Charlie N. Holmberg is an American fantasy and romance author best known for The Paper Magician series, along with the Numina Trilogy, Spellbreaker duology, Star Mother duology, Whimbrel House series, and several standalone fantasy novels.
Most of her series are straightforward. The main exception is The Paper Magician, where the first three books form Ceony Twill’s original trilogy and The Plastic Magician continues the same magical world with a different lead.
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Her newer bibliography also includes the completed Shattered King duology and an expanded Whimbrel House sequence that will conclude with a fifth book in 2026.
The Series Shelf
If you already know which Holmberg series you want, these are the core orders.
The Paper Magician
- The Paper Magician
- The Glass Magician
- The Master Magician
- The Plastic Magician
Numina
- Smoke & Summons
- Myths & Mortals
- Siege & Sacrifice
Spellbreaker
- Spellbreaker
- Spellmaker
Star Mother
- Star Mother
- Star Father
Whimbrel House
- Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
- Heir of Uncertain Magic
- Boy of Chaotic Making
- Wizard of Most Wicked Ways
- Lady of Uncanny Charms
The fifth book is scheduled for September 29, 2026.
The Shattered King
- The Shattered King
- The Half-Hearted Queen
This duology is complete.
The Paper Magician Books in Order
Holmberg’s best-known series begins with Ceony Twill, a newly graduated magician who is unexpectedly assigned to paper magic.
Read:
- The Paper Magician (2014)
- The Glass Magician (2014)
- The Master Magician (2015)
- The Plastic Magician (2018)
The first three books form the original Ceony Twill trilogy and should be read consecutively.
The Plastic Magician belongs to the same magical world but shifts the focus to a new protagonist.
The Paper Magician
The Paper Magician introduces Ceony Twill, Magician Emery Thane, and the system in which magicians bond permanently to a particular man-made material.
It establishes the rules that later books build on.
Included: Book 1.
The Glass Magician
The second book begins only months after the first and continues Ceony’s apprenticeship.
Relationships and threats established in The Paper Magician carry directly forward.
Included: Book 2.
The Master Magician
The Master Magician completes Ceony’s original trilogy.
Her training, magical discoveries, and relationship with Emery reach their principal resolution here.
Included: Book 3 and conclusion of the original trilogy.
Where Does The Plastic Magician Fit?
The Plastic Magician is officially Book 4 in The Paper Magician series.
However, it is better understood as a continuation of the world rather than a fourth Ceony-centered installment.
It follows Alvie Brechenmacher, who travels to London to study Polymaking, the magic of plastic.
For a first read:
- The Paper Magician
- The Glass Magician
- The Master Magician
- The Plastic Magician
Do not begin with The Plastic Magician if you intend to read the entire series. It benefits from familiarity with Holmberg’s magical system and earlier worldbuilding.
Is The Paper Magician Series Complete?
The original Ceony trilogy is complete.
The Plastic Magician extends the setting with a different lead.
No fifth Paper Magician novel with a confirmed publication date was identified as of August 9, 2026.
Numina Trilogy Books in Order
The Numina Trilogy is one of Holmberg’s most tightly serialized fantasy sequences.
Read:
- Smoke & Summons (2019)
- Myths & Mortals (2019)
- Siege & Sacrifice (2019)
All three books were published within the same year.
The trilogy follows Sandis, a young woman enslaved by a man who uses human vessels to summon powerful beings called numina.
Each volume continues the same central conflict.
Can Smoke & Summons Be Read Alone?
It begins the story, but it is not designed as a complete substitute for the trilogy.
Readers who want the full resolution should continue directly through Myths & Mortals and Siege & Sacrifice.
Series status: Complete.
Spellbreaker Books in Order
Spellbreaker is a two-book gaslamp fantasy sequence.
Read:
- Spellbreaker (2020)
- Spellmaker (2021)
The books follow Elsie Camden, who possesses the illegal ability to break magical spells, and Bacchus Kelsey, an elite magic user.
The second novel directly resolves mysteries and relationships established in the first.
Is Spellmaker a Direct Sequel?
Yes.
Spellmaker assumes the reader knows the murders, magical politics, and personal secrets established in Spellbreaker.
Do not reverse the order.
Series status: Complete duology.
Star Mother Books in Order
The Star Mother duology is:
- Star Mother (2021)
- Star Father (2022)
The novels belong to the same mythological fantasy setting.
Star Mother introduces Ceris and the celestial order surrounding the Sun and the stars.
Star Father expands the mythology and follows another central relationship within the same world.
Do You Need Star Mother Before Star Father?
Yes, for the clearest reading experience.
Although the second novel changes focus, it builds on the mythology and consequences established in Star Mother.
Series status: Complete duology.
Whimbrel House Books in Order
Whimbrel House is Holmberg’s largest current fantasy series.
Read:
- Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (2022)
- Heir of Uncertain Magic (2023)
- Boy of Chaotic Making (2024)
- Wizard of Most Wicked Ways (2025)
- Lady of Uncanny Charms (2026)
The series begins in nineteenth-century Rhode Island with writer Merritt Fernsby inheriting an enchanted house and Hulda Larkin arriving to tame it.
The focus gradually broadens beyond Merritt and Hulda as other characters and magical institutions become increasingly important.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
This is the required entry point.
It introduces Whimbrel House, Merritt Fernsby, Hulda Larkin, and the rules surrounding enchanted buildings and magic.
Included: Book 1.
Heir of Uncertain Magic
The second novel continues Merritt and Hulda’s story while expanding the mystery surrounding magical inheritance.
It assumes knowledge of the first book.
Included: Book 2.
Boy of Chaotic Making
The third book moves more attention toward Owein and the consequences of the earlier Whimbrel House story.
The series has become broader by this point, so starting here would lose substantial character context.
Included: Book 3.
Wizard of Most Wicked Ways
Book 4 continues the consequences surrounding Owein, Hulda, Merritt, and Silas Hogwood.
It should be read after Boy of Chaotic Making.
Included: Book 4.
Lady of Uncanny Charms
Lady of Uncanny Charms is Book 5 and the announced final installment of Whimbrel House.
The story centers on Cora and Owein while continuing the magical conflicts established in the earlier books.
It is currently scheduled for September 29, 2026.
Included: Book 5 and series finale.
Is Whimbrel House Complete?
Not quite as of August 9, 2026.
Four books have been published.
The fifth and final book, Lady of Uncanny Charms, is scheduled for September 29, 2026.
Readers starting now therefore have almost the complete sequence available.
The Shattered King Books in Order
Holmberg’s newer dark fantasy romance sequence is a complete duology.
Read:
- The Shattered King (2025)
- The Half-Hearted Queen (2026)
The books follow Nym, a healer caught in royal politics and war, and Prince Renn.
This is one continuing story.
The Shattered King
The Shattered King was published September 2, 2025.
It introduces Nym, Renn, the kingdom of Cansere, and the system of forbidden and permitted magic surrounding them.
The ending leads directly toward the sequel.
Included: Book 1.
The Half-Hearted Queen
The Half-Hearted Queen was published March 3, 2026.
It continues Nym and Renn’s story and concludes the duology.
Included: Book 2 and finale.
Is The Half-Hearted Queen Charlie N. Holmberg’s Latest Book?
As of August 9, 2026, it is her newest published fantasy novel under the Charlie N. Holmberg name.
Lady of Uncanny Charms is the next confirmed fantasy release and is scheduled for September 2026.
Charlie N. Holmberg Standalone Novels
Holmberg has also written several fantasy novels that do not require series reading.
These include:
- Followed by Frost (2015)
- Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet (2016)
- The Fifth Doll (2017)
- Veins of Gold (2018)
- The Will and the Wilds (2020)
- The Hanging City (2023)
- Still the Sun (2024)
These are separate stories.
They can be read in any order.
Followed by Frost
Followed by Frost is a standalone fairy-tale-style fantasy.
It has no continuity connection to The Paper Magician.
A related short story, A Crack in the Stone, exists, but the novel remains the main entry point.
Separate continuity.
Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet
This standalone fantasy involves magical baking, identity, memory, and fairy-tale elements.
It is not connected to Followed by Frost despite their similar fairy-tale tone.
Separate continuity.
The Fifth Doll
The Fifth Doll is inspired partly by Russian nesting dolls and uses its own magical setting.
It is a standalone novel.
Separate continuity.
Veins of Gold
Veins of Gold blends historical frontier fiction with fantasy.
It does not belong to the Whimbrel House world despite both using nineteenth-century settings.
Separate continuity.
The Will and the Wilds
The Will and the Wilds is a standalone fantasy romance involving supernatural creatures and bargains.
No Paper Magician or Star Mother book is required.
Separate continuity.
The Hanging City
The Hanging City is a standalone fantasy romance centered on a young woman seeking refuge among trolls.
It was published in 2023.
No sequel with a confirmed publication date was identified for this update.
Separate continuity.
Still the Sun
Still the Sun was published in 2024.
It follows an engineer exploring ancient machinery and mysteries on an isolated island.
It is not part of Numina, Star Mother, or Whimbrel House.
Separate continuity.
Charlie N. Holmberg Standalones in Publication Order
For readers who want to sample her independent novels chronologically:
- Followed by Frost
- Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet
- The Fifth Doll
- Veins of Gold
- The Will and the Wilds
- The Hanging City
- Still the Sun
Publication order is optional because no plot continues between them.
Charlie N. Holmberg’s Book of Magic
Charlie N. Holmberg’s Book of Magic was published in 2024.
This is nonfiction.
It is a guide for writers who want to design and use magic systems in fantasy fiction.
It does not belong to The Paper Magician despite the title and subject matter.
Status: Separate nonfiction.
Books Published as C. N. Holmberg
Holmberg also publishes contemporary romance under the name C. N. Holmberg.
These books should be kept separate from her Charlie N. Holmberg fantasy bibliography.
Her official site describes the distinction simply: the C. N. Holmberg books are contemporary romance without magic.
Nerds of Happy Valley Books in Order
Under C. N. Holmberg, read:
- You’re My I.T.
- Two-Damage My Heart
These are contemporary romance novels.
The series uses recurring social connections rather than the fantasy systems associated with Holmberg’s better-known books.
Status: Separate pen-name series.
Do the C. N. Holmberg Books Connect to the Fantasy Novels?
No.
The pen name marks a genre distinction.
Readers looking specifically for Charlie N. Holmberg’s fantasy work can omit the Nerds of Happy Valley books.
Readers building a complete author bibliography should include them under the separate C. N. Holmberg heading.
Is There One Charlie N. Holmberg Universe?
No.
The Paper Magician, Numina, Spellbreaker, Star Mother, Whimbrel House, and The Shattered King use separate magical systems and fictional settings.
Several books share nineteenth-century or fairy-tale influences, but those similarities do not create continuity.
The standalones should also remain separate unless Holmberg explicitly identifies a connection.
Is There a Chronological Order Across All the Books?
No useful one.
Placing Veins of Gold, Whimbrel House, Spellbreaker, and The Paper Magician according to historical year would falsely imply that their magic systems coexist.
They do not need to be reconciled into one timeline.
Use individual series order instead.
Which Charlie N. Holmberg Series Are Complete?
As of August 9, 2026:
The Paper Magician original trilogy: Complete.
The Paper Magician wider series: Four published books.
Numina: Complete trilogy.
Spellbreaker: Complete duology.
Star Mother: Complete duology.
The Shattered King: Complete duology.
Whimbrel House: Four books published, fifth and final book scheduled for September 2026.
This makes Holmberg a particularly easy author to approach if you prefer completed series.
Best Series for a First-Time Reader
For Historical Fantasy and Inventive Magic
Start with:
- The Paper Magician
This remains the most established entry into Holmberg’s work.
For Cozy Historical Fantasy and Romance
Start with:
- Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
Whimbrel House offers a longer sequence built around magical houses, romance, and recurring characters.
For a Short Complete Series
Choose Spellbreaker:
- Spellbreaker
- Spellmaker
Or The Shattered King:
- The Shattered King
- The Half-Hearted Queen
For Mythic Fantasy
Read:
- Star Mother
- Star Father
For a Darker Trilogy
Read:
- Smoke & Summons
- Myths & Mortals
- Siege & Sacrifice
Recommended Complete Series Reading
There is no continuity reason to read Holmberg’s separate series in a specific order.
A practical route through her fantasy career is:
First: The Paper Magician
- The Paper Magician
- The Glass Magician
- The Master Magician
- The Plastic Magician
Then: Numina
- Smoke & Summons
- Myths & Mortals
- Siege & Sacrifice
Then: Spellbreaker
- Spellbreaker
- Spellmaker
Then: Star Mother
- Star Mother
- Star Father
Then: Whimbrel House
- Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
- Heir of Uncertain Magic
- Boy of Chaotic Making
- Wizard of Most Wicked Ways
- Lady of Uncanny Charms
Then: The Shattered King
- The Shattered King
- The Half-Hearted Queen
The standalones can be placed anywhere between those series.
Latest Charlie N. Holmberg Book
As of August 9, 2026, Holmberg’s latest published fantasy novel is The Half-Hearted Queen.
It was published March 3, 2026 and concludes The Shattered King duology.
Next Charlie N. Holmberg Book
The next confirmed fantasy novel is Lady of Uncanny Charms.
It is Whimbrel House Book 5 and the announced final volume.
Current retail and publisher listings place its release on September 29, 2026.
Readers should finish the first four Whimbrel House books before it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Charlie N. Holmberg book should I read first?
For her best-known series, begin with The Paper Magician.
For a newer historical fantasy series, begin with Keeper of Enchanted Rooms.
For a standalone, The Fifth Doll, The Will and the Wilds, or The Hanging City requires no earlier reading.
What order are The Paper Magician books?
Read:
- The Paper Magician
- The Glass Magician
- The Master Magician
- The Plastic Magician
Is The Plastic Magician Book 4?
Yes.
Holmberg’s official site identifies it as Book 4 in The Paper Magician series.
It follows a new protagonist but remains in the same magical world.
What order are the Numina books?
Read:
- Smoke & Summons
- Myths & Mortals
- Siege & Sacrifice
Is Numina complete?
Yes.
It is a completed trilogy.
What order are the Spellbreaker books?
Read:
- Spellbreaker
- Spellmaker
Is Spellbreaker connected to The Paper Magician?
No.
Both feature structured systems of magic in historical-style settings, but they belong to different continuities.
What order are the Star Mother books?
Read:
- Star Mother
- Star Father
Is Star Father a sequel?
Yes.
It belongs to the same mythological world and should be read second.
What order are the Whimbrel House books?
Read:
- Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
- Heir of Uncertain Magic
- Boy of Chaotic Making
- Wizard of Most Wicked Ways
- Lady of Uncanny Charms
Is Lady of Uncanny Charms the final Whimbrel House book?
Yes.
It is officially described as the fifth and final installment.
When does Lady of Uncanny Charms come out?
Current publisher and retail listings give September 29, 2026.
What order are The Shattered King books?
Read:
- The Shattered King
- The Half-Hearted Queen
Is The Half-Hearted Queen the final book?
Yes.
It concludes the Shattered King duology.
Is The Hanging City part of a series?
No confirmed sequel has been announced.
It should currently be treated as a standalone.
Is Still the Sun part of Whimbrel House?
No.
It is a standalone fantasy novel.
What is Charlie N. Holmberg’s newest book?
Her newest published fantasy novel as of August 9, 2026 is The Half-Hearted Queen.
What is Charlie N. Holmberg’s next book?
Lady of Uncanny Charms, the final Whimbrel House novel, is scheduled for September 29, 2026.
The Simplest Way to Read Charlie N. Holmberg
Holmberg’s bibliography becomes easy once each magical world is allowed to remain separate.
Read Ceony’s three Paper Magician novels in order, then add The Plastic Magician as the fourth book in that world. Read Numina as a trilogy, Spellbreaker and Star Mother as two-book sequences, and The Shattered King as a completed duology.
Whimbrel House currently has four published books and will conclude with Lady of Uncanny Charms in September 2026.
For readers who want the safest first book, The Paper Magician remains the natural starting point. For those who prefer a newer and longer historical fantasy sequence, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is the alternative, with the advantage that its complete five-book arc will be available shortly.
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.