This book is full of incredible world building. Mostly fantasy, with a mystery and some romance thrown in, I was transported to a world like our own Victorian London but with an intriguing and carefully plotted magic system.

I must admit, the first half was quite slow. However, past the halfway mark the action really picks up and I was totally gripped. I loved the characters and the relationships, and the mystery was full of twists! Cant wait for the second book!

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I heard about Charlie N. Holmberg thanks to her connection to Brandon Sanderson, having been one of his students in his sci-fi/fantasy writing class at BYU. However, I was also intrigued that it was a romantic historical fantasy, one of my favorite niche subgenres and one I can’t get enough of.

Not that the book lacks an intricate magic system. While seeming a bit vague at first, it is pretty fun, entrenched in the class structures of Victorian England, with wealthy spellmakers and the spellbreakers, the heroine, Elsie being the latter.

I enjoyed the partnership between Elsie and Bacchus, and how they illustrated the two classes, while also showing how they interact when thrown together. The romance was sweet, although not the main part of the book.

There’s great twists and turns in the external plot that kept me engrossed in the story even in some of its slower moments. While I don’t think a more serious fantasy fan looking for epic world building and magic systems would enjoy this, it makes a charming escapist read for anyone looking for a fun lighthearted fantasy read, especially if you like a mix of the historical and the fantastic, with a dash of mystery and romance.

Initial Thoughts

I’ve been seeing this book all over Instagram lately and was super bummed when I didn’t get an ARC for it. But, thanks to Amazon’s First Reads program, I was able to read it a month before it came out. I love the premise and I love historical fantasy. This book sounded right up my alley so I’m so glad I had the chance to read it early.

Some Things I Liked

Victorian England. I loved the setting. Despite being set before Downton Abbey, the wit, humor, and language felt very Downton and I loved that so much. I loved the way Elsie mentally chastised herself for daring to think about Bacchus or the way everyone was so excited about dining with a Duke. This is one of my favorite time periods to read about.
Slow burn romance. It felt so right for the time period. I really enjoyed the friendship / mutual respect that blossomed between Elsie and Bacchus as the story progressed. Naturally, I want them to fall in love and live happily ever after but, I enjoyed the way their story developed.
Magic system. I thought the idea of Spellmaking and Spellbreaking was very interesting here and I enjoyed the visual description Elsie gives of seeing spells as knots or puzzles of a sort.
Plot twist. I honestly did not see the plot twist coming here. I loved that. It’s very hard to surprise me and I loved that this did.

Series Value

I can’t wait to read the next book. While I wait, I will definitely be working my way through Charlie’s other works. I’ve already read The Will and the Wilds and The Paper Magician.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, is one of my new favorite genres, and had so much fun banter. I can’t wait to keep reading this series and I can totally see why this was one of Amazon First Read’s picks of the month.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith – if you enjoy historical fantasy, wit, and magic, look no further than this series. It’s a perfect fall read to cozy up with.
The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg – if you enjoyed the idea of unique magic, historical fantasy, and you liked the writing style of Spellbreaker, try Charlie’s other series.
Spellmaker by Charlie N. Holmberg – I haven’t read this one yet but you can bet I will be reading it when it comes out (or sooner if someone wants to send me an ARC, wink wink.)

I made very little notes on this one, which sometimes happens when I’m reading a book from an author that I absolutely adore. Spellbreaker is a book that drew me in and didn’t let go. Because of that, this won’t be much of a review. Elsie is a fantastic main character, and all the characters that surround her are just as wonderful. I love all the magical elements that are involved in this. I love the commentary on the various classes. The storyline is fun, addicting, and it’s absolutely magical. I’m going to need the second book, stat.

Once again, I am completely and utterly impressed by this magical world Holmberg has created. I could not put this book down, and gravitated toward it every time I had a few free seconds where I might be able to read a little more. I was immediately drawn into this story, each chapter pulling me deeper and deeper as this amazing book unraveled like the spells Elsie was breaking. There were twists and turns abound, and my mind was working constantly trying to figure out what was coming next, what the answer to every question I came up with could possibly be.

I loved Elsie - strong and sure and with a strong sense of justice; hurt from a past I suspect is more involved than we know. I loved Baccus, and I’m so hoping to learn more about him in the next book. I am not ready to let this story or it’s characters go. I need to know what happens next!

Charlie Holmberg has done it again. There are two things Charlie is really good at. 1) Writing slow burn romances and 2) Freaking cliffhangers. So if you were going into this book expecting those two things, you are correct. I absolutely loved this book. It’s so hard to not think that every time I read a new book of hers, that it is now my favorite. But honestly, it is like Charlie took the strongest aspects from her other books and combined them into this one. I loved the magic system and how there were Spellmakers and Spellbreakers. It was such a unique concept and it really drew me in. Charlie uses magic and jobs again in this book, and it completely worked. There were some moments that were predictable throughout the story, but it never made the experience unenjoyable. It was really interesting seeing how the revelations came to be but I was not really expecting the ending, ending. While the people behind the crimes in London were who I was expecting, it went beyond that to really give that twist. One of my favorite things about this book though was how the spells were unravelled. Every time Elsie had to go break a spell, the descriptions just captivated me. This was such good scenery and I felt like I could really see Elsie dispelling the runes.

Another amazing talent Charlie has is creating amazing characters. I freaking loved Elsie and Bacchus. Elsie was such a great character to follow. After being abandoned by her family, she had just looked at being accepted somewhere. When the Cowls showed up and offered her a chance to do good in the world, who wouldn’t take it? Elsie was smart and quick with her remarks but without ever losing her propriety. She had such a diverse way of getting her jobs done and I loved seeing how she pulled them off. Bacchus was another really enjoyable character. Since he is not from London it was interesting seeing how he adapted in order to succeed in his career. I really liked how he never forgot about his past though and I don’t know how sometimes he didn’t lose his temper. But again, he was a good character to have with so much heart to him. And the slow burn between them was so perfect. I love the buildup between the two characters and how they had come to work together. Their growing attraction is so evident but they try to keep it hidden. Ugh, I just love the way she writes her characters.

Overall, Spellbreaker by Charlie N Holmberg was a fantastic book. After I picked up the book, it was nearly impossible to put down. I wanted to know what was happening and what the next outcome would be. Charlie created another amazing magical world and I always love reading about them. The story itself was unique and interesting which really kept me invested. I absolutely loved the characters. Elsie and Bacchus were perfect for this story and their slow burn romance got me once again. I cannot wait to continue this story and unravel more of the mystery. I highly recommend this book if you like fantasy, magic, and conspiracies.

Major thank you to Netgalley and 47North for the opportunity to review this ARC.

When I saw Charlie N. Holmberg had a new book out, I was incredibly excited -- I remembered enjoying The Paper Magician series when I was younger, and really enjoyed the worldbuilding and magic there. But while I didn’t love Spellbreaker as much as I did The Paper Magician series, I still found it an enjoyable read, and the worldbuilding magical.

It’s been a while since I last read fantasy, and so it was a lot harder for me to get invested in Spellbreaker at first. I think I muddled through the first 35% or so, but once I got invested, I was really invested. In hindsight, it makes sense why it took so long for me to get invested -- the worldbuilding just needed more time to be staged, backstories had to be set, and the intricate magic system had to be explained in more detail. In all honesty, I still don’t know if I entirely understand the magic system, but maybe a reread will do me good. I’m sure I missed out on a lot on my first read, especially when trying to understand all the intricate details, and I’d guess everything will be nicely explained (or so I hope) in the next book.

I really enjoyed following Elise on the twists and turns that she went through; I found her backstory tragic, and her sense of justice and unwavering loyalty admirable. What I wasn’t expecting was all the plot twists that Holmberg had in store. When I finished the book, it felt like puzzle pieces had shifted into place, and everything that didn’t quite make sense at the beginning, sly details here and there, finally made sense. While I’m sure there’s still so much that I missed, or things that I don’t quite understand, I do think Holmberg is a master at plot twists.

Bacchus was a complex companion for Elsie, although I’m not sure how I stand on him as a love interest just yet. I’m assuming their relationship will be better developed in the next book, and I’m excited for the prospect of a slow burn. The found family relationship that Elsie, Emmeline and Ogden had warmed my heart, and I’m hoping to read more about them in the next book.

The amount of action that was packed in the last 20% of the book left my mind spinning; I’m still not sure that I’ve processed everything so far, and the book felt a little unbalanced as a result. I’m not complaining too much, although I’m not one for cliffhangers. Overall, I feel like Spellbreaker is set up more like an extended prologue, and it leaves a lot to be answered for Book 2. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel, and hope that all loose ends will be tied up by then.

Spellbreaker is my first book by Charlie N. Holmberg and she quickly became one of my favorites. A book about magic? I knew instantly it was for me and I was right. I fell in love with the world Holmberg created with aspects - people who can wield magic - and spellbreakers - people who can break them -. What an idea!

I instantly felt a bond with Elsie too. There are some aspects of her life - not the magic part, unfortunately - which are familiar to me because I've been through some some tough things too. But she wakes up every morning and does what she does, just like all of us. She can be vulnerable but strong when she has to be. She has a tender heart and she wants to be wanted, to be loved.
The other main character Bacchus is also a likable character. He is an outsider because of his heritage but he doesn't mind. He knows who he is and knows what he wants and he will get what he want. That is until he meets Elsie. She turns his life upside down and he turns hers in return. Bacchus seems one-sided at first but as the story unfolds and Elsie and him get to know each other better he turns out to be kind and well-intentioned.

The plot was easy to follow and had turns I didn't anticipate. There is action and suspense and romance and magic and more magic. I absolutely love the magic in Spellbreaker. Holmberg describes how magic works, that there are 4 different kinds of magic and how they work.

I will read the next book in the series, I want to know what happens to outer heroes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for my copy.

Spellbreaker is the first in a new duology by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. It’s set in an alternate Victorian-era England where magic is commonplace, although of course it’s primarily only the wealthy white male wizards who are allowed to gain power and prestige through their abilities. Our heroine Elsie Camden is a lowly orphan who happens to be an unregistered spellbreaker and part of a clandestine group she refers to as The Cowls, who undertake altruistic missions to protect common-born folks against the abuse of the magical elite. During one of her goodwill assignments, her covert spellbreaking is discovered by another wizard Bacchus Kelsey and she is forced to make a deal with him to avoid prison. As more secrets and responsibilities pile up with Elsie struggling to meet her obligations to various masters, her heart becomes engaged and her loyalties are tested like never before.

This book falls into the niche category of cosy fantasy, which is similar to the popular cosy mystery sub-genre of amateur sleuths, minimal to no sex or violence. and taking place in a small community with a small cast of characters. It focuses more on interpersonal relationships rather than the high stakes life-or-death end of the world plots like you typically see in high fantasy stories with elves and dragons or prophecies and Dark Ones. It feels ‘safe’ and guarantees a comfortable read where you don’t need to worry about graphic gory scenes or being blindsided by angst and tragedy the way you might in grittier, grimdark fantasy novels. A reader who wants something challenging and unpredictable may not get much out of this, but someone who just wants to curl up with a feel-good book about likeable characters having adventures with the promise of a happy ending will find a lot to love about Spellbreaker.

Elsie is a charming relatable heroine who takes up her Robin Hood activities out of the need to strike back at pampered aristocrats as well as the very simple and human desire to be valued. She can be frustratingly naïve at times, and the reader comes to certain realisations long before Elsie ever connects the dots, leaving us to left to shout at her in vain to make better decision. However it never feels like she behaves out of plot-convenience, her personality and actions make perfect sense based on the mindset of a young girl who was abandoned by her family and continued to experience painful rejection from those she formed connections with throughout her life. Her heart is in the right place as we see when she jeopardises her safety time and time again to help those less fortunate with no expectation of reward.  

Bacchus is the secondary protagonist who has his own point-of-view chapters, although not with the regularity that Elsie does as this is her story. It’s wonderful to have these intermittent chapters focusing on Bacchus to flesh out this character who is an entirely swoonworthy love interest, but also has depth and nuance with his own motivations and character arc. Bacchus may be a male wizard who is on the verge of attaining his Mastery and ascending to the ranks of the elite, but he is also biracial and a bastard as his highborn English father never married his common-born Portuguese mother. These are huge roadblocks that prevent him being considered the equal of his English peers and it’s something that Bacchus struggles to deal with throughout the story. There’s no doubt that he is privileged and higher ranked than most in their society, but where poor wizards are disadvantaged because magical knowledge is jealously hoarded and one requires vast sums of money to purchase spells, Bacchus faces setbacks to achieving his goal because he isn’t pure enough for the assembly of Masters to accept his money.

The slow-burn romance between Elsie and Bacchus is pitch-perfect, showcasing the gradual progression from mutual distrust and resentment from Elsie at being blackmailed into helping Bacchus to cautious respect and appreciation for each other’s abilities to becoming proper allies and forming a genuine bond with reciprocated affection for one another. I often bemoan characters being shoved into coupledom far too soon without the foundation being laid for that relationship, but the author excels at drawing out the tension and excitement of the shifting dynamics between Elsie and Bacchus in this book, making me eager for more overt romance in the sequel.

Although the plot isn’t particularly complex and genre-savvy readers will pick up early on who the real villain is, there are still a few twists that will take the audience by surprise. Keeping in line with the cosy theme, the author thankfully doesn’t torment us with a cliffhanger and resolves the main mystery that Elsie attempts to unravel over the course of the book, but there are plenty of plot threads left dangling to whet the reader’s appetite for the next book.

Spellbreaker is an enchanting new fantasy novel that will delight readers with its endearing protagonists, fun magical escapades, and tantalising hints of romance. A thoroughly enjoyable read that balances the fine line of satisfying its audience while leaving them wanting more. I can’t wait for Spellmaker to come out in 2021!

In the first of a two-book series, Holmberg introduces us to a young spellbreaker as distinguished from a spellmaker. If you are looking for gritty, rough-edged realistic fantasy, this is probably not the novel for you. Geared for a younger dreamier audience, it gives us a Victorian England filled with all manner of magic spells. Just not my cup of tea.

There were parts I liked, but overall, something didn't quite work for me. I didn't care for Holmberg's earlier series, but decided to give this one a try. Evidently, most readers are fans of the author's The Paper Magician and like this one as well.

Another Holmberg book, another enjoyable read. This new series ranks in the middle of the pack for me. It's no "Paper Magician" series, but doesn't fall too far behind.

Once again Holmberg creates a fascinating magic system that I just want to be a part of. There are spell casters who choose to practice one of three aspects of life and register with the authorities to be a part of higher society. In the spirit of conversion of mass, spells that a wizard has learned to do not vanish but turn into a grimoire upon their death for the next generation to purchase. It's kind of a cut throat world of the rich and famous.

Then there are spell breakers who undo it all. Elsie is even more unique by being unregistered. She even finds herself to be a character from her beloved Robin Hood.

The Victorian setting was charming, and I was highly entertained by Bacchus being from the Caribbean. This was a nice spin in the Victorian literature genre. We don't often get to experience the colonies when dealing with a British Victorian novel. I liked the shake up.

The mystery surrounding Bacchus was interesting, but the mystery of the Cowls was a little too obvious. Maybe it will all trip me up in Spellmaker, though, and I just don't know it yet. I was also not really fond of Elsie's orphan complex, but at least it was realistic in the impact it made on her decisions.

Cozy mystery, magic spells, and quirky romance. Oh, my.

This is perfect for fans of The Paper Magician. I am one of them, of course :-D

With an atmosphere touched by Jane Austen, this Victorian mystery is crafted with wit and charm in equal measure.

Elsie Camden is a smart, resourceful orphan working for a stonemason while dabbing in espionage and illegal wizardry. Can you imagine an alternative England where magic is almost monopolized by the aristocracy, mainly in male hands and excruciatingly monitored?

Here is this Robin Hood's helper, all prim and proper, using her clandestine magic to disenchant a world full of injustice and poverty. Mysteries abound on all scales, be they a cursed crop or a murderer after master spells. It's utterly engaging.

I loved the blend of costumbrist society and quaint villages with a woman in pursuit of her roots, social justice and female identity, set in a plutocracy of magic where spells are hoarded for the privileged but are still employed in such practical ways.

This world of nineteenth century England echoes with etiquette, chaperones, tea, and carriages, yet is believably woven with a myriad of magic details. I think we are predisposed to believe in an enchanted London, aren’t we?

I adored this tall, talented, vulnerable and brave heroine, so intent on doing the right thing and therefore the ideal character to fall in the middle of this plot of deceit and power. The male counterpart is both arresting on his own and flows beautifully into the events, which may seem scattered at the beginning but emerge as a masterful tapestry in the action-and-magic filled ending.

The resolution is satisfying enough to offer a complex villain and partial enough to open a path towards a broader scope of secrets to be unraveled in the next book. I'm ready for more adventure, more slow-burn yet exciting romance and a colourful assortment of mysteries to decipher.

This book was much slower to get going than the Paper Magician series. Once we got going though, I did enjoy the story and world Holmberg created. I loved Elsie, she was smart and savvy. I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.

A truly remarkable book. I would go as far as to say this is Charlie's next "Paper Magician" series and one fans, myself included, will want more from for years to come.

Ellie is a unregistered Spellbreaker working for a secret society of Robin Hood type vigilantes.
Bacchus is in England to gain his Master title in Physical Aspectorship (Physical magic)
When their world's collide a greater mystery is unveiled. Who can you trust?

An undercover operative, working outside the law. Getting instructions from an unknown handler. Missions for the "greater good"... or are they? Sounds like my favorite TV show. BUT - put it in a historical context with magical elements? Amazing.
I love Charlie Homberg's writing. And, her originality with magical universes is second to none. She's created multiple series set in different magical worlds all with their own unique sets of rules and ideas. And guess what? No trios of friends attending magical school where they compete in magical contests. (I love Harry Potter, but leave it to JK Rowling. Everyone else falls short) Holmberg keeps it original, in the best way.
The characters in this book are very realistic, and magical abilities aside, they face problems that are relevant today - sexism, racism, and class barriers. I love the interplay between Elise and Bacchus. The meet up when neither knows the truth about the other, the dance around their true identities...
I can't wait for more of this series.

I love Charlie Holmberg's writing! As with her other books, she has created a complex magical world. Surprisingly, I found this book harder to get into than some of her other books. The magic was somewhat more complex and it took longer to understand its nuances. It also felt like the book plodded a long a little bit and then rushed through the climax at the end. That having been said, I cannot wait for the next book in the series so I can once again immerse myself in this world with these characters!

Ok quick read

Elsie Camden has a gift that is very valuable – she can detect and undo spells. She would be wealthy and sought-after if not for the fact that she is unregistered, and the penalty for practicing magic without a license is death. It's not Elsie's fault, she was raised by people who chose not to register her and by the time Elsie became independent, the law shifts the fault to her and the penalty is hers to pay. (I'm not sure of the logic of that but if things didn't work that way, there would be no story.)

Elsie's minders, a group she calls "The Cowl", send her on mysterious errands around the countryside (this is in a pseudo 19th century England, BTW), instructing her to remove this spell or that in order to help poor people live better lives. One day though, she is caught out by Magician Bacchus Kelsey who blackmails her into helping him with his benign work on a local farming estate. He's attractive too. Working with him leads her to discover that her spell removals directed by The Cowl, have been causing deaths and are actually supporting dangerous political goals.

It's a nice enough story but it didn't thrill me. I'll probably read the follow-on, but I don't have high hopes.

Elsie Camden is a girl with a huge secret: an ability to unweave the magic others perform. As an unregistered spellbreaker, that makes her skill illegal and dangerous. An orphan, she balances her days between working for an employer and playing Robin Hood for a secret organization, going on missions to eliminate unjust magic. But then she meets Bacchus Kelsey and that tenuous balance begins to slip, dragging them both into more danger and intrigue than they'd ever thought possible.

I really enjoyed this book. Holmberg's writing has a comfortable flow to it, and I was able to relax and escape into an alternate world where magic is utilized in everyday Victorian life. Spells for changing colors of paint, training animals to deliver mail, warding doors against theft, etc. are everywhere, but not the heart of the story. At its core, it is about Elsie and her struggles with childhood trauma and feelings of inferiority. Bacchus also has his own storyline and challenges, but his felt a tad more secondary.

Admittedly, this story took a bit to draw me in. But I understand why. Setting up a new magical world with all its parameters and history within a few chapters isn't by any means easy. Thankfully, once the story picked up a few chapters in, it was an easy ride to the end. I was surprised by how invested I'd become by the finale! And how much I wanted to know the answers yet to be answered in the second book of this duopoly. (Granted, this book does have a definite end point, it isn't a straight cliffhanger.)

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to rejoin Bacchus and Else in the next one!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to be able to read an advanced copy of this title (thanks Netgalley & Charlie Holmberg!) - I loved the synopsis and the cover art, and knew it'd be one I'd especially enjoy. And it was! One of the things I love about Charlie's stories is the perfect balance of predictability and delicious surprise. She lets me feel like I have most - if not all - of the story figured out, before stunning me at the end. This might also be my favorite magic system she's ever created. I loved reading about it, and am so delighted there will be at least one more book in this series. Book 2 can't come soon enough!