Synopsis:
It started with a dandelion.
Innocuous. Ubiquitous.
Who knew it was a warning?

After claiming his big bonus, things are coming up roses for Roger Mulligan. A job he loves. A house that feels like home. Money in the bank. A solid roof over his head and job security.

But when he finds a dandelion on the pristine grounds of Shackleford House, he starts down a twisted, garden path. Old man Shackleford says the fairies have a problem, the pixies keep falling down on the job, and the house seems to grow weaker by the day.

He’s soon tossed into a confusing mixture of fact and fantasy, accompanied by Shackleford’s cousin and – of all things – a stray cat. Surrounded by the fantastical, it’s hard to tell magic from mundane.

Review:
I loved how Barbara got to become front and center in this novel, and how Roger, while changed, has become more resilient than he ever thought possible. While following Roger was always amusing, it was clearly the cat who was the star of the show. I really enjoyed this novel, but in some ways I felt like it didn’t feel as extravagant and all encompassing as the first in the series. In the first novel there were a series of different things that Roger, the house and family had to overcome. In this novel, while there was technically more to be overcome, most of the discourse and nitty gritty of such things (Barbara’s turmoil, the company issues) were done off the page and only vaguely mentioned or referenced. I don’t feel like we are done with the Wizard, his Apprentice, or the Cat so I really hope there will be another book in the future.

I would recommend this series to anyone who loves the average guy using his wits to save a situation (especially the magically people involved), people stepping out of their comfort zones and finding their true place, and in the second book- cats!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯