Reviews

The Apothecary Diaries 02 by Nekokurage

lacyparrish's review against another edition

3.5

Overall review for volumes 1-3 Maomao's story is a fun, cozy-ish fantasy set in an imperial Chinese court, where the courtesans are vying to be the next Empress. Maomao was sold into service here (by folks I'm still not sure who they are) and her previous apothecary training comes in handy to solve various syndromes that members of the palace are suffering from. She ends up as a food taster, which is interesting because she seems to have a strange and potentially unhealthy desire to taste poisons ... building up a tolerance through possibly offputting experimentation. So far, this is enjoyable, but I'm not sure how soon I will continue, as my library only has one more volume available.

Full Rating (out of 10 possible): 6.286 (based on a modified CAWPILE system)
Romance level (out of 5 possible): 0 (not a romance) 

madelyne_bookdiary's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

palimpseststory's review against another edition

funny relaxing fast-paced

4.75

puali's review against another edition

funny informative mysterious slow-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Grief, Miscarriage, Trafficking, and Vomit

abthebluepup's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

nicksalex's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted mysterious fast-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

readinthefiels's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

4.75

wizardpendragon's review against another edition

5.0

i love Maomao! she’s insane, I want to put her in my pocket and take her everywhere 

estherbookster's review against another edition

5.0

5 stars 

Maomao is a genius. I love how her skills are coming into fruition and benefiting the Inner Court. The hairpin and item exchanging scenes are so charming like girl, everybody admires you. Onto volume 3!!

corallydeer's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

This volume was great. I loved that 3/4 of the volume focused on one specific event (the Garden Party) so it didn't feel super rushed and was great for seeing more interaction between so many different elements: the four consorts, the various ladies-in-waiting, the emperor and his officials, etc. I also love that we're slowly starting to get into some of the darker subjects

(like why Maomao has her freckles and the realities that Consort Lishu and the Empress Dowager had to face as child brides essentially)

. Looking forward to the next volume!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Medical content

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Pedophilia

Grief

(Consort Lihua grieves for her infant as she recovers)

| Medical Content

(Maomao is an apothecary who tastes for poison and helps Consort Lihua recover)

| Bullying

(the groups of ladies-in-waiting bully each other)

| Pedophilia

(the previous emperor is insinuated to have enjoyed especially young girls because of Consort Lishu and the Empress Dowager)

| Sexual Assault

(described in passing as part of the reason Maomao wears fake freckles everyday)

| Vomit

(mentioned mostly in passing as what needs to happen after ingesting poison)