So far there are 2 books in this series and the way that the second book ended there will definitely be at least one more. So far of the first two I like the first, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms, better. It is hard for me to separate the two on some level though. Charlie N Holmberg’s historical magic world building is truly something to behold. I love the multiple new ways she has built worlds of magic that have rules all their own (I am a huge fan of The Paper Magician). In the Whimbrel House series magic is inherited like one’s eye or hair color and is clearly a recessive trait. Magic is fading. I have yet to see how Charlie is going to truly save magic in this series, yet that is not the focus of these stories, but is it? We’ll see.
Merritt Fernsby is an author who had been ousted from his family and has had to make a life on his own until he happened to get a surprising summons from his maternal grandmothers estate lawyer. He has been bequeathed a house, so what if it is rumored to be haunted, he doesn’t believe in ghosts anyway. He finally has a home that belongs to him or does he now belong to the house?
It turns out the house is enchanted and is on a list of protected homes that requires the attention of someone to help manage it’s magic and preservation. Enter Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms. Hulda’s job is to determine how the home has magic and teach her clients how to manage the home.
There is a bit of tension between our two MCs at first but clearly they do end up endearing to each other. There is romance but it is sedated to match the Victorian time period and Hulda’s buttoned up sensibilities. The romantic tension is fun and simple and not over bearing.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
The Keeper of Enchanted Rooms was easily an auto buy for me. I have been a fan of Holmberg’s for years and the title was very attention grabbing, to me at least. The book has romance yes but at its heart it is also a mystery. There is a menacing presence lurking around Boston and it has its sights set on Whimbrel house, it wants the magic within its walls no matter who gets in the way.
This was a quick read with moderate action and a dash of romance. I wont spoil it for you but if you like good fun clean romance and a bit of Victorian mystery with a dash of magic, you will enjoy this story. I know I did!
Heir of Uncertain Magic
The feel of the magical world and mystery is carried over into the second book of the series. Merritt and Hulda have a deepening romantic connection that comes across some obstacles that mostly revolve around Hulda’s insecurities and Merritt’s own doubts about who he is.
Myra, Hulda’s boss from the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has disappeared, and Hulda is not the only one searching for her. The parent company from London, London’s Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms, has come to sort out what has become a mess that has been left behind in Myra’s wake.
Merit is learning to cope with his newfound magic that has lain dormant his entire life, where did this magic come from? Who is he in this world? He needed to get answers and the only place he can get them is the one place he hasn’t been in 10 years, a place he is no longer welcome.
With the world seemingly falling apart around them Hulda and Merritt have been accused of murdering Myra. What happened to the mysterious woman? Hulda would never have done such a thing to her former boss and friend and Merritt barely even knew her.
Yes there is a mystery here but it doesn’t seem to be the main point of this book. This book feels like a stepping stone from book one to the third book which hasn’t been announced yet. I was a little underwhelmed by this book with the expectation that it would keep the energy of the first book.
That said, there were definitely highlights that make this story its own and made it entertaining, but its not a story you can read on its own. Giving it a rating out of 5 stars I would give it a generous 3, I can say it is not may favorite of Miss Holmberg’s work.
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