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The Broken Hotel for Magical Misfits #2
A Hidden's Witch's Spell for Freeing a Captive Olympian
Save the house, or save my best friend? There’s no way to do both.
Our hunt for the magical amulet my mum left me has finally borne fruit. But the trail leads somewhere completely off-world—Olympus. Home to the so-called gods of legend… who, as it turns out, aren’t all that friendly to regular mortals.
But that’s not even the worst of it.
Tisha—my brilliant, reckless, fiercely loyal best friend—was poisoned saving my life. And the location of the only cure? Yep, it's Olympus too.
So now I’m heading into enemy territory to face immortal beings who’ve never learned to share. The clock is ticking, and the stakes are brutal.
If I choose the amulet, I might never heal the Portal.
If I choose the antidote, I might lose Tisha forever.
There’s no winning move… and if I get this wrong, I’m not the only one who’ll pay the price.
A Hidden Witch’s Spell for Freeing A Captive Olympian is Book Two in A Broken Hotel for Magical Misfits—a series that’s custom-made for lovers of strong heroines, quirky magical characters and found family, all woven together with heart, humour and action-packed adventure. And that’s to say nothing of the slow-burn romance that spans the series…
Our hunt for the magical amulet my mum left me has finally borne fruit. But the trail leads somewhere completely off-world—Olympus. Home to the so-called gods of legend… who, as it turns out, aren’t all that friendly to regular mortals.
But that’s not even the worst of it.
Tisha—my brilliant, reckless, fiercely loyal best friend—was poisoned saving my life. And the location of the only cure? Yep, it's Olympus too.
So now I’m heading into enemy territory to face immortal beings who’ve never learned to share. The clock is ticking, and the stakes are brutal.
If I choose the amulet, I might never heal the Portal.
If I choose the antidote, I might lose Tisha forever.
There’s no winning move… and if I get this wrong, I’m not the only one who’ll pay the price.
A Hidden Witch’s Spell for Freeing A Captive Olympian is Book Two in A Broken Hotel for Magical Misfits—a series that’s custom-made for lovers of strong heroines, quirky magical characters and found family, all woven together with heart, humour and action-packed adventure. And that’s to say nothing of the slow-burn romance that spans the series…
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2025
169 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
C.N. Rowan
28 books132 followersIt’s been a strange, unbelievable journey to arrive at the point where these books are going to be released into the wild, like rare, near-extinct animals being returned to their natural habitat, already wondering where they’re going to nick cigarettes from on the plains of Africa, the way they used to from the zookeeper’s overalls. C.N. Rowan (“Call me C.N., Mr. Rowan was my father”) came originally from Leicester, England. Somehow escaping its terrible, terrible clutches (only joking, he’s a proud Midlander really), he has wound up living in the South-West of France for his sins. Only, not for his sins. Otherwise, he’d have ended up living somewhere really dreadful. Like Leicester. (Again – joking, he really does love Leicester. He knows Leicester can take a joke. Unlike some of those other cities. Looking at you, Slough.)
With multiple weird strings to his bow, all of which are made of tooth-floss and liable to snap if you tried to use them to do anything as adventurous as shooting an arrow, he’s done all sorts of odd things, from running a hiphop record label (including featuring himself as rapper) to hustling disability living aids on the mean streets of Syston. He’s particularly proud of the work he’s done managing and recording several French hiphop acts, and is currently awaiting confirmation of wild rumours he might get a Gold Disc for a song he recorded and mixed.
With multiple weird strings to his bow, all of which are made of tooth-floss and liable to snap if you tried to use them to do anything as adventurous as shooting an arrow, he’s done all sorts of odd things, from running a hiphop record label (including featuring himself as rapper) to hustling disability living aids on the mean streets of Syston. He’s particularly proud of the work he’s done managing and recording several French hiphop acts, and is currently awaiting confirmation of wild rumours he might get a Gold Disc for a song he recorded and mixed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 16, 2025
I love this author's snarky humour. It's worth it just for the laughs but the stories are also rollicking sagas filled with adventure, magic and smart cultural references, best enjoyed in order because of the continuous plotlines. Previously in this series, Bryar was left all alone in the world after the death of her mother. She started a bookshop and her friend Tisha used to help out. Then Bryar found out about her mother's magical background and a strange manor that was her inheritance. Suffice it to say that Mama's friends are an odd lot!
In this installment, Tisha lays dying after a misplaced assault that was supposed to target Bryar. So, naturally, Bryar needs to travel to Olympos, to deal with a bunch of ornery gods that are just as likely to kill you or turn you into a swan than to help you. An emotionally loaded vampire Silas is there to help (it's complicated).
I received an ARC from the author and I don't want to spoil it, just to recommend it.
In this installment, Tisha lays dying after a misplaced assault that was supposed to target Bryar. So, naturally, Bryar needs to travel to Olympos, to deal with a bunch of ornery gods that are just as likely to kill you or turn you into a swan than to help you. An emotionally loaded vampire Silas is there to help (it's complicated).
I received an ARC from the author and I don't want to spoil it, just to recommend it.
July 6, 2025
I'm so loving this series! It's imbued with Chris' magical penmanship to take my delight to the next level of unputdownable! Getting back into Bry's world was a hop and a skip from one book to the other, seamless. Bryar is one cool young lady, albeit with a lot of hurts, which she systematically overcomes. Discovering who you are, what you are, is complicated enough. So many secrets withheld, so much information withheld, and the realisation you have an ancestry that'll rival any supernats is a hard pill to swallow. Add to that an inheritance where even more complex creatures reside, well, kind of explosive. But Bry is not alone, the inhabitants of her house, though.... different, are all firmly on her side. In one fell swoop, from penniless to prosperous, she's gained a family.
In the hunt to retrieve the amulet her mother bequeathed her, a very important item she sold, Bryar encounters obstacle after obstacle. I mean, it WAS logical to sell the item, she was financially ruined, she just didn't know at the time how valuable this heirloom was. Retrieving it set her on a merry roundabout, through store after store, each time just missing it as it's sold off again. Except this time, well heck, this time it's far more neferious...the owner keels over before he can utter a word, and, thanks to Jenny's "gift", the who has it now, the where it is now, it's almost unattainable to recover, almost... She utilises her new skills to the max, there's no such thing as "can't" for Bry, she knows the consequences of what will happen if she doesn't succeed. Once more, the skill of this author sets the tone of perseverance, dedication and strength of the characters, of love and acceptance and of a daring rescue.
And a bad day just got a whole lot worse for Bryar, from disbelief to disaster, the guilt piling up like dirty laundry. Her friend Tisha is at death's door so she does the logical thing....not! She delves into the domain of the gods and what she sees, what she experiences, knocks her for a loop. She'll do anything, and I do mean anything, to save her friend, even resorting to unorthodox means to attain it. She's crafty, she's smart, she comes up with a plan, and, together with Silas and the aid of her friends, as well as her nifty new magical ability, she sets it in motion. And right into danger! The gob spitting, arrogant, pompous deities are given a really cool twist by Chris, I loved how he depicted them, especially Ares and Hephaestus, who was just the sweetest deity! At first, my heart broke for his situation and I loved how he got around the bind on him. Ares, yeah, not so much...And credit to Chris, he REALLY threw me off centre with Hera! What enhances a Chris Rowan book for me is the fact that I don't know which way he's going. He takes me on a winding path, through intricate landscapes, majestic realms and fabulous characters. This is literary foreplay at it's best!
But let's dissect some of his characters; Bry, we're already all in love with, well I am. She's so personable, so likeable, and, as she "learns" more of what her magic can do, I was cheering her on big time! Then there's a certain offish vampire I adore, who, honestly, is wrapped up in so many layers, one would need a crowbar to pry them off. What was so awesome was seeing the ever stoic formal Silas opening up bit by bit, Chris gave me glimpses of what he truly is, and I just loved him more. Jenny, Alice, Jack, add a freshness to the story, and a healthy dose of humour, which, again, feels so natural. My heart threatened to run out of beats when Tisha is felled and the race is on to save her. I honestly wasn't sure what the outcome would be. I certainly didn't expect what did happen...I adore that I can feel every emotion, from every character, their voice is loud, their voice demands to be heard, understood, to be liked or loathed, the texture of each one is superbly crafted. I've often said, probably with each review of a Chris book, that he's an incredibly gifted author, an extremely clever author, an immaculate wordsmith and it's true again in this book.
With the embers glowing between Bry and Silas, I'm looking forward to see how the sparks ignite, we got a teeny taste of what could be, which just whet my palette for more. A wonderful fast paced read, exceptional banter, a coming of age, of discovery and a heck of a lot of fun in the process.
In the hunt to retrieve the amulet her mother bequeathed her, a very important item she sold, Bryar encounters obstacle after obstacle. I mean, it WAS logical to sell the item, she was financially ruined, she just didn't know at the time how valuable this heirloom was. Retrieving it set her on a merry roundabout, through store after store, each time just missing it as it's sold off again. Except this time, well heck, this time it's far more neferious...the owner keels over before he can utter a word, and, thanks to Jenny's "gift", the who has it now, the where it is now, it's almost unattainable to recover, almost... She utilises her new skills to the max, there's no such thing as "can't" for Bry, she knows the consequences of what will happen if she doesn't succeed. Once more, the skill of this author sets the tone of perseverance, dedication and strength of the characters, of love and acceptance and of a daring rescue.
And a bad day just got a whole lot worse for Bryar, from disbelief to disaster, the guilt piling up like dirty laundry. Her friend Tisha is at death's door so she does the logical thing....not! She delves into the domain of the gods and what she sees, what she experiences, knocks her for a loop. She'll do anything, and I do mean anything, to save her friend, even resorting to unorthodox means to attain it. She's crafty, she's smart, she comes up with a plan, and, together with Silas and the aid of her friends, as well as her nifty new magical ability, she sets it in motion. And right into danger! The gob spitting, arrogant, pompous deities are given a really cool twist by Chris, I loved how he depicted them, especially Ares and Hephaestus, who was just the sweetest deity! At first, my heart broke for his situation and I loved how he got around the bind on him. Ares, yeah, not so much...And credit to Chris, he REALLY threw me off centre with Hera! What enhances a Chris Rowan book for me is the fact that I don't know which way he's going. He takes me on a winding path, through intricate landscapes, majestic realms and fabulous characters. This is literary foreplay at it's best!
But let's dissect some of his characters; Bry, we're already all in love with, well I am. She's so personable, so likeable, and, as she "learns" more of what her magic can do, I was cheering her on big time! Then there's a certain offish vampire I adore, who, honestly, is wrapped up in so many layers, one would need a crowbar to pry them off. What was so awesome was seeing the ever stoic formal Silas opening up bit by bit, Chris gave me glimpses of what he truly is, and I just loved him more. Jenny, Alice, Jack, add a freshness to the story, and a healthy dose of humour, which, again, feels so natural. My heart threatened to run out of beats when Tisha is felled and the race is on to save her. I honestly wasn't sure what the outcome would be. I certainly didn't expect what did happen...I adore that I can feel every emotion, from every character, their voice is loud, their voice demands to be heard, understood, to be liked or loathed, the texture of each one is superbly crafted. I've often said, probably with each review of a Chris book, that he's an incredibly gifted author, an extremely clever author, an immaculate wordsmith and it's true again in this book.
With the embers glowing between Bry and Silas, I'm looking forward to see how the sparks ignite, we got a teeny taste of what could be, which just whet my palette for more. A wonderful fast paced read, exceptional banter, a coming of age, of discovery and a heck of a lot of fun in the process.
July 15, 2025
CW: some violence, implied SA (off page, not of MC), implied intentions of SA
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “A Hidden Witch’s Spell for Freeing a Captive Olympian” releases July 16, 2025!
At this point you should already know that I’m going to yell at you to read this book.
The house has been saved, but only barely. As Bryar and crew continue hunting for the amulet, it seems like their trail may be leading them far from home. To another word entirely, even. With time running out for more than just her new life, Bryar’s newest mountain of challenges may be a little more literal. Like Mount Olympus, for example.
Just when I thought I couldn’t love this series any more than I already did, the author went and added a heaping helping of Greek mythology (which just so happens to be one of my favorite pantheons from my childhood reading). I do mean a *heaping* helping, too, because we get a delightful amount of screen time from some of the big players from those tales— with a new spin, of course. And that’s all I’ll say on the matter, because *spoilers*.
You know what else Mr Rowan gave us? A metric truckload of the most adorable slow burn romantic dynamic ever. And yes, that is a formal unit of measurement. Seriously, Silas and Bryar have me on the edge of my seat at all times, and it’s not just because they consistently find themselves in risky situations. It’s because they constantly deliver the most understated, lovely, full-on swoon-worthy moments highlighted by fierce protectiveness and hilarious awkwardness and I adore them for it. (This also sort of terrifies me, because I’ve seen this author put his MCs through far worse than hell, and I’m not sure that bodes entirely well for our beloved duo in future books)
One of the main things I love about Bryar is that her internal monologue is (concerningly) similar to my own. I’m not nearly as pithy, but the abundance of sarcasm and astounding speed at which her thoughts can descend into rampant chaos is both hilarious and familiar, and it makes me like her as a character all the more. Unlike this reviewer, though, Bryar actually has some coping skills and does her best to get herself together when need be. Fortunately for all involved on this end of things, I don’t face even half as many life threatening situations in my day to day routine, so I think I’ve got a little more leeway in my own recovery time.
The plot was absolutely booking it (lol) the whole way through the story, and while it did do quite a lot to keep me engaged, I was also *stressed* about it (in the best way). If the stakes had been any higher they’d have been detained for questioning, and you’d best believe I was appropriately concerned with the outcome. Naturally the magical misfits family that accompanies the journey is every bit as wonderful and lovely as you would expect at this point, and I would happily read a daily blotter of their routine shenanigans.
I haven’t yelled nearly enough, but if I don’t stop myself here I’ll give it all away. Go read the book. Immediately.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “A Hidden Witch’s Spell for Freeing a Captive Olympian” releases July 16, 2025!
At this point you should already know that I’m going to yell at you to read this book.
The house has been saved, but only barely. As Bryar and crew continue hunting for the amulet, it seems like their trail may be leading them far from home. To another word entirely, even. With time running out for more than just her new life, Bryar’s newest mountain of challenges may be a little more literal. Like Mount Olympus, for example.
Just when I thought I couldn’t love this series any more than I already did, the author went and added a heaping helping of Greek mythology (which just so happens to be one of my favorite pantheons from my childhood reading). I do mean a *heaping* helping, too, because we get a delightful amount of screen time from some of the big players from those tales— with a new spin, of course. And that’s all I’ll say on the matter, because *spoilers*.
You know what else Mr Rowan gave us? A metric truckload of the most adorable slow burn romantic dynamic ever. And yes, that is a formal unit of measurement. Seriously, Silas and Bryar have me on the edge of my seat at all times, and it’s not just because they consistently find themselves in risky situations. It’s because they constantly deliver the most understated, lovely, full-on swoon-worthy moments highlighted by fierce protectiveness and hilarious awkwardness and I adore them for it. (This also sort of terrifies me, because I’ve seen this author put his MCs through far worse than hell, and I’m not sure that bodes entirely well for our beloved duo in future books)
One of the main things I love about Bryar is that her internal monologue is (concerningly) similar to my own. I’m not nearly as pithy, but the abundance of sarcasm and astounding speed at which her thoughts can descend into rampant chaos is both hilarious and familiar, and it makes me like her as a character all the more. Unlike this reviewer, though, Bryar actually has some coping skills and does her best to get herself together when need be. Fortunately for all involved on this end of things, I don’t face even half as many life threatening situations in my day to day routine, so I think I’ve got a little more leeway in my own recovery time.
The plot was absolutely booking it (lol) the whole way through the story, and while it did do quite a lot to keep me engaged, I was also *stressed* about it (in the best way). If the stakes had been any higher they’d have been detained for questioning, and you’d best believe I was appropriately concerned with the outcome. Naturally the magical misfits family that accompanies the journey is every bit as wonderful and lovely as you would expect at this point, and I would happily read a daily blotter of their routine shenanigans.
I haven’t yelled nearly enough, but if I don’t stop myself here I’ll give it all away. Go read the book. Immediately.
July 2, 2025
Bryar has finally gotten a lead on the amulet she pawned years ago. After the seedy pawnbroker they try to question dies trying to answer, they realize magic is involved. And it's a magic that Jenny can recognize. It is the magic of the Olympians, yes, THE Olympians. And if that discovery wasn't enough, that same someone was trying to take out Bryar and got Tisha instead. So now Bryar and Silas must travel the realms to get to Olympus and find an antidote and her amulet.
Bryar is forced to make some tough decisions in this book. When it comes down to the amulet or the antidote, she makes the only choice conceivable - she will sacrifice the house for Tisha. She will have to learn to use more of her magic in this book as well and it starts to show her that she may have some other issues she didn't want to recognize before either. And Silas is right there with her, protecting her (as best he can, this is Bryar after all). He will help her navigate the realms and learn how to use her powers as well. And he even shows he has a sense of humor. We also get to learn more about Silas and Jenny's back stories and I have a new appreciation for Jenny.
This is another fast-paced book in the Broken Hotel series. There is always something going on and this book is definitely a race against time! I love that we get to travel (however briefly) to different realms. The way the author describes these places, it's as if you are there yourself. Everything about this book (series) is absolutely amazing! The tension, the humor, the magic, the world building and the ending!! What a new take on an old classic!! (No spoilers!) Once again I cannot wait for the next book in this series to come out to see where Bryar goes next.
Bryar is forced to make some tough decisions in this book. When it comes down to the amulet or the antidote, she makes the only choice conceivable - she will sacrifice the house for Tisha. She will have to learn to use more of her magic in this book as well and it starts to show her that she may have some other issues she didn't want to recognize before either. And Silas is right there with her, protecting her (as best he can, this is Bryar after all). He will help her navigate the realms and learn how to use her powers as well. And he even shows he has a sense of humor. We also get to learn more about Silas and Jenny's back stories and I have a new appreciation for Jenny.
This is another fast-paced book in the Broken Hotel series. There is always something going on and this book is definitely a race against time! I love that we get to travel (however briefly) to different realms. The way the author describes these places, it's as if you are there yourself. Everything about this book (series) is absolutely amazing! The tension, the humor, the magic, the world building and the ending!! What a new take on an old classic!! (No spoilers!) Once again I cannot wait for the next book in this series to come out to see where Bryar goes next.
July 8, 2025
This is such an appealing series and I was glued to every page of this book. C.N. Rowan is a real master of twists and surprise endings but this one....perfect, satisfying, emotional and portentous. I couldn't ask for more than that!
The author has a demonatrated history of knowing how to wring emotion out of every scene. He writes feelings, interactions and the generally intangible with an incredibly skilled hand, building tension within a world that is not your standard hotel or a tweaked Greek Olympus. That originality helps with the suspense, I think, because I knew I was walking on untrodden ground with no forged path to warn me of what was ahead.
The Bryar in this book is still settling into her new magical world. I loved the scenes where she was confident with her magic and presence but also those where she was still unsure and feeling her way. She hasn't suddenly been gifted with amazing talent and the knowledge to wield it - her journey to that goal makes her relatable, flawed and likeable.
The growing 'something' between Bryar and Silas is a magnetic element of the story. I can't wait for the next book to see more of that (the bonus chapters of that book included at the end of this one are a wonderfully tantalising snippet!).
C.N. Rowan likes to use unusual mythological figures and historical titbits in his stories for extra flavour. I love that!!! It's like school with the fun-est teacher ever!
This is such a well-crafted and thrilling story and luckily for me, there are more books coming in the series. I can't wait to spend more time immersed in this world and highly recommend it to readers of UF who like their MC's living outside the safety of the box.
The author has a demonatrated history of knowing how to wring emotion out of every scene. He writes feelings, interactions and the generally intangible with an incredibly skilled hand, building tension within a world that is not your standard hotel or a tweaked Greek Olympus. That originality helps with the suspense, I think, because I knew I was walking on untrodden ground with no forged path to warn me of what was ahead.
The Bryar in this book is still settling into her new magical world. I loved the scenes where she was confident with her magic and presence but also those where she was still unsure and feeling her way. She hasn't suddenly been gifted with amazing talent and the knowledge to wield it - her journey to that goal makes her relatable, flawed and likeable.
The growing 'something' between Bryar and Silas is a magnetic element of the story. I can't wait for the next book to see more of that (the bonus chapters of that book included at the end of this one are a wonderfully tantalising snippet!).
C.N. Rowan likes to use unusual mythological figures and historical titbits in his stories for extra flavour. I love that!!! It's like school with the fun-est teacher ever!
This is such a well-crafted and thrilling story and luckily for me, there are more books coming in the series. I can't wait to spend more time immersed in this world and highly recommend it to readers of UF who like their MC's living outside the safety of the box.
September 5, 2025
**ARC Reader, all opinions are my own**
It’s been a little while since Bryar handed ownership of the bookshop over to her best friend Tisha, and it’s been quite a time since then. Bry has been spending time getting to know the house and its inhabitants. Learning their peculiarities, their idiosyncrasies, and their…issues.
When Tisha gets poisoned with a dart that was meant for Bry, and Alice (your friendly neighborhood bog witch) identifies the offending agent as hydra poison, Bryar, Silas, Jenny Greenteeth, tiny-giant Jack and his partner Tiddy have all got to saddle up and hunt down Olympus (yeah… THAT Olympus) to get their mitts on the only known cure for hydra poison. Never mind that a psychotic olympian has usurped Zeus’s throne and is planning conquering action on the earth. No biggie…yikes.
“A Hidden Witch’s Spell for Freeing a Captive Olympian” is not just a mouthful of a title but also is the second novel in the brand-new series by celebrated urban fantasy author C. N. Rowan, “A Broken Hotel for Magical Misfits.” This is the first new series solo-written by Rowan since the end of the nine-book epic imPerfect Cathar series, and fans are going to be glad they’ve waited. The writing is entrancing, the characters are instantly endearing (and you’ll want to square up back-to-back with Bryar to take on the magical world!), and the suspense… breathtaking. This series has already made good on its promise to be a wild ride of magical proportions, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!! I highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this ebook and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s been a little while since Bryar handed ownership of the bookshop over to her best friend Tisha, and it’s been quite a time since then. Bry has been spending time getting to know the house and its inhabitants. Learning their peculiarities, their idiosyncrasies, and their…issues.
When Tisha gets poisoned with a dart that was meant for Bry, and Alice (your friendly neighborhood bog witch) identifies the offending agent as hydra poison, Bryar, Silas, Jenny Greenteeth, tiny-giant Jack and his partner Tiddy have all got to saddle up and hunt down Olympus (yeah… THAT Olympus) to get their mitts on the only known cure for hydra poison. Never mind that a psychotic olympian has usurped Zeus’s throne and is planning conquering action on the earth. No biggie…yikes.
“A Hidden Witch’s Spell for Freeing a Captive Olympian” is not just a mouthful of a title but also is the second novel in the brand-new series by celebrated urban fantasy author C. N. Rowan, “A Broken Hotel for Magical Misfits.” This is the first new series solo-written by Rowan since the end of the nine-book epic imPerfect Cathar series, and fans are going to be glad they’ve waited. The writing is entrancing, the characters are instantly endearing (and you’ll want to square up back-to-back with Bryar to take on the magical world!), and the suspense… breathtaking. This series has already made good on its promise to be a wild ride of magical proportions, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!! I highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this ebook and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 26, 2025
CN Rowan is one of the best UF writers out there. He can suck me into a tale so fast!
In this one, Bryar and company are still searching for the amulet she sold to buy the bookstore in the prequel. Apparently it is the anchor to the portals the house contains. They need it to bring everything back to alignment.
Unfortunately, she pawned it, and the records, well they aren't great. It appears it might be off world, on Olympus where the Greek gods live. And well, you know their history, they weren't the nicest creatures to ever exist.
Then to make matters worse, her bestie is hit with a poison dart meant for Bryar, and guess what, the antidote is also on Olympus.
Bryar is a great character. She's complex. She started out not very likable, but it's because she's had a lifetime of hurt. As she learns about her own past and grows and allows others in slowly, she is becoming a very interesting character, real, and yes, likable.
Plus the imagination in these books as she skips around realms with the quirky characters from the mansion is brilliant. Unlike the author's first series, this one hints of romance coming. It's a slow burn delicious thing.
This series is a definite recommend from me. It has everything you want in UF. Action, adventure, brilliant unique storylines, and a touch of romance. You don't want to miss this one!
In this one, Bryar and company are still searching for the amulet she sold to buy the bookstore in the prequel. Apparently it is the anchor to the portals the house contains. They need it to bring everything back to alignment.
Unfortunately, she pawned it, and the records, well they aren't great. It appears it might be off world, on Olympus where the Greek gods live. And well, you know their history, they weren't the nicest creatures to ever exist.
Then to make matters worse, her bestie is hit with a poison dart meant for Bryar, and guess what, the antidote is also on Olympus.
Bryar is a great character. She's complex. She started out not very likable, but it's because she's had a lifetime of hurt. As she learns about her own past and grows and allows others in slowly, she is becoming a very interesting character, real, and yes, likable.
Plus the imagination in these books as she skips around realms with the quirky characters from the mansion is brilliant. Unlike the author's first series, this one hints of romance coming. It's a slow burn delicious thing.
This series is a definite recommend from me. It has everything you want in UF. Action, adventure, brilliant unique storylines, and a touch of romance. You don't want to miss this one!
July 22, 2025
They keep getting better!
Not that I'm surprised, truly, but it is still nice to get sucked into a series that doesn't drop the plot or become trite or bland. I was fascinated with mythology when I first read about it in school, but my interest has waned over the years. I did read Percy Jackson & a romance series last year, but it's not my usual fare. I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy this one, but C.N. did a fabulous job! The plot (& the plan) was well-planned & intriguing. I felt Bry's sense of urgency all the way through & the pressure of quick decisions having to be made on the fly. The relationship building between Bry & Silas is wonderful- not extremely slow, but not ridiculously fast. I love when characters actually get to know each other & not just react on lust. Bryar had to mature quickly due to her circumstances, & it has lead to her not being frivolous, & that comes through very clearly to me.
I usually review an ARC, but I missed out due to changing phones & not getting the notification. I bought a copy as soon as it was released instead.
The sneak peak starts off quite amusingly, & also hits the ground running. I can't wait to see how things change with Tisha & the Bookshop!
Not that I'm surprised, truly, but it is still nice to get sucked into a series that doesn't drop the plot or become trite or bland. I was fascinated with mythology when I first read about it in school, but my interest has waned over the years. I did read Percy Jackson & a romance series last year, but it's not my usual fare. I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy this one, but C.N. did a fabulous job! The plot (& the plan) was well-planned & intriguing. I felt Bry's sense of urgency all the way through & the pressure of quick decisions having to be made on the fly. The relationship building between Bry & Silas is wonderful- not extremely slow, but not ridiculously fast. I love when characters actually get to know each other & not just react on lust. Bryar had to mature quickly due to her circumstances, & it has lead to her not being frivolous, & that comes through very clearly to me.
I usually review an ARC, but I missed out due to changing phones & not getting the notification. I bought a copy as soon as it was released instead.
The sneak peak starts off quite amusingly, & also hits the ground running. I can't wait to see how things change with Tisha & the Bookshop!
July 6, 2025
If I hadn't signed up to be an ARC reader for this series, I may have not picked it up, and more the loss it would be to me. I'm not one for tired explorations of mythology, but especially Greek mythology, which is far too ubiquitous.
Fortunately for me, this is a welcome shake up of tired formula, in ways that I won't spoil because my jaw dropped when I turned that page. Suffice it to say that it is a telling of the further petty and vain struggles of those beloved psychopaths that could have been sung by the Ancient Greek themselves, minus the assault rifles.
And speaking of tired cliches, do you hate brooding bad boy male romantic leads like I do? But Silas is refreshingly different. He's not a fractious arsehole to everyone save charming Bry. He's a proper gentleman, kind and helpful to the meek (but in a reserved way), and an angel of vengeance to the wicked.
Would it be too much to say he made me love bad boys again?
Yep, that's weird. Better not.
Cheers to CN Rowan doing something new with token bad boys like Silas, and actual bad boys like Zeus. Be sure to pick up your copy.
Fortunately for me, this is a welcome shake up of tired formula, in ways that I won't spoil because my jaw dropped when I turned that page. Suffice it to say that it is a telling of the further petty and vain struggles of those beloved psychopaths that could have been sung by the Ancient Greek themselves, minus the assault rifles.
And speaking of tired cliches, do you hate brooding bad boy male romantic leads like I do? But Silas is refreshingly different. He's not a fractious arsehole to everyone save charming Bry. He's a proper gentleman, kind and helpful to the meek (but in a reserved way), and an angel of vengeance to the wicked.
Would it be too much to say he made me love bad boys again?
Yep, that's weird. Better not.
Cheers to CN Rowan doing something new with token bad boys like Silas, and actual bad boys like Zeus. Be sure to pick up your copy.
July 17, 2025
Bry and friends are searching for her mother’s amulet and finally find a location; it’s with the Olympians! At the same time her best friend, Trisha, is poisoned by a dart covered in hydra venom and the only antidote is also with the Olympians.
Bry and Silus set off to find both but there are problems in Olympus. Zeus is dead and Ares is in charge. Now there are more problems to solve.
There is a lot happening in this book, Bry is learning her magic, trying to figure out Silus, getting her amulet and the antidote from Ares and fixing everything.
This book just gets right into the problems, and seamlessly goes on right after the previous book.
There is action, great characters and character interactions, humour, possible romance and a great story.
Everything just works well together. The Olympians, her companions, the “quest” to get what they need. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
There are definite questions to be answered in upcoming books and I’m looking forward to them.
I haven’t read anything else by this author which is something I plan to rectify soon.
Bry and Silus set off to find both but there are problems in Olympus. Zeus is dead and Ares is in charge. Now there are more problems to solve.
There is a lot happening in this book, Bry is learning her magic, trying to figure out Silus, getting her amulet and the antidote from Ares and fixing everything.
This book just gets right into the problems, and seamlessly goes on right after the previous book.
There is action, great characters and character interactions, humour, possible romance and a great story.
Everything just works well together. The Olympians, her companions, the “quest” to get what they need. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
There are definite questions to be answered in upcoming books and I’m looking forward to them.
I haven’t read anything else by this author which is something I plan to rectify soon.
July 19, 2025
I just loved this next book in this series. It's such a fun, exiting series so far that I find hard to put down!
In this one, Bryar finally has a lead on where the amulet she inherited from her mother and consequently sold before knowing what it really was, might be. But before she can make any real plans to get it back, something tragic happens to her best friend Tisha. The only way to save her is to get the antidote from the Greek gods, the same Greek gods that might have the amulet, but will she have time to save both Tisha and the house?
With Silas by her side, she braves the task of realm stepping and finally starts to learn part of her magical powers as well. The journey seemed much easier than the task and with the Greek gods fighting amongst themselves, it's an arduous task to find someone who can actually help them do what is needed. But perseverance always wins, but not without a heap of challenges along the way!
Bryar is a great character - determined and loyal and so willing to do what she must to save her best friend, even if it means giving up her beloved house to do so! Silas still intrigues me and I so need to know more about him! Jenny Greenteeth was a great character in this one as well, showing more of what she is capable of as well. I loved the idea of the realm stepping and just wished that we could have had more time to explore more of these worlds. Maybe Bryar will go back to some of them later!
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this review is my own, honest one. Thank you Chris for yet another fantastic read. I am totally hooked on this series already!
In this one, Bryar finally has a lead on where the amulet she inherited from her mother and consequently sold before knowing what it really was, might be. But before she can make any real plans to get it back, something tragic happens to her best friend Tisha. The only way to save her is to get the antidote from the Greek gods, the same Greek gods that might have the amulet, but will she have time to save both Tisha and the house?
With Silas by her side, she braves the task of realm stepping and finally starts to learn part of her magical powers as well. The journey seemed much easier than the task and with the Greek gods fighting amongst themselves, it's an arduous task to find someone who can actually help them do what is needed. But perseverance always wins, but not without a heap of challenges along the way!
Bryar is a great character - determined and loyal and so willing to do what she must to save her best friend, even if it means giving up her beloved house to do so! Silas still intrigues me and I so need to know more about him! Jenny Greenteeth was a great character in this one as well, showing more of what she is capable of as well. I loved the idea of the realm stepping and just wished that we could have had more time to explore more of these worlds. Maybe Bryar will go back to some of them later!
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this review is my own, honest one. Thank you Chris for yet another fantastic read. I am totally hooked on this series already!
June 17, 2025
Another fantastic instalment in the adventures of Bry and the crew. I absolutely loved the interactions with the Olympians, the gradual unfolding of the plot with each turn and alteration to the plans, and the slow burn going on between Bryar and Silas! Another action packed adventure to save her best friend’s life and retrieve the Anchor. This was a one sitting read for me, so good I could not put it down. I love the way the author keeps you on the edge of your seat but at the same time the energy of the book doesn’t give you heartburn, if that makes sense, and you know things will mostly work out but perhaps not how you expected. Emotional and engaging, and just brilliant really, I can’t wait for the next book… especially after the preview chapters at the end of this one, I need to hear how my book boyfriend Silas is going!
June 24, 2025
I happily jumped straight back into Jenny’s magical life after her adventures in book one. Jenny is searching for an item, a magical item, an item given to her by her mother, a valuable item she pawned. Okay, she really needed the money, and she really didn’t know its true value. Now though, she wants, needs, it back. Easier said than done.
What is easy, and very much fun? Reading this book.
Follow Jenny’s trail as she heads to Olympus and fickle powerful Gods to find her amulet. Humour, traps, and betrayals all lay in her path. Her magical control may not be the best, but when her new friends lives’ are at stake her enemies better watch out. I really liked the very inventive ending, that suggests there’s lots more fun adventuring to come in this fantasy series. Can’t wait. Thank you to C. N. Rowan for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
What is easy, and very much fun? Reading this book.
Follow Jenny’s trail as she heads to Olympus and fickle powerful Gods to find her amulet. Humour, traps, and betrayals all lay in her path. Her magical control may not be the best, but when her new friends lives’ are at stake her enemies better watch out. I really liked the very inventive ending, that suggests there’s lots more fun adventuring to come in this fantasy series. Can’t wait. Thank you to C. N. Rowan for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
July 20, 2025
Wow what an adventure ride this was, traveling through the void, different worlds to Olympus! I unashamedly took my time devouring it, not wanting to miss out on a fraction of the action. In short, Tish was accidentally poisoned by a deadly dart instead of Bry. With the masks, she and Silas traveled to Olympus for the Hydra cure, held by Ares, the egotistical King of the Gods,a world where treachery, overblown egos and backstabbing are the norms. As there are just too much to mention, but not wanting to share spoilers, I conclude with "get this book ASAP and you will be mesmerised". Ps reading book 1 1st is a must, as 2 continues Bry's magical growth as well as getting to know the characters of the House.
I received an advanced review copy and leave this review voluntary Thank you so much Chris.
I received an advanced review copy and leave this review voluntary Thank you so much Chris.
July 27, 2025
The Broken Hotel is not so broken now and Bry is back!
Bry Hawthorne and her new friends at the Hotel for Magical Misfits are back and on a hunt for the anchor and clues to who killed her father. Unfortunately, her best friend Tisha takes a dart meant for her and starts a chain of events which leads Bry and Silas to Olympus to confront the Gods. Except Ares is the leader and Zeus is no where to be found. And Ares is bat poop crazy to boot. They need to find the anchor and get a cure for the poison endangering Tisha and get it to her is 2 days max. No pressure! But intrigue and crossing and double crossing galore in the land of the Greek Gods brings more friends to her aid and solves a mystery or two along the way. The brilliance Mr. Rowan’s world building is on full display and the ending bodes well for the future of this amazingly fun series.
Bry Hawthorne and her new friends at the Hotel for Magical Misfits are back and on a hunt for the anchor and clues to who killed her father. Unfortunately, her best friend Tisha takes a dart meant for her and starts a chain of events which leads Bry and Silas to Olympus to confront the Gods. Except Ares is the leader and Zeus is no where to be found. And Ares is bat poop crazy to boot. They need to find the anchor and get a cure for the poison endangering Tisha and get it to her is 2 days max. No pressure! But intrigue and crossing and double crossing galore in the land of the Greek Gods brings more friends to her aid and solves a mystery or two along the way. The brilliance Mr. Rowan’s world building is on full display and the ending bodes well for the future of this amazingly fun series.
June 30, 2025
Bryar has settled into life in the hotel, and finally has a lead on where the missing amulet might be. Before she can mount a retrieval operation, the unthinkable happens. Tisha is struck by a poisoned dart meant for Bryar, and the only antidote is coincidentally being held in the same place as the amulet. But will Bryar have time to get both?
This series combines mythical/fairy tale beings with portal fantasy – like The Faraway Tree for adults. The characters are three-dimensional, and I look forward to spending more time with them. With a thoroughly enjoyable mix of humour, snark, and heartfelt emotion, the story had me hooked until the last page.
I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This series combines mythical/fairy tale beings with portal fantasy – like The Faraway Tree for adults. The characters are three-dimensional, and I look forward to spending more time with them. With a thoroughly enjoyable mix of humour, snark, and heartfelt emotion, the story had me hooked until the last page.
I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 17, 2025
One thing I know I’m always going to get from this author is that I’ll never guess what’s going to end up happening. Yes, that happened in this latest book. First, though, this book picks up where the first book ended, but this time, Bry is faced with a devastating act: Tisha is mortally wounded, and she must find the antidote, or she’ll die. What follows is a fun adventure to Mt. Olympus for some interesting antics. I loved seeing the Greek gods in a new light, and as always, this author’s words and world did not disappoint. I’m ready for the next adventure. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
June 20, 2025
Bryar seems to be handling her new life well and enjoying her friendship with Tisha as well as her found family. But life is never without complications. Tisha has been poisoned and Bryar is going to have to go to Olympus to get the cure. What a tall order! Yes, definitely a pun on their height. Silas has been her support this whole time and continues to show her his commitment. I love their relationship and how Bryar continues to bond with her found family while learning to practice her magic on the fly and adding new friends as she goes. Then there is Jack and his partner. Tiny but giant characters! The story keeps you in the edge of your seat as they race to save Tisha!
August 24, 2025
Absolutely gripped by this story and wonderful characters!!
I LOVE THESE BOOKS. Bry is one of my favorite characters, as is her found family and her amazing House. She is trying to track down a very important artifact and save a friend's life, which leads her and her friends to hop worlds and deal with some challenging Greek gods and to experience some amazing character growth. I love a found family, and this one is well settled into my heart. I also love C. N. Rowan's imagination and gift for storytelling; this is my favorite series of his so far, and I hope it winds up being a 30 book-long work of art!
I LOVE THESE BOOKS. Bry is one of my favorite characters, as is her found family and her amazing House. She is trying to track down a very important artifact and save a friend's life, which leads her and her friends to hop worlds and deal with some challenging Greek gods and to experience some amazing character growth. I love a found family, and this one is well settled into my heart. I also love C. N. Rowan's imagination and gift for storytelling; this is my favorite series of his so far, and I hope it winds up being a 30 book-long work of art!
July 10, 2025
Bryar’s best friend Tisha is in life-threatening danger. She teams up with Silas, the hot and broody vampire sworn to keep her safe and there is definitely a slow-burn romance brewing. Unfortunately, they’re too busy trying to save Tisha to explore what’s going on there.
The duo find themselves in Olympus, battling magic and the ancient gods to find a cure and retrieve some stolen artifacts.
This was a fast-paced book I found hard to put down. There were plenty of twists that kept me guessing. Although I enjoyed book 1 in this series as well, this one was even better.
The duo find themselves in Olympus, battling magic and the ancient gods to find a cure and retrieve some stolen artifacts.
This was a fast-paced book I found hard to put down. There were plenty of twists that kept me guessing. Although I enjoyed book 1 in this series as well, this one was even better.
July 16, 2025
Bryar’s new life is just getting started
Cleverly intertwined we have a journey of witches, magic and mythology as Bryar sets out to reclaim what is hers.
Again joined by her new found family from the Broken Hotel, the brief gets amended when a specific antidote needs to be retrieved from the Gods in Olympus.
fantastic read, I did pause for some lunch along the way so does that count as one sitting and just wait until you reach the end! C.N. Congratulations I await the next in series
Cleverly intertwined we have a journey of witches, magic and mythology as Bryar sets out to reclaim what is hers.
Again joined by her new found family from the Broken Hotel, the brief gets amended when a specific antidote needs to be retrieved from the Gods in Olympus.
fantastic read, I did pause for some lunch along the way so does that count as one sitting and just wait until you reach the end! C.N. Congratulations I await the next in series
August 4, 2025
I love C.N. Rowan storytelling style–it’s witty, fast paced, and makes it impossible to put the book down. The cast of characters brought to life in this series is outstanding–both the "good guys” and “bad guys”-- and stay with you long after you’ve read the last page. The adventure we go on, and worlds, and in between worlds, we visit are so vivid it is easy to get lost in the story. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 18, 2025
Why, yes, I am binge reading these. I really like all the magical misfit characters.
Bry is cool. She is still working out her powers. I like that she isn't made too noble and heroic, yep she is loyal to her friends and does her best to protect/save them, but its not over the top as some authors tend to do.
I like the humor, too.
There were a couple of editing errors I noticed.
Overall, I am pleased to have discovered this author, and judging on the low number of reviews, I think he is still in the process of getting noticed.
When he does, I'll be saying "called it."
Bry is cool. She is still working out her powers. I like that she isn't made too noble and heroic, yep she is loyal to her friends and does her best to protect/save them, but its not over the top as some authors tend to do.
I like the humor, too.
There were a couple of editing errors I noticed.
Overall, I am pleased to have discovered this author, and judging on the low number of reviews, I think he is still in the process of getting noticed.
When he does, I'll be saying "called it."
July 8, 2025
Bry has accepted her life as a witch and now wants her amulet back. She has the ring that helps her magic, but will it be enough to help her? When going out with her friend Tisha someone tried to killer her, but the dart hit her friend instead. What will she have to do to save her? Everything leads to Olympus? Can she travel through this portals? Can she find the amulet and cure? What will it cost her and her friends? What about Silas? Expect the unexpected.
July 16, 2025
A brilliant, fast-paced read, with Bryar desperate to find an antidote to save her best friend, who took a shot meant for Bry, and hopefully to find her mother's amulet. She finds herself along with Silas in Olympus — yes, with the ancient gods of the Greeks. I loved the way C.N. Rowan gave a new spin on Hades and Persephone. Bryar and Silas are getting closer and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and their next adventure.
July 17, 2025
Learning fast
Bryar's best friend is poisoned and it's going to take the help of her friends to find the antidote and get it back to her before she dies. To top it off, they are going to have to face off with the Gods of Olympus to get it. I am really loving this series, Bryar is full of spunk and doesn't give up on her friends, and the rest of the cast are quirky and loads of fun. I am looking forward to more in this series.
Bryar's best friend is poisoned and it's going to take the help of her friends to find the antidote and get it back to her before she dies. To top it off, they are going to have to face off with the Gods of Olympus to get it. I am really loving this series, Bryar is full of spunk and doesn't give up on her friends, and the rest of the cast are quirky and loads of fun. I am looking forward to more in this series.
August 24, 2025
Greece anyone
I am absolutely loving this series it kicks a lot of bottoms, I also love the way the storyline is a mesh pull one bit and you get loads of things in common the characters are fantastic ( you couldn't make them up ) :) I am about to start number 3 I really recommend these books highly a very well deserved 5 stars
I am absolutely loving this series it kicks a lot of bottoms, I also love the way the storyline is a mesh pull one bit and you get loads of things in common the characters are fantastic ( you couldn't make them up ) :) I am about to start number 3 I really recommend these books highly a very well deserved 5 stars
September 15, 2025
good fun urban fantasy!
CN Rowan is an amazing author, very well written, great dialogue from real characters, in a surprising twists story. The Broken Hotel is a fun light hearted urban fantasy story with new unique supernatural races. Lots of fun to read. If you haven’t read CN’s Imperfect Cathar series, then you need to: it’s a pure masterpiece!
CN Rowan is an amazing author, very well written, great dialogue from real characters, in a surprising twists story. The Broken Hotel is a fun light hearted urban fantasy story with new unique supernatural races. Lots of fun to read. If you haven’t read CN’s Imperfect Cathar series, then you need to: it’s a pure masterpiece!
June 29, 2025
The twisted machinations of higher beings is a mind boggling, action filled romp through other worlds to deal with egotistical gods who think nothing of murder. I was totally absorbed by this crazy adventure that proves the author to be a master of his field.
Glorious
Glorious
July 16, 2025
Captivating and Magical
It’s tickling, twisty, and tumultuous, touching all the tender emotions and funny bones. A true-to-form working from our tremendous Chief of imPs and Misfits.
Another “exceeds expectations” story for everyone!
It’s tickling, twisty, and tumultuous, touching all the tender emotions and funny bones. A true-to-form working from our tremendous Chief of imPs and Misfits.
Another “exceeds expectations” story for everyone!
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