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Where Shadows Bloom
Fans of Allison Saft and Margaret Rogerson will be swept away into this lush and beguiling sapphic romantasy from the bestselling author of Flowerheart, Catherine Bakewell.
Ofelia has lived her life dreaming of entering Le Château Enchanté—the mysterious court of the gods-blessed King Léo, where the shadow monsters that roam Ofelia’s home never trespass.
Lope has lived her life as a knight, defending Ofelia and her home from Shadows even as she dreams of escaping with Ofelia by her side.
When the Shadows venture too close, Lope and Ofelia are thrust into a journey that will lead them to the heart of the darkness haunting their the dazzling and deceptive Château Enchanté itself.
A mesmerizing daydream with a subtle edge of darkness that will leave you utterly unable to put it down, Where Shadows Bloom pits terrifying monsters, chilling secrets, capricious gods, immortal kings, and death itself against the unstoppable love between two girls.
Ofelia has lived her life dreaming of entering Le Château Enchanté—the mysterious court of the gods-blessed King Léo, where the shadow monsters that roam Ofelia’s home never trespass.
Lope has lived her life as a knight, defending Ofelia and her home from Shadows even as she dreams of escaping with Ofelia by her side.
When the Shadows venture too close, Lope and Ofelia are thrust into a journey that will lead them to the heart of the darkness haunting their the dazzling and deceptive Château Enchanté itself.
A mesmerizing daydream with a subtle edge of darkness that will leave you utterly unable to put it down, Where Shadows Bloom pits terrifying monsters, chilling secrets, capricious gods, immortal kings, and death itself against the unstoppable love between two girls.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 11, 2025
About the author
Catherine Bakewell
4 books373 followersCatherine Bakewell is a writer, artist, freelance editor, and an opera enthusiast. She has lived in Spain and in France, where she romped through gardens, ate pastries, and worked on her novels. She is represented by Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Her YA Fantasy, FLOWERHEART, and her MG Fantasy, WE ARE THE SONG, are available wherever books are sold or at your local library.
Her YA Fantasy, FLOWERHEART, and her MG Fantasy, WE ARE THE SONG, are available wherever books are sold or at your local library.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 2, 2024
Absolutely lovely cover! This book has a cozy vibes but the plot didn’t really have an aspects that gripped me. The love story was well done and beautiful and sweet. I would recommend if you are looking for that light fantasy cottagecore book.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
July 21, 2024A mesmerizing daydream with a subtle edge of darkness that will leave you utterly unable to put it down, Where Shadows Bloom pits terrifying monsters, chilling secrets, capricious gods, immortal kings, and death itself against the unstoppable love between two girls.
July 16, 2024
this review might be slightly biased because after reading Flowerheart I am convinced Cat will nEVER LET ME DOWN(no pressure) also she sent me an e-arc(THANK) LMAOO anyways LETS GET INTO IT !!!!
Where Shadows Bloom is a SAPPHIC ROMANTASY that follows a girl, Ofelia and her knight Lope. They leave their home to go this mysterious court under the rule of a king with dangerous secrets and the only place safe from monsters. Also Ofelia’s mother has disappeared to there and they need to find her. I am so in love with Lope, they’re both a fighter and a poet!! There’s also a bit of Greek mythology retelling vibes in this one that I wasn’t expecting but loved. My one complaint is it felt short because I read it so fast but that’s my fault for not forcing myself to savor it. I shall patiently await the author’s next book
Where Shadows Bloom is a SAPPHIC ROMANTASY that follows a girl, Ofelia and her knight Lope. They leave their home to go this mysterious court under the rule of a king with dangerous secrets and the only place safe from monsters. Also Ofelia’s mother has disappeared to there and they need to find her. I am so in love with Lope, they’re both a fighter and a poet!! There’s also a bit of Greek mythology retelling vibes in this one that I wasn’t expecting but loved. My one complaint is it felt short because I read it so fast but that’s my fault for not forcing myself to savor it. I shall patiently await the author’s next book
Read
July 18, 2024This book is beauty personified. Catherine Bakewell was made to write whimsical fantasy. Not only that, but the emotional depth of two flawed people loving each other so deeply, of thinking they don't deserve each other, of letting go of the weights that hold them down, it is all so breathtakingly stunning. If you are craving a sapphic knight book, I cannot recommend this one enough. It's incredible.
Want to read
July 15, 2024Fans of Allison Saft and Margaret Rogerson will be swept away into this lush and beguiling sapphic romantasy from the author of Flowerheart. A mesmerizing daydream with a subtle edge of darkness, Where Shadows Bloom pits terrifying monsters, chilling secrets, capricious gods, immortal kings, and death itself against the unstoppable love between two girls.
i can't wait 💛
i can't wait 💛
July 2, 2024
The expectations set up in the first few chapters were subverted in surprising and interesting ways! I especially appreciated the touch of Orpheus and Eurydice, and the last-minute twisty moments at the end.
(Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.)
(Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.)
September 2, 2024
4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
This was such a sweet and cozy book. Filled with monsters, mystery, gods, and a love between two incredible characters. Lope and Ofelia had such a sweet relationship; poetry at its finest. Readers will be enchanted with this read!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
This was such a sweet and cozy book. Filled with monsters, mystery, gods, and a love between two incredible characters. Lope and Ofelia had such a sweet relationship; poetry at its finest. Readers will be enchanted with this read!
August 15, 2024
Where Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell
“I have seen the ice-peaked mountains,
The floating city,
The forest filled with flowers,
And yet as far as I’ve been,
As far as I’ve seen,
Nothing, nothing,
Is as beautiful as you.”
Woooowww.
Okay, I want to start by saying that I have never associated art styles with books before. But Where Shadows Bloom just made me think of watercolors. The characters and romance are just so lush and soft. The whole thing was just really comforting, fluid, and languid.
This whole book felt kind of like a daydream.
And I loved it.
Plot Summary:
Ofelia, a smart yet naive young woman finds herself living out the fantasy she has always dreamed of: Living in the halls of Le Chateau Enchante, safe from the shadow monsters who steal your very breath, and with her beloved by her side. However, Lope sees the danger of the Chateau, even as Ofelia finds her place amongst the nobles and the king. When Ofelia’s mother goes missing, the girls face a danger more profound than they could ever dream of.
Will their love light the darkness? Or will the shadows take everything from them?
Plot Review:
First of all, the plot of this book is not really anything special. I’ve read of shadow monsters before and evil kings. I really didn’t think this book could surprise me much.
And I was right.
Don’t be mistaken, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. But it was nothing I haven’t seen or read about before. In fact, the world we are introduced to felt somewhat small. We are confined to Ofelia’s house, Le Chateau, and the Underworld with nothing else about this kingdom much explained.
The people included in the story use French and Spanish, which was very unique, but also confusing. What kingdom are we supposed to be living in? Does it have a name? Is it Spain and France sort of mixed?
I have no idea.
However.
This book captured me with the tender romance between Ofelia and Lope. I love representation like this: Just something sweet and pure between two darling girls, without side characters ridiculing or despising their love. It was the main highlight of the plot and the reason I enjoyed this book at all. Without it, the plot would have felt kind of empty. There is conflict and danger presented by the shadow monsters and evil kings, but where is the freshness? The originality?
I never felt like things were high-stakes, but you know what? This book was just what I needed. Like a warm, loving, comfortable hug.
And also a huge slap in the face by the author with the words “You’re Single” spewing forth from the pages
But anyway.
This book, despite all its squishy sweetness that I adored, lacked a super solid plot. Would I read it again, though?
Absolutely.
Characters:
First of all, let’s talk about Ofelia.
Such a naive, spoiled, selfish, sunshine-in-a-bottle, sweetheart, honey-covered character who I wish I could be and wish I could find to love in this world. She was an absolute darling, but someone who struggled with her spoiled upbringing. She often made mistakes and said the wrong thing, assuming that those around her would tell her what she wanted to hear.
I got annoyed with her at some points, but at the end of the day I LOVED this character. She realized her mistakes and worked to improve her attitude, coming to see that she was not meant to turn her face from pain and death.
She was a solid and absolutely darling character that I would love to read more about.
Lope was certainly the same.
Brave. Lovesick. Dutiful. Guarded. Poetic.
Her pages were my favorite, mainly because they included very lyrical and poetic words and phrases. And Lope is just such a steadfast character. She cares so much and yet feels the need to guard her heart. A true and noble knight.
You know what? I think this book has turned me into some sort of gushy romantic, because I’m dreaming of writing sonnets to my beloved right now.
And I really love that.
Moving on to one of the highlights of this book…
The Shadow King.
I love characters like this. Misunderstood and rumored to be viscous and evil, but all they want is to learn how to live and love. I can’t begin to describe how much I came to love the Shadow King and his childlike wonder. The descriptions of him were both creepy and endearing, which somehow worked perfectly for me.
I was glad he wasn’t painted as a villain, as so many “Underworld Gods” are.
Speaking of villains.
King Leo.
I don’t know how I feel about this character. He was evil, to be sure, but he felt sort of cartoonish. Like a villain from a Disney movie.
….
Actually, that sounds pretty enjoyable. This book SHOULD be a Disney movie.
Forget what I was saying, King Leo was a great villain who should definitely be adapted, alongside Ofelia and Lope, into a Disney movie.
*Burning oranges to the gods begging them to make this into a movie*
Overall Thoughts:
This book made me feel like I was trapped in a daydream, a sweetly queer Disney movie, and a watercolor painting. I adored it.
A big thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the opportunity to review this ARC!
“I have seen the ice-peaked mountains,
The floating city,
The forest filled with flowers,
And yet as far as I’ve been,
As far as I’ve seen,
Nothing, nothing,
Is as beautiful as you.”
Woooowww.
Okay, I want to start by saying that I have never associated art styles with books before. But Where Shadows Bloom just made me think of watercolors. The characters and romance are just so lush and soft. The whole thing was just really comforting, fluid, and languid.
This whole book felt kind of like a daydream.
And I loved it.
Plot Summary:
Ofelia, a smart yet naive young woman finds herself living out the fantasy she has always dreamed of: Living in the halls of Le Chateau Enchante, safe from the shadow monsters who steal your very breath, and with her beloved by her side. However, Lope sees the danger of the Chateau, even as Ofelia finds her place amongst the nobles and the king. When Ofelia’s mother goes missing, the girls face a danger more profound than they could ever dream of.
Will their love light the darkness? Or will the shadows take everything from them?
Plot Review:
First of all, the plot of this book is not really anything special. I’ve read of shadow monsters before and evil kings. I really didn’t think this book could surprise me much.
And I was right.
Don’t be mistaken, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. But it was nothing I haven’t seen or read about before. In fact, the world we are introduced to felt somewhat small. We are confined to Ofelia’s house, Le Chateau, and the Underworld with nothing else about this kingdom much explained.
The people included in the story use French and Spanish, which was very unique, but also confusing. What kingdom are we supposed to be living in? Does it have a name? Is it Spain and France sort of mixed?
I have no idea.
However.
This book captured me with the tender romance between Ofelia and Lope. I love representation like this: Just something sweet and pure between two darling girls, without side characters ridiculing or despising their love. It was the main highlight of the plot and the reason I enjoyed this book at all. Without it, the plot would have felt kind of empty. There is conflict and danger presented by the shadow monsters and evil kings, but where is the freshness? The originality?
I never felt like things were high-stakes, but you know what? This book was just what I needed. Like a warm, loving, comfortable hug.
And also a huge slap in the face by the author with the words “You’re Single” spewing forth from the pages
But anyway.
This book, despite all its squishy sweetness that I adored, lacked a super solid plot. Would I read it again, though?
Absolutely.
Characters:
First of all, let’s talk about Ofelia.
Such a naive, spoiled, selfish, sunshine-in-a-bottle, sweetheart, honey-covered character who I wish I could be and wish I could find to love in this world. She was an absolute darling, but someone who struggled with her spoiled upbringing. She often made mistakes and said the wrong thing, assuming that those around her would tell her what she wanted to hear.
I got annoyed with her at some points, but at the end of the day I LOVED this character. She realized her mistakes and worked to improve her attitude, coming to see that she was not meant to turn her face from pain and death.
She was a solid and absolutely darling character that I would love to read more about.
Lope was certainly the same.
Brave. Lovesick. Dutiful. Guarded. Poetic.
Her pages were my favorite, mainly because they included very lyrical and poetic words and phrases. And Lope is just such a steadfast character. She cares so much and yet feels the need to guard her heart. A true and noble knight.
You know what? I think this book has turned me into some sort of gushy romantic, because I’m dreaming of writing sonnets to my beloved right now.
And I really love that.
Moving on to one of the highlights of this book…
The Shadow King.
I love characters like this. Misunderstood and rumored to be viscous and evil, but all they want is to learn how to live and love. I can’t begin to describe how much I came to love the Shadow King and his childlike wonder. The descriptions of him were both creepy and endearing, which somehow worked perfectly for me.
I was glad he wasn’t painted as a villain, as so many “Underworld Gods” are.
Speaking of villains.
King Leo.
I don’t know how I feel about this character. He was evil, to be sure, but he felt sort of cartoonish. Like a villain from a Disney movie.
….
Actually, that sounds pretty enjoyable. This book SHOULD be a Disney movie.
Forget what I was saying, King Leo was a great villain who should definitely be adapted, alongside Ofelia and Lope, into a Disney movie.
*Burning oranges to the gods begging them to make this into a movie*
Overall Thoughts:
This book made me feel like I was trapped in a daydream, a sweetly queer Disney movie, and a watercolor painting. I adored it.
A big thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the opportunity to review this ARC!
August 27, 2024
I was immediately drawn to this book by its beautiful cover, and I also read Catherine’s previous book, Flowerheart. Both are YA fantasy books with unique magical elements and a light touch of romance.
In Where Shadows Bloom, we meet Ofelia and Lope, who live in the country at Ofelia’s family estate. After a life-threatening attack by Shadows, creatures plaguing the kingdom that roam after nightfall, Ofelia convinces her mother to petition for a place in the king’s court at Le Château Enchanté. But when her mother never returns, Ofelia and Lope must make the trip on their own and are quickly brought into the court’s circles.
My favorite character in this book is Lope, the strong and serious knight who writes sweet poetry about her love for Ofelia. Lope had a great POV throughout the book and
The writing in this story was incredibly detailed, and the setting was enchanting. I love it when fantasy stories have some mythology woven in, and I enjoyed the background of the gods and the Underworld in this book! It manages to include dangerous obstacles such as the Shadows but still keeps the plot pretty low-stakes for an overall light read.
The main criticism I have is that Ofelia is incredibly naïve the entire time. While she had a sheltered childhood, I found her chapters tough to read at times since she was willing to believe anything she was told without question. I hoped she would wise up sooner in the story and help Lope investigate the issues that they were facing. She and Lope are supposed to be in love, even though they have not confessed their feelings for each other, but Ofelia’s affection seems more like a childhood crush.
If you are looking for a sweet, magical YA read, this is a great option! I also highly recommend checking out Catherine’s other books.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In Where Shadows Bloom, we meet Ofelia and Lope, who live in the country at Ofelia’s family estate. After a life-threatening attack by Shadows, creatures plaguing the kingdom that roam after nightfall, Ofelia convinces her mother to petition for a place in the king’s court at Le Château Enchanté. But when her mother never returns, Ofelia and Lope must make the trip on their own and are quickly brought into the court’s circles.
My favorite character in this book is Lope, the strong and serious knight who writes sweet poetry about her love for Ofelia. Lope had a great POV throughout the book and
The writing in this story was incredibly detailed, and the setting was enchanting. I love it when fantasy stories have some mythology woven in, and I enjoyed the background of the gods and the Underworld in this book! It manages to include dangerous obstacles such as the Shadows but still keeps the plot pretty low-stakes for an overall light read.
The main criticism I have is that Ofelia is incredibly naïve the entire time. While she had a sheltered childhood, I found her chapters tough to read at times since she was willing to believe anything she was told without question. I hoped she would wise up sooner in the story and help Lope investigate the issues that they were facing. She and Lope are supposed to be in love, even though they have not confessed their feelings for each other, but Ofelia’s affection seems more like a childhood crush.
If you are looking for a sweet, magical YA read, this is a great option! I also highly recommend checking out Catherine’s other books.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 27, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with this eARC!! And thank you to Cat Bakewell for writing this beautiful novel. I fell in love with these characters from the first page and was enthralled until the very end!
I always write spoiler-free reviews, but this book in particular is deserving of such!! The mysteries and secrets held within this story's pages are such a thrill to explore and dive into. There was just enough foreshadowing to give me plenty of space to try to guess where things were headed, but the twists and reveals still had me shocked and clinging to every page. And Cat's writing is so full of emotion and gorgeously descriptive that it's impossible to not feel completely absorbed by each moment.
The characters themselves are stunningly written. The dynamic between Ofelia and Lope is so special. They contrast starkly in their approaches to life, yet compliment each other beautifully at the same time. I love how their growth both as individuals and with each other is shown. Their struggles and triumphs are each handled so tenderly. I feel like writing such achingly real emotions in characters - be it happiness, heartache, or anything in-between - is such a highlight of Cat's books. (Along with the absolutely flawless depictions of gardens, landscapes, and basically everything you could want in your wildest cottagecore dreams!)
I've been so excited for this book and it not only lived up to my expectations, but exceeded them! After loving both Flowerheart and Where Shadows Bloom so very much, I think it's safe to say that Cat has become a must-read author for me. If you love sapphic knights, swoon-worthy descriptions of palace gardens, and dark secrets surrounding shadowy beasts, then this is the book you're looking for!
I always write spoiler-free reviews, but this book in particular is deserving of such!! The mysteries and secrets held within this story's pages are such a thrill to explore and dive into. There was just enough foreshadowing to give me plenty of space to try to guess where things were headed, but the twists and reveals still had me shocked and clinging to every page. And Cat's writing is so full of emotion and gorgeously descriptive that it's impossible to not feel completely absorbed by each moment.
The characters themselves are stunningly written. The dynamic between Ofelia and Lope is so special. They contrast starkly in their approaches to life, yet compliment each other beautifully at the same time. I love how their growth both as individuals and with each other is shown. Their struggles and triumphs are each handled so tenderly. I feel like writing such achingly real emotions in characters - be it happiness, heartache, or anything in-between - is such a highlight of Cat's books. (Along with the absolutely flawless depictions of gardens, landscapes, and basically everything you could want in your wildest cottagecore dreams!)
I've been so excited for this book and it not only lived up to my expectations, but exceeded them! After loving both Flowerheart and Where Shadows Bloom so very much, I think it's safe to say that Cat has become a must-read author for me. If you love sapphic knights, swoon-worthy descriptions of palace gardens, and dark secrets surrounding shadowy beasts, then this is the book you're looking for!
September 23, 2024
Thank you to Catherine Bakewell, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for early access to this book.
I am a huge Catherin Bakewell fan, so this review is probably a little biased. However, I was quickly sucked into the palace intrigue and grand atmosphere that Catherine has written.
Where Shadows Bloom is lush and vibrant with sapphic longing dripping from the pages. The pace is quick and tight with twists and turns that I thought were satisfying and fun.
The story follows the tale of young Ofelia, a nieve noblewoman trapped at her county estate, and her brave knight Lupe, Who spends her days writing poetry and her nights slaying shadow creatures. The young love angst is real but it adds a very rich layer to an intriguing plot line featuring greed, deception, and the gods themselves.
I would have appreciated some slower moments that would have allowed for the characters to truly understand or feel the consequences of their actions. But, honestly, it's a beautiful book about the complexities of power and obligation.
If you liked Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek, you will probably really love this.
I am a huge Catherin Bakewell fan, so this review is probably a little biased. However, I was quickly sucked into the palace intrigue and grand atmosphere that Catherine has written.
Where Shadows Bloom is lush and vibrant with sapphic longing dripping from the pages. The pace is quick and tight with twists and turns that I thought were satisfying and fun.
The story follows the tale of young Ofelia, a nieve noblewoman trapped at her county estate, and her brave knight Lupe, Who spends her days writing poetry and her nights slaying shadow creatures. The young love angst is real but it adds a very rich layer to an intriguing plot line featuring greed, deception, and the gods themselves.
I would have appreciated some slower moments that would have allowed for the characters to truly understand or feel the consequences of their actions. But, honestly, it's a beautiful book about the complexities of power and obligation.
If you liked Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek, you will probably really love this.
August 28, 2024
What a fun book! I feel like it has a similar vibe to Flowerheart, it's very cozy but doesn't have some crazy, new plot. It kinda felt like reading a sapphic Disney movie, just geared more towards a teenage audience, and I was so here for it. The characters felt so real, and had such good growth. That was one of my favorite parts of Flowerheart as well, and it's clear Catherine can deliver when it comes to lifelike characters. The storyline was not anything new, but the beautiful writing and characters made me want to read more! It was just such a good book, and, it felt like a warm hug on a winter night.
If you're looking for a cute sapphic romance, extremely lovable and flawed characters, and a fairytale vibe that works well, then look no further than Where Shadows Bloom.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
If you're looking for a cute sapphic romance, extremely lovable and flawed characters, and a fairytale vibe that works well, then look no further than Where Shadows Bloom.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
September 27, 2024
Blending the whimsical vibes of Studio Ghibli with sapphic fantasy, Where Shadows Bloom is a captivating tale with pining romance and intrigue.
The main setting is a mysterious chateau, home to courtiers who live superficially and lavishly, including the immortal king. The story showcases a vibrant culture with an easy-going narrative that balances sweetness with a hint of darkness. The pacing is quick, and the transitions between the scenes are smooth.
The characters and their relationships are well-developed, and their struggle to communicate their true feelings adds an authentic layer of tension to the story.
The conclusion is satisfying, tying up all the plotlines with a neat bow.
This delightful YA fantasy is perfect for anyone who cherishes a blend of dark whimsy and sweet romance.
I received an ARC from HarperCollins, and I leave my review voluntarily. My review is my own thoughts and opinion. My experience in reading this story.
The main setting is a mysterious chateau, home to courtiers who live superficially and lavishly, including the immortal king. The story showcases a vibrant culture with an easy-going narrative that balances sweetness with a hint of darkness. The pacing is quick, and the transitions between the scenes are smooth.
The characters and their relationships are well-developed, and their struggle to communicate their true feelings adds an authentic layer of tension to the story.
The conclusion is satisfying, tying up all the plotlines with a neat bow.
This delightful YA fantasy is perfect for anyone who cherishes a blend of dark whimsy and sweet romance.
I received an ARC from HarperCollins, and I leave my review voluntarily. My review is my own thoughts and opinion. My experience in reading this story.
September 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Where Shadows Bloom is a whimsical, romantic YA sapphic fantasy with a lovely cast of characters and beautiful prose.
I had a great time with this one! It was sweet and cozy while being dark and mysterious. It offered Howl’s Moving Castle vibes and a darling sapphic romance. I loved the character development and wonderful characters. The romance was tender and sweet, and I loved the beautiful, poetic ending. The pacing fit the story well, and I want an even longer version of Lope and Ofelia’s story because I love them! The trip to the underworld was fun, and I also enjoyed the action and ballroom scenes. There were a few moments where the plot didn’t hook me, but overall, it was such a fun read! I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the author for the free ARC!
Where Shadows Bloom is a whimsical, romantic YA sapphic fantasy with a lovely cast of characters and beautiful prose.
I had a great time with this one! It was sweet and cozy while being dark and mysterious. It offered Howl’s Moving Castle vibes and a darling sapphic romance. I loved the character development and wonderful characters. The romance was tender and sweet, and I loved the beautiful, poetic ending. The pacing fit the story well, and I want an even longer version of Lope and Ofelia’s story because I love them! The trip to the underworld was fun, and I also enjoyed the action and ballroom scenes. There were a few moments where the plot didn’t hook me, but overall, it was such a fun read! I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the author for the free ARC!
August 12, 2024
I applied for a NetGalley e-ARC because I love FlowerHeart by the same author and was incredibly excited by my approval!
This was a beautifully written book. I highlighted so many lines, especially from Lope’s poetry. The story was magical, mysterious, sweet, and engaging. This world has a lot of potential. I’d love a prequel about Ofelia’s mother! Or to learn more about the gods.
I didn’t rate 5 stars because I reserve that for my very favorite books that elicit powerful emotions from me.
However, I still enjoyed it immensely and plan to preorder a physical copy!
I would recommend this book to lovers of dreamy/YA/sapphic romantasy.
This was a beautifully written book. I highlighted so many lines, especially from Lope’s poetry. The story was magical, mysterious, sweet, and engaging. This world has a lot of potential. I’d love a prequel about Ofelia’s mother! Or to learn more about the gods.
I didn’t rate 5 stars because I reserve that for my very favorite books that elicit powerful emotions from me.
However, I still enjoyed it immensely and plan to preorder a physical copy!
I would recommend this book to lovers of dreamy/YA/sapphic romantasy.
July 23, 2024
The sapphic love story in this book is everything!! Lope is the steadfast, unwavering knight that falls in love with the lady she’s protecting. Ofelia is a bright, kindhearted lady full of curiosity and falling just as hard for her knight-protector. Catherine Bakewell’s lush and lyrical writing will sweep you away to a world of glittering balls and dark secrets. An enthralling adventure - romance with a dash of shadow magic and mystery.
July 4, 2024
An amazing book about the enduring power of true love and loyalty.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews