2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Rag and Bone by K.J. Charles (134-06-05-2016)

[reviews_and_ramblings]

1) I felt totally immersed in this world, even without having read any other books in the series. The magic was interesting, the "monster" suitably horrifying, but mostly it was the day-to-day details of life that caught me and dragged me in. And some lovely characters, too!

2) A relatively short story but the characterization is excellent and so is the world-building. The rules of this paranormal universe are made clear without lectures, the feelings the characters have for each other shine bright and clear without any unnecessary "telling." Nice conclusion that leaves the series open for more stories.

Rag and Bone by K.J. Charles
Gay Fantasy Romance
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (June 7, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1619234742
ISBN-13: 978-1619234741
Amazon: Rag and Bone
Amazon Kindle: Rag and Bone

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 panicked 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.

Warning: Contains a warlock who needs to go straight (but isn’t), a waste-man running out of patience, blood magic, bad-tempered justiciars, and a pen with a mind of its own.

Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2016.html