Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning

Rate this book
“I would rather die at your side than watch the world burn from inside your embrace.”

In a world of gods and monsters, a prophecy is made, a war is waged, and a legend is born. Cursed from birth by the gods with the power of foresight, Cadence is ostracised. Hated by his father, berated by his brothers, and shunned by his community, Cadence leads a lonely existence.

Destinies collide when Cadence meets Arlo, the demigod prince of the Luciferian Empire, and the two have no idea how deeply connected they really are by the Great Cosmic Web of the Fates. A friendship quickly blooms into something more as the two youths navigate the worlds of duty and
their emotions together.

The Empire of Luciferian is ruled over by the iron fist of the power-hungry Emperor Abydos, and by his side is Arsinoe, mysterious sorceress and Empress of Luciferian. In his never-ending quest to dominate, he awakens a dark force that will bring famine, war, and ultimate devastation to the Empire.

Arlo and Cadence have an integral role to play in the war to come, one in which their combined
demise has been prophesied. Can Cadence and Arlo break the web the Fates have woven for them,
or will they become entangled by it?

308 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2023

10 people are currently reading
145 people want to read

About the author

Michael Ferguson

7 books50 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
22 (57%)
4 stars
12 (31%)
3 stars
4 (10%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Renske.
212 reviews11 followers
December 15, 2024
I am at a loss for words and really don't know how to review this book. Michael uses words, language and prose that excited me. The book had me thinking about mythology, fantasy and something I just couldn't place my fingers on, although it was at the tip of my fingers the whole time

While reading, familiar scenes from Star Wars, Wild Wild West, Narnia, Biblical references, Egyptian references and futuristic references played out in my mind.

I gasped, I cried and I had a lot of different emotions about different characters. I didn't know who to trust, and almost up until the end of the book, I really had a bad feeling about Arsinoe. I loved the references to the flowers and their meanings, and the love she felt for those boys and glimpses of her past. She was my favourite character, in the end.

You know that scene from The Song for Achilles? Yeah, Michael, why why why 💔😭 I held onto hope until the bitter end. Romeo and Juliet vibes much?

It took me a while to get into the book, as it was different than his previous works I've read and loved. The only negative thing I can say about the book, at the moment personally, I never took part in the read-along and have a bit to wait for the next one!

------------
Having started to re-read this amazing book before Book 2 read-along, I stopped about halfway through. Now, coming back after finishing Book 2 brings so much insight and foreshadowing of Book 2 and the short story. I loved re-reading this one and found I loved the book even more the second time.

-----------

Just adding a 3rd one as I read a short story. That I need to make up my reading goal
241 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2024
So I have just finished my reread of this book in anticipation of book 2, and I honestly didn't think I could enjoy a reread so much! Dare I say that I enjoyed it even more than the first time i read it!! All the joys of reliving my favorite parts! I am even more excited to read book 2 now! 💃
**************
Original review:
Engaging in a readalong for Michael Ferguson's latest work, "A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning," has been a delightful experience. As a lover of his first 2 books, my anticipation for this novel was met with satisfaction when I secured a copy through the Rekord Newspaper's competition.

Ferguson does it again with this amazing mythology read whilst remaining true to his signature writing style showcased in "Ephemera" and "The Acrimonious." The book centers around Cadence's journey of life, love, and self-discovery. Beyond its romantic core, inclusive of LGBTQ+ themes, it is so so much more...

From the cuteness of the relationship between Arlo and Cadence, to the immense portrayal of maternal love, and also the brutality of war... Ferguson masterfully captures the spectrum of emotions, seamlessly transitioning from moments of tenderness to the harsh realities of conflict.

This literary masterpiece, filled with characters both beloved and despised, showcases Ferguson's skill in storytelling. The inclusion of mythical elements, Gods and Goddesses, further enriches the narrative, creating a captivating blend of fantasy and reality.

Whether one is a mythology enthusiast or not, "A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning" should be added to every reader's TBR list.
Profile Image for Lisha.
40 reviews4 followers
December 31, 2023
"I want heaven to cry every time I kiss you. I want the worlds of gods and mortals to know that no matter our fate, we belong only to each other. I'd follow you anywhere, I'd follow you straight into the deepest pits of Obsidian if it meant we could be together."

In this tale of love and war entangled by the webs of Fate, A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning weaves itself around your emotions and keeps you captive until the last page is turned.

Cadence and Arlo are bound to a prophecy, one of greatness and sorrow, set into motion by fueding gods. As with all prophecies, they are mere pawns to the strings of Fate, strings that are ruthless and uncaring to whoever is caught in their path. We follow them throughout each heartbreaking discovery and joyous celebration, share in their pain and anger, and feel every heart stopping moment of sacrifice. They have bittersweet character arcs and growth, learning from their flaws and actively doing better in later chapters.

We have amazing secondary characters that steal the spotlight whenever they are on page (looking at you Empress Arsinoe), with their own tragic stories. We also have characters that should be thrown into a never-ending pit of torture for all eternity (swallow broken glass, Father Gemini).

Hathuldria, the world APOFAL takes place in, is rich in myths and magic. The worldbuilding is satisfactory, and pays homage to existing mythologies in a fresh dark twist all its own. Though, personally, I would have preferred to learn of these myths (from the creatures to the gods/goddesses) and the history (of the lands) in a more natural way throughout the story, than in a slight-info-dump-manner, where the relevant myth/history is overshadowed by adding irrelevant (at the time) myths/history. It stilted the reading pace at times, jarred you from being in the world to...well, not.

Lastly (and is not meant to offend, but merely a bit of constructive criticism):
While I greatly enjoyed A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning , I do think it could have benefitted from another round of editing in certain aspects. Mentioned above is the info-dumping, but the one thing (the easiest to correct, yet the most major one) is the inconsistency in tenses. There were instances of tenses changing rapidly in the span of a singular paragraph when it should have stayed in the starting-tense.
Now this one might be a personal preference, but the story could have benefitted so much from a more show-not-tell style, than a tell-not-show. The parts the author gave us that were "show", were chillingly amazing and beautiful. They immediately grabbed your attention and forced you into the scene. No ifs/ands/buts, and you were definitely not left wanting throughout. (This style would have also helped with the tenses-issue)

Regardless, Mr Ferguson, this was a wonderful debut full-length novel, and I cannot wait to read more of what you have brewing. Arlo and Cadence's story will always make me smile and stoke that inner melancholy.
Profile Image for Vix.
1 review
July 28, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5

• spoiler-free review •

This is a beautifully crafted mythological tale that exists in a sphere of its own. While clear inspiration is drawn from Greek mythology, this world depicts a unique pantheon of meddlesome gods and goddesses who personify the best and worst that humanity has to offer. The mythology that this world is built upon is intertwined with the reality of the characters, giving us living-cities, divine weaponry, a unique take on electricity, and so much more.

Our heroes are young lovers that we root for in the face of all odds. They embody the passion, urgency, awkwardness, and delicacy of a first love never forgotten. These young men make you smile and break your heart in the most beautiful ways.

At its core, this is a story that we are familiar with. As in any good mythological tale that reflects an aspect of human experience, we see sacrifice and heartache, familial bonds and romantic love, larger-than-life stakes, and the inevitable human condition of raging against the weavings of fate. This is an accessible, timeless story that adults young and old can enjoy, feel seen by, and resonate with.
Profile Image for Mariette De kock.
139 reviews13 followers
November 17, 2024
This has to be one of my top reads of the year. Doing a readalong while discussing it on Discord with the author Michael Ferguson just made it so special.

The discussions we had with Micheal with behind the scenes notes, additional info and his singing voice notes was such a privilege. I fell in love with his writing style from the first page and it was hard to stop each day at the designated pages.

This book made me laugh out loud.
“Have you always slept with a dagger under you pillows? No, it's normally two daggers, but I haven't unpacked properly.”🤣
What made it so funny and special was that this was at such a tense moment in the book and this gave me the sense of I can get through whatever is going to happen next.

The book made me cry and it broke my heart over and over and over again. Would I read it again? Yes, definitely.

It is now a week since we finished this and I still find myself thinking of Cadance and Arlos relationship. The maternal representation by fearce and strong women and the ending I did not see coming
Profile Image for Theresa Bhowan.
15 reviews2 followers
November 24, 2023
When romance meets Mythology, readers are bound to be captivated. Michael Ferguson weaves together a world that intoxicated and entrances readers. I am yet to find something this book doesn't have. And the characters are so phenomenally crafted that you feel like you know them personally! A must-read for all mythology lovers!
Profile Image for Balthazarinblue.
948 reviews12 followers
June 18, 2024
4.5 stars

I was lucky enough to meet the author at a book signing! This took a minute for me to get into it. It opens with a comprehensive run down of the main characters childhood. Quite a bit of telling instead of showing and lots of names to keep track of. But that was literally the only section that I thought dragged. It's shame it is how the book opens because otherwise I couldn't put this down.

Loosely Greek mythology inspired, this follows Cadence, a powerful farmer's son from Naphtali, the breadbasket of the Empire. Touched by the Gods at birth, he has the power of prophecy. But his visions are uncontrolled and hazy, and often foretell death. Rather than blessed, his family sees him as a curse. When the Emperor and his family come to Naphtali, drumming up good PR on the eve of another protracted military campaign, Cadence slips away for the evening with Arlo, the Emperor's son. In Arlo, Cadence finds someone who looks at him without fear or scorn. Their destinies are more entwined than they could ever imagine.
Profile Image for Alastair .
81 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2025
Rating : 3.5

I really enjoyed certain aspects and I certainly enjoyed it more than Song of Achillies (if you know me, you know.) The plot was strong and Cadence and Arlo were relatively good characters. You can tell the author is a horror author with the descriptions. They were visceral and I loved them. My biggest crits were that the pacing could get slow sometimes and there were a few loose ends that I wish were tied nicely. Overall good read.
Profile Image for Kendra Spaans.
9 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2023
No Spoilers, just pure appreciation 🤩 Michael is able to take world building and keep it interesting. I felt like I was slipping slowly and comfortably into the best dream where everything on the pages came to life! The character development was amazing and story line impeccably thought out. I’m not a mythology girly but I would recommend this book to everyone!! The feelings the actions were all so beautifully written that I sometimes I forget that this wasn’t a movie I watched but actually a book. I LOVED IT!!!
Profile Image for A. R. Kingon-Daniels.
Author 3 books9 followers
October 6, 2025
This book keeps you interested from start to finish. The weaving in of lore with the plot is seamless and ultimately culminates with the concept of these novels being themselves Tomes of Lore in the universe Ferguson has created.

The ending was unexpected but once one takes into account the entire vibe of the mythos it all makes sense and works well.

You will cry and you will laugh and you will love.
Profile Image for The Anonymous  LIBRARIAN.
86 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2025
Great world building. Michael does not shy away from giving you gut punch after gut punch. So many horrible characters we meant along the way it is just delicious. He has an art for painting vivid pictures in your mind, the monster are just incredible. The main character performs a song that is actually catchy and beautiful unlike most songs in fantasy books
Profile Image for Pearl O.
33 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2024
I was captivated by the enthralling world and characters Michael Ferguson created in APOFAL. There really is something for everyone as this mythological tale unwinds. I personally enjoyed the strong maternal theme at play in the main characters journey through life and am always a sucker for a heartfelt love story.

The character development was so rich that I was deeply invested in the outcome but at the same time did not want the book to end. I found myself saving up the last few chapters to extend my immersion in this new and fantastical world. When the ending came it was rather unexpected.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to continue following this South African fantasy author with keen interest.
Profile Image for Tricia Breinig.
196 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2024
This was a great queer romance with mythology. The love story was beautiful and tragic. The ups and downs of the characters was done so well. I really enjoyed the inspiration pulled from mythology but then twisted to something new. There were lovable characters and characters I loathed. Overall it’s a solid 4.5 stars for me
Profile Image for Michelle Engelbrecht.
6 reviews
September 29, 2024
Tragically beautiful

Between the poetic descriptions and foods that left my mouth watering this book took me on a magical journey. I have grown to love some characters while loathing others. The twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The relationship between Arlo and Cadence was truly sweet and left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. The ending shattered me.
Profile Image for Isabelle Fouquereaux.
6 reviews
October 9, 2023
If you are a mythology fan looking for something new and fresh, look no further than A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning!

In this debut novel, Michael Ferguson transports the reader into a brand new world with its own mythology, gods, monsters, and magic. At the heart of this book is a story of love, destiny, and self-discovery set against a backdrop of war, death, and betrayal.

This story completely pulled me in right from the start. As a mythology lover (having thoroughly enjoyed books like Song of Achilles, Circe, Norse Mythology, etc.), this book was right up my alley and offered a completely fresh but still familiar take on the mythology genre, with clear inspiration taken from the books I've listed. The protagonists' story is simultaneously so beautiful and hopeful while at the same time being utterly heartbreaking; it is impossible to not become completely enveloped by it. The supporting/background characters are also so interesting in their own right and add so much value to the story (Arsinoe has to be my favourite character in the whole book).

Michael is an immensely talented writer, and this book was absolutely incredible, especially for a debut novel. I cannot wait to read what comes next in the APOFAL universe! :-)
4 reviews
November 24, 2023
What a book! A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning is the latest book from Michael Ferguson. The same author who had me hooked with his previous hits, 'Ephemera: Short Fictions and Anomalies' and 'The Acrimonious: Paranormal Fictions'. This is my first experience of reading a full length novel from Michael, but this is a particular type of book I can almost guarantee anyone will enjoy – an epic mythological fantasy blended with love, hope, magic, and heartbreak. There are characters to root for (Arsinoe!!!) and some characters you'd happily throw off a cliff (You'll see for yourself with this one). APOFAL has all of these elements... But more important than just having the elements is the fact that Michael has executed them flawlessly. If I was not reading this book, I was thinking about it, and as much I was sad reading it at times... I was so sad to finish it because I was not ready to let go of the world he constructed on those pages. He's ensconced himself in my auto-buy list because of his never ending cycle of hits. I highly recommend giving this book a read. Just be warned that this roller-coaster journey will have you feeling the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Well played, Michael 🌸⚡
Profile Image for Raquel Paiva.
Author 1 book
October 21, 2023
Page-turner! It got me from the first sentence; I just couldn't put it down towards the end. Michael has masterfully crafted an enticing story, with well-built characters and mesmerising descriptions of a mythical world of gods, demigods, mortals, leviathans, and other fantastic creatures. Moreover, it shows thorough research, something I love in stories.

It also makes me wonder what the story behind certain characters is. I'm particularly interested in knowing about Empress Arsinoe, my favourite character. I hope Michael will spoil us with her story in the future.

If you love fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance, and mythology, A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning IS a must.
3 reviews
November 24, 2023
A story of two beautiful souls with a doomed destiny. Gods, Goddesses, a prophecy, war, love, potions—everything a geek could ask for. Michael has a special talent and a way of writing; his fantasy comes to life when you read it and you fall in love with the setting and the characters, he can make you despise a character so much you'd wish they died—and that's what a good book should do. A book should draw out your feelings else it's not worth it. And this book made me laugh, made me shy away, made me angry, and 100 per cent made me cry.
122 reviews
February 26, 2024
This reminded me of a telenovela where someone’s face is disfigured with acid and they have amnesia. It was okay, a quick read. The ending was great, it should be applied more often.
1 review
March 21, 2024
This was a really great read! It kept me hooked all the way. A few things my technical brain would've liked more explanation on. But overall, a great read!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.