Five-star review of Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
(Whimbrel House Book 1) by Charlie N. Holmberg
Another fun fantasy read from Charlie N.
Holmberg. When author Merritt Fernsby suddenly inherits a house said to haunted
on an otherwise uninhabited island in Narragansett Bay, Hulda Larkin, trained
to tame enchanted houses, is assigned as his housekeeper by BIKER, the Boston
Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms. Merritt’s previous estrangement
from his family over a teenage indiscretion and Hulda’s prior encounter with
British magician extraordinaire Silas Hogwood, who steals magical abilities
from others eventual present obstacles to their life at Whimbrel House.
The characters are well-developed, particularly
Merritt and Hulda. Interesting steam punk-like kinetic energy-driven boats and
trams add a touch of science fiction to a story set in the mid-1800s in New
England. I always felt like I was there with the characters on their
adventures. The touch of romance was just right. I want be Charlie Holmberg
when I grow up or at least write like her, given she’s less than half my age.