Ahoy there me mateys!  This year be crazy so this is only book three in me Ports for Plunder - 20 Books in 2020 list.  Lots of reviews talk about The Twist.  I was spoiled by other Goodreads reviews back when I put together the 20 in 2020 list.  I decided to read it anyway and then so much time had passed that I kinda forgot about it.  But I don't know how it could have surprised anyone because it a) occurs early on in the book; and b) is so blatantly obvious in the hints that by the time it officially is explained, it is hardly shocking (well maybe for the people who missed the word "magic" in the blurb and thought they were getting a straight historical fiction).  Spoilers abound below for this so read the rest at yer own peril . . .

Or not at yer peril because this book was rather long and boring and the VAMPIRES didn't help.  Boring, boring vampires.  I did think the beginning set-up for the novel was interesting enough even if the Gothic flair was hardly unique.  I enjoyed the homosexual relationship between the main character and his housemate even if the housemate was a jerk.  I was interested in seeing how the vampire club was going to play out.  Sadly as it turned out.

The problem was that after the rather straightforward trajectory of the beginning in terms of character development, world building, and plot, the author switches into a stilted history of the club.  This takes the form of diary entries and begins the POV shifts that impede flow.  Interesting ideas and characters are hinted at but long interludes of backstory take the focus.  The Twist happens, the plot gets sillier and more convoluted, and a romance begins to be hinted at.

I basically grew weary of the rambling and found it harder and harder to pick the book back up.  I also be weary of thinking about this book any further so I shall stop here.  Abandoned ship and glad of it.  Arrrr!