Do you know that feeling you get when a book is exactly what you’re in the mood for? When it captures you so much you feel sad when it’s over? That’s exactly how this book was for me…

The League of Gentlewomen Witches is the second book in the Dangerous Damsels trilogy by India Holton and it is a superbly entertaining sequel. With playful dialogue, openly crafty characters and a sizzling romance, this is truly a tale to enchant its readers. 

It all starts with the stealing of a briefcase, a flying bicycle, a prophecy and a chaotic hunt for an amulet. Meet Charlotte Pettifer, a powerful witch, if witches existed that is, which they certainly do not. She’s the niece of Miss Plim, leader of the Wicken League, if such a league existed, which it does not. The League use their magic in subtle, sophisticated and morally correct ways, according to their own sense of morals that is. Unlike pirates who openly fly around in their battle houses, witches have more decorum. So when The British Museum announces an exhibition showcasing the long lost, and extremely powerful, amulet of Beryl Black, it is up to Charlotte to steal it for the League before those pesky Wisteria Society pirates do. The only problem is, Charlotte crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is well known for his roguish ways. The pair may be on opposite sides, but when working against each other proves futile, they decide to work together, for the sake of capturing the amulet…and definitely not because they like each other. 

Immediately I recognised the same melodramatic tone of the first book, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, also present in this book, which easily drew me into familiar ground. The world is once again whimsical with flourishes of surreal magic present, the characters are once again eccentric, like caricatures of Jane Austen’s characters with added witty humour and a more skewered view on propriety, and I loved this combination so much. In fact throughout the novel Holton’s love of Pride and Prejudice is clear. With Charlotte, Holton introduces a new character who is bookish and aspires to be just like Elizabeth Bennet. Whenever she finds herself in a situation she’s unsure of she’ll always aim to behave in the same manner as Elizabeth would, that is until she finds herself in situations Elizabeth had never faced. Charlotte at her heart is extremely insecure, her overbearing aunt and passive mother have left her feeling like she cannot be herself, that herself isn’t good enough and I loved seeing her overcome that. Then there’s Alex O’Riley, who happened to be my favourite side character from the first book so I was pleased to see him appear more predominantly here. Alex is cheeky, mischievous but underneath he’s also weighed down by a traumatic childhood. In this instalment the romance is rather heavy handed in comparison to the first and there is a touch of ‘insta-love’ which usually I’d grumble about but here I didn’t mind it one bit. Charlotte and Alex’s relationship grows in the most wholesome way but also in the most hilarious way—seriously they both came out with the best innuendos! Over the years I have become more and more drawn to books which can make me laugh so this aspect was perfect for me. 

“Never before in her life had she done more than shake a gentleman’s hand. To have his arms around her, his palm pressed against her lips, was—was—Unacceptable! Atrocious! Rousing! No, wait, revolting!

Jane Austen’s heroines, begged for assistance, offered bewildered silence. Unless he tried to propose marriage, they were at a loss as to how she might defeat him.”

To my sheer delight, every character, whether minor or major, old or young, have their quirks and the way the League of Witches and the Wisteria Society clashed only served to heighten those quirks. From the antics of Bixby the obscure butler, the meddlesome Miss Plim, to the absurd Mrs Miss Dearlove there was never a dull moment. One of my absolute favourite scenes was when things turned rather chaotic and a touch violent within the British Museum when both sides made their move to steal the amulet. The banter here  amazing as even whilst throwing insults at each other, as I expected, there was an air of politeness to it. There were also fights with flying priceless objects, besoms, and witches and pirates being magically flung all around. I laughed so hard! I very much loved seeing the return of Cecilia Bassingthwaite and Ned Lightbourne too. Ned and Alex’s friendship won me over from the beginning of the first book but seeing Cecilia and Charlotte’s odd rivalry blossoming into friendship was definitely something I rooted for.

‘”If you ever change, Charlotte Pettifer, I will hunt you down and kill you.”

She frowned through windswept strands of hair. “I cannot decide if that is a threat or a compliment.”

“It’s a joke, darling.”

“Ah” Her tone seemed to express that she considered joking equivalent to a cup of green tea distasteful and to be politely ignored if at all possible. “Are you ready?”

He bounced his eyebrows in reply.’

I feel Holton’s books provide the perfect palette cleanser for when I’ve been reading a lot of dark fantasy or for instances where anxiety has become a little overwhelming. I can be rest assured that within these pages I can switch off from real life and be transported to a world of eccentric ladies doing dastardly deeds and embarking on ridiculous shenanigans whilst also encountering some loveable cheeky rogues along the way.

“She was no heroine, bravely facing whatever life sent her way. She was a witch, capable of inverting the laws of physics to get things done.

She began striding along the road, half-undressed and splashed with blood, her deadly boots clicking against the road like a tsking tongue, her eyes as fiery as the hovering battlehouse overhead. All her life she had tried to restrain herself, to be like a woman in a paper world: a Plim with a teacup and impeccable posture; a nice, proper lady: But now she felt only a bone-deep relief to be Charlotte Pettifer, wicked witch.”

(Although technically each Dangerous Damsels book can be read as standalones I would highly recommend you read them in order. The League Gentlewomen Witches features major spoilers for Cecilia and Ned who are the main characters in The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels and there are also many returning characters from that book.)

The League of Gentlewomen Witches is out now, you can order your copy on Bookshop.org