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ladydewinter's review against another edition
4.0
Just as good as the first book. Great magical mystery, and the romance is lovely. I wish there were more of this - as it is, I will give The Astreiant series a try instead.
ETA: I finished listening to the audiobook and if anything, I like it even better now. I adore Julian and Ned, and while there is suspense and drama, it has a very understated feeling to it that I just love. I still haven't gotten around to reading the Astreiant series but I will start it during my holidays.
ETA: I finished listening to the audiobook and if anything, I like it even better now. I adore Julian and Ned, and while there is suspense and drama, it has a very understated feeling to it that I just love. I still haven't gotten around to reading the Astreiant series but I will start it during my holidays.
joreads7's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first in the series, but still a nice read.
lesbianmerle's review against another edition
5.0
good series great series, sequel does not dissapoint
mrella's review against another edition
5.0
I think I love this book even more than Death by Silver.
Same quality writing (still, there are a few pesky typos, but who cares, they are just that - typos), with amazing characters. Take Dolly Hall, for example. He dies in the very beginning of the book, but his presence is palpable all the way through the end. Challice, the poor soul. Stuck in a straight marriage, thinking himself an abomination at the same time longing for family and kids. There is not much of him in this story, either, but I couldn't help worrying about him and his wife.
Magic. Spells. Curses. Sex magic. Forbidden magic. Evil creatures. Half House. No, literally, Half House :) Yeah... pretty cool!
London. I was attached to both my ipad and my phone, following the streets on Google Maps and checking out the landmarks while reading. I only visited all the usual tourist traps for the most part when I was there, but it made it easier for me to orient myself. London is one of the most spectacular cities I've ever seen (step aside, Paris!) and one of my favorites.
Evil sorcerer. Well, not quite a sorcerer, but he used some pretty weird messed up magic. This time he was much harder to pin. In Death by Silver the murderer was very predictable and it caused me a lot of frustration. Every time the said criminal was on page, I couldn't help but yell at the boys: Right there! See? How can you be so blind! Figure it out already!
I could not put the book down and didn't want it to end. If you love KJ Charles, you will like this, too.
The MCs are under much pressure where their affection for each other is concerned (those were the times *sign*), so don't expect prolonged or explicit sex scenes. But the tenderness is there.
Very much recommended.
Same quality writing (still, there are a few pesky typos, but who cares, they are just that - typos), with amazing characters. Take Dolly Hall, for example. He dies in the very beginning of the book, but his presence is palpable all the way through the end. Challice, the poor soul. Stuck in a straight marriage, thinking himself an abomination at the same time longing for family and kids. There is not much of him in this story, either, but I couldn't help worrying about him and his wife.
Magic. Spells. Curses. Sex magic. Forbidden magic. Evil creatures. Half House. No, literally, Half House :) Yeah... pretty cool!
London. I was attached to both my ipad and my phone, following the streets on Google Maps and checking out the landmarks while reading. I only visited all the usual tourist traps for the most part when I was there, but it made it easier for me to orient myself. London is one of the most spectacular cities I've ever seen (step aside, Paris!) and one of my favorites.
Evil sorcerer. Well, not quite a sorcerer, but he used some pretty weird messed up magic. This time he was much harder to pin. In Death by Silver the murderer was very predictable and it caused me a lot of frustration. Every time the said criminal was on page, I couldn't help but yell at the boys: Right there! See? How can you be so blind! Figure it out already!
I could not put the book down and didn't want it to end. If you love KJ Charles, you will like this, too.
The MCs are under much pressure where their affection for each other is concerned (those were the times *sign*), so don't expect prolonged or explicit sex scenes. But the tenderness is there.
Very much recommended.
kake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
tambourine's review against another edition
4.0
A very satisfying book. The mystery is better than the first one and I love the relationship negotiation stuff... although I could have done with a bit more of it, it seems to end quite abruptly. The plot about their fear of being outed... the writing is good and it’s quite soberly done, but it’s still not ideal for this kind of book for me, and the plot is very neatly resolved in a way that is convenient for any future books in the series but that makes it seem kind of hollow. That was the worst part of this book for me. It was very upsetting in a way that kind of wrenched me out of the book... and then it was dismissed.
I love the magic system, I love Miss Frost and her friend the novelist/unlikely teacher/future policewoman. And of course I love Julian and Ned.
I love the magic system, I love Miss Frost and her friend the novelist/unlikely teacher/future policewoman. And of course I love Julian and Ned.
rhodered's review against another edition
4.0
My goodness that was good. With a rousing finale. I normally am not a big mystery fan, but it’s a shame this series never continued. Love the characters. And it’s so intelligently written.
avhollow's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. A decent follow-up to Death by Silver that works as a standalone. The weak characterization, lack of character voice distinction, and lack of tension or stakes in the relationship subplot were present in this story as well. Where it exceeds Death by Silver is in how the stakes are raised. The threat this time is one that endangers all of London.
georgiewhoissarahdrew's review against another edition
4.0
Cracking read - interesting MCs & well-realised C19th alt-London.