Title:A Queer Trade (Rag and Bone 0.5)
Author: K.J. Charles
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: February 2nd 2016
Genre(s): Historical, Paranormal, Fantasy (Magic)
Page Count: 50
Reviewed by: Ele
Heat Level: 1 flame out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Apprentice magician Crispin Tredarloe returns to London to find his master dead, and his papers sold. Papers with secrets that could spell death. Crispin needs to get them back before anyone finds out what he’s been doing, or what his magic can do.
Crispin tracks his quarry down to waste paper dealer Ned Hall. He needs help, and Ned can’t resist Crispin’s pleading—and appealing—looks. But can the waste-man and the magician prevent a disaster and save Crispin’s skin?
A 16,000 word story set in the Charm of Magpies world, and a prequel to the novel Rag and Bone (March 2016). This story was first published as part of the Charmed & Dangerous anthology.
Cover design by Catherine Dair.
“O, it’s a queer trade, but there’s many worse.”
London Labour and the London Poor
I’m undeniably biased; I love studying this part of London’s history, my master’s thesis was about life and labour in the streets of London, based on Henry Mayhiew’s journals, and I ‘ve read the thing a bazillion times.
So, yes, I’m definately biased. But Charles has undoubtedly done a terrific job introducing us to the new series, Rag and Bone, set in the Charm of Magpies world.
Considering that this is just 50 pages long, the characters are amazingly well-sketched, and the balance between romance and action/magic, is perfect.
So, this is a very intriguing start; a warlock, a black waste paper dealer, and lost magic papers! And freckles! Lots of freckles! I’m looking forward to reading more stories with Ned and Crispin, and exploring defferent parts of this world.
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