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A review by keepcalmblogon
The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Jamie Pacton became an auto-buy author for me after I read The Vermilion Emporium, so when I heard The Absinthe Underground was coming and it was also set in Severon, I needed a copy–and luckily I got approved on NetGalley!! Not only is this set in a new favorite fictional place, but it also involves a classic–Fae!! Jamie is so good at writing heists and adventures and bringing loveable characters to life. These two sapphic friends-to-lovers, Sybil and Esme, pine for each other with such beautiful longing throughout the story that even though FTL is one of my least favorite romance tropes, I couldn’t help but root for them! And Jamie does an excellent job drawing out that slowburn tension. She is also truly a master at normalizing queer representation and I love that about her writing!
Sybil and Esme’s adventure is full of thievery, parties, gorgeous gowns, and, of course, absinthe! While some of their jaunts verge on the side of a frolic, the end of this story is high stakes indeed, with a Fae queen granting a boon that means the difference between life and death! This was four stars for me and I recommend it to anyone who loves Fae, sapphic romance, friends to lovers, slow burn, and heists!
As an aside, I would kill for a Chloe book (iykyk!)!
Sybil and Esme’s adventure is full of thievery, parties, gorgeous gowns, and, of course, absinthe! While some of their jaunts verge on the side of a frolic, the end of this story is high stakes indeed, with a Fae queen granting a boon that means the difference between life and death! This was four stars for me and I recommend it to anyone who loves Fae, sapphic romance, friends to lovers, slow burn, and heists!
As an aside, I would kill for a Chloe book (iykyk!)!