The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies #1) by K.J. Charles

Sometimes it takes me a long time to start a book. There isn't always a real reason.. This one, I think it was the fact it's a combination of Historical and Paranormal Romance and though I've LOVED those in the past, it's still not my go-to genre. Maybe I should say YET because this book was such a gripping story, with a lot of action but also packed with laugh-out-loud moments. I ADORED both MCs and their interaction together, though the story was a bit complicated with a lot of characters having some minor role I truly didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to delve into the next books in the series!

Let me try to explain what's going on. Lucien Vaudrey is the sole heir to the Crane line, making him Lord Crane after the recent death of his father and older brother. It's not that he misses them or cares much for their death.. They were both horrible people and not only because they sent him away (hopefully to die) to China. 20 years have passed since then and he can't really say he cares much for London or Piper the family's estate. A cold and sad place he would happily sell than invest any time or money in especially now when his life is threatened in a very bizarre way.

Not long after his first visit (in 20 years) to Piper he started feeling strange, like he has a dark cloud over his head. More-over he found himself suicidal a few times enough for his dearest friend and manservant (one who have been with him since his journey to China) Frank Merrick calls for a magic practitioner. They both know they exist have witnessed magic in the past back when they were in China but looking for someone to help they stumble upon Stephen Day who couldn't be more reluctant to help as he has met Lucien's brother and father and considering what they did to his family he is only willing to offer the most basic help (at double the price).


But after his "first aid" visit Stephen realizes he needs to do more for Lucien. He might be Lord Crane now, but his actions shows in more than one way he is NOT anything like them, on the contrary. Together they travel to the Piper estate only to realize what they are up against couldn't be more confusing with too many people acting in a very manipulative way. Things don't add up. Everything feels connected yet not at all and no matter what magic is EVERYWHERE around them and it's wielders aren't using it for good..

Stephen does his best to protect Lucien but the plot thickens with every step they take. Especially when he suddenly realizes Lucien's ancestor is the founder of his order, one of the most powerful mages of all times - The Magpie Lord. It's mostly a clue to why all these things are happening though there is still much to uncover.

I really enjoyed Lucien and Stephen. They were both not what you'd expect. Stephen being very slight in build and height. You wouldn't believe the power he can wield and how commanding he can be when he wants. Lucien might be Lord Crane but besides his looks and high quality cloths he doesn't behave like one. His life in China made him a trader and since he walked the streets for enough years he isn't impressed by status and rank. He is more interested in WHO the person is in front of him. He is also very sure about himself and he isn't afraid to just BE just the way he wants to be. With his current status and Merrick by his side he doesn't need anyone's approval really and it shows in his every act. These two together is such a JOY to read. They are an unlikely couple in a way and in other way the best fit!

The romance between them was slow paced which I really appreciated. Frankly, there wasn't a lot of time for having fun when Lucien's life is always on the line from unknown enemies, but in the end there is more than a promise for them to be a couple in the next one(s). Though there is so much that happens in this book, it actually occurs in about a week time.. Not enough to build something real together even if they spent most of the time together, yet what they formed together at the very end promises MORE for sure. Can't wait to see where KJ is taking this one to!

In one word - AWESOME.

Interlude with Tattoos: This is a sort of bonus epilogue of our two MCs. 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.
We got a bit more of Lucien and Stephen having fun and starting to build a friendship and a promise of a bit more in the future though it's not yet known HOW as both their lives are different and aren't really headed in the same direction. As before these two are simply a JOY to read.

Rating: ★★★★★

E-Book Edition

208 pages

Read on: 20-21 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)  ★★★★★