Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #592: The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

 

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:

In a desperate gamble to save her throne, a young monarch arranges a secret marriage, conceals it in the shadows of an enchanted forest, and unknowingly alters the fate of her world—in this dazzling novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

Anne of Brittany was a child when France invaded and drove her royal father to his death. Now she is a young woman, sovereign duchess of an occupied realm, and France means to crown their conquest by marrying her to their king. Such an alliance would put her title, her lands, and her body forever in the hands of her enemies.

But Anne refuses to be the last duchess of Brittany.

Her only hope of resisting conquest is another alliance sealed with marriage, so Anne arranges a daring last gambit: a secret betrothal to Charles of France’s greatest rival. But secrets are hard to keep in a world where rival courts spy on each other with diviners.

The forest of Brocéliande was once the haunt of Merlin the Enchanter and the long-lost faerie queen. But magic is long gone from Broceliande, except for the occasional sight of a unicorn and one critical quirk: This ancient forest is completely inimical to divination.

While pretending compliance with France, Anne plans a unicorn hunt in Brocéliande. A bit of pointless pageantry. A diversion so she can wed in secret.

Or so she thinks.

In this rich and epic novel, the author of the acclaimed Winternight trilogy turns the real history of a remarkable woman into an unforgettable tale of mystery, enchantment, and the price of power.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden is expected to be out June 2, 2026 from Del Rey.

Why am I waiting on this book? I loved Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy. This story sounds interesting. The inclusion of magic makes it even more attractive. I want to know what happens in Brocéliande and what happens with the unicorn.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Reading!

Happy Book Birthday to Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett and I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

 

Today is the book birthday for two books that couldn't be more different, but are both good reads.

The first is:

From the publisher:

A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montréal turns to a grouchy but charming magician to help save her shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life, and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for stray cats.

Now it’s the shelter that needs a new home. And the only landlord who will rent a space to a cat rescue is a mysterious man called Havelock—who also happens to be the world’s most infamous magician, running an illegal magic shop out of his basement. Havelock is cantankerous and eccentric, but not not handsome, and no, Agnes absolutely does not feel anything but disdain for him. After all, rumors swirl about his shadowy past—including whispers that his dark magic once almost brought about the apocalypse.

Then one day a glamorous magician comes looking for Havelock, putting the magic shop—and the cat shelter—in jeopardy. To save the shelter, Agnes will have to team up with the magician who nearly ended the world . . . and may now be trying to steal her heart.

Havelock is everything Agnes thinks she doesn’t need in her life: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers that he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue—and romance—in her life. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats. 

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett is available today from Del Rey.

The second book is: 

From the publisher:

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig is available today from Berkley.

What book have you been waiting for? What are you reading?

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!

Book Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

 

From the publisher:

There’s power in a book…

They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. Girls who grew up too fast. And they’re sent to Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, to give them up for adoption, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened.

Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, terrified and alone. Under the watchful eye of the stern Miss Wellwood, she meets a dozen other girls in the same predicament. There’s Rose, a hippie who insists she’s going to find a way to keep her baby and escape to a commune. And Zinnia, a budding musician who plans to marry her baby’s father. And Holly, a wisp of a girl, barely fourteen, mute and pregnant by no-one-knows-who.

Everything the girls eat, every moment of their waking day, and everything they’re allowed to talk about is strictly controlled by adults who claim they know what’s best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid...and it’s usually paid in blood.

In Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, the author of How to Sell a Haunted House and The Final Girl Support Group delivers another searing, completely original novel and further cements his status as a “horror master” (NPR).

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix was published January 21, 2025 by Berkley.

My Thoughts: I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. After reading a few reviews prior to reading the book, I wasn't at all sure that I was going to like this book, but I did. I liked the girls and felt for them. They were united by the way that their families had treated them when they found out they were pregnant. Also living at the home united them. They all had the same experiences and the same close supervision.

The magic system was different. Magic always has a price in order for it to succeed. What the price in this case was, is interesting. I hadn't seen this cost quite this way before. And there were some clever bits related to this. In particular, the girls use the magic against some adults. This held consequences both for the adults and the girls, but afterwards, it was like the adults forgot about what happened.

The book had a slow beginning. This was mostly because of what was needed to set the scene. Still, I would have liked the magic to start sooner. After that. things move faster. And there are twists and surprises. I liked that it was not totally predictable nor was it preachy. I would have preferred a tad more humor as in his other books, But considering everything - the weightiness of the topic, the timeliness, it makes total sense. I also was not a fan of the graphic birthing scenes. 

I would recommend this book to people who have enjoyed Hendrix's other books. And I would also recommend this book for people who enjoy magical realism in a historical setting. 

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

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #511: Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher

 

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:

It’s 1851 in old York. Lizzy Grimm struggles to save her late father’s charmingly creepy yet floundering antique shop, Grimm Curiosities. Then, during a particularly snowy December in this most haunted city in England, things turn…curiouser.

Lizzy meets Antony Carlisle, whose sister suffers from the same perplexing affliction as Lizzy’s mother—both stricken silent and unresponsive after speaking with ghosts. Working closely together to fathom what power has transformed their loved ones and why, Lizzy and Antony discover an important clue: her father’s treasured set of rare books on ancient folktales, enchantments, and yuletide myths. Books that a persistent collector is awfully keen to purchase. Books Lizzy can’t bear to sell.

Every bewitching passage and illustration opens a doorway to something ancient and dangerously inviting. Keys to a mystery Lizzy and Antony are compelled to solve—even if doing so means unleashing one of this bright holiday’s darkest myths.

Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher is expected out November 5th, 2024 from 47North.

Why am I waiting on this book: I'm really curious about the aspect of the story coming from the Grimm brothers' works. And wondering about this collector who wants to buy the books that they are drawing from. And of course, I would like to see her mother and his sister recover from their illness.

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!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #510: Bindle Punk Jefe by Desideria Mesa

 

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: 

From award-winning author Desideria Mesa comes the glittering sequel to Bindle Punk Bruja in which Earth witch Rose (Luna) Lane’s secret life comes to a breaking point as outside threats lurk—perfect for fans of Trouble the Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson, Libba Bray’s The Diviners, and Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights duology.

Prohibition is in full swing, and the glamorous life of upper-class Kansas City is everything Rose (Luna) Lane ever hoped it would be. Being married to her best friend isn’t so bad either, considering their agreement to keep their real love lives out of the public eye. However, try as she might to continue her life of anonymity, her popularity as a land developer’s wife—and as a successful club owner—draws even more attention to her personal endeavors. Soon, the balancing act between the life of Luna and Rose becomes a full-time job itself, making visiting home harder than ever before.

However, her haven, which once offered a place of acceptance, is growing more hostile. Her community of brujas criticizes her methods of using magic for economic and social gain while consorting with nefarious witches of the North. Meanwhile, the Pendergast Machine is running at full force, pushing his will and money all over the city. Keeping her true identity and powers a secret while posing for the society papers gets all the more dangerous as new enemies start to question her origins…and old ones creep up from dark realms.

The pressure could force Rose to do questionable things for the greater good, distancing herself from her loved ones and who she wants to be. She may have mastered her earth magic, but she still has a lot to learn about the heart…

Bindle Punk Jefe by Desideria Mesa is expected out October 29th, 2024 from Harper Voyager.

Why am I waiting on this book: I read Bindle Punk Bruja and enjoyed it. I liked watching Rose (Luna) gain better control over her magic. Now it looks as though she needs to master when it is best and appropriate to use it. I want to see what happens with her.

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.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #496: Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope

 

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:

A woman journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home in this powerful historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South. 

“Our home began, as all things do, with a wish.”

Jane Edwards hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.

Jane will do anything to save the community that sheltered her. So, when a man with uncanny abilities arrives in town asking strange questions, she wonders if he might be the key. But as the stranger hints at gods and ancestral magic, Jane is captivated by a bigger mystery. She knows this man. Only the last time she saw him, he was dead. His body laid to rest in a rushing river. 

Who is the stranger and what is he really doing in Awenasa? To find those answers, Jane will journey into a sunken world, a land of capricious gods and unsung myths, of salvation and dreams made real. But the flood waters are rising. To gain the miracle she desires, Jane will have to find her voice again and finally face the trauma of the past. 

Why am I waiting on this book: I like the idea of mixing gods and myths with a plot based on historical happenings. And of course, I'm wondering who is this strange man and what will happen because of his presence.

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: Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

 

If you enjoy stories about the Fair Folk, then this would be a good book for you.

Emily Wilde has finished her Encyclopaedia of Faerie and is back to teaching. Her niece is now attending the college as well. And Wendell Bambleby is never far. He asked Emily to marry him and she hasn't answered yet. Meanwhile, he's continuing to masquerade as a human and teach classes as well.

Then, things are interrupted by an attempt on Wendell's life by assassins sent by his step-mother. Wendell wants his throne back, but hasn't been able to find the door he wants back into the kingdom. After the attack, it becomes more of a priority to find the door. Emily and Wendell are going to the Austrian Alps hunting it, but they cannot go alone. Ariadne, Emily's niece, and Farris Rose, the head of their department at Cambridge, accompany them in their search. And thus the adventure begins.

In search of the Nexus, a sort of hub of doors which Emily believes gives them the best chance of finding a door back into Wendell's homeland, they will encounter all kinds of the Folk and dangers. All of this is told in the manner of journal entries written by Emily. So, we get to be in her head as she describes her experiences. I wasn't as fond of the footnotes that she sometimes includes as she was, though. 

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Emily and Wendell change as they both grew. They are fun to read about in no small part to the way they speak to each other trading teasing remarks as though they'd been married for years.

Shadow remains my favorite as Emily's companion. He seems to be getting up in years, but still manages to protect her when he feels it's needed. He has mastered his glamor as a canine. And I enjoyed seeing Poe added back into the story this time as he was such a help in the first book.

While there is sort of a little lull while they are looking for the nexus, generally the book moves forward at a good speed. The action moves fastest at the beginning and towards the end. And even during the lull, the occurrences move the story along. 

I gave the book 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I felt it was well written. If you like stories about the Folk, you will most likely enjoy this book. You might enjoy it even more though, if you read Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faerie first. 

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett was released January 16, 2024 by Del Rey.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #492: The Book of Perilous Dishes by Doina Ruști

 

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:

Historical fiction meets fantasy in The Book of Perilous Dishes, a playful tale of dark magic and epic adventure that traverses Europe at the turn of the 18th century.

Bucharest. 1798.

A year full of intrigue and political machinations.Master chef Silica reigns supreme, sought after by all. His cooking is sublime, satisfying even the sophisticated tastes of the Greek Prince, who steals him from his rightful owner and installs him in his Palace. Little does anyone know that Silica guards the magical Book of Perilous Dishes, filled with recipes with the power to brew potent elixirs of truth, shroud minds in forgetfulness, unveil the future with eerie precision, and provoke bouts of uncontrollable laughter.

When 14-year-old Pâtca, steeped in the occult arts, embarks on a mission to recover her family's recipe book, she discovers her uncle murdered and a map that needs deciphering. As she embarks on an adventure across Romania, France, and Germany, her journey unveils family secrets that unearth history, weave magic, and unite destinies.

Written by an award-winning author of contemporary Romanian literature, Doina Rusti, and translated by Bucharest-based English professor, James Christian Brown.

The Book of Perilous Dishes by Doina Rusti is expected out May 21st, 2024 from Neem Tree Press.

Why am I waiting on this book: I enjoy most historical fantasy like Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands  by Heather Fawcett for example. I like the sound of this one. The recipe book seems like a grimoire. And i like the idea of history and magic being revealed as well as it being a playful tale.

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: 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!

Happy Book Birthday to Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

 

Today Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is released by Del Rey Books. 

From the publisher:

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party—or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, muddle Emily’s research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones—the most elusive of all faeries—lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all—her own heart.

I've read the book and have a review posting soon. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed it. If you like stories about Faeries and books set in the early 1900s, then this could be a good pick for you. Check it out!

Teaser Tuesday: Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

We're all somebody else on nights like these.

Nothing new for me, though. I'm someone else every night. 

(68% through on my Kindle)

Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa was published September 13th, 2022 by Harper Voyager.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My head is spinning, but this jerk is looking at me like he wants an answer, and something tells me he usually gets what he wants. Not that I'm sure what that is yet. I'm in a jam, no question, but it may not be as sticky as I think. I can't let this goon rattle me before I know the rules to his game.

Selective truth is the best strategy.

Bindle Punk Bruja was released September 13th, 2022 by Harper Voyager.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #422: A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

 

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: Magic! Murder! Shipboard romance!

Maud Blyth has always longed for adventure. She expected plenty of it when she volunteered to serve as an old lady’s companion on an ocean liner, in order to help her beloved older brother unravel a magical conspiracy that began generations ago.

What she didn’t expect was for the old lady in question to turn up dead on the first day of the voyage. Now she has to deal with a dead body, a disrespectful parrot, and the lovely, dangerously outrageous Violet Debenham, who’s also returning home to England. Violet is everything that Maud has been trained to distrust yet can’t help but desire: a magician, an actress, and a magnet for scandal.

Surrounded by the open sea and a ship full of suspects, Maud and Violet must first drop the masks that they’ve both learned to wear before they can unmask a murderer and somehow get their hands on a magical object worth killing for—without ending up dead in the water themselves.

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske is expected out November 1,2022 from Tordotcom. It's the second book in The Last Binding series. A Marvellous Light was the first book.

Why am I waiting on this book? I haven't read the first book yet, but the second book just makes me want to read the series more. I want to know what happens to Maud and Violet. And I want to know if Maud is able to help her brother. 

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!