Urban fantasy is always a hit and miss for me, since not always the author manages to be romantic when all around the heroes the world is crashing down. But T.A. Chase always preserves the romanticism, historical, contemporary, futuristic, fantasy, doesn’t matter, the story is always about two men in love, about one big, strong and of few words hero and his little, cute and feisty lover.

In this case the big man is James, ordinary name for a not so ordinary man: he is a Freaks, a genetically mutant man, a mix between a human and snake; he is the result of a era of nuclear war and consequent radiations, and like others like him, he was confined to live behind a wall, in a place that is both reserve than prison. Not that on the other side of the wall the situation is better: gangs govern the city, and having a quiet life and becoming old is a fortunate chance. Magpie has the right name for his character, he is little, fast and obnoxious. He is not a thief, but truth be told, he is not even a good bodyguard, or so it seems. While James works for one of the mob bosses, Magpie works for his at time ally at time enemy. Magpie and James know each other, and maybe they have also fantasized about each other, but the situation they are living doesn’t invite romantic relationships. Then one day they are both involved in an attack, Magpie is mortally wounded and James is the only one who can save his life. James doesn’t think twice, and actually doesn’t even ask Magpie’s opinion, he literally drags the man out of the deadly place and takes him in Freak Town, the place James left years ago swearing he would never come back, but also the only place where they can find shelter.

Magpie complaints a lot, but I have the feeling that is more a role he has to play, than a real upsetting situation. Deep inside Magpie is happy to have the chance to be with James, and while with words he is saying that he hates the man and doesn’t want to have anything to do with him, with his body he is like a climbing ivy, more than happy to conquer the mountain man and set his roots deep around him.

There is also sex, not as much as in other gay romance, but quite enough to be enjoyable and to balance the dark mood of the setting. In the end, the novel is more light than expected, and even when in danger, the bickering between Magpie and James, or better between Magpie and an unmovable James who hardly opens his mouth to speak, gives an almost funny undertone.

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/1002316.html