Heir of Uncertain Magic is a delightfully whimsical and enchantingly intricate story that sweeps readers into the mysteries of Whimbrel House and beyond. Merritt Fernsby’s journey of self-discovery, as he grapples with his unusual powers and a legacy that speaks to both wonder and danger, is captivating from start to finish.

The dynamic between Merritt and Hulda Larkin is charming and layered—part mentor, part collaborator, part slow-burning romance. Hulda’s cleverness and determination shine as she navigates the intrigue of the Boston Institute, while Merritt’s struggle with his magical inheritance adds both humor and suspense.

The novel blends magic, mystery, and heartfelt character growth seamlessly, with richly imagined settings, clever twists, and a cast of characters whose quirks and secrets make the story irresistible. It’s a magical tale about legacy, power, love, and the sometimes chaotic path to understanding both oneself and the hidden forces that shape the world.

Started strong with book one, but this one officially lost me. Plot felt aimless and didn’t hold my interest.

Absolutely loved this follow up to Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. Charlie N. Holmberg knocks it out of the park which each and every one of her magical books. 5/5

I’ve been looking forward to continuing this series for a long time. I absolutely loved the first book, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. I enjoy Holmberg’s books so much and this one has magic, a dog, and some lovely romance sprinkled in.

The magical system Holmberg created for these books is so clever and it adds to much to this enjoyable book. Merritt is trying to figure out his place in this madcap magical world, and where he belongs on it. Hulda is searching for a lost colleague. Owein is my favorite terrier and I’m excited to see what is next for these enchanting characters.

There’s some great twists that keep the action spinning and in true Holmberg fashion, some great kissing.

The audio narrators, Amanda Leigh Cobb and Graham Halstead, play these characters so well. Their voices lift Holmberg’s words off the pages and my favorite is how Owein is portrayed.

I can’t wait to get started on book 3.

Huge thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval!

Ever since I read The Paper Magician nearly a decade ago I've been a fan of Charlie N. Holmberg's writing, and consistently rated her books around 4 stars, with the particular standout for me being Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet as a very solid 5-star read, and Spellbreaker close behind.

So I was excited when she started the Whimbrel House series -- and things seemed to be off to a great start with Keeper of Enchanted Rooms.

Unfortunately, Heir of Uncertain Magic is the first genuine miss I've come across by Holmberg. The story, perhaps in reflection of the title, is uncertain, meandering and directionless. There are hints here of the overarching plot of the series, but it just doesn't add up to much. It was hard to push through, and it was hard to care about.

I'll probably continue the series, on the basis of Holmberg's previous strong writing, but if this were my first encounter with her books, I wouldn't be back, and that's unfortunate.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Heir of Uncertain Magic is the second installment in the Whimbrel House series. A very enjoyable low-stakes historical fantasy.

Even though the premise was interesting, I just couldn’t get into the story. I gave it multiple chances, but I never felt truly invested. The pacing was too slow for my liking, making it hard to stay engaged, and at some point, I just found myself getting bored. On top of that, the plot wasn’t all that gripping, so I eventually decided to put it down. It seems like this book just wasn’t the right fit for me right now. Maybe I’ll revisit it later. That being said, I can see this appealing more to readers who prefer a slower-paced story.

Super cute and whimsical. Charlie always writes a fun and unique story with great use of voice and imagery. If you love enchanted or haunted houses, you'll love this one! Plus a little historical setting.

No question about it, this next installment was a great addition to this series. I am so invested. While a little less cozy than book one, I still couldn't put it down and was eagerly turning pages wanting more. I had to have this in physical form on my shelf.

While I love all works of CNH, this particular one was a tad tough for me to get through. However, I did enjoy it in the end. I found it a little confusing at times with some of the plot and abilities of certain characters, and sometimes the story line was difficult to keep up with. The characters are very intriguing and kept me invested, nonetheless. I love rooting for Merritt and Hulda, and of course we love our sweet Owein! I can’t wait to see where the series goes next, and just hope the next book is a little faster paced for me. Thanks Charlie, once again for your lovely work!

I have fallen in love with Holmberg and her beautiful world. This book did well for the series. It has a great lead up and fun story arc. I love watching the characters grow. I was ecstatic to see some of my favorites grow into themselves.

"Heir of Uncertain Magic" delves deeper into the enchanting world of the Whimbrel House series, offering a captivating blend of magic, mystery, and romance. Charlie N. Holmberg weaves a spellbinding narrative as Merritt Fernsby grapples with his newfound powers and delves into his mysterious lineage. While the plot is engrossing and the characters are well-developed, the pacing occasionally lags, preventing it from reaching its full potential. However, fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy in this immersive installment, which further explores the intricacies of wizardry and the bonds of love and friendship.

I struggled with this. Everything I loved about book 1 was missing. I still wanted cozy and cute, and this wasn't. I wanted the banter and the romance from book one, and this doesn't have it. They seem so awkward around each other. I think the enjoyment will depend on what you liked from book 1.

I always get nervous reading sequels but I really enjoyed this!

Merritt had some great character development throughout this book and I think there was a real redemption arc there. A little slow at the beginning, but great pacing overall after like 15%. The world building continues in this book and the whimsy is entertaining. There is some humor sprinkled in, which balances the serious nature of the overall story well.

I didn’t love that the beginning of the book spent more time than I felt necessary re-establishing ideas laid out in the first book. The antagonist also didn’t feel the strongest to me, but those really were my only complaints! Overall solid.

These books are so cozy and romantic. I hope Charlie Holmberg will continue writing in this world! If they do, I will definitely be picking them up.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I simply love this magical little series--full of wizardry, secrets and mysteries, and a whole lotta heart--it's a cozy escape to a fantasy world I adore.

I need to stop picking up books in the middle of the series and only realize midway through the book lol

But even without previous context from the first book in the series, this was such a delight to read! The character development is exceptional (I loved seeing Merritt’s character getting more fleshed out as he grows as a person). The beginning was a little slow, but I liked it because it gave me a chance to get into the story without throwing so much at me (especially since I hadn't read the first book). Will definitely check out the rest of the series!

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, was not able to get into it.. was so disappointed.. would still recommend to others that may have read the first book.

I really enjoyed Keeper of Enchanted Rooms and excitedly picked up its sequel, Heir of Uncertain Magic, soon after finishing it.

Charlie Holmberg's writing style never fails to delight me. I love her books so much.

This series is a cozy historical fantasy with some romance and some mystery. It's the perfect combination of genres, and Charlie writes them all so well together. I particularly love that her romances are always slow-burn and always clean; I really appreciate that.

Heir of Uncertain Magic was a good follow-up to the first book in the Whimbrel House series. This book introduced multiple POVs, including one perspective from a dog, which was really fun to read. I also loved seeing the progression of Hulda and Merritt, both as individuals and as a couple. They are both really delightful.

I am having the best time reading this series and I can't wait to continue on with Boy of Chaotic Making soon!

The second installment in the Whimbrel House series serves as a charming follow-up to its predecessor, albeit with a plot that might require some initial patience. The characters, who were so vividly introduced in 'Keeper of Enchanted Rooms', are the highlight here, drawing readers back into their world with their irresistible charm. The setting exudes a cozy ambiance that envelops the reader. It should not be read as a standalone.

This novel is an ideal companion for a quiet retreat - a book to be savored with a warm cup of tea, offering a temporary escape from reality. Its distinctiveness from my usual reading choices adds to its appeal, making it feel like a refreshing interlude.

The Whimbrel House series stands out for its uniqueness and spectacular concept. It's a captivating and heartwarming journey filled with charming characters. I thoroughly adored this book and could not recommend it highly enough.