Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg

April 25, 2024

Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg

Hulda and Merritt's wedding is only weeks away, when Merritt receives a letter from Queen Victoria (yes, that Queen Victoria) expressing interest in Owein. Owein is Merritt's 223 year old many-times-great uncle who died at the age of 12 and originally inhabited the walls of Merritt's house. Owein currently resides in the body of a mixed-breed terrier, and is also a powerful wizard. The queen's necromancer believes he has a way of transferring Owein's spirit and magical powers to a human body. With plenty of reservations, Merritt, Owein and Hulda travel to England to find out if such a thing is possible and the potential fallout. But almost as soon as they arrive, they realize that not everyone may want the experiment to succeed.

The third book in the Whimbrel House series. I love Owein, so I was happy that we got a book about him. This is a charming historical fantasy series. I recommend reading the books in order.

Example of a Victorian necromancer

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

June 18, 2023

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

Sequel to Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. At the end of the previous book, Merritt Fernsby is just realizing that he has some magical abilities and that he's in love with Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms. He sets out to explore his heritage while Hulda tries to find her friend Myra and hold onto her place with BIKER.

Very enjoyable follow-up to Merritt and Hulda's story, if not quite as good as the first book. It was good to revisit the other characters like Owein, Beth and Baptiste as well. It sounds like the next book will focus on Owein (ominous chord) since we find out that he has much more magical power than any of the other characters.  Looking forward to it. If you like urban fantasy, try this series.

It's Owein!

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

April 13, 2023

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

Merritt Fernsby is working on his second novel when he unexpectly inherits a house on a lovely but remote island off the coast of Rhode Island. Estranged from his family and living in New York, he had no idea the house existed or that his grandmother owned it. Although empty for many years, when he arrives, he is pleasantly surprised to find the house in excellent condition. But the house holds dark secrets, and fortunately Mrs. Hulda Larkin from the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms (BIKER) arrives to help him manage the house's whims. But they learn that there is a lot more magic going on than they first suspected, and Hulda and Merritt must join forces to keep the dark out.

I previously read and loved the author's Spellbreaker/Spellmaker duology, but didn't care for the Paper Magician series as much. This book is a return to the magic and fantasy of Spellbreaker, with the same splash of romance. It is actually the first book in the Whimbrel House series - the next book sees Merritt exploring his own history and magical gifts. Recommended for readers of historical or urban fantasy, such as the Soulless books by Gail Carriger or the Glamour in Glass series by Mary Robinette Kowals.

An island similar to the one where Whimbrel House sits (a whimbrel is a heron-like bird)

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

November 2, 2021

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

Ceony Twill graduated at the top of her class at magic college, yet the only apprenticeship that she is offered is working with a paper magician, considered to be the simplest type of magic. Once she is bound to paper, that is the only magic that she will be allowed to perform, although she longs to work with metal spells. The paper magician turns out to be kindly and the spells he shows her are more wonderful than she ever expected. Because Ceony was unable to bring her dog with her, the magician even makes her a paper dog who acts much like a real dog. But when a dark magician invades the house and rips the paper magician's heart from his chest, Ceony must face the evil to save her mentor's life.

After reading the author's Spellbreaker/Spellmaker duology, I was really disappointed in this book. It was just way too strange.

Origami/paper art

Spellmaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

September 9, 2021

Spellmaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

England 1895 - Elsie Camden is an unlicensed spellbreaker, a crime punishable by imprisonment. When she refuses to work with a dark magician who is responsible for the deaths of a series of wizards and the theft of their spell books, her secret is exposed and she lands in jail. But elite magician Bacchus Kelsey comes up with a plan to legitimize Elsie's work, but they must marry to make the story believable. Elsie then has to pretend to a dim-witted magic tutor that she has only basic spellbreaking skills, rather than the high level she really possesses. Meanwhile, she and Bacchus work on a plan to identify and thwart the dark villain.

Holmberg wrote a wonderful historical fantasy set in Victorian times. She overlays the real world with magic, and it's an acceptable part of the times. Even the romance aspect didn't annoy me (so often, an author will throw in a romance that doesn't serve any purpose). I loved this duology and I hope there will be another book in the series. The cover art reminds me of Gail Carriger's Soulless series.

Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

July 28, 2021

Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

Elsie Camden is a spellbreaker - she can undo magic spells that are set by the wealthy or aristocrats to harm the common people. She receives her instructions from a mysterious handler that she has never met. Whoever it is leaves notes and instructions for her. But Elsie's biggest problem is that she is unlicensed to perform magic, which carries a hefty penalty. She has to work surreptitiously to accomplish her assignments.

Elsie works for a low-level magician who works as an artist. Things are going pretty well for her, until she runs afoul of a powerful magician at a nearby estate. To keep him from exposing her, Elsie must agree to work for him. But when a more powerful but unknown sorceror begins to kill wizards and steal their spell books, they must work together to undo the sorceror's dark magic.

This is book one of a duology featuring these characters. You can tell there's going to be a romance in the second book, but that's okay, the author keeps it low-key. Holmberg has another series that I tried and didn't like, but this one is a very enjoyable fantasy.

Spell book