Aberterrene · Book 1
Distilled Magic
"You don't have to earn the right to belong, you just have to build the place."
"You don't have to earn the right to belong, you just have to build the place."
Trinx’s father was insistent that she be a successful warrior son. After narrowly surviving a raid gone sideways, Trinx decides to spend a year away from her clan with an elder who cares for her and opens her eyes to who she could truly become.
She returns to Chubug as a transgender goblin woman, and with the help of her best friend who knew her from before, Trinx lands a job at the Arsonist’s Tender. However, coasting through life as a barmaid leaves her yearning for more than hiding behind dark-colored stockings and creative uses of a gelatinous cube.
Trinx seeks to change the clan for the better, to improve life not just for herself, but for others like her. Change doesn’t come easy as she hops from scheme to scheme before an alchemist takes her on as an apprentice. Potions and elixirs appear to give her all she is looking for, but Trinx must learn to look beyond herself if she hopes to bring about the change in the warren she ultimately desires.
By mixing together the right combination of ingredients and friends into a forged family, Trinx may succeed in building a better home than she ever dreamed possible.
Distilled Magic is a slice-of-life fantasy novel featuring a neurodivergent goblin, alchemical magic, dragonroot tea, found family, and the power of change.
I hesitate to put content warnings on a cozy fantasy novel because something cozy shouldn't have content warnings or trigger warnings. However, I also know that everyone has different life experiences, and what may be perfectly cozy for some may send others into a dark place by surfacing bad memories.
As such, I included this statement at the beginning of the Distilled Magic novel. I errored on the side of caution and listed things I believe may impact people, even if they only have a minor appearance in the book. I personally believe most should not be negatively impacted, but you, the reader, know your life better than I do.
This novel includes instances of transphobia, body shaming, gender dysphoria, misgendering, dead naming, unaccepting family, and mentions of physical abuse. They are not overly prevalent but may trigger some readers. The novel also contains themes of adoption, infertility, and substance abuse. There are small sections involving experimentation on animals and people (goblins), which may be disconcerting to some readers.
The novel's dominant tone is warm, hopeful, and joy-forward. These elements are present but are not the center of the story.
Click any character to learn more about them.
Trinx
Distilled Magic
Brinta
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Quilka
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Gristle
Distilled Magic
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Also available to order through your local bookstore.
Audio
Narrated by Alexis Vandom, a transgender woman who brings Trinx and the world of Aberterrene to life beautifully.
Distilled Magic is available to libraries through standard distribution channels. If your library doesn't carry it yet, you can request it. Most systems have a simple online purchase request form, just ask for the book by title and author.
★★★★★
This book was everything I hope for when I reach for cozy fantasy: warm, kind, and full of heart. Trinx's journey is deeply personal, but also universal.
★★★★★
At a time where positive, healthy, and trans inclusive stories are needed, this gem, by Peachy, is a bright spot of queer joy, nestled into the cozy fantasy genre.
★★★★★
Did I love every second of it? ABSOLUTELY YES. While this book definitely lives up to its moniker of a 'cozy fantasy', it's full of real-world experiences and struggles.
★★★★★
I love the depth of the depiction of chosen family in this book ... for those of us who've built one, it's believable and really nice to see in writing.
★★★★★
Distilled Magic was the coziest escape I didn't know I needed. From the very first page, I was completely wrapped up in the warm, whimsical world.
Reviews from readers just like you provide an incredible amount of value to indie authors like myself. If you have enjoyed my books, please consider leaving a review on your favorite site. While there are many spots where you can leave a review, here is the entry on Goodreads for Distilled Magic.
If you loved Flek in TQ House, follow him to Ryefeld in the second Aberterrene novel, where he crash-lands an apprenticeship with the world's most reluctant mentor and helps invent something that will change everything.
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