Flight of Magpies by K.J. Charles

Narrated by Cornell Collins

So compelling was K.J. Charles’ Flight of Magpies that I listened to all six-and-a-half-hours of it in one sitting. In the third book of the A Charm of Magpies series, the author has crafted an engrossing story full of intrigue, magic and danger which pits our heroes, Lucien, Lord Crane and practitioner (magician) Stephen Day, against some truly evil old enemies bent on revenge while at the same time exploring the effects of, for want of a better expression, ‘real life’ on a couple in an established – although illegal – relationship.

Please note that there are spoilers for books one and two in this review.

By the end of book two of the trilogy, A Case of Possession, Lucien and Stephen are a couple; ILYs have been exchanged, Lucien has decided to remain in England with Stephen – at least, until such time as he can persuade his lover to go to Shanghai with him – and they’re in it for the long haul. Stephen has always been a bit elusive, but he’s now spending several nights a week at Lucien’s flat and their lives are becoming more and more intertwined, and not just because they are inextricably linked together by an ancient and potent magic. Lucien’s ancestor, The Magpie Lord, was the most powerful sorcerer England has ever seen, and although Lucien has no magical abilities himself, the supernatural power that runs through his blood can somehow amplify Stephen’s already considerable abilities and together, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Over the past few weeks, Lucien has become increasingly concerned about Stephen, who is running himself ragged. As a justiciar – a practitioner who is responsible for bringing to justice any practitioner who harms others, whether magical or non-magical – his case-load is backing up and there aren’t enough hours in the day for him to get everything done; and with the Justiciar Council refusing to pay to employ any more justiciars, he’s aware he’s fighting a losing battle. Lucien knows the job is important to Stephen, but also knows of his lover’s propensity to take the world’s woes upon his shoulders and his desire to fix everything. Stephen’s refusal to delegate or to ease back is a constant source of disagreement, although up until now, they’ve managed to avoid allowing it to come between them.

Until a theft from Lucien’s flat and a series of gruesome murders spark off a train of events that look set to part them forever in the most final – and fatal – way possible.

I’m not going to say any more about the plot, which is superbly constructed and circles cleverly back to the events of The Magpie Lord – so if you haven’t read or listened to that, you’ll likely be a bit lost if you try to dive into the series here. I love the world the author has created in these stories; a Victorian England that is recognisable but in which magic exists (under the radar for all but a few) – and I love this pair of truly unforgettable protagonists who at first seem like a mismatch, but are anything but. Lucien and Stephen are multi-faceted, three-dimensional characters with problems (other than the people trying to kill them!), trust issues, and an unusual power dynamic, who are highly intelligent, full of street-smarts, used to a bit of a walk on the wild side and prepared to stand up and fight for what they believe in. They’re passionate lovers – both in bed, where Stephen’s desire to submit fits perfectly with Lucien’s to dominate – and out, where it’s clear that each would lay down his life for the other, and Lucien’s smart mouth and frequent sarcasm can sometimes give way to the most heart-meltingly gorgeous pronouncements:

“But I do hope you are aware, my sweet, somewhere in that absurd heart, that I am ever, entirely, and quite pathetically yours.”

I also have to give huge props to the way in which K.J. Charles injects a degree of drama into their relationship without resorting to a ridiculous Big Misunderstanding; in fact the things which drive a wedge between the couple are things I’m sure many of us can relate to today, namely pressure of work and a poor work-life balance, or one partner being prepared to invest more than the other. The scene where Lucien finally snaps and tells Stephen he isn’t prepared to play second fiddle any more is superbly done and feels incredibly authentic; my heart broke for both of them, for Lucien who is so incredibly strong and proud and yet so desperately in love, and for Stephen, also deeply in love and with no idea how to balance his desire for a life with Lucien with his need to fix things and bring wrongdoers to justice.

A fabulous story like this demands a fabulous narrator, and Ms. Charles has been lucky enough to find just that in Cornell Collins, who delivers a thoroughly engaging, flawless performance. The novel moves at a fast pace – the action takes place over just a few days – and he keeps things moving, too, seamlessly transitioning from action-packed narrative to scenes full of intense dialogue and strong emotion. His interpretation of Lucien is perfect, that cut-glass accent and ennui-laden drawl conjuring up the image of a handsome, dapper ice-man who could sneer for England – and which makes the filthy things he says sound even filthier ;) – his tone far softer and more gently amused when speaking to Stephen, whose softer tenor nonetheless conveys the practitioner’s inner fire and strength. Merrick continues to be awesome, and I adore his gravelly not-taking-any-of-Crane’s-crap manner which Mr. Collins once again captures with impeccable insight. All the secondary characters are expertly rendered, too; Stephen’s partner, Esther Gold and her husband Dan are a pair of waspish South Africans (sounding uncannily like my mother-in-law!), Jenny Saint’s higher-pitched, gorblimey accent fits her to a T, and we’re introduced to the character of Jonah Pastern, whose wry humour masks a desperate man – and whose book, Jackdaw, is near the top of my TBL pile.

I can’t recommend Flight of Magpies – indeed, the entire A Charm of Magpies series – highly enough. K.J. Charles is an incredibly talented author who seems to excel at everything she turns her hand to – Victorian melodrama (Sins of the Cities), Regency politics (Society of Gentlemen) and paranormal shenanigans of every kind. Her books are such a treat, and having them available in audio – and so very well narrated – really is the icing on a delicious cake.

Caz