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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I’m giving this one a solid 3 because it has a really solid foundation. Good bants, interesting characters, a wild fantasy element and very cool world… I genuinely enjoyed it and spent the first half absolutely engrossed!
Unfortunately, after that it fell a bit flat for me.
From here, there will be light spoilers. Heads up!
I think that their were some things that needed to be fleshed out a bit more, like Luc’s background: he gets a really bad rap for so little, and I would have loved to see Oberon use his influence to create more tension in his backstory that would warrant the hatred he received. Too much of it was just implied. Let’s see him be the villain, for real this time.
Also I would have liked to see more development of the familial relationship between Elle and her brothers. I genuinely thought Elle’s little brother was like a crime lord or something but if he is, that isn’t fleshed out. From what I can tell, his biggest crime is trying to take the life of Tony. Does that warrant a bureau investigation? Especially when the event took place 26 years ago? Plus, if I’m honest, if given light, the court of public opinion would probably sway towards him. With great power comes great responsibility. Tony had the power to save lives, but chose instead to live his life as he chose. Responsibility is a burden, and of course the familial dynamic of expectation was not great. But to allow others to die so you could shirk responsibility? That? Sucks?
Back to familial dynamic: I really just didn’t see the connect of Elle’s love for her brothers. We hardly see her interact with her youngest brother, so her fierce devotion and desire to keep him alive makes no sense. And her support of Tony’s choice to live free also didn’t make sense. It was, by all accounts, a shitty situation.
I would have loved some flip backs to their past, growing up together. Seeing the tension grow between brothers, and Elle playing the role of peacemaker in lieu of her absent parents. I feel like this would lend credence to her devotion and love of her brothers, as well as round out the character development so we could feel for the motives a lot more.
I hope this isn’t too harsh- I did genuinely like Elle and Luc and the concept is so interesting. There were a lot of things I enjoyed, like Elle’s magic, the mix of cultural folklore, the absolutely solid banter that had me giggling to myself… I just got lost at the end.
Unfortunately, after that it fell a bit flat for me.
From here, there will be light spoilers. Heads up!
I think that their were some things that needed to be fleshed out a bit more, like Luc’s background: he gets a really bad rap for so little, and I would have loved to see Oberon use his influence to create more tension in his backstory that would warrant the hatred he received. Too much of it was just implied. Let’s see him be the villain, for real this time.
Also I would have liked to see more development of the familial relationship between Elle and her brothers. I genuinely thought Elle’s little brother was like a crime lord or something but if he is, that isn’t fleshed out. From what I can tell, his biggest crime is trying to take the life of Tony. Does that warrant a bureau investigation? Especially when the event took place 26 years ago? Plus, if I’m honest, if given light, the court of public opinion would probably sway towards him. With great power comes great responsibility. Tony had the power to save lives, but chose instead to live his life as he chose. Responsibility is a burden, and of course the familial dynamic of expectation was not great. But to allow others to die so you could shirk responsibility? That? Sucks?
Back to familial dynamic: I really just didn’t see the connect of Elle’s love for her brothers. We hardly see her interact with her youngest brother, so her fierce devotion and desire to keep him alive makes no sense. And her support of Tony’s choice to live free also didn’t make sense. It was, by all accounts, a shitty situation.
I would have loved some flip backs to their past, growing up together. Seeing the tension grow between brothers, and Elle playing the role of peacemaker in lieu of her absent parents. I feel like this would lend credence to her devotion and love of her brothers, as well as round out the character development so we could feel for the motives a lot more.
I hope this isn’t too harsh- I did genuinely like Elle and Luc and the concept is so interesting. There were a lot of things I enjoyed, like Elle’s magic, the mix of cultural folklore, the absolutely solid banter that had me giggling to myself… I just got lost at the end.
This was fun! The urban fantasy setting and vibe is top notch. This might be the first romance novel I’ve ever read, so I don’t have much of a basis of comparison for those elements— I thought the romance was enjoyable and adequately steamy, but the adherence to (what I think are) romance novel conventions made the urban fantasy plot pretty clunky and awkwardly paced.
If you specifically -want- a romance novel that is also an action packed urban fantasy dramedy… well, here you go, this is that!
Audiobook: good read by Natalie Naudus; a solid listen.
If you specifically -want- a romance novel that is also an action packed urban fantasy dramedy… well, here you go, this is that!
Audiobook: good read by Natalie Naudus; a solid listen.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Light and fluffy, though the ending was a tad unsatisfying
This has absolutely no bearing on my thoughts on the book, but it’s written that Luc’s ears were docked and yet on the cover
dark
emotional
sad
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
Thank you to Tachyon Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of Bitter Medicine!
This book was so unsurprisingly good! Incredible story with incredible characters! Definitely one you should add to your bookshelf!!
-> Urban Fantasy Romance
-> Excellent World Building and Magic System
-> Chinese Mythology Elements
-> Fast-paced
This book was so unsurprisingly good! Incredible story with incredible characters! Definitely one you should add to your bookshelf!!
-> Urban Fantasy Romance
-> Excellent World Building and Magic System
-> Chinese Mythology Elements
-> Fast-paced
started thinking about this book again and it made me mad
dark
emotional
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:
No
This was cute. I love the magical realism and what brings this couple together. You fall in love with both of them and they work together to make themselves the priority over their work and destinies. They make their own destinies. Tony is such a fun side character too. He should have his own book ❤️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes