charlie n. holmberg – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 344 pages
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Publisher: 47North
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For a young woman who wields the power of fear, humanity’s greatest enemy is her only hope in a new fairy-tale adventure by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Seven years on the run from her abusive father, and with no hope of sanctuary among the dwindling pockets of human civilization, Lark is out of options. Her only leverage is a cursed power: she can thrust fear onto others, leaving all threats fleeing in terror. It’s a means of survival as she searches for a place to call home. If the campfire myths of her childhood are true, Lark’s sole chance for refuge could lie in Cagmar, the city of trolls—a brutal species and the sworn enemies of humanity.

Valuing combat prowess, the troll high council is intrigued. Lark could be much more useful than the low-caste humans who merely labor in Cagmar. Her gift makes her invaluable as a monster slayer to fight off the unspeakable creatures that torment the trolls’ hanging city, suspended from a bridge over an endless dark canyon.

Lark will do anything to make Cagmar her home, but her new role comes with a caveat: use her power against a troll, and she’ll be killed. Her loyalty is quickly put to the test when she draws the hatred of a powerful troll who loathes humankind. Still, she finds unexpected friendship in the city and, even more surprisingly, love. But if everything else doesn’t undo her, being caught in the arms of a troll surely will. Now in the fight of her life, Lark has a lot to learn—about her past, about trust and hope when all seems lost, and above all, about the extraordinary power of fear itself.

WELL THIS WAS DIFFERENT.

I have been meaning to read more books by this author and finally was able to listen to this audiobook (which was great).

I think where I got off on the wrong foot was thinking the romance was going in a different way than it was so I admit to being caught off guard when I saw what was happening. At that point I had missed some of the emotional intimacy that had been building and it took a bit for me to catch up.

The standalone quality of this was good though. I liked how things came together and wrapped up and this felt like a fully put together story. I enjoyed the side characters and action. There’s some good political dynamics and the world building was cool too.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: none
Romance: closed door
Violence: moderate
Content Warnings: past sexual assault, parental abuse

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction/Fantasy Romance
Length: 347 pages
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.

Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.

Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.

I LIKED IT.

I consider this a soft four stars. Some miscommunication popped up that made me want to shake a few people, but otherwise this was a pretty delightful and enchanting read.

The plot was a fantastic idea. I loved the idea of a sentient house (with secrets of its own) and a whole society dedicated to taking care of those situations. There’s reverse grump x sunshine here that also worked so well. I adored Hulda and Merritt’s dynamic. It was charming, a bit humorous and sweet.

I don’t think the extra chapters following an antagonist really changed anything? That could have been covered in a sit down between characters and the pace would have been a bit more steady.

It’s a cozy story and the audio narration was great. There’s a good mix of action and intrigue and I liked how things came together in the end. I liked the whimsical nature and I’m curious to see where book two will go.

Overall audience notes:

Historical fiction / Fantasy + Romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of child abuse, murder, physical injuries