Moonshyne Manor has long been the home to a powerful coven of witches, practicing their craft, running a popular distillery and living in relative peace and quiet. But now, their home is being threatened not by magic but by missed mortgage payments and a mob bent on tearing down their home.
The witches look to Queenie, their fearless leader for an answer - and think their prayers might be answered when she reminds them that their sister Ruby will return home after being gone for decades in just a few days. But instead of answers, her return only brings more trials for the witches to navigate.
As they try to unravel the Gordion Knot of problems, they realise this is all one simple thing - a witch hunt. Queenie knows they are outmatched, and makes a deal with something much more powerful, and much more evil than they are to try and get a little more time.
They are desperate to save their home, to save their coven from fracturing, and to save their lives but they will need to find power like never before if they want to survive this.
"It couldn't be any clearer if the Goddess herself had sent a homing pigeon with a message bearing 'Calamity is on the way! It's knocking at the window, just waiting to be let in!'"
This book is a love letter to women - to sisterhood and female solidarity. It is for the women who are bold, brave and powerful - the ones who the world would burn as a witch because they're scared of how magical a strong woman can be.
Each single character was beautiful, perfectly created and rich is their differences and diversities. They all had unique identities, from the quiet and inquisitive, to those who keep a list of their lovers and own their sexuality, to those proudly in charge and those who are a beautifully human mix of them all. These witches, in their 80's, tell a refreshing tale of women who do not diminish and fade into invisibility with age.
Even when Persephone, a young social media star and daughter of the Mayor becomes a surprising ally in their fight, their differences only work together showing that solidarity has no age requirement.
Full of mystery, magic and intrigue, this story is undeniably compelling and enchanting but also full of heart in its tender exploration of friendship, family and identity. Fiercely feminist, it is bold and unwavering and its message and observations of the othering of powerful women and their place in our history.
The setting is stunning and vivid from the first few lines - creating a beautiful connection with nature and rich details to immerse you in the world of the Moonshyne coven. This story moves slowly but purposefully, showing us the lives of the women at the Manor, letting us get to know them, their routines and rituals and gradually letting us the world outside the doors that threatens to come inside. And of course, in between the action is plenty of cheeky, clever humour that left me smiling at the pages long after I'd finished reading.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Anne at Random Things and Bianca Marais for inviting me to take part in this tour. I was gifted a reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.
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