The Wizard & the Welshman: A Queer Fantasy Mystery

this was such a lovely and calming read, it reminded me so much of my favorite childhood book/movie, howls moving castle. it interwoven the discovery of magic with romance in that same way that fill you with longing, unsure whether for the partnership or the magic itself or both. it brings the magic to life in a newer way than other fantasy books do, it makes it almost into something within the reader’s grasp if they simply get in the right mindset. that magic isn’t about the powers but about the essence and feeling of it. running off to a cottage in a long coat and a crown of vines is the goal that can be achieved and include sorcery and witchcraft if only you let it. i don’t know, i think none of this makes any sense to anyone but me but this is my favorite type of fantastical magic. when it’s so romantic and whimsical and stunning. the romance between hal and november was beautifully written. the slow burn was there but the yearning was too, letting us see how hal truly cared for november. the way their romance was written is literally my favorite way to read a love story. yearning and slow burn my very openly pining!! the ending was absolutely insane. in the best way. the way it reversed everything the reader had seen from the two so far but somehow in a way that made sense and was realistic. i can’t recommend this enough, it was such a cozy and sweet experience and it definitely provided a lovely reprieve from the stress of life. this was so wonderful and i can not WAIT…

3.5 Stars Rounded Up. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing an advanced digital copy. The world of The Wizard and the Welshman was enchanting and immersive! It pulled me in with its rich magic system and the mystery. I loved how the setting felt alive, filled with wonder and suspense. However, the romance left me wanting MORE. The relationship between the characters felt rushed, almost like instalove, with little time to explore deeper emotional connections. With so much action happening throughout the book, there wasn’t enough space to develop the characters’ personalities or allow them to truly bond. I enjoyed the excitement and magical elements, but I wished there had been more balance with slower, more intimate moments to flesh out the characters and their relationships.