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A review by kirajacks
A Bitter Drink by Azalea Forrest
5.0
I was a beta reader for and received a digital advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book.
Forrest's A Bitter Drink is a fabulous, magic-soaked tale of personal growth, political scheming, plots, revenge, and adventure. A novel that doesn't take itself too seriously to be fun, yet finds joy in the drama and the danger, this book is having a good time and wants to invite you along.
Despite the large cast of names and the numerous fantasy races at play here, every single one of them had their own independent voice and an understandable, believable motivation, Each character shines brightly in their own right, a rare enough treat in smaller casts, but Forrest directs her full ranks with poise and grace. The story is both engaging and a true joy, at times surprising me, at times satisfying the deep itch of my reader's soul. Her world-building, which I feel so often trips up authors or mires them so deeply that they cannot escape, is woven deftly through the tale and feels very natural to read. In addition--and of no little consequence--there are characters of many stripes here; the girls, the gays, the theys, and readers in general will be overjoyed to see such representation prominently in these pages!
Now, on to more emotional words.
This book made me feel things. This book reached into my heart and squeezed tightly and commanded that I should pay attention. This book made me grin like an idiot at 3 in the morning and tear up in the most pathetic manner over my lunchtime reading. It is very rare to see so much of the things I love to read (found families, personal growth, grief and loss, healing) set in such a fun and colorful fantasy world. Forrest's world is solemn and joyful, vibrant and unearthly; it feels like home while also being perfectly fantastical. There are very few contemporary fantasy novels, particularly ones geared toward young adults and above, that feel so incredibly welcoming to step into.
To any prospective readers: this book will not disappoint!
Forrest's A Bitter Drink is a fabulous, magic-soaked tale of personal growth, political scheming, plots, revenge, and adventure. A novel that doesn't take itself too seriously to be fun, yet finds joy in the drama and the danger, this book is having a good time and wants to invite you along.
Despite the large cast of names and the numerous fantasy races at play here, every single one of them had their own independent voice and an understandable, believable motivation, Each character shines brightly in their own right, a rare enough treat in smaller casts, but Forrest directs her full ranks with poise and grace. The story is both engaging and a true joy, at times surprising me, at times satisfying the deep itch of my reader's soul. Her world-building, which I feel so often trips up authors or mires them so deeply that they cannot escape, is woven deftly through the tale and feels very natural to read. In addition--and of no little consequence--there are characters of many stripes here; the girls, the gays, the theys, and readers in general will be overjoyed to see such representation prominently in these pages!
Now, on to more emotional words.
This book made me feel things. This book reached into my heart and squeezed tightly and commanded that I should pay attention. This book made me grin like an idiot at 3 in the morning and tear up in the most pathetic manner over my lunchtime reading. It is very rare to see so much of the things I love to read (found families, personal growth, grief and loss, healing) set in such a fun and colorful fantasy world. Forrest's world is solemn and joyful, vibrant and unearthly; it feels like home while also being perfectly fantastical. There are very few contemporary fantasy novels, particularly ones geared toward young adults and above, that feel so incredibly welcoming to step into.
To any prospective readers: this book will not disappoint!