A review by nutmegandpumpkin
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A cozy fantasy that still has stakes and dark moments perfect for spring (also it gives off major Ghibli vibes which is always a plus)
✿
Overview
Writing Quality: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Description: 5/5
Ease of Reading: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Personal Enjoyment: 5/5
✿
Something about this book emanated comfort for me. It felt like going outside after too much time spent inside, feeling the sun on your face and taking a deep inhale. I’d also like to add that the description was ✨scrumdiliumcious✨  
I was immediately into the story from the start which is very rare for me. There were a lot of aspects to the story that I was pleasantly surprised by such as a sensitive & nervous male love interest, a plus-sized bi main character, and mental health rep through the magic.
I would classify it as a cozy fantasy that still has stakes and dark moments. The entire time I was reading it I imagined that it took place in the same universe as Howl’s Moving Castle. 
I think that this book is not everyone’s cup of tea, but based on the lower rated reviews I’ve seen, most of them are due to expectations being largely different from the reality of what this book is. It is not a fantasy story that dives deep into worldbuilding, characters, or a complex plot. This is not to say these things don’t exist, they’re just much more subtle and Bakewell allows things to be left unsaid. 
I found it to be a great light read that doesn’t get bogged down by larger-than-life concepts while still having an enjoyable plot.

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