Review
The Hocus Pocus Handbook by Ann Aguirre is my first time reading a cozy fantasy, and now I get the hype. As a companion piece to The Only Purple House in Town, it explores the other side of the events – how did the switched-at-birth changeling fare in the magical realm?
Apparently this book is also part of the author’s Fix-It Witches series. I have not read any other installments. However, I’m under the impression that The Hocus Pocus Handbook most closely ties with The Only Purple House in Town. That being said, my reading experience included some confusion and lack of world-building. I didn’t quite understand the magic system, and some moments seemed very glossed over. I’m sure readers who are familiar with the author’s work will not encounter the same.
The book’s strongest components were the grumpy/sunshine romance between Thea and Kerberos, and Thea’s relationship with her father, Mudge. Thea as a character was highly entertaining – her kind heart and chaotic energy made the story better. As far as the love story goes, it was definitely a he-falls-first slow burn. I love an MMC who has a soft side underneath the hard, seemingly unapproachable exterior.
While we don’t get a lot of page time with Mudge, his love for Thea shone through – both from Thea’s POV and the Handbook itself. Thea has issues with her magical abilities, and Mudge provides the tools for her to keep up with the world she was thrown into. Especially since so many of her childhood memories entail the feeling of being unloved and unwanted.
While some parts of the story and pacing were underwhelming, there were plenty of solid moments – including a twist or two. But cozy fantasy lovers and readers familiar with the author’s work will certainly enjoy The Hocus Pocus Handbook.
Ann Aguirre joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about her extensive writing career and research into witchcraft. Keep an ear out for the interview and pick up a copy of The Hocus Pocus Handbook, available now.
Book
Thea Winter has been stolen. She’s the other side of the changeling story, and she’s been raised by a hobgoblin named Mudge, who taught her wildcraft, how to know when the coin-sith would attack and how to get one to show its belly. Unfortunately, Mudge didn’t teach Thea how to stay out of trouble. Which is why she’s facing an unwanted marriage of convenience.
Or would be, but her spouse bolted. Now she has to hunt down Devan J. Fenelon, but she’s been saddled with a taciturn, humorless hunter known as Winter’s Hound. He answers only to his cousin, and she’s not looking forward to this quest at all.
Kerboros has never known freedom. His life is an endless series of ceaseless commands from his reprehensible cousin, Lord Liskaal. Since his father’s failed rebellion, Kerboros has been permitted to survive only as an example to others, an object lesson as to how far one may fall. Certainly, he has his own hidden dreams and secret schemes, but they’re not what anyone would expect. What he wants most, he will most likely never attain.
But then, he receives his next assignment. Escort Thea Winter, protect her during the search. And it’s a glorious torment to travel with her.
She is sunshine. He is shadow.
Their love is forbidden, but when irresistible force sweeps up an immovable object, the resulting reaction might be magical…
