Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

Merritt is now aware of his magical abilities and he is trying to control them. Owein now is a dog and not Whimbrel House itself anymore and trying to avoid the darkness and fear of everyone leaving from enjoying life. Hulda is trying to figure out what her former boss was hiding, and why LIKER is investigating all the records that BIKER has. Beth disappeared, which upsets Merritt and makes Owein sad. Baptiste’s past has not been revealed but he is loyal to Owein, Merritt, and Hulda when trouble turns up, for that he might be the best character in the book he has no reason other than Merritt’s original kindness to be loyal to this wacky family that was created in Keeper of Enchanted Rooms, but he is remaining loyal and even offering to escape with them if worse case comes. 

Merritt, with the urging of Hulda and Fletcher, reaches out to his biological father and goes back home. Sadly, Merritt is disappointed when his biological father does not have magic or know of anyone in his family who could commune. After leaving, Merritt is unsure of his feelings about seeing his mother. Another trip back home, after breaking out of jail and clearing his name, he sees his mother and the man who raised him. While the visit with his mother goes well, Merritt has to use magic on the man who raised him so that he does not hurt Merritt, or his mother. Merritt gets a letter afterwards with the addresses of his sisters who missed him but were forbidden to contact him by their father. 

Hulda is trying to figure out what happened to Myra after the Silas Hogwood incident. With Merritt’s support, and courting, Hulda tries to become head of BIKER. The two lawyers from LIKER are looking into BIKER and suspect that Myra was hiding a secret building. After Hulda and Merritt are charged with misuse of magic, and then murder of Myra, she clears her name and Merritt’s by revealing the true nature of the lawyer who has been misusing magic. Myra apparently has one last secret for Hulda to deal with, a secret laboratory where they are trying to move magic from one person to another in an effort to save magic. Hulda is offered to be head of BIKER and when she tells Merritt, he is thrilled and not only does he tell her they will make their relationship work he asks another important questions. 

Beth is mysteriously sent away, which upsets Owein who loves her because she reminds him of the little bits of his mother he can remember. Merritt is upset because BIKER did it without telling him, and he realizes how much he has liked having Beth around. Beth comes back at the perfect time to help the fugitives hide and relay messages. Beth is key to helping Merritt and Hulda break the case of who is truly misusing magic and clear their names. Beth returns to the island and Hulda hints she will make sure that Beth can stay at Whimbrel House even if it is not enchanted any more. 

Baptiste, might surprise readers with his loyalty to Owein and Merritt. While Merritt and Hulda are off trying to find out what happened to Beth and what is going on with BIKER he works with Owein on his letters and trying to communicate with others using a letter board. Baptiste reassures Owein he is not going to leave him. When Owein and Baptiste realize they may have to go break Hulda and Merritt out of jail, Owein mutates part of a tree to help their enchanted boat carry the extra load of four people. Unfortunately for Owein this mutates his body and wears him out, so Baptiste picks up the dog and gently cares for him while his body returns to normal and Owein regains his strength. Then he helps cook for the fugitives and offers to sail away with them if worse case happens while they are hiding out. 

Such a great series, and as soon as this one if finished you will want to pick up the next book in the series. 

 

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