The Season of Flames

Chronicles of Whetherwhy #2

by Anna James, David Wyatt (illustrator)

From the best-loved author of Pages & Co comes the thrilling second book in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series – a magical quest to the very edges of Whetherwhy

At the magical Circus Astra, Elio helps his father look after Tangles – miniature tigers, mice with butterfly wings and a peacock made of ice crystals. Always on the move, the circus puts on incredible performances across the land of Whetherwhy under the stern eye of their ringleader Stella.

But after the arrival of a mysterious visitor to one of their performances, Elio discovers that he has something the queen of Whetherwhy wants, something she will stop at nothing to get. Elio must leave the circus behind and team up with some unexpected friends, as his journey takes him to the very edges of Whetherwhy in search of a way to restore the magical balance of the island.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Audiobook

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2025

Reviews

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so surprised about the time jump and protagonist change in this book, however I ended up loving the decision!
Elio is a circus performer with his dad as they are the Tangles’, little enchanted animals, handlers. However one day Elio is forced to flee the circus and find out the truth behind his story alongside a few new companions.
I really enjoyed Elio as a MC, because even though his life flipped over he was so dedicated to take care of everybody and figure out the entire truth. Pom was an incredible character to support Elio and I enjoyed their banter. I got really excited to see some characters come back after the time jump and although I expect another one will come in book three I think that I’m going to love reading a series with new protagonists each time.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review and happy publication day to this gem!

[Dannii Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5/5 stars. This is the second instalment in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series.

Review to follow.

[milliereadsalot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about the choice of the time jump & change of characters at first, but I actually think it makes for a really interesting direction for the series going forward, because hopefully the stories will never feel stale as there's always new characters to read from. I was racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen to the characters, and I was really rooting for Elio the whole time, he's a great protagonist. I also really enjoy the magic system in this series and I loved the development of the worldbuilding in this one. I just feel disappointed with the ending, because it pretty much ends in the middle of the story? And if the series continues with time jumps and changing main characters, we might only find out what happens to Elio and the dragons secondhand?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Rebecca Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of magic, adventure, friendship with lots of problems for the characters along the way. The book has beautiful illustrations but is so cleverly written that you can imagine this world in your head whilst also making you feel you are having this adventure too!

I loved the first book but loved this one even more. I raced through the pages to see how the characters where going to get out of the sticky situations they found themselves. However,  I was gutted when I go towards the end as I didn't want it to end!!

This is one of my favourite series and I can't wait for the next instalment! @AnnaJames pure brilliance which will have any aged reader hooked!

Thank you #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for this ARC. I absolutely loved it!

[Lucy Lightning · Rating 5 out of 5]

In feeling as if Tolkien himself is reading to me when I return to middle earth, the same sensation can be expected in having loveable grandfather gather me in with the grandchildren for the next tale of The Chronicles of Whetherwhy.

Opening with a thirteen year time jump did take me by surprise, being rather attached to both Juniper and Rafferty I was hoping to pick up where we left off, however being introduced to Elio and Pom made for wonderful questing. Elio offers a gentle protagonist taking all that comes his way with kindness and quiet ease, no matter how he truly feels. A refreshing take and highly admirable. Pom on the other hand offers up great joy with their openness, chaos and inspirational strive to make use of their winter magic. Joining them as they flee the circus to separate Elio and his pendant from the Queen, more questions than answers follow us in the beginning. Reuniting with old characters and discovering new places, everything starts to come together slowly, building to an ending that has you needing book three immediately.

I would also just like to add that a vast majority of Children’s, Young Adult and Adult fantasy will follow the usual structure of each book following directly after one another. In The Season of Flames having a rather large jump in the timeline, we are able to get a wider perspective of the world created by Anna James, as well as realistic storytelling of any resolution only being achieved by the work of more than one character. If we end up jumping another thirteen years in book three, I certainly will be along for the ride.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is magic when you can practically smell the sawdust and sparks in the air. 🎪🔥

Elio’s life traveling across Whetherwhy with his father and their magical creatures? Completely enchanting. We’re talking miniature tigers, mice with butterfly wings, and an actual peacock made of ice crystals. The circus vibes alone had me hooked.

But this isn’t just cozy magic and dazzling performances. The stakes crank up fast when a mysterious visitor arrives, and suddenly, Elio is tangled in something much bigger than the circus. The queen wants what he has, and she is not asking politely. Watching Elio step away from the only life he’s known and head toward the literal edges of Whetherwhy? My heart was in my throat the whole time.

What I loved most was how this story balances wonder with weight. It’s adventurous and whimsical, but it’s also about courage, identity, and finding your place when the world starts shifting under your feet. Elio’s growth felt real and earned, especially as he teams up with unexpected allies and faces choices that could change everything.

Also, the world-building? Absolutely luminous. Whetherwhy feels alive, wild, dangerous, and beautifully strange.

If you love magical quests, found family, and a hint of royal tension wrapped in circus sparkle, this one absolutely delivers.

✨️Thank you, Storygram Tours and Anna James, for sharing he Season of Flames with me!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the bold move to jump forward in time and give us a look at older Juniper and Rafferty, and get to know some interesting new characters!!

[Isabel Mwangi · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of action and drama. I loved it as much as the first one 😍

[Jamie Garity · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Season of Flames by Anna James is a magical and imaginative continuation of the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series that will easily capture the attention of middle grade readers. Book two takes place 13 years after the conclusion of book one.

This story follows Elio, who has grown up surrounded by magic at Circus Astra, caring for unique “tangles” which are creatures woven together with threads of magic that we learned about in book one. When a mysterious visitor arrives and puts Elio in danger, he is forced to leave everything he knows behind and embark on a journey across Whetherwhy. Along the way, he meets unexpected allies and begins to understand both his own importance and the fragile balance of magic in his world.

The world-building in this book is a standout. The concept of “tangles” is creative and engaging, making the magical elements feel fresh and exciting. The pacing keeps the story moving, while still allowing space for themes of friendship, identity, and belonging to develop.

I especially appreciated how the story emphasizes acceptance and the idea that strength can come from unexpected places. Elio’s growth throughout the novel makes this a meaningful read for younger audiences.

I also really appreciated that we got to catch up with Juniper and Rafferty as well as other friends from the first story. I think middle grade readers are going to love this.

This is a great recommendation for fans of fantasy adventures and magical creatures. It would work well for grades 4–7, particularly for readers who enjoy immersive worlds and character-driven journeys.

Anna James has done it again with another clever and unique fantasy story!

Thank you to Anna James, NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second installment of Anna James’s latest series, set years after Juniper’s story, a boy named Elio has been traveling around with Circus Astra, looking after tangles with his father. But when a mysterious visitor arrives at the circus, Elio learns that he has something the Queen is desperate for, and he goes off on adventure to find out what he has and why it’s so important to the balance of enchantment in Whetherwhy.

This is another fun adventure set in the land of Whetherwhy that I enjoyed reading with my 8-year-old son. We love the enchantment, the tangles and knots, and the new experiences that Elio gets to enjoy with his friends.

Unfortunately, there are two issues we ran into, one with this story and one with the series as a whole. First, James brings in some gender and relationship topics that I was unprepared for and that my 8-year-old wasn’t ready to learn about or discuss. Since these stories are marked as written for 8-12-year-olds, I think this is a little too early to initiate these discussions.

Second, while the time jump to a new story was an interesting development, we were both disappointed to not continue Juniper’s story. It’s almost like both stories end right when things get good: in book 1, before Juniper really learns how to perform any enchantment, and for Elio, right as a very significant magical event happens. There’s a hint that the third chronicle will jump in time again. The downside to this is that it makes it hard to connect with any of the characters the way you really want to in a series.

Overall, though, we both enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Writing style
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Characters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Premise
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pacing
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impact

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this second volume more, because I like action-adventure more than politics and social intrigue. I wasn't expecting that the main character switched to 13 later, and the kids from book one have other parts. Juniper is still a main core one because she is Elio's mentor. This second is more about magic and tangles, which was my favorite thing in book one, creatures made of elemental magic, and more. The grandfather telling this story gives awesome Princess Bride vibes.

P.S. The inside illustrations are 5+ stars. So so so beautiful.

[Xandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely series. The characters and the world are so wonderful. As others have mentioned, the time jump worried me at first but I ended up loving it! Can't wait for the next one.

[Mihiret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging and delightful book--but it's important to know going in that it is only slightly connected to the previous book in the series, which I greatly enjoyed. In many ways, this is an even more satisfactory book than the first one, and I was willing to commit to this story and these characters. Elio and Pom are excellent! However, I still wish we had some of the stories that took place in the last thirteen years, and seeing characters as happy adults is not the same thing as getting to finish their stories as children to satisfaction. That's even more of an issue with this book, which really doesn't have an ending for any of the characters, and given the relationship of book 1 to book 2, it's not clear that we ever will get that ending as more than a summary. But given all that, the adventure here is wonderful, and it is fascinating to learn more of the basis for Whetherwhy's seasonal magic. I also really enjoyed the emphasis here on people who don't necessarily fit into the place they're assigned, from Elio who doesn't get a letter inviting him to discover the season of his magic, to Pom who flunks out of Bard school in spite of a deep family tradition in music, to the various people who have reason to leave and join a magical circus (or to run away from that circus when it is no longer a safe hiding place). This is a book where human connections matter and humans are deeply variable, but it's also a world where institutions and authorities aren't necessarily the safe havens they appear to be, which takes us back to human ingenuity, kindness, and desire to fix things. The book may leave us wondering what happens to characters, but it doesn't leave darkness unchallenged, even when people get hurt and beautiful things get broken. In that sense, the book is completely satisfactory.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my free earc in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Frompenandpage · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first, I have to thank Anna James for doing the very thing I love about a chronicle series… A time jump! Whilst Juniper and Rafferty were exceptional protagonists, one of the things that enchants me most about a Chronicles series is the varying protagonists, interwoven adventures, and magical world familiarity. The Season of Flames is a marvellous second adventure set thirteen years after its predecessor and I can say, hand on heart, it was the best decision James could have made as it gave this world and it’s scale a true chance to flourish.

One of the things I adored most about the time jump, and therefore the novel, is that whilst it is a brand-new adventure, us as the reader don’t have to learn about this world or its magic system because we already know it. This allows for the focus to be on action and James doesn’t take her foot off the pedal for the whole book. I can safely say this is one of the most brilliantly paced books I’ve read all year with stakes as high as the pace is fast.

Elio and Pom are fantastic additions to the world of Whetherwhy and are the perfect protagonists to have told this story through. Could Juniper and Rafferty have told this story? Yes. Would it have felt as impactful? Likely not. They’re a unique combination with their own distinct personalities that I believe favour the adventure and the narrative of Season of Flames more than their predecessors would have. Elio gives me the makings of a true leader, oftentimes the largest trait of which I think is being too humble to acknowledge that fact, whilst Pom motivates and drives Elio into his strength. I couldn’t have asked for a better duo for Whetherwhy’s second adventure. For the fans of Age of Enchantment, you may well see the new duo interact with some fan favourites again.

If you’re a fan of book 1, you will have come to expect the interludes throughout the novel. It’s safe to say, these are fast becoming my favourite mystery of the series. I’m desperate to know who the grandfather is, how they came into ownerships of the Chronicles of Whetherwhy, and why he appears both invested yet reflective in telling each adventure. Every novel explores its own riddle, but to have this woven across what I presume will be the whole series, makes James’ planning and plotting ever more masterful.

Heading out of The Season of Flames, I am incredibly intrigued as to where the Chronicles will go next as (without giving any spoilers) it feels like true cliffhanger. Will there be another time jump? Will we see any of these characters again? How have the two chronicles so far set up the fate of Whetherwhy? Does the grandfather have all the story we need? James is one of those rare writers who was truly MADE to write a series, if Pages & Co is anything to go by, and I have absolute faith we’re in safe hands for an exceptional third act in years to come.

An epic adventure tied in with self-discovery, magic, families both found and biological, Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Season of Flames is a dream book for any readers aged 8+ and would make a brilliant first classroom read of the year for any teachers out there. So while you head out to preorder a copy from your local bookshop, I’m going to go contemplate where I think we’ll end up in Whetherwhy next!

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-A Pleasant Treat For You-
Review of "Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Season of Flames" by Anna James

Quote Alert
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐲, 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠."

Fantasy has always been my go-to genre. The infinite possibilities it provides of speculation make for an engrossing reading and there is nothing better than learning about a magical world full of interesting characters and abrupt twists. I have so many favorite genres but fantasy remains my first love.

So what's it about?
At the magical Circus Astra, Elio helps his father look after Tangles – miniature tigers, mice with butterfly wings and a peacock made of ice crystals. Always on the move, the circus puts on incredible performances across the land of Whetherwhy under the stern eye of their ringleader Stella.

But after the arrival of mysterious visitors to one of their performances, Elio discovers that he has something the queen of Whetherwhy wants, something she will stop at nothing to get. Elio must leave the circus behind and team up with some unexpected friends, on a journey that will take him to the very edges of the map … and to discoveries that will change everything: for himself, and for all of Whetherwhy.

Pick it up today.

[Harry Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Season of Flames is book two in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series by Anna James. Anna is one of my absolute favourite authors and someone I credit massively with influencing my love of books. It was her series, Pages and Co, that sparked the flame again for me after university and made me fall back in love with the magic of reading. I will always have a soft spot for the way she writes and the magic and whimsy that is always present in her works. The Season of Flames is no exception.

The Season of Flames picks up 13 years after the events of the first book which was the first shock to me. I tend to go into books fairly blind and I had no idea such a large time jump was about to occur. I thought we would be picking up pretty soon after the events of the previous book. However the narrative style of this series is an unnamed character reading the Chronicles to their grandchildren, so it is fitting and makes sense to have them as separate tales as opposed to one singular continuous narrative.

The first book follows Juniper who is an enchanter and has the ability to draw magic from all 4 seasons, our MC here Elio however is not. It gives us the opportunity to view the world from a different set of eyes. Someone who doesn’t quite interact with the magic of the world in the same way. I really enjoyed Elio as an MC, he is interesting, thoughtful, considerate, funny, and has a healthy dose of mystery behind him too. I enjoyed the somewhat reverse trope of running away to leave the circus too.

I really enjoy books with a school or academy setting, and whilst we do see Thistledown Academy again, it is more of a fleeting visit. The decision to explore more of the world is a good one fundamentally, but for my own personal tastes it gives the first book the edge with how much time we spend in the academy setting compared to here.

Anna James’ books are at their heart about the magic of imagination. Pages and Co is heavily focused on the magic of reading and that is a prominent instigator of children's imagination. The Chronicles of Whetherwhy looks at the magic of nature and the seasons. The whole concept of magic being threads that can be manipulated marries nicely with the idea that the magic of nature is all around us. We are constantly surrounded by little miracles in nature with the changing of the seasons being one such example. The turning of the leaves in Autumn, the first signs of shoots sprouting in Spring, the beauty of falling snow in Winter, and the gorgeous blue skies of Summer that bring people flocking to the outdoors in their droves. Seems like a kind of magic to me.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SEASON OF FLAMES is a sequel following a new protagonist in this world.

This book is set thirteen years after THE AGE OF ENCHANTMENT following a new protagonist. Juniper and Rafferty have grown up a lot. They appear in this book (Rafferty briefly while Juniper has a large role). It took me a bit of time to get used to this and settle into the world of a new protagonist (and the ending makes it sound like the next book will also follow the same pattern.) This style reminded me of the IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES series, which likewise had a new protagonist for the second book (though not a massive time jump).

It was impressive how quickly Anna James made me care about a new protagonist. Elio is very sweet and I loved his friendship with Pom (the failed bard who's tone deaf). They're a great pairing and Pom's extravagance and hunger for tales works well against Elio's more cautious nature.

I liked that we did get a fair bit of Juniper and Aella (who is a lot of fun and I really liked that we got more time with her this book), as well as returning to a few locations (like the school). It gave the series some more continuity, I also liked that Elio wasn't an enchanter, instead only had one magic, like most of the population. Fantasy has a tendency to follow characters who are extraordinarily powerful and while Elio has something special about him, it's not something he can use.

The really ended on a cliff hanger, with some of the questions (the pendant etc) answered, but the fate of Whetherwhy and the queen's plans really up in the air. Something pretty world changing has just happened (which is why the epilogue hinting at another time jump and a new protagonist felt rather odd - Elio's story clearly hasn't finished! I want to know what happens to him next!)

[Mahi Aggarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Season of Flames by Anna James is like returning to a familiar magical world, but discovering that it has quietly grown deeper, wider, and more emotionally layered. This second book in the series shifts the spotlight to Elio, and that change works beautifully. His story has a gentler beginning, rooted in the warmth and wonder of Circus Astra, yet it slowly unfolds into something far more intense and meaningful.

The circus setting is pure magic, not loud or chaotic, but tender and imaginative. The creatures Elio helps care for feel lovingly created, each one adding charm and softness to the story. You can feel how much this world means to him, which makes the moment he has to leave it behind all the more heartbreaking. When Elio realises that the Queen of Whetherwhy is after something he unknowingly carries, the story takes on a quiet urgency rather than explosive drama and that restraint makes it even more powerful.

What I loved most about this book is its emotional honesty. Elio isn’t a fearless hero, he’s unsure, curious, and often overwhelmed. His journey to the edges of Whetherwhy is not just about distance on a map, but about understanding identity, responsibility, and choice. The friendships he forms along the way feel organic and comforting, offering moments of humour and warmth that balance the rising tension of the plot.

Anna James writes magic in a way that feels thoughtful rather than flashy. The worldbuilding expands naturally, revealing new corners of Whetherwhy without losing the intimacy that made the first book special. There’s a strong sense that every discovery matters , not just to the fate of the land, but to Elio himself. Themes of power, control, and belonging quietly weave through the story, giving it depth without making it heavy.

David Wyatt’s illustrations deserve special mention. They don’t just decorate the pages, they enhance the mood, capturing stillness, wonder, and emotion in a way that words sometimes pause to let you absorb.

This book is a story about courage that grows slowly, about leaving safety behind, and about finding purpose in unexpected places. It’s magical, yes , but more than that, it’s heartfelt, immersive, and deeply comforting to read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I wonder if it’s possible to love a sequel as much as the first book… but this one proved it definitely is! I loved this sequel even more!! Every step of the adventure, every friendship formed, every brave and risky moment our characters faced had me completely hooked! And with a horse named Butterbritches (best name ever!) 🐴 and DRAGONS 🐉 how could I not be? Bonus points because there are some gorgeous illustrations throughout the book too! ✍️

The Season Of Flames picks up 13 years after the conclusion of The Letters Of Enchantment, and this time we are off to the circus!! 🎪

We follow Elio who helps his father in a travelling circus looking after the Tangles (miniature tigers, mice with butterfly wings and a peacock made of ice crystals) but when he learns he has something the Queen of Whetherwhy wants, and will stop at nothing to get, he sets off on an epic adventure to the edge of the map where he discovers some long lost truths and secrets! 🤫

Even with new faces joining the adventure, we also get to reunite with the main crew from book one and it was awesome to see what they’re up to thirteen years later! Pom was a fantastic addition - a bestie for Elio who brings plenty of heart, support and just the right touch of humour to the story! 🥰

With Christmas just around the corner I would highly recommend this wonderful series (let’s be honest - anything by Anna James) as the perfect gift for the young readers in your life. 🎁 Her whimsical storytelling and beautifully imaginative writing will sweep you into her worlds - but be warned you might never want to leave! 🗺️

After that ending in The Season Of Flames I’m so excited that there’s a third installment in the works, as I was definitely left wanting more! 🎉

Book gifted by HCPNZ all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set several years after the events of the first novel, the second instalment in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series, The Season of the Flame, follows a new character/ Elio. Elio is a young boy who helps his father take care of the tangles at a travelling circus, but when a mysterious figure comes to the circus one day wanting something of Elio’s, he’ll need to leave his father’s side and team up with some new friends to unravel the truth.

It was so lovely to return to Whetherwhy - a fantastical place where magic is related to seasons. While we spend the majority of this novel with new friends, we were able to check in on Rafferty and Juniper to see where adulthood had taken them.

The time jump allows James to widen the world and give more space to places outside of the school setting. Elio’s journey takes us to the edges of the map, giving a sense of how vast the world truly is.

James delves into themes of friendship, finding the right people to trust, and doing the right thing (even when there are adults who would try to steer you wrong).

I also adored the introduction of a non-binary character, Pom, whose friendship with Elio grows swiftly and allows them to provide some much needed support.

Miss nine was also very pleased to hear that there will be a third instalment, and we both wait with bated breath for the release.

Thanks so much to HarperCollins NZ for gifting us a copy to review!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the time jump in this and that we followed new protagonists. In this book we follow Elio who has grown up in a magical circus all his life with his Pa as they are the handlers of “tangles” the magical creatures. Until one day Elio is forced to flee without much of an explanation. In Whetherwhy everyone holds the magic of a season unless you are an enchanter who holds the magic of all four seasons. However Elio never took the test to determine which of the seasons magic he holds. So this is where the story unfolds as we follow Elio on a journey of self discovery. I really loved Elio’s character he was likeable, brave determined but also held so much mystery and intrigue I needed to know where his story went. We are introduced to some incredible new side characters in this one I especially loved Pom. Elio and Pom formed a beautiful friendship and I loved the banter between Elio and Pom. We also discover some more creatures. I loved that we also got to be reunited with Juniper and Rafferty from the first book and we got to see what their life looks like since the first book.

All in all this was a great follow up to the first book. It was easily consumable I devoured it within 24 hours. I’m so excited to see where this series goes next.

Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the narrator's grandchildren, I too was disappointed to hear that we would be rejoining Juniper and Rafferty's story after such a long period has elapsed since the first book in The Chronicles of Whetherwhy series. But Anna James has performed her usual magic, and I was quickly captured by the story of Elio and Pom.

Elio has spent his entire young life at a magical circus with his father Jonah, until events compel him to escape with the mysterious pendant bequeathed to him by his missing mother.

Now, he must find out why a group of villains that appears to include the queen of Whetherwhy are determined to take the pendant from him. What does it signify and why has he been led to believe that the future of the magical island in which they live rests on him?

Fortunately, Elio has not only
Pom as a friend, but also a group of diverse and talented individuals to support his quest - including the adult Juniper and Rafferty.

The world building in this series is nothing short of remarkable, and this second offering is not to be missed. Highly recommended, this should not be missed!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the second in this magical series. It will delight children and adults of all ages. The book is beautifully illustrated. The style of writing whips me away from reality and kept me reading way past my bedtime! In this instalment we follow the adventures of a small boy Elio, a circus runaway, and his friend the, almost bard, Pom. Together they meet new friends including Juniper and Rafferty. The story is set 13 years after the twins own adventures and it is delightful to see how they are doing. Juniper is an adventurer herself and jumps at the chance to join Elio in his search for the truth as to why he was never invited to do the magical test at 13, what happened to his Mother and the meaning behind her mysterious gift. From the school of enchantments to tall ships and a search for more dragons this adventure has it all. I look forward to visiting Wetherwhy again soon.

A perfect read for spooky season, for fans of Charlie Bone, Harry Potter and The Worst Witch.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in a middle grade happiness bubble! As an adult, these books are just as joyous for me as when I was younger. I think the adventure, magic and story of friendship never really gets old and these books capitulate them all.

Also I have a special place in my heart for authors who find a way to recap their previous book story for forgetful readers like me (who probably read them a year or two ago) and I was delightfully brought back into place with all the fond feelings of the first book flooding back.

I love the whole premise of the plot and after how much I enjoyed the first book, I couldn’t wait for this one.

We meet some wonderful new characters in the forms of Ellio and Pom as well as the cast of the travelling circus in which Ellio calls home. I couldn’t get enough of this story and the audiobook was a fab format to consume it in. Greatly narrated and full of magic. I loved it.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
13yo Elio has led a pleasant life as part of the Circus Astra, handling Tangles and Knots for his father. Then when inspectors for the queen, including Oleander Young, come in search of an amber pendant, Elio must flee, along with his new friend Pom, finding their way to Thistledown Academy, where they are hoping that Juniper can help them read the map that his father gave him and figure out how to thwart the queen’s grasp for power.
At first I was surprised that James chose to jump 13 years into the future, but I ended up liking the book immensely. Juniper has just enough importance to satisfy readers who consume the books one after another. Hints of more to come are at the end, too. Okay, I can wait another year.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

[Lucas Harris-Kilday · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect and magical sequel. I read the first book in this series over a year ago, and I couldn’t wait to start reading the second book. This book was so full of magic, adventure and heart I literally couldn’t stop reading it; from the new characters and the return of old favourites, it will become a story that for many young and older readers that’ll transport them to world where the seasons of the world are worshipped and respected beautifully.

Can’t wait to see the next one in the series

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a pleasure to return to Anna James's magical world of Whetherwhy but I am already impatient for the next book , as this one ends on such an intriguing cliffhanger! This second book is magical, mysterious and puts a real emphasis on the importance of friendships and found family. I found myself slowing down my reading near the end to extend the joy of being in this wonderful story. Looking forward to more dragons in Whetherwhy book 3!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been slowly wandering through this incredible book and I’m so sad I’m finished. Anna James writes such amazing worlds, magic and characters. I loved how there were crumbs dropped through this and then the ending is like BAM. The Grandpa’s narration interludes are a gorgeous addition. The illustrations are exquisite too! Genuinely can’t wait for the third one here.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

This was okay.

The beginning dragged and I nearly dnfed but I persevered as it was the audiobook I was listening to at work and I must say the second half was much better. Not a bad read by any means and I will listen to the next instalment but sadly this was a bit of a let down for me.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna James has done it again. Another truly whimsical adventure. The book had a captivating plot, a strong variety of characters and distinct motives. My favourite parts were the interludes— I love how they sort of work as a “check in” to make sure the reader is on the right page to what is happening in the plot