Reviews with content warning for Murder - 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.

Content Warnings

chelsearose's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

kiaras's review

Go to review page

The language in this book is poetic and beautiful. The characters are ugly, wealthy, terrible people. I'm sure there's a redemption arc for some of them, but I can't stomach them long enough for that.

Content Warnings

chelsaat's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

thereadingraccoon's review

Go to review page

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.

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

More...