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The Vine Witch #2
The Glamourist
A spellbinding novel of bloodlines, self-discovery, and redemption by the author of the Washington Post bestseller The Vine Witch.
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?
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?
Audio CD
First published June 16, 2020
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About the author
Luanne G. Smith
9 books1,709 followersLuanne G. Smith is the Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Vine Witch series, The Raven Spell books, The Witch's Lens, The Wolf's Eye, and The Golden Age of Magic and The Gilded City of Dreams (out June 9th).
(*Scam Alert* SHE IS NOT ON FACEBOOK and she does not sell or recommend marketing or writing advice online. It is a scam.)
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(*Scam Alert* SHE IS NOT ON FACEBOOK and she does not sell or recommend marketing or writing advice online. It is a scam.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 944 reviews
June 19, 2020
Rating: 3.75 (rounding up)
It’s the relaxed atmosphere and mood that draws me to this series. High octane action/adventure novels are great, but the energy those give off often makes me feel a need to rush to the finish. Instead, The Glamourist is a simple story about the next chapter in Elena’s life with her new fiancee: Meeting the future mother-in-law. Of course it isn’t as simple as that since Elena now has to contend with the Ministry of Lineages and Licenses.
Without trying to spoil anything if you haven’t read the first book in the series, in The Vine Witch there is a moment where Elena is thrown in jail and ends up in a cell with two other women – Yvette and Sidra. Without realizing it at the time, it is each of these women who the three books of the Vine Witch series focuses on. Elena is still the main character as she was in The Vine Witch, but The Glamourist now features Yvette’s story. Here Elena comes to the city to meet her future mother-in-law, but before she does she needs approval from the government to continue being a vine witch. The answer is ‘no’ – at least not unless you do one small thing that revolves around Yvette, who is still a condemned murderer and fugitive.
The Prologue opens the story by showing us what happens to Sidra and Yvette after the events of the last book. Yvette ‘accidentally’ steals a wish from Sidra and as a result they are now both bound to remain in the city until Yvette’s wish is completed. To say Sidra is unhappy is putting it mildly. She had vowed never to return to that city and is a tad angry about Yvette’s stolen wish. I suspect we will get to learn more about this and her vow in the next book.
The stolen wish from Sidra is actually the one piece of the story that befuddles me a bit. Although Sidra tries to explain it to Yvette I never quite understood a few components of it. How did it happen? What is the wish? Why did the wish lock them in the city? As a reader as long as I knew the basics around the wish then I was able to continue reading without too much issue. With all that said, I do wish I had a better grasp on it. But it doesn’t take too long for us to figure out that this wish has something to do with Yvette learning more about her mother.
Although never explicitly pronounced, one gets the distinct impression that the story is set in Paris. French phrases and terms sprinkled throughout the story. References to cars and gaslights are seen and you can’t help but believe you are in France in the early 1910s – 1920s. References to various artists and paintings are plentiful giving the early 1920s a definite nod.
The story has three POVs: Elena’s, Yvette’s and Henri – a new character that Yvette knew from a long time ago. Elena and Yvette are where most of the story happens with Henri’s chapters occurring less frequently. I liked Henri, but in reality he wasn’t all that memorable. The characters that were memorable though were Alexandre and Marion. Alexander is the owner of a curio shop where all items within are guaranteed to have been enchanted at one point in their life. Marion, Jean-Paul’s mother, interests lie in the world beyond.
In the end I found I enjoyed this novel more than I did the first one, which felt a little uneven to me. The pacing and tone feels more consistent with this story. It's a lovely choice if you’re looking for a light fantasy story with a dash of romance and one that has a slower pace to it.
It’s the relaxed atmosphere and mood that draws me to this series. High octane action/adventure novels are great, but the energy those give off often makes me feel a need to rush to the finish. Instead, The Glamourist is a simple story about the next chapter in Elena’s life with her new fiancee: Meeting the future mother-in-law. Of course it isn’t as simple as that since Elena now has to contend with the Ministry of Lineages and Licenses.
Without trying to spoil anything if you haven’t read the first book in the series, in The Vine Witch there is a moment where Elena is thrown in jail and ends up in a cell with two other women – Yvette and Sidra. Without realizing it at the time, it is each of these women who the three books of the Vine Witch series focuses on. Elena is still the main character as she was in The Vine Witch, but The Glamourist now features Yvette’s story. Here Elena comes to the city to meet her future mother-in-law, but before she does she needs approval from the government to continue being a vine witch. The answer is ‘no’ – at least not unless you do one small thing that revolves around Yvette, who is still a condemned murderer and fugitive.
The Prologue opens the story by showing us what happens to Sidra and Yvette after the events of the last book. Yvette ‘accidentally’ steals a wish from Sidra and as a result they are now both bound to remain in the city until Yvette’s wish is completed. To say Sidra is unhappy is putting it mildly. She had vowed never to return to that city and is a tad angry about Yvette’s stolen wish. I suspect we will get to learn more about this and her vow in the next book.
The stolen wish from Sidra is actually the one piece of the story that befuddles me a bit. Although Sidra tries to explain it to Yvette I never quite understood a few components of it. How did it happen? What is the wish? Why did the wish lock them in the city? As a reader as long as I knew the basics around the wish then I was able to continue reading without too much issue. With all that said, I do wish I had a better grasp on it. But it doesn’t take too long for us to figure out that this wish has something to do with Yvette learning more about her mother.
Although never explicitly pronounced, one gets the distinct impression that the story is set in Paris. French phrases and terms sprinkled throughout the story. References to cars and gaslights are seen and you can’t help but believe you are in France in the early 1910s – 1920s. References to various artists and paintings are plentiful giving the early 1920s a definite nod.
The story has three POVs: Elena’s, Yvette’s and Henri – a new character that Yvette knew from a long time ago. Elena and Yvette are where most of the story happens with Henri’s chapters occurring less frequently. I liked Henri, but in reality he wasn’t all that memorable. The characters that were memorable though were Alexandre and Marion. Alexander is the owner of a curio shop where all items within are guaranteed to have been enchanted at one point in their life. Marion, Jean-Paul’s mother, interests lie in the world beyond.
In the end I found I enjoyed this novel more than I did the first one, which felt a little uneven to me. The pacing and tone feels more consistent with this story. It's a lovely choice if you’re looking for a light fantasy story with a dash of romance and one that has a slower pace to it.
June 11, 2020
Elena Boureanu, Vine Witch of Château Renard is struggling with her bloodline and is in the city with her fiancé John. Mother-in-laws, poisons and her own struggles don’t deter her from coming to the aid of Yvette Lenoir, as she works to unlock her magic.
Once again Smith pulled me in from the mysterious black cat to the unique proprietor of an enchanted-curio shop. Supernatural creatures, answers to Lenoir’s past and surprising support from unexpected quarters held me captive.
The secrets delighted me as did the characters. While the magic and witchcraft is familiar, Smith weaved a tale that held me captive. Her characters are vivid, well developed and enchanting. Her villain’s ominous presence and plans amped up the suspense and kept me listening.
Elena and her companions will have to use their wit and magic to save Yvette and unlock her magic. While Elena struggles with her own heritage, she is clever and her “intuition” sets her on a course to aid Lenoir. She doesn’t readily rely on others, but we see her open up as the danger mounts.
I loved the cat who comes to Lenoir’s aid and scenes in the tunnels involving them. A person from her past may be an ally or foe. You’ll have to listen to discover which.
Susannah Jones is the perfect narrator for this suspenseful tale. From characters’ voices to pacing and tone, she added another layer to this delightful tale. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Once again Smith pulled me in from the mysterious black cat to the unique proprietor of an enchanted-curio shop. Supernatural creatures, answers to Lenoir’s past and surprising support from unexpected quarters held me captive.
The secrets delighted me as did the characters. While the magic and witchcraft is familiar, Smith weaved a tale that held me captive. Her characters are vivid, well developed and enchanting. Her villain’s ominous presence and plans amped up the suspense and kept me listening.
Elena and her companions will have to use their wit and magic to save Yvette and unlock her magic. While Elena struggles with her own heritage, she is clever and her “intuition” sets her on a course to aid Lenoir. She doesn’t readily rely on others, but we see her open up as the danger mounts.
I loved the cat who comes to Lenoir’s aid and scenes in the tunnels involving them. A person from her past may be an ally or foe. You’ll have to listen to discover which.
Susannah Jones is the perfect narrator for this suspenseful tale. From characters’ voices to pacing and tone, she added another layer to this delightful tale. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
October 5, 2022
This series is just a really fun, easy listen.
I mean, I do speed it up to 1.5/2 because of how many pauses the narrator takes, and how long she takes to say things, but I still really like the character she puts into the performance. I'm just an impatient person.
This is book 2 in the Vine Witch series, and switches the focus to Yvette - the murderess who helped out Elena in the previous book. Now she's running around the city trying to discover her own witchy power, whilst also running from the law.
I really like Yvette. She's a bit of a spitfire and she's fiercely independent so she doesn't really take crap from anyone. Yet she's still humble enough to ask for help every now and then, and more so when the helper is a cat. That's right, folks - the star of this book is actually a cat. An exaggeration, perhaps, but this fun feline will have you feeling warm and fuzzy in no time, and have you rooting more for Yvette simply because he is.
The story has some pretty common tropes, but I still really loved the magic of it all. This one definitely dials up the magic, compared to the first book, and I really enjoyed getting into that. It did flick into a realm I didn't expect, but I still thoroughly enjoyed going there.
The narrator does an excellent job of conveying the different characters without putting on too ridiculous a voice. It makes it very easy to listen to and if you're the kind of person to immerse yourself in the audio (as opposed to me, who is always trying to multi task when I listen) you should find this to be a thoroughly enjoyable romp through a magical story.
Actually pretty keen to round it out with the third book!
I mean, I do speed it up to 1.5/2 because of how many pauses the narrator takes, and how long she takes to say things, but I still really like the character she puts into the performance. I'm just an impatient person.
This is book 2 in the Vine Witch series, and switches the focus to Yvette - the murderess who helped out Elena in the previous book. Now she's running around the city trying to discover her own witchy power, whilst also running from the law.
I really like Yvette. She's a bit of a spitfire and she's fiercely independent so she doesn't really take crap from anyone. Yet she's still humble enough to ask for help every now and then, and more so when the helper is a cat. That's right, folks - the star of this book is actually a cat. An exaggeration, perhaps, but this fun feline will have you feeling warm and fuzzy in no time, and have you rooting more for Yvette simply because he is.
The story has some pretty common tropes, but I still really loved the magic of it all. This one definitely dials up the magic, compared to the first book, and I really enjoyed getting into that. It did flick into a realm I didn't expect, but I still thoroughly enjoyed going there.
The narrator does an excellent job of conveying the different characters without putting on too ridiculous a voice. It makes it very easy to listen to and if you're the kind of person to immerse yourself in the audio (as opposed to me, who is always trying to multi task when I listen) you should find this to be a thoroughly enjoyable romp through a magical story.
Actually pretty keen to round it out with the third book!
March 13, 2020
This book felt very different than the first one because it focuses a lot on finding the characters own identities.
The book shifts to focus more on Yvette than Elena since she doesn't know anything about her magic/family so they go running around the city to find out the truth. Elena helps Yvette despite having her own dilemmas and giving Yvette up would solve her problems but obviously she refuses.
I gotta say, I enjoyed this less than the first book because I'm not really a big fan of Yvette but she eased up on me during the whole book until in the end where she made one too many mistakes and got caught which frustrated me.
Moreover, I found the pacing to be all over the place and that the book felt too long and repetitive since the characters were running back and forth in the same places. Every problem they encountered were solved very conveniently besides the mystery of the book.
The ending and the whole reveal was definitely way better than the first book. The trick to how they caught the antagonist was clever and I didn't see it coming. I also enjoyed the introduction of the other witches and magical creatures in this book as well as the hidden laws and places of the witches.
Overall, the book definitely went in a different path than the first book but I enjoyed the first one more. I still love the writing style especially the whole vibe it set in and how different it feels compared to the first book. I certainly didn't expect the book to take this direction so it felt more original plot-wise and less cliche.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
The book shifts to focus more on Yvette than Elena since she doesn't know anything about her magic/family so they go running around the city to find out the truth. Elena helps Yvette despite having her own dilemmas and giving Yvette up would solve her problems but obviously she refuses.
I gotta say, I enjoyed this less than the first book because I'm not really a big fan of Yvette but she eased up on me during the whole book until in the end where she made one too many mistakes and got caught which frustrated me.
Moreover, I found the pacing to be all over the place and that the book felt too long and repetitive since the characters were running back and forth in the same places. Every problem they encountered were solved very conveniently besides the mystery of the book.
The ending and the whole reveal was definitely way better than the first book. The trick to how they caught the antagonist was clever and I didn't see it coming. I also enjoyed the introduction of the other witches and magical creatures in this book as well as the hidden laws and places of the witches.
Overall, the book definitely went in a different path than the first book but I enjoyed the first one more. I still love the writing style especially the whole vibe it set in and how different it feels compared to the first book. I certainly didn't expect the book to take this direction so it felt more original plot-wise and less cliche.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
February 27, 2020
More witches, Paris, painters, séances, goblins, a brilliant cat, and Fée. Also...
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.
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.
September 8, 2021
While I enjoyed Vine Witch, this sequel is far superior. Absolutely full of twists, surprises, and perfectly laid foreshadowing, it took all my willpower to put this book down. I'm still a bit dumbfounded by a few of the revelations and absolutely chomping at the bit to find out what happened to a certain little stowaway... So excuse me for cutting this short but I NEED to go buy book 3 RIGHT NOW.
January 31, 2020
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).
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).
July 17, 2020
In this sequel of The Vine Witch we meet some characters from the first book, one is Yvette Lenoir an orphan witch
and fugitive who is persecuted for the murder of a man when she was 16 years old. Yvette is trapped in Paris and tries with Elena's help to clean her name, search for her ancestors and discover the magic inside of her.
This second book to me was more entertaining than the first one. The plot was a little predictable but still well written. Overall it was a good sequel and im excited to read the next one next year.
3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐💫
thanks to netgalley and 47 north for this arc copy in exchange for a honest review
and fugitive who is persecuted for the murder of a man when she was 16 years old. Yvette is trapped in Paris and tries with Elena's help to clean her name, search for her ancestors and discover the magic inside of her.
This second book to me was more entertaining than the first one. The plot was a little predictable but still well written. Overall it was a good sequel and im excited to read the next one next year.
3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐💫
thanks to netgalley and 47 north for this arc copy in exchange for a honest review
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September 12, 2022...auch nach 150 Seiten kommt die Autorin hier einfach nicht aus dem Quark... sehr mühsam und letztlich verliert es mich immer mehr... daher breche ich das Buch nach 150 Seiten nun ab und hoffe, dass sich Band 3 dennoch lesen lässt...
January 16, 2024
I don't know. Plotwise, this was better than the first book, but I'm still stuck on turning your best friend's kid into an underage prostitute. Felt like the book really glossed over that very dark piece in a story that's supposed to be lighthearted.
June 10, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up!
So in case y’all were unaware, there are two things that I love most in this world: wine and witches (sorry to my husband lol). And the fact that Luanne G. Smith brilliantly delivered this in The Vine Witch, you can imagine that I was tripping over myself when she announced The Glamourist.
Elena Boureanu is back with her fiance in tow. Elena is a revered vine witch at Château Renard, which is known for its renowned wines. But Elena wasn’t actually born a vine witch. That was the vocation of her adopted family. Rather than focusing on her duties at Château Renard, she is called in to address the poison witch heritage that her biological mother possessed and that lurks in her veins. Before she’s even allowed to explain herself, her vine witch status is revoked and she quickly finds herself as an outcast.
Yvette Lenoir is a known criminal who has always felt inept when it comes to magic. An unfortunate mishap lands her back in the city that wants her head on a spike. When her adoptive mother gifts her with a token from her mother, Yvette is determined to unlock the magic that she knows that she’s always had. Yvette enlists the help of Elena. Together, both women can finally unlock the secrets of their bloodlines without breaking a thousand laws while doing so, or can they?
While I loved that The Vine Witch focused more on Château Renard and the role that Elena played as a vine witch, this book gives us a greater insight into Elena and explores abilities that she has but were never discussed. Additionally, we see the parallels between both Elena and Yvette as they come to terms with these abilities that were passed down biologically but are vastly different from the ones of those who adopted them. This really calls into question the life long debate of nature versus nurture, and I loved watching it play out with these two women.
I found that the magic and mayhem in this book was really turned up several notches. That’s not to say that Elena wasn’t hold her own in book one, but this one really felt like that action packed adventure as they two were out defying the law in order to determine their place in the universe (all while discovering some really amazing magical abilities).
I honestly commend the author for creating these magically laced immersive stories that leave me wanting for more as I finish savoring those last few pages.
Thank you so much to Luanne G. Smith for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
So in case y’all were unaware, there are two things that I love most in this world: wine and witches (sorry to my husband lol). And the fact that Luanne G. Smith brilliantly delivered this in The Vine Witch, you can imagine that I was tripping over myself when she announced The Glamourist.
Elena Boureanu is back with her fiance in tow. Elena is a revered vine witch at Château Renard, which is known for its renowned wines. But Elena wasn’t actually born a vine witch. That was the vocation of her adopted family. Rather than focusing on her duties at Château Renard, she is called in to address the poison witch heritage that her biological mother possessed and that lurks in her veins. Before she’s even allowed to explain herself, her vine witch status is revoked and she quickly finds herself as an outcast.
Yvette Lenoir is a known criminal who has always felt inept when it comes to magic. An unfortunate mishap lands her back in the city that wants her head on a spike. When her adoptive mother gifts her with a token from her mother, Yvette is determined to unlock the magic that she knows that she’s always had. Yvette enlists the help of Elena. Together, both women can finally unlock the secrets of their bloodlines without breaking a thousand laws while doing so, or can they?
While I loved that The Vine Witch focused more on Château Renard and the role that Elena played as a vine witch, this book gives us a greater insight into Elena and explores abilities that she has but were never discussed. Additionally, we see the parallels between both Elena and Yvette as they come to terms with these abilities that were passed down biologically but are vastly different from the ones of those who adopted them. This really calls into question the life long debate of nature versus nurture, and I loved watching it play out with these two women.
I found that the magic and mayhem in this book was really turned up several notches. That’s not to say that Elena wasn’t hold her own in book one, but this one really felt like that action packed adventure as they two were out defying the law in order to determine their place in the universe (all while discovering some really amazing magical abilities).
I honestly commend the author for creating these magically laced immersive stories that leave me wanting for more as I finish savoring those last few pages.
Thank you so much to Luanne G. Smith for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
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October 18, 2020
#1 The Vine Witch: ★★★✮☆ | 3.5 stars
*
3 stars.
*
The Glamourist was not what I expected?? I think I had the wrong idea coming into this book that the story would be totally separate from what happened in The Vine Witch, but that was not the case. This was a follow up to the first installment and we still had a few chapters from Elena's POV. The focus did shift a bit to Yvette's story but, in doing so, cast the net too wide and the plot ended up being a bit too confusing.
I did like how the world-building continued to develop: it was really interesting to learn more about magic and the different types of witches out there. I just missed the eerie vibe surrounding that magic? The tone of this story was very... meek? I'm not sure that's the best word to describe it. There wasn't a lot of emotion to the writing and so it was difficult to care about what was going on with everyone.
Yvette was... another issue, sometimes? She was reckless and harsh and there were certain decisions she made that were hard to agree with, especially when they led her to getting into trouble. I did like her journey in search of her history and her mother, though, and the final scenes involving them. I just thought the plot twist surrounding that was incredibly weird.
In the end, The Glamourist was an okay read. It was entertaining, if not as compelling as the first novel, and it made me curious to see what will happen in the third book.
*
Series: #2 in The Vine Witch series.
POV: Told from Yvette and Elena's POV.
Content Warnings:
Cliffhanger: No.
HEA:
Up Next: The Conjurer
*
3 stars.
*
The Glamourist was not what I expected?? I think I had the wrong idea coming into this book that the story would be totally separate from what happened in The Vine Witch, but that was not the case. This was a follow up to the first installment and we still had a few chapters from Elena's POV. The focus did shift a bit to Yvette's story but, in doing so, cast the net too wide and the plot ended up being a bit too confusing.
I did like how the world-building continued to develop: it was really interesting to learn more about magic and the different types of witches out there. I just missed the eerie vibe surrounding that magic? The tone of this story was very... meek? I'm not sure that's the best word to describe it. There wasn't a lot of emotion to the writing and so it was difficult to care about what was going on with everyone.
Yvette was... another issue, sometimes? She was reckless and harsh and there were certain decisions she made that were hard to agree with, especially when they led her to getting into trouble. I did like her journey in search of her history and her mother, though, and the final scenes involving them. I just thought the plot twist surrounding that was incredibly weird.
In the end, The Glamourist was an okay read. It was entertaining, if not as compelling as the first novel, and it made me curious to see what will happen in the third book.
*
Series: #2 in The Vine Witch series.
POV: Told from Yvette and Elena's POV.
Content Warnings:
Cliffhanger: No.
HEA:
Up Next: The Conjurer
April 29, 2022
What I really enjoy about this serie is how it explores the magical world. As Harry Potter with the Ministry of Magic, in the Vine Witch Series there are offices and buildings that humans know nothing about and are glamoured not to notice.
The story was interesting, I liked the characters (I really loved Jean-Paul’s mom), the mystery was more intriguing than the first one and maybe developed a little bit better, but it’s still lacking something I cannot quite put a finger on.
I wonder what the third book will be about. I hope to see a little more of JP and discover something from his past.
The story was interesting, I liked the characters (I really loved Jean-Paul’s mom), the mystery was more intriguing than the first one and maybe developed a little bit better, but it’s still lacking something I cannot quite put a finger on.
I wonder what the third book will be about. I hope to see a little more of JP and discover something from his past.
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December 17, 2020DNF - TBH. It’s a mood & I’m not here for the repetitive internal dialogue. A million books await!
September 9, 2020
The Glamourist, Book Two
Book Two picks up a month after THE VINE WITCH conclusion. Elena's former cell mates, Yvette and Sidra, are in a heated discussion high above Paris. They are fugitives in the City of Light. A stolen wish has bound them together. Elena, the star of Book One, has been exonerated from all charges but faces difficult decisions and may lose the ability to practice as a vine witch. She's been placed on a probationary period. The discovery of her parent's nefarious bloodline poses life altering complications. On top of that, Elena is set to meet her future mother-in-law, a woman who knows nothing of Elena's lineage. In a predicament and once again connected to the murderous brothel girl from THE VINE WITCH, Elena develops a soft spot for Yvette when it's revealed both are orphans. Where Elena is sure-footed, Yvette is a total misfit. Elena agrees to help Yvette discover her roots and in the process gains new understanding of her own beginnings. Sidra the genie makes several appearances. Yvette has unwittingly "stolen" a wish from Sidra, tying their fates together.
So, I flipped between Audible and Kindle Unlimited. I meshed with the audio version more than said book. The narration is lively. The setting is Paris, but don't expect Parisienne accents. The only foreign voice portrayal is that of Sidra. I wonder why Smith allows this voice for the genie and no one else? IMO, if one speaks with an accent, shouldn't everyone? And, the narrator uses a strange inflection - like she has proven a point - in several odd places. Maybe I'm not explaining myself. Perhaps I'm knit picking. It's kinda like people that speak in questions. Ya know those people that manage to make every sentence sound like a question? It drives me crazy. In this instance, the narrator finishes some of those sentences with an unnecessary ah-ha lilt. My ears thought it awkward.
Moving on to feelings about THE GLAMOURIST as a whole. I liked this book much better than THE VINE WITCH. The opening scenes between Sidra and Yvette are great. Their forced relationship is a hoot. Seems Sidra has run out of patience with self-serving Yvette. Who could blame her? Yvette is a mess. Nonetheless, she's a likable mess. Their interactions are entertaining. We witness a friendship blossom between the women, although it's not without its drama. Their connection is based on self-discovery. Yvette is THE GLAMOURIST. Elena, along with a couple of new characters, plays a pivotal role. However, it's Yvette that steals the show. This fairytale (and sometimes it's a stretch) belongs to the fumbling Yvette. I think, much like Yvette, Luanne Smith is honing her craft. It's a series that gets better with each book. *Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I was losing patience with the lengthy, wordy crescendo. So much 'splaining, yes. For this reason I couldn't rate the full four stars. It's still 3.5...and that's a high 3.5 rounded up. Smith is an engaging author. THE CONJURER, Book Three, is next. I'm assuming this magical adventure will have Sidra in the spotlight. It's the book I'm most excited to read in the series. I'm all about genies granting wishes.
Book Two picks up a month after THE VINE WITCH conclusion. Elena's former cell mates, Yvette and Sidra, are in a heated discussion high above Paris. They are fugitives in the City of Light. A stolen wish has bound them together. Elena, the star of Book One, has been exonerated from all charges but faces difficult decisions and may lose the ability to practice as a vine witch. She's been placed on a probationary period. The discovery of her parent's nefarious bloodline poses life altering complications. On top of that, Elena is set to meet her future mother-in-law, a woman who knows nothing of Elena's lineage. In a predicament and once again connected to the murderous brothel girl from THE VINE WITCH, Elena develops a soft spot for Yvette when it's revealed both are orphans. Where Elena is sure-footed, Yvette is a total misfit. Elena agrees to help Yvette discover her roots and in the process gains new understanding of her own beginnings. Sidra the genie makes several appearances. Yvette has unwittingly "stolen" a wish from Sidra, tying their fates together.
So, I flipped between Audible and Kindle Unlimited. I meshed with the audio version more than said book. The narration is lively. The setting is Paris, but don't expect Parisienne accents. The only foreign voice portrayal is that of Sidra. I wonder why Smith allows this voice for the genie and no one else? IMO, if one speaks with an accent, shouldn't everyone? And, the narrator uses a strange inflection - like she has proven a point - in several odd places. Maybe I'm not explaining myself. Perhaps I'm knit picking. It's kinda like people that speak in questions. Ya know those people that manage to make every sentence sound like a question? It drives me crazy. In this instance, the narrator finishes some of those sentences with an unnecessary ah-ha lilt. My ears thought it awkward.
Moving on to feelings about THE GLAMOURIST as a whole. I liked this book much better than THE VINE WITCH. The opening scenes between Sidra and Yvette are great. Their forced relationship is a hoot. Seems Sidra has run out of patience with self-serving Yvette. Who could blame her? Yvette is a mess. Nonetheless, she's a likable mess. Their interactions are entertaining. We witness a friendship blossom between the women, although it's not without its drama. Their connection is based on self-discovery. Yvette is THE GLAMOURIST. Elena, along with a couple of new characters, plays a pivotal role. However, it's Yvette that steals the show. This fairytale (and sometimes it's a stretch) belongs to the fumbling Yvette. I think, much like Yvette, Luanne Smith is honing her craft. It's a series that gets better with each book. *Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I was losing patience with the lengthy, wordy crescendo. So much 'splaining, yes. For this reason I couldn't rate the full four stars. It's still 3.5...and that's a high 3.5 rounded up. Smith is an engaging author. THE CONJURER, Book Three, is next. I'm assuming this magical adventure will have Sidra in the spotlight. It's the book I'm most excited to read in the series. I'm all about genies granting wishes.
August 25, 2020
Stars: 4/5
Thank you to the publishers for a free ARC. I adored the first story and this one just the same.
I LOVE Smith's writing. This is the second book in the Vine Witch trilogy (and I have an ARC of the third lines up to read very soon!) and I was not disappointed. Depending on the series I either love or hate stories that follow other characters. I wont name names but it can be done HORRIBLY and when I began reading and the focus was on Yvette, I prayed to the All-Knowing this wasn't the case and trust me, people, it WASN'T.
Ugh I love Elena and when I saw her POV in the second chapter, I was super happy and I was able to breathe a little easier. But off Elena and onto Yvette.
I liked Yvette in the first book and to really focus on her, on her story, on her wish, in this book was very interesting. As always the coaxing Smith does to show you only bits of what she wants you to see then revealing it ONLY when she wants to is incredible. So tasteful. Makes it for an easy read.
Everything about this story is stunning and I loved seeing Yvette come into herself and the little witchy things included here and there that are SO my aesthetic. Crushed amethyst in a painting? AESTHETIC. BEAUTIFUL. collecting roses? Classic.
I think I said this in the Vine Witch too but the first maybe 1/2 of the story, I wasn't attached I didn't necessarily NEED to read more but I wanted to and i'm hoping this aspect is improved in the third book HOWEVER... That reveal... about Yvette's heritage. Oof it was good. Thoroughly enjoyed.
WARNINGS: the mention of sexual harassment/ brothels/ rape by extension, minor torture
RECOMMEND: for readers 15+ who like old-style France (can't remember when it's set... late 1800s?), witches and magic hidden in the real world
Thank you to the publishers for a free ARC. I adored the first story and this one just the same.
I LOVE Smith's writing. This is the second book in the Vine Witch trilogy (and I have an ARC of the third lines up to read very soon!) and I was not disappointed. Depending on the series I either love or hate stories that follow other characters. I wont name names but it can be done HORRIBLY and when I began reading and the focus was on Yvette, I prayed to the All-Knowing this wasn't the case and trust me, people, it WASN'T.
Ugh I love Elena and when I saw her POV in the second chapter, I was super happy and I was able to breathe a little easier. But off Elena and onto Yvette.
I liked Yvette in the first book and to really focus on her, on her story, on her wish, in this book was very interesting. As always the coaxing Smith does to show you only bits of what she wants you to see then revealing it ONLY when she wants to is incredible. So tasteful. Makes it for an easy read.
Everything about this story is stunning and I loved seeing Yvette come into herself and the little witchy things included here and there that are SO my aesthetic. Crushed amethyst in a painting? AESTHETIC. BEAUTIFUL. collecting roses? Classic.
I think I said this in the Vine Witch too but the first maybe 1/2 of the story, I wasn't attached I didn't necessarily NEED to read more but I wanted to and i'm hoping this aspect is improved in the third book HOWEVER... That reveal... about Yvette's heritage. Oof it was good. Thoroughly enjoyed.
WARNINGS: the mention of sexual harassment/ brothels/ rape by extension, minor torture
RECOMMEND: for readers 15+ who like old-style France (can't remember when it's set... late 1800s?), witches and magic hidden in the real world
June 30, 2020
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?
The book is written in a 3rd person narrative, with mostly Elena and Yvette being the primary focus of the chapters. The chapters are quite short: most being about 10 pages long. The book is written in an easy manner, with a few french words thrown in. The book deals with various issues, murder, abandonment and poverty, but its fitted into the purpose of the story.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the character of Yvette in the Vine Witch and was eager to find out more about her. I liked her story and mystery surrounding her powers and her parents. Yvette's story was set in Paris and it was interesting reading about the magical world the author had created there. There were also a few new characters in this book and I think they all completed the story very well.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it wasn't very magical. Yvette doesn't know who is, where she is from or what her magic is. It was very much a coming of age story rather than a witch story I felt.
But that being said, i did enjoy the book and can't wait to read the next one all about Sidra.
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?
The book is written in a 3rd person narrative, with mostly Elena and Yvette being the primary focus of the chapters. The chapters are quite short: most being about 10 pages long. The book is written in an easy manner, with a few french words thrown in. The book deals with various issues, murder, abandonment and poverty, but its fitted into the purpose of the story.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the character of Yvette in the Vine Witch and was eager to find out more about her. I liked her story and mystery surrounding her powers and her parents. Yvette's story was set in Paris and it was interesting reading about the magical world the author had created there. There were also a few new characters in this book and I think they all completed the story very well.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it wasn't very magical. Yvette doesn't know who is, where she is from or what her magic is. It was very much a coming of age story rather than a witch story I felt.
But that being said, i did enjoy the book and can't wait to read the next one all about Sidra.
June 10, 2020
I finished this sequel from Smith in one sitting! Sussanah Jones has the perfect voice and sophistication to enchant us and wrap us in the French accents and magic of this tale.
⚖️ Plot: As I listened, I was seamlessly transported into the complexities of mythical beings living amongst humans, and how far our prejudices and lack of knowledge about each other dims the vivacity with which we could live together.
🗺 World: I didn’t see as much of the gorgeous countryside and vineyards I was used to. But then again, the story didn’t revolve there. It was absolutely more of a character story here and it did invest me more in their lives and backstories.
💑 Characters: As the plot progressed I found that this was not so much the tale of our protagonist Elena as it was of the secondary character, Yvette. But as it revolved around my very favorite Fae, I had no complaints. This is indeed a great way to add to to the series, but I wanted to see our beloved JP coming into his own. I’m hoping that’s coming up in book 3 and can’t wait for more!
⚖️ Plot: As I listened, I was seamlessly transported into the complexities of mythical beings living amongst humans, and how far our prejudices and lack of knowledge about each other dims the vivacity with which we could live together.
🗺 World: I didn’t see as much of the gorgeous countryside and vineyards I was used to. But then again, the story didn’t revolve there. It was absolutely more of a character story here and it did invest me more in their lives and backstories.
💑 Characters: As the plot progressed I found that this was not so much the tale of our protagonist Elena as it was of the secondary character, Yvette. But as it revolved around my very favorite Fae, I had no complaints. This is indeed a great way to add to to the series, but I wanted to see our beloved JP coming into his own. I’m hoping that’s coming up in book 3 and can’t wait for more!
January 7, 2021
Magical, full of light and whimsy. Second in a series. Very enjoyable.
March 4, 2022
Bei diesem Buch handelt es sich um den 2. Teil der Reihe. Den 1. Teil fand ich ja richtig toll, deshalb wollte ich unbedingt auch den 2. Teil lesen. Tatsächlich habe ich aufgrund des Klappentextes gedacht, dass der Fokus mehr auf Yvette liegen wird, aber Elena hat an der Handlung mindestens genau so viel Anteil.
Die Geschichte wird abwechselnd aus der Sicht der beiden jungen Hexen erzählt und die beiden hat es nach Paris verschlagen. Durch Zufall treffen sie auf einander und Elena hilft Yvette bei der Suche nach Antworten zur ihrer Mutter und ihren Fähigkeiten. Beide Frauen sind sehr unterschiedlich und man erfährt mehr über Yvette, die man ja bereits im 1. Teil kennengelernt hat.
Mir hat der 2. Teil sogar noch ein bisschen besser gefallen als Teil 1. Dag lag vor allem an dem Rätsel rum und Yvette, das erzählt die Autorin wirklich sehr spannend. Im 3. Teil dreht sich dann alles um die Hexe Sidra, die man ja bereits kennenlernen konnte. Dieser Teil erscheint bereits am 31.03.22 und wird auf jeden Fall bei mir einziehen. Von mir gibt es die volle Punktzahl.
Die Geschichte wird abwechselnd aus der Sicht der beiden jungen Hexen erzählt und die beiden hat es nach Paris verschlagen. Durch Zufall treffen sie auf einander und Elena hilft Yvette bei der Suche nach Antworten zur ihrer Mutter und ihren Fähigkeiten. Beide Frauen sind sehr unterschiedlich und man erfährt mehr über Yvette, die man ja bereits im 1. Teil kennengelernt hat.
Mir hat der 2. Teil sogar noch ein bisschen besser gefallen als Teil 1. Dag lag vor allem an dem Rätsel rum und Yvette, das erzählt die Autorin wirklich sehr spannend. Im 3. Teil dreht sich dann alles um die Hexe Sidra, die man ja bereits kennenlernen konnte. Dieser Teil erscheint bereits am 31.03.22 und wird auf jeden Fall bei mir einziehen. Von mir gibt es die volle Punktzahl.
July 14, 2020
Elena returns into The Glamourist living in different situations with characters that we met on the Vine Witch .. this is the story of Yvette a fairy that didn't know her nature and was so eager to find her lost magic.
She didn't know her parents, she was alone trying to find her powers, her supernatural nature but people around her didn't want her to know who she was, and what she was capable of.
Yvette is on a journey searching for her nature, her magic abilities, she doesn't have anyone who can guide her and this makes it so hard for her to achieve what she wants.
Yvette encounters so many people that are trying to sabotage her path but Elena will help her to recover everything she has lots
lies betray and people who pretend to be helpful only want to steal whatever is inside that book and her magic.
The Glamourist is a story of survival, of fighting for what you want and you believe. great story great characters and also a great way to continue this great series.
She didn't know her parents, she was alone trying to find her powers, her supernatural nature but people around her didn't want her to know who she was, and what she was capable of.
Yvette is on a journey searching for her nature, her magic abilities, she doesn't have anyone who can guide her and this makes it so hard for her to achieve what she wants.
Yvette encounters so many people that are trying to sabotage her path but Elena will help her to recover everything she has lots
lies betray and people who pretend to be helpful only want to steal whatever is inside that book and her magic.
The Glamourist is a story of survival, of fighting for what you want and you believe. great story great characters and also a great way to continue this great series.
February 3, 2025
Light and interesting story, this time it focuses on Yvette and the mystery surrounding her powers and her family's past. I found the mystery interesting, well constructed and this time it managed to surprise me.The only thing I didn't like was Elena's participation, it seemed a bit unnecessary, I would have preferred her to focus on solving her problem and the issues with her new family, while Yvette and Sidra team up to figure out the Mystery around Yvette and around the stolen wish. But still a good story and I'll definitely read the next one.
July 27, 2023
Sehr guter zweiter Teil! Mehr Einblicke in den Weltenbau, die mir sehr gut gefallen haben. Nur einige der beständigen französischen Wörter gingen mir manchmal auf die Nerven, da ich sie als sehr unnötig empfunden habe. Man muss nicht immer "les flics" schreiben...
January 17, 2022
The whole plot of the book really surprised me at the end. The characters in this new adventure were fun to read. My rating for this books is 4.5/5.
July 16, 2022
3.5
A little more witchy than the previous one, that matches a little more with me.
It was more interesting to see this world of witches with different abilities open up and expand and it certainly has a lot more body and sustenance now.
It's certainly more entertaining than the first but hey, everything that happened in the previous one had to happen so that this book could exhibit.
Now I like these witches better.
A little more witchy than the previous one, that matches a little more with me.
It was more interesting to see this world of witches with different abilities open up and expand and it certainly has a lot more body and sustenance now.
It's certainly more entertaining than the first but hey, everything that happened in the previous one had to happen so that this book could exhibit.
Now I like these witches better.
July 18, 2020
The Glamourist
is Luanne G. Smith's follow-up novel to
The Vine Witch
and I must say that it was certainly worthy of its predecessor. While I loved the first book's picturesque setting at a vineyard in the French countryside; I equally enjoyed this book's setting in late 19th century Paris with its nefarious underground clubs, street urchins, and magical shops around every cobblestone corner. While of course The Vine Witch was obviously about witches, there was even more of a fantastical element in The Glamourist with wishes being stolen from a Jinn and the glittering essence of the Fae lighting up the pages... It was a lot of fun to immerse myself in this world of witchcraft, family legacies, and magic of all kinds.
October 12, 2023
Im letzten drittel hat es mich verloren. Das Ende war mir, wie im Vorgängerband, einfach zu lang. Aber ich finde die Magie hier so toll! Wie die most random facts einfach eingestreut werden, herrlich. Bin schon auf den finalen Band gespannt.
February 12, 2021
This series is still a no for me, it's soooo boring. I do have an arc for the last book, so I will be reviewing it.
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