Comping to The Cruel Prince and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries made me very excited to read The Absinthe Underground, but I quickly realized this book doesn’t come close to TCP or EWEOF. So much info dumping in the first few chapters made the characters and story immediately feel flat. I’m pretty generous with info dumping, especially in YA, because that seems to be the growing trend/expectation to tell the reader everything they need to know about the world in the beginning. But Absinthe Underground never stopped, never gave the reader the opportunity to figure things out or experience the world and characters for themselves. This made the romance feel very dull. No tension between them. Unfortunately this book is a no from me.

This is a fun, lovely little book that I think some people will really enjoy. This is my second Jamie Pacton book, and like their first, the plot got an A+ for originality. Right now a lot of fantasy books seem to feel derivative, and this story felt very fresh and different. That being said, I wanted more. There was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. The world and the characters had a lot of promise, I just wish they were developed a little more. I will say however that this has some great sapphic pining, which makes every book better in my opinion.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

If I was to rate this based on the writing quality alone, it would be a 2/5 star, but there's a lot to love here. First thing I'll say tho is PLEASE, Jamie Pacton, write another book about poster thieves in historical Paris. Your author's note alone sold me on the concept, and I desperately want a whole story about queer poster thieves of France now, without the fae story.

This book needs a stronger editor, period. There's strong roots here but it needs to be tended and cultivated. I enjoyed it, but found myself skipping chunks of dialogue or exposition a LOT because of the method of delivery.

I wish one of the two girls, maybe Esme, had been unaware of her feelings for the other until later in the book. It was hard to keep track of which POV we were in when the same "I want to kiss her, but I don't want her to hate me!" Inner dialogue came up over and over again.

I would read a sequel/side-story about Hyacinth and Chloe.

I wish Maeve had been presented as more of a "supernatural" being. She acted pretty much like a rich brat. I wish there'd been more overall of the "unnatural" feeling of the Fae realm and their cultures.

It was okay, for a heist story. I'm rating it 3/5 mostly on the author's note selling me that this was a work of passion and long dreams come true.

This is such a fun and clever take on fae romantasy! I loved the queer rep, the heists, the action, and the extra swoony romance. The author blended actual history into this fantasy world so seamlessly, which made the worldbuilding feel much more grounded. Thank you to Peachtree Teen for providing me with an ARC!

The cover, premise and characters of this story are all incredible. I was so excited for it!

The plot itself is really intriguing and main characters and subsequent slow burn romance (friends to lovers ft some incredible pining & dual POV) are all , in theory - SUPERB. But they didn’t work.

The writing itself really took me away from the story - it tried to jam too much in right away. Tell, never show. I had worked out the plot and the stress points by chapter 2 because you’re hand fed everything. It also made characters that were supposed to be suave and well versed and mysterious read a bit like a 13 year olds interpretation of those words. I didn’t buy into any of the bad guys or the mystical and dark settings because the writing kept immediately pulling me out.

The pacing is very poor, which makes the stuffed to the brim plot feel very hard to handle.

This book absolutely had all the facets of a for me book but missed the mark entirely.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
The Absinthe Underground is a delightful book that takes you through the world of poster thieves and their troubling encounters with some pesky Fae.
This was a very fun read. Before the first sentence, the dedication and quote made me feel as if I had already entered their world. It had enjoyable character introductions, though some characters, particularly Esme, felt a little flat, though this is most likely due to the fact that I typically read longer books where they have more page time to flesh out the characters.
There were a couple of wording errors, &c. that distracted me from the book at times and it was a bit predictable so I was never really surprised with where it went, but I enjoyed its direction thoroughly nonetheless.
It was a lot of fun reading about poster thieves just because that's not something I've ever heard about before, so it made for a very original plot.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but even with the originality of the plot, it felt like it was going through the motions of what a book should be at times. It has a two by my rating system but would be a three otherwise.

As a lifelong francophile, I was thrilled to review The Absinthe Underground by @jamiepacton - the setting is very much like the belle epoque, where roommates Sybil and Esme struggle to make a living.

Into their lives comes Maeve, who brings them to her club and tells them she is the Green Faerie herself, with plans of a heist that can be the solution to all their problems.

Of course, there is more than Sybil and Esme are being told, and there is also the unresolved issue of their feelings for each other.

While the writing could be polished up a bit, this was a quick, easy read set in a time that is not often seen in fantasy fiction.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This novel was a refreshing fairytale with sapphic fantasy fae elements. It was a good story with solid characters. I liked the atmosphere and the lush prose.

Got this for review on Netgalley.
I found the story to be kind of a cozy to read, cute but intruiging but not very intense. In parts I felt like I wanted more, for example more exploration of the characters. But overall I found it entertaining and a good read.

This book is a great sapphic fae fantasy! I would definitely recommend this to my friends, even those that don’t usually read fantasy!

"The Absinthe Underground" by Jamie Pacton offers a beguiling fusion of Moulin Rouge and Holly Black, creating a sapphic friends-to-lovers romantic fantasy set in a captivating world. In this sumptuous LGBTQ+ novel, readers can expect to be charmed by the delightful blend of romance and fantasy.

The story centers around Sybil Clarion, who escapes from her home to experience the allure of the Belle Époque city of Severon. However, her hopes for freedom are replaced with the reality of financial hardship. In this moment of need, she finds solace and companionship in Esme, who not only provides her with a home but also stirs deep feelings within her.

The friendship between Sybil and Esme is the anchor of the narrative, layered with complexities that give rise to more profound emotions. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into the intoxicating world of the Absinthe Underground, where the enigmatic Maeve unveils her true identity as a Green Faerie trapped in this realm. Maeve presents an enticing offer that could solve Sybil and Esme's financial woes and grant them unimaginable freedom.

Pacton's writing takes you on an enthralling journey, rich with Fae lore, a slow-burning sapphic romance, and a world that is equal parts whimsical and dangerous. The plot keeps you guessing as secrets and twists are revealed, adding depth to the characters and their motivations. The captivating narrative combines the allure of the Belle Époque with the enchantment of the Fae, creating a truly unique setting.

In "The Absinthe Underground," Jamie Pacton masterfully intertwines romance and fantasy to create a mesmerizing story that explores themes of friendship, love, and personal liberation. Fans of Fae lore and those who savor the slow-burn build of sapphic relationships in a richly magical world will find this book an enchanting delight.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐ 4.5

The Absinthe Underground is a sapphic delight filled with charming gaslamp fae fantasy and Art Nouveau whimsy. It really was lovely reading a book where the queerness was so sweet and threaded throughout and I found myself really adoring Esme and Sybil's romantic dynamic, as well as them as separate characters. However, for a heist novel, it truly never felt dangerous or suspenseful. The tone is consistent in it's exploration of a comforting fairy tale-esque journey. But that being said, I do not think the story struggles for it! It feels purposeful and with the anchor of Esme and Sybil's beautiful love story; fulfilling.

As an aside, the incorporation of the author's love of art history and of artists such as Mucha and Toulouse was very refreshing as an art history buff myself. The story felt more special for the care given to this aspect of the thievery and setting. This is a world you would jump at the chance to exist within just to stroll down the streets and get a glance at the artistry.

If you want a cozy sapphic fairy adventure, I would highly recommend!

A heart-warming tale of friendship, sapphic romance, magical objects, stealthy heists, and the Fae. This book is sure to dazzle you.

Sybil Clarion has given up a life of luxury to live her truth with her best friend and secret crush, Esme Rimbaud. Where they are fortunate in a loving home with plenty of cute cats, they lack in sustainable funds. Thankfully, Sybil’s knack for stealing desired posters around town lands the two a job that could change their life and secure their wealth. It’s all thanks to the mysterious establishment known as The Absinthe Underground.

I adore Esme, seeing as she is a lot like myself. I too want to stay at home with my cats, preferring comfort over adventure. My own best friend seems to drag me out on the town and cause trouble, much like Sybil. The friends-to-lovers dynamic is the real star of the show. I always dread sapphic romances, they seem to turn to drama or tragedy. I’m pleased to say, this one is very heart-warming. Sybil, our adventurous heroine, can get selfish at times, but Esme does reign her in and balance the two. I did wish the Fae world would have come sooner, but the mysterious club makes up for the wait. I can’t say more for fear of spoiling the plot, but the ending did surprise me! If you love magic and the Fae, you’ll love this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree for this ARC.

This is a very solid book. I am a very avid reader of romantasy, especially queer romantasy, so this fell right into my wheelhouse. This isn't especially unique, but I thought it was quite well written, although the formatting on kindle is atrocious. Perfect for anyone who enjoys friends-to-lovers, as this was very cute.

Thankyou to netgalley for sending me an arc of this book! Wow where do I even start, this was a really warm and cosy fantasy read with a heartwarming love story at the centre of it. I really loved our two main characters and the writing flowed seamlessly while still being exciting and engaging. The chemistry between all the characters felt really believable and I found myself immersed in the story. The perfect book for a rainy day 💫

Thank you NetGalley and Jamie Pacton for this ARC copy!

The Absinthe Underground took me on a journey that I truly did not expect! I do not read a lot of Young Adult because I often feel that I cannot get into the story if the characters are a lot younger than me. That was not the case with this.

Sybil and Esme are two young poor girls. They live in a city called Severon and Sybil is known for stealing elaborate posters to make money for the girls to live. One night, Sybil and Esme are selling the posters they stole and they meet a familiar face. The face is the woman on the poster. Her name is Maeve, the owner of the exclusive and luxurious nightclub, The Absinthe Underground, and she sets the girls on a magical adventure of a lifetime to steal a set of crown jewels. The girls are just desperate enough to take her up on the offer and set off on a journey to a magical land called Fae. Oh, and Sybil and Esme have crushes on each other. AHHHH FRIENDS TO LOVERS??.

The story truly kept me interested the entire time I was reading. It is definitely written for a younger audience, but that does not mean it can't be enjoyed by all ages. I did not find any glaring holes in the story line. I do wish there was a better connection between the magical world and the human world and I wish the ending would have given me a bit more about the magical world and the events after the climax.

The story leans more Fantasy than romance and I liked that element. The romance between the two characters is fun and literally had me giggling, but is not overbearing. It is definitely age appropriate.

All in all, this was a 4 out of 5 stars for me. I enjoyed it. I would recommend it. And for me, that makes a good book.

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read!!!! I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anything that Jamie Pacton writes is such a balm to my soul, and The Absinthe Underground was no different. There is just such a comforting nature to them, even amidst the heists and the new worlds and missions from Fae for an alarming amount of money.

Friends-to-lovers is my absolute favorite trope, and this took it up a notch by making the pairing be a ADHD x autistic couple. Both Esme and Sybil are the loves of my life, and seeing Sybil ready to take on the entire world but always wanting to come back home to Esme, while Esme would rather stay at home where it is safe and familiar but is always willing to set out into the world for Sybil, made my entire heart melt. Magic exists in their world, but the magic of this book was them.

(On a personal note, Esme was a gift. A girl who prefers to live in her pajamas, collects cats like it's her personal duty, thinks of home as one of her biggest comforts, and keeps things on hand to fidget with. I love her very, very dearly.)

I was also enchanted by the glittering world of Fae, which was just as endearing as Esme and Sybil's apartment full of cats. There's dragons! Baby dragons! Of course there's a dangerous allure to the entirety of it, but it was so beautifully built that I wanted to explore it all.

This is such a wonderful, comforting fantasy, and there is so, so much I love about it.

A wholesome sapphic cozy Fantasy between two lovable main characters plotting a heist in the Fae realm

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton is a young adult fantasy novel that follows Esme and Sybil, two young roommates that are just trying to make ends meet. Often having to steal posters to sell to make money to pay rent, the two find themselves in an interesting situation when one of the posters they steal belongs to a green fairy. The fairy offers them a deal-steal from Mab, queen of the fae, and she will reward them with riches beyond their dreams. But things get complicated quickly when it everything is as easy as they thought it would be.

This sapphic, friends to lovers story reminded me of exactly what I love about young adult books in the way that the stakes felt very appropriate for teenagers. More often than not, YA now is full of chosen ones that have to step up into a leadership role which never feels very realistic to me. Where are the adults? Is there no one else that can be the queen of the land? The stakes just feel too high. This story is a heist story that feels very contained. And I loved it. I read this mostly in one sitting. The romance was slow burn in the best way. And I loved see a fae world where the fae were tricksters. There are also dragons which I loved.

I’m just a huge fan of this book. It is exactly what I wanted when I picked it up. I thought the characters balanced each other out really well, the heist elements were really fun, and the world was interesting. There is a bunch of just info dumping but sometimes I would rather have that than 200 more pages of “showing” instead. I can’t wait to buy a physical copy of this book because the cover is absolutely stunning.