Main characters:
WHIMBREL HOUSE -- Some say it's enchanted, or maybe haunted. Either way, it really doesn't seem to like Merritt. Built on Blaugdone Island in Narragansett Bay, it's been alone and uninhabited since 1737.
MERRITT FERNSBY -- Disowned by his father and burned by love, Merritt is a non-magical writer in his early 30s who has just inherited Whimbrel House. He thinks it will be a great place to write his next novel, but he doesn't know what he's in for.
HULDA LARKIN -- A confirmed spinster in her 30s, she has a small talent in augury, and works for the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms (BIKER) as a housekeeper. She's come to Whimbrel House to help tame it. But she wasn't expecting to find Merritt quite so charming.
SIMON HOGWOOD -- a power-hungry necromancer who has learned how to siphon magic from other people...and from places like Whimbrel House.
My thoughts: This is an enchanting and fun fantasy. I love the role Whimbrel House plays in this one. From the melting furniture to the shrinking rooms, all the tricks it plays on Merritt, especially when it refuses to let him leave, are very humorous and sometimes a little frightening. I also really enjoyed Hulda's and Merritt's investigation into what, or who, is enchanting the house. They made an engaging team, even if neither one is very good at communicating their feelings. I also liked all the magic, and how Holmberg captures the time period. It's a captivating read with some good suspense at the end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy Reading!
That sounds like a good one, glad to see you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun change from what I normally read. :D
DeleteIt does sound appealing. Hopefully not too scary!
ReplyDeleteNo, definitely not too scary. More humorous than anything.
DeleteUninhabited for that long, it sounds like a spooky place!
ReplyDeleteIt is a little spooky especially right at the first. But then the house warms up and becomes more mischievous than scary.
DeleteThis sounds really good. A haunted secluded mansion in New England in the 1840's and Merrit and Hulda sound interesting too. Another for my ever growing TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThe setting is great and I enjoyed seeing Merritt and Hulda interact and become friends.
DeleteAs this is set just an hour away, I think I need to read it!
ReplyDeleteThe island setting is so great! I loved both it and the time period.
DeleteOhhh, the house playing a role is interesting! I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteThe house was certainly an interesting character in the book. :D
DeleteI've got this one lurking on my Kindle! 😁
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun and humorous fantasy.
DeleteThis is on my TBR list. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. :D
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like this one, Ashley. :D
DeleteSounds like you had a lot of fun with this one. The word "necromancer" always makes me nervous. ha
ReplyDeleteNecromancers never seem to equal anything good or positive, that's for sure.
DeleteThis does sound like a fun fantasy! I'll keep an eye out for it at my LFL's and local library.
ReplyDeleteI loved the house and the enchantment behind it!
DeleteI feel like you do a great job with your reviews! They are always different, love it! Glad you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy! I get bored writing the same review over and over, so I try to mix it up once in awhile. :D
DeleteThis sounds like a really good read... However, in June 2020, I read Charlie N. Holmberg's novel, The Paper Magician, and wasn't to enchanted with it... So, I am hesitant to try this novel! P. S. You inspired me to read a novel by Darcy Coates. I read and then reviewed The Haunting of Blackwood House.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you gave Darcy Coates a try. I've loved some of her books, found others kind of mediocre. But I'm a sucker for haunted houses and ghosts. ;D And I tried to read The Paper Magician once and ended up DNFing it; but I actually made it through this one. So for me it's a much better read.
DeleteI am intrigued
ReplyDeleteIt's a magical and humorous fantasy.
DeleteJust added this one to my TBR. This looks so fun and I love when a team is formed. I really need to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThey do make for a fun team. And you'll love the house and what's behind its enchantment.
DeleteSounds like a fun, magical read!
ReplyDeleteIt really is.
DeleteLove the sound of this one! And, I love the name, Whimbrel House :) So glad you posted about it - another one to add to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like this one, Nadia. :D
Delete