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.
Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy via Netgalley.
India Holton is a proper author. By that, I mean she’s brave and creative in a way I don’t often see when I look around at all the books publishing throws at me. I love the throwing. Please don’t ever stop. But I’ve also gotten used to how unusual it is to find an author that writes a book publishing doesn’t always know how to fit in with the rest. India Holton doesn’t seem to like just one thing but in multitudes. Fantasy. Romcom. Alternate-History. Adventure Romance. She’s all these things. Most strikingly, she makes it all work in a way both exciting and thrilling for readers needing something new and freshly baked.
Let me just explain this strange blend of genres and why so many readers are licking it up. Fantasy readers (also Romance readers) want more cozy fantasy, especially lately. The world is increasingly difficult to process right now, making me reach for the ‘soft cozy thing’ more than the ‘depressing thing.’ If you give me a weird goth couple (looking at you Gomez and Morticia) with romcoms tones, I’m definitely into that. The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy, for example, has fantasy readers screeching with excitement in a really embarrassing pitch for this reason. Mixing and transforming the traditional rom-com into the outrageous fantastical sitcoms we watched on WandaVision are entering into SFFH and Romance. Cozy fantasy romcoms/witchy romcoms only recently picked up steam in publishing. Like many readers, I’m desperate for more of those cozy fantasy tones.
Enter India Holton and The League of Gentlewomen Witches. In terms of worldbuilding and tone, the Dangerous Damsels series reminds me of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld with a great big scoop of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and a salting of The Princess Bride by William Goldman. In a bubbly, witchy romcom, India Holton writes The League of Gentlewomen Witches like a sparkling blend of Terry Pratchett and Jane Austen. It’s a book of English manners, witch societies, piratical enemies, and romantic literature. It’s also very loud and funny in the perfect way.
Picture Mary Poppins as a witch with a grumpy attitude, a Jane Austen quote always on hand, and a pistol pointed in the direct vicinity of one Alex O’Riley. There. That’s precisely Charlotte Pettifer. Alex is both Irish and pirate, which he sees as basically the same thing.
They are both so unbelievably unique to the extent that it’s near impossible for me to forget or confuse them. When I leave a book, I want to remember, “oh yes, that is a memorable character.” If I review a book, the worst possible thing is when I can’t remember their name. That tells me everything about the author’s ability to write distinct characters. But even the most minor character, a mere museum curator, walks off the scene. I can genuinely see them off living their weird Victorian life.
As someone from a big family of many aunties, cousins, and distant relatives, I’m enchanted by the way the author reminds me that yes, aunties are hilarious, loud, and demand that you tell them every single detail about your life. In front of all your cousins. The most heartwarming part of these books is all these witchy women, aunties, and mothers surrounding Charlotte. That includes them taking it as a personal offense when Charlotte causes a scandal by falling in love.
It seems like every time I pick up one of Holton’s books, she turns an odd spell, where I can’t seem to stop reading until it’s the middle of the night. I found this oddly addictive. The plot is thrilling, maintaining my interest in breaths between the romance, dialogue, characterization, and world.
If you’re a fantasy reader trying to summon something comforting, bewitching, and romantic, pick up this witchy romcom.
