Merritt and Hulda are a happy family while Owein is getting closer to the day he will marry Lady Cora. They are all just living their lives because Silas has been gone for the last five years. He is, or should we say “was” dead. The greatest wizard of the millennium has found a way to transfer his soul into a new host. He doesn’t have all his powers, but he is working on gaining more. Owein seeks Cora’s help and he gets it with Queen Victoria’s League of Magicians. Will Silas be vanquished once again?

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is the fourth book in the Whimbrel House series. The first three books are the complete story, so this book was more a “what if,” but it was nice to return to these characters and see how they have grown and what happened to their new relationships. It had been a year since I finished the original series, and I had no problem remembering these characters and the main storyline. I am sad to be finished with this story, but I know Holmberg will give us new characters to love soon.

I have loved every single one of these books and this was no exception. Never have I been so ecited to get my hands on an Arc, this is truely such an incredible series, I love the characters so much and it just gets better every time.

I recommend these to everyone and I truely hope more people find these books because they are beloved and deserve so much more love and attention than they get.

Every one so far has been 5 stars and this is no different.

'Age was a peculiar concept for Owein Mansel. He’d been born in 1624, and been spiritually conscious ever since, which technically made him 227 years old. However, the majority of that time had been spent embodied in a house on an island off the coast of Rhode Island, and houses were, by definition, not living. Of those 227 years, only sixteen had been spent as a human, so one might argue sixteen as his age. However, the body he now occupied—which had previously belonged to a boy named Oliver Whittock— was physically eighteen, as of five months ago. And so, when anyone asked after Owein’s age, he usually said that: eighteen.'

Wizard of most wicked ways could be described as Silas' book in the Whimbrel House series, given the title and how much we see of his POV. It could also be described as Owein's coming of age book, as he transitions through adolescence and the existential crises peculiar to his situation, as adolescents are wont to do. But the one adjective I cannot get past is that it is superfluous to the series - as semi-spoiler, at the end of the book we find the characters and their situation to be more or less similar to what they were at the end of the previous book.

All the characters remain well-sketched, as they have been since the beginning of the series, and it was fun to see the families again. There is also some good world-building in this book, particularly the scientific research into magic. However, this doesn't outweigh the meager story arc and the time worn love triangle. This book is recommended for anyone with nostalgia for this series, but there are no great revelations in it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers 47North for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own and entirely honest.

🌟🌟
[1/4 star for the premise and the whole book; Half a star for the world-building; Half a star for the characters; Half a star for the writing; 1/4 star for the story arc- Two stars in total.]

I’ve loved the rest of this series, and this was still a good read. For me though, Owein just doesn’t carry things well enough as the main character to keep the same interest the last books had.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

If this ends up being the last book in the series, then I’m a little disappointed in how it ended. If there’s more to come, then this seems like an odd setup, but I still look forward to more.

The book started off great with a time jump of several years since the ending of book three. Owein, in his new body, is now 18; Hulda and Merritt have three young children; and Beth and Baptiste are married with one child. Fallon has also stuck around the island, and she and Owein struggle with their romantic feelings for each other since they both know that Owein is obligated to marry Cora when she turns 18 soon.

The story really kicks off with an unexpected action scene of Silas attacking the island in the body of the watchman who we learned disappeared in book 2. The story plateaus a bit after this, though, as there are then two more Silas fight scenes throughout the story, which all feel the same until the end. These are meant to show how powerful he is—and several people die because of him—but it feels quite repetitive.

When the Fernsbys finally defeat him (thanks to a serum based on one that Owein and Fallon discovered in Hulda’s secret Ohio facility), I realized that there weren’t many pages left and that there wasn’t going to be the resolution I’d hoped for. Owein ends up sailing back to England at the end when Cora turns 18, fulfilling his obligation. While his choice was certainly noble, I think from a story perspective it would have been more exciting for him to choose Fallon instead, as I would love a story about Owein and the druids. As it stands, though, the story ends with Owein arriving in England…and that’s it. For now it seems to be up to the reader to decide what happens in the future. I really hope the author writes one more book for a definitive resolution.

4.5 ⭐ rounded up!

An absolute gem! I loved getting to experience more of Owein's story!

As always Holmberg's writing is magical and captivating from the very beginning. The witty banter, vibrant world, and sheer charm have kept me interested in the Whimbrel series and I can't wait for more to come!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

4.5 Stars – Owein’s Most Thrilling Adventure Yet!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and 47North for the eARC! I love The Whimbrel House series, and Wizard of Most Wicked Ways might just be my favorite installment yet. Charlie N. Holmberg has once again delivered a story full of heart, humor, and high-stakes magic—only this time, it’s even more action-packed than the previous books.

Owein has always been a standout character for me, but this book truly cements him as the heart of the series. Whether as a house, a dog, or a man, he is valiant in every form. His loyalty, bravery, and sheer determination to protect his family—no matter the cost—had me completely hooked. And when I say he’ll do anything, I mean anything, even if it means leaving everything he knows behind. His internal struggle, the weight of his promises, and the lengths he goes to for those he loves made this book so compelling.

And then there’s the action! From the moment Silas Hogwood returns, the tension is relentless. The stakes feel higher than ever, and the battles—both magical and emotional—kept me glued to the pages. With powerful allies, dangerous enemies, and secrets buried (sometimes literally), Owein and the Whimbrel House family face their greatest challenge yet.

Holmberg continues to be one of my go-to authors, and this book is a perfect example of why. It’s fast-paced, full of heart, and filled with twists that had me holding my breath. I’m so excited to see where Owein’s next adventure takes him, especially after the tough decision he had to make in this one.

Now, the real challenge? Waiting until March 4, 2025, for the finished copy—and even longer for the next book! If you love this series, you need to read this one.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.

I loved this addition to this series. It picks up years after the third book in the series and it was so much fun seeing the kids and how everyone grew. The characters are still the same as I loved, though this one Focused more on Owein. I loved the plot of this one, I did not expect Silas to come back the way that he did, but it was a wild ride. I love this world and hope to see this world again in the future.

Hulda and Merritt started a family. Owein is set to marry Cora. Beth and Baptiste also started a family. Everything is picture perfect, until Silas Hogwood comes back to kill them all! "It couldn’t be. It wasn’t him—Owein was looking right into his face. The face of a stranger. But the white hair . . . and it smelled like him. This man smelled like Silas Hogwood." Together, they fight with everything they have to save their Blaugdone Island family! But will it be enough?

I loved the quick pace and at times was nervous to read on and find out what would happen to Owein and his family. I love how much the characters love each other and want the best for each other even if it means putting themselves at risk.

I fell in love with this series just a few pages in to the first book. The second book was a page turning continuation, but the third book didn't capture my attention. It didn't move the story along in ways like the first and second did. So, when the fourth book was announced, I was not counting down the days until it was released like I was with the other ones. I happened to stumble on Wizard of Most Wicked Ways from NetGally...and I am so glad I did! This was the redemption I was hoping for! And now I'm counting down the days for the next one again!

"When dead enemies rise, grave matters of the heart, mind, and body clash in the fantastical fourth Whimbrel House novel by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.

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."

I mean, it's hard to fight evil when it keeps coming back from the dead...

There are many changes happening at Whimbrel House. Among them, Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. And Owein has signed a marriage contract (with the magically compatible Lady Cora). 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 - now driven by madness and revenge. Owein seeks Cora’s help and influence in England, and Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians to aid in Owein’s defense.

Good and evil converges at Whimbrel House. Silas's forces are strong and Hulda has some secret magic that could save them all, but she doesn't want Owein to have these secrets. Without help, Owein is bound to lose to Silas.

While I have really liked Charlie Holmberg's work (some of her books are among my absolute favorites), I haven't been a huge fan of the Whimbrel House series. This one works better for me, though. This is one of the first times that the magic of this world actually worked for me. It felt inherent and real within the context of the world.

I also felt that there was more at stake here. The battle of Owein and Silas, with the Whimbrel House at the center of it, is a nice good v evil metaphor, and finally we have something worth fighting about. The previous books in the series - I felt - were too focused on romance (yeah, there was also the man-turned-into-a-house issue but that didn't feel particularly impactful).

With a story I could finally get behind (I've always appreciated the characters through the series), other than the first book, which set the stage nicely, I enjoyed this volume and I look forward the final chapter in the series.

Looking for a good book? Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg, is the fourth book in the Whimbrel House series and builds a solid story of good and evil in Holmberg's typically 'cozy' fantasy world.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this latest installment in Charlie Holmberg's Whimbrel House series! This book is a gem, and Owein is a gripping main character to follow. Adore this series, and so happy there's one more book to look forward to after this one!

WIZARD OF MOST WICKED WAYS - CHARLIE N HOLMBERG

Since this is the 4th book of the Whimbrel House series, please don't read on if you haven't started this series yet! If you haven't, please add it to your TBR; you're missing out on something special.

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is set four years after the events of Boy of Chaotic Making, and I loved checking in with all the characters that I've become completely attached to. But this feels like one of the few cosier moments of this book.

Make no mistake - Wizard of Most Wicked Ways feels so much darker than the previous books. The stakes are so much higher, as the synopsis suggests, and the threat to our beloved characters feels very real and unsettling. There is a fair bit of violence in the book, some of it disturbing, but this makes sense given the context.

And the book swings into action mode pretty early on, with the threat leading to the most and the biggest magic we've seen in the books until now. I loved this aspect. I've said before how much I enjoy Charlie's unique magical systems, with the Whimbrel House series being my favourite example of this (so far).

But the thing I loved most? This is a book about Owein, who is one of the best and most complex characters of the series. Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is about his journey to discover the extent of his powers, along with his purpose, his heart's true desires and the type of person he wants to be.

I can't wait to read the next instalment of this series; every single book has truly been a five-star read for me. Thank you to Charlie N Holmberg, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Release date: 4 March 2025

Review score: 5/5

Trigger warnings: Violence, gore, d*ath, mental health

Thank you to both netgalley and the publisher for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whenever i'm granted the privilege of reading another book in the Whembral House series, it feels like i'm coming home from a long time away. Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is the fourth installment, and i swear it continues to be just as comforting and magical as the books before it. I love how with each book, the focus shifts slightly within the family. This time we focus on Owein, now a young man on the cusp of greatness who must now determine how he will live this new life of his, and make his future his own.

I am eagerly anticipating the fifth (and final? i think?) book in this series, and cannot wait to see what the authors has in store for this delightful family i found.

This is the fourth book in the Wimbrel House series. The author continues to entertain me with these stories.
In book 1 - Keeper of the Enchanted Rooms - I was thrilled with the story. Well, I must say that each book is even better than the one before making this a must read series.

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is the fourth book in the Whimbrel House series. I love this series so much. In this installment, the story primarily focuses on Owein, a character I really liked from the previous book who has now become the main character. He is trying to determine his own future while also trying to save his family from Silas Hogwood. I truly enjoy Charlie N. Holmberg's writing; her characters are lovable and make the reader root for them. This book, in particular, is full of emotions, and I was not expecting to cry at the end. Overall, it’s an amazing cozy magical fantasy with great characters. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the final book. Thanks to Netgalley and 47North for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of WIZARD OF MOST WICKED WAYS (Book4 of the Whimbrel House fantasy series) by Charlie N. Holmberg in exchange for an honest review. Owein has been spending his time since being deposited into the body of a human boy growing up as member of Merritt and Hulda’s family at Whimbrel House. Though he expects to fulfill his marriage contract to Lady Cora once he reaches his majority, Owein has allowed his affections to be subverted by Fallon, who is a shape-shifting druid who followed Owein back from England. However, that isn’t the only rough spot in the weave of Owein’s life, a long-dead nemesis, the cruel Wizard Silas Hogwood, has returned to steal magic, kill Owein’s family, and claim Whimbrel House. Owein will have to cast such dear magic that it will endanger his own life in order to save his family and his home.

This book continues the Whimbrel House adventures by transferring to Owein as the main character. I recommend this book to fans of the Whimbrel House Victorian urban fantasy series.

#WizardofMostWickedWaysWhimbrelHouse #NetGalley

I received this book as an arc.

I really love this series! As with all of Charlie N. Holmberg's other books, she manages to make the characters deep and interesting. The decisions that Owein had to make in this book were both heartbreaking and exciting. I hope that the story continues, though it appears that it's left at the point where the story could comfortably end or continue. I'd love to know what everyone thought about the choices he made. Would you choose the same?

Well, I didn’t think I could love Owein any more than I already did, but Holmberg has proven me wrong. He’s just such a good, kind spirit. I want to ruffle his hair! Thank goodness the Whimbrel House series continues! My favorite character, Owein, takes the lead in this new edition, five years after the events of book three.

He’s still grappling with what it means to be human, a powerful wizard, and engaged to one girl while in love with another, when the most villainous Silas Hogwood returns to take his revenge on the beloved inhabitants of Whimbrel House. This leads to EPIC magic fights and hero moments that had me turning pages at top speed!

We find out just how prolific Merritt and Hulda have been making a family and more about the science of genetics in regard to magical ability. It was well-paced and suspenseful.

Can’t wait to read Owein’s next adventure!

This review of Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg is courtesy of NetGalley
#WizardofMostWickedWaysWhimbrelHouse #NetGalley

I was pleasantly surprised to see Wizard of Most Wicked Ways available for review. It's the 4th book of in the Whimbrel House series.

It was nice to see how the families evolved (there's kids now) several years after the initial trilogy. And then, one of the creepiest villians turns out to have survived and is back. I definitely had those moments going in my head "Owein that seems like a bad idea". Overall, good triumphs over evil though (spoiler!) not everyone survives in the end. I am looking forward to the next book that brings on the next chapter in Owein's life.

Rating 5/5
Publication Date: Mar 04 2025