Spectred Isle

*happy sigh*
Excellent.
The world building of a London a hairs-breath removed from our own, in a time just after the First World War is unobtrusive and perfectly constructed. The plot is excellent (seriously, I had plot-envy).
Saul and Randolph are the perfect couple, men so broken that they aren't sure they can trust their judgement, or indeed are worthy of the others regard and affection.

There were moments of, not terror per se, but suspenseful chills that made me scared to breath for fear that something bad would happen if I dared.
And to counter that there were moments within the relationship that were an absolute delight where I found myself smiling at the book like an absolute loon.

I can't recommend this highly enough.

*happy sigh*
Excellent.
The world building of a London a hairs-breath removed from our own, in a time just after the First World War is unobtrusive and perfectly constructed. The plot is excellent (seriously, I had plot-envy).
Saul and Randolph are the perfect couple, men so broken that they aren't sure they can trust their judgement, or indeed are worthy of the others regard and affection.

There were moments of, not terror per se, but suspenseful chills that made me scared to breath for fear that something bad would happen if I dared.
And to counter that there were moments within the relationship that were an absolute delight where I found myself smiling at the book like an absolute loon.

I can't recommend this highly enough.

A truly delicious read. People talk about the role of the occult in WWII, but what about WWI? In the aftermath of the war, Raymond Glyde, an occultist and Keeper, keeps meeting up with Saul Lazenby as Saul researches Geoffrey de Mandeville for his employer. Soon it becomes obvious the meetings are more than coincidence. What is the Shadow Ministry, and why does Raymond dislike it so much (and why are they so interested in Saul?). The two men find that their continued accidental meetings become anticipated as they find a building attraction between them. The supporting characters are intriguing and like-able (mostly), as Raymond and Saul struggle to break free from the ghosts of the past (literally and figuratively) and work together to show more save London from Geoffrey de Mandeville--in whatever form he exists.

ARC supplied by the author. All views are my own. show less

The setting in this book is something I've seen elsewhere and enjoyed—post-war England's supernatural underworld is in chaos and it's up to a small group to re-establish balance—but this incarnation is perhaps my favorite so far. The character and romantic development was wonderful, as I expect from this author, but moreso, the atmosphere Charles builds is deliciously shiver-inducing, with old gods and monsters that are 'awe-inspiring' in its oldest meaning rearing their powerful heads.

This is an interesting use of English folklore and includes all my favourite bits - ghosts, real history, magic, and archeology.
In this book, the Green Man is more than just lore, and whose power is the crux of a spell that holds paranormal denizens from hell at bay. Randolph, a kind of mage with a long family history, and his fellow Green Men, which include a ghost hunter and two Government-created mutants, are tasked at protecting England from what most of its citizens don't even know exist. The Government looks to use them to their own ends but the Green Men only work for King and Country and the new establishment doesn't jive well with that. Saul Lazenby, an archeologist that made some bad decisions in the War that got him show more dishonorably discharged, jailed, and ultimately disowned by his family, finally finds work with an eccentric Lord with a taste for the occult that leads to him crossing paths (and more) with Randolph.

More great characters from K.J. Charles and a completely unique story makes this a really fun and interesting recommend. show less

This was about to be withdrawn from Audible Plus so I listened to this through the night. In Ruairi Carter's voice, the fantasy wove through my dreams. I was aware of the other-worldly horrors and tortures, and the sweetness of the main character, archaeologist Saul Lazenby, and his growing relationship with the unreal character, Randolph.

Glad I dipped in, but I won't be reading any more in this paranormal series. Not my thing.

Another memorable read from K.J. Charles. My heart broke for both Saul and Randolph in different ways and I love seeing them together, although it takes a little longer than I wanted for that to happen. I wish this was the first part of a trilogy about the two of them, because I feel like their story is just beginning. Hopefully we will still see plenty of them in books #2 and #3.

KJ paranormal post-WW I time period = couldn't put it down, finished too quickly, immediately started to re-read.