Allie Therin's first book, SPELLBOUND, was such a joy to read - a gripping, magical, adorable joy - that I could hardly put it down. Her newest, STARCROSSED, completely lives up to its predecessor. Rory is struggling with Ace's affluence and past lovers; Ace is struggling to trust Rory to handle himself and his power. And they're also back to work, trying to save the world from dark magic that, in the wrong hands, could mean certain disaster. You know, normal new relationship stuff.
Rory and Ace are a couple I'm always delighted to read, and this new installment in Therin's series was a delicious, transporting, magical joy to read. I'm only disappointed I have to wait for the next one.

3.5 stars. A lot of fun, but a few things kept me from giving it a full 4. First of all, this is definitely not a standalone novel. Therin doesn't spend anytime recapping Spellbound; she just dives right in. So make sure you familiarize yourself with the events of the first book before you start Starcrossed. Frankly, a few phrases here and there to allude to characters and events from Spellbound would have helped me feel fully engaged in this one right from the start.

I love Arthur & Rory so much, and was worried that there would be major (and artificial) impediments thrown in their way to provide more drama to their relationship. I'm happy to report that doesn't happen, but I was frustrated that there were too many chapters in which they were off doing their own things (view spoiler). There are moments to cherish as the two continue to learn about each other; Arthur tries (pretty unsuccessfully) to rein in his over-protectiveness and Rory tries (slightly more successfully) to have faith that his rich, handsome "Ace" really does want a scrawny, grouchy, cute, secretly kind guy with no money. Each interaction between them is memorable, notably a night that they spend in a monastery in which Rory opens up about his difficult childhood in a way that shows how much he trusts Arthur. And Arthur's ex-lover shows up, which seems predictable, but the mistrust and jealousy you would expect takes a surprising and welcome turn. So I loved them together, I just hated all the pages that they were apart.

The plot is okay, although it takes a little while to really get any momentum, and I'm still a little confused about who all of the bad guys are and what they want with the magic relics. It's fun watching Rory coming into his powers more and more, even if he seems more befuddled than secure in their use. The other paranormals have minor but significant roles to play, and I'm hoping in the next book we get to see young Pavel find the peace that he deserves.

Therin may not be the most polished writer I've found (she has the habit of using awkward contractions with the word "had" e.g. "Arthur'd be up soon too, but he'd be busy helping Harry, so Rory'd stay out of his hair") but she infuses her characters with so much energy and charm that it's easy to overlook the lapses. The 1920's setting is catnip to me, and she even gets the Philadelphia peanut chews right (Goldenberg's, famous since 1917!). I'm looking forward to Wonderstruck in 2021 (if we all live that long) and hope the saga continues even after that.

ARC gratefully received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.

Starcrossed is the second book in the "Magic in Manhattan" series, and you definitely need to read the first book - Spellbound - as this is not a stand-alone. I read and reviewed Spellbound in June of 2019 and struggled at first to recall all the plot points as I began this book.

Starcrossed returns us to NYC in the Roaring Twenties, circa 1925, with Arthur (Ace), Rory, Jade and Zhang trying to track down Baron Zeppler's operatives and the magical relics. As the story begins, Rory and Arthur are in the countryside at Harry Kenzie's estate, where Rory unwittingly unleashes the power of the Tempest Ring with terrifying results. Later, Ace reluctantly agrees to escort a titled British guest to the wedding of the Governor's son in order to help his brother John advance his political career ... and the guest is Ace's ex, Wesley Collins, the Viscount Fine.

There are a series of murders throughout and a terrifying paranormal villain with ties to Ace's WWI past, and the author does an excellent job of detailing these deaths in a very viseral bone-chilling manner. But in between the first part of the book and the "edge of your seat" ending, the middle drags a bit, as Rory and Ace ponder the nature of their relationship (which remains non-explicit as in the first book), Lord Fine intrudes, and Rory gets jealous, again and again and again.

Now, I realize others may not feel the same, but I ended up setting the book down quite a few times because it just didn't hold my interest. However, the author really pulls it together at the end, and we are left with a cliffhanger of sorts that really piqued my interest, and I will definitely read the third book in the series, Wonderstruck (no release date set.) 4 stars.

This novel is a great follow up to the first in the series. We get to watch the characters grow and their relationships take on new dimensions. I would definitely read this series in order, or you might be lost a bit in this novel.

I love the heroes of this series. Both Rory and Arthur are richly developed, and It is simply a pleasure to watch them interact. And it’s nice that their feelings for each other is not the central conflict.

The novel has a good mix of romance, suspense, and magic without it getting too scary or dark. And the historical details add some rich threads to the work. The paranormal elements were a larger part of this book than the first, but it was done well without sacrificing what made me love the first book.

I find myself wishing I could read what happens next immediately. So I hope the author is writing!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

I got to read a NetGalley ARC of Starcrossed (Magic in Manhattan, #2) (Kindle Edition)
Published May 18th 2020 by Carina Press

This is my honest review:

IT IS SO GOOD.

You know a novel is a winner when you reach the end wanting more, but grinning because it's just perfect. This is that novel. I absolutely loved #1, and #2 is just as great, and I will be thrilled when #3 comes out. Fantastic characters, harrowing dangers, wicked magic, vivid scenes - the whole package, plus an ongoing love story of sweet snark and heartbreaking vulnerability. Read them!

Starcrossed was a great continuation of Rory and Arthur's story. It was wonderful to spend time with these characters again and the book was packed with plenty of action and romance. The plot continued to hold my interest and I turned the final page eager to know how things would finally work out for all the characters and whether they would defeat the evil plans afoot. Rory and Arthur's relationship development was well handled and I found their private interactions a joy to read. I am certainly keen to see how things will pan out in book three. I recommend this series for fans of paranormal and/or historical LGBT fiction, but you will need to start at book one in order to properly follow the story in this second volume.

Arthur Kenzie has devoted his life to procuring and protecting supernatural relics from those who would misuse them. But now, his life has a new purpose: loving Rory Brodigan, the cranky and irascible psycometric with phenomenal powers that he doesn't understand. Rory love Arthur, but he can't help be confront the truth of their disparate social status and despair over their relationship in the long term.

Now, a new relic threatens New York and the safety of not only Rory, but Arthur and his family. Rory and Arthur must use every bit of magic at their disposal to counter the new threat, where old enemies become uneasy allies and Rory and Arthur's love is put to the text.

I absolutely adored this book! It was wonderful from start to finish. Like last book, Arthur's uprightness, honor, and love bowl me over. I love a man who is protective of his loved ones while being sensitive and honorable at the same time. However, I must admit, I wanted to shake him a few times. There's a point where honor begins working against happiness, and he hit it. But even that was fun to read. I just love him.

My love for Rory is no less. Quick to anger, quick to defend himself, and overly humble at times, he's just easy to relate to. I love his explosive temper and the way he's willing to fight for himself and his loved ones. I also like that, although he's afraid of his power, he's curious about it, too, and can't help but explore it. His heart is in the right place and he loves and cares for others so much. He's a perfect match for Arthur.

The plot was intriguing as well. There's a powerful new relic in town. People are dying, magic is being used to hide the perpetrators, and Arthur seems to be the target. Or is he? I loved the twists and turns the book took, and the ending was very exciting.

The strength of this book is the characters. All of them are well done and intriguing in their own right. I would happily read a book about Jade and Zhang. I would also really like to read about Arthur's adventures prior to meeting Rory, during the war. Everything sounds so intriguing. I love this book.

I definitely recommend this book and series. It's especially good for people new to the genre. It's sexy without being overly explicit, and focuses more on romance and intimacy than sex. The characters are wonderful and the plot is action packed. Get Starcrossed immediately when it comes out; I know I will!

Rory and Ace are back in the thrilling sequel to Spellbound. Starcrossed has all the action, mystery, and magic of its predecessor along with more adorable banter and loveable characters. Readers are in for a treat as we get to see tension and stakes raised, their relationship tested, and the growth of our favorite characters intertwined with the magical mayhem we fell in love with in the last book. You won't want to miss this installment.

With Starcrossed, Magic in Manhattan becomes one of my favourite series. I loved Spellbound and expected great things, the same adorable characters, high stakes, and engaging relationships as before, and I'm happy to say that the sequel delivered everything and then some.

An absolute page-turner with plotlines weaving together seamlessly, but with enough moments where Rory and Arthur's relationship developed and deepened. Rory's still the same firecracker, shy but also ready to take down anyone with words (and magic!) if they threaten Arthur. Therin explores beautifully the difficulties of gay relationship and the toll of hiding can take on relationships, but I particularly loved how their relationship didn't have the usual pitfall of misunderstanding/communication issues. Rory and Arthur talk to each other, but also with others, it's refreshing to see how Jade and Mrs. Brodigan can talk to sense to those adorable, sometimes clueless men.

There's plenty of nail biting moments, especially towards the end, but also funny and quiet moments. This series makes me feel good and excited, and I foresee many re-reads in the future. I cannot recommend Spellbound and Starcrossed enough - for everyone. If you like engaging plots, heart-warming moments, fascinating characters, and amazing romance, don't miss this one!

Starcrossed is the second book in the Magic In Manhattan series and I fell in love with Rory and Arthur while reading the first book, Spellbound. These prohibition era books are full of a world of magic, relics and monsters. Starcrossed takes place immediately after Spellbound and is not a stand-alone. The world that the author creates is authentic and really remarkable.

Rory is my personal favorite of the series. He is a bit of a grump but he has so much to offer the world of magic. His magic has grown exponentially since being linked to a relic and he has no idea how to control the magic that comes with that. This causes some trouble for him but he has a group of loving and caring friends that are there to help him. He is strong and doesn’t back down from the evil that surrounds him. He stands up for his friends and protects all he cares about. His magic is linked to Arthur and this has helped him and given him a sense of peace knowing that he can reach out to Arthur and feel protected.

Arthur is such an interesting character. He’s non-magical but he is so wrapped up in this world that I sometimes forget this. He is so smitten with Rory that he really has no clue just how strong this connection between them is. They both don’t understand exactly what this relationship is but as a reader I was almost yelling at them to wake up and admit some feelings! I love how loyal Arthur is to Rory. He wants to protect him at all costs. These two really make me sigh.....🥰

I don’t want to say much about what happens in the book but we see more of Arthur’s family and his commitments and someone from his past that can potentially throw a wrench into the blossoming relationship between him and Rory. We see more of Jade, Zhang, Mrs Brodigan, Sasha and Pavel too. The supporting characters play an important role in these books, they really are a well oiled machine working together and for each other. I love the friendships and how they look out for one another.

The next book comes out next year and I will now be waiting to continue this amazing story. There is so much excitement that the book really does go by quickly. I couldn’t put it down but at the same time I had to so I wouldn’t finish it too soon. I highly recommend this series!

*ARC provided by NetGalley

Starcrossed by Allie Therin


This is the second book in the Magic in Manhattan series and readers ought to start with Spellbound- the first book- so they have a better idea of the way magic works in the storyverse, as well as understanding the threats the characters find themselves up against.

Arthur and Rory are still dealing with the fallout from the events in Spellbound and trying to figure out how to make their relationship work. It’s 1920s New York, so they can’t be together openly and then there’s the added layer of their socioeconomic differences: even a friendship between the two men raises questions.

There are strange things afoot—Arthur’s brother is having nightmares about his (Arthur’s) time as a prisoner of war and there are also disturbances on the astral planes that indicate the threat they faced in Spellbound has not dissipated.

And although it’s hardly on the same level as the future of humanity being at stake, Arthur’s ex comes to New York for a big society wedding, and Arthur is expected to shepherd him around town… which Rory is thrilled about, of course.

I loved every minute of Starcrossed. Ace (as Arthur likes to be called) and Rory have the best banter—I can’t even tell you how many times I smiled while reading this book. I loved the way Therin explored the class dynamics in the book; the dynamic can’t (and shouldn’t) be resolved by Ace buying things for Rory to lessen the gap. Rory is proud of who he is and where he comes from and he shouldn’t have to change himself for a relationship. There was a very tender moment towards the end of the book where Ace says that he doesn’t need nice things as long as he can be with Rory, and OMG— my heart melted right then and there.

Therin has opted for fade-to-black love scenes, and I am here to tell you that Ace and Rory’s chemistry is still scorching hot. They convey so much in one lingering look or offhand quip; there’s no need for anything more explicit. I think anything more would cause books and e-readers to spontaneously combust.

I’m writing this review in the middle of March; I have no idea what the world is going to look like closer to when I post my review, but things are uncertain right now. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this book because it enabled me to take my mind off of everything going on for a bit. Books have always been an escape, but I need those escapes more than ever lately and Starcrossed was the perfect distraction.

I would absolutely recommend Starcrossed. It contains so many of my favorite elements of a romance: height difference, age difference, and the cinnamon roll/grump dynamic. The paranormal element is very well done: magic is prevalent in the world, but the vast majority of people have no idea it’s there. I am already eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the series—I need to know what the future holds for Ace and Rory!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved everything about this. Rory is still grumpy; Arthur is still a hovercraft; Jade and Zhang and all the others are frickin delight. I love that the villains are complicated. I love that the ex bf...wasn’t the distraction that plot device normally is and that Rory’s jealousy didn’t cause friction in their relationship...but it did cause interesting consequences.

Rory becoming the most powerful paranormal is scary and funny, and yet he maintains his adoration and devotion to Arthur...who still tries to protect him. It’s just wonderful.

This adventure was just as exciting as book one.

This series brings me so much joy. Highly highly recommend.