Reviews

Body Magic by Poppy Dennison

whitneydr's review

Go to review page

3.0

This is book two in Dennison’s Triad series. I liked the first book a lot, but this one was bit disappointing.

On the one hand, I’m glad Dennison did a follow up with Simon and Gray because book one, Mind Magic, left such an open ending and unanswered questions. Body Magic pretty much starts where book one left off. I was fine with that. At first.

The plot blurb to this book is not at all accurate. This book is maybe 30% Rocky and Cade, and 70% Simon and Gray and I think that should’ve been made clear. I liked seeing what Simon and Gray were up to, but there wasn’t much to Rocky and Cade’s side of the story, which is what the blurb alludes to. So I wish the book blurb had been more honest about what the book was about. I just wish that Rocky and Cade had more development and Simon and Gray had their own continuing book.

I did like that Cade was a biracial black man. Is the man on the cover supposed to be him? His skin is described in different shades in contrast to Rocky, but I assumed he was darker so the cover makes it confusing.

The world-building is very visual without being long-winded, which I like. There’s still a lot we don’t know with regards to the different magics, which I’m sure will be revealed at the series goes on.

Overall, I liked the characters and the writing style (though the chapter breaks were in weird places to me). I’m just not sure if I’ll continue the series, though.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

jferrell526's review

Go to review page

5.0

Attack

Rocky is sent to spy by another alpha. Care catches him. They put it all aside when the pack is attacked. Another great read!

reviewerlarissa's review

Go to review page

4.0

**Review for Rarely Dusty Books**

4.5 stars


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!

see_sadie_read's review

Go to review page

3.0

This book had a few qualities I love finding in m/m romances—a romantic lead that's not cookie-cutter white (not one of the main couple, but still a main character), a mixing up the standard sex roles (letting the little guy top), etc. And I honestly found the writing less stiff and off-putting than in book one, though I still think names were used too often in dialogue. So, for the right reader this will probably be a real winner.

However, despite involving werewolves, mages and vampires it still felt very, very much like the main focus of the book was domesticity. A LOT of time is spent watching Simon marvel at how wonderful it is to suddenly find himself part of a family, or how much he now loves Gray, or what it feels like to suddenly realise he's a stepfather, etc. Which is fine, of course, but not what I would have expected from the synopsis.

Further, and even more irritating, Cade and Rocky, who I thought the book would be about, are mere side characters and their romance is little more than a distraction. I felt the same way about the 'danger to the pack' subplot. It was barely hinted at and overcome easily. Again, the main plot was happy homemaking. And unfortunately I'm just not into that.

domiri's review

Go to review page

fast-paced

3.25

frankoamericain's review

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced

2.5

msmiz95's review

Go to review page

4.0

3.5

mrella's review

Go to review page

1.0

WARNING: spoilers!

But then the book is predictable, so I am sure you figured the juicy bits out already.

==================================

This is a Happy Book, A Jory Book ...only better! We all know Jory is good with in-laws, grumpy old men, wolves ...um, dogs ...same crap, children, dishes; plus he is adorable and sexy. Guess what? Simon is all that, plus he sparkles and levitates.

Then there is Cade and Rocky, hornifying each other in every bush, corner and building of the village. Then of course, there is Gray and Simon sexing like rabbits in between breakfasts, coffee, pancakes, games with children, computer games, plants and other happy things. For like 70%.

Speaking of children in or near my books:



Then at 70% poop hits the fan. Everyone is fighting or dying or chasing deadly things, except for the council, of course. Seems, they dropped directions to all the uber popular hot spots in the toilet and missed all the fun, including dog fights (and, I guess, bets?). Now, who wouldn't be cranky after that? So, the old pervs decide to confiscate the only shiny they could still get their claws on - Simon.

BUT - thank god for Rocky! The lowly omega saves Simon, shames the balls off the council and grucks Gray's beta in the... oh, that would be a spoiler :P

=====

This book: first 70% - happy, happy, happy; last 30% - gruesome and violent with a cliffy.

I like: first 90% - gruesome and violent; last 10% - happy, or somewhat happy.

Told you, it's me. ONE STAR.

relly's review

Go to review page

4.0

Not my favourite

3.75 ⭐️

This series different in that the overall storyline from book one and the relationship between Simon and Gray continues to move forward with the new couple ( Cade and Rocky) being weaved into the storyline. This helped with this one as I didn’t like Rocky for approx 90% of the book. He redeemed himself in the end and I understood why he was like he was, I just didn’t like him.
So without the continuing of a Simon and Gray’s storyline I probably would have skip this one on the reread.
More...