Scan barcode
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
Beautifully sweet and wholesome, with exactly the queer-normative cottagecore Howl’s Moving Castle vibes I was hoping for. The friends-to-more-than-friends element between Clara and Xavier never took over the story, which I appreciated. And though the stakes may have been “low”, they still very much mattered to the main cast. A few mysteries and threads were left open… so I’m desperately craving a sequel!!
Content warning for intrusive thoughts (cleverly anthropomorphized)
Content warning for intrusive thoughts (cleverly anthropomorphized)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Abandonment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
mirandamccall's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This was such a sweet and light YA fantasy. I didn’t read a lot of fantasy as a child, so it’s enjoyable to go back now as an adult who mostly reads adult fantasy romance.
It did make me tear up a couple times. 🥲 I always have a strong reaction to Father/Daughter stories.
It did make me tear up a couple times. 🥲 I always have a strong reaction to Father/Daughter stories.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cottage core, witchy, YA novel. Clara is failing at becoming a witch because her powers are crazy, wild, down right dangerous & yet could also result in Clara opening a florist if need be.
When she accidentally curses her father (more flowers, poisonous ones) she finds the only person who will help is her estranged best friend/childhood love the ever angsty Xavier.
Xavier had changed from the boy she knew, he’s distant, grumpy and clearly hiding something and in return for his help demands a high price.
The story not so subtly focuses on the issue of depression in society, how sufferers seek any cure they can find and how little aid their may be. It was a strange theme to run through a cottage core fantasy and at sometimes seemed forced. Such as our main FMC having “melancholy” for one whole day and therefore can suddenly commiserate and understand the blight of other sufferers.
I did enjoy the LGBTQI inclusion throughout the book which is a welcome inclusion in these types of novels.
When she accidentally curses her father (more flowers, poisonous ones) she finds the only person who will help is her estranged best friend/childhood love the ever angsty Xavier.
Xavier had changed from the boy she knew, he’s distant, grumpy and clearly hiding something and in return for his help demands a high price.
The story not so subtly focuses on the issue of depression in society, how sufferers seek any cure they can find and how little aid their may be. It was a strange theme to run through a cottage core fantasy and at sometimes seemed forced. Such as our main FMC having “melancholy” for one whole day and therefore can suddenly commiserate and understand the blight of other sufferers.
I did enjoy the LGBTQI inclusion throughout the book which is a welcome inclusion in these types of novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Abandonment
theespressoedition's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Injury/Injury detail
cait_reads2024's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books/HarperTeen for this eARC for review!
5000/5 stars!
This book was such a warm hug and toasty mug of tea on a rainy sad day, knowing that everything may be bad but that it would be okay. I don't think I've ever read a book like it!
Firstly, what an absolutely BEAUTIFUL magic system! I absolutely loved getting the snippets of what each flower was and what their meaning was, and seeing how it correlated with Clara's feelings as she warred against her magic and her own anxieties. I just wanted to hug her so badly!! Seeing how her magic's inner voice was so evil and intrusive, trying to convince her of being a failure and a bad person was such a vivid comparison to one's own inner voice when battling anxiety and depression in real life. The way Catherine portrayed and wove mental health issues into the story and the story's society itself was beautiful and so very needed. Seeing Clara grow throughout the book with sweet sugar muffin Xavier's help, coming not only into her power but also into herself as a person and truly believing in herself was perfect. Speaking of cinnamon roll baby Xavier, I loved having a friends-to-distant-to-friends/allies-to lovers develop was so heartwarming and very refreshing in a world of YA where "enemies-to-lovers" is very popular (and rightfully so, don't get me wrong!). Their relationship development was so tender, heartfelt, and so sweet seeing them help each other. X was such a complex "antagonist" without actually being an evil antagonist, he was just a person who was trying to do the best for those he loved and his community as a whole, but suffered in the process and faced grave consequences. Although I'm sad that he lost his magic, it was beautifully fitting that he was still able to do what he loved best alongside his love.
I felt like even though this book was a warm hug and so comforting, there was also SO MUCH happening constantly and it was so well done! I didn't want to put the book down. Everything that was introduced into the plot line truly felt well thought out and timed just right in the story to really convey the gravity and emotion of the situations occurring. Although I wish we got more of Clara and Xavier in more books, everything wrapped up so nicely without being too quick or too clean, and there was nothing inserted to the story that was unnecessary. For me, I'm actually glad that Clara's "evil" mother was more of a plot guide/device instead of the entire story/plot being centered around her being evil and with evil plans. It was nice to have both sides with the council and the outcast coven portraying what they think is right. Most importantly, PAPA IS PERFECT AND MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS!!! I couldn't help but picture Belle's sweet papa from Beauty & the Beast. Their relationship was so pure and loving, and I loved getting even small snippets of their time together while Clara was growing up.
Another thing Catherine handled beautifully, was the inclusion of gender identity and sexuality in both her characters and their respective world/magic system. It's so poignant and equally important that this is continually included in YA stories, so that kids see that it's truly okay to be yourself and that the way you feel about yourself and others is acceptable and WILL be normalized by those who truly care about them and respect them!
In essence: this was absolutely immaculate and I will not accept any opinions that state otherwise, haha!
5000/5 stars!
This book was such a warm hug and toasty mug of tea on a rainy sad day, knowing that everything may be bad but that it would be okay. I don't think I've ever read a book like it!
Firstly, what an absolutely BEAUTIFUL magic system! I absolutely loved getting the snippets of what each flower was and what their meaning was, and seeing how it correlated with Clara's feelings as she warred against her magic and her own anxieties. I just wanted to hug her so badly!! Seeing how her magic's inner voice was so evil and intrusive, trying to convince her of being a failure and a bad person was such a vivid comparison to one's own inner voice when battling anxiety and depression in real life. The way Catherine portrayed and wove mental health issues into the story and the story's society itself was beautiful and so very needed. Seeing Clara grow throughout the book with sweet sugar muffin Xavier's help, coming not only into her power but also into herself as a person and truly believing in herself was perfect. Speaking of cinnamon roll baby Xavier, I loved having a friends-to-distant-to-friends/allies-to lovers develop was so heartwarming and very refreshing in a world of YA where "enemies-to-lovers" is very popular (and rightfully so, don't get me wrong!). Their relationship development was so tender, heartfelt, and so sweet seeing them help each other. X was such a complex "antagonist" without actually being an evil antagonist, he was just a person who was trying to do the best for those he loved and his community as a whole, but suffered in the process and faced grave consequences. Although I'm sad that he lost his magic, it was beautifully fitting that he was still able to do what he loved best alongside his love.
I felt like even though this book was a warm hug and so comforting, there was also SO MUCH happening constantly and it was so well done! I didn't want to put the book down. Everything that was introduced into the plot line truly felt well thought out and timed just right in the story to really convey the gravity and emotion of the situations occurring. Although I wish we got more of Clara and Xavier in more books, everything wrapped up so nicely without being too quick or too clean, and there was nothing inserted to the story that was unnecessary. For me, I'm actually glad that Clara's "evil" mother was more of a plot guide/device instead of the entire story/plot being centered around her being evil and with evil plans. It was nice to have both sides with the council and the outcast coven portraying what they think is right. Most importantly, PAPA IS PERFECT AND MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS!!! I couldn't help but picture Belle's sweet papa from Beauty & the Beast. Their relationship was so pure and loving, and I loved getting even small snippets of their time together while Clara was growing up.
Another thing Catherine handled beautifully, was the inclusion of gender identity and sexuality in both her characters and their respective world/magic system. It's so poignant and equally important that this is continually included in YA stories, so that kids see that it's truly okay to be yourself and that the way you feel about yourself and others is acceptable and WILL be normalized by those who truly care about them and respect them!
In essence: this was absolutely immaculate and I will not accept any opinions that state otherwise, haha!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
brontesauruses's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for letting me get at this one early in exchange for an honest review!
A solid four stars, but probably not much more than that. 4.25??
It felt like it needed to be longer? Everything moved so fast sometimes! There were a lot of great ideas, but they needed more room to breathe. (Reading it as quickly as I did probably did not help, but still.)
That said, I had a lot of fun with this one. Loved the queer rep! Our protagonist is bi/pan (and isn't thin!)! There's a transwoman and a nonbinary person who are important to the plot! Characters are just casually, cheerfully queer, and it made me so happy. I also like what the book had to say about mental health! Also also: flower magic!!
If you're looking for readalikes, Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross came to mind a lot while I was reading this. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson too, to a lesser extent. Very different, uh, happenings, but something about them is similar? Is it the magic? Is it the dark-haired sad lads?? Who knows.
Side note: I went into this one thinking it was kinda sorta an Anne of Green Gables retelling? I think I mixed it up in my head with The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett (which is a banger btw)? Anyway, it's not, but I think if you like Anne, you'll probably like the Vibe of this one.
A solid four stars, but probably not much more than that. 4.25??
It felt like it needed to be longer? Everything moved so fast sometimes! There were a lot of great ideas, but they needed more room to breathe. (Reading it as quickly as I did probably did not help, but still.)
That said, I had a lot of fun with this one. Loved the queer rep! Our protagonist is bi/pan (and isn't thin!)! There's a transwoman and a nonbinary person who are important to the plot! Characters are just casually, cheerfully queer, and it made me so happy. I also like what the book had to say about mental health! Also also: flower magic!!
If you're looking for readalikes, Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross came to mind a lot while I was reading this. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson too, to a lesser extent. Very different, uh, happenings, but something about them is similar? Is it the magic? Is it the dark-haired sad lads?? Who knows.
Side note: I went into this one thinking it was kinda sorta an Anne of Green Gables retelling? I think I mixed it up in my head with The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett (which is a banger btw)? Anyway, it's not, but I think if you like Anne, you'll probably like the Vibe of this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Mental illness
Minor: Blood and Abandonment
More...