Series: Rag and Bone (book 1)

Genre: LGBT (m/m), Romance, Fantasy, Historical

Rating: 4/5 stars

Cover: I like it.

Buy: Amazon

Trigger warnings: none

Description: It’s amazing what people throw away…

Crispin Tredarloe never meant to become a warlock. Freed from his treacherous master, he’s learning how to use his magical powers the right way. But it’s brutally hard work. Not everyone believes he’s a reformed character, and the strain is putting unbearable pressure on his secret relationship with waste-man Ned Hall.

Ned’s sick of magic. Sick of the trouble it brings, sick of its dangerous grip on Crispin and the miserable look it puts in his eyes, and sick of being afraid that a gentleman magician won’t want a street paper-seller forever—or even for much longer.

But something is stirring among London’s forgotten discards. An ancient evil is waking up and seeking its freedom. And when wild magic hits the rag-and-bottle shop where Ned lives, a panicking Crispin falls back onto bad habits. The embattled lovers must find a way to work together—or London could go up in flames.

This story is set in the world of the Charm of Magpies series.

Review: This novel is linked to the A charm of magpies books, which I have not read. There are some hints at them, but I hadn’t the feeling of missing important story parts. There was however a feeling of “Wow, there was a lot happening before this one, wasn’t there?” I think I’ll read the others some time, too. But enough of this.

I really liked Crispin and Ned’s relationship. Both have understandable doubts about themselves and the relationship itself. I liked the magical theory even more! The blood pen wasn’t something I have read before. Very interesting and so very, very creepy.

I didn’t like the writing style that much, but it wasn’t bad and I was very entertained. Even though there wasn’t happening much. It was a nice change. Sometimes books have so many subplots you don’t know what’s going on.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.