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meg_leigh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse
szuum's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Murder, Blood, Domestic abuse, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
chelsearose's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Religious bigotry
adancewithbooks's review
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.
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.
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death
thereadingraccoon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.
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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Toxic relationship
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