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Regency Magicians #2
Chaos and Conjurations
Sequel to Spells and Sensibility
Captain Henry Tourmaline is having nightmares again. And this time he’s not even cursed.
But Henry is worried. He might be healed -- but the healing spell left his lover Theo in pain, their magic tangled together. They’ve uncovered an ominous plot -- but, without evidence, the Royal College of Wizardry refuses to believe them. And Theo’s brother, the Duke of Baselton, wants to meet Henry -- but also wants to introduce Theo to a wealthy baron, a more suitable match ... who might possess more sinister intentions.
Theo Burnett tells himself he has no regrets. He’s in love with Henry, and a permanent magical headache isn’t too high a price to pay for Henry’s recovery. But he misses his peaceful life in the College Library, before he became entwined in cultists’ plots and perils. And now he’s got his brother to deal with, and a baron asking questions about him. And Theo’s last magical secret is about to come to light ... explosively.
Together, Theo and Henry will face curses, cultists, and chaos ... and their own emotions, as they fight for their magical happy ending.
Captain Henry Tourmaline is having nightmares again. And this time he’s not even cursed.
But Henry is worried. He might be healed -- but the healing spell left his lover Theo in pain, their magic tangled together. They’ve uncovered an ominous plot -- but, without evidence, the Royal College of Wizardry refuses to believe them. And Theo’s brother, the Duke of Baselton, wants to meet Henry -- but also wants to introduce Theo to a wealthy baron, a more suitable match ... who might possess more sinister intentions.
Theo Burnett tells himself he has no regrets. He’s in love with Henry, and a permanent magical headache isn’t too high a price to pay for Henry’s recovery. But he misses his peaceful life in the College Library, before he became entwined in cultists’ plots and perils. And now he’s got his brother to deal with, and a baron asking questions about him. And Theo’s last magical secret is about to come to light ... explosively.
Together, Theo and Henry will face curses, cultists, and chaos ... and their own emotions, as they fight for their magical happy ending.
350 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2023
25 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 3, 2023
Everything positive and negative about the first book applies to this sequel. Far far too much introspective dialogue and self-recrimination which faltered the plot pacing no-end. The magic (including the library) and fight sequences when they were featured were absolutely engaging. Now if the authors would focus more on the latter with the final book in this trilogy, I'd be truly grateful.
June 27, 2025
3 stars but only to encourage Noone & Murphy to write a better book 3
What on earth happened here? The first book in this series, Spells and Sensibility, was a total winner—superb world-building, tender romance, high stakes, Noone's characteristic use of colours and poetic language adding depth to the story.
But this? 146k words, composed of 1/2 repetitious MC angst, 1/4 random characters worrying about the MCs, 1/4 identifying the villain, worrying about the villain, proceeding to meet the villain and getting blown up by the villain.
Yes, Noone can write beautifully, and I will read her description of a cereal packet and sigh with delight. Yes, I want Henry and Theo to have an HEA, but there needs to be some real drive behind it. Given that this is book 2 of a trilogy and there is no word of book 3 two years later, I suspect the magic has gone out of the partnership with K.S. Murphy.
I may never find out what happens in the end. Despair and Despondency.
What on earth happened here? The first book in this series, Spells and Sensibility, was a total winner—superb world-building, tender romance, high stakes, Noone's characteristic use of colours and poetic language adding depth to the story.
But this? 146k words, composed of 1/2 repetitious MC angst, 1/4 random characters worrying about the MCs, 1/4 identifying the villain, worrying about the villain, proceeding to meet the villain and getting blown up by the villain.
Yes, Noone can write beautifully, and I will read her description of a cereal packet and sigh with delight. Yes, I want Henry and Theo to have an HEA, but there needs to be some real drive behind it. Given that this is book 2 of a trilogy and there is no word of book 3 two years later, I suspect the magic has gone out of the partnership with K.S. Murphy.
I may never find out what happens in the end. Despair and Despondency.
April 11, 2023
This is intensely part two of (probably) three, so don't start here. Start with Spells and Sensibility. For some reason the kindle versions aren't linked as a series, but they absolutely are.
The author's style is a constant; if you don't like it on the first page, this author's not for you. It's a little much for me at times, but I like the characters so much, and the worldbuilding, and the plot, that it's easy to "endure" -- this part included quite a lot of changes, not all for the better thanks to human flaws and creepy bad guys, but it ends in a calm space, which is a kindness.
I'll pre-order the next book as soon as it's available.
The author's style is a constant; if you don't like it on the first page, this author's not for you. It's a little much for me at times, but I like the characters so much, and the worldbuilding, and the plot, that it's easy to "endure" -- this part included quite a lot of changes, not all for the better thanks to human flaws and creepy bad guys, but it ends in a calm space, which is a kindness.
I'll pre-order the next book as soon as it's available.
April 30, 2025
There’s something so quietly enchanting about this story—it’s soft and intimate, full of quiet moments and deep emotion, even in the face of danger and tension. The relationship between Theo and Henry is the heart of it all, and while I’m usually not the biggest fan of insta-love, I genuinely loved them together. Their bond is full of mutual care, awe, and need—there’s something beautiful in how clearly they choose each other, again and again. I just wish the timeline had been a little longer so it felt a bit more lived-in.
Their relationship is romantic, yes, but it’s also built on mutual care—deep, physical, emotional need. Henry, with his earth magic, needs to feel grounded and useful and wanted. Theo, whose magic is words and knowledge and thought, sees him, names him, and gives him exactly that. And in return, Henry is a steady presence for Theo, someone who makes tea, holds him, listens. They’re each other’s anchor, in more ways than one.
There’s a tenderness threaded through every quiet moment, but also a quiet ache—both Theo and Henry carry the fear that this might not last, that they’re temporary in each other’s lives. It makes you want to shake them and tell them to just talk, but it also makes their connection feel incredibly human. Both of them think the other won’t stay, and that fear really tugs at your heart. You can feel the emotional weight of what they’re holding back, and I just wished they could’ve communicated that sooner.
What really stood out to me was the emotional layering. This book doesn’t need grand declarations or over-the-top drama to land a punch. It’s in the small things: a hand squeeze, a whispered phrase, the choice to stay when it would be easier to run. One of them would give up everything—their career, their magic, their home, their life—just to make sure the other is safe. That sort of love, fierce and quiet at once, wrecked me in the best way.
The writing is just beautiful. Poetic without being too flowery, and deeply in tune with the characters’ emotions. Lines like “The rain whispered to itself, over aged stone walls and roofs and pathways and cobblestones” or “They went upstairs, matching steps, like a dream. Wrapped in rain, held in light” felt like being wrapped in something soft and aching. Even something as simple as “The thought made Theo’s heart glitter” manages to say so much in so few words. The prose is steeped in magic and longing, and it lingers.
This is the kind of book that sinks into your chest, lingering there long after you’ve turned the last page. I just wish the next one was already waiting for me.
Their relationship is romantic, yes, but it’s also built on mutual care—deep, physical, emotional need. Henry, with his earth magic, needs to feel grounded and useful and wanted. Theo, whose magic is words and knowledge and thought, sees him, names him, and gives him exactly that. And in return, Henry is a steady presence for Theo, someone who makes tea, holds him, listens. They’re each other’s anchor, in more ways than one.
There’s a tenderness threaded through every quiet moment, but also a quiet ache—both Theo and Henry carry the fear that this might not last, that they’re temporary in each other’s lives. It makes you want to shake them and tell them to just talk, but it also makes their connection feel incredibly human. Both of them think the other won’t stay, and that fear really tugs at your heart. You can feel the emotional weight of what they’re holding back, and I just wished they could’ve communicated that sooner.
What really stood out to me was the emotional layering. This book doesn’t need grand declarations or over-the-top drama to land a punch. It’s in the small things: a hand squeeze, a whispered phrase, the choice to stay when it would be easier to run. One of them would give up everything—their career, their magic, their home, their life—just to make sure the other is safe. That sort of love, fierce and quiet at once, wrecked me in the best way.
The writing is just beautiful. Poetic without being too flowery, and deeply in tune with the characters’ emotions. Lines like “The rain whispered to itself, over aged stone walls and roofs and pathways and cobblestones” or “They went upstairs, matching steps, like a dream. Wrapped in rain, held in light” felt like being wrapped in something soft and aching. Even something as simple as “The thought made Theo’s heart glitter” manages to say so much in so few words. The prose is steeped in magic and longing, and it lingers.
This is the kind of book that sinks into your chest, lingering there long after you’ve turned the last page. I just wish the next one was already waiting for me.
September 7, 2023
What a great follow-up to the wonderful first novel!
There was much that was painful in this novel, and I cried my way through much of it — the agonies of war and betrayal, but also the hurt of two people newly trying to make lives together. Sometimes their self-doubts got too angsty, but then again they were both recovering from the injuries of the first novel and were thus shaky to start with. The novel got less emotionally painful as the suspense heated up, which was something of a relief.
I love the way these authors write earth and word magic — wonderfully poetic in a way that clearly annoys some readers but delights me.
There was much that was painful in this novel, and I cried my way through much of it — the agonies of war and betrayal, but also the hurt of two people newly trying to make lives together. Sometimes their self-doubts got too angsty, but then again they were both recovering from the injuries of the first novel and were thus shaky to start with. The novel got less emotionally painful as the suspense heated up, which was something of a relief.
I love the way these authors write earth and word magic — wonderfully poetic in a way that clearly annoys some readers but delights me.
January 1, 2024
I loved the first book and love Theo and Henry's characters. I loved the balance between emotion, love story, and action of the first book. I was happy to discover the sequel. Sadly, the balance was not the same in the second book. Only 25% into the book and I was already bored with both characters' insecurities in the relationship and especially Henry's overwhelming guilt. I continued to read, hoping that there would be more action. It isn't until halfway through the book that the action picks up. The last half was much better.
December 8, 2023
Book two in the trilogy is better than the first book, but still spends too much of the first 2/3rds whinging. The last part is much better - still some whinging and the setup for the 3rd book is rather predictable, but there's enough happening you only have to skim a bit and I'm hoping the 3rd book (still to be published at this time) will clarify Theo's abilities and should see the story arc resolved.
April 3, 2023
What's next?
Good follow-up to book 1, but it's not light and fluffy. Henry and Theo are not recovered from that adventure and their relationship seems on shaky ground. To make it worse, the right people aren't listening when Theo and Henry insist the attacker ( book 1) wasn't working alone.
I stayed up too late, finishing this - worth it!
Good follow-up to book 1, but it's not light and fluffy. Henry and Theo are not recovered from that adventure and their relationship seems on shaky ground. To make it worse, the right people aren't listening when Theo and Henry insist the attacker ( book 1) wasn't working alone.
I stayed up too late, finishing this - worth it!
April 4, 2023
Oh, my heart! There were points when I had to put this book down for a bit because I was so tense on behalf of Theo and Henry and wanted so much for them both to be okay. I won't spoil the good bits, but I will say that this is masterfully written to wrap your heartstrings in a tight knot and not ease up on the tension until the absolutely heart-pounding climax. A bravura performance!
July 28, 2023
ok still reading this one but one of my new favourite lines i have ever read in a book now is "But Henry had that sunflower soul, looking for light." don't mind me, crying in a corner
EXTREMELY stressed about not having book 3 rn. like extremely extremely. cannot wait to see where this goes and also will cry when i read it no doubts in my mind.
EXTREMELY stressed about not having book 3 rn. like extremely extremely. cannot wait to see where this goes and also will cry when i read it no doubts in my mind.
Read
June 20, 2023More of the same. Which is not all bad; I really love the magical system and the world they're living in and Henry and Theo as characters. But there's way too much time spent in their heads and all the emotions and motivations are spelled out on the page, over and over again.
May 6, 2023
Waaaay too repetitive. Needed a lot cut.
Read
May 30, 2023Read ebook, which isn't listed. Date finished an estimate.
October 18, 2023
DNF. Couldn't push through all the repetition.
April 15, 2023
This is excellent and everyone should read it, so there.
Oh WOW. I was afraid that book 2 might not live up to book 1, but it did, oh it did.
Oh WOW. I was afraid that book 2 might not live up to book 1, but it did, oh it did.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews