by Cathryn_Conroy: This haunting and imaginative historical fiction/fantasy tale simply glitters with magic, charm, and ghosts in a timeless story that pits good against evil, but in this case the good ones are witches who deeply care for others, while the evil ones are embodied by a diabolical and sadistic clergyman.
Written by Ami McKay, this novel takes place in the autumn of 1880 during the height of the Gilded Age in New York City, 200 years after the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials and hangings. Eleanor St. Clair and Adelaide Thom operate Tea and Sympathy, a store where you can purchase from Eleanor a variety of teas to soothe or solve any number of problems, as well as have your fortune expertly told by Adelaide. The shop is busy, and Adelaide—unbeknownst to Eleanor—places an ad in the newspaper for an assistant with the warning “those adverse to magic need not apply.” When Beatrice Dunn shows up on their doorstep, the women know her presence in their lives was fated to be.
Beatrice has an unusual gift: She is able to see ghosts. As her visions become apparent to others, there is a bold attempt to scientifically explain her abilities. But look out! That evil, demented clergyman, Rev. Townsend, who has already killed several other women he deemed to be witches, is lurking in the shadows intent on murder and destruction of all witches. Beatrice, who is only 17, must find inner resources and courage she never knew she had if she wants to survive his wicked intentions.
Sometimes dark and scary and always compelling, this is more than a riveting read. It is also a feminist treatise about the power and strength of women who are persecuted in trying circumstances when they can only depend on each other. Think of it as a fairy tale with a strong moral message filled with important lessons.
With colorful characters, including a talking raven named Perdu, two tiny fairies named Twitch and Bright who give us our dreams, and ghosts who communicate from the beyond, this is a delightful book that is a perfect read on a chilly autumn evening.
Warning: It’s so so so good you’ll may very well be reading it well past your bedtime!
