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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received a copy of this book in an OwlCrate box years ago, and finally made the time to read it now.
"Sweet & Bitter Magic" is a witchy story that brings together two strangers: Wren and Tamsin. Wren is a source, a rare person who is made of magic, but cannot use magic herself. She has always kept this a secret because she does not want to go to the Coven and leave her ill father to fend for himself. Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation, but she made a horrible magic mistake, and she was exiled from the Coven and cursed to never be able to feel love. Unfortunately, a magical plague has taken over, and Wren finds herself in desperate need to save her father, so she seeks out Tamsin's unique brand of "assistance".
This was a really fun, quick witchy book to kick of the spooky season. The magic system was very easy to follow, and pretty basic for the witches to use. I also really enjoyed that the magic yielders were witches, because it added to the atmosphere of the beginning of spooky season.
Wren and Tamsin were such a great pair to read from. They both bring strengths and weaknesses to the table, and I think they both really helped to flesh the other out. Because she is unable to feel love, Tamsin is a little rough around the edges. Wren, on the other hand, is overflowing with empathy and love for those in her life. Wren can be a little naive about the world, because she has been so insular for so long, while Tamsin is well-versed in how dark the magical world can be.
This book kind of reads like a debut because it was not a very high-level fantasy. Nothing felt particularly unique about the story, it just felt very average, which I would expect from a debut. This is not necessarily a bad thing, I enjoyed the story, but it was not very memorable for me.
I would recommend this to someone who wants a fun, easy, YA witch story.
"Sweet & Bitter Magic" is a witchy story that brings together two strangers: Wren and Tamsin. Wren is a source, a rare person who is made of magic, but cannot use magic herself. She has always kept this a secret because she does not want to go to the Coven and leave her ill father to fend for himself. Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation, but she made a horrible magic mistake, and she was exiled from the Coven and cursed to never be able to feel love. Unfortunately, a magical plague has taken over, and Wren finds herself in desperate need to save her father, so she seeks out Tamsin's unique brand of "assistance".
This was a really fun, quick witchy book to kick of the spooky season. The magic system was very easy to follow, and pretty basic for the witches to use. I also really enjoyed that the magic yielders were witches, because it added to the atmosphere of the beginning of spooky season.
Wren and Tamsin were such a great pair to read from. They both bring strengths and weaknesses to the table, and I think they both really helped to flesh the other out. Because she is unable to feel love, Tamsin is a little rough around the edges. Wren, on the other hand, is overflowing with empathy and love for those in her life. Wren can be a little naive about the world, because she has been so insular for so long, while Tamsin is well-versed in how dark the magical world can be.
This book kind of reads like a debut because it was not a very high-level fantasy. Nothing felt particularly unique about the story, it just felt very average, which I would expect from a debut. This is not necessarily a bad thing, I enjoyed the story, but it was not very memorable for me.
I would recommend this to someone who wants a fun, easy, YA witch story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death and Toxic relationship
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
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