Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Berkley (2022), 352 pages
Description
Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:�??As much fun as the English language will permit.�?��??New York Times Book Review on The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels 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… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member VashonJim
This book is just plain fun!
LibraryThing member AmyM3317
Charlotte Pettifer is the prophetic heir apparent to a most reputable group of women (most notably NOT witches whatsoever). This group is also definitely not on good terms with anyone of a piratic nature. So when a magical artifact is discovered in which both pirates and these non-witchy women lay
In her pursuit of the artifact, Charlotte kidnaps (or is kidnapped by) known pirate Alex O'Riley. Begrudgingly they join forces certainly not working together but working towards getting the artifact for their own personal gain. What ends up happening is a pirate falls in love with a (non)witch, but can they set aside their ingrained hatred of one another to make it work?
I loved India Holton's first book so much. The snark and humor. The back-and-forth, quick-wittedness of all the characters was pure perfection. I'm happy to say that this aspect carries over quite nicely to this second book.
I'm not sure that I remember any mention of witches in the first book as that mainly focused on pirates, but I like the addition of other magical factions. India Holton seems to tease more things to come in this whimsical world and I cannot wait to see how things continue to progress.
This book took me a long time to get through. For whatever reason, it wasn't one that I just flew through. For me, I felt like the conflict in finding the amulet was overshadowed by Alex and Charlotte's budding feelings for one another and the idea that in their societies they wouldn't work or be welcomed. I wanted a little more adventure with the amulet as I think it speaks a lot about the histories of both of these groups, I would have liked to think that the differences that face Alex and Charlotte - one being a pirate and one being a witch - could have easily been incorporated into the initial conflict of an object in which both groups lay claim. It does to a certain extent, but as I said, quickly overshadowed.
But to that effect, Charlotte and Alex were wonderful and obviously the main draw of the story. I love a good enemies-to-lovers story and they inhabit it to a T. What really got me, though, was the vulnerabilities both are hiding in order to 1) appear as a tough pirate and 2) to appear able and capable of fulfilling the prophecy that has dictated their entire life. In each other, they find the person who understands and sees them for themselves and not what others have imposed upon them. I just loved seeing them slowly let their guards down with one another, yet still maintain their sense of self.
Overall, this series has been a delight so far. I would love for it to continue for many more books and adventures to come.
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claim, a battle ensues between the two sides over who will possess such a valued object. In her pursuit of the artifact, Charlotte kidnaps (or is kidnapped by) known pirate Alex O'Riley. Begrudgingly they join forces certainly not working together but working towards getting the artifact for their own personal gain. What ends up happening is a pirate falls in love with a (non)witch, but can they set aside their ingrained hatred of one another to make it work?
I loved India Holton's first book so much. The snark and humor. The back-and-forth, quick-wittedness of all the characters was pure perfection. I'm happy to say that this aspect carries over quite nicely to this second book.
I'm not sure that I remember any mention of witches in the first book as that mainly focused on pirates, but I like the addition of other magical factions. India Holton seems to tease more things to come in this whimsical world and I cannot wait to see how things continue to progress.
This book took me a long time to get through. For whatever reason, it wasn't one that I just flew through. For me, I felt like the conflict in finding the amulet was overshadowed by Alex and Charlotte's budding feelings for one another and the idea that in their societies they wouldn't work or be welcomed. I wanted a little more adventure with the amulet as I think it speaks a lot about the histories of both of these groups, I would have liked to think that the differences that face Alex and Charlotte - one being a pirate and one being a witch - could have easily been incorporated into the initial conflict of an object in which both groups lay claim. It does to a certain extent, but as I said, quickly overshadowed.
But to that effect, Charlotte and Alex were wonderful and obviously the main draw of the story. I love a good enemies-to-lovers story and they inhabit it to a T. What really got me, though, was the vulnerabilities both are hiding in order to 1) appear as a tough pirate and 2) to appear able and capable of fulfilling the prophecy that has dictated their entire life. In each other, they find the person who understands and sees them for themselves and not what others have imposed upon them. I just loved seeing them slowly let their guards down with one another, yet still maintain their sense of self.
Overall, this series has been a delight so far. I would love for it to continue for many more books and adventures to come.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rivkat
Second book in this alternate world of magic and Austen references, this time focusing on a young lady in a competing group of witches from the first who meets-cute a dashing pirate by stealing his briefcase. I understand the erotics of constraint, including reputational constraint, but for
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whatever reason I found it a bit grating rather than charming here, though I think that’s a bit of an idiosyncratic reaction. If you like lady pirates flying houses around London and stealing from the richer-than-most, and pop culture jokes/easter eggs based on modern (or at least 1970s/1980s culture), this might work for you. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Unfortunately, this didn't feel sufficiently different than the first book - just a different girl and a different boy. There is some fun to be had with the flying houses and such, and the rivalry between witch and pirate.
LibraryThing member spiritedstardust
I didn't realise this was the second in a series - you bet your bottom dollar I'll be reading the others.
This was freaking HILARIOUS - I was chortling, guffawing and just bursting out laughing - my kids think I'm a crazy lady now.
I loved the vibrant characters - I loved the magic and the world
Except for how the magic-using female pirates are left alone, but if you are a witch (woman wielding magic) then you best not practice magic in the open because you'll be hanged...I'm sorry but why?
This was freaking HILARIOUS - I was chortling, guffawing and just bursting out laughing - my kids think I'm a crazy lady now.
I loved the vibrant characters - I loved the magic and the world
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building - I loved the relationships - I loved the writing - I loved the sauciness - I pretty much loved everything about this.Except for how the magic-using female pirates are left alone, but if you are a witch (woman wielding magic) then you best not practice magic in the open because you'll be hanged...I'm sorry but why?
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LibraryThing member catseyegreen
The Wicken League is a group of witches who would never, ever have anything to do with their great rivals, the pirates. But Charlotte, the heir of the power of Black Beryl meets the handsome pirate Alex all that goes flying out the window.
library book read 8/26/2023
library book read 8/26/2023
LibraryThing member mktoronto
Enjoyed it more than the first one. Fun, with a surprising twist at the end for two of the side characters.
ETA: Re-reading to follow the beginnings of Daniel & Alice's story. And I'm taken by the parallels that are drawn between Cecilia from the first book and Charlotte here. Plus, Alex is just so
ETA: Re-reading to follow the beginnings of Daniel & Alice's story. And I'm taken by the parallels that are drawn between Cecilia from the first book and Charlotte here. Plus, Alex is just so
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damn cocky that it's delightful. They are a great match and you see how Daniel really comes to admire Charlotte, so his reaction to her in his own book makes a lot of sense. Show Less
Awards
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — March 2022)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2022-03-15
Physical description
352 p.; 8.17 inches
ISBN
0593200187 / 9780593200186
Local notes
When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League of Gentlewomen Witches, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with pirate Alex O'Riley. 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!