Books On Board

Charlie N. Holmberg Books in Order

  • 28 Books
  • 2014 – 2025 Published

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Reading order
7 of 7 reading orders shown

Where to Start with Charlie N. Holmberg

Charlie N. Holmberg is celebrated for her highly original magic systems, cozy historical settings, and engaging romantic subplots. If you are new to her work, deciding where to begin depends on the type of atmosphere you prefer. For most readers, the best starting points are:

  • The Paper Magician: This is the author's breakout series and her most famous work. It is the perfect introduction to her signature style of taking everyday, mundane objects—like paper, glass, or metal—and turning them into tools for intricate, rule-based magic systems.
  • Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (Whimbrel House Series): If you prefer cozy historical fantasy with a mystery-focused, haunted-house vibe, start here. It features a delightful cast, witty dialogue, and a warm, atmospheric tone reminiscent of classic Victorian fantasy.

Whimbrel House Series

Set in a magical version of Edwardian Rhode Island, the Whimbrel House series follows Merritt Fernsby, a man who inherits a remote, eccentric, and heavily enchanted house, and Hulda Larkin, a wizard from the Boston Institute of Keeper Affairs who specializes in taming wild properties. Unlike some of Holmberg's other works, this series features a continuous narrative arc and must be read in order.

  1. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (2022)
  2. Heir of Uncertain Magic (2023)
  3. Boy of Chaotic Making (2024)
  4. Wizard of Most Wicked Ways (2025)
  5. Lady of Uncanny Charms (Scheduled for release on September 29, 2026)

The Paper Magician Series

This is the series that launched Holmberg's career. The original trilogy focuses on Ceony Twill, a young graduate from the Tagis Praff School of Disposable Magic who is reluctantly apprenticed to paper magic (Folding) under the eccentric Master Emery Thane, despite her dreams of working with metal. The fourth book, The Plastic Magician, takes place in the same universe but shifts to a new protagonist and a new discipline, making it a standalone companion story.

  1. The Paper Magician (2014)
  2. The Glass Magician (2014)
  3. The Master Magician (2015)
  4. The Plastic Magician (2018)

Spellbreaker Duology

Set in an alternate Victorian England, this historical fantasy duology follows Elsie Camden, an unregistered "spellbreaker" who can physically dismantle magic, and Bacchus Marling, a wealthy magician who hides a dark secret. The two books form a single, complete story and should be read in order.

  1. Spellbreaker (2020)
  2. Spellmaker (2021)

The Shattered King Duology

A newer dark fantasy duology that explores themes of exile, power, and loyalty, following a woman who must navigate the complex court of a broken ruler. The two books should be read in chronological order.

  1. The Shattered King (2025)
  2. The Half-Hearted Queen (2026)

Star Mother Duology

Inspired by myth and celestial lore, this duology centers on a mortal woman who agrees to bear a child for the Sun, only to be thrust into a cosmic struggle among celestial beings. The books should be read in order.

  1. Star Mother (2021)
  2. Star Father (2022)

Numina Trilogy

For readers who enjoy darker themes and high-stakes epic fantasy, the Numina trilogy is a departure from Holmberg's typical cozy style. It features a gritty, industrial setting where magic is fueled by summoning ancient, monstrous spirits (numina).

  1. Smoke & Summons (2019)
  2. Myths and Mortals (2019)
  3. Siege and Sacrifice (2019)

Standalone Novels and Anthologies

If you are looking for a quick, self-contained story, Holmberg has written several successful standalone novels. These can be read in any order at any time:

  • Followed by Frost (2015) – A winter-themed fairy tale romance that earned a RITA Award nomination.
  • Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet (2016) – A unique fantasy about a baker who can infuse emotions and magical properties into her baked goods.
  • The Fifth Doll (2017) – A spec-fiction mystery inspired by Russian matryoshka nesting dolls, which won the Whitney Award.
  • Veins of Gold (2018) – A historical fantasy set during the California Gold Rush.
  • The Will and the Wilds (2020) – A romantic fantasy focusing on a pact between a young woman and a forest monster.
  • The Hanging City (2023) – A dark fantasy about a woman seeking refuge in a city of trolls, which was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards.
  • Still the Sun (2024) – A fantasy romance about a scribe navigating an unforgiving world of perpetual daylight.
  • "Illusions of Love" (2019) – A romantic fantasy novella published as part of the multi-author anthology Midsummer Night.

What to Know Before You Start

Charlie N. Holmberg's books are known for their accessibility and clean romance, making them suitable for both Young Adult and adult fantasy readers. She studied creative writing under the acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, whose influence is evident in her highly structured, limited magic systems. While she occasionally writes darker themes (such as in the Numina trilogy or The Hanging City), the majority of her novels maintain a cozy, romantic, and whimsical tone.

Frequently Asked

Where is the best place to start reading Charlie N. Holmberg's books?

The best starting point is The Paper Magician (2014) if you want a classic fantasy apprenticeship story, or Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (2022) if you prefer a cozy, haunted-house mystery set in the Edwardian era.

Can The Plastic Magician be read without reading the main Paper Magician trilogy?

Yes. While The Plastic Magician is set in the same universe and features minor cameos from the original trilogy, it follows a new protagonist (Alvie) and acts as a standalone story.

Are the Whimbrel House books standalones?

No. The Whimbrel House books follow a continuous plotline with the same main characters. You must read them in order, starting with Keeper of Enchanted Rooms.

How many books are planned for the Whimbrel House series?

The series is planned as a five-book arc. The fifth and final book, Lady of Uncanny Charms, is scheduled to release on September 29, 2026.

What kind of magic is featured in the Spellbreaker duology?

The duology features a system where spellcasters create spells using physical symbols, and "spellbreakers" like the protagonist Elsie can see and physically untie the magical threads to neutralize them.

Has Disney adapted The Paper Magician into a movie?

Disney optioned the film rights to The Paper Magician in 2016, with Allison Shearmur attached to produce. However, the project has remained in development and no movie has been released yet.