The Witches of New York

The Witches of New York follows Adelaide Thom and Eleanor St. Clair, who run a Manhattan tea shop in 1880 that serves as a front for their work as witches and fortune-tellers. Their lives change when they hire seventeen-year-old Beatrice Dunn, a young woman with untapped supernatural abilities. Against the backdrop of Gilded Age New York City, the three women navigate a society that both seeks out and persecutes those with magical powers. Their story intersects with newspaper morgues, spiritualist gatherings, and the growing tensions between science and the supernatural in late 19th century America. The women must protect themselves and their secrets while confronting both human adversaries and otherworldly forces. Their individual paths lead them through the glittering social circles and shadowy corners of New York, testing their abilities and bonds. McKay's novel explores themes of female autonomy, power, and persecution in a historical setting that echoes contemporary discussions about women's roles in society. The story raises questions about faith, rationality, and the price of being different in a conformist world.

Readers give The Witches of New York positive marks for its atmospheric portrayal of 1880s New York City and the detailed historical research into Victorian-era spiritualism, herbal medicine, and women's rights. Many reviewers connect with the three main female characters and their distinct personalities. Common criticisms include a slow-moving plot, particularly in the middle sections, and too many subplots that don't fully resolve. Some readers note the story takes time to find its focus. What readers liked: - Rich historical details - Strong female relationships - Integration of real historical events - Believable magic elements What readers disliked: - Pacing issues - Unresolved plot threads - Abrupt ending - Too many characters to track Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (reviewer consensus) One frequent reader comment: "Beautiful writing and world-building, but needed tighter plotting."

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A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness A scholar at Oxford's Bodleian Library discovers an ancient manuscript that pulls her into a world of witches, vampires, and forbidden knowledge.

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🌟 Author Ami McKay discovered while researching her family history that her great-great-great grandmother was accused of witchcraft in New York during the 19th century. 🔮 The tea shop in the novel, "Tea and Sympathy," was inspired by actual 19th-century establishments in New York where women offered fortune-telling services alongside refreshments. ⭐ Many of the herbal remedies and potions described in the book are based on authentic Victorian-era medicinal recipes and folk traditions. 🌙 The book's setting, 1880s New York, was experiencing a significant surge in spiritualism and occult practices, with over 2,000 practicing mediums in Manhattan alone. ✨ McKay wove real historical events into the narrative, including the construction of Cleopatra's Needle (the obelisk in Central Park) and its controversial transportation from Egypt to New York in 1880.