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A review by ellianamaselli
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
4.0
Well, this was just adorable.
When I started this book, I was sure I was going to love it. Then, for a while, I wasn't. For one thing, our hero's first impression of the heroine was that she looked "like a schoolmarm." Reading words like this scared me because they meant this very well might not be the warm and fluffy romance that I set out desiring. I shuddered to think that we might be getting a romance as utterly discomforting as in Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl.
Hoo, boy, was I wrong because this was, as I said so eloquently above, just adorable.
Now, after much fighting and wrestling with stupid feelings, Hulda and Merritt have my whole heart. I just loved watching them fall in love. though, this wasn't quite the typical romance in that there wasn't immediate attraction, and Hulda in particular is described (though not by Merritt himself) as being "utterly average in every way."
It is not unheard of for a romance book to include a character who is described (either by herself or others) as "plain." However, I've noticed (as in cases like Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl) that authors often lack tact when doing this, and, instead of describing the character as truly average, they spend all their time repeatedly calling negative attention to the character's physical flaws. What results is a romance that is not captivating because it doesn't make sense that the main character would truly be attracted to someone they continually think about as "ugly." In fact, I think there are only two times where I have liked this descriptive choice: in Jane Eyre, and right here in this book. But this book was undoubtedly my favorite of the two.
Though Merritt does not find Hulda captivating at first, his opinion of her changes throughout the book. As he begins to like (and then eventually love) her, he starts to notice how pretty she is. What results is a heartwarming development in which the reader, like Merritt, gradually begins to see Hulda as being beautiful. And by the end of the book, we have just the most precious romance ever.
Beyond that, though, the plot of this book is just wonderful. The magic of the house leaves you feeling all sorts of cozy. The character development is utterly enchanting to watch as you see Merritt and Hulda grow far beyond who they were when the story began. Knowledge of their pasts unfolds at the perfect pace, so one never feels bored.
Finally, we have to talk about the villain here. Because Silas Hogwood is, perhaps, one of the most captivating villains I have read about in a long time. We begin the book by pitying him (that prologue was incredible, wasn't it?) and grow to despise him. The progression from a tortured little boy to a murderous man was written so well as we saw every choice, every excused evil, that led him to what he became. It was captivating, heartbreaking, and utterly sinister. And I enjoyed every minute of it.
All this to say, I will be picking up book two because, while this book wasn't perfect, it was just a wonderful way to start my year of reading.
currently-reading updates
19% | This is like Beauty and the Beast but the “beauty” is a 31yo man and the house does not, in fact, welcome him enough to sing “Be Our Guest."
When I started this book, I was sure I was going to love it. Then, for a while, I wasn't. For one thing, our hero's first impression of the heroine was that she looked "like a schoolmarm." Reading words like this scared me because they meant this very well might not be the warm and fluffy romance that I set out desiring. I shuddered to think that we might be getting a romance as utterly discomforting as in Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl.
Hoo, boy, was I wrong because this was, as I said so eloquently above, just adorable.
She shook her head. “You need not concern yourself.”
A spike of offense shot through him. “Why would I not concern myself with you?”
Now, after much fighting and wrestling with stupid feelings, Hulda and Merritt have my whole heart. I just loved watching them fall in love. though, this wasn't quite the typical romance in that there wasn't immediate attraction, and Hulda in particular is described (though not by Merritt himself) as being "utterly average in every way."
It is not unheard of for a romance book to include a character who is described (either by herself or others) as "plain." However, I've noticed (as in cases like Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl) that authors often lack tact when doing this, and, instead of describing the character as truly average, they spend all their time repeatedly calling negative attention to the character's physical flaws. What results is a romance that is not captivating because it doesn't make sense that the main character would truly be attracted to someone they continually think about as "ugly." In fact, I think there are only two times where I have liked this descriptive choice: in Jane Eyre, and right here in this book. But this book was undoubtedly my favorite of the two.
She smiled. God, she was pretty when she smiled. Why had he not noticed how pretty she was when she first knocked on his door? Hadn’t he likened her to, what, a schoolmarm?
Though Merritt does not find Hulda captivating at first, his opinion of her changes throughout the book. As he begins to like (and then eventually love) her, he starts to notice how pretty she is. What results is a heartwarming development in which the reader, like Merritt, gradually begins to see Hulda as being beautiful. And by the end of the book, we have just the most precious romance ever.
Maybe there was something desirable within her after all . . . something a man might want, and not just things she could slap onto a résumé for employers.
Beyond that, though, the plot of this book is just wonderful. The magic of the house leaves you feeling all sorts of cozy. The character development is utterly enchanting to watch as you see Merritt and Hulda grow far beyond who they were when the story began. Knowledge of their pasts unfolds at the perfect pace, so one never feels bored.
“I’ve been lonely for a long time. Sure, I’ve had friends, colleagues, so I’m not isolated. But I still feel it. It’s the deep, lasting kind of loneliness. The hollow kind that settles in your bones.”
Finally, we have to talk about the villain here. Because Silas Hogwood is, perhaps, one of the most captivating villains I have read about in a long time. We begin the book by pitying him (that prologue was incredible, wasn't it?) and grow to despise him. The progression from a tortured little boy to a murderous man was written so well as we saw every choice, every excused evil, that led him to what he became. It was captivating, heartbreaking, and utterly sinister. And I enjoyed every minute of it.
"Beauty is just like a book. Some will not bother to look beyond the cover; others will find the entire tome utterly captivating."
All this to say, I will be picking up book two because, while this book wasn't perfect, it was just a wonderful way to start my year of reading.
currently-reading updates
19% | This is like Beauty and the Beast but the “beauty” is a 31yo man and the house does not, in fact, welcome him enough to sing “Be Our Guest."