Lis’ Review Body Magic by Poppy Dennison

Poppy Dennison

Body Magic (Triad, #2)

Dreamspinner Press, September 10, 2012 | 206 pages

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
A pack is only as strong as its weakest member. Rocky Harris knows how the system works. He’s been on the bottom rung his whole life. But when his alpha consigns him to the High Moon Pack to help them improve security, he finds his beliefs not just challenged but outright assaulted.
Cade Montgomery’s confidence took a hit when the pack’s cubs were kidnapped on his watch. He’s prepared to do anything to protect his family, even if it means working with Rocky. Maybe Cade doesn’t trust Rocky, but with the turmoil surrounding pack Alpha Gray’s unpopular decision to break tradition and mate with a mage named Simon, Cade knows more threats are coming.

Then someone declares war on shifters and puts the entire pack in danger. Cade and Rocky will need each other’s strengths to survive the impending battle—and the power of their growing attraction.

Genre & Keywords: M/M Romance, Urban Fantasy, Witchcraft, Shifters

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2.5 out of 3 flames
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Reviewed by Lis:

Body Magic continues the story started in Mind Magic (reviewed here), the story that blew me away with its awesomeness. Probably no one was happier to see this story continued in Body Magic. Rather than focus the story on a new couple, Body Magic continues the story set in Mind Magic, meaning we get to see more of Gray and Simon and other characters as well, something that I personally really liked. It gave the story more filling. The mystery that is started in the previous story continues in Body Magic as well, which is good, because for a moment there I was afraid the author would leave us hanging.

There are more attacks on ‘were’ and the story around Simon and his magic is expanded. After recovering from his recent attack and his returning magic, Simon and Gray now get ready for Simon’s 25th birthday and the ritual that marks Simon as no longer an apprentice.

Newly introduced in this story are Rocky and his role in the pack and of course his relationship with Cade. Cade is one of Gray’s best friends and confidant. He’s the pack’s handyman and a strong, solid presence in the pack. He’s ever wary of Rocky, the security expert from another pack brought in to secure Gray’s territory. He makes no secret of his distrust of Rocky, but at the same time he’s wildly attracted to Rocky as well. It makes for some interesting dialogues and scenes. Also… screen-melting hotness may be involved.

Body Magic, while very well written and a good story, does lack a bit of the oomph that Mind Magic had for me. It suffers a bit of the ‘middle book’ syndrome, as it is clear it is a set up for the third book and climax of the story.

Still, it sure is one heck of a nice read. The author has a way of drawing the reader into the story and spinning a tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It’s not a stand-alone book, so make sure you read Mind Magic first, otherwise it’s no fun!
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