Contents
If you’ve been curious about The Potion Experiment, I’m thrilled to share a lovely new fantasy review from book blogger Ashleigh Meikle at The Book Muse (book reviewer of Aussie books). Her thoughtful insights into the story made my day – and I’m excited to highlight some of her reflections in this post.
A fantasy book about friendship, teamwork and trust
In her fantasy review, Ashleigh wrote:
“Everything in this story is about teamwork and working together, and learning new things and about who you can trust – who your friends are and the changing dynamics of certain relationships.”
This perfectly captures one of the central themes of the book. Beneath the potions and spells, this is a story about trust, shifting relationships, personal growth, and the bonds that hold us together – even as we grow and change.
A unique fantasy setting inspired by Australia
One of my favourite parts of writing The Potion Experiment was shaping a magical world that reflects the landscape of Australia. I wanted it to feel grounded and otherworldly at the same time.
Ashleigh picked up on that right away:
“For this one, it was the distinctly Australian setting, and the sense that the fantasy world mirrored this that felt fresh to me.”
As a fantasy reader myself, I know how comforting familiar tropes can be – but I also love when a story brings something new to the table. I’m so glad this aspect stood out and added something unique to the reading experience.
A stand-alone (for now) fantasy adventure that hits the mark
Ashleigh also shared this final thought in her fantasy review:
“This was a fantastic book, and I do love a good fantasy stand-alone that captures the world, the stories and the characters so eloquently that everything within the book is just what it needs.”
That’s exactly what I hoped The Potion Experiment would be – an immersive adventure that leaves you feeling like you’ve traveled somewhere magical and meaningful, all within the covers of one book. There’s a possibility I’ll write a sequel, but I wanted this novel to stand alone as well. I’m so happy this came through in Ashleigh’s fantasy review.
Read the full fantasy review
You can read Ashleigh’s full review of The Potion Experiment here. A huge thank you to her for taking the time to read and review my work with such care.
If you’re a fan of magical adventures, character-driven fantasy, and stories set in rich, nature-inspired worlds, I hope you’ll check out The Potion Experiment for yourself.