Book Review: Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

From the publisher:

Whimbrel House is changing. Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. Owein has signed a marriage contract with the magically compatible Lady Cora, a heavyweight of British nobility who’s an ocean away. And the lovely shape-shifting druid Fallon makes a distractingly fetching friend for Owein. But another change is in the air, and this time it’s something wicked.

The greatest wizard of the millennium, Silas Hogwood, is back—after five years dead. New body, same foul scent, and driven by madness and revenge. Owein, fearing he isn’t strong enough to fend off Silas, seeks Cora’s help and influence in England. Alarms ringing, Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer, to aid in Owein’s defense.

As magic, both good and evil, converges on Blaugdone Island, Owein realizes how harrowing the forces against them are. Combating them will require some digging—literally—for half-formed secrets of magic Hulda doesn’t want him to have. But no promise, lock, or government red tape will keep Owein from doing what’s necessary to protect those he loves. One way or another, Silas will only take Whimbrel House over Owein’s third dead body.

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg is the 4th book in the Whimbrel House series. It was released March 4, 2025 from 47North.

My Thoughts: I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

It began slowly, but that gave time for showing character growth, especially in Owein. I did find it a little agonizing because I like the characters a lot and knew bad things were in store for them. In his previous appearances, Silas seemed to be motivated solely by greed. Now he still seems greedy, but also like he's losing his sanity. Once the action started, things moved along at a better pace. 

This should not be read as a standalone. There are references to earlier books that would be better understood if the previous volumes have been read. Plus, only then can you really appreciate the changes in the characters.

I did get a little teary near the end of the book. To me, that means it was well-written and the characters are mostly sympathetic. Also, I thought it was the last book in the series, but it appears there will be at least one more.

I would recommend this book to others who've read the series. And I would recommend the series to those who enjoy historical fantasy. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions nor my review.

Happy Book Birthday to Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

Through Raspberry Colored Glasses wants to wish Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg a Happy Book Birthday!

When dead enemies rise, grave matters of the heart, mind, and body clash in the fantastical fourth Whimbrel House novel by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Whimbrel House is changing. Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. Owein has signed a marriage contract with the magically compatible Lady Cora, a heavyweight of British nobility who’s an ocean away. And the lovely shape-shifting druid Fallon makes a distractingly fetching friend for Owein. But another change is in the air, and this time it’s something wicked.

The greatest wizard of the millennium, Silas Hogwood, is back—after five years dead. New body, same foul scent, and driven by madness and revenge. Owein, fearing he isn’t strong enough to fend off Silas, seeks Cora’s help and influence in England. Alarms ringing, Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer, to aid in Owein’s defense.

As magic, both good and evil, converges on Blaugdone Island, Owein realizes how harrowing the forces against them are. Combating them will require some digging—literally—for half-formed secrets of magic Hulda doesn’t want him to have. But no promise, lock, or government red tape will keep Owein from doing what’s necessary to protect those he loves. One way or another, Silas will only take Whimbrel House over Owein’s third dead body.

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg is released today from 47North.

I've been eagerly awaiting this one. I started reading it and already I find myself engaged. If you enjoy historical fantasy, this would be a good book/series for you. Honestly I would have to recommend reading the series in order so as not to miss a thing. Silas Hogwood was a villain in earlier books as well. And then Owein wasn't quite the same as he is now either.

Check it out!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #522: Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

From the publisher:

When dead enemies rise, grave matters of the heart, mind, and body clash in the fantastical fourth Whimbrel House novel by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Whimbrel House is changing. Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. Owein has signed a marriage contract with the magically compatible Lady Cora, a heavyweight of British nobility who’s an ocean away. And the lovely shape-shifting druid Fallon makes a distractingly fetching friend for Owein. But another change is in the air, and this time it’s something wicked.

The greatest wizard of the millennium, Silas Hogwood, is back—after five years dead. New body, same foul scent, and driven by madness and revenge. Owein, fearing he isn’t strong enough to fend off Silas, seeks Cora’s help and influence in England. Alarms ringing, Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer, to aid in Owein’s defense.

As magic, both good and evil, converges on Blaugdone Island, Owein realizes how harrowing the forces against them are. Combating them will require some digging—literally—for half-formed secrets of magic Hulda doesn’t want him to have. But no promise, lock, or government red tape will keep Owein from doing what’s necessary to protect those he loves. One way or another, Silas will only take Whimbrel House over Owein’s third dead body.

Wizard of Most Wcked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg is expected out March 4, 2025 from 47North.

Why am I waiting on this book? I've read the other books in the series so far and have enjoyed them. The adventures begin in book one,  Keeper of Enchanted Rooms,  when Merritt inherits Whimbrel House and strange things happen. Things continue strange and unusual throughout the series with an added measure of danger. There is rarely a dull moment. I'd really like to see Silas Hogwood defeated once and for all. I am rooting for Merritt, Hulda, Owein and the rest.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

Once there was a dog who'd been a house who'd been a boy. Owein could remember that. He was now a mixed terrier breed dog. He communicated with his many greats nephew via magic. Merritt Fernsby loved Owein (his many greats uncle). And he enjoyed talking with him, but one of the consequences of doing so was a temporary loss of his voice depending on how long they'd been talking.

Hulda Larkin, Merritt's fiancee, loved Owein too. So it was the three of them, after discussion, who decided to see exactly what the Queen of England had in mind when she said she was interested in Owein. And especially what she had in mind when she said that they could find Owein a human body and transfer him into it and marry him into the royal family. Merritt and Owein travel to London to find out exactly what the deal is. Adventure ensues.

The characters in the book are well done, especially Merritt, Owein, and Hulda.I liked them for who they were on the page and for the way they interact with one another.

The world building is consistent with the first two books in the Whimbrel House series. I like that for every kind of magic used there is a natural sort of reaction. For example, Merritt's voice is affected when he converses mentally with Owein.

In general, the plotting and writing is well done. It's better to have read the first two books before you read this one. The story moves along at a good pace. And I was a little surprised at the culprit in the mystery.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's well written and entertaining. If you like historic fantasy set in a slightly different world from ours, then you would most likely enjoy this book and series. It appears there is a book 4 on the horizon. I look forward to it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions or review.

Happy Book Birthday to Two Much Anticipated Titles

 

Two titles that I have been excited about are making their debut today.

First up is Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg.

From the publisher:

A boy like no other embarks on a transformative journey of magic and self-discovery in the next enchanting Whimbrel House novel by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Merritt Fernsby’s life has changed considerably since he inherited Whimbrel House. He’s engaged to Hulda Larkin, who opened his eyes to the uncanny. And he’s grown quite protective of his uncle Owein—several generations, and iterations, removed. Owein is presently inhabiting the body of a mixed-breed terrier when Merritt receives a missive from none other than Alexandrina Victoria, the Queen of England: I am interested in your dog.

It’s the queen’s duty to the peerage to keep British wizardry empowered. Her offer: England will find a human vessel for Owein, marry him into the royal family, and add this remarkable soul-shifter to its lineage. For Owein, a boy trapped in the body of a pup, it’s a dream come true. How can Merritt refuse? However, once they are in London and in consortium with a necromancer, the situation doesn’t feel right, both with their hosts and the house they inhabit. Owein is having nightmares. And Hulda’s premonitions warn of danger in Merritt’s future. Clearly, someone doesn’t want them in town.

But after two hundred years of being cursed to drift, Owein is determined to chart his own destiny. He’s ready to defy whatever chaos is coming. After all, Owein is the master of chaos, and with Merritt and Hulda’s love and magical support, he can overcome anything.

Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg is the third book in the Whimbrel House series. It's being released today by 47North. I've read the first two books and loved them. I expect this one to be really good as well.

The second book coming out today that is on my To Be Read list is The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden.

From the publisher:

January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, Laura receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital, where she soon hears whispers about haunted trenches and a strange hotelier whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could Freddie have escaped the battlefield, only to fall prey to something—or someone—else?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped in an overturned pillbox with a wounded enemy soldier, a German by the name of Hans Winter. Against all odds, the two form an alliance and succeed in clawing their way out. Unable to bear the thought of returning to the killing fields, especially on opposite sides, they take refuge with a mysterious man who seems to have the power to make the hellscape of the trenches disappear.

As shells rain down on Flanders and ghosts move among those yet living, Laura’s and Freddie’s deepest traumas are reawakened. Now they must decide whether their world is worth salvaging—or better left behind entirely.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden is coming out today from Del Rey. It looks like it's a standalone. I've read other books by the author and enjoyed them. I expect to like this one as well.

What books that are on your TBR list are coming out today or this month? Have you been waiting for these two titles as well?

Book Review: Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

From the publisher:

Thanks to house tamer Hulda Larkin, the mischief infesting Whimbrel House has calmed. But if Hulda’s job is done, what does that mean for Merritt Fernsby, inheritor of the remote Narragansett Bay estate, who’s only now coming to terms with his enchanted place in the world?

Merritt has realized his own burgeoning powers, which draw the thoughts of every plant, insect, and dog. His nights are sleepless, with an uncontrollable cacophony of voices that compel a long-overdue search into his uncanny bloodline. It’s not the only puzzle uniting Merritt and his ex-housekeeper, Hulda. Her friend and former employer at the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has disappeared. Hulda herself is up for the now-vacant position of institute director, and her rival for the role is a stranger who’s suspiciously curious about Whimbrel House—and could have connections to an old foe.

As Merritt struggles to face his estranged family and Hulda dives into the institute’s secrets, the two are brought intimately closer than ever into the mysteries of wizardry, chaos, and love.

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg is expected to be released April 11, 2023 from 47North.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this follow up to Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg. Once again we are following the adventures of Hulda Larkin and Merritt Fernsby. We get to see how their relationship grows and how they feel about each other deepens.

While the villain in this one is less physically active than the previous, he is still a bad egg. He affects people's emotions and how they feel about what they are experiencing or thinking. He's still villainous. And I hesitate to say that there may be a small opening for the villain from book one to return at some point in a future volume. There is definitely room for a book three in the series.

The pace of the book is somewhat faster than book one. There are still lulls, but they are naturally occurring, make sense, and don't detract from the story. The closer the story gets to the end of the book,  the faster the action goes. It is very difficult to put down as it approaches the climax.

Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's a well written historical fantasy. I would recommend it to people who enjoy tales of magic, historical fantasies, and historical urban fantasies. I enjoyed reading how the magic in this world works. Everything has a price. The more fantastic the magic, the bigger the price. This is a must-read if you've read book one in the Whimbrel House series. I'm already looking forward to the third book. This is definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Book Review: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

From the publisher:

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. The doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House–gone wild–is not about to let Merritt leave.

Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises, in Merritt’s best interest, to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.

Prepared with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda gets to work. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets are more than she and Merritt bargained for, and the sentient walls aren’t their only concern. Something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.

My Thoughts:

I really liked the good characters, especially Merritt and Hulda. I really did not like the villain. I felt sorry for him at first, but my empathy passed quickly as he began his villainous deeds. He’s greedy and cares nothing for other people except as a means to an end.

Hulda Larkin and Merritt Fernsby meet the day after Merritt takes possession of Whimbrel House. The timing is fortuitous as the house wouldn’t let him out the door among other things. Mrs Larkin takes charge. The house increasingly becomes a character as she interacts with it. 

I liked how the main characters grow and change in their attitudes toward the house and one another. There’s sort of a slow burn romance going on which perfectly works with the pace of the action in the book. The action is slowish punctuated by periods of high action which increase as the book goes on. 

I wasn’t sure I would like the book when I first picked it up. I was looking for something different from what I was reading and planned to read. I ended up loving it. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars.

The sequel, Heir of Uncertain Magic, is expected out April 11th, 2023 from 47North. I can’t wait!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #444: Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

One man is on a journey to unravel his magical lineage in the next spellbinding novel of the Whimbrel House series by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Thanks to house tamer Hulda Larkin, the mischief infesting Whimbrel House has calmed. But if Hulda’s job is done, what does that mean for Merritt Fernsby, inheritor of the remote Narragansett Bay estate, who’s only now coming to terms with his enchanted place in the world?

Merritt has realized his own burgeoning powers, which draw the thoughts of every plant, insect, and dog. His nights are sleepless, with an uncontrollable cacophony of voices that compel a long-overdue search into his uncanny bloodline. It’s not the only puzzle uniting Merritt and his ex-housekeeper, Hulda. Her friend and former employer at the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has disappeared. Hulda herself is up for the now-vacant position of institute director, and her rival for the role is a stranger who’s suspiciously curious about Whimbrel House—and could have connections to an old foe.

As Merritt struggles to face his estranged family and Hulda dives into the institute’s secrets, the two are brought intimately closer than ever into the mysteries of wizardry, chaos, and love.

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg is expected out April 11th, 2023 from 47North. 

Why am I waiting on this book? Enchanted buildings and an institute that oversees them is interesting. Add to it someone struggling as he comes into the power of hearing other's thoughts with someone perhaps too interested in his enchanted home. And then add Hulda who tamed the house and now has a suspicious rival at the institute. The whole thing together sounds great. I haven't read the first book in the series yet, so it's going on my TBR list too. This is the 2nd book in the Whimbrel House series. Looking forward to checking out this magical series.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #296: The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From Goodreads:

Enna knows much of the mystings that roam the wildwood near her home. After they killed her mother, her father gifted her a stone that senses their nearness. When one mysting tries to kill her to obtain it, Enna takes a huge risk: fighting back with a mysting of her own.

Maekallus’s help doesn’t come free. His price? A kiss. But even the most naïve mortals know Maekallus’s kind use kisses to steal souls. Drawing upon a power unknown to her, Enna persuades Maekallus to commit to much less. The bargain struck, he goes to destroy Enna’s mysting—but in the ensuing fight, he’s bound to the mortal realm, which begins eating him alive. Compelled to help by the magic enchaining them, Enna gives Maekallus a kiss—the only thing that can save him from immediate destruction. But Maekallus’s temporary salvation is Enna’s lingering doom. Part of her soul now burns bright inside of him, making him feel for the first time. 

Enna shares Maekallus’s suffering, and even the sliver of her soul she sacrificed won’t heal either of them for long. If he and Enna cannot find a way to break the spell binding him to the mortal realm, Maekallus will be consumed completely—and Enna’s soul with him.

The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg is expected to be published January 21st, 2020 from 47North.

Why am I waiting on this one? It sounds interesting to me. I want to know what happens to Enna and Maekallus. I want to know if what they do is enough to save them both.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!