Bitter Medicine

Mia Tsai, Tachyon Publications (MAR 14) Softcover $18.95 (272pp) 978-1-61696-384-2, FANTASY

In Mia Tsai’s novel Bitter Medicine, two haunted immortals find love despite overwhelming obstacles.

Elle was once an aspiring artist and powerful glyphmaker. She has two brothers—one is arrogant, but fun and loyal; the other is perhaps past saving. When she interfered in her brothers’ feud, the choice had life-altering consequences, and the resultant disaster tore her family apart. Now, she does all that she can to stay hidden and be “mediocre.” She is tempted out of her shell by Luc, a handsome, half-elf fighter with a tragic past that he cannot talk about. Luc is under the control of despicable Oberon, who forces him to accept dangerous missions of questionable morality against all manner of supernatural creatures.

At first, Oberon and Elle’s inner demons combine to keep her from pursuing Luc, despite her feelings for him. Still, Elle begins to use her magic to protect Luc as best she can, risking her job and her anonymity to do so. Their frank, awkward, heartwarming banter shows how isolated they have been—and how much they have yearned for a real, human connection. When Elle does open up, their bond proves strong enough to overcome challenges from Oberon, Elle’s brothers, and their own self-doubts. Still, as the couple’s affections deepen, their respective secrets collide. Grasping the happiness that long eluded them requires a dangerous leap of faith.

In the end, only a daring scheme and the scariest of sacrifices could enable Elle and Luc to outsmart their adversaries. With support from snarky, loving friends, they hope to survive one final series of tense, frightening travails and earn their sweet ending.

Bitter Medicine is a magical novel in which two lonely people have to let go of their pasts and forgive themselves for the sake of their romance.