🎉 HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO A CAPTURED CAULDRON! 🎉

Special thanks to the author for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TL;DR: With tons of magical brewing, kidnapping, scheming mischief, and plenty of found family moments, A Captured Cauldron is a fun, action-packed sequel in this cosy fantasy series. I loved getting Dawn’s POV, and meeting new characters (one has become a new fave) and spending time with the beloved Rosemond Street shop owners from book one. I have a feeling that this is still only the beginning of the (mis)adventures for our crew and I can’t wait to come back again for more!

Oh, it was such a delight to immediately return to the wonderful crew of Rosemond Street in the second instalment of this cosy fantasy series. I was utterly charmed by the cast in the first book and couldn’t wait to return to this world and the characters ASAP. In addition to being treated to a “new” POV from Dawn and the introduction of several new characters (one of whom is now a new fave!), we spent time getting to know all the Rosemond Street shop owners better and I grew to adore them even more than before.

The found family vibes are even stronger compared to the first book as everyone bands together to figure out how to save Ambrose and they literally stop at nothing until they get him back. With this all-important rescue mission, the story was unsurprisingly action-packed and I enjoyed getting to see a different side to this world that Ashwick created. I loved the picture she painted of this ever-twisting cavernous underground city run by the most cutthroat illusion-obsessed criminals. While in captivity, Ambrose makes an unlikely companion/friend in Nat and I came to love her and the mentor-mentee bond she forms with him. They had a unique and heartwarming friendship that I can’t wait to read more about in the coming book(s)! Another character who surprisingly grew on me was Xavion. I didn’t think I’d ever like them but they ended up being quite alright! 😂

Aside from Eli’s and Ambrose’s povs, I was also happy to get Dawn’s perspective as we got to see a different side of our beloved and famous wandmaker. The humour in her perspective was welcome levity to the more serious rescue moments. Another new character we’re introduced to and who comes to play a significant role is Rory. I had mixed feelings about her character and this is where I wished we got more. Since this continued to mostly be about Ambrose and Eli, I understand why Dawn and Rory didn’t have arcs that were as well fleshed out; however, I did wish that Rory’s was expanded upon in more depth. I surprisingly guessed all of the twists that the story introduced and while that didn’t ruin the story for me, I did feel that one of the major twists fell a bit anti-climactic. Perhaps because I wanted the reasoning to be hashed out a bit more than it was.

That being said, I feel like this was only the beginning of the adventure for all of them, especially Ambrose, Nat, Eli, Dawn and Rory. I honestly don’t think the baddies will simply let the Rosemond Street crew walk away scot-free after the havoc they caused. It was so easy for them to steal Ambrose away in the first place, I wouldn’t imagine it would be hard to try to steal him back? I’m hopeful that this means we’ll get more from Rory! And after that slightly ominous ending, I have a feeling we will certainly be revisiting a certain cavernous maze-like underground lair and I can’t wait! 😃

Does A Captured Cauldron sound like a book you’d enjoy? I’d recommend checking out book one (A Rival Most Vial) to kickstart your time with the Rosemond Street crew. 💜

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