This is a whimsical, magical adventure I would have gone feral for when I was a kid. There’s enchanting worldbuilding with an interesting magic school but also night markets, creepy forests, and magic shops. There’s the fun of secret societies, dragons, and monsters.

The magic system is a fun take but has some elements that will remind readers of other favorite magical systems. The magic school starts with a sense of wonder and whimsy and then gradually gets into more intensity with the further plot. I would have loved to see more detail about how the school works, how enchanters happen, and so on. A lot of books have the child protagonists saving the day, but it sometimes didn’t make sense why these kids weren’t going for help. I know kids not asking for help is a Thing in children’s books, but in this case they seem like the kind of kids who would involve adults, so it

The sibling dynamic between the twins is a delight. They are different people who make different choices and have different talents — and it’s fantastic. Even though they go down different paths, they are still dedicated to being there for each other.

Every few chapters, there's an interjection of a grandfather telling the story to his grandchildren. I didn't find this to be worth the addition. It didn't change anything about the feel or meaning of the book and instead seemed to add bulk that didn't matter. There's a tiny hint that there might be more to it at the end, but for this first book, I found it annoying instead of fun.

I wanted more description of the magic systems and characters and more depth overall, but I think there’s enough room in the sequels to expand on those things. Too much of it felt like it was skimming the surface and it took it away from things feeling real.

Overall, I thought it was really fun, but I hope to see more depth in the next book.

The Age of Enchantment is a charming and imaginative start to the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series. Anna James creates a magical world that feels fresh and full of wonder, with seasonal magic and a cozy, adventurous tone. Juniper and Rafferty are relatable and easy to root for, especially as their paths take unexpected and exciting turns. The story balances mystery, magic, and sibling connection in a way that feels both heartfelt and fun. A great pick. I’m looking forward to where the series goes next.

Great start to the series, I love the grandfather reader, I thought it was a homage smartly done.
The characters are relatable with their internal struggles and character flaws are interesting enough to keep you reading, the larger questions about the world and distribution of magic will keep you reading for more than just the first book.
The descriptions of Tangles and Knots make me want to see more of what can be made of the magic in Whetherwhy, the idea of dragons being an animal cloaked in enchantment and magic being the invisible thread that holds the world together will keep readers interested.
As her other series proved Ms. James can create a magical world that we can still relate to and want to be a part of, I wanted to travel into books with the crew at Pages and Co, and now I want to find the island of Whetherwhy.

Loved this one so much we put it on our summer reading challenge at the store. Great magical school, loveable characters. The whole shebang.

I greatly enjoyed this novel. It does a great job of engaging the reader. I appreciate how it explores the different relationships. I love the Interludes, that remind you that this story began with a grandfather reading to his grandchildren!

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment-Anna James; David Wyatt
“Once upon a time, or maybe it was time that has not yet come to pass-or perhaps even at this very moment-there was an island called Whetherwhy. Some say that it fell from the sky, others that it surfaced from the deep. Some claim that an earthquake cracked the land and caused it to separate and float away. But, wherever it came from. One thing is for sure. You could sail or walk or fly for a year and a day and never find the land of Whetherwhy.”

Sometimes, when life gets to be a little bit negative and overwhelming, I just need a whimsical middle-grade book to escape into.
Juniper Quinn is facing her guild affiliation and enchantment inspection that every child in Whetherwhy faces on the first day of spring after they turn thirteen. Juniper lives with her parents, twin brother Rafferty, older siblings Hickory and Hazel, and younger sister Blossom in the small town of Honeyvale. The family owns and runs a book mending shop. Every child is tested on the first day of spring and is assigned an element that they are affiliated with, and which dictates the types of magic they can perform. The affiliations are based on the seasons: spring, summer, winter or autumn. A small percentage of the population become Enchanters, those who have an affinity for all the affiliations and attend a special boarding school called Thistledown Academy. Juniper is discovered to be an Enchanter during her assessment and is invited to attend Thistledown.
This book was enjoyable to me, and I don’t have any complaints. The characters are loveable, and you can connect with them and root for them as you read. The world-building is done well and describes things in a manner that would be understandable for the middle-grade age group. I really enjoyed spending time with the Quinn family. They were perfectly quirky and loving. Juniper’s fears of separation from her family (especially her twin, Rafferty, to whom she is extremely close) and of falling short in her training as an Enchanter are gracefully explored and relatable.
There are quite a few loose ends, and I wanted to know MORE of just about everything, but it looks like this is working it’s way into a series, so I’m sure that will be done in later books.

**Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC of this book!
www.goodreads.com/smmorris821

This is set to be a new Harry Potter series. The story focuses on a young girl, who discovers she is an enchanter and has the magical powers of all 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter). Most people only have the magic of 1 season. Unlike Harry Potter, she has a happy family and a very close twin. It is hard for her to move to a new school and abandon her family. After setting forth for her new life at a new school, she learns of an organization, the Papercut Society, whose mission is to take the power from enchanters (and allegedly, to share the power with all). If the society is successful, it would spell doom for our female heroine and potentially society. The twins' sole goal is to overcome the attacks by the Papercut Society before it is too late.

The book also reminds me of Princess Bride and the Neverending Story. It is a story inside a story. At the end of the book, the story teller predicts a second book. I can't wait until the second book.

In a uniquely imagined world with four seasons of magic, Juniper is a twin with Enchanter spring magic who gets sent to a special academy, leaving her brother Rafferty, who has small Summer magic, at home. But on her way to the Thistledown Academy, Juniper is attacked by a sinister group of people who take her magic using a strange-looking bulb. Meanwhile, Rafferty follows his sister to the city and apprentices at a bookbindery where he joins the mysterious Papercut society. Will the adults with nefarious, greedy intentions defeat the siblings and their friends? A magical, adventurous plot!

What a great start to a new series! After loving the Pages and Co. series, I was excited to dive into this with my 8 year old. While I think it may appeal to a reader a little older, we enjoyed diving into this new world. I especially loved the magic system and the way our characters navigated the predicaments they find themselves in. I'm looking forward to whats next in the Whetherwhy world.

I love recommending Anna James's Pages & Co. because the first book was excellent - I'm so happy to have another series from this author to recommend! This is a great option for an able reader who has started to outgrow some middle-grade books but isn't ready for YA themes. It's smart and kept me guessing. I love the take on magic. Looking forward to more!

Just the book to read if you are looking for a cozy fantasy mystery. Twins Juniper and Rafferty live in a small, rustic village, but Juniper is discovered to be an Enchanter and is whisked away to the Academy to train. Loved the details of the Enchanter school (definite Hogwarts vibes) but also, the details of the seasonal magic and the cozy yet heartfelt family feeling between the twins. Whetherwhy is immersive and I'm looking forward to book 2!

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment is a magical adventure story about fraternal twins, Juniper and Rafferty. Juniper is sent to an academy for enchanters and discovers that magic is so much more than she realizes. Rafferty follows his sister to the city as an apprentice. He gets involved with a secret society that fights monsters. This book is a perfect middle school read with adventure, family, friendship and learning to trust in oneself.

I received an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

A coming of age set in a magical world where powers are developed and new discoveries are made. Connecting with nature and finding out who you really are.

A brilliant work of magical mystery with exceptional world building! Twins, Juniper and Rafferty, have always been especially close, but after their magic tests they are separated not only by distance, but also in their views of the world. They will not only have to learn their destined magical arts, but also who they want to be and if that will be something that can exist alongside each other.

This middle-grade series starter brings a well-constructed world and magic system to life. Told in dual point of view by twin siblings, it also brings up family dynamics and jealousy. There is a little bit of a Harry Potter vibe insofar as there is a boarding school situation and a variety of mentors, both good and misguided.

But this is very much its own world and its own story.

The magic system is interesting and logical. Characters are unique and just quirky enough without being ridiculous. As with so many magical boarding school stories, there is a character who is sure she is going to be the best and ends up struggling. This book does tread old ground, but does it in a fresh and entertaining way. I will definitely be looking for the next in the series.

There are a few awkward passages and a couple of narrative issues (such as a sudden switch to omniscient narration), but the book is overall well written. Secrets are not given away too easily and the narrative moves at a good pace.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Magic. Sibling rivalry. Scary creatures and perilous situations. LGBTQ representation.

Who Might Like This Book:
Fans of magical worlds, magical boarding schools, family stories.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-good-week-for-readers.html

My Rating: 4.5*

What a cute, first installment into a magical world based on seasonal magic and friendship. Based on the cover alone, I was instantly drawn to wanting to read this book and I am so glad I had the opportunity. There is something about a magical school and new magic systems which delight me in the best ways. The fact it’s middle grade also gives a sense of whimsy and wonder even if it touches on a couple of deeper and even darker elements.

Juniper and her brother Rafferty both know they have bits of magic within them. Most people in Whetherwhy do. However, it seems Juniper is one of the rare few who is able to use most of the seasonal elements and soon finds herself being whisked away to a magical school called Thistledown. As she begins her studies, she quickly makes at least one friend and one frenemy while Rafferty decides he misses his sister and wants to work in the nearby town to be closer.

They both find themselves mixed up in things they never expected. Overall, the story is fun and thoughtful with friends, teachers, monsters, and so much more. I highly recommend this series and can’t wait to see what happens next.

The latest from Anna James is a magical middle grade adventure that breathes new life into the enchanted academy genre. When magic kids grow into their abilities, they're whisked away to a hidden school in a realm where the impossible happens daily.

James creates something that feels both new and familiar - the journey from outsider to finding your place hits all the right emotional notes, while the whimsical classes and quirky teachers are just plain fun. The story balances wonder with real stakes, as the kids face challenges that test both their powers and who they really are.

Parents who grew up with those famous magical school books will definitely want to share this one with their kids!

We were very excited to read the Anna James's newest middle grade fantasy series since we enjoyed her Pages & Co series.
Overall, we found The Age of Enchantment enjoyable, definitely adventurous, and intriguing. We loved learning about the world of Whetherwhy and how magic worked in association with the seasons. Juniper was a great young protagonist to follow. Her brother Rafferty was a bit less enjoyable but understandable. James did a good job navigating the young characters and any young readers through the conflicts that occur, some of which were quite dark. We look forward to future installments of the Chronicles of Whetherwhy.
Check out our more detailed thoughts here: https://youtu.be/--eunG_PdVg

Thank you Anna James ( @acaseforbooks ), Penguin Kids ( @penguinkids ),and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment early (out April 29, 2025).

My first impressions of Chronicles of Whetherwhy is Harry Potter meets The Princess Bride. A magical world and school, that is told like a story being read by a doting grandfather.

Whetherwhy is a country of magic, everyone is attuned to a season and possesses at least a little magic. However, there are those, the enchanters, who possess the magic of all seasons. Each year after their 13th birthday, on Spring Ember Day, children are tested to see if they are enchanters, and if they are, they are taken to Thistledown, a school where they can hone their new skills.

Juniper Quinn finds out that she is an enchanter and begins an adventure of a lifetime, marred along the way when her magic is stolen from her. Luckily her classmates and teachers help her and become guides to using her magic.

Her twin brother, Rafferty, is not an enchanter, but decides to set out on his own and find a place to apprentice near Juniper’s school. Once there he meets another apprentice, Jessy, and they join a secret society who wants magic equality for all of Whetherwhy.

This book is wonderfully magical. My almost 13 year old twins can’t wait to read it, and I’m excited for them to have this first book in new series.

#ChroniclesofWhetherwhyTheAgeofEnchantment#NetGalley #AnnaJames #PenguinKids

Thanks so much to @netgalley for an advanced copy of this delightful middle grade fantasy. I love love love the Pages & Co series by James so when I saw she was starting a new series, I knew I had to read it. This has everything a wonderful fantasy needs – seasonal magic, a magical school, a mysterious secret society, and monsters lurking in shadows. A fast, fun read that publishes April 29 2025.