I wonder what fresh complications they’ll manage to throw in each others’ way, how they’ll cope with Zodiac now, and whether Phoebe and Maisie will be part of it (and what part they’ll play, exactly). It leaves me wondering where they’ll go next… and eager to find out. The climax of the book is pretty hair-raising and dramatic (in a way that works perfectly).

I can’t talk about it too much: just as Kim can’t tell Will much at all without revealing way too much, I think to say too much here would spoil the plot a little. It seems like the end of this book puts them in a place where that’s somewhat more possible, which I’m glad about - and the ride to get there is one hell of a thing. The problem I have with Will and Kim is that I want to scream at them to communicate properly, but the fact that they have difficulty with that is relevant to the plot, and thus you can’t be too mad at them because it totally makes sense… but also, stop hurting each other for stupid reasons (mostly looking at you, Kim) and figure yourselves out.

I really liked Toby, and I really felt for the panic-stricken moments near the end… but of course, Miles comes to the rescue (I won’t spoil you as to how). It’s not some unspoken, unexamined grossness.Īs a result, it’s easy to just enjoy Toby and Miles and how they find happiness together. You don’t end up thinking “ugh, but X was relying on Y for food to eat, so of course he couldn’t really say no” - because the characters realise that and work with it (or don’t, and later have to work with it, perhaps). It really doesn’t take much to show characters being aware of it and ensuring it, and it makes the situations so much more satisfying. Toby’s a sweetie, and Miles is… somewhat incidentally grumpy - which is to say, not permanently grumpy by constitution, but in a terrible position and not sure how on earth to turn things around.Īs always, I love Charles’ careful attention to issues of consent. There’s not much of a supporting cast, just Miles and Toby, getting to know each other, getting past their hangups, and figuring out how to take a chance on each other. I always enjoy KJ Charles’ less murdery books, and this novella’s a nice one.

Kj charles slippery creatures