The Apothecary's Apprentice

by C.S. Doraga

Magic has always been their greatest gift. But it is also to blame.

Daciana has grown up in her master’s shadow. Spurned by the village because of her heritage, she’s content to remain there, waiting until she completes her apprenticeship to escape the village for good. But when a murder rocks her world, she chooses to brave the village that’s never accepted her.

Sorin is being crushed beneath the weight of expectation. His every step has been dictated by the whims of his grandfather for one reason: Sorin is one of the few members of the village with a powerful gift for magic. Regardless of what it costs, he’s expected to carry the weight of the village’s future on his shoulders.

Thrust together, both are determined to unravel the mystery. Their search for answers draws them closer to each other and deeper into the darkness surrounding the head family and the magic that has protected the village for generations. If they can’t solve it in time, then everything they love will be destroyed.

If you love clean romance, magic, and fantasy blended with mystery, you’ll love C.S. Doraga’s The Apothecary’s Apprentice. This book is part of The Wolves of Highfell Saga, a series of standalones intended to be read in any order.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery

ebook

First published August 5, 2025

About the author

C. S. Doraga grew up in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains with her nose stuck in any book within reach and imagination constantly running wild (to her parents' chagrin, at times). Her favorite author is the amazing mangaka, Hiromu Arakawa, the author of works such as Fullmetal Alchemist and Silver Spoon. What little free time she has, she spends playing the Fire Emblem video game series and a few, choice others. She has a deep love for the fantastic but also loves mystery and those characters that sit with you long after the story is over.
She has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Weber State University and lives in beautiful Northern Utah with her family and two, crazy cats.

Reviews

[angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Apothecary's Apprentice was nice. I loved the characters. I think Sorin and Daciana's romance was obvious from the start for me, but I like the way it was built. It's a slow introduction into their feelings and I like how it was done around their humanity, their interests, and their personalities. You have two characters who want to be a good part of society, who want to find love, and live their life doing what's right for them and the village.

I quite liked how the plot developed. It slowed down at times but not in a way that felt boring. ON the contrary, I loved getting so much insight into how the characters act and think. It allowed to really build their personalities and make them likeable. The mystery, unfortunately, is not very discreet. I guessed pretty easily who the traitor was, but I did enjoy the reasons and how it played out. The way it developed allowed for world-building so as the series continues, I think it will be good insight even if they're standalones.

I think it's an easy read; it kind of has a cozy vibe to it. I liked that I could easily get into it and enjoy it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lucy 🥀✨🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Apothecary's Apprentice follows Daciana and Sorin. Daciana is the apprentice to the village apothecary and Sorin is the the head of the village guards. When a murder occurs in their village, they must come together to solve the case. Daciana is as outsider and Sorin is under constant scrutiny to be the best of the best of the best, as the story develops, so do Daciana and Sorin. A fun love story with murder mystery and magic, perfect for the cosy seasons

3.5 stars

Received as an ARC via Netgalley

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Apothecary’s Apprentice starts off with a slow but gradual introduction to Darciana and Sorien, who end up playing major roles in helping uncover the culprit of a murder in the village. What I thoroughly enjoyed was watching the two grow throughout the story and learn their own strengths while being able to depend on each other to work together as a unit.

I felt at times the plot did lag a bit or felt a little slow, but I did enjoy the cozy feel that I got, and how Darciana was still very civil to those who were rude/indifferent to her due to her being considered an “outsider”.

I enjoyed their journey as they grew to know themselves, watch their relationships change/develop with their family and friends, as well as grapple with betrayal that hits close to home. I wish this could’ve been longer so that I could continue to see what other adventures these two could go on next!

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[fireheartsouls · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect atmosphere and setting for magic lovers!
I read this for the start of my cozy fantasy / pre fall season and couldn't put it down.
I was looking for a witchy mystery mood and it was simply perfect.
You will find romance, beautiful characters and well written drama involving the main storyline.
Don't think twice and add it to your tbr for fall please!
I cant wait to read more from this author!
My favorite NetGalley book of the season without a doubt.

[Katharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Apothecary's Apprentice by C. S. Doraga is about Daciana and Sorin solving a murder case. Daciana is the apprentice of the villages apothecary, excluded from everyone in the village because of her heritage. Sorin is the head of the guards and next in line as village head. Their life's couldn't be more different, but when a murder shakes the village their lifes intertwine.
The Apothecary's Apprentice is a cute love story meets murder mystery with a great storyline and interesting characters. I really enjoyed reading the book and see Daciana and Sorin overcome their challenges and grow into strong adults.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Holli D.W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

The Apothecary’s Apprentice was cute fantasy that had magic elements, but they weren’t the main focus of the story. There was a bit of grief, found family, love, family drama, and betrayal. Readers follow along as the main characters attempt to unravel the mystery. The romantic elements are very clean/closed door.

Thank you BookSirens, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC (advanced review copy) from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A murder in Daciana's town sets her and Sorin (a member of the Head Family) on an adventure that pulls them closer together and changes the dynamic of their town. They both have their own issues in their town, but that is part of what draws them together.

Overall I loved this book. It had some great characters; ones I loved, ones I loathed, and some that fell somewhere in the middle. I also really liked the plot of this book, and I can't wait to read any follow ups.

I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone I know!

[Liesbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Dacianna is an outcast, largely due to her family's lineage—her father married someone from outside their village, and as a result, she is shunned by everyone. She is never invited to events and always feels like an outsider. But when someone she loves is murdered, Dacianna steps up to become the village’s only apothecary’s apprentice. Determined to prove to the villagers that she is more than the prejudices they hold against her, she takes on this important role.

As the village reluctantly turns to her for help, another tragedy looms—this time involving the magical side of the village’s leading magical family. Disaster seems inevitable. When Dacianna meets Sorin, a young man she has heard many stories about, her life takes another unexpected turn.

Sorin tries to accommodate his grandfather’s wishes and demands, all while ensuring the safety of the village. But as strange and dangerous events begin to unfold, it becomes a race against time to protect the village from a threat that lurks in the shadows of the forest, whether it is unknown or all too familiar.

The story moves at a good pace, immersing readers in the life of an apothecary while also exploring the dynamics between two families. It feels reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet—two people not destined to be together, yet love refuses to follow the rules. The book skillfully blends magic, action, detective work, and a touch of romance.

It’s worth reading. The balance of action and romance makes it especially appealing for a young audience. At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story about self-discovery, magic, and clean romance.

[Vals · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice a nice and easy read, with cozy vibes that makes it perfect when in need for a light story about family, friendship, acceptance and a cute love story.

In line with the general vibe of book, nothing is overly complicated. The characters are likeable, and, even if not complex, they carry some qualities that don't make than fall flat. This is good, since this book is quite character-driven, given the multiple introspections if the two protagonists, Daciana and Sorin. Probably for this reason, the plot is easy to follow and it tells a nice story, even if the last few chapters didn't convince me so much. Ragrdless of my personal taste of how I'd have liked it to end (I can't say my ending would be a better ending, because this isn't my story to tell and I'm just a witness), I felt the events to be a bit forced and overall rushed.

Moreover, apparently this is the first book of a series of standalone which can be read in whatever order, thus I'd have liked a bit more world-building. The lack of a solid setting and explanation of how the magic works makes it look like a mystery romance with a bit of background magic to justify choices which could have been justified with power, race, money or any other social divider - without making it a fantasy, though.

Still, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy and clean romance (not so slow, though, at least not according to my standards), because the vibes are absolutely there.


And my thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for letting me read this arc!

[meimei]

DNF

all the thanks to the publisher and author giving me this arc via netgalley!

this follows daciana, an apprentice to the village's apothecary, and sorin, the head of guards. although their lives couldn't be any more different, the two find themselves solving a murder case together, inevitably leading to strong characters and a cute little romance.

the atmosphere is perfect for a cozy mystery-romance with small fantasy elements. the characters are also very likeable. though they have their own struggles, they both focus on having humanity and bringing each other up. overall, this was a fun story with family drama and grief. the romance had forehead kisses, hand holding, and just a very clean premise.

i think this book is perfect for:
- bringing someone out of a reading slump
- a little bit of thinking but much more vibes
- clean romance with sweet scenes
- no intense world-building but instead, lighthearted fantasy
- a quick simple read

why i decided not to continue:

this book definitely has its audience who would adore this. but i guessed everything that happened from the very start. and although a complex mystery wasn't the goal here, i don't think i could find myself enjoying the plot any further with the constant non-discreet writing. the writing (it is an arc, so changes are likely) felt everything telling than any showing. but these preferences are definitely more on me than the book itself :)

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daciana and her family were considered outcasts of their village but the apothecary saw her natural talent and asked that she be apprenticed to him. This helped her family a lot. As the story opens, she is close to becoming a master apothecary. There is a lot a miss in their village but it takes a bit to realize where the root of the problem is. In this world there are those who are able to weld magic and families are honored for those individuals. Those with magic are expected to serve the family/village and to produce many offspring in hopes of creating more with the magic. This emphasis is creating a lot of resentment (for both parties - those with magic cannot choose their path, those without magic are considered worthless and married off outside of the village). This village needs healing in more ways than one.

Sorin is one with magic and he gets put in a position he does not want. He feels his uncle should have it but the elder insists that one with magic hold the position. These are the start of many things but I won't write of them. Sorin and Daciana are the ones to watch how they envolve and strengthen their character and wisdom. This was an enjoyable book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was only okay for me, as I only gave it 3.5/5 stars. I disliked some of the writing, specifically how a lot of sentences repeated the same wording within the same sentence, like saying "the house at the top of the hill had shingles on the house". (Obviously this isn't a sentence from the book, this is just an example of what some of the sentences were like). This book is described as a cozy murder mystery, and I do agree with that trope, however I was able to guess the "plot twist" and murderer within the first like 15% of the book, so that made the rest of the book a bit boring. However, I did enjoy some of the romance aspect, but I did have an issue with the main female character saying she was "falling for" the main male character after less than 2 days of actually speaking to him. I am normally a fan of the insta-love trope, but this truly didn't make sense to me because I feel like there was no basis for her to be falling for him that early on. Although I personally would not continue this series of interconnected standalones, I am thankful to have received this eARC and do recommend this if you want a cozy, HEAVY on the no spice, kinda predictable murder mystery.

[VampsReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

🪶 A reluctant apprentice. A pressured heir. A village steeped in secrets. When a murder shakes a quiet, magic-touched village, Daciana and Sorin are drawn together to uncover the truth. But as they dig deeper, the cost of answers may be more than either of them is willing to pay…

A sweet, gentle story with shaman-like magic and a tribal-inspired setting I haven’t come across before. It’s simple, linear, and easy to read - but sometimes a little too on the nose. I felt like I was being told the story, rather than experiencing it.

What stood out? The FMC leads the love story - and she’s confident, grounded, and supportive in a way that flips the usual dynamic. Loved seeing the MMC who grows and accepts help without ego.

The pacing felt a little off in places, and some scenes didn’t quite earn their page time. Still, this has the bones of a really lovely coat fantasy - with a bit more emotional layering and polish, it could shine!

🐺 Magic: Fantasy-lite, more spiritual than flashy
❤️ Romance: Sweet and soft
🍁 Vibes: tribal, earthy, slow

📅 Publish Date: 05 August 2025

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of free ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.


This book is stated in the SciFi/Fantasy, but barely has the thought of magic as it's not gone into detail except the fact that some possess it and it causes a rift between characters.  This is more romance than anything, while following along a murder mystery that is playing out.

I found this book to be pretty good, but there were a few things.  Like the slowness of a lot of it, made it hard to keep your attention into the first half or so of the book.  The "whodunnit" part was easily figured out in the first 20% or so of the book.

The main character is easy to feel connected to, the author did a great job of portraying her personality and emotions. The parts of the book that showed different veiwpoints were great for the plot, but Sorin wasn't written quite as well to feel as connected to him.  Overall, it is a lighter read and a quick "cozy" romance.

[Teresa Ferreira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a 4⭐️ for me!
In this book we follow our 2 main characters as they investigate a mysterious death that occurred in their village, when suddenly magical people start getting sick! They have to figure out if these occurrences are connected or just coincidental and figure out who is behind them!
I was enthralled by this book and its mystery! I must say I did guess who did it in the beginning of the book but found myself doubting my suspicions as I went through the story! The author really made me question who might be the "bad guy" after all!
I do feel like in the end, our mmc leaving her behind, made no sense to me, but I understand why it happened!

Overall, really loved the setting, the mystery, our characters (both main and side characters) and he story in general! Such a great murder mystery romantasy!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: C.S Doraga
Series: The Wolves of Highfell
Release Date: 8/5/25

I was a volunteer ARC reader, thank you Netgalley.
I really enjoyed this Cozy Romantasy Mystery.

This book follow Daciana who is an apothecary aprentice. The story takes place in a world where those with magic are held in higher esteem than those without. However, over the years magic is weakening, fewer and fewer are born with the ability, The young captain of the watch Sorin, is the strongest magic wielder in the town, yet he doesn't appear happy about it. When a tradegy strikes, Sorin begins an investigation and his path is crossed Daciana, who proves extremely helpful in uncovering the truth, and healing people along the way.

This was a delightful read. I felt like it was a young fantasy version of Murder She Wrote.

[Stardusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖖✨⭐🌟 Just finished "The Apothecary’s Apprentice" by C.S. Doraga. This one’s a cozy little gem! It’s got that magical charm, a fairly simple storyline that’s delightfully easy to follow, and just the right amount of sweetness.

It had a lot of unnecessary commas and a few oft repeated phrases. That stuff can be cleaned up ahead of release. The prose is more on the direct side. It's a comfortable, clean book for all ages.

Not everything has to be an epic. Sometimes a cozy fantasy with a sprinkle of mystery and a hint of romance is exactly what you need!

Overall it’s a sweet, quick read that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Grateful to C.S. Doraga, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review "The Apothecary’s Apprentice" eARC!
🖖✨⭐🌟 -Stardusty

[Heather McKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a village where magic is both revered and feared, the narrative centres on Daciana, an apothecary’s apprentice of mixed heritage ostracised by her village, and Sorin, a gifted mage bearing the weight of expectation.

I have very mixed feelings about this one, and I’m not sure if it’s me or the book? I enjoyed it but struggled to read more than a few chapters at a time. I was SO intrigued by the concept. A murder mystery set in an apothecary? Yes please?! I kinda wanted more of the world building and the actual detective aspect from the book but instead felt it heavily relied on the blossoming romance which was cute, but not necessarily what I personally wanted from the book.

The pacing was pretty consistent though out, but it just overall lacked something for me which is such a shame!

NetGalley review

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have a murder mystery, some cozy romance vibes, and a waft of fantasy combined here. It was interesting, and even though you see quite a few characters, all of them are distinct enough to be memorable without being overwhelming.

Our main duo was sweet and tender, with no spice to be found. It makes a good palate cleanser if you are burned out on more mature material. Watching the characters evolve, especially Sorin, was enjoyable and makes the betrayal even more devastating.

My biggest critique revolves around the "war". I feel like it was downplayed for what it was, and just didn't hit the mark. After this point in the book, it's as if the author hit fast forward, and major events went unseen.

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[c_reads_books_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, clean romance with a well thought out mystery. Our MCs were really likeable and compatible; I was really rooting for their romance! My big gripe here lay in the colloquialisms that peppered throughout the book. While not specifically stated, the nature of the village setting and the chaste approach to the pre marriage courtship leads you to assume it is set sometime in the past. However, there are liberal uses of words such as “kids”, “drastic”, and “stupid” that made the characters feel more contemporary than the setting. It was pretty easy to look past though.

Thank you to CS Doraga, BooksGoSocial & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review The Apothecary’s Apprentice prior to its release.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy! I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Apothecary’s Apprentice is a charming, cozy romantic fantasy with clean, wholesome vibes and a gentle pace. It follows a young apothecary who finds herself entangled in unexpected magical politics and slow-growing romance. The tone is very YA, and while that’s not always my personal preference, I can definitely see the appeal—it’s low-stakes, low-angst, and very easy to read.

The romance is sweet and soft, and the story leans into found family, quiet strength, and a touch of magic that gives it a fairytale-like feel. If you’re in the mood for something comforting and light, this makes for a cozy afternoon read.

[Angie Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the series. I would say this story is a combination of fantasy, mystery, clean romance, and family drama. It probably wouldn't be classified as such, but it is written is such a way that it is almost cozy. It has high-stakes outcomes, but CS Doraga leaves you with the feeling that everything is going to be alright. Her characters maintain a positive outlook, but real emotions and doubts are expressed in a way that feels realistic and relatable. Overall I liked the characters.

Reasons I didn't give this 5 stars: The mystery was predictable, but it seems like it was intentionally written that way. The ending was just a little cliche.

[Pip · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4)
This was a super cute read. I loved the concept of Daciana not being accepted and struggling to do what she loves compared to Sorin experiencing an almost opposite lifestyle of being strong and admired/needed by the village but doesn’t love what he’s had to do.
All of the characters are lively and complex and I loved that. The world building was great. I loved the mix of cozy village life with some mystery.
The dialogue did feel a little..flat sometimes. Also most like, “no one really speaks this way”. But it didn’t ruin the reading experience.
Definitely enjoyed and I’m excited to continue this series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sara Beatriz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very much a cozy fantasy so set your expectations accordingly. It’s not high fantasy, and a lot of the world and its magic system are left unexplained. For me, that was a bit of a loss, but it’s not unusual in certain types of anime or light fantasy stories. It’s not necessarily bad, but not a strength either.

Where the book shines is in the atmosphere and characters. Daciana and Sorin’s slow-burn relationship is tender and heartwarming, and the cozy, village mystery setting makes it a perfect comfort read. The plot is straightforward, the vibes are warm, and it left me feeling content by the end.

If you’re looking for rich lore or intricate magic, this probably isn’t it but if you want a gentle, charming story with romance and light intrigue, it delivers exactly that.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

lowkey kinda felt like a scooby doo episode

This was a light, easy read, but I didn't feel connected to the characters and would have enjoyed a bit more world-building. The introduction also made me feel like I was being dropped into book series halfway through rather than at the start. I wish the world-building was a bit more fleshed out such as understanding a bit more of how the magic system works or the dynamics within the village and the outer towns. The romance between Sorin and Daciana also felt pretty juvenile and fell flat for me.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this!

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is exactly what it says on the cover - a mellow, cozy fantasy. If you like the genre, you’ll probably like this. It’s sweet, mellow, and has that comforting, slice-of-life feel that makes cozy fantasy such an easy read.
For me personally, it just… was. Nothing really wowed me, but nothing bothered me either. And honestly that’s kind of the point with books like this, they don’t need to be life-changing to still be enjoyable.
The tension was nice and kept things moving, but the characters felt a little too simple for my taste. Still, if you’re in the mood for something soft and low-stakes, it will be perfect for you.

[Krystal Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read. 4.25 stars!

This novel reads as a young adult cozy mystery. no spice, low graphic action scenes. It was a slow pace but the way it was written kept you itching for more.

I adored the banter and tension between Sorin and Daci. Talk about unlikely lovers.

I couldn't put this down and appreciated that emphasis on the need to feel included and a part of something bigger. Vocabulary was well versed and I even learned a few new terms.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tasha Byard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Apothecary’s Apprentice follows Daciana and Sorin, a really nice cosy fantasy with magic elements.
I liked that Daciana and Sorin were very different, (Daciana being a bit of an outsider and Sorin being under pressure and expectations) and the story was very interesting. It follows a murder in Daciana’s town where her, along with Sorin work together to solve the case. It comes with it’s own set of challenges and of course pulls them together.
I genuinely enjoyed this book, I found it very easy to read and felt connected with the story and characters. An easy 4⭐️ read for me.

[Beleisha Bernhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC (advanced review copy) from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

5 STARS!! I loved this YA mystery, clean romantasy! These are two young adults who are trying to find their way in environments where they feel unwanted and trying to find their way. I instantly feel in love with these two characters as they learned to grow as people and to each other. The world building is great and I easily pictured their little village and everything that was happening. I can not wait to finish this series.

[Βίκυ Χ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stirred by Grief, Brewed with Romance, Sipped with Danger

“The Apothecary’s Apprentice” by C.S. Doraga promises cozy, delivers drama, and brews a tisane of grief, love, and almost forgotten magic. Daciana’s journey—haunted by loss and tethered to an unexpected romance—aches beautifully, even when the fantasy flickers dim. The mystery pulls you in; the romance holds you close. And though the wolves whisper from the shadows, they never quite step into the light. You’ll sip through repetition and feel the rush of a final page too soon turned—but still, you’ll crave more. Just maybe... hold the herbal tea next time. 🍵💔🕯️