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Consulting Magic #2
The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans: Consulting Magic, Book 2
In this sequel to The Courtship of Julian St. Albans, Julian—once a member of the pampered elite and Courted by the cream of society—is now an apprentice and the still-pampered boyfriend of consulting mage Alex Benedict.
He arrives one bright August morning at the plant nursery where he's working through his apprenticeship, only to find a dead body among the lucky clover. This is the first in a series of strange murders that keep getting closer and closer to home, to Julian's wonderful new life and all the magic threading through it, including the new magic that's blossomed inside him.
Alex Benedict is left working against an unknown threat to solve the murders and keep his lover alive, and it seems like all of his magic won't be enough. With opposition from inside the Agency and out, and only Alex's wards for refuge, Julian has to learn to use his own powers fast enough to keep from becoming another casualty.
He arrives one bright August morning at the plant nursery where he's working through his apprenticeship, only to find a dead body among the lucky clover. This is the first in a series of strange murders that keep getting closer and closer to home, to Julian's wonderful new life and all the magic threading through it, including the new magic that's blossomed inside him.
Alex Benedict is left working against an unknown threat to solve the murders and keep his lover alive, and it seems like all of his magic won't be enough. With opposition from inside the Agency and out, and only Alex's wards for refuge, Julian has to learn to use his own powers fast enough to keep from becoming another casualty.
Audible Audio
First published August 26, 2014
52 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Amy Crook
24 books108 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 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 24, 2018
This second book in the series was every bit as good as the first! It was awesome to see Alex and Julian's relationship advancing, their playful and incredibly loving interactions are a joy to read. It was also a lot of fun to not only get to know familiar sceondary characters better, but also to be introduced to some very interesting new ones. The story was top notch with the suspense on a slow burn that culminated beautifully at the end. Over all this was a more than worthy, couldn't put down follow up to book one and I look forward to the rest of the series.
September 13, 2014
2,2 stars
A sequel to ambitious and very promising The Courtship of Julian St. Albans.
The story continues some time after first book ended. Julian and Alex are living together, happily in love. They realized Julian has magical talents of his own- ability to connect to plants; feel what they need, so he is doing his apprenticeship to become mage at plant nursery. There he stumbles upon body. Somebody is leaving bodies in gardens all over town and now he is targeting Julian.
I'll do this pro et contra, like I did for first book.
What I liked:
Well, magic. I liked Julian's magical ability to talk/feel/connect to plants. It's one of those non-invasive, non-action magical abilities that somehow suited Julian's personality. He is very gentle and delicate, so that worked for him. Considering that he is a wealthy lord, pampered and protected, it's refreshing he showed enough of character growth to go out and dirty his hands (pun intended :P ).
Steady romance: No romance angst. Alex and Julian are established couple and I'm glad there was no glitches in that department.
What I didn't like:
Weak plot- Big difference compared to first book is a change of pov- we are in Julian's head. Julian finds body immediately in first chapter and that is only chapter that keeps you on the edge of your seat. From there on, it's like everything regarding murders in the background, because we have to read about what characters eat.Which ties to..
Endless scenes of meal they were having- Ok, I get it, there has to be some kind of food fetish, tongue-bliss going on, but this becomes boring after certain time. I came to point that every time I read a line: "Are you up for snack?" my eye starts to twitch. These scenes slowed pace so much. For example: Julian found body and went to police to give statement. after that Alex and he go home with friends where they eat piers dripped in white chocolate with sprinkles or something. And, that's just appetizer, because you will get description of everything, from tea to what they were having for desert. They go to bed and tomorrow morning they get up and eat breakfast where again we have description of everything they ate + necessary reminder that Alex and Julian have two brownies who cook for them and doesn't like to be thanked. I'll give you an example:
I swear I am not exaggerating, but here is the thing: since author spent so many time on these lovely, mundane, but in truth completely unimportant things, the plot- mystery plot-suffered. Resolution, bad guy and his motives were explained in 4 sentences and thus, I am not convinced at all. :| Poof, the end.
Overdescription was issue for me in first novel as well, but here it was even more obvious, since after first scene where Julian finds body and weak culmination scene we don't have any action at all. In first, Alex was at least investigating....
Reappearance of creamy mounds- this is my personal peeve, but I cringed on frequent use of this in first novel, and wasn't really happy to see it again.
:(
A sequel to ambitious and very promising The Courtship of Julian St. Albans.
The story continues some time after first book ended. Julian and Alex are living together, happily in love. They realized Julian has magical talents of his own- ability to connect to plants; feel what they need, so he is doing his apprenticeship to become mage at plant nursery. There he stumbles upon body. Somebody is leaving bodies in gardens all over town and now he is targeting Julian.
I'll do this pro et contra, like I did for first book.
What I liked:
Well, magic. I liked Julian's magical ability to talk/feel/connect to plants. It's one of those non-invasive, non-action magical abilities that somehow suited Julian's personality. He is very gentle and delicate, so that worked for him. Considering that he is a wealthy lord, pampered and protected, it's refreshing he showed enough of character growth to go out and dirty his hands (pun intended :P ).
Steady romance: No romance angst. Alex and Julian are established couple and I'm glad there was no glitches in that department.
What I didn't like:
Weak plot- Big difference compared to first book is a change of pov- we are in Julian's head. Julian finds body immediately in first chapter and that is only chapter that keeps you on the edge of your seat. From there on, it's like everything regarding murders in the background, because we have to read about what characters eat.Which ties to..
Endless scenes of meal they were having- Ok, I get it, there has to be some kind of food fetish, tongue-bliss going on, but this becomes boring after certain time. I came to point that every time I read a line: "Are you up for snack?" my eye starts to twitch. These scenes slowed pace so much. For example: Julian found body and went to police to give statement. after that Alex and he go home with friends where they eat piers dripped in white chocolate with sprinkles or something. And, that's just appetizer, because you will get description of everything, from tea to what they were having for desert. They go to bed and tomorrow morning they get up and eat breakfast where again we have description of everything they ate + necessary reminder that Alex and Julian have two brownies who cook for them and doesn't like to be thanked. I'll give you an example:
"Oh, was it another one of those cakes he does?" asked Thomas, then the turned to Fischer. "Jacques brought this wonderful layered cake to their housewarming party, it was like nine layers of cake in different colours, with jam between them, and the whole thing had been soaked in some liqueur and then coated in fresh whipped cream. I thought I had died and gone to heaven."
"It wasn't quite that elaborate, but yeah, he made these little individual petit gateau with summer berries in a chocolate mousse, and then this heavy chocolate cake on the bottom, and a really light, airy angel food cake on top, with honey whipped cream. I guess Victor's been sending food over to the Temple as donations from the main house, so it was all Benedict honey and berries."
I swear I am not exaggerating, but here is the thing: since author spent so many time on these lovely, mundane, but in truth completely unimportant things, the plot- mystery plot-suffered. Resolution, bad guy and his motives were explained in 4 sentences and thus, I am not convinced at all. :| Poof, the end.
Overdescription was issue for me in first novel as well, but here it was even more obvious, since after first scene where Julian finds body and weak culmination scene we don't have any action at all. In first, Alex was at least investigating....
Reappearance of creamy mounds- this is my personal peeve, but I cringed on frequent use of this in first novel, and wasn't really happy to see it again.
:(
May 4, 2016
While I do sincerely enjoy this series and this author, I do think that the application of some type of editor would be extremely helpful. Amy Crook clearly knows how to write, but perhaps it would behoove her to learn what not to write. As in, what to leave out of the story so it flows cleaner.
While the first book is heavy-handed with the food descriptions, this one is nearly drowning in it. I swear not a page goes by where someone is not eating, thinking about food, or talking about it. It was just too damn much and it distracted greatly from the story.
But...I did really enjoy the story when it was focused on the people and the mystery. I love how Julian is growing as a character, and as a person. And, once again, the secondary characters were great.
...just, if there is a book three, I dearly hope that the author takes the time to trim the fat, as it were, from the story.
While the first book is heavy-handed with the food descriptions, this one is nearly drowning in it. I swear not a page goes by where someone is not eating, thinking about food, or talking about it. It was just too damn much and it distracted greatly from the story.
But...I did really enjoy the story when it was focused on the people and the mystery. I love how Julian is growing as a character, and as a person. And, once again, the secondary characters were great.
...just, if there is a book three, I dearly hope that the author takes the time to trim the fat, as it were, from the story.
January 31, 2025
I enjoyed the story, and I enjoy the characters, including the bird. The murder mystery was very good. The ending went on too long, but that's a common romance thing. It could have used another edit pass, there are more mistakes in this one than in book 1.
The prose would be good, save for the author's affectation of doubling up on a character's name within the same paragraph, as if a reader might forget, somehow. I'd hoped she'd get over it by book 2, but no. This specifically is why I'll delay reading book 3 until I'm less annoyed. It's also why this is the last I'll read by this author, sadly.
The prose would be good, save for the author's affectation of doubling up on a character's name within the same paragraph, as if a reader might forget, somehow. I'd hoped she'd get over it by book 2, but no. This specifically is why I'll delay reading book 3 until I'm less annoyed. It's also why this is the last I'll read by this author, sadly.
July 3, 2018
While this was a good book, I did feel as though it dragged a bit. I couldn't believe it was only 286 pages as it seemed so much longer. For all of that I did enjoy reading about Julian and Alex and their band of merry men. I will definitely be reading the last in this trilogy.
4 stars
4 stars
October 8, 2014
Where The Courtship of Julian St. Albans was all about Alex,his use of magic, and from his point of view, this book is all about Julian.
Julian is now happily living with Alex and has started his apprenticeship at a plant nursery. On one morning he discovers a dead body in the Lucky Clover and so the story begins.
This story is told entirely from Julian's point of view. It's about his newly discovered magic, his connection to the plants and his connection to the murder(s). The familiar characters from the first story return and we see them in a different way. Instead of concentrating on Julian's interactions with the other characters, and having long conversations to progress the story, it concentrates on Julian's feelings as events pretty much happen around him. Once again many descriptions of food, but even more on plants this time, as you would expect.
An enjoyable read with lots of side stories. If you enjoyed the first book you will enjoy this one.
Julian is now happily living with Alex and has started his apprenticeship at a plant nursery. On one morning he discovers a dead body in the Lucky Clover and so the story begins.
This story is told entirely from Julian's point of view. It's about his newly discovered magic, his connection to the plants and his connection to the murder(s). The familiar characters from the first story return and we see them in a different way. Instead of concentrating on Julian's interactions with the other characters, and having long conversations to progress the story, it concentrates on Julian's feelings as events pretty much happen around him. Once again many descriptions of food, but even more on plants this time, as you would expect.
An enjoyable read with lots of side stories. If you enjoyed the first book you will enjoy this one.
November 9, 2021
Julian and Alex after the consortship courting was over are settled into their relationship when a body is found in the magical gardens of a nursery where Julian works as an apprentice in the grower’s guild. It is the first of three murders of apprentices with magical ability. Alex is a consulting mage and they start investigating along with the agency into these murders. The murder is an insane magician trying to revitalize a wishing tree by the sacrifice of magic users. Much danger occurs before they capture the magician and bring wishes to the wishing tree to revitalize it.
March 10, 2016
This book was much harder to finish than book one. There was a point in the book where it seemed like all they did was eat, nap and drink tea. It got boring. It started to pick up a bit at 75% but I struggled to get through it.
March 21, 2021
This story was really sweet, and in some ways fails a little for being too sweet. Julian and Alex are adorable, but they're so lovey-dovey that you almost miss out a little on the idea of suspense or that something is out looking to harm Julian. Also the mystery falls a little short as you really don't have enough information to pick up the pieces and figure out who the villain is. Ok scratch that, I figured out who the bad guy was, just not how he related to everyone else and why Julian was the target specifically until they finally explained it all. And that really was just because there wasn't a lot of dangling information to go on.
Still I really enjoyed the way magic was explained and functions within this story and I do like all the characters relationships. They're all great friends and the warmth of their feelings for each other shows. I'll definitely read the next book in there series. This is a bit more of a feel good story than most mystery/suspense/thrillers. :)
Still I really enjoyed the way magic was explained and functions within this story and I do like all the characters relationships. They're all great friends and the warmth of their feelings for each other shows. I'll definitely read the next book in there series. This is a bit more of a feel good story than most mystery/suspense/thrillers. :)
Read
July 23, 2025By the numbers:
Chuckled: 114
Giggled: 47
Amused: 50
Teased: 61
Tea- 140x in chapters 1-11 I got bored counting
Chuckled: 114
Giggled: 47
Amused: 50
Teased: 61
Tea- 140x in chapters 1-11 I got bored counting
January 27, 2026
Interesting mystery, intriguing magical developments, snarky, tongue in cheek, funny, feel-good, compelling… Cheeky, fun, fantastic, delightful, overall optimistic. Emotionally satisfying.
Great world-building. Rich descriptions. Believable characters and motivations. Exceptionally entertaining.
Great world-building. Rich descriptions. Believable characters and motivations. Exceptionally entertaining.
August 20, 2025
2/5. I’m trying to get my inside thoughts and observations to make sense enough to where other folx can understand me, but I don’t know if I can manage to make “the vibes were off” sound less ridiculous right now.
I say it a lot, the thing about the vibes, but I think it’s different this time because knowing how to get your point across in the manner you want without fucking everything up in the process is a thing that is hard (but doable) and I know because I do it every single time I open my mouth, and it doesn’t always work out for me.
I am usually the first one hollering about “this is a repackaged cishet story with pronoun swaps and a more traditionally masculine name”. I get infinite shit for it because no one ever understands that I don’t mean the characters clearly used to be written as a cishet pairing. It’s more than that. It’s more nuanced. Subtle, but not.
It’s almost always the VIBES. A story that is so cishet-coded it stops being queer and starts being offensive. A story that doesn’t even relate to the queer experience in any capacity. So, yeah, it’s a lot like a Sally got swapped to a Samuel, but not such a literal sense, and that’s where I lose folx and they start getting snippy and their pitchforks and torches make appearances.
The first book had more than a bit of that in the reviews, and I wasn’t convinced it was in that category because the issues were very much stemming from the editing that it needed. I defended it. You can tell there’s a deep bow to historic fiction and old school romance book energy in this series as a whole, and if you mentally take away the repetitive adjectives and verbs, you are able to see it better.
Julian was a naïve, sheltered posh boy who came off a bit vapid, but was still just a guy who was too young/green to have much of a voice of his own. He deferred to those around him out of habit and necessity, and that gave him traits that get called feminine because people are fucking rude, even if they’re femme themselves. It’s ingrained and not many folx do the work to change it. Which, I mean, is just as shitty as erasing queer culture in a romance book marketed to a queer audience.
But he was a developing character who didn’t come off as girly or a literal kid, and had the potential to be fantastic once he shed the “victim of aristocratic nonsense” cloak and got himself dirtied up with the rabble outside of it/functioning as an independent adult.
But then we get to this book and everything flipped on its ass instead. Julian was completely infantilized in this one. Like, between the poor choices in descriptors and repetitive use of said poor choices, he felt like a 9-13 year-old kid. I honestly kept wondering what page I’d turn and see “Daddy” start to pop up. It was off-putting on a level I can’t readily verbalise. And it played right into those cishet romance vibes that put the “silly, helpless, barely-legal girl” with the much older man, who’s really more of a guy who signed guardianship paperwork than a lover/love interest. Not fun or fresh for anyone involved, really, and something I was all too happy to abandon when I stopped reading those types of romances.
Julian lost every good quality about his character in this book to being childlike and dependent, and I don’t think it was totally intentional. I think a lot of it had to do with the editing, which I’ve said multiple times now and I meant it.
Why am I saying that, you ask? Because if this book had proper editing, it would’ve been nothing for the editor to tell the author their choices weren’t conveying the shit they were trying to and help them get to where they wanted to go. Yes, Julian was sheltered, and yes, Julian was naïve, but that’s not what this highlighted. He still came off as an adult who knew his own mind in the first book, just maybe not how to act on it. But not here in book two. Here in book two, he was a little dude looking to the grownups in the room to gentle parent him until he learned about the world. It was fucking creepy and I reached to dial Chris Hansen a couple of times before I stopped myself to analyze why I felt that way.
Word choices matter. It’s why I always go on and on about editing and the need for it to be legit. When you miss the mark this badly, it’s time to admit that you need some shit to be different in your process. Yeah, adults giggle, snuggle, want to be doted on/cared for, and look to those they trust and care for to weigh-in on things.
But that’s not the extent of their personalities. That’s not every single interaction they have with their surroundings. They don’t ALWAYS do ONLY those things, no matter their upbringing. They aren’t marionettes looking for a puppet master, nor are they perpetually stuck in adolescence with no clear way out of it.
Those aren’t feminine traits, but they definitely come across that way to those that think weakness/softness (of any kind) is inherently a feminine thing. And, in this case, this book definitely clocked as a gender-bent cishet romance because of just how hard it was clinging to those problematic, older romance book vibes that are just not the move anymore. We’ve evolved past all that, and I’m not sure anyone wants it back. Especially in queer lit spaces, though I guess MM is mostly for the girlies, so maybe I’m the one in the wrong. It wouldn’t be new business if I was.
How much of it comes down to a dire need for a real editor to go in and help the author actualize their vision and how much is insidious, I don’t know. But I know the erasure of the potential in Julian’s character was bad-bad for the whole damn thing, and I hated it so big. It ruined the story and pissed me off. I hate when this shit happens, and then I say something and feel like the asshole, and it just isn’t the space I’m trying to be in with a fractured back and personal bullshit weighing me down. I’m looking for a good time, not a hard time, ya know?
I don’t know if this made sense, but I did my best to make what I’ve got in my brain do well outside of it. Also, if this is supposed to be a veiled Daddy/little thing, I wish someone would let me know so I don’t continue on. That’s not my kink and it’ll never be something I’m comfy with. I might not even continue anyway. I’m not sure I’ve got it in me to go through this again right now.
I say it a lot, the thing about the vibes, but I think it’s different this time because knowing how to get your point across in the manner you want without fucking everything up in the process is a thing that is hard (but doable) and I know because I do it every single time I open my mouth, and it doesn’t always work out for me.
I am usually the first one hollering about “this is a repackaged cishet story with pronoun swaps and a more traditionally masculine name”. I get infinite shit for it because no one ever understands that I don’t mean the characters clearly used to be written as a cishet pairing. It’s more than that. It’s more nuanced. Subtle, but not.
It’s almost always the VIBES. A story that is so cishet-coded it stops being queer and starts being offensive. A story that doesn’t even relate to the queer experience in any capacity. So, yeah, it’s a lot like a Sally got swapped to a Samuel, but not such a literal sense, and that’s where I lose folx and they start getting snippy and their pitchforks and torches make appearances.
The first book had more than a bit of that in the reviews, and I wasn’t convinced it was in that category because the issues were very much stemming from the editing that it needed. I defended it. You can tell there’s a deep bow to historic fiction and old school romance book energy in this series as a whole, and if you mentally take away the repetitive adjectives and verbs, you are able to see it better.
Julian was a naïve, sheltered posh boy who came off a bit vapid, but was still just a guy who was too young/green to have much of a voice of his own. He deferred to those around him out of habit and necessity, and that gave him traits that get called feminine because people are fucking rude, even if they’re femme themselves. It’s ingrained and not many folx do the work to change it. Which, I mean, is just as shitty as erasing queer culture in a romance book marketed to a queer audience.
But he was a developing character who didn’t come off as girly or a literal kid, and had the potential to be fantastic once he shed the “victim of aristocratic nonsense” cloak and got himself dirtied up with the rabble outside of it/functioning as an independent adult.
But then we get to this book and everything flipped on its ass instead. Julian was completely infantilized in this one. Like, between the poor choices in descriptors and repetitive use of said poor choices, he felt like a 9-13 year-old kid. I honestly kept wondering what page I’d turn and see “Daddy” start to pop up. It was off-putting on a level I can’t readily verbalise. And it played right into those cishet romance vibes that put the “silly, helpless, barely-legal girl” with the much older man, who’s really more of a guy who signed guardianship paperwork than a lover/love interest. Not fun or fresh for anyone involved, really, and something I was all too happy to abandon when I stopped reading those types of romances.
Julian lost every good quality about his character in this book to being childlike and dependent, and I don’t think it was totally intentional. I think a lot of it had to do with the editing, which I’ve said multiple times now and I meant it.
Why am I saying that, you ask? Because if this book had proper editing, it would’ve been nothing for the editor to tell the author their choices weren’t conveying the shit they were trying to and help them get to where they wanted to go. Yes, Julian was sheltered, and yes, Julian was naïve, but that’s not what this highlighted. He still came off as an adult who knew his own mind in the first book, just maybe not how to act on it. But not here in book two. Here in book two, he was a little dude looking to the grownups in the room to gentle parent him until he learned about the world. It was fucking creepy and I reached to dial Chris Hansen a couple of times before I stopped myself to analyze why I felt that way.
Word choices matter. It’s why I always go on and on about editing and the need for it to be legit. When you miss the mark this badly, it’s time to admit that you need some shit to be different in your process. Yeah, adults giggle, snuggle, want to be doted on/cared for, and look to those they trust and care for to weigh-in on things.
But that’s not the extent of their personalities. That’s not every single interaction they have with their surroundings. They don’t ALWAYS do ONLY those things, no matter their upbringing. They aren’t marionettes looking for a puppet master, nor are they perpetually stuck in adolescence with no clear way out of it.
Those aren’t feminine traits, but they definitely come across that way to those that think weakness/softness (of any kind) is inherently a feminine thing. And, in this case, this book definitely clocked as a gender-bent cishet romance because of just how hard it was clinging to those problematic, older romance book vibes that are just not the move anymore. We’ve evolved past all that, and I’m not sure anyone wants it back. Especially in queer lit spaces, though I guess MM is mostly for the girlies, so maybe I’m the one in the wrong. It wouldn’t be new business if I was.
How much of it comes down to a dire need for a real editor to go in and help the author actualize their vision and how much is insidious, I don’t know. But I know the erasure of the potential in Julian’s character was bad-bad for the whole damn thing, and I hated it so big. It ruined the story and pissed me off. I hate when this shit happens, and then I say something and feel like the asshole, and it just isn’t the space I’m trying to be in with a fractured back and personal bullshit weighing me down. I’m looking for a good time, not a hard time, ya know?
I don’t know if this made sense, but I did my best to make what I’ve got in my brain do well outside of it. Also, if this is supposed to be a veiled Daddy/little thing, I wish someone would let me know so I don’t continue on. That’s not my kink and it’ll never be something I’m comfy with. I might not even continue anyway. I’m not sure I’ve got it in me to go through this again right now.
May 7, 2017
2.5 stars rounded up for encouragement. Despite my rating, I must admit that I am disappointed with this sequel. Almost everything I had enjoyed in the first book seemed to be missing now. The magical and mystery elements were overwhelmed by mundane details and the constant presence of food and especially sweets. I had also hoped for more relationship development, since the prequel suggested that Julian liked but was not necessarily in love with his current partner. The nature of Julian's feelings for his former dead fiancé - whether they were true or magically induced - still remains unclear to me.
All in all, I think the first book opened up a range of interesting creative possibilities to pursue and clarify, yet the author preferred a format which did not work for me.
All in all, I think the first book opened up a range of interesting creative possibilities to pursue and clarify, yet the author preferred a format which did not work for me.
January 27, 2015
I really adore the world this author created! (I'm also excited that there's a third of these books, just saw it released recently! ♡)
It was nice to visit with all the characters from the first book and be introduced to some new ones.
I like Julian and his plants! That seemed like a whole new world as well! All the food talk was glorious, oh my gosh. I was jealous, lol.
But yes, I definitely enjoyed this read like the first! I do hope the author continues with this world! :)
It was nice to visit with all the characters from the first book and be introduced to some new ones.
I like Julian and his plants! That seemed like a whole new world as well! All the food talk was glorious, oh my gosh. I was jealous, lol.
But yes, I definitely enjoyed this read like the first! I do hope the author continues with this world! :)
August 19, 2019
3.5 stars. A nice continuation of this cozy fantasy mystery romance series with this book from Julian's POV which was a nice change of pace. (I like Julian and his growing confidence with his skills and independence.)
The mystery and writing felt a little drawn out, especially as the story feels overstuffed with interludes involving meals, tea, coffee, and visits to the temple for purification. It made me think of this series with Cozy with a capitol C. Like around the magical murders going on, this book will wrap you in a warm blanket, feed you a lot of food and tea, and hug you with its array of pleasant side characters, some of whom cook for you, others guarding your safety, and a sweet romantic MC couple who dot their sentences with many many kisses.
It's a very sweet, warm series. With some murder. If you're looking for something like that, you may like this.
The mystery and writing felt a little drawn out, especially as the story feels overstuffed with interludes involving meals, tea, coffee, and visits to the temple for purification. It made me think of this series with Cozy with a capitol C. Like around the magical murders going on, this book will wrap you in a warm blanket, feed you a lot of food and tea, and hug you with its array of pleasant side characters, some of whom cook for you, others guarding your safety, and a sweet romantic MC couple who dot their sentences with many many kisses.
It's a very sweet, warm series. With some murder. If you're looking for something like that, you may like this.
August 25, 2025
I think I enjoyed this one eve more than the first! And not *just* because it's from Julian's POV... but I admit, I am much more a fan of dual-POV in romance than I am of single-POV, generally speaking, and while this author pulls single-POV off really well IMHO, I agree with other reviewers of the first book that Julian was incredibly one-dimensional there, the literal definition of sweet fluff. It was nice to get in his head, see him grow, spend more time in this world and hanging out with all the supporting characters. Honestly, this author's books are like a big hug, total comfort reads where even when a lot is happening it never feels urgent, lol. I'm here for it, though!
November 19, 2025
While the story is interesting, and while I generally like all of the characters, I am finding that the story is a bit repetitive and long. It seems like they eat some food, there is a magical threat, they go to get purified, go eat more, talk about how much Alex and Julian are in love, go eat again, have another magical threat, then go get purified, get a little bit of info about the case, then go eat. You get the idea. There was almost very little about the actual case, and I found myself wishing it would move faster. That said, it is interesting, and I do want to know the stories of the other books. More of a 3.5 star read.
December 14, 2019
I gave the first book in this series 3 stars but that was more than a year ago and something must have happened to my reading tastes because I just could not get into this book ... I stopped reading about 45% and then picked it up reluctantly before fast-forward reading through the rest. I just felt the plot did not seem to be getting anywhere, loaded down with a ton of 'meh' dialogue. I'm not sure I would even start on book 3 despite having bought it.
May 21, 2025
urban fairy tale
Magic and mystery, and a young late-blooming mage learning to use his new senses.
As a member of the peerage, I wonder if Julian’s magic was never tested or politely ignored. Alex did get training, but his family seemed to think it was too plebeian, so maybe only strong-willed, contrary nobles fight for their magic.
Magic and mystery, and a young late-blooming mage learning to use his new senses.
As a member of the peerage, I wonder if Julian’s magic was never tested or politely ignored. Alex did get training, but his family seemed to think it was too plebeian, so maybe only strong-willed, contrary nobles fight for their magic.
February 19, 2017
For being a murder mystery, this is a lovely and gentle story, with a wonderful pair of men who are falling more in love with each other daily. This is a beautiful world, compete and full. Thank you Amy Crook!
January 30, 2018
Another enjoyable read
This was another enjoyable read... I liked that we got this book from Juilians's POV... It was really pleasant hearing his voice... And if course to see the whole gang as well.... Off to book 3
This was another enjoyable read... I liked that we got this book from Juilians's POV... It was really pleasant hearing his voice... And if course to see the whole gang as well.... Off to book 3
April 21, 2023
3.5
While I still enjoyed it, I think I liked book one better. This was fairly schmoopy with a lot of food descriptions that made me hungry, lol. Danger but it wasn’t at all visceral, and even the murders felt detached.
While I still enjoyed it, I think I liked book one better. This was fairly schmoopy with a lot of food descriptions that made me hungry, lol. Danger but it wasn’t at all visceral, and even the murders felt detached.
January 25, 2024
so lovely and interesting
I’m very much in love with these books and the characters. The food descriptions made me hungry and I liked that I was surprised by the ending. Can’t wait to read the next book.
You definitely need to read the books in order though.
I’m very much in love with these books and the characters. The food descriptions made me hungry and I liked that I was surprised by the ending. Can’t wait to read the next book.
You definitely need to read the books in order though.
August 31, 2019
3.75 stars
March 17, 2020
3.5 stars
Read
September 17, 2021It's a dnf for now ...it's to sweet for me ...
May 17, 2016
Have some Tea? Would you like some Cake? How about a nice cup of Tea? Kiss, Kiss. May I pour you a cup of Tea? Have a Snack?
And the Author goes on and on about them drinking, serving, and having Tea. And I cannot forget, they also Eat. All the time. Delectable Dinners, Bodacious Breakfasts, and Luscious Luncheons. Eat, eat and they eat. Of course, they have Tea with every meal too - Sip, sip, gulp, gulp, and swallow. Paragraph after paragraph, page after page, and chapter after chapter. In between gulps and swallows, the two main characters also have sweet kisses, tender kisses, stolen kisses, secret kisses, and kisses in the corner. All day long, every day, and every night too. It's like the title should have been: "The Gorging of ...."
If one would cut this filler fluff out of these books, you would end up with a short story. For that's what this novel actually is, a short story that could have been an amazing novel. Sigh.
There really were good ideas but most were underdeveloped. It's too bad; perhaps someday, the Author will have time to rework the two Julian novels, tearing them apart at the seams and then building new books from the basic patterns. Remember, the fabric of the story is there, it just needs to be reworked into something fantabulous. As it is now, I'd rather dip Mr. Julian in a pot of scalding hot tea then read about any more of his Tea Parties.
One other item: many Cisgender females write M/M Romance Novels. Some of these authors believe that their imagination can lend a semblance of truth, of knowledge into the workings of the M/M relationship. In a majority of stories that I've read over my lifetime, I would say that no author, no female author, no Cisgender Female Author, has ever been successful.
What do they do wrong? Many, from prep work to clean up. One wonders if they ever go on Dates, if they themselves prepare. Fresh Breath, clean Teeth, washed body parts, and a fresh scent go a long way if one wants to be intimate with another human. Men landscape too because a few literally have a jungle down there. Then there's STD prevention- either those questions one has to ask (and review proof), or the use of Condoms.
There's foreplay, all different types - with and without toys. Some of us stop there, we don't go on to penetrative sex. It might be too painful for one, or both. Or too messy. If they do, then there's the various positions females don't know about. Just remember we aren't all "pillow-biters"; our love making is enhanced when we gaze into one and other's eyes.
Would I recommend this book? Well it has a great premise, but its great story is suffocated under a lot of fluff (tea, flour, fruits). If you don't get bored with all the cooking, and eating, and drinking tea, (ad nauseam), you might enjoy the over the top, flamboyant characters as they muddy through the plotline to very end.
And the Author goes on and on about them drinking, serving, and having Tea. And I cannot forget, they also Eat. All the time. Delectable Dinners, Bodacious Breakfasts, and Luscious Luncheons. Eat, eat and they eat. Of course, they have Tea with every meal too - Sip, sip, gulp, gulp, and swallow. Paragraph after paragraph, page after page, and chapter after chapter. In between gulps and swallows, the two main characters also have sweet kisses, tender kisses, stolen kisses, secret kisses, and kisses in the corner. All day long, every day, and every night too. It's like the title should have been: "The Gorging of ...."
If one would cut this filler fluff out of these books, you would end up with a short story. For that's what this novel actually is, a short story that could have been an amazing novel. Sigh.
There really were good ideas but most were underdeveloped. It's too bad; perhaps someday, the Author will have time to rework the two Julian novels, tearing them apart at the seams and then building new books from the basic patterns. Remember, the fabric of the story is there, it just needs to be reworked into something fantabulous. As it is now, I'd rather dip Mr. Julian in a pot of scalding hot tea then read about any more of his Tea Parties.
One other item: many Cisgender females write M/M Romance Novels. Some of these authors believe that their imagination can lend a semblance of truth, of knowledge into the workings of the M/M relationship. In a majority of stories that I've read over my lifetime, I would say that no author, no female author, no Cisgender Female Author, has ever been successful.
What do they do wrong? Many, from prep work to clean up. One wonders if they ever go on Dates, if they themselves prepare. Fresh Breath, clean Teeth, washed body parts, and a fresh scent go a long way if one wants to be intimate with another human. Men landscape too because a few literally have a jungle down there. Then there's STD prevention- either those questions one has to ask (and review proof), or the use of Condoms.
There's foreplay, all different types - with and without toys. Some of us stop there, we don't go on to penetrative sex. It might be too painful for one, or both. Or too messy. If they do, then there's the various positions females don't know about. Just remember we aren't all "pillow-biters"; our love making is enhanced when we gaze into one and other's eyes.
Would I recommend this book? Well it has a great premise, but its great story is suffocated under a lot of fluff (tea, flour, fruits). If you don't get bored with all the cooking, and eating, and drinking tea, (ad nauseam), you might enjoy the over the top, flamboyant characters as they muddy through the plotline to very end.
September 21, 2016
I have nothing but effusive praise for this story. A pleasurable romp through a world of magic and mystery (and delicious, delicious food). So many loveable characters, each with their own clear voice. Many of the cast have returned from the first book, plus some new additions to enjoy. I’m glad we get to know Julian a bit better in this book as well, even if that kept putting the poor boy on the spot. Alex and Julian are so sweet with each other, it’s difficult to remember there are murders going on. And again, the food! I’ve taken to only reading Amy’s stories while I eat, with plenty of tea available, or my stomach protests.
September 8, 2014
4.5 stars
The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans, the second book in the Consulting Magic series, begins a few months after the events in the first book. Julian and Alex are living together, and Julian has discovered that he’s got a kind of magic sense related to plants. He is working for Mary Margaret in the plant nursery, and happily adapting to his new life till he happens to stumble into a dead body during his morning routine at his job. Bodies begin to pile up, and it soon becomes obvious that Julian is the objective of somebody using a very dark magic and having even darker intentions. While the attempts at Julian get bolder, Alex and Murielle, with the help of old friends like James and Jacques, and some new ones, have to struggle to save Julian from a certain death…
I loved the first book of the series, and the second one has not disappointed me either. While The Courtship was told mainly from Alex’s point of view, this book is told from Julian’s. Julian’s mind works in a very different way from Alex’s. Whereas Alex is witty, sarcastic and sometimes cranky, Julian is sensitive and empathic, always full of sympathy for whoever that may be suffering around. He tries to help plants and people, and slowly drains himself in the process. His relationship with Alex is slowly growing and consolidating, although sometimes we find Julian missing his previous life, and the future he never could share with Cecil. Julian may seem soft and feminine, but through the book he shows he’s got a real backbone and sharp intelligence. I got to like him a lot by the end of the book.
The book is written in a most careful style, the story flows easily not a bit detained by the detailed descriptions of environments and food (Oh, God, the food again, I spent most of the book starving). The myriad of endearing characters which accompany Alex in the first book are present as well, and we slowly get to know them better, through anecdotes and attitudes which cleverly reveal each character personality.
The fact that the book is told from Julian’s point of view defines the tone of the book, which lacks the humour and irony of the first book but gains in sensibility and perceptiveness (I must admit sometimes Julian is a bit too cheesy for me…). But all in all, I really loved it and could not put it down. I really hope there is another book on the way. I would love to continue reading Alex and Julian’s adventures.
The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans, the second book in the Consulting Magic series, begins a few months after the events in the first book. Julian and Alex are living together, and Julian has discovered that he’s got a kind of magic sense related to plants. He is working for Mary Margaret in the plant nursery, and happily adapting to his new life till he happens to stumble into a dead body during his morning routine at his job. Bodies begin to pile up, and it soon becomes obvious that Julian is the objective of somebody using a very dark magic and having even darker intentions. While the attempts at Julian get bolder, Alex and Murielle, with the help of old friends like James and Jacques, and some new ones, have to struggle to save Julian from a certain death…
I loved the first book of the series, and the second one has not disappointed me either. While The Courtship was told mainly from Alex’s point of view, this book is told from Julian’s. Julian’s mind works in a very different way from Alex’s. Whereas Alex is witty, sarcastic and sometimes cranky, Julian is sensitive and empathic, always full of sympathy for whoever that may be suffering around. He tries to help plants and people, and slowly drains himself in the process. His relationship with Alex is slowly growing and consolidating, although sometimes we find Julian missing his previous life, and the future he never could share with Cecil. Julian may seem soft and feminine, but through the book he shows he’s got a real backbone and sharp intelligence. I got to like him a lot by the end of the book.
The book is written in a most careful style, the story flows easily not a bit detained by the detailed descriptions of environments and food (Oh, God, the food again, I spent most of the book starving). The myriad of endearing characters which accompany Alex in the first book are present as well, and we slowly get to know them better, through anecdotes and attitudes which cleverly reveal each character personality.
The fact that the book is told from Julian’s point of view defines the tone of the book, which lacks the humour and irony of the first book but gains in sensibility and perceptiveness (I must admit sometimes Julian is a bit too cheesy for me…). But all in all, I really loved it and could not put it down. I really hope there is another book on the way. I would love to continue reading Alex and Julian’s adventures.
August 1, 2016
Just as lovely as the first volume. Perhaps a lot more cheerful and unabashedly mushy with all the lovey-dovey moments and cuddling and giggling and teasing.
I’m not complaining at all. This is the kind of book to read for a huge dose of sunshine and warmth (if you’re into those kinds of things).
I appreciate that we had Julian’s point of view this time, since he’s quite different from Alex and it’s fun to see things from his perspective. Of course everything is just perfectly wonderful for them and keeps getting better and better and… so on. It’s a story for basking, definitely.
Also different from book one, this volume had more sex (which is not difficult to achieve). However the quality of it and even the low frequency when compared to most romances in the genre work well for me here and those scenes end up as simply more opportunity for the protagonists to bask in love. I wasn’t bored at all (although I suspect some readers might be).
There are things I might mention on the other end of the spectrum. Punctuation is not really, uh… Well, sentences that should be separated by periods or semicolons or even questions marks, tend to just get a comma shoved in instead. The writing is also very repetitive in the phrases used for even the simplest things.
That last bit actually might work with this kind of story, since it heightens the reader’s sense of familiarity and thus the comforting cuddliness of it all. I definitely would not mind to just keep reading on and on because it feels so nice to be in this world with its magics and happy people, happy constructs and happy plants. Adorable, really.
Alas, all that’s left at this point is a tiny short story. I shall gobble it up, of course.
So lovely.
I’m not complaining at all. This is the kind of book to read for a huge dose of sunshine and warmth (if you’re into those kinds of things).
I appreciate that we had Julian’s point of view this time, since he’s quite different from Alex and it’s fun to see things from his perspective. Of course everything is just perfectly wonderful for them and keeps getting better and better and… so on. It’s a story for basking, definitely.
Also different from book one, this volume had more sex (which is not difficult to achieve). However the quality of it and even the low frequency when compared to most romances in the genre work well for me here and those scenes end up as simply more opportunity for the protagonists to bask in love. I wasn’t bored at all (although I suspect some readers might be).
There are things I might mention on the other end of the spectrum. Punctuation is not really, uh… Well, sentences that should be separated by periods or semicolons or even questions marks, tend to just get a comma shoved in instead. The writing is also very repetitive in the phrases used for even the simplest things.
That last bit actually might work with this kind of story, since it heightens the reader’s sense of familiarity and thus the comforting cuddliness of it all. I definitely would not mind to just keep reading on and on because it feels so nice to be in this world with its magics and happy people, happy constructs and happy plants. Adorable, really.
Alas, all that’s left at this point is a tiny short story. I shall gobble it up, of course.
So lovely.
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