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ashley_apairofreaders 's review for:
By The Orchid And The Owl
by Mariah Montoya
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This book was one of my favorite surprises of 2025. I loved getting to this world. This book is cozy academia with Hogwarts vibes, amazing found family, a sizzling romance, and such a fun plot line!
Mariah does an amazing job of introducing this magical school were students are sent upon their 18th birthday. They are assigned a magic and a house where they can grow and shape their magic. The story follows Rayna -- a wild whisperer who can talk to animals and plants. I loved this poor so much as the animal sidekicks are some of my favorite characters. Yet, Rayna also seems to be blessed forbidden magic and struggles to hide it from the Council. She has the help of Coen Steeler, our smart-mouthed and sexy MMC, who also seems to have these powers. I loved their relationship and watching it grow from attraction to outright...I will let you discover that for yourself.
The deeper Rayna gets into her studies, the more dangerous things become at the school from suspicious teachers to mean students bent on revenge. Everyone comes a little to close to her secrets -- all while she tries to unravel the secrets of her own past.
The cast of character that Mariah creates is one of my favorites. She does a beautiful job of creating this world filled with amazing adventures and dangerous turns.
The ending will kick up and race at warped speed into one of the most tense and sad moments leaving you dangling on a cliffhanger of tragic proportions and equally hungry for book 2.
Mariah does an amazing job of introducing this magical school were students are sent upon their 18th birthday. They are assigned a magic and a house where they can grow and shape their magic. The story follows Rayna -- a wild whisperer who can talk to animals and plants. I loved this poor so much as the animal sidekicks are some of my favorite characters. Yet, Rayna also seems to be blessed forbidden magic and struggles to hide it from the Council. She has the help of Coen Steeler, our smart-mouthed and sexy MMC, who also seems to have these powers. I loved their relationship and watching it grow from attraction to outright...I will let you discover that for yourself.
The deeper Rayna gets into her studies, the more dangerous things become at the school from suspicious teachers to mean students bent on revenge. Everyone comes a little to close to her secrets -- all while she tries to unravel the secrets of her own past.
The cast of character that Mariah creates is one of my favorites. She does a beautiful job of creating this world filled with amazing adventures and dangerous turns.
The ending will kick up and race at warped speed into one of the most tense and sad moments leaving you dangling on a cliffhanger of tragic proportions and equally hungry for book 2.