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A review by ioannap_author
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Flowerheart" by Catherine Bakewell is a young adult cottagecore fantasy novel that tells the story of Clara, a young girl who longs to be a witch, but her magic is far too unpredictable.
I think from many books I have read that call themselves young adult, this is truly a book that is not aimed at adults. In my opinion, "Flowerheart" has a lot of dark elements, but it doesn't delve into them. The characters do not stare at the nuanced cruelties that are teased, and as an adult reading this book, I am partly frustrated by this omission, but I think it is proper for a teenager. Especially one on the younger side.
I liked the way the flower magic worked. It made the book feel very visual, and I really enjoyed the way the language of flowers became a plot point. It was beautiful to see them as clues for hidden emotions but also very creepy when they nearly choked the life out of Clara's father. In a way, the flowers set Clara apart from other wizards/witches in the book, not only because they weren't bursting with frenzied magic but also because they could hide their intentions in ways that Clara's flowers never allowed.
Truth vs. Lies is a recurring theme in the book. You see it in all of Clara's relationships with her important people. Her father, who is overall a very sweet and darling man, hides his feelings and memories of Clara's mother. He does it to protect his daughter, and we are shown a case of white lies.
Xavier, Clara's old friend and romantic interest, hides his own feelings as he doesn't feel brave or ready to admit his own feelings and mistakes. This is another case of lies that I personally can not be very angry about as people, even horrible ones, and espeically 16 year old boys, are allowed their privacy. Is it a lie to refuse to answer a question? Does anyone have the right to demand an answer?
Clara's teacher, Madame Ben Ammar, hides information because her position as a member of the Council of Magicians makes it improper to divulge them to Clara, who is not even a witch.
Imogen, Clara's mother, has hidden herself, and her entire persona, labelled as criminal, is also partly a lie when Clara finally reconnects with her. She forces a silence spell onto Clara to ensure her safety and that of her fellow coven menbers because she doesn't trust Clara's ability to lie.
Finally, there is a muddled line between Clara and her magic and their eventual conversation reveals the discord of truth and deception that Clara and her magic (a part of herself I want to call it) share. Her magic is a liar, stating Clara's worst fears as truths, but because it is linked with Clara's emotions, it blooms the flowers that reveal the truest and most authentic emotions.
This very nicely leads me to the second main theme of this book. Mental health. In the book, it appears to me that all wizards/witches are healers. Health related spells appear to be the sole purpose of magic. Despite that, mental health is taboo, mirroring our own medical history. It is something no witch or wizard is willing to attempt to fix, which in turn leads to people feeling lost, alone, and turning to dangerous, illegal, and harmful substances (again mirroring how often people who suffer with addiction were lead there by their desire to self-medicate).
It also creates people, like Xavier Morwyn, who have magical knowledge and attempt to find a solution for their family members who suffer from illnesses like melancholy (depression in our world). And then there is the added injustice that those who try to help are considered criminals, even though there is no official alternative offered at all. The terrible side effects that these incomplete attempts create are especially detested because they showcase very emphatically how big the mental health issue is and how wrong it is that the council is not trying to help with it.
All these nuances exist between the line in "Flowerheart," but they are at a surface level. They demand some critical thinking and comparison with the real world to unpluck them. However, I think if a 14 year old read this book, it would allow them to engage with the themes without being overwhelmed.
"Flowerheart" is a sweet, quick read read for young adults who are looking for an Anne of Green Gables tale but with magic.
I think from many books I have read that call themselves young adult, this is truly a book that is not aimed at adults. In my opinion, "Flowerheart" has a lot of dark elements, but it doesn't delve into them. The characters do not stare at the nuanced cruelties that are teased, and as an adult reading this book, I am partly frustrated by this omission, but I think it is proper for a teenager. Especially one on the younger side.
I liked the way the flower magic worked. It made the book feel very visual, and I really enjoyed the way the language of flowers became a plot point. It was beautiful to see them as clues for hidden emotions but also very creepy when they nearly choked the life out of Clara's father. In a way, the flowers set Clara apart from other wizards/witches in the book, not only because they weren't bursting with frenzied magic but also because they could hide their intentions in ways that Clara's flowers never allowed.
Truth vs. Lies is a recurring theme in the book. You see it in all of Clara's relationships with her important people. Her father, who is overall a very sweet and darling man, hides his feelings and memories of Clara's mother. He does it to protect his daughter, and we are shown a case of white lies.
Xavier, Clara's old friend and romantic interest, hides his own feelings as he doesn't feel brave or ready to admit his own feelings and mistakes. This is another case of lies that I personally can not be very angry about as people, even horrible ones, and espeically 16 year old boys, are allowed their privacy. Is it a lie to refuse to answer a question? Does anyone have the right to demand an answer?
Clara's teacher, Madame Ben Ammar, hides information because her position as a member of the Council of Magicians makes it improper to divulge them to Clara, who is not even a witch.
Imogen, Clara's mother, has hidden herself, and her entire persona, labelled as criminal, is also partly a lie when Clara finally reconnects with her. She forces a silence spell onto Clara to ensure her safety and that of her fellow coven menbers because she doesn't trust Clara's ability to lie.
Finally, there is a muddled line between Clara and her magic and their eventual conversation reveals the discord of truth and deception that Clara and her magic (a part of herself I want to call it) share. Her magic is a liar, stating Clara's worst fears as truths, but because it is linked with Clara's emotions, it blooms the flowers that reveal the truest and most authentic emotions.
This very nicely leads me to the second main theme of this book. Mental health. In the book, it appears to me that all wizards/witches are healers. Health related spells appear to be the sole purpose of magic. Despite that, mental health is taboo, mirroring our own medical history. It is something no witch or wizard is willing to attempt to fix, which in turn leads to people feeling lost, alone, and turning to dangerous, illegal, and harmful substances (again mirroring how often people who suffer with addiction were lead there by their desire to self-medicate).
It also creates people, like Xavier Morwyn, who have magical knowledge and attempt to find a solution for their family members who suffer from illnesses like melancholy (depression in our world). And then there is the added injustice that those who try to help are considered criminals, even though there is no official alternative offered at all. The terrible side effects that these incomplete attempts create are especially detested because they showcase very emphatically how big the mental health issue is and how wrong it is that the council is not trying to help with it.
All these nuances exist between the line in "Flowerheart," but they are at a surface level. They demand some critical thinking and comparison with the real world to unpluck them. However, I think if a 14 year old read this book, it would allow them to engage with the themes without being overwhelmed.
"Flowerheart" is a sweet, quick read read for young adults who are looking for an Anne of Green Gables tale but with magic.