Review: as good as the first one
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 5, 2014
Problems and mysteries seem to spring around Lucien and Stephen. They are back in London, after the stressing incidents at Piper, only to find themselves in more trouble. On the one hand, an old acquaintance of Lucien is trying to blackmail him: he intends to destroy Stephen’s life and career by revealing his relationship with Lucien if he does not pay him. Lucien, who does not care at all about his reputation, feels really protective of his young lover, and so he decides to do everything he can to prevent it. Stephen, on the other hand, has too many battle fronts: he has to fight an invasion of monstrous rats in the suburbs of London, while trying not to raise suspicions in his friends and co-workers for his newly acquired powers. He tries to keep Lucien away, but when the rats start attacking people around Lucien, he has no choice but bring Lucien and their relationship to light.Wow! This series is becoming addictive. I really love the way these books are written. They are fast paced and action packed. The dialogues are lively and there is a bit of everything: mystery, adventure, magic and history. But the best part is the romance, which was only hinted in the previous book, and is now blossoming. Both Lucien and Stephen are very strong characters, each one struggling to understand his feelings towards the other. Lucien wants to protect and look after Stephen; he wants to provide for him; but he is afraid of hurting his pride. Stephen, on his side, is terrified of falling for Lucien only to be dumped when he returns to his old life in China. But it is too late because they have already fallen for each other. Theirs is a delicate balance, where each one holds real power over the other one. It is dangerous, but that only adds interest. I love the way Lucien describes it to Stephen: “I like to make you know your master”, Crane said. “It is only fair. The rest of the time, you’ve got me so thoroughly enslaved, I might as well be wearing a collar with your name on it”. Though it may seem that Stephen is docile and submissive Lucien knows he is the real powerful one in their relationship. He can kill with a gesture. He can destroy his life and his heart with only a word. Knowing his lover submits all this power to him… Certainly infatuating.I can’t wait to know what happens next, how these two evolve. They have gone a long way from the first book, acknowledging they are in love. But I am sure there is much more to come. More adventures and mysteries. So exciting!