Flight of Magpies

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.Stephen's prodigy Jenny Saint is accused of stealing, and it becomes worse when she supposedly steals The Magpie Lord's ring which is powerful but also HIGHLY sentimental for him. When he realizes her alibi is a relationship between her and Frank Merrick he basically loses it. His partner Esther has her own reasons for taking a little break from using magic and her job in general which leaves Stephen almost on his own to deal with horrible deaths of policemen. But besides all that there is one thing he promised Lucien he would do and well, sort of "forgot" with all the things on his mind - Lady Elise Bruton. Remember her? In the first book she was the only survivor from the coven who tried to take charge of the Magpie Lord's power (meaning Lucien's blood..). It feels like no one is on his side. Though he has Lucien, what he wants, what he offers Stephen freely - his love, his arms around him and also his help - is something Stephen is still struggling to accept. Which frustrated Lucien enough to blow up a punching bag. Wait, what? Yeah.. there is also something wrong or rather TOO powerful going on in the magical connection between them.In the end the Magpie Lord's power - THEIR power - was always in working together. In being one, in trusting in one another and that's what it takes for them to unravel all the little bit and pieces together - the cop killer, the thief, the missing ring, the Council's irresponsible behavior towards the justiciaries, the power shift between them and last but not least their final nemesis.I'm heart broken to let this book and series go. I'm so glad we'll have 3 more books even if not of these two (maybe we'll get a little appearance? pretty please?). I loved everything about the relationship of these two. The way they connected, how their relationship evolved. Though I'm not a big fan of D/s it felt like with them it simply worked and I could understand why sexually Stephen needed to let go at exactly the point Lucien needed to be the leader, to call the shots (which interestingly enough was a shift from their behavior outside their bed chamber). I think that in the long run though it would still be their "thing" it might change with the way their relationship evolved and both men realizes what they need from one another and what they are willing to give and change in themselves to make this relationship work.Final words - this series is a MUST READ. It has everything anyone would even need - A beautiful relationship buildup of too strong characters. Banter galore between more than just them. Hilarious moments to highlight and laugh just thinking about them again. Mystery and action. A very interesting and different setup in Victorian London filled with magic.A MASTER PIECE. These two have been MY joy.Feast of Stephen: Like in the previous novels, this is an extra bonus epilogue of our two favorite MCs including Merrick and Jenny Saint (now Merrick's significant other). 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.Ever wondered what a low key day would be like for these two couples? Be prepared for a TREAT. FINALLY the four of them go to the retreat Lucien have promised to take Stephen and there they spend a fun evening together, getting to know each other a bit better and get used to living together. Jenny is really sweet, I wish we got more of her (together with Merrick!), she might be a bit intimidated by our Lord Crane but I think it won't take her long to loosen up once she sees how he is in person. We get another story of the guys back from their time in the far east as well as the sexy times Stephen promised to sometime try with Lucien.At the very end there is a promise of the story of Jonah Pastern. He was a sort of a villain in this one though it was easy to see he wasn't mean or cruel about it. His story is told in Jackdaw (I'll be getting into it ASAP).More @ Ultra Meital Reviews.

Noooo, I don’t wanna say goodbye to Stephen or Crane, or the others. I love them with all my heart, and will miss going on mystical and magical adventures led by the intrepid Stephen. The repartee among this found family is fantastic and the chemistry between Crane and Stephen is smoking.Stephen shut his eyes again, whispering the words. “I’m powerless. I’m at your mercy. You can do whatever you want.”That. Dear God, that moment when Stephen gave up his defenses, dropped his shields. Crane wanted to throw him down and have him right there, no games, just pure wild need. He bit it back. “What I want is to bring you to your knees, my beautiful witch.”Mmm, yes please, and again. Perhaps they’ll have some cameos in the spin-offs. If not, I’ll see them in my dreams.

The writing is tight in this story. Concise, meaty and clever. More than once I had the urge to start reading aloud just so I could hear the words. Subtle and yet demanding of my full attention, exciting and lovely and sexy.Before I get to characters and plot, I must start with the tattoos. They continue to play an important and, most excitingly, ever changing role. Not just as a part of the story but as an expression of the continuing evolution in Crane and Stephen’s relationship, revealing the changes in each of them, changes they feel as a couple, as well as changes in their powers, supernatural and not. They’re my favorite common thread (ok, there is one other, more on… him, later) throughout all of the stories in this series. Instead of ever coming close to resembling a gimmick, they are an important part of this universe. One of the beating hearts within these books.There are no plot holes to speak of within this story. No dangling bits are left in question, except those of the best kind, of course. Anything left unresolved is simply a part of the natural progression of the connection between Lucien and Stephen.Speaking of, Crane and Stephen are sigh-worthy, equally matched – except when they’re not, by choice, and that is utterly delicious – and they’re intelligent, silly, and simply besotted with each other. There is so much more to their story, despite already having made it through three novels and a couple of short stories. I really enjoy the fact that it’s Crane who is the first to state his desires when it comes to their future, and that it’s Stephen who feels torn and overwhelmed, uncertain. It lends itself to very real and natural feeling conflict and tension. Which, of course, leads to oh so satisfying progress.Continuing on that, the dialogue rings very true, very real. It feels right in relation to the personalities for all of the characters, both main and supporting, and that translates into boat loads of investment for me as the reader. I want to know what happens, I worry about what might happen, I hope it all happens.The action scenes are fantastically constructed and well placed. None felt superfluous. They all helped move the story forward, no interruptions, and always managed to reveal something unexpected. I continue to contend that all-out action scenes, with multiple players, are very challenging to convey logically. Every character has to act and react in ways that make sense, not just emotionally but, physically. To keep it all straight in one’s mind as a reader necessitates that level of difficulty multiplied times ten for the author, in my book.Now then, back to that “one other” common thread throughout these books that I simply adore, cannot do without and gave me quite a scare in this one: Merrick. Ah, Merrick. Awwww, Merrick! I love that we learn much more about his personality in this story. He became and is now a multi-dimensional character for me. He’s not “just” the snarky savior for Lucien, and now Stephen. He’s that steady heartbeat you hear in the background, all while mayhem, confusion, and tension are swirling around London and its peculiarities, including its residents. ;)Lucien and Stephen made me growl, in the best way. Sexy, intimate, demanding and frantic. They’re both thinking more and more in terms of “us” as opposed to “me” when it comes to imagining their future. Not just imagining but working to make those desires a reality.There is so much to grab onto in this book. Handfuls, armloads of tension and gore and sexy and doubt and victory. This third installment of this series has definitely earned its place on my best of 2014 shelf.

Ótimo final, mas queria mais

The tension and conflict at the beginning felt quite weak but Ms. Charles turned it all around and made the rest of the book exciting and satisfying. I love how it ended and wish all the main characters well. I will miss them. Glad to know there’s some spin-offs!

As the magpie lord bond between Lucien and Stephen strengthens and the magic becomes more unpredictable, they rush to solve a spate of robberies and gruesome deaths in this third book in the Charm of Magpies series. Meanwhile, their relationship is becoming less secret, Stephen’s job more untenable, and the idea of living abroad more desirable - the writing seems to be on the wall. I’ve enjoyed KJ Charles’ blend of humour, Victorian manners, mystery, and magical horror - they all work seamlessly together. I’ve also enjoyed the contrasting MCs: Lucien is tall, rich, handsome, and mocking of his reputation as only the very rich can be, whereas Stephen, is short, poor, badly-dressed, and serious about his work and his secrets. The world-build has been strong and I’m glad KJ has written some standalones set in the same world, it would be a shame to leave it and Cornell Collins’ excellent narrations so soon. Bonus points for the generous extra story Feast Of Stephen!

Charles proves she writes the domesticated, lived-in side of the romance just as well as the blossoming. The conflict here is done well - you get the sense that it is what comes with being together long term and outside influences such as Stephen's work intruding, rather than any actual trouble at home. And to actually have them TALK! So much in this genre relies on communication breakdown which is frustrating. Hlad to see KJC is not tempted by that easy out.

Like in A Case of Possession, I enjoyed how much relationship focus there was in this story. The more issues Stephen and Lucien work through and conquer, the more confident I as a reader am that their love will last forever—or at least till their deaths, if there isn’t a true afterlife in their universe aside from becoming ghosts.Merrick was more interesting in this book, but no spoilers beyond that. Another secondary character I kind of liked was Jonah Pastern, and I’m very excited that Jonah will be one of the heroes in Jack Daw! In addition, Jenny Saint was cute, especially in her dialogues, and Daniel Gold (Esther’s husband) is pretty cool.The last thing I want to say at the end of this trilogy, is that I really liked both Lucien and Stephen. It’s important to have likable leads.