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discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was such an engaging and exciting read. The writing style was effortlessly propulsive, and the story was surprisingly immersive. I was almost immediately invested in the story, which is abnormal for me, and from there, I couldn’t stop turning pages.
I wish the characters had been more diverse, and there was a moment around like 2/3 of the way through when I hit a bit of a pacing snag, but other than that, this was a standout to me.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a dark fantasy with some angsty romance.
I wish the characters had been more diverse, and there was a moment around like 2/3 of the way through when I hit a bit of a pacing snag, but other than that, this was a standout to me.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a dark fantasy with some angsty romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Confinement
Minor: Animal death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, and Death of parent
beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Addiction, and Death
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Gore, Blood, and Child death
Minor: War and Death of parent
bibliomania_express's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten follows a deathwitch in a world of death magic to the heart of political and religious intrigue. This book has some of your classis YA tropes, including the love triangle between the tough, emotionally scarred orphan main character who has chosen-one abilities, the brooding and mysterious guy who believes in the world's system (or most of it) and has to work with her, and the charming and powerul prince. Throw in some class issues, death magic, corrupt religion and politics, the threat of a war, and a mystery to solve, and that's this book.
I have mixed feelings, and some of that stems from the fact that this is the first in a series. But also that the middle of this book, with most of the investgating, is rather drawn out, where the end happens in a violent (and I do mean violent) rush. I was left with a bit of worldbuilding whiplash, trying to parse exactly what different characters are thinking. Also there was a lot of the final reveals that felt obvious, although there was also one part I didn't guess.
There are also some plot threads dropped just for the sake of it being a first book in a series, so hopefully some of them get picked up in the next book.
Beyond some of the unfortunate side effects from a YA love triangle, I really liked Lore. She's tough, determined, and actually has a strong sense of right and wrong for a poison runner. I also liked Gabe and Bastian for most of the book. The mystery itself was interesting, but I think the solution was a bit weak.
Rating: 3.5/5
*I receieved an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I have mixed feelings, and some of that stems from the fact that this is the first in a series. But also that the middle of this book, with most of the investgating, is rather drawn out, where the end happens in a violent (and I do mean violent) rush. I was left with a bit of worldbuilding whiplash, trying to parse exactly what different characters are thinking. Also there was a lot of the final reveals that felt obvious, although there was also one part I didn't guess.
There are also some plot threads dropped just for the sake of it being a first book in a series, so hopefully some of them get picked up in the next book.
Beyond some of the unfortunate side effects from a YA love triangle, I really liked Lore. She's tough, determined, and actually has a strong sense of right and wrong for a poison runner. I also liked Gabe and Bastian for most of the book. The mystery itself was interesting, but I think the solution was a bit weak.
Rating: 3.5/5
*I receieved an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Classism, Body horror, Death, Confinement, Religious bigotry, and Drug use
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Animal death
Minor: War, Terminal illness, and Stalking
yourbookishbff's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Genocide, Abandonment, Addiction, Animal death, Classism, and Violence
Minor: Child death and Chronic illness
sarahamuller1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Child death, and Addiction
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
iamsammie27's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Child death and Blood
luckylulureads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Addiction, Animal death, Blood, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death
Minor: Drug abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness
booksalacarte's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The Foxglove King- 3.75⭐️ 2🌶️
When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.
When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.
Mortem, the magic born from death, is a high-priced and illicit commodity in Dellaire, and Lore’s job running poisons keeps her in food, shelter, and relative security. But when a run goes wrong and Lore’s power is revealed, she’s taken by the Presque Mort, a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem working for the Sainted King. Lore fully expects a pyre, but King August has a different plan. Entire villages on the outskirts of the country have been dying overnight, seemingly at random. Lore can either use her magic to find out what’s happening and who in the King’s court is responsible, or die.
Lore is thrust into the Sainted King’s glittering court, where no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted. Guarded by Gabriel, a duke-turned-monk, and continually running up against Bastian, August’s ne’er-do-well heir, Lore tangles in politics, religion, and forbidden romance as she attempts to navigate a debauched and opulent society.
But the life she left behind in the catacombs is catching up with her. And even as Lore makes her way through the Sainted court above, they might be drawing closer than she thinks.
—————
—————
✨My Opinion✨
Lore was a great main character. It was a refreshing change from the sacrificial skinny teenager hero that place this so nicely in New Adult Fantasy. That all the main characters are so deeply flawed was endearing.
The possible love triangle was fairly organic, with the hint of deja vu from all three of the main characters. It makes for a dynamic and ever changing trio, even if it’s more of a fated romance type of deal. You never know if they are running toward each other or away. I’m interested to see how things play out. As of right now, the chemistry leans very far toward forbidden romance and fierce friendship.
It was a little predictable, once the momentum started. I think it’s hard to keep things moving and unexpected when there is a prophecy involved. Especially when every other character is saying they are going to repeat a well known history. It makes it feel like you already know where the book is going. I’m interested and hopeful that surprising things are coming for book 2. (I think the inserts from their religious texts, while it explained more of the magic, spoiled a lot of the plot)
I loved the visualization of the magic. Hannah Whitten is so good at original magic systems and I’m loving her take on death/life magic! Considering it was only introduced in the second half of the book in bits and pieces, I’m very interested to see how the magic system fully plays out!
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lore was a great main character. It was a refreshing change from the sacrificial skinny teenager hero that place this so nicely in New Adult Fantasy. That all the main characters are so deeply flawed was endearing.
The possible love triangle was fairly organic, with the hint of deja vu from all three of the main characters. It makes for a dynamic and ever changing trio, even if it’s more of a fated romance type of deal. You never know if they are running toward each other or away. I’m interested to see how things play out. As of right now, the chemistry leans very far toward forbidden romance and fierce friendship.
It was a little predictable, once the momentum started. I think it’s hard to keep things moving and unexpected when there is a prophecy involved. Especially when every other character is saying they are going to repeat a well known history. It makes it feel like you already know where the book is going. I’m interested and hopeful that surprising things are coming for book 2. (I think the inserts from their religious texts, while it explained more of the magic, spoiled a lot of the plot)
I loved the visualization of the magic. Hannah Whitten is so good at original magic systems and I’m loving her take on death/life magic! Considering it was only introduced in the second half of the book in bits and pieces, I’m very interested to see how the magic system fully plays out!
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and Addiction
abookwormsgarden's review against another edition
4.5
Where do I begin?
The Foxglove King has left me speechless. Everything is brilliantly done. Hannah Whitten has created another immersive world with rich intricacies. As much as I loved the characters and thought they were all wonderfull. The world building is the star of this book. The magical system is one of the more unique systems I have read. I cannot wait to see the magic develop in the sequel. There is still so much of the magical system we don't know about. Not to mention the realtionship some of the characters have with said magic. I also adore seeing the complexities of the royal court come to play. A lot of it reminded of the King Louis XIV's court. The world building enabled me to vividly see the story come to life.
Lore, Gabe, Bastian are beautiful characters. The realtionships they have with each other and others are expertly crafted. I thought it was interesting to see how each of them operate within this society because they reflect contrasting life experiences.
I cannot wait to read the second book, but in the mean time you should go read this book.
Thank You to Netgalley and Orbit for allowing me to read this book!!!
The Foxglove King has left me speechless. Everything is brilliantly done. Hannah Whitten has created another immersive world with rich intricacies. As much as I loved the characters and thought they were all wonderfull. The world building is the star of this book. The magical system is one of the more unique systems I have read. I cannot wait to see the magic develop in the sequel. There is still so much of the magical system we don't know about. Not to mention the realtionship some of the characters have with said magic. I also adore seeing the complexities of the royal court come to play. A lot of it reminded of the King Louis XIV's court. The world building enabled me to vividly see the story come to life.
Lore, Gabe, Bastian are beautiful characters. The realtionships they have with each other and others are expertly crafted. I thought it was interesting to see how each of them operate within this society because they reflect contrasting life experiences.
I cannot wait to read the second book, but in the mean time you should go read this book.
Thank You to Netgalley and Orbit for allowing me to read this book!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Addiction, and Drug use
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
takarakei's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My first Hannah Whitten and I'm def looking forward to reading her other duology and for the rest of this series.
This book is immediately so interesting right from the get-go. I find it hard to describe when writing is not good, but on the contrary when it’s THIS good it just works and is so easy to read. The world building is top notch, like I was not confused at all (beyond that this is a very mysterious book so obv there are things left out on purpose).
This book is immediately so interesting right from the get-go. I find it hard to describe when writing is not good, but on the contrary when it’s THIS good it just works and is so easy to read. The world building is top notch, like I was not confused at all (beyond that this is a very mysterious book so obv there are things left out on purpose).
- Court Politics
- Gods Mythology
- Necromancer Magic
- Love Triangle
- With a priest fighting his religious vows
- With a prince who hides his pain with humor
- ...Personally, I am team throuple
1.5/5 🌶️ (so much tensionnnn)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, and Gore
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Child death, Classism, Genocide, Addiction, and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, and Sexism
Animal Death