A review by ribbonquest
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell

emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The language of flowers and plants and their practical uses are a huge part of Flowerheart's magic. Clara's magic produces flowers based on her emotions. Potion ingredients are chosen based on their meanings and actual effect (ex: garlic could be for digestive health but also good fortune.) The plant meanings are woven throughout the story and really interesting if you're into plant magic.

Flowerheart gets the "cozy fantasy" label from some readers, but I don't entirely agree. Much of the story is magical metaphors for mental health struggles. Clara's magic sometimes speaks to her as negative self talk. Most of the supporting cast have hidden motivations, so it's hard to tell who to trust. It can be very stressful.

Content warning: Plant-based body horror
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