Owein has gone from haunting the Whimbrel House after his murder, to having his soul in the body of a dog, to being moved to a teenage body from an accidentally killed boy. Unfortunately Silas Hogwood, Wizard of Most Wicked Ways, had managed to jump to another body and is back to attack the family. Queen Victoria sends the League of Magicians to America to help them, but Owein must find the powers within him to face down the murdering spirit. Charlie N. Holmberg provides an exciting ending to this fun

The fourth book of Whimbrel House was a surprise because the ending of the previous book seemed permanent. It was delightful to see Merritt and Hulda with a growing large family.

Several years pass, with children playing around in Whimbrel House. Owein approaches the time for his marriage contract with the magically compatible Lady Cora when, to everyone's surprise, Silas Hogwood returns, after being dead for five years.

This book, as shown on the cover, focuses mainly on Owein, his feelings, and his dear friend, Fallon, who is an Irish shape-shifter. At this point, I think we might have a chance to see more in a maybe-future-book about Merritt and his magical kids; that would be fun!

My huge thanks to 47North via NetGalley for giving me a chance to read Wizard of Most Wicked Ways (Whimbrel House #4) by Charlie N. Holmberg, I have given my very honest review.

I must admit, having read the previous books, I'm a bit biased. I loved it. Owein has become such a deep character that you struggle alongside him as he navigates his family and his future. At one point I was crying along with him as he made his hard decisions.

As always, the balance between magic and historical accuracy is wonderfully executed, with magic never feeling out of place. But the return of the family's nemesis, Silas, brings magic to the forefront, pitting all of them in a battle to the death. Exciting, engaging, and full of heart, I highly recommend reading it, and all the previous in the series!

4.5 stars. This historical fantasy romance series keeps growing in interest. This fourth installment is told primarily from the POV of Owein and it's an intriguing look into his thought processes and emotions.

The characters continue to grow and bloom throughout the series and I really enjoy how Holmberg lets her characters change based on life circumstances. They make realistic alterations to their thought patterns and actions. Their priorities are quite fluid and they come off incredibly realistic.

The plot was very action filled with a lot of tension throughout. There is a lot of emotional struggle for Owein and you could plainly feel the discordance. His anxieties and convictions were excellently handled and presented. The development of a love triangle was fairly well handled, but there is some awkwardness to it simply because of the situation of the age and the off kilter personality of Fallon.

The pacing starts off slow, but as soon as Silas appears on the scene things take off like a shot. There is a LOT of action and the scenes are gripping and interesting. The read went remarkably quickly for the last 3/4.

The ending was solid and can stand on it's own, but there are some things left unsettled that will be fodder for the fifth and final book in the series. Though the ending does feel complete, the novel itself is absolutely not a standalone and readers will need the background of the first three books in the series in order to understand the basis of the plot.

Summary: Excellent read that starts out slow, but quickly turns fast-paced. Fantastic character work that feels realistic and makes the reader sincerely care about the individuals. Absolutely worth the read, but will require reading of the series as a whole. One book remains to be published for the series, expected in 2026.

I’ve enjoyed the Whimbrel House series thus far, and very much enjoyed getting to jump ahead to several years in the future, and see what has happened with Owein, Hulda, Merrit, and the rest of the crew. This was the perfect wrap-up to a big part of the original trilogy, but also leaves the story open for future books - I’m looking forward to see where Owein’s adventures go from here!

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is another enchanting installment in Charlie N. Holmberg’s Whimbrel House series, blending her signature wit, whimsy, and fast-paced storytelling into a magical adventure filled with high stakes and delightful character dynamics.

Change is sweeping through Whimbrel House as Merritt and Hulda settle into family life, and Owein, determined to gain more control over his own fate, navigates a marriage contract with the powerful Lady Cora. But peace is short-lived when the notorious wizard Silas Hogwood—thought dead for five years—returns, more unhinged and vengeful than ever. As Queen Victoria’s League of Magicians enters the fray, and Owein finds himself torn between obligations, newfound alliances, and dangerous secrets, the battle for Whimbrel House escalates into an all-consuming fight for survival.

Holmberg once again masterfully balances humor, heart, and high stakes. Owein’s character development remains a highlight as he grapples with self-doubt, power, and what it means to truly protect those he loves. The return of familiar faces from previous books adds to the rich, interconnected worldbuilding, making longtime fans feel right at home. The romance, while subtle, adds emotional depth, and the magical intrigue keeps the pages turning.

With its engaging prose, charming cast, and ever-expanding magical lore, Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is another strong addition to the series. It’s a must-read for fans who have been following the Whimbrel House adventures and an exciting continuation of Holmberg’s ever-enchanting storytelling.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

AHHH! I love the way Charlie N. Holmberg always transport me to an amazing, enchanted world. One of the things I enjoy about her books is that even though I picked up this story mid-series, I was fully immersed & easily figured out what’s going on by a few chapters. Despite not reading the previous books, I found Wizard of Most Wicked Ways to be thoroughly addictive & magical.

In 1851, on Blaugdone Island off the coast of Rhode Island, Owein’s life is changing. As he reads Frankenstein & exchanges correspondence with his betrothed in England, he finds himself torn between the woman he only met once years ago & his bewitching shapeshifting friend Fallon. As he struggles with his feelings, a new problem arises that threatens him & his family.

Silas Hogwood, the greatest wizard of the millennium, is back after being dead for five years & he’s out for vengeance. Unfortunately, the body he inhabits is driving him mad. Fearing he’s not strong enough to defeat the powerful wizard, Owein asks his wealthy betrothed for help. Queen Victoria gets involved & dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer to the island to help Owein defeat Silas once & for all.

I loved Owein’s coming of age story! Though he’s technically 227 years old, he’s physically & mentally like an 18 year old boy. He’s charming, honorable, & tries to do the right thing even when it’s difficult. His relationship with Fallon is charged with chemistry & I appreciated his struggle to be loyal to his betrothal when he & Fallon have such a deep friendship. Fallon’s a free spirited, shape shifting Druid who doesn’t understand Owein’s struggle. She loves Owein & definitely tempts him at every turn.

The magical system in this story is so unique. I was enthralled by its explanation & the methods used to defeat Silas. Silas’s a cunning enemy & it was thrilling to read from his POV. There’s danger at every turn & sensitive readers should be aware there’s death & some grotesque descriptions.

Those familiar with the series will enjoy catching up with Merritt & Hulda as they help Owein. Enjoyed this closed door, magical adventure! Can’t wait for the next book. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author but also purchased a copy through Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

Content: There is one swimming scene where one character is naked & kisses another character, but nothing happens beyond kissing. Also some innuendo.

What a surprised for CH to have another romp in this delightful land. It was fun to revisit the island and see what's been happening since we left. Focusing much more on Owein as an "almost-adult" man, his desire to be on his own and fear of losing his youth along with his love interest.
This was a short book and for some reason, not nearly as engaging as the previous books in the series for me. Honestly, I think it's because the first books were so good and this one doesn't present any new research about the magic. There's a lot more scary scenes in this one as well and not as much romantic tension despite the love blooming for Owein.
Of course, you must read if you've read the previous ones. I do hope the author is prompted to revisit the world a decade or so further in the timeline so we can see how it all turns out.

ARC Read courtesy of NetGalley, all opinions are my own!!

How LUCKY am I to get to read the latest book in my favorite series before it’s even released?!?
I love Owein so much, as a house, a dog, and a human again. These books are just so well written and outside from the action scenes, they are just such cozy reads.
I liked how this book took place a few years after the last one. I can’t wait to hopefully see more about Owein and Cora’s new lives to gather.

Me🤝The Whimbrel House series

This is the 4th book in the Whimbrel House series & by far my favorite (so far)!! There is one book left in the series & I already cannot wait for it!

I don’t want to give anything away for people who haven’t read the first 3 books, so I’ll leave this review brief! The character development was chef’s kiss😘🤌 and the storyline was 10/10!!!

If you haven’t read this series yet, I HIGHLY recommend!! It’s such a wholesome storyline! It has magic, romance, historical fiction, a bit of mystery, and so much more!

I loved this last book in the Whimbrel House series! I felt left a little hanging by the very end and wish I could have seen a bit more of Owein's future.

I honestly cried at the end. It's just the most lovely series full of hope. This will be a favorite forever.

In a Nutshell: A historical fantasy with amazing characters and magic. The fourth book of the Whimbrel House series and not to be read as a standalone. Great seeing all the beloved (and not so beloved) characters again. Takes a while to get going but engrossing after that point. Mixed feelings about the inclusion of a love triangle. A good ending - not a major cliffhanger but also not complete. Looking forward to the final book!

Plot Preview: (Contains spoilers from the earlier books.)
1851. Whimbrel House is the same, but its residents have new challenges to face. Merritt and Hulda are raising a family on Blaugdone Island, and Owein is awaiting the next step of his royalty-approved marriage contract with Lady Cora, who's on the other side of the ocean. Fallon, the shapeshifting Irish druid, now spends a lot of her time with Owein, and his heart wants to go in a different direction from his head.
The peace at Whimbrel is shattered when old nemesis Silas Hogwood, who has been dead since five years, somehow re-enters their lives. With little children around, the stakes at Whimbrel are much higher. Will Owein be strong enough to defeat Silas yet again?
The story comes to us in the third-person perspective of four key characters.


Ever since I read the first Whimbrel House book, I've been a fan of its outstanding magic and its endearing characters. The titles of the first three books clearly indicated who the main focus of the plot would be: Merritt in Keeper of Enchanted Rooms, Hulda in Heir of Uncertain Magic, and Owein in Boy of Chaotic Making respectively. Using the same code, it doesn't take much for Whimbrel-familiars to guess that the focus on this book is on that ultra-powerful wizard from Book One, Silas Hogwood, who has made his way into the living world again. We knew he would return, but not how he would do so. The reveal is brilliant! He is indeed the “Wizard of Most Wicked Ways.”

Bookish Yays:
😍 Owein. The boy has become a young man (at least in physical years if not in calendar years), and his character has grown not just in age but also in maturity and complexity. One scene in particular solidified my respect for him. I won't stop rooting for him and his happiness!
😍 Merritt and Hulda- just the same as always, and hence, just the same feelings. It’s amazing to see them grow in their relationship so organically – they are so good for each other. Also nice to see Beth and Baptiste return in active roles.
😍 The littlies in the book, especially three-year-old Mabol. Wish there had been more of them, but even what was there was adorable. The presence of kids changes the plot dynamics, especially for Hulda.
😍 Silas – I had complained in Book One that his creepiness wasn’t fully utilised. I take back my words. Brrr! This is the first book where the potential of the antagonist is capitalised upon completely.
😍 Great continuity. The first three books were set within a year of each other, but this fourth story occurs four years since the events of the last book. There are enough details to help us bridge the gap successfully without feeling like questions are unanswered. There’s no time wasted in plot recapitulation.
😍 The characters are not just older in this one but also more mature, but without compromising on the original character sketch. While Merritt still has some joviality, we get to see his mature side. Hulda too has improved from her earlier dispassionate behaviour, though we still see glimpses of that attitude at times. I love how the author has accounted for the passage of time through her characters’ attitudes.
😍 The magic – as astounding as ever.
😍 The great confrontation – the best part of the book. Felt like I was watching a (good) Marvel movie!!
😍 The ending – not a cliffhanger, just a journey into the next step. Perfect for the story.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Though fast-paced, the plot takes a while to get things going. The initial 20% or so is mostly musings about the love triangle and the impending major decision. Only once Silas appears on the scene does the tension amp up.
😐 While the earlier books could be tagged as ‘cosy fantasy’, this book is certainly not ‘cosy’. The overall atmosphere is tense and there are even some gruesome scenes. The earlier books balanced the tension with many lighthearted and/or romantic moments, but the banter and fun are mostly missing from this one. Then again, with such a formidable opponent to overcome, the seriousness of the overall plot is to be expected.

Bookish Nays:
😢 I didn’t expect a love triangle in this plot, and definitely didn’t foresee it taking so much of the page space. A part of me feels like this complication has been added just so that the fifth book has something solid to continue the story with. As it is, I am not a big fan of the triangle trope. But when only two of the three parties are actually present on page, it isn't even a fair triangle. Plus, the connection between the two seems more forced than organic. The letters from the third person contained more heartfelt emotions than the actual dynamic between the two characters who had scenes.
😢 I remember not being a fan of the decision to add druids to the plot of Book Three. This plot development might have been somewhat justified if they had a role to play in this story. But it looks like they are being saved for the final book because the only druid in Book Four is Fallon, who didn’t have a big role in Book Three, and whose main role in Book Four is either to serve as a full-time security for the residents of Whimbrel House or to be the voice of protest for Owein’s upcoming British fate. Fallon is a great character, but I don’t think the story did her justice, or vice versa.

All in all, this book continues the story of Whimbrel House well, but changes the tone, being darker and more sombre than the earlier books. It serves as an interesting bridge to what’s next in store for Owein, but the love triangle really bugged me. Had it not been for the return of Silas and the magical action sequences, this would easily have been my least favourite of the series. Right now, it is tied for the position with Book Three.
I am not convinced that a fifth Whimbrel book was needed. This is the shortest book so far with just 269 pages. All the others had 300+ pages. So by adding 80-100 pages more (and culling out the needless romantic interactions), the series could very well have ended here. But it’s too early to judge, I suppose. I’ll just have to wait and hope that there’s enough plot left for the grand finale.
I have my suspicions about what the upcoming book will tackle, but as all those are major spoilers, I will keep my mouth shut until Fall 2026, when we will get Book Five: “Lady of Uncanny Charms.” (Will this be Cora or Fallon? Both are strong candidates for the title! My heart says Fallon. Let’s see…)
As the fourth book of a running series and the precursor to the finale, ‘Wizard of Most Wicked Ways’ is best discovered in continuity and is absolutely not to be read as a standalone work. I hope Book Five redeems my overall feelings about the series. I want this to end on a high note and not be a damp squib like the final book of the Emily Wilde series was. ☹


Recommended to those who have read the first three Whimbrel House books.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to 47North for providing the DRC of “Wizard of Most Wicked Ways” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This is the first series that Holmberg has written beyond a trilogy. The new territory of extended plot arcs is really starting to show with this latest installment in the Whimbrel House.

Peace has arrived to the tiny island. Babies are running around. Owein is human. Hulda has a secret laboratory. Life seems to have really progressed for the Fernsby's. There is still that matter of arranged marriage, however. Tensions begin to rise as the wedding date draws nearer, and Owein starts to feel the noose tightening. How do you fall in love with someone through letters? Enter the love dilemma. That I really did not appreciate. Blaugdone Island has been receiving a regular visitor from Ireland. Falling in love is much easier in person. But Owein is a young man of honor. His torn soul is deserved.

Another unfortunate plot lies in the resurrection of a certain necromancer. Now with insanity. While I really could have passed on Silas back in the story, his rotting revenge gives the reader a chance to experience the difference intentions make an experience. Owein versus Silas body sharing was a nice dichotomy that redeemed the existence of an unnecessary villain.

While I may not have agreed with the narrative choices, the writing was smooth and contained some excellent magical showdowns we have yet to see in the series. My enthusiasm for the author in total has not been diminished, and I really look forward to the fifth installment.

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is a lovely wrap up to what has become one of my favorite cozy-yet-at-times-frightening series. I've enjoyed many hours with Merritt, Hulda, and Owein as they traverse life, wizardry, and family. This outing has us watching as arch enemy Silas Hogwood once again sets his sights on the residents of Whimbrel House. I am going to miss these characters. Bravo to Charlie Holmberg for bringing them to us.

Like the other books in this series, Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is filled with interesting magic, loveable characters, and high stakes.

I will admit that it's been some time since I read the previous book, and I was a bit lost at the beginning of the story. I'd forgotten a lot of the specifics, but there are enough contextual reminders in the first few chapters to help those who haven't recently read Boy of Chaotic Making.

I loved getting a story all about Owein! He's a really interesting character--I mean, how many other characters do you know who have been a boy, a house, a dog, and now a boy again?--and being his head is a real treat. This book is filled with a lot of action, but there are plenty of emotional moments that really drive home just how much Owein has experienced. Of course, it's fun having everyone else in the story, including all the extra littles, but this is really Owein's book, and it's great.

There feels like there's less going on in this story, but that's because the one problem Owein and crew have is just so big. Holmberg still does a great of balancing the horror that is the return of Silas Hogwood with the more personal issues of Owein's betrothal, his feelings for Fallon, and his struggle in finding his identity as a human again. There's also further expansion of the magic system through science, which should be interesting in the next book!

This whole series has the feel of a cozy fantasy while still having lots of action and amazingly well-developed characters. I'm looking forward to the final book and to rereading the entire series in one go in the future.

Thank you so much, 47 North, for providing me with an ARC for Wizard of the Most Wicked Ways.

This series, set in the enchanting world of Whimbrel House created by the talented Charlie N. Holmberg, has always filled me with wonder and excitement. Charlie has the most captivating writing style. Like the other books in the series, this one features an intriguing storyline, well-crafted characters you can’t help but adore, a wonderful magic system, and a world you never want to leave. It’s a fantastic addition to the series - be sure to check it out!

Pub Date: March 04, 2025

Oh Owein is all grown up!

Like the majority of the books I read I went in without reading the synopsis- admittedly I read and thoroughly enjoyed the other 3 books and so I knew I would enjoy this too.

Due to me not reading the sypnosos I did not expect the return of Silas. That "being"- hmmm cockroach seems a more suitable term- is impossible and quite mad in this book, completely obsessed with one motive- Revenge.

So many references to Greek Mythology, I love the magic system, the mention of Frankenstein (honestly one of my favourite books) gosh there's so much to this book that I loved that I found myself reading the book whilst doing the school run, shopping, I just didn't want to put it down (I walk everywhere- can't drive- just in case you were wondering)

Charlie N. Holmberg has quickly become one of my favourite authors and I am working my way through her catalogue (did you know this is her 25th novel)

Another great addition to the Whimbrel House Series! Owein will forever be one of my favorites 🥰 This book simultaneously gives us high stakes and tension, along with a coziness and characters that you feel so attached to. Love this series.

The action scenes were fantastic and it had the same intensity as the wizard wars in Deathly Hallows. I wish CH went deeper into Owein's character and his romance dilemma between Fallon and Cora, duty v love. I wish the relationships and these characters were explored more in this book.

==== Review posted on Goodreads & Fable under Talk Supe