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manderly's review
2.0
barreled through the book without lingering on any one idea. when there was reflection, it was extremely heavy handed. also the love interest was not shit.
fimq's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
ackopec's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
As much as I wanted to like it, the world building, characterization and writing just weren’t as good as I wanted.
mirto's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
aheinicke27's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
This book had some serious studio Ghibli vibes. It felt a lot like Howel’s Moving Castle in some ways, but with more flowers and a lack of enchanted fireplaces. This is a very lighthearted story that still grapples with heavy issues such as mental health. While I enjoyed its whimsical nature, sometimes it felt a little too surface level. For instance, the conflict between the main character and her mom could have been a bit more fleshed out — I thought that would have been interesting and created a little more depth to the story. The amount of LGBTQ+ representation in this story really shines. There are so many gay characters that are allowed to just exist and be accepted for who they are without it being a big deal. Overall, this was a super cute read perfect for listening to while working in the garden.
callistag1's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars
This is a cute story about a witch learning to control her magic while finding a cure for a potion that caused more harm than good, sprinkled with estranged-best friends to lovers. Clara, our main character, cannot control her magic, which rebels against her. When the magic Council tells Clara she either has to have her magic bound (which reduces her power and makes it painful to cast spells) or have her magic removed altogether, she ends up accidentally cursing her father and has to work with Xavier, an old friend she hasn't spoken to in five years, to try to learn to control her magic because she is the only one who can undo the curse she put on her father. In that time, she learns that there is a potion, Euphoria, that causes just that, but in doing so it traps those who took it in their own minds so they are constantly in a dream and have no knowledge of what is going on around them. So while she and Xavier are trying to help her control her magic, they are also trying to find a way to cure for Euphoria.
This book gets a 3.25 from me because while it is a cute story, and the romance is something I enjoyed, it just felt like there was something missing. This story wasn't bad, but I don't see it as a story that I will keep thinking about or come back to. Plus, there are parts of the story that feel too open ended for a book that is a stand alone. If this book had a bit more, my rating would be higher, but there's just a lot that feels like it was just left without resolution and I didn't care for it.
This is a cute story about a witch learning to control her magic while finding a cure for a potion that caused more harm than good, sprinkled with estranged-best friends to lovers. Clara, our main character, cannot control her magic, which rebels against her. When the magic Council tells Clara she either has to have her magic bound (which reduces her power and makes it painful to cast spells) or have her magic removed altogether, she ends up accidentally cursing her father and has to work with Xavier, an old friend she hasn't spoken to in five years, to try to learn to control her magic because she is the only one who can undo the curse she put on her father. In that time, she learns that there is a potion, Euphoria, that causes just that, but in doing so it traps those who took it in their own minds so they are constantly in a dream and have no knowledge of what is going on around them. So while she and Xavier are trying to help her control her magic, they are also trying to find a way to cure for Euphoria.
This book gets a 3.25 from me because while it is a cute story, and the romance is something I enjoyed, it just felt like there was something missing. This story wasn't bad, but I don't see it as a story that I will keep thinking about or come back to. Plus, there are parts of the story that feel too open ended for a book that is a stand alone. If this book had a bit more, my rating would be higher, but there's just a lot that feels like it was just left without resolution and I didn't care for it.
alyvia_jeane's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
indigodrag0n's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
asreadbykat's review
4.0
True Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Absent parent, Anxiety and depression, Body horror, Emesis, Fantasy substance abuse, Medical issues, Non-consensual enchantment
My Thoughts
"If you get too trapped in your own head, you'll start to think that there isn't a world at all outside of your own thoughts. The voice in your head telling you that you're rubbish...you'll start to think it's right."
This isn't going to be a book for everyone. While it is marketed as a YA novel, it mostly reads as middle-grade, with a few scenes being exceptions. While our characters are facing high stakes, the tension and drama that would usually fill the pages of a YA novel are fairly toned down or absent. And, in a way, I firmly believe that's on purpose.
In "Flowerheart," Clara must try to find a cure for the curse she accidentally performed on her father all while fighting her magic, her own emotions, and her own circumstances. With the help of an estranged childhood friend, she's going through the fight of her life.
The point of this novel isn't to excite or titillate, to watch characters overcome evil regimes or ancient curses. At its heart, this novel is very much about mental health, and the battles those that suffer must constantly face. In this, the book isn't subtle. The allegories and metaphors are basically waving neon signs in the reader's face. Surprisingly, this didn't annoy me. As someone who does suffer from anxiety, and has had more than one bout of depression, I was happy to see someone trying to be more obvious writing about it in fiction.
The story is slow, focusing more on Clara's thoughts and interactions with others, her own feelings and her battles with them than on any other aspect. There are several very important points that are made throughout the novel that seem obvious to the readers, but are things that Clara (and the readers themselves) need to hear.
As I am typically a fan of slower-moving fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was very easy to read, and Clara was very endearing. Even Xavier, her childhood friend, was just complicated enough to feel like a real person without bringing too much drama.
The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because I feel there are certain conversations Clara needed to have with key characters (her mother, her father, Xavier's father, the Council) that were either glossed over or never happened. The conversations would have been helpful in continuing the message the author was working on.
Overall, I don't recommend this novel for anyone that's looking for an exciting, extremely magical adventure. But if you're also a fan of slower-paced works, I would recommend giving this one a try.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Absent parent, Anxiety and depression, Body horror, Emesis, Fantasy substance abuse, Medical issues, Non-consensual enchantment
My Thoughts
"If you get too trapped in your own head, you'll start to think that there isn't a world at all outside of your own thoughts. The voice in your head telling you that you're rubbish...you'll start to think it's right."
This isn't going to be a book for everyone. While it is marketed as a YA novel, it mostly reads as middle-grade, with a few scenes being exceptions. While our characters are facing high stakes, the tension and drama that would usually fill the pages of a YA novel are fairly toned down or absent. And, in a way, I firmly believe that's on purpose.
In "Flowerheart," Clara must try to find a cure for the curse she accidentally performed on her father all while fighting her magic, her own emotions, and her own circumstances. With the help of an estranged childhood friend, she's going through the fight of her life.
The point of this novel isn't to excite or titillate, to watch characters overcome evil regimes or ancient curses. At its heart, this novel is very much about mental health, and the battles those that suffer must constantly face. In this, the book isn't subtle. The allegories and metaphors are basically waving neon signs in the reader's face. Surprisingly, this didn't annoy me. As someone who does suffer from anxiety, and has had more than one bout of depression, I was happy to see someone trying to be more obvious writing about it in fiction.
The story is slow, focusing more on Clara's thoughts and interactions with others, her own feelings and her battles with them than on any other aspect. There are several very important points that are made throughout the novel that seem obvious to the readers, but are things that Clara (and the readers themselves) need to hear.
As I am typically a fan of slower-moving fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was very easy to read, and Clara was very endearing. Even Xavier, her childhood friend, was just complicated enough to feel like a real person without bringing too much drama.
The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because I feel there are certain conversations Clara needed to have with key characters (her mother, her father, Xavier's father, the Council) that were either glossed over or never happened. The conversations would have been helpful in continuing the message the author was working on.
Overall, I don't recommend this novel for anyone that's looking for an exciting, extremely magical adventure. But if you're also a fan of slower-paced works, I would recommend giving this one a try.