Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg
Whimbrel House #2
Historical Fantasy
April 11, 2023 – 47North
ARC
Review by Angela
Amazon offered the first book in the series as part of their first reads program, so I snapped it up and then didn’t read it for months, when I finally picked it up I realized this historical fantasy was good stuff. So I immediately went to see if there would be a follow-up and requested for review.
After the first book’s events, everything has changed for Whimbrel House, its inhabitants, and Merritt and Hulda’s relationship. Whimbrel House is no longer enchanted, Merritt’s new magic is sometimes overwhelming to his senses, and Hulda can’t locate Myra, and she desperately needs to since Liker has opened an investigation into the Boston branch and is on the lookout for a new director. The new relationship between Merritt and Hulda is still kind of hesitant since Hulda has no experience with dating or showing affection to a romantic partner, but she’s trying and they are slowly working it out.
All of the beloved secondary characters are back in this installment, and this time we get Owein’s POV as he navigates life in his new body. Baptiste is still brandishing his stern looks and weaving culinary magic in the kitchen, he even comes to Hulda and Merritt’s rescue at one point, but Beth has been relocated by Liker to another position (for now). But everyone is back, and there are even some new characters that pop up and I’m sure we will see them again in the future.
This installment had the same pacing and feel as the first book in the series. There is a mystery that Hulda is looking into, the disappearance of Myra and what Liker is doing in the Biker headquarters, and Merritt needs some answers about his magic and how he can control it, which means he needs to finally confront his biological father. The action doesn’t pick up until the last 25%, so go into this knowing that this mystery and the romance between the main protagonists takes a meandering path with an unhurried pace to the conclusion. But I will say that the last 25% was pretty exciting.
I need to stress again for my romance-loving peeps, that while there is a developing romance between Merritt and Hulda, don’t expect any heat whatsoever. This is a quiet, tentative romance just developing and these two are still feeling each other out and learning how to be a couple.
This is such a unique series. Magical houses, interesting mysteries, and budding romances are apparently my jam and I can’t get enough. Here’s to hoping this series continues, I’m looking forward to more adventures with Whimbrel House’s found family.
Grade- B
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