A Harvest of Hearts

By Andrea Eames

Book Overview

In the beloved tradition of Howl's Moving Castle meets The House in the Cerulean Sea, a whimsical and unforgettable cozy fantasy about adventure, common sense, and the power of love, as a cheeky butcher's daughter, a befuddlingly handsome sorcerer, and his clever talking cat unlock magical secrets in the dark heart of their kingdom...

A Sunday Times Bestseller

"Down-to-earth and completely irresistible, Foss is fantastic, as is her talking cat A Harvest of Hearts is that rare story that feels both classic and unique at the same time. I loved it " --Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

Everyone in Foss Butcher's village knows what happens when the magic-workers come; they harvest human hearts to use in their spells. That's just how life in her kingdom works. But Foss, plain, clumsy, and practical as a boot, never expected anyone would want hers.

When a sorcerer snags a piece of Foss's heart without meaning to, she is furious. For once a heart is snagged, the experience is . . . well, unpleasant. So, Foss finds herself stomping toward the grand City to keep his enchanted House and demands that he fixes her before she keels over and dies, or whatever happens when hearts are Snagged.

But the sorcerer, Sylvester, is not what she expected. Petulant, idle, and new to his powers, Sylvester has no clue how to undo the heart-taking, or how to do much of anything really, apart from sulk. Foss's only friend is a talking cat and even the House's walls themselves have moods.

As Foss searches for a cure, she accidentally uncovers that there is much more to the heart-taking--and to the magic-workers themselves--than she could have ever imagined. . . .

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1645661881
• ISBN13: 9781645661887
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Erewhon Books
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Delightfully Pragmatic

Take Howl's Moving Castle, add a very practical, impatient, capable woman and make it amusing horror, and you have this book. I loved the way it defied my expectations and the narrator really enjoyed the story she was telling.

A Fun Read

I admit, when I read the blurb that it was like Howl's Moving Castle, I was excited for this book. I mean I can see a bit of resemblance, though Foss was not really cursed per say, just hooked, with no change of appearance, to feel like she should follow the sorcerer who spotted her in the village. This book is a lot more adult though (with Foss's longings) and I did get a bit tired of her thinking all the time how ugly she is. That being said, I absolutely love Cornelius! He is so awesome and I love his thoughts and antics which really lighten up the situation of all three in also what I consider a cool house (not a moving one but fun rooms and things appearing as needed). It does pick up to be more interesting around 50 percent. You finally get to see what is going on with the harvested hearts and more history about Sylvester and his sisters. Sylvester also gets a bit more of a personality (because he actually starts interacting with Foss) and I do like how they solve the whole harvesting hearts issue and the ending is sweet. So, not as cute cozy as Howl's Moving Castle but a sweet story in the end. And I would love to have a talking cat like Cornelius! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book.