Title: Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil

Author: Oliver Darkshire

Narrator: Oliver Darkshire

Rating: 5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Unappreciated and put upon by her husband; Isabella Nagg is easily tempted to try a bit of magic when he appropriates a spell book from the local wizard. What follows is a series of events which will change Isabella's life forever.

Oliver Darkshire chose to narrate his own book, he did do a very good job, especially with the characters, but I do think a professional narrator may have made the story sparkle more.

This was an excellent tale. Isabella is a woman who gets things done. The world Darkshire has created brings to mind Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, and he matches that level of humour as well. The pacing was excellent, and the plot cleverly meandered through the story, filled with well-developed, quirky characters. This is a standalone novel, but I’d be happy to read more set in this world.

Final thoughts: A fun twisty tale of magic and goblins.

Who would enjoy this: Any fans of comedic fantasy.

Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil was a delight! I of course love Oliver's humor from Twitter and have had Once Upon a Tome on my TBR for a while (though I do still need to read it). I saw this one on Netgalley and requested the audiobook because I have some projects coming up and wanted to be able to listen while I sewed or painted.

Isabella lives a miserable life in a miserable home with her miserable husband on the edge of a miserable village. Mr. Nagg just really sucks, and everyone in the village hates or pities them, so Isabella's only friend is the pot of basil that she has somehow managed to keep alive. One day, Mr. Nagg goes to the local wizard's house to drop off his annual sale of homegrown poisonous mandrake, but the wizard isn't there so he decides to steal a volume of the wizard's spellbook so he can talk his wife into trying a spell. Isabella is very sensible but she does try one magic potion before returning the spellbook to the (now dead) wizard, so she ends up with a depressed, sentient, talking donkey and a talking pot of basil? Oh and the wizard's non-cat assistant who promises to teach her spells. Now Isabella has a world of magic to learn and no time to ask, "oh hey, why are the local goblins being weird this year?"

This book does have footnotes in the hardback version (as I saw when I looked at her copy) but I'm not totally sure if all of them are read in the audio format. I have a bad memory though.

This was a fun story! It moves quickly so I'm honestly surprised it's a book and not a novella. I had expected this to be a light romp about magic gone wrong, so I was surprised by all the goblin enterprise and Isabella's discoveries at the end. The talking pot of basil was a very unexpected source of humor, and I love an insane character choice like that. A talking, sentient pot of basil who secretly wants [redacted]? Exactly what I want in a fantasy. Honestly, the pot of basil feels like something straight out of my favorite crack!fic fanfiction, and I need more of it.

I was thinking that this was a solid 4, but honestly? This rocked. I had a lot of fun here. 4.5.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio ARC.

This book is not my typical genre, and I have to say it is the strangest book I’ve ever listened to. That’s not to say it’s bad, but it was quite the experience for me! Overall I enjoyed the audiobook. It is NOT something you can listen to and kind of zone out during. You will end up confused. I don’t really like the voice of the narrator (the author), but it’s his own book so I can’t complain. This book definitely has the silly satirical vibes of Monty python and the holy grail.
This book has Isabella: a woman with dreams, a pot of basil she’s managed to keep alive for years, a boring dirty husband who doesn’t like her much, and a book of magic. Basically, a series of strange events ensue, (SPOILERS) including but not limited to : a business woman who falls in love with a headless re-animated corpse and hates that her employees on her poison fruit farm keep dying, a pot of basil who is really a person STUCK in a pot of basil, a talking donkey that hates the sound of his pony friends chewing, and so so so much more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

This audiobook read by the author introduces us to the charming rural world of East Grasby, Isabella Nagg , and her pet(?) basil plant.

Isabella is accidentally become the area wizard and she has to learn fast! This is fantasy world of gamboling goblins and greedy entrepreneurs.

The author has fun with words and descriptions. This is a cozy fantasy, but there is a darker presence something buried (under the goblin market).

The book, read by the author, is a storybook for all ages. From the talking cat (who repeatedly reminds us that he isn't a cat), to the unsatisfied sentient donkey, and of course the troublesome, talking pot of basil.

If you're missing the Disc World and Nanny Ogg, you'll find a home here.

I liked this book well enough. I enjoyed the story telling aspect of it and how it written out. I also enjoyed the narrator. But I was indifferent to all characters except the gurmugion, whom I loved! I also wanted more with the donkey and the pony. I want to know if the pony made it and the pony’s back story. It was set up for this, but I never found out what happened to them.

4.5 stars

I need to own this book. It will be the first physical book I've purchased in many years, since I switched to all audiobooks.

The plot lagged a little, but the language was so witty and clever that it kept me attentive. It wasn't until I finished listening to the audio that I realized the physical book had extras and now I need to have that. This is a fun book I can see myself re-reading in the future, and one I'd recommend to my fantasy/magic-loving friends. It's cozy, a little dark, witty, and it's whimsical.

While a slow start, this cozy story is full of lovable characters both good and bad, animal, vegetable, and ethereal! It is a world of kitchen magic where Aunt Clara’s and Molly Wesley’s would thrive, yet delves into the lasting effects of young love and heartbreak. Isabella (mc), quickly discovers that she is destined to become a wizard and the valley’s next defender. Darkshire novel portrays the life of a house wife who finds her own voice and the strength to decide what she wants outside of the house that demands her life. It’s a quick read! And leaves you in a good mood! Win, win.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to review this book! First off, it is absolutely hilarious. Bottom kills me every time, and the fact that the pot of Basil has this high pitched voice makes his machinations all the more hilarious. This is the kind of book where the world building is actually great, but totally unnecessary since it is too funny to pay too much attention to the small details anyway. I would absolutely read. Books set in this universe again and again! The cast of characters is wild, and the fact that the book started with a dead body was both fitting, but also a complete and total red herring. All together this is a clever and funny book in the vein of Dreadful and How to Defeat the Dark Lord and Die Trying. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC Audio Copy!

Sentient animals, talking plants, and shape-shifting wizards, sign me up! I was so excited to read this book and was not disappointed in the least. It is such a cute cozy little story that is perfect for fans of traditional fairytales and magical stories. I believe this is a standalone but would love for more books set in this world.

One of my top reads of the year! This was SO. MUCH. FUN. Irreverent, satirical, cozy, feminist fantasy at its best. The world building was so well done that the exposition was nearly undetectable, resulting in a richly fantastical universe that felt effortless. Goblins who peddle poisonous fruit, an evil witch with business savvy, a talking pot of basil, an opinionated feline (ish?) side-kick, and a disenchanted wannabe-witch housewife round out an unforgettable, charming cast of characters.

From the beginning, we are thrown right into the action with a mysterious wizard burying a dead (ish?) body. Hook, line, and sinker! I started listening after work yesterday and kept on listening until 3:00 AM to finish it. The ending was perfect. Essential reading for those who prefer a dash of murder and pyramid schemes with their whimsy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you're a fan of T. Kingfisher's humorous fantasies (and the sprinkle of something dark underneath), I think Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil will work perfectly for you. It's a cozy fantasy where a reclusive housewife, fed up with her husband, takes to studying magic. With the help of a not-cat, a donkey that is resentful of its new sentience, and her talking pot of basil, Isabella attempts to conquer her new spellbooks, make her nosy neighbors owe her a favor, and potentially save her husband from a goblin fruit pyramid scheme.

I think short and sweet was the way to go with this novel, since it didn't have a super strong overarching plot. We got POVs from multiple characters influencing the story, which helped the comedic tone of the story, but never really delved deep into each character, which is what held a couple stars back for me. A very enjoyable read that I likely won't be returning to.

The author narrates the audiobook himself which is great, and I really enjoyed the particular voices he gave to the sentient pot of basil, along with Bottom the donkey. I love listening to humorous audiobooks in particular, because the tone of the joke always comes through so much better for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Oliver Darkshire and Hodderscape for this ARC!

Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil is a cosy-ish fantasy that is dark and funny in equal measures. You dont have to know the poem by Keats, or the the fifth tale of the fourth day of the Decameron to enjoy the narrative.

I absolutely adored Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil! From the very first page, I was swept into a whimsical world where eccentric wizards, peculiar creatures, and magical oddities coexist in the most charmingly chaotic way. The tone reminded me a bit of Terry Pratchett—clever, quirky, and full of heart.

Isabella herself is a fantastic character—witty, grounded (despite the madness around her), and surprisingly relatable. And yes, her potted plant companion is just as delightful as it sounds. The story is cozy without being slow, funny without trying too hard, and strange in all the best ways.

If you’re looking for a feel-good fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still manages to be smart and immersive, this is a gem. I truly hope there are more books coming in this universe—I’d happily return in a heartbeat.

The narration was on point, and suited the story very well!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this one.
It was the perfect mix of cozy fantasy but not completely low stakes.
I absolutely love a furry side kick with witty humour and I really enjoyed the donkey and his friendship with the mundane pony.
The listening experience was great and Oliver did a great job at bringing his novel to life.
I’m always a fan of different voices for different characters.
I know I won’t be growing any basil anytime soon.

This was absolutely FANTASTIC!!! BRING SILLY BOOKS BACK!! This had me laughing out loud multiple times- what a joy!
I love that it took a lot of well-known magical lore and items and blended them with a very particular narrative voice; how the narrator would switch from just narrating to talking directly to the reader; the complete absurdity of some of the scenes and characters where real life concepts (pyramid schemes and business ventures etc.) are infused with comical magic in a way that I’ve never had the pleasure of reading before!
The narration was also really good, the characters really came alive (particularly Bottom the donkey and the basil plant).

This was such a joy, I can’t wait to recommend it to everyone!

Isabella Nagg's husband is a do-nothing loser who just so happens decides to do something one day--steal from a wizard that is. He takes a book from a wizard's home and brings it back to Isabella, who is horrified by his serious lack of judgement. With little else in her life, however, the book transforms her and a wild romp of a story ensues.

I loved the audio version of this book and would highly recommend it to readers. It's a short, fun story.

This was quirky and funny, with a folkloric bent that reminded me a of Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill. I liked the story and the characters, and enjoyed the twists and subversions. Some moments made me laugh out loud. I'd love to know more about the third missing Fate that was briefly brought up towards the end - a potential sequel?

A whimsical story about enchanted fruit, magic and a pot a basil. This story starts out a bit slow but once you get going the author finds new ways to surprise you at every turn. Having read many stories that feel like a copy paste this was a breath of fresh air. If you are looking for a quick fun story I highly recommend picking up this book

Isabella Nagg is a grumpy, unhappy homemaker with a useless, equally grumpy husband. Until her husband brings home a wizard’s tome and she accidentally gives sentience to a donkey and a pot of basil. Throw in some goblins and a whimsically sinister plot, and you have your story!

This was a quick read with some plot points that didn’t quite make sense to me but was enjoyable nonetheless. I’m anticipating the author setting some future stories in this world as well, which I will definitely give a try.

Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil is a funny, quirky little book, perfect for those who are in a cozy fantasy mood. 3.5 stars.

(Disclaimer: I received the audiobook from the publisher, but this has in no way influenced my review. My thoughts are entirely unbiased and honest.)

I went into Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil completely blind and was surprised and pleasantly mortified by everything that unfolded.

Giving this an almost 4-star rating is only my preference. If I hadn’t felt underwhelmed by the ending, this could easily have been a 5-star read.

It’s ridiculously funny and disturbing at the same time. Definitely a good recommendation for those looking into a dark cozy fantasy.

Read this if you're craving unusual heroines (in this case, a bitter housewife with a love of reading and creative... composting).

I had so much fun, and if there are more books set in this world, it would be an instant buy for me!

Kudos to the author for the narration too! I would never look at basil the same way again because as Lorde sang... what was that. 🙂‍↔️