Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N. Holmberg

Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passed on to those who eat them. She doesn't know why she can do this and remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from. When marauders raid her town, Maire is captured and sold to the eccentric Allemas, who enslave her and demand that she produce sinister confections, including a witch's gingerbread cottage, a living cookie boy, and size-altering cakes. During her captivity, Maire is visited by Fyel, a ghostly being who is reluctant to reveal his connection to her. The more often they meet, the more her memories return, and she begins to piece together who and what she really is; as well as past mistakes that yield cosmic consequences.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Two things, ONE...this book made me REALLY hungry for cake. TWO, that cover is really awesome.

I enjoyed this one, but it didn't WOW me. The writing is gorgeous, no doubt about that. It's whimsical and fairytale like and It started off great, but then I found myself losing interest halfway through and struggling to finish it. The story just seemed to peter out and take a strange turn and I didn't really like the direction it went in.

Overall this had beautiful writing, and I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot and it was a solid 4 stars. Unfortunately the last half lost me and was only a generous 2 stars.

I received this book at netgallery in exchange for an honest review

This book is not what it seems. It is better than whatever you might think. But, it is definitely bitter and sweet.

Maire has forgotten her memory and been living without it for over 4 years. So, she works in a bakery in the village where she bakes magic into her creations. Things go wrong for Maire before they get good and through it all she will learn what she is capable of and who she is.

I really wasn't expecting this. I thought it would be a light and fluffy story but, that is definitely not what I received. It is dark and gritty at times. There is pain and loss but, there is hope and light.

This book is really a journey and I loved it.
The small passages at the beginning of the chapters were a really good touch and gave insight– once you realize what they were.

Loved the epilogue too. So many emotions!!

On a side note, I love the cover of the book and I thought the title really encompasses what the book is about.