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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
It took me a grand total of two days to finish this book and it was a delight!
Bitter Medicine is an urban fantasy romance novel that follows two protagonists, Elle and Luc, who become entangled in ways that threaten their strong sense of duty to the people in their lives.
One of my favorite things about this book is its inspiration from xianxia and C-dramas. My sister and I have landed on movies and tv shows with this exact feel many times as we clicked through TV channels in Taiwan. Mia Tsai does a fantastic job blending those genres with a modern urban fantasy vibe.
Luc and Elle are PRECIOUS and I want all the happy things for them. The novel explores a lot of themes about duty and self-worth through their struggles, and I loved the added element of their blended cultures and languages. Speaking of, I love that Tsai didn’t translate phrases or dialogue in the characters’ mother tongues. Her note at the end of the book regarding that choice was thought provoking and illuminating, and though I could follow most of the mandarin (in traditional characters rather than simplified!! Love that) I found myself very content with knowing there were certain phrases in French, for instance, that I couldn’t understand.
The only criticism I really have is that I wanted more of this world!! Tsai’s world-building was fascinating and well-done, and I wanted to know more about how it worked. The book focuses more on the romance (which is both adorable and steamy) and character development. I loved Elle and Luc, but the fantasy nerd in me was hungering for more detail.
Bitter Medicine is an urban fantasy romance novel that follows two protagonists, Elle and Luc, who become entangled in ways that threaten their strong sense of duty to the people in their lives.
One of my favorite things about this book is its inspiration from xianxia and C-dramas. My sister and I have landed on movies and tv shows with this exact feel many times as we clicked through TV channels in Taiwan. Mia Tsai does a fantastic job blending those genres with a modern urban fantasy vibe.
Luc and Elle are PRECIOUS and I want all the happy things for them. The novel explores a lot of themes about duty and self-worth through their struggles, and I loved the added element of their blended cultures and languages. Speaking of, I love that Tsai didn’t translate phrases or dialogue in the characters’ mother tongues. Her note at the end of the book regarding that choice was thought provoking and illuminating, and though I could follow most of the mandarin (in traditional characters rather than simplified!! Love that) I found myself very content with knowing there were certain phrases in French, for instance, that I couldn’t understand.
The only criticism I really have is that I wanted more of this world!! Tsai’s world-building was fascinating and well-done, and I wanted to know more about how it worked. The book focuses more on the romance (which is both adorable and steamy) and character development. I loved Elle and Luc, but the fantasy nerd in me was hungering for more detail.
***3.5 stars***
I did enjoy this book. I do feel that the romance is a bit underdeveloped, and the world building was a touch lacking. I also didn't love the ending. It just didn't satisfy me. That being said, I did enjoy my time with it.
I did enjoy this book. I do feel that the romance is a bit underdeveloped, and the world building was a touch lacking. I also didn't love the ending. It just didn't satisfy me. That being said, I did enjoy my time with it.
Bitter Medicine was such a fun fantasy romance adventure with so much heart. The entire concept was interesting and I almost wanted MORE of the world-building elements and specifically Elle's work. I love all the culture, the languages, the characters... just the whole thing. I wanted to give this book a hug.
The pacing was interesting at times, it felt like it was building to one point (which really felt like the climax) but then there was more. But really, I was so charmed at that point it didn't matter.
I also loved the author's note at the end about why she chose to approach language as she did. It also made me reminisce about my time living abroad.
Definitely will read more from Mia!
The pacing was interesting at times, it felt like it was building to one point (which really felt like the climax) but then there was more. But really, I was so charmed at that point it didn't matter.
I also loved the author's note at the end about why she chose to approach language as she did. It also made me reminisce about my time living abroad.
Definitely will read more from Mia!
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:
Yes
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
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery, Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
i was actively having a bad time, and then the smut started - & like, I'm not against spicy fiction, but i do dislike about 98% of 'romantasy' because it so rarely does the romance or the fantasy any justice and we're left with a muddled mess. i don't know anything about the rules of this world, why they're all part of the same agency, how the magic system works beyond the superficial face value, & we open when our leads have already known each other for 8-months and are smitten, so you're really taken the fun out there.
i'm ranting a lot and there's Stuff Here to Enjoy with the premise and noir backdrop and central mission, it's just such a disappointment
i'm ranting a lot and there's Stuff Here to Enjoy with the premise and noir backdrop and central mission, it's just such a disappointment