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Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner, March 2021
WOW! I just loved everything about “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner. I highly recommend this amazing novel which is so wickedly entertaining, captivating, intriguing and intense. The genres for this novel are magical realism, some historical fiction, women’s friendship and fiction. There are two timelines for this story, 1791 and the present. The author goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. Both timelines eventually connect like pieces of a puzzle. The author describes her dramatic and colorful characters as complex and complicated. They are also motivated, and have a sense of purpose.
In 1791, Nella waits in her hidden apothecary store for her customers. Nella inherited this store of magical and special potents from her mother, who treated sick people with herbs and specially made medicines. Nella has found a different way of helping other women who have been hurt. She keeps a special book and records all her information. Nella has a way of revenge, where she can make potents and potions that can harm the men who have hurt women. Her only rule is that no woman ever be hurt.
A young new woman, Ella seeking a special medicine for her mistress befriends Nella, and wants to learn from her. Little does she know how her contributions will alter the change of many things.
In the present, a historian, Caroline is obsessed with the apothecary from past years. This is a novel that is difficult to put down. There are twists and turns, and highs and lows, betrayals, danger and death. I suggest that you put this novel on your reading list.
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