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dmrains's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was exactly the right level of "spice" for me: not too explicit with descriptions for my ace brain & didn't feel like porn. Very sweet couple the way they both save each other and have complementary childhood trauma . Felt very late bloomer coming-of-age to me which I loved. I really identified with Charlotte 💙
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Classism and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is the second book of the Dangerous Damsels series. It's quite similar to the first one, and has some recurring characters. This book pits two factions (both alike in indignation) namely the pirates and the witches (if witches existed). There is a starcrossed not-really-enemies to lovers plot wrapped in a rambling adventure or perhaps prolonged chase scene, as they try to find a magical amulet.. and don't forget about rescuing Tom!
The vibe of this is sort of Pride and Prejudice, meets Indiana Jones at Studio Ghibli (Kiki + Howl's moving castle?) only with explicit sex. It's always going to be a bit cinematic when you have swords and sorcery - telekinetic witches throwing things around, and pirates with guns and cannon zooming about in flying buildings.
As in the first book, the sexy-times are explicit... and so is the consent and the birth control. Swashbuckling is certainly married to the unbuckling of swashes... but will it lead to marriage? There are a couple of other players/factions introduced that stay mostly in the background, but I can see them becoming more important in the next book.
The vibe of this is sort of Pride and Prejudice, meets Indiana Jones at Studio Ghibli (Kiki + Howl's moving castle?) only with explicit sex. It's always going to be a bit cinematic when you have swords and sorcery - telekinetic witches throwing things around, and pirates with guns and cannon zooming about in flying buildings.
As in the first book, the sexy-times are explicit... and so is the consent and the birth control. Swashbuckling is certainly married to the unbuckling of swashes... but will it lead to marriage? There are a couple of other players/factions introduced that stay mostly in the background, but I can see them becoming more important in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Gun violence, Confinement, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, and Blood
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you, Michael Joseph Penguin Publishing, for sending this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is based on Charlotte Pettifer and she belongs to a secret society skilled in a very particular art. That is to say, although she can’t say it too loudly, witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely the pirates in the Wisteria Society. When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the words scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else – like Charlotte’s heart. This book is a romance historical fiction.
Okay, if you are wanting a pirate, action-packed feminist book, don’t read this book. It’s a romance book with a bit of action. Not saying that I didn’t enjoy this book, I just didn’t expect it to be all romance and a bit of action. I wanted it the other way around. After I read the new book in the series, I knew what I was getting into, but I still really wanted a more action-packed novel. I liked Charlotte and Alex’s relationship. I loved Alex in the first book so seeing him as the main character in this book was funny as. He sort of reminds of Damon Salvatore as a private. I think this book would have been better if it was a slow burn as both books sort of have an insta love trope in it which I'm not really enjoying in this series. It could have been 100 more pages for the slow burn and I would have liked it more. I liked the multiple POVs during this book.
I just was expecting more and wanting more from this book and it just never happened. Hopefully the next book in this series is better.
Okay, if you are wanting a pirate, action-packed feminist book, don’t read this book. It’s a romance book with a bit of action. Not saying that I didn’t enjoy this book, I just didn’t expect it to be all romance and a bit of action. I wanted it the other way around. After I read the new book in the series, I knew what I was getting into, but I still really wanted a more action-packed novel. I liked Charlotte and Alex’s relationship. I loved Alex in the first book so seeing him as the main character in this book was funny as. He sort of reminds of Damon Salvatore as a private. I think this book would have been better if it was a slow burn as both books sort of have an insta love trope in it which I'm not really enjoying in this series. It could have been 100 more pages for the slow burn and I would have liked it more. I liked the multiple POVs during this book.
I just was expecting more and wanting more from this book and it just never happened. Hopefully the next book in this series is better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
Minor: Confinement, Pregnancy, Blood, and Kidnapping
jelavision's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
A wonderful book filled with adventure, humor, passion and heart. The chemistry and banter between Alex and Charlotte was top tier. They made me laugh more than once. Such a great written enemies-to-lovers trope that has a great progression in their relationship. I even enjoyed a lot of the supporting characters, especially Bixby. The book has such interesting world building with their focus on witches and pirates. Would totally recommend this book to others 🔮⚔️
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Child abuse
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
"I beg your pardon," [Bixby] said without the least hint of apology in his voice, "but is this a romance or is it an adventure? For I will remind you, we are missing the ongoing action."
Charlotte and Alex exchanged a smiling glance.
"I think what this is defies definition," Charlotte said.
India Holton is back with another definition-defying historical fantasy romance farce — now with more magic! more derring-do! more iron-spined maiden aunts! more innuendo! more rogues and rakes! more petticoats and pilfering! and (to my great enjoyment) more skillfully bastardized classic prose (mostly Austen, with a bit of the Bard thrown in)!
Charlotte and Alex exchanged a smiling glance.
"I think what this is defies definition," Charlotte said.
India Holton is back with another definition-defying historical fantasy romance farce — now with more magic! more derring-do! more iron-spined maiden aunts! more innuendo! more rogues and rakes! more petticoats and pilfering! and (to my great enjoyment) more skillfully bastardized classic prose (mostly Austen, with a bit of the Bard thrown in)!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, and Sexual content
Minor: Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Violence
allisonwonderlandreads's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The League of Gentlewomen Witches follows in the footsteps of its fun predecessor with absurd humor and satire, great one-liners, and an eye for delightful phrasing when calling up relatable hilarities. What most impressed me with this sequel was the way it upped the ante emotionally. The romance was just as cheerful while allowing personal growth, vulnerability, and swoony adoration to still make it onto the page. The enemies-to-lovers trajectory was a delight, shifting from attraction and battle of wills in the first half to something heartwarming in the end without me noticing the transition in progress. I simply went along with it, completely convinced and entranced.
The series relies on a topsy-turvy bit of world-building that transposes a society of pirates (complete with flying houses) and now a league of witches onto historical romance. The witches rely on more subtle methods of magic, carefully aimed passive aggression, and battles of philanthropy to achieve their aims. Natural enemies of the pirates, it's no wonder that sparks fly and battle lines are drawn at the first meeting between pirate Alex O'Riley and witch Charlotte Pettifer. As they race to steal a powerful amulet that once belonged to the founder of both their groups, a reluctant alliance (or potential mutual kidnapping) may lead to something more.
Besides the humor and romance, I enjoyed the message in Charlotte's story. While the entire world is subversive in piratical fashion, Charlotte's rebellion went a step further and brought me a lot of joy. Diminished by years of training as heir apparent, Charlotte is a model witch. Her unscheduled, airborne adventures with a pirate unlock her personal agency and show her the unfettered freedom of loud feelings and life lived expansively. By the end of the book, she is practically unrecognizable after her transformative journey. Hers is a story of finding your own path, even outside the shadow of beloved heroines like Elizabeth Bennet, who it could be argued didn't have enough fun or adventure despite her great romance, anyway.
I had such a good time with this book, and it's truly one of a kind. Thanks to Berkley for my copy to read and review!
The series relies on a topsy-turvy bit of world-building that transposes a society of pirates (complete with flying houses) and now a league of witches onto historical romance. The witches rely on more subtle methods of magic, carefully aimed passive aggression, and battles of philanthropy to achieve their aims. Natural enemies of the pirates, it's no wonder that sparks fly and battle lines are drawn at the first meeting between pirate Alex O'Riley and witch Charlotte Pettifer. As they race to steal a powerful amulet that once belonged to the founder of both their groups, a reluctant alliance (or potential mutual kidnapping) may lead to something more.
Besides the humor and romance, I enjoyed the message in Charlotte's story. While the entire world is subversive in piratical fashion, Charlotte's rebellion went a step further and brought me a lot of joy. Diminished by years of training as heir apparent, Charlotte is a model witch. Her unscheduled, airborne adventures with a pirate unlock her personal agency and show her the unfettered freedom of loud feelings and life lived expansively. By the end of the book, she is practically unrecognizable after her transformative journey. Hers is a story of finding your own path, even outside the shadow of beloved heroines like Elizabeth Bennet, who it could be argued didn't have enough fun or adventure despite her great romance, anyway.
I had such a good time with this book, and it's truly one of a kind. Thanks to Berkley for my copy to read and review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Pregnancy
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