Reviewed by Ami
Title: The Art of Possession
Author: Cari Z.
Heroes: Malcolm & Alex
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 195 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: When a treasure-hunting black ops soldier and a disgraced, reckless archeologist team up in search of a priceless artifact, they might get more than they bargained for.
Ever since leaving the Green Berets to work in private security, Alex Tucker has longed for some excitement—and he’s about to get his wish.
Archeologist Malcolm Armstrong needs the chance to prove he isn’t a fraud. Along with Alex, he’s hired to track down and authenticate a valuable scepter, in a hunt that turns deadlier than either of them imagined as they search dangerous locations across three continents and try to stay ahead of the factions who want the treasure for themselves—and Malcolm and Alex dead.
Just as they realize the feelings between them transcend convenience and the thrill of the chase, a rival reemerges, threatening everything.
Review:
Ex-Soldier Alex Tucker is hired to partner up with archeologist Malcolm Armstrong to hunt down a missing valuable specter. And THAT is enough for me to take notice. Because, HELLO, ADVENTURE!! I’m always up for storyline like that, you know. Plus, this one is coming from one of my favorite authors, who almost always deliver a solid story.
Timeline wise, things progress quickly. Chalk it up to adrenaline and thrill of the hunt and being shot at, I guess. But I loved both Alex and Malcolm as individuals AND as a potential couple.
Alex is one of those ex-soldiers, who carries his weapon everywhere, who is dependable for the action part of the hunt. Malcolm is the “nerd”, a British archeologist who has eyes for fake collections, and is needed in the partnership to reassure the specter is not being duplicated in any way.
I admit that I loved Malcolm slightly more though. I loved that Malcolm is determined to share the partnership, even if he’s not the ‘fighting’ type. Malcolm is also struggling to gain back his reputation and come out from the shadow of his jackass of an ex-boyfriend – who happens to be a big donator for the British Museum and part of the scandal that lead Malcolm’s fall into disgrace. I loved his spirit in doing so.
This is a fast-paced enjoyable read. One thing that annoyed me though – I’m not sure whether it is going to be edited for the actual release – the book is written in dual first-person perspective. However, there’s no clear sign about who’s speaking. Basically, all the odd chapters are Alex’s and all the even chapters are Malcolm’s. But my brain is sometimes too lazy to remember that formula…
Overall Impression: I really liked it
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
The Blogger Girls 