Spell Cat by Tara Lain is the first book in The Aloysius Tales.

It isn't surprising that Professor Killian Barth teaches about the history of witches, being that not only is he a witch, but he's the strongest witch of his generation, the Witch Master. To his credit, Killian spends most of his life living like a human and doesn't have much to do with the witch community until his mother informed him that he was getting married to Lavender, the daughter of one of the members of the Witch Council. Everyone knows that Killian is gay, but it is his obligation to marry a witch to continue their bloodline. It's known that a witch's power is diminished when he/she has sex with a human, causing the weakening of all witches. Killian is surprised by his immediate attraction when he meets Blaine Genneau, a physics professor, and learns that the attraction is mutual. Every thought of Evangeline, Killian's mother, is how to capitalize on Killian's abilities and she gives him Aloysius, a familiar in cat form, who will boost his powers, but Killian quickly learns that Aloysius has his own ideas and knows how to make them known. Jimmy, one of Killian's students, poses a very interesting question in class that intrigues Killian with his insightful manner. Killian is running out of time to find a way to avoid his pending marriage. Blaine and Killian's attraction is making it difficult to remember where his localities lie when he knows that Lavender is in the same boat as he is. Will Killian find a solution to their problem or will he and Lavender be forced into a loveless union?

This is a wonderful story filled with characters that come alive for the reader. Aloysius may be a cat, but his non-verbal communications were hysterical and very clear to the reader. I loved how his feisty attitude affected the mood and reactions of many of the other characters. Killian's dilemma over doing what he wanted versus what was expected of him is one many people would understand, but his solution to the issue was as unique as the way he told everyone in the witch society. It was sad how witches looked down on anyone they considered not of pure blood. That type of prejudice is absurd in any manner and may be shown to be part of the cause of all their problems. The love between Killian and Blaine made their problems that must more heartbreaking as Killian's inner struggle kept forcing them apart.

Reviewed by: Teresa