Scan barcode
bookish_gamer_girl's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was such a pleasant surprise, and a wonderful way to wrap up my reading year in 2023. I can't wait to read books 2 and 3 and find out what's next for my favorite characters!
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
noriboo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a slow paced story. I would say that the first 60 to 70 pages are worldbuilding; a lot of characters are introduced.
However, once we've gone past all the proverbial introductions, I felt that the real story finally began. This is a story about finding yourself and what makes a home. Fin has had a rough life, growing up as a witch due to the stigma attached to it, and it feels like he has to keep people at a distance.
This story has everything that I like about cosy fantasy: even though there is a threat of war brewing in the background, it's never gloomy and manages to stay hopeful and uplifting.
The women are no damsels in distress. They can hold their own. And there's a lot of sassy comebacks and word puns sprinkled throughout, which made me laugh out loud several times.
This is more a slice of life story, there is a romance storyline, but it isn't primary.
The book does end on a cliffhanger, but nothing too concerning. It is a cosy, after all.
However, once we've gone past all the proverbial introductions, I felt that the real story finally began. This is a story about finding yourself and what makes a home. Fin has had a rough life, growing up as a witch due to the stigma attached to it, and it feels like he has to keep people at a distance.
This story has everything that I like about cosy fantasy: even though there is a threat of war brewing in the background, it's never gloomy and manages to stay hopeful and uplifting.
The women are no damsels in distress. They can hold their own. And there's a lot of sassy comebacks and word puns sprinkled throughout, which made me laugh out loud several times.
This is more a slice of life story, there is a romance storyline, but it isn't primary.
The book does end on a cliffhanger, but nothing too concerning. It is a cosy, after all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
emma_reading_love's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The House Witch was the surprise runaway hit of my cozy magical bookclub! Everyone loved it, and it was the liveliest conversation we’ve had so far in the group. The premise is that Fin is a house witch who has moved to the castle to be the head cook, but he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s a witch. I was nervous when I picked it up, because this book is long, 461 pages in print and 18 hours on audio. That’s a lot of book for a cozy, but it ended up being super fun the whole time. There were lots of plots and subplots that stayed clear and coherent throughout the story, and the characters were all interesting. It was lighthearted and funny, while also having real depth. I highly recommend it if you want to get lost in a new fantasy world while also reading lots of descriptions of delicious food. I do have a couple notes, though. This is a series, and though some plots get wrapped up in this first book, a lot is left open at the end. Plus there are a couple content warnings you might want to look up on StoryGraph. I’m a highly sensitive reader and was fine, but there are certain themes that might not be for every reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Pregnancy, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
wanderonwards's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I loved the concept of a male domestic witch, especially one working as a royal cook! I'm also excited to see more slice-of-life, low stakes fantasy. However, this was originally webfic and it still reads like something that was written in installments rather than one cohesive narrative, and some chapters with different POVs really read like filler rather than building depth or advancing the plot. While the premise was wonderful, the novel would have benefited from more polishing and a sensitivity read for some problematic things. My biggest issues were with the supporting characters (of which many felt like caricatures rather than developed individuals) and the world building (which acknowledged that things like homophobia, sexism, and strict class divides were awful and shouldn't exist in the world...but then went ahead and included them anyway and didn't satisfactorily address them).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
chrisljm's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Really enjoyed the book when I first started reading, and the coziness it evoked, but it started feeling dragged out after half way. I think it could’ve been improved with less side stories and more investment in showing the romance develop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Miscarriage, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Xenophobia, Stalking, Infertility, Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Medical content, and Homophobia
Minor: War, Religious bigotry, Murder, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
jennaem27's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4.30 // This is the kind of “low-stakes” fantasy that I like. This was way better than Legends & Lattes. It had good humour and surprising tropes you wouldn’t normally find in a fantasy novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment
jkpiowa's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really enjoyed this! I have a few criticisms. Namely that there are 3 kingdoms that are mentioned, 1 of which are light skinned, blue eyed, civil peaceful people, while the other are large, dark skinned, and barbaric. Felt super tone deaf and unnecessary. The differences were mentioned over and over.
There is also a repetition of characters slapping their hands to their mouths/foreheads/cheeks which read as ridiculous and annoying.
But overall it made me laugh out loud and was very cute.
There is also a repetition of characters slapping their hands to their mouths/foreheads/cheeks which read as ridiculous and annoying.
But overall it made me laugh out loud and was very cute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
garbage_gremlin_wasabi's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Sexual harassment
lackyducks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was engaging from start to end. On the first page, when Fin is introduced, he makes a big impression. His characterisation makes him a delight to read as he stands off against other characters. He's the lovable asshole written right, and this is only cemented as the book continues and you learn more about him and see him soften. As a neurodivergent person, I saw a lot of my own traits in him.
The rest of the characters similarly are quick to become favourites. The kitchen aides are funny and it's heartwarming to watch them grow and learn throughout the story. There's a lot of side relationships that switch and change throughout the story. Even the antagonists are written well, intimidating in the scenes they appear but still multidimensional.
Despite the light-hearted and humourous nature of the book, there's also darkness to balance it out. The story follows a country on the verge of war, with all the court drama and political espionage that comes with it. We also delve into Fin's backstory, discovering his origins and how they are coming back to haunt him.
The main romance took a while to grow on me, and the 'will they won't they' dominates the latter half of the book. But I found the conclusion to this enjoyable and look forward to seeing how the relationship develops in the sequels. Both of the characters keep the core aspects of their personality whilst learning to make room for the other.
The worldbuilding for the magic is basic and understandable, built on the elements. There are ruling covens that play a minor role in the plot. A level of depth, though, comes from the mutations away from the four elements and the realisation Fin may be a lot more powerful than first appears.
Also, the cat has his own point of view and political drama. This is with an entirely separate cast of characters (cats) whilst still tying into the main plot. It's incredible.
The rest of the characters similarly are quick to become favourites. The kitchen aides are funny and it's heartwarming to watch them grow and learn throughout the story. There's a lot of side relationships that switch and change throughout the story. Even the antagonists are written well, intimidating in the scenes they appear but still multidimensional.
Despite the light-hearted and humourous nature of the book, there's also darkness to balance it out. The story follows a country on the verge of war, with all the court drama and political espionage that comes with it. We also delve into Fin's backstory, discovering his origins and how they are coming back to haunt him.
The main romance took a while to grow on me, and the 'will they won't they' dominates the latter half of the book. But I found the conclusion to this enjoyable and look forward to seeing how the relationship develops in the sequels. Both of the characters keep the core aspects of their personality whilst learning to make room for the other.
The worldbuilding for the magic is basic and understandable, built on the elements. There are ruling covens that play a minor role in the plot. A level of depth, though, comes from the mutations away from the four elements and the realisation Fin may be a lot more powerful than first appears.
Also, the cat has his own point of view and political drama. This is with an entirely separate cast of characters (cats) whilst still tying into the main plot. It's incredible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, War, Bullying, Violence, Alcohol, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Slavery and Body shaming
One of the main characters is pregnant and has suffered miscarriages before, which is one of the key plots through the book. There is an arc where one of the characters is attacked by the world equivalent of a religious group for being gay. Another character suffered persecution due to magic in the past. One of the characters briefly discusses being a victim of slavery. Alcohol is present in many scenes and characters get drunk.oliviawright1014's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Miscarriage, Vomit, Infertility, Alcoholism, Classism, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment