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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
One of my favorite cozy fantasy series. This third title featuring Hulda Larkin, Merritt Fernsby, and Fernsby's uncle, Owein, is a little lighter than the first two, but so very sweet. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
I started the book before realizing it was third in the series (was definitely on the title page, not sure how I missed it). Still, the book was a treat! The book is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy — with a setting in Britain in this book for the regency era lovers. The magical world is easy to follow and the resources in the beginning help if you forget.
I loved Hulda’s and Merrit’s relationship which I assume was even more enjoyable for folks who read the previous books and watched it unfold. I liked Owein’s character as well, but, like many of the characters, I struggled to see him as a boy, a dog, or an a hundred year old spirit. It almost felt like three characters in one. The side characters feel more like setting/world-building devices for me. None really stood out.
I’m a bit torn on the rating. I enjoyed the boom when I was reading it. The writing style is lovely: mixing humor, romance, and wonder-driven world building. However, that vigor left once I put it down. My best guess is that the overall mystery wasn’t as interesting to me to pick it up, but the writing was too good to drop it completely. So 3 stars?
I loved Hulda’s and Merrit’s relationship which I assume was even more enjoyable for folks who read the previous books and watched it unfold. I liked Owein’s character as well, but, like many of the characters, I struggled to see him as a boy, a dog, or an a hundred year old spirit. It almost felt like three characters in one. The side characters feel more like setting/world-building devices for me. None really stood out.
I’m a bit torn on the rating. I enjoyed the boom when I was reading it. The writing style is lovely: mixing humor, romance, and wonder-driven world building. However, that vigor left once I put it down. My best guess is that the overall mystery wasn’t as interesting to me to pick it up, but the writing was too good to drop it completely. So 3 stars?
Review originally posted at https://smexybooks.com/2024/03/review-boy-of-chaotic-making-by-charlie-n-holmberg.html
The third book in the Whimbrel House series wraps up the main story arc and gives readers of this series a HEA for at least two of the main protagonists.
Hulda Larkin is now the director BIKER and planning her wedding to Merritt Fernsby. There have been a few snags in her takeover as director, mainly her old boss keeping secrets and hiding illegal activities, but Hulda is looking forward to the future with Merritt, Owein, and the members of Whimbrel House. Then Merritt and Owein receive a missive from London, it appears the Queen is requesting their presence, because she might have a deal for them that they can’t refuse.
I will admit that the pacing of this novel started out a bit slow for me and I struggled to keep reading. But once Hulda has her “vision” and rushes off to London to meet her fiancée I suddenly became super invested and engaged. This book is a wrap-up of sorts of the several books in the series, despite there being a new novel slated for release later this year. This is Hulda and Merritt finding their HEA, Hulda wrapping up some things at Biker and honing her magic, and Merritt discovering his roots. Of course, Owein is one of the main protagonists as the entire book revolves around him making a deal to move his soul from his current terrier body into a human one. Honestly, I had no idea how the author would pull this off without some kind of questionable actions, but she managed to do so. I’m assuming the next book in the series will focus more on him and less on Hulda and Merritt.
This is such a charming, cozy fantasy series. I really love the found family aspect and the unwavering support each character gives each other. It’s not meant to be a standalone and I wouldn’t recommend skipping the first two books in the series as they are necessary to the ongoing series plot arc. But it is a wonderful historical fantasy world that you might want to check out.
Final grade- B
The third book in the Whimbrel House series wraps up the main story arc and gives readers of this series a HEA for at least two of the main protagonists.
Hulda Larkin is now the director BIKER and planning her wedding to Merritt Fernsby. There have been a few snags in her takeover as director, mainly her old boss keeping secrets and hiding illegal activities, but Hulda is looking forward to the future with Merritt, Owein, and the members of Whimbrel House. Then Merritt and Owein receive a missive from London, it appears the Queen is requesting their presence, because she might have a deal for them that they can’t refuse.
I will admit that the pacing of this novel started out a bit slow for me and I struggled to keep reading. But once Hulda has her “vision” and rushes off to London to meet her fiancée I suddenly became super invested and engaged. This book is a wrap-up of sorts of the several books in the series, despite there being a new novel slated for release later this year. This is Hulda and Merritt finding their HEA, Hulda wrapping up some things at Biker and honing her magic, and Merritt discovering his roots. Of course, Owein is one of the main protagonists as the entire book revolves around him making a deal to move his soul from his current terrier body into a human one. Honestly, I had no idea how the author would pull this off without some kind of questionable actions, but she managed to do so. I’m assuming the next book in the series will focus more on him and less on Hulda and Merritt.
This is such a charming, cozy fantasy series. I really love the found family aspect and the unwavering support each character gives each other. It’s not meant to be a standalone and I wouldn’t recommend skipping the first two books in the series as they are necessary to the ongoing series plot arc. But it is a wonderful historical fantasy world that you might want to check out.
Final grade- B
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Boy of Chaotic Making is about the boy! So happy to have a book based solely around Owein BUT this would be confusing as a standalone. Readers will want to read the two previous books before diving into this one.
Hulda, Merrit and Owein are caught in another adventure in the third book of the Whimbrel House series. This time the focus is on Owein, the boy whose soul currently resides in a dog. Off to England they go in search of a human body for Owein but secrets, surprises and magic all make an appearance for an overall fun, action packed and fast paced read.
While I liked the story and had no trouble reading it something felt a little off, it fell flat for me. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but I reflected it in my star rating.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book.
Hulda, Merrit and Owein are caught in another adventure in the third book of the Whimbrel House series. This time the focus is on Owein, the boy whose soul currently resides in a dog. Off to England they go in search of a human body for Owein but secrets, surprises and magic all make an appearance for an overall fun, action packed and fast paced read.
While I liked the story and had no trouble reading it something felt a little off, it fell flat for me. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but I reflected it in my star rating.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book.
Didn't quite "feel" like the first two installments but I still enjoyed it thoroughly. (Can't wait for #4! in March '25) Being able to learn more about Owein's side of things, alongside a healthy dose of character growth, made it hard to not fall more in love with the sweet boy. There was that small dose of found-family that made my heart squeeze in the end. The addition of the was a wonderful touch, too - secretly hoping they make a reappearance soon. The setting change, across the pond, was fun but I think I'm more partial to Whimbrel House and can't wait to see where the fourth installment leads!
Spoiler
secret marriage and the druids
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced