Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr

Cozy Victorian Fantasy

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Wormwood Abbey (Secrets of Ormdale #1) by Christina Baehr

5 STARS, Cozy Victorian Fantasy, My format: e-book

Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on Author Website

The Worms family is summoned to Wormwood Abbey after the death of the most recent heir. It is there that Edith stumbles across a mythical salamander that changes her life.

Personal Review:

Sweet, cozy, fantasy bliss.

Many people online I share reading tastes with have loved this book and I had high hopes. I was NOT disappointed. This hit many sweet spots for me and it was truly wonderful.

I loved the main character and narrator, Edith. She is clever, pleasant, and has subtle weaknesses that don't overshadow her character. I loved every single side character, from Edith's father and stepmother (the angelic kind) to the annoying characters like Rivers to the confusing secret-keepers like Gwendolyn and Drake. Every single one was perfectly done.

I loved the mysteriousness of the abbey. I am not a lover of suspense so this was just the right amount for me. I loved the victorian-esque fantasy era, the nods to different classic books, the double meanings, and the importance of Edith's red, curly hair (of all things!).

I also love when an author is able to write something that feels academic and easy to read at the same time. It makes the reader (this reader, anyway) feel brilliant as they read. That was well done in the book and I was happy to read on my Kindle so I could look up words.

I cannot wait to devour the rest of the series!

Content Warnings:

a kidnapping that leads to a spooky foray deep into a cave (all ends well)