The Ancient and the Amber: A Cozy Romantic Fantasy Novel

The Wilderise Tales #3

by Amy Yorke

With just three months until the king razes her new home to build a coal mine, Alison Lennox and her friends travel to the isolated campus of Winwold College, a beautiful old castle nestled deep in the mountains of Loegria. There, they meet eccentric Professor Mircalla Marin and her bumbling graduate student Leo, the only people who can help them fix their solar generator in time to save the town.

But when a massive storm cuts the campus off from the outside world, strange things begin to happen.

Whispers come from ancient texts. Doors close on their own.

And, in the darkened hallways, something is lurking just beyond sight.

When a student goes missing, Alison and friends must race to find out what’s happening to the college before it claims another victim–and before time runs out to save Herot’s Hollow.

The Ancient and the Amber is a cozy and spooky read, perfect for a chilly autumn night. It is the third book in the Wilderise Tales series.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Cozy Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

332 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2024

Reviews

[Eileen Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ fave quote ✨

The sky loomed above her. In her heart, she knew she was alone underneath it. That we were all alone, really, each of us living lonely under the infinite sea of stars, rarely even aware of what’s above us.

✨ review ✨

I believe I read this book under the literal perfect circumstances. I began it on the first evening of autumn, with a cinnamon candle lit and my (spooky black) cat curled up beside me. I finished it during a hurricane similar to the weather featured midway through the book, amid flickering power and the roar of wind shaking the tree branches. And the vibes? Impeccable 💯

What I loved: Ceri is RELATABLE, more of the romances I fell in love with in earlier books and new pairings added to the mix, spooky but not scary, academia, library with a mind of its own, laughter and tears and everything in between

✨ overall rating ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️

✨ rating breakdown ✨
Concept: ⭐️
Freshness:⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️▫️
Main Characters: ⭐️
Supporting Characters: ⭐️
Voice: 💫
Style: 💫
Intrigue: ⭐️
Enjoyability: ⭐️

[Brandi Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5ish? I really like the characters, but again, like book two, this has too many concepts and the pacing gets weird. I feel like the author could use some editing and refinement, but I really enjoy the world she created. I just wish it had more polish, because it feels cluttered.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as the previous two. but still good

I liked this, but not as much as the first two. I will get the next one, and see if the series picks up

[Celeste Wasche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now being the third book of an amazing series, we visit a college. Ever wonder what it would be like to go to college in a magical world? Yes, very Harry Potter, but for adults. Magic trees, talking cats, found family and a library with an attitude. Nothing can go wrong in a magical college with this team….

Our team is trying to make the money saving electricity plans at the same college as Ceri decided to go to in her quest to become more independent. This is where we meet a new group of people and find out the college is haunted. through some twists and turns, they were able to find the answers. Not without some nerve wrecked suspicion. This is proof comfy cozy can be a mystery story.

At this point it would be good to note that this series has no stand alone. But with the multiple points of views, it really is enjoyable. Heck yea I’ll tell everyone to read this series. I already have! And the fourth is coming next year.

[S Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, mysterious, and a little bit spooky, "The Ancient and the Amber" is an excellent third installment to The Wilderise Tales. Familiar characters return, and new, equally-lovable characters are introduced. In the midst of resolving the issue our characters faced at the end of "The Bright and the Blue," the collaborative cast of "The Ancient and the Amber" must work together to solve a new conflict and navigate unfamiliar magic.

I read the bulk of this novel during a serious thunderstorm, and the vibes were perfect for a rainy, autumn day. I really enjoyed getting to see things from Ceri's perspective, and I thought that the build in her relationship with Leo was adorable. I am looking forward to continuing with the next installment of this series.

[Dynisha Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one a bit skeptical because sometimes the younger sibling side characters are hard to like. But I do believe I like Ceri as much as Idris at least and if anything I liked Leo a lot! I do wonder if more could’ve been done as far as what the differences between cultures were in a way that would’ve enhanced their personalities; for example we know he’s from somewhere different that’s pegged as maybe more science based but what about the normal cultural things like food and clothes and expressions etc.

Overall a really great read that I enjoyed especially the use of the journal and learning more about how this world views curses and the rules of magic in general.

[Shannon Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ancient and the Amber is book 3 in The Wilderise Tales. Once again, this series is a breath of fresh air. This time there is a spooky fall theme, but it's still a cozy read. We see all the old characters, with multiple POVs. However, Ceri is featured in this book, along with a new character named Leo. There is a mystery, magical curses, some romance, and friendship between the old and new characters. It's a quick, fun read. The next book with come out this winter, and yes, it is winter themed! The entire series has been 4 stars.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is cozy, heartwarming and a little spooky.

I love all the wilderise tales but this one might be my favorite (so far as one is still yet to come) and I will recommend this series to all lovers of cozy cottagecore like stories that showcase friendship, romance and small adventures with a dazzle of the fantastical.

It was lovely to read the continuation of Alison and her friends quest to preserve Herot’s Hollow and it's natural and serene charm. Also the execution of the multiple POW is better and more seemless in this book than in book 2.

[Angela Zepeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is like a cozy warm hug that I just can’t get enough of. Was this one my favorite?? Maybe I’m bias because fall is my favorite season and this was just the perfect cozy fantasy book to read! It had some spooky, mystery elements, cozy perfect fall scenery, dark academia vibes and just everything I was hoping it would be! I love these books and the characters and am so excited to read the 4th one this winter! 💖💖💖

Ps I lived Ceri and Leo they were so cute 💖🥺 and the magical journal??? LOVED 💖💖💖💖

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a wonderful cozy fantasy, it feels like coming home. You continue to follow Alison and company’s journey to save Herot’s Hollow with a generator to bring ‘lectrics to their small country town as the king has demanded in the previous book.

We get that plus a time traveling adventure with cursed objects with a new character. But we also get to see Idris’ sister, Princess Ceridwen, grow and change into who she really wants to be, Ceri.

This multi POV book felt cozy, warm, and I was cheering for every character to succeed. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

[Lucy Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet pleaser of a tale

The princess, Ceri, is trying to change. To be a friend, to have a friend. A storm, a disappearance. A lot of dangerous curses enticing the...friensd? A suite of characters studies, experiments, helps, confronts terrible dangers. In the end, almost everyone has sweet success...

Is this a vision of healthy industrialization, a healthy tramsition to clean energy? Well, maybe we can have it once we have powerful dwarves who mine safely.

[merlin513 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved ‘The Ancient and the Amber’.
Book 3 is more similar to the pacing and feel of book 1. It’s easier between chapter POC switches than book 2 was. Book 2 would give you whiplash : )
Really love the ever expanding Herot’s Hollow family and eagerly awaiting book 4, the penultimate chapter with the fate of Herot’s Hollow.
These books are going to be a physical purchase for me to go on my ‘Please Lord I Can’t TAKE IT Anymore!!!’ Cozy, comfort read shelf! <3

[Erin Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are fun, easy reads.

Pros: the world building is interesting and cute, the characters are fun, the romance was sweet (but not very spicy) and the plot moves pretty well.

Cons: there is a lot convenient events that fix the problems in the story and my personal preferences made me feel like there wasn’t enough fault in the characters to aid those problems.

[Bailey Hensley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The coziest, spooky fall vibes. Loved reading this with candles lit and cool fall weather. It was so nice to read a book with spooky elements that wasn’t actually scary. Ceri is probably the most relatable character yet in this series, she and Leo were adorable.

[Lara's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my favourite so far! This was a cozy and fun read that had a great world building but it was rushed and the way that the problems were solved in a "easy" way.

The romance was cute and Ceri and Leo were my favourite couple from the series!

[Kate Duncan Mcilvain · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay #3 was amazing. spooky, yet sweet, and so warm even though it’s set in the fall. i love this series so much.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is cute

[Alyse Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still a cute book, but I didn't expect it to go a little horror.

[Meggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this so much, my favourite of the series so far!!

[Jo Ericksen]

And the story continues. the author continues to present the story with new twists, people and creatures. The continuing characters are there as well and continue to grow.

[Kathi Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

See end of series