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Consulting Magic #4
A Flutter of Fae
Alexander Benedict-St. Albans and Julian St. Albans-Benedict are back for another book!
Fourth in the Consulting Magic series, A Flutter of Fae starts the next phase in Alex and Julian's lives. As Guardians of the Charmer's Way and newlywed husbands, they're learning to function together as a household and a part of society. Alex has taken the role of Charmer while Julian is becoming a sought-after Grower, but their busy new life hasn't gotten them out of Alex's previous job -- solving murders.
When a high elf turns up dead right in front of the Queen's Way, Her Majesty herself requests Alex and Julian's input on the problem. The problem is, their victim doesn't seem to have any enemies, or even serious business interests on the human side of the way. With no clear motive and time ticking away, Alex and Julian have to live their new, complicated lives while still making time for old friends, new acquaintances, and, of course, solving the murder.
m/m Romance, Established Relationship, Modern Fantasy, Murder Mystery, Adult Communication, Found Family, Food, Magic as Science, Science as Magic
Fourth in the Consulting Magic series, A Flutter of Fae starts the next phase in Alex and Julian's lives. As Guardians of the Charmer's Way and newlywed husbands, they're learning to function together as a household and a part of society. Alex has taken the role of Charmer while Julian is becoming a sought-after Grower, but their busy new life hasn't gotten them out of Alex's previous job -- solving murders.
When a high elf turns up dead right in front of the Queen's Way, Her Majesty herself requests Alex and Julian's input on the problem. The problem is, their victim doesn't seem to have any enemies, or even serious business interests on the human side of the way. With no clear motive and time ticking away, Alex and Julian have to live their new, complicated lives while still making time for old friends, new acquaintances, and, of course, solving the murder.
m/m Romance, Established Relationship, Modern Fantasy, Murder Mystery, Adult Communication, Found Family, Food, Magic as Science, Science as Magic
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2024
20 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Amy Crook
23 books103 followersAmy Crook has passed straight from maiden to crone; her final form will be a cryptid that lurks in the liminal spaces, joining all the cats who reside there. They will become her feral army of spoilt, self-serving fluff beasts. Amy is aro/ace, uses she/they, and prefers textual communication. She has made friends with the house ghosts in upstate NY, and the old monster under the bed came along on the move and still holds hands with her at night.
She specializes in writing magical worlds, boys in love, delicious meals, adult communication, and happy endings. She also paints cats, crows, and other small, strange wonders. You can find more about Amy, her artwork, and her eight cats at her website.
She specializes in writing magical worlds, boys in love, delicious meals, adult communication, and happy endings. She also paints cats, crows, and other small, strange wonders. You can find more about Amy, her artwork, and her eight cats at her website.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 4, 2025
I hesitated to read this one. I should've skipped it. What there is of the story is okay, if a bit of a cheat considering the theme of the other books, but it's soaked in mundanity (despite the magic) and lengthy food descriptions to the point where I skimmed a lot. And then the end was several more chapters. In theory, some of that was setup for another book, but in fact I will never read this author's stuff again or I'll need insulin. One star, I did reach the end. Another, because there was some plot in there and the characters would be good if they weren't buried in frosting.
March 25, 2025
I liked Alex from the start; Julian was someone he grew to love & want. . .
. . .so for the first two books, I was okay with their ending up together Besides, all Alex's extraneous acquaintances who end up being good friends made for exciting, humorous reading, especially as Alex never thought he had much to offer in the way of friendships. That everyone was drawn to him and valued his skillset, expertise, and talent as a mage who could produce excellent charms and amulets drew me in even more. I wasn't sure that Julian was all that wonderful, except Alex really was gone for him. I accepted their being together as it was the main plotline, was a bit uncomfortable with the snogging and cuddling, especially since it was so oppositional to Alex's previous behavior and character. Yet, the plots, troubles, dangers, and action still made the books interesting, so I bought book three.
However, I skimmed over a good quarter of that book -- the sweetness, cooing, constant PDA, were enough to give me cavities. The problem I had with Alex and Julian's nauseating displays, innuendo, and behavior both publicly and in private stemmed from Julian's smugness, inappropriate attempts at puppy like behavior or trying to constantly gain attention by being cute and shameless. Talk about lacking decorum. Worse, Alex kept being told Julian was the reason everyone tolerated him.
This book, Julian works more with Alex, seems to support him more, but still allows everyone to badger Alex over his previously grumpy demeanor, when people actually had liked him in spite of that. I found it infuriating, and it colored my overall positive impressions if this book despite the intriguing plot details. Less syrupy, unrealistic personality turn around and more intelligent random commenting and vocabulary from Julian would've made this a brilliant book. Three stars.
. . .so for the first two books, I was okay with their ending up together Besides, all Alex's extraneous acquaintances who end up being good friends made for exciting, humorous reading, especially as Alex never thought he had much to offer in the way of friendships. That everyone was drawn to him and valued his skillset, expertise, and talent as a mage who could produce excellent charms and amulets drew me in even more. I wasn't sure that Julian was all that wonderful, except Alex really was gone for him. I accepted their being together as it was the main plotline, was a bit uncomfortable with the snogging and cuddling, especially since it was so oppositional to Alex's previous behavior and character. Yet, the plots, troubles, dangers, and action still made the books interesting, so I bought book three.
However, I skimmed over a good quarter of that book -- the sweetness, cooing, constant PDA, were enough to give me cavities. The problem I had with Alex and Julian's nauseating displays, innuendo, and behavior both publicly and in private stemmed from Julian's smugness, inappropriate attempts at puppy like behavior or trying to constantly gain attention by being cute and shameless. Talk about lacking decorum. Worse, Alex kept being told Julian was the reason everyone tolerated him.
This book, Julian works more with Alex, seems to support him more, but still allows everyone to badger Alex over his previously grumpy demeanor, when people actually had liked him in spite of that. I found it infuriating, and it colored my overall positive impressions if this book despite the intriguing plot details. Less syrupy, unrealistic personality turn around and more intelligent random commenting and vocabulary from Julian would've made this a brilliant book. Three stars.
October 10, 2024
Fun sequel
I quite enjoyed this new installment in this series. It is light and low stakes. It would probably make no sense if you haven't read the earlier books. I will say the mystery component was a little confusing, and I'm not sure I fully got the motives for the crime. That said it was lovely to catch up with all the characters and see how they are all getting on in this delightful world.
I quite enjoyed this new installment in this series. It is light and low stakes. It would probably make no sense if you haven't read the earlier books. I will say the mystery component was a little confusing, and I'm not sure I fully got the motives for the crime. That said it was lovely to catch up with all the characters and see how they are all getting on in this delightful world.
January 12, 2025
As always, not a good book to read when hungry! It felt like the lovely foodie bits didn't start until later in the story, but the meals were wonderful once they began. Nice mystery -- I wouldn't have guessed the why, although the clues were stated, and I had some idea about part of the who. I hope the author keeps writing this pair (and all their adjacent couples, of couse) for a good while!
October 30, 2024
Love Magic
This series just keeps getting better. I'd wondered how the author could top her last book in this series but she exceeded my expectations by a lot! This book is full of mystery, adventure, friendship, love, an the foibles of all creatures. Enjoy!
This series just keeps getting better. I'd wondered how the author could top her last book in this series but she exceeded my expectations by a lot! This book is full of mystery, adventure, friendship, love, an the foibles of all creatures. Enjoy!
January 16, 2025
lovely and lyrical and yummy!!
Seriously yummy! The food descriptions are amazingly, well, descriptive! And it is so nice to hear from all the old friends again. The world building and characters are, as always delightful and detailed. This is a great series!
Seriously yummy! The food descriptions are amazingly, well, descriptive! And it is so nice to hear from all the old friends again. The world building and characters are, as always delightful and detailed. This is a great series!
July 8, 2025
Delicious
This tale is comforting and delish, like your favorite homemade dinner and dessert. Alex and Julian may be fictional, but I sure do wish I could meet them and exist in a corner of their world.
This tale is comforting and delish, like your favorite homemade dinner and dessert. Alex and Julian may be fictional, but I sure do wish I could meet them and exist in a corner of their world.
August 22, 2024
Comforting
The author's description of the meals Alys cooks always grab me by my appetite! It's a brief visit with good friends.
The author's description of the meals Alys cooks always grab me by my appetite! It's a brief visit with good friends.
September 3, 2024
story line: ****
main characters: *****
side characters: *****
world building: *****
editing: *****
I always enjoy returning to Alex' and Julian's world. Highly recommended!
main characters: *****
side characters: *****
world building: *****
editing: *****
I always enjoy returning to Alex' and Julian's world. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews