You’re a fool, and I’m another. Between us, we barely make a village idiot.
― K.J. Charles, A Case of PossessionI see. Things must be bad if you’re voluntarily telling me the truth.
― K.J. Charles, Flight of Magpies“Are you in this conversation, or just skulking?”
“Mostly skulking.” Stephen had a particular knack for making himself unobtrusive. He was mildly impressed that he’d been noticed. “But I have a licence to skulk.”
― K.J. Charles, Flight of Magpies
CBR15Bingo: Queer Lives square and On the Road square
The first book of this trilogy was recommended to me by my local librarian (go librarians!) and has been on my TBR list for about a year. I don’t typically go in for historical romance unless it is truly exceptional. I’ve never been much into Victorian or Regency era stuff, even though there’s a plethora of options in the romance genre.
The Magpie Lord
This book was fine. I didn’t like Lord Crane or Stephen much at the beginning. But then again, they aren’t the cuddliest of people, which is kind of the point. Stephen, a London-based justiciar (wizard law enforcement) is brought in to investigate the attempted murder of Lord Lucian Crane. Lucian was exiled to Shanghai twenty years earlier and has returned to set his family’s business affairs in order. He is not saddened by the death of his father or his brother, and he sets about solving the mystery with the primary goal to be out of England and back in Shanghai as soon as possible. Lucian immediately likes Stephen but Stephen pretty much loathes Lucian. By the end of this book, I liked the characters but really didn’t care about the story or the romance.
A Case of Possession
This is where the story gets good. Stephen and Lucian are lovers but they have not yet defined their relationship. Stephen has returned to his day job and his team of justiciers and Lucian is still getting his financial affairs in order. This book is much stronger than the first because we get a bit more backstory for both Lucian and Stephen, including their fears and prejudices. Merrick, Lucian’s manservant, is the blunt voice of reason as well as the blunt force keeping Lucian alive despite his best efforts to the contrary. Esther, Jenny, and Esther’s husband work with Stephen, and his relationship with them drives the most moving parts of the plot.
Flight of Magpies
By this point, I’m completely in love with all of the side characters, and I can enjoy Lucian and Stephen a bit more after they get over their stupid selves. The ending was mostly satisfying. The mystery and murders in this book were the least interesting but, by this point, I’m not reading this book for the mystery.
Overall, I give this series four stars. Two for the first one, five stars for the second one, and a solid four stars for the third one. These books are sexy. However, as other reviewers have written, I stayed for the great dialogue and the fantastic characters.
As a side note, what is up with these covers? The second one is better than the first (and it wouldn’t take much). And why does the alternate have to look like a father and child? Seriously!
Also….
What I want my brain to think of:
What my brain helpfully supplies instead. I blame the covers for this.