Ami McKay

As the song goes, I had high hopes for this book. I love when stories about witches are focused on the 'sisterhood' rather than the men of small appendage who labelled and punished women for being smarter than them, and I did like Eleanor, Adelaide and Beatrice. However, there were just too many irons in the fire - or spells in the grimoire - to create a compelling narrative, and the crazy priest felt out of place. Like yes, the menfolk are going to get antsy about three independent women, particularly one who is 'unnatural' enough to threaten their marriages as well as their authority, but the gritty historical element didn't blend well with the whimsical tribute to witches. The author's commentary is clear - 'man’s fears causing him to do things that lead to far greater sins' - but too heavy-handed. Without the crazy priest, however, nothing really happens and the multiple subplots involving ghosts, ex-girlfriends and Cleopatra's needle go nowhere and do nothing.

I really wanted to love the story, which reminded me why Practical Magic is one of my favourite films, but the meandering plot and patchwork genre made me quickly lose interest. Maybe saving the ghosts for a separate novel would have worked better, as I was drawn more to the community of spirits in the hotel and their interactions with Beatrice: 'just as a child learns reading, writing and arithmetic, the dead had to tackle their three Rs as well: revenge, regret and reconciliation.'… (more)

Disappointing! Reminded me very strongly of [b:The Once and Future Witches|49504061|The Once and Future Witches|Alix E. Harrow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582634494l/49504061._SY75_.jpg|74822550], which I was only so-so on and still started grittier and more interesting than this. I started reading the author note at the back (whoops, bad sign), McKay's related to Nathaniel Hawthorne and one of the nastiest Salem witch trials judges as well as a victim and this was the entire impetus for the book? I thought I'd give it until page 50 to get interesting, but on page 34 the nice good pure dream fairies are giving a main character a prophetic dream and....

"The entire balance of magic was at stake. The moon was full. The time was nigh. The prophecy had foretold it."

k, thx, bye!

(14 august 2023)… (more)