An 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!