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briely's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Body horror
brooketreads's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The concept was there. Witch with out of control powers that manifest in destructive flowers? Yes, I’m in. Unfortunately, I felt disconnected from the characters and the plot. I started reading a physical copy and switched to audiobook. It didn’t help. I don’t know if it was the fact that we jumped straight into the conflict and only really got backstory after the fact. But whatever it was, I remained disconnected all the way through. I wasn’t rooting for them romantically either. Disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Drug abuse
I’m marking drug abuse because it’s the magical equivalentnutmegandpumpkin's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
A cozy fantasy that still has stakes and dark moments perfect for spring (also it gives off major Ghibli vibes which is always a plus)
✿
Overview
Writing Quality: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Description: 5/5
Ease of Reading: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Personal Enjoyment: 5/5
✿
✿
Overview
Writing Quality: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Description: 5/5
Ease of Reading: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Personal Enjoyment: 5/5
✿
Something about this book emanated comfort for me. It felt like going outside after too much time spent inside, feeling the sun on your face and taking a deep inhale. I’d also like to add that the description was ✨scrumdiliumcious✨
I was immediately into the story from the start which is very rare for me. There were a lot of aspects to the story that I was pleasantly surprised by such as a sensitive & nervous male love interest, a plus-sized bi main character, and mental health rep through the magic.
I would classify it as a cozy fantasy that still has stakes and dark moments. The entire time I was reading it I imagined that it took place in the same universe as Howl’s Moving Castle.
I think that this book is not everyone’s cup of tea, but based on the lower rated reviews I’ve seen, most of them are due to expectations being largely different from the reality of what this book is. It is not a fantasy story that dives deep into worldbuilding, characters, or a complex plot. This is not to say these things don’t exist, they’re just much more subtle and Bakewell allows things to be left unsaid.
I found it to be a great light read that doesn’t get bogged down by larger-than-life concepts while still having an enjoyable plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Body horror, Mental illness, and Vomit
Minor: Drug abuse, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
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
ezwolf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought this book was absolutely lovely. Even though there were intense events that happen it still had a soft feel to it that I liked.
In particular I really adored the relationship that Clara has with her father. The backstory of Clara and Xavier’s relationship didn’t feel as convincing as the obvious love and affection that Clara and her father have for each other.
The casualness of the queer characters was also handled very well I think. Labels aren’t given to everyone but Clara herself is bi or pan or etc, her beloved teacher is trans, and her teacher’s apprentice is trans as well and uses they/them pronouns. It’s only briefly touched on as an actual subject but it’s not in terms of discrimination only in how having a trans teacher can be helpful for a trans student.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
In particular I really adored the relationship that Clara has with her father. The backstory of Clara and Xavier’s relationship didn’t feel as convincing as the obvious love and affection that Clara and her father have for each other.
The casualness of the queer characters was also handled very well I think. Labels aren’t given to everyone but Clara herself is bi or pan or etc, her beloved teacher is trans, and her teacher’s apprentice is trans as well and uses they/them pronouns. It’s only briefly touched on as an actual subject but it’s not in terms of discrimination only in how having a trans teacher can be helpful for a trans student.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Blood and Vomit
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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