory and Ace a lot more in this volume than the last. I also enjoyed seeing more of some side characters, most notably Jade and Zhang (who are kind of adorable themselves).

I found that I became more emotionally invested in this one, and so when the nightmares started, and you see some of Ace’s past from the war, my heartstrings got suitably jostled. The way that Rory and Ace protect each other is adorable. I definitely want more of their story now! I found this one really hard to put down once I picked it up, and it had me reading well into the night.

So, all told, this was a quick, fun read that took characters that I liked at the end of Spellbound and made me love them. I can’t wait to find out what happens in book three.

All I had to see was ‘Roaring Twenties’ and I was sold! The Twenties are my absolute favorite era so I’m a bit picky about it but this book did not disappoint! Then we throw in some magic, supernatural villains and LGBT characters and damn do we have the makings for one kickass book!

Honestly, there’s not anything about this book that I didn’t love. The plot, characters, writing and world-building were all exceptional. I can’t wait for the next installment to see how this all plays out.

Allie Therin really came through after Spellbound!

Starcrossed picked back up with our dear Rory and Arthur and the new paranormal challenges they have to face, including someone from Author's past.

I love the magic system in these books. It's interesting and believable, which isn't always easy to accomplish. I also really love Rory and Arthur as a couple. Despite being in the 1930's and not able to be out as a couple, it's still so obvious how much they care for each other. Arthur particularly is so succinct in how he cares for Rory.

I would definitely recommend this book! Especially if you enjoyed Sepllbound!

Starcrossed is the second Magic in Manhattan book. The first book Spelbound was one of my favorite reads of 2019, so I was quite excited for this second book. And I am happy to say this book was just as good. It's an amazing read and I like the blend of romance, paranormal and historical elements. And all of those elements really get the attention it deserves.

It starts shortly after the end of book 1. Arthur and Rory are staying at the house of Arthur's brother so they can have a break of the city. While there they get word of things in New York that are going on and Rory gets into some trouble while trying to help Pavel. After a bit they are thrown headlong into another adventure. One of Arthur's brothers is having weird nightmares, a lawyer is asking weird questions and Rory and Zang both see weird phenomena while using their abilities.

I liked how the story tied in with the story in book 1. It felt like a smooth continuation and a new part of the story at the same time. Some of the same side characters and baddies are present, although the focus has shifted to a new relic in this book. I also like how some of the antagonist characters really seem bad, there are also those who are more gray and don't seem fully bad, which is interesting. The book has a solid pace and kept my attention for the whole book. I kept wanting to keep reading to find out what happened next.

The romance is one of my favorite parts of this book. Arthur and Rory are just so cute together. It's this opposites attracts type of romance with Arthur being a rich guy and Rory the opposite of that and this has some struggles. As Rory can't be seen in Arthur's presence too often or entering his house. They definitely have some issues to work through, but I also like how we see them being a couple in this book in those early stages of a relationship. The issues they run into might be tough to deal with, but are never blown out of proportion and I like how they resolve what comes on their path. Like the whole Arthur's ex plot line, which was resolved surprisingly well. And I just love seeing Arthur and Rory together and you can really feel how much they care about each other. They make for an awesome couple.

I also really like both of the main characters. We get to see both Arthur and Rory's point of view and I feel like we really get to know them. From the way Arthur is pulled in different directions between what he wants and what his family expects. Rory who still believes he has to fend for himself and has difficulties accepting gifts. To the way they interact or handle things. How they care about each other and also other characters and the lengths they go to help them. They are both awesome characters to read about and I really like them.

There is a bit more we see of the paranormal and new relics we see in this book. I like how big of a part the paranormal aspect is of the story and the whole paranormal and historical setting is so well done. I like how it really feels like you're in that time period of history. It feels like the author knows a lot about this time period and there are all these little hints and pieces that make the setting and time period come alive.

To summarize: this was an awesome sequel, just as good as book 1. I liked following Arthur, Rory and their friends again in this book. The story is a continuation of the plot line in book 1, but with a slightly different focus and a new relic. I really liked this and it felt like a very smooth way to continue the story. The plot and characters kept my attention and I really enjoyed this book. The romance is one of my favorite parts. Arthur and Rory make for such a great couple. Both are likable and interesting characters and I feel like we really get to know them. They are great together and I like how we see them in that early stage of their relationship with how they're still figuring out some things, but also are growing really close already. The paranormal and historical aspects are really well done and are an integral part of the story. The historical setting really comes to live and I like how much the paranormal aspect part is of the story.

This is a great follow-up to book one, Spellbound, I was easily drawn right back into this fascinating world as Rory and Arthur's story continued to engage my imagination. I already cannot wait to get my hands on book three.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley*

What a fun ride! Perfect escape reading with plenty of magic and mystery. Thank you, NetGally, for the eARC.

Allie Therin does it again! I adored Spellbound and counted it among one of my favourite reads of 2019 and couldn't wait to jump into the sequel. The cast of characters is so wonderful, diverse, and exquisitely rendered. I care for them all equally and have become so incredibly invested in their stories individually and as an ensemble.

Therin's writing is snappy and sharp, with fantastic descriptions and dialogue. The pacing, flow, and plotting of the novel is excellent, and I am consistently impressed by the historical details that are woven into the book, grounding the series firmly in Prohibition Era New York but without sacrificing diversity or sidelining (or minimizing) the unique struggles forced by immigrants and people of colour in this time period.

Ace and Rory/Theo, as the focus of the book, are delicious together, and I loved seeing their relationship develop emotionally (and physically, let's be honest). The events of Starcrossed crystallized their priorities with regards to each other, their lives, families, desires, and responsibilities, as well as setting up the next book beautifully. My only complaint is that I felt Therin could have worked a bit more of a "recap" into the novel. Because it had been some months since reading Spellbound, I didn't immediately recall all the details and references from the previous book, and I think new readers would have difficulty picking up Starcrossed without reading the first novel beforehand. While ideally one wouldn't come into the series in the middle, it is always welcome when a novel can get people up to speed without having to refer back to notes or another book.

But this is a small detail, and did not detract from my enjoyment. I happily give this novel 5 stars and enthusiastically endorse it to readers who love historical fiction, the paranormal, and of course, a gorgeous love story with fun, gorgeously rendered characters and an excellent plot.

Three star reviews always feel low to me, but the truth is I liked this book and I didn't love it. I love the setting and the slang and the feel of it. I really like the premise of magical relics and magical people. And of course I love the romance and main characters.

What I don't love are stories where the plot overshadows the romance so much (some of that is managing my own expectations, I suppose, but it is ostensibly a romance novel). And I feel a little frustration when I never feel like I can ever understand the rules/boundaries of a magic system, because too many new things and abilities are getting added as we go. And that's a little bit how I felt here. Also, the romance felt a little stagnant for me. I know it's developing/deepening, but the action packed plot was getting in the way of that for me.

I will be sticking with this series, though, and I recommend it for people who like action-heavy romances.

Starcrossed is the second book in Allie Therin's thrilling Magic in Manhattan series; set in 1920s Prohibition New York with paranormals part of a secret in society, and supernatural relics have chance to destroy the world when evil baddies are having their hands on them. I cannot recommend this as a stand-alone. Future readers need to check the first book, Spellbound, because this book continues right after the first one.

One of the main characters is Rory Brodigan, a young extraordinaire psychometric whose power is escalating after the event in book #1. Not only that Rory can read history from items; Rory now has ability to call/control the wind when he is in close proximity of the Tempest Ring.

The other one is Arthur "Ace" Kenzie, who spends his time (aside from doing what his family sometimes wants Ace to do) to find relics and keep them from falling into wrong hands. Dark forces that want to own more evil relics are on the go, and it's up to Rory, Arthur, and their friends to make sure that it doesn't happen.

All right, that outs in the way... I really enjoyed his book! I admit that I don't remember much about the first one -- mainly because I have bad memory when it comes to details ... the only thing I slightly remember is how Rory has linked his magic to Arthur's aura, in attempt to control his magic as well as making Arthur his life line if Rory falls too deep into his power... but after a couple of chapters, I powered through and had no problem to go back to this universe.

I think one of the main reasons is because I was so charmed with Rory and Arthur as characters and as couple. Rory is adorable and I love him SO MUCH when he becomes protective (and rather possessive of Arthur, as later shown when Arthur's old flame is coming to town 😆). Rory also has that grumpy traits at time, which I find amusing.

While Arthur is lovely as he wants to take care of his Rory. I love the fact that even if he needs to keep Rory a secret (not like homosexual relationship is nicely accepted in this alternate-universe) but Arthur has no qualm of admitting that Rory means a lot to him.

Because of that, I am rather disappointed that Therin doesn't write more of Rory and Arthur's sexy time on page. I'm usually a minority type of romance readers who like less sexual scenes. But this time, I feel ROBBED of reading how Rory and Arthur get more intimate with each other *pout*

Anyway, we have more baddies, new relics with interesting powers ... and a twist of the baddies from the first book. I can't wait to read the next book to see whether there are more relics to find and whether Rory and Arthur will face the big bad leader... Too bad I have to wait until 2021.

posting on my blog on April 18, 2020

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I really enjoyed the first book in this series so it came as no surprise to me that I enjoyed this one! Star crossed picks up where "Spellbound" left off. Arthur Kenzie is wealthy, upper class and enamoured with Rory. Rory is an antique evaluator with magical powers! Intrigued? You should be. This book isn't a stand-alone... I "think" there's enough background in it that you could figure out what was going on but it will be infinitely more enjoyable if you go back and read the first book in the series.

In this book, Arthur and Rory and facing a different kind of enemy... or are they? In a way, this is a continuation of the story begun in the first book. Rory is struggling to come to terms with his enhanced magical powers. In the first novel, he became magically bonded to a ring. It's a bit like trying to filter a waterfall through a hose pipe... Rory has much more power when he's near the ring but it's overwhelming and almost impossible to control.

There's a new issue in this novel as well, there are artifacts going missing and they're important. Some of these magical objects allow reversal or magic. some of them help people to control their powers. Some of them can trap non-magical people.

there's a great cast of characters in this story. I absolutely love Arthur and Rory. Their relationship is very authentic in spite of me not knowing much about the time period in which the story is set. Arthur has genuine feelings for Rory. He doesn't care about his "status" in society, nor does their different standing bother him. the problem is that Rory is fiercely independent. If he's learned anything in his life, it's that there are very few people that can be relied upon.

One of the things that I really like about the characters in this book is that when there are hurdles to overcome, the characters react very authentically. They don't have huge blow-up arguments over little things, they truly seem to appreciate each other and know that they have something special between them. Arthur and Rory are struggling with their relationship in very different ways. Arthur can't seem to convey how important Rory is to him. he wants to take care of Rory, keep him safe and struggles with the confines of society and his own ideas. On the other hand, Rory doesn't want gifts and worries about the appearance of "someone like him" being seen coming and going from Aruther's company.

there's a wonderful exploration in this series of the differences in class and the struggles that each side faces. It's not simply that "lower classes" deal with a lack of basics. Arthur faces his own challenges: forced to keep up a front to fit in with his family.

I love the magical world in these books. It's well thought out and as complex as it is I had no trouble keeping up! It's such a fun explanation of a world in which magical folk exist. One of the things that I really enjoy is that it seems believable! I can easily imagine a world in which people with magical skills simply do jobs that enable them to appear "skilled" at what they are doing.

The "bad guys" in these books are fascinating. They're not simple characters and I really enjoy that. I don't want to read about villains who are flat and single-minded. The anti-heroes in "Starcrossed" are complex, intriguing and often hint at being redeemable. Very enjoyable!

One of the great things in this installment is that we are given a reveal about Arthur's past. He's been through a lot and the history that is revealed ties into what is happening in the new story! it's very clever and I'm not going to ruin it by revealing anymore!

I wouldn't' hesitate to recommend this series to people. It's a great mystery that is very well-written, the characters are well written and lovely (I'm team Arthur & Rory forever), and the magical world is great!

Spellbound left me thirsting for more, so of course I needed the sequel as soon as possible. Hearing it was available at Netgalley, I rushed over so fast my head spun. And am I glad about that!

This is a sequel and therefore not suitable to read as a standalone. First of all, you'll not understand all that has happened with the relics, the history of the characters and such. But you'll also miss out on the first meetings between Rory and Arthur. That is not to be missed! So, I have to start with exclaiming my delight over the continued romance between the two. Ace is such a big mother hen, soft and kind and caring. Rory is a grumpy and loyal and doesn't know what to do with himself whenever someone's taking care of him. I love the way he lights up as soon as he sees Ace. Heart-eyes emoji x100. I think they suit perfectly, even if they are a bit starcrossed, considering the major difference in class. I appreciated that the drama around their relationship didn't exactly have to do with them (except for the fact that both of them are stubborn shits at times).

The story moves on, the magic still magic, the relics still scary, the bad guys still complicated. That's what I like about Therin's writing - the characters are more than meets the eye and we don't get the full picture from the start. They develop as the story goes. One thing I do wish would be different is the way Jade and Zhang are portrayed, or used, as well as Sasha and Pavel. Right now, they seem to only appear when they're useful to Ace. Even though we learn a bit about their families, their relationships, I want to know more about them! They're such interesting characters.

The ending made me wish for the third book immediately. I want to know what happens to Gwen, who this Baron-person is, if Pavel will get better, if Rory will learn to control the wind, if he and Ace will ever figure out how to be together seamlessly, just.... Everything!

5 of 5 newsboy caps

This was just a delight. So much cuteness, action, FEELINGS; all in the same amazing magical world I came to love. Arthur and Rory as still as adorable as in the first book. The slow burn from the first book, turned into a soft jealousy and coming to terms to what exactly their relationship means. What they are willing to do to make it work.

The relics mystery is super interesting, and the figure of the Baron as the bad guy is terrifying and he still hasn't showed his face. He better stay the hell away from my boys because they need to have at least some time for themselves without all the kidnappings and torture.

The writing is still excellent and the magic system is phenomenal. Hyde? Wow! The characters and side characters are all very detailed. Arthur and his nightmares, my heart hurt. Rory being his temperamental self as usual, but understanding he needs to open up a bit and accept what the world is trying to give him, in the form of Arthur and his magnificent non-magical self!

The story, the characters, the magic. I loved it all!

I can't wait for the next book in 2021!