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lunagirl_alice's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. The world building was really great and I love the magic system that is in place, the idea of there being direct consequences to the witches themselves for using magic in terms of the physical toll it took was something I found really interesting. I also loved the characters, both the main characters were loveable even Tamsin who has a very cold exterior, her quips and taunts were very funny at times. Even the smaller characters whom we did not get to see a lot of in the book were well written and I really liked them. I would love another book on the school itself and maybe Tamsin's life at the school prior to her banishment, that's something I did want to know about in more detail, however obviously I understand why that would not have really fitted into the book. I would have also liked to see more of Wren's childhood and maybe how her father became to be the man he was when we were first introduced to him, and seen how his relationship with wren was affected. I loved the author's writing style so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future books, I believe there's one coming out this year. I highly recommend this book as an adventurous Sapphic fantasy and especially as this was a debut novel I was highly impressed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Terminal illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
angstifies's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a really enjoyable book with a sort of cozy fantasy world and sweet characters who have to go on a journey together to end a magical plague and it’s SAPPHIC so i obviously liked it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Vomit, and Murder
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
"there was a difference between existing and living. that was something tamsin knew well."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal death and Child death
madamepincers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death and Infertility
stateofiction's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I seriously cannot believe this was a debut novel. The development was so well done and I cannot wait to see what else this author puts out in the future.
The forefront of this novel was the characterizations of Tamsin and Wren. And the characterization is wonderful. They both go through so much in order to fuel their growth and I adored seeing them grow together and see their relationship develop. alsothereisonlyonebedcanyoubelieveit
The only reason I gave it four stars is because some of the writing reminded me that it was a debut due to the occasionally spotty parts. Every now and then random conflicts would be resolved within the same page they were introduced which was a little off. Especially at the end, which felt a little rushed.
However, the dialogue Tooley writes is fantastic and I could not get enough of Tamsin and Wren's banter. They had such dry humor and I loved it.
The forefront of this novel was the characterizations of Tamsin and Wren. And the characterization is wonderful. They both go through so much in order to fuel their growth and I adored seeing them grow together and see their relationship develop. alsothereisonlyonebedcanyoubelieveit
The only reason I gave it four stars is because some of the writing reminded me that it was a debut due to the occasionally spotty parts. Every now and then random conflicts would be resolved within the same page they were introduced which was a little off. Especially at the end, which felt a little rushed.
However, the dialogue Tooley writes is fantastic and I could not get enough of Tamsin and Wren's banter. They had such dry humor and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
caidyn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Did I read this in basically one sitting? Yes, yes I did. It was so good that I couldn't put it down. I kept wanting to know what would happen next. I loved Wren and Tamsin, as well as their stories. Grief plays a huge role in this, as well as figuring out their identities. Tamsin is a witch who was banished and cursed to never feel love. Wren is trying to take care of her sick father the best she can. And then a plague starts coming because of a dark witch. I just loved the book. It was such a great story and I can see myself revisiting the world again in a reread as a comfort book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent
ramunepocky's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
sapphic witches are literally the only thing i care about in the world
I have a lot of good things to say about this book because I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I really, really liked the magic system, it was interesting to learn about the witches and the sources and how they could work together, and the way that using their magic affected them, and the earth. I always enjoy magic that has consequences, that has balance and a give and take.
Personally, if I were in their world, I’d want to be a source so I could and smell magic and be surrounded by it, and how integral it was to my life.
I liked the world building a lot, I loved the fact there was a map at the beginning of the map so i could actually visual the journey they were taking and how far into it they were/what lay ahead!!
I was right in who I thought the dark witch might be, but it was a nice little twist, and I liked seeing the way that it played out and why those things happened!!
I also really loved the subtlety of Tamsin starting to become aware of Wren’s colourings, etc as a way to tell us she was falling for her, after so long of not being able to physically feel love or see colours or smell things, it was such a sweet little touch, esp when we see it from Tamsin’s POV for the first time and she notes that Wren’s eyes are green and she can smell Lavendar, even tho she’s unsure why, just that something has changed, I LOVED that
I have a lot of good things to say about this book because I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I really, really liked the magic system, it was interesting to learn about the witches and the sources and how they could work together, and the way that using their magic affected them, and the earth. I always enjoy magic that has consequences, that has balance and a give and take.
Personally, if I were in their world, I’d want to be a source so I could and smell magic and be surrounded by it, and how integral it was to my life.
I liked the world building a lot, I loved the fact there was a map at the beginning of the map so i could actually visual the journey they were taking and how far into it they were/what lay ahead!!
I was right in who I thought the dark witch might be, but it was a nice little twist, and I liked seeing the way that it played out and why those things happened!!
I also really loved the subtlety of Tamsin starting to become aware of Wren’s colourings, etc as a way to tell us she was falling for her, after so long of not being able to physically feel love or see colours or smell things, it was such a sweet little touch, esp when we see it from Tamsin’s POV for the first time and she notes that Wren’s eyes are green and she can smell Lavendar, even tho she’s unsure why, just that something has changed, I LOVED that
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
the parental death was only mentioned, not seenphoebereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Sweet & Bitter Magic is a heartfelt sapphic fantasy full of morally grey characters, slowburn romance and a beautiful arc of self-growth and forgiveness! I loved the way magic was described in this book and how the perspectives of it shifted between Tamsin and Wren. Both characters have really fantastic arcs through the book that made them both so lovely to follow along in the story, and also made me love the way they were slowly drawn to each other. Overall, this book is a really enjoyable read and I highly recommend it!!
(Also, nothing hits quite like a sort of enemies-to-lovers slowburn (we even briefly get a "there's only one bed" moment!) mixed together with literal MAGIC!)
So happy I won an ARC of this book and got to read it early!!
(Also, nothing hits quite like a sort of enemies-to-lovers slowburn (we even briefly get a "there's only one bed" moment!) mixed together with literal MAGIC!)
So happy I won an ARC of this book and got to read it early!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and Mental illness
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the e-arc of this book!
Tamsin has been cursed so she is unable to feel love unless she bargains it away from others. Wren has been trapped under the weight of her secrets and her father's expectations for her. When a plague caused by dark magic seeps through, Tamsin and Wren make a deal to work together so they can stop the plague before it gets even worse, and they have to travel to Within the Witchlands to do it...
The writing in this book pulled me in right away! I loved the vivid imagery and details that Tooley used to tell the story, and I thought the mix between plot and character development was absolutely perfect! I love both Tamsin and Wren and their interactions and relationship growth was absolutely everything! It was written so organically and I absolutely loved the progression.
I thought the plot was extremely interesting and I loved the way magic worked in this world. I loved the mysteries and revelations throughout. The two POV's were absolutely perfect for this book. They were distinct yet flowed together so nicely. Tooley did an amazing job deciding which character was going to tell which part of their story, and switching between at the exact right times.
I wish there was more to this story!
Tamsin has been cursed so she is unable to feel love unless she bargains it away from others. Wren has been trapped under the weight of her secrets and her father's expectations for her. When a plague caused by dark magic seeps through, Tamsin and Wren make a deal to work together so they can stop the plague before it gets even worse, and they have to travel to Within the Witchlands to do it...
The writing in this book pulled me in right away! I loved the vivid imagery and details that Tooley used to tell the story, and I thought the mix between plot and character development was absolutely perfect! I love both Tamsin and Wren and their interactions and relationship growth was absolutely everything! It was written so organically and I absolutely loved the progression.
I thought the plot was extremely interesting and I loved the way magic worked in this world. I loved the mysteries and revelations throughout. The two POV's were absolutely perfect for this book. They were distinct yet flowed together so nicely. Tooley did an amazing job deciding which character was going to tell which part of their story, and switching between at the exact right times.
I wish there was more to this story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Vomit
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