A witch and her young ward discover a magical, walking house and learn the true meaning of home in this cozy, enchanting novel from New York Times bestselling author Jaleigh Johnson.
Evelyn Sharpe is accustomed to dealing with natural disasters as a land witch, but she longs for a life with a little less danger for her and her adopted daughter, Ruby. So when the opportunity to take over as Caretaker of Thornwood House—a sentient home that acts as the magical heart of the village of Iskendra—arises, it seems almost fated.
When they arrive in sunny Iskendra, Evie and Ruby find the house is nothing like what they expected: First of all, it has walked away from the address. Thornwood House is also grumpy, guarded, and extremely hesitant to allow the two witches through its doors.
Armed with gentle hearts and wild magic, Evie and Ruby begin to form tentative bonds with the house and the citizens of the small town. But there’s something deeply damaged about the building seeping into the forests surrounding Iskendra, and Evie will have to use all her power to protect the roots she’s started to grow.
Charming tale of magic, family & putting down root
"Book rating: 4. 5/5 ⭐️ Genre: cozy fantasy Themes: home, found family, nature, magic, power 📖 Read if you like: The Faraway Inn, Emily Wilde, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping This book felt like a warm hug. It was a heartwarming tale of finding home and the people that make it. It was magical both in the manifestation of witchy powers and the song it wove between all these broken souls. I mean there was even a house that ran away from fear who makes up one of the most interesting characters. It managed to stay on the precise of whimsical and emotional with a spellbinding narrative of putting down roots both in the figurative and literal sense. Evelyn Sharpe is a powerful earthwalker that has been kept under the thumb of ECRA as a natural disaster relief witch. When her petition to adopt her ward Ruby repeatedly gets denied due to unstable living conditions, Evelyn is determine to find a loophole that will her to get out of her contract and provide a safe haven for her and Ruby. When she is offered the position of caretaker of Thornwood House it is the new start that both are hoping for. As a sentient house in the remote village of Iskendra the task is far more difficult than expected. Evelyn receives a less than welcome reception by many of the villagers and the house itself proves grumpy and recalcitrant to let them enter. It was a slower paced story meant to be savoured, but the plot led in directions I did not expect with a well veiled villain. Bonds were forged over simple acts of kindness and a genuine capacity to care for the natural world. It was the type of sweet story that endorses found families in any shape or form that fits who you are. The adopted child and uncertain parent vulnerability was another dynamic that was sensitively portrayed and really pulled at my heart strings. It was a beautiful story that left a lingering impression with me. The magical system was fascinating in a well constructed world with endearing characters that are easy to love. It is the sort of cozy fantasy that will make even the greyest days filled with colour and life. Highly recommend when you need a sweet balm for the heart. Thank you Ace Books this #gifted book. It was so charming. #BerkleyPartner #BerkleyBookstgram"
