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Crystal Bloom #1
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom
Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 04:25:03
25 copies available
U.S. only
What a pretty flower to keep locked in a big, rocky tower.
Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.
Small. Fragile.
An enigma.
Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds.
Stay within. Never leave.
Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe ... though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily.
Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.
My savior. My protector.
My almost executioner.
I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground.
When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.
No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique new fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.
Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.
Small. Fragile.
An enigma.
Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds.
Stay within. Never leave.
Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe ... though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily.
Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.
My savior. My protector.
My almost executioner.
I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground.
When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.
No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique new fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.
479 pages, Hardcover
First published July 24, 2021
4589 people are currently reading
106167 people want to read
About the author
Sarah A. Parker
8 books8,615 followersSarah is an international bestselling author who grew up on a farm in New Zealand, where she spent her days getting lost amongst the rolling pasture, building forts in the hedge, climbing trees, and exploring the forest pathways—making up elaborate stories that never lost their grip on her.
She now lives in Australia with her husband, dog, three children, and countless plants, and spends her days pouring her stories onto paper rather than throwing them to the wind.
Her genre of choice is epic fantasy romance, and she thrives off dreaming up real, complex characters and immersive worlds to get lost amongst.
She now lives in Australia with her husband, dog, three children, and countless plants, and spends her days pouring her stories onto paper rather than throwing them to the wind.
Her genre of choice is epic fantasy romance, and she thrives off dreaming up real, complex characters and immersive worlds to get lost amongst.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,906 reviews
April 2, 2023
First read: 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Second read: 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Third read: 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m in love with a man who’ll never be mine—who’s unavailable in every way, shape, and form—and I’m certain it’s going to ruin me.
To Bleed A Crystal Bloom is an exquisitely dark reimagining of Rapunzel and let me warn you: it's delightfully addictive.
This book is splendid in its own book right and Sarah A. Parker did a brilliant job in taking little pieces of the Fairytale and penning an authentic story that is emotionally unsettling and wickedly thrilling.
Tropes:
— Dark, dark fantasy romance (new adult)
— Inspired by the fairytale of Rapunzel
— Forbidden romance
— Star-crossed lovers
— Unique lore and world-building
— Gods and prophecies
— Cast of nuanced and morally grey characters
— Soft and a fiesty 21-year-old heroine
— Heroine who loves to paint and garden
— Angsty sexual tension (100x)
— Enigmatic and dark love Interest
— Close proximity
— Spice (gets even spicier in later books)
— Character-driven plot
— Multiple POVs (incl. future secondary romances)
— Immortals and beasts
— Secret powers and identities
— So many secrets lurking at every corner
Before I get into more details I must say, this book is part of a series and so it serves more as an origin story or a prologue that starts to push the wheels of the main plot into motion. I think it did a spectacular job at building up the foundation of the main plot and this is why I am dying to get my hands on the sequel right now.
I was wholly immersed and could not put this book down. The vivid writing flowed with ease and the richly visual descriptions felt tangible. The author managed to create an eerily mesmerizing atmosphere. Every page kept sparking my intrigue because I am impressed by the world and the mysteries we've yet to uncover about it.
It’s a pretty lie I like to paint; a fabled reality where he needs me just as much as I need him. Something that helps tame this unwanted feeling sprouting in my chest.
Let's start with a summary of the story:
21-year-old Orlaith was the only survivor of a bloody massacre at the tender age of two. For the past 19 years, she lived within the comfort of her stony tower and became a ward to a powerful High Master of Ocruth. Rhordyn is a mystery himself, cloaked in darkness and secrets.
Orlaith is enamored by Rhordyn, who to her is the center of her world. Her savior and protector.
The harsh reality of their world begins to seep into Orlaith's small peaceful life with vicious beasts stepping into their lands, hunting for flesh... and possibly something else.
Orlaith takes hold of a thread that leads her from one secret to another until it brings her to the one secret that will shatter her heart.
A stony tower may no longer be the shield that keeps out the horror and the heartbreak.
Those dark secrets begin to tear the seams of the bubble she was content to live in.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve come from; it’s in our nature to fall in love with the shackle that binds us.”
I loved Orlaith. I really delved into her character layer after layer. She is fiesty and mishchevious but maintains the innocence of a girl that truly lived a sheltered life. I was emotionally connected to her and felt joy when she was happy, felt the sour taste of sorrow she was sad, and felt the burning sting of pain when she was heartbroken. I was so impressed by her character development and rooted for her.
I understand the way her emotions work, she lived a sheltered life and was surrounded by specific people. She may come off as a bit immature to readers but I find that to be a natural characteristic of someone whose world is very small. I could understand why her thoughts and emotions worked that way. I also applaud the author for highlighting Orlaith's struggle with her identity especially when some secrets come to light.
It's not easy at all. Her trauma is a frequent visitor in her nightmares and what I think slips the attention of many readers is the fact that Orlaith has a raspy voice because on that bloody day when she was saved, her piercing scream caused an injury in her throat.
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
“So long as you take me with you.”
“Never.”
Rhordyn is intriguing in a dark way. This is a man that I want to shred into pieces because he is that mysterious. I want to wring out every secret he keeps. I smell a tragic backstory. He also exudes dark dom energy and something about him is simply... intriguing.
I adore Kai and hope to see more of him but I definitely do not want him as a romantic option for Orlaith. Cain is the one I have a lot of thoughts about. I liked him from the first time he interacted with Orlaith and I am eager to see what his role will be in the story. I do think he has his own agenda but we'll see.
The sexual tension is deliciously angsty. There is clear a power imbalance between Orlaith and Rhordyn yet... you just know there is more to their connection.
He pillaged my weakness. Offered me a drink from his well and I gulped with greedy draws until I was intoxicated and mindless. Then, he tossed me down the hole and left me there with no way out. Now all I can do is drown.
I do recommend this for readers that enjoy the works of Sarah J. Maas and Raven Kennedy.
Trigger Warning: drug use, explicit language, self harm (only tip of fingers), graphic scenes.
I would like to put in a disclaimer and mention that this is a dark, dark fantasy romance. You will be frustrated and devastated by the turn of events and you won't always agree and be happy with the choices the characters make—and that's the point of it sometimes and flawed characters are more compelling to me. Characters in this book make mistakes and the relationships can be toxic but it makes their growth and change more meaningful. There is a lot of suffering, guilt, and grief that all the characters deal with. From book 1 the plot was building itself gradually and woven with an intricate lore that sheds itself more with every book and that's why not all questions are answered right away and when they do, it creates more questions and that what personally keeps me invested in the series—knowing that there is more that I want to unravel and how it ties into the stories of all these characters.
Unlike other dark fantasy romance books this is just not surface-level dark, it dives right into the depths. And as my friend Underseabookish said and I quote:
"this series dares to be bold and wants to set itself apart within that genre by bringing back the DARK, the FANTASY, and the ROMANCE all into one series."
I've been craving a dark fantasy series such as this for a long time but I absolutely understand how it might not be everyone's cup of tea. I just wanted to express why I appreciate the series for what it is.
⚠️ Warning: there are spoilers in the comments section and the second section of the review, please avoid it if you have not read the book yet.
*
*
*** SPOILERS BELOW***
*
*
*
After my reread, I think Rhordyn is so incredibly misunderstood as a character and his role in this story.
I have to establish first that Rhordyn is an extremely complicated and nuanced character. He is a morally ambiguous character but in no way the villain in this story.
First let's get some facts straight:
1. Rhordyn is not forcibly locking Orlaith in the tower, it is mentioned multiple times that he tried to integrate her into society, but Orlaith is content to live in behind the safety line away from the whispers of the general public. This is what he says to Orlaith: “I’ll stay here,” I whisper, and a shadow shutters his eyes, the muscle along his jaw feathering. “Live, Orlaith. All I’m asking is that you live.” Rhordyn even tells Orlaith at some point that her tower won't keep her safe from the looming danger, this is why he wanted her to train to fight with Baze, he wants her to be prepared in case the worst happens. The only instances he locked her in is when he did not want her to attend the ball (because of Cain) and to not let her leave to Bahari/Cain. Unlike the fairytale, Orlaith was not locked in her tower the entire time. Actually she wasn't locked for 90% of the book except on two instances.
2. He can be controlling and manipulative at times especially when it concerns her safety and her feelings, but he is not a groomer in any shape or form. It's mentioned that Rhordyn avoids her like the plague to the point she never sees him around since he rescued her until in recent years. Orlaith is raised by Cook and Baze, Rhordyn wasn't involved in raising her at all nor did he act like a parental figure to her (more of this is even clarified in book 2 about what happened in the past). Her blood was even delivered by Cook to Rhordyn until she was able to do the offering herself and place it in the small door for him to take, it's even mentioned in the book Rhor was never involved in the act and he did so the first time when she refused to give him the blood offering. Orlaith did not grow up while being in love with Rhordyn, her feelings were only recent. Yes, there is a clear power imbalance between them that he uses to his advantage and protection comes in many "forms" even one that is very questionable. As Orlaith begins to rebel and ask questions Rhordyn is not ready to answer, he resorts to the influence he has over her and the unexplored connection between them to push her back.
3. Rhordyn IS toxic but he is not the villain. Nothing that Rhordyn did was ever meant to harm Orlaith. He is the one who wants to appear toxic to her to push her away and to accept that he is a monster beneath. He finds relief in her ignorance merely because the fear that took root within him the day he saved her and tasted her blood will force him to confront the reality of their situation and of who they are to each other—and that is what he thinks might break Orlaith. It's very likely that they are mates.
4. Not once has it been mentioned that Rhordyn had been inappropriate towards Orlaith or had shown any desire for her prior to the events in this book. Eventually, it's pointed out to which moment he actually started to feel more than just a protective instinct (as I said they have a unique connection that is likely a mating bond).
5. Last but not least, I think Rhordyn directs so much self-loath at himself. I do not think he finds pleasure in what his instincts draw out of him especially when it comes to Orlaith. I don't think he relishes in their power imbalance either and I'll dive into that more when I talk about the mates and their bond. His self-loath is what influences a lot of his actions when it comes to her. Not justifiable in any way, but this is why this book is considered a dark fantasy romance. Nothing is coming easy for them.
This doesn't mean Rhordyn's actions can be justified because what I love about this book is you can understand the questionable actions of the characters without the need to justify them.
Sarah unfurls such a complex relationship with a tinge of taboo and yet underneath it all lies a thousand questions and secrets.
I think the tabooness of their relationship is what haunts most readers, which is totally valid. But there is some clear misinterpretation that's confusing readers.
The dynamic between Orlaith and Rhordyn is meant to unsettle the reader but also spark that intrigue and curiosity on where it could all lead to.
Their relationship is dysfunctional and the power balance is very off, but for such a dark tale and for the sake of Orlaith's arc it should be done that way.
Orlaith is not kept from the world, there is not much of the world out there to discover because it reeks of monsters and deaths.
And perhaps, the world is kept away from Orlaith herself. She's the one with the mark of death.
This is not a blossoming romance, it's tearing both Orlaith and Rhordyn apart. This longing, attraction, and anguish is a festering wound on their souls.
The day Rhordyn had a sip of Orlaith's blood was the day the gods damned them both.
As much as I have enjoyed the sexual tension and chemistry between them, neither of them are ready for any notion of a romantic love. Orlaith must break out of her confines and let her world expand beyond her tower—and Rhordyn must face his own demons. As of now, they are not a healthy option for each other, not until that power imbalance shifts and for Orlaith to experience what the world, and not Rhordyn, has to offer for her.
And if they turn out to be mates, which I truly believe there are given the strong evidence in the book itself, I'm really intrigued by the concept of a mating bond that is not romanticized. Most of those who find their mates struggle a little or accept that they have found their one true love, and that bond mostly gives them little butterflies and an infinite love. The dark concept of mates in this world is a tragedy, at least for Orlaith and Rhordyn.
Her voice may have been fragile, but everything else was the opposite. Her upper lip was curled with hate, she had fire in her eyes, and she looked at me like she saw through my skin to the monster I am beneath.
Part of me was relieved—screamed for her to look deeper. To delve until she ripped herself on all my sharp bits. Perhaps then she’d see why I’m stuck in her orbit ... unwillingly.
Why drifting too close would destroy everything.
“Mates, Orlaith, are a fairy tale. A tragedy painted with the pretty face of a happily ever after, but at its core, it’s still a fucking tragedy. If you believe everything you read, you’ll be disappointed when you finally step into the real world.”
They would be the epitome of star-crossed lovers.
His eyes harden. “What I want, what I need, and what is right are three entirely different things.”
To me, it feels that the source of Rhordyn's self-loath comes from how the bond influences his feelings for Orlaith. He is a man of complete control yet a force beyond his reach is slowly depriving him of that privilege and it pushes towards instincts that he may find... depraved.
He seems to be tainted by her affections, not because they repulse him but because she is too good for him. He wishes that she could see the monster underneath his skin, probably in belief that it may deter her.
It seems like a doomed love more than anything -me he knows it—and maybe it has to do with the prophecy?
This is why I love Rhordyn as a character, there is so much to explore about him and while my morals can be questioned because of the type of characters I am drawn to, I only hope that we get to see his ice crack and he is caught up in Orlaith's fire.
In the end, what matters to me is Orlaith's journey and I'm so excited to see where it will lead up to. I may be rooting for a second chance romance for her and Rhordyn but I'm rooting more for her happiness.
Second read: 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Third read: 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m in love with a man who’ll never be mine—who’s unavailable in every way, shape, and form—and I’m certain it’s going to ruin me.
To Bleed A Crystal Bloom is an exquisitely dark reimagining of Rapunzel and let me warn you: it's delightfully addictive.
This book is splendid in its own book right and Sarah A. Parker did a brilliant job in taking little pieces of the Fairytale and penning an authentic story that is emotionally unsettling and wickedly thrilling.
Tropes:
— Dark, dark fantasy romance (new adult)
— Inspired by the fairytale of Rapunzel
— Forbidden romance
— Star-crossed lovers
— Unique lore and world-building
— Gods and prophecies
— Cast of nuanced and morally grey characters
— Soft and a fiesty 21-year-old heroine
— Heroine who loves to paint and garden
— Angsty sexual tension (100x)
— Enigmatic and dark love Interest
— Close proximity
— Spice (gets even spicier in later books)
— Character-driven plot
— Multiple POVs (incl. future secondary romances)
— Immortals and beasts
— Secret powers and identities
— So many secrets lurking at every corner
Before I get into more details I must say, this book is part of a series and so it serves more as an origin story or a prologue that starts to push the wheels of the main plot into motion. I think it did a spectacular job at building up the foundation of the main plot and this is why I am dying to get my hands on the sequel right now.
I was wholly immersed and could not put this book down. The vivid writing flowed with ease and the richly visual descriptions felt tangible. The author managed to create an eerily mesmerizing atmosphere. Every page kept sparking my intrigue because I am impressed by the world and the mysteries we've yet to uncover about it.
It’s a pretty lie I like to paint; a fabled reality where he needs me just as much as I need him. Something that helps tame this unwanted feeling sprouting in my chest.
Let's start with a summary of the story:
21-year-old Orlaith was the only survivor of a bloody massacre at the tender age of two. For the past 19 years, she lived within the comfort of her stony tower and became a ward to a powerful High Master of Ocruth. Rhordyn is a mystery himself, cloaked in darkness and secrets.
Orlaith is enamored by Rhordyn, who to her is the center of her world. Her savior and protector.
The harsh reality of their world begins to seep into Orlaith's small peaceful life with vicious beasts stepping into their lands, hunting for flesh... and possibly something else.
Orlaith takes hold of a thread that leads her from one secret to another until it brings her to the one secret that will shatter her heart.
A stony tower may no longer be the shield that keeps out the horror and the heartbreak.
Those dark secrets begin to tear the seams of the bubble she was content to live in.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve come from; it’s in our nature to fall in love with the shackle that binds us.”
I loved Orlaith. I really delved into her character layer after layer. She is fiesty and mishchevious but maintains the innocence of a girl that truly lived a sheltered life. I was emotionally connected to her and felt joy when she was happy, felt the sour taste of sorrow she was sad, and felt the burning sting of pain when she was heartbroken. I was so impressed by her character development and rooted for her.
I understand the way her emotions work, she lived a sheltered life and was surrounded by specific people. She may come off as a bit immature to readers but I find that to be a natural characteristic of someone whose world is very small. I could understand why her thoughts and emotions worked that way. I also applaud the author for highlighting Orlaith's struggle with her identity especially when some secrets come to light.
It's not easy at all. Her trauma is a frequent visitor in her nightmares and what I think slips the attention of many readers is the fact that Orlaith has a raspy voice because on that bloody day when she was saved, her piercing scream caused an injury in her throat.
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
“So long as you take me with you.”
“Never.”
Rhordyn is intriguing in a dark way. This is a man that I want to shred into pieces because he is that mysterious. I want to wring out every secret he keeps. I smell a tragic backstory. He also exudes dark dom energy and something about him is simply... intriguing.
I adore Kai and hope to see more of him but I definitely do not want him as a romantic option for Orlaith. Cain is the one I have a lot of thoughts about. I liked him from the first time he interacted with Orlaith and I am eager to see what his role will be in the story. I do think he has his own agenda but we'll see.
The sexual tension is deliciously angsty. There is clear a power imbalance between Orlaith and Rhordyn yet... you just know there is more to their connection.
He pillaged my weakness. Offered me a drink from his well and I gulped with greedy draws until I was intoxicated and mindless. Then, he tossed me down the hole and left me there with no way out. Now all I can do is drown.
I do recommend this for readers that enjoy the works of Sarah J. Maas and Raven Kennedy.
Trigger Warning: drug use, explicit language, self harm (only tip of fingers), graphic scenes.
I would like to put in a disclaimer and mention that this is a dark, dark fantasy romance. You will be frustrated and devastated by the turn of events and you won't always agree and be happy with the choices the characters make—and that's the point of it sometimes and flawed characters are more compelling to me. Characters in this book make mistakes and the relationships can be toxic but it makes their growth and change more meaningful. There is a lot of suffering, guilt, and grief that all the characters deal with. From book 1 the plot was building itself gradually and woven with an intricate lore that sheds itself more with every book and that's why not all questions are answered right away and when they do, it creates more questions and that what personally keeps me invested in the series—knowing that there is more that I want to unravel and how it ties into the stories of all these characters.
Unlike other dark fantasy romance books this is just not surface-level dark, it dives right into the depths. And as my friend Underseabookish said and I quote:
"this series dares to be bold and wants to set itself apart within that genre by bringing back the DARK, the FANTASY, and the ROMANCE all into one series."
I've been craving a dark fantasy series such as this for a long time but I absolutely understand how it might not be everyone's cup of tea. I just wanted to express why I appreciate the series for what it is.
⚠️ Warning: there are spoilers in the comments section and the second section of the review, please avoid it if you have not read the book yet.
*
*
*** SPOILERS BELOW***
*
*
*
After my reread, I think Rhordyn is so incredibly misunderstood as a character and his role in this story.
I have to establish first that Rhordyn is an extremely complicated and nuanced character. He is a morally ambiguous character but in no way the villain in this story.
First let's get some facts straight:
1. Rhordyn is not forcibly locking Orlaith in the tower, it is mentioned multiple times that he tried to integrate her into society, but Orlaith is content to live in behind the safety line away from the whispers of the general public. This is what he says to Orlaith: “I’ll stay here,” I whisper, and a shadow shutters his eyes, the muscle along his jaw feathering. “Live, Orlaith. All I’m asking is that you live.” Rhordyn even tells Orlaith at some point that her tower won't keep her safe from the looming danger, this is why he wanted her to train to fight with Baze, he wants her to be prepared in case the worst happens. The only instances he locked her in is when he did not want her to attend the ball (because of Cain) and to not let her leave to Bahari/Cain. Unlike the fairytale, Orlaith was not locked in her tower the entire time. Actually she wasn't locked for 90% of the book except on two instances.
2. He can be controlling and manipulative at times especially when it concerns her safety and her feelings, but he is not a groomer in any shape or form. It's mentioned that Rhordyn avoids her like the plague to the point she never sees him around since he rescued her until in recent years. Orlaith is raised by Cook and Baze, Rhordyn wasn't involved in raising her at all nor did he act like a parental figure to her (more of this is even clarified in book 2 about what happened in the past). Her blood was even delivered by Cook to Rhordyn until she was able to do the offering herself and place it in the small door for him to take, it's even mentioned in the book Rhor was never involved in the act and he did so the first time when she refused to give him the blood offering. Orlaith did not grow up while being in love with Rhordyn, her feelings were only recent. Yes, there is a clear power imbalance between them that he uses to his advantage and protection comes in many "forms" even one that is very questionable. As Orlaith begins to rebel and ask questions Rhordyn is not ready to answer, he resorts to the influence he has over her and the unexplored connection between them to push her back.
3. Rhordyn IS toxic but he is not the villain. Nothing that Rhordyn did was ever meant to harm Orlaith. He is the one who wants to appear toxic to her to push her away and to accept that he is a monster beneath. He finds relief in her ignorance merely because the fear that took root within him the day he saved her and tasted her blood will force him to confront the reality of their situation and of who they are to each other—and that is what he thinks might break Orlaith. It's very likely that they are mates.
4. Not once has it been mentioned that Rhordyn had been inappropriate towards Orlaith or had shown any desire for her prior to the events in this book. Eventually, it's pointed out to which moment he actually started to feel more than just a protective instinct (as I said they have a unique connection that is likely a mating bond).
5. Last but not least, I think Rhordyn directs so much self-loath at himself. I do not think he finds pleasure in what his instincts draw out of him especially when it comes to Orlaith. I don't think he relishes in their power imbalance either and I'll dive into that more when I talk about the mates and their bond. His self-loath is what influences a lot of his actions when it comes to her. Not justifiable in any way, but this is why this book is considered a dark fantasy romance. Nothing is coming easy for them.
This doesn't mean Rhordyn's actions can be justified because what I love about this book is you can understand the questionable actions of the characters without the need to justify them.
Sarah unfurls such a complex relationship with a tinge of taboo and yet underneath it all lies a thousand questions and secrets.
I think the tabooness of their relationship is what haunts most readers, which is totally valid. But there is some clear misinterpretation that's confusing readers.
The dynamic between Orlaith and Rhordyn is meant to unsettle the reader but also spark that intrigue and curiosity on where it could all lead to.
Their relationship is dysfunctional and the power balance is very off, but for such a dark tale and for the sake of Orlaith's arc it should be done that way.
Orlaith is not kept from the world, there is not much of the world out there to discover because it reeks of monsters and deaths.
And perhaps, the world is kept away from Orlaith herself. She's the one with the mark of death.
This is not a blossoming romance, it's tearing both Orlaith and Rhordyn apart. This longing, attraction, and anguish is a festering wound on their souls.
The day Rhordyn had a sip of Orlaith's blood was the day the gods damned them both.
As much as I have enjoyed the sexual tension and chemistry between them, neither of them are ready for any notion of a romantic love. Orlaith must break out of her confines and let her world expand beyond her tower—and Rhordyn must face his own demons. As of now, they are not a healthy option for each other, not until that power imbalance shifts and for Orlaith to experience what the world, and not Rhordyn, has to offer for her.
And if they turn out to be mates, which I truly believe there are given the strong evidence in the book itself, I'm really intrigued by the concept of a mating bond that is not romanticized. Most of those who find their mates struggle a little or accept that they have found their one true love, and that bond mostly gives them little butterflies and an infinite love. The dark concept of mates in this world is a tragedy, at least for Orlaith and Rhordyn.
Her voice may have been fragile, but everything else was the opposite. Her upper lip was curled with hate, she had fire in her eyes, and she looked at me like she saw through my skin to the monster I am beneath.
Part of me was relieved—screamed for her to look deeper. To delve until she ripped herself on all my sharp bits. Perhaps then she’d see why I’m stuck in her orbit ... unwillingly.
Why drifting too close would destroy everything.
“Mates, Orlaith, are a fairy tale. A tragedy painted with the pretty face of a happily ever after, but at its core, it’s still a fucking tragedy. If you believe everything you read, you’ll be disappointed when you finally step into the real world.”
They would be the epitome of star-crossed lovers.
His eyes harden. “What I want, what I need, and what is right are three entirely different things.”
To me, it feels that the source of Rhordyn's self-loath comes from how the bond influences his feelings for Orlaith. He is a man of complete control yet a force beyond his reach is slowly depriving him of that privilege and it pushes towards instincts that he may find... depraved.
He seems to be tainted by her affections, not because they repulse him but because she is too good for him. He wishes that she could see the monster underneath his skin, probably in belief that it may deter her.
It seems like a doomed love more than anything -me he knows it—and maybe it has to do with the prophecy?
This is why I love Rhordyn as a character, there is so much to explore about him and while my morals can be questioned because of the type of characters I am drawn to, I only hope that we get to see his ice crack and he is caught up in Orlaith's fire.
In the end, what matters to me is Orlaith's journey and I'm so excited to see where it will lead up to. I may be rooting for a second chance romance for her and Rhordyn but I'm rooting more for her happiness.
July 25, 2021
Was this book confusing to follow? Yes.
Did the protagonist randomly go into heat mid book which was never addressed before or after this point? Yes.
Am I a bit obsessed with it anyways and need to read the next book as soon as possible? Also Yes.
I will be taking no further questions at this time
Did the protagonist randomly go into heat mid book which was never addressed before or after this point? Yes.
Am I a bit obsessed with it anyways and need to read the next book as soon as possible? Also Yes.
I will be taking no further questions at this time
January 17, 2025
This review is such a disaster. Much like this book. (DNF - 36%) [Sep 15th, 2024]
My last straw was when the very childish, immature 21 yo fmc rolled in horse shit because she was jealous of a beautiful woman speaking to "her man" - that is not even her man, but her guardian of 19 years. She even goes ahead and calls this woman mother out of spite, and later in the series she is to get involved with this man....?
I love you Sarah, but idk what you ate, drank or smoked when you created this.
________________
OKAY LISTEN. I know I dnf'ed this, only a few short days ago, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. [Aug 31st, 2024]
I am gonna gaslight myself into thinking 'ward' means like 'employee' or something, and continue reading this.
Am I stupid? Most definitely. But I need y'all to feed my delusions rn.
(I might've seen some fanart and I have to push through)
________________
I'm so sad, I think I'm going to have to dnf this??? I wanna cry. (17%) [Aug 29th, 2024]
There's not much that icks me out, but having the love interest be her guardian(aka father figure??) that she's had since she was two will do it for me. In all other aspects I know this is something I would devour. The writing is amazingly beautiful and immersive. Sarah is incredible at not only building a world and characters, but creating an atmosphere that you can feel off the pages.
But I can already tell that the romance will be such a big blocker for me to enjoy this. They definitely have some sort of tension already, but all it is achieving is making me feel unwell as I cannot stop thinking about the weird power dynamic.
I still desperately want to read this series, so if you've read this and have some info that can make this feel less icky pls DM me lol.
I might retry at some later point as I might have a better time with it if I know what to expect and can change my perspective accordingly. (My mind was deadset on them having kind of like an Oraya & Vincent - Crowns of Nyaxia - type relationship, so I was completely weirded out when they started to have some sort of sensual moment, but I'm assuming/hoping that is not the actual context)
________________
⌞Pre-read:⌝ [Aug 28th, 2024]
You don't understand how eager I am to read this. I've been wanting to read it ever since I read When the Moon Hatched, but I haven't been feeling heavier fantasy for a while.
I am beyond excited to finally start this now however. If this is good I might start a Sarah A Parker cult or something, tbc.
My last straw was when the very childish, immature 21 yo fmc rolled in horse shit because she was jealous of a beautiful woman speaking to "her man" - that is not even her man, but her guardian of 19 years. She even goes ahead and calls this woman mother out of spite, and later in the series she is to get involved with this man....?
I love you Sarah, but idk what you ate, drank or smoked when you created this.
________________
OKAY LISTEN. I know I dnf'ed this, only a few short days ago, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. [Aug 31st, 2024]
I am gonna gaslight myself into thinking 'ward' means like 'employee' or something, and continue reading this.
Am I stupid? Most definitely. But I need y'all to feed my delusions rn.
(I might've seen some fanart and I have to push through)
________________
I'm so sad, I think I'm going to have to dnf this??? I wanna cry. (17%) [Aug 29th, 2024]
There's not much that icks me out, but having the love interest be her guardian(aka father figure??) that she's had since she was two will do it for me. In all other aspects I know this is something I would devour. The writing is amazingly beautiful and immersive. Sarah is incredible at not only building a world and characters, but creating an atmosphere that you can feel off the pages.
But I can already tell that the romance will be such a big blocker for me to enjoy this. They definitely have some sort of tension already, but all it is achieving is making me feel unwell as I cannot stop thinking about the weird power dynamic.
I still desperately want to read this series, so if you've read this and have some info that can make this feel less icky pls DM me lol.
I might retry at some later point as I might have a better time with it if I know what to expect and can change my perspective accordingly. (My mind was deadset on them having kind of like an Oraya & Vincent - Crowns of Nyaxia - type relationship, so I was completely weirded out when they started to have some sort of sensual moment, but I'm assuming/hoping that is not the actual context)
________________
⌞Pre-read:⌝ [Aug 28th, 2024]
You don't understand how eager I am to read this. I've been wanting to read it ever since I read When the Moon Hatched, but I haven't been feeling heavier fantasy for a while.
I am beyond excited to finally start this now however. If this is good I might start a Sarah A Parker cult or something, tbc.
August 8, 2021
I need someone to tell me why they thought this book was good. It had so much potential. I have SO many questions and I'm assuming it's all to set up for the next book so it better get explained there. Rhor is a completely inappropriate love interest for her. He saved her when she was two and then raises her and somehow falls in love with her during the 19 years she hides in his castle? Like are you for real? He should be a father figure! This book was also hella boring. I found myself checking to see how many pages were left. I will read the second one only to answer the questions I have.
April 30, 2025
“Because lies are pretty little masks we place on our words to tint the truth into something palatable.”
ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . ━ 4.0 - 4.2 ☆ ━ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ ╰┈➤˗ˏˋㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ I am pretty sure this book is meant to be as confusing as possible, and the entire mysterious-secretive aura that seems to somehow cover every single page of this book is intentionally built in that way. If you like being kept in the dark, reading about events that are never fully explained, and literally living a book yourself, this might be the perfect read for you. But I warn you, if you do not want to feel frustration oozing out of you with every new page you turn, then do not adventure into reading this book; it might ruin everything for you. Needless to say, this will be a long review....
ㅤ "To Bleed a Crystal Bloom" is a very dark and eerie book that is meant to test your self-restraint, and I would genuinely advise everyone to read the trigger warnings of this book, because they are not a few, they are impactful, and they play quite a big role in the story. And above all else, please, remember that this is a dark fantasy book so don't expect morals to play such an important role.
ㅤ The story follows mainly Orlaith, a young woman who has been sheltered her entire life to the point that every small change in her life causes a complete disaster for her well-being; which is quite an unfortunate circumstance, as her entire safe life is about to be overthrown. The one in charge of her fierce protection is none other than Rhordyn, the High Master of Castle Noir where our twisted Rapunzel lives her days, and the man who's only tie to her seems to be the nightly drop of blood that he requires from her. But do not mistake his overprotective and strict boundaries to be what keeps Orlaith a hostage of some sort, as her mind is the only one that sets the bars of her self-built prison. Despite being the one to save her when she was 2 years old, be ready for your morals to walk straight out the window, because Rhordyn is no other than the man responsible for a lot of heated thoughts and wicked desires for our FMC. This sounds pretty disgusting, doesn't it? But, in the realm of dark fantasy, wouldn't you too find yourself falling for the insanely mysterious, dark, and brooding man who, despite saving you when you were a child, is absent from the biggest part of your life yet somehow seems to not age a single day? And how could that not turn into some carnal desires when the same man seems to devour every little part of our 'maybe not so innocent' FMC each time he sets his gaze on her, now that he finally starts being more present in her life? But Rhordyn has more secrets than one can bear, and his pretty lies, despite having a noble cause, might still leave scars that run too deep. Therefore, a broken, betrayed heart cannot be mended by confusing words, no matter how lovely they are; and naivety can prove to be lethal when combined with one's wish to revenge their heart and their broken pieces.
ㅤ I am genuinely finding myself at a loss of words and I feel like my review might be just as confusing at this book itself, but I still hope it would look presentable in the end.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ world-building, writing and action ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ Do not expect to go into this book, like how you would normally go into one belonging to the fantasy genre, and have the entire imaginary world being served to you on a silver plater; because you will finish this book being as confused as when you first opened it. The world-building in this novel follows the tune set by the dark and gloomy atmosphere of the events, and you will find yourself simply kept in the dark too due to the choices made by the FMC.
ㅤ This is something I would normally despise in a story. However, it somehow just seemed to work for this one. And despite, feeling really frustrated by the lack of information, I think it worked pretty nicely in serving the scope of this book: my interest is entirely piqued for what is to come. The small bits of information that are revealed worked pretty well for me in making me more curious and keeping me intrigued, and I am quite looking forward to seeing what more will be revealed about the world as the FMC starts her slow evolution path.
ㅤ I genuinely do not want to write too much in regards to the writing in this book for the fear that I might not be able to fully encompass the beauty of it. I will only say that this is not such an easy-to-read book, so do not expect to go into a really entertaining book in terms of style. Apart from this, the writing is absolutely magnificent. I am insane for any kind of beautiful wordcraft, and Sarah A. Parker perfectly woven these words to match every single one of my desires.
ㅤ Fortunately for me, I walked into this book, knowing that it is heavily character-driven and that the inner feelings and thoughts prevail in the detriment of the action itself. However, I did not find myself getting bored even for a second. I was completely hooked and absolutely absorbed by all the twisted and infuriating scenes that were so vividly described in front of my eyes. I would definitely say that, if you want a fully action-packed book, this might not be the most suitable choice for you.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ characters ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ This is the part of the review that I am honestly struggling with the most. And even as I am writing it, it just seems so confusing and hard to tackle because the characters are genuinely the main focus and most confusing part of the book itself. These are very complex characters, and I fear that I might not be able to correctly portray them, but I think the best thing I can currently do is to state my own opinions about them.
ㅤ ❀ Orlaith - She is probably one of the most frustrating characters I've ever read about. I entirely understand her trauma and I fully comprehend the gravity of whatever it is that she is feeling. But she is literally refusing to escape her self-indulged prison, therefore every little thing that disturbs her routine turns into an entire catastrophe. She repeatedly states how her maturity and age are a forced threat towards her peace, but she wants to be seen and treated like a woman, especially by the man that is the subject of all her desires. She is basically a paradox and a combination of opposites: she loves her safe-space, but she feels confined repeatedly; she is the one limiting herself, yet she blames the others for her boundaries; she refuses to abandon her childish, sheltered self, but she wants to experience more of the world; she knows her desires are wrong, but she encourages herself to go for them. For short, she is highly frustrating, confusing, and infuriating as a character, and you might probably have more than one mental breakdown when reading about her.
ㅤ ❀ Rhordyn - This man is such a mystery, even to the reader, that I genuinely don't even know from where to start saying something about him. He is simply, entirely shrouded in secrets and his very short, very few, and very confusing chapters only make him even more of a puzzle. If you are an avid fantasy reader, you might get some slight theories about him and what is actually going on inside that dark brain of his, but otherwise, he is a complete mystery and the greatest source of confusion and eerie in this book. Be seeing him mainly from Orlaith's perspective, he just seems as much of a paradox and an amalgam of contradictions as Orlaith herself; but unlike her, he seems way more in control. However, there are a lot of instances that are meant to show the reader how much he is struggling as well, and they might even make you sympathise with him.
ㅤ ❧ This part might actually be pretty long, but I will genuinely try to keep it as short as I can. And I will start by saying that this is not a normal love story because this is a dark fantasy book. And just like morals can't really be expected from the book itself, they can't really be expected to be involved in the feelings either. I can totally see and understand why the subject of the romance sub-plot was a hard to swallow pill for a lot of people. And I might somehow be slightly just as twisted as these characters, because for me, the romance sub-plot simply worked. It was as disturbing as the biggest part of the book, it was just as devoid of morals, and it was the perfect shock element to keep the reader on some sort of edge at all times.
ㅤ I fully understand why a lot of people found this plot-line of the book to be rather deranged of sorts and why this might have been a huge reason for a lot of people to take a step back from this book. And I swear I am not trying to defend anything from these twisted attachments and feelings, but I think I understood some things rather differently than the majority of people I've seen talking about this book and I will just try to list some of these things briefly below so that maybe it will be easier to understand where I am coming from with my review:
ㅤ 1. I know Rhordyn is generally seen as this abusive element in Orlaith's life. But I think a lot of people fail to understand that he is not the one that keeps Orlaith prisoner; on the contrary, he repeatedly tries to determine her to face the world. I know this book is presented as "a dark Rapunzel interpretation", but Rhordyn is not the evil sorceress in this tale. Orlaith's mind is her own evil witch. And the very few instances where he is actually restraining her are rather plausible in the given context (which I am pretty sure will be better explained in the following books).
ㅤ 2. Orlaith never saw Rhordyn as a father-figure, nor did he ever act like one for her. I think it is easy to miss in the book that Orlaith mentions she almost never saw Rhordyn while growing up. She was raised by the castle's staff, he was never directly involved in her upbringing and they never even had at least a master-ward relationship. This man literally avoids her like the plague and while I have a rather obvious theory for his actions, I am just going to wait and see for myself. I do not see him as a groomer in any way as he has never been inappropriate towards Orlaith, and Orlaith's feelings towards him are recent as well. She did not grow up falling in love with him. But her feelings started to manifest only recently, when she became a mature woman, while he also started being more present in her life.
ㅤ 3. There is a very obvious power imbalance between these two, which, undeniably, creates a very toxic connection. But, Rhordyn is seen more than once trying to push Orlaith out of her ignorance and to determine her to give up the safety of her boundaries. Is the manner in which he does this good enough? Absolutely not. But I think that his protective instinct, as well as the newly discovered depth of their connection, determines him to resort to secrets as a protective barrier; therefore restarting the toxic cycle of power imbalance.
ㅤ 4. Lastly, I genuinely think Rhordyn is a way too complex character to characterise accordingly with only the minimum information we get in this book. He is full of self-hatred, and this prompts him to make such awful decisions at times simply because he does not know how to deal with these things. I am not defending him in any way and this man deserved to be punched in the face more than once, but keep in mind that this is a dark fantasy book; nothing will come easy and none of the characters will be entirely without fault. I just feel like the big picture will actually bring details that might prove the actions of all the characters to be somehow justifiable.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Baze - He is just like the soft uncle that mostly acts as a buffer between the two cataclysmic powers that are Rhordyn and Orlaith. I am so sure he will play a much greater role in the following books, especially after the revelation at the end of the book and I simply cannot wait to see more of him.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Cainon - His nickname is Cain for a reason. I know a psycho and a b*tch in the making when I see one.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ ending and conclusions ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ The ending is basically one of the many reasons for which I might develop anger issues and the main element that forces me to carry my Kindle with me on my trip and actually start the second book far earlier than I planned to. I really wanted to throw my kindle out of the window upon reading the very last few lines of this book; and then I wanted to throw myself after it as well. I am almost entirely sure that the writer had an evil plan when writing the final pages of this novel, because there is no normal reason for someone to make the ending of a book to be such an insane and consuming, infuriating, and maddening cliff-hanger. I was genuinely wondering if I had ever read about a character more naive than Orlaith; and the answer is probably no. The finale simply made me feel both enraged and intrigued and now I cannot wait to go into the second book.
ㅤ I will actually just try to keep this conclusion as short as possible, and I will only say this: if you enjoy infuriatingly complex characters that drive the entire path of an unhinged, dark book with their confusing emotions, if you enjoy magnificently beautiful writing that might sometimes prove slightly hard to appreciate entirely, and if you enjoy hugely morally-grey characters with issues and contradictions that are meant to make both your mind and your blood boil, then please read this book. If you do not and you treasure your peace, then do not even step close to this book.
────────────────────────
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ needing something that isn't 650+ pages-long to read before I am leaving for my trip in a few days and this has been sitting in my library for quite a while now. So let's go book no.162 from my TBR list!! 🥲
ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . ━ 4.0 - 4.2 ☆ ━ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ ╰┈➤˗ˏˋㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ I am pretty sure this book is meant to be as confusing as possible, and the entire mysterious-secretive aura that seems to somehow cover every single page of this book is intentionally built in that way. If you like being kept in the dark, reading about events that are never fully explained, and literally living a book yourself, this might be the perfect read for you. But I warn you, if you do not want to feel frustration oozing out of you with every new page you turn, then do not adventure into reading this book; it might ruin everything for you. Needless to say, this will be a long review....
ㅤ "To Bleed a Crystal Bloom" is a very dark and eerie book that is meant to test your self-restraint, and I would genuinely advise everyone to read the trigger warnings of this book, because they are not a few, they are impactful, and they play quite a big role in the story. And above all else, please, remember that this is a dark fantasy book so don't expect morals to play such an important role.
ㅤ The story follows mainly Orlaith, a young woman who has been sheltered her entire life to the point that every small change in her life causes a complete disaster for her well-being; which is quite an unfortunate circumstance, as her entire safe life is about to be overthrown. The one in charge of her fierce protection is none other than Rhordyn, the High Master of Castle Noir where our twisted Rapunzel lives her days, and the man who's only tie to her seems to be the nightly drop of blood that he requires from her. But do not mistake his overprotective and strict boundaries to be what keeps Orlaith a hostage of some sort, as her mind is the only one that sets the bars of her self-built prison. Despite being the one to save her when she was 2 years old, be ready for your morals to walk straight out the window, because Rhordyn is no other than the man responsible for a lot of heated thoughts and wicked desires for our FMC. This sounds pretty disgusting, doesn't it? But, in the realm of dark fantasy, wouldn't you too find yourself falling for the insanely mysterious, dark, and brooding man who, despite saving you when you were a child, is absent from the biggest part of your life yet somehow seems to not age a single day? And how could that not turn into some carnal desires when the same man seems to devour every little part of our 'maybe not so innocent' FMC each time he sets his gaze on her, now that he finally starts being more present in her life? But Rhordyn has more secrets than one can bear, and his pretty lies, despite having a noble cause, might still leave scars that run too deep. Therefore, a broken, betrayed heart cannot be mended by confusing words, no matter how lovely they are; and naivety can prove to be lethal when combined with one's wish to revenge their heart and their broken pieces.
ㅤ I am genuinely finding myself at a loss of words and I feel like my review might be just as confusing at this book itself, but I still hope it would look presentable in the end.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ world-building, writing and action ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ Do not expect to go into this book, like how you would normally go into one belonging to the fantasy genre, and have the entire imaginary world being served to you on a silver plater; because you will finish this book being as confused as when you first opened it. The world-building in this novel follows the tune set by the dark and gloomy atmosphere of the events, and you will find yourself simply kept in the dark too due to the choices made by the FMC.
ㅤ This is something I would normally despise in a story. However, it somehow just seemed to work for this one. And despite, feeling really frustrated by the lack of information, I think it worked pretty nicely in serving the scope of this book: my interest is entirely piqued for what is to come. The small bits of information that are revealed worked pretty well for me in making me more curious and keeping me intrigued, and I am quite looking forward to seeing what more will be revealed about the world as the FMC starts her slow evolution path.
ㅤ I genuinely do not want to write too much in regards to the writing in this book for the fear that I might not be able to fully encompass the beauty of it. I will only say that this is not such an easy-to-read book, so do not expect to go into a really entertaining book in terms of style. Apart from this, the writing is absolutely magnificent. I am insane for any kind of beautiful wordcraft, and Sarah A. Parker perfectly woven these words to match every single one of my desires.
ㅤ Fortunately for me, I walked into this book, knowing that it is heavily character-driven and that the inner feelings and thoughts prevail in the detriment of the action itself. However, I did not find myself getting bored even for a second. I was completely hooked and absolutely absorbed by all the twisted and infuriating scenes that were so vividly described in front of my eyes. I would definitely say that, if you want a fully action-packed book, this might not be the most suitable choice for you.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ characters ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ This is the part of the review that I am honestly struggling with the most. And even as I am writing it, it just seems so confusing and hard to tackle because the characters are genuinely the main focus and most confusing part of the book itself. These are very complex characters, and I fear that I might not be able to correctly portray them, but I think the best thing I can currently do is to state my own opinions about them.
ㅤ ❀ Orlaith - She is probably one of the most frustrating characters I've ever read about. I entirely understand her trauma and I fully comprehend the gravity of whatever it is that she is feeling. But she is literally refusing to escape her self-indulged prison, therefore every little thing that disturbs her routine turns into an entire catastrophe. She repeatedly states how her maturity and age are a forced threat towards her peace, but she wants to be seen and treated like a woman, especially by the man that is the subject of all her desires. She is basically a paradox and a combination of opposites: she loves her safe-space, but she feels confined repeatedly; she is the one limiting herself, yet she blames the others for her boundaries; she refuses to abandon her childish, sheltered self, but she wants to experience more of the world; she knows her desires are wrong, but she encourages herself to go for them. For short, she is highly frustrating, confusing, and infuriating as a character, and you might probably have more than one mental breakdown when reading about her.
ㅤ ❀ Rhordyn - This man is such a mystery, even to the reader, that I genuinely don't even know from where to start saying something about him. He is simply, entirely shrouded in secrets and his very short, very few, and very confusing chapters only make him even more of a puzzle. If you are an avid fantasy reader, you might get some slight theories about him and what is actually going on inside that dark brain of his, but otherwise, he is a complete mystery and the greatest source of confusion and eerie in this book. Be seeing him mainly from Orlaith's perspective, he just seems as much of a paradox and an amalgam of contradictions as Orlaith herself; but unlike her, he seems way more in control. However, there are a lot of instances that are meant to show the reader how much he is struggling as well, and they might even make you sympathise with him.
ㅤ ❧ This part might actually be pretty long, but I will genuinely try to keep it as short as I can. And I will start by saying that this is not a normal love story because this is a dark fantasy book. And just like morals can't really be expected from the book itself, they can't really be expected to be involved in the feelings either. I can totally see and understand why the subject of the romance sub-plot was a hard to swallow pill for a lot of people. And I might somehow be slightly just as twisted as these characters, because for me, the romance sub-plot simply worked. It was as disturbing as the biggest part of the book, it was just as devoid of morals, and it was the perfect shock element to keep the reader on some sort of edge at all times.
ㅤ I fully understand why a lot of people found this plot-line of the book to be rather deranged of sorts and why this might have been a huge reason for a lot of people to take a step back from this book. And I swear I am not trying to defend anything from these twisted attachments and feelings, but I think I understood some things rather differently than the majority of people I've seen talking about this book and I will just try to list some of these things briefly below so that maybe it will be easier to understand where I am coming from with my review:
ㅤ 1. I know Rhordyn is generally seen as this abusive element in Orlaith's life. But I think a lot of people fail to understand that he is not the one that keeps Orlaith prisoner; on the contrary, he repeatedly tries to determine her to face the world. I know this book is presented as "a dark Rapunzel interpretation", but Rhordyn is not the evil sorceress in this tale. Orlaith's mind is her own evil witch. And the very few instances where he is actually restraining her are rather plausible in the given context (which I am pretty sure will be better explained in the following books).
ㅤ 2. Orlaith never saw Rhordyn as a father-figure, nor did he ever act like one for her. I think it is easy to miss in the book that Orlaith mentions she almost never saw Rhordyn while growing up. She was raised by the castle's staff, he was never directly involved in her upbringing and they never even had at least a master-ward relationship. This man literally avoids her like the plague and while I have a rather obvious theory for his actions, I am just going to wait and see for myself. I do not see him as a groomer in any way as he has never been inappropriate towards Orlaith, and Orlaith's feelings towards him are recent as well. She did not grow up falling in love with him. But her feelings started to manifest only recently, when she became a mature woman, while he also started being more present in her life.
ㅤ 3. There is a very obvious power imbalance between these two, which, undeniably, creates a very toxic connection. But, Rhordyn is seen more than once trying to push Orlaith out of her ignorance and to determine her to give up the safety of her boundaries. Is the manner in which he does this good enough? Absolutely not. But I think that his protective instinct, as well as the newly discovered depth of their connection, determines him to resort to secrets as a protective barrier; therefore restarting the toxic cycle of power imbalance.
ㅤ 4. Lastly, I genuinely think Rhordyn is a way too complex character to characterise accordingly with only the minimum information we get in this book. He is full of self-hatred, and this prompts him to make such awful decisions at times simply because he does not know how to deal with these things. I am not defending him in any way and this man deserved to be punched in the face more than once, but keep in mind that this is a dark fantasy book; nothing will come easy and none of the characters will be entirely without fault. I just feel like the big picture will actually bring details that might prove the actions of all the characters to be somehow justifiable.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Baze - He is just like the soft uncle that mostly acts as a buffer between the two cataclysmic powers that are Rhordyn and Orlaith. I am so sure he will play a much greater role in the following books, especially after the revelation at the end of the book and I simply cannot wait to see more of him.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Cainon - His nickname is Cain for a reason. I know a psycho and a b*tch in the making when I see one.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ ending and conclusions ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ The ending is basically one of the many reasons for which I might develop anger issues and the main element that forces me to carry my Kindle with me on my trip and actually start the second book far earlier than I planned to. I really wanted to throw my kindle out of the window upon reading the very last few lines of this book; and then I wanted to throw myself after it as well. I am almost entirely sure that the writer had an evil plan when writing the final pages of this novel, because there is no normal reason for someone to make the ending of a book to be such an insane and consuming, infuriating, and maddening cliff-hanger. I was genuinely wondering if I had ever read about a character more naive than Orlaith; and the answer is probably no. The finale simply made me feel both enraged and intrigued and now I cannot wait to go into the second book.
ㅤ I will actually just try to keep this conclusion as short as possible, and I will only say this: if you enjoy infuriatingly complex characters that drive the entire path of an unhinged, dark book with their confusing emotions, if you enjoy magnificently beautiful writing that might sometimes prove slightly hard to appreciate entirely, and if you enjoy hugely morally-grey characters with issues and contradictions that are meant to make both your mind and your blood boil, then please read this book. If you do not and you treasure your peace, then do not even step close to this book.
────────────────────────
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ needing something that isn't 650+ pages-long to read before I am leaving for my trip in a few days and this has been sitting in my library for quite a while now. So let's go book no.162 from my TBR list!! 🥲
May 7, 2022
Do you ever read a book that is so bad that instead of dnf-ing you keep reading it? 30% in this book and I knew that this book was a colossal waste of time and I should dnf this book... But I hate-read it instead.
I spent a long time scrolling through the reviews, and was seriously considering that either GR hid the negative reviews and kept the good ones on top or maybe I didn't read the same book as everyone else. How this book has over 4 stars and such rave reviews is beyond me. How can anyone not see how problematic this book was? Since I have already wasted my time on this book I am gonna write this rant and make my peace with it. I honestly feel mean to do this but I just need to do this for my own sanity.
Reasons why I didn't like To Bleed A Crystal Bloom:
✦ This book was very toxic and problematic.
✦ He rescued and raised her when she was TWO years old. He groomed her for 19 years.
✦ She lusted after her father figure like a sicko and he did the same.
✦ She lived in a castle and never went out. She basically had Stockholm syndrome.
✦ This girl loves self-harming, has to drug herself every night just so she can sleep, lusts over her guardian whose castle she has not left in 19 years, her instructers gave her selected education, she doesn't know and doesn't want to know anything thing about her own world. She is physically and mentally unwell.
✦ I legit didn't know what the hell was happening the entirety of this book. For example: What do they look like? How old are the males in this world? Do they look 20 or 50?
✦ This book tried to be too many things. There were mermen, random monsters, I am pretty sure she was described as fae but I can't be sure and none of them were described and explained and we were just left to understand by ourselves... Ooh so this is a loch ness monster, oohh this man living in sea literally lives in the sea.
✦ She randomly had heat in the middle of the book for no reason it was neither explained nor discussed. WHY? WHAT WAS THE POINT? IS SHE AN OMEGA? WHAT AM I EVEN READING?
✦ On that note: Why is she "offering her blood" to him? Is he a Vampire? Is he fae? What the hell is this book trying to be?
✦ She is offering him blood every night since she was 2. She thinks she is sharing a part of her with him and feels satisfied by self-harming. Tell me that is not sickening to you.
✦ There were random words thrown in the book that were neither explained properly nor written in the glossary. By the way, the glossary had info about random names of places like bitten bay, sprouts, whispers, and safety line. Like...ma'am, you explained these random names of the places this woman-child mentioned once but you can't be bothered to explain WHAT THE HELL IS A CUPLA????
✦ Why is she so horny 24/7? She finds out a world-shattering thing and then two seconds later she wants him to dick her good. Like... bro?????
✦ This dude is basically her entire world but we legit don't know what the hell is he? What is his power? What does he look like? Why is he doing anything in this book? Why is he so cryptic? Even in his chapters, we don't know what he is doing? He is just there to be brooding and angry. Worst of all he is psychologically abusing her.
✦ She somehow has survivor's guilt over an event that happened when she was TWO. Not only that, she remembers it all. Maybe her superpower is her memory.
✦ This discussion:
"You are bleeding."
"Not the sort you can lick better, I am afraid."
"You sure about that.
They are talking about her menstrual cycle. This book made me nauseous.
✦ The girl is stupid, never left her castle, has a victim complex, doesn't know anything about anything and that man thinks he is some kind of tragic hero, keeps her in the dark about her own self, is possessive about her, is psychologically abusive, drinks her blood (with no explanation why. I finished the book and I still don't know), is her father figure since she was two, forces and assaults her a lot.
In conclusion, I wish the editor had read this book before greenlighting it. The story had potential, and some sick part of me wants to read the second book just to find out what the hell was going on in this one. Don't even get me started on the way this toxic, creepy and abusive relationship was romanticised. Maybe this could have been a decent book if the author had not tried to braindump all the things she thought were cool. If your book has made up words that need a long-ass dictionary so the readers can understand just what the hell is going on. You fucked up. Define the genre, define the themes, don't complicate the world, and make it make sense.
I spent a long time scrolling through the reviews, and was seriously considering that either GR hid the negative reviews and kept the good ones on top or maybe I didn't read the same book as everyone else. How this book has over 4 stars and such rave reviews is beyond me. How can anyone not see how problematic this book was? Since I have already wasted my time on this book I am gonna write this rant and make my peace with it. I honestly feel mean to do this but I just need to do this for my own sanity.
Reasons why I didn't like To Bleed A Crystal Bloom:
✦ This book was very toxic and problematic.
✦ He rescued and raised her when she was TWO years old. He groomed her for 19 years.
✦ She lusted after her father figure like a sicko and he did the same.
✦ She lived in a castle and never went out. She basically had Stockholm syndrome.
✦ This girl loves self-harming, has to drug herself every night just so she can sleep, lusts over her guardian whose castle she has not left in 19 years, her instructers gave her selected education, she doesn't know and doesn't want to know anything thing about her own world. She is physically and mentally unwell.
✦ I legit didn't know what the hell was happening the entirety of this book. For example: What do they look like? How old are the males in this world? Do they look 20 or 50?
✦ This book tried to be too many things. There were mermen, random monsters, I am pretty sure she was described as fae but I can't be sure and none of them were described and explained and we were just left to understand by ourselves... Ooh so this is a loch ness monster, oohh this man living in sea literally lives in the sea.
✦ She randomly had heat in the middle of the book for no reason it was neither explained nor discussed. WHY? WHAT WAS THE POINT? IS SHE AN OMEGA? WHAT AM I EVEN READING?
✦ On that note: Why is she "offering her blood" to him? Is he a Vampire? Is he fae? What the hell is this book trying to be?
✦ She is offering him blood every night since she was 2. She thinks she is sharing a part of her with him and feels satisfied by self-harming. Tell me that is not sickening to you.
✦ There were random words thrown in the book that were neither explained properly nor written in the glossary. By the way, the glossary had info about random names of places like bitten bay, sprouts, whispers, and safety line. Like...ma'am, you explained these random names of the places this woman-child mentioned once but you can't be bothered to explain WHAT THE HELL IS A CUPLA????
✦ Why is she so horny 24/7? She finds out a world-shattering thing and then two seconds later she wants him to dick her good. Like... bro?????
✦ This dude is basically her entire world but we legit don't know what the hell is he? What is his power? What does he look like? Why is he doing anything in this book? Why is he so cryptic? Even in his chapters, we don't know what he is doing? He is just there to be brooding and angry. Worst of all he is psychologically abusing her.
✦ She somehow has survivor's guilt over an event that happened when she was TWO. Not only that, she remembers it all. Maybe her superpower is her memory.
✦ This discussion:
"You are bleeding."
"Not the sort you can lick better, I am afraid."
"You sure about that.
They are talking about her menstrual cycle. This book made me nauseous.
✦ The girl is stupid, never left her castle, has a victim complex, doesn't know anything about anything and that man thinks he is some kind of tragic hero, keeps her in the dark about her own self, is possessive about her, is psychologically abusive, drinks her blood (with no explanation why. I finished the book and I still don't know), is her father figure since she was two, forces and assaults her a lot.
In conclusion, I wish the editor had read this book before greenlighting it. The story had potential, and some sick part of me wants to read the second book just to find out what the hell was going on in this one. Don't even get me started on the way this toxic, creepy and abusive relationship was romanticised. Maybe this could have been a decent book if the author had not tried to braindump all the things she thought were cool. If your book has made up words that need a long-ass dictionary so the readers can understand just what the hell is going on. You fucked up. Define the genre, define the themes, don't complicate the world, and make it make sense.
did-not-finish
October 5, 2024˖ ࣪ ⟡˚ DNF @ 5% ˚⟡ ࣪ ˖
⤷ 21/09/2024 ⋆ˎˊ˗
this may be the most insane first couple pages i’ve read before i decided to DNF.
in the prologue, we find out that this guy (the MMC) saved this 2 year old child from being killed. at first we may think “oh, that’s so nice of him”, but no, he tries to kill the child, but then decides not to and locks her up in a tower.
in the first chapter, which is from the FMC’s (the child from the prologue which is now 21 years old) POV, we see her being absolutely insane. in the first couple pages we see her prick her finger on purpose and then dip it in a goblet of water, mix it, and then give it to the MMC as an offering. she describes how she fantasizes about watching him drink it while looking into his eyes the whole time.
“It shouldn’t give me so much satisfaction, watching myself bleed like this. But it does. Because this blood, this little act of self-harm, it’s not for me.
It’s for him.
Rhordyn.”
“I sigh, wondering if he’ll like it. If he’ll think it too pink or too red?”
“Does he like this ... thing between us?
Because I do.
I look forward to it; deflate when the moment passes. Lose myself to fantasies about it far too often—ones where I watch him drink me from that crystal goblet, holding his stare the entire time.”
i’m sorry?!?!
the FMC also acts like a literal child. it was so cringy.
also, i don’t know what the MMC‘s age is supposed to be, but if he was an adult when he saved her in the prologue (when she was 2 years old) then now that she’s 21… questionable age gap.
⤷ 21/09/2024 ⋆ˎˊ˗
this may be the most insane first couple pages i’ve read before i decided to DNF.
in the prologue, we find out that this guy (the MMC) saved this 2 year old child from being killed. at first we may think “oh, that’s so nice of him”, but no, he tries to kill the child, but then decides not to and locks her up in a tower.
in the first chapter, which is from the FMC’s (the child from the prologue which is now 21 years old) POV, we see her being absolutely insane. in the first couple pages we see her prick her finger on purpose and then dip it in a goblet of water, mix it, and then give it to the MMC as an offering. she describes how she fantasizes about watching him drink it while looking into his eyes the whole time.
“It shouldn’t give me so much satisfaction, watching myself bleed like this. But it does. Because this blood, this little act of self-harm, it’s not for me.
It’s for him.
Rhordyn.”
“I sigh, wondering if he’ll like it. If he’ll think it too pink or too red?”
“Does he like this ... thing between us?
Because I do.
I look forward to it; deflate when the moment passes. Lose myself to fantasies about it far too often—ones where I watch him drink me from that crystal goblet, holding his stare the entire time.”
i’m sorry?!?!
the FMC also acts like a literal child. it was so cringy.
also, i don’t know what the MMC‘s age is supposed to be, but if he was an adult when he saved her in the prologue (when she was 2 years old) then now that she’s 21… questionable age gap.
September 9, 2021
I honestly have no idea what this book is about. I got it without looking at the reviews and seeing them now is shocking, what was so good about it.
The heroine was the only survivor after a massacre that left an entire village dead. Her savior puts her in a castle which she is free off anytime but she has PTSD and cannot cross a barrier a few feet from the castle for fear that the things that killed her family will come for her.
She is stuck in the castle lusting after her savior but he seems to want nothing to do with her except a few drops of her blood every other day.
There is a summit to talk about the creatures that killed her family, as there have been reports that they are growing large in number.
She decides that she's been stuck in the castle so long because of her fear and she wants to help defeat those things.
That's how the book ends, oh there's some bits of inconsequential drama thrown in there to bulk up the book but nothing happens. It was a slumberfest.
The heroine was the only survivor after a massacre that left an entire village dead. Her savior puts her in a castle which she is free off anytime but she has PTSD and cannot cross a barrier a few feet from the castle for fear that the things that killed her family will come for her.
She is stuck in the castle lusting after her savior but he seems to want nothing to do with her except a few drops of her blood every other day.
There is a summit to talk about the creatures that killed her family, as there have been reports that they are growing large in number.
She decides that she's been stuck in the castle so long because of her fear and she wants to help defeat those things.
That's how the book ends, oh there's some bits of inconsequential drama thrown in there to bulk up the book but nothing happens. It was a slumberfest.
September 12, 2024
I ate this up ✋🏻 I will hear no slander on this
October 30, 2024
2.5☞ Trigger warnings: *contains spoilers* .
★★★☆☆
✧ October 2024 ✧
it has come to my attention that the endgame is indeed Rhordyn. the sigh that came out of me was from the depths of hell.
do whatever you want with that information. godspeed.
✧ 6th August ✧
They time has come my friends. I starting my re-read of this book. Now I know what is coming, I will try and pinpoint my overall thoughts and feelings about this. Will I have a good time? I don't think so. However, I am committed to finding out what in the darnation is going on in this book and in the sequel (releasing 8th August).
✧ July 2021 ✧
This review is also posted in my July Wrap Up on my blog ☀︎
Crystal Bloom Series reviews:
#1 To Bleed a Crystal Bloom: ★★★☆☆
#2 To Snap a Silver Stem: series dnf (probably.)
#3 To Flame a Wild Flower: series dnf
This is a dark Rapunzel reimagining where Orlaith is the sole survivor to a massacre that kills her all her friends and family when she was 2. Rhordyn is her saviour and protector, and soon becomes the target of her affection. Olaith lives in a tower, and develops agoraphobia where she physically cannot go beyond the castle garden. It cripples her and earns her scorn from Rhordyn. While she tries to forget her troubles within her safety bubble, the world entrenches in her relative peace forcing her to realise some harsh truths about herself and her situation.
ahhhh..... I am on unsure footing about this one. I picked this up solely because it was marketed around the Gild series. I predicted this would be another 5 star read for me. This was very much not.
There were ups, and there were downs. I laughed out loud and cringed vigorously. I was arguing with Orlaith alone in my room at 2am about her actions and what she should do. My emotions were all over the place and my idea of where the story was going to take me was constantly challenged. I went through it. My heart rate was not at a healthy level.
All my main issues are below but let me say this. I had no idea what to rate this. I thought about it exhaustively and came to the conclusion that I didn't want to rate it. In the end I just decided because there were some amazing scenes and definitely some disturbing scenes that these two dichotomies they averaged each other out. Call me a cop out but I stand by it. It is such a wild ride that I cannot rate it anything other than 3 stars.
Orlaith was an easily likeable, relatable main character but her choices were infuriating. They were made under rose-coloured glasses over a man that didn't appreciate nor love her the same and that broke. my. heart. Reading her go through it made me so mad I contemplated DNF-ing just to stop myself getting anxiety from this book. My blood pressure was raised and tears were shed. I was even questioning if this was the beginning of a Reverse Harem, and I was accidentally sucked into a story setting up for a polyamorous relationship. Who does that. Who tricks you into a reverse harem book?! Jail. I STILL DON'T KNOW IF IT EVEN IS A RH AND THATS THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART!!
This isn't even a review anymore. Just an account of my emotional journey and my need to find out what they hell I will come next.
☀︎ Questions / Issues ☀︎
** This whole section is a spoiler so you have been warned. Don't @ me. **
I hope I have neither convinced you or warned you away. Read better, more articulate reviews if you need either. I'm just a girl, screaming into the void about a book that took her through it. I need to go lie down now.
Would I recommend this book?
I would recommend it if you like Gild because they are both just the start of a rich fantasy story with similar themes.
I would also say Rejected, and Flames of Chaos have similar vibes. If you are looking for a cute fantasy romance, girlie this is not it. If you read this, you will not find peace, only problems.
Will I continue reading this series?
Yeah because of all the unanswered questions. I refuse to live my life without knowing wtf is going on.
Will I re-read this book?
Yeah probably just before the next book comes out. I have shit memory and I want to see if I can predict what happens next. Also I lowkey feel like I missed something and I need a refresher to sus out any foreshadowing. Call me Nancy Drew because I will crack this shit wide open, just you wait.
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June 19, 2023
Rated 3.5/5 stars
March 28, 2024
not to be an unsympathetic bitch or anything, but if I were living in a castle with only two men since forever I'm sure I still wouldn't act as cringe as main character here, but she drugged herself to sleep every night with a drug she made, so her lacking brain cells aren't that surprising
also the "romance" between her and the guy who was watching over her, locked her in a tower since she was two yo!!! and during that time made her bleed into a cup every day to satisfy his "urges" made me want to satisfy my urges and call 911 to report a crime, cus that sounds like ✨️pedo pedo pedo pedophilia✨️
also the "romance" between her and the guy who was watching over her, locked her in a tower since she was two yo!!! and during that time made her bleed into a cup every day to satisfy his "urges" made me want to satisfy my urges and call 911 to report a crime, cus that sounds like ✨️pedo pedo pedo pedophilia✨️
December 1, 2021
Hmmm...
This seems like it was heavily influenced by KMM's Fever series. It's also highly readable (I absolutely flew through it). Unfortunately, the romance in it is equally toxic, and while I sort of got it at the beginning, by the end, the repetitiveness really started to wear on me.
This seems like it was heavily influenced by KMM's Fever series. It's also highly readable (I absolutely flew through it). Unfortunately, the romance in it is equally toxic, and while I sort of got it at the beginning, by the end, the repetitiveness really started to wear on me.
August 28, 2021
A meh story with troubling relationships
I'm going to be honest, this isn't a badly written book and the story has its good points and some people will love this I have no doubt.
For me however it was slow. There was too much focus on the environments and the repetitive activities...it just felt like nothing much happened because most of the time it was the same thing, every conversation between the main character and her psychologically abusive love interest was the same and her obsession with this man is horrifying. He physically hurts her multiple times and plays with her head. It was honestly quite horrifying to read and I'm not sure that it's in the way the author intended.
This girl is basically groomed from being a small child, controlled, lied to so that she is obsessed with this one guy. As much as he stays away or whatever, his coldness is what draws her in and surely he would realize that at some point? The relationship is wrong and I have never wanted two people NOT to end up together like this before. She never stops obsessing over him and this is a dangerous portrayal of 'romance' as its actually just full on abusive but there are no consequences for it.
I genuinely don't want her to end up with any guy because she's just so reliant on all of them for every piece of her happiness. It's really not a good message. Every decision she makes is because of the men around her. Even Bryce says he started her love of plants. She finds no strength within herself and her character seems really stuck.
She gets lost, she gets angry, she gets scared, she makes a stupid decision...around and around we go. I was waiting for her to do something for her own character but she is more like a plot piece for me.
I honestly wouldn't mind if the ship she was on sunk...
The story was okay and the twist at the end was pretty good but nothing haopened with it. It was just another breakdown and stupid decision trigger so it just got lumped in with the others. I just felt unhappy and uncomfortable reading. I finished it in the hopes the end would save the day and that the mc would realize she was strong and capable and go live in the woods with her shadow monster...I will definitely not be reading the next one.
I'm going to be honest, this isn't a badly written book and the story has its good points and some people will love this I have no doubt.
For me however it was slow. There was too much focus on the environments and the repetitive activities...it just felt like nothing much happened because most of the time it was the same thing, every conversation between the main character and her psychologically abusive love interest was the same and her obsession with this man is horrifying. He physically hurts her multiple times and plays with her head. It was honestly quite horrifying to read and I'm not sure that it's in the way the author intended.
This girl is basically groomed from being a small child, controlled, lied to so that she is obsessed with this one guy. As much as he stays away or whatever, his coldness is what draws her in and surely he would realize that at some point? The relationship is wrong and I have never wanted two people NOT to end up together like this before. She never stops obsessing over him and this is a dangerous portrayal of 'romance' as its actually just full on abusive but there are no consequences for it.
I genuinely don't want her to end up with any guy because she's just so reliant on all of them for every piece of her happiness. It's really not a good message. Every decision she makes is because of the men around her. Even Bryce says he started her love of plants. She finds no strength within herself and her character seems really stuck.
She gets lost, she gets angry, she gets scared, she makes a stupid decision...around and around we go. I was waiting for her to do something for her own character but she is more like a plot piece for me.
I honestly wouldn't mind if the ship she was on sunk...
The story was okay and the twist at the end was pretty good but nothing haopened with it. It was just another breakdown and stupid decision trigger so it just got lumped in with the others. I just felt unhappy and uncomfortable reading. I finished it in the hopes the end would save the day and that the mc would realize she was strong and capable and go live in the woods with her shadow monster...I will definitely not be reading the next one.
June 25, 2024
Nothing happens in this book besides a man fingers a girl he saved then raised since she was two. Which is just icky....
May 13, 2024
“And your tower may be high, but you of all people should know it’s usually the tallest flowers that get targeted with a pair of clippers,” he says with callous precision.
alexa, play:
paint it black - ciara
dollhouse - the weeknd & lily rose
THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE!
orlaith was saved by rhordyn as a child and placed in a tower in his gothic castle mansion, complete with a complex maze tunnel system. she was then promptly ignored by him for the majority of her life. except for their nightly ritual where orlaith bleeds into a crystal goblet for him.
I’m in love with a man who’ll never be mine—who’s unavailable in every way, shape, and form—and I’m certain it’s going to ruin me.
luckily, baze is around to keep orlaith company and train her with a sword (of course, it would not be a fantasy book without some training scenes). there is also a handmaiden, tanith, but i was disappointed by her lack of presence. i was hoping for more of a friendship there. then there is kai, who we are led to believe is some sort of merman, and i loved him. it seems like he will have a bigger role later in the series.
orlaith is traumatized from her near death experience as a child. she has agoraphobia, avoids people outside of her very limited inner circle at all costs, and sticks to her routine (relatable). she also suffers from severe nightmares and is … a bit of a crackhead? lmao jk, kinda. orlaith has a green thumb and witch-like tendencies that keep her busy, but is otherwise sheltered and very naive.
this is the first book in the series and it poses a lot of questions while providing very little answers. this series is set for 6 books so i recognize that we have a long way to go and i am ready for the journey. there are still so many secrets being kept and a whole world out there for orlaith to explore. what was revealed signifies that all is not as it seems and the future is ambiguous.
alexa, play:
paint it black - ciara
dollhouse - the weeknd & lily rose
THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE!
orlaith was saved by rhordyn as a child and placed in a tower in his gothic castle mansion, complete with a complex maze tunnel system. she was then promptly ignored by him for the majority of her life. except for their nightly ritual where orlaith bleeds into a crystal goblet for him.
I’m in love with a man who’ll never be mine—who’s unavailable in every way, shape, and form—and I’m certain it’s going to ruin me.
luckily, baze is around to keep orlaith company and train her with a sword (of course, it would not be a fantasy book without some training scenes). there is also a handmaiden, tanith, but i was disappointed by her lack of presence. i was hoping for more of a friendship there. then there is kai, who we are led to believe is some sort of merman, and i loved him. it seems like he will have a bigger role later in the series.
orlaith is traumatized from her near death experience as a child. she has agoraphobia, avoids people outside of her very limited inner circle at all costs, and sticks to her routine (relatable). she also suffers from severe nightmares and is … a bit of a crackhead? lmao jk, kinda. orlaith has a green thumb and witch-like tendencies that keep her busy, but is otherwise sheltered and very naive.
this is the first book in the series and it poses a lot of questions while providing very little answers. this series is set for 6 books so i recognize that we have a long way to go and i am ready for the journey. there are still so many secrets being kept and a whole world out there for orlaith to explore. what was revealed signifies that all is not as it seems and the future is ambiguous.
November 2, 2024
sarah’s writing is so beautiful and poetic and this story was SO unique, i have never read anything quite like this before. it’s dark fantasy with secrets, lies, betrayal and not to mention the relationship between our two main characters is completely toxic and full of tension, i absolutely ate this up. i am so intrigued as to where this is going, i feel like i have so many unanswered questions and i am so excited to find out more!
March 22, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
NEW OBSESSION UNLOCKED
This was a masterpiece in dark fantasy romance !
This book was spectacular - the writing was beautiful and descriptive but still easy to understand. The world building & character development phenomenal.
I have SO many questions, but it still gave me enough to piece together & be throughly intrigued.
I also adore Oraliath’s character… her trauma is real along with her reactions & how she has tried to cope with them - but she’s also strong & capable & trying to do better! I was worried she was going to take books (like the plated prisoner series; which I still love) to find her strength but the journey in the book was outstanding, it never felt rushed, it all just felt right!
I’m so excited to see what will happen between her & the main love interests as well… who is the good one? Who is the bad one? What are their stories? What do they want from her?!!!!
& after all the secrets that got exposed at the end of this book?!! Ahhh!!! I can tell there is so much more to find out!
I can’t wait to continue with b2
🌶
NEW OBSESSION UNLOCKED
This was a masterpiece in dark fantasy romance !
This book was spectacular - the writing was beautiful and descriptive but still easy to understand. The world building & character development phenomenal.
I have SO many questions, but it still gave me enough to piece together & be throughly intrigued.
I also adore Oraliath’s character… her trauma is real along with her reactions & how she has tried to cope with them - but she’s also strong & capable & trying to do better! I was worried she was going to take books (like the plated prisoner series; which I still love) to find her strength but the journey in the book was outstanding, it never felt rushed, it all just felt right!
I’m so excited to see what will happen between her & the main love interests as well… who is the good one? Who is the bad one? What are their stories? What do they want from her?!!!!
& after all the secrets that got exposed at the end of this book?!! Ahhh!!! I can tell there is so much more to find out!
I can’t wait to continue with b2
August 15, 2021
I've just finished reading To Bleed a Crystal Bloom and I'm over here already in a major book hangover, deeply saddened by the fact that I need to wait almost a year for the next instalment in this series. This was impossible to put down after the first quarter.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is the series I didn't know I needed in my life. A dark fantasy reimagining of Rapunzel filled with gorgeous imagery, morally grey characters and angsty sexual tension. On top of this the writing is beautiful and captivated me from the moment I opened the book.
The world building was incredible and the characters felt real. I invested myself hard. By the end of the novel Sarah A. Parker had created a complete, magical filled world yet the building was done steadily and purposely, rather than information simply dumped early on as some authors rush to do. Expect gorgeous landscapes, evil selkies, iridescent sprites. medicinal plants and plenty of whimsy. I fell completely in love with this world and all of its characters.
The dynamics between Orlaith and Rhordyn were *chef's kiss* and had me speeding through the pages at a lightning speed just to see what would happen. Tension builds like a rubber band that I expected to snap at any minute. Expect a reluctant love story with plenty of resistance from both parties yet sexual attraction that continues to build regardless. Orlaith is feisty, sassy and brave. Rhordyn on the other hand is dark, self-lothing and full of inner turmoil that threatens to bubble out at any moment. I NEED to know what happens between them next. Other characters within the story were just as fascinating and I am excited to see where their stories also lead.
I feel that fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, dark fairytale retellings and smutty fantasy will adore To Bleed a Crystal Bloom.
Thank you so much to the author and MTMC Bookstagram Tours for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is the series I didn't know I needed in my life. A dark fantasy reimagining of Rapunzel filled with gorgeous imagery, morally grey characters and angsty sexual tension. On top of this the writing is beautiful and captivated me from the moment I opened the book.
The world building was incredible and the characters felt real. I invested myself hard. By the end of the novel Sarah A. Parker had created a complete, magical filled world yet the building was done steadily and purposely, rather than information simply dumped early on as some authors rush to do. Expect gorgeous landscapes, evil selkies, iridescent sprites. medicinal plants and plenty of whimsy. I fell completely in love with this world and all of its characters.
The dynamics between Orlaith and Rhordyn were *chef's kiss* and had me speeding through the pages at a lightning speed just to see what would happen. Tension builds like a rubber band that I expected to snap at any minute. Expect a reluctant love story with plenty of resistance from both parties yet sexual attraction that continues to build regardless. Orlaith is feisty, sassy and brave. Rhordyn on the other hand is dark, self-lothing and full of inner turmoil that threatens to bubble out at any moment. I NEED to know what happens between them next. Other characters within the story were just as fascinating and I am excited to see where their stories also lead.
I feel that fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, dark fairytale retellings and smutty fantasy will adore To Bleed a Crystal Bloom.
Thank you so much to the author and MTMC Bookstagram Tours for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2023
Was pretty into this for a while. Then I realised that the actual endgame love interest was the guy who raised her from when she was two and suddenly falls in love with her when she’s an adult. Also the same guy who waits for her ‘offering’ every night (her blood mixed from water- which he drinks from a bowl??) THE SAME GUY who doesn’t speak to her except to lecture her, talks to her like a 3 year old and does nothing but intimidate her.
Eugh no. I thought she was going to escape this weirdo and meet her actual love interest. I’m baffled- listen im all about the villain getting the girl but this was just creepy af
Eugh no. I thought she was going to escape this weirdo and meet her actual love interest. I’m baffled- listen im all about the villain getting the girl but this was just creepy af
January 26, 2025
2/5 ⭐️s - This book had me saying “huh??” the entire way through. Warning: this review will be just as confusing as the book because… seriously, what did I just read?
I still don’t fully know what happened. It felt like the entire thing was written in cryptic poetry. You have to spend time decoding every sentence just to figure out what’s going on, and even after all that effort, you’re left with 100 more questions. The concept sounds cool, but everything you’d expect in a fantasy book just got mashed into one—and not in a good way. More like a “what the heck is going on” kind of way.
The Plot:
This is supposed to be a Rapunzel retelling, but it’s honestly not even close. The FMC, Orlaith, survives a massacre by monsters/demons at the age of 2, and the MMC, Rhordyn, saves her and locks her in a tower for 18 years. She has to give him a drop of her blood every day… for reasons we’re never told. She’s technically free to do what she wants, but PTSD keeps her sticking close to the castle. Meanwhile, the demons are back, babies are being killed, and everyone’s stressed 🤯😂
The Characters + My Thoughts:
💎Orlaith:
She’s 21 but acts way younger. Although she’s not physically locked in the tower (she gets room service, education, and training), she spends most of her time painting rocks. She gushes over Rhordyn when she gives him her blood, but in person? She runs away and doesn’t want anything to do with him. She’s also randomly jealous of another woman and acts mean for no reason. Oh, and she’s suddenly on heat in the middle of the book, and everyone just acts like it’s totally normal. The worst part? She has chemistry with every man except Rhordyn, who’s supposed to be her love interest.
🖤Rhordyn:
I have no idea what this man is about because he barely talks, and when he does, it’s like reading a Sim transcript. One minute he wants Orlaith, the next he doesn’t. The power dynamic between them feels really off, and his scenes made me feel drained.
🧜🏻:Kai
The saving grace! I initially imagined him as the flounder from The Little Mermaid, but then I realised he’s a merman. He’s sweet, kind, and definitely Orlaith’s safety net, but I can tell there’s a darker side to him. I’ll just ignore that for now because I’m Team Fish Boy.
“That’s how you kiss someone you love, Orlaith. Anything less and they aren’t worthy of your heart or the power to break it. Understood?”
Go on, fish boy! Reel her in with your net! 🐠🌊⚓️
🗡️Blaze:
I love him. He’s Orlaith’s childhood friend, always there for her, keeping her safe. I secretly want them together too, but he definitely has his own secrets, which (surprise!) we don’t know.
All in all, it’s not a bad book—it’s just not for me. Way too much for my little brain to process. I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series anytime soon!
I still don’t fully know what happened. It felt like the entire thing was written in cryptic poetry. You have to spend time decoding every sentence just to figure out what’s going on, and even after all that effort, you’re left with 100 more questions. The concept sounds cool, but everything you’d expect in a fantasy book just got mashed into one—and not in a good way. More like a “what the heck is going on” kind of way.
The Plot:
This is supposed to be a Rapunzel retelling, but it’s honestly not even close. The FMC, Orlaith, survives a massacre by monsters/demons at the age of 2, and the MMC, Rhordyn, saves her and locks her in a tower for 18 years. She has to give him a drop of her blood every day… for reasons we’re never told. She’s technically free to do what she wants, but PTSD keeps her sticking close to the castle. Meanwhile, the demons are back, babies are being killed, and everyone’s stressed 🤯😂
The Characters + My Thoughts:
💎Orlaith:
She’s 21 but acts way younger. Although she’s not physically locked in the tower (she gets room service, education, and training), she spends most of her time painting rocks. She gushes over Rhordyn when she gives him her blood, but in person? She runs away and doesn’t want anything to do with him. She’s also randomly jealous of another woman and acts mean for no reason. Oh, and she’s suddenly on heat in the middle of the book, and everyone just acts like it’s totally normal. The worst part? She has chemistry with every man except Rhordyn, who’s supposed to be her love interest.
🖤Rhordyn:
I have no idea what this man is about because he barely talks, and when he does, it’s like reading a Sim transcript. One minute he wants Orlaith, the next he doesn’t. The power dynamic between them feels really off, and his scenes made me feel drained.
🧜🏻:Kai
The saving grace! I initially imagined him as the flounder from The Little Mermaid, but then I realised he’s a merman. He’s sweet, kind, and definitely Orlaith’s safety net, but I can tell there’s a darker side to him. I’ll just ignore that for now because I’m Team Fish Boy.
“That’s how you kiss someone you love, Orlaith. Anything less and they aren’t worthy of your heart or the power to break it. Understood?”
Go on, fish boy! Reel her in with your net! 🐠🌊⚓️
🗡️Blaze:
I love him. He’s Orlaith’s childhood friend, always there for her, keeping her safe. I secretly want them together too, but he definitely has his own secrets, which (surprise!) we don’t know.
All in all, it’s not a bad book—it’s just not for me. Way too much for my little brain to process. I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series anytime soon!
December 3, 2021
DNF @ 45%
I can't believe I talked myself into reading half the book and all I got out of the plot was that the heroine is best friends with a fish—I mean merman excuse me, and that she's got that female instinct to forage, which she puts to good use by foraging for plants to make her own narcotics.
Other notable plot points include:
1. Being constantly lectured by her father figure. Wait no I think he's actually the love interest, even though he's raised her since she was 2 and they don't interact outside of his lecturing and their nightly ritual where she mixes a drop of her blood into water and leaves it outside her door for him to drink. Sir, please answer the question honestly, is there any part of you who identifies as a cat? Because why is this girl leaving a bowl out for you like that?
2. The heroine(Orlaith) suddenly going into heat, but instead of making up for the lack of plot by delivering some ✨excellent smut✨, the author chooses to give us neither and writes about Orlaith sitting in an ice bath for five days.
I rly hope our girl ends up getting her needs relieved but I'm not sticking around to find out ✌🏼
I can't believe I talked myself into reading half the book and all I got out of the plot was that the heroine is best friends with a fish—I mean merman excuse me, and that she's got that female instinct to forage, which she puts to good use by foraging for plants to make her own narcotics.
Other notable plot points include:
1. Being constantly lectured by her father figure. Wait no I think he's actually the love interest, even though he's raised her since she was 2 and they don't interact outside of his lecturing and their nightly ritual where she mixes a drop of her blood into water and leaves it outside her door for him to drink. Sir, please answer the question honestly, is there any part of you who identifies as a cat? Because why is this girl leaving a bowl out for you like that?
2. The heroine(Orlaith) suddenly going into heat, but instead of making up for the lack of plot by delivering some ✨excellent smut✨, the author chooses to give us neither and writes about Orlaith sitting in an ice bath for five days.
I rly hope our girl ends up getting her needs relieved but I'm not sticking around to find out ✌🏼
November 4, 2022
This is one of those books I couldn't put down. And now I'm going to pick up the next book because I have too many questions and I can't quiet my mind.
⤏ What to expect:
∘ New Adult
∘ Dark Fantasy Romance
∘ Dark Rapunzel retelling
∘ Morally Grey Characters
∘ Angst & Sexual tension 🔥
∘ Multiple POV
∘ Secrets, secrets and more secrets
∘ Mysterious & dark love interest
∘ Intriguing back story
∘ Amazing worldbuilding
∘ Great character development
⤏ Tropes:
∘ Forbidden Romance
∘ Forced Proximity
∘ Age-gap
∘ "Touch her and you die"
⤏ Trigger Warnings: explicit language, depressive thoughts, drug use, graphic scenes, violence, PTSD, panic attacks, night terrors
— Review coming soon
⤏ What to expect:
∘ New Adult
∘ Dark Fantasy Romance
∘ Dark Rapunzel retelling
∘ Morally Grey Characters
∘ Angst & Sexual tension 🔥
∘ Multiple POV
∘ Secrets, secrets and more secrets
∘ Mysterious & dark love interest
∘ Intriguing back story
∘ Amazing worldbuilding
∘ Great character development
⤏ Tropes:
∘ Forbidden Romance
∘ Forced Proximity
∘ Age-gap
∘ "Touch her and you die"
⤏ Trigger Warnings: explicit language, depressive thoughts, drug use, graphic scenes, violence, PTSD, panic attacks, night terrors
— Review coming soon
January 25, 2025
This gets two stars instead of zero because I think the author accomplished what they wanted to accomplish. I don't think the author had any illusions about what they were writing, nor do I think this was falsely advertised. I just. Really hate what they accomplished.
Trigger warnings for grooming and abuse just in case!
Orlaith was fully believable as a traumatized and simultaneously sheltered and abused young lady (though I would give money for people to research how to pronounce Orlaith, A REAL LIFE NAME, correctly).
It's just a personal policy that if I think a book is portraying a father figure finger-banging his daughter figure as sexy I don't really want to be here.
Edited to add: I have seen other people say they think that Orlaith's guardian/father-figure took steps to keep from being her father-figure and therefore wasn't grooming her, to which I say, please. Just own that you have a kink. It's okay. Let's just acknowledge that this is dark romance daddykink with the emphasis on daddy and that was the point of it. You don't have to pretend it's hashtag unproblematique. It's okay.
Trigger warnings for grooming and abuse just in case!
Orlaith was fully believable as a traumatized and simultaneously sheltered and abused young lady (though I would give money for people to research how to pronounce Orlaith, A REAL LIFE NAME, correctly).
It's just a personal policy that if I think a book is portraying a father figure finger-banging his daughter figure as sexy I don't really want to be here.
Edited to add: I have seen other people say they think that Orlaith's guardian/father-figure took steps to keep from being her father-figure and therefore wasn't grooming her, to which I say, please. Just own that you have a kink. It's okay. Let's just acknowledge that this is dark romance daddykink with the emphasis on daddy and that was the point of it. You don't have to pretend it's hashtag unproblematique. It's okay.
July 23, 2021
Is the sky green? What is up? Who is down? What am I? How do you breathe? What is anything?
This is my brain after reading this book. I know nothing. I am nothing. What did I just read? What is even happening? You never know. But you love it.
This is my brain after reading this book. I know nothing. I am nothing. What did I just read? What is even happening? You never know. But you love it.
December 5, 2023
The author saw a bunch of book tropes on TikTok and decided to mash them together with barely any world building and boring characters.
I’d recommend skipping this to be honest.
I’d recommend skipping this to be honest.
August 25, 2022
This is an adult, loose Rapunzel retelling. If you liked the mystery and intrigue of say, the plated prisoner series then you'll very likely not be able to put this down.
I don't really know where to begin with this. I was addicted. Like, Zodiac Academy addicted. Not really a reason why- but I still was. I went into this book completely blind and have more questions now than I did going in.. lol
The world is partially built, the characters are partially built and you are left with questions to everyone and everything. Even though you are only given enough tiny bits of info to keep you guessing I still flew through this and enjoyed every second.
471 pages to know absolutely nothing and I'm 100% reading the next one! haha idk
I don't really know where to begin with this. I was addicted. Like, Zodiac Academy addicted. Not really a reason why- but I still was. I went into this book completely blind and have more questions now than I did going in.. lol
The world is partially built, the characters are partially built and you are left with questions to everyone and everything. Even though you are only given enough tiny bits of info to keep you guessing I still flew through this and enjoyed every second.
471 pages to know absolutely nothing and I'm 100% reading the next one! haha idk
October 19, 2021
The most decadent and tortuous retelling of Rapunzel!
Parker's book reads like one long, dark poem filled with monstrous heroes and beautiful monsters. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
Parker's book reads like one long, dark poem filled with monstrous heroes and beautiful monsters. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
September 9, 2021
I am extremely conflicted with this book.
My biggest issue is the love interest. everytime Rhordyn appears on the page, its a big no for me. I really contemplating DNF it despite the plot interesting me, just because the whole age and power dynamic. I can't help but cringe, his possessiveness just makes my skin crawl, He's her ward and has basically groomed her... Like no. I can guess he's but pls No... girl this man is TOXIC and should stay far far way from him. (He's literally promised to another woman). He should have been like a father figure. Literally every other male in her life is a better fit. Despite the fact that its obvious she's been sheltered and is extremely naive and there is a huge power imbalance between her and all the other male figures in her life.. it can't be worse than Rhordyn. Romance being a big part of the story means he plays an important role but if we could completely castrate him as a LI that would be great.
Cainon, Despte his very obvious evil name intrigue's me. I want to see where we go with the twisty ending and learn more about him
This book is a set up book, so not a lot happens but I genuinely enjoyed taking part of Laith's daily routine and the interesting aspect that her not leaving the castle is kind of like her version of agarophobia. Laith is extremely sheltered and naive and it comes across with her being a little bit idiotic and petulent, but despite her claims that she's a woman, she is a child (like everyone in the book likes to mention) because she doesn't know better.
There are a lot of unanswered questions and set up for future books, so for now I am tentatively invested.
I enjoy the writing, I enjoy the plot and the characterisation. the romance though. Inappropriate and rubbed me the wrong way
My biggest issue is the love interest. everytime Rhordyn appears on the page, its a big no for me. I really contemplating DNF it despite the plot interesting me, just because the whole age and power dynamic. I can't help but cringe, his possessiveness just makes my skin crawl, He's her ward and has basically groomed her... Like no. I can guess he's but pls No... girl this man is TOXIC and should stay far far way from him. (He's literally promised to another woman). He should have been like a father figure. Literally every other male in her life is a better fit. Despite the fact that its obvious she's been sheltered and is extremely naive and there is a huge power imbalance between her and all the other male figures in her life.. it can't be worse than Rhordyn. Romance being a big part of the story means he plays an important role but if we could completely castrate him as a LI that would be great.
Cainon, Despte his very obvious evil name intrigue's me. I want to see where we go with the twisty ending and learn more about him
This book is a set up book, so not a lot happens but I genuinely enjoyed taking part of Laith's daily routine and the interesting aspect that her not leaving the castle is kind of like her version of agarophobia. Laith is extremely sheltered and naive and it comes across with her being a little bit idiotic and petulent, but despite her claims that she's a woman, she is a child (like everyone in the book likes to mention) because she doesn't know better.
There are a lot of unanswered questions and set up for future books, so for now I am tentatively invested.
I enjoy the writing, I enjoy the plot and the characterisation. the romance though. Inappropriate and rubbed me the wrong way
July 19, 2021
4.5 🌟
The way this book is written is quite stunning, the world building is amazing. Its not fast paced or rushed but built slowly and beautifully, keeping you enraptured throughout. Olaith has been sheltered and hidden from so many truths she is so unbelievable naive. There are times I got so frustrated with her, but I couldn't stay mad because she doesn't know any better, she has been in her own little bubble since the age of 2. All she knows is what HE has wanted her to know. I'm very excited to see her character growth in the next book, I think we are going to see a whole new Orlaith and I'm all for it. Its time she embraces her true self and explores outside that tower of hers. My feelings on Cain are unsure, I feel like we have alot more exploring to do here. I'm excited to see what direction the author takes... let's talk about Rhorydyn then, I really don't know if I should love him as much as I do. I know he is doing everything for her and won't risk her life. Which I would usually think is sweet but I feel he has gone about it all the wrong way? I think he means well in his own twisted way? There are so many un answered questions that I am dying to know!! For example, why does he need her blood?? Are they mates?? Why is he hiding her true self?? I need to know if his intentions are good or purely for selfish reasons? I really hope he does have her best interest at heart. I am excited to see how things plan out and I'm looking forward to getting some answers!! If you enjoy Sarah j mad and Jennifer l armentrout I think you'll love this journey too 💖
The way this book is written is quite stunning, the world building is amazing. Its not fast paced or rushed but built slowly and beautifully, keeping you enraptured throughout. Olaith has been sheltered and hidden from so many truths she is so unbelievable naive. There are times I got so frustrated with her, but I couldn't stay mad because she doesn't know any better, she has been in her own little bubble since the age of 2. All she knows is what HE has wanted her to know. I'm very excited to see her character growth in the next book, I think we are going to see a whole new Orlaith and I'm all for it. Its time she embraces her true self and explores outside that tower of hers. My feelings on Cain are unsure, I feel like we have alot more exploring to do here. I'm excited to see what direction the author takes... let's talk about Rhorydyn then, I really don't know if I should love him as much as I do. I know he is doing everything for her and won't risk her life. Which I would usually think is sweet but I feel he has gone about it all the wrong way? I think he means well in his own twisted way? There are so many un answered questions that I am dying to know!! For example, why does he need her blood?? Are they mates?? Why is he hiding her true self?? I need to know if his intentions are good or purely for selfish reasons? I really hope he does have her best interest at heart. I am excited to see how things plan out and I'm looking forward to getting some answers!! If you enjoy Sarah j mad and Jennifer l armentrout I think you'll love this journey too 💖
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