diamondpwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Gore, Cursing, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Wow! What a fantastic read...and one I'm glad I read after book two has already been released 😅
Before starting this book I really had no idea what kind of story it was going to be, I knew that the main character had an affinity for plants but that's about it.
So we meet Briseis who was adopted as a baby by two amazing moms who've loved and supported her through everything...even the strange affinity she has with plants. I mean they opened a floral business, named after her, so that she could have a safe place to be near and work with plants.
Always needing to be hyper-vigilant to ensure no one outside of their little family finds out about her affinity...has led to a pretty isolating way of life. The few friends Briseis attempted to have never seemed fully comfortable around her when plants started acting abnormally so she never felt like she could truly express or explain herself.
Out of nowhere a mysterious estate lawyer shows up and says "hey, so you're aunt...oh you didn't know you had one?...well anyways she left you a family estate. Here are the keys and a few letters. Have fun!"
We get to go along with Briseis as she uncovers the rich and mysterious history of her birth family as she tries to learn more about her connection to plants and what it all might mean.
This was such a fun read! The first half of the book felt a bit longer than it needed to be but that second half felt like a whirlwind! I LOVED how we got so many mythology crumbs as Briseis was diving deeper and deeper into her bio-families history.
I look forward to getting my hands on This Wicked Fate so I can find out what more Briseis has to uncover.
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Toxic friendship, Death, Murder, Torture, Death of parent, Self harm, Grief, Blood, and Racism
headinthepages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Violence
I loved this book!! I loved the combination of mythology and plant magic. Loved that the real world problems of any family were included to make this feel like a really contemporary fantasy. I loved the elements of humour and loved the conversations and interactions between people. I will for sure be reading book 2!!bookswithlee's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I went into this book not knowing anything about it, but I loved the cover and saw so many people on social media raving about it, so I thought I would give it a try, and it did not disappoint! Y’all, I was racing to get to the end!
Our main character has the ability to grow plants with a single touch, we learn this at the start of the book and it gave me that “a-ha” moment as the cover stated to make sense lol
What I liked:
-The representation in this book is amazing! Pansexual, LGBTQIA Rep, Black main character.
- very easy engaging read. Definitely one that will keep you engaged
- the overall plot is so good! This book is true black girl magic!
-the balance between fantasy, mystery, with even a bit of romance is great!
-found family is a bit trope in this book and I’m here for that!
- the character development felt authentic
What I disliked:
- the beginning was a bit slower. I felt like at the start it was engaging and then it slowed down, but by the end there’s so much information you can’t keep up!
- it ended on a cliff hanger but of course it did….this doesn’t count against the books rating in my eyes, but still…lol
Overall great book! If you’re a fan of Legendborn you’ll likely enjoy this book as well! Even if you don’t, the cover is enough to buy this book to admire it
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Murder and Death of parent
decembermagpie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
xandraj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm and Abandonment