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

I love this series so much! The Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is definitely my favorite in the series so far. It is emotional and fast-paced. I am looking forward to the continuation of Owein's story in the next book. Another five-star read by Charlie!

Charlie Holmberg never disappoints. I think Wizard of Most Wicked Ways may be my favorite book of this series. The magic system gets an inventive new twist thanks to Myra's research at the genetics laboratory. I'm a little fuzzy on the physical magic vs spiritual magic explanation, but perhaps more will be coming in the next book.

This novel features a love triangle, which I'm typically not fond of, but I liked both Cora and Fallon's characters so well that I couldn't tell you if I'm Team Cora or Team Fallon right now. Something tells me that there's more to come for Owein from both of them, and I'm actually looking forward to what might happen.

We're also briefly introduced to Merritt's half-brother, who's suddenly showing signs of Wardship magic similar to Merritt's. I'm hoping in the next book (or future books), to see that story line developed a little more. And I'd love to know what magic is in wait for Hulda and Merritt's girls, as well as Beth and Baptiste's boy, Henri.

5/5 stars. This was an emotional and fast-paced read, with fantastic characters. I loved how Owein really started to come into his own in this novel, and I'm impatiently waiting to see what else Charlie Holmberg has in store in the future for this enthralling world she's created.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another great addition to the Whimbrel House series. One of my favorite series by far. I enjoyed Owein's perspective a lot. I was satisfied with the ending too, and the choice Owein made (not putting any spoilers). I like how the magic system works too; I find the deterioration of magic through the generations a very interesting and sad concept.

I will always read anything Charlie N. Holmberg! All of her books that I have read are so immersive and this is no exception. I have always loved that in this series the house is as much of a character as the people and this is a fantastic addition to the series!!

This book was given to me early through NetGalley. I enjoyed this book, but felt like this one departed from the other three. This one was darker and not as focused on Hulda. I did enjoy the ending and would continue reading if there are more in this series.

Wow. That ending left me bawling. I’d forgotten just how much I love these characters and this incredible found family. Whimbrel House solidified itself as my favorite found family story ever, and this installment only deepened that love.

Merritt and Owein’s relationship continues to be the sweetest, most heartwarming bond—purely lovely. And speaking of ships, Owein and Fallon stole my heart! The peace and comfort they find in each other is everything you could hope for in a relationship. I absolutely adored their dynamic.

As for Silas Hogwood? He remains as terrifying as ever. Every encounter with him had me gripping the edge of my seat, utterly dreading what might happen next. Holmberg knows how to craft a truly bone-chilling villain, and Silas is no exception.

This book reinforced why Charlie N. Holmberg is one of my favorite authors. It perfectly balances heart, humor, and high stakes while building on the relationships I’ve come to adore. I can’t wait for the next—and final—book in the series!

Highly recommend this to anyone who loves magical adventures, terrifying villains, and heartwarming found family vibes.

It's been four years since Owein's soul was moved from a dog to a human, and he's still adjusting to his new life. Once he had a limitless supply of magic and could change things without thinking, but now, his magic is give and take just like any other magic user. But he's not the only one who's had to adjust to a new way of life. Merritt and Hulda have started raising a family and will do anything to keep their children safe. Owein knows he should be happy with his new life, but his betrothal to Lady Cora back in London looms over his head, especially when he feels a pull toward the enigmatic shape-shifter, Fallon. But when a sinister figure reappears at Whimbrel House, Owein realizes he has much bigger concerns.

Silas Hogwood may have been the greatest wizard in centuries, but he was also mad and tried everything to steal Owein's magic. He also died five years ago. In an ironic twist of fate, Silas pulled a trick out of Owein's book and moved his soul moments before his body perished. Now, he's highjacked another body and has his eyes set on finishing what he started all those years ago. Fearing he won't be strong enough to stop Silas, Owein begs Lady Cora's help. But even Queen Victoria's League of Magicians isn't enough to stop Silas, leaving Owein to desperately seek new ways of enhancing his magic. No matter the consequences, Owein will not let his family or Whimbrel House fall to the likes of Silas Hogwood, and he's determined to stop this fight once and for all.

I'm starting to sound like a broken record with this series, but I love it. This latest installment felt the most bittersweet of the bunch. I've come to love these characters so much throughout the series, so I was stressed worrying about what would happen to them. There were so many darker and emotional moments that had me going through it. The last ~80% was so action-packed that my heart was in my throat. I love how much each character, especially Owein, has grown throughout the series, and I love the strong familial bonds they've created. We also got to dive a little deeper into Owein's magic in here, which was so interesting. I'm unsure where the series will go from here, but I'll keep reading it as long as Holmberg wants to write it.

4.5 - What a wonderful installment of a beautiful series! I just want to curl up in this world and never leave. Throughout this series I have been captivated by the characters, the magic system and the story underneath it all. This even made me emotional toward the end, and was just overall a beautiful experience. I was extremely happy to be able to jump back into this world.

As always, with any Charlie N. Holmberg books, you get a fantastic adventure with plenty of action, some romance, a dash of quirk, a sprinkling of humour and a lot of heart! This is the 4th book in the Whimbrel House series and I'm so glad that it has continued and I hope (crosses fingers) it continues on. The author says in her note at the back that the series wasn't supposed to be more than a trilogy but I'm glad it gave her so much fodder that she has written more.

I really enjoyed the quirks of the magical world that has been written and the way that there's so much more that you learn about magic with each book. The romance between Hulda and Merritt was lovely and I loved that the books had them as protagonists for the first 3. This book we see though the eyes of Merritt a little, Silas a bit more and Owein mainly. It has made me feel a lot more for the character to read through his eyes instead of thinking of him as a very annoying child. This book is set 4 years after the last and significant changes have fallen upon Blaugdone Island. Marriages, children and family all around and yet, they shouldn't have let their guards down!

I appreciate how much more we get to see some characters develop in this book while still having the ones we know and love in supporting roles. The action is fantastic and just as you think that you can't imagine that anything could be bigger/better, more gets pulled out and whacks you in the senses!
All in all, a fantastic continuation to the series.
My thanks to Netgalley, 47 North and Charlie N. Holmberg for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I definitely recommend reading this book within the context of the series!

I have loved Owein since the beginning, and in this book I just loved him more. You see in him a fierce desire to protect those he loves, a determination to protect the life he has built, and a willingness to sacrifice himself for what is right.

The plot moved quickly and snagged my interest from the start.

Charlie N. Holmberg writes fantastic magic systems, relatable characters and intriguing plots. You just can't go wrong with her books!

My head is spinning. This book was so good. It blew my mind. The Whimbrel House series has taken a huge turn away from the story of Hulda and Merrit, and now Holmberg is focusing on Owein, the former inhabitant of Whimbrel House. I highly recommend reading the three preceding books before picking up Wizard of Most Wicked Ways. When the protagonist showed up, I was completely shocked and felt I had to keep reading. That hooked me in the very beginning. Owein and his friends' fight for survival was terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. I can't wait to see what happens in Book 5.

Content considerations: A young man hugs a naked woman…not realizing clothing is absent. I’m still not sure how I feel about that scene but I will say Charlie Holmberg writes on the cleaner side of risqué. Feel free to message me if you want more information!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advance copy. A review was not required.

Charlie Holmberg does it again with the next magical addition to her Whimbrel house series. I didn’t like it as much as the first two but it’s still magical, interesting and at times cozy!

I was afraid that this would be my least favorite book in the series when I saw it had a time jump and a love triangle and, unfortunately, I was proven right. Even though the book follows the return of the original villain Silas Hogwood, there isn't a concrete reason why this is when he decided to return and enact his revenge. The pacing was strange; the plot revolved around the large magical fight sequences and the content in between was mostly the characters worrying and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Part of what made the romance in the first book so compelling was that we had both Hulda and Merritt's point of view. I love them both as characters and being able to see them gradually, begrudgingly come to care for and love each other was the heart of the book. Even though this book has a love triangle with Owein, Fallon, and Cora, one of these characters doesn't appear in person, and the other has no chapters told from her perspective. While I like Owein and will continue reading to see where his story goes next, his two love interests felt one dimensional in comparison to the other characters that populate this world. Maybe this could have been solved if he had his own series, rather than this being an extension of the original Whimbrel House books.

ARC/Superb As Always From Holmberg!

So excited to see this pop up as an ARC, a few months before the expected release date. It was good to get back to the characters of Whimbrel house, this time told from the perspective of Owen.

There’s a lot of angst, histrionics, and surprises that unfold, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and wanting more, causing it to be nay impossible to put the manuscript down.

Although Holmberg talks about that this was originally planned to be a trilogy, she had the need to move forward with book 4 after all. In the final authors notes and acknowledgements, there’s a bit of a hint, that this one may also not be the last in the series, or possibly a spin-off.

Holmberg comes back strong on this one, and definitely writes this in the style that we all have come to expect and love from her.

Highly recommend!!

Note: I received early access from NetGalley of this manuscript, and have at my own discretion and opinion, chosen to post a review.