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The London Charismatics #2.5
A Wrath of Sparrows
When an old enemy resurfaces, Lily is forced to choose between friendship and fate in this special Charismatics novella.
In the wake of a devastating loss, Lily gets an unwelcome visit from Jack Cannon, the uncrowned Lord of Limehouse.
Sam's former boss is dangerously close to discovering the truth about The Charismatics, information he will ruthlessly exploit. Sam, obsessed with vengeance, is poised to walk straight into Cannon's trap.
Only Lily knows what it will cost him.
As war blackens the skies of Europe and newspapers grow with the lists of the dead, Lily takes to the gritty streets of Limehouse in a fight that will put all her skills to the ultimate test.
To stop Sam from making a terrible mistake, Lily will have to betray him—and embrace a dark and terrifying truth about the nature of her power.
Fall back in to an arcane and mysterious Edwardian London with this thrilling Charismatics novella set between the events of The Shadow of Water and Bridge of Ash.
In the wake of a devastating loss, Lily gets an unwelcome visit from Jack Cannon, the uncrowned Lord of Limehouse.
Sam's former boss is dangerously close to discovering the truth about The Charismatics, information he will ruthlessly exploit. Sam, obsessed with vengeance, is poised to walk straight into Cannon's trap.
Only Lily knows what it will cost him.
As war blackens the skies of Europe and newspapers grow with the lists of the dead, Lily takes to the gritty streets of Limehouse in a fight that will put all her skills to the ultimate test.
To stop Sam from making a terrible mistake, Lily will have to betray him—and embrace a dark and terrifying truth about the nature of her power.
Fall back in to an arcane and mysterious Edwardian London with this thrilling Charismatics novella set between the events of The Shadow of Water and Bridge of Ash.
87 pages, ebook
Published October 19, 2021
58 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Jacquelyn Benson
16 books872 followersJacquelyn Benson writes smart historical thrillers where strong women confront the stranger things that occupy the borders of our world.
She once lived in a museum, wrote a master’s thesis on the cultural anthropology of paranormal investigation, and received a gold medal for being clever. She owes a great deal to her elementary school librarian for sagely choosing to acquire the entire Time-Life Mysteries of the Unknown series.
Her debut novel, The Smoke Hunter, was nominated for Best Historical Fiction by RT Times. When not writing, she enjoys the company of a tall, dark, and handsome English teacher and practices unintentional magic.
If you’d like to be friends, you may find her everywhere @jbensonink or join the email list at jacquelynbenson.com.
She once lived in a museum, wrote a master’s thesis on the cultural anthropology of paranormal investigation, and received a gold medal for being clever. She owes a great deal to her elementary school librarian for sagely choosing to acquire the entire Time-Life Mysteries of the Unknown series.
Her debut novel, The Smoke Hunter, was nominated for Best Historical Fiction by RT Times. When not writing, she enjoys the company of a tall, dark, and handsome English teacher and practices unintentional magic.
If you’d like to be friends, you may find her everywhere @jbensonink or join the email list at jacquelynbenson.com.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 5, 2021
5 stars - Historical Mystery/Thriller/Paranormal/Fantasy Novella
This was an intense, powerful, and heartrending short story centered on Lily trying to save her best friend, Sam Wu, from a dangerous path of revenge. He's my favorite character in this series, so I really hope we see more of him in future books. I also hope he finds peace at some point. Is it too much to ask for happy endings for him, Lily and Strangford, and the other Charismatics? I hope not. I can't wait for Bridge of Ash to come out.
This story is available for free from the author's website.
This was an intense, powerful, and heartrending short story centered on Lily trying to save her best friend, Sam Wu, from a dangerous path of revenge. He's my favorite character in this series, so I really hope we see more of him in future books. I also hope he finds peace at some point. Is it too much to ask for happy endings for him, Lily and Strangford, and the other Charismatics? I hope not. I can't wait for Bridge of Ash to come out.
This story is available for free from the author's website.
October 30, 2021
5 stars - Historical Mystery/Paranormal/Thriller Novella
The Fire in the Glass and The Shadow of Water are two of my favorite reads of this year. This is a novella about Lily trying to help her fellow Charismatic and best friend, Sam. I was glad this story featured Sam so prominently because he's my favorite character in the series. I can't wait for Bridge of Ash to come out!
Ms. Benson, I hope you have plans to write a book for Sam at some point. He really needs a HEA!
I highly recommend The Charismatics series for fans of historical mysteries with paranormal elements and romance.
The Fire in the Glass and The Shadow of Water are two of my favorite reads of this year. This is a novella about Lily trying to help her fellow Charismatic and best friend, Sam. I was glad this story featured Sam so prominently because he's my favorite character in the series. I can't wait for Bridge of Ash to come out!
Ms. Benson, I hope you have plans to write a book for Sam at some point. He really needs a HEA!
I highly recommend The Charismatics series for fans of historical mysteries with paranormal elements and romance.
August 7, 2024
Quick little novella. According to reviews, this is necessary to read before book 3 (I usually skip novellas 🫣). I love Lily and Sam’s friendship. Precious
November 29, 2021
4.5☆
Sam...❤😭
Sam...❤😭
February 9, 2025
Sam :'(
October 23, 2025
sam wu you have my heart
July 18, 2022
A nice interstitial novella, dealing with the Jack Cannon issue before Sam heads for action in WWI. Love the atmosphere and the characters in these books.
June 21, 2024
A wonderful novella that centers on Sam and Lily's friendship, the loss of a mutual friend, and how each of them copes with the outcome of the events in Bridge of Ash. I love the connect these two have has friends and how they try to help each other -- even when they don't know how. It was wonderful narrative that shows the bond between the Charismatics, even the wake of loss and grief.
February 11, 2023
That was fast! Loved this novella and the small “extras” we got to hear about these characters. I just love Sam! On to the next! Again… this series will remain an all-time favorite.
March 7, 2023
4.5/5⭐️
This novella is 3rd in the London Charismatics fantasy series, and although it’s short, it packs in some major developments.
Lily and Sam are drawn into a showdown with the Lord of Limehouse, Jack Cannon, a villain from Sam’s past. This story also features Lily’s and Sam’s emotional goodbye as he leaves for war and features Lily’s awakening new “powers”.
Wonderful (needed) addition to the series.
This novella is 3rd in the London Charismatics fantasy series, and although it’s short, it packs in some major developments.
Lily and Sam are drawn into a showdown with the Lord of Limehouse, Jack Cannon, a villain from Sam’s past. This story also features Lily’s and Sam’s emotional goodbye as he leaves for war and features Lily’s awakening new “powers”.
Wonderful (needed) addition to the series.
June 4, 2024
Unexpected treat!
I was thoroughly invested in this series from the start. This novella is an unexpected treat. I am glad the author added this short addition. It creates even more depth between side characters and brings them to the forefront. I donut think the series could do without it.
Even though the ebook is only 85 pages. The author Jacquelyn Benson still created an audiobook for it. It is included in the audiobook for the third book.
I was thoroughly invested in this series from the start. This novella is an unexpected treat. I am glad the author added this short addition. It creates even more depth between side characters and brings them to the forefront. I donut think the series could do without it.
Even though the ebook is only 85 pages. The author Jacquelyn Benson still created an audiobook for it. It is included in the audiobook for the third book.
June 18, 2021
A great way to wrap up a few loose ends from the last book, and maybe introduce some new ones. I enjoyed seeing Lily rise up to meet new challenges and really put herself out there to help her friends. It's good to see her also acknowledge the potential dangers of her new power. So excited to read the next book!
November 30, 2021
Excellent
I don't read novellas, but for some reason I did read this one. It's to be read between book 2 and 3. 'A Wrath of Sparrows' is an important part of the series and I hope more people take time to read it before they go on to book 3. Again, excellent addition to the series.
I don't read novellas, but for some reason I did read this one. It's to be read between book 2 and 3. 'A Wrath of Sparrows' is an important part of the series and I hope more people take time to read it before they go on to book 3. Again, excellent addition to the series.
January 21, 2022
Such a lovely side story. There's some healing to be found after the events in book two. I'm grateful we get to know Zhao Min a bit better and that we see the end of Cannon! Am I sadistic if I absolutely loved that scene? It reminded me of Robert Downey Jr. when he played Sherlock Holmes. I saw everything in slow-mo. Hopeful that the gang will all find their way back to each other for book three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 31, 2022^not a spoiler, just tw probably
.. have i ever mentioned that the Wus are my favorites..!!!!
March 12, 2022
I suspect I read this story just a bit out of context, but that did not lessen the impact of the story at all. The reader tries to understand the main characters and this reader empathizes with all of them in a serious way. I have a new favorite author, among the greats. I definitely recommend this short story.
January 3, 2023
Short story, no romance (you’ll get that from the series), mystery, and more of Lily’s potential revealed.
It is actually important to the series as many characters such as Madam White and Sam (before he leaves for war) are heavily involved and will give context for the future books. It also solves a bit of the mystery in book 2 about one of Lily’s visions.
It is actually important to the series as many characters such as Madam White and Sam (before he leaves for war) are heavily involved and will give context for the future books. It also solves a bit of the mystery in book 2 about one of Lily’s visions.
June 3, 2021
A wonderful Charismatic novella!
I love these books, and this was a quick glimpse back into Lily's world. It's wonderfully written, fast paced, and leaves you with some warm and fuzzy feelings. I can't wait for book #3!
I love these books, and this was a quick glimpse back into Lily's world. It's wonderfully written, fast paced, and leaves you with some warm and fuzzy feelings. I can't wait for book #3!
March 19, 2023
This book, which tied off loose ends from The Shadow of Water, was both terrifying and satisfying. I'm so glad she wrote it, to complete a cliffhanger that was small, yet important, to the series, particularly Sam, as well as delving further into Lily's gift and what she is learning to do with it.
October 25, 2023
Short, sweet novel after the first two books of the London Charismatics, perfect for an afternoon of reading.
If you look forward to a Lily & Sam adventure, this is perfect for you. My only regret is that there was too little of Strangford 🥲
If you look forward to a Lily & Sam adventure, this is perfect for you. My only regret is that there was too little of Strangford 🥲
February 28, 2024
“I need you to know,” she said, looking up to meet his eyes, “That I believe in you. That I will always believe in you, Sam Wu.”
samlily best friends of the century....... my loves
this was sooo xmen but with ww1
samlily best friends of the century....... my loves
this was sooo xmen but with ww1
May 2, 2024
Some very nice action/magic scenes here. I also liked how the author limited the set of characters (many being out of town) so that Lily's resources were similarly limited and we could focus more of Lily and Sam's friendship.
August 19, 2025
My heart breaks for Sam, he is such an interesting character. I was so invested in his story and I would love it if Jacqueline wrote a novella about Sam during the war.
I hope he finds peace and learns to love and forgive himself ❤️🩹
I hope he finds peace and learns to love and forgive himself ❤️🩹
May 24, 2022
This had the feel of the author tidying up some loose ends. Pleasant but inconsequential
August 22, 2023
Good. Mary sue character pulls it off!!
February 4, 2024
Just a novella, but a really good bridge between the second book and the third. I absolutely adore Sam.
February 11, 2024
This novella is a great addition to the series and defo a must read!
April 4, 2024
A very good story! I love these novella's. This one has a lot of heart.
May 14, 2024
Sam Wu is definitely becoming a favorite character. 🥺
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews