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jnalmon's review against another edition
3.0
A good entry, though I think it suffered from being the middle book of the trilogy. There weren't many things for the mystery tied up, so it felt a little stagnant on that front. The love story was very sweet, good to see Nathaniel getting another chance at love. I was also very interested in Justin's background in how he became the Seer of London.
totsfions's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm mad that this ended when it did. I needed one or two chapters of the new normal to be satisfied. Oh well. It was very good aside from that.
cloudyglow's review against another edition
funny
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lloyd130's review
5.0
KJ Charles is one of my new favorite authors. It's not just titillating romance, it's exploration of intimate relationships of the mind and heart and personalities and personal histories that make us who we are. They are beautiful love stories about men who love men and yes, men who are passionately attracted to men and express that in wildly emotional and physical ways. I have been moved and enlightened. But, beyond that KJ Charles writes an exciting mystery/suspense/adventure set in Victorian London that brings to mind Sherlock Holmes. I am one book away from devouring two of her trilogies in the matter of a few weeks-- staying up late to finish them and wanting to know more about these circles of friends and to be a part of their lives a bit longer. That is what the best novelists do. Some will have to look beyond the eyeroll-inducing trope of the romance genre of cheesy titles and covers, but I promise it's worth it. Books like these remind me of the bookworm I was as a child, unable to put the book down long enough to eat my dinner, pay attention in school or hear what my parents were saying. Happy reading.
roxanamalinachirila's review against another edition
4.0
As a friend said, "Sins of the Cities" isn't the most subtle of series - if you think someone is the bad guy, they probably are. And, like "An Unseen Attraction", this story is less about the plot and more about two people who meet and fall in love and have problems they need to untangle.
I was expecting to read about the characters in the first volume, but K.J. Charles chose another pair to follow here: Nathaniel the solicitor-turned-journalist and Lazarus, a "medium" who makes his living by telling people he can talk to the dead and putting on a show to convince them. The events in the first book are in the background for about half the story, then the overall plot moves on into new territories.
I like this: the story goes on, regardless of who's in the spotlight, and the mystery is slowly unraveling. At the same time, I felt there was a small issue regarding pacing (yes, again) and I was a bit bothered by how action took a step back to discussions about feelings, so I was and wasn't very engaged by it. I feel like the potential wasn't fully explored, but the book was ok nonetheless.
I was expecting to read about the characters in the first volume, but K.J. Charles chose another pair to follow here: Nathaniel the solicitor-turned-journalist and Lazarus, a "medium" who makes his living by telling people he can talk to the dead and putting on a show to convince them. The events in the first book are in the background for about half the story, then the overall plot moves on into new territories.
I like this: the story goes on, regardless of who's in the spotlight, and the mystery is slowly unraveling. At the same time, I felt there was a small issue regarding pacing (yes, again) and I was a bit bothered by how action took a step back to discussions about feelings, so I was and wasn't very engaged by it. I feel like the potential wasn't fully explored, but the book was ok nonetheless.
tag_gregory's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the_fenharel's review
5.0
I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Mild spoilers in the review, but nothing shocking or life ruining!
"'Nathaniel, I tell lies about the afterlife for a handful of shillings. Your father does it and they give him a cloth of gold.'"
This novel by K.J. Charles is a fantastic representation of an old-fashioned novel should be written. From the perfect use of language so not to confuse the reader to the slow simmering romance between people with two conflicting ideologies, I enjoyed reading every page of this story.
Justin is a man who sells his 'psychic powers' to help people get in touch with the dead. Obviously, he is a fraud, but Nathaniel is out to catch him as a journalist.
However, Justin is dragged into a case of identity as Nathaniel rushes to find the correct heir to a fortune and Justin is kidnapped in order to perform a seance to speak to the dead mother. The action picks up from there, with surprising twists and turns and a romance that feels natural and complete.
"'Impeccably,' Justin said. 'Starting with proper etiquette. Which means, no more swearing.'
'Fuck off, ratface.'
One of the major things I loved about the book was the use of language. I definitely got the feel of the era while also not having my head dunked into it all the time or feeling confused over specific words. It was kept light enough that meant it didn't feel over the top while heavy enough that at all times I knew exactly where we were and didn't think we were in the modern era. The author worked this in such a fantastic way that made me feel content to read it without too much prior knowledge of the country at the time it was meant to be written. As a reader, I didn't feel stupid or confused and that was excellent.
"'I don't excuse the things you did, but-'"
The characters were, of course, the biggest part of this story. Justin and Nathaniel played the biggest part in making the plot and the romance happen. We didn't have many characters on the sides either, so there wasn't much disturbance from the protagonists. Basically, we weren't looking anywhere else or getting distracted.
The romance between these two was fantastic. It pretty much started as a hateful relationship where sex was an act of aggression and dominance to prove they were better than the other before it began to simmer down into a nice, warm love.
Nathaniel began to bother me slightly with how he acted towards Justin. Even after finding out everything Justin had done to save himself from poverty, which included becoming a 'psychic', he continued to judge him and acted like he had done the worst thing in the world. This guy was a lawyer and now acting as a journalist! He has no right to act like his jobs is any more sacred or good! Of course, I didn't take a star off for this because for me to grow annoyed shows a great craftsmanship from the author.
"'I hate what you do, and I kneel at your altar anyway.'"
The use of religion throughout the piece was interesting to read. Both characters are agnostic/atheist and it's almost surprising considering the times. Most people were religious as it was far more wide spread and Nathaniel had a father that was a Priest. However, both men are completely free in choosing what they do and don't believe, and both men seem to agree to an idea of believing in proof rather than believing what they are instantly told. Although opposites in job, this ideology links them as they are both open minded to the idea of loving one another without religion encroaching on said love.
"Not his lover. The man with whom he was making love daily."
Altogether, this book was absolutely fantastic and I loved reading every page. From such incredible use of language to characters that I grew to love and support - this is definitely an author I will return to in the future.
"'Nathaniel, I tell lies about the afterlife for a handful of shillings. Your father does it and they give him a cloth of gold.'"
This novel by K.J. Charles is a fantastic representation of an old-fashioned novel should be written. From the perfect use of language so not to confuse the reader to the slow simmering romance between people with two conflicting ideologies, I enjoyed reading every page of this story.
Justin is a man who sells his 'psychic powers' to help people get in touch with the dead. Obviously, he is a fraud, but Nathaniel is out to catch him as a journalist.
However, Justin is dragged into a case of identity as Nathaniel rushes to find the correct heir to a fortune and Justin is kidnapped in order to perform a seance to speak to the dead mother. The action picks up from there, with surprising twists and turns and a romance that feels natural and complete.
"'Impeccably,' Justin said. 'Starting with proper etiquette. Which means, no more swearing.'
'Fuck off, ratface.'
One of the major things I loved about the book was the use of language. I definitely got the feel of the era while also not having my head dunked into it all the time or feeling confused over specific words. It was kept light enough that meant it didn't feel over the top while heavy enough that at all times I knew exactly where we were and didn't think we were in the modern era. The author worked this in such a fantastic way that made me feel content to read it without too much prior knowledge of the country at the time it was meant to be written. As a reader, I didn't feel stupid or confused and that was excellent.
"'I don't excuse the things you did, but-'"
The characters were, of course, the biggest part of this story. Justin and Nathaniel played the biggest part in making the plot and the romance happen. We didn't have many characters on the sides either, so there wasn't much disturbance from the protagonists. Basically, we weren't looking anywhere else or getting distracted.
The romance between these two was fantastic. It pretty much started as a hateful relationship where sex was an act of aggression and dominance to prove they were better than the other before it began to simmer down into a nice, warm love.
Nathaniel began to bother me slightly with how he acted towards Justin. Even after finding out everything Justin had done to save himself from poverty, which included becoming a 'psychic', he continued to judge him and acted like he had done the worst thing in the world. This guy was a lawyer and now acting as a journalist! He has no right to act like his jobs is any more sacred or good! Of course, I didn't take a star off for this because for me to grow annoyed shows a great craftsmanship from the author.
"'I hate what you do, and I kneel at your altar anyway.'"
The use of religion throughout the piece was interesting to read. Both characters are agnostic/atheist and it's almost surprising considering the times. Most people were religious as it was far more wide spread and Nathaniel had a father that was a Priest. However, both men are completely free in choosing what they do and don't believe, and both men seem to agree to an idea of believing in proof rather than believing what they are instantly told. Although opposites in job, this ideology links them as they are both open minded to the idea of loving one another without religion encroaching on said love.
"Not his lover. The man with whom he was making love daily."
Altogether, this book was absolutely fantastic and I loved reading every page. From such incredible use of language to characters that I grew to love and support - this is definitely an author I will return to in the future.
hrjones's review
4.0
(Joint review for multiple books in the SIns of the City series) I knew that K.J. Charles was a giant figure in m/m historical romance, but her one f/f novella that I’d encountered (Proper English) felt pleasant but a bit thin. My tour through Audible’s free-with-membership titles led me to try this Victorian-era series to see what the fuss was about. And…wow, Charles blew me away with her mastery of complex characterization and interwoven plots. I wish this same talent had shone through in Proper English so I might have tried more titles earlier. (I do have to say that the sex scenes are intensely “meh” for me. Just not interested in that level of detail, and sex scenes don’t really do anything for me in general. So the fact that the writing makes me willing to set that aside is a significant recommendation.) At this point, I figure I’ll eventually make my way through all of Charles’ catalog. (Consumed as audio)