Witches of New York
Book - 2016


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Susan the Sketcher Sketches Ami McKay
On November 7, 2018 Halifax Public Libraries' volunteer artist, Susan the Sketcher, ventured to Central Library to capture an evening with Ami McKay on the Scotiabank Author's Stage. Learn more about Susan and her Library adventures at the bottom of this post. Ami McKay was visiting the Library to discuss her latest novel, Half Spent Was the Night: A Witches' Yuletide, the follow-up to her… (more)
Susan the Sketcher Sketches Ami McKay
On November 7, 2018 Halifax Public Libraries' volunteer artist, Susan the Sketcher, ventured to Central Library to capture an evening with Ami McKay on the Scotiabank Author's Stage. Learn more about Susan and her Library adventures at the bottom of this post. Ami McKay was visiting the Library to discuss her latest novel, Half Spent Was the Night: A Witches' Yuletide, the follow-up to her… (more)
From the critics

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Beloved and bestselling novelist Ami McKay returns with her most beguiling novel yet, luring us deep inside the lives of three remarkable young women navigating the glitz and grotesqueries of Gilded-Age New York by any means possible, including witchcraft...
Set in New York in the 1880s, the great obelisk, Cleopatra's Needle is slowly making its way through the city. While Egyptomania grips the city, three women, Eleanor, born into witchcraft and taught by her mother; Adelaide Thom ('Moth' from The Virgin Cure) a former sideshow fortune teller who's beginning to understand her true gifts; and Beatrice a young woman seeking her independence, have all experienced the unexplainable. Recognizing that they are stronger together, the three women form a partnership. Their tea shop caters to Manhattan's wealthy society women specializing in cures, palmistry and potions -- while carefully guarding the secrets of their clients. While helping Beatrice expand and understand her gifts, dark forces gather around them and they'll stop at nothing to drive the witches from their midst. Two hundred years after the trials at Salem, in a time when women were committed for merely speaking their minds, were any of them safe?
An atmospheric read, McKay creates a wonderful sense of New York City during this era, and brings all of her characters vividly to life in a clever tale of the power of love, friendship and witchery that will delight the minds of readers. An enjoyable read for fans of Paula Brackston.
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"Respectable Lady Seeks Dependable Shop Girl. Those averse to magic need not apply."

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Add a CommentAn OK read.
Rich, atmospheric historical fiction starring complex, interesting women. While the magic and ghosts might be fictional, the real-life goings-on in the background were almost as fascinating. Good as an audio book too!
I found this to be very interesting. It helps to have read the previous book, The Virgin Cure, because some of the things that come up have happened in that novel. I really hope that the author continues this series. It would be interesting to see where she takes the characters. I also enjoyed her take on witchcraft and the occult, and what makes someone a witch. The Virgin Cure follows Adelaide’s early years. I think something similar for Eleanor would be very interesting.
Review excerpt: "The narration by Julia Whelan was excellent. She manages to create distinct voices for the many characters, mostly female, who inhabited this story. Unfortunately the best praise I can give about the book is that it made me want to go back to other books about witches that resonated with me, surprised me, or challenged me more. Beyond that, this novel didn’t do much for me. ...
... McKay, in her author’s notes, wonders at one point what would these witches of the past would think of today’s feminist movement. It’s tough to answer that question because there’s not a single woman of color in this story. There’s no conversation or acknowledgement of slavery or even a real discussion of what specifically the suffragettes were advocating for (and what they were not advocating for). The Witches of New York is a world where there simply are no people of color present besides the mystical presence seemingly guarding the book’s MacGuffin, an ancient Egyptian artifact. How could that for a second truly speak to today’s feminist movement? Or reflect the actual feminist movement at the time?"
https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/reviews/the-witches-of-new-york-by-ami-mckay/
Tea & Talk Book Club / June 2019
This story sort of chugged along but it never got slow enough that I thought to put it down or not finish it. The characters are very well rounded and likeable
Completely drawn in by the first chapter. Strong female characters who lift one another up. The author's attention to detail in the writing creates a strong vision of place and time.
I really enjoyed The Birth House and this was a very enjoyable read as well. Lots of strong female characters with bits of real history thrown in.
Difficult-to-put-down historic fiction with a focus on feminism and the occult.
If you liked 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell' and also like women's stories and literary fiction, you'll likely find much to enjoy within this fascinating novel by Indiana-born Ami McKay (who now lives and writes in Canada).
For those who fall in love with the characters, McKay has released a small sequel entitled 'Half Spent Was the Night: A Witches' Yuletide.'
New genre: science witches!