Magic is a concept that has fascinated humanity for centuries. It is often portrayed as a mysterious force that can bend the rules of nature and grant incredible powers to those who wield it. However, not all magic is the same. There is a distinction between sweet and bitter magic, each with its own unique characteristics. Sweet magic is often associated with light, goodness, and benevolence. It is a force that is used for healing, protection, and bringing about positive change.
FINAL THOUGHTS While fantasy is my favorite genre I generally don't gravitate towards witch stories. I was drawn in by the pretty cover. When I read the synopsis I was hopeful this could change my perspective on witches. It became one of my most anticipated reads of the last year and I'm happy to say I was not wrong in my faith in this debut. Tooley demonstrates a lot of promise as an author here and I am 100% going to pick out whatever she publishes next.
The idea of magic having consequences is common in fantasy but here we see its devastating effects that serve as the novel s foundation and raise the stakes. 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.
It is a force that is used for healing, protection, and bringing about positive change. Sweet magic is often associated with white or light-colored spells and is believed to come from a place of pure intentions and love. It is the kind of magic that brings joy, happiness, and harmony to the world.
Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley (book review)
A witch (Tamsin) and a girl made of magic (Wren) team up together to take down a dark witch and save the land from a plague.
CHARACTERS
The novel's focus is primarily on three characters; Tamsin the banished witch, Wren the source, and Tamsin's less powerful twin sister Marlena. Tamsin and Wren go from reluctant allies to romantic interests throughout the course of the novel so I would classify them in the trope of enemies to lovers. Wren is the sweet in the title as she shows through her actions that she is selfless, sees the best in people, and loves simple pleasures like picking wildflowers. Tamsin, meanwhile, is the bitter as she has been cursed to be unable to feel love and cannot return home. The two are opposites but they work well together because they respect and bring out the best in one another.
Tamsin and Marlena's relationship is explored through the eyes of both sisters despite Marlena being deceased (more on that in the next section). I thought this was smart because it shows how lopsided their relationship was with Tamsin believing them to be extremely close but Marlena actually resenting her sister.
One thing I really loved was how Tamsin and Wren muse that their romance may last forever or may be fleeting but either way its impact and importance is not diminished. So often we see budding romances portrayed in novels as a great, everlasting love and that's not always realistic. It was a refreshing take.
My only complaints were how Wren and Tamsin's relationship could be a tad too cheesy for my taste and also Wren's relationship with her father. Wren tells us she loves her father but we read on page that she feels held back by him and cares for him more out of a sense of duty than anything else. I don't necessarily have a problem with Wren feeling burdened by caring for her father, but don't then try to sell me on the idea that she so values the love she has for him.
NARRATIVE STYLE/PACING The novel is told from the alternating third person perspectives of Wren and Tamsin. There are also excerpts from Marlena's dairy. The inclusion of diary entries is something I see a lot in books and I think that's because it's such an easy way to get to know a character we don't see on page. It's not groundbreaking, but it's used effectively here.
Tamsin's inability to love is shown to impact everything. Not only can she not love people, but she can't taste or smell or see colors like she used to, either. This made the curse feel a lot more nuanced than I at first expected it to be and I applaud Tooley for thinking outside the box when crafting this curse.
This novel is a standalone which is uncommon in the fantasy genre. The story doesn't feel rushed at any point, though. There is enough of the world and its history established to ground the reader in the setting and enough of the characters' pasts explored to get a good understanding of them. Wren and Tamsin's connection doesn't feel sudden and jarring like I feared it might but develops gradually throughout the novel. The ending is open but hopeful which is a good balance to strike. It leaves the reader feeling satisfied but also, if Tooley wanted, she could write a sequel about Wren and Tamsin's futures.
WORLD BUILDING This was my favorite part of the novel. As a fantasy lover I am always on the lookout for novels with world building that feels unlike others I've read before. The idea of there being people made of magic (sources) who can see and hear magic was unlike anything I've read before. It was such a cool concept that worked perfectly with the story Tooley was trying to tell. Another really awesome aspect was how dark magic drained the earth. The idea of magic having consequences is common in fantasy but here we see its devastating effects that serve as the novel's foundation and raise the stakes.
Tooley did a good job of explaining the history of the world and its magic system. I love mirroring in novels and that can be seen here in the rise of a new dark witch much like there was several decades prior to the events of the novel. Just as this fractured relations between the ordinary folks and the magical ones before so too is it damaging trust this time around.
FINAL THOUGHTS While fantasy is my favorite genre I generally don't gravitate towards witch stories. I was drawn in by the pretty cover. When I read the synopsis I was hopeful this could change my perspective on witches. It became one of my most anticipated reads of the last year and I'm happy to say I was not wrong in my faith in this debut. Tooley demonstrates a lot of promise as an author here and I am 100% going to pick out whatever she publishes next.
FINAL RATING: 4.5⭐️
The novel's focus is primarily on three characters; Tamsin the banished witch, Wren the source, and Tamsin's less powerful twin sister Marlena. Tamsin and Wren go from reluctant allies to romantic interests throughout the course of the novel so I would classify them in the trope of enemies to lovers. Wren is the sweet in the title as she shows through her actions that she is selfless, sees the best in people, and loves simple pleasures like picking wildflowers. Tamsin, meanwhile, is the bitter as she has been cursed to be unable to feel love and cannot return home. The two are opposites but they work well together because they respect and bring out the best in one another.
In contrast, bitter magic is often associated with darkness, negativity, and malevolence. It is a force that is used for selfish gain, harm, and destruction. Bitter magic is often associated with black or dark-colored spells and is believed to come from a place of negative intentions and hatred. It is the kind of magic that brings sadness, suffering, and chaos to the world. Both sweet and bitter magic have their own set of consequences. Sweet magic is often seen as more morally acceptable and is believed to bring positive outcomes. However, it can still have unintended consequences if misused or not fully understood. Bitter magic, on the other hand, is often seen as more dangerous and is believed to bring negative outcomes. It can cause harm not only to others but also to the wielder themselves. It is important to note that the distinction between sweet and bitter magic is not necessarily a black and white one. There are shades of gray and individuals who practice magic may choose to use a combination of both sweet and bitter spells depending on their intentions and the circumstances at hand. The use of magic requires knowledge, wisdom, and a deep understanding of its potential consequences. In conclusion, sweet and bitter magic represent two different sides of the same coin. While sweet magic is associated with light and brings about positive change, bitter magic is associated with darkness and can cause harm. It is up to the individual practitioner to choose how they will use their magic and to accept the responsibility and consequences that come with it..
Reviews for "Exploring the symbolism of sweet and bitter magic"
1. John - 2 stars - While I was initially excited to read "Sweet and Bitter Magic", I found myself incredibly disappointed. The plot felt predictable and lacked depth, and the characters were one-dimensional without any real growth. The supposed romance between the two main characters felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I picked up "Sweet and Bitter Magic" expecting an intriguing fantasy read, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing felt lackluster, with little to no world-building or vivid descriptions. The pacing was also off, dragging in some parts and rushing through important events in others. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story. All in all, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Sweet and Bitter Magic" to be unoriginal and unengaging. The tropes and clichés littered throughout the story left me feeling bored and uninspired. The main characters lacked depth and their actions felt illogical. The romantic subplot was a letdown, lacking any real spark or development. Overall, this book failed to captivate me and I would not recommend it to others.
4. Alex - 1 star - "Sweet and Bitter Magic" was a massive letdown for me. The writing was mediocre at best, with an abundance of tell rather than show. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the character interactions lacked authenticity. The plot lacked originality, following a predictable formula without any unique twists. Overall, I regret reading this book and I would not recommend it to fans of the fantasy genre.