WIZARD OF MOST WICKED WAYS - Charlie N. Holmberg


There are many changes happening at Whimbrel House. Among them, Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. And Owein has signed a marriage contract (with the magically compatible Lady Cora). 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 - now driven by madness and revenge. Owein seeks Cora’s help and influence in England, and Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians to aid in Owein’s defense.

Good and evil converges at Whimbrel House. Silas's forces are strong and Hulda has some secret magic that could save them all, but she doesn't want Owein to have these secrets. Without help, Owein is bound to lose to Silas.

While I have really liked Charlie Holmberg's work (some of her books are among my absolute favorites), I haven't been a huge fan of the Whimbrel House series. This one works better for me, though. This is one of the first times that the magic of this world actually worked for me. It felt inherent and real within the context of the world.

I also felt that there was more at stake here. The battle of Owein and Silas, with the Whimbrel House at the center of it, is a nice good v evil metaphor, and finally we have something worth fighting about. The previous books in the series - I felt - were too focused on romance (yeah, there was also the man-turned-into-a-house issue but that didn't feel particularly impactful).

With a story I could finally get behind (I've always appreciated the characters through the series), other than the first book, which set the stage nicely, I enjoyed this volume and I look forward the final chapter in the series.

Looking for a good book? Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg, is the fourth book in the Whimbrel House series and builds a solid story of good and evil in Holmberg's typically 'cozy' fantasy world.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

* * * * * *

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways

author: Charlie N. Holmberg

series: Whimbrel House #4

publisher: 47North

ISBN: 9781662516825

paperback, 271 pages

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