ARC Review: Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N. Holmberg

Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Publication: 47North (June 28, 2016)

Description: Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passed on to those who eat them. She doesn’t know why she can do this and remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from.

When marauders raid her town, Maire is captured and sold to the eccentric Allemas, who enslaves her and demands that she produce sinister confections, including a witch’s gingerbread cottage, a living cookie boy, and size-altering cakes.

During her captivity, Maire is visited by Fyel, a ghostly being who is reluctant to reveal his connection to her. The more often they meet, the more her memories return, and she begins to piece together who and what she really is—as well as past mistakes that yield cosmic consequences.

From the author of The Paper Magician series comes a haunting and otherworldly tale of folly and consequence, forgiveness and redemption.

My Thoughts: MAGIC BITTER, MAGIC SWEET was an entertaining fantasy novel. Maire is a baker who can infuse her baked goods with emotions and abilities. She doesn't know her past. In fact, her memory begins only a few years previous to the story when she was found and taken it by Arrice and Franc.

When her town is invaded by marauders, she is captured and sold to Allemas who treats her badly and forces her to use her gift for baking to satisfy her clients. She is forced to make a house of gingerbread among other things.

Maire is visited by an ethereal being named Fyel who seems to know her but who won't tell her about her past. She needs to discover it for herself. I found her discovery, once she made it, the best part of the book.

Fans of fantasy will enjoy this one which talks about choices and the consequences of those choices.

Favorite Quote:

Sugar is like medicine. It swirls on the tongue and settles the gut and inspires happier thoughts to the mind. I've started to take it regularly.

I got this eARC from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.