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jasper_is_atypical's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Honestly was very disappointing. For characters that were supposed to be smart, they did a lot of stupid shit (fair in some circumstances, slightly mind-boggling in others.) It felt like most of what they did was so the plot could go the way the author wanted it to and not because it made much sense. Felt cramped and not at all exciting like promised. Instead of rooting for the main romance I was rooting for Esme to leave Sybil and their frankly unhealthy relationship behind. She is obviously uncomfortable and unhappy, only going along because she cares about Sybil and feels an obligation to protect her. Now I don't really see this as a spoiler, but I'll hide it anyways...
The reason they need to do the job is because they are poor and behind on rent. The only reason they are behind is because Sybil, who came from a rich background, gets too bored at her jobs to keep them for long. Literally stated.
For this reason and for the way she treats Esme as a whole Sybil is extremely unlikable and comes off as snobbish and uncaring about others. She chases her own excitement at Esme's cost, which is made even more appalling by the fact that Esme took her in off the streets and is doing everything in her power to take care of her as a charity case. Just. No.
I wanted this to be good so bad. The idea of a heist in fae with a sapphic romance sounds wonderful, but the execution left me wanting.
For this reason and for the way she treats Esme as a whole Sybil is extremely unlikable and comes off as snobbish and uncaring about others. She chases her own excitement at Esme's cost, which is made even more appalling by the fact that Esme took her in off the streets and is doing everything in her power to take care of her as a charity case. Just. No.
I wanted this to be good so bad. The idea of a heist in fae with a sapphic romance sounds wonderful, but the execution left me wanting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Toxic friendship, Classism, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Self harm, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
princegene95's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Confinement
yuri_rum_raisin's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
eleanor029's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a very sweet and entertaining read. I know an absinthe fairy in my life (though she is not Fae), so I was immediately intrigued.
The story was a bit more geared towards teens than I would've liked, which came through in how young Sybil and Esme seemed through their dialogue.
Still, I will now carry the beautiful images and places from this story in my mind, which is lovely.
The story was a bit more geared towards teens than I would've liked, which came through in how young Sybil and Esme seemed through their dialogue.
Still, I will now carry the beautiful images and places from this story in my mind, which is lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Police brutality, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Violence
cozyscones's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Confinement
heytherekaity's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Grief
kimschouwenaar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
In The Absinthe Underground, Jamie Pacton combines historical France with magic and queer culture. It follows best friends Sybil and Esme who are close to admitting to each other they want to be more than friends. Sybil is a 'professional' thief and Esme a server and parttime clock repairer, but they have trouble paying rent and Sybil coaxes Esme into helping her steal posters to sell to collectors. As they are selling a stolen poster, they meet Maeve, who happens to be the person on the mentioned poster and owner of the club in Severon named The Absinthe Underground. But Maeve is not who she seems; she is an exiled Fae and needs Sybil and Esme to steal the Crown Jewels from faerie.
Pacton has a really compelling writing style, approachable for people of all ages. With regards to the land of the Fae, it doesn't do anything new and reminded me a lot of The Cruel Prince, but that is okay. I enjoyed their time in the land of faerie. I did find the world building lacking, mainly of Severon, which is where the majority of the story takes place. Pacton added some notes in the back of the book, but I would have loved to see this covered within the story.
Usually, I am a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope (controversial opinion, I am aware). It's something about the mutual pining and the angst in not knowing if the other will ever return their feelings. The mutual pining is there, but it is not as believable as I hoped it would be. Esme would say something that clearly insinuates she has romantic feelings for Sybil, which Sybil understands and then kind of forgets about. The one aspect I loved about this queer romance is that it entirely skips the coming out phase. So many queer stories linger there, and there is a lack of wholesome romances that look further than the initial oh gods, I am gay. The Absinthe Underground eludes this awkward part and immediately dives into the romance aspect queer people deserve just as much as straight people.
Generally speaking, I enjoyed reading the book. I expected more, but that by no means implies I did not like it. It comes out February 6!
In The Absinthe Underground, Jamie Pacton combines historical France with magic and queer culture. It follows best friends Sybil and Esme who are close to admitting to each other they want to be more than friends. Sybil is a 'professional' thief and Esme a server and parttime clock repairer, but they have trouble paying rent and Sybil coaxes Esme into helping her steal posters to sell to collectors. As they are selling a stolen poster, they meet Maeve, who happens to be the person on the mentioned poster and owner of the club in Severon named The Absinthe Underground. But Maeve is not who she seems; she is an exiled Fae and needs Sybil and Esme to steal the Crown Jewels from faerie.
Pacton has a really compelling writing style, approachable for people of all ages. With regards to the land of the Fae, it doesn't do anything new and reminded me a lot of The Cruel Prince, but that is okay. I enjoyed their time in the land of faerie. I did find the world building lacking, mainly of Severon, which is where the majority of the story takes place. Pacton added some notes in the back of the book, but I would have loved to see this covered within the story.
Usually, I am a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope (controversial opinion, I am aware). It's something about the mutual pining and the angst in not knowing if the other will ever return their feelings. The mutual pining is there, but it is not as believable as I hoped it would be. Esme would say something that clearly insinuates she has romantic feelings for Sybil, which Sybil understands and then kind of forgets about. The one aspect I loved about this queer romance is that it entirely skips the coming out phase. So many queer stories linger there, and there is a lack of wholesome romances that look further than the initial oh gods, I am gay. The Absinthe Underground eludes this awkward part and immediately dives into the romance aspect queer people deserve just as much as straight people.
Generally speaking, I enjoyed reading the book. I expected more, but that by no means implies I did not like it. It comes out February 6!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
sydnec's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
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