Danger in the air. Lovers on the brink.With the justiciary understaffed, a series of horrifying occult murders to be investigated, and a young student flying off the rails, magical law enforcer Stephen Day is under increasing stress. And the strain is starting to show in his relationship with his aristocratic lover, Lord Crane.Crane chafes at the restrictions of England’s laws, and there’s a … England’s laws, and there’s a worrying development in the blood-and-sex bond he shares with Stephen. A development that makes a sensible man question if they should be together at all.
Then a devastating loss brings the people he most loves into bitter conflict. Old enemies, new enemies, and unexpected enemies are painting Stephen and Crane into a corner, and the pressure threatens to tear them apart…
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Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! This series can’t be over! Damn. Just….damn.
I was actually blown away by all 3 books; even the short stories at the end of each one was great. This one had lots of suspense and had me sitting on the edge of my chair. Some of the newness has worn off of Crane and Stephen’s relationship, and they are getting angry and hurt with each other. All sorts of magical (some very brutal) things begin to happen. I won’t give any spoilers; just know there will be lots of excitement. The magical bond-and love-Crane and Stephen have will be challenged. Both of our heroes have really grown over the course of 3 books. I was about swooning at the end of both the book and the short story that follows. Talk about freaking romantic! And Merrick? The man gets what he deserves.
Hopefully Ms. Charles will take pity on us one of these days and bring back these beloved characters again. Pretty please?
I fell in love with this series from the first book and stayed in love with it until the end. Magical and gritty, with sharp wit and clever quips, this book has everything I love. There’s the wonderfully crafted characters who have so much depth and complexities, the incredible world building that weaves magical realism with historical fiction, the fascinating plot that pushes the story forward at the perfect pace, and the delicious and spicy sex scenes that fit perfectly with the beautiful romance.
Flight of the Magpies was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy, although I’m so happy there are more short stories and other novels set in this world. Crane and Stephen have sealed there place as two of my favorite characters, and I can’t wait to revisit with them. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Audible Review
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Why does it have to be over???
It’s fitting that the last book for Stephen and Lucien would be my favorite. I really don’t want to say good-bye to these two- 3 books, plus the shorts, just isn’t enough! I could listen to a new story about them every week- so long as they’d continued to be narrated by Cornell Collins- he is sooo fantastic!
While A Case of Possession was probably the creepiest of the trilogy, this one was the toughest for me, considering all Stephen and Lucien go through as a couple. Lucien wants Stephen to be safe, Stephen wants to do what’s right. It’s a tough road for them both, as things do get personal.
I really enjoyed how the secondary characters came to be so important in this story. Merrick has been such a huge part of Lucien’s life for so long, I liked that we got a more intimate look into his life.
I’m so sad that this is it for Lord Crane and Stephen. Cornell Collins really brought this series to life for me- he was, in turn, Lord Crane and Stephen. His performance throughout this series has been outstanding. I could “see” everything thanks to him.
I am intrigued by Jonah Pastern- I wasn’t sure what to think of him, but after that little peek at the end I’m excited to see what’s to come for him! And since it’s part of the Marpie world hopefully we’ll see Stephen and Lucien!