From the publisher:
Whimbrel House is changing. Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. Owein has signed a marriage contract with the magically compatible Lady Cora, a heavyweight of British nobility who’s an ocean away. And the lovely shape-shifting druid Fallon makes a distractingly fetching friend for Owein. But another change is in the air, and this time it’s something wicked.

The greatest wizard of the millennium, Silas Hogwood, is back—after five years dead. New body, same foul scent, and driven by madness and revenge. Owein, fearing he isn’t strong enough to fend off Silas, seeks Cora’s help and influence in England. Alarms ringing, Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer, to aid in Owein’s defense.

As magic, both good and evil, converges on Blaugdone Island, Owein realizes how harrowing the forces against them are. Combating them will require some digging—literally—for half-formed secrets of magic Hulda doesn’t want him to have. But no promise, lock, or government red tape will keep Owein from doing what’s necessary to protect those he loves. One way or another, Silas will only take Whimbrel House over Owein’s third dead body.

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg is the 4th book in the Whimbrel House series. It was released March 4, 2025 from 47North.

My Thoughts: I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

It began slowly, but that gave time for showing character growth, especially in Owein. I did find it a little agonizing because I like the characters a lot and knew bad things were in store for them. In his previous appearances, Silas seemed to be motivated solely by greed. Now he still seems greedy, but also like he's losing his sanity. Once the action started, things moved along at a better pace.

This should not be read as a standalone. There are references to earlier books that would be better understood if the previous volumes have been read. Plus, only then can you really appreciate the changes in the characters.

I did get a little teary near the end of the book. To me, that means it was well-written and the characters are mostly sympathetic. Also, I thought it was the last book in the series, but it appears there will be at least one more.

I would recommend this book to others who've read the series. And I would recommend the series to those who enjoy historical fantasy.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions nor my review.

While I adore Hulda and Merrit, I was so glad to see Owein get his own focus in this series!! Hulda, Merrit, Baptiste and Beth are present, and they certainly don't feel left out of the story, but the focus is definitely on Owein now that he is in his new form. His relationship with Lady Cora develops through their letters, meanwhile, his relationship with Fallon is also developing as she is constantly at Owein's side. Owein's character is most fully developed in this installment as he struggles with his feelings for both Cora and Fallon in light of his commitment to the royal family.
I felt like Owein was so very realistic as a late teens-young man finding his way in the world.
The battle with the newly resurrected Silas Hogwood is epic. The fight scenes are so well-written, and the emotion and urgency of those moments as Owein fights to protect his family are gripping. I can practically see and feel the stormy day on Blaugdone Island. (I want to visit so badly!)
The ending is an ending, but not. We have a resolution but there is room for more story. I hope that Owein's story will continue and that we can see what else awaits him!

As a long-time fan of Charlie N. Holmberg’s historical fantasy universe, I was excited to dive into Wizard of Most Wicked Ways—and for the most part, it didn’t disappoint. It was a joy to see Merritt and Hulda again, especially watching them grow as a couple and as parents. I also loved finally getting more of Owein’s story; he's a compelling character and deserved this spotlight.

That said, I had mixed feelings about how this book was structured. The pacing was slow at first, but once it hit its stride, I was thoroughly engrossed. The return of a former villain was a bit jarring—almost like the story was reaching backward instead of forward—but it didn’t derail the plot entirely.

I wasn’t sold on the love triangle, though. It lacked emotional depth and didn’t feel organic, so I struggled to root for any particular pairing. Still, the ending wrapped things up nicely while leaving a thread or two for future tales, which I appreciated.

All in all, a satisfying read with rich magic and character growth, even if it stumbled a bit in its romantic subplot.

This review took me way longer than planned, as I did not realize it was the fourth in the series. Oops, I saw Charlie N. Holmberg and requested it. I'm thoroughly glad I did, as I really enjoyed the Whimbrel House books. I LOVED the inclusion of the familiar characters from previous books, and it made me feel (weird, I know) all warm and cozy at the connections. The series itself is a very odd combination of warm and fuzzy vs. a kick in the crotch. It's not a surprise, as Holmberg is a master of hurting your heart but drying your tears at the same time.

The fourth Whimbrel House book and we're back on the island. Not only that but Silas is back. What?! This loathsome human will just not die! Owein will do anything to help save his family no matter what it costs him.

KOER was my favorite in this series (nothing beats that love story and the beginning of the magic) but this one is a very close second. There's a lot of action and it was fun to read about the growing families and seeing Owein so protective of them.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!

This is the fourth book in the Whimbrel House series by author Charlie N. Holmberg. As usual, this was a delightful, magical read. It has been so fun to watch Merritt and Hulda grow across the series and here they, and Owein, are dealing with both a new and old threat, in the form of Silas Hogwood. Will they be able to overcome this danger or will Silas take the Whimbrel House once and for all?

*thank you to NetGalley and 47North for an eARC of this book in exchange for my review*

This whole series is perfect. Sometimes as a series goes on, it loses some of its charm. But you won’t find that here. This book is simply stunning, and I loved it.

Owein is amazingly relatable as he battles his way through the insecurities of his physical teen years, despite being a truly old soul. IYKYK. I couldn’t help but cheer him on as he worked to be a good friend and sought to best help the people in his life. His unique hardships and challenges made my heart just ache. But in the best way.

The book revisits our dear Merritt and Hulda, and serves us a plot that I honestly didn’t see coming, which is something I’ve come to love about Charlie Holmberg’s books.

For what it’s worth, I do not like Fallon, and I do not approve of or understand Owein’s infatuation with her. The whole thing gave me FEELINGS. But it’s fine. I’m fine. And Owein is also fine. At the end of the day, this story is wonderful, and I highly recommend it and the series as a whole.

I love this series. Merritt and Hulda and Owein are some of my favorite characters and I love every page I get to spend with them.

This installment had my least favorite trope in it: the resurrection trope. Whenever someone comes back to life, it always feels so contrived and unnecessary and just a ploy to extend a series longer, which is why this didn’t get a full five-stars from me. Otherwise, though, I loved this book.

I am very excited to read the next and final book in this series. If you like historical fantasy + cozy mystery + clean romance, you should definitely check out this series.

This book jumps ahead a few years after the ending of the previous book.
We see Owein getting older, and Merrit and Hulda are now a happy family with kids.

The narrative now centers on Owein as he navigates the complexities of adolescence, grappling with responsibilities beyond his years. This exploration of his growth is certainly an interesting aspect of the story.

I really like the characters in this story, but the plot didn't have that same magic that I loved from the first book.
I was also a bit bummed that we didn't learn more about the Druids, which I'm really curious about.

I also think this book maybe should have started a new series with Owein as the main character rather than a continuation of the existing one.
The little love triangle thing also didn't really click for me; I wasn't really rooting for Owein with any of the love interests.
Plus, it felt a little weird that the bad guy from before is back again after all this time.

Overall, it's not a bad book in the series, but it wasn't a great one either.
The story moved at a better pace, but I still wanted more from some parts.

I received an advanced reader's copy for NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I discovered this series on my own and have been devouring it ever since book one. This book was the hardest to get through though, there's no way for everyone to be happy. (and that's okay) Silas is the quintessential arch villian, and he actually terrifies me a bit. Owein is my favorite character and watching him mature and grow and have to make the hard decisions. I cried through the last quarter and it ended where it should've, just not exactly the way I wanted it to- but I'm still looking forward to the next book!

I’m grateful to be able to read this as an ARC from NetGalley and give my opinions on it. To get to read Owein’s story was such a treat. I know it made for a long series but I don’t regret a second of it. Charlie did an amazing job tying it into the main storyline as well as wrapping up any loose ends the trilogy may have left. It has all the wholesome feel of the other books as well as the adventure and intrigue. I would definitely recommend reading the entire series as well as this book. It’s a beautiful storyline with a refreshing approach to magic and the ethics of it as well as a wholesome look at the past.

This book is a follow on from the first three Whimbrel House books and having enjoyed those, I was eager to read the next instalment. Compared with the lighter storyline in book 3, this is definitely darker. It was an enjoyable read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the other books in the series unfortunately. I think that's due to a combination of it feeling a bit more young adult than I prefer, and I wasn't as interested in some of the new characters. Once I got past about 50% though, I enjoyed it more. Despite all of that, the Whimbrel House series holds a special place in my heart and it looks like there'll be a fifth book, which I'd still be interested in reading.

Whimbrel House is just a serially bingeably and light cozy fantasy! This next installment was a great next chapter. I love this found family and look forward to reading book five!

I love how this story has progressed throughout these books. The world gets bigger and the magic becomes more complex the more we learn alongside the characters. Reading the Whimbrel House series feels like a warm hug… if that hug also included a sinister mystery. While Hulda and Merritt will always be my faves, Owein is such a complex character & I love being in his head as he navigates the world. This book had me feeling all kinds of emotions and I would be lying if I said I didn’t get a little choked up at the end.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
• fourth book in a series (must me read in order)
• magic with a cost
• family stands together
• mystery
• magical families
• historical fantasy
• magical shape shifters
• whimsical
• zero spice, but lots of yearning

Several years have passed since the end of Boy of Chaotic Making and Owein is now grown. I truly enjoyed having a book from his point of view.

Owein’s arranged marriage with Lady Cora is approaching and, from the letters they exchange, it seems like a good match. Owein, however, is struggling with the idea of leaving his home for a place so different. He has legitimate concerns, but part of it is enhanced by a possible love triangle. I wasn’t crazy about that part of the story. We see a lot of Merritt and Hulda, how their family has grown, and how they are making it work with Hulda’s job.

There was a great deal of danger from a returned evil wizard, and that caused quite a bit of edge-of-my-seat suspense.

The ending was good but left it open for more story surrounding Owein. I’ve heard he may get his own series. I hope that is true. I would like to know what comes next with Owein.

Thank you to Netgalley and 47North for the ebook ARC of this book.

4.75⭐️
Charlie Holmberg elicited all the deep feelings with this surprise 4th installment of Whimbrel House, Wizard of Most Wicked Ways. Owein’s character may have started as a bridge to understand the magic system… but he grew into a lovable character with depth and warmth. I loved him as a house and a dog and now a man.
The book opens 4 years after the events of Boy of Chaotic Making. We are back in Nagarransett Bay, Blaugdone Island and Whimbrel House. All of our beloved characters have grown in love and number, and Owein is still betrothed to Cora. But a villain thought dead returns and sets in motion the action of our novel. I thought the plot progression was much more cohesive and engaging than #3. I found myself very emotionally invested in the characters! Owein’s character growth is amazing to behold, and I look forward to the series following him forward… as the 220+ year old boy, formerly a house and terrier, becomes a man.

This series is amazing, every book is a total banger. I love that this one is set a few years in the future. It wasn’t where I was expecting the book to pick up from, but I was pleasantly surprised. I want this series to never end because I love these characters so damn much!

A wonderful continuation to the Whimberal House series that made the natural progression from the older generation to the new (yet also older generation). I especially enjoyed the deep dive into Owien's character, as up to now, he has been first a soul trapped in a house and then a dog. Now, with his soul finally being moved into a human, his character has been able to blossom while also showing how much contract marriages of the Victorian age could affect people's lives and relationships. The biggest shock was to see that the main villain of the series manages to return from the dead.

It was also nice to see old friends Hulda and Merriet as well as Beth and Baptiste and see how their lives had changed and their relationships grown since the last book, and to see them starting families of their own.

I look forward to seeing if there will be another Whimberal House book in the future, as there is more room to expand the story.

2,5 stars

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is the final book in the Whimbrel House. A book that only exists because the author couldn't let go of the character yet. Where despite my complaints I knew that the author clearly knew where it was going with the previous books, I didn't quite feel that here. This was just an extra.

Four years have passed since the ending of the third book and Owein has grown since then. He is now over the age of 18 and his betrothed is almost turning 18. If she hasn't found anyone else than they will marry. Yet they don't talk about this portion at all. But at least they communicate through letters so that is something. Hulda and Merritt have started their family with three little ones and apparently the housekeeper and cook have now gotten married and have a kid.

Honestly it felt like we were getting a rehash thrown at us by resurrecting Silas Hogwood who is apparently not dead at all. He just put his soul in someone else's body as he died (which I had suspected because of something told to Merritt at the time, but when it was never used I was relieved). Silas was a fine enemy for the first book but by the time this fourth book comes around, he has become stale. There is no progress in him as a character. The little chapters we got in his point of view were boring and messy.

Owen on the other hand was always a fun character to follow but some of his choices were questionable this book. Most of them concern a druid that has been visiting him at the island for the past 4 years without him telling anyone else. She's a shapeshifter so she is often a bird or a dog when others are around. Of course this druid is female and around his age. Because we missed the 4 years that they got to know each other better there should have been something on the page between. But unfortunately it felt very flat. I didn't really believe there was anything between them. Any caring from her side felt very forced. The added romance made it worse.

And you know, I do get it from Owein's side. He is over 200 years old soul wise but is in a teen boy body and he has never experienced any romantic feelings before. But his doubts regarding having a bethroted went out the window a bit too fast for my taste.

So all in all I had higher expectations of this book and was left somewhat dissapointed.

Owein has gone from haunting the Whimbrel House after his murder, to having his soul in the body of a dog, to being moved to a teenage body from an accidentally killed boy. Unfortunately Silas Hogwood, Wizard of Most Wicked Ways, had managed to jump to another body and is back to attack the family. Queen Victoria sends the League of Magicians to America to help them, but Owein must find the powers within him to face down the murdering spirit. Charlie N. Holmberg provides an exciting ending to this fun