Reviews

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton

pkrantz's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

brittknee52's review against another edition

adventurous funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

maddielloyd's review

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

So the vibes were great. But that’s all this book is. Vibes. Which again, is fine but not what I look for when you set me up for a thieving heist. 
This story was all about the scene and then feelings and the magic. Less about the plot, which was raced through and used as a way to keep things moving forward. We stole three impossible items in a matter of three chapters and it all happened without flaw. 
So I guess I’m judging this from a high fantasy, high stakes standpoint. This isn’t that. 
I feel like I’ve got to say again though, the vibes were immaculate. 

theradiantreader's review

adventurous

3.25

beckzareads's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

This book sent me on quite the adventure. I really enjoyed the world story focused world building of Fae, and Severon. It was just enough that you knew what you needed for the story. I really loved the growth in Esme, for someone super content with staying home and fixing clocks, Esme really gave this adventure heist her all! The friend to lover storyline was beautifully done. The way they relied on each other and risked everything for a life together in the end was super sweet and addicting.

I wrote so much down when reading this book because I got so engulfed into the story. 

I think the refreshing take on Fae, and their not so fairytale ticks they do to get what they want, was really nicely done. 

Do I recommend? Yes, if you love a good friends to lovers and fantasy book. This is a book you should grab.

booklovingnerd87's review against another edition

medium-paced

5.0

monstergirlreading'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? Yes

4.0

siena_j_p's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

2.75

Man, there was so much hype surrounding this book (not to mention the gorgeous cover), and it just didn’t live up. Given the whole context and aesthetic it sets up, I was looking for something with a sort of Moulin Rouge vibe – overwrought and angsty and dramatic. But I guess there was just way too much going on to really establish a coherent vibe. Basically our main characters Esme and Sybil, roommates and best friends who are also in love with each other, get roped into a scheme to steal Queen Mab’s jewels for the owner of popular club The Absinthe Underground.

 There’s a lot of jumping around, from the streets of Severon to the Absinthe Underground to the main character’s brother’s house to Fae and back again. And there are so many different dynamics going on – Esme and Sybil’s relationship, Sybil’s family history, all the dynamics of Severon, the worldbuilding of Fae, the characters in Fae, and there just isn’t  room for them to all get fleshed out properly. There’s nothing to anchor the story or hold it all together; it’s just a bit all over the place.

anigirl524's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

brunstadb's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

2.5