Reviews with content warning for Death - In a Garden Burning Gold

I didn't finish this book, but it's really not the book's fault. I went through a string of DNF books, and when this one turned out to be somewhat interesting I was thrilled. The world was interesting and I was intrigued by the magic system. But the protagonists' erratic, abusive, manipulative father was difficult to read about, and as things kept getting worse and worse for them I found that I couldn't keep reading. It's rare that trigger content is the reason I stop reading a book, but even though I did actually want to know how it ended, the depictions of abuse and the protagonists' reactions to it were way too real. MAJOR trigger warning on this one for abuse, emotional abuse, and manipulation from a parent.

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chelsearose's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

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chelsaat's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The premise of this book is right up my alley - it's an Ancient Greek inspired political fantasy with a cool magic system! I just wish the execution lived up to its promise.

The first issue is the clunky exposition for the first half of this book. Rory Power had a hard task - she created a complicated magic system and a complicated power structure, but the way this was all delivered stopped everything in its tracks. It took me FOREVER to read through all the table setting.

My second qualm was the characters. I should feel sorry for the Argyros siblings - Rhea is forced to kill her new consort every 3 months so the seasons can change (I can’t even imagine) and Lexos is stuck at home trying to please his tyrant of a father. The other two siblings are overlooked and underappreciated. But they never really came alive to me. Maybe because their thoughts were of world-building exposition most of the time.

In the final 10%, the action finally picked up and things started to get interesting. I saw the big twist/betrayal coming but it was still a fun reveal. That said, I don’t really have a huge desire to read the sequel. I guess I should since I put all this effort into learning this world, but I honestly don’t really care what happens to these characters. I wish I did!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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srhpthr's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring mysterious 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

4.25

I received an ARC of this book. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read it.

I am not familiar with Rory’s earlier work so went into reading this blind. At the time of beginning read I was juggling many books at once so I did not dedicate time to it until late March-early April. Once I really got stuck into it I enjoyed it very much. Her prose painted a very clear picture for me. I found Rhea and Lexos to be interesting and believable characters. I appreciated their flaws.

I believe there will be a sequel and I’m interested to see how their story evolves!

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adancewithbooks's review

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mysterious slow-paced

2.5

Thank you to Del Rey Books and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.

In a Garden Burning Gold Rory Powers steps away from her thrillers to move into an adult fantasy which is quite a different ball game. This greek inspired fantasy unfortunately lacked a bit of punch.

We follow the twins Rhea and Lexos who have been helping out their father rule a country. The powers that came with the position has been given partially to them. Rhea has to marry a consort and kill it in one season so that the next season starts. Lexos has powers over the tides and stars. Their father has a touch of death though he doesn't seem to have much control over that. In this story we follow Rhea struggle with who she is while Lexos wants to find those that threat his family.

The idea of In a Garden Burning Gold is interesting and I enjoyed most of the world building. There are a variety of countries who have a similar set up though I find it unclear what their exact powers are. And in that regard there is still a lot to be gained in the world building. I have a lot of questions about the exact gifts their family has and about the saints that are referred to a lot.

But even more that could have been gained were the relationships. Especially between our twins. They don't talk. I'm not sure if there is even any actual fondness between them. You couldn't tell by the interactions you've had. Considering they've lived for 100+ years you'd think they would have learned to communicate. But not just between them. There are two other siblings where there is no little real connection. I couldn't really believe in this family.

There is a lot of thinking going on in the chapters of Rhea and Lexos but none of it was very exciting or thought provoking. None of it was truly reflective. There doesn't seem to be much maturity in them or any of the side characters. Honestly I wanted the rebellion to kick their asses. So if you were asking if I liked any of them, not really. Mostly I just didn't care. Neither of them can see what is right in front of them.

So mostly I was bored, especially with Lexos' chapters. I was tempted to skip them all together. I wouldn't have missed much for most of the book. Not until the end did the ball start really moving in the plot sense.

All in all I am not taken with this book and I am not sure if I would want to read on in this series.

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