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Greatest in the Multiverse #1
The Bartender Between Worlds: A Cozy Fantasy Adventure with Found Family, Portals, & Cocktails
Low-stakes magic, crafting cocktails, and discovering the power of who we truly are.
Emma grew up as a Hunter of the Cursed—those charged with eradicating monsters and magic from the Kingdom. She's good at it too and is revered as one of the King's most skilled hunters. At least she was—until she discovered she possessed magic herself.
Before anyone else can discover her secret, Emma abandons her post and flees to the far edge of the Kingdom, where she hopes she can settle down and live a quiet life as a bartender, out of the Hunters' watchful eye.
Fate, however, won't allow us to run away from who we are so easily.
When Emma is confronted by an exiled fairy and a man who claims to be a scientist (though Emma is convinced he's a sorcerer), she must evaluate what she believes and the confines of who she's been allowed to be.
Pulled on a journey that takes her further than she'd ever imagined possible, Emma is led on an adventure to discover where her fate lies and must confront her own biases, hopefully learning a drink recipe or two along the way.
A low-stakes cozy fantasy about cocktails, magic, portals, and finding where we truly belong.
If you enjoyed the themes of leaving it all behind in books like Legends & Lattes, and the fun and low-stakes magic in The Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, then this is the book for you.
Emma grew up as a Hunter of the Cursed—those charged with eradicating monsters and magic from the Kingdom. She's good at it too and is revered as one of the King's most skilled hunters. At least she was—until she discovered she possessed magic herself.
Before anyone else can discover her secret, Emma abandons her post and flees to the far edge of the Kingdom, where she hopes she can settle down and live a quiet life as a bartender, out of the Hunters' watchful eye.
Fate, however, won't allow us to run away from who we are so easily.
When Emma is confronted by an exiled fairy and a man who claims to be a scientist (though Emma is convinced he's a sorcerer), she must evaluate what she believes and the confines of who she's been allowed to be.
Pulled on a journey that takes her further than she'd ever imagined possible, Emma is led on an adventure to discover where her fate lies and must confront her own biases, hopefully learning a drink recipe or two along the way.
A low-stakes cozy fantasy about cocktails, magic, portals, and finding where we truly belong.
If you enjoyed the themes of leaving it all behind in books like Legends & Lattes, and the fun and low-stakes magic in The Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, then this is the book for you.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2024
177 people are currently reading
6226 people want to read
About the author
Herman Steuernagel
18 books128 followersHerman Steuernagel is a science fiction and fantasy author. His internationally best-selling debut Lies the Guardians Tell reached the top of the science fiction charts in multiple countries.
Herman grew up with a love of story and science fiction, watching Star Trek, The Next Generation with his father. As a teenager he fell in love with The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, and The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.
His currently published works are dystopian science fiction that highlight the struggle between humanity and the technology we keep, as well as the motivations that keep us fighting with each other.
Herman currently lives in British Columbia, Canada, While he’s not working on a new book he can be found cycling, running and dreaming up new worlds.
You can keep up with Herman on his website:
https://www.hermansteuernagel.com
Herman grew up with a love of story and science fiction, watching Star Trek, The Next Generation with his father. As a teenager he fell in love with The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, and The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.
His currently published works are dystopian science fiction that highlight the struggle between humanity and the technology we keep, as well as the motivations that keep us fighting with each other.
Herman currently lives in British Columbia, Canada, While he’s not working on a new book he can be found cycling, running and dreaming up new worlds.
You can keep up with Herman on his website:
https://www.hermansteuernagel.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 28, 2024
It was difficult to write this review because of my conflicting feelings. I had certain expectations based on the marketing (low stakes, cozy) but they didn’t quite match up with my actual experience. But that doesn’t mean this wasn’t a good book. I still had a really good time.
From the beginning, this was a fun experience because it is a gorgeous book. I loved the chapter headers and the illustrations throughout. The cover is pretty eye-catching too. Combined with a quick pace that worked well with the short chapters and likable main characters, this was a good break from the more serious SFF books I’ve been reading.
I did think though that it wasn’t the strongest setup for this kind of story. What happened to the main character right at the start was a life-changing event. Something that should’ve shaken the very foundations of her beliefs and character. Yet there wasn’t nearly as much conflict within her as I would’ve expected.
I also disagree that this is truly a cozy story. Or even low stakes. For the main characters AND the supporting characters in various… situations both the magic and the events (depending on which you want to call low stakes) felt quite impactful and a big deal. None of the plot really felt cozy and low stakes to me.
But again, that didn’t make it a bad read. Having a quick plot with very basic world building made this a short read that was exciting and fun and focused right on the action. The themes were great for the storyline and it had characters that were easy to like and cheer for, lines that were more profound than I expected, and an ending that I thought fit really well.
From the beginning, this was a fun experience because it is a gorgeous book. I loved the chapter headers and the illustrations throughout. The cover is pretty eye-catching too. Combined with a quick pace that worked well with the short chapters and likable main characters, this was a good break from the more serious SFF books I’ve been reading.
I did think though that it wasn’t the strongest setup for this kind of story. What happened to the main character right at the start was a life-changing event. Something that should’ve shaken the very foundations of her beliefs and character. Yet there wasn’t nearly as much conflict within her as I would’ve expected.
I also disagree that this is truly a cozy story. Or even low stakes. For the main characters AND the supporting characters in various… situations both the magic and the events (depending on which you want to call low stakes) felt quite impactful and a big deal. None of the plot really felt cozy and low stakes to me.
But again, that didn’t make it a bad read. Having a quick plot with very basic world building made this a short read that was exciting and fun and focused right on the action. The themes were great for the storyline and it had characters that were easy to like and cheer for, lines that were more profound than I expected, and an ending that I thought fit really well.
August 13, 2024
A cozy quest through time and space and a multiverse of possibilities?
This one was fun.
Emma is a former witch hunter. She found out she had magical abilities as she experiences the very essence of drinks. She knows them intimately and can sense them. Unfortunately, on her world, magic is against the law.
She teams up (quite accidentally) with a quirky fairy and a wild professor who has a device that allows them to travel between worlds in the multiverse.
Lots of found family in this one. Lots of whimsy. Lots of magic.
Herman Steuernagel has created a cozy fantasy multiverse filled with fun and adventure. You don't want to miss this.
This one was fun.
Emma is a former witch hunter. She found out she had magical abilities as she experiences the very essence of drinks. She knows them intimately and can sense them. Unfortunately, on her world, magic is against the law.
She teams up (quite accidentally) with a quirky fairy and a wild professor who has a device that allows them to travel between worlds in the multiverse.
Lots of found family in this one. Lots of whimsy. Lots of magic.
Herman Steuernagel has created a cozy fantasy multiverse filled with fun and adventure. You don't want to miss this.
April 22, 2025
DNF @ 70%
My expectations were already pretty low, but this book still managed to disappoint.
The author clearly had no idea where the story was going. It starts off in this magical world with potential... and then the characters get yanked into the modern world to, I kid you not, sip cocktails for several chapters. Why? If you're going to pull them out of their element, at least make it interesting.
The most frustrating part? Every character talks and acts the same-same manner of speaking, same superficial personalities, same weirdly childlike confusion. They talk a lot-most of this book is just people talking, but fail to leave any impressions. If you covered up the names in the dialogue, I'd have no idea who's speaking because they're all so indistinct.
The main character was the biggest offender. She's introduced as this badass, accomplished witch hunter-and then spends the whole book acting like a clueless, helpless teenager sleepwalking through every situation. Why even bother with that background? Just make her a teenage peasant, it'd make zero difference.
Honestly, the only thing to gain from reading this far is a checklist of what not to do when writing a book.
My expectations were already pretty low, but this book still managed to disappoint.
The author clearly had no idea where the story was going. It starts off in this magical world with potential... and then the characters get yanked into the modern world to, I kid you not, sip cocktails for several chapters. Why? If you're going to pull them out of their element, at least make it interesting.
The most frustrating part? Every character talks and acts the same-same manner of speaking, same superficial personalities, same weirdly childlike confusion. They talk a lot-most of this book is just people talking, but fail to leave any impressions. If you covered up the names in the dialogue, I'd have no idea who's speaking because they're all so indistinct.
The main character was the biggest offender. She's introduced as this badass, accomplished witch hunter-and then spends the whole book acting like a clueless, helpless teenager sleepwalking through every situation. Why even bother with that background? Just make her a teenage peasant, it'd make zero difference.
Honestly, the only thing to gain from reading this far is a checklist of what not to do when writing a book.
July 24, 2024
Emma is a Hunter. She’s extremely good at what she does – hunting the Cursed and bringing them in so that everyone remains safe. Anyone with magic, anyone who suddenly develops magic, are cursed.
Of course, life becomes a little bit more complicated when she suddenly develops magic herself.
The Bartender Between Worlds is a cozy fantasy, set in an England that, as the title suggests, is part of a multiverse.
True to the genre, there’s nothing world-shattering – the story hinges on these people.
The core cast of Emma, Professor Aldrich and Vespa all have personal stakes that propel the story forwards – not least of which is making sure that the world they start in, doesn’t hunt them down.
Emma wants somewhere quiet to be safe, where she can learn about bartending. Professor Aldrich is a man away from his world, and wants to return, but also to continue his research. Vespa has a desperate need to help people, but also needs to acknowledge what she wants in life.
The character interactions are what really make this story shine, and in following them all through, you really get a strong sense of who these individuals are. By the end of it, it’s heartwarming to see how they’ve all found each other as family.
Sprinkled throughout are recipes for various drinks that Emma encounters, which adds not only an element of believability to it, but also a fun way for readers to engage in the world.
This is a fun, light easy read. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t require you to know the 7 centuries history of an ice kingdom’s beef with a neighbouring desert tribe, or to have memorised an entire magical grimoire and it’s companion encyclopedias, then this could be the book for you to curl up with.
The Bartender Between Worlds, by Herman Steuernagel, is available now.
Of course, life becomes a little bit more complicated when she suddenly develops magic herself.
The Bartender Between Worlds is a cozy fantasy, set in an England that, as the title suggests, is part of a multiverse.
True to the genre, there’s nothing world-shattering – the story hinges on these people.
The core cast of Emma, Professor Aldrich and Vespa all have personal stakes that propel the story forwards – not least of which is making sure that the world they start in, doesn’t hunt them down.
Emma wants somewhere quiet to be safe, where she can learn about bartending. Professor Aldrich is a man away from his world, and wants to return, but also to continue his research. Vespa has a desperate need to help people, but also needs to acknowledge what she wants in life.
The character interactions are what really make this story shine, and in following them all through, you really get a strong sense of who these individuals are. By the end of it, it’s heartwarming to see how they’ve all found each other as family.
Sprinkled throughout are recipes for various drinks that Emma encounters, which adds not only an element of believability to it, but also a fun way for readers to engage in the world.
This is a fun, light easy read. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t require you to know the 7 centuries history of an ice kingdom’s beef with a neighbouring desert tribe, or to have memorised an entire magical grimoire and it’s companion encyclopedias, then this could be the book for you to curl up with.
The Bartender Between Worlds, by Herman Steuernagel, is available now.
August 3, 2024
Finished: 31st July 2024
3.5⭐
📱
I’ve been seeing this one all over Tik Tok and I was very intrigued by it. A cosy, low-stakes fantasy about a bartender finding herself in a world that doesn’t want her, along with the friends she never thought she’d find.
I did enjoy this one. It was quirky and fun. However, I found it underwhelming.
Despite the title, there wasn’t much bartending. There were only a couple of small bartending scenes throughout the book. I really loved the scene where Emma is making mulled cider, it is probably my favourite scene of the book.
There also wasn’t much adventuring. Yes the characters do visit five different dimensions/worlds, however the characters stayed in the same town when visiting each dimension. At first it was interesting to see the differences, but I found I was getting a tad bored around the halfway point from the repetitiveness.
I do need to give credit to the drawings at the ends of some of the chapters. They were absolutely beautiful. They featured the characters, the lighthouse and just one of the drinks Emma makes.
3.5⭐
📱
I’ve been seeing this one all over Tik Tok and I was very intrigued by it. A cosy, low-stakes fantasy about a bartender finding herself in a world that doesn’t want her, along with the friends she never thought she’d find.
I did enjoy this one. It was quirky and fun. However, I found it underwhelming.
Despite the title, there wasn’t much bartending. There were only a couple of small bartending scenes throughout the book. I really loved the scene where Emma is making mulled cider, it is probably my favourite scene of the book.
There also wasn’t much adventuring. Yes the characters do visit five different dimensions/worlds, however the characters stayed in the same town when visiting each dimension. At first it was interesting to see the differences, but I found I was getting a tad bored around the halfway point from the repetitiveness.
I do need to give credit to the drawings at the ends of some of the chapters. They were absolutely beautiful. They featured the characters, the lighthouse and just one of the drinks Emma makes.
September 18, 2024
All Emma wants to do is be a bartender, especially after she realizes that alcohol calls to her in ways that help her find the best way to enhance it. Unfortunately, she is a hunter trained since childhood to view magic as a curse to be wiped from the Earth and now she has discovered the magic within herself. Her life changes when she meets a fairy and a scientist who introduce her to other worlds. In the course of her adventures, she also learns some drink recipes which are included in the book. This is a fantasy with a dash of science fiction. The characters are charming and the found family trope always warms my heart. Many readers will also appreciate the drink recipes.
July 11, 2024
The Bartender Between Worlds was a charming story full of magic and mayhem.
Emma has been a hunter all her life, the one the magic users need to watch out for, but when the magic calls to her, she isn’t so sure of her life’s path anymore. As the world opens up around her, she seeks to bring joy to tastebuds, fueling her locals with quality drink and joy.
Her new abilities spark some interest and before too long Emma and co are on a journey across the multiverse!
This book was a delightfully unique experience, from the beautiful artwork to the cocktail recipes inside.
Guaranteed to make you smile.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Emma has been a hunter all her life, the one the magic users need to watch out for, but when the magic calls to her, she isn’t so sure of her life’s path anymore. As the world opens up around her, she seeks to bring joy to tastebuds, fueling her locals with quality drink and joy.
Her new abilities spark some interest and before too long Emma and co are on a journey across the multiverse!
This book was a delightfully unique experience, from the beautiful artwork to the cocktail recipes inside.
Guaranteed to make you smile.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2025
I have some complicated feelings about this. Don't get me wrong it was good, but it wasn't at all what I had anticipating.
For a book called "The Bartender Between Worlds" there's a distinct lack of bartending. I think she's behind the bar 3 times in the whole thing. She does think about bartending constantly, but very little actual bartending happens. Also the story was described as "Low Stakes" and "cozy" and it wasn't so much either of those things.
Like I enjoyed it and I'll probably read the next one too, but it wasn't at all what I had expected.
For a book called "The Bartender Between Worlds" there's a distinct lack of bartending. I think she's behind the bar 3 times in the whole thing. She does think about bartending constantly, but very little actual bartending happens. Also the story was described as "Low Stakes" and "cozy" and it wasn't so much either of those things.
Like I enjoyed it and I'll probably read the next one too, but it wasn't at all what I had expected.
September 8, 2024
Short, cozy and sweet, with just the right touch of humour about it.
June 28, 2024
Great story. Was expecting more though. More worlds, more variations.
The story was good it just feels like part one of a larger story.
Would definitely recommend it.
The story was good it just feels like part one of a larger story.
Would definitely recommend it.
July 16, 2024
The Bartender Between Worlds was an absolute gem to read. It is a quick and easy read with magic, self discovery, and found family. The characters are lovable. The cozy vibes are perfect for a palette cleanser and it’s a wonderful option for someone trying to get into fantasy. Three drink recipes were such a cute and unique touch. I want more of this story!
August 4, 2024
A new take on sliding between worlds. this one includes the Magic Factor.
Emma is a hunter, a good one who just found out she is also an afflicted or cursed one. Alcohol talks to her. After meeting some new friends who tell her a crazy story of science and Fae she takes a leap and it all goes to hell quickly. But Emma will never give up her dream to help people and her new friends have become people she relates to and relies on and she can’t wait to see what’s next.
Emma is a hunter, a good one who just found out she is also an afflicted or cursed one. Alcohol talks to her. After meeting some new friends who tell her a crazy story of science and Fae she takes a leap and it all goes to hell quickly. But Emma will never give up her dream to help people and her new friends have become people she relates to and relies on and she can’t wait to see what’s next.
April 6, 2025
Oh no!
Really dumb. Essentially same idea repeated again and again. Find it hard to believe anyone wrote or that I paid money to trad it,
Really dumb. Essentially same idea repeated again and again. Find it hard to believe anyone wrote or that I paid money to trad it,
August 7, 2024
This could have been a much better book than it was. The concept of bartending, magic, and multiple worlds is a good one with much potential. Making it a, sort of, cozy book limited the building of the narrative. Too little depth to the protagonist's life changing events and too short times between worlds made this feel weak and choppy. While the drink recipes were a perk, having them in between chapters just broke up the narrative more.
October 29, 2024
I had to DNF this book. I wanted to like it. I really did. But I was expecting a story about a bartender between worlds… a bartender and a pub that was at the nexus of the multiverse, not a collection of character travelling the multiverse. I’m really disappointed about the whole thing.
February 16, 2025
Did someone order some cozy portal fantasy? I think so.
Some basics:
POV: Third person limited
POV Character: Emma
Verb Tense: past
Warnings: some violence but really not much here
Let's begin, shall we? This was actually the first book I backed on Kickstarter when I discovered all the glorious indie authors sharing special edition books there last year. I didn't receive it until close to November, but I'm reading it now since I have a constant TBR that never dwindles, no matter how many books I read through.
Emma is our POV character here. She's an orphan turned Hunter in the kingdom of Lancastria, having been trained to root out and hunt down magic wielders to bring before the king. Emma has just finished hunting down yet another magic user who's been turning townspeople into animals and is celebrating with her partner Liam when she discovers a magical ability of her own and her life changes in a flash.
Being a citizen of a kingdom that hates magic is tough enough without suddenly learning you have the ability to manipulate the principles and chemical makeup of alcohol to create unique drinks or bring a wine back from having gone bad. Emma's newfound powers are enough to terrify her, and she decides the only choice she has is to abandon her duties as a Hunter and disappear. All too soon, however, she learns her former partner Liam is just as good a tracker as she's always known him to be when he finds her in a remote town at the edges of the kingdom and she's forced to make a choice to trust perfect strangers who claim to know how to help her out of her predicament.
This book is quite fun and really calls to me. I love a good cozy fantasy. I love when I'm met with characters who just want to escape the rat race of life and find a better, more fulfilling way to live. Emma's that character here. She doesn't want to save the world. She just wants to be a bartender who makes good drinks that people enjoy. And she spends much of the book discovering more about herself as she and her unlikely companions take trips through the Demon Box portal into alternate dimensions. As she discovers the consequences of magic in different dimensions that look eerily similar to her own, Emma also learns about how her life could develop depending on her choices. It's all a strange recipe for a book where the main character slowly begins to be the change she wants to see in the world, and I liked watching her agonize over the things she learned about herself and the magic she could wield.
The book was a delight to the eyes, too. I love the copy I have from the Kickstarter with the gorgeous dustcover and the pretty color images of artwork inside. There's a lot of art from the author's wife that detail the worlds we're visiting, and the art itself is just fun and really pretty. It's also a different style than I'm used to seeing, and I like it a lot.
The story isn't earth-shattering, but it is a good, full story. It could have a sequel but doesn't need a sequel to come to a satisfying conclusion. And I liked watching Emma and her companions as they journeyed from one world to the next. All in all, it's a cozy read despite the sometimes dire circumstances in which she finds herself, and I enjoyed it.
Some basics:
POV: Third person limited
POV Character: Emma
Verb Tense: past
Warnings: some violence but really not much here
Let's begin, shall we? This was actually the first book I backed on Kickstarter when I discovered all the glorious indie authors sharing special edition books there last year. I didn't receive it until close to November, but I'm reading it now since I have a constant TBR that never dwindles, no matter how many books I read through.
Emma is our POV character here. She's an orphan turned Hunter in the kingdom of Lancastria, having been trained to root out and hunt down magic wielders to bring before the king. Emma has just finished hunting down yet another magic user who's been turning townspeople into animals and is celebrating with her partner Liam when she discovers a magical ability of her own and her life changes in a flash.
Being a citizen of a kingdom that hates magic is tough enough without suddenly learning you have the ability to manipulate the principles and chemical makeup of alcohol to create unique drinks or bring a wine back from having gone bad. Emma's newfound powers are enough to terrify her, and she decides the only choice she has is to abandon her duties as a Hunter and disappear. All too soon, however, she learns her former partner Liam is just as good a tracker as she's always known him to be when he finds her in a remote town at the edges of the kingdom and she's forced to make a choice to trust perfect strangers who claim to know how to help her out of her predicament.
This book is quite fun and really calls to me. I love a good cozy fantasy. I love when I'm met with characters who just want to escape the rat race of life and find a better, more fulfilling way to live. Emma's that character here. She doesn't want to save the world. She just wants to be a bartender who makes good drinks that people enjoy. And she spends much of the book discovering more about herself as she and her unlikely companions take trips through the Demon Box portal into alternate dimensions. As she discovers the consequences of magic in different dimensions that look eerily similar to her own, Emma also learns about how her life could develop depending on her choices. It's all a strange recipe for a book where the main character slowly begins to be the change she wants to see in the world, and I liked watching her agonize over the things she learned about herself and the magic she could wield.
The book was a delight to the eyes, too. I love the copy I have from the Kickstarter with the gorgeous dustcover and the pretty color images of artwork inside. There's a lot of art from the author's wife that detail the worlds we're visiting, and the art itself is just fun and really pretty. It's also a different style than I'm used to seeing, and I like it a lot.
The story isn't earth-shattering, but it is a good, full story. It could have a sequel but doesn't need a sequel to come to a satisfying conclusion. And I liked watching Emma and her companions as they journeyed from one world to the next. All in all, it's a cozy read despite the sometimes dire circumstances in which she finds herself, and I enjoyed it.
July 30, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
Let me start off by saying, I have come to appreciate cocktails a lot in recent years. A perfectly blended cocktail can be just the addition you need to enhance your meal, or your evening out with friends. That being said, when I first saw the cover for this book on Twitter, I immediately added it to my TBR. The title and cover are great advertisements for what you can expect in this book, but there’s much more than just cocktails and multiverses.
What I liked:
The mixology-based magic system was intriguing right from the moment Emma discovered her powers. The drinks sing to her, and her poignant appreciation of the drinks’ flavors is something you would expect to read in a food/mixology blog. I don’t know if the author has a similar inclination towards mixology, but he’s done a fantastic job regardless. In fact, he’s even included recipes for the drinks that Emma makes, something I look forward to try out myself.
The story itself isn’t anything too complex, as is expected from a cozy book. It’s straightforward, its characters are clear and likeable, and the main setting of the world is explored in interesting ways that I look forward to discovering more of in the sequels. The multiverse parts were intriguing, especially because the author has grounded the concept with his ideas and philosophy. The emotional and personal impact of the differences between these worlds really hits home when you see them through the protagonist’s eyes, something that recent multiverse mega franchises haven’t done justice to. As epic as multiverses can be, this cozy exploration of the concept really favors character and comfort over conflicts and world-ending threats. That for me was one of the biggest wins of TBBW.
Lastly, the ending. I won’t spoil it, but reading the epilogue put everything into perspective. I’ll admit, I had a little bit of trouble getting into the book in the first 5-10%, often questioning why the story is moving forward so slowly. But the ending completely justifies the slow build-up in the beginning. Because this is not your regular fantasy adventure, this is a cozy adventure and you’re meant to be grounded in the lesser more personal elements.
What I didn’t like:
Conclusion:
The Bartender Between Worlds has successfully established a world that I look forward to revisiting with future instalments. I want to see more of the mixology and bartending. I want to revisit the characters and see what adventures they’re going to embark on across this cozy multiverse.
If you like cozy fantasy with a healthy dose of fantasy adventuring, do not miss The Bartender Between Worlds.
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: The magic system, cozy vibes, interesting premise and satisfying conclusion
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Not enough focus on bartending and mixology, action and adventure parts
Let me start off by saying, I have come to appreciate cocktails a lot in recent years. A perfectly blended cocktail can be just the addition you need to enhance your meal, or your evening out with friends. That being said, when I first saw the cover for this book on Twitter, I immediately added it to my TBR. The title and cover are great advertisements for what you can expect in this book, but there’s much more than just cocktails and multiverses.
What I liked:
The mixology-based magic system was intriguing right from the moment Emma discovered her powers. The drinks sing to her, and her poignant appreciation of the drinks’ flavors is something you would expect to read in a food/mixology blog. I don’t know if the author has a similar inclination towards mixology, but he’s done a fantastic job regardless. In fact, he’s even included recipes for the drinks that Emma makes, something I look forward to try out myself.
The story itself isn’t anything too complex, as is expected from a cozy book. It’s straightforward, its characters are clear and likeable, and the main setting of the world is explored in interesting ways that I look forward to discovering more of in the sequels. The multiverse parts were intriguing, especially because the author has grounded the concept with his ideas and philosophy. The emotional and personal impact of the differences between these worlds really hits home when you see them through the protagonist’s eyes, something that recent multiverse mega franchises haven’t done justice to. As epic as multiverses can be, this cozy exploration of the concept really favors character and comfort over conflicts and world-ending threats. That for me was one of the biggest wins of TBBW.
Lastly, the ending. I won’t spoil it, but reading the epilogue put everything into perspective. I’ll admit, I had a little bit of trouble getting into the book in the first 5-10%, often questioning why the story is moving forward so slowly. But the ending completely justifies the slow build-up in the beginning. Because this is not your regular fantasy adventure, this is a cozy adventure and you’re meant to be grounded in the lesser more personal elements.
What I didn’t like:
Conclusion:
The Bartender Between Worlds has successfully established a world that I look forward to revisiting with future instalments. I want to see more of the mixology and bartending. I want to revisit the characters and see what adventures they’re going to embark on across this cozy multiverse.
If you like cozy fantasy with a healthy dose of fantasy adventuring, do not miss The Bartender Between Worlds.
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: The magic system, cozy vibes, interesting premise and satisfying conclusion
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Not enough focus on bartending and mixology, action and adventure parts
September 2, 2024
I’m genuinely just so overwhelmed by how much I enjoyed this book, how much FUN it was, that I don’t know where to begin with a review.
The world-building was so impressive. There are so many worlds and every one was well developed….no matter how long or short our time in it was. Sort of reminded me of the multi-verse Marvel has been trying to pull off- but done sooo much more successfully. (Marvel please take notes.)
And the PACING. This book is labeled as cozy because it involves so many of those tropes (friendships, food, etc) but sometimes cozy books have such low stakes that I struggle to keep going. I did NOT have that problem here. The stakes might be a little high for some cozy readers but I loved it. As a writer myself this felt like a masterclass in pacing. No stop and consistent that whole way through. Can I give a standing ovation in a review?? 👏👏👏
I don’t even drink and I found this book and its descriptions and recipes so compelling. I grew incredibly fond of the main characters (and also the author who is delightfully wholesome on social media). They dealt with some deeper emotional issues that were really well handled despite the pacing and made the whole thing pull at my heart strings.
There’s a lot of new books flooding this genre, but if you like fantasy at all, let alone cozy fantasy, I really think this one is absolutely worth your time.
✨*throws fairy dust at you to make you read it*✨
The world-building was so impressive. There are so many worlds and every one was well developed….no matter how long or short our time in it was. Sort of reminded me of the multi-verse Marvel has been trying to pull off- but done sooo much more successfully. (Marvel please take notes.)
And the PACING. This book is labeled as cozy because it involves so many of those tropes (friendships, food, etc) but sometimes cozy books have such low stakes that I struggle to keep going. I did NOT have that problem here. The stakes might be a little high for some cozy readers but I loved it. As a writer myself this felt like a masterclass in pacing. No stop and consistent that whole way through. Can I give a standing ovation in a review?? 👏👏👏
I don’t even drink and I found this book and its descriptions and recipes so compelling. I grew incredibly fond of the main characters (and also the author who is delightfully wholesome on social media). They dealt with some deeper emotional issues that were really well handled despite the pacing and made the whole thing pull at my heart strings.
There’s a lot of new books flooding this genre, but if you like fantasy at all, let alone cozy fantasy, I really think this one is absolutely worth your time.
✨*throws fairy dust at you to make you read it*✨
March 23, 2025
The Bartender Between Worlds is a cozy fantasy with a sci-fi twist: the multiverse. We start on a fairly typical fantasy world with our protagonist, Emma. Emma's job is to hunt down anything magical to rid the kingdom of it. When she discovers that she has magic, she runs to protect her secret and to try and live a quite life. When she meets a scientist from another world and a fairy, she goes on an adventure across realities. Sort of a Legends and Lattes mixed with the TV show Sliders.
I found this to be a fun read. You don't typically see science fiction in fantasy, so having the fantasy characters participate in multiversal travels helps make this story stand out, and I thought that it was pretty cool having it start on a world where magic was the norm.
Being a cozy fantasy, there are no world shattering stakes at hand. Intead, we have three main characters who get the chance to discover who they are and where they belong. If you like cozy fantasies, I think you'll enjoy this, too.
I found this to be a fun read. You don't typically see science fiction in fantasy, so having the fantasy characters participate in multiversal travels helps make this story stand out, and I thought that it was pretty cool having it start on a world where magic was the norm.
Being a cozy fantasy, there are no world shattering stakes at hand. Intead, we have three main characters who get the chance to discover who they are and where they belong. If you like cozy fantasies, I think you'll enjoy this, too.
September 16, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
This book was not what I was expecting. A cozy bartending book with the portal fantasy. For some reason I had it in my head the bar was where the portals took place. It’s not, and the FMC isn’t a bartender, yes it’s talked about and yes it finally gets there but not until the epilogue. So that threw me a little bit.
I also have a hard time describing this as a cozy fantasy. After I read a cozy fantasy I walk away feeling happy, calm. This book left me feeling sad. Like really sad and rather unhappy that the FMC’s life was essentially shattered and she could never return *****SPOILERS**** the fact that she had to leave the man she loves and not go back but potentially find a replacement (same man, same appearance but different realm) bothered me. I’m so conflicted.
I overall enjoyed the story, the artwork and set up of chapters. It was good, I liked it I just it made me sad!!!!!
This book was not what I was expecting. A cozy bartending book with the portal fantasy. For some reason I had it in my head the bar was where the portals took place. It’s not, and the FMC isn’t a bartender, yes it’s talked about and yes it finally gets there but not until the epilogue. So that threw me a little bit.
I also have a hard time describing this as a cozy fantasy. After I read a cozy fantasy I walk away feeling happy, calm. This book left me feeling sad. Like really sad and rather unhappy that the FMC’s life was essentially shattered and she could never return *****SPOILERS**** the fact that she had to leave the man she loves and not go back but potentially find a replacement (same man, same appearance but different realm) bothered me. I’m so conflicted.
I overall enjoyed the story, the artwork and set up of chapters. It was good, I liked it I just it made me sad!!!!!
January 20, 2025
This story just wasn't for me, enemy though I like quirky fantasy
I love fantasy stories, including quirky fantasy stories! I love all of the books I've read from Drew Hayes. The Spells, Swords & Stealth series ("NPC's," "Split the Party," "Going Rogue," etc.) and the Fred the Vampire Accountant series. I love Travis Baldree's books, "Legends & Lattes," and "Bookshops & Bonedust." These stories instantly hooked me and drew me along.
I just couldn't get invested in "The Bartender Between Worlds," by Herman Steuernagel. Emma's plight didn't interest me, nor any of the other characters. I didn't mind the setting which was Europe and the UK by other names. But I found myself thumbing faster and faster through the book, looking for a situation that would hook my interest. I didn't find it. Perhaps I'll try this novel again some other time. Perhaps not....
I love fantasy stories, including quirky fantasy stories! I love all of the books I've read from Drew Hayes. The Spells, Swords & Stealth series ("NPC's," "Split the Party," "Going Rogue," etc.) and the Fred the Vampire Accountant series. I love Travis Baldree's books, "Legends & Lattes," and "Bookshops & Bonedust." These stories instantly hooked me and drew me along.
I just couldn't get invested in "The Bartender Between Worlds," by Herman Steuernagel. Emma's plight didn't interest me, nor any of the other characters. I didn't mind the setting which was Europe and the UK by other names. But I found myself thumbing faster and faster through the book, looking for a situation that would hook my interest. I didn't find it. Perhaps I'll try this novel again some other time. Perhaps not....
June 9, 2025
I was intrigued by this. I did enjoy the story.... but the title gave me an image of my head of a cutesy little magic bar which was nestled in the folds of the universe and travellers popped in and out on their journeys across the time and space. This was not that at all. I didn't read the blurb just went off the cover and the title and vibes from a tiktok talking about this. I had high hopes which meant that the actual story was kind of disappointing because I kept waiting for my expectations to be fulfilled.
The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the premise of multiverse travel and the fact that the multitude of decisions that are made cause branches and differences in the way a world is. I did like the story and characters and would probably read the next one, however if anyone has written a cozy fantasy about a bar as I described above.... would love to read.
The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the premise of multiverse travel and the fact that the multitude of decisions that are made cause branches and differences in the way a world is. I did like the story and characters and would probably read the next one, however if anyone has written a cozy fantasy about a bar as I described above.... would love to read.
September 19, 2025
Bartender between worlds by Herman Steurnagel, 282 pages
What I was expecting: a cozy fantasy where the main character Emma is a barkeeper at a magic bar that has portals to different worlds
What I got: a cozy fantasy where Emma has drink magic, which also allows her to access a quantum accelerator thing to help a “wizard” get home.
I. Loved. Demon Box. Seriously the most underrated but amazing characters are the ones that are just voices inside your head.
I’m not a sciencey person but I do get the idea of a multiverse, where every decision you make creates another parallel universe. This was explained multiple times in the book and that felt a little redundant.
With that being said, I did love all the multiverse worlds they entered and how Emma and her new friends discovered they were what they’d been searching for all along.
What I was expecting: a cozy fantasy where the main character Emma is a barkeeper at a magic bar that has portals to different worlds
What I got: a cozy fantasy where Emma has drink magic, which also allows her to access a quantum accelerator thing to help a “wizard” get home.
I. Loved. Demon Box. Seriously the most underrated but amazing characters are the ones that are just voices inside your head.
I’m not a sciencey person but I do get the idea of a multiverse, where every decision you make creates another parallel universe. This was explained multiple times in the book and that felt a little redundant.
With that being said, I did love all the multiverse worlds they entered and how Emma and her new friends discovered they were what they’d been searching for all along.
June 14, 2025
I'm rounding up to four stars. I really don't know why this is being marketed as being cozy because it certainly is full of life and death situations and very serious, potentially violent confrontations. It is, however, a pretty decent story. I like the basic premise and it does kind of point the way to something cozy, which is nice. The characters are a bit cliché, but they're still fun. Emma isn't 100% believable to me, but it would only take a few changes toward the beginning to make her more coherent, so it's easy to get behind her once she's on her way to being something aside from an anti-magic bigot. The writing is ok, if a bit repetitive. Overall, it's a pretty good adventure and it left me curious enough to pick up the next book in the series.
September 23, 2025
(Other reviewers should note that I'm a very picky reader)
Review contains no spoilers.
This book was not what I expected it to be, and it was a pleasant surprise. We follow our primary character, Emma, through some serious ups and downs (jumping portals to other universes!) along with some brand new friends who quickly become besties as they endure the same strange-yet-similar locales at each turn.
This book does a wonderful job of building up a world without going too far afield. It asks a cozy amount of the reader to follow along. It's both varied and familiar.
I enjoyed the character arcs and dialogue. I could see them all distinctly in my mind.
And I especially enjoyed the extra little sci fi to my fantasy.
Highly reccommend this book!
Review contains no spoilers.
This book was not what I expected it to be, and it was a pleasant surprise. We follow our primary character, Emma, through some serious ups and downs (jumping portals to other universes!) along with some brand new friends who quickly become besties as they endure the same strange-yet-similar locales at each turn.
This book does a wonderful job of building up a world without going too far afield. It asks a cozy amount of the reader to follow along. It's both varied and familiar.
I enjoyed the character arcs and dialogue. I could see them all distinctly in my mind.
And I especially enjoyed the extra little sci fi to my fantasy.
Highly reccommend this book!
October 24, 2025
I love a good cozy fantasy and this had a fun premise! While I don't know much about drinks or bartending, I do love books where it's central to the plot!
It was a pretty quick read, and the pace was fast, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It was fun and engaging and never got boring! While it was cozy, though, it wasn't really low stakes, which I had expected, but I didn't mind. It was thrilling and exciting and whimsical at once!
I also loved the recipes and illustrations! They were such fun details that really enchanced the story!
My only wish is that we could get to know the characters a bit more. Otherwise, this was pretty good!
It was a pretty quick read, and the pace was fast, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It was fun and engaging and never got boring! While it was cozy, though, it wasn't really low stakes, which I had expected, but I didn't mind. It was thrilling and exciting and whimsical at once!
I also loved the recipes and illustrations! They were such fun details that really enchanced the story!
My only wish is that we could get to know the characters a bit more. Otherwise, this was pretty good!
August 27, 2024
I loved the magic in this book. It was my first time reading a book by this author. I saw one of his videos on TikTok and pre ordered his book. I am so happy I did. It had characters who pulled you on a fun journey. A feeling of togetherness and family and lots of adventures in multiple worlds. Fun drink recipes to try and make. Emma’s journey of reconnecting with herself and finding what truly makes her happy is a story not to be missed. I can not wait to see if there will be a book 2. Thank you Herman for writing such a fun story.
January 9, 2025
this book had elements of world building, self-enlightenment and light love interests. the addition of drink recipes included was a great touch along with illustrations of characters and libations. it did not take the path i thought it would within the journey which was slightly disappointing but overall it meant it wasn’t predictable. the use of chapter titles was endearing and was great to see in books again. i would recommend this book to someone interested in concoctions, time-travel and a taste of magic.
June 12, 2025
This was a cozy fun read. We follow Emma as she realizes that she’s stuck in a rut working towards a goal she no longer believes in, and decides to make a change for the good with her new friends–starting with landing a new job. That is, if she can land in the right universe! Throughout their multiversal adventure, the book excels at showing how Emma’s trio accepts new truths and learns to see the universe from different points of view. It’s about found family and friends, and letting go of what doesn’t work anymore. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 19, 2025
Lots of telling. Some showing. Too much happening too quickly. Lots of action very quickly because the majority of the story is taken up by Emma overthinking (which was nice that she didn’t immediately trust her fellow “rebels”) and walking us through every thought (went on for way too long). Would have been nice to spend more time in each world and get to know it. As it is, it just felt too fast. There’s also only like two time where she actually made drinks, neither of which were made while she was a bartender
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