A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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

The latest from Anna James is a magical middle grade adventure that breathes new life into the enchanted academy genre. When ordinary kids discover they have extraordinary 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!

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.

A wonderful delightful middle-grade fantasy with a big hearted message - really enjoyed diving into this world and these characters.

In Whetherwhy, everyone contains a bit of magic. When children turn 13, they have their abilities tested on their next Spring Ember Day. Those who turn out to have enchanter magic are sent to Thistledown Academy of Enchantment while everyone else enters an apprenticeship. When Juniper and Rafferty get their test results, Juniper finds out she’s an enchanter. To be near his sister, Rafferty takes an internship at a book bindery near the academy. At Thistledown, Juniper starts honing her magic through needlework, gardening, and cooking. As time passes, Rafferty grows more and more frustrated that Juniper isn’t responding to his letters. Determined to get to the bottom of it, he teams up with his new friend, Jessy to figure out what is really going on at Thistledown. Will they succeed?

The plot is engaging, well developed, and full of mystery. The characters are likable, engaging, and well rounded. The illustrations are black and white sketches that add to the context of the story. The world building is well done and draws the reader into the twins’ world. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, magic, and mystery will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 5 stars, Gr 4 to 8.

When children turn 13 in Whetherwhy, they undergo a test to determine what kind of magic they have. If they have enchanter magic, they are sent to Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. If they have regular magic, they are sent to be apprentices. Juniper and Rafferty are 13 years old. Juniper knows deep down her magic is different than her brother’s magic. When she gets the test results, she discovers she was right. Sent to Thistledown, she spends her time honing her magic through needlework, cooking, and gardening. Wanting to still be close to Juniper Rafferty takes an apprenticeship at a book bindery near the school. As he goes on not hearing responses to his letters to Juniper, he gets restless. He teams up with his new friend, Jessy to get to the bottom of what really goes on in Weatherwhy and Thistledown. Will the two succeed?
The illustrations are black and white sketches and add depth to the story. The characters are well developed, realistic, and easy to relate to. The plot is well written, full of adventure, and is engaging. The world building is well done and draws the reader into the story. Readers who like fantasy, magic, adventure, and mystery will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.

Anna James unfailingly draws me into any universe she builds and Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment is no exception! This book is cozy with just the right amount of magical adventure for middle grade readers. The writing is beautifully descriptive while being easily comprehensible for this age group. Can’t wait for the next in the series and to share with this book with my son! (4.25 stars)

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Juniper Quinn has always known she was different from the other people in her small hometown of Honeyvale. In confirmation of her intuition, Juniper discovers she is a rare Enchanter, and she must soon depart to further her education at the prestigious Thistledown Academy. Rafferty, Juniper’s twin brother, quickly finds himself apprenticing at a bookbindery near Thistledown, and as the siblings begin their independent journeys, they realize there is more to magic than they ever expected. This first in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series places readers in the fantasy land of Whetherwhy, where everyone has a little bit of magic inside them. Framing the narrative are interludes wherein a grandfather is recounting the story to his grandchildren. These moments provide readers with a welcome respite during which they can reflect on the occurrences that have taken place within the novel. Occasional illustrations pepper the text and these, alongside the brief chapters, grant the story a quality that makes it accessible to younger middle grade readers. Fans of both the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series will appreciate the element of a magical boarding school that is included in this book, and the worldbuilding gives readers a strong sense of where Juniper exists despite Whetherwhy being different from reality. Engaging, action-filled writing keeps readers engaged as the story unfolds, and moments of peril balance with calmer scenes to provide a dynamic narrative experience. Primed for a sequel, this novel is a positive series starter and a fun addition to library collections for middle grade readers.

Anna James has the beginning of another hit series on her hands. Her writing makes me want to cuddle up with the book and emerse myself in the world she builds. Her characters are lovable and relatable. In Chronicles of Whetherwhy, she has created a magical place where everyone has at least a tiny spark of magic in them. The magic system is unique with it being based on seasons - enchanters are people who have been born with the magic of all the season as opposed to just 1 like most people. When Juniper discovers she is an enchanter and joins the distinguished school for enchanters, a brand new adventure and mystery starts to unfold for her. If you loved Anna's series, Pages and Co., you'll fall in love with the Chronicles of Whetherwhy. I know my students will just adore it when I can add it to my shelf.

Juniper’s journey at Thistledown Academy is full of wonder, training, and unexpected challenges, while Rafferty’s path leads him straight into a secret society (because of course he finds trouble). The sibling dynamic is fantastic, the world-building is rich and cozy, and the adventure does not slow down. If you love magical schools, hidden societies, and stories that make you want to curl up with a cup of tea and disappear into another world, this is the book for you.

Fans of Inkheart and The Girl Who Drank the Moon will enjoy this first book in The Chronicles of Whetherwhy series.
Well-written characters and pages given for story development will be well worth the time as the tales of Rafferty, Juniper, and the enchanters of Whetherwhy continue to unfold.
Looking forward to book 2!

The second I started this book, I was hooked! I love a middle grade book sometimes when I'm in a slump and this was fast paced and got me right out of it!!

I absolutely James' Pages and Co. series. It was delightful and fun and as soon as I started reading I was hooked. Imagine my delight then when I saw that the author had a new series beginning - one that looked and sounded every bit as magical and enchanting (literally and figuratively). Unfortunately, I'm in the vast minority (I may literally be an n of 1!) and did not enjoy this one at all... I could not get into it. I could not connect to the characters. Granted, I am not the target demographic - but after thoroughly inhaling the other series, I didn't expect that to matter. But somehow it did. The writing style felt formal and never drew me in, nor did the characterizations or world building. I have no idea why, but this one just did not work for me at all...

Such a fun book! Full of magical adventures, secret society and sibling bonding. Anna James' engaging writing and fast paced plotting with energetic characters kept me hooked till the end. Something of a similar energy would be the manga series Hooky. I think if you liked that series, you would also love Chronicles of Whetherwhy. Looking forward to the next one in the series! Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

What worked:
The characters of Whetherwhy fall into different magical focuses related to the “five” seasons. Children of age go through a ceremony to identify the season guiding their futures. Spring is the season of creation, summer is for revelation, autumn is the power of transformation, and winter is to soothe and calm. An exception is the citizens who can use powers from all the seasons and become enchanters. Juniper is the main character when she’s identified as an enchanter and is sent to Thistledown Academy for her schooling. Readers will join her as she learns to control her powers. A unique aspect of these abilities is the enchanters weave strands of magic from different seasons to create spells. Think of it like sewing together the ingredients of a recipe.
The plot is fairly uneventful until Juniper’s trip to Thistledown offers readers a taste of what’s to come. She doesn’t understand how a horse-drawn carriage can complete a two-day trip before school starts tomorrow morning. The driver, Nimbus, picks up two more beginning students including Zinnia, a pompous rich girl, who readers will notice flaunts her superior attitude throughout the story. At an inn, the children encounter several threatening men and something unexplainable happens to Juniper. Juniper’s twin brother Rafferty reenters the book about a third of the way in when he takes an apprenticeship to be nearer his sister. He meets Jessy, another apprentice, and readers will immediately sense the mystery she brings to the book when she tells Rafferty, “Keep your wits about you.” This subplot creates the plot’s conflict and merges with Juniper’s story in the end.
The author creates intrigue through cryptic descriptions. Juniper’s strange experience at the inn has never been seen before and it delays her learning at Thistledown. She’s unable to summon her magic like the other students but she’s assured her powers will come back shortly. Juniper wonders if that’s true. The queen has been hiring more enchanters than expected but there’s little evidence of what they’re doing for her. A secret society is meeting at the bindery where Rafferty works and he learns there’s a connection to the death of Jessy’s parents. This group presents a mystery that Rafferty and Jessy will need to solve.
What didn’t work as well:
The story shifts between Juniper and Rafferty with each shift going on for several chapters. The downside is it breaks the flow of each plot and requires remembering what happened before rejoining each one. However, these separate subplots are necessary as there are two distinct stories and settings to be covered.
The final verdict:
This is a fun, suspenseful adventure of young characters learning to use seasonal magic. Many books have characters with new powers become superior to others but Juniper merely displays a special aptitude for her ability. It makes her more humble and relatable. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

I simply love anything by Anna James. She is an automatic read for me and I love her stories so much. They are whimsical, magical and a pure delight to read!

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment By @acaseforbooks

Guys!!! I cannot tell you enough how much I LOVE a good middle grade fantasy! If you’re looking for a fantasy that feels a bit cozy and not so high stakes or maybe violent, you should absolutely check out middle grade stories. This books feels like the most perfect bedtime story and I have enjoyed it SO MUCH. I loved the magic system, the characters, the growing and growing up that happens. I loved everyone’s names, as they’re all named after different plants and trees, which makes sense to the story. I cannot wait for book 2! 😍🪴🪻🌳

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the arc!
Pub date: 5/6/2025

The Age of Enchantment
Chronicles of Whetherwhy #1
Anna James
David Wyatt Illustrator
Grandpa gathered his grandchildren together and began to read a story. He whisked them away to Whetherwhy Island.
Whetherwhy Island is a place where magic is normal. Everyone has at least a little bit of magic. The type or how much magic each person has depends on which season they were born. However, some people are special, although it is rare, they can draw on all four seasons for their power; they are enchanters. Thistledown Academy of Enchantment is a school where enchanters study magic.
Juniper Quinn lives in a small town on the island with her family who own a bookbindery. Juniper is an enchanter. When she goes to the academy her twin brother, Rafferty, follows her to Stormgrove. He can’t imagine living without her; he takes an apprenticeship at a bookbindery.
Juniper takes to her studies; she makes friends, learns spells and is enjoying the academy. However, Rafferty, finds trouble. He finds secret societies and monsters. Trouble lies ahead for this young man.
I like grandpa sitting down reading to his grandchildren. Occasionally the story would pause so a child could ask a question. Children love for someone to read to them. In this tale grandpa introduces the children to a magic world.
WOW! What a great beginning to a new series. The world building is superb. As I read this book I could see the eerie alleys, charmed classrooms, and night markets. This book highlights relationships, courage, and the sibling connection. I suspect this series may be the next Harry Potter.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

After falling in love with James’ Pages & Co. series last year, I was thrilled to see more of her work coming out – and Whetherwhy doesn’t disappoint! I love James’ writing style – just enough silliness for a MG book while also having some truly beautiful bits of prose. I particularly enjoyed the magic system in Whetherwhy. Yes, it’s based on the seasons which is a motif seen before, but the way its done using threads and weaving the natural world together was so beautifully written. As an aside, I also love that of the twins, the brother is the one more adept at embroidery. The Age of Enchantment features lovely food descriptions and the setting in Honeyvale has an especially Shire-like vibe I could have certainly read more of. While I didn’t find the Princess Bride-esque grandfather reading the story insertions to add much, I would have loved more descriptions of Thistledown itself – the classes, student relationships, etc. Zinnia was a bit one-dimensional and not given the opportunity to really redeem herself, but I hope we see her arc more as the series continues. I was slightly frustrated with the majority of the adults in the story (the twins’ parents aside) as they seemed unusually inept and obtuse…or plain evil. Overall, this book is delightfully whimsical without being saccharine, a great adventure, and also a lovely reflection on “the beauty of small wonders.” I’ll eagerly look forward to book two!