What do you think?
Rate this book
Green Men #1
Spectred Isle
Archaeologist Saul Lazenby has been all but unemployable since his disgrace during the War. Now he scrapes a living working for a rich eccentric who believes in magic. Saul knows it’s a lot of nonsense...except that he begins to find himself in increasingly strange and frightening situations. And at every turn he runs into the sardonic, mysterious Randolph Glyde.
Randolph is the last of an ancient line of arcanists, commanding deep secrets and extraordinary powers as he struggles to fulfil his family duties in a war-torn world. He knows there's something odd going on with the haunted-looking man who keeps turning up in all the wrong places. The only question for Randolph is whether Saul is victim or villain.
Saul hasn’t trusted anyone in a long time. But as the supernatural threat grows, along with the desire between them, he’ll need to believe in evasive, enraging, devastatingly attractive Randolph. Because he may be the only man who can save Saul’s life—or his soul.
Randolph is the last of an ancient line of arcanists, commanding deep secrets and extraordinary powers as he struggles to fulfil his family duties in a war-torn world. He knows there's something odd going on with the haunted-looking man who keeps turning up in all the wrong places. The only question for Randolph is whether Saul is victim or villain.
Saul hasn’t trusted anyone in a long time. But as the supernatural threat grows, along with the desire between them, he’ll need to believe in evasive, enraging, devastatingly attractive Randolph. Because he may be the only man who can save Saul’s life—or his soul.
271 pages, ebook
First published August 3, 2017
About the author
K.J. Charles
63 books10.5k followersKJ is a writer of romance, mostly m/m, historical or fantasy or both. She blogs about writing and editing at http://kjcharleswriter.com.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/13876...
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads as I no longer check the inbox due to unwanted messages.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/13876...
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads as I no longer check the inbox due to unwanted messages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 687 reviews
Read
May 12, 2017First of my new 1920s paranormal romance series, set in England a few years after the First World War. While battle raged in Flanders, a hidden war was being fought by arcanists and occultists, and the continuing fallout of that is still causing chaos five years later. Randolph Glyde, arcanist of a great and ancient family, is trying to hold London's magical defences together almost single-handed, and it doesn't help that the same man, disgraced archaeologist Saul Lazenby, keeps inexplicably turning up in all the wrong places...
This is my first paranormal in *ages* and I had a ton of fun. It's bursting with English magic--including some real and quite extraordinary London folklore adapted to my purposes.
This is Book 1 of the Green Men series, and set in the same world as The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal--you don't have to have read that but there are plot links and references, as well as some younger characters from that book all grown up. (Simon Feximal: The Next Generation.)
This is my first paranormal in *ages* and I had a ton of fun. It's bursting with English magic--including some real and quite extraordinary London folklore adapted to my purposes.
This is Book 1 of the Green Men series, and set in the same world as The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal--you don't have to have read that but there are plot links and references, as well as some younger characters from that book all grown up. (Simon Feximal: The Next Generation.)
July 3, 2019
This was quite fun, although I'm wondering if I ought have read one of those The Haunted Realm type non-fictions first. Not that it was hard to understand without, except that when they talked about Geoffrey de Mandeville I was initially (mistakenly) thinking of John de Mandeville, which indicated quite a different plot direction.
Anyway. Fun! This is set in the same world as The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, but after WWI, which is to say after the Feximal/Caldwell story ends. Sam, one of the secondary characters, appears in both. You don't need to have read the Feximal stories first, although it added a dimension of fun (as does having read the Carnacki, the Ghost Finder stories).
I liked Saul and Glyde and am pleased to see that this is a series. There isn't quite a cliff-hanger -- the immediate plot is resolved -- but there is a larger mystery to be solved.
Anyway. Fun! This is set in the same world as The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, but after WWI, which is to say after the Feximal/Caldwell story ends. Sam, one of the secondary characters, appears in both. You don't need to have read the Feximal stories first, although it added a dimension of fun (as does having read the Carnacki, the Ghost Finder stories).
I liked Saul and Glyde and am pleased to see that this is a series. There isn't quite a cliff-hanger -- the immediate plot is resolved -- but there is a larger mystery to be solved.
August 24, 2017
4.5 stars - This story begins a new historical paranormal series from one of my favorite authors. It builds slowly, and took me a while to really connect with the main characters, but about a third of the way in it clicked, and the pace of both action and emotion picked up. The post WW I historical context rings true and the two men walk through it with their burdens and their hurts, their pride and fear.
Archaeologist Saul Lazenby faced betrayal, and worse - the knowledge he had inadvertently betrayed those who trusted him. He took his punishment, and kept on living because he saw no choice, but he's an empty shell. He works for a man with crazy ideas, following his employer's wild enthusiasms because it's at least a respectable job where his education and skills aren't totally irrelevant. When his employer's wild ideas about magic and the unseen suddenly connect Saul with events he can't explain, his world view has to shift to survive.
Randolph Glyde is the heir to magic and responsibility for the deepest mythical heart of England. His family was always more a collection of powers than a loving clan, but he lost all of them in the War, and he's struggling to cover the responsibilities that should have been spread over several people. In pursuit of his duties, trying to keep England safe from malevolent forces beginning to filter through a War-torn veil, he keeps running into one man. Saul. A man without obvious power, and yet who shows up in the wrong place, or perhaps the right place, over and over. Randolph needs to understand who Saul is, and what he is. And to make it harder, they strike sparks off each other that have nothing to do with the arcane, and everything to do with being gay in a world that punishes that in severe ways.
The mystery, magic, and romance all build slowly here, and the ending is a resting place, not a completion. All the elements are more complex, and more low key, than in The Magpie Lord. There is a strong undercurrent of the forces of untrustworthy government, particularly salient right now. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Archaeologist Saul Lazenby faced betrayal, and worse - the knowledge he had inadvertently betrayed those who trusted him. He took his punishment, and kept on living because he saw no choice, but he's an empty shell. He works for a man with crazy ideas, following his employer's wild enthusiasms because it's at least a respectable job where his education and skills aren't totally irrelevant. When his employer's wild ideas about magic and the unseen suddenly connect Saul with events he can't explain, his world view has to shift to survive.
Randolph Glyde is the heir to magic and responsibility for the deepest mythical heart of England. His family was always more a collection of powers than a loving clan, but he lost all of them in the War, and he's struggling to cover the responsibilities that should have been spread over several people. In pursuit of his duties, trying to keep England safe from malevolent forces beginning to filter through a War-torn veil, he keeps running into one man. Saul. A man without obvious power, and yet who shows up in the wrong place, or perhaps the right place, over and over. Randolph needs to understand who Saul is, and what he is. And to make it harder, they strike sparks off each other that have nothing to do with the arcane, and everything to do with being gay in a world that punishes that in severe ways.
The mystery, magic, and romance all build slowly here, and the ending is a resting place, not a completion. All the elements are more complex, and more low key, than in The Magpie Lord. There is a strong undercurrent of the forces of untrustworthy government, particularly salient right now. I look forward to reading more in this series.
September 9, 2024
“Just impressed at your capacity for acceptance. I abominate whining in the face of facts. People who stand there moaning, Oh, this is impossible, it can’t be happening, ignoring whatever horror is hurtling toward them because they’d rather not know. So tiresome.”
“You told me you were unsympathetic. I didn’t know the half of it. Good Lord, man.”
“What? I’m delighted at your mental flexibility.”
4 🌟
The only reason it isn't 5, is because I'm ashamed to admit it took me quite some time to get into the flow of this story, however, from 30% in, my curiosity peaked and I was fully invested in the mystery surrounding Randolph, and then Sauls part to play in all of these strange and peculiar happenings.
This was really hitting the spot for me and got me out of a 6 week reading slump. I really can't stress how the humour of these novels that I have read so far of K J CHARLES truly hit the spot for me. I absolutely adore her writing styles, language, her ability to make a romantic story, tickle the senses, and keep us completely invested in the characters' stories/lives. 😀
"I’m no prize. But Jo Caldwell was on the button about you. You bring light, you have brought me more light than I had thought would ever be possible. I didn’t know there could be someone like you, I had no idea at all, and if you should choose to be rid of me tomorrow, I shall nevertheless and always be bloody glad we met.”
“And if I don’t choose to be rid of you, tomorrow or later?”
“Well, that would be significantly better.
“You told me you were unsympathetic. I didn’t know the half of it. Good Lord, man.”
“What? I’m delighted at your mental flexibility.”
4 🌟
The only reason it isn't 5, is because I'm ashamed to admit it took me quite some time to get into the flow of this story, however, from 30% in, my curiosity peaked and I was fully invested in the mystery surrounding Randolph, and then Sauls part to play in all of these strange and peculiar happenings.
This was really hitting the spot for me and got me out of a 6 week reading slump. I really can't stress how the humour of these novels that I have read so far of K J CHARLES truly hit the spot for me. I absolutely adore her writing styles, language, her ability to make a romantic story, tickle the senses, and keep us completely invested in the characters' stories/lives. 😀
"I’m no prize. But Jo Caldwell was on the button about you. You bring light, you have brought me more light than I had thought would ever be possible. I didn’t know there could be someone like you, I had no idea at all, and if you should choose to be rid of me tomorrow, I shall nevertheless and always be bloody glad we met.”
“And if I don’t choose to be rid of you, tomorrow or later?”
“Well, that would be significantly better.
August 5, 2017
K.J. Charles gets her new
Green Men
series of paranormal historical romances off to a terrific start with Spectred Isle, an utterly captivating mix of adventure, mystery and romance all bound up in old English folklore, myth and magic.
Randolph Glyde is the last member of an old English family whose lineage goes back centuries. Throughout the ages, the Glydes have been charged by successive monarchs with the protection of England from supernatural entities. Known as the Green Men, theirs is an ancient duty and an ancient magic that borrows powers from the land, but now their numbers are severely depleted and England is vulnerable to attack from mystical forces. The First World War and the concurrent occult War Beneath devastated many families and the Glydes were no exception, as the government, not content with conventional weapons - tanks, guns and bombs - recruited as many occultists and arcanists as they could and set them to unleashing their very specialised form of warfare on the enemy. Of course, the other side had the same idea, and the resulting war irrevocably damaged the veil between the world of the supernatural and the human world; it now lies in shreds and Randolph – whose entire family was wiped out in one devastating engagement - is one of the few left alive who is able to track down and repel the various creatures and malignant entities that are passing through the veil with increasing frequency.
Saul Lazenby is an Oxford educated archaeologist who was stationed in Mesapotamia (modern Iraq) during the war, but who was dishonourably discharged and has struggled in the years since to find employment owing to his deeply tarnished record and reputation. He is grateful for his position as assistant to Major Peabody, an eccentric who believes London to be a hotbed of magical powers, and whom Saul privately thinks is a harmless crackpot. Still, working for him is better than starving in the streets, and Saul obediently sets out to investigate the Major’s latest theory concerning an ancient burial stone located in Oak Hill Park just north of London. Before he can locate it, however, an old oak tree bursts into flame for no apparent reason – and Saul finds himself being abruptly interrogated by a rude, disdainful and obviously aristocratic man who – just as abruptly – disappears when a few more people arrive on the scene.
This is only the first of several seemingly accidental meetings between the two men, in which they view each other with hostility and suspicion. Saul thinks Randolph is following him; Randolph wonders if Saul’s appearances at the sites of exploding trees, ghostly manifestations and other strange happenings means he is somehow connected to or even responsible for them.
But soon, Randolph has to admit that perhaps there is a method in this madness and that Saul has some, as yet unknown, part to play in England’s defence against attack from beyond the veil. Through Saul’s PoV, the reader is initiated into Randolph’s magical world as the pair are drawn into the investigation of supernatural occurrences that appear to be somehow related to the life – and death – of Geoffrey de Mandeville, a villainous, twelfth century nobleman.
K.J. Charles does a wonderful job of building a sense of expectation, menace and urgency throughout the early parts of the novel and beyond, gradually broadening out her focus into an intricately plotted story that weaves a magical spell of its own on the reader. The world-building is absolutely fantastic and the characterisation – of secondary characters as well as the two principals – is superbly rich and detailed. The magic in this story is brilliantly conceived and it’s obvious that a considerable amount of research has gone into creating the specifics of this pagan-Earth magic. It’s not simple and it’s not at all benign; it’s dangerous and malevolent and devious, and those who fight it have to experience pain and sacrifice in order to become worthy of that task.
The romance between Saul and Randolph is beautifully developed as these two men, both of them lonely and haunted, draw closer and fall in love. Moving from suspicion and scepticism to a tentative truce, friendship and more, the relationship develops very naturally and never feels rushed or forced. I really felt for Saul and what he’d been through; his desire for love and affection cost him very dear, but he carries doggedly on, bearing his scars quietly and refusing to let his past define him. And while Randolph seems, at first to be an overbearing, arrogant git, it soon becomes clear he’s nothing of the sort. Well, he’s arrogant, yes, but he’s also rather charming underneath the bluster, possessed of a very dry wit and completely dedicated to the tasks with which he’s been invested. I loved watching them as they readjusted their opinions of each other and recognised that here, at last, was someone with whom they could let down their guards and be themselves. The chemistry between them is scorching and the love scenes are extremely sexy, but there’s no doubt that they also possess a strong emotional connection and are deeply attached to one another.
While the storyline featuring Randolph and Saul is wrapped up by the end of the book, I’m hoping we’ll see more of them as the series progresses and they continue the fight to keep England safe from whatever is trying to get through from the other side. Sceptred Isle is funny, clever, sexy and spooky (seriously – the bit where our heroes are stuck on the road gave me the willies!) and I couldn’t put it down. It’s an out-and-out corker of a tale and is very highly recommended.
Randolph Glyde is the last member of an old English family whose lineage goes back centuries. Throughout the ages, the Glydes have been charged by successive monarchs with the protection of England from supernatural entities. Known as the Green Men, theirs is an ancient duty and an ancient magic that borrows powers from the land, but now their numbers are severely depleted and England is vulnerable to attack from mystical forces. The First World War and the concurrent occult War Beneath devastated many families and the Glydes were no exception, as the government, not content with conventional weapons - tanks, guns and bombs - recruited as many occultists and arcanists as they could and set them to unleashing their very specialised form of warfare on the enemy. Of course, the other side had the same idea, and the resulting war irrevocably damaged the veil between the world of the supernatural and the human world; it now lies in shreds and Randolph – whose entire family was wiped out in one devastating engagement - is one of the few left alive who is able to track down and repel the various creatures and malignant entities that are passing through the veil with increasing frequency.
Saul Lazenby is an Oxford educated archaeologist who was stationed in Mesapotamia (modern Iraq) during the war, but who was dishonourably discharged and has struggled in the years since to find employment owing to his deeply tarnished record and reputation. He is grateful for his position as assistant to Major Peabody, an eccentric who believes London to be a hotbed of magical powers, and whom Saul privately thinks is a harmless crackpot. Still, working for him is better than starving in the streets, and Saul obediently sets out to investigate the Major’s latest theory concerning an ancient burial stone located in Oak Hill Park just north of London. Before he can locate it, however, an old oak tree bursts into flame for no apparent reason – and Saul finds himself being abruptly interrogated by a rude, disdainful and obviously aristocratic man who – just as abruptly – disappears when a few more people arrive on the scene.
This is only the first of several seemingly accidental meetings between the two men, in which they view each other with hostility and suspicion. Saul thinks Randolph is following him; Randolph wonders if Saul’s appearances at the sites of exploding trees, ghostly manifestations and other strange happenings means he is somehow connected to or even responsible for them.
But soon, Randolph has to admit that perhaps there is a method in this madness and that Saul has some, as yet unknown, part to play in England’s defence against attack from beyond the veil. Through Saul’s PoV, the reader is initiated into Randolph’s magical world as the pair are drawn into the investigation of supernatural occurrences that appear to be somehow related to the life – and death – of Geoffrey de Mandeville, a villainous, twelfth century nobleman.
K.J. Charles does a wonderful job of building a sense of expectation, menace and urgency throughout the early parts of the novel and beyond, gradually broadening out her focus into an intricately plotted story that weaves a magical spell of its own on the reader. The world-building is absolutely fantastic and the characterisation – of secondary characters as well as the two principals – is superbly rich and detailed. The magic in this story is brilliantly conceived and it’s obvious that a considerable amount of research has gone into creating the specifics of this pagan-Earth magic. It’s not simple and it’s not at all benign; it’s dangerous and malevolent and devious, and those who fight it have to experience pain and sacrifice in order to become worthy of that task.
The romance between Saul and Randolph is beautifully developed as these two men, both of them lonely and haunted, draw closer and fall in love. Moving from suspicion and scepticism to a tentative truce, friendship and more, the relationship develops very naturally and never feels rushed or forced. I really felt for Saul and what he’d been through; his desire for love and affection cost him very dear, but he carries doggedly on, bearing his scars quietly and refusing to let his past define him. And while Randolph seems, at first to be an overbearing, arrogant git, it soon becomes clear he’s nothing of the sort. Well, he’s arrogant, yes, but he’s also rather charming underneath the bluster, possessed of a very dry wit and completely dedicated to the tasks with which he’s been invested. I loved watching them as they readjusted their opinions of each other and recognised that here, at last, was someone with whom they could let down their guards and be themselves. The chemistry between them is scorching and the love scenes are extremely sexy, but there’s no doubt that they also possess a strong emotional connection and are deeply attached to one another.
While the storyline featuring Randolph and Saul is wrapped up by the end of the book, I’m hoping we’ll see more of them as the series progresses and they continue the fight to keep England safe from whatever is trying to get through from the other side. Sceptred Isle is funny, clever, sexy and spooky (seriously – the bit where our heroes are stuck on the road gave me the willies!) and I couldn’t put it down. It’s an out-and-out corker of a tale and is very highly recommended.
October 29, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this up. Maybe an Indiana Jones style adventure? Let’s just say it was NOT that.
Set in the early 1920s in a London full of hidden magic and its magical keepers, with evil things, and corrupted government and wonderful magical characters.
I struggled a bit to get into it, but I’ve been really sick with Covid for 8 days and my brain kept forgetting twists and characters. I wish I had read it when I was less confused.
Nonetheless, I loved the whole magical story and peculiar characters.
And I particularly loved the surprisingly intense romance.
“I feel like myself again, with you,” Saul managed. “I feel as though you gave me back myself.”
“That would be a rare gift indeed, because you are quite exceptional. May I stay?”
“I hope you will.”
“May I continue to stay?”
Saul smiled into his eyes. “As long as you like.”
“Does the bed creak?”
“Let’s find out.”
Set in the early 1920s in a London full of hidden magic and its magical keepers, with evil things, and corrupted government and wonderful magical characters.
I struggled a bit to get into it, but I’ve been really sick with Covid for 8 days and my brain kept forgetting twists and characters. I wish I had read it when I was less confused.
Nonetheless, I loved the whole magical story and peculiar characters.
And I particularly loved the surprisingly intense romance.
“I feel like myself again, with you,” Saul managed. “I feel as though you gave me back myself.”
“That would be a rare gift indeed, because you are quite exceptional. May I stay?”
“I hope you will.”
“May I continue to stay?”
Saul smiled into his eyes. “As long as you like.”
“Does the bed creak?”
“Let’s find out.”
April 24, 2023
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this story, once I was able to get into it, which did take until about the 30% mark. I wasn't too sure if I liked Randolph or not but he grew on me, and Saul is an interesting character as well. The humor is very British and has just enough to break the tension when needed, and the action scenes were well done, as expected. The world building is sufficient. It kind of plops you into the middle of things, and considering this is tied into the Simon Feximal world, I was a bit concerned that I missed something or forgotten something since it's been so long since I read that one, but it does eventually get around to explaining most things. I'd say it's safe to read without any knowledge of Feximal.
It is not, however, a standalone. This is clearly the beginning of a series, and there are some significant plot threads left dangling at the end. Unfortunately, KJC has admitted to being stuck on where to go next with this series and a continuation seems less and less likely as time goes by. If you're not chomping at the bit to read this, I'd suggest giving it a pass.
As for the romance, it was way too insta, especially on Randolph's part. I could certainly see why they were drawn to each other though and they suit each other well, so there's potential there if the series ever continues and if these MCs are ever the focus of another book in it.
I enjoyed this story, once I was able to get into it, which did take until about the 30% mark. I wasn't too sure if I liked Randolph or not but he grew on me, and Saul is an interesting character as well. The humor is very British and has just enough to break the tension when needed, and the action scenes were well done, as expected. The world building is sufficient. It kind of plops you into the middle of things, and considering this is tied into the Simon Feximal world, I was a bit concerned that I missed something or forgotten something since it's been so long since I read that one, but it does eventually get around to explaining most things. I'd say it's safe to read without any knowledge of Feximal.
It is not, however, a standalone. This is clearly the beginning of a series, and there are some significant plot threads left dangling at the end. Unfortunately, KJC has admitted to being stuck on where to go next with this series and a continuation seems less and less likely as time goes by. If you're not chomping at the bit to read this, I'd suggest giving it a pass.
As for the romance, it was way too insta, especially on Randolph's part. I could certainly see why they were drawn to each other though and they suit each other well, so there's potential there if the series ever continues and if these MCs are ever the focus of another book in it.
April 24, 2023
Delightful read. Not KJC's strongest in terms of character development, but I still enjoyed the ensemble and getting to spend more time in the world of The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, which I loved. I do hope she comes back to this series — so much potential story here!
August 3, 2017
If only more of his work involved sinewy, sunburned, sensitive men, rather than people who lacked the common decency to die properly.
So, I'll admit that this isn't my favourite read by Charles. Maybe I expected too much after the complete and utter delight that was THE SECRET CASEBOOK OF SIMON FEXIMAL (which, by the way, is definitely required reading before this book). Or maybe it was the fact that I had almost no time to read this with any kind of dedication that played a part in some of my ambivalence. Because on the whole Charles gave me everything I've come to love from her so, really, I don't know what I have to complain about. Except I was definitely left wanting in some undefinable way and some parts did allow me to be easily distracted by other things.
He looked like the kind of man Saul had met a great deal in the war in the officer ranks : a thoroughbred aristocrat, effortlessly superior, endlessly disdainful.
Set in the 1920s, SPECTRED ISLE is so full of history. It's chockful of presence from the devastation of the war, the change in the times for society in England and, of course, the history of this world with it's paranormal elements; there's the leftover ghost hunting legacy left by Simon and Robert, green men who try to safeguard the balance, and the damage that the supernatural war that occurred alongside the world war has wrought.
The newspapers were filled with stories of the newly labouring aristocracy. The heirs to earldoms were becoming radio announcers and photographers, while the daughters of dukes took up as mannequins or wrote pieces for magazines.
Charles is so detailed, so careful, to craft her setting, that sometimes you forget how much of the history is real alongside her more fantastical aspects. I love how rich this felt, how lush, an element that was definitely helped by all the green magic, though I did on occasion feel myself.. looking away. Again, I think this is more my own fault than the writing, but it did feel a little slower, almost slumberous, in a way. But I wonder if that was a deliberate choice for this world.
"I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me."
"I shouldn't worry, dear chap, I am notoriously unsympathetic."
All that said and I haven't even started on our leads. I really did love this pairing, even if their confessions near the end felt a bit.. fast. I might have preferred to leave it grow a little more off page, but whatever. I loved how they kept stumbling across each other, no coincidence in sight, and how their suspicious suspicions transitioned into a hesitant partnership, friendship, and then more. I loved the banter. But more than that, I loved how much Randolph came off the page. He was such a presence and I couldn't help but love his shifty, never-giving-a-straight-answer, bossy ways.
"Are we safe?"
"No, but there's nobody around."
"If you meant to raise my morale just now, it worked."
"That wasn't what I intended to raise."
Saul, on the other hand, the man who was green in a whole different way -- as in a novice -- was a delight in a different sense. Hurting, almost broken, shunned and disowned because of the events he was caught up in during the war, he's a more tender soul. He's forced to put a lot of faith in Randolph in multiple situations where he's completely out of his depth and he ends up constantly blowing the other man's mind with his trust and steadfast nature. Their connection felt very sweet, at times, both of them completely mesmerized by the other, and it was -- frankly -- adorable.
"If your upper lip got any stiffer you wouldn't be able to speak."
There's a cast of some familiar faces, too, that make their appearance, both in the events and in reference point, so I'll again stress that I highly recommend reading THE SECRET CASEBOOK OF SIMON FEXIMAL before reading this one. Especially after seeing the premise for book two as that basically picks up after one of the short stories in the bind-up.
"People create poetry, and mustard gas. We invent gods and monsters, and gods that might as well be monsters. We act with extraordinary grace and unfathomable cruelty. We're so very intelligent, and dreadfully easy to fool."
SPECTRED ISLE was full of magic, marvel, mayhem, manly sexytimes (damn me, couldn't make it work all the way through) and marvelous prose. There's really only been one exception to my hands-down utter enjoyment to Charles' work and this isn't one of them. I'm maybe less effusive in my praise for this first book in the author's new series but I'm hopeful that it'll take off in future installments in the way I've come to expect and, as a result, am totally rounding this one up.
3.75 "you've devastated me in the best possible way from the moment we met" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
So, I'll admit that this isn't my favourite read by Charles. Maybe I expected too much after the complete and utter delight that was THE SECRET CASEBOOK OF SIMON FEXIMAL (which, by the way, is definitely required reading before this book). Or maybe it was the fact that I had almost no time to read this with any kind of dedication that played a part in some of my ambivalence. Because on the whole Charles gave me everything I've come to love from her so, really, I don't know what I have to complain about. Except I was definitely left wanting in some undefinable way and some parts did allow me to be easily distracted by other things.
He looked like the kind of man Saul had met a great deal in the war in the officer ranks : a thoroughbred aristocrat, effortlessly superior, endlessly disdainful.
Set in the 1920s, SPECTRED ISLE is so full of history. It's chockful of presence from the devastation of the war, the change in the times for society in England and, of course, the history of this world with it's paranormal elements; there's the leftover ghost hunting legacy left by Simon and Robert, green men who try to safeguard the balance, and the damage that the supernatural war that occurred alongside the world war has wrought.
The newspapers were filled with stories of the newly labouring aristocracy. The heirs to earldoms were becoming radio announcers and photographers, while the daughters of dukes took up as mannequins or wrote pieces for magazines.
Charles is so detailed, so careful, to craft her setting, that sometimes you forget how much of the history is real alongside her more fantastical aspects. I love how rich this felt, how lush, an element that was definitely helped by all the green magic, though I did on occasion feel myself.. looking away. Again, I think this is more my own fault than the writing, but it did feel a little slower, almost slumberous, in a way. But I wonder if that was a deliberate choice for this world.
"I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me."
"I shouldn't worry, dear chap, I am notoriously unsympathetic."
All that said and I haven't even started on our leads. I really did love this pairing, even if their confessions near the end felt a bit.. fast. I might have preferred to leave it grow a little more off page, but whatever. I loved how they kept stumbling across each other, no coincidence in sight, and how their suspicious suspicions transitioned into a hesitant partnership, friendship, and then more. I loved the banter. But more than that, I loved how much Randolph came off the page. He was such a presence and I couldn't help but love his shifty, never-giving-a-straight-answer, bossy ways.
"Are we safe?"
"No, but there's nobody around."
"If you meant to raise my morale just now, it worked."
"That wasn't what I intended to raise."
Saul, on the other hand, the man who was green in a whole different way -- as in a novice -- was a delight in a different sense. Hurting, almost broken, shunned and disowned because of the events he was caught up in during the war, he's a more tender soul. He's forced to put a lot of faith in Randolph in multiple situations where he's completely out of his depth and he ends up constantly blowing the other man's mind with his trust and steadfast nature. Their connection felt very sweet, at times, both of them completely mesmerized by the other, and it was -- frankly -- adorable.
"If your upper lip got any stiffer you wouldn't be able to speak."
There's a cast of some familiar faces, too, that make their appearance, both in the events and in reference point, so I'll again stress that I highly recommend reading THE SECRET CASEBOOK OF SIMON FEXIMAL before reading this one. Especially after seeing the premise for book two as that basically picks up after one of the short stories in the bind-up.
"People create poetry, and mustard gas. We invent gods and monsters, and gods that might as well be monsters. We act with extraordinary grace and unfathomable cruelty. We're so very intelligent, and dreadfully easy to fool."
SPECTRED ISLE was full of magic, marvel, mayhem, manly sexytimes (damn me, couldn't make it work all the way through) and marvelous prose. There's really only been one exception to my hands-down utter enjoyment to Charles' work and this isn't one of them. I'm maybe less effusive in my praise for this first book in the author's new series but I'm hopeful that it'll take off in future installments in the way I've come to expect and, as a result, am totally rounding this one up.
3.75 "you've devastated me in the best possible way from the moment we met" stars
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
March 14, 2024
Spectred Isle is my favourite of KJ's books, I like it even more than Magpie Lord trilogy and that's something.
It's all down to the main characters. They're both a mix of improbable traits that together make absolutely real, believable, immensely likeable people.
Randolph is posh, arrogant, impatient and doesn't like people in general. But he is also honest, loyal, reliable and able to talk about his feelings when prompted. I like him a great deal...
... but Saul is perfection. He went through so much, he had been hurt and humiliated and disowned and yet he is still brave, kind and sensitive and sees the good in people, willing to forgive their mistakes, to the point where he only blames himself for what happened. He needs Randolph’s steady support as much as Randolph needs Saul’s empathy and insight.
Ruairi Carter’s narration adds so much personality to both of them but he makes Saul so raw, so vulnerable, yet determined and brave. Be still my beating heart...
The “real” part of this book, that is what happened to men in and after the war, is so utterly believable and moving. The magic part is quite something too. Based on England and London old legends, it combines them cleverly into a fascinating narrative.
Well. This book makes me want to move immediately into one of the disused rooms at 166 Fetter Lane <3
It's all down to the main characters. They're both a mix of improbable traits that together make absolutely real, believable, immensely likeable people.
Randolph is posh, arrogant, impatient and doesn't like people in general. But he is also honest, loyal, reliable and able to talk about his feelings when prompted. I like him a great deal...
... but Saul is perfection. He went through so much, he had been hurt and humiliated and disowned and yet he is still brave, kind and sensitive and sees the good in people, willing to forgive their mistakes, to the point where he only blames himself for what happened. He needs Randolph’s steady support as much as Randolph needs Saul’s empathy and insight.
Ruairi Carter’s narration adds so much personality to both of them but he makes Saul so raw, so vulnerable, yet determined and brave. Be still my beating heart...
The “real” part of this book, that is what happened to men in and after the war, is so utterly believable and moving. The magic part is quite something too. Based on England and London old legends, it combines them cleverly into a fascinating narrative.
Well. This book makes me want to move immediately into one of the disused rooms at 166 Fetter Lane <3
September 30, 2020
My favorite KJ Charles book so far! Sweet and scary and sexy as hell. Great plot and relationship development. Definitely deserving of a reread sometime in the future.
September 26, 2023
KJC Backlist Read Part 26
As I read this entire backlist, I've been working not in strict chronological order of publication, but rather off of this series order. Which means that all of the books set in the years either right before or right after WWI - Think of England, The Will Darling Series, Simon Feximal, and Spectred Isle - occurred right in a row. I think that theme is the strongest in Will Darling and Spectred Isle, and despite the stark subgenre differences, the two share quite a bit of ground in how they deal with the concept of aftermath. Particularly, the sense the books share that the war has ended, that it has irrevocably altered the world, and that the protagonist - and eventually his love interest - are the only ones who can see just how much things have changed. In Will Darling, this theme is more about Will's internal journey, in Spectred Isle, it's far more literal: the supernatural "war beneath the war" has unleashed actual demons, and Saul and Randolph seem to be the only two still fighting them. That epic "The last knight in Europe takes weapons from the wall" line from Will Darling could just as easily be an epigraph for this book as well. And in both books, there's an abiding mistrust of authority that drives the main couple both to take violence into their own hands, and to provide each other with the (emotional, physical) care that they're lacking. It's a fascinating dichotomy, of violence and care, that all seems to get articulated around the concept of war in a really fascinating way.
As a book on its own (though, unfortunately, also seemingly the first in a series that may not get completed) I really enjoyed Spectred Isle. The dynamic between Saul and Randolph was lovely - I always enjoy a character who is SURE they're too awkward/weird/nerdy/difficult to be loveable and then finds out that, oh no, someone loves exactly those things about them. And the writing was impeccable, as always. This book wasn't without its issues, of course (the attempt to grapple with both British empire and British criminalization of homosexuality in Saul's backstory with his Mesopotamian lover gave short shrift to two really complex topics), but on the whole, a greatly enjoyable installment in a backlist that really is taking on epic thematic proportions as I near its end.
Favorite line: I have a sinking feeling, based on no prior experience whatsoever, that I love you, you damned inconvenient turner-up in all the wrong places, and it's only right you should know and - well, good luck with that.
As I read this entire backlist, I've been working not in strict chronological order of publication, but rather off of this series order. Which means that all of the books set in the years either right before or right after WWI - Think of England, The Will Darling Series, Simon Feximal, and Spectred Isle - occurred right in a row. I think that theme is the strongest in Will Darling and Spectred Isle, and despite the stark subgenre differences, the two share quite a bit of ground in how they deal with the concept of aftermath. Particularly, the sense the books share that the war has ended, that it has irrevocably altered the world, and that the protagonist - and eventually his love interest - are the only ones who can see just how much things have changed. In Will Darling, this theme is more about Will's internal journey, in Spectred Isle, it's far more literal: the supernatural "war beneath the war" has unleashed actual demons, and Saul and Randolph seem to be the only two still fighting them. That epic "The last knight in Europe takes weapons from the wall" line from Will Darling could just as easily be an epigraph for this book as well. And in both books, there's an abiding mistrust of authority that drives the main couple both to take violence into their own hands, and to provide each other with the (emotional, physical) care that they're lacking. It's a fascinating dichotomy, of violence and care, that all seems to get articulated around the concept of war in a really fascinating way.
As a book on its own (though, unfortunately, also seemingly the first in a series that may not get completed) I really enjoyed Spectred Isle. The dynamic between Saul and Randolph was lovely - I always enjoy a character who is SURE they're too awkward/weird/nerdy/difficult to be loveable and then finds out that, oh no, someone loves exactly those things about them. And the writing was impeccable, as always. This book wasn't without its issues, of course (the attempt to grapple with both British empire and British criminalization of homosexuality in Saul's backstory with his Mesopotamian lover gave short shrift to two really complex topics), but on the whole, a greatly enjoyable installment in a backlist that really is taking on epic thematic proportions as I near its end.
Favorite line: I have a sinking feeling, based on no prior experience whatsoever, that I love you, you damned inconvenient turner-up in all the wrong places, and it's only right you should know and - well, good luck with that.
September 14, 2020
Another exciting and compelling historical novel by KJ Charles.
Spectred Isle takes place in the same narrative universe of Charles' The Casebook of Simon Feximal and moves the action to 1923 when the after-effects of both WW1 and of the War Beneath are still acutely felt.
The two main characters in the novel, disgraced archeologist Saul Lazenby and occultist Randolph Glyde meet by chance on a series of sites where supernatural events are taking place. Unbeknownst to Saul, Randolph is part of the society of Green Men, a group of ghost hunters and occultists in charge of controlling the thin veil existing between everyday reality and the world beyond it.
Initially suspicious of each other, Saul and Randolph are both scarred by the war and its aftermath and observing their attempt to regain confidence in themselves and in their fellow human beings, adds a beautiful layer of emotional weight to their story.
The supernatural plot is, as expected, fast-paced and truly gripping. The book opens on an oak tree self-combusting in a park and also features a couple of amazing chapters set in a sort of liminal world where the laws of time and nature cease to exist.
KJ Charles' writing is a real delight - witty, relentless and full of depth. The homage to magazines such as the Strand and to Victorian and early 20th-century pulp fiction - in this book done through references to Robert Caldwell's accounts of Simon Feximal's adventures - adds a great meta-layer to Spectred Isle that is at the same time, its own story and part of a larger web of characters and narratives.
Great fun and really recommended.
Spectred Isle takes place in the same narrative universe of Charles' The Casebook of Simon Feximal and moves the action to 1923 when the after-effects of both WW1 and of the War Beneath are still acutely felt.
The two main characters in the novel, disgraced archeologist Saul Lazenby and occultist Randolph Glyde meet by chance on a series of sites where supernatural events are taking place. Unbeknownst to Saul, Randolph is part of the society of Green Men, a group of ghost hunters and occultists in charge of controlling the thin veil existing between everyday reality and the world beyond it.
Initially suspicious of each other, Saul and Randolph are both scarred by the war and its aftermath and observing their attempt to regain confidence in themselves and in their fellow human beings, adds a beautiful layer of emotional weight to their story.
The supernatural plot is, as expected, fast-paced and truly gripping. The book opens on an oak tree self-combusting in a park and also features a couple of amazing chapters set in a sort of liminal world where the laws of time and nature cease to exist.
KJ Charles' writing is a real delight - witty, relentless and full of depth. The homage to magazines such as the Strand and to Victorian and early 20th-century pulp fiction - in this book done through references to Robert Caldwell's accounts of Simon Feximal's adventures - adds a great meta-layer to Spectred Isle that is at the same time, its own story and part of a larger web of characters and narratives.
Great fun and really recommended.
August 18, 2017
3.75 stars rounded up
Spectred Isle didn't start pack up and running for me until around 25% or so.
Despite having read The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, I found myself quite confused with the world-built in the beginning, it seemed like too much history has happened before the book started; too many players being dropped on me without any introduction. It is always a big issue for me when it comes to paranormal/fantasy book. I'm not really a visual and imaginative person. So I kind of need the author to held my hand into the world they imagine in their head.
But then K.J. Charles shows her capability as a story teller because once Saul and Randolph started working together, everything just clicked for me. I was pulled into this world, the sinister situation, and the war brimming against supernatural beings. I was invested with the fact that Saul was being roped into fighting alongside Randolph, and I sure thought the action to be page-turner.
I ADORED Saul and Randolph together. Though he was said not really good with people, I thought Randolph really adored Saul and being pretty romantic with words when needed ^^.
Based on this first book, I look forward to this series more so than Charles' previous Sins of the Cities series. The next one will be M/F romance it seems ... and I am quite excited!
Spectred Isle didn't start pack up and running for me until around 25% or so.
Despite having read The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, I found myself quite confused with the world-built in the beginning, it seemed like too much history has happened before the book started; too many players being dropped on me without any introduction. It is always a big issue for me when it comes to paranormal/fantasy book. I'm not really a visual and imaginative person. So I kind of need the author to held my hand into the world they imagine in their head.
But then K.J. Charles shows her capability as a story teller because once Saul and Randolph started working together, everything just clicked for me. I was pulled into this world, the sinister situation, and the war brimming against supernatural beings. I was invested with the fact that Saul was being roped into fighting alongside Randolph, and I sure thought the action to be page-turner.
I ADORED Saul and Randolph together. Though he was said not really good with people, I thought Randolph really adored Saul and being pretty romantic with words when needed ^^.
Based on this first book, I look forward to this series more so than Charles' previous Sins of the Cities series. The next one will be M/F romance it seems ... and I am quite excited!
September 17, 2020
I loved every minute of this book. The atmosphere and the worldbuilding are really good. I'm looking forward to know more about those Green Men and their mission.
August 28, 2017
Superb writing!
Although it took me a while to wrap myself in this delectable paranormal world Charles has created, once I did, I became engrossed in the characters, plot, and setting.
I think it would have helped had I read The Secret Casebook of Simon Fleximal before tackling this novel since it's set in the same world. Regardless, the mystery of the world and what it encompassed was a pleasure to discover.
I enjoyed watching the two MCs get closer throughout this book, brought together by paranormal activity over a short period of time. Although I hesitate to call this insta-love, I will definitely call it insta-attraction and insta-relief in finding a gay lover. Set at the end of WWI, life and relationships for gay men were anything but easy. The fact that these two find each other is a treasure. I didn't feel a lot of heat between them, but they were good together.
I look forward to what awaits in the next books for our group of occultist fighting their underground war against evil forces.
Although it took me a while to wrap myself in this delectable paranormal world Charles has created, once I did, I became engrossed in the characters, plot, and setting.
I think it would have helped had I read The Secret Casebook of Simon Fleximal before tackling this novel since it's set in the same world. Regardless, the mystery of the world and what it encompassed was a pleasure to discover.
I enjoyed watching the two MCs get closer throughout this book, brought together by paranormal activity over a short period of time. Although I hesitate to call this insta-love, I will definitely call it insta-attraction and insta-relief in finding a gay lover. Set at the end of WWI, life and relationships for gay men were anything but easy. The fact that these two find each other is a treasure. I didn't feel a lot of heat between them, but they were good together.
I look forward to what awaits in the next books for our group of occultist fighting their underground war against evil forces.
June 18, 2018
Very much enjoyed this short interwar romance with more than a dash of the supernatural. Will read more!
July 28, 2017
Spectred Isle might just be my new favorite book by KJ Charles. It seems that I am saying that with every new book that she is publishing, but, seriously, you all, it was incredibly good.
As always, the historical setting is palpable, which is a given with the author. This book additionally shines through both the main characters and their romance as well as the paranormal aspect that was a pure delight.
Regarding the protagonists Randolph and Saul, who both get point of views in alternating chapters, I want to mention that they are distinct characters who both find themselves in the lucky, and for them surprising, situation to meet another man who complements them perfectly. Both never even dared hope for a relationship and it was very rewarding to see them happy. They are soooo lovely together.
I especially like that they are so open with each other and don’t take anything for granted. I absolutely love their banter. Randolph’s sarcastic side is a joy and I respect that he is just as easily honest and serious when it matters.
Their romance starts slowly and is based on many coincidences that the paranormal plot brings about. The way it is integrated into the story is smooth, though, and not implausible or ridiculous.
Speaking of the plot, I think it is a good idea to read The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal before you read this book, because you will find some lovely references, but it is not at all necessary. The story offers suspense, mystery, and action, and my personal highlights are the several scary scenes that had my blood pumping and me squealing, with delight and horror. Oh gosh, I love to be scared, it seems. Those scenes are so creepy and the way you just glide into them is exciting in all the good ways.
This is the first part in a new series and the main story arc is solved satisfactorily but there is many more to come. Who unleashed an ancient evil and what role does the Shadow mystery play? I cannot wait to find out more about it and I’m very much looking forward to the next book, Last Couple in Hell, that features Sam, whom we already met in Simon Feximal and this book, and Joanie, a bisexual woman – the blurb sounds amazing and I fear January 2018 is way too far away…
A highly recommended book, combining romance and paranormal suspense with the very best characters. Enjoy!
__________________________________
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Historical, Horror
Tags: M/M Pairing, Gay Characters
Content Warnings for the stuff that comes with the genre
Rating: 5 stars
Blog: Review for Just Love
Disclosure: ARC for Review
As always, the historical setting is palpable, which is a given with the author. This book additionally shines through both the main characters and their romance as well as the paranormal aspect that was a pure delight.
Regarding the protagonists Randolph and Saul, who both get point of views in alternating chapters, I want to mention that they are distinct characters who both find themselves in the lucky, and for them surprising, situation to meet another man who complements them perfectly. Both never even dared hope for a relationship and it was very rewarding to see them happy. They are soooo lovely together.
I especially like that they are so open with each other and don’t take anything for granted. I absolutely love their banter. Randolph’s sarcastic side is a joy and I respect that he is just as easily honest and serious when it matters.
Their romance starts slowly and is based on many coincidences that the paranormal plot brings about. The way it is integrated into the story is smooth, though, and not implausible or ridiculous.
Speaking of the plot, I think it is a good idea to read The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal before you read this book, because you will find some lovely references, but it is not at all necessary. The story offers suspense, mystery, and action, and my personal highlights are the several scary scenes that had my blood pumping and me squealing, with delight and horror. Oh gosh, I love to be scared, it seems. Those scenes are so creepy and the way you just glide into them is exciting in all the good ways.
This is the first part in a new series and the main story arc is solved satisfactorily but there is many more to come. Who unleashed an ancient evil and what role does the Shadow mystery play? I cannot wait to find out more about it and I’m very much looking forward to the next book, Last Couple in Hell, that features Sam, whom we already met in Simon Feximal and this book, and Joanie, a bisexual woman – the blurb sounds amazing and I fear January 2018 is way too far away…
A highly recommended book, combining romance and paranormal suspense with the very best characters. Enjoy!
__________________________________
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Historical, Horror
Tags: M/M Pairing, Gay Characters
Content Warnings for the stuff that comes with the genre
Rating: 5 stars
Blog: Review for Just Love
Disclosure: ARC for Review
April 23, 2020
While 1920s is not my favorite historical time period, the fact that the story is happening in Simon Feximal universe and is sort of a spin off from The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal is something I didn't know or I would have read it sooner. I loved the connection through Sam Caldwell and Jo the soothsayer whom Robert Caldwell and Simon Feximal met on one of their cases. I loved the historical and arcane pieces woven into the story as well as the typical behaviors of bachelors of the day. The danger, the spooky factor and the love between two bitter and lonely men made this a story to enjoy and remember.
I liked Saul Lazenby. He is a man of principals, strong and loyal to a fault. He is the perfect counterpart to brash, outgoing and mysterious Randolph Glyde, the last remaining member of practically royal family in Arcane world. I enjoyed their conversations so much. They were at first glib and insincere, then aggressive and demanding and finally caring and passionate. Both men had so many faucets to explore. Their separate histories of how they got to be here in the moment were fascinating. I absolutely loved the fact that this time the story was told from both Randolph and Saul's POVs. It made it so much easier to get to know them both.
The magic and occult side of the story was amazingly written. It was equal parts captivating and gory. I gobbled it all up with gusto! I hope there will be more of Saul and Randolph whose journey is by no means over for it continues beyond the written pages of this book.
I liked Saul Lazenby. He is a man of principals, strong and loyal to a fault. He is the perfect counterpart to brash, outgoing and mysterious Randolph Glyde, the last remaining member of practically royal family in Arcane world. I enjoyed their conversations so much. They were at first glib and insincere, then aggressive and demanding and finally caring and passionate. Both men had so many faucets to explore. Their separate histories of how they got to be here in the moment were fascinating. I absolutely loved the fact that this time the story was told from both Randolph and Saul's POVs. It made it so much easier to get to know them both.
The magic and occult side of the story was amazingly written. It was equal parts captivating and gory. I gobbled it all up with gusto! I hope there will be more of Saul and Randolph whose journey is by no means over for it continues beyond the written pages of this book.
June 25, 2018
This is an interesting paranormal romance set in 1920s England and dealing with the aftermath of the secret war that paralleled WW1, but using the occult rather than conventional weapons.
In this environment, disgraced former soldier Saul Lazenby has taken the only job he could get, helping out the crackpot Major Peabody with his seemingly random investigations into London's occult past. After Saul comes across something genuinely unexplained, he keeps running into a mysterious stranger who introduces himself as Randolph Glyde. Randolph is the last of the Glyde family, essentially English occult royalty, and is trying to deal with a power-grab by a secret government department while trying to work our who this Lazenby fellow is and why he keeps showing up where he shouldn't be. And that's on top of their mutual attraction, something that contributed to Saul's disgrace and something that could be used against Randolph.
The urban fantasy elements of this book are done well and very reminiscent of other novel series with secret histories of the occult. I'm reminded strongly of both Rivers of London and the Charles Stross Laundry books. I also thought the romance between Saul and Randolph was well written. There was something about the way the two major elements of this hung together that didn't quite work for me though, and I did find myself taking an inordinate amount of time to get through this rather short book. Definitely worth continuing the series though.
I did get really confused early on by an anachronism where they referred to a weapon that is an iconic WW2 feature, and that did throw me out of the story a bit, but it's always difficult to get historical detail right.
In this environment, disgraced former soldier Saul Lazenby has taken the only job he could get, helping out the crackpot Major Peabody with his seemingly random investigations into London's occult past. After Saul comes across something genuinely unexplained, he keeps running into a mysterious stranger who introduces himself as Randolph Glyde. Randolph is the last of the Glyde family, essentially English occult royalty, and is trying to deal with a power-grab by a secret government department while trying to work our who this Lazenby fellow is and why he keeps showing up where he shouldn't be. And that's on top of their mutual attraction, something that contributed to Saul's disgrace and something that could be used against Randolph.
The urban fantasy elements of this book are done well and very reminiscent of other novel series with secret histories of the occult. I'm reminded strongly of both Rivers of London and the Charles Stross Laundry books. I also thought the romance between Saul and Randolph was well written. There was something about the way the two major elements of this hung together that didn't quite work for me though, and I did find myself taking an inordinate amount of time to get through this rather short book. Definitely worth continuing the series though.
I did get really confused early on by an anachronism where they referred to a weapon that is an iconic WW2 feature, and that did throw me out of the story a bit, but it's always difficult to get historical detail right.
August 4, 2017
4.5 hearts
Ah this book! It was fun, exciting, romantic and sexy, but above all else it made me want to frolic through the English countryside
I loved this story! I was rather skeptical going into this but I found myself stuck to the pages in no time, just like every other KJ Charles book I've read. This book is set in the early 20’s, a couple years after World War One and within the same world as Simon Feximal, so we know it's supernatural.
Saul is an ex soldier and archaeologist and has a shady history he's trying to recover from. He's currently working for an eccentric man who essentially chases myths and magical theories around England. Saul has no reason to suspect or believe in anything of the supernatural kind, until a number of strange occurrences start to unfold.
Check out the rest of my review and a few others unicorns over in the blog,
Ah this book! It was fun, exciting, romantic and sexy, but above all else it made me want to frolic through the English countryside
I loved this story! I was rather skeptical going into this but I found myself stuck to the pages in no time, just like every other KJ Charles book I've read. This book is set in the early 20’s, a couple years after World War One and within the same world as Simon Feximal, so we know it's supernatural.
Saul is an ex soldier and archaeologist and has a shady history he's trying to recover from. He's currently working for an eccentric man who essentially chases myths and magical theories around England. Saul has no reason to suspect or believe in anything of the supernatural kind, until a number of strange occurrences start to unfold.
Check out the rest of my review and a few others unicorns over in the blog,
May 22, 2020
This was both exactly the book I needed to read this week and also a really excellent book for any time. I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to read it - from the blurb, it didn't sound like quite my thing - but I was too excited by the fact that the second book in the series is going to be f/f to pass it up. And I am so glad I didn't miss out - I hadn't realized it was in the same universe as Simon Feximal, for one thing, and since that's probably my second favorite KJC book, I was thrilled to read more about that world and some of the same characters. For anther thing, this is a well-written, intense book that turned out to be exactly my thing - e.g. full of strong but fitting ethical/moral themes about politics and power, woven in with old mythology and carried by compelling characters. I really liked both Randolph and Saul, and I'm intrigued by the supporting characters, who hopefully/presumably will be back in the next books. I also want to gush about the incredible, terrible atmosphere of the book - both the ancient paranormal creepiness and the more recent lingering shadow of a horrific war that left its mark on all of the characters and the world surrounding them. Damn.
August 6, 2021
I really want to give this book 5 stars, possibly more. I don't like horror elements, but despite that the story was just perfect for me, and that alone counts for more than 5 stars.
There is a sequel in the works, as far as I understand, but this is what's going to take the stars off:
- author switching to a different, f/f couple in the sequel. I am sure that it's going to be great for those who don't mind either/or, but what about all of us who, at the moment, prefer to stick with M/M only?
- you don't start with a true historical and then switch to futuristic/sci-fi with elves in the sequel, not unless you warn your readers well ahead and slap a "time-travel/fantasy", "m/m and f/f" tags on it. The proper warnings might have been added since, I am sure, but not at the time of me reading it.
- this book is not a complete stand-alone. Not everything is explained. I would love to have a sequel with these MCs. Not as support characters, but MCs.
Disappointed :(
A star off for the author tricking me into reading a book with a cliffhanger while offering a sequel with a f/f couple (nothing wrong with f/f, just not my cup of poison right now).
There is a sequel in the works, as far as I understand, but this is what's going to take the stars off:
- author switching to a different, f/f couple in the sequel. I am sure that it's going to be great for those who don't mind either/or, but what about all of us who, at the moment, prefer to stick with M/M only?
- you don't start with a true historical and then switch to futuristic/sci-fi with elves in the sequel, not unless you warn your readers well ahead and slap a "time-travel/fantasy", "m/m and f/f" tags on it. The proper warnings might have been added since, I am sure, but not at the time of me reading it.
- this book is not a complete stand-alone. Not everything is explained. I would love to have a sequel with these MCs. Not as support characters, but MCs.
Disappointed :(
A star off for the author tricking me into reading a book with a cliffhanger while offering a sequel with a f/f couple (nothing wrong with f/f, just not my cup of poison right now).
September 20, 2017
This book. You won't believe how long it took me to finish it. I don't know what went wrong, but I could feel no passion between characters, and neither could I muster it for the book itself.
Additionally, the romance between Saul and Randolf distracted from the rest of the plot so much that fantasy/mytsery/adventure parts of it ended up being unsatisfying too.
It's well-written, it doesn't concentrate only on romance, lots of things happen in it, and still reading it was like going through the motions with no feeling behind it.
Additionally, the romance between Saul and Randolf distracted from the rest of the plot so much that fantasy/mytsery/adventure parts of it ended up being unsatisfying too.
It's well-written, it doesn't concentrate only on romance, lots of things happen in it, and still reading it was like going through the motions with no feeling behind it.
Want to read
December 1, 2017Thank you, Kinky Tinselicker: An Elf on Probation, for the gift!!
August 6, 2017
Check out the group review over at the blog!
3.75 stars
K.J. Charles delivers another entertaining MM historical paranormal!
Opposites-attract and enemies-to-lovers are two of my favourite themes. When Randolph and Saul first meet, they start off on the wrong foot. And they’re definitely opposites, with Saul a poor man of science, while Randolph is a wealthy elite member of the magical world.
I highly enjoyed their early bantering and squabbles. What made it even better was that neither could deny how attractive he found the other.
I found it easy to connect to both main characters. Saul’s prickly at times, while Randolph hides behind sarcasm and wit. Each has his own sordid history, but neither let life defeat him.
But both men have a strong sense of duty, and they develop a grudging respect for each other.
The story hits the ground running and doesn’t stop. Randolph and Saul are thrown in each other’s path when a tree connected to an old prophetess spontaneously combusts. This is the first in a chain of coincidences that forces the two men together.
KJ Charles is a master at crafting paranormal mysteries, and this book was no different. Borrowing from old English myths and adding her own twists, she built a gripping story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I’m not going to give anything away, but I’ll say that if you’re a fan of creepy paranormal mysteries that rely heavily on historical events, you’re in for a treat!
The romance grows in tandem to the mystery. As Saul slowly enters a world of magic and monsters, Randolph becomes the one person he can rely on. Meanwhile, for Randolph, Saul represents a chance at love, something Randolph never thought he would have.
The relationship between the two men is sweet and funny, with a bit of sexy. Both men had lost a lot over the course of World War I, but found happiness and home in each other.
Overall, this was a very entertaining read, with well-rounded characters, a sweet romance, and an entertaining paranormal mystery. Recommended!
3.75 stars
K.J. Charles delivers another entertaining MM historical paranormal!
Opposites-attract and enemies-to-lovers are two of my favourite themes. When Randolph and Saul first meet, they start off on the wrong foot. And they’re definitely opposites, with Saul a poor man of science, while Randolph is a wealthy elite member of the magical world.
I highly enjoyed their early bantering and squabbles. What made it even better was that neither could deny how attractive he found the other.
I found it easy to connect to both main characters. Saul’s prickly at times, while Randolph hides behind sarcasm and wit. Each has his own sordid history, but neither let life defeat him.
But both men have a strong sense of duty, and they develop a grudging respect for each other.
The story hits the ground running and doesn’t stop. Randolph and Saul are thrown in each other’s path when a tree connected to an old prophetess spontaneously combusts. This is the first in a chain of coincidences that forces the two men together.
KJ Charles is a master at crafting paranormal mysteries, and this book was no different. Borrowing from old English myths and adding her own twists, she built a gripping story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I’m not going to give anything away, but I’ll say that if you’re a fan of creepy paranormal mysteries that rely heavily on historical events, you’re in for a treat!
The romance grows in tandem to the mystery. As Saul slowly enters a world of magic and monsters, Randolph becomes the one person he can rely on. Meanwhile, for Randolph, Saul represents a chance at love, something Randolph never thought he would have.
The relationship between the two men is sweet and funny, with a bit of sexy. Both men had lost a lot over the course of World War I, but found happiness and home in each other.
Overall, this was a very entertaining read, with well-rounded characters, a sweet romance, and an entertaining paranormal mystery. Recommended!
March 3, 2024
Actual rating 3.5. Very good book but I think the romance was too sudden and I needed more fantasy, hence the rating.
March 8, 2018
Spectred Isle left me with a book hangover; it’s so good that for a while after I finished it I couldn’t contemplate reading anything else.
KJC’s new story has a really well-imagined and fascinating magic system, based on some cool English mythology – wood woses and Green Men – with which I wasn’t previously familiar. Saul and Randolph, her main characters, come together in such a satisfying way. They’re both emotionally and physically scarred by Word War One in a way that feels genuine, complex and not in any way mawkish or exploitative. They complement each other wonderfully and there’s such happiness in reading about them initially colliding before eventually finding joy in each other.
The dialogue is a delight, and there are a couple of secondary characters I’m desperate to know more about, so I’m very happy this is the start of a series.
KJC’s new story has a really well-imagined and fascinating magic system, based on some cool English mythology – wood woses and Green Men – with which I wasn’t previously familiar. Saul and Randolph, her main characters, come together in such a satisfying way. They’re both emotionally and physically scarred by Word War One in a way that feels genuine, complex and not in any way mawkish or exploitative. They complement each other wonderfully and there’s such happiness in reading about them initially colliding before eventually finding joy in each other.
The dialogue is a delight, and there are a couple of secondary characters I’m desperate to know more about, so I’m very happy this is the start of a series.
June 7, 2024
Review from 2018
B- for narration; A- for content. That's technically 4-and-a-bit stars, because sadly, the narration doesn't do the book justice.
Spectred Isle was one of my favourite books of 2017 and I’ve been eagerly looking forward to experiencing it again in audio format. The story is a captivating romantic adventure yarn set in England in 1923, wherein a small group of arcanists and ghost-hunters are England’s last line of defence against supernatural threat. Ms. Charles’ makes wonderful use of folklore, ancient myth and magical rites as she sets about pulling readers and listeners into the world she has created, one in which a war as terrible as the one being fought between 1914 and 1918 by men and machines was fought concurrently by forces of the occult.
The War Beneath, as that war is known amongst those who took part in it, was every bit as savage as the one going on in the trenches of Northern France, possibly moreso, as the opposing governments recruited as many occultists and arcanists as they could and set them to unleashing their very specialised form of warfare on the enemy. With both sides fairly evenly matched, the veil between the supernatural and the human worlds was irrevocably damaged; and with so many of the combatants dead, it now falls to just a handful of men and women to track down and repel the various creatures and malignant entities that are passing through the veil with increasing frequency.
One of the small number of guardians is Randolph Glyde, the last remaining member of an ancient family tasked by successive monarchs over many generations with protecting England from mystical forces. The Green Men take their magical ability from the land, but with so few of them left alive and so few of those up to the tasks required of them, Randolph is run ragged, doing the best he can to at the least keep London from falling prey to an attack from beyond the veil. These have become more frequent of late, what with a spontaneously combusting tree at Oak Hill Park (just north of London), a malevolent spirit manifestation in the East End… and the inexplicable appearance of a stranger who appears to be dogging Randolph’s footsteps.
Saul Lazenby spent most of the war in the North African desert – in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) to be precise – and had planned to return there afterwards to join an archaeological dig. Things didn’t work out that way though, and he returned from the war in disgrace, having been court-martialled and dishonourably discharged as the result of an ill-advised liaison with a local. Disowned by his family and practically destitute, Saul was lucky be offered employment by the eccentric Major Peabody, a man who is obsessed with the occult and the supernatural and believes London to be a hot-bed of magical activity – and whom Saul privately believes to be a harmless crackpot. Still, it’s paid work and all Saul has to do is “follow the bees in the major’s bonnet”. And those bees have led Saul to a number of locations at which odd things have happened, like an ancient oak tree in north London suddenly exploding into flame, a bizarre incident in Smithfield and several coincidental meetings with a darkly brooding, well-to-do but short-tempered man Saul begins to suspect must have escaped from an institution!
When Randolph and Saul meet accidentally again, this time at Camlet Moat in Trent Park (near Cockfosters, north of London), Randolph has to admit that it must be more than coincidence, and to understand that Saul must have some as yet unknown role to play in the defence of England. From here on in, the men have to work together in order to discover what Saul’s part is to be in the grand scheme of things, and to defeat the dark forces poised to attack London.
Randolph and Saul are superbly drawn characters, both of them outsiders, lonely and haunted by their pasts and, in Randolph’s case, the weight of the responsibility placed upon him. Their relationship evolves naturally from suspicion and scepticism to a tentative truce, friendship and respect, and then to more; and even though it grows over a fairly short space of time, nothing about the growth of their attraction feels rushed or underdeveloped. They have great chemistry, and I loved the way they were able to gradually let down their guards and be themselves with another person for the first time in ages. The love scenes are sensual, and there’s no doubt these two share an intense emotional connection as well.
Ms. Charles skilfully incorporates her (obviously) comprehensive research into ancient legends and pagan myth as she details the specifics of this world’s Earth-magic. It’s not benign and it’s not simple; it’s tricky and devious and dangerous, and those who have been tasked with using it and fighting it must suffer pain and sacrifice to prove themselves worthy of it.
Spectred Isle is a terrific book – one of the author’s best. In audio, however, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Ruairi Carter is an experienced narrator (recording here under an alias), and I liked a number of things about his performance. He’s technically accomplished, so there are no issues with things like pacing and enunciation and his character differentiation is generally good. Sam Caldwell (whom we first met as a child in The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal when he was adopted by Feximal and his life-partner, Robert Caldwell), has a slight cockney accent and the two ex-soldiers, Barney and Max, are easy to tell apart (one, courtesy of a gravelly growl, the other with a classic ‘officer class toff’ accent). Randolph sounds appropriately autocratic, although not always as caustic as he’s supposed to, but the biggest issue I had with the narration was with Mr. Carter’s characterisation of Saul. If I were describing a singer, I’d label Mr. Carter a high tenor, as his speaking voice falls into that sort of range. This means that in order to differentiate successfully between the two leads, he has to use a higher pitch for one – in this case Saul – as I suspect the attempt to push it lower would have sounded a bit silly. But this often had the effect of making him sound like a teenaged boy rather than a grown man, and while I got used to it, it was something of a problem in the sex scenes, where Saul just sounded far too young. In addition, there was a lack of emotional engagement which made the staccato utterances (“Yes!” “Please!” – that sort of thing ;)) in the heat of passion sound as though Saul wasn’t having a lot of fun and just wanted it all over and done with. There’s a fine line to be trod here, and to go over the top can be just as irritating as not going far enough, and of course, one listener’s over the top is likely another’s not far enough. Overall however, the performance was rather too low-key, and much of the atmosphere of menace and urgency conveyed through the author’s words on the page was lost.
I’ve reviewed almost every audio title by K.J. Charles and have almost always had positive things to say about both content and narration. While in general I say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, there’s no reason not to use different narrators for different projects – provided they’re right for it. And while Ruairi Carter is a good narrator, I don’t think he was the right choice for this particular book.
B- for narration; A- for content. That's technically 4-and-a-bit stars, because sadly, the narration doesn't do the book justice.
Spectred Isle was one of my favourite books of 2017 and I’ve been eagerly looking forward to experiencing it again in audio format. The story is a captivating romantic adventure yarn set in England in 1923, wherein a small group of arcanists and ghost-hunters are England’s last line of defence against supernatural threat. Ms. Charles’ makes wonderful use of folklore, ancient myth and magical rites as she sets about pulling readers and listeners into the world she has created, one in which a war as terrible as the one being fought between 1914 and 1918 by men and machines was fought concurrently by forces of the occult.
The War Beneath, as that war is known amongst those who took part in it, was every bit as savage as the one going on in the trenches of Northern France, possibly moreso, as the opposing governments recruited as many occultists and arcanists as they could and set them to unleashing their very specialised form of warfare on the enemy. With both sides fairly evenly matched, the veil between the supernatural and the human worlds was irrevocably damaged; and with so many of the combatants dead, it now falls to just a handful of men and women to track down and repel the various creatures and malignant entities that are passing through the veil with increasing frequency.
One of the small number of guardians is Randolph Glyde, the last remaining member of an ancient family tasked by successive monarchs over many generations with protecting England from mystical forces. The Green Men take their magical ability from the land, but with so few of them left alive and so few of those up to the tasks required of them, Randolph is run ragged, doing the best he can to at the least keep London from falling prey to an attack from beyond the veil. These have become more frequent of late, what with a spontaneously combusting tree at Oak Hill Park (just north of London), a malevolent spirit manifestation in the East End… and the inexplicable appearance of a stranger who appears to be dogging Randolph’s footsteps.
Saul Lazenby spent most of the war in the North African desert – in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) to be precise – and had planned to return there afterwards to join an archaeological dig. Things didn’t work out that way though, and he returned from the war in disgrace, having been court-martialled and dishonourably discharged as the result of an ill-advised liaison with a local. Disowned by his family and practically destitute, Saul was lucky be offered employment by the eccentric Major Peabody, a man who is obsessed with the occult and the supernatural and believes London to be a hot-bed of magical activity – and whom Saul privately believes to be a harmless crackpot. Still, it’s paid work and all Saul has to do is “follow the bees in the major’s bonnet”. And those bees have led Saul to a number of locations at which odd things have happened, like an ancient oak tree in north London suddenly exploding into flame, a bizarre incident in Smithfield and several coincidental meetings with a darkly brooding, well-to-do but short-tempered man Saul begins to suspect must have escaped from an institution!
When Randolph and Saul meet accidentally again, this time at Camlet Moat in Trent Park (near Cockfosters, north of London), Randolph has to admit that it must be more than coincidence, and to understand that Saul must have some as yet unknown role to play in the defence of England. From here on in, the men have to work together in order to discover what Saul’s part is to be in the grand scheme of things, and to defeat the dark forces poised to attack London.
Randolph and Saul are superbly drawn characters, both of them outsiders, lonely and haunted by their pasts and, in Randolph’s case, the weight of the responsibility placed upon him. Their relationship evolves naturally from suspicion and scepticism to a tentative truce, friendship and respect, and then to more; and even though it grows over a fairly short space of time, nothing about the growth of their attraction feels rushed or underdeveloped. They have great chemistry, and I loved the way they were able to gradually let down their guards and be themselves with another person for the first time in ages. The love scenes are sensual, and there’s no doubt these two share an intense emotional connection as well.
Ms. Charles skilfully incorporates her (obviously) comprehensive research into ancient legends and pagan myth as she details the specifics of this world’s Earth-magic. It’s not benign and it’s not simple; it’s tricky and devious and dangerous, and those who have been tasked with using it and fighting it must suffer pain and sacrifice to prove themselves worthy of it.
Spectred Isle is a terrific book – one of the author’s best. In audio, however, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Ruairi Carter is an experienced narrator (recording here under an alias), and I liked a number of things about his performance. He’s technically accomplished, so there are no issues with things like pacing and enunciation and his character differentiation is generally good. Sam Caldwell (whom we first met as a child in The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal when he was adopted by Feximal and his life-partner, Robert Caldwell), has a slight cockney accent and the two ex-soldiers, Barney and Max, are easy to tell apart (one, courtesy of a gravelly growl, the other with a classic ‘officer class toff’ accent). Randolph sounds appropriately autocratic, although not always as caustic as he’s supposed to, but the biggest issue I had with the narration was with Mr. Carter’s characterisation of Saul. If I were describing a singer, I’d label Mr. Carter a high tenor, as his speaking voice falls into that sort of range. This means that in order to differentiate successfully between the two leads, he has to use a higher pitch for one – in this case Saul – as I suspect the attempt to push it lower would have sounded a bit silly. But this often had the effect of making him sound like a teenaged boy rather than a grown man, and while I got used to it, it was something of a problem in the sex scenes, where Saul just sounded far too young. In addition, there was a lack of emotional engagement which made the staccato utterances (“Yes!” “Please!” – that sort of thing ;)) in the heat of passion sound as though Saul wasn’t having a lot of fun and just wanted it all over and done with. There’s a fine line to be trod here, and to go over the top can be just as irritating as not going far enough, and of course, one listener’s over the top is likely another’s not far enough. Overall however, the performance was rather too low-key, and much of the atmosphere of menace and urgency conveyed through the author’s words on the page was lost.
I’ve reviewed almost every audio title by K.J. Charles and have almost always had positive things to say about both content and narration. While in general I say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, there’s no reason not to use different narrators for different projects – provided they’re right for it. And while Ruairi Carter is a good narrator, I don’t think he was the right choice for this particular book.
February 9, 2018
Spectred Isle (Green Men, book 1)
KJ Charles
KJC Books, 2017
Five stars
“Get out of my way, bureaucrat, or I’ll burn your paper castle to the ground.”
Ooh. This is good. Very good. Now, already being a fan of KJ Charles’ writing, I must have bought this last year on the strength her Magpie Lord series, or “The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal.”
What Charles manages to do is to offer a wonderfully vivid world, based on post-World-War-I England, that is believable and rooted in the harsh realities of the social and cultural aftermath of that “war to end all wars.” This is no mean feat, but she adds to this a sweeping paranormal subtext, suggesting a world more damaged by unseen forces unleashed during the Great War than anyone knows. It is all expertly done, with a great sensitivity to language and period.
The set up for the whole series revolves around the coincidental meeting between Saul Lazenby, cashiered dishonorably out of the army after a terrible betrayal in the Middle East, and Randolph Glyde, last living member of an ancient family of aristocratic occultists bound to England’s monarchs since the dark ages. Following the quixotic demands of his amateur employer, Saul has no idea that there is another world beneath his own. Glyde, on the other hand, has no idea that Saul is anything other than an accidental interloper who keeps turning up in the wrong place at the right time.
The narrative is fast-paced and gripping, while the growing connection between Saul and Randolph evolves organically out of the story, as each man becomes inexorably caught up in the fearsome truth lurking in London’s forgotten green spaces. Together, helped by Randolph’s cohort of unorthodox soldiers-turned-ghost-hunters, Saul and Randolph must face an unspeakable evil that threatens a world already battered by war.
The next book in the series, “Last Couple in Hell,” seems to leave Saul and Randolph for another, male/female couple. I might have to sit that one out and see how it goes. I’ve just gotten a taste for Messrs. Lazenby and Glyde, and it’s not easy to give them up.
KJ Charles
KJC Books, 2017
Five stars
“Get out of my way, bureaucrat, or I’ll burn your paper castle to the ground.”
Ooh. This is good. Very good. Now, already being a fan of KJ Charles’ writing, I must have bought this last year on the strength her Magpie Lord series, or “The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal.”
What Charles manages to do is to offer a wonderfully vivid world, based on post-World-War-I England, that is believable and rooted in the harsh realities of the social and cultural aftermath of that “war to end all wars.” This is no mean feat, but she adds to this a sweeping paranormal subtext, suggesting a world more damaged by unseen forces unleashed during the Great War than anyone knows. It is all expertly done, with a great sensitivity to language and period.
The set up for the whole series revolves around the coincidental meeting between Saul Lazenby, cashiered dishonorably out of the army after a terrible betrayal in the Middle East, and Randolph Glyde, last living member of an ancient family of aristocratic occultists bound to England’s monarchs since the dark ages. Following the quixotic demands of his amateur employer, Saul has no idea that there is another world beneath his own. Glyde, on the other hand, has no idea that Saul is anything other than an accidental interloper who keeps turning up in the wrong place at the right time.
The narrative is fast-paced and gripping, while the growing connection between Saul and Randolph evolves organically out of the story, as each man becomes inexorably caught up in the fearsome truth lurking in London’s forgotten green spaces. Together, helped by Randolph’s cohort of unorthodox soldiers-turned-ghost-hunters, Saul and Randolph must face an unspeakable evil that threatens a world already battered by war.
The next book in the series, “Last Couple in Hell,” seems to leave Saul and Randolph for another, male/female couple. I might have to sit that one out and see how it goes. I’ve just gotten a taste for Messrs. Lazenby and Glyde, and it’s not easy to give them up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 687 reviews