A prickly cook with rare magic stirs more than soup—he’s brewing healing, love, and destiny inside the king’s castle. The House Witch is the first book of the series of the same name. While you could read this first book as a stand-alone, you won’t want to; you’ll love it too much not to return.
Romance Snapshot
- Emotional Intimacy: 5/5 Big emotional transformation that covers themes like trauma and forgiveness.
- Physical Intimacy: 1/5 Kissing is the most that happens.
Overview
Fin has been hired as the King’s cook. He immediately steps on toes because of his “my way or the highway” approach. This is tolerated because his tactics have undeniably delicious results. For all his prickliness, he has a desire to help those in his household. After all, he is a rare house witch.
As relationships deepen between Fin and other house members (Residents and staff alike), his heart becomes easier to see. He shows his affection with food and designed to help with whatever ails them. There is unrest on the horizon, and Fin does his best to ignore his growing feelings for a noblewoman.
Positives
The House Witch is a lovely example of cozy fantasy. There is an emphasis on developing long-term and deep relationships, so you’re not going to see any bloody sword fights or epic quests. Fin’s magic is gentle and heartfelt; he does nothing for show or in an offensive way.
Every character has some sort of development. Fin becomes more confident and open. The knights gain perspective. The maid is humbled and so on.
We don’t see much beyond the castle. At first, we don’t see past the Kitchen; Fin even sleeps there. But as his powers strengthen, they expand further and further.
Negatives
It is kind of a slow story. It helps keep the intensity low. But about halfway through, I checked my progress and was surprised to see I was only halfway there.
Recommendations
I give The House Witch 4 stars. If it were a little shorter or compacted, I probably would have given it a five. The idea of Fins’ power extending even further and what that could mean to his newfound family keeps me excited to read the next one.
This title is available at no extra cost with a Kindle Unlimited membership.
Leave a Reply