A review by kmoes85
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
5.0
Beatrice Dunn is 18 years old and is living with her aunt in Stony Point, New York when she sees an advertisement for an assistant needed at a tea shop in the city. Most intriguing of all is the last line which reads "Those averse to magic need not apply". Far from averse to magic herself, Beatrice takes her chances and catches a train to Manhattan where she meets the fascinating women who own the shop: the respectable herbalist Eleanor St. Clair and the cheeky fortune teller Adelaide Thom. The three women will learn to work together in order to provide for the ladies of the community as well as fight the evil that is stirring behind the scenes.
I read this book for a magical book club. I was unsure if I would really be able to appreciate it because of the time period; however, the author did a wonderful job of creating loveable characters and making the city shine. The story constantly jumped back and forth between a variety of different view points including the three women, the villains of the story and even small side characters who added their small pieces to the plot.
I really loved all of the characters. This book reminded me in some ways of Alix Harrow's "Once and Future Witches"; however, this book had more life to it and was much more engaging. I enjoyed that the "magic" within the story was mostly based on folk practices that are still enjoyed today such as brewing teas and tea reading, tarot cards, and lucky rabbits feet, though there were also some fun ghosts and fairies as well. Of course every book needs some kind of love story, and while this one was chaste it was very sweet.
Overall this was a really fun book and was a great book club read. Tea and Sympathy is somewhere I would love to spend some time in. Though I read it during November, the story line actually took place in the fall months leading up to Halloween so I'm sure it would be even better then!
I read this book for a magical book club. I was unsure if I would really be able to appreciate it because of the time period; however, the author did a wonderful job of creating loveable characters and making the city shine. The story constantly jumped back and forth between a variety of different view points including the three women, the villains of the story and even small side characters who added their small pieces to the plot.
I really loved all of the characters. This book reminded me in some ways of Alix Harrow's "Once and Future Witches"; however, this book had more life to it and was much more engaging. I enjoyed that the "magic" within the story was mostly based on folk practices that are still enjoyed today such as brewing teas and tea reading, tarot cards, and lucky rabbits feet, though there were also some fun ghosts and fairies as well. Of course every book needs some kind of love story, and while this one was chaste it was very sweet.
Overall this was a really fun book and was a great book club read. Tea and Sympathy is somewhere I would love to spend some time in. Though I read it during November, the story line actually took place in the fall months leading up to Halloween so I'm sure it would be even better then!