When Finlay Ashowan joins the staff of the King and Queen of Daxaria, he’s an enigma. No one knows where he comes from or how he came to be where he is, which suits Fin just fine. He’s satisfied simply serving as the royal cook, keeping nosy passersby out of his kitchen, and concocting some truly uncanny meals.
But Fin’s secret identity doesn’t stay hidden for long. After all, it’s not every day a house witch and his kitten familiar, Kraken, take to meddling in imperial affairs. As his powers are gradually discovered by the court, Fin finds himself involved in a slew of intrigues: going head-to-head with knights with less-than-chivalrous intentions, helping to protect the pregnant queen, fending off the ire of the royal mage, and uncovering a spy in the castle. And that’s only the beginning—because Fin’s past is catching up with him just as his love life is getting complicated . . .
I’ll admit this is another reread. The latest book in the series came out and it’s been a few years, so I needed a refresher. Plus *waves hands at world and Minnesota* THINGS ARE STRESSFUL RIGHT NOW and rereading a cozy fantasy is soothing. The House Witch series started as a web novel and then got self-published and audiobooks. And they are all delightful. This first one introduces you to Finley Ash-Owen, a house witch. And he turns an entire castle upside down with non-toxic masculinity, general prickliness, and a memorable occasion of getting absolutely shithoused with the king, commanding general, court magician, and court clerk that led to several magical fountains being hidden around the castle grounds.
This book is about overcoming your past (abusive parent TR), found family, actual family, self-esteem, cooking amazing food, sucking it up and going after the amazing and scary woman you love, and to never underestimate your cat. (One thing on that part- the audiobook made the VERY unfortunate choice in the first book to voice the cat as….a racial stereotype. It’s not good. They change that later when I think someone must have smacked them upside the head. Otherwise, this book is not racist.)
It’s like reading a warm hug with some laughs and a bit of military strategy.
