I really enjoyed this book! It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. The story was well-paced, and the characters felt real and engaging. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing an early copy—it was a pleasure to read!

DNF as I didn't vibe with that type of writing. The ARC I received had a few missing words on the first page but I chalked that up to it being unpolished which is normal for an ARC. The style of writing wasn't horrendous or odd but it didn't grab me. It's almost as though the author is stating things instead of weaving a story.

I could be biased as I finished a great fantasy ARC last night so perhaps I'm subconsciously comparing the two when I shouldn't. It's a pity because I've read that it's a good story that people liked. To me this reads more like a first or second draft than the near-to-final draft. I like to hear an authors 'voice' through the story they construct and I feel that wasn't there in this book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this and apologies to the author for not being able to finish it.

A mystery - fantasy novel - hopefully the start of a new series!

Tanit Murali and Padma Amrithar are witches, partners in what feels like a detective agency - if a detective agency also handled exorcisms. The two women are very different in personality: one is single and enjoying it, while the other has a preteen daughter. One grew up on the street, while the other grew up in a middle / upper class household where she had piano lessons and was able to study as a surgeon. They were even on opposite sides of an ongoing war that sort of feels like the crusades as there’s the first war, the second war, etc. They do have a few things in common, mostly feeling betrayed by their home land during the war and that they are witches.

They currently live in Barramar, an independent city where the only law is the law of money. Even though this is a fantasy novel, there’s hints of Indian culture - their names, references to wearing a saree (sari), etc.

One afternoon, the partners get two new cases. One is a vampire, cursed to follow the bidding of a human, including killing someone. The other is the wealthy owner of a factory who primarily employees zombies. The vampire wants the curse removed, while the factory owner wants the odd things going on at his factory investigated, and, assuming a supernatural origin, the ‘curse’ or ‘hex’ removed. Sounds simple enough, right? But their investigations crosses paths with some of the uber-wealthy of Barramar, people that you don’t want to offend which makes both cases challenging.

I throughly enjoyed this book. It did take me a bit to get into it, but after a few chapters, I was hooked. The world building was lovely, and I adored the characters of Tanit and Padma, and how their past has shaped them. The author did a terrific job of organically giving background information without it being an info dump; for example, Padma is reading the paper while waiting to meet someone, when she reads of an explosion which triggers the memory of what happened to her husband. There’s lots of potential for future stories, including hints of romance for both partners.

Highly recommended! I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.

I read this book in one sitting!

A fun read that flies by so fast you can hardly believe it’s over.

Told in dual perspectives you’re enthralled by both leads!

A fun mystery read full of action.

I *devoured* this book! A Witch's Guide to Business reads like the Anita Blake series meets the Parasol Protectorate via The Dresden Files. It boasts absolutely delicious world building, peppering in delectable steampunk details in a south Asian setting with casual aplomb that makes the world feel not just inhabited, but truly lived in.

I found the character voices distinct and charming. It was so refreshing to see two older female protagonists--one a mother of a teen, the other an ex-soldier--and both imminently competent. I adore a protagonist that knows her business and comes prepared to get down and dirty with a well honed skill set. The contrast between Padme solving problems with her diplomacy and refined magics vs Tanit with physicality and spycraft was just chef's kiss.

4/5 stars. Would have rated higher for the sheer enjoyability of the story but the book needed a line level pass for typos (including the one on the cover, with the "i" missing from the word "guide") Still, overall, a great way to spend an evening!

I loved it. The worldbuilding is incredible, and you're swept into this magical steampunk Asia where all sorts of creatures thrive. The two witches, Tanit and Padma, find themselves investigating among vampires, zombies, and shady businessmen. The action is gripping, the world is intoxicating, and the characters are very endearing. By the end of the book, the city of Jarta came to life, and a part of it stays with us, just like Tanit and Padma.

This book is going to be too busy for some, but while it has a large cast of characters and moves at a quick clip. If that scares you, move on to another book. But if the synopsis intrigues you and you’re OK with what I said love, you’re in for a good read!

A Witch's Guide to Business is an engaging and well written fantasy mystery with elements of steampunk by Alex Evans. Released 28th April 2024, it's 242 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

Intricate world building featuring a thriving mercenary principality as the setting for this mystery featuring two disparate protagonists; one a dedicated surgeon and the other a "retired" mercenary spy - brains and brawn. Both are gifted with the ability to sense and use (to a degree) magical force, aka Power. They run an investigative business together, with an emphasis on magical adjunct and occult cases.

The plot is well paced and controlled with two main plot threads which entwine throughout the story to a satisfying denouement and resolution. The author has an eye for detail and the book is full of small descriptions which add a lot of atmosphere (steam powered magical rickshaws, potions for specific uses, minute world-building political history, and character backstories (even for relatively minor characters). It's a believable multi-layered setting.

It's a complex story, with a large cast of characters, and would've benefited if the author/publisher had added a list of dramatis personae; expect to use the ebook reader search function as needed. It's an indie published book, and as such, probably could've benefited from an objective outside editorial process. That being said, it *is* eminently readable and enjoyable.

It's not derivative at all, but readers who enjoy Marshall Ryan Maresca, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Curtis Craddock will find a lot to like here. This one isn't directly teased as a series opener, but it could be.

Four stars. One for the readers of political city-state fantasy.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A witches guide to business is well written prose. It screams creativity with magic and monsters that I've come to love from fantasy. Not only do the characters have great traits & qualities but they also provide individual personality with depth that make them realistic.

The story and the pacing are both interesting & draw you in providing a well pieced together world that works.

So I pushed outside of my comfort zone, and took a chance on modern fantasy. A subcategory of the genre that doesn't typically appeal to me, because when I think fantasy, I think of the fantastic- not things I see every day....so I pushed on. While pleasantly surprised and even a little delighted by the descriptions of a city mixed with ancient temples, and problems associated with running a business in a real of vampires and zombies I still had to push through it. But this flaw is not the authors, or the book's. It's my own bias, so if modern fantasy works for you...let it with Alex Evan's story which pops with color and life in a wonderful authors mind...