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teawiththefates's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book has all the elements that could have made it one of my favourites - cozy magic vibes, childhood friends to lovers trope, mental health exploration - but the execution of it all fell flat for me.
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did, but I had such a hard time accepting the way things progressed. The protagonist either needed to be angrier than she was (instead of getting over things without any conversation or much self reflection to justify her shrugging something off) or more understanding (instead of being overly judgmental of things clearly done with good intent), and my opinions on these never seemed to match up with her actual reactions as they happened. I found the book consistently frustrating because of this.
On top of that, the ending felt a little incomplete; based on what happened in the book I wanted a much more complex consideration of the merits of joining the ranks of organized magic and the amount of control they feel the right to, especially when I still think that while yes, the law was broken, the spirit of the vow made to their organization was not and the justice served was not particularly just, and this is only ever acknowledged in the most minimal way. I feel like this story needs a sequel where we get to follow characters as they fight for magical reform and providing better mental health care! <end spoiler>
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did, but I had such a hard time accepting the way things progressed. The protagonist either needed to be angrier than she was (instead of getting over things without any conversation or much self reflection to justify her shrugging something off) or more understanding (instead of being overly judgmental of things clearly done with good intent), and my opinions on these never seemed to match up with her actual reactions as they happened. I found the book consistently frustrating because of this.
On top of that, the ending felt a little incomplete; based on what happened in the book I wanted a much more complex consideration of
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Drug use, and Panic attacks/disorders
It’s all through a fantasy lens so the book often describes things in sort of a magical way, but the book deals with a lot of mental health - specifically anxiety and depression, and attempts todruzyquartz's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Grief, Abandonment, and Addiction
dexkit10's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Body horror
libriinks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Medical content, Body horror, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
jamiebrito's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
This was not the cozy read I was expecting. I thought more Legends and Lattes/Cerulean Sea but this was more dark things happen with a sens of hope but I loved it! It was a beautiful story about mental health and accepting and loving who you are, no matter the flaw and the strength in the acceptance. The romance was so sweet as well. CW's(as listed in front of book)for absent parent, anxiety and depression, body horror, emesis, fantasy substance abuse, medical issues, and non-consensual enchantment. Buddy read with Ashley ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
cait_reads2024's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books/HarperTeen for this eARC for review!
5000/5 stars!
This book was such a warm hug and toasty mug of tea on a rainy sad day, knowing that everything may be bad but that it would be okay. I don't think I've ever read a book like it!
Firstly, what an absolutely BEAUTIFUL magic system! I absolutely loved getting the snippets of what each flower was and what their meaning was, and seeing how it correlated with Clara's feelings as she warred against her magic and her own anxieties. I just wanted to hug her so badly!! Seeing how her magic's inner voice was so evil and intrusive, trying to convince her of being a failure and a bad person was such a vivid comparison to one's own inner voice when battling anxiety and depression in real life. The way Catherine portrayed and wove mental health issues into the story and the story's society itself was beautiful and so very needed. Seeing Clara grow throughout the book with sweet sugar muffin Xavier's help, coming not only into her power but also into herself as a person and truly believing in herself was perfect. Speaking of cinnamon roll baby Xavier, I loved having a friends-to-distant-to-friends/allies-to lovers develop was so heartwarming and very refreshing in a world of YA where "enemies-to-lovers" is very popular (and rightfully so, don't get me wrong!). Their relationship development was so tender, heartfelt, and so sweet seeing them help each other. X was such a complex "antagonist" without actually being an evil antagonist, he was just a person who was trying to do the best for those he loved and his community as a whole, but suffered in the process and faced grave consequences. Although I'm sad that he lost his magic, it was beautifully fitting that he was still able to do what he loved best alongside his love.
I felt like even though this book was a warm hug and so comforting, there was also SO MUCH happening constantly and it was so well done! I didn't want to put the book down. Everything that was introduced into the plot line truly felt well thought out and timed just right in the story to really convey the gravity and emotion of the situations occurring. Although I wish we got more of Clara and Xavier in more books, everything wrapped up so nicely without being too quick or too clean, and there was nothing inserted to the story that was unnecessary. For me, I'm actually glad that Clara's "evil" mother was more of a plot guide/device instead of the entire story/plot being centered around her being evil and with evil plans. It was nice to have both sides with the council and the outcast coven portraying what they think is right. Most importantly, PAPA IS PERFECT AND MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS!!! I couldn't help but picture Belle's sweet papa from Beauty & the Beast. Their relationship was so pure and loving, and I loved getting even small snippets of their time together while Clara was growing up.
Another thing Catherine handled beautifully, was the inclusion of gender identity and sexuality in both her characters and their respective world/magic system. It's so poignant and equally important that this is continually included in YA stories, so that kids see that it's truly okay to be yourself and that the way you feel about yourself and others is acceptable and WILL be normalized by those who truly care about them and respect them!
In essence: this was absolutely immaculate and I will not accept any opinions that state otherwise, haha!
5000/5 stars!
This book was such a warm hug and toasty mug of tea on a rainy sad day, knowing that everything may be bad but that it would be okay. I don't think I've ever read a book like it!
Firstly, what an absolutely BEAUTIFUL magic system! I absolutely loved getting the snippets of what each flower was and what their meaning was, and seeing how it correlated with Clara's feelings as she warred against her magic and her own anxieties. I just wanted to hug her so badly!! Seeing how her magic's inner voice was so evil and intrusive, trying to convince her of being a failure and a bad person was such a vivid comparison to one's own inner voice when battling anxiety and depression in real life. The way Catherine portrayed and wove mental health issues into the story and the story's society itself was beautiful and so very needed. Seeing Clara grow throughout the book with sweet sugar muffin Xavier's help, coming not only into her power but also into herself as a person and truly believing in herself was perfect. Speaking of cinnamon roll baby Xavier, I loved having a friends-to-distant-to-friends/allies-to lovers develop was so heartwarming and very refreshing in a world of YA where "enemies-to-lovers" is very popular (and rightfully so, don't get me wrong!). Their relationship development was so tender, heartfelt, and so sweet seeing them help each other. X was such a complex "antagonist" without actually being an evil antagonist, he was just a person who was trying to do the best for those he loved and his community as a whole, but suffered in the process and faced grave consequences. Although I'm sad that he lost his magic, it was beautifully fitting that he was still able to do what he loved best alongside his love.
I felt like even though this book was a warm hug and so comforting, there was also SO MUCH happening constantly and it was so well done! I didn't want to put the book down. Everything that was introduced into the plot line truly felt well thought out and timed just right in the story to really convey the gravity and emotion of the situations occurring. Although I wish we got more of Clara and Xavier in more books, everything wrapped up so nicely without being too quick or too clean, and there was nothing inserted to the story that was unnecessary. For me, I'm actually glad that Clara's "evil" mother was more of a plot guide/device instead of the entire story/plot being centered around her being evil and with evil plans. It was nice to have both sides with the council and the outcast coven portraying what they think is right. Most importantly, PAPA IS PERFECT AND MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS!!! I couldn't help but picture Belle's sweet papa from Beauty & the Beast. Their relationship was so pure and loving, and I loved getting even small snippets of their time together while Clara was growing up.
Another thing Catherine handled beautifully, was the inclusion of gender identity and sexuality in both her characters and their respective world/magic system. It's so poignant and equally important that this is continually included in YA stories, so that kids see that it's truly okay to be yourself and that the way you feel about yourself and others is acceptable and WILL be normalized by those who truly care about them and respect them!
In essence: this was absolutely immaculate and I will not accept any opinions that state otherwise, haha!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
lastblossom's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advance copy! I am posting this review voluntarily.
tl;dr
A gentle book about magic and flowers with a soft romance and a hopeful message.
About
Clara's magic is wild and uncontrollable, a fact that has kept her from being granted the official title of Witch, a position that will grant her recognition amongst her peers and the community. When her uncontrolled magic nearly kills her father, she makes a risky bargain with her childhood friend Xavier - his help, in exchange for her magic. But Xavier is different these days, and her bargain might be more dangerous than she knows.
Thoughts
Well, I was going to read a few chapters before bed, and wound up reading the whole thing in one sitting. Oops (but in the good way). The writing flows very naturally from one chapter to the next, and the pacing make it easy to just keep going. Compared to a lot of YA fantasy, this is a fairly low-stakes book, but that didn't make me care any less about what was happening. The world building and magic systems are only lightly described, but clearly defined and easy to understand. Full descriptions of flowers and nature abound, perfect for anyone looking for some cottagecore threads. Clara is a multi-faceted protagonist with a lot of heart, and I appreciated that her flaws and strengths were both written with honesty. Her journey learning to accept herself and build confidence was a very hopeful one to read. Xavier is a nice opposite for Clara, and the chemistry between them was very natural. In the center of all of this is a surprisingly frank discussion about mental health. Although the exact words aren't used, Clara's anxiety is a major character unto itself, portrayed very honestly as an extra voice that whispers lies. A brief discussion about depression (or something like it), and society's reluctance to face it, is also present, and appreciated. Overall, a very pleasant story in a beautiful magical setting with some likable leads.
tl;dr
A gentle book about magic and flowers with a soft romance and a hopeful message.
About
Clara's magic is wild and uncontrollable, a fact that has kept her from being granted the official title of Witch, a position that will grant her recognition amongst her peers and the community. When her uncontrolled magic nearly kills her father, she makes a risky bargain with her childhood friend Xavier - his help, in exchange for her magic. But Xavier is different these days, and her bargain might be more dangerous than she knows.
Thoughts
Well, I was going to read a few chapters before bed, and wound up reading the whole thing in one sitting. Oops (but in the good way). The writing flows very naturally from one chapter to the next, and the pacing make it easy to just keep going. Compared to a lot of YA fantasy, this is a fairly low-stakes book, but that didn't make me care any less about what was happening. The world building and magic systems are only lightly described, but clearly defined and easy to understand. Full descriptions of flowers and nature abound, perfect for anyone looking for some cottagecore threads. Clara is a multi-faceted protagonist with a lot of heart, and I appreciated that her flaws and strengths were both written with honesty. Her journey learning to accept herself and build confidence was a very hopeful one to read. Xavier is a nice opposite for Clara, and the chemistry between them was very natural. In the center of all of this is a surprisingly frank discussion about mental health. Although the exact words aren't used, Clara's anxiety is a major character unto itself, portrayed very honestly as an extra voice that whispers lies. A brief discussion about depression (or something like it), and society's reluctance to face it, is also present, and appreciated. Overall, a very pleasant story in a beautiful magical setting with some likable leads.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
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