A review by breabooks
A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames

adventurous challenging funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is a heart-warming fantasy with characters and magical setting reminiscent of studio ghibli stories. Foss is a homely butcher’s daughter in a kingdom that harvests its inhabitants hearts to maintain prosperity. Everyone is fine with this sacrifice as hearts are usually taken in increments by the city’s Sorceresses, that is until Foss is entranced by a Sorcerer. She is not okay with the annoying heartsickness, thank you very much. Foss leaves to travel to the city to find for the Sorcerer, Sylvester, and get her heart back. She ends up staying as his housekeeper since the close proximity makes her heart hurt less. Foss soon discovers there’s much more to the Sorcerer (and his sister Sorcereresses) and the heart magic than she originally thought. 

The books is written in a fun vernacular that is both easy to read and the harsh no-nonsense of the assumed “lower” class. Sometimes Foss will break the fourth wall. I really enjoyed the overall story. The world was crazy unique but similar to other stories (studio ghibli, specially Howl’s Moving Castle). It was mostly cozy until it’s really not… but still a fantastic plot. The romance was absolutely precious. I was literally in tears over one scene. It was so fun to watch Foss realize her true beauty. 

I absolutely recommend this book. It’s cute, fast, sweet, intense, and absolutely magical. 

Thank you Erewhon and NetGalley for the egalley.