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The Secrets of Ormdale #5
Valley of Dragons
[SPOILER WARNING FOR BOOK 4]
In this suspenseful and joyous conclusion to the bestselling series, Edith must free herself and those she loves from the final secrets of Ormdale.
September, 1899. Edith and her friends have everything they need to ransom Simon back, while hope and change seems to be in the air of Ormdale at last.
But then a surprising invitation from her past leads to a disturbing clue to the identity of the mysterious Barrington. Meanwhile, Dr Farley issues a sinister ultimatum.
Now, Edith must decide not only where her own future might lie, but the future of England’s last Dragon Keepers.
In this suspenseful and joyous conclusion to the bestselling series, Edith must free herself and those she loves from the final secrets of Ormdale.
September, 1899. Edith and her friends have everything they need to ransom Simon back, while hope and change seems to be in the air of Ormdale at last.
But then a surprising invitation from her past leads to a disturbing clue to the identity of the mysterious Barrington. Meanwhile, Dr Farley issues a sinister ultimatum.
Now, Edith must decide not only where her own future might lie, but the future of England’s last Dragon Keepers.
509 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2024
87 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Christina Baehr
8 books713 followersI live in wild and cosy Tasmania, Australia, and I write intrepid historical heroines who discover the world is more wondrous than they previously imagined.
I'm also a big reader of books both old and new, so here's a quick heads up about my review policy:
1. If you are a living author, as another living author I will not be giving you a critical review, because I know writing books is hard! Reading mean reviews makes everything harder.
2. If you are dead, the gloves are off!
3. Absence of stars may mean ambivalence as to quality, it may also mean I don't feel Aristotle needs my star rating.
4. Five stars may not mean I think the book is perfect. It can mean that I deeply enjoyed the book despite inevitable flaws, or that I consider it an excellently-crafted example in its genre (even if the genre is not my favourite). I may also be more generous with star ratings to living authors who need encouragement. E.M Forster won't mind if I give him 4 stars (see point 2).
6. I may occasionally flag major content I think will be distressing to people who follow my reviews, but I don't do granular content/trigger warnings, because I read books as whole works of art, and don't note the swears etc as I go. My brain is tired enough as it is. So please do look elsewhere if you want to know every single thing that's in the book beforehand.
I'm also a big reader of books both old and new, so here's a quick heads up about my review policy:
1. If you are a living author, as another living author I will not be giving you a critical review, because I know writing books is hard! Reading mean reviews makes everything harder.
2. If you are dead, the gloves are off!
3. Absence of stars may mean ambivalence as to quality, it may also mean I don't feel Aristotle needs my star rating.
4. Five stars may not mean I think the book is perfect. It can mean that I deeply enjoyed the book despite inevitable flaws, or that I consider it an excellently-crafted example in its genre (even if the genre is not my favourite). I may also be more generous with star ratings to living authors who need encouragement. E.M Forster won't mind if I give him 4 stars (see point 2).
6. I may occasionally flag major content I think will be distressing to people who follow my reviews, but I don't do granular content/trigger warnings, because I read books as whole works of art, and don't note the swears etc as I go. My brain is tired enough as it is. So please do look elsewhere if you want to know every single thing that's in the book beforehand.
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November 11, 2024I got my paperback today and was a little overwhelmed to discover that I wrote such a long book. Hopefully all of the people who found WORMWOOD ABBEY a little too short (a complaint which Jane Austen considered a compliment) are thoroughly mollified by these 500+ pages. There is adventure, suspense, and characters who mature, but mostly it is a hearty attempt to fulfil every promise (spoken and unspoken) I made as an author in the first four books in the series.
In fact, if you are a friend of Ormdale - and I can't imagine any other reason why you'd still be reading these stories! - this final book should feel like a nice long hug.
Once again, thanks to every one of you dear, clever people for the precious gift of your attention. I hope it is amply rewarded in VALLEY OF DRAGONS.
In fact, if you are a friend of Ormdale - and I can't imagine any other reason why you'd still be reading these stories! - this final book should feel like a nice long hug.
Once again, thanks to every one of you dear, clever people for the precious gift of your attention. I hope it is amply rewarded in VALLEY OF DRAGONS.
March 18, 2025
This was such a satisfying end to the series!
I loved it! It was hard to say goodbye to all my friends in Ormdale. I found myself a little teary.
I loved it! It was hard to say goodbye to all my friends in Ormdale. I found myself a little teary.
November 16, 2024
5 stars ✨
I absolutely devoured this 510-paged final book in a beloved series. Within twelve hours. (Would have been sooner, but oh, responsibilities.) This was everything I had hoped for for this last book and much, much more.
I was quite literally kicking my feet in completely and utter delight when I started this book. I’ve been so eager for it and the answers inside. Everything starts off quickly in this fifth and final book and new challenges—including those dealing with loving a certain young man—arise for Edith. She has had many growing moments throughout the prior four books, but it was so beautiful and so natural to see the growth in her in this book. I’ve loved Edith and her family from the very first book and they are definitely all-time favorite characters of mine.
Usually as I read a book I will type up thoughts as I read it for this review, but with this one, I couldn’t pull myself away enough to do that. That’s saying something for me as a notorious typer. 😅
This series has been *such* a gem and I will be continuing to shout about it from the rooftops and lighting beacons as well because it so rightfully deserves it. Hands-down my favorite fantasy series to date and I’m thrilled that we’ll be seeing the characters again in the new year with a new series.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go mope around the house for the next day or two because I finished this book too soon.
(Side note: If there are ever hardback or special editions of this series?? Take my money now—have a paper ready? My card number is—)
Main Content-
Scriptures are referenced, quoted, mentioned, and read throughout the book including Luke 12:2-3 at the beginning; The doxology and other hymns are sung; Talks about God, His love, Scriptures, & those/events in the Bible; Jewish beliefs, customs, and people are featured heavily in this book because of Edith’s mother coming from a Jewish family (one man says he’s a Jew, but not Jewish because of his own mother, adding that for him religion is more tradition than belief); Edith thinks that the old her would have tried to convince someone about the evidence of God, but the new version of her will simply sit and wait with the man as she knows there’s evidence everywhere; Edith describes a few things as magic (but not actual magic as in spells but in a wondrous unexplainable sort of way); When talking about a church with a leaky roof, young Violet says it’s the Devil piddling on them.
“Thank God!” is exclaimed once (and sincerely meant); Different phrases like “heavens”, “why in heaven’s name”, “thank heaven”, “heaven knows”, “for heaven’s sake”, “good heavens”, etc. are said.
Mentions of God & praying/prayers; Mentions of Bibles, Prayer Books, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of Christians & conversions (including one converting to Judaism for love/marriage); Mentions of the clergy (including Edith’s father), churches, services, chapels, Sunday school classes, theology, & sermons; Mentions of Michaelmas, the Dale people believing that Lucifer falls from heaven that day, & angels; Mentions of Jewish beliefs, going to the synagogue, & a man becoming devout as it steadies him; A few mentions of someone looking at Edith like she is a saint; A few mentions of monks & people confessing to them; A few mentions of the deity of the Aztecs; A few mentions of superstitions & superstitious people; A mention of a man who has put himself in the place of God for the people in his community; A mention of someone just missing a scythe or he would look like Death himself; A mention of a place becoming empty of the ghosts that have been there for years.
No major curses besides it being said that characters cursed (not written out) and Edith exclaiming “Cholera!” a few times; A couple “blast it/blast you”, “care a fig”, “what the devil”, and “what the dickens” are exclaimed by other characters.
Being threatened, Held at gun-point, Seeing others shot with a poisonous dart, & seeing dangerous situations/fighting (up to a few sentences); Someone threatens to drown a dragon.
Edith’s stepmother comments on having lost two children of her own and is grateful to have Violet and Una in their place; A woman talks about being unable to have children (even after her husband went to the Holy Land and prayed at Rachel’s Tomb for the blessing of children); A man asks about his “real” mother (compared to his adoptive mother); Mentions of suffrages & the New Woman (Edith says she is a suffragist).
Mentions of deaths (including a mother after childbirth and a baby) & grief; Mentions of people being bitten by dragons & in major pain (including those who almost died from it); Mentions of wars; Mentions of poisons, events in the prior book with a man testing poisons/venoms on human test subjects (including Edith), & threats from the man; Mentions of people being outcasted for harming or killing a dragon; Mentions of bombs & anarchists; Mentions of a father beating and whipping his son (the son says he probably deserved it); Mentions of arsenic poisoning; Mentions of illnesses, sanatoriums, & deaths; Mentions of being held hostage; Mentions of break-ins, burglars, thieves, & stealing; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of bullies; Mentions of alcohol & drinking (including a couple of times Edith had a drink, once after a scare and one that went to her head); Mentions of cigars & smoking; Mentions of hatred; A few mentions of human sacrifices in history; A few mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of human trafficking & slavery; A couple mentions of cows being killed for dragons; A couple mentions of throwing up.
*Big Spoilers* .
2 hand kisses,
2 hair/top-of-head kisses,
3 cheek kisses,
2 almost kisses,
2 kisses with little-to-no details,
Seeing a two couples kiss (no details);
Wanting to kiss;
A bit of touches, embraces, & hand holding (up to a couple sentences);
Edith is shocked to learn that seeing Simon in his shirtsleeves is different from seeing her father or brother in theirs; Edith apologizes for making a man suddenly a father (referring to giving him a dragon) and the man teases her about it; Edith refers to a dragon as an “it” because she is not sure of the creature’s sex.
Many mentions of feelings for another, love, & what exactly that means; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of illegitimate children, a possible affair, a marriage on the morganatic side, & a man planning to commit bigamy; A few mentions of breeding dragons, their mating, & having offspring; A couple mentions of flirting; A mention of the violence in a woman’s past (sexual assault); A mention of a woman almost being sent to a brothel; A mention of some of us not having the “gift of celibacy”.
I absolutely devoured this 510-paged final book in a beloved series. Within twelve hours. (Would have been sooner, but oh, responsibilities.) This was everything I had hoped for for this last book and much, much more.
I was quite literally kicking my feet in completely and utter delight when I started this book. I’ve been so eager for it and the answers inside. Everything starts off quickly in this fifth and final book and new challenges—including those dealing with loving a certain young man—arise for Edith. She has had many growing moments throughout the prior four books, but it was so beautiful and so natural to see the growth in her in this book. I’ve loved Edith and her family from the very first book and they are definitely all-time favorite characters of mine.
Usually as I read a book I will type up thoughts as I read it for this review, but with this one, I couldn’t pull myself away enough to do that. That’s saying something for me as a notorious typer. 😅
This series has been *such* a gem and I will be continuing to shout about it from the rooftops and lighting beacons as well because it so rightfully deserves it. Hands-down my favorite fantasy series to date and I’m thrilled that we’ll be seeing the characters again in the new year with a new series.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go mope around the house for the next day or two because I finished this book too soon.
(Side note: If there are ever hardback or special editions of this series?? Take my money now—have a paper ready? My card number is—)
Main Content-
Scriptures are referenced, quoted, mentioned, and read throughout the book including Luke 12:2-3 at the beginning; The doxology and other hymns are sung; Talks about God, His love, Scriptures, & those/events in the Bible; Jewish beliefs, customs, and people are featured heavily in this book because of Edith’s mother coming from a Jewish family (one man says he’s a Jew, but not Jewish because of his own mother, adding that for him religion is more tradition than belief); Edith thinks that the old her would have tried to convince someone about the evidence of God, but the new version of her will simply sit and wait with the man as she knows there’s evidence everywhere; Edith describes a few things as magic (but not actual magic as in spells but in a wondrous unexplainable sort of way); When talking about a church with a leaky roof, young Violet says it’s the Devil piddling on them.
“Thank God!” is exclaimed once (and sincerely meant); Different phrases like “heavens”, “why in heaven’s name”, “thank heaven”, “heaven knows”, “for heaven’s sake”, “good heavens”, etc. are said.
Mentions of God & praying/prayers; Mentions of Bibles, Prayer Books, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of Christians & conversions (including one converting to Judaism for love/marriage); Mentions of the clergy (including Edith’s father), churches, services, chapels, Sunday school classes, theology, & sermons; Mentions of Michaelmas, the Dale people believing that Lucifer falls from heaven that day, & angels; Mentions of Jewish beliefs, going to the synagogue, & a man becoming devout as it steadies him; A few mentions of someone looking at Edith like she is a saint; A few mentions of monks & people confessing to them; A few mentions of the deity of the Aztecs; A few mentions of superstitions & superstitious people; A mention of a man who has put himself in the place of God for the people in his community; A mention of someone just missing a scythe or he would look like Death himself; A mention of a place becoming empty of the ghosts that have been there for years.
No major curses besides it being said that characters cursed (not written out) and Edith exclaiming “Cholera!” a few times; A couple “blast it/blast you”, “care a fig”, “what the devil”, and “what the dickens” are exclaimed by other characters.
Being threatened, Held at gun-point, Seeing others shot with a poisonous dart, & seeing dangerous situations/fighting (up to a few sentences); Someone threatens to drown a dragon.
Edith’s stepmother comments on having lost two children of her own and is grateful to have Violet and Una in their place; A woman talks about being unable to have children (even after her husband went to the Holy Land and prayed at Rachel’s Tomb for the blessing of children); A man asks about his “real” mother (compared to his adoptive mother); Mentions of suffrages & the New Woman (Edith says she is a suffragist).
Mentions of deaths (including a mother after childbirth and a baby) & grief; Mentions of people being bitten by dragons & in major pain (including those who almost died from it); Mentions of wars; Mentions of poisons, events in the prior book with a man testing poisons/venoms on human test subjects (including Edith), & threats from the man; Mentions of people being outcasted for harming or killing a dragon; Mentions of bombs & anarchists; Mentions of a father beating and whipping his son (the son says he probably deserved it); Mentions of arsenic poisoning; Mentions of illnesses, sanatoriums, & deaths; Mentions of being held hostage; Mentions of break-ins, burglars, thieves, & stealing; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of bullies; Mentions of alcohol & drinking (including a couple of times Edith had a drink, once after a scare and one that went to her head); Mentions of cigars & smoking; Mentions of hatred; A few mentions of human sacrifices in history; A few mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of human trafficking & slavery; A couple mentions of cows being killed for dragons; A couple mentions of throwing up.
*Big Spoilers* .
2 hand kisses,
2 hair/top-of-head kisses,
3 cheek kisses,
2 almost kisses,
2 kisses with little-to-no details,
Seeing a two couples kiss (no details);
Wanting to kiss;
A bit of touches, embraces, & hand holding (up to a couple sentences);
Edith is shocked to learn that seeing Simon in his shirtsleeves is different from seeing her father or brother in theirs; Edith apologizes for making a man suddenly a father (referring to giving him a dragon) and the man teases her about it; Edith refers to a dragon as an “it” because she is not sure of the creature’s sex.
Many mentions of feelings for another, love, & what exactly that means; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of illegitimate children, a possible affair, a marriage on the morganatic side, & a man planning to commit bigamy; A few mentions of breeding dragons, their mating, & having offspring; A couple mentions of flirting; A mention of the violence in a woman’s past (sexual assault); A mention of a woman almost being sent to a brothel; A mention of some of us not having the “gift of celibacy”.
October 30, 2025
Reread Oct. ‘25–I love this series so much. I am happy to say this series is still so cozy and reread worthy. The audio and written version are both equally delightful. I am so looking forward to the spin off series.
—
Original review (May 2025)
Oh my goodness!
You know those stories…the ones you can’t put down, you want to know what’s going to happen, and at the same time, you don’t want it to end? Valley of Dragons was that kind of book. In fact, the entire series was exceptional and is definitely going on my favorites list of 2025.
In Valley of the Dragons, you’ll find…
🐉 adventure/suspense
🐉 found family
🐉 secrets revealed
🐉 teamwork
🐉 themes genuine love, forgiveness, and depending on God
🐉 dragons, of course
🐉 (slight spoiler) HEA 🥰
This story was just super enjoyable. I really liked seeing how everything from the past books worked together.
I don’t think I’ll ever think of dragons the same way again 🥰
If you’ve been on the fence about reading this series, please give Edith and her friends and family a chance ❤️
—
Original review (May 2025)
Oh my goodness!
You know those stories…the ones you can’t put down, you want to know what’s going to happen, and at the same time, you don’t want it to end? Valley of Dragons was that kind of book. In fact, the entire series was exceptional and is definitely going on my favorites list of 2025.
In Valley of the Dragons, you’ll find…
🐉 adventure/suspense
🐉 found family
🐉 secrets revealed
🐉 teamwork
🐉 themes genuine love, forgiveness, and depending on God
🐉 dragons, of course
🐉 (slight spoiler) HEA 🥰
This story was just super enjoyable. I really liked seeing how everything from the past books worked together.
I don’t think I’ll ever think of dragons the same way again 🥰
If you’ve been on the fence about reading this series, please give Edith and her friends and family a chance ❤️
December 20, 2024
Brava Christina! That was wonderful. I may be bawling a bit like Edith was near the end of the story. Christina mentioned that this book brings shalom to Ormdale and that is the feeling I have in my heart as I finish. It’s so perfect for Advent when we look forward to the coming of God’s shalom in the future when all will be made right. The storytelling in this novel is working on so many levels towards that end. Justice, mercy, love, truth, goodness, dragons, humor…it’s all here and it’s glorious! And there are 500 pages of delightful story and memorable characters to relish. Ormdale is now on my list of imaginative worlds that bring me great joy. And Edith is a superlative heroine!
Encore Christina! 😉
Encore Christina! 😉
November 16, 2024
What a delightful and satisfying ending to one of my new favorite series. I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again, but Baehr is a modern classicist, and her witticism and prose is simply refreshing.
I’ll be eagerly awaiting the day when when Baehr publishes something next!
I’ll be eagerly awaiting the day when when Baehr publishes something next!
January 12, 2026
"I didn't want kingdoms. I would be admirably content with a dragon to ride and Simon to marry."
Wowwww. Where do I even start with this book? I think it has officially broken my star ratings, because why can't I go over 5?
5+ ★ // 10❤︎ – Absolute Very Favorite
First of all, I want to say that while I will try to put any major spoilers inside the safe confines of a spoiler tag, this is the final book in a series. There will be some minor spoilers (maybe, I'll try my best) for earlier books. I'm sorry. The way I review books is spilling everything I loved on to the page and if that involves some little spoilers, so be it. Also, I have 50+ bookmarks on Audible for this book and they range from chaotic ("afjskdfjskfjdjsdfhsdj," "simon nooo don't say that!!!" and "STOP MY HEARTTTT") to the slightly more sensible ("Una is a sweetheart," "love this quote," and "adventure and crumpets."
✨ Let the chaos begin!! (also it's a VERY long review. My reviews on this series just get progressively longer as I go on, don't they?) ✨
BOOKISH YAYS!
*ummm the whole book?!?!? And trust me, I mean that from the very depths of my bookish heart. This story broke me and healed me in so many ways I didn't think were possible. It was the most beautiful ending to the series that topped my 2025 reads.
*The beginning when you think....oops spoiler hang on (and if you haven't read the previous books, don't you dare read this spoiler!)
*Cariad is back! Guys this golden dragon has my heart, she is wild and beautiful and completely Edith's and loyal and did I mention beautiful and free? Also Oolong is back - and I realize that while flying on a large dragon thrills me, having a small pet dragon is something I want very much. Just a little one that I could keep next to me while I read or write. A lap-sized dragon, please!
*Simon and Edith's relationship - oh my poor romantic heart! I knew they must end up together someway, somehow, but seeing how much Simon pulled back because he didn't think he was worthy of Edith (when he's literally a walking green-flag) brought me to tears. I loved their interactions (although suppressing the urge at times, I must confess, to shake Simon and tell him just marry Edith, you are perfect together and you both deserve each other and all the happiness in the world!) But the communication, the respect, the shared interests and trust, the friendship, and the slow blossoming of this relationship is, I believe, what makes Simon and Edith's relationship feel so real and ring so true. It's what makes you root for these characters so hard and burst into a cheer and start clapping while sitting at a red light (sorry, whoever was beside me and thought I'd suddenly lost it) when they are finally together! <3 I bookmarked so many quotes on the audiobook that are basically just romantic quotes/scenes with these two haha.
* OUR RESIDENT REFORMED CAT BURGLAR/DRAGON EGG STEALER IS BACK AND WE GET MORE OF HIM (in case you were unaware, that is Janushek and he is one of my very favorite characters and I am very partial to scenes where he decided to make an appearance) I also have a lot of saved bookmarks for him as well...
*I say this every time but the plot twists, guys, the PLOT TWISTS. I thought the past two books had made me immune to the unexpected, but I find that I was not, in fact, immune to plot twists and get just as shocked as ever when one appears despite my resolve with this series to "always expect the unexpected."
* Edith!! I said in my review of the previous book that I wanted to wrap her in a hug and hand her a cup of warm tea. Well, there wasn't a warm blanket (will a fire in the kitchen do?) but there was a pot of tea and scones and Simon which is all (and more) a heroine can ask for at the end of her adventures. Edith has grown quite a lot and come a long way from the young woman we met at the beginning of the this series. She is braver, wiser, and stronger in her faith and in herself. <3
*I am not going to say anything about the end spoiler tags or not (for fear a nosy reviewer will click on it and then be upset with me for spoiling matters in such a dastardly way) but the END the CLIMAX. I couldn't BREATHE there for a couple chapters. Only the assurance of the author that there would be a cup of tea at the end for the characters pulled me through. But oh my gracious stars was it worth it!!!
*Edith's parents - her father and her actual mother. I was tearing up at several points. It's a sad part of the story, but also bittersweet and the deep love these two had for each other...ah, that's what made me tear up.
*I KNEW HER GRANDFATHER WAS A BLACKMAILER I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT (sorry, I get worked up when I actually guess something in advance XP) Also, I knew I never trusted him for a good reason.
*The themes in this story - of faith, families staying together, of what true love & a good relationship looks like, courage, betrayal and redemption - it's all in here. And it's beautiful. And it flows so naturally from the characters.
*Tallyntire (I still don't know if that's how you spell it until I get a physical copy but y'all know who I am talking about) and his cockatrice. I certainly had a good laugh at that part of the story. The poor little cockatrice - it couldn't help being so ugly, I suppose. And as Edith's stepmother said, All God's creatures have a purpose...well, in the end, it certainly did have one.
*Defending the castle!! (iykyk)
*When the FMC has to stand on tiptoe to kiss the MMC....my heart melts immediately!
*The training Cariad scenes and the ones where Simon on Portia is racing Edith on Cariad! <33
*SIMON PUNCHING ARTHUR!!! WHOO HOOO!!!!! We love a strong man of gentle courage and literary tastes who is opposed to violence in general but who will KNOCK SOMEONE DOWN for hurting his girl and lying about it!!
*LIGHTING THE PEAL TOWER!!! It's like lighting the beacons of Rohan (which I always stand up and cheer for) and oh how my Tolkien-obsessed heart went wild with joy at this deed which was accomplished by....well, no, I can't say that. But it's SPLENDID!!
*Basically the entirety of Ch 44 which has far too many bookmarks....be still, my romantic heart....
*The prose!! They say if you want to write a well-written book, you have to read well-written books (or in this case for me, listen to them) first. So for all my writer friends, you should add this series to your list if for no other reason (I hope you have other reasons, but this can be just one more!) “Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron. Here is a book which will break your heart." CS Lewis <-- yeah, my thoughts exactly as I listened to the epilogue.
CONTENT NOTES:
There is a mention of a Jew "becoming a Christian" just to marry someone. It's not really specified if they were actually a believer or if they became a Christian in name only. Characters are not perfect and often make choices which we, as readers, are not supposed to agree with. This would not/did not stop me from reading, but would make an excellent topic for discussion.
QUOTES (and I am not apologizing for how many there are. You may savor them at your leisure.):
"Kindness leads to repentance, and repentance leads to change."
"I expect I will fall in love again soon." I stared at him. For myself, I had fallen in love reluctantly, fighting it, even when I had no pressing reason to do so. And here was Janushek talking of losing his heart like I might speak of ordering lunch. I was not sure I had the moral fiber to watch him fall in love and be happy for him when everything was going to badly for me and Simon.
"There is an old Polish saying - trouble in love makes one hungry." I squinted at him. "Is that really a Polish saying?" He stood up and took me gently by the elbow. "Perhaps it is. Perhaps it isn't. And perhaps we have been friends long enough that I know how much you like eating."
"If I see Simon pining," [Violet said]. "I'll just encourage him on. With the pining, I mean." "Ah. Thank you so much." I tried to imagine what it looked like to encourage someone to pine but found I couldn't. I especially couldn't imagine Violet engaged in such an activity. "Though I don't know why you don't just have Janushek instead." suggested Violet. "If Simon is so much trouble." XD I love Violet!
Portia had to jump fences. Cariad had only clouds to contend with.
(context to avoid quoting a whole paragraph: Simon is on his horse racing Edith on her dragon and Cariad swoops down until she is running right next to Portia)
Simon grinned in delight to find me so close. Shyness forgotten in one wild impulse, I leaned to the full extent of my harness and grazed his cheek with a clumsy kiss. I instantly regretted it for he almost fell off. I cried, "Up, up!" to Cariad and got myself out of his way before I could cause the mishap.
"Ah, I thought you didn't like me at first. When did you begin to like me then?" He asked, a little anxiously. "Perhaps it was when I first saw your fine house at Pemberly," I said as seriously as I could manage.
"But love isn't like that at all, Mrs. Drake! It's not a plate of buns without enough buns on it for everyone who came to tea. It's a teashop stocked with all the things to bake buns forever and ever!"
The woman who had written that had risked much, and loved much, and stood by her choice.
She was always a princess in a tower to him, a jewel in a casket, something to be locked up and kept under guard for fear of being stolen. But she was never that. She was fearless. Her mind was as sharp as a diamond.
"You really think anyone could stop me from getting into Wormwood Abbey? I was toddling about the cellars on the hunt for groundlings while Janushek was still—well, doing whatever Janushek was doing as a juvenile. Stringing aristocrats up from the lampposts, probably.”
"Violet," I asked. "What did you mean about releasing Janushek? Is he a weapon?" "He's an anarchist, isn't he?" she retorted frostily. "And they shouldn't be allowed to meddle with explosives." I looked to George for further explanation. "He's been unloading and storing explosives for the limeworks."
(Sorry this is a long one but justified I feel)
I tried to conjugate Latin verbs in my head so I wouldn’t hear anything
more.
Teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum…
“There’s some as deserve better,” she said hoarsely, as if every word cost her something.
His shoulders sagged. “You’re right. So, then. I’ll stop bothering you.”
“Bothering me?” The deer was completely gone now— her face was as flinty as her tone. “Shut thy cake-oil, Brik Janushek.”
Then she dropped her basket, took his face in her hands, and dropped a number of kisses on his scarred cheek. I could not have told you how to conjugate anything at all—not even amo, not to save my life. I’m not sure who was more shocked—me, Janushek, or the salamander on Janushek’s shoulder, who had an unrivalled view of the proceedings.
Hannah found lilies of the valley in a tiny hidden hollow in the woods and wove me a bridal crown of braids and flowers. My mother had been a statuesque sort of lily, but the diminutive kind suited me better, and I belonged to a valley now. <33333
"All right, Edith, I'm going to try very hard not not laugh, and I'm going to listen while you tell me why this is not the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life." "I'm not sure it isn't ridiculous, in its way, but I'm not sure some of the nicest and best things in life are a bit ridiculous - falling in love, and cream buns, and - I don't know - babies, and singing, and the monarchy itself for goodness' sake, and dragons and detective stories."
I looked up at him and slowly gathered the lapels of his greatcoat in my hands. "Consider this a warning," I said softly. He bent down to meet me. Everything was very quiet for a moment. "No, no! What are you all doing? There's no time for that!" came Violet's frustrated voice. I lowered myself from my tiptoes and resurfaced.
"Someone told me once very memorably that she liked adventures. But she wanted a soft chair and a hot cup of tea afterward" (Simon proceeds to give Edith both much to my everlasting joy)
Gwendolyn says weddings are like measles - only far more deadly. There may be something in what she says, for I have caught Dugdale looking wistfully at Ms. Birtwhistle and of course it will be rather lonely for him in the lodge all by himself now that Janushek has given up being a bachelor."
Some would say it is not very considerate towards the nerves of her family for a young lady to leave her wedding breakfast on the back of a giant serpent - and in trousers, no less, me. Not the serpent. Thankfully, my family's nerves are made of sterner stuff.
*congrats if you made it to the end!*
Original Review 12-6-25
once i stop sobbing i will write a review....told you guys this book would destroy me (in absolutely the best way possible of course!!!) wish I could give it a hundred stars!!! Five seems like such a measly number now XD
y'all go read the other books right now so you can read this one and I can have someone to cry with please. Seriously. Read this.
Wowwww. Where do I even start with this book? I think it has officially broken my star ratings, because why can't I go over 5?
5+ ★ // 10❤︎ – Absolute Very Favorite
First of all, I want to say that while I will try to put any major spoilers inside the safe confines of a spoiler tag, this is the final book in a series. There will be some minor spoilers (maybe, I'll try my best) for earlier books. I'm sorry. The way I review books is spilling everything I loved on to the page and if that involves some little spoilers, so be it. Also, I have 50+ bookmarks on Audible for this book and they range from chaotic ("afjskdfjskfjdjsdfhsdj," "simon nooo don't say that!!!" and "STOP MY HEARTTTT") to the slightly more sensible ("Una is a sweetheart," "love this quote," and "adventure and crumpets."
✨ Let the chaos begin!! (also it's a VERY long review. My reviews on this series just get progressively longer as I go on, don't they?) ✨
BOOKISH YAYS!
*ummm the whole book?!?!? And trust me, I mean that from the very depths of my bookish heart. This story broke me and healed me in so many ways I didn't think were possible. It was the most beautiful ending to the series that topped my 2025 reads.
*The beginning when you think....oops spoiler hang on (and if you haven't read the previous books, don't you dare read this spoiler!)
*Cariad is back! Guys this golden dragon has my heart, she is wild and beautiful and completely Edith's and loyal and did I mention beautiful and free? Also Oolong is back - and I realize that while flying on a large dragon thrills me, having a small pet dragon is something I want very much. Just a little one that I could keep next to me while I read or write. A lap-sized dragon, please!
*Simon and Edith's relationship - oh my poor romantic heart! I knew they must end up together someway, somehow, but seeing how much Simon pulled back because he didn't think he was worthy of Edith (when he's literally a walking green-flag) brought me to tears. I loved their interactions (although suppressing the urge at times, I must confess, to shake Simon and tell him just marry Edith, you are perfect together and you both deserve each other and all the happiness in the world!) But the communication, the respect, the shared interests and trust, the friendship, and the slow blossoming of this relationship is, I believe, what makes Simon and Edith's relationship feel so real and ring so true. It's what makes you root for these characters so hard and burst into a cheer and start clapping while sitting at a red light (sorry, whoever was beside me and thought I'd suddenly lost it) when they are finally together! <3 I bookmarked so many quotes on the audiobook that are basically just romantic quotes/scenes with these two haha.
* OUR RESIDENT REFORMED CAT BURGLAR/DRAGON EGG STEALER IS BACK AND WE GET MORE OF HIM (in case you were unaware, that is Janushek and he is one of my very favorite characters and I am very partial to scenes where he decided to make an appearance) I also have a lot of saved bookmarks for him as well...
*I say this every time but the plot twists, guys, the PLOT TWISTS. I thought the past two books had made me immune to the unexpected, but I find that I was not, in fact, immune to plot twists and get just as shocked as ever when one appears despite my resolve with this series to "always expect the unexpected."
* Edith!! I said in my review of the previous book that I wanted to wrap her in a hug and hand her a cup of warm tea. Well, there wasn't a warm blanket (will a fire in the kitchen do?) but there was a pot of tea and scones and Simon which is all (and more) a heroine can ask for at the end of her adventures. Edith has grown quite a lot and come a long way from the young woman we met at the beginning of the this series. She is braver, wiser, and stronger in her faith and in herself. <3
*I am not going to say anything about the end spoiler tags or not (for fear a nosy reviewer will click on it and then be upset with me for spoiling matters in such a dastardly way) but the END the CLIMAX. I couldn't BREATHE there for a couple chapters. Only the assurance of the author that there would be a cup of tea at the end for the characters pulled me through. But oh my gracious stars was it worth it!!!
*Edith's parents - her father and her actual mother. I was tearing up at several points. It's a sad part of the story, but also bittersweet and the deep love these two had for each other...ah, that's what made me tear up.
*I KNEW HER GRANDFATHER WAS A BLACKMAILER I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT (sorry, I get worked up when I actually guess something in advance XP) Also, I knew I never trusted him for a good reason.
*The themes in this story - of faith, families staying together, of what true love & a good relationship looks like, courage, betrayal and redemption - it's all in here. And it's beautiful. And it flows so naturally from the characters.
*Tallyntire (I still don't know if that's how you spell it until I get a physical copy but y'all know who I am talking about) and his cockatrice. I certainly had a good laugh at that part of the story. The poor little cockatrice - it couldn't help being so ugly, I suppose. And as Edith's stepmother said, All God's creatures have a purpose...well, in the end, it certainly did have one.
*Defending the castle!! (iykyk)
*When the FMC has to stand on tiptoe to kiss the MMC....my heart melts immediately!
*The training Cariad scenes and the ones where Simon on Portia is racing Edith on Cariad! <33
*SIMON PUNCHING ARTHUR!!! WHOO HOOO!!!!! We love a strong man of gentle courage and literary tastes who is opposed to violence in general but who will KNOCK SOMEONE DOWN for hurting his girl and lying about it!!
*LIGHTING THE PEAL TOWER!!! It's like lighting the beacons of Rohan (which I always stand up and cheer for) and oh how my Tolkien-obsessed heart went wild with joy at this deed which was accomplished by....well, no, I can't say that. But it's SPLENDID!!
*Basically the entirety of Ch 44 which has far too many bookmarks....be still, my romantic heart....
*The prose!! They say if you want to write a well-written book, you have to read well-written books (or in this case for me, listen to them) first. So for all my writer friends, you should add this series to your list if for no other reason (I hope you have other reasons, but this can be just one more!) “Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron. Here is a book which will break your heart." CS Lewis <-- yeah, my thoughts exactly as I listened to the epilogue.
CONTENT NOTES:
There is a mention of a Jew "becoming a Christian" just to marry someone. It's not really specified if they were actually a believer or if they became a Christian in name only. Characters are not perfect and often make choices which we, as readers, are not supposed to agree with. This would not/did not stop me from reading, but would make an excellent topic for discussion.
QUOTES (and I am not apologizing for how many there are. You may savor them at your leisure.):
"Kindness leads to repentance, and repentance leads to change."
"I expect I will fall in love again soon." I stared at him. For myself, I had fallen in love reluctantly, fighting it, even when I had no pressing reason to do so. And here was Janushek talking of losing his heart like I might speak of ordering lunch. I was not sure I had the moral fiber to watch him fall in love and be happy for him when everything was going to badly for me and Simon.
"There is an old Polish saying - trouble in love makes one hungry." I squinted at him. "Is that really a Polish saying?" He stood up and took me gently by the elbow. "Perhaps it is. Perhaps it isn't. And perhaps we have been friends long enough that I know how much you like eating."
"If I see Simon pining," [Violet said]. "I'll just encourage him on. With the pining, I mean." "Ah. Thank you so much." I tried to imagine what it looked like to encourage someone to pine but found I couldn't. I especially couldn't imagine Violet engaged in such an activity. "Though I don't know why you don't just have Janushek instead." suggested Violet. "If Simon is so much trouble." XD I love Violet!
Portia had to jump fences. Cariad had only clouds to contend with.
(context to avoid quoting a whole paragraph: Simon is on his horse racing Edith on her dragon and Cariad swoops down until she is running right next to Portia)
Simon grinned in delight to find me so close. Shyness forgotten in one wild impulse, I leaned to the full extent of my harness and grazed his cheek with a clumsy kiss. I instantly regretted it for he almost fell off. I cried, "Up, up!" to Cariad and got myself out of his way before I could cause the mishap.
"Ah, I thought you didn't like me at first. When did you begin to like me then?" He asked, a little anxiously. "Perhaps it was when I first saw your fine house at Pemberly," I said as seriously as I could manage.
"But love isn't like that at all, Mrs. Drake! It's not a plate of buns without enough buns on it for everyone who came to tea. It's a teashop stocked with all the things to bake buns forever and ever!"
The woman who had written that had risked much, and loved much, and stood by her choice.
She was always a princess in a tower to him, a jewel in a casket, something to be locked up and kept under guard for fear of being stolen. But she was never that. She was fearless. Her mind was as sharp as a diamond.
"You really think anyone could stop me from getting into Wormwood Abbey? I was toddling about the cellars on the hunt for groundlings while Janushek was still—well, doing whatever Janushek was doing as a juvenile. Stringing aristocrats up from the lampposts, probably.”
"Violet," I asked. "What did you mean about releasing Janushek? Is he a weapon?" "He's an anarchist, isn't he?" she retorted frostily. "And they shouldn't be allowed to meddle with explosives." I looked to George for further explanation. "He's been unloading and storing explosives for the limeworks."
(Sorry this is a long one but justified I feel)
I tried to conjugate Latin verbs in my head so I wouldn’t hear anything
more.
Teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum…
“There’s some as deserve better,” she said hoarsely, as if every word cost her something.
His shoulders sagged. “You’re right. So, then. I’ll stop bothering you.”
“Bothering me?” The deer was completely gone now— her face was as flinty as her tone. “Shut thy cake-oil, Brik Janushek.”
Then she dropped her basket, took his face in her hands, and dropped a number of kisses on his scarred cheek. I could not have told you how to conjugate anything at all—not even amo, not to save my life. I’m not sure who was more shocked—me, Janushek, or the salamander on Janushek’s shoulder, who had an unrivalled view of the proceedings.
Hannah found lilies of the valley in a tiny hidden hollow in the woods and wove me a bridal crown of braids and flowers. My mother had been a statuesque sort of lily, but the diminutive kind suited me better, and I belonged to a valley now. <33333
"All right, Edith, I'm going to try very hard not not laugh, and I'm going to listen while you tell me why this is not the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life." "I'm not sure it isn't ridiculous, in its way, but I'm not sure some of the nicest and best things in life are a bit ridiculous - falling in love, and cream buns, and - I don't know - babies, and singing, and the monarchy itself for goodness' sake, and dragons and detective stories."
I looked up at him and slowly gathered the lapels of his greatcoat in my hands. "Consider this a warning," I said softly. He bent down to meet me. Everything was very quiet for a moment. "No, no! What are you all doing? There's no time for that!" came Violet's frustrated voice. I lowered myself from my tiptoes and resurfaced.
"Someone told me once very memorably that she liked adventures. But she wanted a soft chair and a hot cup of tea afterward" (Simon proceeds to give Edith both much to my everlasting joy)
Gwendolyn says weddings are like measles - only far more deadly. There may be something in what she says, for I have caught Dugdale looking wistfully at Ms. Birtwhistle and of course it will be rather lonely for him in the lodge all by himself now that Janushek has given up being a bachelor."
Some would say it is not very considerate towards the nerves of her family for a young lady to leave her wedding breakfast on the back of a giant serpent - and in trousers, no less, me. Not the serpent. Thankfully, my family's nerves are made of sterner stuff.
*congrats if you made it to the end!*
Original Review 12-6-25
once i stop sobbing i will write a review....told you guys this book would destroy me (in absolutely the best way possible of course!!!) wish I could give it a hundred stars!!! Five seems like such a measly number now XD
y'all go read the other books right now so you can read this one and I can have someone to cry with please. Seriously. Read this.
Read
October 27, 2024A thoroughly engrossing, thrilling, satisfying and heartwarming conclusion to a wonderful series!
November 27, 2024
This series is a highlight of my reading year. I cannot wait to read everything Christina writes!
December 24, 2024
5+ stars (7/10 hearts). Did I put off reviewing this book for 2 months because I was so intimidated at having to sum it up? No, not at all, whatever gave you that idea?
I saw something about another reviewer calling this series "autumn sunshine," and that basically sums it up. But I'd add a little more. It's like warm golden autumn sunshine pouring through a window onto a glass containing the soft green shoot of a new plant. It's cozy and inspiring, all at once, full of growth and rest.
This book really brings the series together. All the old characters have reappeared and played their part for good or ill. Explanations, revelations, motivations, and inspirations are all present. So many already complex characters received another layer. There's change and growth and forgiveness; there's worry and anger and plotting; there's tremendous excitement and relaxing calm; there's fighting and loving and just so much LIFE!
It's simply beautiful and wonderful, and I am so excited to binge this series next year. It's definitely my favourite series of 2024, and I fully, heartily recommend it to everyone. <3
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
I saw something about another reviewer calling this series "autumn sunshine," and that basically sums it up. But I'd add a little more. It's like warm golden autumn sunshine pouring through a window onto a glass containing the soft green shoot of a new plant. It's cozy and inspiring, all at once, full of growth and rest.
This book really brings the series together. All the old characters have reappeared and played their part for good or ill. Explanations, revelations, motivations, and inspirations are all present. So many already complex characters received another layer. There's change and growth and forgiveness; there's worry and anger and plotting; there's tremendous excitement and relaxing calm; there's fighting and loving and just so much LIFE!
It's simply beautiful and wonderful, and I am so excited to binge this series next year. It's definitely my favourite series of 2024, and I fully, heartily recommend it to everyone. <3
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
December 31, 2024
Wraps up this saga in most satisfying ways, and makes me quite intrigued to follow the next!
The writing in this series feels timeless, and BEAUTIFULLY draws together elements of history, literature, culture, and fantasy, while managing to be hopeful and comfortable in tone. It's cozy adventure with heart!
The writing in this series feels timeless, and BEAUTIFULLY draws together elements of history, literature, culture, and fantasy, while managing to be hopeful and comfortable in tone. It's cozy adventure with heart!
January 1, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of this book, and I absolutely ADORED this grand finale to this Gothic Victorian fantasy with dragons! It is so cozy, so lovely, has so many callbacks to the earlier books in the series, and the ending is so satisfying!
December 1, 2024
4.5 rounded up. Delightful series from beginning to end. There are MANY biblical themes throughout this series and I love that the author included them. If you like the Victorian era, dragons, cozy and clean fantasy, give this series a try. I’m looking forward to more from this author and from this world.
December 30, 2024
Dear Reader, I am ever so pleased to report that Christina Baehr successfully stuck the landing! 👏
The fifth and final volume of The Secrets of Ormdale Series is just . . . *happy sighs, hugs novel* . . . a sheer delight for the old-fashioned bookish heart! 🥰
I didn't want "Valley of Dragons" to end, dearies! Honestly, truly, I exerted every ounce of restraint I possess to savor-read this book as long as humanly possible. Which, was quite the feat, let me assure you, because this story is captivating!
Cozy themes of family and friendship, reminiscent of the works of Alcott and Montgomery, are juxtaposed with hints of gothic suspense à la Wilkie Collins and rounded off with a healthy dose of the pastoral charm and whimsy of Kenneth Grahame's "The Reluctant Dragon" to create an enchanting novel that's at once fresh and familiar. Wholly innovative and wonderfully nostalgic!
If you're looking for a five-star fantasy series that feels like an ode to 19th century literature, hasten to yonder book merchant to learn The Secrets of Ormdale!
🐉READ IN ORDER, FOR THE LOVE!🐉
📚 The Secrets of Ormdale Series
📖 "Wormwood Abbey" (Book 1)
📖 "Drake Hall" (Book 2)
📖 "Castle of the Winds" (Book 3)
📖 "City of Serpents" (Book 4)
📖 "Valley of Dragons" (Book 5)
The fifth and final volume of The Secrets of Ormdale Series is just . . . *happy sighs, hugs novel* . . . a sheer delight for the old-fashioned bookish heart! 🥰
I didn't want "Valley of Dragons" to end, dearies! Honestly, truly, I exerted every ounce of restraint I possess to savor-read this book as long as humanly possible. Which, was quite the feat, let me assure you, because this story is captivating!
Cozy themes of family and friendship, reminiscent of the works of Alcott and Montgomery, are juxtaposed with hints of gothic suspense à la Wilkie Collins and rounded off with a healthy dose of the pastoral charm and whimsy of Kenneth Grahame's "The Reluctant Dragon" to create an enchanting novel that's at once fresh and familiar. Wholly innovative and wonderfully nostalgic!
If you're looking for a five-star fantasy series that feels like an ode to 19th century literature, hasten to yonder book merchant to learn The Secrets of Ormdale!
🐉READ IN ORDER, FOR THE LOVE!🐉
📚 The Secrets of Ormdale Series
📖 "Wormwood Abbey" (Book 1)
📖 "Drake Hall" (Book 2)
📖 "Castle of the Winds" (Book 3)
📖 "City of Serpents" (Book 4)
📖 "Valley of Dragons" (Book 5)
Read
January 18, 2025This is SUCH a fun, cozy series that isn't afraid of nuance. Really looking forward to more books by this author and more books set in this world.
May 11, 2025
Oh my goodness! I want to move into these books immediately, and will be recommending them to everyone who will listen!
I’m so glad the author is already working on a continuation of the series featuring the younger characters.
Series features:
Non-magical fantasy world set in Victorian England.
Spunky, intelligent female lead.
Tons of family secrets and adventures.
Loving and supportive immediate family.
Slow burn romance (that doesn’t depend on miscommunication).
And most importantly, DRAGONS! 😍
I’m so glad the author is already working on a continuation of the series featuring the younger characters.
Series features:
Non-magical fantasy world set in Victorian England.
Spunky, intelligent female lead.
Tons of family secrets and adventures.
Loving and supportive immediate family.
Slow burn romance (that doesn’t depend on miscommunication).
And most importantly, DRAGONS! 😍
June 12, 2025
I basically inhaled this series. This has been one of the most enjoyable series I have read in a long time! Romance. Adventure. Mystery. History. I have laughed and cried and cheered! I cannot wait to Baehr’s next novel. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am off to fangirl to everyone I know.
February 8, 2025
A joy to read
The Secrets of Ormdale series, which began with Wormwood Abbey, has been a joy to read from start to finish. Edith Worms and her friends, family and dragons are absolutely delightful. Valley of Dragons is the fantastic conclusion to their story, a story which has been full of mystery, peril, adventure and romance and set in a vivid, magical world. I would highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys cosy historical fantasy.
The Secrets of Ormdale series, which began with Wormwood Abbey, has been a joy to read from start to finish. Edith Worms and her friends, family and dragons are absolutely delightful. Valley of Dragons is the fantastic conclusion to their story, a story which has been full of mystery, peril, adventure and romance and set in a vivid, magical world. I would highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys cosy historical fantasy.
April 29, 2025
I love all of these. I will hand copies to friends, and read them multiple times. This last one ended beautifully, and brought me to tears at least twice. My happy place to daydream of used to be The Lake District. Now it includes the Yorkshire Dales.
January 29, 2025
5+ stars for this book and the whole series. I don't know what it was exactly but this series just hooked me. There were lines that had me laughing and there were lines that had me tearing up. I feel like this book wrapped up the series perfectly but left room for future stories for characters. This book is for sure on my favorites list of 2025.
October 28, 2025
Alas, this delightful series had to come to an end! 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 is the last and (suitably) longest book in the 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐫𝐦𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞 series, and I felt both satisfaction and sadness when I turned the last page.
How can I review this book without spoiling the entire series? Everything about it was just the way the ending of an excellent series should be. I especially appreciated the family dynamics in this book. Edith is very close to her family—including her stepmother which is a refreshing change to the usual stereotype.
And the side characters? I couldn’t get enough of them! Mrs. Baehr is REALLY good at writing convincing and lovable (and sometimes unlovable) characters.
Talking about the relationships…Edith and Simon 👀. No, I’ll not elaborate. Read the series.
Even if fantasy isn’t your cup of tea, I still think you’ll enjoy this series as it’s mainly historical and there are only a few fantastical elements (like dragons!!).
Overall, 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 was an adventurous & fun yet emotional & tense conclusion to this well-written, fantastic series. I can’t wait for its spin off series! 🧡
October reread: Just as good as I remembered!
How can I review this book without spoiling the entire series? Everything about it was just the way the ending of an excellent series should be. I especially appreciated the family dynamics in this book. Edith is very close to her family—including her stepmother which is a refreshing change to the usual stereotype.
And the side characters? I couldn’t get enough of them! Mrs. Baehr is REALLY good at writing convincing and lovable (and sometimes unlovable) characters.
Talking about the relationships…Edith and Simon 👀. No, I’ll not elaborate. Read the series.
Even if fantasy isn’t your cup of tea, I still think you’ll enjoy this series as it’s mainly historical and there are only a few fantastical elements (like dragons!!).
Overall, 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 was an adventurous & fun yet emotional & tense conclusion to this well-written, fantastic series. I can’t wait for its spin off series! 🧡
October reread: Just as good as I remembered!
January 8, 2025
This cozy Christian fantasy has been such a joy to read. The final book was everything I wanted it to be with secrets, family drama, heartbreak and romance. It is such a unique and imaginative series.
March 14, 2025
A fantastic conclusion to one of my new favorite series😭 I had such a good time reading these books, and they have a special place in my heart now.
July 11, 2025
You would think that when a book leaves me as utterly speechless as this wonderful story, I'd admit defeat and not even attempt to do it justice with one of my reviews, but here we go nonetheless...
I can't imagine anyone has ever captured "cozy gothic" as effectively and elegantly as Christina does with this series. It's wholesome, meaningful, rich and gripping, with plots and characters that all resolve in a deeply satisfying way. But it's more than that, because there are also moments of great peril, unfathomable mysteries, and heartbreaking cruelties and injustices. Edith says once that she likes adventure but wants to come home to a comfortable chair and a warm cup of tea afterwards, and that is exactly how these stories feel.
If you're reading this review, then you've almost certainly read the rest of the series and don't need to be told how spectacular it is, and I can confidently join many of my fellow readers in claiming this fifth installment as my favorite. Despite introducing a surprising number of new plot threads, it manages to not only resolve every single one of them by the end, but also to neatly tie every remaining loose end from the previous books! That isn't accidental; it takes talent, patience, and skill to achieve this kind of completely satisfying conclusion. Christina simply killed it. ✨
The Secrets of Ormdale Series has touched me deeply, moved me to tears, filled me with wonder, prompted many hearty chuckles, and all-in-all wormed its way permanently into my heart. I'm immensely blessed to have read these books and will fervently recommend them to anyone who will listen. 😌
I can't imagine anyone has ever captured "cozy gothic" as effectively and elegantly as Christina does with this series. It's wholesome, meaningful, rich and gripping, with plots and characters that all resolve in a deeply satisfying way. But it's more than that, because there are also moments of great peril, unfathomable mysteries, and heartbreaking cruelties and injustices. Edith says once that she likes adventure but wants to come home to a comfortable chair and a warm cup of tea afterwards, and that is exactly how these stories feel.
If you're reading this review, then you've almost certainly read the rest of the series and don't need to be told how spectacular it is, and I can confidently join many of my fellow readers in claiming this fifth installment as my favorite. Despite introducing a surprising number of new plot threads, it manages to not only resolve every single one of them by the end, but also to neatly tie every remaining loose end from the previous books! That isn't accidental; it takes talent, patience, and skill to achieve this kind of completely satisfying conclusion. Christina simply killed it. ✨
The Secrets of Ormdale Series has touched me deeply, moved me to tears, filled me with wonder, prompted many hearty chuckles, and all-in-all wormed its way permanently into my heart. I'm immensely blessed to have read these books and will fervently recommend them to anyone who will listen. 😌
October 28, 2025
I absolutely loved how both Edith and Simon come into their own in this volume. Even though Edith is the main character of the series, the author still allowed the love interest scope to grow - and that is unusual because I'm used to seeing stories take a short cut by having the love interest already "perfect".
Edith has come a long way since the start of the series and I appreciate the author's focus on the fact that capable people who achieve great things rely on themselves to a point, but also acknowledge their weaknesses and get help from others where appropriate. For a coming of age story, this one really stands out because Edith doesn't have to do everything alone. She can rely on her friends and family to help her out.
I also appreciate the reminder to rest and recuperate. Edith has been through a lot, especially in the preceding two volumes and her family's consideration for her wellbeing in this volume made my heart so full.
Edith is so wonderfully supportive of those around her, and even that has her reaping unexpected rewards. Gwendolyn has succeeded in her own goals thanks to Edith's encouragement. Others benefit from Edith's unwavering support too, not least members of her deceased mother's family. The new addition of the maternal family came as a real surprise, and wove together all the hints from previous books into a perfectly vibrant tapestry, bringing together all the themes brilliantly. This arc also showed how Edith has grown into her potential and really learned the lessons from her past mistakes.
And Simon? Poor, dear Simon. He had so much growing to do! So much to learn about life and himself. So much to acknowledge about the people in his life, and himself. So much heartache to face. So many demons to overcome. And through it all, Edith was at his side, supportive and patient, encouraging him to see the solutions without manipulating him or trying to force his hand in other ways. It's so rare in a novel to see the give and take supportiveness of a truly well-balanced romantic relationship, and Christina Baehr nails it with this conclusion to the Secrets of Ormdale series.
Edith has come a long way since the start of the series and I appreciate the author's focus on the fact that capable people who achieve great things rely on themselves to a point, but also acknowledge their weaknesses and get help from others where appropriate. For a coming of age story, this one really stands out because Edith doesn't have to do everything alone. She can rely on her friends and family to help her out.
I also appreciate the reminder to rest and recuperate. Edith has been through a lot, especially in the preceding two volumes and her family's consideration for her wellbeing in this volume made my heart so full.
Edith is so wonderfully supportive of those around her, and even that has her reaping unexpected rewards. Gwendolyn has succeeded in her own goals thanks to Edith's encouragement. Others benefit from Edith's unwavering support too, not least members of her deceased mother's family. The new addition of the maternal family came as a real surprise, and wove together all the hints from previous books into a perfectly vibrant tapestry, bringing together all the themes brilliantly. This arc also showed how Edith has grown into her potential and really learned the lessons from her past mistakes.
And Simon? Poor, dear Simon. He had so much growing to do! So much to learn about life and himself. So much to acknowledge about the people in his life, and himself. So much heartache to face. So many demons to overcome. And through it all, Edith was at his side, supportive and patient, encouraging him to see the solutions without manipulating him or trying to force his hand in other ways. It's so rare in a novel to see the give and take supportiveness of a truly well-balanced romantic relationship, and Christina Baehr nails it with this conclusion to the Secrets of Ormdale series.
November 24, 2025
Wonderful!!!!!
November 3, 2024
Christina did it! She landed the series. This book is amazing!! It’s everything hoped for and more.
February 26, 2025
A beautiful end to the series (and I loved the extra long book, keep it up 😂✍️).
What annoys me about the so-called, cozy fantasy sub genre, is that it is all vibes and little substance. I don’t want to put this series in a box of “cozy fantasy,” but it really does hit the vibes on point AND it has so much depth. Even though this is a fantasy, the character deal with interpersonal and faith struggles that are explored with such tact and thoughtfulness and relatability. There was adventure, mystery, romance, history. and it’s the perfect series to read if you want a book to curl up with and read before you go to sleep. Peaceful, there is something peaceful about it.
But enough of that! All the characters are well fleshed out, the dragons are lovely, and I am so excited to see what the author writes next in this world!
If you can’t tell, this series really hit the spot for me and it’s easily my top read of 2025.
What annoys me about the so-called, cozy fantasy sub genre, is that it is all vibes and little substance. I don’t want to put this series in a box of “cozy fantasy,” but it really does hit the vibes on point AND it has so much depth. Even though this is a fantasy, the character deal with interpersonal and faith struggles that are explored with such tact and thoughtfulness and relatability. There was adventure, mystery, romance, history. and it’s the perfect series to read if you want a book to curl up with and read before you go to sleep. Peaceful, there is something peaceful about it.
But enough of that! All the characters are well fleshed out, the dragons are lovely, and I am so excited to see what the author writes next in this world!
If you can’t tell, this series really hit the spot for me and it’s easily my top read of 2025.
August 31, 2025
A wonderful conclusion to the series, but I was so excited by the news that we will have more stories (and dragons) in another series the author has planned featuring the younger generation of Wormwood Abbey. I’m not ready to say goodbye, and now I don’t need to! Edith and Simon captured my heart and I hope they are featured in the next series.
July 6, 2025
I am so happy with how this series ended 😁🧡 such a beautifully done 500+ page book! My time was very much not wasted and I have several happy sighs to let out over the course of this day for this book. Thank you Christina for the absolutely wonderful time I have had reading this series!!
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