This is a review for both Spellbreaker and Spellmaker: The first book, Spellbreaker, has thousands of helpful reviews already, so I'll simply add my recommendation for fantasy fans. Spellmaker of course include the same main characters, and both books are quite engaging and imaginative. Once again, the author's talent shines thru -- She knows how to effectively tell an interesting tale with well written characters, which is why she has a large following. Good stuff.

I really appreciate the review copies provided!!

I had been in a brief reading slump when I read the first one, and it captured my attention in the best possible way. So when I found out the second book wouldn't be coming out until March 2021, I spent days trying to find something as compelling to read. I rarely start unfinished series for the exact reason that I don't like to wait for sequels! Imagine my surprise when I found Spellmaker on NetGalley - and could read it now!

It's not quite as broad scope as the first, which works in its favor. The romance aspect is perfectly tense without making you want to throw the book or yell at the characters. And Elsie herself is still a force to be reckoned with - each time she narrowly escapes (spoilers?) she does it herself and anyone else to help her is just a coincidence. I love that she can show incredible strength and force of will but still allows herself some moments of weakness.

The mystery is good without being too twisty-turny or predictable. If you're the type to analyze every sentence, yes you'll probably figure out the ending; as for me, I sat back and enjoyed the ride and was pleasantly surprised. I did decide to give this book five stars, but I think that rating is more for the small series as a whole! Both books flow quite well but they depend on each other for the complete story.

I finished Spellbreaker in less than a day. I started reading it and I just couldn't put it down. I sooooo loved the story of Elsie and Bacchus.
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for my copy.

Now that they know who's behind the rash of murders, opus thefts, and magically controlling others to act against their will, Elsie and her friends need to stop the criminal. Easier said than done. Publicly denouncing the criminal will mean revealing secrets that can get herself and her friends killed by the law. But their opponent is one step ahead. When Elsie is jailed, Bacchus utilizes a loophole in the law to release her, but they now need to pretend that they're engaged and that Elsie only just discovered her spellbreaking abilities. None of this helps their fragile relationship, plus they have a dangerous criminal to catch, a mystery to solve, fend off attackers, and worst of all, plan their marriage.

This was another great feel-good fantasy read. While they had a pretty good relationship in the first book, their class difference became more apparent after Bacchus became a master. When Bacchus saves Elsie by claiming they're engaged, they must go through with that charade, whatever they're true feelings. Yes, their chemistry is still there, but how can they know if their feelings are reciprocated or if they're only marrying because they're now obligated to.

The villain's goal was easy to sympathize with. They simply wanted to erase the advantage the rich and titled had over the downtrodden poor. This is a sentiment that Elsie agreed with, but now that she's financially more secure, with a rich finance and a potential future job as a spellbreaker, she didn't seem as concerned. I don't blame her for not being a civil rights activist when life was finally going good for her. I just wanted to point out her failings. I guess she's only human, after all.
On the other hand, with such a sympathetic cause, I'm surprised the villain was acting on their own. They could've garnered a lot of public sympathy and plenty of allies, but they never considered letting anyone else join in. This book focused more on relationships - romantic, family, and friends, than it did on civil rights though. So, while the plot wasn't as complex as it could've been, the relationships were very good instead.

Lots of magic, new allies, and great found family and friends. This book was fun and heartwarming.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A strong continuation of the enjoyable first book (it's definitely a continuation, too, with minimal "previously-on"; don't start here). The romance is clean, sweet, and involves two likeable people. The mystery... progress on it stalls for a while, and when it restarts it's helped along by a slight bit of coincidence (or authorial meddling), and the team gain a new ally or two in a way that I felt was too easy and convenient. But I've seen it done a lot worse, and mostly the plot progresses through protagonism. There are some suspenseful scenes, and the climactic confrontation shows the heroine at her best, capable and intelligent.

The author really doesn't have that strong a grasp on the Victorian era, particularly class and gender relations; it's something I've noted before about her other books. But if you can overlook that, these are enjoyable stories, well written, well edited, with sound structure and a positive feel to them.

I received a copy from Netgalley for review.

In the follow up to 'Spellbreaker', Elise and the gang are back at it trying to solve the mystery of the stolen opuses while navigating even more treacherous magical schemes in this enchanting conclusion to the ‘Spellbreaker’ duology.

Once again, Holmberg crafted an intriguing world full of Victoriana arcana besotted with romance, murder, mayhem, and mystery. The pacing was perfect and the revelations in the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved exploring this world and thought the author did a clever job utilizing the Victorian conventions in a fantastical context. I really hope this is not the final goodbye to the world of ‘Spellbreaker’ because it was a captivating and charming story whose magic and adventure cast a strong spell on me, requiring more than a few spellbreakers to remove it.

Another amazing book and a fitting conclusion to Spellbreaker. Certainly need to read the duology in order. Elsie and Bacchus are both great characters and the world and friends are richly written. I have yet to be disappointed by a single world of Holmberg and highly recommend this.

As usual, Charlie Holmberg has produced another fabulous story. This was an incredibly enjoyable continuation of Elsie Camden’s journey to finding her place in the world of spellbreaking.

The reader is kept on the edge of their seat as Elsie, Bacchus and Ogden pursue the elusive Lily Merton and seek to unravel the mystery of the missing opuses.

This is such a good story that I so enjoyed reading and definitely one I will read over and over!

Having read an arc of Spellbreaker, I immediately jumped at the chance to request Spellmaker (the second in the duology) once I saw it on Netgalley. I had thought Spellbreaker was slow, although I did enjoy the world building and was incredibly invested by the end of the book, but I didn't expect to love Spellmaker as much as I did. The magic in Spellbreaker is only doubled in Spellmaker; Elsie and Bacchus's relationship is filled with pining and yearning that reminds me of Pride and Prejudice (2005). Spellmaker boasts a wonderfully enchanting cast of characters, and where Spellbreaker failed to captivate me, it's more than made up for in Spellmaker.

I didn't realize that this was the second book in a duology, so I need to go back and read the first one. I keep seeing the books everywhere (Facebook, etc). Interesting premise!

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this second book! Fun to read, hard to put down. I feel like I lived the story which is my greatest compliment.

Holmberg has done it again! She created a magical world and interwove romance like a pro. As in her other books, I loved the characters. This second book of the duology had tension running through it leading up to the wonderful ending. Highly recommend!