The Magpie Lord (Charm of Magpies)

A straight romance masquerading as a gay one. I tried to just turn a blind eye to it, make up in-canon excuses for the author's decisions, but the sex scene at the end didn't even try to pretend that it was between two men. I finished the book furious at myself for falling for the hype and thinking this book would have compelling gay main characters. A pity, because the plot, premise, and writing were otherwise very fun and exciting, and I would have given it five stars if it had only just been honest. If you want one of them to be a woman, is it so hard to write a straight couple and not waste gay men's time with female self-inserts?

Very pleased

I just finished binge reading A Charm of Magpies trilogy by KJ Charles, which is M/M historical fantasy set during Victorian England and choc full of magical mysteries. I'm not a huge fan of murder mysteries as they tend to be too grim and dark for my tastes but I didn't have to worry about that with KJ Charles' writing because she peppers her stories with so much wit and humor. The books never become too gruesome and have their own charm instead. It was a lot of fun to read about Lord Crane, who was sent to China because his father wanted to get rid of him but he unexpectedly thrives there for more than two decades. He has lots of escapades all over Shanghai and the nearby region, together with his manservant Merrick. He inherits the title when his father and brother mysteriously die. He meets the magician Stephen Day when he urgently needs magical assistance. Shenanigans ensue, adventures were had, slow burn romance was developed, and the main characters learn more about themselves as they go along. I loved how sweet the romance was between the two main characters, they both had to work hard and make sacrifices for their relationship. They really are such a good match for each other. This series was my introduction to KJ Charles' writing and I will definitely check out the rest of her backlist. Highly recommended for readers of various genres: historical romance, fantasy and murder mystery.

This was a very charming quick read with magic, mystery and suspense about two unlikely friends turn lovers. It was a slow burn, they didn't fall in love so it was sweet to see the witty banter as their relationship deepened. Imagine Sherlock and Watson in love with magic. It did throw me to have one lead five feet tall, but Stephen Day makes up in power what he lacks in height. But it makes the love scenes memorable lol! Make sure you read the super sweet "Interlude of Tattoos" that serves as a transition.

I did enjoy this very much and will likely continue this series. This was also my first audio book that I listened all the way through. The narrator did an excellent job distinguishing the characters.

I would like to thank the person who suggested The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles. I am a sucker for low magic Victorian mysteries involving gentlemen who prefer gentlemen. This one has a rather classic gothic romance premise: disgraced younger son returns from twenty years abroad to a decaying country seat after the death of his father and horrible older brother to find he is cursed and a tangle of mysteries and family secrets to be solved if he is to survive. Only, with a bit of quality m/m romance and erotica instead of a female lead and heterosexual romance and erotica. It is very well written, with likeable characters, and interesting magical system, and surprisingly complex given the slenderness of the volume. I guessed the end, but I nearly always guess the end, and read it with enjoyment in one evening. I am looking forward to reading the sequels.

I wasn't certain what to expect when I bought this book. I was hoping for an entertaining story with a gay romance in a supernatural historical setting. The story delivers on all of that AND manages to tell a fun and compelling tale of magic and revenge. Though the book is a bit short, it actually feels like the right length for the story. It would have been nice to have more time with the characters, but that's what the sequels are for.