‘When it comes to the Wyrde, there is no such thing as harmless. Every single one of us is a walking disaster.’Winter has come to Werth Towers, and brought a deal of trouble with it.Not that any of it is the fault of Miss Gussie Werth. To be a one-woman catastrophe might be seen as a misfortune, but really, there can be no hope of a cure. What with murderous Books on the rampage, Lady Maundevyle … Books on the rampage, Lady Maundevyle brewing plans for Christmas, and a couple of dragons on the loose, a quiet life is not likely to be had.
Still, in times of crisis, there is always Lord Felix. The disreputable old revenant might have a few odd ideas; but you’re at Werth Towers, now. The merely unusual comes as a matter of course.
Welcome to the strangest family in Regency England. Find out just what Gussie did next…
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Wyrde and Wicked is the second installment of an unusual and oddly engaging story. Do you want a dragon with a gourmet palate? Check. The disembodied head of a dead relative who delights in the macabre? Yup. Scheming, violent Books which do everything they can to escape and raise havoc? Also here. Intrepid heroine and a reluctant hero? Bingo!
This story centers around a family who receive unusual magical abilities on their third birthday. The Werths are not the only families so afflicted, but are one of the foremost. They have in their possession two cursed Books with violent tendencies. The story revolves around safeguarding the Books, trying to learn more about them, exploring the horrifying possibility that there may be more of them and debating if and how to destroy them.
Gussie (the intrepid heroine) and Theo (the reluctant hero) have become two of my favorite characters. Nothing is impossible to Gussie who drags her family along in her quest to learn more about the Books. Theo will tell anyone who’ll listen that he doesn’t care and wants to be left alone, yet bestirs himself when needed to secure a vicious curse-book. The story is good, but to me it’s the dialog and interaction between the characters and the unusual supporting cast that makes this book so entertaining. You could read this one first, but it will make more sense if you read the first book of the series, Wyrde and Wayward, before reading this one. I recommend them both!
The House of Werth Series is proving to be loads of twisted fun! The cast of wyrded characters met in the first book return to conjure up some more spirited fun. This time they are determined to put an end to the violent curse-book and the book of Werth who have teamed up with malicious intent. If you think an inatimate object such as a book can’t be dangerous, think again. These are no ordinary books. They’re more wyrded than the Werths and that’s saying something!
I love how the author captures the perfect voice and tone throughout these books. The characters are fascinating in all their peculiarities. The supernatural is taken for granted in the same way as it is in the Addams Family. Truly fun, fantastical story!
Another superb installment to the funniest, most intriguing series around. The House of Werth series is set in alternative Regency England, one in which those who are “wyerde” co-exist with those who are not. The wyerded can take any form, from Dragon, to mermaid, to ogre, to err, less conventional characteristics, like gorgon. But the language and actions are pure Jane Austen–“you are to be felicitated ” is heard over a visit in the garden. Gussie and her family are trying to contain two magic books, which are much more than just books. Their actions take them back to Starminster, where Gussie wonders if it possible for a house to “embiggan” inself, and to London, together with the delightful cast of characters introduced in the first book. The only caveat to a terrific and entertaining read is that you must have read the first book in the series for this one to make sense. I recieved a complimentary copy of the book, but the opinions are my own.
If you like witty, dry humor you will enjoy the character Gussie and the whole story of the Werth family.
There is mystery and challenges that twist and turn as well as an ongoing plot from book one. I strongly recommend reading book one to get a deeper understanding of the cast of characters in book two.
I look forward to reading book three!