El hada verde

by Jamie Pacton, María Eugenia Montenegro (translator)

Sybil es una joven de buena familia, pero ahora se ha escapado de casa. Vive en la ciudad de Severon, con Esme, quien se ha convertido en su nueva mejor amiga, y puede que algo más? Pero sin dinero no hay comida, así que ambas se las apañan con los carteles que Sybil roba y luego vende a un coleccionista privado. Todo va bien hasta que las pillan.

Pero Maeve, la dueña del club nocturno más popular de la ciudad, está dispuesta a olvidar el hurto si le hacen un favor. Y no solo eso, sino que también les pagará generosamente. Solo tienen que robar las joyas de la corona de la reina de las hadas antes de que pasen dos noches. Fácil, ¿verdad?

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, Romance, Queer, Young Adult, LGBT, Historical Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[aleksandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

Well, that was quite a disappointment. It pains me to say that because I really wanted to love it but I just couldn't as I didn't feel any connection with the plot or the main characters. The Absinthe Underground is a short story so I initially thought it would take me two days to finish it, not a month. So you can see how much I enjoyed it for that reason alone.

I came here for two things: the absolutely beautiful cover and the description that said it would be a fantasy book with a Sapphic romance between two best friends. It all sounded very promising, but the book felt flat and lacked some flavor. Unfortunately, the romance was boring, the plot predictable, and the writing instead of giving me these fantasy vibes, made me tired of reading it. I wish I was joking, but I was reading one or two pages a day and had to take a break for two days.

The book had potential and I really wanted to like it, but unfortunately it didn't work out for me.


Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Faye 🫀]

This was like if Barbie in the Diamond Castle was actually sapphic & set in the Moulin Rouge era with scheming heists & fairies, sapphic slow-burn friends-to-lovers pining, portal fantasy, Cruel Prince/fairytopia vibes & it was a cute lil time

[Brend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moulin Rouge meets Holly Black in a thrilling sapphic friends-to-lovers romantasy
Contrary to men, women can actually be friendly before marriage
This was wonderful!

[bri]

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC!

Barbie and the Diamond Castle if it was actually sapphic, by the way of Moulin Rouge + a D&D quest, but make it a steampunk fantasy heist with fae.

THE ABSINTHE UNDERGROUND is a quick & thrilling read with a dazzlingly atmosphere, fascinating lore, and easy-to-love characters. For a heist story, this book is wonderfully cozy and sweet. I wanted to just curl up on my couch with a cup of mint tea and a beloved pet (or stuffed animal, if I'm being honest) and read the night away. And I often did.

Though unfortunately this book is more a showcase of potential than execution. There's a lot of telling rather than showing, especially when it comes to the emotional arcs and motivations of the characters. And the plot itself is really exciting but progresses too easily, made up of more conveniences than challenges. All the elements are absolutely BRILLIANT, but just need to be tossed into a pressure cooker in order for them to properly shine. (I have SO many ideas that would make this story just blossom in ways that it isn't right now. SO many ideas.)

But I also have to give kudos where it is due, and I must say that I was engaged and invested in this story the whole way through. I read it in just about 3 sittings, and kept itching to pick it back up in-between. I was never bored or incurious about these characters and their journey, and I had a really good time reading it. It also seems to be hinting at a sequel, as many threads are left wide open, and I'm so intrigued to see how Pacton continues to expand on this enticing and intoxicating world.

CW: alcohol consumption, death of mother (past), grief, blood, imprisonment, violence, fire

(Credit to Faye for the original comp to Barbie and the Diamond Castle. And also thank you for letting me send you too many audio messages with my too many ideas about the shape this book could've taken.)

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for review on Netgalley.
I found the story to be kind of a cozy to read, cute but intruiging but not very intense. In parts I felt like I wanted more, for example more exploration of the characters. But overall I found it entertaining and a good read.

[pearl · Rating 2 out of 5]

the absinthe underground is a short and cozy romantasy novel following two best friends who are sent on a treacherous heist by a fairy who happens to be trapped in their world. its concept is brilliant, and it also happens to have one of the most gorgeous covers i’ve ever seen, but the story itself leaves a lot to be desired.

my biggest problem with the absinthe underground is the writing style, which is surprisingly simple for a story that’s supposed to be “decadent” and “lavish.” because of it, i didn’t really feel any of the magic and wonder the author tried to convey, and a lot of the book’s more dramatic moments lost their thrill for me and ended up feeling clunky and unsatisfying. the heist the main characters are sent on is also very simplistic in general, which might’ve been less of an issue for me had the writing been more elaborate.

i was also disappointed by the romance. i love a good best friends to lovers story, but that’s mainly because i love seeing the depth of the connection between the characters involved and how they’ve grown to understand each other over time. in the absinthe underground, we don’t know much about the main characters’ history as best friends, aside from how they met, and since the book mainly takes place over the span of a few days, there wasn't much room for development in the present timeline. as a result, there was a lot of telling rather than showing, so the love story was a huge letdown for me.

overall, while this was a quick read with a cute ending, i personally wouldn't recommend it. still, the ideas behind it are very creative, and i’m excited to see what else the author comes up with.

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc.

_

pre-review:

the best part of this book was the cover tbh

short rtc

[Emily Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ A lush tale of sapphic pining, heists, and a fae world that will enchant you.


I finished this days ago and haven’t known peace since. THIS IS LIVING RENT FREE IN MY BRAIN GUYS.

Unfortunately it’s extremely hard to find sapphic fae books and sapphic heist books. Pacton really said I’ve got you here’s 2 in 1. I can’t tell you how happy this book made me because it’s all my favourite themes and tropes bundled into something so captivating and best of all it’s YA. What I would have GIVEN to have had this book as a teen.

It’s friends to lovers, with a brilliantly mushy slow burn romance I adored and had me grinning away.

This is a cozy sapphic fae heist novel perfect for a rainy day when you want to curl up with a cup of tea.

The coolest part is the history behind this. Pacton was inspired by the art poster thefts in the 1800s and this book takes place around 1890. Very few books have left me googling the history behind them but this had me obsessed.

Rep// Sapphic MC bi/pan, Sapphic MC. Sapphic SC’s.

Set in // 1890s

Themes// History, Fae, Magic, Heists, Cozy.

Thank you to Peach Tree Teen for sending me a copy for an honest review.

TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.






Tw// imprisonment, death mentions (past, family member), theft themes.

[ida (semi ia) ❅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

.ೃ࿐　　

4.5 ✩

this was a buddy read with tazzy !! tysm for reading it with me, it was so fun!! <3

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚

𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:

This was so enjoyable!! I’m usually not a romantasy fan, but when I saw that this was sapphic + I loved the aesthetic, I immediately wanted to read it. It definitely delivered - I loved the vibes and the characters so much. I also have a soft spot for friends-to-lovers stories. <3

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜:

𝙎𝙮𝙗𝙞𝙡: Ahhh, I loved her! She was so brave and I loved how much of a risk taker she was. She also seemed very true to herself, which I liked a lot!!

𝙀𝙨𝙢𝙚: My soulmate - I would live with her and her cats for the rest of my life. I adored her and her personality. I related a lot to her as well!

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚

"𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐬, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐲.”

.ೃ࿐

[Rowan :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with an E-ARC. All thoughts/opinions are my own.

Release Date: February 6, 2024 ✅

“‘You could never lose me. I’ll always find my way back to you, Ez.’”

*ੈ✩‧₊˚✨🧚‍♂️🪻🌙*ੈ✩‧₊˚➷

The Absinthe Underground is an enchanting LGBTQ+ slow burn that tells the story of Esme and Sybil, two “best friends” living with their many cats in a clock tower. Esme and Sybil don’t have an easy life, though. They live in poverty and rely on the dangerous art of stealing posters in order to get the money they need to cover the bare minimum of supplies. However, everything changes for them when they receive a dangerous but high paying opportunity to venture into Fae to execute a dangerous heist- one that could make them so rich they’d never have to work again, or cost them their futures.

As soon as I started reading this book, I was sucked in. The Absinthe Underground features a world different from anything I’ve ever read, complete with beautiful, metaphoric writing: Even though there are two worlds in this book, the magical Fae and the non magical Severon, I still found myself enchanted by it. Even though description of the city were somewhat scarce, I still felt like I had a good picture in my mind. The city I conjured up in my head was vibrant, artistic, and filled with life. Even though there wasn’t much description, I still got a sense of what the author was trying to convey.

I also felt a similar way about Fae- even though general descriptions of the world itself were scarce, I was still able to build up an interesting picture in my head. I read a lot of Fae novels, and I was nervous that this one’s world wouldn’t be original, but I was pleasantly surprised by the unique beings, customs, and the spin on the classic “Queen Mab”.

I also thought it was really interesting to read about the poster stealing. There’s so many ways to make income for a thief living in poverty in the city, and each book takes a different approach- thieves might steal gold, wallets, or artifacts, but in this book, it’s posters. At first I was quite skeptical- how would one make any money off of a poster? They’re not that hard to steal. But again, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that posters were, in fact, not easy to steal. Poster stealing is a difficult thing to master- one must steal the poster out in the open without getting caught, and manage to bring it back to the collector who pays based off of the poster’s condition and its artist. I thought this concept was unique, and I enjoyed reading about it.

The plot of this book really starts to unfold when the owner of the business depicted on the poster Sybil and Esme have stolen finds them selling it. After inviting them to her club, The Absinthe Underground, she provides an opportunity- steal something from Queen Mab and she’ll make them rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Here is when we really learn just how different Sybil and Esme are- Sybil is an adventurous artist, and Esme is quiet and gentle, preferring to stay away from danger and tinker with clocks. I really enjoyed the two’s contrasting personalities and how it influenced their interactions. The two both have intriguing backstories that the author does a nice job placing seeds of information about- we’re provided with a hint at one of their backstories, and it always leads to new wonders and questions. However, sometimes I felt like the information was dropped too soon or too suddenly- I felt that it could have been saved for a more important scene.

While this book held such a nice concept and potential, unfortunately, it fell a little short for me. The characters I found to be a bit shallow, and I had a hard time connecting with and relating to them. They’re likable, sure, but they weren’t very fleshed out. I also felt the same about the plot. It was decent, I just don’t think it was executed quite right. It held my attention and kept me intrigued, but some elements felt disorganized and unrealistic. I also found the book at times to be a bit predictable- however, I was not able to predict the plot twist.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I definitely sensed it coming, and I got half of the concept. When the twist was revealed, I was glad to be surprised, because I definitely hadn’t predicted that happening!

Unfortunately, the characters and the plot weren’t the only things that fell a little flat for me. The romance did, too. I understand that it’s a slow burn, but I feel like there was hardly any build up. We start the book with them pining for each other, but it doesn’t really go deeper than that. They both originally had feelings for each other, and they didn’t really build as the story went on. It basically went from “I want you, but we’re just friends” to “I have you, now we’re lovers”.

I did enjoy this book, but sadly, it just felt really loose to me. The plot, the magic system, the world building… I guess that’s a personal preference, but loose stories aren’t for me. However, this was such a cozy read, and if you’re looking for something chill and fun, I would really recommend this book.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚✨🧚‍♂️🪻🌙*ੈ✩‧₊˚

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I wasn't entirely what kind of book Absinthe Underground would be but I'm a sucker for art nouveau and that cover is pretty spectacular.

What we get is a quasi-fairy story mixed with the history of Paris during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Instead of Paris we have Severon where the beautiful people party, go to cabaret shows and drink absinthe and if you're anybody you go to the Absinthe Underground, a new club run by a bewitching woman called Maeve, who styles herself as the embodiment of absinthe - the Green Fairy.

Our two protagonists are Sybil, a rich girl whose Fae (faerie) mother has died and whose father wants to marry her off. Sybil has other ideas and runs away to Severon to try to find her big brother, Lucien, who lives in the city.

Then there's Esme, an orphan with a love of home, her cats and clocks. While Sybil is wild and daring Esme is calm and careful. Both girls will do anything to keep the other safe and happy - both aware that love is there but not wanting to declare it in case the other does not reciprocate their feelings.

Sybil's main form of income is stealing the fashionable art advertising posters that pop up in Severon, which she sells to collectors. It is after stealing one for The Absinthe Underground that the girls meet Maeve and their lives change overnight.

This is a sweet novel about the coming of age of two girls and also a love story as the feelings Sybil and Esme have for each other grow throughout the book. We wander into the Fae world through the use of magic but the author manages to stay on the right side of magical fantasy.

When I realised where the novel was headed I thought I'd not enjoy it because I often struggle with fantasy novels but it's simply a sweet love story with a good dollop of adventure thrown in. I really enjoyed it. It's well written and easy to read and I'd recommend it to a YA audience or anyone who enjoys a fantasy/faerie novel.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Holiday House for the advance review copy.

[mads · Rating 3 out of 5]

"To all the queer people in history who have loved each other quietly, fiercely, and— too often—secretly. And to all the queer kids out there now, who deserve the happiest real-life stories, always."

TW: abandonment, alcohol, blood, classism, confinement, death, death of a loved one, emotional abuse, grief, injury/injury detail, self-harm, violence.

This was a cute, cozy fantasy that suffers from poor marketing.

This is not 'thrilling'. It is not 'action-packed'. It is a slow-paced (yet quite short) novel about two friends, their possibly budding relationship, cats, tea, and the fae. More time is spent on their internal dreams and fears and wants and turmoil than any of the action itself, which I didn't mind - but I think it's one of the reasons this isn't getting more attention. It simply needs to find the correct audience.

If you're someone that loves period dramas and cats with hints of the magical woven throughout, I truly think you'd love this.

But if you're going into this book with the expectations of it being a thrilling heist with Holly Black vibes, you're going to be bored within the first chapter.

I had a fun time with it. It's not perfect, it feels a bit... dramatically stupid at times (with characters that don't ask any of the proper questions and then get surprised things aren't what they originally thought). I also think this would have benefited from being an adult book. Having the characters be 17 felt a little odd to me and I wish they'd been even a few years older.

Overall though? This would have been perfect to read during spring and I will definitely recommend it; I just think it needs to be recommended properly.

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was more firmly YA than i was expecting in terms of the simplicity of the writing/story at points. there was lots of cute sapphic yearning between best friends and roommates, sybil and esme ("and they were roommates" lol). the characters are very likable and have decent development.

the beginning had lots of beautiful descriptions that really puts you into the belle epoque setting of 1890-1910s Paris nightlife, very romantic. the absinthe underground was clearly very inspired by moulin rouge, one of my favorite movies. however, much of the book isn't set in this which was a bit disappointing for me bc the cover is what drew me in to read this.

the rest of the story plays out more like a fairy tale, which was cute but a bit simple for my taste.

overall, i think this is a good book for younger readers who like some low / portal fantasy. it was a cute story, but i think i'm older than its target demographic.

this was an honest review for an arc <3

[Lucía Cafeína · Rating 3 out of 5]

¿Romance sáfico con un robo a la reina de los faes? YAS
Ha estado la mar de entretenido y lo he leído en un suspiro, aunque me habría encantado que profundizase un poquito más.

[Danai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an anthem to all things beautiful.

Beautiful writing. Beautiful women. Beautiful clothes. Beautiful environment and aesthetics.

If you wish to be swept away into a book combining quiet cozyness with glamorous aesthetics, the absinthe underground is the book for you. The relationship is to absolutely die for -A quiet cafe worker who enjoys plants ( particularly mint), cats, and whose favourite past time is sitting in her apartment fixing clocks or reading in her nightgown X her best friend who is the complete opposite, a troublemaking thief who seeks the highest pleasures of life. Both of these girls are bound together by a protectiveness for each other, and parents neither of whom wishes to speak about - each for different reasons-.

We have SUCH a great mix of the mortal world ( with its beautifully described clock tower apartment in which I would love nothing more than to live in, nightclubs, and beautiful posters to be stolen) and the Fae one ,( with enchanting forests, castles to be robbed, and NURSERIES FOR BABY DRAGONS-).

The magic in this book is woven in such a simple yet fabulous way. The reader doesn't get too much lore of the magic system, but rather the magical element is woven throughout the story.

The author has somehow managed to make a tale about heists so comforting to read. As other reviews have mentioned this book relies a lot more on telling rather than showing which for the most part I didn't only just not mind, but actually quite liked. This method is quite a dangerous one, as it could be proven to be tedious to read, but the author has such a talent with words that it worked out VERY well for her.Some parts could use slightly more emotion but other than that this book was excellent.

[tamara &#x1fab2; · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... this was an "available now" book on Libby. Setting was 1890s Paris so a bit of historical info I found interesting.

[PlotTrysts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four very solid stars for this YA romantic fantasy set in an AU Belle Epoque Paris (aka Severon). Sybil and Esme are roommates just managing to survive on the outskirts of society. Esme is practical-minded and interested in science. She has a life plan and she's determined to make it work. Sybil is a runaway from an aristocratic family and is flighty and artistic. She can't hold down a job so she makes ends meet by stealing art nouveau posters and selling them to collectors. One night they're approached by a faerie, the proprietress of the Absinthe Underground, a nightclub that specializes in (you guessed it) absinthe. They're given a quest by the faerie to retrieve some jewels. Like many a good quest, it involves a few steps leading up to a heist. And like nearly all faeries, La Fae Verte might not be 100% straightforward with her rewards...

This was really a delightful read! It's written in a tight third person with alternating POVs between Sybil and Esme. Their restrained passion and respect for each other is beautiful to read. They feel like young adults who have the best intentions but who may not make the best decisions all of the time. Recommended for readers who like tricksy fae and sweet love stories.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the book.

[Julia - my.endless.library · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is only 300 pages but felt so much longer. It took me such a long time to read. There was so much potential but it just… didn’t really deliver. I was pulled in firstly, by the gorgeous Alphonse Mucha-inspired cover art. Secondly, by the promise of a magical heist set partly in a world inspired by belle epoque Paris and partly in a magical fae realm, while also featuring a sapphic love story. What more could you want? To actually feel invested in the story, it seems. It has a lot of things I should like but it just wasn’t working the way I wanted it to. I feel like I’m starting to sound like a broken record because I’ve had this issue with the last 3 books I’ve read. There’s just something missing that makes me not really connect to the characters and story.

What I did really appreciate about this story was the vibes. Esme and Sybil living in a clock tower surrounded by books, old clocks and numerous cats, Esme wanting a quiet cottage to live a peaceful life with those cats, a Moulin Rouge-inspired club with patrons getting drunk on absinthe, a magical fae kingdom, dragons, queer people, queer fae, mutual queer pining, the MC’s (literally) being “roommates”. But that’s mostly what this story was, vibes. A lot of potential, but very mediocre execution 😣




⭐️⭐️.5


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc.

[Phoenix · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Absinthe Underground is a delightful book that takes you through the world of poster thieves and their troubling encounters with some pesky Fae.
This was a very fun read. Before the first sentence, the dedication and quote made me feel as if I had already entered their world. It had enjoyable character introductions, though some characters, particularly Esme, felt a little flat, though this is most likely due to the fact that I typically read longer books where they have more page time to flesh out the characters.
There were a couple of wording errors, &c. that distracted me from the book at times and it was a bit predictable so I was never really surprised with where it went, but I enjoyed its direction thoroughly nonetheless.
It was a lot of fun reading about poster thieves just because that's not something I've ever heard about before, so it made for a very original plot.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but even with the originality of the plot, it felt like it was going through the motions of what a book should be at times. It has a two by my rating system but would be a three otherwise.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover, premise and characters of this story are all incredible. I was so excited for it!

The plot itself is really intriguing and main characters and subsequent slow burn romance (friends to lovers ft some incredible pining & dual POV) are all , in theory - SUPERB. But they didn’t work.

The writing itself really took me away from the story - it tried to jam too much in right away. Tell, never show. I had worked out the plot and the stress points by chapter 2 because you’re hand fed everything. It also made characters that were supposed to be suave and well versed and mysterious read a bit like a 13 year olds interpretation of those words. I didn’t buy into any of the bad guys or the mystical and dark settings because the writing kept immediately pulling me out.

The pacing is very poor, which makes the stuffed to the brim plot feel very hard to handle.

This book absolutely had all the facets of a for me book but missed the mark entirely.

[Quill&Queer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is yet anotehr book that I've read this year that has some really great concepts that are just not fully explored. This book suffers from a lack of world building in the fae world, and the majority of the story is set up, making the major scenes feel rushed and uncompleted.

The set up was fantastic, I saw nothing that made me think this was going to be less than a 5 star read. Two Queer girls, living together with their hoard of cats, spending the night on Parisian streets hunting for some of my favourite posters in history to steal and sell on to pay the rent was such a good story in itself.

The fae world plot line really bogged this story down, I didn't feel like it was as richly described as the girl's own world, and we didn't spend a lot of time there. The story started hurtling to the finish line as soon as they entered the world, and for me the ending for one character I really liked felt unresolved.

[natsuki jam #1 fan • wari · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 🌟

“tonight, was for being at home, with her cats, her clocks, and the girl she loved most. even if she knew that there were many more adventures waiting for them. someday.”

this was cute and cosy, one of my favourite kinds of fantasy books. the characters were quirky and likeable, and the world was beautiful (at least it was when i pictured it myself). it did lag in some parts, which is why it didn’t get 4 stars - but that’s just a personal thing i suppose. if you’re looking for a victorian era cosy fantasy with fae, magic doors, secret realms, lesbian representation (and queer rep in general) then this is the book for you!

[María · Rating 2 out of 5]

No tengo nada claro qué puntuación darle a esto. Qué día llevo, válgame Dios. Qué tres lecturas he terminado... Debe de ser algún tipo de maldición que desconozco.

Este libro se me queda corto por todos lados. Sé que lo fácil es decir "es juvenil, claro" y hala, a correr. Pero me voy a negar. Creo que me habría parecido insuficiente hasta con 14 años. Lo comparo con mis lecturas juveniles y esto se me queda en pañales. Quizá con unos 8 años me habría podido entusiasmar, yo qué sé. Aunque ya ahí estaba living con mi Agatha Christie y a saber.

Parece el capítulo de una serie, esa es la sensación que me ha dado. Un capitulito de una hora que he acabado viendo por casualidad. ¿Malo? no, no me lo parece. Anodino, trivial, muy olvidable. Una historia tan tan tan lineal que me recordaba a cuando empecé a escribir cuentos de cría. Ahora los personajes van aquí, encuentran esto y entonces se mueven a este otro sitio.

Ni siquiera odio fuertemente a los personajes (y eso que es mi especialidad). Me dan bastante igual. Se muere cualquiera de ellos y como mucho me pilla en un bostezo.

Que esa es otra... hacía tiempo que un libro no me daba tantísimo sueño. Me ha costado la vida entera avanzar.

Tenía esperanzas en el final, de verdad que sí. Qué inútil es la esperanza a veces, amigas. Lo de no revelar una información de vital importancia supongo que era necesario para que la trama avanzara por donde la autora quería, porque es incoherente hasta el ridículo. Es todo precipitado, lineal, aburrido.

Ni siquiera me vale como lectura cozy. Tienen gatitos, vale. Gatitos que hacen... ¿qué? Nada, son un reclamo para vender y poco más. No tengo el corazón más calentito, solo estoy que me caigo de sueño.

Tampoco quiero tachar esto de bodrio porque no lo es. Pero me ha parecido un cuento infantil sin mucha gracia y lo debo calificar como tal.

[Bon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐ 4.5

The Absinthe Underground is a sapphic delight filled with charming gaslamp fae fantasy and Art Nouveau whimsy. It really was lovely reading a book where the queerness was so sweet and threaded throughout and I found myself really adoring Esme and Sybil's romantic dynamic, as well as them as separate characters. However, for a heist novel, it truly never felt dangerous or suspenseful. The tone is consistent in it's exploration of a comforting fairy tale-esque journey. But that being said, I do not think the story struggles for it! It feels purposeful and with the anchor of Esme and Sybil's beautiful love story; fulfilling.

As an aside, the incorporation of the author's love of art history and of artists such as Mucha and Toulouse was very refreshing as an art history buff myself. The story felt more special for the care given to this aspect of the thievery and setting. This is a world you would jump at the chance to exist within just to stroll down the streets and get a glance at the artistry.

If you want a cozy sapphic fairy adventure, I would highly recommend!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queer historical YA fantasy in which two best friends become entrenched in the machinations of the faerie court. Beautiful, lush descriptions of a vivid fantasy world. Perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries, The Cruel Prince, Six of Crows, and The Starless Sea.

3.5 stars.

Thanks to Colored Pages Book Tours and Peachtree Teen for the ARC.

[Brianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Holiday House, Peach Tree, Pixel+Ink and NetGalley for an Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sapphic friends-turned-lovers romantasy with beautiful world description and intriguing and mysterious characters. Sybil is a poster thief trying to pay her portion of rent when her and her roommate Esme, who has a tendency to take in strays, cats and humans alike, are presented with a well paying heist opportunity which takes them on a journey through Fae and back.

This book had beautiful descriptions of the world that you could picture easily as you were reading. The character development was more than I anticipated from a 300-ish page book which I liked a lot. If you are a fan of beautiful prose you will enjoy this story and where it takes you.

It is my understanding that this is a standalone and there were a few plot points that I felt could’ve been tied up a little better but I wasn’t all that mad about them and it didn’t take away from the overall story telling. Overall I had a very enjoyable time with this story and the characters.

[briar ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

the absinthe underground is an ode to all things beautiful. if you want to read about pretty girls in pretty dresses stealing pretty paintings, or faery galas, faery princesses, and faery forests, or glittering parisian cabarets, then this is absolutely your book. i am obsessed with the world in which this takes place—i will definitely be reading the prequel soon.

the plot and writing on the other hand. well. not to say there's no substance or plot because there is. it's just not executed very well. there's no emotion imbued in a single sentence in this book. i can't completely say i didn't care because i was hooked (mostly due to the previously mentioned faery galas and cabarets). i finished this within a one hour bus ride. so yes, it's addictive. however, it's not anything memorable or interesting—it serves its purpose as a cutesy feel-good read for when you need something on public transportation and your fingers are twitching, but not something too good in case you hit a bump and miss a page. basically heartstopper.

and maybe i'm just not the target audience right now because i would have injected this into my veins in middle school. if you like caraval or belladonna and you love gay people, this is all yours.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to absolutely love The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton, but unfortunately I ended up preferring the idea of more than anything. My main issue throughout were both Sybil and Esme. They grated on my nerves to no end, but then again maybe I'm just too old. I also wasn't a fan of how the confrontation went down at the ending - seemed like a bit of a cop out. I also was expecting more in terms of the magic system. Maybe the novel being compared to Holly Black's stories worked against me. Finally, something that took me out of the story were the references within it to the real life artists Alphonse Mucha and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. I know this story is inspired by Belle Epoque Paris and the posters that appear (and cover of the novel itself) are inspired by their works, but naming them directly in the fantasy city of Severon didn't work for me. That said, after all of them at I would still like to try more from Jamie Pacton in the future as I did like her style.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming heist novel with a sweet friends to lovers romance. It had an addicting plot - when I wasn’t studying or sleeping, I was reading this. I found both of the leads to be distinctive and well written. Their chemistry was believable and a delight to read about.
I do wish the author had gone into more detail about the faerie realm, and that we had gotten to spend a little more of the novel there. (I am, however, holding out hope that we’ll spend more time there in a future novel, since two of the side characters are practically begging to get their own story. Without going into spoilers, I’ll just say that their fate (and relationship) was left tantalizingly open-ended. Fingers crossed🤞🏼)
Overall, I would recommend this! It was filled to the brim with dazzling intrigue, heart-pounding moments of suspense, and a sweet sapphic romance.