Subtle Blood

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Gah, these books are just so much fun. I really, really enjoyed this entire series, but this isn't a review for the whole series, is it? Subtle Blood is set a few months after The Sugared Game, and the time skip here was really actually nice. We get to see Will and Kim as they are in their lives, and get to see what Kim is doing after being fired from his super-secret-spy job. Mostly, they're living normal lives, both working in Will's bookshop, but it is very easy to see that they're getting bored. How lucky for them that Kim's older brother gets himself into a nasty situation, and only they can set things straight. Maybe. Sort of. They do their best, anyway.

It goes without saying that said situation involves Zodiac, not that it's immediately apparent that it does so. But that was a fun mystery to unpick with the characters.

Kim's brother Chingford is exceptionally irritating and frustrating. I think I can safely assume that everyone on the planet has met someone like this man. You immediately dislike him, and very quickly that dislike turns into outright hate and loathing. For good reason, too. We eventually see all of Kim's surviving family in this book, and wow. What a bunch of assholes. Seriously, it's a marvel that Kim came out anything remotely likeable. Both Kim's father, and his brother hate Kim for almost no reason — and apparently have for his entire life. What an upbringing. Bah.

We see Will fall even more in love with Kim, which I truly appreciated. We don't really get a whole lot of that in the other books, so it was nice to see here. Both of them actually use their words and spill out what they've been feeling about each other, and it was needed. It really was. It was also extremely heart-warming, and done in a way that made perfect sense for them as a couple. The relationship seems truly solidified here, and I loved it.

The ending to this book was pretty much perfect, and it left the possibility for more entries into this series, which I am thrilled by. Not that KJ Charles has hinted at any coming soon, but I will remain hopeful. I loved this, so I hope that you'll pick up this series next time you have no idea what you want to read next!