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To Sway A Charlatan
Harlow Hedgewater is by all accounts a 34-year-old astute wizard who just snatched an apprenticeship to a high-ranking wizard known for going through apprentices faster than the rumors of their solitude can spread. In reality, she’s an undercover thief hell-bent on stealing a mysterious relic from the eccentric Atlas Daggerroot. She must get close to them to find the magically-hidden vault within their moody sentient manor. The relic is her key to finally realizing her dream of serving as a Thieves Guild council member and making the world remember her. But she quickly discovers she’ll have to balance the charade of being an accomplished wizard with steering her heart away from Atlas who continuously surprises her with tenderness she doesn’t believe she deserves. With each shared adventure, Harlow gets further away from repeating her pattern of running away when she gets too close. Falling in love with her mark was never the plan and now her promised social status hangs in the balance. She must decide if this strict, no-nonsense life she’s been forcing herself to build is really what life is meant to be or if it’s time to let go and let her heart lead.
To Sway A Charlatan is a queer cozy romantasy with magic in abundance and low stakes (though that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of adventure). The book will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy in the style of Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes and Rebecca Thorne’s Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and readers who love the romance between the socially-torn lovers of Olivia Atwater’s Half A Soul.
To Sway A Charlatan is Book Five of the Tempting Thieves Collection.
Tempting Thieves is a multi-author romantasy collection featuring cunning thieves who outsmart relentless hunters, steal forbidden treasures, and find love along the way. With enemies-to-lovers tension, slow-burn longing, forced proximity, secret identities, only one bed, and grumpy/sunshine dynamics, every story delivers an irresistible fantasy escape.
Perfect for fans of forbidden romance, morally gray heroes, daring rogues, and clean yet sizzling chemistry.
Each book in the collection is a standalone. Read in any order.
To Sway A Charlatan is a queer cozy romantasy with magic in abundance and low stakes (though that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of adventure). The book will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy in the style of Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes and Rebecca Thorne’s Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and readers who love the romance between the socially-torn lovers of Olivia Atwater’s Half A Soul.
To Sway A Charlatan is Book Five of the Tempting Thieves Collection.
Tempting Thieves is a multi-author romantasy collection featuring cunning thieves who outsmart relentless hunters, steal forbidden treasures, and find love along the way. With enemies-to-lovers tension, slow-burn longing, forced proximity, secret identities, only one bed, and grumpy/sunshine dynamics, every story delivers an irresistible fantasy escape.
Perfect for fans of forbidden romance, morally gray heroes, daring rogues, and clean yet sizzling chemistry.
Each book in the collection is a standalone. Read in any order.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2025
1 person is currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Daphinie Cramsie
10 books11 followersRumor is Daphinie (they/them) is really just three kobolds in a trench coat. They live in the SW United States with two spawnlings and a partner that is also likely to be yet another three kobolds in a slightly longer trench coat. Somehow they all live with an elderly chihuahua, and two dogs that might be mimics. You’ll find that most of their work swings within the genres of fantasy, horror, and occasionally sci-fi.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 29, 2025
TO SWAY A CHARLATAN by Daphinie Cramsie
Harlow Hedgewater is a master thief posing as a wizard, sent to steal a relic from the reclusive Spellsaven Atlas Daggerroot. But as she navigates their enchanted, sentient manor and the growing bond between them, the heist becomes more complicated—and more personal—than she ever planned.
Whimsical, heartfelt, and quietly powerful—To Sway a Charlatan is a cosy fantasy that leaves a soft ache in its wake. Reading this novella felt like sitting in a warm sunbeam on a slightly rainy day. It’s light and charming on the surface—full of odd spells, playful banter, and a sentient House that has opinions—but beneath the whimsy is a story about vulnerability, change, and the strange, quiet ways people grow toward each other.
At its core is Harlow Hedgewater, a rogue-posing-as-a-wizard sent on a mission that’s supposed to be all business: infiltrate, steal, get out. But as she settles into Daggerroot Manor and spends time with the townspeople (and one extremely cranky garden witch), she begins to shift. Her arc—torn between her sense of duty and the life that’s slowly unfolding around her—is beautifully drawn, and watching her wrestle with her own instincts in the face of growing affection is one of the book’s most satisfying threads.
Then there’s Spellsaven Atlas Daggerroot, who might just be one of the most memorable characters I’ve read in a while. They’re not just magical—they feel enchanted , in the truest sense of the word. Everything they do feels touched by something ancient and fae-like: flower crowns, whispered spells, eccentric routines, and an unwavering emotional openness. The way they care for Harlow, the town, and the sentient House is both heartwarming and disarming.
The House deserves a paragraph of its own. It’s not just alive, it’s attentive, moody, and sometimes a little mischievous. Watching it respond to Harlow (and her secrets) adds a layer of magic that’s deeply personal, almost spiritual. Fans of Howl’s Moving Castle or Monster House will eat this up.
And yes—plant parents, rejoice: the flora is practically its own character. From enchanted gardens to blooming test-of-character pots, growth is a literal and metaphorical force throughout the book. The relationship between people and plants (and the emotional work that comes with both) is handled with reverence, humour, and the occasional sprinkle of chaos.
I laughed. I cried. I may have screamed into a pillow at one point, thinking the twists in this book were going to break my heart. In the end, To Sway a Charlatan isn’t just about magic—it’s about trust, found family, and allowing yourself to be seen, even when it’s terrifying. I adored my time with Harlow and Atlas, and I’d love nothing more than to see this world grow—like any good garden, there's so much more waiting to bloom.
**Thank you to the author for granting me an ARC**
Harlow Hedgewater is a master thief posing as a wizard, sent to steal a relic from the reclusive Spellsaven Atlas Daggerroot. But as she navigates their enchanted, sentient manor and the growing bond between them, the heist becomes more complicated—and more personal—than she ever planned.
Whimsical, heartfelt, and quietly powerful—To Sway a Charlatan is a cosy fantasy that leaves a soft ache in its wake. Reading this novella felt like sitting in a warm sunbeam on a slightly rainy day. It’s light and charming on the surface—full of odd spells, playful banter, and a sentient House that has opinions—but beneath the whimsy is a story about vulnerability, change, and the strange, quiet ways people grow toward each other.
At its core is Harlow Hedgewater, a rogue-posing-as-a-wizard sent on a mission that’s supposed to be all business: infiltrate, steal, get out. But as she settles into Daggerroot Manor and spends time with the townspeople (and one extremely cranky garden witch), she begins to shift. Her arc—torn between her sense of duty and the life that’s slowly unfolding around her—is beautifully drawn, and watching her wrestle with her own instincts in the face of growing affection is one of the book’s most satisfying threads.
Then there’s Spellsaven Atlas Daggerroot, who might just be one of the most memorable characters I’ve read in a while. They’re not just magical—they feel enchanted , in the truest sense of the word. Everything they do feels touched by something ancient and fae-like: flower crowns, whispered spells, eccentric routines, and an unwavering emotional openness. The way they care for Harlow, the town, and the sentient House is both heartwarming and disarming.
The House deserves a paragraph of its own. It’s not just alive, it’s attentive, moody, and sometimes a little mischievous. Watching it respond to Harlow (and her secrets) adds a layer of magic that’s deeply personal, almost spiritual. Fans of Howl’s Moving Castle or Monster House will eat this up.
And yes—plant parents, rejoice: the flora is practically its own character. From enchanted gardens to blooming test-of-character pots, growth is a literal and metaphorical force throughout the book. The relationship between people and plants (and the emotional work that comes with both) is handled with reverence, humour, and the occasional sprinkle of chaos.
I laughed. I cried. I may have screamed into a pillow at one point, thinking the twists in this book were going to break my heart. In the end, To Sway a Charlatan isn’t just about magic—it’s about trust, found family, and allowing yourself to be seen, even when it’s terrifying. I adored my time with Harlow and Atlas, and I’d love nothing more than to see this world grow—like any good garden, there's so much more waiting to bloom.
**Thank you to the author for granting me an ARC**
May 4, 2025
A beautiful romantasy with the heart of a Ghibli film and energy of Doctor Who, I couldn’t have asked for a more whimsical and heart wrenching story. This novel has all the proper reagents for the most wonderful of spells. An absolute must read.
January 10, 2026
Is this the author's first book?
Because it felt very amateurish. The chapters were uploaded incorrectly somehow, so I could only see the time remaining in the book, rather than individual chapters, which makes it much more difficult to plan reading during my breaks. The paragraphs had HUGE indents. And the entire book was in desperate need of editing. Run on sentences, incorrect words, typos, out of order... Entire portions were unclear. Those are all sorta minor (which isn't too say forgivable, but at least they're correctable), but I also had a problem with our two characters with non standard pronouns. Not with them as people, at all. But because that should have been a plot point, and it wasn't. People don't just willy nilly make up pronouns for others. There needs to be a conversation where someone explains how they prefer to be identified. Yet we, the audience, are just supposed to roll with it and figure it out with NO explanation? I'm guessing the author was aiming for normalization. I wasn't aware that was a thing before researching to ensure I wasn't being a prick in writing this. But... The story has to make sense to the audience. And this one just didn't, because I was so busy trying to figure out if kher was a typo or a pronoun that I could barely even concentrate on the wider plot. MAYBE Harlow and the librarian had a conversation before the book started since they already knew each other. But we KNOW there was no discussion with Atlas, cause it started before they even said one word to Harlow! Also, if you are going to have your love interest identify as them, you need to be NEUROTIC in your sentence structure to clarify whether you're referring to Atlas or a group of people. Which this author was not, leaving me quite confused in many scenes. The story wasn't bad. But the writing is in desperate need of improvement. I loathe giving bad reviews, because I only read indie authors, some of them so small that I suspect they still read every single comment. I admire these women more than I can say for taking something from their soul and putting it out there for everyone to see and criticize. But that doesn't change the fact that even the best author is nothing without a good editor.
Because it felt very amateurish. The chapters were uploaded incorrectly somehow, so I could only see the time remaining in the book, rather than individual chapters, which makes it much more difficult to plan reading during my breaks. The paragraphs had HUGE indents. And the entire book was in desperate need of editing. Run on sentences, incorrect words, typos, out of order... Entire portions were unclear. Those are all sorta minor (which isn't too say forgivable, but at least they're correctable), but I also had a problem with our two characters with non standard pronouns. Not with them as people, at all. But because that should have been a plot point, and it wasn't. People don't just willy nilly make up pronouns for others. There needs to be a conversation where someone explains how they prefer to be identified. Yet we, the audience, are just supposed to roll with it and figure it out with NO explanation? I'm guessing the author was aiming for normalization. I wasn't aware that was a thing before researching to ensure I wasn't being a prick in writing this. But... The story has to make sense to the audience. And this one just didn't, because I was so busy trying to figure out if kher was a typo or a pronoun that I could barely even concentrate on the wider plot. MAYBE Harlow and the librarian had a conversation before the book started since they already knew each other. But we KNOW there was no discussion with Atlas, cause it started before they even said one word to Harlow! Also, if you are going to have your love interest identify as them, you need to be NEUROTIC in your sentence structure to clarify whether you're referring to Atlas or a group of people. Which this author was not, leaving me quite confused in many scenes. The story wasn't bad. But the writing is in desperate need of improvement. I loathe giving bad reviews, because I only read indie authors, some of them so small that I suspect they still read every single comment. I admire these women more than I can say for taking something from their soul and putting it out there for everyone to see and criticize. But that doesn't change the fact that even the best author is nothing without a good editor.
May 2, 2025
Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews (BookTome Edition): “To Sway a Charlatan” by Daphinie Cramsie
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
“What’s a touch of magic without a touch of deception?”
Professional thief Harlow Hedgewater takes on the identity of a warlock and infiltrates a mysterious mansion under the guise of being the new assistant to reclusive sorcerer Atlas Daggerroot. Her mission: steal a powerful magical relic from right under her new mentor’s nose. But things quickly grow complicated when Harlow realizes there’s more to Atlas than he lets on—and soon, her heart is caught in a magical whirlwind.
This cozy romantasy is the fifth installment in the author-collaborated series “Tempting Thieves”, written by Fantasy author Daphinie Cramsie. A page-turning tale of rediscovering lost passions, embracing self-love, and finding romance in the safe spaces we choose to create, this story cleverly weaves these themes into a magical world of elemental sorcerers and cunning rogues. With its rich atmosphere and storytelling, the narrative offers vibes reminiscent of the beloved Studio Ghibli film “Howl’s Moving Castle” and the animated “Dungeons and Dragons” inspired animated series “The Legend of Vox Machina”. Ready to dive into an enchanting adventure full of heart, magic, and mischief? Don’t miss this spellbinding release when it hits online shelves on May 2, 2025!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 3/5🌶🌶🌶
Tropes to Expect: Fantasy Romance, Enby Representation, Found Family, Magical Academia Narrative, Warlock x Thief, Sentient House, Magical Plants, Mysterious Ghosts, Cute Animal Sidekick, Secret Identity, Forbidden Romance, Only One Bed, Forced Proximity, Mentor x Assistant, Secrets and Lies, Magical Coven, Society of Thieves Self-Discovery, Self-Healing, and F/NB Relationship.
Trigger Warnings: (Full Descriptions Can Be Found in the Book).
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
“What’s a touch of magic without a touch of deception?”
Professional thief Harlow Hedgewater takes on the identity of a warlock and infiltrates a mysterious mansion under the guise of being the new assistant to reclusive sorcerer Atlas Daggerroot. Her mission: steal a powerful magical relic from right under her new mentor’s nose. But things quickly grow complicated when Harlow realizes there’s more to Atlas than he lets on—and soon, her heart is caught in a magical whirlwind.
This cozy romantasy is the fifth installment in the author-collaborated series “Tempting Thieves”, written by Fantasy author Daphinie Cramsie. A page-turning tale of rediscovering lost passions, embracing self-love, and finding romance in the safe spaces we choose to create, this story cleverly weaves these themes into a magical world of elemental sorcerers and cunning rogues. With its rich atmosphere and storytelling, the narrative offers vibes reminiscent of the beloved Studio Ghibli film “Howl’s Moving Castle” and the animated “Dungeons and Dragons” inspired animated series “The Legend of Vox Machina”. Ready to dive into an enchanting adventure full of heart, magic, and mischief? Don’t miss this spellbinding release when it hits online shelves on May 2, 2025!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 3/5🌶🌶🌶
Tropes to Expect: Fantasy Romance, Enby Representation, Found Family, Magical Academia Narrative, Warlock x Thief, Sentient House, Magical Plants, Mysterious Ghosts, Cute Animal Sidekick, Secret Identity, Forbidden Romance, Only One Bed, Forced Proximity, Mentor x Assistant, Secrets and Lies, Magical Coven, Society of Thieves Self-Discovery, Self-Healing, and F/NB Relationship.
Trigger Warnings: (Full Descriptions Can Be Found in the Book).
April 18, 2025
Thank you to the author for an eARC!
4.5, rounded up!
I love the adventures Harlow and Atlas experience in this story. Does Harlow go into this relationship with the intention to steal something? Yes. However, it’s wonderful to watch her change her mind the longer she spends with Atlas. I particularly enjoyed Harlow discovering her green thumb, especially when it comes to the greenhouse. I could so vividly picture that scene in my mind, and it’s just on a constant loop now.
Atlas is so kind and heartwarming. Even when they realize why Harlow is actually there, they don’t change their perceptions of her or how they treat her. How they got their last name makes you smile. Honestly, everything they do made me smile, and I’m so glad the ending did not go the way I thought it was going for a hot second. I was not prepared for that turn of events.
Also, the House!! As a kid who watched Monster House whenever they played it on television, I love the House. I could read more stories just about the House over time, before Atlas was in the picture. The nuances of the House are great, especially when it comes to Harlow’s secret, though I now suspect it’s because Atlas knew what was going on. Either way, when I own a house, you best bet I will be keeping a fancy door knob at the ready as an offering.
May 18, 2025
I ate this story up! I loved the grumpy female main character with the sunshine non-binary main character! I think this book should have been twice as long. I loved the storyline and I wished we had some more detail when it came to the background stories. I definitely wanted to learn more about Harlow’s interactions with House and Garden! And the ending?!? I’d love a second book lol!
December 8, 2025
I ate this one up! It reminded me of Howls Moving Castle mixed with Gideon the Ninth for the humor. It's such a heartwarming tale, and I'm so glad I picked up a copy. This is going to be a reread absolutely!
June 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews