Read my reviews of the previous books in the Will Darling Adventures series: Slippery Creatures (#1)The Sugared Game (#2) In most series in the suspense/thriller realm, even as a subgenre, the overall sense of danger starts small and then grows larger to encompass a threat to more people. Charles subverts this pattern for the Will … Continue reading Review: Subtle Blood (Will Darling Adventures #3) by K. J. Charles
Review: The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. Charles
Charles brings many of my favorite things about her writing to this book, such as dynamic and memorable characters and the politics of family and society. Robin and Hart clash immediately, which of course means that they are meant for each other. Hart sees through Robin and his sister’s fortune-hunting scheme and sets out to … Continue reading Review: The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. Charles
Review: The Sugared Game (Will Darling Adventures #2) by K.J. Charles
Read my review of the Will Darling Adventures #1, Slippery Creatures. Charles has such a fantastic gift for crafting worlds that I want to fall into, populated by characters I want to befriend. In fact, beyond the plot and romance of this particular novel, one of the elements I love best about it is the … Continue reading Review: The Sugared Game (Will Darling Adventures #2) by K.J. Charles
Review: Slippery Creatures (Will Darling Adventures #1) by K.J. Charles
The bad news: This book does not end with a happily ever after. The good news: Because it’s book 1 of a trilogy! Will and Kim have fabulous and intense chemistry that only enhances the plot they’re embroiled in, and I look forward to seeing their relationship develop throughout the next two books. As always, … Continue reading Review: Slippery Creatures (Will Darling Adventures #1) by K.J. Charles
Review: Gilded Cage (Lilywhite Boys #2) by K.J. Charles
I re-read the first Lilywhite Boys book right before starting this one, because I could and because it’s that good. This book concludes the short series admirably, though I highly recommend also making sure to read “The Ratcatcher’s Daughter” to get a better feel for the overall conflict. The first book is from a single … Continue reading Review: Gilded Cage (Lilywhite Boys #2) by K.J. Charles
Review: The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (Lilywhite Boys #0.5) by K.J. Charles
One of my favorite things about K.J. Charles’ writing is how she weaves together emotion, intrigue, and suspense. Another of my favorite things is how she inserts non-straight and nonbinary characters without unnecessary fanfare into historical fiction that too often lacks such representation as it it never existed before the twentieth century. In combination, she … Continue reading Review: The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (Lilywhite Boys #0.5) by K.J. Charles
Review: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) by K.J. Charles
Though it's not stated explicitly, I think this book is best read after the author's The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal. Some secondary characters cross over, and it provides a good grounding on how the supernatural exists in this world. However, this book takes a deeper look at the nature of magic in this version … Continue reading Review: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) by K.J. Charles
Review: Proper English (Think of England #0.5) by K.J. Charles
I will happily read pages and pages of characters in a historical novel interact at a house party. Bonus points if half of them don't like each other, the other half like each other a bit too much, and at least one person is outright rude. I enjoyed myself so much, following the point of … Continue reading Review: Proper English (Think of England #0.5) by K.J. Charles
Review: Any Old Diamonds (Lilywhite Boys #1) by K.J. Charles
K.J. Charles has officially become one of "those authors," in which I purchase the book on release day and stay up way too late finishing it on a work night. And I have zero regrets about it. This particular book references the concept of the Victorian-era melodrama multiple times. Then, it drags the reader along … Continue reading Review: Any Old Diamonds (Lilywhite Boys #1) by K.J. Charles
Review: “Remnant” (Caldwell & Feximal/Whyborne & Griffin Mystery) by K.J. Charles& Jordan L. Hawk
This short story is available as a free download from K.J. Charles' website. It is best read after Stormhaven (Whyborne & Griffin #3) by Jordan L. Hawk and the full collection of The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by K.J. Charles because it contains significant spoilers for both. There need to be more cross-over stories between authors I enjoy … Continue reading Review: “Remnant” (Caldwell & Feximal/Whyborne & Griffin Mystery) by K.J. Charles& Jordan L. Hawk
Review: The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by K.J. Charles
This intertwining collection of "short stories" are a blast to read, and I love the idea of a Holmes and Watson style pairing working together in the occult realm. This is definitely a case where the author's notes at the end enhance the coolness of what I just read, and shows how the author's research … Continue reading Review: The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by K.J. Charles
Review: “A Queer Trade” and Rag and Bone (A Charm of Magpies World) by K.J. Charles
This connected short story and novel take place in the world of A Charm of Magpies. A reader will get the most of these stories after reading the initial trilogy and Jackdaw. This story looks at yet another side of the magic world established in the trilogy A Charm of Magpies. Crispin and Ned are … Continue reading Review: “A Queer Trade” and Rag and Bone (A Charm of Magpies World) by K.J. Charles
Review: Jackdaw (A Charm of Magpies World) by K.J. Charles
I thoroughly enjoy this historical fantasy world, and I'm so glad that it extends beyond the initial trilogy. Part of what I loved most about this book in particular was seeing this world through new eyes, by a person who is neither magic nor cushioned by wealth and privilege. I was not expecting to see … Continue reading Review: Jackdaw (A Charm of Magpies World) by K.J. Charles
Reviews: “Interlude with Tattoos,” “The Smuggler and the Warlord,” and “Feast of Stephen” (A Charm of Magpies short stories) by K.J. Charles
The following short stories are part of the Charm of Magpies series, an historical fantasy-romance world by K.J. Charles. They are best read as companions to the main trilogy. Lucien Vaudrey, or Lord Crane, has seven magpie tattoos. This is presented in the first book of the trilogy, and only part of what makes him … Continue reading Reviews: “Interlude with Tattoos,” “The Smuggler and the Warlord,” and “Feast of Stephen” (A Charm of Magpies short stories) by K.J. Charles
Review: Flight of Magpies (A Charm of Magpies #3) by K.J. Charles
I found this series right before the previous publishing company it was being published with folded. I was devastated, because it meant waiting months until I could finish the trilogy. Luckily, it was absolutely worth the wait. The conclusion to this trilogy brought together much of the story and plot elements from the previous books, … Continue reading Review: Flight of Magpies (A Charm of Magpies #3) by K.J. Charles
Reviews: “Song for a Viking” and “Wanted, an Author” by K.J. Charles
The following stories are available for free on the author's website and cannot be read as stand-alones. They are lovely follow-ups to the novels referenced in the reviews. "Song for a Viking" takes place immediately after the novel Think of England and is best read with the ending of the book in mind. I enjoyed this … Continue reading Reviews: “Song for a Viking” and “Wanted, an Author” by K.J. Charles
Review: Wanted, a Gentleman by K.J. Charles
Happy 500th blog post to me! Thanks for hanging out with me. I was initially unsure whether I wanted to read this book, despite my previous enjoyment of all of the author's works. However, a quiet evening at home when I knew I was falling ill demanded comfort reading, and this book was the perfect … Continue reading Review: Wanted, a Gentleman by K.J. Charles
Reviews: “A Confidential Problem” and “A Private Miscellany” (Society of Gentlemen short stories) by K.J. Charles
The two following reviews are of content freely available on the author's website as supplemental material to the Society of Gentlemen series. Neither can be read as stand-alone, but are best enjoyed following a read of the full series. "A Confidential Problem" is a lovely deleted scene that shows David Cyprian and Silas Mason, two … Continue reading Reviews: “A Confidential Problem” and “A Private Miscellany” (Society of Gentlemen short stories) by K.J. Charles
Review: Think of England by K.J. Charles
If you've ever watched Downton Abbey and thought, "This show could use more espionage, blackmail, and murder," this is the book for you! What I especially enjoyed about this book is that it is primarily a mystery/thriller with an excellent romance subplot. But more importantly, the romance subplot informs and adds to the tension of the … Continue reading Review: Think of England by K.J. Charles
Review: “The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh” (Society of Gentlemen short story) by K.J. Charles
This short story acts as a sort of prequel to the Society of Gentlemen series, filling in the background for one of the established parings in the full trilogy. It can be read as a stand-alone. My favorite part of this story is card game of "strip poker," though Ash and Francis are playing a … Continue reading Review: “The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh” (Society of Gentlemen short story) by K.J. Charles