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Opium and Absinthe
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
40 posts | 31 read | 55 to read
From the bestselling author of A Beautiful Poison comes another spellbinding historical novel full of intrigue, occult mystery, and unexpected twists. New York City, 1899. Tillie Pembroke's sister lies dead, her body drained of blood and with two puncture wounds on her neck. Bram Stoker's new novel, Dracula, has just been published, and Tillie's imagination leaps to the impossible: the murderer is a vampire. But it can't be--can it? A ravenous reader and researcher, Tillie has something of an addiction to truth, and she won't rest until she unravels the mystery of her sister's death. Unfortunately, Tillie's addicted to more than just truth; to ease the pain from a recent injury, she's taking more and more laudanum...and some in her immediate circle are happy to keep her well supplied. Tillie can't bring herself to believe vampires exist. But with the hysteria surrounding her sister's death, the continued vampiric slayings, and the opium swirling through her body, it's becoming increasingly difficult for a girl who relies on facts and figures to know what's real--or whether she can trust those closest to her.
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Victoriahoperose
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Mehso-so

This was a really entertaining book about vampires which is one of my favorite tropes in books. I thought the way that they brought Dracula into this was so interesting and I loved the setting and the story behind this. Tillie is such an interesting main character. From the first page, I was hooked on her story and I had to know how it ended!

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julesG
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Mehso-so

Crude plot summary: Addiction in New York at the turn of the century (19th to 20th) as seen through the eyes of a young woman.

The audiobook narration was meh - mispronounciation, mixed up accents.

The mystery was predictable.

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Melli
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang

Next kindle book on the list. As I‘m trying to read more according to goodreads I‘m 13 books behind on the yearly goal. And my kindle seems to be how I want to read right now. Ok on to the book I mean I like it but it‘s a bit slow in the beginning.but things seem to be picking up

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OutsmartYourShelf
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

1899 NYC, suspected vampire killings - what's not to love? Well the MC for a start. I found her a bit tiresome to be honest. She is supposed to be 18 but acts younger, in some ways she is very naïve. The story itself is rather good, with some darker elements (TW for drug taking, sexual content, & an attempted sexual assault), & the hesitant romance between Tom & Tillie is quite sweet. 3.5🌟

17 likes1 comment
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Littlewolf1
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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I was able to get one out of two of my #roll100 read in February, so I have re-added Vicious to my list this month to try to get it done. However, these are the next two rolls which I‘m looking forward to because it‘s a bit of a change of pace for me over the last two months.

PuddleJumper You're doing great! 2y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TalesandTexts
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Mehso-so

Opium & Absinthe was a fun one time listen - compelling enough to keep me engaged, but not particularly breathtaking in its scope. The story was a tad predictable.

But, the book brilliantly captured society‘s addiction to drugs & their consequences - especially at a time when they were peddled as medicine by doctors.

Narration was not great since the narrator tended to drop & mix accents a lot. Plus they did not have a great vocal range.

julesG Listening to it right now and agree with your review. The narrator could have done much better. 2y
8 likes1 comment
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HeathHof
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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@katy4peas Look what arrived in the mail today. Thank you for getting it back to me! I love reading #lmpbc books when they make it back home. About to eat this ginormous cookie my sweetie made me and read the notes! 🤩

SamAnne Oh, I remember that book.... 🙂🙂 3y
katy4peas Glad it made it back to you! 😊 3y
Texreader Oh that cookie looks to die for. 3y
53 likes3 comments
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KristiAhlers
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Mehso-so

I almost gave this one a “pick” but couldn‘t quite pull the trigger. This is a very light suspense/thriller read and would‘ve been better I feel if the heroine was just a tad less flighty. Otherwise great historical setting and enough elements to draw you into the time period. Although there were some inaccuracies that jumped out at me and pulled me from story hence the rating.

TalesandTexts I agree completely 3y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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katy4peas
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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My #weeklyforecast of 6 books🤦‍♀️ and 1 finished today

Just finished: The Great Gatsby
Audio: #sundaybuddyread Queenie
#pemberlittens #buddyread Mansfield Park
#lmpbc round 10 Opium
#lmpbc round 11 Towards Zero
Reading on my own: 7 1/2 deaths (hibernating ATM)
Listening to on my own: Home Before Dark (might DNF) I can‘t decide if I am enjoying it or am creeped out.

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kaysworld1
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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guinsgirlreads Oooooh! If You Tell is a good one!! 😍 ❤️ 3y
Cathythoughts Love the title of tagged book ❤️ 3y
candority Maltesers are so good! 😋 Happy Valentine‘s Day! 💘 3y
49 likes3 comments
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Twainy
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

🎧 This is a quick fun thriller. There are several suspects.

This might be a drawback to historical fiction from 1899 but the wishy washy whiny 18 year old female MC was occasionally annoying especially since she seems to be a lot more headstrong than her antics portray.

TW - drug addiction, makes you wonder if you‘ve got an unreliable narrator. What it isn‘t - a vampire novel. The writing wasn‘t top notch but the narration was good.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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HeathHof
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving today!
🙏🦃🧡
I was able to sneak in some reading time and finish this one up for #lmpbc. I won't go into detail but it was a pick! @moonwitch94 @SamAnne @katy4peas

SamAnne Looking forward to it! 3y
62 likes1 comment
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HeathHof
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Off work today and Finally starting my #lmpbc pick for round 10! Loving this cover and hoping the story is as appealing! @moonwitch94 @SamAnne @katy4peas

47 likes2 stack adds
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ulrichyumiodd
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

Without surprise, I enjoyed Opium and Absinthe, after loving A Beautiful Poison. The book has a murder mystery, a vivid presentation of addiction, a love story, and a few cautionary tales sprinkled along the way... and all of that with a touch of inspiration from Dracula! I did figure out the reason behind the murder, but had the wrong culprit in mind. Also: after seeing him in two books, I DESPISE James Cutter.

Texreader Oh good!! I like Beautiful Poison too so picked this one. I haven‘t read it yet but hoping I like it too! 3y
ulrichyumiodd @Texreader It‘s familiar, yet different. I liked both. Hopefully you will, too! 3y
DeeLew I stayed up late last night to finish this one. It was so good. I‘ll admit I bought it because the cover was so gorgeous but I definitely ended up loving the story. ❤️ 3y
See All 6 Comments
TalesandTexts Is this book a part of a series? 3y
ulrichyumiodd @nishaagni As far I know, it‘s not. There is another book by the same author that has a few links with it, though. 3y
TalesandTexts Oh okay thank you 3y
30 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Cazxxx
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ really good, finished in one day 😁

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Cazxxx
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Next up on kindle 🌺

AkashaVampie 💜💜💜 the cover 3y
Cazxxx @AkashaVampie I‘m hoping the book is as amazing as the cover 😊 3y
AkashaVampie @Cazxxx I hope so too. 3y
GreenGrl87 I loooooved this book!! 3y
Cazxxx @GreenGrl87 it was really good! Ended up finishing it in one day 3y
13 likes5 comments
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booksandsympathy
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang

“Don‘t give up before you try. Defeat is particularly lethal early on in any journey; don‘t let it be your compass.”

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booksandsympathy
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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"She stepped inside the library, soothed by the dim illumination from the overhead skylights. Huge arches lined the cavernous space, marking the colonnades around the upper floors. Tillie signed in and merely stood in the atrium sighing in pleasure. To be surrounded by books, by thoughts, by places and people and things that she had not yet met—it was a haven unlike any other."

15 likes1 stack add
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CollyRae
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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booksandsympathy
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang

"No woman lives a life unscathed. It's what makes us strong. We are broken and mended, remade every time. We must, or it destroys us."

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GreenGrl87
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

An enthralling and immensely pleasurable read. I haven‘t enjoyed reading a book this much in awhile. This one was so well done and overall just so much fun that I genuinely didn‘t want it to end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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GreenGrl87
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang

No woman lives a life unscathed. It‘s what makes us strong. We are broken and mended, remade every time. We must, or it destroys us.

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Mccall0113
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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#audioworking Reading and working Win win!

HeathHof This sounds good, and that cover! 🤩 Stacking! 4y
55 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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GreenGrl87
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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1) Opium and Absinthe; A Woman is No Man; The Stone Sky. 2) Allegedly. 3) Larch March, Halloween, cozy cabin nights. 🍁 #weekendreads

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BookishBelle
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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#Two4TuesdayGiveaway @TheSpineView

1. Depends on the book. If I intend to read it again (or if I really love it), I‘ll keep it. If not, I‘ll eventually pass it along.
2. Tagged. It just sounds so good but I‘ve got a few books I haven‘t read yet so I can‘t really justify the purchase.

Thanks for the tag @Jerdencon !

BookishBelle I‘m tagging: @HFoster 4y
TheSpineView Happy Tuesday and good luck! 😘👍 4y
14 likes3 comments
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vlwelser
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Mehso-so

This was ok. She almost lost me with the parrot scene. If you're looking for a fairly light mystery this might work. I actually downloaded this because of the cover.

#BookSpinBingo square 12
@TheAromaofBooks

I received an #ARC from #LakeUnion via #Netgalley
Pub date was 7/1/2020

rubyslippersreads Does this mean there‘s animal cruelty in the book? I got it free on Kindle, but won‘t read it if that is the case. 4y
vlwelser @rubyslippersreads maybe skip this one. It's not exactly animal cruelty but there are a lot of free books in the world. 4y
rubyslippersreads @vlwelser Thanks very much for the advice. I‘ll definitely skip it. 4y
See All 6 Comments
TheAromaofBooks It IS a lovely cover, so I can see how you drawn in! 4y
booksandsympathy @rubyslippersreads there is a woman who clips her pet parrot's wings in a very matter of fact, not super nice manner. She doesn't harm the parrot. 4y
35 likes6 comments
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abookishbutterfly
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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This journal and book came in my Scribbler box was today. There were other cool things in there, too, but I‘m especially excited about these!

Erinsuereads Those are awesome!!! 4y
Texreader Cool! I‘m looking forward to reading this book 4y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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booksandsympathy
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Next up on Kindle:
New York City, 1899. Tillie Pembroke‘s sister is dead, her body drained of blood with two puncture wounds on her neck. Tillie‘s imagination leaps to the impossible: the murderer is a vampire.
Tillie has something of an addiction to truth, & she won‘t rest until she unravels the mystery. Unfortunately, she's also addicted to laudanum…and some in her immediate circle are happy to keep her well supplied.

15 likes2 stack adds
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Eggbeater
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

1st book completed for the #AwesomeAugust #readathon @Andrew65

An accurate portrayal of opium addiction in a stifled, intellectually curious protagonist. I really loved the characters in this one and trying to guess what was going on. Are vampires real, or do we have a very diabolical human murderer? The setting was well set up and the language used was just right.

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
61 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Bailedbailed

My second NetGalley bail this month. I did not enjoy the writing style at all. I found it tedious. A quarter of the way in and I still didn‘t care about any of the characters or what would happen to them. I skipped to the end, found the chapter where Tillie discovers the murderer, and couldn‘t stop my eyes from rolling. It doesn‘t help that I disliked all of the characters I‘ve encountered thus far. #NetGalleyReviewathon 3/17

Laughterhp Hmm that‘s good to know. I recently added this to my TBR. Maybe it‘ll be a library book I try. 4y
DGRachel @Laughterhp Definitely give it a try - looking at other reviews on NetGalley and Goodreads, I‘m in the minority. 4y
ElizaMarie The cover is beautiful though! Another example of not judging a book by its cover! 4y
See All 6 Comments
DGRachel @ElizaMarie Yes, the cover is stunning. If I hadn‘t gotten this through NetGalley, I can totally see myself buying the hardcover just for the cover and then being so disappointed. 4y
rubyslippersreads Oh no; I got this free for Kindle and was looking forward to it. 4y
Hooked_on_books For me, eye rolling is never a good sign. Once I start rolling, a bail is usually imminent. 4y
69 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Crysboehne
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

Wow! SO IN LOVE with this book. What a fantastical kaleidoscope of vampires, newsies, drug addiction, and serial killers! Lydia Kang‘s storytelling did its job in making me love each and every character (even the unsavory ones). I cannot wait to dive into her other novels. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!

11 likes1 stack add
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Ms.Story
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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Pickpick

This was a great first read of summer hols! It combined a lot of my favourite things: historical fiction, mystery & the gothic. I was wary of the subject matter at first but the characters were truly likeable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Crysboehne I just downloaded this on Prime Reading last week. Can‘t wait to dive into it! 4y
robinb Same here @Crysboehne ! 4y
84 likes11 stack adds2 comments
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Ms.Story
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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“A half truth is a whole lie.” I‘m enjoying this one so far @ about 50% through 📖

66 likes2 stack adds
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Texreader
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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My pick for Amazon Prime First Reads. I really liked this author‘s The Beautiful Poison, and I like a good vampire story so I hope it‘s a good pick!

BookwormAHN I also picked this one. 4y
UglyOldBat I got this too 😎 4y
Cathythoughts Stacked! & stacking A Beautiful Poison too ... 👍🏻 4y
See All 7 Comments
Sace Just gorgeous. 4y
JessClark78 I picked this too. 4y
veritysalter I was thinking I‘d pick this one too. 4y
Texreader @Sace I know, right? I love how beautiful covers lure you in. 4y
65 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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JessClark78
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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My Amazon First Reads pick for June.

Lesanne I picked this one too! 4y
tpixie I haven‘t received my email! 4y
JessClark78 @tpixie I didn‘t get my email until last night. 4y
See All 6 Comments
tpixie @JessClark78 thanks I will keep my eye out! Love that cover! 4y
Literary_Siren I also picked this one and the picked up another of her books for $.99! 4y
sprainedbrain Mine too! 4y
46 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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booksandsympathy
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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First reads pick this month: New York City, 1899. Tillie Pembroke‘s sister lies dead, her body drained of blood and with two puncture wounds on her neck. Bram Stoker's Dracula has just been published and Tillie‘s imagination leaps to the impossible: the murderer is a vampire. But it can‘t be—can it? Addicted to laudanum because of an injury, Tillie's unsure if it's real. What she does know: someone in her family wants to keep her addicted.

Seekingtardis I chose this title as well! 4y
Literary_Siren I chose this too! And picked up another of her books for $.99. 4y
booksandsympathy @Literary_Siren I'll check that one out 4y
JazzFeathers Oh, wow!!! Have to stake it! 4y
sprainedbrain I picked this one too. Looks pretty cool! 4y
15 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Mitch
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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jenniferw88 Thank you - added 11! 4y
rabbitprincess New Denise Mina! Woooo! 4y
63 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Matilda
Opium and Absinthe | Lydia Kang
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🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪

50 likes1 stack add