Trans Wizard Harriet Porber And The Theater Of Love: An… (2025)

This is definitely not capital-L Literature, and needed a more attentive proofreader, but I've given it four stars because it is so delighfully irreverent and utterly bonkers. I found the repeated demolition of the fourth wall, the conscious subverting of romance tropes, and the fact that characters include a sentient mailbox and a living box of breakfast cereal vastly entertaining. I must also admit that the none-too-subtle digs at JKR warmed my cold, dead heart: "I just thought I should say [that Bumbleborn and I are gay and in a loving relationship] out loud instead of constantly implying it in interviews and margin notes, as if that's actual representation," says Grindelbad, and I chuckled happily. With its wonderful messages of inclusivity and community, Dr. Tingle's second Porber story once again 'proves love.'

Even better than the first! To quote the book itself: "You don't need a sword or a wand to face down these overwhelming powers of darkness, you just need love in your heart and the courage to stand up and say no." With that message at the book's heart, what's not to love? Oh, and dinosaurs. And Harriet Porber, that well know wizard.

This book made me ugly cry multiple times. I am a cis woman but the message still resonated deeply for me. Also, the callbacks to HP (Neva Longbottle! Cereal Black!) made me laugh SO hard.

If you read this and loved it, go check out The Gayly Prophet podcast's interview with Chuck. It's delightful.

I was less taken with this book than the first one. While I love the choice not to introduce contrived/unnecessary romantic tension, the perfect relationship between Snabe and Harriet felt more like a set dressing than a real connection. I would have loved to see more of just the two of them together, maybe struggling with communication more in a realistic, human way. I also wish this duology had more magic onscreen. It seems that every time Harriet could solve a problem with magic, her wand is mysteriously missing. Still, it was a short, solid story that I enjoyed. I'm especially happy with how hard this book went after J.K. Rowling as an author - great parody work with all the names, and wonderful meta-commentary about the Rowling/Harry Potter corporate empire!

So this novella happens a few years after the first one. It takes place in Vegas and Harriet is working on a magic show but the Just Kidding Recreation company doesn't want her working for anyone but them.

I liked the story in book one better but the SHADE in the book is AMAZING. I could not stop laughing. This also had a great moral lesson. These stories are also deadpool-esque with the 4th wall breaking.

Sex scenes happen but they're not the focus of the story.

Clever and entertaining. Hope we get a third book!

What a way to end the year. Here's to more of the same in 2023.

Second verse, same as the first.

But with more meta snarking and a deeper dive into the importance of community for vulnerable people.

Real rating: 4.5 stars

Loved this even more than the first book. In this sequel, Chuck Tingle shows us that the best reaction to hate (including certain statements and actions on social media by JKR) is to be your best self in the face of hate. And that community is a magical booster and a home. Often your best and most valuable allies are right next to you or where you're not looking. And even though hate persists, love and community keep us strong to keep fighting - every one of us, in their own personal way. With backup. BEST BOOK, ALL THE STARS. <3

Another excellent book in the Harriet Porber universe, love love loved it and really hope to get a third one day. This book definitely had more overt messaging than the first but I think that definitely was a plus in my book. I also really did enjoy learning more about the mechanics of the different factions of magic users in this world, especially Bumbleborn's magic. Rooting for Harriet against JK Recreation just felt so natural and the writing is well paced. Wizarding is for everyone, and you really do just need love and the courage to stand up to oppression.

So when is the 3rd book coming out?

Once again, another wholesome book! I read the series that Chuck Tingle is parodying when I was a teen, and I have to say that Theatre of Love does a good job riffing on them. Did I mention that this book is wholesome?

This book is the perfect blend of heartfelt honesty and mocking satire. Chuck is relentless in attacking his targets, yet simultaneously he very effectively delivers a genuine and engrossing message of solidarity and companionship. It is engrossing and exciting and sensuous in many of the ways Chuck’s works typically are, and there is a very rich and fulfilling cake under the frosting. I can only recommend you go out and read it. I also recommend you go through the first book in the series as well, even if just to have the full context for this one.

The plot of this book picks up a few years after the ending of the last one, with the two leads of the previous book married and settling into their own, new routines. Harriet’s routine is shaken when, after she attends a parchment signing, she decides to venture into the world of stage magic. Soon enough, however, she realises that the industry she’s trying to make waves in is less than welcoming of independent voices and messaging, and she attracts the attention of the biggest act and enforcer of the status quo, who she will have to shake off and oppose in order to get her show made.

While marketed as a romance, the structure of the book is very thrilleresque, with plenty of narrative tension and high stakes, all of which develop in an intriguing and enticing manner, and which challenge the characters in a broad variety of ways. That blend of styles sounds like it could become a mess, but Chuck absolutely knows how to thread that needle, and is very adept at keeping the focus of the story on the characters and their struggles. This man juggles the outlandish regularly, and this narrative he has poured himself in gives him plenty of opportunity to explore the dimensionality and grit of his work. Still, he does not dwell on it, he knows how to insert humour and introduce whimsy and playfulness throughout the events of the book, bringing the readers seamlessly into the outlandish, and inserting a genuine sense of pathos into his writing.

His exploration of character does not slip, either, as the audience gets to not only explore the new dimensions of various returning characters, as they adjust to their new status quo and counter the various obstacles placed before them, but also explore the facets and capabilities new faces bring to the story as well. I particularly have to give props to the villain of the piece, who manages to stand out through her tenacity, cruelty, and creativity. Other new characters, unfortunately, don’t stand out, they only fill the ranks rather than lead them, but they are still memorable and interesting, even if due to their parallels to what this series parodies, and Chuck is expertly adept at bringing their personal narratives into the bigger plot, allowing the world to become broader and more meaningful.

Last, but not least, this book expands upon the magic system of the series, exploring new possibilities and challenges, new avenues through which it manifests, and new effects it can create, responses to magic gone awry, as well as digging deeper into what preparation magic, or at least a smattering of magic subsets, really requires.

Overall, this book represents an excellent outing by the man who is a meme, managing to eloquently blend his style and sensibilities with an engaging and exciting narrative that is unapologetic in its satire and unabashed in its messaging.

If the first book was parody for the sake of parody, which is admittedly giving it too little credit, then this one is parody with a message. And that message is two-fold:

We, the fans, give the original work meaning in a way that cannot be taken from us, even if that antagonistic force is the creator; and that this act of finding community proves and is a form of love, which in a way is the message underlying all of Chuck Tingle's works.

Within all of Tingle's little idiosyncrasies, there is a genuine love of the source material, transformed into a parody with a much more powerful punch than its predecessor, punching up at a faceless and heartless conglomerate known as JKR to bring a message to readers about the importance of representation and community. I thought I had my expectations set properly after reading the first book, but this one is way better and an improvement on multiple fronts. I am now hopefully awaiting a sequel.

Probably not as strong as book one was, but gotta say I massively appreciate the idea of a romance sequel that doesn't involve breakups, love triangles, or ✨miscommunication ✨ as plot devices lol. The themes of community togetherness and inclusivity were great and definitely filled my cup. Fun read once again.

Book 3, when.

This is another pleasant romp from Chuck Tingle, which I would say I enjoyed even more than his first Harriet Porber book. With this one having to spend less time laying groundwork, and thus being able to spend more time portraying an adventure. Touching, heartfelt, and silly. Altogether a very pleasant ride.

Ok this one was lowkey wayyy better than the first ahah. It was silly and Grindlebad and Bumbleborn made me hoot this time with their “we’re gay!!!” Jabs. I’m all the story was more fun and I thought the relationship was more fun to read about in this one. Overall nothing that is going to change your life, but it’s fun to read and sometimes that’s all you want

Wow. Just wow.

A great follow up to an awesome and heartfelt story proving love is REAL. Harriet gets even more awesome this time around.

While I didn't like it as much as the previous book, ToL STILL killed me with laughter. (Cerial Black anyone XD)

I also loved the message about acceptance.

This is the good kind of bonkers. Love the self awareness. This is my favorite Harry Potter parody series.

Loved the story, it was fun to read, but needed better proof reading.

certainly a book.

If you thought the first one was great (it was) you will not be surprised that this one is also great. Enjoyed every single moment reading it.

Full of heart and soul and laughs. I enjoyed this one even more than the first.

Even better than the first, Chuck sends a beautiful message wrapped inside a riveting story of finding yourself after you've lost what seemed most important.

Highly enjoyable romp through Vegas, with plenty of digs at the abhorrent Joanne, and a delightful ending. Love is real!

these are fun I hope there are more & fuck jk rowling

It's fun and JKR is the big bad, what else do you want.

Love is real