The Potion Maker

by Sasha L. Miller

Sarin ran away from the city for a simpler life making potions in the woods. He has good reasons for avoiding people, but when a poisoned Royal Herald falls through his door and literally knocks him over, life gets more complicated than he ever thought he wanted.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2019

About the author

Sasha L. Miller spends most of her time writing, reading, or playing with all things website design. She loves telling stories, especially romance, because there’s nothing better than giving people their happily ever afters. When not writing, she spends time cooking, harassing her roommates, and playing with her cats.

Reviews

[Pete W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Ms. Miller writings and styles. If you like her previous books, you might like this one. However, I did not entirely enjoy this one.

The interactions between Sarin and Ciro felt stilt and lacking. Ciro kept ordering Sarin around for most of the book, without explaining why, and barely even saying please. It was even joked the first time. But the whole situations, the major contents of this book, Ciro just run roughshod for the most part. All with barely a thanks and showing gratitude.

Part of the issue was that he was barely functioned for most of the book. He showed up half-dead: stabbed with poison blade. Then, for me, he seems to be *expecting* hospitality and assistant from Sarin. Never mind that they were strangers. Ciro never *asked* for help, he simply say "I need go there" or "I am hungry". Sarin went above and beyond to help Ciro

It didn't help tat Sarin was very meek and barely talked whenever we read from Ciro's POV. Shy MC matching with Mostly sleeping MC didn't make for a fun read for me.

Although, Ciro redeemed himself slightly in the end. However, it was tell and not show. Which didn't really help the book.

For me, I would prefer Sarin to be Ms. Derr's grumpy sassy MC. Which should contrast nicely with Ciro, who was barely have any actions in the book.

So, 2.5 stars round up.

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story had potential but the characters personality really didn't show thru and I just could not see these two together. It really need to be written more in depth for you to even want these people to become a couple. You got why they were together, why they went on a journey, but there just was no life to the story For me it just wasn't enough.

[Walford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I finished this, 'cause it's short, so it gets two stars, grudgingly. Reminiscent of R Cooper, Megan Derr, and, more distantly, of Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion books. But not as good. Not enough plot even for this length. Might give her another chance, but there are so many other books in the world...

[jennifer Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

This is a great short story about a man hiding away and a kings messenger who is injured while trying to deliver an important message. They are thrust together due to injury and danger but manage to find something in each other they needed.

[Miriam]

Insipid.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short! It had a great introduction for the pair involved in being one of the worst introductions possible. Ciro knocks on Sarin's door because he has been stabbed and is dying of poison. Sarin knows how to cure Ciro, saving his life, and also agrees to help him deliver the message he has. The two need to work together in a bad situation with possible assassins and concerns about going to the city. They journey felt right, with the right mix of concern for the situation and learning about each other, and the action was never either overwhelming or disappointing. The relationship felt believable and was enjoyable to see coming about.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

While this is quite adorable, but I feel that Sarin and Ciro's interaction to be very lacking. Mostly Ciro just sleeps his poisoned-stabbed-self away, recuperating. Even though whenever Ciro is awake, there's cute moments, but I don't feel it's enough. Also Ciro mostly demands things from Sarin. It'll be nice if he says please every time. Not like Sarin is his servant *shrugs*

[blub · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally part of the charity anthology Resilience Puerto Rico which would have been nice to know for those who already have the anthology. Nothing has changed in the story itself. It's pretty clean cut, there a touch of mystery/suspense. Heat level is very low.

[Britney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It kept me interested enough to finish it, but I probably won't read it again. The main characters just didn't do it for me. Maybe if it were a longer book and they spent more time together that would be different, but alas, this was not the case.

[Blaine]

A sweet short with compelling characters, especially Sarin, that left a smile on my face :)

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little awkward. Hoped for more.