The Age of Enchantment (Chronicles of Whetherwhy #1) by Anna James
Publication Date: April 29th 2025 by Flamingo Books
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★
My
Thoughts:
The Age of Enchantment was a delightful
middle-grade fantasy filled with adventure, magic, and whimsy. I enjoyed every
minute of it!
On their thirteenth birthday, twins Juniper and Rafferty
Quinn are summoned to determine their guild affiliation and enchantment
inspection. Usually, this is when they find out their season affiliation: spring,
summer, autumn or winter, but some, called Enchanters, have extra magical
powers and can wield all the seasons. Enchanters go to Thistledown Academy for
special magical training.
Both Juniper and Rafferty are almost certain that Juniper
is an Enchanter and worry about their inevitable separation.
Juniper and a couple of other students en route to the
academy are attacked by a mysterious group intent on stealing some of their
power. It’s an encounter that leaves Juniper shaken up. The academy's faculty are
determined to uncover who is responsible and whether other Enchanters are at
risk.
Meanwhile, unwilling to be far from his sister, Rafferty
secures an apprenticeship as a bookbinder near the academy. Before long, he
finds himself entangled in a mystery of his own, one that intersects with
Juniper's.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the
storytelling format. The story is narrated by a grandfather to his
grandchildren, who hang on every word as they eagerly follow Juniper and
Rafferty's adventures. Their excitement and questions perfectly mirrored my
own!
This adventure wraps up but there’s another to come in The
Season of Flames. I can't wait to see what happens next!
4 Stars
Book Description:
First in a brand-new fantasy series from acclaimed author Anna James, filled with seasonal magic and exciting adventure
In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic inside them – grown from the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. But a rare few are people born with magic in their bones, who can wield all four seasons of magic.
When Juniper discovers she is an Enchanter, she must leave behind everything she knows to begin studying at the Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. Unwilling to be left behind, her twin brother, Rafferty, decides to follow her to the capital city of Stormgrove and takes up an apprenticeship at a nearby bookbinder.
As Juniper makes new friends and learns how to wield enchantment, Rafferty becomes involved with a mysterious secret society that meet after dark. Monsters are creeping out of the shadows and dangers lurk in unexpected places. Amid night markets and magic lessons, they both realise there is more to enchantment – and life in Whetherwhy – than they could ever have imagined.
