An Intrigue of Witches

I was really interested in this story based on the cover and title, but once I got into it I realized it was much more than your typical witchy fantasy.

It gave me Outlander vibes with the length of the story, the pacing, the depth of the history - fortunately, I love history and mythology - which this story combines both in such a way that all of the various elements are woven together for a really satisfying end.

I couldn't figure out how this would all come together because there was so much going on, but in the best possible way. I also loved learning about the Scottish mythology - it was new to me and told in a really fresh way. I don't really read scifi but this has elements of it in the story, and done in a way that I could understand the plot (even though I was googling some terms!)

I would definitely recommend this story to readers who like their fantasy mashed up with history and scifi - a really cool mix which made this story different from other books in my TBR and I'd definitely read this author's other cozy mystery series about mermaids and water witches.

I’ve read this author's work before, so I was pretty sure the writing in this series opener would be similar to that series. I was both right and wrong. This book was well-written just like her other series, but this one contained so much more. The author combined political intrigue, magic, sci-fi, suspense, and a tiny bit of other genres to turn it all into a captivating read. Now, all of this was a little bit too much and could have been two books instead of one, but even though it was almost too much, it still was an engaging read. I’m interested in continuing the story, and I look forward to what’s next. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Urban fantasy
Treasure hunt
Hidden artifacts
Secret society
Paranormal
History & museums
Magic & witches

“Thirty-year-old Black woman Sidney Taylor is a talented early American history professor, working in fast-paced Washington DC, with her eyes on promotion.”
“When she receives an anonymous and very cryptic invitation to visit historic small-town Robbinsville, North Carolina and hunt for a missing archaeological treasure - with a million-dollar pay out at stake - it's one she can't refuse.”

An Intrigue of Witches is the first book in the Secret Society Mystery series.

The book had a interesting mix of history and future, from American & Egyptian history to super modern virtual reality in the future. The plot and storyline reminded me of The Da Vinci Code mixed with Discovery of Witches.

The pacing of the book was okay, not too fast but there weren’t any dull moments either.

The storyline was a bit difficult to follow at times because there were so many things happening and new secrets being revealed, but the ending wrapped everything up nicely.

The characters were a bit shallow. I would have loved to learn more about them, especially the main character. She is a smart and interesting character with a lot of potential.

The storyline was really interesting but at times a bit too much for a book this short. Maybe some of it could have been left for the other books of the series.

Overall I enjoyed reading the book. A bit different than what I usually read.

This book is a good fit for anyone wanting to read an adventurous book with treasure hunting mixed with history.

An Intrigue of Witches by Esme Addison is a genre-blending masterpiece of Cozy Science Mystery and I am all over it. Now, I struggled with the first chapter, not in essence of the beautiful descriptions and scene setting, it just seemed a little detached, as if Sidney was talking about herself in the third person, more focussed on describing Sidneys looks and popularity than the removal from the office. However, this is just my personal taste and it was the only blip in the entire book for me

Esme Addison is a stunning author and she is breaking new ground in the cozy mystery genre. A lot of Cozy/ Science crossovers are usually gaslamp/ steampunk, but an Intrigue of witches is in a class of its own

Sidney has found an intriguing artefact, yet after declaring it to her museum, she is made to sign a on-disclosure agreement and thrown out with immediate effct on "paid annual leave". Suitably miffed, Sidney pootles off to stay with her (may I say absolutely blinding charcter) grandmother while she tries to figure out what on earth is going on

Through Sidneys investigation, the book shifts gear and I was absolutely gripped! The cozy mystery suddenly revs up and hares off into a thriller, full of conspiracy, secrets, history and secret soceities, all centred on this intriguing artefact

A fantastic read to get your teeth into! I was all prepared for a snug sit down and I was on the edge of my seat! I have not read any of Esme Addisons books previosly, but this series has got huge potential and I am here for it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Severn House and Esme Addison for this awesome ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This is a book for fans of the National Treasure movies meets Dan Brown.

Sidney is an up and coming historian for the Smithsonian. She's a media sweetheart helping make history cool again to the masses when she's unexpected let go from the museum. Rather than dit and wallow in her pity, she returns home to Robbinsville, NC to stay with her grandma. From there she discovers a secret history of her town and embarks on a historical treasure hunt based around Black Colonial history.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the history element along with the treasure hunt. There were some twists I didnt see coming along with some science fiction elements. Overall a good time and entertaining.

Sidney Taylor, after being placed on furlough, goes back to her small hometown in North Carolina after receiving a letter asking her to find a secret artifact. She goes on a National Treasure-esque pursuit to search out the hidden artifact, falling into a secret society of witches and racing to stop a Virtual Reality takeover. This book was really fun and entertaining and I flew through it. The writing was captivating and kept me hooked. Sidney was charming and relatable and I enjoyed her inner thoughts and seeing her interact with the side characters around her. The secret society of witches was incredibly enchanting and I was truly immersed in the world. A few things I did not enjoy though were the pacing at the beginning, not learning enough background about the main character, and the way that the book tells the reader instead of showing them certain things that are happening. The very first chapter starts with the main character being placed on furlough and getting the letter that invites her back to her hometown. I would have liked to see a little more background leading up to the furlough, in particular, her relationship with Dr. Philippi so that the main character’s motivations and relationship with with her boss made more sense. This also leads into not getting to know the main character enough at the beginning and the telling of things that have happened rather than showing them. I feel that if there had been maybe just one chapter preceding the first chapter to show the reader what Sidney’s life was like before she was placed on furlough, it really would have helped to give a good representation of what being placed on the furlough meant for her. Overall though I really did enjoy this book and I would gladly read the next book once it comes out as I was truly delighted by the main character and loved the atmosphere of the secret society. 3.75 rounded up.

Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for providing access to this ARC. All opinions are my own.

—Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a great start to a new series.
I loved the mystery action plot line because it was really cozy and fun. I love when characters go out to find artifacts in different media forms.
I wanted a lil more character development though. But considering that it was the first book, i’m sure we’ll get them in the next book.

The gorgeous cover and clever title attracted me to this book immediately. It's a curious mixture of fantasy, history, and political conspiracy combined into a treasure hunt for an unknown artifact. Just when I'd think I understood a piece of the puzzle, the pieces would shuffle once more. I'm familiar with the ancient history connected to the story as well as the Scottish witch hunts conducted by James I but the virtual reality component lost me. I almost gave up but I'm glad I decided to keep going. All of the pieces really do come together and I enjoyed the empowering connections between the female characters. My personal inability to understand the virtual reality and quantum physics components didn't matter in the long run. The early American history thread of the story actually dovetailed with my own family history as it probably will with other readers with Scottish ancestry. Although the plot was neatly wrapped up in the end, I hope that there will be another book to pick up where this one ended.

My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.

This was such an interesting mix of genres - Fantasy, historical fiction, some sci-fi elements thrown in, a dystopian twist, a dash of cosy mysteries - honestly I really loved it! And it’s so rare that we find such a genuinely unique plot line and world. There was a lot I loved here and just a handful of things I think could be improved on - it didn’t quite hit the mark for a 5 star read but I could definitely need future books in the series getting there.

I loved how empowering so many of the female characters and their relationships were - there were so many strong female characters here and I feel like the book THRIVED because of them. I also loved the intergenerational interactions!

I do think this book could have been a little longer as there is a lot here and I would have really enjoyed more time to absorb everything and some quieter lulls in the pacing. Everything feels fairly fast paced and there’s a lot of developments here, I think a handful of smaller, quieter scenes might have lent itself to further character developments and relationship depths. But maybe more of that will come in future books?

I know other reviewers have also mentioned this, but I wish we were shown things more than we we told about them. There are so many little facts we are told about and if we had only been shown them they would have hit so much harder - it feels like a little thing to complain about but it’s things like this which really level up the writing.

Things are absolutely left open for more books but I loved that the plot was neatly tied together - no cheap cliffhangers here! You could easily read and love this without needing to read further books (although I will definitely be reading any further installments that might come out!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC

Thank you NetGalley, Severn house Publishers and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book to be released in May 2024 in exchange for an honest review.

An Intrigue of Witches - A Secret Society Mystery # 1
by Esme Addison

What would you do if everything you knew about American history and their leaders was planned by a secret society formed centuries ago in Europe?

Fans of The DaVinci Code, and National Treasure meets Outlander, and A Discovery of Witches will love this new urban fantasy filled with magic, ancient bloodlines, cryptic messages, puzzles, hidden rooms and a treasure hunt that leads to the most coveted relic in the world.

Thirty year old Sidney Taylor embarks on an unexpected mysterious treasure hunt that has been hidden in her hometown for centuries. Guarded by a secret society to keep hidden from the evil that wishes to rule the world, she must locate the relic before they do which is not an easy task. Even for this well educated historian, she too must piece the puzzles together to find it.

The closer she gets to the truth, Sidney, her family, and the people sworn to protect the artifact and bloodline are in more danger. They are all closely watched, and there isn’t anything they won’t do to obtain what they seek, including murder.

I’m a big fan of mysterious Indiana Jones/National Treasure type stories, and an even bigger fan of stories with witches and ancient magic. I found this book very interesting and loved the inclusion of history and weaving in the past to write an adventure with focus on well regarded black figures through time.

Her families ties to fated restoration of power back to a fated family who plans to only bring protection to the world was weaved well. It seems this character and her powerful friends and family have much more work to do. I look forward to reading about it.

Thanks to NetGalley and SevernHouse.com for the advance reader's copy of this book.

An Intrigue of Witches is a fun, fast paced novel of history, myth, magic and imagination. Sydney Taylor is a talented historian searching for a mysterious artifact. As she uncovers clues, and questions historical beliefs, Sydney must decide who can be trusted. She must also determine what is possible in this new understanding of the history of her family, and the impact on the future of the world.

I look forward to Sydney's next adventure!

I absolutely loved this book! As many others have said it has a real Davinci Code feel about it. The touch of magic and the paranormal was just perfect.

The main character, Sidney, is well respected historian who finds herself back in her home town having to solve a mystery that at times threatens her life. I found Sidney to be a likeable character - she is intelligent and driven. As the book progresses you learn much about her family history which really helps to understand her.

The book is fast paced - I often didn't want to put it down as the chapters ended with cliff hanger after cliff hanger. The references to current political situations made the story feel modern. I did struggle a little with following some of the AI elements of the book but this didn't distract from my enjoyment of it at all.

I can see that this book is the first in a new series and I will definitely pick up the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC of this book.

An Intrigue of Witches takes us through the story of Sidney - placed on furlough as a popular historian, she returns to her hometown to follow a mysterious request to uncover an ancient artefact. As Sidney follows the clues, she learns more about the town, her family, and magic.
I particularly enjoyed the Scottish links in this book. The VR/quantum physics baddies were a little jarring for me, personally. The characters were rich and well written.

If you're looking for a historical magic fantasy sci fi mashup, this is the book for you.

I was drawn to this book by the gorgeous cover, the title and the story description. I was intrigued by the beginning of Sidney’s story and eager to learn why she was ousted from the Smithsonian, what artifact she was searching for and how her relationships with the other characters in the book would develop. I did find the initial part of the book to be rather slow moving but wanted to continue reading to learn more. I really enjoyed the codes, clues and puzzles Sidney followed along the way and the ongoing mysteries of the hidden artifact, the secret society, and various relationships Sidney developed through the storyline.

Sidney’s grandmother was a charming character and I would have loved to read even more of her. I found Sidney’s mother to be a very one dimensional, somewhat fake character and felt she could have been much more developed. More information on Gabe would also have been appreciated. When the idea of the conspiracy to use AI and VR to take over the country and control the populace was revealed, I was disappointed. I think the storyline of the warring dynasties was a sufficient conflict and felt the VR storyline to be over the top and too much into the sci-fi realm. The witchy ‘powers’ of the women and the time travel aspects were great and enough.

That being said, overall I quite enjoyed the book and would like to discover what happens next and how Sidney moves forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC of this book. The review is my honest opinion.

This was described as National Treasure meets Discovery of Witches. DoW is my favorite book so I was “intrigued.” I really enjoyed the National Treasure/Da Vinci Code aspects of the book. It had more of a Da Vinci Code feel to it than DoW, even with the supernatural/witch aspects. A definite read if you like escape rooms, mystery, and treasure hunts.

Mystery, history, and a delightful adventure! This book is like National Treasure meets A Discovery of Witches in the best way. It was so enjoyable, with a complex, intriguing plot with the right number of twists. It’s a treasure hunt mixed with historical discovery mixed with the mystical.
Some of the themes were a bit far fetched, but the author pulled it off and tied everything together. The depth of the myths and history used helped ground the book. I couldn’t stop reading and the end left me feeling inspired and satisfied.

Definitely 4.5 stars

“An Intrigue of Witches” by Esme Addison the first instalment in A Secret Society Mystery. What a great start to a new paranormal adventure mystery series. Introducing the Secret Society mystery series, and kick-ass red-headed heroine Sidney, a Black historian poised on the brink of discovering her true past . . . and her hidden witchy powers!

I loved Esme Addisons other series An Enchanted Bay Mystery series and am saddened it’s not continuing. Which in turn made me excited to read Intrigue of Witches , at first I was iffy until I hit the 25% mark in the book. It seemed to political, and conspiracy theories that float around today, but I really got into it in the end. I loved learning about early American history etc.
It felt like Dan Browns Di Vinci code type of adventure thriller full of conspiracy, intrigue, history, lost treasure, magic and did I mention time travel. I tried to stay awake to finish but kept falling asleep then I would wake up read another few chapters fall asleep but at 4am I made a cup of tea and had to see how it ended.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters. I’m sure we will learn more about the characters in further books and I look forward to Sidney’s next adventure. I can see these books as a movie too!

I highly recommend this series to all my mystery loving friends. I am looking forward to book two.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Severn House and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

As a not historical reader, this book was amazing! I fell in love with the hunt for the artifact and it kept me wanting to turn each page. There were a couple times throughout the book where it was very historical/science heavy. The sections weren’t my cup of tea, but I understand the importance of them for the story. The ending was something I did not see coming.

I enjoyed this book it has found family, political intrigue,sprinkles of magic and mystery/treasure hunting plot it was a fun and engaging read

I loved the colonial history mixed with magic and Witchery!
I identified with the heroine Sidney I not only love history but I teach it.
I loved tagging along as Sidney tracked down clues, deciphered codes and found out more about her heritage.
I did get lost when the dialogue turned to physics but I just focused on the historical aspects.
My favorite character was Fiona because she was a spirited older woman who took everything in stride.
This book was like a cross between National Treasure and Witches of Eastwick.
The VR stuff was nerve wracking because of the insidious control behind it.
I hope there’s another book in the series because I need to know if the villains are stopped. Plus I want to see Gabe the babe and see if anything more develops between he and the historian!

Well written and enjoyable read!

-secret societies
-diversity
-powerful fmc
-coming into powers story
-mystery 👀

Seeing descriptions of this book from the author didn’t prepare me for the scope of this book. An Intrigue of witches really does combine mystery, science fiction, fantasy, legend and a treasure hunt. I am quite in awe of how the elements roll together to form a whole that is fascinating. It felt like the history was real. I really want some of the elements to be real.
I don’t want to go into details because this was such an experience to watch it unfold in my imagination that I don’t want to take the discovery experience from anyone else.
This is different from what this author has previously written and yet not completely. She is skillful in bringing legends or myths to life. Making the reader want them to be real because it would be so cool if they were real.
I highly recommend An Intrigue of Witches. Just know you’ll need to be up for an unusual experience.
Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this book.

What a great new creative mystery! I love the mix of historical fiction, fantasy fiction, and science fiction. I loved the storyline from start to finish. I also love how the main character started off skeptical and became more aware of the situation as the story progresses. I also like that clearly, there will be a second book, but most of the mysteries started in this book is cleared up by the end for the reader.

I found this book to be really interesting, mixing old and new times while it presents the story from the perspective of a famous and very quick-witted historian.

I especially liked all the puzzles and the fact that they were so varied, which made the story quite unpredictable.

I feel like all the information regarding the secret societies should have been delivered in a different manner, because I felt like I was gonna miss on something with the info dumps.

I really liked how the whole VR idea was presented. It seemed such a good idea and thinking that is a evil plan is obviously something a crazy person would think, but the way the plan unravel shows how things actually are, and it was unexpected.

I just want to add one more thing; the family connections that we discovered at the end, were really sweet and I'm happy the author decided to add that part into the story

When Sidney finds herself on gardening leave from her job at the museum, she returns to her grandmother's house where she is offered a job at the local museum - using her 'escape room' skills to find a lost artifact that can keep the world safe from a future threatened by technology. She quickly realises that she has been manipulated into returning but is intrigued by the artifact and sets off to find it. As her adventure begins she learns that all is not as it seems with regard to her past, her family and the people she grew up with. To say more would reveal the plot!
This book shared an interesting take on the world as we know it. I will certainly be reading the next book in the series.

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

This book was such good fun. It’s completely over the top and but it’s just so entertaining.

This is one for fans of National Treasure, The Da Vinci Code and Relic Hunter. We have a completely awesome main character who is intelligent, talented and brilliant. She is forced to take a leave of absence from her university where’s she’s a historian and a media darling. Then she’s offered a mysterious job to find an artefact in her Grandmother’s home town where she used to work at a museum.

She then has to solve a series of clues from the early 19th century relating to witches and Scottish migrants to find the artefact and foil the plans of a VR company that’s trying to make all Americans spend all their time in VR. They’re even influencing the President!

So we’ve got witches, puzzle solving, political intrigue and even some secret societies! This is chaotic but it’s such a fun read! I found this really entertaining. I loved the main character and her grandmother, I thought they were both so strong, cool and amazing!

Mystery and history all mixed up to make something that was an absolute blast to read!

An Intrigue of Witches is a relatively fast paced read featuring secret societies with their own agendas. I really appreciated how quick of a read this was. It’s worth noting, though, that there’s a lot of information presented in the relatively short book. However, because it’s on the shorter side, there wasn’t a lot of delving in to the details of the information presented. For the majority of the story it stays relatively at the surface level. Given that it’s the first book in the series, I’m hoping that means we’ll get more of a deep dive in future book(s). Unfortunately, I struggled with connecting to many of the characters. I’m hoping that will also change with future books as we spend more time with them. I really loved the whole premise of the book between the secret societies and puzzles hidden throughout history. The plot also featured enough tension from the competing societies and enough twists to keep me thoroughly engaged. If you enjoy magic mixed with history or the movie National Treasure, this book may be perfect for you.

BIPOC Paranormal Cozy-ish Mystery featuring an early American history professor who travels to North Carolina to hunt for a missing archaeological treasure and uncovers her own hidden magical legacy.

4/5 stars: This is the first entry in Addison's Secret Society Mystery series, which is a Paranormal Cozy-ish Mystery that takes place is North Carolina and that follows an early American history professor, working at the Smithsonian in Washington DC who returns to North Carolina. While visiting her grandmother, she take on the hunt for an ancient archaeological treasure using two hundred year old clues, ciphers and puzzles. The answers she finds plunges her into a world of secret societies and ancient bloodlines that link to her own hidden magical legacy. With plenty of twists and turns, Addison has masterfully crafted a mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I came for the codes and puzzles and was NOT disappointed! Addison utilizes different types of puzzles, codes, tricks and hidden elements to create intricate and fascinating to solve clues. I also really enjoyed the detail that was paid to historical elements. If you're a fan of National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code this will be right up your alley. Additionally, Addison's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Sidney is gutsy, smart and so someone I would want in my corner. I also really loved her grandmother and Abner. The only drawback for me is the science fiction elements were a little to science-y for me. I got what Addison was doing with it and it works for the plot but it felt so “hard” science mixed with the interesting magic and witchcraft world building and the awesome treasure hunt/historical elements. Sensitive topics are discussed, so take care and check the CWs. Overall, a great start to a new series and I can't wait to see what comes next. I'll be keeping my decoder ring handy!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC of An Intrigue of Witches!

If I'm being brutally honest, for the first half of this book, I did find myself bored and a little bit confused. I feel like the historical crossovers got too much at times (VR, American Witches emigrating to Scotland, a royal bloodline descended from Ancient Egypt... all that in one book was very overwhelming). However after the halfway point, the action and plot crossed over and I was gripped for the second half, and reminded me very much of a Tomb Raider movie! If there are any further books by Addison, I would be very happy to read them, especially if they involve the same loveable main character of Sidney!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Esme Addison for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for An Intrigue of Witches coming out May 7, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I love stories about witches so I was really excited to check it out. This felt like a cozy mystery but elevated. I adore cozy mysteries and this offered so much more than that. I loved the historical aspect of the book. Some contemporary books don’t do the historical part justice, but I think this book was well researched and also fantastical. I loved that Sidney was a little down in the dumps, but she worked her way home and found something that worked for her. Sidney was super relatable. I loved all of it! The writing was fun and I definitely felt entertained. I’d definitely read more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantastical stories about witches!

A truly wonderful whirlwind of history, adventure and witches.

Historian Sidney Taylor loves her job, but with her bosses refusing to publish any of her new finds and keeping her to the desk instead she feels stuck and unsure of what to do next, until a mysterious letter lands on her door step. One cryptic invitation and an offer of a large sum of money later she finds herself heading back to her Grandmothers home town to unravel a mystery that could change the course of her life forever.

I truly loved this book from start to finish it had the perfect mix of Indiana jones meets tomb raider, the mystery had me guessing the whole way through and the cryptic adventures were unique and thrilling. The book is filled with history, science, religion and culture and has managed to link so many different time periods together without it being overwhelming or boring which added so much to the depth of the story.

I also cant praise the author enough for how well rounded, confident and strong she made the female characters in this book, there was a beautiful sense of sisterhood no matter what the age and a truly heart-warming found family aspect.
An intrigue of witches was so much fun to read and I cant wait to read the next books in the secret society mystery series when they come out

Esme Addison's "An Intrigue of Witches" casts a spell on readers with its enchanting blend of mystery, magic, and small-town charm. Set in the picturesque coastal town of Bellamy Bay, this cozy mystery captivates with its engaging characters, intricate plot, and hints of the supernatural.

At the heart of the story is Alex, a herbalist who returns to her hometown after her grandmother's mysterious death. As Alex delves into her family's past, she discovers a centuries-old feud between two powerful witch families and uncovers dark secrets that threaten to tear the town apart. With the help of an eclectic cast of characters, including her feisty grandmother's ghost, Alex sets out to solve the mystery before it's too late.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is Addison's vivid and atmospheric world-building. Bellamy Bay comes to life on the page, with its charming shops, quirky residents, and hint of magic around every corner. Addison's descriptive prose immerses readers in the town's rich history and mystical allure, making it a place they won't want to leave.

The mystery itself is well-crafted and keeps readers guessing until the very end. Addison skillfully weaves together multiple plot threads, slowly revealing clues and red herrings along the way. The supernatural elements add an extra layer of intrigue, adding to the sense of wonder and enchantment.

The characters in "An Intrigue of Witches" are charming and relatable, each with their own quirks and secrets. Alex is a strong and resourceful protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery is both empowering and heartfelt. The supporting cast adds depth and color to the story, with memorable personalities that leave a lasting impression.

In addition to its engaging plot and lovable characters, "An Intrigue of Witches" also explores deeper themes of family, forgiveness, and the power of love. Through Alex's journey, Addison examines the bonds that tie us together and the strength we find in embracing our true selves.

Overall, "An Intrigue of Witches" is a delightful and magical read that will enchant readers of all ages. Esme Addison has crafted a cozy mystery that is both captivating and heartwarming, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Sidney Taylor, a successful & talented thirty-year-old Black woman, has been working hard at her position as an early American history professor, vying for a promotion. When she makes a historical discovery and someone else takes the credit, she is promptly put on unpaid leave. As she is packing up her office, she receives an anonymous & very cryptic invitation to visit historic small-town Robbinsville, North Carolina to hunt for a missing archaeological treasure. In return they are offering to pay her one million dollars. To Sidney, this is a win-win situation, since her beloved grandmother lives in Robbinsville, and she has been aching to visit her. Not long after she arrives, Sidney receives her instructions, and she is off on a treasure hunt, following two-hundred-year-old clues, plunging her into a dark world of secret societies, ancient bloodlines, witches and magic, linked to an ages-old conspiracy that could destroy the very principles upon which America was founded.

This is the first book in a new series by this author. I have read this author's other books, and really enjoyed those, but this one was just ok. I found it a little hard to follow at times, and a little too science-fiction-y, and action/adventure-y for me. Don't get me wrong... it wasn't a bad book at all, just one that other people might enjoy more than I did. I did really like Sidney and her grandmother though - they were both very down-to -earth, strong, likeable women. I know this is nitpicking, but the way they used lines from a nursery rhyme as a code to determine who was and wasn't part of their inner circle of witches drove me a little nuts. Overall if you are a fan of things like The Davinci Code, Indiana Jones, & David Baldacci's "The Camel Club" series, and don't mind a few witches thrown in for good measure, then this is the book for you.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(4.5 Rounded Up)

I received a complimentary ARC copy of An Intrigue of Witches, A Secret Society Mystery by Esme Addison from Net Galley and Severn House in order to read and give an honest review.

"…the author brilliantly mixes genres seamlessly, blending genres such as mystery, thriller, paranormal fantasy, science and history with much of the history based on actual events, people and legends…"

New to author, Esme Addison ‘s work and since she was recommended to me as a cozy author, I was pleasantly surprised by her newest book, An Intrigue of Witches which defies a single genre, a cleverly plotted mix of mystery, thriller, mythology, historical and science with a paranormal twist, fans of Discovery of Witches, DaVinci Code, Outlander and Indiana Jones might enjoy this.

When thirty-year-old black historian Sidney Taylor is let go from her position at the Smithsonian she is at a complete loss as to what to do struggling with her place and who she is seeks refuge in her hometown and with her beloved grandmother. Sidney is thrilled when she is offered a job in the small museum she had worked as a history reenactor while in college, this time around however she is offered a job that is just too hard to refuse. Her employer wants her to find a missing artifact for an incredibly hefty sum of money, the catch, she must do so in two weeks. Sidney accepts the challenge and what she finds takes her on an adventure with bizarre and intriguing clues involving cryptology, symbolism, puzzles, and hidden rooms all of which weave a fascinating story that spans Egypt, Scotland and witch trials that occurred in her town centuries before. The closer she gets she uncovers warring secret societies, fabricated history and corruption at the highest levels and the more attention she draws and the more she puts herself and those she cares for in jeopardy and the more she learns about herself and her destiny.

I really enjoyed this book, the author brilliantly mixes genres seamlessly, blending genres such as mystery, thriller, paranormal fantasy, science and history with much of the history based on actual events, people and legends all of which adds a bit of credibility to the story. I really recommend reading the author’s notes at the end as they really help unravel what is real and what is not. Although it took a bit to get into and it often felt like too much was happening at once, it really was a brilliantly creative and unique book that takes the reader on an adventure like no other! I highly recommend it.

American history professor Sidney Taylor is on furlough from her job in Washington DC when she gets asked to return to her hometown Robbinsville to search for a historical artefact. If visiting her grandma isn't enough of a reason to go, there's a million dollars on offer if she succeeds. It doesn't take long for Sidney to realise there is more to the story of the artefact than she first thought, and before she knows it she is in the middle of a huge consipracy revolving around ancient bloodlines and secret societies, with the fate of the world at stake.

It took me a while to decompress after reading this and to try and pull together my thoughts and feelings, and settle on a rating. In the end I went with 5 stars, purely and simply because I really enjoyed reading and found it hard to put down. Yes it's a bit of an odd mix of sci-fi, history and fantasy, but it works and the story is engrossing.

I must admit when the story started and the concept of virtual reality was broached I was worried, that wasn't something I was expecting to come across given the blurb. It poses a scary prospect when framed like it is here though, and certainly added a different tone to the book. The history and magic side of things was much more along the lines of what I had expected, and I thought Addison did a good job of weaving the fantasy elements in to the story in what felt like a natural way.

I really liked Sidney, she was a great protagonist and easy to read about. I liked that she wasn't cowed by fear and didn't let others dictate her actions. A lot of the supporting cast were likeable too, even some of the villains early on, which made it hard to pinpoint a suspect. I had suspicions on a lot of characters at stages throughout the book and really wasn't sure who Sidney should trust, which always adds to the tension.

Although there's aspects of this that reminded me of Dan Brown's books, it also felt like something new and different, unusual. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

If you want a clever weaving of politics, history, and conspiracy theory, this is a fun read. What makes it even better is the way it reaches into the paranormal realm and quantum physics, too. The story pulls in cultures from several regions and achieves not getting lost in current fad politics while doing so. If you like a museum and archeology vibe, this fits the bill. There is also a romance within that carries throughout and has a steam level of .05.

I loved this book and won't hesitate to read other novels written by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Sidney is an academic, a Historian, she deals in facts and certainties. So how will she react when she is introduced to the world of magic, secret societies and conspiracy theories?

Being a red-headed Black historian Sidney used to being seen as minority but when she is essentially ousted from her job, she is left to lick her wounds until a visit to her Grandma's gives her a new opportunity and the possibility of earning a million bucks!

This is a slow burner of a book, there are no big action scenes but there are episodes of peril where Sidney and other are in danger. I felt that she handled herself with aplomb even though she had zero training. She is a great FMC in spite of being a rich girl. She doesn't have access to her mum and dad's fortunes, she made her own way in life after college. I felt her frustration when instead of a raise or promotion, she gets "furloughed".

There was plenty of politics, history and conspiracy theories to chomp on, some I knew and others I didn't. I loved learning more about black history and even history about my own country (Scotland) and where they intersected.

There are the faint glimmerings of a romance but that is very much on the side-lines, the main themes of the story is definitely the magical mystery and secret societies.

I would very happily read book 2!

First and foremost, I found this book to be absolutely fun. There’s a mystery to solve, historical treasure to uncover, and secret societies to infiltrate. I am not certain why anyone would take themselves too seriously when reading this book because you can tell it’s meant to be a really good time. It’s light hearted and not too heavy hitting. I think it’s a great poolside read.
You do need to suspend some belief and not think about all the things that may or may not be able to happen. It’s meant to be a magical, treasure hunt. There are people with hints of innate abilities and lots of stretching of the imagination.
I think the only reason I give it 4* is because I think there was just a lot going on. It felt a little cluttered and cumbersome at times. However, once another book in this series is on the horizon, I would gladly give it a chance to see what else we may be able to uncover and what mystery we may solve.

This is an absolute romp and I loved it! Forget about Dan Brown and white guys finding magic or otherwise powerful artifacts: give us a series of this amazing fantasy about--literally--Black girl magic. Sidney is asked to help search of an important artifact in her small North Carolina hometown, and in doing so uncovers secret societies, secret passageways, secret objects, secret networks, and much much more, including genetic secrets. The novel is fast-paced and smart and deals with race and passing and heritage and legacy in thoughtful ways. The characters feel real and nuanced, and while there's a very light dusting of het romance, the story is far less about getting a man than it is about coming into your own power. Esme Addison, please write some more!

I took a while to get into this one. But I think that’s probably down to my expectations, rather than the fact that there was anything wrong with the book. Sidney is an engaging protagonist. Despite coming from a wealthy, highly connected family, she is personally struggling to make ends meet and her expected career path is unexpectedly cut short, when she is let go for no apparent good reason.

She returns to Robbinsville, North Carolina – the small, historic town where her grandmother lives and where she has fond memories of staying with her. There is a cosy charm around her grandmother’s home and the town itself, which works as a nice foil to the increasingly sinister events that begin to stack up. Especially as Sidney is forced to the conclusion that people she’s known for a long time must be trying to put a stop to her investigation. There is a lot of puzzling out of clues and looking at historical documents and artefacts. I found the snippets regarding the history fascinating – especially as a fair bit of it is intertwined with real people and even the myth of Queen Scota of Egypt ending up in Scotland turns out to be a thing. Apparently that’s where the name Scotland comes from!

While the steady accretion of clues initially takes the forefront of the storytelling, the aggression against Sidney begins to ramp up. And once it all kicks off, the pace doesn’t ease off until the end. There is some far-fetched stuff in the mix – but Addison’s confident writing enabled me to suspend my disbelief until the end of the book. While I get a tad weary of the Chosen One trope, Addison manages to put a fresh spin on it and I found this an entertaining read. Recommended for fantasy fans who enjoy a thriller vibe that doesn’t become too grittily gory. While I obtained an arc of An Intrigue of Witches from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

Sidney Taylor is tempted away from the fast paced Washington DC with the chance to find a missing archaeological treasure. But is this all that it is made up to be?
The book was an enjoyable action mystery complete with good character development and a quick pace making it an enjoyable read.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Netgalley (Thank you Severn House)
This is an action adventure story that focuses on colonial American history, secret societies, and ancient artifacts saving the world.

This novel is nonstop action, mixed with history and family connections. The novel focuses on. Sidney, who works for the Smithsonian but becomes furloughed. Needing to pay the bills, she gets an offer from an old colleague, Abner, who will give her $1 million if she can locate a missing artifact. She’ll need to return to her hometown to do it. But it turns out, she’s not the only one looking for it. The race is on, but can Sidney find it first, and keep it out of the wrong hands?

This novel has a combination of genres, ranging from action/adventure to mystery, and fantasy to time-travel fiction. While this is on-trend, it did make the novel feel like a whirlwind, in some places. The pacing of the novel is really quick, and covers a lot of different topics, with the majority of them relating to colonial American history. The author noted, at the end of the novel, that a couple of the characters were inspired by true people, which I thought was fascinating.

My favorite character in the novel was Sidney’s grandmother, Fiona. I absolutely loved her style, her strength throughout the novel, and love for her family.

Overall, the vibes of the novel are National Treasure and Indiana Jones, but with a dash of magic.

Despite my grievances with the born-to-rule storyline, I really enjoyed An Intrigue of Witches. Addison crafted a first-rate treasure hunt with plenty of mystery, adventure, and danger to keep it interesting. The pull between groups wanting to uncover the past and keep it hidden was exhilarating. And the extra surprises at the end made it that much better.

Full review at link: https://thecosmiccircus.com/book-review-an-intrigue-of-witches-esme-addison/

I really enjoyed the mystery and secret society here. The characters are multidimensional and the foreshadowing is on point. If you enjoy female sleuths or secret societies this is definitely a book for you.

# An Intrigue of Witches
# 7/4/2024 ~ 7/5/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0

An outstanding amalgamation of multiple genres! I went in expecting the action, adventure, puzzles, mystery & history of National Treasure plus the magic and fantasy of Discovery of Witches. I got all that plus an evil conspiracy theory sci-fi twist & a touch of love interest. This book kept me guessing every step of the way! Entertaining and intriguing from start to finish! I certainly hope to see more from this series.

An Intrigue of Witches is a different type of book than I'm used to reading. I usually stick with cozy mysteries, but since the author wrote a cozy series I enjoyed, I thought I'd give this one a try. I thought it was a very interesting book. I did find the highly scientific parts of explaining certain things in the story to be a bit tedious though. However, it was still a fun read that I couldn't put down because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Sidney is a very intriguing character that I'm looking forward to reading more about in future books. I can't wait to see what happens next in her story because there's so many different things that can happen. I'll definitely be buying the next book in this series when it comes out.

This was a really interesting first book in what appears to be an exciting series! If you're a fan of movies like National Treasure and you love a speculative edge, this is the book for you! Sidney is a great protagonist — her perspective is deeply empathetic and you resonate well with her and her point of view. In particular, I liked Sidney's habit of putting things in lists. As someone who can't do things or remember things without a similar system, I thought this was just a little bit of specificity in her characterisation that was well done. There's plenty of excitement and action and a historical mystery that I found very intriguing, especially with Sidney's take and approach and adventure to solve it.

Sidney Taylor gets a strange invitation from a friend of her grandmother to come to Robbinsville, North Carolina and find a long lost artifact and if she succeeds the paycheck is 1 million-dollars.

Sidney is given numerous clues but still doesn't know what exactly she is looking for. As she progresses in her search, it gets more dangerous, with threats and attempts on her life. Will she find what she's searching for and why there are those that don't want her to find it?

Great characters and numerous shocks and twists

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest, personal review. Sidney is a historian working in DC when she is unceremoniously put on furlough after making the discovery of a lifetime. She then receives a mysterious invitation to locate an artifact which would bring her back to her grandmother in Robbinsville. This book is filled with conspiracy, treasure hunts, puzzles and much more. Very intriguing, worth the read!