I very much enjoyed this book. The author did a good job of slowly unraveling the heroine's back story and weaving it into what is currently happening in the story.. A little bit fantasyish, a little bit love story, great character development; I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I'm not generally a five star person, but this was a definite five stars.

You must first read the first book in this duology to understand what is going on.
This book starts where the first ended. Elsie is an unregistered spellbreaker. It seems someone has turned her in to the authorities. Her guess is Master Merton, who is now in hiding. Master Kelsey gets Elsie released on a couple of conditions . One she must train to be a spellbreaker. Next she and Master Kelsey must marry. Elsie and her friends must hunt down Master Merton. Along the way Elsie discovers a family member she wasn’t sure was out there. She also realizes she’s in love with Master Kelsey.
This book kept me entertained. Elsie is super cool and very powerful with her skills. Glad how the ending turned out.

I’ve loved Charlie Holmberg since reading her Paper Magician series and have read every book she’s published since.

As far as the writing goes, I found this sequel to be a better written than the first book in the duology and that this one didn’t take very long to jump into as a sequel. I also think it’s probably the most similar to the Paper Magician Series which made me love it a lot more than some of the other recent books shes written. I love the enemies to lovers theme and the exploration of Elsie’s magical abilities. I definitely would’ve loved to see her figure out what made her able to break spells being directed at her but it was a tangential mystery that wasn’t really vital to the plot.

Something about this duology that I also really liked was the introduction of a nonwhite, Barbadian magician and love interest who’s perspective was shared equally with the MC Elsie, and through which we saw the fear and wariness with which he was treated, microagressions that could be invisible to others but that read as xenophobic or racist or both. It was not the main focus but it was an aspect that this author has not always explored and that I really appreciated as a reader. I think she did a great job of writing a character of color as a white writer that many have failed to do.

Overall, it was such a fun read. There were lots of twists which I really enjoyed. At times, it was predictable but several were not. I’m a big fan of YA fantasy and often it’s predictable but I love when a book can still surprise you, as this one did. I found the book charming, engaging, and an adventurous escape from reality and this book was just that.

Thanks NetGalley for an arc!

This authors other books did not sell in the store before unfortunately, so I'd only be able to recommend this to a particular type of reader & auggest they order it.

I was immediately pulled into this story, and I was held firm until the very end. I have always been a fan of Sherlock type mystery novels, and this definitely gave me similar vibes, but with magic added into the mix. I really loved the magic system, and everything was explained very clearly and was very easy to follow. I loved how you follow Elsie as she attempts to navigate society, the magical hierarchy, and her new love, while also attempting to keep her magical skills secret so she isn't thrown in jail. And of course, the secret murderer she's trying to catch. In this book, the villain really reminded me of Moriarty, making the Sherlock parallel even stronger for me, especially when she was going to escape. This action packed sequel really draws you in, and I was so excited to keep reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I can't wait for the next one!

I felt like the writing was an improvement compared to Spellbreaker, but overall things were quite bland. I didn't necessarily dislike the story, but I didn't love it either. I'd give it a solid 3/5 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The idea of a world where some people can do magic is not a new one but I've never heard of a world where some people can only perform magic (Spellmakers) and some people can only undo magic (Spellbreakers), it was such an interesting concept and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I appreciated how well the duology flows together and the book had some twists I didn't see coming and I liked how they played out.

**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

After reading the first book in this duology, Spellbreaker, I was excited to dive into the sequel. This is an easy read. The writing style is very straightforward. I found the characters and environment enjoyable, but not really well fleshed out. Likewise, the magic system is unique and interesting but not deeply delved into.

This book answered a few lingering questions from Spellbreaker, but left many more unanswered. Why did Bacchus’ father agree to the syphoning spell? What happed to Elsie’s parents? What was the breaking point that turned Merton into a murderess? Are the events that played out going to change any of the injustices in the magic system? The big villain showdown at the end was wrapped up neatly, but the book still felt unfinished. I just wanted more. More to the romance between Elsie and Bacchus (their wedding was rushed), more mystery behind why Merton behaved as she did, more surprises in the plot and character motivations. I thought there was something nefarious about one of the new characters since their introduction, but I ended up being wrong. While I was glad I didn’t have the mystery of it all figured out (I thought Merton had somehow become Irene), I ended up disappointed that there really was no mystery to figure out.

All in all, I’d give this 3.5 stars. It was entertaining enough that I quickly read it, but I found it all a bit unfulfilling.

Spellmaker is the second book in the Spellbreaker series duology. I really enjoyed the adventure and getting to know the characters through both books and could have definitely read more but I'm glad Holmberg didn't stretch it out like some authors do just to get a third book. I do hope there is a spinoff as the ending left me a little like, "well what are we going to do about that part, you can't just leave me hanging with unanswered questions like that!" The second book takes off right where the first book leaves off and doesn't slow down. Elsie and Bacchus are still trying to catch a murderer and their love story grows more which is great!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

By far, one of my favorite stories! It's book 2 in a duology and it's a story you won't put down and a story you didn't know you needed! Magic, an orphan, mystery, murder, love, family, belonging, self-worth, I feel as if this is the magical, Victorian Cinderella named Elsie. Book 1 kept me on the edge of my seat and this one as well. Make sure you read this during the day because you will NOT BE ABLE to put it down! You will stay up allll night to finish it. Highly recommend this book!

Spellmaker is a satisfying sequel to Spellbreaker and the final book in the duology. As a sequel, Spellmaker hits the mark, as it is a natural escalation of the previous book.
I love the logic of the magic system in this series and how it perfectly incorporates into the structure of the Victorian England society.
I only wish this wasn't the end of the series and that there was more of these characters to look forward to. If you haven't read Spellbreaker do that, then read Spellmaker.

I received a copy of this book on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I initially didn’t realize this was only a duology when I read the first book so I was a little surprised at first how nicely everything was wrapped up at the end of this book.

Charlie N. Holmberg writes entertaining books, and this one has good character development, a pretty well developed magical world, good twists and turns that kept me interested in the story the entire time I was reading it, and a dash of romance that didn’t overpower the rest of the story.

Elsie’s story feels complete but I would love to have more stories set in this world!

This is my favourite duology ever!

The only thing I didn't like about the series was that is has only two books.
But I must admit that the two books fit each other perfectly. Anything left open in the first book is reseloved in the second one.

The story picks up only a few weeks after the events of the first one. Elsie is trown into jail for unregistered spellbreaking and struggles with the events of the last half of the fist book. The real criminal is still at large and Elsie teams up with her friends and aquaintances to catch them. The book held some really unecpected plot twists and the mystery aspect did not fall short for me.

Elsies internal struggles (the feeling of being unlovable and her involvement in the events of the last book) make her a relatable, kind and caring person. Bacchus is as lovable as Elsie, since he also is kind, caring and compassinate. The love story between him and Elsie is so sweet (I gasped at their cuteness on more than one occasion) and I was so glad to see it resolved happily.

The worldbuilding and magic system are immaculate. The magic is different from other books I've read so far which was very refreshing, and I have recently found to enjoy the setting of victorian England immensely.

I can't help but praise this book in every aspect.

If you are a fan of Jane Austen and fantasy (and don't mind the two of them combined) I suggest you read this book.

Spellmaker is the second book in Charlie N Holmberg's Spellbreaker duology, and I would recommend that readers who pick up this book read Spellbreaker first, as it does not really work as a standalone. This book picks up from where Spellbreaker leaves off, with the dramatic arrest of Elsie as an unregistered Spellbreaker. Things are looking grim for our heroine but fortunately her friend Bacchus Kelsey is able to come up with a plan that sees her being released on condition that she undergoes training to become licensed and registered , plus one or two other requirements that he hopes she will not find too onerous. Once freed the pair resume their search for the rogue Spellmaker who has been killing magicians for their spellbooks , using their ability to manipulate and control thought to incriminate the innocent.
Once again Holmberg has created a clever magic system that is easy to understand, and as always her skill with words and her storytelling ability is superb, I do think that this duology could have worked as a single novel, and that would have helped with some of the pacing issues I felt overall. Solidly entertaining.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Holmberg writes easy, flowing prose, guiding the narrative to its natural course. Her exploration of personal insecurities is a very contemporary dramatic layer, deftly woven under the overall scheme of a late-Victorian society, prejudiced against women and individuals of color. If I do have a comment to make, it would be on a couple of points about pacing, and political messaging. The first book follows a first-act template - with the conclusion solving the current predicament, but raising the prospect of a much larger conflict. The second book resolves the conflict but may feel like an about-turn in circumstances for our heroes in a too-short-a-period. Maybe the exploration of (mild spoilers) Elsie's family and a maybe friend-mentor could have been split into three books instead of two? Secondly, the political messaging is a bit too on-the-nose -- Elsie is manipulated into acting in a class-war, hoping to create a more just society where everyone is equal, but the implicit conclusion one draws from the narrative is that activism for such a political cause is harmful (?) I would have appreciated if the author had also proposed a solution instead of marking out a particular cause as a societal ill. I do want to emphasize though, that different political leanings (I am a hardcore Democratic Socialist) do not take away from the enjoyment of the duology.

Please find my complete review of the Spellbreaker Duology here:
https://echoes-empty-mind.blogspot.com/2021/02/book-review-spellbreaker-duology-by.html

Thank you for the opportunity to read the advance review copy!

Elsie and Ogden have been released from Master Merton’s plans. But they are far from free yet - Elsie gets arrested for being an unregistered spellbreaker and the only way to free her is for Bacchus to convince the magistrate that she only recently discovered her talents and he only knows this because they’ve been courting for a few months, spending a lot of tome together, and are engaged to be married. And Master Merton has gone into hiding and must be caught. Elsie, Bacchus and Ogden are on her trail!

I will say I liked this book better than the first book, though still not saying much - this book actually had something happen. The duology probably would have been better served as a standalone single book. As a reader, I found myself constantly annoyed with Elsie always talking about being unlovable. But there is never any substance to her beliefs, she just says “there’s something unlovable about me.” Ugh, ok, what is it? Maybe it’s just that little bit because it is super annoying. If you’re looking for a fairly quick read without much depth, go for it. Otherwise, probably a skip.

This is the second book in this duology. I was so excited when I saw that NetGalley offered this book! If you love sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, time-travel and a tiny bit of romance then quickly grab this book!! I loved the way the author, Charlie N. Holmberg, created a descriptive text making me hang onto every single word wondering what was coming next. The characters are well thought through, as well as not having so many characters that they are hard to remember. The story will take you through the life of Elsie after it's discovered that she is a secret spellbreaker.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley, 47NORTH.*

Thank you 47North for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Spellmaker
By: Charlie N. Holmberg

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Spellmaker is the second book in the Spellbreaker duology. The setting of the Victorian era in an alternate reality is perfect with a sinister undertone that is not overdone. The characters are complex, dashing, entertaining and uniquely suited to this story. I found them easy to like. Overall, this book is fun to read and I would recommend it.

Another great read. This one kept me on the edge of my seat and I never saw the ending coming! Great mystery mixed with an interesting magical system.

I know that this is a duology but I need a third one. Or a spin off. or a stand alone. I need to know if Reggie is successful. Back to the book. I really enjoyed this book. It was delightfully wrapped up (for the most part, see above). The world she developed feels a lot like the paper magician world but different and unique enough to stand part. There really were a lot of similar elements. And that might bother some people, not me though. It is obviously her niche and one she does very well. The characters are likeable and you want to spend time with them. The plot is captivating.
Overall a very good time.