Reading Randomness

I thought, silly me, that after having survived The Kid’s freshman year of high school, I knew what to expect. But no, sophomore year seems even busier and overwhelming and my reading time just hasn’t made it very high on the priority list. And no, The Kid is not overwhelmed, I am. He is doing fabulous and loves all the extra time with his friends and the fun side of school and his various clubs. I just have to find the time to take him everywhere, make sure the Farm Friends are content, fit in a job, and you know, sleep.

But, I have been able to fit in a few series books! Normally I don’t find it very useful to review books in long running series because it’s hard not to spoil earlier books and if you’re really interested to know if book #26 is worth reading, you’re going to read it anyways because you already the first 25.

But with that said…

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg is just as delightful and engaging as Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. It picks up right after book 1 ends and I loved it just as much as the first. Boy of Chaotic Making, book 3 in the Whimbrel House series is scheduled to come out February 13, 2024 and I’ve already pre-ordered it. Both book 1 and 2 are available in KU and it looks like book 3 will be as well.

Dark Olympus Book #5! Just as hot and steamy as the rest of the series with even more mystery surrounding the actual magical workings of the city of Olympus itself. I really love how Katee Robert isn’t afraid to explore non-traditional romantic pairings and includes a diverse range of characters. Everyone is interesting, everyone has a secret, everyone wants to sleep with everyone and we get to see it all! This one did leave me wanting a little more in the “how did we go from pants feelings to heart feelings” area, but overall I really enjoyed it.

If you’re looking to start your Spooky Season reads and don’t know where to start, here are two books coming out soon to add to your pre-order list! Full reviews will come soon.

I’m about 60% through Black River Orchard, which comes out 9/26/23. One of the darkest, creepiest, most enthralling books I’ve read in a while! I am absolutely loving this one! If you loved Wendig’s other books, you’ll love this one. It’s about a man who plants seven apple trees in his family’s orchard and then the whole town becomes obsessed with the fruits. Very, very disturbing to read as I am currently working my way through our own apple harvest…

Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson comes out 10/3/23 and is absolutely terrifying! One of the most beautifully written horror novels I’ve ever read. It’s quietly chilling and utterly compulsive. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t tear myself away. I read this several months ago and I still think about it at least once a day. Definitely pre-order if you’re a horror fan.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and mistakes are my own. Both digital copies of Black River Orchard and Bloom were advanced copies I received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb, Graham Halstead, and Nicholas Boulton

Available now

CW: murder, child abuse. It is kept pretty brief and matter of fact, with the majority of the story being quite light, but there are a handful of violent scenes.

I don’t remember adding this to my KU library but Past Me has excellent taste! This book was the perfect field mowing companion and I immeadiately downloaded the second book in the series as soon as I finished it. It’s so sweet, a little silly, and incredibly compelling. If you’re looking for a light, magical, cozy fantasy read with a dash of romance, this book is perfect.

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. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.

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 that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.

Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. 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.

It’s so good! This one is hard not to spoil, so apologies for the brief and excited squealing. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is incredibly fun. It begins with dual narratives. One is from a wealthy wizard who has a tragic childhood and the other is Merritt Fernsby, bachelor writer who inherits Whimbrel House. The magic found within Whimbrel House is quite whimsical in the beginning, balancing out the darkness of the story of our tortured wizard. There is a light romantic element that is full of pining and Great Concern for Propriety but isn’t the main focus of the story, more of a delightful bonus. There is delightful banter amongst all the characters, as well as some found family elements. The magic system, widely known to all in the world, is simple and easy to follow and provides some great comedic moments. Hulda holds an important and respected position within the BIKER, the magical agency that oversees enchanted homes. I love a heroine with an interesting job and Hulda definitely has an interesting job! She’s incredibly competent and I don’t remember her dealing with any type of patriarchal b.s. It could be there, but I don’t remember. Quite refreshing, to be honest.

I found the Keeper of Enchanted Rooms to be delightful and engrossing story with a fantastic mystery. I listened to the audio version and the performances were absolutely fantastic. If you would like to add this magical mystery to your shelf, you can click on the cover above, or here, for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Fantasy Quickie: Emily Wilde's Ecyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Available now

Emily Wilde's Ecyclopaedia of Faeries is a charming and enjoyable epistolary novel. In a world where the fae exist, and are known, Emily Wilde wants nothing more than to write the definitive book on the fae and is determined to do it all on her own. But Emily isn't the friendliest with the locals and her intense academic focus often gets in the way of her common sense, leading to many mishaps and awkward social situations.

Highly descriptive and quickly paced, Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries is a delightful romantic adventure. If you love your fantasy more on the cozy side, full of descriptions of the every day, this is perfect for you. I found it quite charming and delightful way to escape for a few hours.

If you’d like to add this lovely fantasy to your shelf, you can find ordering information here or by clicking on the cover above.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

Available now

Have you read so far down the spooky book lists that you can no longer sleep and jump at every unknown noise?

Just me?

Ok, well here is the cutest book about a vampire that I have ever read. Garlic lives in a village of vegetable people and helps out in the garden of Witch Agnes. Garlic is always running a little late, tends to bump into things, and is just kind of anxious and stressed all the time. She would really love it if she could just stay in her garden all day and tend to her little garlic bulbs.

One day, her fellow villagers notice smoke coming from the chimneys of an abandoned castle. But when they ask Witch Agnes about the castle, she tells them a scary tale of a vampire who used to live there. Now, if anyone is going to go find out if their neighbor is indeed a bloodthirsty vampire, it only makes sense that Garlic be the one to go. She has a natural defense against vampires and because she can’t stand to let her friends down, she agrees to go.

What ensues is the cutest thing you will read this week.

I promise.

The art is just as beautiful as the friendships found within and I really loved how adorable the story was. I found this book through a cozy fantasy booktok account and immeadiately put it on hold from the Library. It’s also now in next month’s book order because I just can’t wait to share this with the Library Kids.

If you want to add this adorable graphic novel to your collection, you can click on the book cover for ordering information. As always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Available Now

Are you ready to read the best book of the year? Because this is it! I absolutely love every page of this soft, cozy, delightful novel of magic, found family, and love. In Mika Moon’s world, witches hide their powers from the rest of society and live in near isolation, only gathering together every few months to keep each other apprised of personal updates and new magical discoveries. For her entire life, Mika has believed that too many witches gathered together can trigger a magical disaster and has resolved herself to a lifetime of loneliness. But one day, a message arrives for Mika, begging her to assist in the magical training of three adopted sisters-all witches. How have these three young, untrained witches been allowed to live together? How did someone discover her true nature? Maybe it was those “fake” witchy videos she was posting online…

When Mika accepts this unusual proposal, for a trial run only, she discovers a lovely cottage in the country filled with lovely people. Ian and his husband Ken take care of the grounds while Lucie, the housekeeper and household manager, help with taking care of the children. Also in residence is Jamie, Librarian and pseudo-father to Altamira, Rosetta and Terracotta. While the girls are technically the legal wards to a world traveling archaeologist named Lillian, their daily care comes from Ian, Ken, Lucie and Jamie, who can provide love and guidance in all subjects except for magic. This is where Mika is greatly needed. The three young witches know little about their powers and are unable to stay safely under the radar and so have been housebound for nearly two years. They also need to convince their guardian’s lawyer that they are definitely not witches.

As Mika settles into the attic rooms of Nowhere House with her lovely dog Circe and a koi pond (wait until you see how she transports the pond!) she finds herself deeply conflicted about informing the other witches about the girls. She was never allowed to have friends, let alone sisters, growing up and hates the idea of taking that away from the girls. Determined to give the girls an education, and hopefully keep them together, Mika finds herself growing more and more attached to this quirky family. She is definitely feeling some feelings about the quiet and grumpy Jamie. But can those feelings ever become something more?

Reader friends, this book is amazing. It’s a lovely, quiet book that is beautifully written. The characters are fantastic and you can feel the love everyone shares for each other. The girls are precocious without being obnoxious and Mika is a magical goddess that I desperately want to be best friends with. If you love a found family surrounded by magic and warm, cozy romances with a little bit of spice, this book will check all your boxes.

This is a great witchy book for those who want their magic and witches without the spooky or scary bits. I highly, highly recommend this book.

If you would like to add this book to your shelf, you can click on the book cover or here for ordering information.

This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.