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.

So, I did a boo-boo and read this book without knowing that it was the second one. But I still greatly enjoyed it thanks to the authors detailed descriptions provided ample background information. The characters were captivating and hooked me early on. Great world building, with magical and fantasy elements that are right up my alley and kept me hooked. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and plan to read the first book and do a reread, so maybe I'll have a better understanding of the series, and I really hope this isn't the last book.

Follow on book from keeper of enchanted rooms and similar to book one this is a slower paced book however I also found it tended to stray towards boring. There wasn’t as much intrigue as book one and Owein worked better as a house though I will say his Dog POV was the saving grace of this book. That and the last few chapters where something actually happened. The book kinda meandered through Merritt trying to hone his new powers and representatives from England branch coming over to biker and Myra is missing.
I don’t think I will continue the series anymore
I was hoping for more cure whimsical houses and I got ploddy plot points and uninteresting new characters but I did enjoy the return of the old characters

I would like to first thank Netgalley and 47North for providing me with an eArc of this story in exchange for an honest review. I greatly appreciate it!

Just like book one of this series, Heir of Uncertain Magic made me laugh out loud, cry, and swoon over all its goodness. It continues literally right where the previous book concluded, and although certain aspects were perhaps not as great as the first, this book is equally as precious. I loved how the narrative centered on Merritt and his past, revealing how much he has already grown as a character. The Whimbrel House series is superb, and I sincerely cannot wait for book three!

I love Charlie N. Holmberg. I've read all their books and I think they just keep getting better and better. I will buy every book in every series. Highly recommend!!

Still a fun delightful pair, Merritt and Hulda. For me, the story lacked the same whimsy as the first and felt very indecisive; a lot of back and forth rather than a forward moving plot. I was less intrigued and instead just wanted them to get to the next clue so they could solve the mystery. But I appreciated Oweins as a dog! That was a fun added perspective.

In this next installment of the Whom rep House series, Merritt has started to come into his powers. The house is calmer but then other things go awry. Merritt and Hilda are drawn together by the chaos and growing feelings of love. Finding the traitor in the company will bring them closer together.

Solid 3.5
Charlie is so great at creating fun, interesting, and seemingly endless magic systems and it’s absolutely what has hooked me in this series.

I adored the first in this series and was so eager to return to my favorite Whimbrel House characters. The ever-endearing Merritt and Hulda are so freaking cute together. They are a perfect pair to follow through all of the craziness of the protection of magical homes. The magic system is creative and thoughtful to evoke a perfect magic realism setting. I am so excited about ‘Boy of Chaotic Making’ due to be released in early 2024.

I don’t know how Charlie N. Holmberg does it, but her ability to create incredible magic systems and write characters you love to love (and some you love to hate) is astounding.

Hulda, Merritt, and Owein are such fun characters and watching their stories unfold has been absolutely delightful.

The Whimbrel House books are whimsical and beautiful while also being thorough and grounded. They have a perfect balance between romance, magic, and history, and if you want to be swept away into a story, I would absolutely recommend these books.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved being back in this world and this magic system and with these characters. There were some particularly slow moments that made it harder for me to get through than the first book, but Heir of Uncertain Magic is still incredibly unique and enjoyable.

Thank you to the author for the advanced complimentary copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was interesting and I like dot but I wanted more? The first book of the series I was so enthralled by and this one I finished because i like the series but i wanted more.

What a truly delightful, magic infused novel. Set in 1846 it is the second in the series of “Whimbrel House”.
If you haven’t read the first, no worries as the previous plot and characters are shared.

Summary:
The incidents at Marshfield and Blaughdone Island have been resolved. Now Merritt Fernsby is faced with controlling his magic and dealing with his difficult past. Everything seems promising with a budding new romance until Myra Haigh goes missing!
Hulda is on a mission to find her but is faced with a new troublesome matter when LIKER shows up at BIKER! (Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms).
Who are these people, what is their endgame? Wizardry can be extraordinary but also dangerous!
Merritt, Hulda, Beth, Baptiste and Owein will stop at nothing to save their family.

🪄 Firstly can I say how much I adore Owein! This precious ghost dog will capture your heart!
🪄 Oh the intrigue! Such great characters and uncomplicated plot to follow.
🪄 I enjoyed the various magical abilities of the characters. Who knew Chaocracy was a thing?!

What Could Have Been Improved:
🪄 The added plot twist of the magical facility started feeling a little Sci Fiction. It didn’t fit well.
🪄It’s a slow burn romance which could have progressed quicker.

I definitely recommend this book for historical fiction fans who enjoy magic and mystery. A light read. If you’re a dog lover, snatch it up! Looking forward to book three.

Thank you 47North and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel!