The knowledge contained herein has two applications. The first is to arm humanity against the forces of darkness, which manifest in the shadows and conspire to undo all that we have built and cherish. If the few brave souls who learn the mixological arts stand like a wall between the happy whole of humanity and its complete ruination, the wisdom of these pages is the mortar that holds its bricks together.
The second application is to provide humanity with some rather tasty inebriates to make the whole thing more enjoyable.
—The Devil's Water Dictionary
A 2016 Urban Fantasy novel set in the city of Chicago. Recent college grad Bailey Chen, works at a bar while trying to find a "real job" with her business degree... until she accidentally kills a demon one night on the way home from work. Inducted into the Cupbearer's Court, a secret society of monster-hunting bartenders, Bailey has to learn how to mix magic-granting cocktails, protect Chicago, and land a job interview, all while trying to prevent the Court from erasing her memory.
Contains examples of:
- The Ace: Bailey is an Ivy-League graduate. This creates friction with her best-friend Zane, who manages his uncle's bar.
- Action Girl: Mona and Trina. Bailey becomes one as well.
- Badass Bookworm: Bailey.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Garrett Whelan.
- Canadian Equals Hockey Fan: Again, Bucket.
- Drivenby Envy: Part of the reason Zane and Bailey had a falling out.
- Fake Defector: Mona appears to be working with Garrett. It turns out she's really trying to prevent anyone else from successfully brewing a Long Island Ice tea.
- Food-Based Superpowers: The Bartender Ancient Order of Protectors tap into the magical properties of alcoholic cocktails to fight monsters. Bailey finds herself recruited when she accidentally mixes herself a screwdriver that gives her temporary Super-Strength.
- Good-Guy Bar: The titular Nightshade Lounge that Bailey works at. Also, Vincent's bar Long and Strong.
- Handicapped Badass: Vincent is blind, but he, Bailey, and Poppy still manage to fight off the rest of the Alechemists and several other bartenders. Until Garrett steps in, they're winning, despite the odds and Bailey's inexperience.
- Improvised Weapon: Bailey and Bucket use telepathy and fire magic to turn the dumpster they're hiding in into a projectile.
- Really 700 Years Old: Mona is heavily implied to be legendary bartender Hortense LaRue, which would make her almost 200 years old.
- Spell Book: The Devil's Water Dictionary, which lists each mixed drink and the powers that it grants.
- Telepathy: Bailey uses it for a job interview, with unexpected effects.
