Rag and Bone (World of A Charm of Magpies) [Ned & Crispin] by K.J. Charles

Sadly this as well wasn't a favorite of mine. There was something about the interaction between the two MCs that simply didn't work for me. There was also something maybe a bit OTT about these two literally saving the world while having so little knowledge and / or ability and yet somehow "winging it". Stephen and Lucien would have done in better is all I'm saying.

That being said, I simply ADORE KJ's writing. Even in the gloomiest situation I can still laugh out loud with her special wording not to mention I feel like cleaning the house from dust just reading about Ned's "home environment".

We've met this couple in the prelude "A Queer Trade". It all started when magic practitioner Crispin Tredarloe is looking for his masters writings who were sold to a waste-man after his unexpected passing. Edward "Ned" Hall is said waste-man and he does a lot more than just help Crispin and soon become friends and lovers.

The story continues when Crispin is trying to learn how to do magic the "right" way, unlike how his Warlock master taught him (using blood and bone) and no matter who they match him with it doesn't work. When they finally find Mr. Sweet a new comer to London on his own project he FINALLY gets the help he needs and yet while being focused on magic, learning how to do magic and trying to improve his (lack of) self esteem his relationship with Ned suffers greatly.

A Queer Trade (World of A Charm of Magpies) [Ned & Crispin] by K.J. Charles

Though I was a HUGE fan of the main series, this short novella somehow wasn't "it" for me. I liked both Ned and Crispin but I didn't feel a real connection to them or the story. It's a prequel to their full length novel ("Rag and Bone"), telling us the circumstances they came to meet and get to know each other.

Crispin Tredarloe is in BIG trouble. While away to tend his sick mother his master had died and all his VERY important (and also harmful) scripts were sold to a waste man. Crispin is stressed about finding all the scripts before (A) anyone is harmed by them (B) the Justiciary find out about the whole thing and charge him with being a Warlock (for practicing blood magic) even if he hasn't harmed a soul.

Jackdaw (World of A Charm of Magpies) [Jonah & Ben] by K.J. Charles

Beautiful. SO SO Beautiful. This was a bit different than the ones of Stephen and Lucien, a different pace, as well as a the personal and relationship buildup and not only because Jonah and Ben have already BEEN in a relationship before. It was a heart felt and heart breaking story and though there is quite a lot of magic involved (with Jonah a practitioner) for me the story was about something else differently - two men getting to know one another again as well as learning together what truly matters to them in life. Finding their place mentally and physically. Finding their own kind of peace.

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...

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.

A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies #2) by K.J. Charles

I'm worried. I'm actually WORRIED. I finished this AMAZING book and I'm now realizing it means I only have ONE novel left of Stephen and Lucien. I'm NOT ready to say goodbye! I loved everything about this book. As in the previous one the pace is excellent, left me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what's going on, but I was also hooked to the romance part as both men struggle with their emotions towards one another and how they can make it work with the amount of complications around them.

Stephen Day is busy, but more than busy it's obvious he is reluctant to make a habit of his affair with Lucien Vaudrey (our Lord Crane). It can't last, not with the difference in lifestyle and rank and especially not when Lucien gets bored or annoyed with living in London and returns to his home in China. Lucien actually doesn't know WHAT he wants to do. He has enough dealings at the moment but what upsets him the most if how illusive Stephen is. He wants him in his bed, he wants to wake up with Stephen in his arms. But as Merrick his manservant puts it - he gives Stephen exactly the things he DOESN'T want.

To make things even more difficult Lucien is being blackmailed by the same guy who brought Stephen into his life and he isn't the only one he is blackmailing.. This isn't China.. If it was, he would have gotten him killed and got on with it.. Now he needs to find a way to make this problem disappear because it makes Stephen even more reluctant to have ANYTHING to do with him. Especially since the other Justiciars are starting to suspect Stephen new found powers (those he gets from his connection to Lucien and the Magpie Lord).

The Smuggler and the Warlord (A Charm of Magpies #0.5) by K.J. Charles

This is literally a few pages long, and though it takes place LONG before the first installment, I think it's better to read it after as you wouldn't understand what this short scene is even about.

The whole scene is told from Frank Merrick's POV - Lucien Vaudrey manservant (and so much more..). In the first installment "The Magpie Lord" there is a mention of Lucien getting caught with a dangerous warlord barely getting away. In this one Merrick tells us just how he managed to get his out and a bit of what happened during the time Lucien spent with Boghda.

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).