Reviews

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton

theratsofnihm's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

katikins's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I wanted to love this book SO badly. I have very fond memories of Paris, and am enchanted by period pieces, especially set in places I’ve been. I’m constantly seeking out more sapphic romance and queer plotlines. I enjoy fantasy. This book should have hit all the marks, but honestly I was pretty bored the whole time. I felt like there wasn’t enough development of the story, setting, or the characters. 

shannonigans322's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

The blurb of this sapphic fae fantasy had me really excited, but the actual novel was...fine? Perhaps the plot was hindered by the constrictions of a YA format, but I found myself wanting more development, from both the characters and the world building. 

cryptid_crow's review against another edition

I just could not get into this.

erinreadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was a cute story but it felt a bit juvenile. The premise was cute—two friends secretly pining for each other are given a quest in a magical realm. But there were a few lingering errors (missing words, misused words) and the author was overly explanatory at times. It felt like the author was talking down to the reader. I liked the characters but apart from the two protagonists, everyone felt a bit flat. 

Read if you like simple storytelling and cute YA romance. 

joiceeg's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

quantumlilies's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

emsillay's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

girlbosslindsey's review

probably could've given this a little bit more of a chance but. wasn't feeling it

bridget1499's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

The premise of this book is so cool, but the execution fell extremely flat. The author advances the plot using coincidences, luck, and by making all the characters super naive which doesn't fit well into a story about fae and theives, both of which are supposed to be cunning. The love between Esme and Sybil is also pretty one dimensional, and I found myself not really caring about either of them since they didn't seem like multidimensional characters. The book was entertaining enough to read completely, but I don't think I'll be reading much more from this author any time soon.