Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - In a Garden Burning Gold

Book Review: In A Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power

In A Garden Burning Gold is the adult debut by author Rory Power. This high fantasy novel explores the issues of magic, power, politics and family on an alternative to earth.

Rhea is a twin who alongside her family has controlled aspects of the natural world in their part of the world for over 100 years. Magically gifted by her father Rhea brings on the seasons by accepting a new “consort” (spouse) and then killing him four months later thereby ending that season. This act of sacrifice gifts prosperity to the land the consort came from which usually means there are several vying for her hand. When her brother asks her to marry the son of a noble from a bordering area rumored to harbor rebels Rhea finds herself questioning her family, her legacy and how much she is willing to sacrifice to keep her family in control.

Although In A Garden Burning Gold isn’t the easiest and most fun filled read among recent fantasy releases it’s power is in how completely unique the world building is and how the author allows it to unfold without a giant info dump in the begging. The story is able to slowly build until it reaches its crescendo in the the last 20% of the book. Even though Rhea has killed hundreds of spouses in her 100 years the reader will root for her as she tries to navigate both saving her family and doing right by the hungry and desperate people around her. There is also a touch of romance as Rhea starts to fall for her latest “consort” as they both work on completely different agendas.

The story is also told in the POV of her twin Lexos as he tries to put out the fires his father has ignored or started himself. Left behind at home are their younger siblings Nitsos and Chrysanthi who are mostly cut-off from the political maneuverings of their father and the twins but have powers of their own.

I found In A Garden of Burning Gold to be a well-plotted and fantastical entry into the adult fantasy genre. Readers that enjoy high fantasy along with political intrigue, complicated family dynamics and powerful magic will enjoy this novel.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content Warnings

illegiblescribble's review

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

a fantasy political intrigue reminiscent of a bittersweet tamora pierce novel.

rory power has done it again, folks! a departure from her usual body-horror-imbued young adult, power weaves a beautifully haunting tale of politics, immortality, and questioning the status quo. this book has firmly cemented rory power as one of my favorite authors.

the book is told in from the perspective of twins rhea and alexandros; each voice is distinct, which is a relief after having read so many dual perspective books where the voices blend together. the world that power has created for “in a garden burning gold” is absolutely captivating and her words wove poetic tapestries in my mind as i read. while there are many kernels of real-world civilizations, power has managed to create an intriguing society that i look forward to delving deeper into in potential future installments. in particular, i appreciated that power did not condescend to the reader and insert paragraphs of background explanation; instead, power allows the reader to piece together the workings of her fictional societies through context and a helpful list of “dramatis personae.”

as someone who grew up devouring tamora pierce’s tortall series’, i am glad to have been able to recapture the same magic within a book with more adult themes.

thank you to netgalley and random house publishing group - ballantine, del rey for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

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