A compelling novella that wraps up some loose ends from the previous book. It takes place over three days, December 30, 31, and January 1, and it was neat to read it at the same time it was taking place. ( )

‘’Christmas days have come and gone, the New Year lies ahead. Strange things happen Between the Years in the days outside of time. Minutes go wild, hours vanish. Idleness becomes a clever thief, stealing the names of the days of the week, muting the steady tick of watches and clocks. These are the hours when angels, ghosts, demons and meddlers ride howling wind and flickering candlelight, keen to stir unguarded hearts and restless minds.’’

Eleanor, Adelaide and Beatrice. The three most famous witches in New York in an era when the gaslight didn’t manage to shed light in the darkest of corners. As the new year is about to make its entrance, the three witches accept invitations to a great ball. Danger is hidden among the revellers in a night when the veil between the two worlds has become thinner…

‘’The storm subsides. The day begins. For a brief while in the early morning, the city is a perfect winter scene - church steeples and storefronts flocked and frosted, sidewalks and streets made clean and new - a snow globe at rest in Nature’s hands.’’

Although Ami McKay’s The Witches of New York has been on my list for quite some time, Fate decided that this beautiful novella would be my introduction to the world of the three witches. And what a journey it proved to be, brief yet so exciting! The atmosphere of New York during the era of elaborate masquerades and visions under the gaslight, the winter wonderland of old, the traditions of Christmas Past, and most importantly, the stormy, unbreakable bond between the mortal world and the land beyond our own. In a winter’s tale ghosts, demons and angels walk among us, witches cast their spells against dark forces, pagan deities acquire human form to survive.

See your future with the help of chestnuts and fire in an imaginative divination. Eat Engelszopf, the angel’s braid dedicated to the goddess Perchta, the heathen goddess of the Alpine legends, the Mistress of Yule. Taste syrup made of elderflower, a holy plant with medicinal and magical qualities. Let Eleanor, Adelaide and Beatrice welcome you to their world. After all, we all needed a bit of magic during this most weird of Christmas.

It won’t be long until I start reading The Witches of New York.

‘’In the corners of the world where ancient forests shelter mystical creatures, and sacred springs hold the voices of nymphs, wise women pause Between the Years to honour the one who rules them all, the Queen of Witches.
Some call her the Mistress of Yule, others call her Frau Perchta, or Holle, or Bertha, or Bright One, or the Lady of the Dead. Her name does not matter half as much as her gift, for she alone has the power to lead the Wild Hunt.’’

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ ( )

Short, which is good, because the story is lost on me. It starts so pietical, like a fairytale, but it does not hold that voice. Instead it reverts to typical narration for much of the story. But because of the type of story and the brevity of the story, typical narration also does not work. A book of mystical fantastic characters should hold that position throughout; because this one does not, it falls flat, in my opinion. Three witches go to a ball and have to defend against a demon. It all happens so quickly and easily that their so-called troubles at the start never get to be real problems. I do not connect with them or care about them. Like a half naked story idea, or a short story that got too long. Pass on this one. ( )

2.5 stars

This is a short story sequel to Ami McKay’s “The Witches of New York”. In this one, our three witches are preparing for Christmas. They are invited to a ball, but they don’t know the host and are unable to figure out why they were invited.

I listened to the audio, and I may not have that summary exactly right, but it’s something along those lines. I caught bits and pieces of the story, but missed much of it. I even went back and re-listened to the second half because I felt I missed all of that half (it was short, the second half was only 41 minutes). I wanted to like it. I like witches and I like Christmas, but it just didn’t hold my attention. Caught a bit more of the second half the second time around, but not much. ( )

Fun fun little Yuletide story, but it feels a little rushed at the end. I wish there was more explanation for much of what goes on. Finishing it, I have more questions than answers. I reread the last 30 pages and upon second reading it seems clearer but still feels slightly rushed. One mark of a good story is wanting more and this not wanting it to end. This is surely the case in this small book. I definitely wanted more than 92 pages. Perhaps there will be a sequel to the original book that will tie it all together. ( )