Your rating:
A cozy and uplifting debut novel about three clairvoyant sisters who face an unexpected twist of Fate at the bottom of their own delicate porcelain cups. Ever since the untimely death of their parents, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley have made a business of threading together the stories that rest in the swirls of ginger, cloves, and cardamom at the bottom of their customers’ cups. Their days at the teashop are filled with talk of butterflies and good fortune intertwined with the sound of cinnamon shortbread being snapped by laced fingers. That is, until the Council of Witches comes calling with news that the city Diviner has lost her powers, and the sisters suddenly find themselves being pulled in different directions. As Anne’s magic begins to develop beyond that of her sisters’, Beatrix’s writing attracts the attention of a publisher, and Violet is enchanted by the song of the circus—and perhaps a mischievous trapeze artist threatening to sweep her off her feet. It seems a family curse that threatens to separate the sisters is taking effect. With dwindling time to rewrite their future and help three other witches challenge their own destinies, the Quigleys set out to bargain with Fate. But in focusing so closely on saving each other, will they lose sight of themselves?
Your rating:
The coziest of cozy fantasies! This was a great read that left me feeling warm inside every time I picked it up, even through the conflict of the story. I felt connected to all three sisters and felt their struggles personally. This is a great read about self discovery in adulthood and a perfect example that the path we think we want may not always be the path we actually want or need.
[thank you so much Atria Books for the ARC] I really wish I had better things to say about this story, but this is my first DNF in years. The sibling dynamic is not engaging, I hardly can believe they're sisters or family for that matter. Additionally, I had to stop when the Witch's Council gave them their "mission" - I understand the plot likely needs to develop further but there hasn't been a single plot device up until this moment that I feel like I can hang onto to finish.
The concept of the story is so fun and unique - I just wish there was more to it than that