Synopsis:
Emma is a witch hunter. At least, she was until she discovered she has magic. Now she needs to disappear.
With dreams of becoming a bartender, she leaves behind everything she’s ever known in search of a quiet bar in a forgotten corner of the kingdom. All she wants now is a simpler life. One where she can trade her blades for bottles and hide from her misguided past.
But those plans fail even before they get started.
Pulled on a journey that takes her further than she’d ever imagined possible, Emma must decide if she’ll keep running from her past, or use her newfound abilities to confront her inner demons. Along the way, there are cocktails to craft, portals to step through, and the unexpected comfort of people willing to stand by her side.
Review:
A cozy blend of magic, modern-day tech, and portal fantasy, The Bartender Between Worlds was a fun little adventure.
The main character is Emma, a trained hunter employed by the kingdom of her world, whose job is to arrest and detain magical folk (whether they’re malicious or not.) But that all changes within the first chapter, when she discovers she has her own type of magic. Her ability is attuned to alcohol, and would allow her to become an amazing bartender. And she craves that quieter life…But first, she has to disappear without the hunters tracking her down.
Along the way, Emma meets two unlikely allies. Vespa is a fairy and Aldrich is a professor of quantum physics who dabbles in tech that those from Emma’s world would consider magic (even though it’s all science.) This is where the portal fantasy element comes in, and also some found family vibes that I really enjoyed. Aldrich is the stereotypical absent-minded professor, whose sole focus is on his research, whereas Vespa is bubbly, adventurous, and just the friend both Emma and Aldrich need.
Each world they visit has its own history, though with some shared commonalities between them. And as they journey, Emma learns more about her magic and the best way to mix drinks using the ingredients on hand. One of the surprises I really enjoyed about this book was the addition of cocktail recipes! (I may have to try the apple cider one this fall.)
It was a cute story, but I feel like it ended a little abruptly. I could have used just a bit more before it jumped to the epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with The Bartender Between Worlds. If you like fantasy on the cozier side, definitely give it a read.
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