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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
LOVED! I read both books in a few days and realized there will be more than two books. I’m so sad I have to wait! I loved the relationships and all the characters. The world building and character building was great.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked this book, very Harry Potter vibes without the TERF.
Magical school you start at age 18, houses with different powers that still seem equally balanced, and a romance that is wholesome.
Already have the second book downloaded and ready to go.
Magical school you start at age 18, houses with different powers that still seem equally balanced, and a romance that is wholesome.
Already have the second book downloaded and ready to go.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed my reading experience with this book "By The Orchid and The Owl" by Mariah Montoya. This is a novel that had me loving the character but at the same time hating the characters you were suppose hate. On top of having sympathy for some of the characters you were loving and hating. The World building was amazing learning about the world through the school and the talking Animals and Planet Life "Like the Orchids". There is also elemental magic...as well as shapeshifters...ohhh and there is forbidden magic. I was very much enjoying the romance between the two main characters Rayna and Coen. It wasn't to slow or to fast in the romance department. It also wasn't overly spicy either 2 maybe 3 spicy scenes (2.5 chili peppers). It kept me wanting to cautiously keep reading and not want to put it down...it also made me want move on to the second book in the series. I thought the logic was great wasn't learning to much right away about the world and magic which left it open to learn more about the world and magic in counting books.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was one of my favorite surprises of 2025. I loved getting to this world. This book is cozy academia with Hogwarts vibes, amazing found family, a sizzling romance, and such a fun plot line!
Mariah does an amazing job of introducing this magical school were students are sent upon their 18th birthday. They are assigned a magic and a house where they can grow and shape their magic. The story follows Rayna -- a wild whisperer who can talk to animals and plants. I loved this poor so much as the animal sidekicks are some of my favorite characters. Yet, Rayna also seems to be blessed forbidden magic and struggles to hide it from the Council. She has the help of Coen Steeler, our smart-mouthed and sexy MMC, who also seems to have these powers. I loved their relationship and watching it grow from attraction to outright...I will let you discover that for yourself.
The deeper Rayna gets into her studies, the more dangerous things become at the school from suspicious teachers to mean students bent on revenge. Everyone comes a little to close to her secrets -- all while she tries to unravel the secrets of her own past.
The cast of character that Mariah creates is one of my favorites. She does a beautiful job of creating this world filled with amazing adventures and dangerous turns.
The ending will kick up and race at warped speed into one of the most tense and sad moments leaving you dangling on a cliffhanger of tragic proportions and equally hungry for book 2.
Mariah does an amazing job of introducing this magical school were students are sent upon their 18th birthday. They are assigned a magic and a house where they can grow and shape their magic. The story follows Rayna -- a wild whisperer who can talk to animals and plants. I loved this poor so much as the animal sidekicks are some of my favorite characters. Yet, Rayna also seems to be blessed forbidden magic and struggles to hide it from the Council. She has the help of Coen Steeler, our smart-mouthed and sexy MMC, who also seems to have these powers. I loved their relationship and watching it grow from attraction to outright...I will let you discover that for yourself.
The deeper Rayna gets into her studies, the more dangerous things become at the school from suspicious teachers to mean students bent on revenge. Everyone comes a little to close to her secrets -- all while she tries to unravel the secrets of her own past.
The cast of character that Mariah creates is one of my favorites. She does a beautiful job of creating this world filled with amazing adventures and dangerous turns.
The ending will kick up and race at warped speed into one of the most tense and sad moments leaving you dangling on a cliffhanger of tragic proportions and equally hungry for book 2.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I adored this book! So excited for the rest of the series. Rayna is a great FMC and I love Coen Steeler! There was one thing he did and one line in particular that instantly made this 5 stars from me! I need to find a good spot for him on my book boyfriend list too! Love the whole concept, I'm not an animal person but I loved her connection with Willa and the spider, so excited to see where this series goes!! What a cliffy too omg! Straight to book 2!!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced