Very "quirky" writing, best and most neutral summary for a book I feel a bit unfair rating because I didn't know it was a sequel when I requested it. Just off of style alone, I can tell this isn't my current cup of tea. The beginning appealed to a much younger, hopeful version of myself which was pleased to find literature references signposted everywhere. Now a book needs to earn that kind of winking at me, and sadly this one didn't. Not a terrible premise at the core of the plot, though.

Jane Austen fans prepare yourselves. This book delightfully quotes and misquotes (with love) all of Austen’s works. If you read the previous installment, “ The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels,” and loved the absurdity and charm you appreciate the expanded world building and magic system in this lovely book. This book has a stronger satirization and critique of the patriarchy of the time period, but I appreciated this because it kept the book from being too light. You don’t have to read Wisteria Society to love The League of Gentlewomen Witches, but I’d recommend reading the first one first because the pirate concept is wild.

Ya'll this series is phenomenal! I read this book in one sitting. I loved seeing the characters from the first book work their way into this book. The writing is just hilarious and incredible. I have been telling everyone about these books. I hope there are many more to come!

This was a lot of fun! I went into this book with no expectations, as I actually hadn’t realized it was the second in a series until after the fact. Even though I hadn’t read the first book, I found I slipped right into the Victorian world of gentlewomen and pirates and flight magic. I giggled along at all of the Austen references and cheered for our protagonist, a capable young witch with poison darts in her fashionable boot heels. India Holton has lovingly crafted a delightful cast of characters, all trying to outdo each other in this comedy of manners.

Though I was invested in the enemies-to-lovers arc with our central couple, I did find the story lost some momentum in the middle, and understandably so; with the wild goose chase of a plot and the many detailed action scenes at the beginning, it’s difficult to keep the stakes up for a whole novel. I also found myself craving more of an emotional connection between the main couple; while it was definitely entertaining to see all the hijinks and banter and magical power struggles, it did take a long time for them to let their guards and have a genuine conversation.

Overall, I thought this was a fun romp of a book with many memorable scenes, and a lovely light read! I’ll definitely have to check out the first book, “The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels” and find out even more about pirates and their flying battle houses.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

. After zipping through the first book in this series, I was excited to have more light-hearted adventures, but the second book fell completely flat for me. There was very little plot and the humor was too forced.

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.

Last year, I read India Holton's first book, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. I loved it. Somehow it manages to be a historical romance, a fantasy, and an adventure story in a way that I've only seen successfully done by The Princess Bride. This new release tops its predecessor and then some. This sequel exists in the same world as the Wisteria Society, and Holton does an excellent job of building on the magic system and characters from the previous book while still crafting a storyline that feels entirely new. I was delighted by Holton's writing yet again — I truly believe she has one of the funniest and most distinctive voices in fiction today. Every tiny detail of this book is so unbelievably clever, packed with humor and wit. I frequently found myself laughing out loud at dialogue and narration alike. Charlotte and Alex's relationship is hilariously sweet as they go from bantering about who kidnapped whom to facing their feelings and falling in love. The secondary characters are just as well-crafted as the leads, and the sparring between the Wisteria Society and the Wicken League makes for some of the funniest scenes in the book. Beyond the humor, though, the characters in this book have real thoughts and feelings and deal with legitimate issues like childhood trauma, gender roles, and independence. Chock full of literary references, a sassy butler, flying houses, and good old-fashioned rivalry, The League of Gentlewomen Witches is a wildly entertaining tale that I will recommend to absolutely everyone.

"She'd just allowed a man to disrobe her. Jane Austen would be weeping in her inkwell." >

If I have to give The League of Gentlewomen Witches one word it would be: Hysterical.

A hidden group of witches and a society of smuggling pirates are at each others throats for who will commandeer the amulet first.

After the amulet (and a helpless man) are captured in the hands of another. Alex (the rakish pirate) must kidnap Charlotte so that they may go on an adventure to steal away the amulet. Or did Charlotte kidnap Alex?
It's a solid argument.

This is a story if Jane Austen had a bit of magic and a little less decorum.

Why you should read it:
-Pirates: the tattooed, sarcastic, large and sexy
-witches: powerful, graceful and completely denying their wicked ways... all is for charity
-quirky/classy humor that will have you snickering the entire book
-enemies to lovers trope, because why have any other
-why stop at flying brooms, how about battlehouses
-sarcasm turned flirting turned hot hot hot
-Charlotte's Jiminy cricket is actually Jane Austen's true voice of reason

I cannot recommend this book enough and I will be reading and awaiting anything that India writes.

Why I gave 4 stars:
Nothing felt missing or out of place and the story was adorable. Some moments are added characters added to the quirk but also felt a bit unnecessary by the end.

Rating:
story-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
characters-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Steam- "This doesn't seem very proper."
"It's entirely improper, darling."

Song 🎼-Stockholm Syndrom by One Direction

The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holten is the second installment in her popular Dangerous Damsels series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. I enjoyed it so much, I rushed out and got the first book in the series, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, and read it next. This hilarious, audacious, and somewhat steamy story will take you on a ride you didn’t know you needed.

If you want a book that makes sense and is orderly, go find another book, this is not for you. If you want to laugh out loud, snicker, giggle and crackle while reading, then this IS the book for you.

Miss Charlotte Pettifer is a member of The League of Gentlewomen Witches, who strive to improve the lives of women with small touches of gentility. They are very proper women. They would use witchcraft if witches were read, and of course, they are not, because if they were witches, they would be burned at the stake. Charlotte has always known that she is the heir to Black Beryl and is the future leader of the League. So, when Black Beryl’s amulet is discovered, she must have it, in order to keep it out of the hands of evildoers. While trying to secure the Amulet, she runs into the famous pirate, Alex O'Riley and they team up together to find the Amulet.

I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. Flying houses, pirates, witches, and adventure all add up to a very enjoyable book. There is over-the-top madcap humor that I loved, and also more subtle humor that I enjoyed just as much. It’s one of those books that I could read over and over again and it would still be just as funny each time I read it. The little quips and asides in the dialogue are just so clever and funny, and so subtle sometimes, that I know I didn’t catch them all during my initial reading.

If you’re looking for pure escapism that will keep you laughing, this is the book for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holten is the second installment in her popular Dangerous Damsels series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. I enjoyed it so much, I rushed out and got the first book in the series, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, and read it next. This hilarious, audacious, and somewhat steamy story will take you on a ride you didn’t know you needed.

If you want a book that makes sense and is orderly, go find another book, this is not for you. If you want to laugh out loud, snicker, giggle and crackle while reading, then this IS the book for you.

Miss Charlotte Pettifer is a member of The League of Gentlewomen Witches, who strive to improve the lives of women with small touches of gentility. They are very proper women. They would use witchcraft if witches were read, and of course, they are not, because if they were witches, they would be burned at the stake. Charlotte has always known that she is the heir to Black Beryl and is the future leader of the League. So, when Black Beryl’s amulet is discovered, she must have it, in order to keep it out of the hands of evildoers. While trying to secure the Amulet, she runs into the famous pirate, Alex O'Riley and they team up together to find the Amulet.

I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. Flying houses, pirates, witches, and adventure all add up to a very enjoyable book. There is over-the-top madcap humor that I loved, and also more subtle humor that I enjoyed just as much. It’s one of those books that I could read over and over again and it would still be just as funny each time I read it. The little quips and asides in the dialogue are just so clever and funny, and so subtle sometimes, that I know I didn’t catch them all during my initial reading.

If you’re looking for pure escapism that will keep you laughing, this is the book for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I wish I was wittier, as this book demands a witty review, but alas. However, I can say that this novel is delightful! I accidentally read it without realizing that it was a series, but I found that it stood on its own fairly well. The sarcasm, the reluctant romance, and the many Jane Austen (mis)quotes make The League of Gentlewomen Witches charming and fun to read. The piracy and witchy thievery only add to the fun! I will have to go back and read the first in the series!

I will officially follow India Holton on whatever adventure she wants to take me on. The League of Gentlewomen Witches was smart, funny, zany, and somehow also, so very soft. I'm a sucker for Victorian literary references, and this one is chock full of them.

One thing that I love about India Holton's writing is the way the narration straddles the historical and the present/popular--it's like a joke we're all in on, the narrator and the author and the reader, and it makes the reading so enjoyable, so friendly.

The League of Gentlewomen Witches is just as witty, referential, and bonkers fun as its predecessor, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. This book follows the enemies-to-lovers, road trip romance (but in a flying house) of Alex and Charlotte. Alex is a pirate - meaning that he flies his cottage around the British Isles, thieving and pillaging and generally flaunting his use of magic. Charlotte is a witch - meaning that while she uses magic much more often than a pirate might, she makes sure that it's more subtle and secretive.

It's an absolute romp, laugh-out-loud funny, and manages to be both an homage and a send-up to Jane Austen's oeuvre.

This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.

I didn't know how India Holton could possibly follow up the zany, madcap delight that was Wisteria Society, but somehow she managed it. I absolutely fell in love with Charlotte and Alex (not to mention the rest of the pirates and witches) as I laughed and swooned along on this romantic adventure.

This was just as hilarious and brilliant as the first. I absolutely love these characters and their adventures. I love the breakneck pace and the images painted in my mind — pirates will now forever be little old ladies wearing ridiculous hats flying houses through the air, drinking tea and shooting their enemies at the same time.

Charlotte learning to be herself was wonderful, as was the cast of Jane Austen heroines inside her head who she relied upon for the proper response to things. Charlotte had such strength, once she let herself use it, and the slow blossoming of her character was absolutely delightful to see.

It was lovely to see under the uncaring mask Alex shows the world and see why he does that, and what he hides underneath, and it was lovely to see him fall for Charlotte.

Cecelia and Opla and Ned were a delight, more so because I wasn't expecting to encounter them again. I desperately hope there will be more pirate and witch feuding in the future because I can't imagine ever being done with this world and these characters. I laughed more at this (and Wisteria Society) than anything since Terry Pratchett. It's wonderfully clever and I loved it more with every page.

Dare I hope for another class of magic users to appear? Governesses, perhaps? Miss Dearlove was unexpected and wonderful and I feel like there's so much more to her than what we've seen. And her exit from the scene gave me major Mary Poppins vibes, so. I am hopeful.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an e-arc for review.

This book was amazing! India Holton’s writing style is something I’ve always looked for in books. She takes the historical genre but removes all the stuffy parts and instead inserts comedy. Moving on to the actual book, THE BANTER. Charlotte and Alex’s banter was everything. Rivals to lovers is good… but rivals while lovers is better. I also loved the twist on the one bed trope and adored the ballroom scene. Basically, this is one of my favorite books ever and India Holton is now an automatic buy author for me.

This is one of those fun "a bit of everything" historical fiction that was super funny. A definite improvement over the first book!

I think this could probably be best summed up as frothy but I had a grand time reading the often over the top silliness and thinly veiled innuendo. (So much barely veiled innuendo) I liked this one a bit better than I liked the first and I enjoyed that one as well so I’m looking forward to seeing what the author writes next! I think it would appeal to fans of Gail Carriger and other lighter steampunk fantasy romances.

India Holton returns to the world of the Wisteria Society with all the whimsy and delight brought to you in the first book. The cast of characters is familiar, but you do meet two new protagonists: Charlotte Pettifer, the prophesied heir to The Wicken League, and Alex O'Reilly, the never-do-well pirate from whom Charlotte steals both a briefcase, and quite possibly, his heart.

When a local museum showcases a legendary amulet that may have belonged to the first ever leader of the Wicken League, it is hounded by dozens of witches and pirates alike. All have theft on their mind, so that they might possess the enormous amount of magical power it supposedly promises. Hilarity, a flying-house chase, an unprecedented pact between societies, and some spice ensues.

I do feel that The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels was a touch funnier and more clever than its successor, so I would recommend the first book over the second.

Despite this, The League of Gentlewomen Witches is still ridiculous in a great way, swoon-worthy and sure to make you chuckle,

This book completely charmed me. I enjoyed India Holton's debut, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, and expected to enjoy The League of Gentlewomen Witches too. But I didn't just enjoy it -- I adored it. The great banter, the amazing fantastical Victorian setting, and the sharp humor teamed up to steal my heart and my funny bone. I had to pause reading every so often just to admire a particularly clever joke and be in awe of the way the author's brain works, which is my absolute favorite thing to experience while reading. Loved Charlotte and Alex and their adventure so so much.

A League of Gentlewomen Witches is super witty, an adventure and a delightful romance. I love this world and hope there are more stories to come, independent women who decide they want a man, but don't need him. Somewhat steamy and just plain fun!

This is a very fun sequel that I found myself enjoying a bit more than the first book. All of the Jane Austen bits and references are perfect. I love the adventure and the introduction of witches. The witch/pirate interactions are PRICELESS! The chapter titles had me giggling endlessly. I just wish there were a little more spice.