Book Review :: The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
ISBN: 0593200187
Series: Dangerous Damsels #2
Also in this series: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, The Secret Service of Tea and Treason
Published by Berkley Books
on 15 March 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Goodreads

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse...

Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.

When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O'Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex's not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte's heart.

Last updated on 13 February 2023

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What is The League of Gentlewomen Witches about?

The League of Gentlewomen Witches is the story of witch Charlotte Pettifer, part of the League of women with special abilities, striving to make the world a better place through the art of subtle magic. The complete opposite of the over-the-top Wisteria Society of pirates who fly their houses, for goodness sake.

As Anna says in her review, the witches “all levitate stuff and don’t actually have a genuine reason to be fighting – they just wake up and choose violence, which I can understand”.

As the future leader of The Wicken League, Charlotte gets immediately on the case when the long-lost amulet of Berly Black is discovered. Not wanting the amulet to fall into untoward hands, Charlotte’s mission becomes clear: get the amulet before any other witch in the country. But it’s not as simple as that.

“She had come to the end of the short queue in front of the counter and was waiting in much the same way a stick of dynamite wait.”

Pirate Alex O’Riley appears in her life unexpectantly (and unfortunately) and the two pair up to try and steal the amulet back from notorious Lady Armitage. As natural enemies who each think they’ve kidnapped the other, their partnership is unruly and unwarranted … but the longer the two work together, the closer they get …

My thoughts on The League of Gentlewomen Witches

Another cracker of a book from India Holton. The first in this series, The Wisteria Society for Lady Scoundrels was a hilarious, witty, whimsical and quirky read that I so enjoyed reading. The League of Gentlewomen Witches was much the same. But with a whole raft of new characters (and some of the old ones), a new ever-quirky storyline and a whole lotta romance.

Charlotte is a great character. She’s a little obsessed with Jane Austen, and often categorises her experiences and actions as Austen’s heroines, but is a powerful witch in her own right. Alex is a smooth talker, an Irishman with an earring and a few slick moves. And the two of them are an unlikely pairing but somehow they work so well.

“Alex did not like bewilderment. He liked smug certainty and hitting things with his sword.”

There are also several appearances from Cecilia Bassingwaite and Ned Lightbourne from The Wisteria Society for Lady Scoundrels, as Ned and Alex are best bros. Bixby, Alex’s butler, was an absolute delight and a really wonderful addition to the story.

The plot is fast-paced, ever on the move, and just as fun and whacky as the first book. It had me smiling and laughing out loud in parts, and while the story was a little spicier than the last, their relationship is also super sweet and I love the two together.

The Wisteria Society for Lady Scoundrels was a really enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read the next one, The Secret Service of Tea and Treason which isn’t due out until 2023.

Have you read this book? What did you think?