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. 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. When a magical plague ravages the queendom, Wren’s father falls victim. 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.

Wren is a source-a rare kind of person who is made of magic, despite being unable to use it herself. It’s minty fresh, with complexity from the bitters and vanilla and coconut notes from the aged rum. This sweet alcoholic drink is a modern classic created by a famous bartender in the early 2000’s. The only way she can get those feelings back-even for just a little while-is to steal love from others. Enter the Old Cuban: one part Mojito, one part French 75. But after committing the worst magical sin, she’s exiled by the ruling Coven and cursed with the inability to love. LIPSTICK: brand I no longer buy but the lipstick.

Tamsin is the most powerful witch of her generation. In which I discuss my spoiler free thoughts on Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley. In this charming debut fantasy perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Girls of Paper and Fire, 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.

Sweet & bitter magic by adrienne tooley