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A review by alexa_frost
The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
**Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishers for the ARC**
This book was a relatively easy read with a great premise but fell a little flat in the execution. The world building was lacking a bit - it was presented as a fantastical world inspired by 1800s Paris but I feel like it would have been better to lean into the magical realism and set it in Paris so the references to real artists would have bolstered the world building rather than feel forced.
The plot and pacing also missed the mark for me. The book was largely centred on a heist but it all felt a little too easy, the conflict felt forced and was all very conveniently and quickly resolved. I have seen some other reviewers say it felt a bit like the animated barbie movies which perfectly sums up how reading this book felt. Not inherently bad but just not quite what I was expecting.
I would recommend to younger YA readers, I feel like this is something I would have loved when I was 13.
This book was a relatively easy read with a great premise but fell a little flat in the execution. The world building was lacking a bit - it was presented as a fantastical world inspired by 1800s Paris but I feel like it would have been better to lean into the magical realism and set it in Paris so the references to real artists would have bolstered the world building rather than feel forced.
The plot and pacing also missed the mark for me. The book was largely centred on a heist but it all felt a little too easy, the conflict felt forced and was all very conveniently and quickly resolved. I have seen some other reviewers say it felt a bit like the animated barbie movies which perfectly sums up how reading this book felt. Not inherently bad but just not quite what I was expecting.
I would recommend to younger YA readers, I feel like this is something I would have loved when I was 13.