Flight of Magpies (A Charm of Magpies #3) by K.J. Charles

I don't want to write this review because it would mean the story of Lucien and Stephen is over and though I feel like we got the ending they deserve I'm also selfish and I already miss them. Miss the interaction between them, the way their relationship built up. With the difference in their status, their personality and what each brings into the relationship. There is something that WORKS between them even if you wouldn't guess that.

As usual Stephen is over-worked and though Lucien generally understands that for Stephen he IS his job, he is more than just frustrated because he can see what it does to him. He wants him ALIVE and WELL and it doesn't seem like his job will be allowing that for long. He is tired of London and the restrictions that are always there around them but he WON'T give Stephen up no matter what even when Stephen himself is (almost) willing to let them go when everything becomes overwhelming. There is just too much to DO and so little time to do it in.



Stephen's prodigy Jenny Saint is accused of stealing, and it becomes worse when she supposedly steals The Magpie Lord's ring which is powerful but also HIGHLY sentimental for him. When he realizes her alibi is a relationship between her and Frank Merrick he basically loses it. His partner Esther has her own reasons for taking a little break from using magic and her job in general which leaves Stephen almost on his own to deal with horrible deaths of policemen. But besides all that there is one thing he promised Lucien he would do and well, sort of "forgot" with all the things on his mind - Lady Elise Bruton. Remember her? In the first book she was the only survivor from the coven who tried to take charge of the Magpie Lord's power (meaning Lucien's blood..). It feels like no one is on his side. Though he has Lucien, what he wants, what he offers Stephen freely - his love, his arms around him and also his help - is something Stephen is still struggling to accept. Which frustrated Lucien enough to blow up a punching bag. Wait, what? Yeah.. there is also something wrong or rather TOO powerful going on in the magical connection between them.

In the end the Magpie Lord's power - THEIR power - was always in working together. In being one, in trusting in one another and that's what it takes for them to unravel all the little bit and pieces together - the cop killer, the thief, the missing ring, the Council's irresponsible behavior towards the justiciaries, the power shift between them and last but not least their final nemesis.

I'm heart broken to let this book and series go. I'm so glad we'll have 3 more books even if not of these two (maybe we'll get a little appearance? pretty please?). I loved everything about the  relationship of these two. The way they connected, how their relationship evolved. Though I'm not a big fan of D/s it felt like with them it simply worked and I could understand why sexually Stephen needed to let go at exactly the point Lucien needed to be the leader, to call the shots (which interestingly enough was a shift from their behavior outside their bed chamber). I think that in the long run though it would still be their "thing" it might change with the way their relationship evolved and both men realizes what they need from one another and what they are willing to give and change in themselves to make this relationship work.

Final words - this series is a MUST READ. It has everything anyone would even need - A beautiful relationship buildup of too strong characters. Banter galore between more than just them. Hilarious moments to highlight and laugh just thinking about them again. Mystery and action. A very interesting and different setup in Victorian London filled with magic.

A MASTER PIECE. These two have been MY joy.

Feast of Stephen: Like in the previous novels, this is an extra bonus epilogue of our two favorite MCs including Merrick and Jenny Saint (now Merrick's significant other). I think it was originally published on it's own but as it seems it's added on the very end on the current edition.

Ever wondered what a low key day would be like for these two couples? Be prepared for a TREAT. FINALLY the four of them go to the retreat Lucien have promised to take Stephen and there they spend a fun evening together, getting to know each other a bit better and get used to living together. Jenny is really sweet, I wish we got more of her (together with Merrick!), she might be a bit intimidated by our Lord Crane but I think it won't take her long to loosen up once she sees how he is in person. We get another story of the guys back from their time in the far east as well as the sexy times Stephen promised to sometime try with Lucien.

At the very end there is a promise of the story of Jonah Pastern. He was a sort of a villain in this one though it was easy to see he wasn't mean or cruel about it. His story is told in Jackdaw (I'll be getting into it ASAP).

Five For Heaven: This final epilogue was available when registering to KJ's newsletter and can be now found as a free read in her Facebook Group. Stephen, Lucien, Merrick and Jenny have been enjoying themselves in the east, now spending a bit of time in Japan where they are considering to make a new home for more than just the four of them. It was sweet getting this glimpse of them. I was wondering how it would be for the world traveler Lucien together with Stephen who has never left England. I wan't worried and I shouldn't have been they guys are great together and they are sure to have many more adventures together.

Rating: ★★★★★

E-Book Edition

212 pages

Read on: 24-25 March 2020

ABOUT THIS SERIES

 

A Charm of Magpies is a MUST READ simply FANTASTIC Paranormal Romance series set in Victorian times by  K.J. Charles. The (main) series follows Lucien Vaudrey - Lord Crane and Justiciar and Magic Practitioner Stephen Day.

There are not enough amazing words to describe how much I love and recommend this series. It has everything anyone can wish for. Great romance with a beautiful build up. Banter galore. An interesting setting in Victorian London with more than a little sprinkle of magic. Action and mystery in every book keeping me at the edge of my seat for the mystery to resolve as well as for these two to find their solace together.

GRAB IT NOW! You won't regret it.

In "Jackdaw" we revisit Jonah Pastern who was a sort of a villain in "Flight of Magpies". We understand his reasons for acting the way he did and how he redeemed himself, not only from his action there but his life in general with help and support from Ben - the man he did it all for. It was a treasure of a book as well.

Ned and Crispin are a new couple as well, they have a short novella (of them getting to know each other) and a short novel of them pretty much saving the world.. It takes time in the same timeline as "Jackdaw" each explains why they were pretty much on their own fighting evil with very little help. I didn't really like these two together. They have a lot of potential but at their current state they are barely functioning which I had a difficult time with honestly.

Books:
A Charm of Magpies
0.5 The Smuggler and the Warlord (Published 30 November 2013) ★★★★★
1. The Magpie Lord (Published 3 September 2013) ★★★★★
[ 1.5 Interlude with Tattoos (Included in "The Magpie Lord") ]
2. A Case of Possession (Published 6 January 2014  ★★★★★
[ 2.5 A Case of Spirits (Included in "A Case of Possession") ]
3. Flight of Magpies (Published 28 October 2014)  ★★★★★
[ 3.5 Feast of Stephen (Included in "Flight of Magpies") ]

 

The World of Magpies
Edward "Ned" Hall & Crispin Tredarloe:
A Queer Trade (Rag and Bone prequel) (Published 2 February 2016)  ★★★★
Rag and Bone (Published 1 March 2016)  ★★★
Benedict "Ben" Spenser & Jonah Pastern:
Jackdaw (Published 9 November 2017)  ★★★★★