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theespressoedition's review against another edition
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Injury/Injury detail
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
brontesauruses's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for letting me get at this one early in exchange for an honest review!
A solid four stars, but probably not much more than that. 4.25??
It felt like it needed to be longer? Everything moved so fast sometimes! There were a lot of great ideas, but they needed more room to breathe. (Reading it as quickly as I did probably did not help, but still.)
That said, I had a lot of fun with this one. Loved the queer rep! Our protagonist is bi/pan (and isn't thin!)! There's a transwoman and a nonbinary person who are important to the plot! Characters are just casually, cheerfully queer, and it made me so happy. I also like what the book had to say about mental health! Also also: flower magic!!
If you're looking for readalikes, Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross came to mind a lot while I was reading this. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson too, to a lesser extent. Very different, uh, happenings, but something about them is similar? Is it the magic? Is it the dark-haired sad lads?? Who knows.
Side note: I went into this one thinking it was kinda sorta an Anne of Green Gables retelling? I think I mixed it up in my head with The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett (which is a banger btw)? Anyway, it's not, but I think if you like Anne, you'll probably like the Vibe of this one.
A solid four stars, but probably not much more than that. 4.25??
It felt like it needed to be longer? Everything moved so fast sometimes! There were a lot of great ideas, but they needed more room to breathe. (Reading it as quickly as I did probably did not help, but still.)
That said, I had a lot of fun with this one. Loved the queer rep! Our protagonist is bi/pan (and isn't thin!)! There's a transwoman and a nonbinary person who are important to the plot! Characters are just casually, cheerfully queer, and it made me so happy. I also like what the book had to say about mental health! Also also: flower magic!!
If you're looking for readalikes, Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross came to mind a lot while I was reading this. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson too, to a lesser extent. Very different, uh, happenings, but something about them is similar? Is it the magic? Is it the dark-haired sad lads?? Who knows.
Side note: I went into this one thinking it was kinda sorta an Anne of Green Gables retelling? I think I mixed it up in my head with The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett (which is a banger btw)? Anyway, it's not, but I think if you like Anne, you'll probably like the Vibe of this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment and Blood
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