Powerful enchantments. Danger lurking in every corner. Can this trio of unlikely friends serve the fae crown without triggering another disaster?Jessamine is heartbroken over an unexpected tragedy but has no time to grieve before the throne delivers an become a spy or face banishment.
Laec is under house-arrest for his part in Çifta’s rescue but still keeping his eyes and ears open for his Seelie queen. He’s suspicious of the winter kingdom leaving their lands for the first time in forty years and arriving at the Scented Court… where dire predictions of darkness loom. Can he prove himself to the court, and maybe Çifta’s father?
Çifta longs to command her own future. She is safe—for now—in Solana, a place that appreciates her talents. But can she convince her father to annul the betrothal, without putting more lives at risk?
As their paths converge at the famed Midwinter Festival, the three schemers uncover threads of a twisted plot. With life, limb, and love on the line, they realize joining forces once again is the only hope of stopping an encroaching evil. Will their secret maneuvers bring them back into sovereign favor or leave them out in the treacherous cold?
A Memory of Nightshade is the lush second book in The Scented Court a young adult epic fantasy series. If you like suspenseful adventures, witty dialogue, and forbidden romance, then you’ll adore A.L. Knorr’s faerie realm.
A.L. Knorr is a USA Today Bestselling Author and award-winning Canadian conjurer of clean fantasy for teens and the young at heart. Her stories blend elemental magic, epic adventure, fierce female leads, and just enough romance to make your heart flutter (without needing to hide the book from your grandma).
Whether you’re chasing fire demons through Venice, swimming with mermaids off the coast of Poland, or unraveling supernatural conspiracies in ancient ruins, her immersive worlds pull you in—and don’t let go.
No explicit content. No f-bombs. Just page-turning plots, vivid magic, and characters you'll wish were real.
And if you like your fantasy with a little more grit, danger, and fallen angels? Check out Shadows of the Fallen—where secrets are deadly, powers come at a price, and trust is the rarest magic of all.
Join her VIP Reader List for secret book news, and first dibs on every new release: www(dot)alknorrbooks(dot)com Find her on IG @alknorrbooks
This is an incredible book two! Book one was fantastic but book two draws you in more into this amazing faerie realm and does not let go. The world building is beautiful and so amazing that as you read it is as if you are actually there. On this rollercoaster of adventure Jessamine has to become a spy and boy is she good at it along with her awesome familiar. She has many things to learn as well as experiencing loss & tragedy and as she begins her new journey the plot thickens with twists and turns and surprises that has you on the edge of your seat simply unable to stop reading. Our trio joins together to stop the evil that is coming but will it be enough? There’s danger, suspense, mystery and epic romance and I love the relationships that have grown and developed between the characters and their familiars. It’s so good and I cannot wait to read the next book.
The plot thickens! This book was an easy read. Like the last book, the author spends a good amount of time building the environment. The story delves deeper into our 3 main characters. The author has a direct writing style when it comes to expressing how the characters feel. Many things still remain a mystery that have yet to be answered. Most of the action happens at the end of this book. I am curious and eager to find out how the story will unfold. War, love, animals, flowers, magic, murder…all themes in this series.
Fantastic! Another story I couldn't stop reading. Adventure and love, kingdoms and war, the end of innocence- this book was so good. It ended with a letter that leaves you hanging so much you have to buy the 3rd book in the series. Way to go A.L. Knorr!
Fantastic story. Lots of intrigue and action. Very written and draws you in straight away. Characters are fabulous. I cannot wait to see the next instalment.
I enjoyed the ride. A lot of twist and turns, love and heartache, and doesn’t skimp on action and adventure. Seems to be setting the stage for so much more. Looking forward to the next book.
This is Book 2 in a series and cannot be read on its own. If you have come here because you loved Book 1, I am with you. If you read this to figure out if this is a series you should start absolutely.
A.L. Knorr’s writing style is very entertaining and fun, yet easy to read. She brings great detail to the picture that makes you not only see it but also smell it. I mean it is called the scented court series and she did a wonderful job bringing this to life. Her descriptions of the world she has created are vivid and able to draw those imaginary pictures in your mind while you are reading. So get ready for a great adventure.
Most of this book takes place in the country of Solana in the Kingdom of Ivryndi, but we do get to explore some of the other countries as well for a bit. We are still following the 3 main characters, and as difficult as it was, at the beginning of Book 1, I was able to pick right up and read this much quicker. I appreciated the sophisticated way the characters developed and truly showed their personalities. They have to overcome some big tragedies and work together.
Jesse has made her new home in Solana and is working out how she feels about everything. All the big secrets she has been working on still are not 100% resolved before new secrets and complications arise. The revelation that she is more than just a flora fae is not just shocking to her but other, older creators as well. What are they going to do with such a special young lady?
Laec has grown up so much. He is truly enjoying his time in Solana away from his queen yet still safe. Or is he? Laec is becoming impulsive and maybe not everything he does is going to benefit him. But no matter what I have loved the deep way in which he feels and cares and Laec has become one of my favorite characters. He has grit and determination when he wants something but is also always showing his softer side.
And then we have Lady Cifta, oh what will she do? Her father still wants her to marry the unseelie Prince because she won’t speak up and tell him why she does not wish to marry. Then there is all this time she has on her hand. What to do with herself, maybe she can find some kind of job, but what is she good at? Lady Cifta goes thru a big transformation in trying to find herself and understanding what she wants from her future when all she ever wanted was to please her father.
So, as you can see a lot going on and many things to explore. Between learning about all the new worlds and the growth of the characters I had a hard time putting the book down to get some adulting done. Great read. Thank You Thank You A.L. Knorr for bringing this story to life.
this was book 2 in the Scented Court series! there was a lot of world building. & politics which is expected in epic fantasy! this was an awesome read, as i couldn’t wait to get started reading again after taking a break from my book life, into my real world life! once i had time to pick it back up i didn’t put it down till it was finished! this was ARC book given to me for an honest review! the characters were relatable, magickal and once you are vested in the story & plot surrounding them, they become almost real! making you a part of their world! I was so excited to get into this book that i literally flew through it in one day between having to leave it for a while to do my real life, what a drag! oh well a sign of a great book you can’t stop reading! who needs sleep anyway? not me!!! i will take an exciting, outstanding book that is much more exhilarating than a great dream! plus i can return to this story anytime at my leisure! i tend to wear my earpods so i can listen and do some things i am required to do and still visit this world! this book has everything! it has a great love story underline by an outstanding plot! it has different types of fairies, & elves! i tend to hate politics even in. fantasy, however these types of books need the world building and politics to make it work! as long as the book can stand on its own two feet. which this one definitely did, with this story being on book 3 i cannot wait to dive into it. it was unpredictable and i could not get enough of these characters and the fae world! they all have fantastic stories of their own that come together for a beautiful coherent wonderful, enjoyable read/ listen! i recommend this book highly! i want to give the narrator props SHE IS AWESOME!!! i i loved her accents and her her differentiation of male & female characters and their accents! her narration enhanced the whole story for me! the book was exciting, excellent in all ways, a great read, and i would recommend this book to anyone who likes fairies, elves & a far world mixed with other magickal creatures!
I read the first of these books so quickly, and really got into it, I just had to order the second one. I was not disappointed. The twist and turns of the fairy courts, the alliances and the battles between them become more and more obvious. Jessamine is invited to an audience with the King and Queen, where they put a suggestion to her. They want her to use her special talents to become a spy for them. So her training is split into two parts the flora part with The Gardener and then spying and fighting skills with the other fae that have an affinity with animals. Lec and Cifta are also with her on this journey but they have their own story too. During the Midwinter Festival Jess meets and falls in love with a fae from the Winter Court, but this is not allowed, so their relationship is a secret. All this is going on after Jess's trip home to see her mother for information regarding the twin brother she has discovered she had. However when she gets to her mother's home she finds that she died just hours before her arrival. She has to put her grieving and search for her brother aside as she takes on the task of spying to keep her place at court Can't wait to get the 3rd book now
I'm thankful to have received this when most of the books were already out so I didn't have to be tortured by waiting. This was everything I could've wished for in a fantasy series! It's such a gem. I love the world the author created in this series, and the way Knorr incorporates traditional fantasy and fairy tale - with the traditional expectations of fae fantasy while still having Knorr's originality. And due to her skill - it all fits together perfectly with the patient worldbuilding. It's both whimsical and dark, without being an immature read. You'll love the characters, the story, the world building - and there's little to not love.
I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of The Cruel Prince Series, or A Sorcery of Thorns. It's got a lot more originality than either of these, while still incorporating elements I loved from both!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The plot is STILL slow, politics are coming together though. No spice to be seen, which is fine. Still wonderfully descriptive. Adding a star from the last book because there's some familiarity now with how things are heading and the characters in it, but I still haven't been convinced of the chemistry between love interests even with an additional couple coming to the forefront in this book.
The action scene was thwarted because it seems, the now trained character, who exhibited bad-assery at the end of the last book without even trying, and who's called the deadliest by the other Fahyli (even though Digit appears to be killing ppl with a thought) cannot fight now for no reason what-so-ever. Best run on sentence ever. Thanks.
Most of all, there's just not enough excitement happening in 70% of the book. The book is basically held together by the author's unique world building skills which is top notch.
This book is amazing. To allow Jessamine to stay, she has to become a spy as well as perform her normal duties. She took the spy role seriously and is absolutely amazing at it. Beazle and Jessamine work together perfectly to get the information they need to move forward. I loved the interaction between them, Beazle had no problem putting Jessamine in her place. The book has so much adventure and a bit of romance. I loved that Lady Cifta was able to use her drawing skills. Although I don't prefer battles/tactics that did not deter me, the book kept me engaged and waiting to see how they would solve each problem they faced. I cannot wait to see what happens next. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rating (out of 5 ⭐️): 4/5 Spice Rating (out of 5 🌶️): 0
Ebook / Physical book?: Ebook
Would you Recommend?: Yes, a good continuation of the story
Would you read again?: Maybe now I've read more of the series.
Non-Spoiler Review:
The world building keeps developing and pulls you in, and so does the intrigue and surprises. More secrets are discovered, more daring tasks completed by our femal lead, and the romance is finally starting to come through but it's very mild 🤣 You want to see these characters succeed and I'm looking forward to starting the third book as this one ended on a good cliffhanger!
A Memory of Nightshade: An Epic Fae Fantasy (The Scented Court Book 2), my thirty-sixth read from author A.L. Knorr. Even better than the first book in the series, extremely well written, the characters, even the minor ones, are well-developed. I’m a character reader, I get into the characters, who and what they are, why they do the things they do. The things that make the reader get invested into the characters and thereby the story. I’ll be reading more from this author and look forward to A Daughter of Winter: An Epic Fae Fantasy (The Scented Court Book 3). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Book two follows on from book one, Laec and Cifta still have this slow burn romance forbidden love going on. Jess meets a love interest Sasha and his familiar from silverfae.
None of them are free to date so this sad forbidden love hangs over the storyline.
I keep wondering if prince faracek is Jess brother but I think he is older? Plus his dad is human? So can not be. Great writing keeps you guessing who really is who, looks like we are soon going to learn more about Cifta. (Next book) Great read keeps me guessing. So funny when Jess and beazle gives a vow to the king ,God did I laugh wish there was more of that humour very funny.
However hard I try, there’s no way to describe the joy to read this book. I’ve been postponing writing about it for the lack of words. I deeply admire A.L. Knorr’s writing, her subtlety and at the same time her bluntness, her originality, her brilliance in creating amazing characters and settings. Jessamine, Laec and Çifta sagas grip the readers from the very start and this book dives deeper into their origins, causes, and repercussions. It brings new facts, unveiling some mysteries and creating new ones. A not so fast paced narrative but breathtaking.
Overall, it's not bad, but I feel like there are even more questions! And we still don't know anything about Jess's twin.
The story continues from where the first book ended.
Disclaimer: adult language, regicide, stepped murder of siblings, cute creatures, no gore, no sex, loss and grief, and handsome/lovely fae folk!
As part of my new year's resolution, I'll be continuing the series. My plan is to finish several series I've started over the past few years. Meaning I might have to reread some books. Lol
I have been waiting six months for this book. The author continues the amazing world crafting and character building. There are so many wow moments that putting the book aside is difficult. Like the previous book in the series, this book just ends and leaves you wanting the next book right now. I love that the epilogue is a letter that recaps the story. This will be a good thing to go back to before starting the third book when it arrives in six months.
Another fantastic read from A.L. Knorr - This is well and truly deserving of the 5 star rating I have given; I would have given more if I could! I was gripped from the very first page to the last. It has been a long time since I read something that kept me awake into the small hours of the morning. The only downside is that I now need to wait for the next instalment to be released and it can't come soon enough!
A.L. Knorr is back, with A Memory of Nightshade, Book 2 in her The Scented Court series. I loved book 1 and am happy to report that the second installment is equally fun. This series is looking to definitely be the epic fantasy series promised by its publishers blurb. Fae, magic, enchantments. Oh yes indeed. All with superbly written plots and perfectly developed (and developing) characters. Really, what more could you ask for? Definitely easy to highly recommend.
Now this is what I’m talking about! Whereas the first book started off slow, this book never slowed down and I’m glad. I finished in 2 days!
I think it’s safe to say that the best character is Beazle! He’s so funny—especially when he puts Jess in check lol. I also really liked how King Agir handled what happened at the end — he was clocking them left and right, yet remained regal through it all.
I always love Knorr's worldbuilding and characters. Jess and Beazle, Laec, and Çifta all continue their journey in this book. We lose some side characters, there is mystery, love, murder, EVERYTHING YOU WANT! The writing will keep you engaged and the audio just draws you in and you will lose track of time. My favorite is Jess's new role as a spy and how well shes taking to it. Learning more about each character and unraveling the story. Can't wait for the next one!
As a second book, this story moves through different strands, all with their complications. Jessamine is in perilous territory with her emotions, Laec is steadfast in his charge, and Solana is torn as it is granting sanctuary. There is one scene near the end that evokes an archetypal character of CS Lewis, you can miss it, and then wonder if it will surface in forth coming books.
This is a brilliant read. Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great drama and romance with wonderful world building. Can't wait to read what the author brings out next. Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
What a fantastic second book. It was great to catch up with Jessamine, Laec and Cifta again. You will laugh and probably cry too. Boo Prince Faracek and cheer for Jess and Beazle (who wouldn't love a bee sized bat). All in all a great book in The Scented Court series, which I can highly recommend. AL Knorr has written another fantastic book.
It has been a marvelous second read! I am continually treated to colorful descriptions that paint vivid pictures but not overly so. The characters are developed and interwoven within the stories. To see how each story is completed is keeping me on the edge of my seat for the last installment!
The author has built an amazing world in this book full of characters each with their own back story that is written so brilliantly, full of twists and turns and suspense you can't see coming! This is not one of those series where you can see whats coming next and is so well written!
This is a series I can see others enjoying tremendously, and was written very well, I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoyed the Three Dark Crowns series. I just personally didn't feel the connection to this series during this read. I hate rating it low because the book deserves praise, it just wasn't for me personally