**Disclaimer: I was given a free ARC of the below in exchange for an honest review from the author.**
I’d like to begin by thanking The Fantastic Flying Book Club and the publisher for choosing me to be a part of this tour. Please check out the other stops along the tour for other reviews, playlists, and other fun posts about this book and the author, Luanne G. Smith.
Check out the full tour schedule here!
Giveaway
For information on the giveaway, visit my Instagram page later today for your change to win copies of both books and more!
https://www.instagram.com/books_over_everything/
Title The Glamourist (The Vine Witch #2)
Author Luanne G. Smith
Release Date June 9, 2020
Publisher 47 North
Description from Amazon
Abandoned as a child in turn-of-the-century Paris, Yvette Lenoir has longed to uncover the secrets of her magical heritage and tap her suppressed powers. But what brave and resourceful Yvette has done to survive the streets has made her a fugitive. With a price on her head, she clings to a memento from her past—what she believes to be a grimoire inherited from the mother she never knew. To unlock the secrets of her past, Yvette trusts in one woman to help solve the arcane riddles among its charmed pages.
Elena Boureanu is the vine witch of Château Renard, noted for its renowned wines. Even as she struggles with her own bloodline—and its poisonous threat to her future—Elena can’t ignore a friend on the run. Joined by a cunning thief, the proprietor of an enchanted-curio shop, and a bewitching black cat, Elena and Yvette are determined to decode Yvette’s mysterious keepsake. But what restless magic will be unleashed? And what are Yvette and Elena willing to risk to become the witches they were destined to be?
Initial Thoughts
I absolutely adored The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith so when I found out there was a sequel in the works, I knew I needed to read it. Thank you again to the author, Luanne G. Smith, for generously sending me a copy (and beautiful matching bookmark).
Some Things I Liked
- Side characters that fleshed out a larger magical world. The Vine Witch introduced us to a magic setting with the every day norms of witchcraft in Elena’s life. We met some lovely side characters who had some different magical abilities but they were not fully explored in the first book. I loved that this book expanded on their backstories and created an even richer cast of magical beings.
- Elena’s identity conflict that paralleled Yvette’s. I really enjoyed watching both characters discover new aspects of their parentage and magical abilities. Elena struggled to know if she was truly a Vine Witch, the vocation of her adopted family, or if she was a Poisons Witch, after her mother. Similarly, Yvette wasn’t sure what kind of affinity she had and I really loved reading how both women’s journeys unfolded.
- Elena’s MIL. Marion might be my new favorite. She was surprisingly eccentric and fun and I loved the scenes where Elena had to play the good future-daughter-in-law. Similarly, I loved the introduction of Alexandre Olmas. I hope we get to see more of him and Jean-Paul’s mother in future books.
Series Value
There is at least one more character that we haven’t heard much from in this series and I’d like to see her story play out. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love several more books about Elena and friends but I need at least a third book to feel like the characters from the first story all had their stories told.
Lastly, I believe this series has high re-read value. I can easily see myself re-reading both The Vine Witch and The Glamourist around September-October. These books feel very fall / Halloween-y without being spooky. Basically, they make me want to curl up with apple cider and read in a cozy sweater.
Final Thoughts
I loved this story just as much as I loved The Vine Witch. It’s rare for me to love a sequel as much as I did the first in a series but that totally happened here. I really enjoyed the way the world was expanded upon and I loved the introduction of new characters as well as appearances from characters in the first book. I can’t wait to keep reading this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – ok, this is one of my favorite books of all time. I can easily say, if you liked The Vine Witch, you will enjoy The Night Circus. Both stories have such rich world building and are perfect fall stories.
- A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness – if you liked the supernatural elements in this story, witches, demons, etc., give the All Souls trilogy a try.
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin – once again, if you liked the witches element, do yourself a favor and read this series by Shelby Mahurin. It’s seasonal, perfect, and has multiple POVs.
Author Bio
BOOK LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50823569
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2yreCDi
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-glamourist-luanne-g-smith/1133400921?ean=9781542019613
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Glamourist-Luanne-G-Smith/9781542019613?ref=grid-view&qid=1587133614773&sr=1-2
Google Books: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Glamourist.html?id=MhYqyQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: https://www.luannegsmith.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18699641.Luanne_G_SmithTwitter: https://twitter.com/writersmith1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luannegsmith/
Fun Fact: Check out Luanne’s website for the stunning cover reveal of Book 3, The Conjurer, coming January 2021!
June 9th
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club – Welcome Post
June 10th
L.M. Durand – Guest Post
A Bookish Dream – Review
Nay’s Pink Bookshelf – Review.+ Playlist
June 11th
Kait Plus Books – Interview
Ya It’s Lit – Review + Favourite Quotes
Wishful Endings – Review
Books, Tea, Healthy Me – Review + Favourite Quotes
Willow Star Serenity – Review + Playlist
June 12th
The Shelf Life Chronicles – Review
The Reading Corner for All – Review + Favourite Quotes
Books Over Everything – Review
Amy’s Booket List – Review + Playlist
Annej Reads – Promotional Post
June 13th
Foals, Fiction & Filigree – Review + Favourite Quotes
Gwendalyn’s Books – Review
Lauren’s Boookshelf – Review + Playlist + Favourite Quotes
Books and Zebras – Review
Tales Of A Bookbug – Review
June 14th
The Clever Reader – Interview
bewitchingwords – Review
BiblioJoJo – Review + Favourite Quotes
The Baroness of Books – Review
June 15th
@the.magicalpages – Guest Post
Bookishly Nerdy – Review + Favourite Quotes
Library of a Book Witch – Review
Shelf-Rated – Review + Favourite Quotes
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