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, Magic

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!

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

View this review on my blog:
https://emmaisabookworm.blogspot.com/...

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0 stars romance - no romance at all
0 stars language - middle grade so clean
10+

☆⛤♥⭑plot⭑♥⛤☆
Elio has always helped and traveled with the circus. However, when he has to go on the run from the circus, as the queen follows him, he realizes he is very important to the land of Whetherwhy.

☆⛤♥⭑thoughts⭑♥⛤☆
I loved this book! I felt so sucked into the world and was turning the pages like crazy trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I loved the little pictures (well they were full sized so not very little) and the interludes where the narrator’s grandkids would interrupt.

☆⛤♥⭑the magic⭑♥⛤☆
I liked the magical animals and how they were called knots and tangles, I thought that was a really cool juxtaposition. I also like how the magic is divided by season and not element or something, it was very unique.

☆⛤♥⭑elio⭑♥⛤☆
He struck me as very responsible and clever, he never got backed into a corner and had no plan. He was a great main character.

☆⛤♥⭑pom⭑♥⛤☆
I really felt for Pom, they were just trying to find a space for themselves and Pom was very sweet and honestly my favorite character.

☆⛤♥⭑in summary⭑♥⛤☆
If you like the circus, magic, dragons, mysteries, or are down for an adventure, you will love this book!

xoxo
emma

[Ellie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles of Whetherwhy book 2- The Season Of Flames By Anna James

⭐️3.75 out of 5 stars ⭐️

Thanks to the publisher and to Girls Life for the copy, here is my review:

The season of flames is the second book in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series and I really enjoyed it! It is a middle grade fantasy, and definitely hit the spot.

You follow Elio, a 13-year-old boy who lives and travels with the Circus Astra and his father. Elio has never lived a normal life outside of the circus and never has been able to because his dad wants to keep him safe. Elio doesn’t know what his dad is talking about but soon gets thrown into a wild adventure. He has to leave the circus behind but meets friends and enemies along the way. Exploring quaint towns and the beautiful world of Weatherwhy.

I personally enjoyed the first book a little bit more, but this one was just as engaging and I really loved all the world building and different elements that make Whetherwhy feel in depth and real.

If you like Harry Potter, the circus, magic, unique settings and worlds, then you should definitely add this to your list because it is worth the read!

[Zayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers and Girls Life for letting me hop into this universe and this magical cozy middle school fantasy was so sweet and honestly I think people who love magic tree house and Percy Jackson would love this.

[Monika Kozlowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this series enough. Love these characters and this world. Can’t wait for book three hurry up January

[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 😍

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the world building of Chronicles of Whetherwhy and was really excited to see the second book come out. This book was good, but it took a bit of a detour of which I am not quite sure how I feel about it. The second installment feels less like a sequel and more like a standalone story that takes place in a similar world. Taking place thirteen years after the events in the first book, this story follows Elio, the animal keeper in the circus he and his dad belong to, but when his dad starts behaving erratically, it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems— Elio is not just a normal boy. The problem is that by the time Elio becomes aware that his father has been keeping secrets, Elio is not the only person interested in uncovering them.

This was a lovely story, but outside of some characters resurfacing, the plot line does not seem to connect at all with the happenings in the first book. Additionally, the story basically ends right at the climax and hints that the next book will see a similar jump in time. It feels disjointed to read the way everything turned out for a character in the next book through the POV of someone else. In this book, Elio’s adventure leads him to cross paths with the librarian of Thistledown, Juniper. If I open up the next book and see a similar jump “Elio became a zookeeper after his dragon adventure” in passing as we learn about another character wholly unconnected with the other stories of the chronicles of Whetherwhy. It is entirely possible I’m having a hard time seeing the forest through the trees with this one, and I will still read the third and be delighted to be wrong if the third pulls all the storylines together to weave a larger and more complex tapestry of a story— I’m just not yet seeing it.

There were also themes explored that seemed much older than the recommended 8-12yrs suggested age of readers: like maternal abandonment blamed on mental health (sensory overstimulation), or the inability for a baby to consent to being enchanted and experimented with (ultimately saddling him with an identity he didn’t choose).

I would like to thank Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[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.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and to Girls' Life for a copy in exchange for a review.

Chronicles Of Whetherwhy Season Of Flames 3.75/5 ⭐️

This atmosphere is unmatched🤩

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✨Plot✨

In book 2 of The Chronicles of Whetherwhy, we follow Elios, who has grown up at Circus Astra with his father. Elio helps his father look after "tangles" magical animals made of threads of magic, and the stars of the show. The circus is constantly moving every couple of days, always under the watchful eye of its mysterious ringleader.

When a mysterious visitor arrives, Elio discovers that he has something the queen of Whetherwhy wants; something she will stop at nothing to get. Elio is forced to leave the circus and his father behind. Teaming up with unexpected friends and traveling to the very edges of Whetherwhy all to save Whetherwhy itself.

✨Characters✨

The characters had such distant personalities, and my favorite was probably raffertys baby or Lina! I was constantly laughing and flew through this series so fast!

✨Writing Style✨

Really magical, I could picture everything so clearly, it was like I was there with the characters!

✨⚔️Action⚔️✨

While there wasn't tons of action, there was certainly enough to keep me well entertained!

✨Would I Recommend It?✨

Of course!! So cute, and if you love road trip books with a magical side, you'll love this!

[Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love The Season of Flames. The premise is imaginative, and the world of Whetherwhy continues to be full of creativity, magic, and adventure. There are some genuinely exciting moments, and the setting remains one of the strongest parts of the series.

Unfortunately, this installment didn’t hold my attention as well as I hoped. The pacing felt uneven, with sections that dragged on longer than necessary before the story picked up again. While the stakes were higher, I found it difficult to stay invested in some of the characters’ journeys, and a few plot developments felt predictable.

The writing is accessible and clearly geared toward younger readers, but at times the dialogue and character decisions felt repetitive. I also wished for more character growth and emotional depth, especially given the challenges the characters faced throughout the story.

That said, there are plenty of readers who will enjoy this book, particularly fans of middle-grade fantasy and those already invested in the Whetherwhy series. The imaginative world-building and magical atmosphere are still enjoyable, even if the story itself didn’t fully work for me.

Overall, The Season of Flames has a creative foundation and some memorable moments, but the pacing and character development kept it from being a standout read. A decent sequel, but not one I’ll be rushing to revisit.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Elio, is always on the move. He helps his father look after the infamous, “tangles,” aka the mythical creatures woven together with threads of magic. While on the move to another circus performance stop, a mysterious visitor appears at one of their performances.

When he discovers that The Queen of Whetherwhy wants something that he has, he is forced to leave the circus behind and go on a journey with unexpected new friends. After leaving his circus family behind, his journey takes him far to the edge of Whetherwhy is to find a way to restore the magical balance of the island.

🕶️I really enjoyed this sequel. There’s lots of action and world-building. The time jump surprised me. And I really enjoyed the way different age ranges and generations were intertwined into the story.

I’d recommend this series to kids who dream of castles, dragons, and the Descendants series on Disney+.

And for adults, this book series gives off major The Magic Tree House vibes. It is a great book series to add to your summer reading challenge, if there is a middle-grade option on your book list.

Thank you for a copy, Penguin Random House and Girl’s life bestie book club street team.

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Anna James. I adored Alice with a Why, loved the first Chronicles of Whetherwhy, and now this! James has proven herself as a fantastic character writer and an understander of what makes a good story. That’s why she’s so good at adapting. I had so many laugh out loud moments with Pom, they’re so well written. Elio is also a great main character to follow. I didn’t mind the grandfather and kids as much this time and better understood their place in the progressing story. While I don’t think the ending is perfect, the journey is so fun and enjoyable that it’s easy to overlook. I’m enjoying this series and its interesting progression mechanic and looking forward to the next one.

Also, the audiobook narrator Mike Grady is INCREDIBLE. Highly recommend that format for both Chronicles of Whetherwhy.

4.5 rounded up to a 5

[Julie-Ann Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wizard's Promise (Chronicles of Whetherwhy, Book 2) was every bit as enjoyable as the first book. It expands the world beautifully, develops the characters in satisfying ways, and keeps that same sense of magic and adventure that made me enjoy the first.

The characters feel increasingly real. The story keeps a balance of mystery and cozy, and I found myself happily swept along from beginning to end.

It didn't quite have that elusive something that would have tipped it into five-star territory for me, but it's an excellent sequel. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
A solid 4-star read.

[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.

[David Moul · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Took longer to get into than the first one. Second half was more captivating. I loved the whimsy of the first book...this one felt a little bit like it was influenced by the Magicians Nephew and Eragon. (Hidden garden, special mental link with thought-extinct dragon.)

Also, for anyone with conservative values, there's a casually-mentioned same-sex couple (no romance) and two characters refered to with they/them pronouns. Nothing inappropriate happens, but it's unnecessary to the plot and it felt forced for the sake of making a point.

Big disappointment compared to the first book!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun world! I loved how this book gave readers a decent time jump, but still incorporated the characters from the first book. I really enjoyed the journey Elio went on in this book and how the story ended in such an open ended way and I am excited to see how the next book picks up. I am loving how this story is told too because it is unique and a fun way for kids to think about how stories are told.

[Ariyana Healy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I would not typically reach for, but I’m glad I read it! Being able to step into Alex‘s world and go through all of the twists and turns was so fun. worlds. This was immersed in the book the whole time I read. If you are into fantasy and stories with magical worlds. This is definitely the book for you!

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

DO NOT RECOMMEND

I can't tell you how disappointed I am with this second book. I absolutely adored the first one and was really looking forward to continuing. But one of the first characters we meet is Pom who uses "they" pronouns. So this isn't a book I can recommend.

[Adri Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love love! A book with high-stakes and magical journey's that’s is thrilling with messages of friendship and acceptance. If you love fantasy books with magical animals and thrilling circus adventures, then this book is for you!

[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.

[Azriel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, I love the way how it went into the future a bit. I also love how even since in went into the future. I still got to see old characters from the first book.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun and I'm excited to see what happens next!

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!