We've met Jonah Pastern before. He was a villain though he wasn't really a "bad guy". He did what he needed to do to save the man he loves - Benedict (Ben) Spenser and even though he already failed the man, he couldn't have let anything more happen to him even if Ben would never forgive him and / or accept him into his life. People died. Innocent ones. He wasn't very "nice" to the Justiciary but for him it wasn't about doing any harm, it was about surviving - which most of his life he needed to do on his own - and saving Ben.
Ben had a life before Jonah, but after Jonah left he was a broken man. He used to be a respectable policeman. But all changed when the man he loved betrayed him. Betrayed everything they had together. When Ben met Jonah it was like magic (it wasn't though.. it was just them and how they connected). It didn't take them long to become partners. Sharing a house together on the pretence of "sharing costs" (common at the time). They were happy together even though Ben knew very little about Jonah or what he actually did for a living. He knew he was rather simply, not knowing how to read or write but nothing at all about his background or skills. Especially not the magical kind of windwalking...
Jonah had good reasons to keep his occupation and special powers from Ben and though he wished he could he wouldn't risk it. So he kept his "job" of stealing and didn't think ahead (his usual flaw) what would happen when he kept stealing while living in the same area... Then came Mrs. Bruton and everything exploded when Ben realized Jonah occupation and was betrayed when he escaped his custody, leaving behind a well kissed Ben to suffer the consequences of being found to be in a gay relationship with a felon.
When Ben arrived in London looking for Jonah he truly meant to harm him, make him suffer for the time he spent in jail but once he actually sees Jonah he realizes he can't truly keep the act, not even in his mind, even if he can't trust him (or can he?) and can't see a future with him (but can't also keep apart).
They make their grand escape with both police and the Justiciary after them, trying to find a place to settle but before they needed to have a few conversations about who Jonah REALLY is, but also what Ben can and can't accept. In short, Ben tries to make Jonah a "better man" socially.
Jonah never considered what Ben was offering but he was truly willing to try anything and everything to make Ben stay by his side. The place they found, the solace he found in it and the small community showed Jonah things he didn't have before and so little by little he changes when he realizes he can start to trust. Something he has NEVER done before.
There is a little more to the story when justice comes knocking at their door but I would rather say nothing about it besides it was the perfect ending to the story.
This story was solely told from Ben's POV. I actually thought it fitted - them and their story. It left Jonah's side a bit of a mystery and yet his acts throughout the book were transparent enough even if Ben was having a hard time trusting what he saw. It was emotional, it was sad. But it was also heart warming.
OUTSTANDING. Another great novel by K.J. Can't wait for more by her and more in this wonderful Magpie world.
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Rating:
★★★★★ |
E-Book
Edition |
205
pages
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Read on:
26-27 March 2020
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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") ]
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") ]
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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) ★★★★★
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) ★★★★★
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