Charlie N. Holmberg

A woman's heart proves as infinite as the night sky in a breathtaking fantasy by Wall Street Journal bestselling author… A woman's heart proves as infinite as the night sky in a breathtaking fantasy by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. When a star dies, a new one must be born. The Sun God chooses the village of Endwever to provide a mortal womb. The birthing of a star is always fatal for the mother, and Ceris Wenden, who considers herself an outsider, sacrifices herself to secure her family's honor and take control of her legacy. But after her star child is born, Ceris does what no other star mother has: she survives. When Ceris returns to Endwever, however, it's not nine months later--it's seven hundred years later. Inexplicably displaced in time, Ceris is determined to seek out her descendants. Being a woman traveling alone brings its own challenges, until Ceris encounters a mysterious--and desperate--godling. Ristriel is incorporeal, a fugitive, a trickster, and the only being who can guide Ceris safely to her destination. Now, as Ceris traverses realms both mortal and beyond, her journey truly begins. Together, pursued across the Earth and trespassing the heavens, Ceris and Ristriel are on a path to illuminate the mysteries that bind them and discover the secrets of the celestial world. read more

A boy like no other embarks on a transformative journey of magic and self-discovery in the next enchanting Whimbrel Hous… A boy like no other embarks on a transformative journey of magic and self-discovery in the next enchanting Whimbrel House novel by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. Merritt Fernsby's life has changed considerably since he inherited Whimbrel House. He's engaged to Hulda Larkin, who opened his eyes to the uncanny. And he's grown quite protective of his uncle Owein--several generations, and iterations, removed. Owein is presently inhabiting the body of a mixed-breed terrier when Merritt receives a missive from none other than Alexandrina Victoria, the Queen of England: I am interested in your dog. It's the queen's duty to the peerage to keep British wizardry empowered. Her offer: England will find a human vessel for Owein, marry him into the royal family, and add this remarkable soul-shifter to its lineage. For Owein, a boy trapped in the body of a pup, it's a dream come true. How can Merritt refuse? However, once they are in London and in consortium with a necromancer, the situation doesn't feel right, both with their hosts and the house they inhabit. Owein is having nightmares. And Hulda's premonitions warn of danger in Merritt's future. Clearly, someone doesn't want them in town. But after two hundred years of being cursed to drift, Owein is determined to chart his own destiny. He's ready to defy whatever chaos is coming. After all, Owein is the master of chaos, and with Merritt and Hulda's love and magical support, he can overcome anything. read more

When the heavens go dark, hearts still glow for a mortal woman and a god in an exhilarating fantasy by Charlie N. Holmbe… When the heavens go dark, hearts still glow for a mortal woman and a god in an exhilarating fantasy by Charlie N. Holmberg, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Star Mother. In a heavenly war, the moon is prevailing... It happens in an instant, filling Aija with dread: the Sun is suddenly cast from the sky, throwing the Earth into midday darkness. On the fourth day of endless night, Aija finds an unconscious man by the river. His skin is as hot as her lantern's glass and just as golden. To Aija, a farmhand with the soul of an artist, this beautiful stranger is an inspiration--and a mystery. He calls himself Saiyon. He bleeds light. His friends are celestial. His enemies, godlings of the moon. Between Aija and Saiyon, attraction grows warmer. For Aija, an unfathomable revelation: she's falling in love with the earthbound Sun God. When Saiyon's faltering powers are restored to full glory, what then? There's a way Aija can become immortal, too. Saiyon can't allow such a risk. Aija has no choice but to follow her heart to places darker and more dangerous than she realizes. Whatever sacrifices lie ahead, they're the only way to make an impossible true love last forever. read more

One man is on a journey to unravel his magical lineage in the next spellbinding novel of the Whimbrel House series by Am… One man is on a journey to unravel his magical lineage in the next spellbinding novel of the Whimbrel House series by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. Thanks to house tamer Hulda Larkin, the mischief infesting Whimbrel House has calmed. But if Hulda's job is done, what does that mean for Merritt Fernsby, inheritor of the remote Narragansett Bay estate, who's only now coming to terms with his enchanted place in the world? Merritt has realized his own burgeoning powers, which draw the thoughts of every plant, insect, and dog. His nights are sleepless, with an uncontrollable cacophony of voices that compel a long-overdue search into his uncanny bloodline. It's not the only puzzle uniting Merritt and his ex-housekeeper, Hulda. Her friend and former employer at the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has disappeared. Hulda herself is up for the now-vacant position of institute director, and her rival for the role is a stranger who's suspiciously curious about Whimbrel House--and could have connections to an old foe. As Merritt struggles to face his estranged family and Hulda dives into the institute's secrets, the two are brought intimately closer than ever into the mysteries of wizardry, chaos, and love. read more

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician. Alvie… Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician. Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking--the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery. Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries--in as short a time frame--as she can. Luckily for her, she's studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is. Alvie's enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor's work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking--and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself. To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair... read more

"Sandis has finally freed herself from her master and his plans to use her as a vessel for the ancient beast Kolosos. Bu… "Sandis has finally freed herself from her master and his plans to use her as a vessel for the ancient beast Kolosos. But her master has found a new, impossible vessel: Sandis's brother, Anon--a brother she long thought dead. Kolosos is ancient, massive, and seemingly unbeatable. Fortunately, Sandis has her own monster--an ethereal fire horse that she can summon at will. In addition, she and Rone may have discovered the secret to defeating Kolosos: ancient lore that details the creation of magic. It could be the key to victory and the key to saving Anon."--Provided by publisher. read more

A captivating world of monsters and magic from the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician Series.… A captivating world of monsters and magic from the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician Series. As a human vessel for an ancient spirit, Sandis lives no ordinary life. At the command of her master, she can be transformed against her will into his weapon--a raging monster summoned to do his bidding. Unlike other vessels, Sandis can host extremely powerful spirits, but hosting such creatures can be fatal. To stay alive, she must run. And in a city fueled by smoke and corruption, she finds a surprising ally. A cunning thief for hire, Rone owns a rare device that grants him immortality for one minute every day--a unique advantage that will come in handy in Sandis's fight for freedom. But Sandis's master knows how powerful she is. He's determined to get her back, and he has the manpower to find her, wherever she runs. Now, to outwit her pursuers, Sandis must put all her trust in Rone and his immortal device. For her master has summoned more than mere men to hunt her down... read more

Now well into her apprenticeship with magician Emery Thane, twenty-year-old Ceony Twill is continuing to discover the jo… Now well into her apprenticeship with magician Emery Thane, twenty-year-old Ceony Twill is continuing to discover the joy of paper magic. She adores bringing her spells to life in surprising ways, from learning the power of distortion to creating a beloved paper dog. And she secretly hopes that the romance she foresaw blossoming between her and the peculiar yet strikingly handsome Emery finally becomes real. read more

The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician Series transports readers to a darkly whimsical world w… The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician Series transports readers to a darkly whimsical world where strange magic threatens a quiet village. Matrona lives in an isolated village, where her life is centered on pleasing her parents. She's diligent in her chores and has agreed to marry a man of their choosing. But a visit to Slava, the local tradesman, threatens to upend her entire life. Entering his empty house, Matrona discovers a strange collection of painted nesting dolls--one for every villager. Fascinated, she can't resist the urge to open the doll with her father's face. But when her father begins acting strangely, she realizes Slava's dolls are much more than they seem. When he learns what she's done, Slava seizes the opportunity to give Matrona stewardship over the dolls--whether she wants it or not. Forced to open one of her own dolls every three days, she falls deeper into the grim power of Slava's creations. But nothing can prepare her for the profound secret hiding inside the fifth doll. read more

A house of haunted history and ill temper. Make yourself at home in this beguiling novel of love, magic, and danger by A… A house of haunted history and ill temper. Make yourself at home in this beguiling novel of love, magic, and danger by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. 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. read more

A spellbinding story of truce and trickery from the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician series.… A spellbinding story of truce and trickery from the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician series. Enna knows to fear the mystings that roam the wildwood near her home. When one tries to kill her to obtain an enchanted stone, Enna takes a huge risk: fighting back with a mysting of her own. Maekallus's help isn't free. His price? A kiss. One with the power to steal her soul. But their deal leaves Maekallus bound to the mortal realm, which begins eating him alive. Only Enna's kiss, given willingly, can save him from immediate destruction. It's a temporary salvation for Maekallus and a lingering doom for Enna. Part of her soul now burns bright inside Maekallus, making him feel for the first time. Enna shares Maekallus's suffering, but her small sacrifice won't last long. If she and Maekallus can't break the spell binding him to the mortal realm, Maekallus will be consumed completely--and Enna's soul with him. read more

For a young woman who wields the power of fear, humanity's greatest enemy is her only hope in a new fairy-tale adventure… 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. read more

Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passe… Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passed on to those who eat them. She doesn't know why she can do this and remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from. When marauders raid her town, Maire is captured and sold to the eccentric Allemas, who enslaves her and demands that she produce sinister confections, including a witch's gingerbread cottage, a living cookie boy, and size-altering cakes. During her captivity, Maire is visited by Fyel, a ghostly being who is reluctant to reveal his connection to her. The more often they meet, the more her memories return, and she begins to piece together who and what she really is--as well as past mistakes that yield cosmic consequences. From the author of The Paper Magician series comes a haunting and otherworldly tale of folly and consequence, forgiveness and redemption. read more

Kazen has been hurt but not stopped, and he'll do anything to summon the monster that could lay waste to the entire worl… Kazen has been hurt but not stopped, and he'll do anything to summon the monster that could lay waste to the entire world. Sandis knows she must be the one to stop him, but with her own trusted numen now bound to another, and finding herself with no one she can trust, she is in desperate need of allies. read more

Abandoned by her father for the unforgiving gold rush, Gentry toils alongside her younger siblings to survive the harsh… Abandoned by her father for the unforgiving gold rush, Gentry toils alongside her younger siblings to survive the harsh realities of the American West. When mysterious natural disasters begin to plague their struggling community, Gentry unearths a hidden world where raw magic can be wielded—but only at a profound personal cost and by consuming the very gold her family desperately seeks. Torn between this dangerous power and her growing affection for an enigmatic man who understands its secrets, Gentry must decide how far she'll go to protect her loved ones and confront the escalating threats to her world. read more

A captive healer and a mysterious prince are drawn to each other in the midst of war and magic in a beguiling dark fanta… A captive healer and a mysterious prince are drawn to each other in the midst of war and magic in a beguiling dark fantasy by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. The kingdom of Cansere is on the brink of war. Young men are conscripted from their homes, and a royal decree from the queen has made healing the only legal form of craftlock. Nym, a healer and beekeeper, is the sole provider for her family of seven now that her younger brother has been sent to the war front. But when a letter comes from the queen, summoning Nym to the palace to heal Prince Renn, the kingdom's ailing shut-in, Nym finds herself making the tumultuous journey from her family's apiary to the capital city. Nym is determined to fail the queen's mission and return to her younger siblings as soon as she can. But escaping the castle's hold isn't as easy as failing a simple test. Prince Renn is cold and distant, and his illness is like nothing Nym has ever seen before, nothing she could ever imagine treating. In a moment of connection with Prince Renn, Nym manages to remedy the faintest symptom of his ailment--only to discover that no healer before has made such progress. Forced to become the prince's official healer and a ward of the castle, and with her only hope of returning to her family hinging on the prince's recovery, Nym must navigate the castle's cruel and twisted court and uncover the haunting truth behind Prince Renn's illness--even as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to him. read more

In this spellbinding dark fantasy from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg that concludes the Sha… In this spellbinding dark fantasy from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg that concludes the Shattered King duology, Nym must escape the clutches of her captors and find her way back to Renn even as forbidden love, magic, and secrets collide with the weight of the crown and the war between kingdoms. Nym never told Prince Renn she loved him. And now, as a captive and political pawn to the ruthless King Nicosia, Nym finds herself guarding more than her forbidden feelings for Renn as the kingdoms of Cansere and Sesta clash and the bloodshed of war rages. Nym's connection to Renn is more than just romantic--it's magical, and King Nicosia will stop at nothing to find Renn's weakness and claim the kingdoms as his. Now Nym must find a way to escape the cruel and twisted fate of imprisonment as she faces the unimaginable horrors and dangerous secrets hidden within King Nicosia's palace walls. With the succession of kings on the line and a dangerous prophecy unfolding, Prince Renn faces his own impossible choice. The future of the throne hinges on a political alliance that means forsaking his love for Nym. If he can't fulfill his destiny and unite the kingdoms, King Nicosia will destroy them all. read more