Review: Brilliant, Amazing, Spectacular, Fantabulously Perfect
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2014
"Did anyone wonder if someone hit his head for him?"I struggle with historical fiction, mostly due to the fact that most of it takes unforgivable liberties with history. My experience with KJ Charles' Magpie books made me confident Think of England would not harm my historian soul. My assumptions were correct. This book doesn't begin, it drops you right into Edwardian England, a time where society was struggling to emerge from Victorian manners and habits, and embrace the 20th century. The political stage had already been set for what would lead to the First World War (and all that followed after), and society was moving so quickly that men like Archie Curtis were having trouble following the flow of modernity. From word one you feel the struggle, societally and politically, that encompassed living in the early years of Edward VII's rein.Here's the thing about Think of England... it was absolutely and utterly brilliant. First, you have Daniel and Archie (and, can I just say, there better be more!)... and really, they couldn't be more different. But yet, it works... despite both of their protests. Once Archie gets over his prejudices, and Daniel realises that sometimes it's ok to trust someone else, they determine that they can help each other. Of course, that goes FUBAR rapidly, but what good mystery doesn't have a dose of 'OMG NO!' drama? And you can't help but feel for Archie and Daniel... the reasons they're doing what they're doing are so personal it's impossible not to want their quest to end well... although, sometimes, the answers you seek aren't necessary the ones you hoped to find.Buy this book, curl up with tea and a blankie, tell the world to go away for a few hours, and spend some time in Edwardian England. I love KJ Charles, and this review is thusly biased, but do it anyway. I dare you come up for air before the end."He was alone in a room with a chap who preferred men, and the fellow was looking at him."  <---epic.