Drinks and Sinkholes - After Thoughts

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I had the wonderful opportunity to Arc read Drinks and Sinkholes by S. Usher Evans. It can be nerve-wracking to do an ARC read because you want to be able to compliment the author. However, I didn't have anything to worry about with this cozy fantasy.

Many think “cozy” means low to no stakes, which is not true. Drinks and Sinkholes has an abundance of stakes: external stakes in the form of sinkholes and Queen’s Soldiers threatening homes and livelihoods, relational stakes of risking the loss of friends, loss of neighborly relations, battling with where to make compromises, and internal stakes in being pushed outside of your comfort zone, determining what you want most, and overcoming fear. What makes all these stakes “cozy” is the balancing act of pacing between the imminent importance of these stakes while maintaining a relaxing atmosphere. Achieving and maintaining this balance is challenging, but Usher Evans does it beautifully.

The main character, Bev, is relatable and brave despite her misgivings towards the role of investigator that she is thrust into. She lost her memory before arriving in Pigsend, but since then, it has become her home. The book states that she “gets along with everyone,” a proven phrase in how Bev interacts with the townsfolk and how they respond to her. It also becomes a tension point as situations become more dire, and trust is shaken by the desperation of the town's circumstances. Bev is easy-going, optimistic to a fault, and brimming with sticktoitiveness. Every setback she faces is an inconvenience but not something she’d lose her cool over, even when the matter is severe. It sets her up to be the best person to bridge the gap between fighting neighbors and makes her a perfect protagonist for a cozy fantasy. If possible, there are times when she seems too positive to be genuine, but she is genuine, and you can know it because she is the point of view character.

Two words to describe this book would be “refreshingly light.” It is easy to read in one or a couple of sittings and rejuvenates you to take on the more dark-leaning stories. Drinks and Sinkholes is the palette cleanser we’ve all needed in the age of dark and gritty fantasy. Those who want an easy entry to the fantasy world are very welcome in this book. The fantasy elements of the story are not overcomplicated. They are dished out in bite-sized pieces to make the story engaging for an avid fantasy reader and accessible to someone more new to the genre. Drinks and Sinkholes is well worth the time spent wrapped in a blanket, sipping on a favorite tea, and devouring this cozy fantasy.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MTTP72M/

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/book/drinks-and-sinkholes/id6446153680

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drinks-and-sinkholes-s-usher-evans/1143184570?ean=9781945438578

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/drinks-and-sinkholes

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/drinks-and-sinkholes-a-cozy-fantasy-novel-s-usher-evans/19838800?ean=9781945438578