Yvette is a witch, but not a very good one. Or so she thinks. She starts the story freshly escaped from prison for murder, trapped in Paris because she accidentally made a wish to learn about who she is. When that quest leads her to a book that her mother left for her, she suddenly finds herself in a world of trouble.

I really loved the setting of this book - turn-of-the-century Paris, but with real witches and magic. Smith did an excellent job of creating rich and strange, yet oddly familiar world. I found the witch bureaucracy particularly amusing, perhaps because it was just as idiotic and frustrating as our own. Although this book is the second in a series, I had no trouble understanding the world. Nor did I feel lost because I haven't read the first book. The characters were likeable and sympathetic. The women are strong, independent, and interesting. I especially liked Marion, who consistently turned out to be different than I expected.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a cozy, lighthearted read with a quiet sort of suspense that kept me interested, without keeping me up until 3 am to finish it. My only real complaint is that I would have loved to see the fairy world, glimpsed through Yvette's eyes as she begins to explore her new home.

Thanks to NetGalley and 47North for an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All views and opinions are my own.

Another great quick read, potentially not as captivating as The Vine Witch, but it is a fantastic read nonetheless. I'm not sure what was missing from The Glamourist, but it didn't strike the same chords with me like The Vine Witch did, saying that, and the reason I am still giving this 5 stars, is that if I had not read The Vine Witch first I would not have a bad thing to say about this book!

More witches, Paris, painters, séances, goblins, a brilliant cat, and Fée. Also... a previous character is back!

The whole story is set in Paris. Elena was to report to the Ministry of Lineages and Licenses because she wants to register herself as a venefica along with her current status as a vine witch. The problem is that the Minister doesn’t agree with her request, although he says he can make an exception. Elena could keep her vine witch status only if she reveals the whereabouts of Yvette.

I must confess I liked this one even more than the first one, because of the characters and the plot. There’s even more magick and mystery.

Thank you 47North and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wanted for murder, and on the run from the police, a maybe-witch tries to find out about her past, helped out by witches, mortals and a cat!

I loved the world building in this, it was believable and full of little details that I loved. There's an instance of what I like to call everyday-magic; instances where the sort of everyday-ness of magic is shown, and it becomes clear how these characters live and use magic, not in a flashy way, but just because it's there. It's one of my favourite things to read about, because it makes the world I'm reading about feel real, but also because I love puzzling these things out for myself.

In addition, there are some genuinely funny moments, that made me chuckle and I could clearly hear the different voices of the characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it easy to root for the characters. I also like how the plot was resolved, it was both clever and obvious (when I found out).

At the end, it became a bit too fanciful for me, but I still really enjoyed the journey this book took me on.

This is the second book in the Vine Witch series. I hadn't read the first one, but I had no problem jumping right into this book. It can easily be read as a stand-alone, but the characters, the plot and the writing makes me want to seek out the first book now.

The book is out in June 2020!

I was given an uncorrected proof by the publisher via netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Having torn through The Vine Witch over the course of a rainy Saturday and been left with the itch for a bottle of nice red and a fat coil knit hygge blanket, I jumped at the chance to read Luanne G. Smith’s second foray into her world of witches. The Glamourist succeeds as a sequel on two fronts:

Firstly, The Glamourist hits all the same, satisfying notes as its predecessor; the women are strong, bold and interesting. The world is creatively re-tuned into an alternate turn-of-the-century France successfully navigating the space between the familiar (Montmartre! L’Opera Garnier! The Latin Quarter!) while pulling the curtain further back in the reveal that this is not our own Paris. The men support our leads with an endearing sense of bafflement at the magic they do not understand and for once we’ve have a potential mother-in-law with whom I, for one, would love to share a bottle of champagne.

Secondly, The Glamourist can be read as a stand-alone novel within the greater world of The Vine Witch. While the core cast each appear in The Vine Witch, Smith deftly handles backstory and recaptures the plot of The Vine WItch without a) boring her reader or b) making it feel as if reading The Vine Witch is necessary for one to fully understand her created world.

This is Yvette’s story, she merely deigns to share the pages with Elena and Jean-Paul as the gracious witchling she is.

A lovely, relaxing cozy book. Part mystery, romance and a lot of fantasy. The Glamourist follows The Vine Witch to make a satisfying follow-up novel!

Bringing back the beloved characters from the previous book and a lot more Yvette!

ARC from NetGalley

3.75


Yvette is a salty girl. She's seen some things, and they have shaped her. She was incarcerated for murder, escaped, and and is on the lam trying to track down her heart's wish and avoid the authorities through turn-of-the-century France.

I did not read the first book in this series. It took me a little while to get into this one, but not too long. This was a vivid read. The magic was interesting. The characters were unique and well-done. There wasn't anyone I hated. No spots where I cringed. There was just a titch of romance. As someone who quite likes romance, I didn't miss it. I felt like this story stood on its own legs without it. It was still interesting and captivating without that little bit of extra motivation to keep turning the pages, which is, after all, what written romance is, at least for me.

'I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is ultimately a story of self-discovery, for Elena and Yvette, with a magical undertone. I liked the setting of the book with small jibes to things I recognize, like the Eiffel Tower. The cat was a nice touch because I love animals. I enjoyed how Elena and Yvette's fates were intertwined and their separate journeys of self-discovery. The descriptions in this book were as beautiful and vivid as The Vine Witch. I felt like I was walking the streets, seeing and smelling the same things as each character.

One thing I didn't love was the voice of the novel. Something about the way the point of views were written was off-putting. I also would have liked a better explanation of Yvette's magic and the things revolving her magic (spoilers).

Overall, an enjoyable, light read.

In an alternate early twentieth century France, witches live and work, mostly unnoticed by the blind mortals. A young woman yearns to learn more of her witch heritage, yet is stymied by having to run and hide from the law. Another young woman is given an ultimatum. In order to keep her witch license, she must turn in her fellow witch to the authorities. When their fates intertwine, they're led on a magical journey of discovery.

I was afraid this would be like some other books I've read set in a historical French culture. Many tried too hard to imitate a classical, but romantic prose, and only succeeded in turning me off. This book stuck to modern and easy to read prose that was very compelling to read, combined with a great setting and plot. I enjoyed it way more than I'd anticipated.

This was more of a slice of life type of book. There's no saving the world from a grave danger or anything super dramatic like that. It simply presented an alternate France, where witches live quietly among the mortals, some of whom are more aware of them than others. The characters were mostly good people, trying to do the right thing, and blundering through life, as one tends to do.

I enjoyed the fusion of early twentieth century France, with all the artistic culture of the time, combined with sensible witches. The characters were great, and the book was really enjoyable to read. I haven't read The Vine Witch, the preceding companion book, but there's enough background info provided. After reading this book, though, I'm eager to read the first. I really like the style and humor the author writes in.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved <i> The Vine Witch</i> and was so excited to be able to get an advanced copy of <i> The Glamourist</i>. When I read <i> The Vine Witch</i> I sped through it in one afternoon and was happy for things to end there. While I did end up enjoying <i> The Glamourist</i>, it was by no means as interesting to me as <i> The Vine Witch</i>. It took me a good 25-30% to get pulled into the book and at that point I was in and out of interest. It took me longer than normal to read which caused to be very annoyed very easily in the flaws. Once you made it to the ending the story feels as if it hit max speed and rushed through with all these different pieces conveniently aiding. I find it difficult to describe without adding spoilers and I like spoiler free reviews.
It overall was a cute continuation of the story in <i> The Vine Witch</i> but I am on the fence about whether I will actually be picking this up later on.

This book didn't work for me. I hadn't read the first book, but I was still able to figure out the whens the whys and the hows. So reading as a standalone isn't the issue.

The characters are bland, the story wasn't compelling at all and I just didn't care. I had a look at reviews for the first book and this and many people seem to have the same view, so I figured its not going to get better.

DNF at 41%

This book is not holding my attention. There is no particular deficiency to uncover, I simply do not wish to continue the story. Perhaps I will try again in the future, but for now, I would rather immerse myself in other literary adventures.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an e-ARC for review.

I loved the premise of the book, the world we got to explore, and the character we got to follow was a nice surprise! Even though this is a sequel, I think it would be easy to follow and understand it without having to read the first one! And can I tell you how I absolutely love that cover ?!

I read "The Vine Witch" and it was a wonderful book. And "The Glamourist" is the second book of "The Vine Witch" series. Elna Boureanu is the vine witch of Chateau Renard and is to be married to the owner, John Paul. Yvette and jinni witch, Sidra were in prison with Elena in the Vine Witch and now Yvette longs to uncover where she came from and how to use her magical powers. Elena and John Paul are in the city to meet his mother and don't realize Yvette is in the city too.
Luanne G. Smith is a great author! I can't wait to read more of her books.

Thank you to Publisher and NetGalley for the eARC

I liked The Vine Witch. I may have turned a blind eye to its flaws because I was in the right mood for a slower, cozier read. Once its standalone sequel, The Glamourist, appeared on my NetGalley feed, I grabbed a copy and started reading.

The book focuses on Yvette Lenoir, an orphaned, untrained witch, pursued for a murder she has committed as a young girl. She wants to discover her ancestry and learn magic. After confronting her adoptive mother, she receives a mysterious book that gets her into trouble.

Conveniently, Elena Boureanu, the Vine Witch, happens to visit Paris and becomes Yvette’s mentor. The story is fast-paced and enjoyable, but I found the plot predictable and lacking in suspense. Too much of everything relied on convenience, a happy coincidence, and unexplained magic.

The Vine Witch series became quite popular, and it doesn’t surprise me. It’s well written, with the right amount of action, romance, and drama plus likable characters. Worth a read, especially if you’re looking for a lighter kind of story (but with darker moments).

First off I didn't even realize this was next book in the vine witch series. Oh I loved it. This one I would have thought would be more about Elena tinkering with her blood for poison, but I was happily surprised that we get to follow one of her old jail buddy, Yvette. When she accidentally steals a wish to find out who she and her mother truly is with the help of Elena and some old buddies of the two. I was definitely surprised by what she was. Like I shouldn't have been because Elena was turned into a frog and changed back by eating her skin shedding. ANYTHING is possible here.
Again the cover is so gorgeous and I loved the story.

This is the second book in the series. Although I didn't read the first, I had no problem following the plot.

Taking place in Paris, the book follows Yvette as she searches for a way to access her witch powers. Aided by several characters, it becomes a journey of self discovery.

I loved the book. The plot was interesting. The characters came alive. It is a beautifully written, entertaining fantasy.

I was given an advance copy of this book and I am giving my honest opinion.

*received a free copy from netgalley for honest review* I waited what felt like forever to read The Vine Witch so when I saw this was "read now" for me on netgalley I knew I had to get it!! I'll admit I wasn't sure where this book was going to go but I really loved the direction it did! I read this book pretty quickly because I just didn't want to put it down so I plan on rereading it in a few months but great book! great series!

A fun story of magic and intrigue split between Elena, the vine witch from the story of that name, and Yvette, a girl with an unknown magical history. We met Yvette briefly in The Vine Witch during Elena's time in prison but this story takes place in Paris and focuses on both women. I enjoyed the magic and characters. Though not entirely required, it would be good to read The Vine Witch first to get a better feel for the world of the stories. This novel picks up where the first left off and did not provide much background.

This is the sequel to The Vine Witch. I really liked The Vine Witch and I have really enjoyed the sequel! Will there be another? I really liked that again the romance was part of the story not the main focus.. The Glamourist involves the same characters moving on in their lives in different ways but being brought together again in ways that were not the norm. The battles are new and different. It was easy to get into and flowed well. There is Elena who has to face the gifts handed down from her parents and the choices she has to make because of them. Next is Yvette and how she grows from being impulsive, angry and untrusting to someone who lets people into her life and accepts the actions of those around her. She has some choices to make as well. Sidra plays a part as well but I am hoping that there is a third that shares her life and experiences. Please have a third book!