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The Magpie Lord

Book 1 in the series:A Charm of Magpies

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The Magpie Lord is a historical fantasy novel that follows the story of Lord Crane, who returns to England after 20 years in China to take up his title. Under a malevolent spell, Lord Crane enlists the help of magician Stephen Day, who has his own reasons to dislike Lord Crane's family. Together, they unravel mysteries, confront dark magic, and navigate a complex relationship while dealing with threats related to their sexuality. The book features elements of suspense, paranormal activities, intricate worldbuilding, and a blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance genres.

Characters:

The characters are well-defined with intriguing backstories; Lucien embodies a morally complex aristocrat while Stephen represents a determined magician, leading to a dynamic and evolving relationship.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by sharp wit and engaging dialogue, complemented with vivid descriptions, creating an immersive reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves together elements of a historical mystery and romance, centering on a cursed lord and a magician who helps him while they navigate their burgeoning relationship.

Setting:

The setting is a richly imagined Victorian England, intricately detailed with elements of magic and an examination of societal class dynamics.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast, maintaining reader engagement through a blend of action, romance, and mystery, although some may find it a bit rushed.
The grey awful misery tangled round his heart and throat, choking him, sickening him with the vileness of his own nature. The shame and self-loathing too deep for repentance, too deep for words. Too d...

Notes:

The Magpie Lord is the first book in the A Charm of Magpies series by K.J. Charles.
It's set in Victorian England and features elements of magic and romance.
The protagonists are Lucien Vaudrey, a disillusioned aristocrat, and Stephen Day, a magician with a troubled past.
The book explores themes of class difference and the struggles of being gay in a repressive society.
Despite its historical setting, the book incorporates a unique magical system that includes sorcerers and practitioners.
The romance between Lucien and Stephen develops amidst a mystery involving curses and supernatural threats.
Critics praised the witty banter between characters and the well-developed plot.
The book contains explicit sexual scenes that are integral to the narrative.
The author, K.J. Charles, is known for her queer romance novels with strong character development.
The series includes humor and a mix of suspenseful and steamy moments, making it an engaging read.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include discussions of suicide, homophobia, and potential violence associated with the magical elements.

Has Romance?

The romance component is significant and central to the narrative.

From The Publisher:

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.

Warning: Contains hot m/m sex between a deeply inappropriate earl and a very confused magician, dark plots in a magical version of Victorian England, family values (not the good kind), and a lot of swearing. more

Ratings (31)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (12)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (3)

Reader Stats (77):

Read It (29)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (36)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (8)

2 comment(s)

Incredible
7 months

I was definitely in a mood for something like that. And I really enjoyed this story. It is short but doesn't feel undeveloped. And the characters, Crane and Stephan are great. The plot is really complicated for a short story with just enough twists and mystery. And I can't denied the feelings between Crane and Day. Still I liked that they didn't just go for each other after few chapters.


I'm definitely going to read another book in this series.

 
Incredible
9 months

The perfect book if you want something quick, short, and hot

 
 
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