Half Spent Was the Night

The Witches' Yuletide: Ami McKay's Witches, Book 2

By: Ami McKay

Narrated by: Ami McKay

Length: 1 hr and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Beloved author Ami McKay is back, bringing us a magical follow-up in the tradition of Victorian winter tales to her mesmerizing bestseller, The Witches of New York.

During the nights between Christmas and New Year's, the witches of New York--Adelaide Thom, Eleanor St. Clair and the youngest, Beatrice Dunn--gather before the fire to tell ghost stories and perform traditional Yuletide divinations. (Did you know that roasting chestnuts was once used to foretell one's fate?)

As the witches roast chestnuts and melt lead to see their fate, a series of odd messengers land on their doorstep bearing invitations for a New Year's Eve masquerade hosted by a woman they've never met. Gossip, dreams and portents follow, leading the witches to question the woman's motives. Is she as benevolent as she seems or is she laying a trap? And so, as Gilded-Age New York prepares to ring in the new year, the witches don their finery and head for the ball, on the hunt for answers that might well be the end of them.

©2018 Ami McKay (P)2018 Knopf Canada

Critic reviews

“The sequel to Ami McKay’s The Witches of New York is worth the wait.” (Parents Canada)

“A Christmas ghost story is a tradition that hearkens back to pagan times and earlier. McKay’s sweet little book about three witches makes a lovely stocking stuffer.” (Deborah Dundas, The Hamilton Spectator)

Half Finished Was the Story

Overall, this was a nice little follow up to The Witches of New York, which I loved. The story just felt too rushed, so much so that it should have been panned out to make another full book. It was great to hear more of the three witches, though.

Too short...

the story was a beautiful one, but I wanted to hear more adventure of these three ladies. I would have given five stars, but it was too short. I loved Witches of New York, and was delighted to see another story about the trio. it was lovely, but too short.

Nice little addition to "Witches" but not enough

Appreciated revisiting these characters and this was an enjoyable short story, but I would like a full sequel to the original. I like these women and want to return to this world.

Prelude to the next book leaves me . . .

hanging in there . . . waiting for the next book. I really enjoyed these characters and want more!

I want more...

I loved Witches of New York and this follow-up novella was perfection except that now I am craving more. I really hope this isn’t the last time Ami McKay visits these characters. It was delightful, but I want a proper sequel not a mere hour and a half tease...

Great Book About Empowering Women

I wish it we're longer. the story was great, the ladies fantastic. I just wish it answered a few questions. it feel like it stopped in the middle of the story.

A quick summary wrap up

I loved the witches of New York, so naturally I came looking for a sequel. The story was short and precise wrapping everything up very quickly. I found it interesting since the story held so much potential for more. I’m wondering if she wrote the short story to appease readers requests for more? I’m sad that this wasn’t more developed. I wish she’d developed the relationships more thoroughly and enhanced the conflict. Instead it all came to an end too quick, and easy in my opinion.

10/10

perfect way to wrap up lose ends.
was wonder at the end of book 1 what happened to certain individuals.

Disappointed

I’m pretty disappointed that I used a credit to get this. First, it was super short. That’s my fault for not reading the description more thoroughly, but I would think Audible should have something so brief be a “two fer “ or similar pricing. The story was lacking. Predictable, and it seems rushed. Almost as if the author wanted to hurry up and get something written, rather than spending the time to carefully construct a story. Lastly, the performance was very hard to listen to. The different pronunciation of character names from the first book really grated on me, and the reader was not skilled in voice changes so it was confusing at times which character was speaking. Can’t recommend this book at its full price. Still entertaining, but with some big flaws.

Very Short Book!

It would have been a good epilogue at the end of Witches of New York. A little unhappy about getting 6 chapters for the price.