Genre: Historical, Fantasy
LGBTQ+ Category: Bi, Gay
Reviewer: Rari
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About The Book
Kit Thompson, empath and Bow Street Preternatural Division constable, is looking forward to Midwinter. His lover Harry, Viscount Sommersby, is visiting, and Kit has plans to show Harry his London … and plans for Harry in his bedroom.
But Kit’s Chief Magistrate needs him. And the case is important. Personal. Taking up Kit’s time.
Even worse, Harry wants to help. And Kit could use Harry’s magical talents. But that means endangering Harry … something Kit’s sworn never to do.
The Review
Let me start by saying I loved this. It’s a very short read but there is a whole lot of emotions packed into that space!
The book revolves around Kit, a constable in Bow Street’s preternatural division, and his lover and best friend Harry, a Viscount. Kit’s superior, Sam, needs his help with something personal, an art theft, and he needs Kit to attend a party at a house even though it’s Midwinter and Kit wants time off to spend with Harry. In the end, Kit and Harry attend the party together, and Sam is there as well. The actual theft and the mystery of the thief and all form the rest of the story.
I love Kit and Harry and their relationship. Harry is a ball of sunshine, golden hair and all, and I would give him the world. Kit is naturally very protective of him, which I approve of.
I loved the magic system here too. Kit is an empath who can feel others’ emotions, and at times even see their memories. Harry has a gift that’s super secret, but is revealed over the course of the book. Sam’s gifts are not mentioned, so I guess we’ll just have to keep guessing. There are also mentions of ice elementals, greenwitches, and more, which add depth to the worldbuilding.
I love how subtle that worldbuilding is. The story is set in an alternate history version of Britain, with magic and a queer-normative society. There are subtle brushstrokes of how the magic works and such, but no long winded explanations. The descriptions flow gently and nothing interrupts the plot, but serves it instead.
And all the emotions! Kit feels so many things but lacks the words to express them properly, but he has to find them to clear up the misunderstanding between him and Harry. The misunderstanding doesn’t actually affect anything, but it’s something that’s entirely natural and a cause for some mental anguish for both of them.
All in all, this is a short but good read. I would recommend this to anyone who loves romantic fantasy, alternate history, historical fantasy and mysteries.
The Reviewer
Rari is an author and editor writing under the name of Niranjan K. She is an avid reader of all things fantasy, and loves to discourse at length about her favourite books as well as shows. This blog is the space where she will be sharing her views and insights of the books, shows and movies that she likes.