Elixir by Ruth Vincent

A Changeling P.I., Book 1

Synopsis: Mabily “Mab” Jones is just a twenty-something, over-educated, under-employed New Yorker trying to survive as a private eye’s unpaid intern . . . or is she? Once a powerful fairy, but tricked by the Fairy Queen into human form, Mab is forced to face her changeling past when investigating a missing person case at a modern speakeasy.

Obadiah Savage bootlegs fairy Elixir to human customers thirsting for a magical fix. But when Mab and Obadiah become joint suspects in a crime they didn’t commit, the only way to prove their innocence is to travel back to the fairy realm. And when Mab confronts the Fairy Queen and learns the depth of her betrayal, she must decide if the fate of the fey world is worth destroying the lives of the humans she’s come to love.

Review: I love all the novels with a topic related to faes so when I saw the release of this novel, I could not help but get into the story. How can you resist this mix with an investigation that seemed really interesting?

We therefore discover Mab, a young fae woman who finds herself locked in a human body after the painful betrayal of her queen. But now, our heroine had learned to love her new world and hopes to earn a living, and for that to work for a private investigator. Her first case will lead her in a place that will completely change everything and will link her to her past she thought forgotten. Indeed, a young woman has disappeared and she seems to have been last seen in a bar where Mab must go to check that with the manager. But then, this is not a bar like any other and Obadiah, the owner, sells an “Elixir,” a drink taken from the fey world so humans could be able to find a magical solution to their problems. Alas, this aid could bring more problems than solutions … This is also in this situation that our heroes will find themselves suspected of a crime they have not committed. Thus they will be propelled in faerie where Mab will discover the truth about her origins and what is really happening there and thus have to make a choice regarding what she really desires to do.

I enjoyed the novel even though I found that it lacked of a little something, it might be a bit long at times, a lack of action or events but it was still a pleasant first volume to discover. We can observe an attraction between the two protagonists but I found it lacked of a little spice, and I have not always adhered to their relationship. However, in terms of the faes, their history, their secrets, I found that the author had some very interesting ideas and I’m curious to find out more now. As for the characters, Mab is rather naive but will soon evolve during the story. Regarding Obadiah, even if it’s an intriguing character I confess that I did not necessarily have a very good connection with him. As I said a lot of ideas but a lack of some important points. In any case it was a good surprise and I’m curious for the sequel.