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Chronicles of Whetherwhy #2
The Season of Flames
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.
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.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
18 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 5, 2025
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!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 11, 2025
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!
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!
October 30, 2025
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!
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!
September 20, 2025
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!!
September 15, 2025
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.
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.
September 1, 2025
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!
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!
September 6, 2025
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.
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.
October 28, 2025
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!)
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!)
November 20, 2025
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.
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.
September 15, 2025
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:
🌟🌟🌟🌟
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:
🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 6, 2025
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
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
September 14, 2025
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.
A perfect read for spooky season, for fans of Charlie Bone, Harry Potter and The Worst Witch.
October 28, 2025
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.
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.
October 30, 2025
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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Can’t wait to see the next one in the series
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 3, 2025
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!
November 2, 2025
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.
November 12, 2025
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
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
September 1, 2025
this series just keeps getting better! the first was fantastic, but this was a whirlwind of excitement and chaos and I was completely hooked! this book has me perched like Bruno, I need to know what happens next!
November 5, 2025
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!
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!
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