Magic of Lust

4.5

Book one in this series was my first five starred book as I kicked off 2024 so I was excited to dive back into this series after reading some palate cleansers in between. I wasn't disappointed when the prologue immediately pulled me back in. Ooh I am so happy to be back with the gang.

We pick up from book one with the lovers separated as Xel and Treb fight to hold off the Spider back in Kurkevy and Jade and Civan seek refuge and possibly a new start in Shahwa where Jade is getting to learn more about her new mage powers as they both wait and hope to be reunited with Xel and Treb.

I loved how beautifully the love development was. Fledgling love from the first book that blossoms over to book 2. I also appreciated the real struggle Civan had with understanding and accepting his sexuality. Like Treb he was raised to believe his attraction towards men was immoral and wrong. That his worth as a man depended on how many women he should be bedding because that's what society falsely demands. He had issues coming to terms with finding two hard, strong men just as desirable as his love for soft, curvaceous Jade and also being confused on how to love a man when he wasn't even sure how to love a woman due to his inexperience. Treb was the perfect person to help Civan talk through his emotions as he found his place amongst the group.

I appreciated that all 4 characters got their own love stories. The relationship development between Treb and Civan was different to Treb and Jade or Xel and Civan for example. This is a true MM, MMF, FMM etc and the centre point wasn't just Jade being the woman as they all had issues to sort through.

Book 2 seemed to have less action and concentrated on the group dynamics which I felt was done so well but that does not mean there is no action. There certainly is and the ending had me on the edge of my seat.

The introduction of Kevik had me side-eyeing the author and storyline, I won't spoil why but my face was scrunched up reading to begin with. You'll have to read for yourselves to find out why.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I can't wait to read the final book.