The Reverse Healer Case Files

Clem & Wist #2

by Hiyodori

"I never thought I would be the one to hurt you like this."

The Reverse Healer Case Files picks up right where The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage left off, delving ever deeper into Clematis and Wist’s tangled relationship and the complex, modern-era fantasy world that surrounds them. It’s a direct sequel with more slow-burn f/f romance. More mystery. More enemies. More tender moments and more pain. And much more magebreaking.

Mages rule the country. Healers are legally required to serve them. As a rebellious-minded healer, Clematis loathes the mageocracy. She only makes an exception for her own mage, Wist, who is difficult to read yet deeply devoted—and who just so happens to be the most powerful magic-user in the entire world.

With Wist there to back her up, Clematis discovers new ways to furtively help desperate healers. Yet though Wist’s magic remains in high demand, she’s still far weaker than she used to be. And her self-sacrificial instincts soon threaten to put her in direct opposition to Clematis.

So much for living quietly. Clematis can’t use magic. She can’t even throw a solid punch. Her only weapons are her wits and dirty tricks. But she’ll fight tooth and nail to defend her happy ending. She’ll keep fighting no matter who stands in her way—be it Wist’s ultra-influential family of mages, international spies and assassins, or even Wist herself.

The Clem & Wist Series
Prequel: No One Else Could Heal Her
Book 1: The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage
Book 2: The Reverse Healer Case Files
Book 3: Clematis and the Queen of the Void
Book 4: Three Murdered Mages, Two Broken Bonds

Each novel revolves around the same couple. The prequel can be read at any point prior to Book 4. (The prequel and Book 1 also work as satisfying standalone stories.)

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, LGBT, Romance, Queer, Urban Fantasy, Fiction

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2022

About the author

Hiyodori is not a bird. But she is dearly fond of her namesake, a plain-looking brown-gray bird that likes to perch near her Tokyo apartment and unleash the most incredible primal screams. Hiyodori (the human author) loves stories with fantastical settings and complicated, difficult-to-define relationships. All of her books—including Masks Worn by Magical Wives, her latest standalone novel—take place in the same shared fantasy universe.

Reviews

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I really enjoyed the previous installment of this series: The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage: An FF Fantasy Romance but unfortunately in this sequel, the frustration and tedium is far too apparent when not wrapped up in the type of mystery and intrigue that came from the first story... This took me DAYS to finish, and that's unheard of for me. But I freely admit I'm in a general funk, as well, which also didn't help.

It's done in acts and divided into 'cases' that Clem/Asa is working on, sometimes alone, most often along with Wist. The two's relationship is acknowledged here and there, but it's still very elusive and aloof in nature. Which is where I struggled.

Without the mysterious plotting of the previous installment, we see just how unlikable and pig-headed Clem is. We also see just how emotionally stunted and switched off Wist is. It never painted a good picture of either of them, and I found myself just not rooting for them, at all. Despite their supposed connection. It became sad and frustrating because neither would acknowledge anything profound and kept playing games, with their verbal tête-à-tête.. There are a few slight moments of emotional vulnerability and revelation, but it's so small, and marred by the pervasive energy of detachment that consumes each character, then covered over quickly. It's like 1 step forward, 3 steps back. I wanted more. There needed to be some payoff for balance.

My other issue was that it was just flat out tedious. Even with 'cases' that should have been really intriguing and interesting, in a cosy mystery sort of way, presented in this strange world of magics and politics - perfect for building a unique setting- they just weren't! All joy got sucked out, where it became obvious and guessable, then completely overexplained. As the main character would go on long tangential exposition about things - but often had little real relevance to our characters or the cases and in short were boringly presented.

It's a damn shame, because there are absolutely solid elements here, and I did enjoy my time reading the first installment, but the issues I had in the first are so much more glaring in this second installments light, and it shows all the things it's lacking.

[Daphinie Cramsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bury me with these books. Nay, Place me in a mausoleum upon my death but make it a little library where endless copies of this book are there for anyone and everyone.

[Juno · Rating 5 out of 5]

-26th of august
i love this book. It's just so good. Rereading this series makes you realise how deep Wist is. She has layers of shit. All the time. The pressure she carries every single day is humongous, and then she and clem are just everything she ever wanted. It's... just perfect.

I love this book.

-17th of june
this sequel is so much better than its predecessor. its a little shocking honestly. the first book was a "the girls I've been" esque mystery with magic and shenanigans. this basically went full detective. it's fucking great.

Wist radiates black cat energy, it's so good. She basically doesn't care about anything but clem and clem is just... a lot. imagine a sly fox mixed with a radical healer rights activist with humor as a coping mechanism. that's about as close as I can get. she's great.

there's a lot character development for clem. Wist also develops a lot, but she's so secretive it's hard to tell. the mysteries are fun and they tie together nicely. idk if there will be a third book in this series but I'd love to read it.

truly enjoyed every facet of it.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Well that was disappointing. All the work done in book one felt like it unraveled a bit in this one. I also couldn’t stand the characters here. I don’t what happened here but I just wasn’t feeling Clem and Wist. Clem was annoyingly arrogant and not in a way that endured me to her. She was annoying. Wist was quiet and I kept forgetting she was there half of the time. She was boring. Overall, this felt like second book syndrome big time but I’m still interested to read the next one.

[Julien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished the first book awhile ago and couldn't stop thinking about it for a long time after. It left me frustrated, but in a good sort of way. I wanted more. It didn't feel like enough. I felt like I had had something so fascinating dangled before me and it had been ripped away right as I was getting to the heart of it. So my excitement upon finding a sequel in one of my suggested reading lists recently can't be adequately described. There's something subtly dark about this series that I just cant get enough of. The whole concept of mages and healers and the corrupt tilt of the world they're set in is so interesting, I absolutely loved getting to delve a little deeper into it all. I've seen some reviews mention not liking things about either of the two main characters, but their flaws and abrasive mannerisms and dark spots are what make them so addicting to me. I've really grown quite attached to the both of them. They're so captivating in a way a lot of characters or stories in similar genres tend to fall short of for me, and coupled with the intriguing similarly dreary tone of their ever expanding world I truly just can't get enough. Much like the first book did, I know this second part will also be sticking with me for awhile as I unpack all my thoughts and feelings about these characters and this story. I can't wait to one day find a third installment waiting in my suggestions!

[yazaleea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars? I liked that it was cut in 4 short cases. It felt like the author was exploring the world and the lore through kinda of small mystery-like stories. It was kind of episodic, and I don’t know how to explain, but it felt like going circles sometimes, though. Was happy to see more of Mori and Fanren, now I need them to kiss (please…). At first I was kind of on the fence about Clem being like « I am so much smarter and better than other healers » but I got used to it being her character, I like how the book stays critical of what she does and what she wishes for and how society forces her into a box. Wist is so cute and so in love with her gf, I love her.

Tbh I am just dying to finally get to finish The First and Last Demon, but before that, I have to read The Forest At the Heart of Her Mage!

[Vigasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of issues with this book, the main is the main character which is Clematis who is not very likeable ( I have no idea what Wist sees in her). This book reveals a few cases both healer and the mage work on. I liked the plot but in the last case they both behaved really stupid and a lot could be avoided if they just could stop and think logically.

That's my main complains. I still love the world of mages and healers and I really like Wist. I just wish some other characters could be more explored.

3,5 stars

[Alia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwww! How cute. And gory, but gory cute.

I love the characters, both have their... misgivings, but all is part of the flavor if you ask me. The interactions are good and Wist and Clem have a solid development. The plot isn't something stunning, (cases format), although the last case was a bit intense, I am more fond of the vibe from the story, the characters, worldbuilding and paced, but consistent progress. I am enjoying myself greatly.

[Meeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 cause 4 + 4 = WHAT?? ATE.

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic imagination. Great sense of humor. I really enjoyed this book. I hope there will be a next one.

[iz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I didn’t have to belong in any one place. Home was this hand entwined with mine. It was the miracle of having met again and again.”

[✩☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

longer review to come when my flu-riddled ass recovers but it's very funny to read people's reviews complaining about how the female characters in this book are too arrogant or stoic and therefore unlikeable. god forbid women have a personality that isn't bland niceness, swagless simpering or crippling insecurity!

anyway thanks hiyodori for delivering us lesbian autists the niche understated sapphic fantasy/romance we deserve, awomen.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

I really enjoyed these books. Smart, inventive, and with a good mix of humor and drama. Don’t be afraid of it being a self-pub, these books are professional grade.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sequel to Lowest Healer, Highest Mage. Both books end as though there will be no further books (which I kind of appreciate), but the author’s note at the end of this one indicates there may be more to come. I love the idea of Clem and Wist in some other country, so am looking forward to whatever comes next.

About this book…the section titles read like each section will be a standalone novella, but with each additional section they are more and more interrelated. And Clem and Wist’s relationship runs sort of parallel to the set up for the novel, now that I think on it.

I believe one of the primary uses or benefits of science fiction or fantasy is to expose a reader to, or help a reader explore difficult issues by adding a layer or multiple layers between what those issues look like in real life and the way they look in the story. It lowers the reader’s defenses and allows for some distance, which in turn means the issues can sometimes be seen more clearly than they are in real life. In this world the power imbalance between the mages and healers is so skewed, so entrenched, and so politically backed and enforced it’s not going to change on a broad, sweeping level, no matter how powerful the individual characters may be. In the first book I really enjoyed the interplay of individual and/or small group effort to make change against the all powerful, implacable system and thought about modern issues like global warming. In this book I found myself thinking about the class/caste differences, how arbitrary it is that the mages wound up on top when given the healers’ powers and the interrelationships between the two, it could just as easily have been the healers on top…or perhaps less easily, the two groups could have coexisted symbiotically and equally. It made me think about race relations here in the US today. I thought about the big, systemic issues, but then with Clem and Wist I thought about individual relationships across that divide, and how much love can do, but also how for all the love and understanding out there, there are some bits of Clem’s experience that Wist just can’t ever fully get because she isn’t a healer.

Though Clem and Wist’s relationship was central to the first book there was a small group of characters together in that book and a lot of the time Clem and Wist were a powerful force in the background . In this book they and their relationship are front and center throughout even though their relationship really isn’t the driving force behind the plot. I really enjoyed both books and love their relationship. Not so sure about the frequent descriptions of Wist having “dead eyes”…the only times I’ve ever found myself using that description either for a character or a real life person have been to describe someone who is a sociopath. And Wist is the opposite of a sociopath. She’s so full of compassion and emotion it’s a wonder she can contain it all. I love her lack of caring for appearance or fine things or even power. I don’t mind her being nearly expressionless most of the time. But I find “dead eyes” a little hard to swallow. Anyway I adore the contrast between Clem and Wist, the extreme degree to which they can irritate one another, and the love and gentleness/respect that runs underneath that so deeply and powerfully. They are interesting and fun to read.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in this world.

Let’s put aside the character of the characters for a second.

Having four kind of separate but kind of linked stories was great in some ways, less great in others. In general, I like having a single plot to follow all the way through, rather than mentally resetting every quarter of the book or so. Fewer places to want to put it down. On the other hand, having a diversity of stories is nice to explore the world and their place in it. And the last two sections ended up pretty closely linked anyway. And… it was actually the character relationships that tied it all together for me rather than the individual plots, so that was nice.

About those characters… I sympathize with reviewers who say Clem is too unlikable and Wist is too emotionless. But, that’s not my take. I have some experience, let’s say, with situations that make you want to show the world’s best poker face rather than expose anything that might be manhandled into a weakness. And with diverting any serious topics with humor, for the same reason. So both their reactions seem pretty plausible to me.

And here’s the thing — it’s not that they don’t have feelings. It’s just that they’re bad at showing them. This is definitely not the more common sapphic romance with feelings on display all over the place. The magic of the story is when they leak out anyway! For instance, in Clem’s changing attitude toward her bond. Which first she seems desperate to avoid, but then has occasion to use, and eventually comes to rely on, and by the end she’s kind of horrified with the idea of not having it there? Those feelings are about more than just the literal bond, I’d have to say. And there’s the occasional time when Wist loses her poker face, when she quietly confesses to feelings, when she too is horrified by the idea of not having the bond…. Those are the scenes that make the book for me. Another threat to the peace of the land, meh. More of those moments of emotional leakage? Yes, please!

And, when all is said and done, where Clem seems to be going in the future is intriguing. I’m in for more installments, that’s for sure. Kinda glad I didn’t stumble across this until there were a decent number of books available! :)

[Tanisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book, especially after the first. And thus far it has been a major letdown. First, I was not the biggest fan of Clem, even in the first book, but somehow she is even worse in this one. She’s cocky in a childish way, and spends a lot of book space either talking herself up, or over-explaining things that don’t really need an explanation. The crafty, sharp character from the first book (who is 34 years old) is non-existent in this book. Second, I am the biggest fan of Wist but in this book it almost feel like the author has removed almost everything that makes her a viable character — she barely speaks, and is permanently described as being aloof or emotionless. In the first book, she was still an emotionally stunted, quiet character. But in this book, it feels like she’s barely there. Or when she is there, it doesn’t feel like she’s a character of her own, rather, she’s just there for Clem to bounce ideas off of, or to save the world.

Whatever romance had developed between these characters in the first book, feels nonexistent in this one. They don’t feel or act like a couple, and the scenes that even hint at them still being together are brief or cut short. I couldn’t get into the cases because I didn’t recognize or like these characters, and as such didn’t care much to follow along on their journeys. In the last book, Wist had just started opening up, and in this one, Clem acts almost like an interpreter of Wist’s thoughts. I would’ve appreciated some chapters from Wist’s pov, because I found Clem’s narration/dialogue near unbearable, and I would’ve liked a reminder that Wist is a meaningful character in the story still. The last seven chapters were an improvement and the ending was promising enough that I’m looking forward to the third book — I just hope the characterizations get smoothed out.

[J. Aceyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the greatest stories I've ever read. Hiyodori continues to blow me away with her imagination and magical way of keeping me hungry for tid bits and peeks into Wist's mind and Clem and Wist's relationship in general.

So far there are 4 released books in this universe and of all four, this is my favorite, although The First and Last Demon is only in 2nd place by a quarter of a point.

Top 5 favorite stories of all times.

The crazy part?

I'm a sapphic smut author and avid reader, regardless of the genre I prefer spice in my stories.

These have none, just allusions and hardly considered fade to black scenes. And yet I've never been so obsessed with two MC's relationship. I'm particularly fond of the omnipotent, statuesque mage who hardly speaks or demonstrates emotion. Because when she does show it, its profound. Wist displays her love for Clem in ways that are equivalent to her power (which is limitless, mind you.)

If you're reading this one, then you've read the first. This occurs after the events of TLH&THM This is hardly a standalone. Read The Lowest Healer first, and you'll know what you're in for...x100.

I might kick the bucket when this series comes to an end. Actually I kind of hope I die before that happens, I couldn't take the heartbreak 😋🤣

[Evy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 love Clem and Wist so much 💕💗💖💞 What I really appreciate and love is how much thought and care Hiyodori puts into the magic system and world building. While it was a tad bit slower at first, there is such a big emphasis on the magic system and politics I was fascinated to just learn more about this world. It’s so intricate and unlike anything I’ve read before.

An issue I usually have with romantasy as a genre is when authors focus too much on the romance and don’t develop the world enough so it can end up feeling lackluster but this series has restored my faith in romantasy. This is the perfect balance of both genres in my opinion. All elements are thought out and everything is done with purpose, nothing feels like a vehicle to deliver us just to romantic scenes. Yes the romance is the focal point, but there is still a strong supporting backbone of plot and characters to create a complete plot line.

I love Clem and Wist’s banter and humor, their dynamic is so unique, and the yearning!!! Maybe I’m biased as a sapphic myself but I really do feel like sapphic books specifically give me that ✨yearning✨ that I crave. Be still my beating heart 🖤

The only reason this isn’t a 5 star is because the prequel novel is still my absolute favorite; this series has such a special place in my heart I can’t wait to read the next one and any other book Hiyodori releases.

[Susan Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the first book absolutely delightful and was excited to realize there was a sequel out. Clem continues to be the jaded, sarcastic, resourceful narrator I enjoyed so much in the first. There's a lot of darkness in this magical land, more darkness than whimsy in this second book especially as we see more of the abuses of the mage-healer system that were hinted at in book one. I honestly appreciated the tone, and the continued cautious development of their relationship; it seemed appropriate given their history. My only real complaint is that the big bad is a little too easy to guess and is a little too "moustache-twirling" evil with just a teeny little insufficient bit of justification, which seemed uncharacteristic of a book with so much gray in it. Not enough to drop it to four stars. I hope there are more books coming, I'd like to see some movement in the politics of healer's rights.

[Caerolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this last of Hiyodori's four books, even though I think it was written second. I am glad I read them in that order, this one ends with a wiser and more settled outlook by the MCs, but in some ways kind of sad to me. I want some things to be explicit with them that just are not there yet. I keep aching for it, and it seems to get closer but I wonder if what I want will ever come to be. Perhaps with the last book, whenever that is.

I did love this book, and in many ways it is my favorite. I just so love Wist and Clem, and love the supporting characters who have been there through books 1 and 2 of the Clem and Wist duopoly. This one scared me the most of all four books, though. Some parts of it were hard for me to take, but I am oversensitive and cannot take a lot. Lots of really tense and anxious moments for me, and a few cries. I just find myself caring so much for Wist and Clem and for their story. I hope Hiyodori gives us more of them in the future!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look, I'll be honest, at first, I wasn't liking Clem much. I don't know it I wasn't in the mood, but I didn't love how she behaved, especially when she involved Wist, but then I thought "well, if Wist is wiling, then she's on the same page (sort of), so why am I being so picky with Clematis?" and got to enjoy this story on a whole other level. It was so intriguing and I didn't saw the big 'drama' coming until it was about to hit me (or rather them).

And that final scenes, my goodness, I was holding my breath like I was at the thick of it with them. And how things ended was climatic and anti-climatic at the same time. It all makes sense if you think about their society works.

I looooved how Wist was more 'vocal' here about her will and what she wanted, even if Clem couldn't let it go. I hope to have the privilege to see their relationship deepening even more. Their dynamic is awesome.

[Vervada · Rating 5 out of 5]

It began a little slowly, but once it got started it really got started. There was action, magic, terrorists, heroes, mystery, romance and pretty much everything I’d wanted before picking up the book. This book was a clear progression from “The Lowest Healer and the Highest Mage”, which I’d also loved. Clem was as witty and hilariously vexing as always, Wist opened up a little and their relationship was more present than in the first book, which was something I loved seeing. The world was described in more detail, we found out more about magic and healing and the action scenes were even more thrilling.

I loved absolutely everything about this book and I’m going to read everything Hiyodori writes.

[AmEricaNo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

As much as I like standalone novels, we really don’t get enough of characters in stable relationships, especially characters in a stable relationship as interesting and complex as Clem and Wist’s. Clem is back in The Reverse Healer Case files as a not-detective solving crime around Osmanthus City, the capital of the mageocracy. Each case is a complete story in its own right, but they’re all connected to a bigger picture narrative that comes to a head in the end. Once again, Hiyodori’s skill for setting up and paying off plot points and character introductions pays dividends. I really loved seeing Clem and Wist together and back in their natural habitat, getting to do casual relationship stuff while also trying to save the world.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clem and Wist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't expect to love this series as much as I have (so far) but it really is something special. I mentioned it before but it definitely is deeply inspired by Japanese esper animanga/light novels and that continues to be true. Very, very true. But that's right up my alley - and I adore Clem and Wist as characters. This book is a bit episodic (another common light novel tactic) but common threads tie the whole storyline together brilliantly. Definitely a series worth checking out, especially if you're someone familiar with the types of Japanese series this one is inspired by.

[Ani King · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible follow up to book 1

I’m such a fan of this series. I’m glad it’s on KU, I’ve purchased it too, and if it were available in paperback or hardcover I’d pick them up too. I hope we get to see more of Clem and Wist; I love how how little is truly black and white in this series. It’s much more attuned to how things really are, how difficult it is to enact change through “appropriate” channels. Truly, Hiyodori has a gift for revealing motivation and characteristics without ever relying on stereotypes. I’ll look forward to anything that they write going forward.

[Aster · Rating 5 out of 5]

so satisfying that every single little thing mentioned turned out to be relevant in the end

also locked tombesque quote
"What bordered on being intolerable was the sense that I no longer knew where Wist ended and I began. The sense that I had started consuming her. Or that she had started eating into me. Or both at the same time. It made me want to finish the job. It made me want to pack her away safely inside me. No embrace could ever seem tight enough after you felt someone starting to meld with the very fabric of your secret self."

[Merlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So rarely do I love the sequel to a book I love- even rarer that I may like it more than the first one!
The second book in the Clem and Wist series picks right up where the first let off and somehow manages to pull off the same romantic tension while also giving us soft moments of the established couple. While the first book felt like the backstory to a superhero, reverse healer files felt like a detective story. At times it reminded me of the tv show Psych.
Definitely keeps up the momentum of the first book. I could read a 10 book series of Clem and Wist’s misadventures.

[Anh Hoang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy and bingeable, just my kind of read these days. I love myself some episodic detective cases. The Church of the Kraken arc had me grinning with all the secondhand embarrassment Wist goes through. It's great to see her dry humor sneak through her whole ice queen, powerful Kraken image. I don't usually do romantasy outside of ao3, but this series won me over. I really hope future books dive deeper into the whole Mageocracy vs. Healer rights tension, more political drama, but also more Clem & Wist banter and cuddles!

[Moon Above · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed the first book and I reiterate what I hear here. I love the way these two tackle their shared and distant trauma. This one is a bit of a mind bender but in the best way. Honestly, it's nice reading a story where MC isn't superman. In this case, while Clem is remarkable, Wist is the superman of this story and it's awesome how much they can accomplish together. I hope Hiyodori continues to write more of these two, and watch how they grow.

[platyrhyco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I'm scared of sequels. There's something in me that despite the fact that I'll read anyways has an aversion to them.

Narrative finality? Maybe. Or sometimes sequels don't impress as much as the original.

Not the case here. Moreso impressive that the narrative structure is rather different than the last book.
Case files indeed!

Nothing to complain about. Even the titling for this one.