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Chronicles of Whetherwhy #1
The Age of Enchantment
First in a brand-new fantasy series from acclaimed author Anna James, filled with seasonal magic and exciting adventure
In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic inside them – grown from the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. But a rare few are people born with magic in their bones, who can wield all four seasons of magic.
When Juniper discovers she is an Enchanter, she must leave behind everything she knows to begin studying at the Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. Unwilling to be left behind, her twin brother, Rafferty, decides to follow her to the capital city of Stormgrove and takes up an apprenticeship at a nearby bookbinder.
As Juniper makes new friends and learns how to wield enchantment, Rafferty becomes involved with a mysterious secret society that meet after dark. Monsters are creeping out of the shadows and dangers lurk in unexpected places. Amid night markets and magic lessons, they both realise there is more to enchantment – and life in Whetherwhy – than they could ever have imagined.
In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic inside them – grown from the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. But a rare few are people born with magic in their bones, who can wield all four seasons of magic.
When Juniper discovers she is an Enchanter, she must leave behind everything she knows to begin studying at the Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. Unwilling to be left behind, her twin brother, Rafferty, decides to follow her to the capital city of Stormgrove and takes up an apprenticeship at a nearby bookbinder.
As Juniper makes new friends and learns how to wield enchantment, Rafferty becomes involved with a mysterious secret society that meet after dark. Monsters are creeping out of the shadows and dangers lurk in unexpected places. Amid night markets and magic lessons, they both realise there is more to enchantment – and life in Whetherwhy – than they could ever have imagined.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2024
168 people are currently reading
8179 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
September 10, 2024
3,5 stars
I love the Pages & Co series by Anna James so I’m very grateful for getting this opportunity to honestly review the arc of her new book! Thank you HarperCollins UK, Children’s and NetGalley.
The cover and the illustrations inside by David Wyatt are gorgeous!
What I didn’t really found adding anything to the story, was that this started with a grandpa reading this story to a bunch of his grandchildren. And the story paused sometimes to just let the grandchildren ask some questions. We never get to know anything about any of them, apart from a few details and I didn’t like the interruptions so I think I would have preferred this not being a part of the book.
The actual story starts at Honeyvale, a small town where our main character Juniper Quinn lives with her wonderful family (I loved them!) who own a bookbindery.
Honeyvale is part of the Island Whetherwhy, which is hidden away from the rest of the world to protect itself and its magic.
Everyone in Whetherwhy has a little bit of magic, unless you are born as an enchanter like Juniper. Then you have a lot more magic (which comes from the power of the seasons and the island itself) and get the chance to study at Thistledown Academy.
Magic thieves and dark magical creatures made the trip to the academy pretty awful and scary (I found the humans more scary than the actual beasts :o). The tole this took on Juniper is pretty big which makes her first days at the academy pretty nerve wrecking.
Juniper’s twin brother Rafferty hates not living with his sister anymore and he starts as an apprentice at a bookbindery close to the academy but the people he works for are hiding something and not all the people at the academy are to be trusted either.
The Harry Potter and Frozen 2 vibes were definitely there but I think this story would have benefited from being longer because I would have liked it better if there were more (detailed) descriptions of the academy, certain events and some of the characters and the reason behind their intentions. I didn’t know how to feel about some of them.
I love the Pages & Co series by Anna James so I’m very grateful for getting this opportunity to honestly review the arc of her new book! Thank you HarperCollins UK, Children’s and NetGalley.
The cover and the illustrations inside by David Wyatt are gorgeous!
What I didn’t really found adding anything to the story, was that this started with a grandpa reading this story to a bunch of his grandchildren. And the story paused sometimes to just let the grandchildren ask some questions. We never get to know anything about any of them, apart from a few details and I didn’t like the interruptions so I think I would have preferred this not being a part of the book.
The actual story starts at Honeyvale, a small town where our main character Juniper Quinn lives with her wonderful family (I loved them!) who own a bookbindery.
Honeyvale is part of the Island Whetherwhy, which is hidden away from the rest of the world to protect itself and its magic.
Everyone in Whetherwhy has a little bit of magic, unless you are born as an enchanter like Juniper. Then you have a lot more magic (which comes from the power of the seasons and the island itself) and get the chance to study at Thistledown Academy.
Magic thieves and dark magical creatures made the trip to the academy pretty awful and scary (I found the humans more scary than the actual beasts :o). The tole this took on Juniper is pretty big which makes her first days at the academy pretty nerve wrecking.
Juniper’s twin brother Rafferty hates not living with his sister anymore and he starts as an apprentice at a bookbindery close to the academy but the people he works for are hiding something and not all the people at the academy are to be trusted either.
The Harry Potter and Frozen 2 vibes were definitely there but I think this story would have benefited from being longer because I would have liked it better if there were more (detailed) descriptions of the academy, certain events and some of the characters and the reason behind their intentions. I didn’t know how to feel about some of them.
November 4, 2024
Chronicles of Whetherwhy is such a magical ride! Picture this: a world where people get their magic based on the season they were born in—spring, summer, autumn, or winter. But if you’re super rare, like Juniper, you’re an Enchanter who can wield all four seasons. Yup, total game-changer! So, off Juniper goes to the Thistledown Academy of Enchantment to learn how to control her magic, while her twin brother, Rafferty, decides he’s not missing out on the action and follows her to the big city of Stormgrove.
But here’s the thing—while Juniper’s having her magical school experience, making friends, and learning spells, Rafferty stumbles into something way darker. We’re talking secret societies, monsters lurking in the shadows, and late-night meetings that scream “trouble ahead!” And honestly, it’s just so fun watching both their stories unfold in totally different ways, but with the same mix of adventure, mystery, and magic.
The world-building here is spot on! Night markets, creepy alleyways, enchanted classrooms—you’re thrown into Whetherwhy and living it. The story’s all about friendship, bravery, and that sibling bond that keeps you rooting for Juniper and Rafferty through every twist. Plus, Anna James knows how to keep things moving, with just the right amount of action and mystery that pulls you along.
So yeah, I’m already on standby for Book 2. Hope I will get a call from Thsitledown Academy of Enchantment. If you’re into magical worlds with epic adventures and a dash of mystery, Chronicles of Whetherwhy is calling your name!
But here’s the thing—while Juniper’s having her magical school experience, making friends, and learning spells, Rafferty stumbles into something way darker. We’re talking secret societies, monsters lurking in the shadows, and late-night meetings that scream “trouble ahead!” And honestly, it’s just so fun watching both their stories unfold in totally different ways, but with the same mix of adventure, mystery, and magic.
The world-building here is spot on! Night markets, creepy alleyways, enchanted classrooms—you’re thrown into Whetherwhy and living it. The story’s all about friendship, bravery, and that sibling bond that keeps you rooting for Juniper and Rafferty through every twist. Plus, Anna James knows how to keep things moving, with just the right amount of action and mystery that pulls you along.
So yeah, I’m already on standby for Book 2. Hope I will get a call from Thsitledown Academy of Enchantment. If you’re into magical worlds with epic adventures and a dash of mystery, Chronicles of Whetherwhy is calling your name!
April 15, 2025
I really enjoyed how magical this world and this story was! I really like both Juni and Raf as MCs, however I didn’t really like that their stories were in chunks in the book. I would have preferred if it was chapter by chapter where we switched perspectives, but it might have been that I was listening to the audio and not reading it physically. Overall I really like my time with it
April 9, 2025
Anna James never fails to disappoint. I loved her Pages & Co series and was so excited to get an advanced copy of The Age of Enchantment. It is a magical ride told by both view points of brother and sister. This story is the kind to get kids (and adults) excited to read. My only problem is I now have to wait for the next in the series.
I’m being vague on the story because I don’t want to ruin it for others.
I’m being vague on the story because I don’t want to ruin it for others.
November 8, 2024
This is the first instalment in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series.
Juniper and Rafferty are twins living in one of the many small villages that are littered throughout Whetherwhy. They never thought to be torn apart from one another but that is exactly what happens when Juniper discovers she is an enchanter, someone with the ability to wiled the magic of all four seasons. She is sent to Thistledown Academy of Enchantment and learns much about her new abilities and herself whilst she is there.
Rafferty takes a role as an apprentice bookbinder to be closer to his sister but what he learns will shake not only the foundations of their close bond but the entire future of Whetherwhy.
Middle grade fantasy books leave me feeling some type of way I can't describe or find replicated elsewhere. This was a story full of as much heart as it was magic and I adored the many small adventures this was littered with. The main one focused on finding oneself in the world and I believe it a wonderful story for readers both young and old for precisely this reason.
Juniper and Rafferty are twins living in one of the many small villages that are littered throughout Whetherwhy. They never thought to be torn apart from one another but that is exactly what happens when Juniper discovers she is an enchanter, someone with the ability to wiled the magic of all four seasons. She is sent to Thistledown Academy of Enchantment and learns much about her new abilities and herself whilst she is there.
Rafferty takes a role as an apprentice bookbinder to be closer to his sister but what he learns will shake not only the foundations of their close bond but the entire future of Whetherwhy.
Middle grade fantasy books leave me feeling some type of way I can't describe or find replicated elsewhere. This was a story full of as much heart as it was magic and I adored the many small adventures this was littered with. The main one focused on finding oneself in the world and I believe it a wonderful story for readers both young and old for precisely this reason.
January 21, 2025
This was such a great read. I was very involved in the story and loved the twins. Absolutely adored the magic system. I was absolutely drawn in and was so sad to have finished it! This series is going to be great and I can’t wait for another adventure in Whetherwhy.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
October 31, 2025
3.5
This is a lot of fun, so easy to read and fast-paced! I really enjoyed the magic based off the seasons, and in particular how enchanters create “Tangles” of magic, they were very sweet. The book felt very adventurous, and I really liked how we got to know the twins as individuals because they were very separate for much of the book. I just wish the “interlude” parts with the grandparent and grandchildren had had a few more clues as to their relevance apart from being storytellers. Very entertaining!
This is a lot of fun, so easy to read and fast-paced! I really enjoyed the magic based off the seasons, and in particular how enchanters create “Tangles” of magic, they were very sweet. The book felt very adventurous, and I really liked how we got to know the twins as individuals because they were very separate for much of the book. I just wish the “interlude” parts with the grandparent and grandchildren had had a few more clues as to their relevance apart from being storytellers. Very entertaining!
June 9, 2025
The book wasn’t a big hit for me but it was good. It is very magical but also scary and dark. It took me a very long time to read. In the story, Juniper, a thirteen year old girl, finds out she’s an enchanter. She has to leave her brother, Rafferty, and go to Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. Rafferty gets an apprenticeship at a bindery to be close to her. He has adventures of his own there.
August 31, 2025
4.5 stars, great start to a new series that I can’t wait to get back into it!
August 24, 2025
An entertaining magic adventure from start to finish. I loved the concept of twins and only one having magic but both of them contributed equally.
April 30, 2025
The latest from Anna James is a magical middle grade adventure that breathes new life into the enchanted academy genre. When kids in a magic town age into their season-based powers, they're whisked away to a hidden school where the impossible happens daily.
James creates something that feels both new and familiar - the journey from outsider to finding your place hits all the right emotional notes, while the whimsical classes and quirky teachers are just plain fun. The story balances wonder with real stakes, as the kids face challenges that test both their powers and who they really are.
Parents who grew up with those famous magical school books will definitely want to share this one with their kids!
James creates something that feels both new and familiar - the journey from outsider to finding your place hits all the right emotional notes, while the whimsical classes and quirky teachers are just plain fun. The story balances wonder with real stakes, as the kids face challenges that test both their powers and who they really are.
Parents who grew up with those famous magical school books will definitely want to share this one with their kids!
November 15, 2025
Really fun middle grade fantasy. I especially liked the way many adults cared for kids who made mistakes and spoke to young characters honestly. Sequel publishing in spring 2026
May 22, 2025
This book was definitely full of magic, mystery, and very whimsical characters. But I personally felt like the pacing was very inconsistent. Some sections felt slow and overly detailed, while others rushed through key plot points. The characters were intriguing, but a few lacked depth or clear motivation, which made it hard to stay emotionally invested at times.
Overall, it’s a solid read for fans of fantasy who enjoy world-building and poetic language, but it may not grip everyone from start to finish.
Overall, it’s a solid read for fans of fantasy who enjoy world-building and poetic language, but it may not grip everyone from start to finish.
March 7, 2025
This book was actually really really amazing, intriguing, plot twisting, and suspenseful. I actually really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for book two!
(Whenever that comes out) Totally recommend this!
(Whenever that comes out) Totally recommend this!
September 19, 2024
Such a great fantasy middle grade book! Anna James has created a whimsical and original magic world, which I thought was compelling and well thought through. I loved that her characters were very human, with all their insecurities and flaws. The conception of seasonal magic and her use of 'knots' and 'tangles' within this magic realm felt original and refreshing to me, and of course, there are similarities to another magic school tale.. but without a doubt, this stood on its own merit enough to make me want to read the next chronicle and be excited to do so!
With strong themes of friendships and bravery, this book will be a HUGE hit amongst the 8-12 readers. Enchantments, bookish magic, and even a dragon... I mean, come on!
With strong themes of friendships and bravery, this book will be a HUGE hit amongst the 8-12 readers. Enchantments, bookish magic, and even a dragon... I mean, come on!
June 14, 2025
I like the world that Anna James created in The Age of Enchantment. Loved the magic system and how Enchanters weave enchantments by threads. I liked Juniper more than Rafferty as main character.
That said I was also a bit thrown by the interludes and not sure If that adds anything to the overall book and story we are reading as readers. That's why I'm giving it 3.5* stars.
That said I was also a bit thrown by the interludes and not sure If that adds anything to the overall book and story we are reading as readers. That's why I'm giving it 3.5* stars.
September 22, 2024
If you like books such as Harry Potter, you will love this book too! Full of adventure, friendship, and magic, you will instantly connect with the main characters Rafferty and Juniper and their friends they make along the way. Can't wait for the next book to continue this adventure! I will definitely be getting a few copies for our library once the book is released in May. Thank you @@NetGalley_UK for the opportunity to read in advance!
June 13, 2025
The author built a great world. Good magic.Good characters,but omg she included every single full-length conversation and it is SOOOO tedious. This story should be about 150 pages tops. I started skimming about 70 pages from the end because GET ON WITH IT. Even with skimming, I still got the whole story because so much of it was unneeded. I will not be reading any more of this series. More editing! More editing! More editing!
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May 26, 2025Amazing start to what I suspect will be a fantastic series!
June 3, 2025
Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment-Anna James; David Wyatt
“Once upon a time, or maybe it was time that has not yet come to pass-or perhaps even at this very moment-there was an island called Whetherwhy. Some say that it fell from the sky, others that it surfaced from the deep. Some claim that an earthquake cracked the land and caused it to separate and float away. But, wherever it came from. One thing is for sure. You could sail or walk or fly for a year and a day and never find the land of Whetherwhy.”
Sometimes, when life gets to be a little bit negative and overwhelming, I just need a whimsical middle-grade book to escape into.
Juniper Quinn is facing her guild affiliation and enchantment inspection that every child in Whetherwhy faces on the first day of spring after they turn thirteen. Juniper lives with her parents, twin brother Rafferty, older siblings Hickory and Hazel, and younger sister Blossom in the small town of Honeyvale. The family owns and runs a book mending shop. Every child is tested on the first day of spring and is assigned an element that they are affiliated with, and which dictates the types of magic they can perform. The affiliations are based on the seasons: spring, summer, winter or autumn. A small percentage of the population become Enchanters, those who have an affinity for all the affiliations and attend a special boarding school called Thistledown Academy. Juniper is discovered to be an Enchanter during her assessment and is invited to attend Thistledown.
This book was enjoyable to me, and I don’t have any complaints. The characters are loveable, and you can connect with them and root for them as you read. The world-building is done well and describes things in a manner that would be understandable for the middle-grade age group. I really enjoyed spending time with the Quinn family. They were perfectly quirky and loving. Juniper’s fears of separation from her family (especially her twin, Rafferty, to whom she is extremely close) and of falling short in her training as an Enchanter are gracefully explored and relatable.
There are quite a few loose ends, and I wanted to know MORE of just about everything, but it looks like this is working it’s way into a series, so I’m sure that will be done in later books.
**Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC of this book!
www.goodreads.com/smmorris821
“Once upon a time, or maybe it was time that has not yet come to pass-or perhaps even at this very moment-there was an island called Whetherwhy. Some say that it fell from the sky, others that it surfaced from the deep. Some claim that an earthquake cracked the land and caused it to separate and float away. But, wherever it came from. One thing is for sure. You could sail or walk or fly for a year and a day and never find the land of Whetherwhy.”
Sometimes, when life gets to be a little bit negative and overwhelming, I just need a whimsical middle-grade book to escape into.
Juniper Quinn is facing her guild affiliation and enchantment inspection that every child in Whetherwhy faces on the first day of spring after they turn thirteen. Juniper lives with her parents, twin brother Rafferty, older siblings Hickory and Hazel, and younger sister Blossom in the small town of Honeyvale. The family owns and runs a book mending shop. Every child is tested on the first day of spring and is assigned an element that they are affiliated with, and which dictates the types of magic they can perform. The affiliations are based on the seasons: spring, summer, winter or autumn. A small percentage of the population become Enchanters, those who have an affinity for all the affiliations and attend a special boarding school called Thistledown Academy. Juniper is discovered to be an Enchanter during her assessment and is invited to attend Thistledown.
This book was enjoyable to me, and I don’t have any complaints. The characters are loveable, and you can connect with them and root for them as you read. The world-building is done well and describes things in a manner that would be understandable for the middle-grade age group. I really enjoyed spending time with the Quinn family. They were perfectly quirky and loving. Juniper’s fears of separation from her family (especially her twin, Rafferty, to whom she is extremely close) and of falling short in her training as an Enchanter are gracefully explored and relatable.
There are quite a few loose ends, and I wanted to know MORE of just about everything, but it looks like this is working it’s way into a series, so I’m sure that will be done in later books.
**Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC of this book!
www.goodreads.com/smmorris821
March 2, 2025
3.5 stars
A promising beginning to what I believe will be a great series!
Anna James graces us with another cozy whimsical middle grade story set in a fun world, this time with a magic system based on seasons! I'll be honest, the world building was my favorite part of this book. Anna James sure knows how to create a magical, intricate world! I loved that we were learning about Weatherwhy alongside Juniper, as if we were students ourselves.
I also really appreciated the narrative style of this one. It's narrated by an omniscient, unnamed man telling the story to his grandchildren, and it manages to follow both Juniper and Rafferty. Both of their stories were needed in order to fully grasp what was going, and the constant change in whose POV we were following kept me on my toes and made me want to read more.
However, while this was fun, I wanted more. I feel like we remained on the surface for so much of it, I have so many questions! I also couldn't fully connect to either Juniper or Rafferty, leaving me a little disengaged. That being said, I know it's the first book in a series, so I have a feeling that a lot of my questions will be answered over time and that I'll eventually build that connection I crave with the characters.
My only minor critique is regarding the pacing. I feel like everything unravel so quickly in the end! I kind of wanted to marinate in the mystery a little bit more, to build tension. We learned all of this information, and suddenly it was over?
I cannot wait to see where Anna James is going to take the story, because I feel like this series has a lot of potential!
A promising beginning to what I believe will be a great series!
Anna James graces us with another cozy whimsical middle grade story set in a fun world, this time with a magic system based on seasons! I'll be honest, the world building was my favorite part of this book. Anna James sure knows how to create a magical, intricate world! I loved that we were learning about Weatherwhy alongside Juniper, as if we were students ourselves.
I also really appreciated the narrative style of this one. It's narrated by an omniscient, unnamed man telling the story to his grandchildren, and it manages to follow both Juniper and Rafferty. Both of their stories were needed in order to fully grasp what was going, and the constant change in whose POV we were following kept me on my toes and made me want to read more.
However, while this was fun, I wanted more. I feel like we remained on the surface for so much of it, I have so many questions! I also couldn't fully connect to either Juniper or Rafferty, leaving me a little disengaged. That being said, I know it's the first book in a series, so I have a feeling that a lot of my questions will be answered over time and that I'll eventually build that connection I crave with the characters.
My only minor critique is regarding the pacing. I feel like everything unravel so quickly in the end! I kind of wanted to marinate in the mystery a little bit more, to build tension. We learned all of this information, and suddenly it was over?
I cannot wait to see where Anna James is going to take the story, because I feel like this series has a lot of potential!
September 10, 2024
This was SO good. I didn’t expect to be so captured - the magic, the characters, the story was compelling and I didn’t even notice the page numbers go down.
I loved getting to know the twins - Rafferty and Juniper. The whole concept and idea of the magic in this magical world was so novel and greatly built. The world was so vivid and a beautiful setting for the book.
With magical inclinations set around the seasons, 13 years old go through testing to discover their predilection towards a certain season: spring, summer, autumn or winter. Occasionally however, an enchanter will emerge with the connection to all four. They are admitted to a special school to develop their skills which sees Juniper travelling to a new city away from all she has ever known.
Rafferty follows when he gets himself an apprenticeship but finds himself embroiled in mystery. He crosses paths with his sister and they find everything may be more connected than they ever could have thought.
I was absolutely hooked and was so sad to have finished it! This series is going to be absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to rejoin the twins again on their adventures in Whetherwhy.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I loved getting to know the twins - Rafferty and Juniper. The whole concept and idea of the magic in this magical world was so novel and greatly built. The world was so vivid and a beautiful setting for the book.
With magical inclinations set around the seasons, 13 years old go through testing to discover their predilection towards a certain season: spring, summer, autumn or winter. Occasionally however, an enchanter will emerge with the connection to all four. They are admitted to a special school to develop their skills which sees Juniper travelling to a new city away from all she has ever known.
Rafferty follows when he gets himself an apprenticeship but finds himself embroiled in mystery. He crosses paths with his sister and they find everything may be more connected than they ever could have thought.
I was absolutely hooked and was so sad to have finished it! This series is going to be absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to rejoin the twins again on their adventures in Whetherwhy.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
October 10, 2024
I’m always hesitant to review children’s books less than four stars if I can help it as I appreciate I’m a bit older than the intended audience. That being said, I believe I would have been equally confused that these characters are supposed to be 13, even at a young age. They act and talk much younger than any 13 year old I know or remember being. In my head I imagined them being under 10, at least.
It was also just a bit boring. The academy felt lacklustre. The food they ate was plain and, to be honest, unappetising. Bean stew more than once? There was no real threat, because an adult was always there to save the day (and there were maybe two or three “dangerous” situations in the entire book).
I found the magic system a bit cumbersome, constantly referring to this nebulous idea of “the seasons”. People have an affinity with a season yet that didn’t really seem to matter as any enchanter can do magic from any season, and a non-enchanter just becomes good at like, arts and crafts or something.
I also really felt for Zinnia, who wasn’t ever given a chance to redeem herself.
It was also just a bit boring. The academy felt lacklustre. The food they ate was plain and, to be honest, unappetising. Bean stew more than once? There was no real threat, because an adult was always there to save the day (and there were maybe two or three “dangerous” situations in the entire book).
I found the magic system a bit cumbersome, constantly referring to this nebulous idea of “the seasons”. People have an affinity with a season yet that didn’t really seem to matter as any enchanter can do magic from any season, and a non-enchanter just becomes good at like, arts and crafts or something.
I also really felt for Zinnia, who wasn’t ever given a chance to redeem herself.
September 10, 2025
This was such a cute, magical children's book! I'm trying to read more kids books to try to stay in the loop for work. And this was a perfect book for that :)
In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic. It correlates to the season (ex: spring or summer magic) and each season correlates to your nature (spring is creation, summer is revelation, autumn is transformation, and winter is new beginnings). If you have magic from each of the seasons, you are an enchanter.
In this first book, we follow Juniper and Rafferty, twins who live in rural Whetherwhy. Rafferty finds out he possesses spring magic, while Juniper finds out she is an enchanter, which means Juniper can go to school far from home and learn what it means to be an enchanter. Of course, with all magical books, we encounter people who aren't who you think they are, new creatures and a whole unique, magical world.
If you like Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia, I think you would enjoy this one. It's short and sweet, and I think it has a lot of potential for next books in the series.
In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic. It correlates to the season (ex: spring or summer magic) and each season correlates to your nature (spring is creation, summer is revelation, autumn is transformation, and winter is new beginnings). If you have magic from each of the seasons, you are an enchanter.
In this first book, we follow Juniper and Rafferty, twins who live in rural Whetherwhy. Rafferty finds out he possesses spring magic, while Juniper finds out she is an enchanter, which means Juniper can go to school far from home and learn what it means to be an enchanter. Of course, with all magical books, we encounter people who aren't who you think they are, new creatures and a whole unique, magical world.
If you like Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia, I think you would enjoy this one. It's short and sweet, and I think it has a lot of potential for next books in the series.
June 14, 2025
This book is pure story-lover magic! Set in 1930s France, it follows Gwen and Hugo, an art kid and a bookworm who stumble into a secret world where fairy tales are vanishing, and imagination is under threat. Throw in a grumpy talking cat, enchanted libraries, and a dash of adventure, and you've got a whimsical ride that feels like curling up inside a storybook.
It’s dreamy, nostalgic, and full of heart, perfect for bookworms who believe books are doorways, magic is real, and stories shape the world. A love letter to the act of storytelling that feels like stepping into a dream or better yet, a library where the shelves whisper.
📖 A gentle, gorgeously written adventure
🐱 Grumpy talking cat = automatic win
📜 Beautifully illustrated and steeped in fairytale nostalgia
💫 Best enjoyed with tea, a cozy blanket, and your childhood wonder switched all the way on!
⚡️Thank you Flamingo Books, Harper Collins Children's books and Anna James for sharing this book with me!
It’s dreamy, nostalgic, and full of heart, perfect for bookworms who believe books are doorways, magic is real, and stories shape the world. A love letter to the act of storytelling that feels like stepping into a dream or better yet, a library where the shelves whisper.
📖 A gentle, gorgeously written adventure
🐱 Grumpy talking cat = automatic win
📜 Beautifully illustrated and steeped in fairytale nostalgia
💫 Best enjoyed with tea, a cozy blanket, and your childhood wonder switched all the way on!
⚡️Thank you Flamingo Books, Harper Collins Children's books and Anna James for sharing this book with me!
June 4, 2025
What a delightful mix of what Harry Potter should have been, the Princess Bride (the movie), and the Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit (in terms of tone, general feel, story structure, and contents). I genuinely really like this book, I really liked the characters. Some of them super annoying, but still loveable. This was very plot driven and not a lot of time was spent with the characters in my opinion, which is my only gripe - i wish this book was a bit more fleshed out, that there was more detail and that it was longer. Whetherwhy is a deeply fascinating place and i want to learn everything i can about that setting. It wasnt the best it could be, but it was good for it was, and I really do want to read the rest of the series. I said it earlier but reading this book was like taking a shot of whimsy on an empty stomach.
October 15, 2024
A fun middle grade fantasy following twins as they are separated for schooling and the different turns their lives take.
Rafferty has spring magic and is excellent at book binding. Juniper doesn't think her magic is there, but it turns out she has super strong magic and goes to Thistledown school.
On their separation, strange happenings start to occur and it comes down to the strength of will and some great team work to figure things out.
This was a good start to the new series, it was a tad confusing in places, but I really enjoyed it over all.
I liked the set up and the dual POV between the twins and the illustrations were wonderful.
Rafferty has spring magic and is excellent at book binding. Juniper doesn't think her magic is there, but it turns out she has super strong magic and goes to Thistledown school.
On their separation, strange happenings start to occur and it comes down to the strength of will and some great team work to figure things out.
This was a good start to the new series, it was a tad confusing in places, but I really enjoyed it over all.
I liked the set up and the dual POV between the twins and the illustrations were wonderful.
October 23, 2025
Recommended!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you love magical, wizardry academia & thrilling adventures, grab this!
Chronicles of Whetherwhy gives a fresh new definition of magic which revolves around the magic of season; spring, summer, autumn and winter with each magic portraits its own specialty & characteristics.
But what if one has the traits of all four seasons? They are called Enchanters and Thistledown Academy is where they hone their enchantment & skills of magic around Whetherwhy.
Creatures of the magic : Knots & Tangles are the things that made my imagination go wild and I really can't wait for book 2 any soon!
Love this book so muchh!!!!
If you love magical, wizardry academia & thrilling adventures, grab this!
Chronicles of Whetherwhy gives a fresh new definition of magic which revolves around the magic of season; spring, summer, autumn and winter with each magic portraits its own specialty & characteristics.
But what if one has the traits of all four seasons? They are called Enchanters and Thistledown Academy is where they hone their enchantment & skills of magic around Whetherwhy.
Creatures of the magic : Knots & Tangles are the things that made my imagination go wild and I really can't wait for book 2 any soon!
Love this book so muchh!!!!
November 23, 2024
Perfect for HP fans, just not quite as dark. Loved the magic system, the friendships, that adults were present but the kids still managed to get into trouble. Felt like the climax and ending wrapped up a bit too quickly, but thoroughly enjoyed!
April 12, 2025
The Age of Enchantment - Anna James
This book was a delight.
I didn’t see it coming but it was full of magic and whimsy, friendship and adventure and I loved it.
When you open the pages on this first instalment of the Chronicels of Whetherwhy, you will be dropped into a land of seasonal magic; meaning, the magic corresponds with the season.
Juniper and Refferty, twins, have always known they have magic but, when Juniper discovers she is a rare magic user known as an Enchanter, the two are separated and Jumpier heads off to the Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. Here she makes new friends, learns how to utilize her magic and learns the world is far bigger than she ever thought.
Rafferty, not to be left behind, decides to also go to Stormgrove, where the school is, to find an apprenticeship. He stumbles onto an underworld of monsters, magic, things that go bump in the night and secret societies and has to discern whether those closest to him are friend or foe.
Yes, the school is very reminicient of Hogwarts. Yes, there are friendships formed and the children are the ones solving all the problems and unearthing all the secrets a la Harry Potter. It also has a vibe and a feel all it’s own. It’s creative and whimsical and full of the contrast between dark and light.
I can’t wait to share it with my kids.
This book was a delight.
I didn’t see it coming but it was full of magic and whimsy, friendship and adventure and I loved it.
When you open the pages on this first instalment of the Chronicels of Whetherwhy, you will be dropped into a land of seasonal magic; meaning, the magic corresponds with the season.
Juniper and Refferty, twins, have always known they have magic but, when Juniper discovers she is a rare magic user known as an Enchanter, the two are separated and Jumpier heads off to the Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. Here she makes new friends, learns how to utilize her magic and learns the world is far bigger than she ever thought.
Rafferty, not to be left behind, decides to also go to Stormgrove, where the school is, to find an apprenticeship. He stumbles onto an underworld of monsters, magic, things that go bump in the night and secret societies and has to discern whether those closest to him are friend or foe.
Yes, the school is very reminicient of Hogwarts. Yes, there are friendships formed and the children are the ones solving all the problems and unearthing all the secrets a la Harry Potter. It also has a vibe and a feel all it’s own. It’s creative and whimsical and full of the contrast between dark and light.
I can’t wait to share it with my kids.
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