I loved this book! It was a really fun read! It was nice to see these characters back for more magic and mystery, charlie n holmberg does it again! Plus this cover is amazing

Heir of Uncertain Magic is the second Whimbrel House historical paranormal mystery by Charlie N. Holmberg. Released 11th April 2023 by Amazon on their 47North imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms, is also currently available on KU.

This is a very well written ensemble cast character driven mystery/fantasy with an engaging bunch of protagonists and a seamless world-building magic system. The characters are well rendered and believable within the framework of a paranormal fantasy. It's a historical mystery, set in the early Victorian period and although it's not at all derivative (and a different time period altogether) it fits in the same general shelf as Stross' Laundry Files, and Stroud's Bartimaeus.

The agency is filled with the sort of bureaucrats that readers love to hate: bumbling, incompetent, completely malign or a combination. Protagonist Hulda is efficient and admirably restrained, but not about to take being sidelined without a fight. Her foil, Merritt is the homeowner of a formerly magical house for whom Hulda was previously employed (book 1) as housekeeper and factotum. The author has an admirable eye for detail and even the secondary and tertiary characters are well fleshed out and add important detail to the story.

Four stars. It's not a fluffy cozy, there are some hard edged descriptions here, including the magical abuse of a child, admittedly currently inhabiting a dog's body. There are also some really really over the top silly departmental acronyms which yanked me out of the story, BIKER and LIKER to name a couple.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A nice follow-up to the previous book, although I found the style a tad too frolicky and whimsical to really pull me in.
The style doesn't fit my prefernece and I found it overly bantery and dialogue heavy. It also lacked wonder and the darkness of the first book, which took away the tension for me.

Saying all this I am sure that lovers of quirky romantic magic fans will still enjoy this book very much and the craftwise it is lovely.

Unfortunately, I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was the second in the sequel. Normally I'm better about realizing that, however, that day I was like ouu yes please. So I enjoyed that the author re-established a large portion of what happened in the first book, where most people probably didn't enjoy that as much as I did. I would have to say after reading this book, I definitely would like to go back to the first one and read that as well. Just because this book was so well written, the characters developed nicely, and magic, hello, who could say no to that?

I absolutely adored the first book in this series and was so happy to receive an ARC for Heir of Uncertain Magic. Once again, I was happy to be back in Hulda and Merritt's company and especially loved the broadening of Owein, Baptiste and Miss Taylor's roles in the story. I'm looking forward to the building of this found family in future books!

4.5 stars. This is the second book in the Whimbrel House series. I fell in love with the first book and was thrilled to find out there was going to be more. This book starts about 2 weeks after the last book ended. I'm not familiar with the different types of magic so I had a bit of trouble keeping them all straight, but there was a table up front explaining them all. I love all of the main characters and enjoyed following them all through this escapade. It hits all the emotions again including humor. It's right up my alley. I also love the way romance is portrayed in this series. It is so innocent and a breath of fresh air. Disappointed I will have to wait almost an entire year before I can read the next one which I believe will be the last of the series. Don't want to see this series end as the first book made it to a status of one of my all time favorite books.

I got this copy for free from Netgalley for review and appreciate it very much.

Riveting and enchanting, Holmberg delivers a masterful tale of magic and adventure. I was hooked from the first page and found it hard to put the book down. Well-written and fun to read, Heir of Uncertain Magic is definitely a book that should be on everyone's reading list.

The super creepy villain has been dealt with... or has he? We'll find out in the next of the Whimbrel House series.

Corporate big wigs have come to town to investigate the disappearance of Myra and the way she handled business at BIKER and with Simon. There seems to be more aggression than necessary aimed at Hulda, however, as part of the investigation. During this mess, Hulda and Merritt are back home trying to decide the next path of their journey. She seems a little flustered this go around and makes all kinds of ill conceived decisions. Doesn't seem to fit her strong backbone from the first novel, but I guess that can be excused when she seems to be hunted. By more than just one person?

Merritt is learning about his newly acquired magical talents. While most would train with family members or others with similar abilities, Merritt is having to cope with theoretical knowledge from archives and scholars. Theory just can't replicate experience, and this finds Merritt having to deal with family trauma.

So many plot points up in the air all at the same time. The fortunate part is all these elements easily keep the pages turning, and I flew through the reading. The unfortunate part, the angst level was higher than I prefer. Not enough to dampen my excitement for the series. Actually, the ending made me very excited to see where we're going in book three, Boy of Chaotic Making (due out next year).

Charlie N. Holmberg is an auto-buy for me at this point. Her ideas are always so unique and with this one I loved the cozy found family aspect that continued on in book two. I loved all the characters and can´t wait to read more of this author.

This second installment of the series portrayed the characters in a very angsty light despite them being in their mid 30s. It was rather annoying to read, and I thought it was linked with the major powers of an enemy exaggerating the feelings of the heros... which would have been smart, and kind of funny... but no. The book felt written a little too fast without the usual care from the author. The pace was weird too, with nothing happening for the first 60% of the book and all the action getting crammed at the end. It could have been a good installment, because there were some good ideas, but their treatment was off-hand, won't be continuing the series.

I love the Whimbrel House characters. The second in series, it's almost as good as the first, and sets up the next, which I can't wait for.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which has not altered my opinion of this book. I would like to thank 47North and NetGalley for the ARC copy.

It took me a little longer to read this book honestly because I wasn't sure what the purpose of having a sequel was. I've read the book and while I really enjoyed it, reading the first book is a good conclusion to a standalone. This series aspect is one that adds onto the first book in a way I am quite intrigued to see where it goes. That being said, I did enjoy this sequel and it gave me much more of an insight into some of the characters, which I am going to attempt to capture without adding spoilers.

The first book ended in a way that solved the major mystery of the series but left us with an aspect of magic that was yet unsolved. I won't talk about it here because it is a spoiler, but I do enjoy how this was addressed and how it brought Merrit into Hulda's world a bit more logically and in a way that flowed quite well. They mystery that was approached in this one also put a strain on a relationship that was long term and I appreciate the way Hulda handled it especially come the end with her need for closure. As far as world building, this book really delved more into the magical side of the world, but still had us exploring both areas.

Overall, this book was good! I enjoyed the writing and the story. I do still struggle with if it was a necessary addition, though now I would like the third since there is an aspect of mystery at the end, but more so for the romance that I'd really like to actually see at some point. 3.5 out of 5 from me.

Another delightful little slightly altered Victorian romance story with magic, witty dialog & some mysteries. It reminds me of a more cozy Experimental Magic type tale & enjoyable just the same & nice read. I do think this is perhaps the second of a series & intend to delve more into such.

I almost didn’t realize this was a sequel, so had to go back and read the first book. This was a great sequel, and I truly am enjoying this series!

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg. The Whimbrel House, now free from they magical chaos needs to be listed in the category yet Hulda finds her calm in the house. As the magical secrets unravel in the second book of the Whimbrel House series, the master of the house and the former housekeeper's bond grows stronger than ever while they deal with their individual qualms. And as for the villain, was he already dead as it seemed like in the first book? They had seen it happen, but did it really happen though!
With BIKER's future in shadows due to the severe manipulation in the company by Myra Haigh, and her shocking disappearance only creates more problems for Merrit and Hulda. To add to all their troubles, some suspiciously mysterious people come for the audit of BIKER and something doesn't feel right about them or is it a "someone"?
But the chaos doesn't stop here! We embark on a journey to find the origin of the power of the newly found Heir of Uncertain Magic. Who is he? What powers does he posses? Whose lineage does he actually come from? While all these questions rattle throughout the story, we get to see stronger influence of magical elements in this volume.
The shy and reserved romance, with bountiful of sweet scenes surely warms up the chaotic plotline of the book. And also, I love how Hulda and Merrit are always there for each other but just let each other deal with their own troubles when needed. Also, Owein's character developed so much throughout the book and he uses his chaotic powers to protect everything than he holds so dear to his heart.
I've dived too deep into this series, I'm totally invested and now I totally need the part three to be released. Side note, it's actually anticipated to be released by the beginning of 2024 and I'd really like to thank netgalley once again in 2024 (you know, if you know).

I enjoy Charlie Holmberg's style, and this was a fun sequel. The different take on magic and that magic is diminishing in the world was interesting. The characters are fun and quirky and overall, this was a very enjoyable read.

⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ½

Thank you to Netgalley and the 47North for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect follow up to the wondrous magic that was Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. Though the mischievous house has settled and the dust and cobwebs have been cleared, other forces are persistent in their plans of coming between and bringing down both Hulda and Merritt.

Positivity brimming with more untapped magic and intrigue, Heir of Uncertain Magic is sure to delight readers of both new and returning to Charlie N. Holmberg’s world.

Great second book to the series, didn't hit the mark like the first book did. I honestly think this would have been better as a stand alone.

The second entry in the Whimbrel House trilogy by Charlie Holmberg is every bit as fun and “enchanting” as the earlier (and first volume) Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. The main characters are back, and, honestly, this time it will in fact help if you read the first book first. Much was explained there that will help you get a grip on both the setting and the characters.

I think the Whimbrel House trilogy will appeal to fans of Garth Nix. It’s that kind of magical reality. Just slightly off the real world in an enchanting way. Merritt Fernsby and Hulda Larkin are no longer employer and housekeeper. Is Silas Hogswood dead or not? Where has Myra Haigh gotten to? Is there a conspiracy going on at BIKER? And can Merritt learn to control his magical powers?

Charlie Holmberg is a good writer who knows how to tell a tale. She has a great imagination. I wish mine was so good. I will definitely look forward to the next and final entry in the Whimbrel House trilogy.

[A finicky note: I know this is magical reality and anything can happen)but one little thing bothered me. Merritt refers to somebody being cremated (this story is set in the 1840s). The first cremation un the US didn’t take place until 1876.]

This was a lot less cozy than the first, which is probably why I felt kind of ambivalent about it. I mean, I did like it. But not as much as I enjoyed the cozy magical house-diagnosing aspects of the first book.

This one felt a lot more like the Paper Magician books in that it was consistently dark and anxiety-inducing, but Hulda and Merritt's tentative relationship couldn't hold its own the way Emery and Ceony's did and ended up fading into the background. The villains had the upper hand for the entire book and Hulda and Merritt felt like they were fighting a losing battle the entire time. At the same time, they spent most of the book questioning if the villains actually were villains.

The way they were able to overcome some of their problems at the end was clever but I'm not sure I 100% understand what happened.

I was in the mood for another cozy book like the first and that is definitely not what I got, which probably colored my opinion somewhat.

Again, the audio version was well-done, but the way the voices shifted when the narrators switched over was jarring. I would have preferred one narrator to two for that very reason.

*Thanks to NetGalley and 47North for providing an early copy for review.