The Absinthe Underground is a compelling action adventure that will boggle the mind and tickle your soul. I couldn't put this book down and read it in sitting before reading it all over again days later. Jamie Pacton is an extremely talented writer who knows her target readers well and never fails to give us what we want in our stories. One of best Sapphic novels I've read in a very long time

This was fun read. If you like whimsical characters and with a touch of historical fiction I think you should pick this up.

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton is a wild ride of mischief, mystery, and rebellious flair, set in a world where absinthe-fueled intrigue meets high-stakes adventure. Pacton plunges readers into a neon-lit, underground society dripping with bohemian charm and danger, where the drinks are as strong as the personalities, and the secrets are even stronger. The setting feels like a heady mix of Moulin Rouge and a steampunk speakeasy, complete with swirling mystery and razor-sharp banter.

At its core, the novel thrives on its fearless protagonist, whose snark and audacity are matched only by her knack for getting into—and barely escaping—trouble. The chemistry between characters crackles with wit and flirtation, making even the tense moments feel like a stylish tango. Pacton masterfully juggles humor and high drama, peppering the narrative with laugh-out-loud one-liners even as the stakes rise. The themes of rebellion, identity, and sticking it to the establishment are explored with just the right amount of irreverence, making the book feel like a rebellious toast to anyone who’s ever wanted to break free from convention.

However, if you prefer your novels tightly wound and methodically paced, The Absinthe Underground might feel a bit like a chaotic night out: it’s fast, it’s frenetic, and at times, you’re not entirely sure where you’re headed. Some plot threads are more decorative than essential, and while the whirlwind pacing is part of its charm, a few moments could use a bit more breathing room. But with its cocktail of humor, intrigue, and high-octane fun, this is a book that invites you to sit back, pour yourself a glass, and enjoy the ride—just don’t expect to get out of it without a few surprises along the way.

This was such a creative read! There was fantastic world building and the characters felt so unique I can’t wait to read more by this author!

"The Absinthe Underground" by Jamie Pacton is a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and the vibrant allure of the artistic world. Set against the backdrop of a bohemian Paris, Pacton skillfully brings to life the intoxicating atmosphere of the time, immersing readers in a world filled with intrigue and creativity.

The characters are well-drawn and relatable, each grappling with their own dreams and dilemmas. Pacton’s protagonist is particularly compelling, as she navigates the complexities of friendship, love, and the pursuit of artistic passion. The plot is expertly paced, with twists that keep you eagerly turning the pages, while the themes of self-discovery and the struggle for authenticity resonate deeply.

Pacton's writing is both lyrical and accessible, painting vivid imagery that transports you to the streets of Paris. "The Absinthe Underground" is not just a story about art and ambition; it’s an exploration of the human spirit and the lengths we go to in pursuit of our dreams. This book is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a richly woven narrative filled with heart and soul!

It pains me to say this because I really wanted to like it but this book just wasn't for me. For such a sort book I cannot believe that it took me so long to read through the first part when basically I devoured the second part.

The two things that draw me to the book the comparisons to Moulin Rouge and the sapphic relationship and those were the ones that disappointed me the most. The writing felt too superficial and I could never connect with the characters, while we get some information about how they met they way that one of them acted felt toxic sometimes and because the writing doesn't go deeper in the characters feelings it's hard to build that care for the characters relationships.

Another issue I had was with the pacing, the books takes place in just a couple of days but 2/3 of the book were just the events happening on the first two days and the rest was just the remaining days which made the ending feel too rushed and way to convenient. I wish we could've gotten more about the fae world and the fae courts to learn how they work.

The book had potential and I really wanted to like it, but unfortunately it didn't work out for me.

I loved this book! Fair warning it is marketed pretty inaccurately, it isn't thrilling or action packed but it is sweet and cozy as hell! It's a cute friends to lovers romance featuring cats, tea and faeries and is very character driven.

A Very Interesting spin on what we know both about fantasy genres and about heist stories. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. I ling for more stories like these with two women who are romantically involved as the center.

The main issues I have with this book are related to the plot. The pacing was not my cup of tea. We start in one setting and barely have time to get used to it before we are introduced to another. This was disorienting to read in a way that I didn’t enjoy. I think the synopsis gives a good idea that this will be a heist book, but the title and comparison to “Moulin Rouge” give the impression that the actual Absinthe Underground would feature more prominently. Instead, all possible interactions in this intriguing setting were cut as short as possible, which was disappointing. The fae realm ends up being a more generic fantasy world than what I was excited to see from the cover and synopsis.

There are too many discussions about whether stealing is wrong in a heist book. Esme and Sybil don’t plan the heist, which is less fun. It makes them less active as protagonists. Why is Esme so uptight about theft? It doesn’t make sense.

I kept having to check to see if I’’d accidentally skipped pages or chapters. It was like I was crossing off plot elements as it went on instead of being an interesting story.

The relationship is extremely telling not showing. It’s NOT slowburn. The pining is kinda pathetic and not very good. All of the interesting relationship building interactions happened off-page bc they are already living together. Sybil turns on Esme so quick in the third act conflict. But who cares because they get over it without any issue.

I mean I guess the beginning and the premise was good but I just have so little to say in this novel’s favor.

Slow burn, sapphic, cosy heist fantasy.

3.5/5 rounded up.

I loved the feel of this story. Old clock towers, slow burn romance, glitz and glamour of the turn of the century. Exclusive clubs and a mysterious owner. It did feel like a very long 300 pages though with quite a bit of show rather than tell.

What I liked:
The slow burn romance of friends to lovers.
The mixing of fae and turn-of-the century glitz and glamour to provide a great backdrop to the story. I did find myself filling in a lot of details with guesswork however.
The overall premise of the book.

What I didn't like:
The pacing felt off. It was marketed as action packed and was definitely slower than expected and not highly thrilling (less six of crows, more legends and lattes)

Thank you @Netgalley for my eARC copy in exchange for an honest review. .

This book was a really cozy fantasy with adventure and lots of longing. I love the fantastical world that Jamie Pacton continues to build on from her last book. I read her debut novel due to magical lace, and read this novel due absinthe and saphics. I didn't realize that the Vermillio Emporium was written by the same author until the mention of starlight lace, and I love how the books exist in this same fantasy realm.

Thank you NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for this ebook of "The Absinthe Underground" by Jamie Pacton. I am so happy I read this! I adored it originally for its spectacular cover art but stayed for the characters and fell in love with the book. It's short, it's cute, it's fantasy filled, it's queer, it's cozy, i'ts intriguing, it gives DND vibes, need I say more? Everything in this was brilliant and I wanted to jump into the world and be friends with them. Everyone's easy to love and the world building was fantastic. Hope to be able to have it on my shelf one day so I can show it off!

My my, what a book. As the blurb and cover suggest, this is an exquisite romantasy with gothic-ish notes, filled with sapphic longings and a magical world you can't escape from, nor want to leave behind. It's one of those books you need to pick up when you're in the mood, since it's got very specific vibes, but once you do? It's so, so worth it.

Flatmates and best friends Esme and Sybil need to pay rent, and while Esme wouldn't mind working on something from their apartment to make ends meet, Sybil cannot remain caged within the flat or she'll lose her mind. So when mysterious posters start popping up all over Severon, an idea strikes like lightning - selling the posters to private collectors, given how beautiful they are, is sure to pay their rent in no time, right? But it all goes south when the model on the posters catches the pair stealing, and invites them to an exclusive nightclub where she reveals her true nature. As a Green Faerie trapped in the world of Severon, she needs a bunch of thieves for a heist in Fae that will finally set her free, and perhaps most importantly, she's willing to pay well. But her backstory doesn't add up...

This book is the love child of Barbie in the Diamond Castle and a fairytale AU of Moulin Rouge, with sprinkles of pining and scheming not unlike those in The Folk Of the Air or Six Of Crows. Thanks to Pacton's immersive prose, this book makes for a mesmerising read, and somehow manages to make a heist in Faerie cozy and sweet! I really loved the friends to lovers slow-burn, and the plot kept me engaged despite the lower stakes than those you'd expect from magical heists commissioned by faeries of dubious trustworthiness.

Perhaps it's worth mentioning that this is a cozy romantasy if I've ever read one, and thus there aren't super intense moments of unbearable tension. Personally, I love cozy reads and enjoyed that about TAU, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea or what one would expect after reading its blurb, If you enjoy sapphic couples, fae stories, and heists, and if you're into sapphic fae heist books, though... Then this is your new favourite read!

The Absinthe Underground is such a wonderful story, it’s a must read! This sapphic love story is filled with pining, adventure, whimsical moments, and of course lots of Absinthe. Esme and Sybil’s story was filled with lush details from the clothing to the places they went. You’ve got to make this your next romantic cozy comfort read!

Such a whimsical and deeply romantic read. Quick and fun to read. Easy to digest and comforting from the beginning to the end.

Sybil and Esme are impoverished women living in a turn of the century version of Paris where posters created by the great arists of the time are stolen and sold for money. Sybil pursues this "career" until the woman from a poster for a top nightclub in town (The Absinthe Underground) catches them and gets them to work for her. Sybil is also half fairy. All of the information and story points are just sprinkled into the story with no real background or depth. Even after finishing the book I still don't know much else about these two women that I've written already. Anyway the two women are tasked with heading to the land of Faerie and stealing the crown jewels of Queen Mabh, in theory to enable the nightclub to create fairy absinthe but a deeper plor unfolds. The book was fine but lacked any sort of hook to make me wonder what was going to happen next or be able to get too invested in the characters stories - my favourite character was Lucien, the brother of Sybil who is only on page for a tiny sliver of the book but at least he had a lot of story going on around him.

The Absinthe Underground is a charming blend of cozy and heist, with a sprinkle of faerie magic. Sybil and Esme, an unlikely duo of opposites, steal the show with their endearing friendship and blossoming romance. The world-building is atmospheric, transporting readers to a captivating era of art deco glamour and hidden faerie realms.

While the plot delivers a satisfying dose of excitement, the heist itself felt a bit too straightforward. The novel's greatest potential lies in exploring Sybil's faerie heritage, which unfortunately remains untapped. Despite these minor quibbles, the book is a delightful escape filled with intriguing characters and a touch of mystery.

The Absinthe Underground captivated me from the moment I saw the cover. Dual perspectives allows the reader to feel the yearning and hear the internal dialogue of both characters, which gives such a powerful insight into their relationship with each other and with themselves. The build up of acknowledging their own feelings and finding the courage to explore them while on a heist in an entirely new world, and the satisfaction of finally giving into those desires and letting go of those inhibitions felt so raw and human.

I want to follow Esme and Sybil. I want to hear of their next adventures and their blossoming relationship. I want to see their reflection on the life-altering events of The Absinthe Underground. I’d follow these girls wherever they go next.

Sadly, I had to DNF this at ~50%. I couldn't really connect to any of the characters and the story just wasn't for me. I really wanted to like this book, since the overall plot sounded really good.

This book was a good book for people who like this kind of book already. I’d recommend it if you like heist books. I’d recommend it if you like Fae creatures, I’d recommend it if you like cats! It was good fun to read, even if it was a bit fast at points and felt like it could’ve been longer. I felt an attachment to all the characters, especially Sybil and Esme of course, and I didn’t want anything bad to happen to them. I loved the plot, even if some of it wasn’t the most complex or unpredictable. Overall, I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t a five star for me.