Who Would Like This Book:
This is a delightful YA fantasy perfect for those who crave sapphic romance, magical adventures, and strong, character-driven stories. The world feels like a new fairy tale, with witches, curses, heartfelt banter, and a magical plague threatening the kingdom. Tamsin and Wren, the grumpy and sunshine duo, bring to life the enemies-to-lovers trope with emotional depth and real vulnerabilities. If you love queer fantasy, slow-burn romance, journeys of self-discovery, and charming yet bittersweet storytelling, this one’s for you. Anyone who appreciates authentic emotional growth and complex family relationships will also find a lot to love.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the pacing a bit slow and felt there were too many introspective or draggy moments. If you dislike miscommunication tropes, you may get frustrated by the stretches where characters just refuse to talk things out. The magical world might feel a touch under-explained at times, leaving those searching for deep lore a little unsatisfied. A few readers didn’t buy into the chemistry between the leads, finding the romance a bit rushed or underdeveloped. If you prefer nonstop action or a fast-moving plot over character-driven stories, this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
'Sweet & Bitter Magic' by Adrienne Tooley follows the story of Tamsin, a powerful witch banished from her coven for using dark magic to save her twin sister. Cursed with the inability to love, she trades for others' love to feel something. When a plague hits the world due to dark magic, Tamsin teams up with Wren, a magical source, to try and save the world. Their journey together is filled with elements of family, grief, and love magic, with a touch of humor, romance, and a fairy tale-like atmosphere.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of mental illness, family loss, emotional turmoil, and depictions of dark magic.
Has Romance?
The book features a high level of romance, characterized by emotional depth and connection between the main characters.
From The Publisher:
"Evokes a mix of European fairy tales and medieval society . . . a treat for readers who loved the queer fantasy of Melissa Bashardoust." - BookPage
In this charming debut fantasy, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.
Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation. But after committing the worst magical sin, she's exiled by the ruling Coven and cursed with the inability to love. The only way she can get those feelings back-even for just a little while-is to steal love from others.
Wren is a source-a rare kind of person who is made of magic, despite being unable to use it herself. Sources are required to train with the Coven as soon as they discover their abilities, but Wren-the only caretaker to her ailing father-has spent her life hiding her secret.
When a magical plague ravages the queendom, Wren's father falls victim. To save him, Wren proposes a bargain: if Tamsin will help her catch the dark witch responsible for creating the plague, then Wren will give Tamsin her love for her father.
Of course, love bargains are a tricky thing, and these two have a long, perilous journey ahead of them-that is, if they don't kill each other first.
"[A] rich, nuanced fantasy world . . . Tooley's debut skillfully and subtly emphasizes the consequences of prioritizing power above people and the environment . . . thoughtful, ambitious, and unexpected." - Kirkus Reviews
"A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance." - School Library Journal
Ratings (13)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (4) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (5) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (67):
Read It (15) | |
Want To Read (44) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (7) |
What can you read after
Sweet & Bitter Magic?
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