Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow - ISBN: 9781399750288
Hardcover
Magic, rivalry, and romance collide as London’s magical world unravels.

Strange Familiars

$69.61

  • Hardcover

    480 pages

  • Release Date

    26 May 2026

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Summary

All’s fair in love and magic.

Gwendolynne Chan just needs to get through her final year. At Seamere College of Magical Veterinary Sciences, she spends her days using her powers to heal companion animals while her nights are spent studying for exams. As the star pupil of the magical familiars stream, she is on track to graduating top of her class - as long as the pretentious Harrisford Briggs doesn’t beat her to it.

Harrisford Briggs was born into privilege. Hi…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781399750288
ISBN-10:1399750283
Author:Keshe Chow
Publisher:Hodder & Stoughton
Imprint:Hodderscape
Format:Hardcover
Number of Pages:480
Release Date:26 May 2026
Weight:720g
Dimensions:238mm x 158mm x 44mm
Series:The Seamere College Duology
What They're Saying

Critics Review

Strange Familiars is my exact brand of catnip, featuring brilliant academic rivals, magical university, and cheeky animal sidekicks stealing every scene. And let’s talk about the romantic tension between Gwen and Harrisford - sizzling, with gorgeous ebbs and flows between wanting and hating, sacrifice and treachery. Chow’s world-building is fabulous and imaginative, with a frighteningly accurate exploration of what magic might look like in our late stage capitalism world. Animal lovers will adore the familiars and the accuracy of the veterinary medicine scenes. Percy stole my heart. An absolute delight! * Brigitte Knightley *Keshe Chow brings something fresh and fun to the genre with her unique take on a contemporary fantasy romance. Between the burning enemies-to-lovers tension, the incredible world-building, and loveable creatures-of both the human and four-legged variety-readers will find themselves utterly charmed by Strange Familiars. A must-read for any lover of animals and angst * Nisha J. Tuli *I completely adored this book and its delightful cast of characters–human, animal, and mythical. This has it all: found family, a dark edge of mystery, wondrous enchantments, and banter that will make you snort into your tea. The ideal read for everyone who fell in love with magical schools as a child and wished for a version for adults. With a rivals-to-lovers romance that crackles with tension, a fantastical veterinary school, and your new favorite fictional feline, Strange Familiars is sure to become your next fantasy obsession! * M. Stevenson *Strange Familiars is supremely enjoyable and addictive reading, full of wonderful rivals-to-lovers romance, humor, and twists that kept me exhilarated right to the end. I can not wait for the sequel! Highly recommended * India Holton *Skillfully blending the science of veterinary medicine with a realm of mythical, magical beasts, Strange Familiars absorbs you in its world right from the start. Readers will swoon over the sizzle between heroine Gwendolynne Chan and her rival Harrisford Briggs, but familiars Percy and Pudding are liable to steal their hearts. A delight from start to finish * Jaleigh Johnson *A smart, sizzling, and highly original fantasy about two rival magical vets. A truly delightful and passionate novel! * Sunyi Dean *I loved Strange Familiars! This is a true comfort read-fun and magical, with a delightful academic rivals-to-lovers romance, whimsical worldbuilding and heart-pounding stakes (and my new favourite character, a sardonic cat named Percy!) Don’t miss this one! * Vanessa Len *Romantic, mysterious, and totally magical, I couldn’t put Strange Familiars down! Can’t wait for the sequel! * Mai Corland *Keshe Chow has brewed a potion for the perfect rivals to lovers fantasy romance: richly crafted light academia world building, swoon-worthy, cheek-heating banter, and a twisty central mystery that never lets up * Kate Golden *Rivals to lovers has never been quite this exquisitely aching and delightful * Andrea Stewart *A world so vivid, charming, and wildly creative that I felt completely swept away. This book is perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Olivia Atwater-the cast is vibrant, the magic is inventive, and the entire world feels alive on every page-I couldn’t put it down! * Emily Varga *The romance simmers with tension, the action is pulse-pounding, and the world is detailed, beautiful, and original. Add in one very grumpy (adorable) cat familiar, and I’m utterly obsessed * Sarah Hawley *Smart, suspenseful, and overflowing with passion * S.A. MacLean *A wonderfully fun fantasy romp featuring a delightful cast of characters and the most hilarious cat companion ever. I would die for Percy * Frances White *Strange Familiars is the most refreshing and unique fantasy I’ve read in years. I was kicking my feet and giggling the entire way through! Deliciously intelligent, hilarious, real characters that I’ll be rooting for always. Everyone needs to read this!! * Analeigh Sbrana *

About The Author

Keshe Chow

Keshe Chow is a #1 Sunday Times bestselling author and a specialist feline medicine veterinarian. Her life revolves around books and cats. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, two children, one cat, and an abundance of houseplants.

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