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Witches of Olderea #1
The Herbwitch's Apprentice: (Mung Bean Press Edition)
In the kingdom of Olderea, dabbling in witchcraft is a sure way to the guillotine.
When sixteen-year-old debutante Amarante Flora finds out she’s half witch, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. After all, zapping Prince Ash in the midst of high society’s Season certainly won’t help her troublemaking reputation.
But the more her powers grow, the more she realizes magic—and the witches who possess it—are not as dangerous as she was led to believe. When the queen falls mysteriously ill, Amarante knows there are far more dangers lurking in the palace than in Witch Village.
Among potion-brewing and glittering receptions, Amarante joins Prince Ash in an investigation before innocent witches are condemned. However, uncovering the culprit’s schemes could mean exposing her magic. And exposing her magic would mean her very life—and the contempt of the prince she is trying to help.
When sixteen-year-old debutante Amarante Flora finds out she’s half witch, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. After all, zapping Prince Ash in the midst of high society’s Season certainly won’t help her troublemaking reputation.
But the more her powers grow, the more she realizes magic—and the witches who possess it—are not as dangerous as she was led to believe. When the queen falls mysteriously ill, Amarante knows there are far more dangers lurking in the palace than in Witch Village.
Among potion-brewing and glittering receptions, Amarante joins Prince Ash in an investigation before innocent witches are condemned. However, uncovering the culprit’s schemes could mean exposing her magic. And exposing her magic would mean her very life—and the contempt of the prince she is trying to help.
424 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2021
170 people are currently reading
11791 people want to read
About the author
Ireen Chau
5 books546 followersIreen Chau is a long time artist, writer, and above all, a lover of stories located in the Bay Area. When not reading, writing, or drawing, Ireen can be found browsing Pinterest for inspiration or watching YouTube commentary videos.
Visit her Instagram @theherbwitchsapprentice for news about future projects!
Visit her Instagram @theherbwitchsapprentice for news about future projects!
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December 2, 2024Was it a good idea to publish the first novel I ever wrote? Probably not. Did I do it anyway? Yes.
This is far from a five-star book in my opinion, but that doesn't make me any less proud of it. I wanted to tell the story I've been stewing over for half a decade and finally get it out of my system. It is dedicated to a very dear friend of mine who is no longer with us. I wanted to commemorate her in some way, so here we are!
Other than that, my goal is to entertain you, the reader. If you're entertained even for a little bit, I'll count that as a win :)
This is far from a five-star book in my opinion, but that doesn't make me any less proud of it. I wanted to tell the story I've been stewing over for half a decade and finally get it out of my system. It is dedicated to a very dear friend of mine who is no longer with us. I wanted to commemorate her in some way, so here we are!
Other than that, my goal is to entertain you, the reader. If you're entertained even for a little bit, I'll count that as a win :)
June 22, 2025
[this is me, bringing attention to one of my most underrated faves]
this book reminded me of Speak Now so I blocked John Meyer
This was delightful and whimsical; perfect for lovers of fairytales and Barbie Movies who cared mostly about friendships but still wanted some romance in the story. It felt like a warm hug and a blanket but also like a spring day.
The Herbwitch’s Apprentice is a tale that takes the very comfortable structure of fairytales as we know them but expands on interpersonal relationships in a way that’s very fitting with what we expect from fantasy books nowadays. It had magic, romance, mystery, betrayals and secrets but most importantly for me: a main character I kept rooting for throughout the whole novel. Amarante might be a dumb teenager sometimes, but she’s also a compelling and strong willed woman coming into her power and at the same time always putting the people she cares about first. How could I complain?
Secondary characters were really well developed as well, to the point where I’m already hoping we’ll get installments in this series for at least another four of them. The pacing was great, the writing was nice and very funny at times without trying to make it a comedy but definitely succeeding at making me laugh silently through my nose while reading in bed.
And now for out of context moments:
Olivia any time she has to socialize
Lana creating poisons out of spite
Me if Amarante made me drink the potion
Amarante with her new face at the ball
Narcissa introducing Misty
In my mind, this is what every fantasy book cover should look like.
this book reminded me of Speak Now so I blocked John Meyer
This was delightful and whimsical; perfect for lovers of fairytales and Barbie Movies who cared mostly about friendships but still wanted some romance in the story. It felt like a warm hug and a blanket but also like a spring day.
The Herbwitch’s Apprentice is a tale that takes the very comfortable structure of fairytales as we know them but expands on interpersonal relationships in a way that’s very fitting with what we expect from fantasy books nowadays. It had magic, romance, mystery, betrayals and secrets but most importantly for me: a main character I kept rooting for throughout the whole novel. Amarante might be a dumb teenager sometimes, but she’s also a compelling and strong willed woman coming into her power and at the same time always putting the people she cares about first. How could I complain?
Secondary characters were really well developed as well, to the point where I’m already hoping we’ll get installments in this series for at least another four of them. The pacing was great, the writing was nice and very funny at times without trying to make it a comedy but definitely succeeding at making me laugh silently through my nose while reading in bed.
And now for out of context moments:
Olivia any time she has to socialize
Lana creating poisons out of spite
Me if Amarante made me drink the potion
Amarante with her new face at the ball
Narcissa introducing Misty
In my mind, this is what every fantasy book cover should look like.
December 13, 2022
This book was absolutely delightful and I cannot recommend it enough! It made me laugh out loud, like not just smile, LAUGH, but it was made me cry which was surprising after so much laughing. It is clever and humorous, heartfelt and charming. I would have loved more of Ash and Amarante in the epilogue, but it hardly took away from the ending. I can’t wait for the next story from this author!!
Just finished my re-read with the new illustrated edition and it was as stunning as ever! It is so whimsical and magical, reminding me of my beloved Barbie movies and great for a teen audience! Ireen has such a way with keeping the story moving and exciting, and it is so colorful and fun to watch it all unfold! Can’t wait for book 2!
Just finished my re-read with the new illustrated edition and it was as stunning as ever! It is so whimsical and magical, reminding me of my beloved Barbie movies and great for a teen audience! Ireen has such a way with keeping the story moving and exciting, and it is so colorful and fun to watch it all unfold! Can’t wait for book 2!
Want to read
June 23, 2024According to the author of this book this book is like
Jane Austen meets Barbie movies
. Which is basically every girl's dream, right?
Can't wait to pick up this book in the future.
Can't wait to pick up this book in the future.
June 12, 2021
I enjoyed this sweet story, especially the first three quarters! It’s like a youthful, regency inspired Rom Com with a magical-witchy-twist. Younger YA readers can enjoy this, all the way up to an old lady like me who just likes books that make me smile. The main characters are endearing and I will definitely read the next instalment just so I can get more of them.
July 30, 2023
How do I even begin to review this fabulous book?
Do I focus on the fact it was so good it sent me into a reading slump, or the gorgeous illustrations that made me feel like a happy kid inside, or the strong female friendships, or the deep themes hidden in such an adorable read?
*pauses to metaphorically catch breath*
I’ve been seeing this book around the indie book world for some time now, and the hype (and following the author as she illustrated it) finally got to me, and I added it to my TBR. In the end, I received a copy for my birthday, which I think makes it all the more special. <3
This book, y’all. It’s perfect for fans of (ILLUSTRATIONS!) Princess Academy or fairytales by Gail Carson Levine, soft yet deep stories, and whimsical, magical reads.
The characters absolutely shone. Amarante was relatable and cool, Olivia’s character arc was my favorite, and I’m quite curious to see more from Narcissa. I also really loved Ash (of course, how could you not?) and the quirky side characters from the witch world.
A word about the magic, since I know personally I don’t read a lot of books with magic in them. This was about on the level of a fairytale with potion-making like cooking, magic like inherent special powers and not incantations, and powers used for good and for evil. I was personally comfortable with this portrayal of it, and it brought out some really interesting allegories about fear and prejudice.
It gets pretty intense near the end, and there’s some delicious plot twists. I highly recommend it. <3
CW: magic, abuse, slavery, prejudice, and bullying.
Do I focus on the fact it was so good it sent me into a reading slump, or the gorgeous illustrations that made me feel like a happy kid inside, or the strong female friendships, or the deep themes hidden in such an adorable read?
*pauses to metaphorically catch breath*
I’ve been seeing this book around the indie book world for some time now, and the hype (and following the author as she illustrated it) finally got to me, and I added it to my TBR. In the end, I received a copy for my birthday, which I think makes it all the more special. <3
This book, y’all. It’s perfect for fans of (ILLUSTRATIONS!) Princess Academy or fairytales by Gail Carson Levine, soft yet deep stories, and whimsical, magical reads.
The characters absolutely shone. Amarante was relatable and cool, Olivia’s character arc was my favorite, and I’m quite curious to see more from Narcissa. I also really loved Ash (of course, how could you not?) and the quirky side characters from the witch world.
A word about the magic, since I know personally I don’t read a lot of books with magic in them. This was about on the level of a fairytale with potion-making like cooking, magic like inherent special powers and not incantations, and powers used for good and for evil. I was personally comfortable with this portrayal of it, and it brought out some really interesting allegories about fear and prejudice.
It gets pretty intense near the end, and there’s some delicious plot twists. I highly recommend it. <3
CW: magic, abuse, slavery, prejudice, and bullying.
December 12, 2022
Oh my goodness. This book was such a delight from beginning to end. I loved the sweetness and the wholesomeness of it all. It really did feel like a Barbie movie in all the best ways, and the characters and plot were so fun! Also, Ireen is such a witty writer; there were definitely some laugh-out-loud moments which I appreciated.
And, I have to say that Ash and Amarante were my favorites. I loved their friendship-turned-romance. So pure. And that bonus chapter where we get inside Ash’s head when he first meets Amarante is perfection.
Also, these illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!!
I can’t wait for The Herbwitch Princess which comes out next year!
Content:
There is witchcraft, but it’s not used in a dark magic or demonic sense. It’s more potions and herbs based.
Mild language (a few uses of the word d*mn)
And, I have to say that Ash and Amarante were my favorites. I loved their friendship-turned-romance. So pure. And that bonus chapter where we get inside Ash’s head when he first meets Amarante is perfection.
Also, these illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!!
I can’t wait for The Herbwitch Princess which comes out next year!
Content:
There is witchcraft, but it’s not used in a dark magic or demonic sense. It’s more potions and herbs based.
Mild language (a few uses of the word d*mn)
April 10, 2021
This was a great debut! It was fun, light-hearted, and enjoyable. I really loved all the female friendships! An absolute highlight. This book feels like what you'd get if you took Cinderella and a dash of The Little Mermaid and added Bring Me Their Hearts except way lighter, the MC isn't the murder-y one, and witches are actually good. It has a very classic fairy tale vibe as far as the magic is concerned, and a sort of vaguely Regency vibe for the setting. Maybe with a bit of something like The Selection, but I haven't actually read that, so I could be off. XD
The character arcs were good, although perhaps could have been a bit stronger--one side character in particular I really loved her arc, but it felt somewhat sudden, as if a lot of it happened off-the-page.
There's one plot development with the villains doing something basically out of pettiness and a desire to humiliate the MC that I debated on if it made sense, and ultimately felt seemed odd and possibly could have been cut--except that later the time used by that plot point was needed, so IDK. But the choice the villain made didn't make sense to me, and seemed illogical they'd even be able to get away with it. I literally had dreams in which I was arguing with myself about this plot point. 🤦♀️😆 Which does show that Chau made it important enough to the plot that it did work, even if it didn't quite make sense to me. If you're curious what I mean, spoiler paragraph at the end of this.
But overall, this was a whimsical and enjoyable light fantasy read that I probably would have read much faster if other things in life weren't demanding my attention instead.
[THIS PARAGRAPH IS SPOILERS: END OF SPOILERS]
The character arcs were good, although perhaps could have been a bit stronger--one side character in particular I really loved her arc, but it felt somewhat sudden, as if a lot of it happened off-the-page.
There's one plot development with the villains doing something basically out of pettiness and a desire to humiliate the MC that I debated on if it made sense, and ultimately felt seemed odd and possibly could have been cut--except that later the time used by that plot point was needed, so IDK. But the choice the villain made didn't make sense to me, and seemed illogical they'd even be able to get away with it. I literally had dreams in which I was arguing with myself about this plot point. 🤦♀️😆 Which does show that Chau made it important enough to the plot that it did work, even if it didn't quite make sense to me. If you're curious what I mean, spoiler paragraph at the end of this.
But overall, this was a whimsical and enjoyable light fantasy read that I probably would have read much faster if other things in life weren't demanding my attention instead.
[THIS PARAGRAPH IS SPOILERS: END OF SPOILERS]
December 19, 2024
I don’t have a whole lot of notes for this book review, so let’s keep it short and sweet! I thought The Herbwitch’s Apprentice looked adorable, nabbed the duology in a Kindle sale and am chagrined to report that my ebook copy doesn’t come with the author’s own original illustrations, which are lovely.
I’ve seen this described as an ode to the classic Barbie movies, which I can’t comment on because I never watched those as a kid (I know, I know, I was so deprived and sad!). I definitely would have loved it when I was little as it’s a nice blend of comforting, sweet, and funny, with familiar fairy tale tropes, fancy events, and heartwarming relationships. The Jane Austen/regency elements are fairly minor, and I would probably say that they fade more and more to the background as the story progresses. The other comp that stands out most clearly to me is Ella Enchanted: a plucky if unmannered heroine, a sweet prince, secret magic guardians in the place of a deceased mother, a forced servitude plot with a cruel mother/daughter pair, and lots of whimsical quirky details. Ella Enchanted will always reign supreme in my heart, but I recognize what’s happening here and I appreciate it.
Amarante is quite a bit more headstrong and impulsive than she is plucky and spirited, although this does improve over the course of the book. Some plot elements and characterization beats don’t make the most sense when scrutinized, but I think they could have gotten there with just a bit more time cooking. Overall, I wish there had been just slightly *more* of everything, especially the detailed magical descriptions and relationship nuances that really make the classics of this particular middle grade/young YA fairy tale sub-genre shine. Nevertheless, I smiled all the way through, look forward to the sequel, and really, really want some raspberry tarts and puff pastries now.
I’ve seen this described as an ode to the classic Barbie movies, which I can’t comment on because I never watched those as a kid (I know, I know, I was so deprived and sad!). I definitely would have loved it when I was little as it’s a nice blend of comforting, sweet, and funny, with familiar fairy tale tropes, fancy events, and heartwarming relationships. The Jane Austen/regency elements are fairly minor, and I would probably say that they fade more and more to the background as the story progresses. The other comp that stands out most clearly to me is Ella Enchanted: a plucky if unmannered heroine, a sweet prince, secret magic guardians in the place of a deceased mother, a forced servitude plot with a cruel mother/daughter pair, and lots of whimsical quirky details. Ella Enchanted will always reign supreme in my heart, but I recognize what’s happening here and I appreciate it.
Amarante is quite a bit more headstrong and impulsive than she is plucky and spirited, although this does improve over the course of the book. Some plot elements and characterization beats don’t make the most sense when scrutinized, but I think they could have gotten there with just a bit more time cooking. Overall, I wish there had been just slightly *more* of everything, especially the detailed magical descriptions and relationship nuances that really make the classics of this particular middle grade/young YA fairy tale sub-genre shine. Nevertheless, I smiled all the way through, look forward to the sequel, and really, really want some raspberry tarts and puff pastries now.
March 23, 2021
This book is everything I didn't know I needed.
It's not a retelling but the best way to describe it is "what if Cinderella didn't want to go to the ball but her stepmother made her? And what if while she was there, Cinderella started to discover she's a witch?"
It follows its own storyline and the comparison isn't a perfect one, but it had all the charms of a classic fairy tale, a lot of magic, fantastic characters, and a plot that kept me reading.
The story felt a little "safe" in that you know things are going to work out in the end. But you spend the whole book going "but how??? How are earth is this going to get resolved??" But you know it will, the happy ending feels promised (though it did surprise me in a good way!)
Which, isn't a complaint to call it safe, life been very uncertain lately and it was so nice to get lost in a story and allow myself to be completely captivated by it, without worrying that it was going to rip my heart out in the end.
There were several fun plot twists I didn't see coming and Amarante's character arc was done so well. Amarante is also just a delightful heroine to follow. I cackled quite a few times by her witty or sarcastic observations and remarks and was genuinely rooting for her. She's spunky and clever and very headstrong. And I love that while she's not at all interested in the Season she doesn't make a lot of "not like other girl" comments or come off as superior. She's genuinely pulling for her friends and wishing the best for them, even when their interests differ from hers.
Prince Ash is a sweetheart and the romance between him and Amarante is very subtle but so well done.
There is quite a bit of magic, which I'm usually sensitive to, but it didn't bother me here. It's very clear that "witchcraft" is really just using magic to make charms and remedies and other things to help people. There's no real concept of "dark magic" or anything like that.
Overall, if you like charming, sweet fairy tale-esque stories with lots of heart, fantastic characters, and enough plot to keep you turning the pages, you want to pick up a copy of this book ❤️
I recieved an advance reader copy from the author in exchange for my honest thoughts.
It's not a retelling but the best way to describe it is "what if Cinderella didn't want to go to the ball but her stepmother made her? And what if while she was there, Cinderella started to discover she's a witch?"
It follows its own storyline and the comparison isn't a perfect one, but it had all the charms of a classic fairy tale, a lot of magic, fantastic characters, and a plot that kept me reading.
The story felt a little "safe" in that you know things are going to work out in the end. But you spend the whole book going "but how??? How are earth is this going to get resolved??" But you know it will, the happy ending feels promised (though it did surprise me in a good way!)
Which, isn't a complaint to call it safe, life been very uncertain lately and it was so nice to get lost in a story and allow myself to be completely captivated by it, without worrying that it was going to rip my heart out in the end.
There were several fun plot twists I didn't see coming and Amarante's character arc was done so well. Amarante is also just a delightful heroine to follow. I cackled quite a few times by her witty or sarcastic observations and remarks and was genuinely rooting for her. She's spunky and clever and very headstrong. And I love that while she's not at all interested in the Season she doesn't make a lot of "not like other girl" comments or come off as superior. She's genuinely pulling for her friends and wishing the best for them, even when their interests differ from hers.
Prince Ash is a sweetheart and the romance between him and Amarante is very subtle but so well done.
There is quite a bit of magic, which I'm usually sensitive to, but it didn't bother me here. It's very clear that "witchcraft" is really just using magic to make charms and remedies and other things to help people. There's no real concept of "dark magic" or anything like that.
Overall, if you like charming, sweet fairy tale-esque stories with lots of heart, fantastic characters, and enough plot to keep you turning the pages, you want to pick up a copy of this book ❤️
I recieved an advance reader copy from the author in exchange for my honest thoughts.
July 31, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
The Herbwitch’s Apprentice is about Amarante, who finds out she’s half witch. She is forced by her stepmother to attend this year’s Season at the palace. Her magic proves inconvenient and embarrassing as she doesn’t know how to control it. When someone begins to poison the queen, she teams up with the Prince, Ash, to find out the culprit.
This book is sweet, and the illustrations are amazing! This is giving Barbie, Jane Austen, and Ella Enchanted vibes. If you’re a fan of Kiera Cass, you’ll love this. Overall, the plot was a little slow for me and the characters bland, so I don’t feel compelled to pick up the next one.
Content: one d-n, one b-tard, mention of suicide and adultery but very clean overall
The Herbwitch’s Apprentice is about Amarante, who finds out she’s half witch. She is forced by her stepmother to attend this year’s Season at the palace. Her magic proves inconvenient and embarrassing as she doesn’t know how to control it. When someone begins to poison the queen, she teams up with the Prince, Ash, to find out the culprit.
This book is sweet, and the illustrations are amazing! This is giving Barbie, Jane Austen, and Ella Enchanted vibes. If you’re a fan of Kiera Cass, you’ll love this. Overall, the plot was a little slow for me and the characters bland, so I don’t feel compelled to pick up the next one.
Content: one d-n, one b-tard, mention of suicide and adultery but very clean overall
April 19, 2021
I don't know why but the story... the characters... the suspense... reminded me of the Barbie movies.
April 17, 2025
this was the most coziest and softest book!!!! it literally felt like how the cool wind caress your face on a warm spring day I LOVED IT
August 25, 2025
I loved Amarante and Ash so much. and there was this one scene that reminded me of barbie princess and the pauper and i really loved that.
August 27, 2024
I was so excited to snag this ebook on sale last year because of the cute cover and premise and I’m happy to report that it lived up to my expectations! (which is rare, just sayin’ *cough* I’m hard to please *cough*)
It’s definitely Jane Austen meets the early Barbie movies (think The Nutcracker, Rapunzel, Swan Lake, etc) which isn’t normally a pitch I see, but it perfectly blends the balls, gossip, and drama of Regency books while also having that light yet dangerous fairy tale flare of the Barbie movies so much so I started wanting to watch one, lol.
Amarante is the perfect balance of feistiness and courage wrapped in feminine strength and sweet charm that SOOOO many authors can’t get right for the life of them, always going to one extreme or the other, and she had me smiling, cringing, and rooting for her from the minute I finished chapter one until the end. I loved her friend group (a couple of whom I hope get their own stories, pretty please?), all the characters both good and bad were so well written (I wanted to stick Julianna in a blender and turn it on), I hated the duchess with every fiber of my being, and to add the cherry on top Prince Ash was the perfect Prince Charming with teasing and courage galore and the perfect match for Amarante. I do wish there had just been a pinch more romance, but that’s just me being greedy, heehee.
The book does use the words “witch” and “witchcraft” but no occult practices happen and it wasn’t any more then the magic you’d see in a Disney Princess or Barbie movie. Also the men were called witches too which I thought was bizarre (men are generally called warlocks or wizards) but just further shows that the author is just using “witch” as her name for magical people in this world. They also make potions but they acted more like magical herbal tonics then malicious poisons, the only poison in the book being clearly pointed to as bad and not what witches ever should or would make.
Overall this was a delight of a story with light charm yet enough danger and intrigue to keep things interesting, along with a cauldron full of amazing and horrible characters to root for and despise, and I loved it and will come back to it when I crave a lighter read. Not sure how I feel about the next book being about a villain from this one, but I’ll be sure to try it anyways!
Now I need to go watch a Barbie movie…
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a man kills himself (we don’t see the action, he’s just suddenly dead); emotional and physical abuse
Language: darn; bastard (in the historical context of the word, not a swear word); crap; damn; bloody; golly; what the; gosh; darned
Violence: a man kills himself (we don’t see the action, he’s just suddenly dead); a woman tries to attack a character; a character is thrown off a balcony (they’re grabbed); women slap women and men on the face; animals attack a woman
Sexual: a character is rumored to be illegitimate; kissing (not detailed)
Drugs/Alcohol: a character is poisoned; witches make potions
Other: magic; witches; magical abilities; death; characters are tied up and thrown in the dungeon; emotional and physical abuse
It’s definitely Jane Austen meets the early Barbie movies (think The Nutcracker, Rapunzel, Swan Lake, etc) which isn’t normally a pitch I see, but it perfectly blends the balls, gossip, and drama of Regency books while also having that light yet dangerous fairy tale flare of the Barbie movies so much so I started wanting to watch one, lol.
Amarante is the perfect balance of feistiness and courage wrapped in feminine strength and sweet charm that SOOOO many authors can’t get right for the life of them, always going to one extreme or the other, and she had me smiling, cringing, and rooting for her from the minute I finished chapter one until the end. I loved her friend group (a couple of whom I hope get their own stories, pretty please?), all the characters both good and bad were so well written (I wanted to stick Julianna in a blender and turn it on), I hated the duchess with every fiber of my being, and to add the cherry on top Prince Ash was the perfect Prince Charming with teasing and courage galore and the perfect match for Amarante. I do wish there had just been a pinch more romance, but that’s just me being greedy, heehee.
The book does use the words “witch” and “witchcraft” but no occult practices happen and it wasn’t any more then the magic you’d see in a Disney Princess or Barbie movie. Also the men were called witches too which I thought was bizarre (men are generally called warlocks or wizards) but just further shows that the author is just using “witch” as her name for magical people in this world. They also make potions but they acted more like magical herbal tonics then malicious poisons, the only poison in the book being clearly pointed to as bad and not what witches ever should or would make.
Overall this was a delight of a story with light charm yet enough danger and intrigue to keep things interesting, along with a cauldron full of amazing and horrible characters to root for and despise, and I loved it and will come back to it when I crave a lighter read. Not sure how I feel about the next book being about a villain from this one, but I’ll be sure to try it anyways!
Now I need to go watch a Barbie movie…
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a man kills himself (we don’t see the action, he’s just suddenly dead); emotional and physical abuse
Language: darn; bastard (in the historical context of the word, not a swear word); crap; damn; bloody; golly; what the; gosh; darned
Violence: a man kills himself (we don’t see the action, he’s just suddenly dead); a woman tries to attack a character; a character is thrown off a balcony (they’re grabbed); women slap women and men on the face; animals attack a woman
Sexual: a character is rumored to be illegitimate; kissing (not detailed)
Drugs/Alcohol: a character is poisoned; witches make potions
Other: magic; witches; magical abilities; death; characters are tied up and thrown in the dungeon; emotional and physical abuse
February 23, 2025
Super cute, like YA Bridgerton with magic!✨ I don’t know why I thought this was going to be a Swan Princess retelling? 😂 Anyway, I guess I was a bit tired lol. It felt a bit slow at times, hence the 3 stars, but otherwise, so cutsey! 💕
May 19, 2023
I got the ebook, but I might also purchase the paperback for the illustrations.
This book (the whole world, really) comes across as one of the stories I’d make up with my toys as a young girl. The stakes are simultaneously high and absurdly low, the colors are vivid, and the characters just silly enough to be relatable. This is the type of story that leaves you digging through your closet for the old costumes you got for Halloween that one year, eager to don a ball gown and twirl around your house. There aren’t any sword wielding heroines here, but I’m ok with that. The girls in this series are vibrantly depicted and absolutely a joy to meet, even as they’re stumbling through curtsies and falling into ponds.
This book (the whole world, really) comes across as one of the stories I’d make up with my toys as a young girl. The stakes are simultaneously high and absurdly low, the colors are vivid, and the characters just silly enough to be relatable. This is the type of story that leaves you digging through your closet for the old costumes you got for Halloween that one year, eager to don a ball gown and twirl around your house. There aren’t any sword wielding heroines here, but I’m ok with that. The girls in this series are vibrantly depicted and absolutely a joy to meet, even as they’re stumbling through curtsies and falling into ponds.
April 7, 2025
This book was so charming and cozy! I absolutely ADORED the regency era + magical Barbie movie vibes; it was painting the most beautiful picture in my head!
And the story was just super fun! I loved seeing Amarante being a debutante, getting closer to her new friends, learning to use her newfound powers, and getting to know prince Ash while uncovering a mystery in the palace.
Amarante was a really good MC to follow. She was strong-willed and kind, and I was instantly rooting for her. I also liked the slow-burn romance with prince Ash. 🤭 He was so sweet and understanding!! Loved themmmmm both!!! 🥰
This book is the definition of sweet and cozy! I’m definitely buying the physical version so I can also appreciate all the illustrations!
And the story was just super fun! I loved seeing Amarante being a debutante, getting closer to her new friends, learning to use her newfound powers, and getting to know prince Ash while uncovering a mystery in the palace.
Amarante was a really good MC to follow. She was strong-willed and kind, and I was instantly rooting for her. I also liked the slow-burn romance with prince Ash. 🤭 He was so sweet and understanding!! Loved themmmmm both!!! 🥰
This book is the definition of sweet and cozy! I’m definitely buying the physical version so I can also appreciate all the illustrations!
November 2, 2023
A truly delightful read. I devoured this in just two sittings and am already ready for book two.
The writing was easy and simple but descriptive and captivating at the same time. Character development and worldbuilding was done well and I was completely satisfied with the ending and the arcs.
The illustrations were adorbs and definitely brought charm and delight to this already lovely book.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone wanting a cozy fantasy read with soft magic, delightful royalty affairs, and a happy ending
The writing was easy and simple but descriptive and captivating at the same time. Character development and worldbuilding was done well and I was completely satisfied with the ending and the arcs.
The illustrations were adorbs and definitely brought charm and delight to this already lovely book.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone wanting a cozy fantasy read with soft magic, delightful royalty affairs, and a happy ending
August 21, 2021
*4.5 stars
That was so delightful, I loved it so much! Full review to come.
That was so delightful, I loved it so much! Full review to come.
paused
August 27, 2025[Aug. 27, 2025] Putting this book down for now cuz I’m 16% in and it’s not the kind of fantasy I’m craving for. Maybe I just really miss emwendell so much and need to rr their second book.
December 14, 2023
I have been seeing this book raved about everywhere, and I doubted the book could live up to the hype. Well, it not only did, but it surpassed it.
This is a really good Regency-inspired (but not historical Regency. It is fully a fantasy world, just with Regency conventions), cozy, fantasy romance / YA fantasy. In this kingdom, magic is outlawed. And, of course, our leading lady discovers she has magic. But when the queen is poisoned, having magic becomes all too important and might just save the day.
The romance was beyond adorable. The book had enough danger and suspense to keep me turning pages but it was still adorably cozy and soft and squishy in all the ways that make it the perfect book to curl up on the sofa with when you're sick with a cold. I read both this book and its sequel in one day, they were that good!
This is a really good Regency-inspired (but not historical Regency. It is fully a fantasy world, just with Regency conventions), cozy, fantasy romance / YA fantasy. In this kingdom, magic is outlawed. And, of course, our leading lady discovers she has magic. But when the queen is poisoned, having magic becomes all too important and might just save the day.
The romance was beyond adorable. The book had enough danger and suspense to keep me turning pages but it was still adorably cozy and soft and squishy in all the ways that make it the perfect book to curl up on the sofa with when you're sick with a cold. I read both this book and its sequel in one day, they were that good!
November 6, 2023
This book was a charming read! It was very sweet and made me smile multiple times. The illustrations are beautiful, the plot is simple but enjoyable enough, and the characters are cute. It is a bit cheesy at times, but I didn’t mind it since I was enjoying the story and characters.
May 21, 2023
This is one of those instances I feel confused because this book is well rated by others, but I think I hate it.
The main character can't stick to a personality to save her life, her morals and ideals are shakey and constantly changing. The male interest is as boring as toast with no butter or jam. They have no chemistry and the plot is contrived six ways from Sunday.
I just did not enjoy this one bit.
The main character can't stick to a personality to save her life, her morals and ideals are shakey and constantly changing. The male interest is as boring as toast with no butter or jam. They have no chemistry and the plot is contrived six ways from Sunday.
I just did not enjoy this one bit.
September 5, 2023
This was so much fun!! The MC was so easy to root for and even though the plot was kind of basic, it wasn’t so bad that the book wasn’t enjoyable. I definitely recommend.
April 24, 2024
Read this if you love…
💖 classic Barbie movies
🦢 cozy fantasy with a regency twist
🎀 brave girls & charming princes
This is sunshine personified. I’m never going to shut up about this book.
The Herbwitch’s Apprentice follows Amarante Flora, a young woman reluctantly participating in this year’s Season. She’d rather stay home in the garden, but her stepmother insists that she should join the Season and secure a husband. Finding out that she’s half witch complicates Amarante’s life even further as Olderea outlawed magic generations ago. Amidst the balls, boating events, and bloodthirsty swans, Amarante is drawn deeper into a royal conspiracy. She joins the charming Prince Ash in an investigation to uncover the truth and protect innocent witches.
This story was just what I needed. It’s a warm, well-illustrated hug. Amarante has a strong sense of voice. She’s witty and kind with a desire to do the right thing (though she may pull some pranks first). Her relationship with her stepsister Genevieve and their friends was lovely. Prince Ash was equally as charming and hilarious. This book is classified as lower YA, so the romance was sweet and low-key but still compelling.
Ireen’s illustration style is simply gorgeous. I adore how she incorporated illustrations throughout to introduce new characters and highlight dramatic moments. There’s a flow and movement to her art that pulls you deeper into the story. You can feel the spunk and heart of the characters jumping off the page. I found myself going back to look at the drawings as I read. I even made my coworkers look at them (very convenient that I work at a library!)
Once again, Malia comes in clutch with a stellar recommendation. I never would have heard about this book without her and I’m so grateful. I’ve already ordered the next book in the series.
💖 classic Barbie movies
🦢 cozy fantasy with a regency twist
🎀 brave girls & charming princes
This is sunshine personified. I’m never going to shut up about this book.
The Herbwitch’s Apprentice follows Amarante Flora, a young woman reluctantly participating in this year’s Season. She’d rather stay home in the garden, but her stepmother insists that she should join the Season and secure a husband. Finding out that she’s half witch complicates Amarante’s life even further as Olderea outlawed magic generations ago. Amidst the balls, boating events, and bloodthirsty swans, Amarante is drawn deeper into a royal conspiracy. She joins the charming Prince Ash in an investigation to uncover the truth and protect innocent witches.
This story was just what I needed. It’s a warm, well-illustrated hug. Amarante has a strong sense of voice. She’s witty and kind with a desire to do the right thing (though she may pull some pranks first). Her relationship with her stepsister Genevieve and their friends was lovely. Prince Ash was equally as charming and hilarious. This book is classified as lower YA, so the romance was sweet and low-key but still compelling.
Ireen’s illustration style is simply gorgeous. I adore how she incorporated illustrations throughout to introduce new characters and highlight dramatic moments. There’s a flow and movement to her art that pulls you deeper into the story. You can feel the spunk and heart of the characters jumping off the page. I found myself going back to look at the drawings as I read. I even made my coworkers look at them (very convenient that I work at a library!)
Once again, Malia comes in clutch with a stellar recommendation. I never would have heard about this book without her and I’m so grateful. I’ve already ordered the next book in the series.
January 13, 2024
Regency inspired cozy fantasy is a genre I've seen grow in popularity recently and I'm here for it. This book has a lot of petty drama and doesn't make logical sense a lot of the time, but it's so whimsical. The world of Oldrea has early Barbie movie vibes in terms of setting and some of the plot. (Think Barbie as Rapunzel especially. I don't know why but that's the one movie that stuck in my mind while reading this) Ooh, and Ella Enchanted (book, not movie)! I'm doing a crap job at describing this book but you have to believe me that this is very well written and made me very nostalgic. It's a weird feeling being nostalgic while reading a new to me book but I didn't hate it.
Honestly, cozy, low stakes fantasy is something I'd love to incorporate into my reading more, so I'm glad I gave this book a chance. The Herbwitch's Apprentice was
much needed for me at this time.
Anyway, forgive me for this incoherent review. It's my bedtime while writing this so I'm not in a critical headspace. Long story short, if you don't like YA, I wouldn't recommend this for you because it's got that petty teenage inner monologue, but it is a great read if you need a low stakes pick me up.
Honestly, cozy, low stakes fantasy is something I'd love to incorporate into my reading more, so I'm glad I gave this book a chance. The Herbwitch's Apprentice was
much needed for me at this time.
Anyway, forgive me for this incoherent review. It's my bedtime while writing this so I'm not in a critical headspace. Long story short, if you don't like YA, I wouldn't recommend this for you because it's got that petty teenage inner monologue, but it is a great read if you need a low stakes pick me up.
February 20, 2021
**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
Note: this review will contain mild spoilers throughout and major spoilers towards the end (specfically in the fifth paragraph of the review).
I have been following Ireen on her art Instagram for a few years now, and I've always found her work ethic and her drive to improve impressive, not to mention the beauty of the art she makes. When she announced that she had finished her first novel, I found it entirely unsurprising (but no less admirable) that she had used her quarantine to write a novel, and I was excited to read it. Though The Herbwitch's Apprentice wasn't my favorite, I still found it an enjoyable read.
The Herbwitch's Apprentice follows a young half-witch, Amarante Flora, in a world where magic is illegal. Amarante faces the dual challenges of handling life as a debutante, with all the petty squabbling it entails, and her emerging magic, which she must hide under the threat of severe consequences. When Amarante befriends Prince Ash, younger brother to the king's heir, and also begins training as an herbwitch (one with power over organic material) with the formidable witch Lana, she becomes entangled in issues plaguing the humans and witches alike.
Above all, I thought this book was a fun adventure. The characters were likeable and idiosyncratic, especially Amarante and Ash, and Amarante's trickster side brought a well-needed dose of laughter. Though I felt many of the side characters filled the roles of two-dimensional archetypes at times - Tori as the boisterous and funny friend, Olivia as the shy girl being coaxed out of her shell, Julianna as the irritating and condescending rival - I still enjoyed hearing about their exploits. The small and amusing details - for example, three daughters all named Victoria, who go by the nicknames of Tori, Vicky, and Ria - added to that enjoyment and inserted a particular and unique charm.
One of the ways I felt this book succeeded was in the pacing. I felt intrigued by the dual problems facing Amarante in her experience as a debutante and in her powers as a witch, and there was a good balance of the two storylines to keep both equally exciting, especially in the beginning, as both storylines were being introduced and developed. Ireen also has a real skill for writing dramatic chapter endings that keep the reader engaged and encourage further reading. Especially in a book with a younger target audience, I think this is a great accomplishment; I remember having books read aloud to me chapter by chapter as a child, and one of the necessary components was a strong chapter ending that would get me excited to hear the next part of the story.
**Spoilers in next paragraph**
However, one of the weaknesses I saw in this book was that the stakes felt poorly established, with the result that certain events towards the end of the novel felt sudden and jarring. This was true specifically in the dangers of magic and the prejudice facing witches, which influenced Amarante's forced servitude and later imprisonment. I saw attempts to establish the hardship facing witches at many points throughout the earlier book, in moments such as the backstory on the original ban on magic and the witches' not-wholly-successful attempts to grow crops and difficulty obtaining food, and I appreciated these moments. However, when I reached the later parts of act two and into act three of the novel, I felt that events escalated far more rapidly than I had expected in a way I found unbelievable. Amarante being forced into the position of Narcissa's scullery maid and her later planned execution in particular felt overdone to me, and I think that part of this could have been rectified with a clearer focus on the hatred of witches earlier in the book. Much of the witchcraft featured early in the story is via Amarante's discovery of her magic and her growing skills, which naturally led the reader to associate magic with miracles and excitement rather than the hatred that existed for many people in Olderea. Like I said, though, while the hatred and fear of witches was textually established, my understanding of the scale of that hatred felt insufficient to justify what Amarante faced until after those events had occurred. This may have been a misreading on my part, but I would have liked greater attention to establishing those high stakes. That said, one of my favorite details was that magic was not overpowered in this world - magic had limitations and was insufficient in certain situations, and the witches were not all-powerful because of the magic they possessed.
**Spoilers over**
Overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced, mostly lighthearted read featuring an exciting cast of characters and an imaginative world, I would recommend The Herbwitch's Apprentice. As a debut novel, I'm impressed with the skill Ireen has already employed, and I know that she will only improve in her future novels. I'm excited to see where her writing goes next, and I encourage you to follow her work as well!
Note: this review will contain mild spoilers throughout and major spoilers towards the end (specfically in the fifth paragraph of the review).
I have been following Ireen on her art Instagram for a few years now, and I've always found her work ethic and her drive to improve impressive, not to mention the beauty of the art she makes. When she announced that she had finished her first novel, I found it entirely unsurprising (but no less admirable) that she had used her quarantine to write a novel, and I was excited to read it. Though The Herbwitch's Apprentice wasn't my favorite, I still found it an enjoyable read.
The Herbwitch's Apprentice follows a young half-witch, Amarante Flora, in a world where magic is illegal. Amarante faces the dual challenges of handling life as a debutante, with all the petty squabbling it entails, and her emerging magic, which she must hide under the threat of severe consequences. When Amarante befriends Prince Ash, younger brother to the king's heir, and also begins training as an herbwitch (one with power over organic material) with the formidable witch Lana, she becomes entangled in issues plaguing the humans and witches alike.
Above all, I thought this book was a fun adventure. The characters were likeable and idiosyncratic, especially Amarante and Ash, and Amarante's trickster side brought a well-needed dose of laughter. Though I felt many of the side characters filled the roles of two-dimensional archetypes at times - Tori as the boisterous and funny friend, Olivia as the shy girl being coaxed out of her shell, Julianna as the irritating and condescending rival - I still enjoyed hearing about their exploits. The small and amusing details - for example, three daughters all named Victoria, who go by the nicknames of Tori, Vicky, and Ria - added to that enjoyment and inserted a particular and unique charm.
One of the ways I felt this book succeeded was in the pacing. I felt intrigued by the dual problems facing Amarante in her experience as a debutante and in her powers as a witch, and there was a good balance of the two storylines to keep both equally exciting, especially in the beginning, as both storylines were being introduced and developed. Ireen also has a real skill for writing dramatic chapter endings that keep the reader engaged and encourage further reading. Especially in a book with a younger target audience, I think this is a great accomplishment; I remember having books read aloud to me chapter by chapter as a child, and one of the necessary components was a strong chapter ending that would get me excited to hear the next part of the story.
**Spoilers in next paragraph**
However, one of the weaknesses I saw in this book was that the stakes felt poorly established, with the result that certain events towards the end of the novel felt sudden and jarring. This was true specifically in the dangers of magic and the prejudice facing witches, which influenced Amarante's forced servitude and later imprisonment. I saw attempts to establish the hardship facing witches at many points throughout the earlier book, in moments such as the backstory on the original ban on magic and the witches' not-wholly-successful attempts to grow crops and difficulty obtaining food, and I appreciated these moments. However, when I reached the later parts of act two and into act three of the novel, I felt that events escalated far more rapidly than I had expected in a way I found unbelievable. Amarante being forced into the position of Narcissa's scullery maid and her later planned execution in particular felt overdone to me, and I think that part of this could have been rectified with a clearer focus on the hatred of witches earlier in the book. Much of the witchcraft featured early in the story is via Amarante's discovery of her magic and her growing skills, which naturally led the reader to associate magic with miracles and excitement rather than the hatred that existed for many people in Olderea. Like I said, though, while the hatred and fear of witches was textually established, my understanding of the scale of that hatred felt insufficient to justify what Amarante faced until after those events had occurred. This may have been a misreading on my part, but I would have liked greater attention to establishing those high stakes. That said, one of my favorite details was that magic was not overpowered in this world - magic had limitations and was insufficient in certain situations, and the witches were not all-powerful because of the magic they possessed.
**Spoilers over**
Overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced, mostly lighthearted read featuring an exciting cast of characters and an imaginative world, I would recommend The Herbwitch's Apprentice. As a debut novel, I'm impressed with the skill Ireen has already employed, and I know that she will only improve in her future novels. I'm excited to see where her writing goes next, and I encourage you to follow her work as well!
September 8, 2024
I read that the author wanted this series to give off the vibes of the older animated Barbie movies and it sure delivered 🙂↕️ this was such a fun read and I adored all the characters. I’m super excited to start the next book and read about narcissa’s redemption arc🫶
April 22, 2021
The Herbwitch's Apprentice is a book that delivers on what it sets out to do. I personally believe that goal is simple- to be entertaining. It is, as far as I know, a middle grade/early YA novel with minimal worldbuilding and a fun plot, and that is exactly what I wanted from it. I do have minor criticisms, and since I'm a newbie to reviews, I'll format my opinions in the only way I know how: a bullet point list, separated into pros and cons.
Let's start with the Pros:
- It is entertaining. THA is incredibly fun and easy to read. The plot is lighthearted for the most part, and even when it dips into darker territory it doesn't become a downer.
- I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Season and high society gossip. I loved how the author used Austen style tropes to her advantage.
- The witches were whimsical and I loved the distinction between Herbwitches and Charmwitches.
- THA fits perfectly into its target demographic and doesn't feel out of place next to The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom or The Forbidden Library age-wise (I literally cannot stress enough how nice it is to see a book targeted at a younger demographic that actually matches that demographic in its content. Also, take a shot each time I say demographic. Actually don't, you'll get sick).
- Information given to us by the characters becomes relevant later on and doesn't feel shoehorned in to add spice to the worldbuilding.
- LOVED how Amarante's power uses colour, it was incredibly cool. Though I do wish the limitations were made more clear.
-Amarante is a wonderful main character, I especially like how part of her arc involves her finding something she enjoys doing and is good at. She's really clever, and doesn't make any stupid this-only-benefits-the-plot decisions. I love a character who doesn't run away to mope after hearing half a conversation about her.
-Ash is really sweet and I bought into their young-love romance. His reactions to things seemed realistic and he was a believable love interest.
- Lana. That's it, that's the bullet point.
Now for the Cons:
- Some minor continuity errors (For example, Cedric wasn't at the Season to court and we were told that he didn't have a ribbon, but at the resolution it's mentioned that he gave Genevieve his ribbon. Side note, they're incredibly cute together and I love them).
-Some issues with the setting and scene changes not being super clear. I would often find myself flipping back a few pages and trying to figure out how something was possible or how they got there, as well as not really knowing the layout of the city. THA could have benefitted from a map in that regard, though all books can benefit from a good fantasy map.
-Prince Ash was wonderful, and I wish we could have seen more of him, especially since he's the love interest. I suppose that's just because of the first person POV used, and would be tricky to work around without adding tons of unnecessary scenes.
-Some side characters felt either a little flat at times, or just unnecessary.
- Amarante's time serving Narcissa should have been in more detail, and longer. Not because I want to see her suffer, I actually found that part upsetting as it was intended to be. It just felt like it should have been more important than it was presented. I think this is the result of both genre/demographic and the books very fast pace (which otherwise served it well. This plotline seemed a little larger than the book allowed, and the way that it related back to Prince Ash's abuse at the hands of Wilhelmina could have been touched on more. But that would also drastically change the tone, so I don't know).
- I really disliked how Amarante missed the whole resolution. I get that she's just a debutante and can't be a part of the important bureaucratic aspects but she didn't have to be passed out/in prison for that part. Actually, how much time passed between the climax and the resolution?
Overall, The Herbwitch's Apprentice is well done, and doesn't try to be anything it's not. That doesn't mean it is without depth. The story touches on having a mixed heritage and the identity issues that would bring, but it doesn't linger, or shove it down your throat in a philosophic ramble. Not that it would be bad to do that, it would simply be out of place in this book. I feel like most of my critique boils down to being nitpicky, having mostly outgrown YA and middle grade, or THA being a debut novel. While it seems like I put more cons than pros, the pros far outshine their counterparts.
It is a colourful story, with an engaging plot, compelling characters, and fascinating magic. I'd definitely recommend it to someone looking for a light read that will leave them feeling fulfilled.
On a side note, I read it front to back in a single sitting, which is something I haven't been able to do since middle school!
Let's start with the Pros:
- It is entertaining. THA is incredibly fun and easy to read. The plot is lighthearted for the most part, and even when it dips into darker territory it doesn't become a downer.
- I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Season and high society gossip. I loved how the author used Austen style tropes to her advantage.
- The witches were whimsical and I loved the distinction between Herbwitches and Charmwitches.
- THA fits perfectly into its target demographic and doesn't feel out of place next to The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom or The Forbidden Library age-wise (I literally cannot stress enough how nice it is to see a book targeted at a younger demographic that actually matches that demographic in its content. Also, take a shot each time I say demographic. Actually don't, you'll get sick).
- Information given to us by the characters becomes relevant later on and doesn't feel shoehorned in to add spice to the worldbuilding.
- LOVED how Amarante's power uses colour, it was incredibly cool. Though I do wish the limitations were made more clear.
-Amarante is a wonderful main character, I especially like how part of her arc involves her finding something she enjoys doing and is good at. She's really clever, and doesn't make any stupid this-only-benefits-the-plot decisions. I love a character who doesn't run away to mope after hearing half a conversation about her.
-Ash is really sweet and I bought into their young-love romance. His reactions to things seemed realistic and he was a believable love interest.
- Lana. That's it, that's the bullet point.
Now for the Cons:
- Some minor continuity errors (For example, Cedric wasn't at the Season to court and we were told that he didn't have a ribbon, but at the resolution it's mentioned that he gave Genevieve his ribbon. Side note, they're incredibly cute together and I love them).
-Some issues with the setting and scene changes not being super clear. I would often find myself flipping back a few pages and trying to figure out how something was possible or how they got there, as well as not really knowing the layout of the city. THA could have benefitted from a map in that regard, though all books can benefit from a good fantasy map.
-Prince Ash was wonderful, and I wish we could have seen more of him, especially since he's the love interest. I suppose that's just because of the first person POV used, and would be tricky to work around without adding tons of unnecessary scenes.
-Some side characters felt either a little flat at times, or just unnecessary.
- Amarante's time serving Narcissa should have been in more detail, and longer. Not because I want to see her suffer, I actually found that part upsetting as it was intended to be. It just felt like it should have been more important than it was presented. I think this is the result of both genre/demographic and the books very fast pace (which otherwise served it well. This plotline seemed a little larger than the book allowed, and the way that it related back to Prince Ash's abuse at the hands of Wilhelmina could have been touched on more. But that would also drastically change the tone, so I don't know).
- I really disliked how Amarante missed the whole resolution. I get that she's just a debutante and can't be a part of the important bureaucratic aspects but she didn't have to be passed out/in prison for that part. Actually, how much time passed between the climax and the resolution?
Overall, The Herbwitch's Apprentice is well done, and doesn't try to be anything it's not. That doesn't mean it is without depth. The story touches on having a mixed heritage and the identity issues that would bring, but it doesn't linger, or shove it down your throat in a philosophic ramble. Not that it would be bad to do that, it would simply be out of place in this book. I feel like most of my critique boils down to being nitpicky, having mostly outgrown YA and middle grade, or THA being a debut novel. While it seems like I put more cons than pros, the pros far outshine their counterparts.
It is a colourful story, with an engaging plot, compelling characters, and fascinating magic. I'd definitely recommend it to someone looking for a light read that will leave them feeling fulfilled.
On a side note, I read it front to back in a single sitting, which is something I haven't been able to do since middle school!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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