REVIEW: “Castle of the Winds” by Christina Baehr

 

About the Book...

*Title: Castle of the Winds

*Author: Christina Baehr

*Genre: Cozy historical fantasy (with dragons and a touch of romance)

*Series: Book #3 of the 5-book series The Secrets of Ormdale {See review for book #1 here and review for book #2 here!}

*Recommend for: ages 15+

My Personal Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

📖Synopsis

At Midsummer’s Eve, the Red Dragon will choose his bride.

Following this mysterious invitation, Edith sets off on a quest to the Castle of the Winds to find a lost family of dragon keepers in the mountains of Wild Wales.

But all is not as it seems. Edith must guard her own hidden power, or she might not return to her friends in Ormdale—including the man who has come to love her. Will Edith make an alliance with the legendary Red Dragon of her dreams to safeguard her ancestral charge, or will she lose everything she has tried to protect?

Book 3 of The Secrets of Ormdale is a breathtaking adventure that will take Edith to exhilarating new heights…and deeper into peril than ever before.

💭My Thoughts 

Another enjoyable book from this lovely series! So much happened within these 250ish pages, and by the end I was so ready to read book 4 and find out more.

One thing that strikes me about this book and series is just how unique it is. I truly don't think there is anything else quite like it out there. It's clean, cozy historical fantasy with gothic vibes, dragons, mythology, adventure, humor, sweet romance...I just love it! I never knew I could enjoy fantasy so much!

I'm growing to love Edith's family even more- I wish I saw more of them in this third book! Also, the slow-burn romance in these books is just how I like it 🥰 I love Simon so much and am eagerly awaiting developments with him and Edith.

I would venture to say that this series is better to binge in short succession rather than take long breaks between the books. As it had been a little while since reading the second book, I had forgotten a few details going into this book, but I still kept up well enough to enjoy the story.

This would have been 5 stars except that I didn't love all the references to illegitimate children, wedlock, etc. At the same time, however, I acknowledge that those elements gave the story more depth and poignancy, and of course, I appreciate that it was kept delicate.

All in all, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and it makes me even more eager and excited to continue the series! I would say "onto book 4!" except that, well, as of writing this, I've already read book 4 and am now more than ready to read the fifth (and final) book. I certainly took to heart my advice about binging this series. ;)

⚠️Content notes

At the beginning of the book, there is an author's note on content that shares the following: “If you are someone who does not like to be surprised by content, read the following warning. Otherwise, enjoy the surprises! Content warnings: In this adventure, Edith encounters threats of imprisonment and physical peril. A child is endangered, and a rather nasty man is injured. There is also a short discussion of a tragic assault in Lily’s past (off-page).”

Other broad content notes: No language, but phrases like "Good heavens" and a "Good God" are said; "modern, very English" oaths are said by characters but not written out; mentions of cults, rites, a wizard, and child sacrifices; Edith drinks wine; animals are killed and eaten on page; Injuries & pain; a mention of wedlock; a woman kisses a guard to distract him; some flirting. 

🌼 Was this review helpful? If so, please consider following The Boundless Bookshelf! (if on mobile, click “view web version” to access that feature)

Bookishly yours, 

Lottie M.