Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Samhain Publishing (2014), 208 pages
Description
A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell. Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He's also inherited his family's enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane's family. Unfortunately, it's his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he's ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That's definitely unusual. Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane's dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can't find a way through it-they're both going to die.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Mothwing
You have to really care about men with sad childhoods/sad positions in life doing it to love this. A member of the better class of the oppressed (a rich white gay aristocrat in the England of the 19th century) falls in love with a commoner (and wizard policeman) who hates this aristocrat's family.
On the subject of the time, the characters don't behave as though they were born into the English class system at the time at all. The Aristocrat has the excuse of having lived outside the country for twenty years, the other main character is a poor commoner and has everything to lose. Their differences ought to have come up more, to say the least.
Oh, and also, the book wants us to know via the commoner/magic policeman that if an aristocratic rapist goes on a rape rampage, it's the servant women's fault for not doing more to stop it.
All in all, it Finisheds like the first draft of something or something that wanted to be a mediocre movie rather than a bad book.
I can't really comment on the romance novel aspect of this because I hardly ever Finished romance novels if it can be avoided, but it does not seem very inventive and regurgitates countless tropes without adding much. But maybe, that's what romance Finisheders like, what do I know. The characters are not fleshed out enough for either conflict or great romance, so there is neitehr. The height difference is creepy, but it's the least of the problems these people should have when getting together, but their interactions don't ring true. Especially the attempt at the D/s dynamic is unreal and, given the very real discrepancies between the characters, also more than a bit creepy.
And yet I finished it. This series was recommended to me by an acquaintance from an LGBT forum after we'd talked about books for a while and shared mutual interests (I don't Finished Romance novels, but I do Finished Fantasy). She then warmly recommended this series, and it being short and cheap, I bought it. I did finish the book, though. It is entertainingly written, there is that. The magic system is interesting enough to see past the romance aspect, which does loom rather large, however.
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Well, the wizard hates the aristocrat's family until the second page, then he's madly in love. There are childhood abuse and rape used as props. There is no thought spared about whatever else was going on at the time, just watching two guys fall for each other due to a lack of other gay men.On the subject of the time, the characters don't behave as though they were born into the English class system at the time at all. The Aristocrat has the excuse of having lived outside the country for twenty years, the other main character is a poor commoner and has everything to lose. Their differences ought to have come up more, to say the least.
Oh, and also, the book wants us to know via the commoner/magic policeman that if an aristocratic rapist goes on a rape rampage, it's the servant women's fault for not doing more to stop it.
All in all, it Finisheds like the first draft of something or something that wanted to be a mediocre movie rather than a bad book.
I can't really comment on the romance novel aspect of this because I hardly ever Finished romance novels if it can be avoided, but it does not seem very inventive and regurgitates countless tropes without adding much. But maybe, that's what romance Finisheders like, what do I know. The characters are not fleshed out enough for either conflict or great romance, so there is neitehr. The height difference is creepy, but it's the least of the problems these people should have when getting together, but their interactions don't ring true. Especially the attempt at the D/s dynamic is unreal and, given the very real discrepancies between the characters, also more than a bit creepy.
And yet I finished it. This series was recommended to me by an acquaintance from an LGBT forum after we'd talked about books for a while and shared mutual interests (I don't Finished Romance novels, but I do Finished Fantasy). She then warmly recommended this series, and it being short and cheap, I bought it. I did finish the book, though. It is entertainingly written, there is that. The magic system is interesting enough to see past the romance aspect, which does loom rather large, however.
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LibraryThing member fred_mouse
This was an adorable romp, despite the sinister under tones and the careful juggling of lives and lifestyles in order to not end up dead (not much of a spoiler -- the wealthy aristocratic protagonist nearly ends up dead on the first page). A queer romance that doesn't gloss over the risks/dangers
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of being queer in the particular British historical setting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
I very much enjoyed this story. It has been a while since I've seen anything that prompted me to read something new (I've been mostly re-reading favorite books lately). The fact that it was free to my Kindle may have had something to do with it LOL. I am really very glad that I decided to try this
This first installment is a Victorian Urban Fantasy with two easy to like main characters. Lucien had been shipped off to China by his father as a teenager while morally reprehensible older brother was raised to take over the Lordship's estates. When Lucien's father and brother both die, Lucien must return to take over the family's holdings. Once home, Lucien becomes victim of the same curse which had murdered his father and brother, and he seeks assistance from the local wizard population.
However, the wizard who arrives to assist him is un-inclined to to help as his family had been destroyed by Lucien's father. Fortunately, Lucien proves himself to be a completely different sort of lord and Stephen begins to try and unravel the person behind the curse. His investigation leads to unsettling discoveries about the source of the curse and startling revelations about Lucien, the Magpie Lord.
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out. I've already purchased the two sequels and am really enjoying the ongoing story!This first installment is a Victorian Urban Fantasy with two easy to like main characters. Lucien had been shipped off to China by his father as a teenager while morally reprehensible older brother was raised to take over the Lordship's estates. When Lucien's father and brother both die, Lucien must return to take over the family's holdings. Once home, Lucien becomes victim of the same curse which had murdered his father and brother, and he seeks assistance from the local wizard population.
However, the wizard who arrives to assist him is un-inclined to to help as his family had been destroyed by Lucien's father. Fortunately, Lucien proves himself to be a completely different sort of lord and Stephen begins to try and unravel the person behind the curse. His investigation leads to unsettling discoveries about the source of the curse and startling revelations about Lucien, the Magpie Lord.
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LibraryThing member crtsjffrsn
Lucien Vaudrey has returned to England after a twenty-year exile to China to take up the title of Lord Crane following the deaths of his father and brother. Not long after his return, however, he started having blackouts in which he's tried to injure himself and is therefore very concerned. When a
This was the first book by K.J. Charles that I've read and I can see why she is one of the bigger names in m/m fiction. It was easy to understand and connect with the main characters and she writes them in a way that makes you root for them. Personally, the paranormal and mystery elements in the story are a draw as I do enjoy stories that contain either (and especially both). There is a lot that goes on in this book, though, and a lengthy roster of secondary characters that can be difficult to keep track of. Overall, though, I'd certainly recommend giving this a read - especially if you're someone who appreciates m/m romance historical paranormal mystery.
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friend sends him someone who might be able to help, Stephen Day, he has some hope despite Day's own history with the Vaudrey family. Lucien needs Stephen to find out what's going on and help him, but Lucien can't help feeling drawn to Stephen and the attraction seems mutual. And Stephen is left trying to root out the source of the problem while trying not to be distracted by the new Lord Crane.This was the first book by K.J. Charles that I've read and I can see why she is one of the bigger names in m/m fiction. It was easy to understand and connect with the main characters and she writes them in a way that makes you root for them. Personally, the paranormal and mystery elements in the story are a draw as I do enjoy stories that contain either (and especially both). There is a lot that goes on in this book, though, and a lengthy roster of secondary characters that can be difficult to keep track of. Overall, though, I'd certainly recommend giving this a read - especially if you're someone who appreciates m/m romance historical paranormal mystery.
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LibraryThing member richardderus
Rating: 4.5* of five
Yep. Big winner, this book. Big. Liked everything about it. Yeup. Everything.
I'll come back for a normal, articulate review soon.
***NOT-SOON***
Careless of me to lose sight of this really very enjoyable tale. The problems I still have with books featuring majgickq are lessened
And move on I did. I enjoyed the sexual heat between the men. I approved of the sheer unbothered indifference of Lord Crane to social disapprobation. Day's history with Crane's family lends this story a lovely enemies-to-frenemies-to-lovers dynamic that more often than not works well for me. It affords me the opportunity to size up characters in their rounded, 3-D being, which is an index of how well I will respond to a given author's thought processes.
Author Charles, in this outing, comes through my maze of mishegas and misanthropy with nary a hair out of place. Another series to follow with eager gratitude for the pleasures I am confident I will receive.
PS it's a laugh riot on top (!) of everything else.
Yep. Big winner, this book. Big. Liked everything about it. Yeup. Everything.
I'll come back for a normal, articulate review soon.
***NOT-SOON***
Careless of me to lose sight of this really very enjoyable tale. The problems I still have with books featuring majgickq are lessened
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when, like Author Charles, one goes to the trouble of thinking the actions and reactions necessary to make the manipulation of the world work consistently. The Magpie Lord, ancestor of Lord Crane, our main character, is never explicitly described nor is his codification of majgickq's workings explored. I nevertheless was convinced by the fussiness and sticklerishness of Day, the judiciary of magical crimes hired to deal with the Magpie Lord's various magical issues, that the system of this world was well thought out and believable enough for me to move on.And move on I did. I enjoyed the sexual heat between the men. I approved of the sheer unbothered indifference of Lord Crane to social disapprobation. Day's history with Crane's family lends this story a lovely enemies-to-frenemies-to-lovers dynamic that more often than not works well for me. It affords me the opportunity to size up characters in their rounded, 3-D being, which is an index of how well I will respond to a given author's thought processes.
Author Charles, in this outing, comes through my maze of mishegas and misanthropy with nary a hair out of place. Another series to follow with eager gratitude for the pleasures I am confident I will receive.
PS it's a laugh riot on top (!) of everything else.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Lord Crane keeps trying to kill himself, but he doesn’t want to. When it turns out that a curse on his odious family has also ensnared him, he enlists a magical practitioner to help. Stephen has reason to hate the lord’s family, but he sure likes the look of the lord. They fall in lust (maybe
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love) and fight magical crime! Exactly what I wanted. Show Less
LibraryThing member Peepers82
Too many people have written fantastic reviews, but I shall give some quick thoughts.
I CAN'T believe this is a debut novel. Where has this wonderful woman been all my life?! The author said the second book comes out in January and she has the third one in second draft!
Anways, this book is FUN.
Raise the church hands for sexuality not really being an issue in this book. In fact, the issue was often remarked on in amusing ways ie. the butler Graham commenting on wet trousers.
RIDICULOUS UST. These characters get interupted more times than I can count, but at least things kept moving story-wise each time it happened. But, yeah, dirty talk, arm pinning, desks, champagne hands, and a roguish smuggler. SIGN MY ASS UP!!!
The magpie element was so awesome and it was interwoven continously throughout the story in interesting ways. From tattooes, woodwork, rings, to actual magpies.
I CAN'T WAIT for the next book.
I love Stephen and Crane so, so much.
And Ami called it totally. BAMF!Merrick = ♥
I CAN'T believe this is a debut novel. Where has this wonderful woman been all my life?! The author said the second book comes out in January and she has the third one in second draft!
Anways, this book is FUN.
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Amazing banter between both of the main characters, as well as the secondary characters. Fun magic that reminded me of being excited by storylines like this as a kid, but it's definitely all adult in tone. Hilarious moments throughout the book that kept making me giggle. This book has PLOT. Lots of it. Warlocks, earls, witches, power struggles, class, and more.Raise the church hands for sexuality not really being an issue in this book. In fact, the issue was often remarked on in amusing ways ie. the butler Graham commenting on wet trousers.
RIDICULOUS UST. These characters get interupted more times than I can count, but at least things kept moving story-wise each time it happened. But, yeah, dirty talk, arm pinning, desks, champagne hands, and a roguish smuggler. SIGN MY ASS UP!!!
The magpie element was so awesome and it was interwoven continously throughout the story in interesting ways. From tattooes, woodwork, rings, to actual magpies.
I CAN'T WAIT for the next book.
I love Stephen and Crane so, so much.
And Ami called it totally. BAMF!Merrick = ♥
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LibraryThing member ViragoReads
A fascinating historical novel with M/M protagonists and magic!
Lucien Crane was exiled to Shanghai by his father for being a troublesome teen, to say the least. Twenty years later he returned to England after the suicide of both father and older brother, as he is the only remaining heir. Lucien has
Stephen's family had been wrong by Lucien's and much as it pained him to help, it was his duty and also the right thing to do. While helping to stop the curse that caused his father, brother and (almost) Lucien to commit suicide, they uncover a much bigger plot.
There is much mystery, magic, and men-in-love. I enjoyed the pacing of the story, the plot, and the characters. Merrick is my favorite!
The narrator did an excellent job of capturing the voices of the characters. I could picture them all clearly in my head. I'm very excited that the next in series picks up where this story left off and am looking forward to it!
Lucien Crane was exiled to Shanghai by his father for being a troublesome teen, to say the least. Twenty years later he returned to England after the suicide of both father and older brother, as he is the only remaining heir. Lucien has
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walked into the middle of a plot to get rid of/control his family line/fortune. He hires, Stephen Day, a shaman or 'practioner' to help. Things explode from there.Stephen's family had been wrong by Lucien's and much as it pained him to help, it was his duty and also the right thing to do. While helping to stop the curse that caused his father, brother and (almost) Lucien to commit suicide, they uncover a much bigger plot.
There is much mystery, magic, and men-in-love. I enjoyed the pacing of the story, the plot, and the characters. Merrick is my favorite!
The narrator did an excellent job of capturing the voices of the characters. I could picture them all clearly in my head. I'm very excited that the next in series picks up where this story left off and am looking forward to it!
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LibraryThing member lycomayflower
The first in the A Charm of Magpies series, The Magpie Lord sees Lord Crane suffering under some kind of malevolent spell and Stephen Day, the magician brought in to help him, conflicted by the treatment of his father by Lord Crane's family. They work together to sort out the nasty goings-on
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haunting the Crane estate (and they are nasty--the world building here is impressive, with the magic ringing frighteningly plausible) and start to fall for one another (natch). Could have been a little more fleshed out, perhaps, especially as far as the resolution to the plot went (and the romance, actually, could have had a little more meat to it (sorry, not sorry)), but a very entertaining story anyway. Show Less
LibraryThing member starlight70
I just have to say that I was hooked and found it to be quite difficult to put down the book. Although I was not sure of their chemistry at the beginning, as the story continued, I began to understand how these two men fit each other. The story was uncommon. The suspense was luring. I enjoyed this
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book and became a fan of K.J. Charles immediately. Show Less
LibraryThing member Evalangui
Very readable but ultimately not that interesting. I was also a bit disturbed by the transparency of the BDSM elements, which would suddenly show up any time it was time to get sexy. All in all, read Dresden Files fanfic.
LibraryThing member Bugetta
I wanted to like this book so much more than I actually did. The world building was great and I liked the characters as individuals but the romance didn't work for me at all. I'm intrigued enough by the world building that I'll continue the series, but I'm going to wait until all the books are out
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and read it likes it's one big novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member alexyskwan
Good worldbuilding, vivid descriptions of both scenery and characters, okay prose, and decent pacing. The story kept me intrigued for the length of the book. And the two main characters are quite fascinating, though I feel there should be more actual words in Shanghainese instead of being told
All in all, a quick and engaging read
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quite a number of times that the character was speaking Shanghainese but who knows what he's saying. But since the POV was the other character at the time, I guess that's forgivable.All in all, a quick and engaging read
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LibraryThing member alexyskwan
Good worldbuilding, vivid descriptions of both scenery and characters, okay prose, and decent pacing. The story kept me intrigued for the length of the book. And the two main characters are quite fascinating, though I feel there should be more actual words in Shanghainese instead of being told
All in all, a quick and engaging read
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quite a number of times that the character was speaking Shanghainese but who knows what he's saying. But since the POV was the other character at the time, I guess that's forgivable.All in all, a quick and engaging read
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LibraryThing member elisa.rolle
while of course this was a paranormal romance, the historical setting was so throughout that it read more like a classical historical romance. my only complaint is that Crane previous life in China seemed so interesting it was a pity we read few words about it... for example the story behind the
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tattoo? just an hint and nothing else. but in the end, this was a book that kept me rapt until I reached the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
I was liking the characters and interested in what would happen, but then things really came together toward the end and increased my enjoyment even more.
LibraryThing member Gretchening
I love this!!! KJ Charles is such a consistently great writer of historical m/m romance (I'm sure her other stuff is also good and at some point I will check it out). I enjoyed the creepy, gruesome magic aspects of this book. I'd give warnings about (magic) suicide and death of a baby. I love the
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dynamic between Stephen and Lucien, their distrust of one another and coming to like one another felt uncontrived and real. I loved Lucien's distaste for his family, and his unconcerned embrace of his sexuality (a delight, given how often historical queer novels have to address internalized homophobia, this book had two men comfortable in themselves and only really concerned with external threats related to their sexuality). There's some homophobic slurs lobbed at them, and they do come under threat. The sex scene at the end is a delight, and I'll be picking up more books in this series! Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
Currently free via Kindle. Better than I expected. Kept me distracted for a couple of hours and that was all I wanted. Easy to read and right pacing of plot.
LibraryThing member sharrow
Loved this. Fresh, clever and the world building was marvy. Loved the characters, especially Crane. Clean and crisp writing that kept me engrossed from beginning to end. Magic.
Thoroughly enjoyed and I simply cannot wait till the next book comes out. Has to be one of my favourite reads this year.
Thoroughly enjoyed and I simply cannot wait till the next book comes out. Has to be one of my favourite reads this year.
LibraryThing member Tonwand
Fantastic suspense/mystery storytelling. Lucien and Stephen, what can I say? They're two of the best-written characters I've read. Lucien's not your typical lordly gentleman, and Stephen's no ordinary magician.
Ghosts, magic and magpies. What a page-turner. Equally enjoyed the bonus story at the end.
Ghosts, magic and magpies. What a page-turner. Equally enjoyed the bonus story at the end.
LibraryThing member brittaniethekid
This was such a fun and entertaining read. A Victorian-era paranormal mystery with magic, sex, and cheeky dialogue. Some character choices were suspect and I wanted a little more about the ghost's fate (which is never addressed in this book) but overall I really liked it and couldn't put it down.
LibraryThing member amberwitch
A lovely little historical fantasy set in Victorian London. Excellent worldbuilding and characters. Murder, magic, sex and romance, and a plot that ties them together seamlessly, in a world that is coherent and well-constructed
LibraryThing member ShazOV
I've been saying for a long time that I don't like historical. And honestly, I will stand by that. However, this isn't just historical, this is fantasy/paranormal historical. And I'm coming to discover this is a complete different kettle of fish. And a genre (or authors, lol) that I am loving.
I've
I've
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had this book sitting on my shelf for over 4 years. And now I'm kicking myself it's taken that long for me to read it *grin* At least I don't have to wait for any of the sequels to be published, I can just keep on reading! Show Less
LibraryThing member caedocyon
Cute, fun, surprisingly high body count! Will definitely keep reading these.
LibraryThing member quondame
A raunchy M/M romantasy in 19th England when the dispossessed wastrel son of an earl returns from exile to take over a property not so much encumbered by debt as by malign magic and finds himself dependent on the son of a family his father and brother ruined. And likes it. Mostly. Except for the
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death magic parts. This pair spend a bit of time circling each other, then read signals and blast ahead. Show Less
Awards
Gaylactic Spectrum Award (Shortlist — Novel — [Published in 2014], 2014/2015)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2013-09-03
ISBN
1619221144 / 9781619221147