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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
~ 3.5 stars ~
Another Bookstagram favorite that I picked up and decided to have a go at, after seeing it literally everywhere.
I'm just going to be very honest with this one. The story starts at 70% in, and has no resolution within the first book. You are left with more questions then when you started. The first 70% of this book is a young girl's diary entries about her life in a castle and the strange friends she makes. She gets into a bit of mischief, but in general goes about her daily routines all day every day and the reader is just along for the ride.
The last 30% is where you get the influx of strangers for the ball, the emotional distress and jealousy, the FMC finding her strength and making up her mind to stand her ground, and all that entails.
I did want to start the second book right away just to get SOME answers, but also didn't want another 70% of nothing putting me into a book slump. I have a feeling I'll read the next book when I have time and am mentally prepared with no expectations going into it. I really lived for that last 30%, and I'm hoping it carries over!
Another Bookstagram favorite that I picked up and decided to have a go at, after seeing it literally everywhere.
I'm just going to be very honest with this one. The story starts at 70% in, and has no resolution within the first book. You are left with more questions then when you started. The first 70% of this book is a young girl's diary entries about her life in a castle and the strange friends she makes. She gets into a bit of mischief, but in general goes about her daily routines all day every day and the reader is just along for the ride.
The last 30% is where you get the influx of strangers for the ball, the emotional distress and jealousy, the FMC finding her strength and making up her mind to stand her ground, and all that entails.
I did want to start the second book right away just to get SOME answers, but also didn't want another 70% of nothing putting me into a book slump. I have a feeling I'll read the next book when I have time and am mentally prepared with no expectations going into it. I really lived for that last 30%, and I'm hoping it carries over!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ohhhh these covers have a hold on me. As for the story itself, it is all things I love, dark fantasy, romance, monsters, and fae. Plus a hint (ok, maybe more than a hint) of toxic attraction. It is all woven beautifully in the world Parker has created, and you can bet I have the second book up and ready to go, desperate for more Crystal Bloom!
currently reading
☞ Trigger warnings: *contains spoilers*
Spoiler
abusive relationship, emotional and verbal abuse, drug use, blood and gore, self-harm, scars, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, nightmares and night terrors, agoraphobia, dead bodies & body parts, death of a sibling, arranged marriage, adult-minor relationship,✧ 6th August ✧
They time has come my friends. I starting my re-read of this book. Now I know what is coming, I will try and pinpoint my overall thoughts and feelings about this. Will I have a good time? I don't think so. However, I am committed to finding out what in the darnation is going on in this book and in the sequel (releasing 8th August).
✧ July 2021 ✧
3 stars★★★☆☆
This review is also posted in my July Wrap Up on my blog ☀︎
Crystal Bloom Series reviews:
#1 [b:To Bleed a Crystal Bloom|58293539|To Bleed a Crystal Bloom (Crystal Bloom, #1)|Sarah A. Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1623137307l/58293539._SY75_.jpg|91388332]: ★★★☆☆
#2 [b:To Snap a Silver Stem|58627455|To Snap a Silver Stem (Crystal Bloom, #2)|Sarah A. Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1652023171l/58627455._SY75_.jpg|92207157]: 8th August release
This is a dark Rapunzel reimagining where Orlaith is the sole survivor to a massacre that kills her all her friends and family when she was 2. Rhordyn is her saviour and protector, and soon becomes the target of her affection. Olaith lives in a tower, and develops agoraphobia where she physically cannot go beyond the castle garden. It cripples her and earns her scorn from Rhordyn. While she tries to forget her troubles within her safety bubble, the world entrenches in her relative peace forcing her to realise some harsh truths about herself and her situation.
ahhhh..... I am on unsure footing about this one. I picked this up solely because it was marketed around the [b:Gild|56483061|Gild (The Plated Prisoner, #1)|Raven Kennedy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609357436l/56483061._SY75_.jpg|86456918] series. I predicted this would be another 5 star read for me. This was very much not.
There were ups, and there were downs. I laughed out loud and cringed vigorously. I was arguing with Orlaith alone in my room at 2am about her actions and what she should do. My emotions were all over the place and my idea of where the story was going to take me was constantly challenged. I went through it. My heart rate was not at a healthy level.
All my main issues are below but let me say this. I had no idea what to rate this. I thought about it exhaustively and came to the conclusion that I didn't want to rate it. In the end I just decided because there were some amazing scenes and definitely some disturbing scenes that these two dichotomies they averaged each other out. Call me a cop out but I stand by it. It is such a wild ride that I cannot rate it anything other than 3 stars.
Orlaith was an easily likeable, relatable main character but her choices were infuriating. They were made under rose-coloured glasses over a man that didn't appreciate nor love her the same and that broke. my. heart. Reading her go through it made me so mad I contemplated DNF-ing just to stop myself getting anxiety from this book. My blood pressure was raised and tears were shed. I was even questioning if this was the beginning of a Reverse Harem, and I was accidentally sucked into a story setting up for a polyamorous relationship. Who does that. Who tricks you into a reverse harem book?! Jail. I STILL DON'T KNOW IF IT EVEN IS A RH AND THATS THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART!!
This isn't even a review anymore. Just an account of my emotional journey and my need to find out what they hell I will come next.
☀︎ Questions / Issues ☀︎
** This whole section is a spoiler so you have been warned. Don't @ me. **
Spoiler
☀︎ There is this weird the age difference between Rhordyn and Orlaith. He found her when she was 2 and raised her and now there is this weird sexual tension that is kind of acted on. Sure it doesn't even explicitly say that Rhordyn (and even Cain) are like characters that are long lived and that age differences isn't a big deal when we are talking centuries but it just felt weird that it was unanswered... like when did Rhordyn start getting sexual feelings for her and how long did he know her parents and stuff to trust and hide them and then also raise the surviving daughter... Cain seems to have lived a long, different life and has the scars to prove it... idk I assume Orlaith is going to be 'long-lived' because of her heritage so I guess we'll find out... but this age-gap, raised daughter turned love interest pipeline is gross and needs to be addressed. I want assurances and justifications. Call the Senate and Olivia Benson because I need an investigation. I cannot sleep at night knowing he is endgame with this looming over their relationship. I refuse. JAIL.☀︎ Is Rhordyn even endgame?? Or is the author going to chuck a [a:Sarah J. Maas|3433047|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1582137198p2/3433047.jpg] and it's some other guy because his treatment towards her was real wack, real disrespectful, real disgusting. I was very uncomfortable and I demand restitutions for having to read that. I am currently on the fence on whether I want them to be endgame. I think I'm leaning away from him because of the age-gap and the vibes he gives off and wish on anything that is holy and just that it's someone else (but not the new guy she's engaged to he's giving weird vibes but I will hold out any vibe-checks until the next book). This isn't even an enemies-to-lovers storyline. It's guardian-to-lovers. GROSS who the fuck thinks "yes let's make the MC fall in love with the guy who raised her"??
☀︎ And finally I once again ask, is this a Reverse Harem??? Why haven't they said it is or it isn't?? Just tell me so I am mentally prepared!! I need to know who to root for and if I should continue investing my energy in a monogamous endgame! Is it the ocean guy? Rhordyn?? Fiance?? Someone not even in this book?? There are too many options and that's weird!! I do not want to be bamboozled at the finish line. I would prefer a monogamous endgame please.
I hope I have neither convinced you or warned you away. Read better, more articulate reviews if you need either. I'm just a girl, screaming into the void about a book that took her through it. I need to go lie down now.
Would I recommend this book?
I would recommend it if you like [b:Gild|56483061|Gild (The Plated Prisoner, #1)|Raven Kennedy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609357436l/56483061._SY75_.jpg|86456918] because they are both just the start of a rich fantasy story with similar themes.
I would also say [b:Rejected|55189382|Rejected (Shadow Beast Shifters, #1)|Jaymin Eve|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1598898894l/55189382._SY75_.jpg|85835854], and [b:Flames of Chaos|50336781|Flames of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms, #1)|Amelia Hutchins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578355764l/50336781._SY75_.jpg|75277488] have similar vibes. If you are looking for a cute fantasy romance, girlie this is not it. If you read this, you will not find peace, only problems.
Will I continue reading this series?
Yeah because of all the unanswered questions. I refuse to live my life without knowing wtf is going on.
Will I re-read this book?
Yeah probably just before the next book comes out. I have shit memory and I want to see if I can predict what happens next. Also I lowkey feel like I missed something and I need a refresher to sus out any foreshadowing. Call me Nancy Drew because I will crack this shit wide open, just you wait.
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adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so confused most of the time but I was SAT.
This was so confusing but I’m hoping the next book will bring more clarity as I have no idea what is going on. The main relationship is toxic and I’m not sure what she sees in Rhordyn, especially as I feel like he should be a father figure rather than a love interest? Anyways, onto the next one
I want to start off my saying that when I started this book, I almost DNF. However I pushed through and I am SO GLAD that I did!
This book ticks almost all my boxes - fantasy, gore, mystery, spice, and the unexpected. I would be lying if I said the MFC didn't annoy the absolute h*ll out of me at times, but that plays a part in her character development through the second book so after reading #2, I've forgiven her for her moments of intense immaturity.
This author is the queen of tease LOL the spice in this book is unreal, while at the same time... nothing really ever happens. Its always thisclose to culminating, which helps to build the tension between the characters to a flaming pitch.
This is a book that is either a 'yes I've read it' or 'haven't heard of it'. Now that I have read it, I have recommended it to as many people was I can because to not read this book is a loss. Do yourself a favour and read it, and have the second one ready to go for the second you finish! You can thank me later.
This book ticks almost all my boxes - fantasy, gore, mystery, spice, and the unexpected. I would be lying if I said the MFC didn't annoy the absolute h*ll out of me at times, but that plays a part in her character development through the second book so after reading #2, I've forgiven her for her moments of intense immaturity.
This author is the queen of tease LOL the spice in this book is unreal, while at the same time... nothing really ever happens. Its always thisclose to culminating, which helps to build the tension between the characters to a flaming pitch.
This is a book that is either a 'yes I've read it' or 'haven't heard of it'. Now that I have read it, I have recommended it to as many people was I can because to not read this book is a loss. Do yourself a favour and read it, and have the second one ready to go for the second you finish! You can thank me later.