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Sweet & Bitter Magic
In this debut fantasy, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.
Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation. But after committing the worst magical sin, she’s exiled by the ruling Coven and cursed with the inability to love. The only way she can get those feelings back—even for just a little while—is to steal love from others.
Wren is a source—a rare kind of person who is made of magic, despite being unable to use it herself. Sources are required to train with the Coven as soon as they discover their abilities, but Wren—the only caretaker to her ailing father—has spent her life hiding her secret.
When a magical plague ravages the queendom, Wren’s father falls victim. To save him, Wren proposes a bargain: if Tamsin will help her catch the dark witch responsible for creating the plague, then Wren will give Tamsin her love for her father.
Of course, love bargains are a tricky thing, and these two have a long, perilous journey ahead of them—that is, if they don't kill each other first..
Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation. But after committing the worst magical sin, she’s exiled by the ruling Coven and cursed with the inability to love. The only way she can get those feelings back—even for just a little while—is to steal love from others.
Wren is a source—a rare kind of person who is made of magic, despite being unable to use it herself. Sources are required to train with the Coven as soon as they discover their abilities, but Wren—the only caretaker to her ailing father—has spent her life hiding her secret.
When a magical plague ravages the queendom, Wren’s father falls victim. To save him, Wren proposes a bargain: if Tamsin will help her catch the dark witch responsible for creating the plague, then Wren will give Tamsin her love for her father.
Of course, love bargains are a tricky thing, and these two have a long, perilous journey ahead of them—that is, if they don't kill each other first..
368 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2021
468 people are currently reading
49893 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Tooley
5 books748 followersAdrienne Tooley grew up in Southern California, majored in musical theater in Pittsburgh, and now lives in Brooklyn with her wife and dog, six guitars, and a banjo. In addition to writing novels, she is an occasional singer/songwriter who has currently released three indie-folk EPs. Find her @adriennetooley.
author photo by Jaclyn Le
https://www.lejaclyn.com
author photo by Jaclyn Le
https://www.lejaclyn.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,157 reviews
March 9, 2021
This was a good debut read. This book was actually on my list of most anticipated reads of 2021. Sapphic-YA-fantasy will get me just about every time. However, I do think my high expectations might have affected my enjoyment a little bit. I didn’t love this like I was hoping to, but I did really like it so I can’t complain too much.
This book had a slightly different feel than I was expecting. While the romance started out as enemies to lovers, it didn’t really last that way. And while I expected the book to be a bit more action based, it felt like a character study more than I expected. There was nothing wrong with these differences so I quickly grew to enjoy the overall feel of the book.
I loved how the setting was in a world filled of magical creatures’ right out of fairytales. Wren, a poor village girl, would often talk about people she heard of that could spin straw into gold or that put a curse on an apple. This part was really well done and I was hooked on this magical world. My one problem is that this started so well, but kind of faded as the book went on. I wanted to see more magic beings and/or have more fairytale interaction. It seemed like it was forgotten some as the book went on.
I was really happy with both main characters. Wren, who is kind and caring and wants to be adventurous and brave. And then we have Tamsin, our witch, who is definitely a morally grey character. I thought Tamsin especially was really well written. There were times that I had problems with her and flat out didn’t like her, but by the end of the book she was my favorite character. In my mind, a good morally grey character should give you mixed feelings but then absolutely win you over before the book ends. Tooley did a really good job on her main characters.
When I like the main characters of a book, chances are that I will enjoy the romance too. I’m happy to say that I thought the romance was super cute and sweet. While this is a very PG rated YA romance, I thought it was heartfelt and I believed in their connection. You could see how the potential of love changed both main characters and it was fun to watch.
This was less action and excitement and more character driven than I expected, but I still enjoyed it. The book is very readable with well written main characters that hook you into the story. While this book was a standalone and not part of a series, this world Tooley has created is fun and interesting. I would absolutely read a spin-off if she ever wanted to revisit this world again.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
This book had a slightly different feel than I was expecting. While the romance started out as enemies to lovers, it didn’t really last that way. And while I expected the book to be a bit more action based, it felt like a character study more than I expected. There was nothing wrong with these differences so I quickly grew to enjoy the overall feel of the book.
I loved how the setting was in a world filled of magical creatures’ right out of fairytales. Wren, a poor village girl, would often talk about people she heard of that could spin straw into gold or that put a curse on an apple. This part was really well done and I was hooked on this magical world. My one problem is that this started so well, but kind of faded as the book went on. I wanted to see more magic beings and/or have more fairytale interaction. It seemed like it was forgotten some as the book went on.
I was really happy with both main characters. Wren, who is kind and caring and wants to be adventurous and brave. And then we have Tamsin, our witch, who is definitely a morally grey character. I thought Tamsin especially was really well written. There were times that I had problems with her and flat out didn’t like her, but by the end of the book she was my favorite character. In my mind, a good morally grey character should give you mixed feelings but then absolutely win you over before the book ends. Tooley did a really good job on her main characters.
When I like the main characters of a book, chances are that I will enjoy the romance too. I’m happy to say that I thought the romance was super cute and sweet. While this is a very PG rated YA romance, I thought it was heartfelt and I believed in their connection. You could see how the potential of love changed both main characters and it was fun to watch.
This was less action and excitement and more character driven than I expected, but I still enjoyed it. The book is very readable with well written main characters that hook you into the story. While this book was a standalone and not part of a series, this world Tooley has created is fun and interesting. I would absolutely read a spin-off if she ever wanted to revisit this world again.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
January 21, 2024
rep: bi mc, lesbian mc
ARC provided by the publisher. Review also on Reads Rainbow.
First word that comes to mind when trying to describe Sweet & Bitter Magic is: beautiful. Because the writing is beautiful, yes; it’s very poetic, it’s charming, it’s like those fairy tales your parents used to read you when you were a kid, only so much better. But also because of the kind of story it tells.
See, this is a story about love. Not a romance* – a story about love. Literally the only reason for the whole plot to take place is that both of the main characters love their family. That love is portrayed in two different ways, and not just because for Tamsin it’s love for her twin sister and for Wren it’s love for her father. It differs in the ways the girls approach love, in how they think about it, how they put value on it. How that love dictates their actions.
*The romance is also beautiful, obviously.
There is nothing simple about those feelings, and Tooley spends a big portion of the novel exploring that. How a love shapes a person, helps them grow, but also how it takes away their choices, how it makes them do things they wouldn’t if it wasn’t for the love. Or not do things they otherwise would… Love is never shown as this Big Magical Spell that will just make your whole life easy in a heartbeat. Which still allows for love to be shown as magic, though.
The only reason all of this works is that both Tamsin & Wren are outstanding characters, in term of depth and development, growth. It’s not a stretch at all to say this is a character driven novel (which explains why I like it so much, probably). And it’s executed perfectly in every single way. If you want “strong female characters”, you should read this book.
And a quick note: another cool thing about Sweet & Bitter Magic – and this is something I always talk about when I find it in a book – is the total lack of homophobia in this made-up world. It’s not hitting you over the head with some preaching or whatever, it’s subtle. It’s in a throwaway line about a baker and her wife that no one comments on, in the way no one objects to same-sex relationships. It makes you feel like it’s a safe space. A beautiful space.
All in all, if you’re a fan of enchanting writing, of character driven fantasy novels, of strong-minded, beautiful, loving female characters, if you want a book to awaken only warm feelings in your heart – read Sweet & Bitter Magic.
ARC provided by the publisher. Review also on Reads Rainbow.
First word that comes to mind when trying to describe Sweet & Bitter Magic is: beautiful. Because the writing is beautiful, yes; it’s very poetic, it’s charming, it’s like those fairy tales your parents used to read you when you were a kid, only so much better. But also because of the kind of story it tells.
See, this is a story about love. Not a romance* – a story about love. Literally the only reason for the whole plot to take place is that both of the main characters love their family. That love is portrayed in two different ways, and not just because for Tamsin it’s love for her twin sister and for Wren it’s love for her father. It differs in the ways the girls approach love, in how they think about it, how they put value on it. How that love dictates their actions.
*The romance is also beautiful, obviously.
There is nothing simple about those feelings, and Tooley spends a big portion of the novel exploring that. How a love shapes a person, helps them grow, but also how it takes away their choices, how it makes them do things they wouldn’t if it wasn’t for the love. Or not do things they otherwise would… Love is never shown as this Big Magical Spell that will just make your whole life easy in a heartbeat. Which still allows for love to be shown as magic, though.
The only reason all of this works is that both Tamsin & Wren are outstanding characters, in term of depth and development, growth. It’s not a stretch at all to say this is a character driven novel (which explains why I like it so much, probably). And it’s executed perfectly in every single way. If you want “strong female characters”, you should read this book.
And a quick note: another cool thing about Sweet & Bitter Magic – and this is something I always talk about when I find it in a book – is the total lack of homophobia in this made-up world. It’s not hitting you over the head with some preaching or whatever, it’s subtle. It’s in a throwaway line about a baker and her wife that no one comments on, in the way no one objects to same-sex relationships. It makes you feel like it’s a safe space. A beautiful space.
All in all, if you’re a fan of enchanting writing, of character driven fantasy novels, of strong-minded, beautiful, loving female characters, if you want a book to awaken only warm feelings in your heart – read Sweet & Bitter Magic.
February 16, 2022
✅ Gorgeous cover
✅ Magic
✅ Queer romance
🆗 Character development
🆗 Plot development
🆗 World building
❌ Very ordinary villain
2.5 or 3 stars
I'm disappointed, to be honest. 😔
The summary of this book was so promising (and the cover is so pretty)! A love story between a bitter, cursed witch that can't love, and a girl that loves too much and a quest to defeat a villain, sounded amazing. Everything that's promised is in the story, but not everything is well executed.
The plot is fine, it focuses mainly on Tamsin and Wren as they learn to know each other, and as they discover what they are willing to do and sacrifice for their own well-being. This is a story about love and resentment. Tamsin was cursed when she was 12 years old after using dark magic to try to save her twin's life. Wren is taking care of her father, and can't leave him even though she would like to because he tells her every day how he would die without her. She also has to keep her magic hidden because her father hates magic.
As the story progresses, Tamsin realizes that while her intentions were good, the choices she made when she was 12 years old only made things worse. Meanwhile, Wren is torn between loving her father and resenting him for not being able to explore her magic and have her own life. The characters' development was fine, nothing extraordinary, but it was a nice touch.
Tamsin and Wren are nice characters, not exceptional, but not awful either. I was hoping for more depth and more character development. They are both changed at the end of their adventure, but I didn't see much of the development. It just happened, it was told, but not shown. The promised romance between them also felt weird. I was excited to read this love story with a character that can't love, but again, the execution was not the best.
The villain of the story felt a bit unrealistic, I understand her reasons to be angry and resentful, but it seemed a little extreme?! I honestly wasn't convinced, and I wasn't satisfied either with the big confrontation. I can't really say more without spoiling though...
Overall, this book is fine, the characters, plot, and execution are fine, but I am a little disappointed. I was hoping for more, but I still enjoyed reading Sweet & Bitter Magic.
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✅ Magic
✅ Queer romance
🆗 Character development
🆗 Plot development
🆗 World building
❌ Very ordinary villain
2.5 or 3 stars
I'm disappointed, to be honest. 😔
The summary of this book was so promising (and the cover is so pretty)! A love story between a bitter, cursed witch that can't love, and a girl that loves too much and a quest to defeat a villain, sounded amazing. Everything that's promised is in the story, but not everything is well executed.
The plot is fine, it focuses mainly on Tamsin and Wren as they learn to know each other, and as they discover what they are willing to do and sacrifice for their own well-being. This is a story about love and resentment. Tamsin was cursed when she was 12 years old after using dark magic to try to save her twin's life. Wren is taking care of her father, and can't leave him even though she would like to because he tells her every day how he would die without her. She also has to keep her magic hidden because her father hates magic.
As the story progresses, Tamsin realizes that while her intentions were good, the choices she made when she was 12 years old only made things worse. Meanwhile, Wren is torn between loving her father and resenting him for not being able to explore her magic and have her own life. The characters' development was fine, nothing extraordinary, but it was a nice touch.
Tamsin and Wren are nice characters, not exceptional, but not awful either. I was hoping for more depth and more character development. They are both changed at the end of their adventure, but I didn't see much of the development. It just happened, it was told, but not shown. The promised romance between them also felt weird. I was excited to read this love story with a character that can't love, but again, the execution was not the best.
The villain of the story felt a bit unrealistic, I understand her reasons to be angry and resentful, but it seemed a little extreme?! I honestly wasn't convinced, and I wasn't satisfied either with the big confrontation. I can't really say more without spoiling though...
Overall, this book is fine, the characters, plot, and execution are fine, but I am a little disappointed. I was hoping for more, but I still enjoyed reading Sweet & Bitter Magic.
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April 23, 2021
March Owlcrate Unboxing. Click under the SPOILER to see the stuff. 😳
Well, once again I’m pissed that I don’t like another book with a beautiful cover and sprayed edges! When I first started reading the book, I actually loved it. I was excited thinking this book would be going on my bookshelf. Sigh...... the book ended up being very boring for me. Why 😫😫😫
I’ve looked through pages of reviews and it’s one of those you either love or you don’t. Either way, I wished I had loved it and I’m glad if you did 😘
Mel 🖤🐺🐶🐾
Well, once again I’m pissed that I don’t like another book with a beautiful cover and sprayed edges! When I first started reading the book, I actually loved it. I was excited thinking this book would be going on my bookshelf. Sigh...... the book ended up being very boring for me. Why 😫😫😫
I’ve looked through pages of reviews and it’s one of those you either love or you don’t. Either way, I wished I had loved it and I’m glad if you did 😘
Mel 🖤🐺🐶🐾
July 6, 2021
2.5 stars
I ended up enjoying the first half of this book more than the second. The first half establishes an interesting premise in a fairytale world. The second largely forgets the world, has twists that can be seen a mile away, and wraps up character conflicts far too easily. While this was an okay read, it’ll be largely forgettable for me.
I ended up enjoying the first half of this book more than the second. The first half establishes an interesting premise in a fairytale world. The second largely forgets the world, has twists that can be seen a mile away, and wraps up character conflicts far too easily. While this was an okay read, it’ll be largely forgettable for me.
December 8, 2021
One word: boring.
I felt like I should dnf it at the beginning, but for some reason (namely the audiobook) I didn't. If I had to read it physically, I couldn't pass chapter 3.
Although it is YA, it reads like middle grade, and 90% is telling instead of showing.
Maybe someone young would enjoy it more.
I felt like I should dnf it at the beginning, but for some reason (namely the audiobook) I didn't. If I had to read it physically, I couldn't pass chapter 3.
Although it is YA, it reads like middle grade, and 90% is telling instead of showing.
Maybe someone young would enjoy it more.
June 18, 2021
2.5/5 stars
just so incredibly meh.
I couldn’t stand wren. there was zero tension in the romance. the villain’s motivations were spotty at best, generic & uninteresting at worst. the characters all around, even tamsin who irritated me the least, lacked any sort of depth whatsoever.
the world was alright I guess. but still just as surface level as the rest of it.
boring. and soooooooo not gay enough.
just so incredibly meh.
I couldn’t stand wren. there was zero tension in the romance. the villain’s motivations were spotty at best, generic & uninteresting at worst. the characters all around, even tamsin who irritated me the least, lacked any sort of depth whatsoever.
the world was alright I guess. but still just as surface level as the rest of it.
boring. and soooooooo not gay enough.
March 19, 2022
i feel like adrienne tooley just looked at a list of things alaska wants to see in a book and said “yes, let’s do all of the above.” this book hit me in all the good ways and despite being one of my most anticipated releases of 2021, it completely lived up to my enormously high expectations.
this is a story about love in every sense of the world and it just, like i said, touched me in all the right places. this book left me full of hope and so much joy and i'm just bursting with feelings. i'm an absolute mess (but at least i'm a gay mess, i guess)!
no words to describe how much this story means to me. adrienne tooley and her characters have my heart, and i don't even want it back.
this is a story about love in every sense of the world and it just, like i said, touched me in all the right places. this book left me full of hope and so much joy and i'm just bursting with feelings. i'm an absolute mess (but at least i'm a gay mess, i guess)!
no words to describe how much this story means to me. adrienne tooley and her characters have my heart, and i don't even want it back.
April 16, 2021
read my full review on reads rainbow!
Rep: bi mc, lesbian mc
Rep: bi mc, lesbian mc
Read
December 20, 2020*slides in*
So.
I hear this is gay.
Sign me up, I am ready.
And that cover be lookin real nice.
So.
I hear this is gay.
Sign me up, I am ready.
And that cover be lookin real nice.
October 29, 2021
This book is getting mixed reviews. As someone who absolutely loved it, here's what I think gets missed in some of the reviews:
So Sweet & Bitter Magic is a ya fantasy story. Set in a world of witches, there are two main characters. Tamsin, a witch who is banished from the witches' land and cursed to never feel any kind of love and Wren, a poor villager who has magic but hides it to stay with her ill father. When dark magic runs amok, circumstances make them unlikely partners in the fight against it.
Now, the pace is slow here. If you're a hardcore fantasy reader who enjoys magical elements and thrilling plots, this book will be disappointing. However, as a reader who loves a good character focused novel, this was delightful. Both Wren and Tamsin have so much personality, their traumas and stories are visceral and there's so much growth. The magic is not the main feature.
For people who want strong LGBT+ vibes, this book might also fall short. In some ways, this is a book about family and dealing with guilt and responsibility before it is a queer romance. It's very chaste too.
I loved this too though. There are so many books about gay people where the plot is solely about their gay-ness. Homophobic parents/ society, dramatic coming outs, internalized homophobia, these troupes are so common in gay romances. Here, Wren and Tamsin's love was an obvious fact, an accepted one. Tooley didn't frame it as a gay romance or even as a romance- it's just two main characters slowly becoming partners and learning about themselves, falling in love as a side effect of everything else. It's so normalized and I'm so here for this. This isn't a book about gay witches- it's a book about witches who happen to be gay.
In retrospect, I should have been able to predict many of the plot twists. However, I didn't. Like, at all (I was fully convinced Amma would make a comeback somehow). So I found the plot twists delightful, it all fit together so well. The ending is a little rushed but it still works.
All in all, I especially enjoyed the themes. Tamsin and Wren's guilt and the ways they deal with it. This focus on finding oneself throughout family crises, on owning mistakes and finding forgiveness. On the challenges of love, on finding self acceptance, on the balance between yourself and the world.
After a few weeks have passed, I'm not sure I fully stand behind my 5 star rating because I suspect I'll never reread this book but you know, reading this was such a joy, I hope others experience it the way I did.
------------------
This had the perfect soft queer fantasy vibes, so happy with this read, especially during exam season when the need for escapism is at its peak. Review to come!
I'm tied between giving 5 stars or 4 stars so I'm gonna round up because I literally can't think of a way for this book to be better.
So Sweet & Bitter Magic is a ya fantasy story. Set in a world of witches, there are two main characters. Tamsin, a witch who is banished from the witches' land and cursed to never feel any kind of love and Wren, a poor villager who has magic but hides it to stay with her ill father. When dark magic runs amok, circumstances make them unlikely partners in the fight against it.
Now, the pace is slow here. If you're a hardcore fantasy reader who enjoys magical elements and thrilling plots, this book will be disappointing. However, as a reader who loves a good character focused novel, this was delightful. Both Wren and Tamsin have so much personality, their traumas and stories are visceral and there's so much growth. The magic is not the main feature.
For people who want strong LGBT+ vibes, this book might also fall short. In some ways, this is a book about family and dealing with guilt and responsibility before it is a queer romance. It's very chaste too.
I loved this too though. There are so many books about gay people where the plot is solely about their gay-ness. Homophobic parents/ society, dramatic coming outs, internalized homophobia, these troupes are so common in gay romances. Here, Wren and Tamsin's love was an obvious fact, an accepted one. Tooley didn't frame it as a gay romance or even as a romance- it's just two main characters slowly becoming partners and learning about themselves, falling in love as a side effect of everything else. It's so normalized and I'm so here for this. This isn't a book about gay witches- it's a book about witches who happen to be gay.
In retrospect, I should have been able to predict many of the plot twists. However, I didn't. Like, at all (I was fully convinced Amma would make a comeback somehow). So I found the plot twists delightful, it all fit together so well. The ending is a little rushed but it still works.
All in all, I especially enjoyed the themes. Tamsin and Wren's guilt and the ways they deal with it. This focus on finding oneself throughout family crises, on owning mistakes and finding forgiveness. On the challenges of love, on finding self acceptance, on the balance between yourself and the world.
After a few weeks have passed, I'm not sure I fully stand behind my 5 star rating because I suspect I'll never reread this book but you know, reading this was such a joy, I hope others experience it the way I did.
------------------
This had the perfect soft queer fantasy vibes, so happy with this read, especially during exam season when the need for escapism is at its peak. Review to come!
I'm tied between giving 5 stars or 4 stars so I'm gonna round up because I literally can't think of a way for this book to be better.
November 27, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for sending an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"Love is not something to be taken lightly."
I was thrilled when I received an arc from the publisher since this is a highly anticipated book and I see so many people talking about it! Although it wasn't as "amazing" as I'd hope, it was still a good story.
There wasn't as much action in the book as I was expecting after reading the synopsis and a lot of the magic was talked about more than acted out. I found myself waiting for that big "BANG" of a moment but it didn't exactly come. The plot twist was a bit of a surprise and I quite enjoyed it.
The romance in this book was beautiful. A very slow burn where both girls grew closer and bonded over their inner battles and learned to heal with each other. Acceptance was also a major part of their relationship was so beautiful to read. There were plenty of almost kisses and who doesn't love that right? It makes the actual kiss all the more perfect!
If you're a fan of lgbtq characters, slow burn romances and unique magic then this is the book for you!
3.5/5 ✰’s
"Love is not something to be taken lightly."
I was thrilled when I received an arc from the publisher since this is a highly anticipated book and I see so many people talking about it! Although it wasn't as "amazing" as I'd hope, it was still a good story.
There wasn't as much action in the book as I was expecting after reading the synopsis and a lot of the magic was talked about more than acted out. I found myself waiting for that big "BANG" of a moment but it didn't exactly come. The plot twist was a bit of a surprise and I quite enjoyed it.
The romance in this book was beautiful. A very slow burn where both girls grew closer and bonded over their inner battles and learned to heal with each other. Acceptance was also a major part of their relationship was so beautiful to read. There were plenty of almost kisses and who doesn't love that right? It makes the actual kiss all the more perfect!
If you're a fan of lgbtq characters, slow burn romances and unique magic then this is the book for you!
3.5/5 ✰’s
March 23, 2021
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
IMO, def lived up to expectations & I FREAKING LOVED THE HECK OUT OF IT!
______________
SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR THISSSSSSS
IMO, def lived up to expectations & I FREAKING LOVED THE HECK OUT OF IT!
______________
SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR THISSSSSSS
March 12, 2021
See this review and more at my blog, The Scribe Owl!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
2.5/5 stars
I don't think anyone is more surprised about this rating than I am. And the thing is, it didn't have the elements of a bad book! But when I get so disinterested that I'm skim reading (which never happens!) something is wrong.
I love the synopsis! It promises so many fantastic things, all of which are included, but not executed well. Sure, there's a romance with gasp the one who can't love, but the way everything turned up in the end felt like a bit of a cop-out.
And the villain! She was so unrealistic. For the sake of not spoiling, I won't go into detail, but though she had reason to be so resentful and angry it was a little overboard. It was just a lot.
The plot was fine, the characters were fine, everything was fine! But for some reason I just don't care. If you loved this book I'm so sorry. Honestly. I understand this review was a little harsh. This kind of disconnect is rare for me, but when it crops up it's impossible for me to enjoy the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
2.5/5 stars
I don't think anyone is more surprised about this rating than I am. And the thing is, it didn't have the elements of a bad book! But when I get so disinterested that I'm skim reading (which never happens!) something is wrong.
Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation. But after committing the worst magical sin, she’s exiled by the ruling Coven and cursed with the inability to love. The only way she can get those feelings back—even for just a little while—is to steal love from others.
Wren is a source—a rare kind of person who is made of magic, despite being unable to use it herself. Sources are required to train with the Coven as soon as they discover their abilities, but Wren—the only caretaker to her ailing father—has spent her life hiding her secret.
When a magical plague ravages the queendom, Wren’s father falls victim. To save him, Wren proposes a bargain: if Tamsin will help her catch the dark witch responsible for creating the plague, then Wren will give Tamsin her love for her father.
Of course, love bargains are a tricky thing, and these two have a long, perilous journey ahead of them—that is, if they don't kill each other first.
I love the synopsis! It promises so many fantastic things, all of which are included, but not executed well. Sure, there's a romance with gasp the one who can't love, but the way everything turned up in the end felt like a bit of a cop-out.
And the villain! She was so unrealistic. For the sake of not spoiling, I won't go into detail, but though she had reason to be so resentful and angry it was a little overboard. It was just a lot.
The plot was fine, the characters were fine, everything was fine! But for some reason I just don't care. If you loved this book I'm so sorry. Honestly. I understand this review was a little harsh. This kind of disconnect is rare for me, but when it crops up it's impossible for me to enjoy the book.
maybe
February 26, 2019"a cursed witch who must steal love from others meets a girl hiding her own dangerous secrets, and the two strike a love bargain with life-or-death consequences"
am i dreaming
am i dreaming
Want to read
March 5, 2021Why can't I have a pretty girl to hold hands with, Mum?
It'S NoT FaIr!!
September 17, 2020
Tamsin and Wren are my daughters forever. I have been lucky enough to read this book in several iterations as Adrienne brought it to life. It is charming and whimsical and sparkling with romantic tension. The characters are real, endearing, flawed, and believable. If you are hoping this is the sapphic witchy book of your dreams, then good news: It is.
June 5, 2021
This was nice enough, I think certain plot twists were slightly predictable, however I still enjoyed it and some of the underlining elements in this book were things that were super relatable.
February 24, 2024
Not a big fan of this one tbh. Rtc!
December 12, 2019
So, Wren and Tamsin are my favourite couple IN THE WORLD there was just something so pure about both of them, and I am SO WEAK for the grumpy/darling dynamic that they had going on. This book was magic. I inhaled it. It was so much fun to read, so sweet to watch these girls work together and fall for each other enemies-to-lovers style, and the banter between them was so effing funny. Topping it all off were some truly touching scenes delving into the complications of family and duty and guilt. A+. I loved this from beginning to end
Also: witches
Enough said
Also: witches
Enough said
April 27, 2021
⭐⭐⭐/5
“Living with the feeling that the world was on fire, Wren now knew, was nothing compared to watching it burn”
― Adrienne Tooley, Sweet & Bitter Magic
Characters:
The characters were just okay. I wish they'd have more of a character arc/ character growth. I didn't like how the author kept emphasizing how KiNdHeArTeD and oPeN Wren was by collecting flowers and talking to birds. It just wasn't necessary and was kind of annoying and repetitive.
Relationships:
I would've liked to see more. Honestly, those are my thoughts for the whole book but especially for the ship. There wasn't much fighting and it didn't feel too much like an ENEMIES to lovers.
Worldbuilding:
I wish the author would add more worldbuilding in this book because it just felt a little dry. I would've loved to see more of the witch world because it had so much potential. Sadly, we only spent a little bit of time there before we moved on.
Plot:
The plot was also pretty dry though it sounded so cool in the book's description. There was a lot of traveling, and then the climax and end felt unsatisfactory.
So overall, this is a 3/5 stars. Sorry for this really dry and short review, but this is basically encompassing how dry the book was. It had so much potential with that beautiful cover and amazing description...
“Living with the feeling that the world was on fire, Wren now knew, was nothing compared to watching it burn”
― Adrienne Tooley, Sweet & Bitter Magic
Characters:
The characters were just okay. I wish they'd have more of a character arc/ character growth. I didn't like how the author kept emphasizing how KiNdHeArTeD and oPeN Wren was by collecting flowers and talking to birds. It just wasn't necessary and was kind of annoying and repetitive.
Relationships:
I would've liked to see more. Honestly, those are my thoughts for the whole book but especially for the ship. There wasn't much fighting and it didn't feel too much like an ENEMIES to lovers.
Worldbuilding:
I wish the author would add more worldbuilding in this book because it just felt a little dry. I would've loved to see more of the witch world because it had so much potential. Sadly, we only spent a little bit of time there before we moved on.
Plot:
The plot was also pretty dry though it sounded so cool in the book's description. There was a lot of traveling, and then the climax and end felt unsatisfactory.
So overall, this is a 3/5 stars. Sorry for this really dry and short review, but this is basically encompassing how dry the book was. It had so much potential with that beautiful cover and amazing description...
July 13, 2022
I dropped out of the mood for angsty fantasy with a theme and possible message. Also, it was really hard to attach to Tamsin, the eater of love. I got hung up on the tragedies she was perpetuating on a regular basis and her unfeeling nature got tedious and that wasn't mitigated by it being done to her rather than being natural. And Wren is her own kind of pathetic, caring for her wasting father who seems to be exploiting her good nature so he can wallow in his grief.
Sigh. I wasn't going to rate this because I might come back to it. Only, I obviously have problems beyond mere mood as I had thought. And it isn't helping that the pace is so slow (at a quarter in, they're just getting ready to do something. I think the author over-played the tragedy with the dark magic doing all the horrible, nasty things to literally everybody we see, making the world an unbearable mess—a mess that will only heighten while Tamsin and Wren pfaff about trying to find the bad guy. So I'm going to change this to a one-star dnf instead of a mood-based unfinished with no rating.
Sigh. I wasn't going to rate this because I might come back to it. Only, I obviously have problems beyond mere mood as I had thought. And it isn't helping that the pace is so slow (at a quarter in, they're just getting ready to do something. I think the author over-played the tragedy with the dark magic doing all the horrible, nasty things to literally everybody we see, making the world an unbearable mess—a mess that will only heighten while Tamsin and Wren pfaff about trying to find the bad guy. So I'm going to change this to a one-star dnf instead of a mood-based unfinished with no rating.
April 28, 2021
3.75 Stars
This is a debut sapphic YA magical fantasy story. The is out of my normal genre of contemporary romance so take this review with a grain of salt. “Sweet & Bitter Magic” is about Tamsin, who is a witch, who is banished from her life with the Coven and cursed to not feel love. Wren, a magical source, has had to hide the magic within her so she can take care of her ill father, who hates magic.
So, I really liked and enjoyed “Sweet & Bitter Magic” overall but it fell a little flat in a couple of areas that made me not love it. I thought the romance was very sweet and both Tamsin and Wren were likable in their own ways. Tamsin isn’t very kind in the beginning. Her ability to feel love has been taken away so she requires payment of love from villagers who want her spells. While this is a harsh payment, I felt that she could’ve done a lot worse seeing as how she feels no love at all. Wren is just trying to take care of her father. She loves him and wants to do her duty as a good daughter but has always had to hide that she’s full of magic. She has the ability to smell and see magic and she can supply witches with the magic they need.
While I thought the romance was sweet, I was a little disappointed it wasn’t deeper. This starts out enemies-to-lovers and then the two are forced to work together. Over the rather short time of them being together it seems their feelings do a 180 without much to support the shift, in my opinion. I totally shipped them together but I would’ve liked to see more depth to the relationship.
My other “disappointment” was that the villain ended up being predictable and I thought the resolution was quick. There seemed to be a lot more depth Tooley could’ve gone into to really make this a great story but just kind of skimmed over certain parts.
Also, I would like to note that this is a gorgeous cover! I really love it a lot.
Overall, I enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend.
This is a debut sapphic YA magical fantasy story. The is out of my normal genre of contemporary romance so take this review with a grain of salt. “Sweet & Bitter Magic” is about Tamsin, who is a witch, who is banished from her life with the Coven and cursed to not feel love. Wren, a magical source, has had to hide the magic within her so she can take care of her ill father, who hates magic.
So, I really liked and enjoyed “Sweet & Bitter Magic” overall but it fell a little flat in a couple of areas that made me not love it. I thought the romance was very sweet and both Tamsin and Wren were likable in their own ways. Tamsin isn’t very kind in the beginning. Her ability to feel love has been taken away so she requires payment of love from villagers who want her spells. While this is a harsh payment, I felt that she could’ve done a lot worse seeing as how she feels no love at all. Wren is just trying to take care of her father. She loves him and wants to do her duty as a good daughter but has always had to hide that she’s full of magic. She has the ability to smell and see magic and she can supply witches with the magic they need.
While I thought the romance was sweet, I was a little disappointed it wasn’t deeper. This starts out enemies-to-lovers and then the two are forced to work together. Over the rather short time of them being together it seems their feelings do a 180 without much to support the shift, in my opinion. I totally shipped them together but I would’ve liked to see more depth to the relationship.
My other “disappointment” was that the villain ended up being predictable and I thought the resolution was quick. There seemed to be a lot more depth Tooley could’ve gone into to really make this a great story but just kind of skimmed over certain parts.
Also, I would like to note that this is a gorgeous cover! I really love it a lot.
Overall, I enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend.
April 27, 2021
Living with the feeling that the world was on fire, Wren now knew, was nothing compared to seeing it burn.
This started off amazing and I fully expected to go for at least four stars. You started to get to know Wren and Tamsin individually, saw them meet and strike their bargain. The pacing was kinda slow but that was perfect for the story and everything around it. I had a vivid picture in mind the whole time and I was rooting for both of the main characters to find happiness. Until the point where everything changed. The atmosphere, the chemistry of the characters... The pacing picked up to a point where I felt completely rushed through the whole thing right until the end. Which left me wanting more. I felt like this was supposed to be more than this standlone and somewhere during this journey someone changed their mind and everything was brought to the end really quickly with a solution that felt a little too conveniant.
I realise that this sounds like I didn't like this at all. That is not the case, I really like the world and Tamsin and Wren were both amazing, I just wanted more. More time to get to know them, more time for everything to unfold, more time to just discover everything. I enjoyed all those fairy tale references but (I just have to mention it because some readers might want to avoid these kinds of books) it was kinda hard reading about a plague during these times. And I especially appreciated the author's take on the relationship which I'm putting in spoiler tags:
July 8, 2021
2.5⭐️
Ok this was a fun quick read... but everything was just so average. The book just became bleh and I found myself skimming and having to re-read parts because it just didn't grasp my interest.
And the scene where she faces the villain was so anti-climatic...
The final scene I will say was cute but overall meh.
Ok this was a fun quick read... but everything was just so average. The book just became bleh and I found myself skimming and having to re-read parts because it just didn't grasp my interest.
And the scene where she faces the villain was so anti-climatic...
The final scene I will say was cute but overall meh.
July 30, 2023
Es una historia... interesante. Para ser sincera, me quedé por el romance ya que la fantasía no es de lo mejor. No tenía sentido; pasé todo el libro con ganas de gritarle a Tamsin «¡Date cuenta de que todo lo que haces es por amor!».
Aun así, Tamsin es mi nueva crush hasta que lea a otra mejor:)
Aun así, Tamsin es mi nueva crush hasta que lea a otra mejor:)
March 21, 2021
This is a high fantasy story with big, world-ending stakes–but more importantly, it’s a slow burn sapphic romance. Tamsin and Wren have a perfect grouchy one/sunshine one dynamic. Tamsin is jaded, haunted by her past, and literally incapable of love or positive emotion. Wren is bubbly, naïve, and distractible; she sees magic everywhere. They seem like opposites–but in reality, they have most of the same motivations. Tamsin has a martyr complex; Wren is self-sacrificial to a fault.
While there is a high fantasy plot here, including magical duels, family secrets, and a world in the balance, it becomes obvious that the heart of this story is the romance between Wren and Tamsin. Wren is frustrated to find herself falling for someone who a) is incapable of loving her back, b) is going to take her love for her father from her as soon as Tamsin completes her end of the deal, and c) is kind of a jerk to her. In addition to the grumpy one/sunshine one trope, there’s also a “there’s only one bed” moment! Classic.
I know a lot of people will also appreciate that this is set in a world without homophobia. This is an absorbing read that I can’t wait to see people fall in love with.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
While there is a high fantasy plot here, including magical duels, family secrets, and a world in the balance, it becomes obvious that the heart of this story is the romance between Wren and Tamsin. Wren is frustrated to find herself falling for someone who a) is incapable of loving her back, b) is going to take her love for her father from her as soon as Tamsin completes her end of the deal, and c) is kind of a jerk to her. In addition to the grumpy one/sunshine one trope, there’s also a “there’s only one bed” moment! Classic.
I know a lot of people will also appreciate that this is set in a world without homophobia. This is an absorbing read that I can’t wait to see people fall in love with.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
October 26, 2023
4.5 stars. Okay, I loved this book!! I’m a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers dynamic and thought it was done so well here. The way Tamsin and Wren bickered but slowly started to melt for each other was so beautiful I wanted to weep! I love how morally gray Tamsin was, and — this might be an unpopular opinion — I found that Wren had a little bit of morally grey in her too, which made things even more exciting. Aside from the main romance, I utterly adored how the complex familial relationships were portrayed.
I did have some minor issues with this book, though. I know this is a YA novel, but I found myself thinking that everything would make more sense if they were older. For instance, parts describing Tamsin’s past (5 years ago, when she and her classmates were around 12) seemed to involve people in their later teens. Also, at times it was hard to keep track of the magic system and why certain things were happening.
Overall, this was a beautiful, memorable read for me, and I can’t wait to read more from Tooley!
[Sometime in 2020/2021: This cover is so beautiful I want to weep. I cannot stop staring at it. My god. Also the synopsis reeks of absolute perfection. I need to read this like, yesterday.]
I did have some minor issues with this book, though. I know this is a YA novel, but I found myself thinking that everything would make more sense if they were older. For instance, parts describing Tamsin’s past (5 years ago, when she and her classmates were around 12) seemed to involve people in their later teens. Also, at times it was hard to keep track of the magic system and why certain things were happening.
Overall, this was a beautiful, memorable read for me, and I can’t wait to read more from Tooley!
[Sometime in 2020/2021: This cover is so beautiful I want to weep. I cannot stop staring at it. My god. Also the synopsis reeks of absolute perfection. I need to read this like, yesterday.]
March 31, 2021
Sweet & Bitter Magic má naprosto fantastickou obálku, naprosto fantastický svět, naprosto fantastické téma a naprosto fantastickou LGBT romantickou linku se dvěma holkama, ale je bohužel velmi průměrnou knihou. Já jsem si tak moc přála, aby to bylo wow, ale nebylo. Tahle fantasy má několik skvělých prvků a detailů, ale jako celek je velmi neoriginální a jednoduchá. Prostě se jde a jde a jde, bitva, vítězství, happy end. Hlavní postavy tím vším proplouvají úplně na pohodu, žádné velké komplikace, vůbec jsem se o ně nebála. Pořád jsem čekala, že se NĚCO velkého stane a nic se nestalo. A i ten vztah byl… řeknu to takhle: kdyby to bylo hetero, tak je to vlastně strašně tuctové.
Jo, čarodějka ve vyhnanství Tamsin je skvělá, není schopná milovat a krade lásku jiným a díky tomu je mega grumpy a chladnokrevná a neempatická a celkově velice zajímavá postava. I vývoj vztahu z její strany je perfektně napsaný. Wren je ale bohužel sluníčkově otravná dobračka, naivka bez vývoje, co se někde mezi dvěma odstavci zázračně zamiluje. Ještě zmíním Tamsinu sestru, k níž sice nemůžu moc napsat, protože spoiler, ale strašně mě štvala tím nejlepším možným způsobem.
Bylo tam několik momentů, které mi přišly fakt geniální. Třeba hned na začátku scéna, kde Tamsin a Wren stvrzují dohodu mezi sebou polibkem a Tamsin jim kolem krku zaváže černou stuhu, která svou nositelku uškrtí, pokud svoji část dohody nedodrží. Bohužel to ale nestačilo na víc než tři hvězdy.
Fajn, že je to standalone. Fajn čtení. Prostě fajn.
Jo, čarodějka ve vyhnanství Tamsin je skvělá, není schopná milovat a krade lásku jiným a díky tomu je mega grumpy a chladnokrevná a neempatická a celkově velice zajímavá postava. I vývoj vztahu z její strany je perfektně napsaný. Wren je ale bohužel sluníčkově otravná dobračka, naivka bez vývoje, co se někde mezi dvěma odstavci zázračně zamiluje. Ještě zmíním Tamsinu sestru, k níž sice nemůžu moc napsat, protože spoiler, ale strašně mě štvala tím nejlepším možným způsobem.
Bylo tam několik momentů, které mi přišly fakt geniální. Třeba hned na začátku scéna, kde Tamsin a Wren stvrzují dohodu mezi sebou polibkem a Tamsin jim kolem krku zaváže černou stuhu, která svou nositelku uškrtí, pokud svoji část dohody nedodrží. Bohužel to ale nestačilo na víc než tři hvězdy.
Fajn, že je to standalone. Fajn čtení. Prostě fajn.
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