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A review by she_who_reads_ya_books
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
4.75 Stars
“Magic reflects what’s in our hearts."
Clara’s magic has always been wild. But it’s never been dangerous. Then a simple touch causes poisonous flowers to bloom in her father’s chest. The only way to heal him is to cast an extremely difficult spell that requires perfect control. And the only person willing to help is her former best friend, Xavier, who’s grown from a sweet, shy child into someone distant and mysterious. Xavier asks a terrible price in return, knowing Clara will give anything to save her father. As she struggles to reconcile the new Xavier with the boy she once loved, she discovers how many secrets he’s hiding. And as she hunts for the truth, she instead finds the root of a terrible darkness that’s taken hold in the queendom—a darkness only Clara’s magic is powerful enough to stop.
When the people say this has the same vibes as my favourite movie (howls moving castle) do you think I'm just going to NOT read it? Of course not. Of course I read it.
THE VIBES DID NOT LIE. It felt like I was in the same realm, but more on the magical side. I truly loved the world building (I think I've mentioned how much of a sucker I am for world building) with the unique take on a fantasy world. It showed the darkness of the magical world, but at the same time, kept the soft cozy cottage core we know and love. It was the perfect balance between light and darkness.
OUR CHARACTERS WERE SO CUTE. Childhood friends to lovers, separated because his father didn't approve? Reunited to save her father, with a dangerous pact? I ATE THAT UP. I loved the character building they both went through, and honestly just how cute they were. I liked how they actually acted their age, compared to a lot of YA fantasy novels where they act like they are 30 (jk jk I'm just being dramatic). THEY WERE JUST SO CUTE OMG.
One thing I absolutely loved was the usage of flowers and how her feelings change the type. I loved the symbolism of the magic, because it made it feel so much moire graspable and real in my head. I think the magic system, even as it was simple, was quite beautiful.
The one and only reason I did not rate this five stars was because I felt the pacing was off at times (just me being picky). I wished the ending could've lasted longer, while the middle could've been faster paced. This is less a fast paced fantasy but more a simple, cottage core fantasy, to simply reflect on one's self, which is quite rare in a world of fast paced, enemies to lovers, sword fighting female leads.
Signing off, your favourite book reviewer, Tatiana
For my full review, watch my YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/yHiNFtBlkic
“Magic reflects what’s in our hearts."
Clara’s magic has always been wild. But it’s never been dangerous. Then a simple touch causes poisonous flowers to bloom in her father’s chest. The only way to heal him is to cast an extremely difficult spell that requires perfect control. And the only person willing to help is her former best friend, Xavier, who’s grown from a sweet, shy child into someone distant and mysterious. Xavier asks a terrible price in return, knowing Clara will give anything to save her father. As she struggles to reconcile the new Xavier with the boy she once loved, she discovers how many secrets he’s hiding. And as she hunts for the truth, she instead finds the root of a terrible darkness that’s taken hold in the queendom—a darkness only Clara’s magic is powerful enough to stop.
When the people say this has the same vibes as my favourite movie (howls moving castle) do you think I'm just going to NOT read it? Of course not. Of course I read it.
THE VIBES DID NOT LIE. It felt like I was in the same realm, but more on the magical side. I truly loved the world building (I think I've mentioned how much of a sucker I am for world building) with the unique take on a fantasy world. It showed the darkness of the magical world, but at the same time, kept the soft cozy cottage core we know and love. It was the perfect balance between light and darkness.
OUR CHARACTERS WERE SO CUTE. Childhood friends to lovers, separated because his father didn't approve? Reunited to save her father, with a dangerous pact? I ATE THAT UP. I loved the character building they both went through, and honestly just how cute they were. I liked how they actually acted their age, compared to a lot of YA fantasy novels where they act like they are 30 (jk jk I'm just being dramatic). THEY WERE JUST SO CUTE OMG.
One thing I absolutely loved was the usage of flowers and how her feelings change the type. I loved the symbolism of the magic, because it made it feel so much moire graspable and real in my head. I think the magic system, even as it was simple, was quite beautiful.
The one and only reason I did not rate this five stars was because I felt the pacing was off at times (just me being picky). I wished the ending could've lasted longer, while the middle could've been faster paced. This is less a fast paced fantasy but more a simple, cottage core fantasy, to simply reflect on one's self, which is quite rare in a world of fast paced, enemies to lovers, sword fighting female leads.
Signing off, your favourite book reviewer, Tatiana
For my full review, watch my YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/yHiNFtBlkic