The Apothecary Diaries

Imperial Court Drama: The Mad Scientist Mysteries!

The story weaves together (mostly) episodic, frequently medical-related mysteries in a fictional imperial court, the sleuthing of which is deftly accomplished by Mao Mao, an accomplished (and rather eccentric) apothecary-turned-court-food-tester.

Mao Mao is such a fun protagonist. Her pragmatic viewpoint, in general and perhaps especially of her own self-admittedly bizarre and extreme behavior, had me in stitches. I also love how clever and subtly trope-breaking her attitude and relationships to the other characters are; it made the story incredibly refreshing but in small, surprising moments rather than grand or overt “subverting expectations” gestures. The characterizations, quirky story, and fluid art style made for a fun and delightful read that kept me turning pages at lightning speed.