Heir of Uncertain Magic

PRAISE FOR CHARLIE N. HOLMBERG STAR MOTHER “Readers will find entertainment and hope in this sweeping, mythic tale.” —Publishers Weekly “In this stunning example of amazing worldbuilding, Holmberg (Spellbreaker) features incredible creatures, a love story, and twists no one could see coming. This beautiful novel will be enjoyed by fantasy and romance readers alike.” —Library Journal “Gods and men mingle in this fantasy tale of celestial beings, battling gods, and time travel. Fans of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust (2008) will appreciate the unique characters in this fantasy adventure.” —Booklist THE SPELLBREAKER SERIES “Romantic and electrifying . . . the fast-paced plot and fully realized world will have readers eager for the next installment. Fans of Victorian-influenced fantasy won’t want to put this down.” —Publishers Weekly “Those who enjoy gentle romance, cozy mysteries, or Victorian fantasy will love this first half of a duology. The cliff-hanger ending will keep readers breathless waiting for the second half.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Powerful magic, indulgent Victoriana, and a slow-burn romance make this genre-bending romp utterly delightful.” —Kirkus Reviews THE NUMINA SERIES “[An] enthralling fantasy . . . The story is gripping from the start, with a surprising plot and a lush, beautifully realized setting. Holmberg knows just how to please fantasy fans.” —Publishers Weekly “With scads of action, clear explanations of how supernatural elements function, and appealing characters with smart backstories, this first in a series will draw in fans of Cassandra Clare, Leigh Bardugo, or Brandon Sanderson.” —Library Journal “Holmberg is a genius at world building; she provides just enough information to set the scene without overwhelming the reader. She also creates captivating characters worth rooting for and puts them in unique situations. Readers will be eager for the second installment in the Numina series.” —Booklist THE PAPER MAGICIAN SERIES “Charlie is a vibrant writer with an excellent voice and great world building. I thoroughly enjoyed The Paper Magician.” —Brandon Sanderson, author of Mistborn and The Way of Kings “Harry Potter fans will likely enjoy this story for its glimpses of another structured magical world, and fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus will enjoy the whimsical romance element . . . So if you’re looking for a story with some unique magic, romantic gestures, and the inherent darkness that accompanies power all steeped in a yet to be fully explored magical world, then this could be your next read.” —Amanda Lowery, Thinking Out Loud THE WILL AND THE WILDS “An immersive, dangerous fantasy world. Holmberg draws readers in with a fast-moving plot, rich details, and a ALSO BY CHARLIE N. HOLMBERG The Whimbrel House Series Keeper of Enchanted Rooms The Star Mother Series Star Mother Star Father The Spellbreaker Series Spellbreaker Spellmaker The Numina Series Smoke and Summons Myths and Mortals Siege and Sacrifice The Paper Magician Series The Paper Magician The Glass Magician The Master Magician The Plastic Magician Other Novels The Fifth Doll Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet Followed by Frost Veins of Gold The Will and the Wilds You’re My IT Two-Damage My Heart This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Otherwise, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Text copyright © 2023 by Charlie N. Holmberg All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher. Published by 47North, Seattle www.apub.com Amazon, the Amazon logo, and 47North are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. ISBN-13: 9781662508691 (paperback) ISBN-13: 9781662508684 (digital) Cover design by Marina Drukman Cover illustration by Christina Chung To Brandon Sanderson. Thank you for holding the torch and lighting the way. CONTENTS MAP DOCTRINES OF MAGIC Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR DOCTRINES OF MAGIC Augury Chapter 1 November 2,