A review by allioth
The Potionmaster: A Fantasy Novel by Kenny Gould

adventurous challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

I don't know if it's because I've been reading lots of, to put it simply, trash lately, but *The Potionmaster* feels like a refreshing glass of water on a sunny day.

(Can't think of a better metaphor right now, don't judge me...)

It has fairly simple world-building, and the author knows exactly how and when to explain things that may be confusing to the reader, without ever doubting their intelligence. It's certainly refreshing in a world where infodumping and zero-nuance novels feel like the norm.

The characters are also well thought, distinct from each other, and their motivations are clear. I especially liked how the way they approached the challenge—creating a potion that symbolizes the greatest good—speaks a lot about who they are as people. (What I didn't like was how quickly they forgot about the challenge itself, but due to the events that transpired, I guess it should be expected.)

But among the good, there's also the bad. I wish the protagonists' relationships with one another were more fleshed out. Considering the incredible amount of potential due to their clashing personalities, it strikes me as odd that their interactions felt very short and superficial, and the evolution of these relationships was too fast (Isla and Waldo, for example, had like three encounters?? Even when Isla thought he saved her life, lol).

But aside from that, the book is amazingly great. It's one of the few novels I've read that manages its time properly. It makes you want the sequel not because it didn't have time to develop, but because the world presented by Gould is just that interesting.

Fun, creative, and a must-read if you like urban fantasy. Can't wait for part two!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Spiderhead press for this ARC in exchange of an honest review!