I didn’t expect to enjoy the Charm of Magpies series by K. J. Charles nearly as much as I did. Especially given how central romance is to the story. I usually steer far clear of romance-heavy books, especially the steamy kind. And this series doesn’t just flirt with heat; it dives right into explicit, m/m romance and doesn’t hold back. But despite all that, or maybe because of how unexpectedly well it’s done, I found myself completely engrossed from start to finish, instead of bailing out early.
Let’s get this out of the way first: the sex scenes are detailed and frequent. Normally, that’s enough to make me put a book down. But here’s the thing: they’re actually well written. Not just tolerable, but thoughtfully constructed, emotionally grounded, and, most impressively, not cringey. They didn’t make me roll my eyes or skim ahead. I stayed with them, not because I needed the steam, but because those moments deepened the characters and their relationship in a way that felt integral rather than gratuitous. So while I’d still happily read a version of this series that fades to black and skips the heat, the fact I didn’t want to skip these scenes speaks volumes about the quality of Charles’ writing.
What really drew me in, though, was the dynamic between the characters, particularly Lord Crane (Lucien) and his manservant, Merrick. These two have been together for over twenty years, and the depth of their bond is a strong aspect of the series. Their relationship isn’t romantic, it’s steeped in loyalty, dry humour, and mutual respect, forged through shared trauma and tough history. There’s a constant undercurrent of sarcasm and gallows humour between them I found completely endearing. Merrick doesn’t pull punches, and Lucien, for all his aristocratic background, doesn’t hide behind pretense. Their interactions ground the story with a practical, often funny edge that contrasts nicely with the more magical and romantic threads.
And then, of course, there’s Stephen Day. A reserved, principled magical practitioner who enters the story carrying a deep grudge against Lucien’s family, yet is assigned to protect him. From the moment he appeared, I was intrigued. He’s small in stature, quiet, and appears unassuming, but there’s a strength and complexity to him that gradually unfolds. Watching Stephen and Lucien clash and then circle closer as their differences evolve into attraction, was immensely satisfying. Their chemistry is compelling, but even more so is the slow, believable shift from mutual mistrust to grudging respect, and eventually something deeper. Their relationship, for all its intensity, is never too polished or perfect. It feels real, and watching them figure each other out is half the joy of the series.
All of this is wrapped in a plot that’s far more than just a romantic framework. These books deliver solid, often gripping mysteries filled with supernatural elements, murder investigations, magical politics, and personal vendettas. There are dark secrets and hidden truths layered into every chapter. The pacing is brisk, and I found myself genuinely caught up in the tension of the unfolding intrigue. The world Charles builds feels like an alternate Victorian England, where magic exists just beneath the surface, managed by a shadowy, bureaucratic magical elite. It’s a rich backdrop that adds both charm and danger to the story.
The first book, The Magpie Lord, sets the tone perfectly: eerie magic, sharp banter, strong personalities, a genuinely creepy mystery, dark, funny, fast-paced, and full of snappy dialogue and magnetic characters. A blend of gothic mystery and emotional intrigue, with just the right amount of worldbuilding to whet your appetite. It hooked me straight away.
The second, A Case of Possession, deepens the relationships and expands the world, while delivering an even more layered plot full of blackmail, murder, and magical tension. I was especially surprised by how emotionally resonant this one was. It struck chords I didn’t expect in a series I’d initially thought would just be a fun, fantastical romp.
The third book, Flight of Magpies, is still enjoyable but felt slightly less cohesive than the first two. There’s more emphasis on the relationship drama here, more sex scenes, and slightly less plot complexity. It wasn’t quite as tightly structured or gripping (to me) as its predecessors. That said, it was still a fun and fast-paced read, and I appreciated the deeper exploration of side characters. Some of them really came into their own here, and that added an emotional richness I hadn’t realized I was missing until it was there.
What did surprise me, though, was Flight of Magpies didn’t feel like the end of a trilogy. It felt more like the conclusion of a single arc within a larger story. When I finished, I genuinely expected there to be a book four, and I was a little sad to realize the main series had wrapped. Thankfully, Charles has written a few short stories and novellas that follow the main trilogy. I haven’t read all of them yet, but the ones I have found were enjoyable, if sometimes a bit more focused on romantic or emotional drama than I usually prefer. Some lean harder into angst or romantic tension than I’d like. Still, they’re fun extensions of the world and worth reading if you’re invested in the characters.
Overall, A Charm of Magpies is an impressive blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance, written with style and intelligence. Despite being well outside my typical genres, it completely won me over. The characters are vivid, the relationships layered and believable, the world immersive, and the mysteries genuinely engaging. Even as someone who normally avoids romance, I found myself invested, entertained, and often surprised by how much I cared.
If you enjoy clever dialogue, dark humour, strong character dynamics, and a good dose of magical intrigue, and can either enjoy or at least tolerate some well-written steam, you might find yourself unexpectedly swept up in this series too. I certainly did.
