This book was given to me early through NetGalley. I enjoyed this book, but felt like this one departed from the other three. This one was darker and not as focused on Hulda. I did enjoy the ending and would continue reading if there are more in this series.

Wow. That ending left me bawling. I’d forgotten just how much I love these characters and this incredible found family. Whimbrel House solidified itself as my favorite found family story ever, and this installment only deepened that love.

Merritt and Owein’s relationship continues to be the sweetest, most heartwarming bond—purely lovely. And speaking of ships, Owein and Fallon stole my heart! The peace and comfort they find in each other is everything you could hope for in a relationship. I absolutely adored their dynamic.

As for Silas Hogwood? He remains as terrifying as ever. Every encounter with him had me gripping the edge of my seat, utterly dreading what might happen next. Holmberg knows how to craft a truly bone-chilling villain, and Silas is no exception.

This book reinforced why Charlie N. Holmberg is one of my favorite authors. It perfectly balances heart, humor, and high stakes while building on the relationships I’ve come to adore. I can’t wait for the next—and final—book in the series!

Highly recommend this to anyone who loves magical adventures, terrifying villains, and heartwarming found family vibes.

It's been four years since Owein's soul was moved from a dog to a human, and he's still adjusting to his new life. Once he had a limitless supply of magic and could change things without thinking, but now, his magic is give and take just like any other magic user. But he's not the only one who's had to adjust to a new way of life. Merritt and Hulda have started raising a family and will do anything to keep their children safe. Owein knows he should be happy with his new life, but his betrothal to Lady Cora back in London looms over his head, especially when he feels a pull toward the enigmatic shape-shifter, Fallon. But when a sinister figure reappears at Whimbrel House, Owein realizes he has much bigger concerns.

Silas Hogwood may have been the greatest wizard in centuries, but he was also mad and tried everything to steal Owein's magic. He also died five years ago. In an ironic twist of fate, Silas pulled a trick out of Owein's book and moved his soul moments before his body perished. Now, he's highjacked another body and has his eyes set on finishing what he started all those years ago. Fearing he won't be strong enough to stop Silas, Owein begs Lady Cora's help. But even Queen Victoria's League of Magicians isn't enough to stop Silas, leaving Owein to desperately seek new ways of enhancing his magic. No matter the consequences, Owein will not let his family or Whimbrel House fall to the likes of Silas Hogwood, and he's determined to stop this fight once and for all.

I'm starting to sound like a broken record with this series, but I love it. This latest installment felt the most bittersweet of the bunch. I've come to love these characters so much throughout the series, so I was stressed worrying about what would happen to them. There were so many darker and emotional moments that had me going through it. The last ~80% was so action-packed that my heart was in my throat. I love how much each character, especially Owein, has grown throughout the series, and I love the strong familial bonds they've created. We also got to dive a little deeper into Owein's magic in here, which was so interesting. I'm unsure where the series will go from here, but I'll keep reading it as long as Holmberg wants to write it.

4.5 - What a wonderful installment of a beautiful series! I just want to curl up in this world and never leave. Throughout this series I have been captivated by the characters, the magic system and the story underneath it all. This even made me emotional toward the end, and was just overall a beautiful experience. I was extremely happy to be able to jump back into this world.

As always, with any Charlie N. Holmberg books, you get a fantastic adventure with plenty of action, some romance, a dash of quirk, a sprinkling of humour and a lot of heart! This is the 4th book in the Whimbrel House series and I'm so glad that it has continued and I hope (crosses fingers) it continues on. The author says in her note at the back that the series wasn't supposed to be more than a trilogy but I'm glad it gave her so much fodder that she has written more.

I really enjoyed the quirks of the magical world that has been written and the way that there's so much more that you learn about magic with each book. The romance between Hulda and Merritt was lovely and I loved that the books had them as protagonists for the first 3. This book we see though the eyes of Merritt a little, Silas a bit more and Owein mainly. It has made me feel a lot more for the character to read through his eyes instead of thinking of him as a very annoying child. This book is set 4 years after the last and significant changes have fallen upon Blaugdone Island. Marriages, children and family all around and yet, they shouldn't have let their guards down!

I appreciate how much more we get to see some characters develop in this book while still having the ones we know and love in supporting roles. The action is fantastic and just as you think that you can't imagine that anything could be bigger/better, more gets pulled out and whacks you in the senses!
All in all, a fantastic continuation to the series.
My thanks to Netgalley, 47 North and Charlie N. Holmberg for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I definitely recommend reading this book within the context of the series!

I have loved Owein since the beginning, and in this book I just loved him more. You see in him a fierce desire to protect those he loves, a determination to protect the life he has built, and a willingness to sacrifice himself for what is right.

The plot moved quickly and snagged my interest from the start.

Charlie N. Holmberg writes fantastic magic systems, relatable characters and intriguing plots. You just can't go wrong with her books!

My head is spinning. This book was so good. It blew my mind. The Whimbrel House series has taken a huge turn away from the story of Hulda and Merrit, and now Holmberg is focusing on Owein, the former inhabitant of Whimbrel House. I highly recommend reading the three preceding books before picking up Wizard of Most Wicked Ways. When the protagonist showed up, I was completely shocked and felt I had to keep reading. That hooked me in the very beginning. Owein and his friends' fight for survival was terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. I can't wait to see what happens in Book 5.

Content considerations: A young man hugs a naked woman…not realizing clothing is absent. I’m still not sure how I feel about that scene but I will say Charlie Holmberg writes on the cleaner side of risqué. Feel free to message me if you want more information!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advance copy. A review was not required.

Charlie Holmberg does it again with the next magical addition to her Whimbrel house series. I didn’t like it as much as the first two but it’s still magical, interesting and at times cozy!

I was afraid that this would be my least favorite book in the series when I saw it had a time jump and a love triangle and, unfortunately, I was proven right. Even though the book follows the return of the original villain Silas Hogwood, there isn't a concrete reason why this is when he decided to return and enact his revenge. The pacing was strange; the plot revolved around the large magical fight sequences and the content in between was mostly the characters worrying and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Part of what made the romance in the first book so compelling was that we had both Hulda and Merritt's point of view. I love them both as characters and being able to see them gradually, begrudgingly come to care for and love each other was the heart of the book. Even though this book has a love triangle with Owein, Fallon, and Cora, one of these characters doesn't appear in person, and the other has no chapters told from her perspective. While I like Owein and will continue reading to see where his story goes next, his two love interests felt one dimensional in comparison to the other characters that populate this world. Maybe this could have been solved if he had his own series, rather than this being an extension of the original Whimbrel House books.

ARC/Superb As Always From Holmberg!

So excited to see this pop up as an ARC, a few months before the expected release date. It was good to get back to the characters of Whimbrel house, this time told from the perspective of Owen.

There’s a lot of angst, histrionics, and surprises that unfold, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and wanting more, causing it to be nay impossible to put the manuscript down.

Although Holmberg talks about that this was originally planned to be a trilogy, she had the need to move forward with book 4 after all. In the final authors notes and acknowledgements, there’s a bit of a hint, that this one may also not be the last in the series, or possibly a spin-off.

Holmberg comes back strong on this one, and definitely writes this in the style that we all have come to expect and love from her.

Highly recommend!!

Note: I received early access from NetGalley of this manuscript, and have at my own discretion and opinion, chosen to post a review.

The first book review of 2025 goes to the very talented and unceasingly creative Charlie N. Holmberg. In the fourth installment of the Whimbrel House series we follow Owein’s story closely five years after his transference into his human body. Merritt and Hulda are now parents raising their family on Blaugdone Island along with Beth and Baptiste’s family, Owein, and two dogs. Fallon, a Druid from Ireland, is also on hand as Owein’s friend and confidante.

Life is going nicely on the island until a most unexpected guest makes a visit – Silas Hogwood. After narrowly defeating his initial assault, the Queen’s guard comes to the family’s aid all the way from England. Even with this many strong magicians on hand, Owein knows that it will take everything they have to defeat Silas when he returns. Owein will do everything in his power (and will try anything not yet within his power) to protect his loved ones and become the man he’s always strived to be.

I adore the magical world this author has created. The characters have shown growth with each book, and there’s always someone new with a unique magical ability. The relationships between the characters are heartwarming, emphasizing a found family is just as strong as blood. I would definitely recommend reading the whole series to really appreciate the story as there are breadcrumbs in earlier books that feed into this book. The writing is smart, witty, suspenseful, and heartfelt – a must read series for fantasy book lovers!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher 47North for the advanced reading copy. It did not affect my review in any way!

4.75 stars! -- Charlie N. Holmberg has done it again with another fantastic installment into the Whimbrel House series. It has quickly become one of my favorites.

We follow Owein Mansel who is now 18 and having to grapple with his impending marriage to Lady Cora in England and his feelings with his childhood Druid friend, Fallon. But when faced with the return of the sinister magician Silas Hogwood, Owein must try to protect his family in any way he can, but is his magical ability enough?

I absolutely love these books and being inside this world so much I don't want to leave. I listened to the first three and just became spellbound by the magical system, characters, and plot. This book also features Hulda and Merrit (and their adorable, opinionated three children) as well as Beth and Bapstiste (who are now married with a child). With this book, we get to see characters years later and enter into a new movement of the series with some new and returning problems. I love how there are plot elements that Holmberg planted in the earlier books that are only coming to fruition in this one. The magical system is constantly developing to add depth to the world-building and each book has a primer on the different types of magic in the beginning which is super helpful.

Owein must deal with Silas's looming threat, his conflicted feelings for two women, and his duty to his family. These are all handled well and gives Owein an opportunity to really grow from the beginning to the end of this book. I felt his stress, anguish, and fear. The fight scenes were rather detailed and visceral which upped the stakes from the previous books.

Now for some of my spoiler-y thoughts: I got quite emotional during the final fight scene when Mr. Blightree steps in to save Owein. It added to both the character growth AND the emotional connection of the characters. The scene when Merrit tells Owein that he's grateful for him and that Owein is enough? I was crying there too. I'll also admit I really like and was rooting for Fallon because I truly think Owein loved her. BUT I see the wisdom in his decision to go ahead with his marriage to Lady Cora, because he is constantly trying to be an honorable man who upholds his promises (it's an integral part of his character!) The bittersweet ending of this is necessary for the inevitable emotional rollercoaster we'll have in book 5, I fear, but I am ready for it!

Overall, I was so happy to rejoin all of my favorite characters in this world. And after that ending I cannot wait to know what happens in book 5, but thank goodness there is going to be another one!! This is out March 4 of this year and I highly recommend this series to all!

This is a great series for rainy-day reading, exactly the kind of cozy I tend to look for. I love all these characters. The book is written almost exclusively from Owein's point of view and it makes sense, since Merritt and Hulda's primary development arcs seem "complete" for now. I had to ding it by a star because the character of Fallon is a completely blank to me, even by the end of the book. I had no connection with her at all, even though she was supposed to be a main character. I still highly recommend the book to those who have enjoyed the series so far.

I received an electronic ARC from 47North through NetGalley.
I'm delighted to see this series continue. Owein's story is important to the overall story arc. Holmberg offers enough suspense balanced with lighter moments to appeal to a wide group of readers. He has an interesting perspective on life having been a boy, a house, a dog, and now a young man. His magic is strong and he continues to develop his skills. Of course there is a love triangle as he struggles to figure out his future. He is pledged to Cora in England but the Druid Fallon is with him on the island through the various battles. Silas Hogwood has returned yet again and leaves a trail of bodies as he seeks his final revenge. The author builds the tension as readers hope for the best outcome but have moments of doubt that he will be defeated.
All of the series characters are back in book four and we see how their lives have unfolded. The ending is hard in some ways but true to who Owein is. Looking forward to the next book.

The story started off a bit slow for me but I think it’s because it was focused on the Owein character as an older version. I wasn’t sure I was that interested in a book mostly focused on him. Yet once the characters we grew to love appeared, it helped move the action forward. I found myself going back to the beginning and rereading the first chapter to see what I may have missed the first time. Charlie’s writing made me love grown up Owein more and more with each chapter. I absolutely loved seeing how much Hulda and Merritt had grown as a couple and as a family including Owein and the Babineauxs. Their 3 little girls were perfect to include because they just raised the stakes even more with Silas’ growing threat. Even Silas’ inclusion which at first I found tiresome because I was like not him again but having him as the big bad just made so much sense. And wow the 3 major fight sequences were AMAZING! I haven’t read action scenes like that outside a film script that were so vivid and clear. I felt like I was in the middle of the action. I felt anxious, on edge, scared, sad and then relieved! The writing made me cycle through so many emotions! So well written!
I learned to love Owein’s adult character more and more with each chapter. I understood how torn he felt with choosing between free spirited Fallon and with his fiancee Cora. I hoped he would choose Cora because as he said, he wants to be a good man. Hoping he can find happiness with her. Definitely SO excited to read the final book of this amazing series. Although so much happens in this book, it is literally so cozy to revisit these characters that we have grown to love and root for. By the last chapters, I was crying my eyes out. I literally felt like I was saying goodbye to my family! Well done Charlie N Holmberg!!

Thank you to Netgalley and 47North for providing me with a free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Whimbrel House series, like a soft, fluffy blanket, is one I reach for when I crave comfort and warmth. The characters are richly crafted, the story is immersive, and I can disappear into this world for hours.

While dark and dangerous, this classic good versus evil tale keep you intrigued and ever hopeful. The storytelling is a bit clean (what little romance is there is hinted at, closed door) and Hulda's views rather conservative, yet I can appreciate this series for what it is.

Book three in the series was a bit of a slump for me--my favorite supporting characters made nary an appearance--but book four finds us returned to Blaugdone Island. And I found myself loving the new shape-shifting druid, Fallon.

While I was hoping for a different outcome by the end, I can be satisfied with how this story and the series wrapped up--as I don't believe there are plans for a book 5? A shame.

Ooohh a Silas POV?! I was not sure about that but what an interesting twist. I love many of Holmbergs series so I knew picking this one up I wouldn’t be disappointed. Overall, this book had many of the elements I loved in the earlier books, but the focus on Oweins and Silas was very different. It had a darker vibe to the plot and the romance / love triangle were both not my favorite.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

So much tension in this one!! I love Whimbrel House and the whole world of this series. I love the magic, the characters, the pace, and the plot. The way Owein matures, the choices he must make… perfection. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I’m so glad this series will have five books in it!! I think I’d read 10 books or 100 books in this series.

Holmberg does it again! I don't think there is a book of hers that I don't love.

This series has been so much fun to read, and Wizard of Most Wicked Ways does not disappoint. I loved all the relationships that are developing and the multiple points of views. So far, I think this is my favorite of the series because it seems like the characters are developed so well and the story is taking the priority.

We've been with this cast for 4 books now, so while they still grow - the plot is the star. However, the cast is supporting as I love their interactions and banter with each other.

_Wizard of Most Wicked Ways_ by Charlie N. Holmberg is a suspenseful historical fantasy read with a sympathetic main character and continued world-building. It follows Owein as he struggles with his future and fights the evil wizard Silas Hogwood, who is back in a new body and seeking revenge. While protecting his family, Owein must also come to terms with moving to England and leaving his home behind. A great addition to the _Whimbrel House_ series.