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The Age of Larkspur
Flora has spent her entire life hiding in the trees and ignoring the cursed, poisonous larkspur growing from her ankle and eating away at her life. She lets her anxiety and fear control her, but fate forces her hand when her adopted mother is kidnapped by a cruel witch. The only way to save her is to find the magic shards of her family’s amulet scattered throughout her land.
With no time to waste, Flora sets out with her best friend, and along the way they meet a darkly intriguing stranger. But Flora is running out of time and can’t succumb to distractions. If she trusts the wrong person or lets her anxiety win, Flora risks losing more than just her mother …
With no time to waste, Flora sets out with her best friend, and along the way they meet a darkly intriguing stranger. But Flora is running out of time and can’t succumb to distractions. If she trusts the wrong person or lets her anxiety win, Flora risks losing more than just her mother …
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2024
5 people are currently reading
5258 people want to read
About the author
Aleighsha Parke
2 books39 followersAleighsha Parke is an avid reader who first fell in love with storytelling as a young child.
Young Adult Fantasy and Sci-Fi are her first loves and the two genres she enjoys reading and writing in the most, however, she is interested in dabbling in horror and mystery/thrillers.
When she’s not reading hundreds of books a year or writing new stories with flawed characters and magical worlds, she crochets in her free time and works in a library so she’s always surrounded by books and stories.
The Age of Larkspur is her debut novel.
Young Adult Fantasy and Sci-Fi are her first loves and the two genres she enjoys reading and writing in the most, however, she is interested in dabbling in horror and mystery/thrillers.
When she’s not reading hundreds of books a year or writing new stories with flawed characters and magical worlds, she crochets in her free time and works in a library so she’s always surrounded by books and stories.
The Age of Larkspur is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 3, 2024
✧˖°“ 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞, 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 ‘𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝’.”˖° ✧
✎ᝰ The Age of Larkspur review ⊹₊ ⋆
★★★★★ (5) ! ARC !
✧˖°“𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫,”˖° ✧
One of my most anticipated reads of the year!! I am very lucky to say that i am a part of the Larkspur Street Team and had access to this arc by my amazing and talented friend @aleighshapark !! The writing is so beautiful, paired with the engaging plot and very relatable MC, which made this book so enjoyable. I loved seeing Flora’s character development allowing her to trust her friends and most importantly trust herself with her new magic. KAANAN OMFG. the new loml. he was so charming and made me giggle whenever he was talking and ah I love him!!
✎ᝰ The Age of Larkspur review ⊹₊ ⋆
★★★★★ (5) ! ARC !
✧˖°“𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫,”˖° ✧
One of my most anticipated reads of the year!! I am very lucky to say that i am a part of the Larkspur Street Team and had access to this arc by my amazing and talented friend @aleighshapark !! The writing is so beautiful, paired with the engaging plot and very relatable MC, which made this book so enjoyable. I loved seeing Flora’s character development allowing her to trust her friends and most importantly trust herself with her new magic. KAANAN OMFG. the new loml. he was so charming and made me giggle whenever he was talking and ah I love him!!
July 4, 2024
Flora is a sheltered, bi, anxious girl who's been hiding her identity, and her magical curse for her entire life.
Until her mother's kidnapping, when she is forced out of her comfort zone on a high-stakes adventure. The quest is necessary to save her mother, and hopefully also save herself and her town in the process.
She brings along her best (and only) friend Anise, who is fiercely loyal yet often overshadowing her. Along the way they meet a mysterious stranger with questionable motives who ends up joining the venture.
Steeped in Icelandic folklore, the plot is intriguing and easy to follow, with detailed writing and immersive world building. This is a story about personal growth, learning and accepting hard truths, and carving your own path in the world, woven into a fairytale with great vibes!
My fellow anxious people will totally be able to relate to Flora, and probably her dynamic with Anise too. I loved the character development that Flora has, the examination of complex childhood friendships as we come of age, and the budding relationship was sweet and swoony!
Thank you for the ARC!
Until her mother's kidnapping, when she is forced out of her comfort zone on a high-stakes adventure. The quest is necessary to save her mother, and hopefully also save herself and her town in the process.
She brings along her best (and only) friend Anise, who is fiercely loyal yet often overshadowing her. Along the way they meet a mysterious stranger with questionable motives who ends up joining the venture.
Steeped in Icelandic folklore, the plot is intriguing and easy to follow, with detailed writing and immersive world building. This is a story about personal growth, learning and accepting hard truths, and carving your own path in the world, woven into a fairytale with great vibes!
My fellow anxious people will totally be able to relate to Flora, and probably her dynamic with Anise too. I loved the character development that Flora has, the examination of complex childhood friendships as we come of age, and the budding relationship was sweet and swoony!
Thank you for the ARC!
June 24, 2024
Book Review: The Age of Larkspur 💜🥀🌲
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"To Flora, Kaanan was a bright, bursting flower blooming in the pitch black."
This BOOK omg!!! Aleigsha Parke doesn't miss. I was so lucky to get to read an ARC of The Age of Larkspur and when I tell you need to run as soon as this is released in September, listen!!
I will now provide my own unpolished no-spoiler summary: Flora is an anxious bisexual with one friend and a poisonous flower cursed to grow from her ankle. She embarks on a quest across her country, Woodvale, to claim her own magic and purpose, all while rescuing her adopted mother and navigating a new *crush* (squee!)
I really enjoyed everything about this book. Flora is an extremely relatable teenager coming-of-age in stressful circumstances. She and her best friend Anise have an incredibly realistic (and complicated) relationship. Every single character in this book comes across as a real human, and the reader can truly understand their flaws, strengths, motivations, and feelings!
If I would fall for any man, it would be Kaanan 🤣 He's a dark but secretly soft boi and again, the strong character writing makes him jump off the page in Flora's mind.
The magic system is fascinating! The fairy tales are woven in so masterfully and made me want to compare the originals to really understand how the author adapted them to make this unique new story. All in all, I can't recommend this book highly enough!! Anyone who's a fairy tale retelling girlie will be floored, like I was.
"Something lived in the Sage Woods, magic and more, and Flora wanted to know exactly what." 💜🥀🌲
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"To Flora, Kaanan was a bright, bursting flower blooming in the pitch black."
This BOOK omg!!! Aleigsha Parke doesn't miss. I was so lucky to get to read an ARC of The Age of Larkspur and when I tell you need to run as soon as this is released in September, listen!!
I will now provide my own unpolished no-spoiler summary: Flora is an anxious bisexual with one friend and a poisonous flower cursed to grow from her ankle. She embarks on a quest across her country, Woodvale, to claim her own magic and purpose, all while rescuing her adopted mother and navigating a new *crush* (squee!)
I really enjoyed everything about this book. Flora is an extremely relatable teenager coming-of-age in stressful circumstances. She and her best friend Anise have an incredibly realistic (and complicated) relationship. Every single character in this book comes across as a real human, and the reader can truly understand their flaws, strengths, motivations, and feelings!
If I would fall for any man, it would be Kaanan 🤣 He's a dark but secretly soft boi and again, the strong character writing makes him jump off the page in Flora's mind.
The magic system is fascinating! The fairy tales are woven in so masterfully and made me want to compare the originals to really understand how the author adapted them to make this unique new story. All in all, I can't recommend this book highly enough!! Anyone who's a fairy tale retelling girlie will be floored, like I was.
"Something lived in the Sage Woods, magic and more, and Flora wanted to know exactly what." 💜🥀🌲
December 10, 2025
I enjoyed the overall theme and story of the book. The world building, the characters and the quests were all quite fascinating and enjoyable.
Unfortunately the one character I really did not like was Kanaan. I felt he was scheming and manipulative, self-centered, bossy and selfish. He did everything for his own personal interest. He disrespected both Flora and Anise, and didn't care about them except for what was advantageous to him. Even going so far as to kidnap Flora from Anise claiming he did it in Flora's best interest and keeping her as his captive. It reminds me of the bride kidnappings back in the day. And Flora is obviously too smitten to notice the obvious.
Although he may have become a little bit nicer later on in the book, it doesn't negate my overall perception of him. It was how he was initially represented that annoyed me the most.
Apart from that I also felt the narration quite long winded with Flora's thought processes being much too long for my liking.
Those were actually the only downside of the book. For me anyways.
Thank you to Aleighsha Parke for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion :)
Unfortunately the one character I really did not like was Kanaan. I felt he was scheming and manipulative, self-centered, bossy and selfish. He did everything for his own personal interest. He disrespected both Flora and Anise, and didn't care about them except for what was advantageous to him. Even going so far as to kidnap Flora from Anise claiming he did it in Flora's best interest and keeping her as his captive. It reminds me of the bride kidnappings back in the day. And Flora is obviously too smitten to notice the obvious.
Although he may have become a little bit nicer later on in the book, it doesn't negate my overall perception of him. It was how he was initially represented that annoyed me the most.
Apart from that I also felt the narration quite long winded with Flora's thought processes being much too long for my liking.
Those were actually the only downside of the book. For me anyways.
Thank you to Aleighsha Parke for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion :)
July 16, 2024
SETTING: The author does a wonderful job of establishing the fantasy setting, and bringing to life the topographical features of the land as the characters travel vast distances over the course of the book. The magic system works in perfect symbiosis with the world and at no points is it contradictory (one of my pet peeves with the more complex magical systems). The author also weaves in Icelandic folklore throughout the novel and it feels like reading the old sagas!
PLOT: A fast-paced, dynamic storyline that was enticing from the very beginning. I enjoyed the twists that the story took. There was a nice balance between outlining the general direction of the story (so as not to seem ridiculous just for the sake of a “plot twist”) and mystery that allowed for surprise discoveries as the plot continued. The storyline was wrapped up nicely by the end of the novel and it was rewarding to see the growth of the characters by the end, an excellent coming of age story.
CHARACTERS: Speaking of characters, the two main characters in this novel, Flora and Kanaan, are multi-dimensional, flawed individuals. The “voice” for Flora, as the main character, was strong and consistent throughout the novel. I felt like I was reading her personal diary entries and watching her develop (in more ways than one) as the story unfolded. The background cast of characters were also quite distinct - I appreciated that each were given a fulsome portrayal with unique personalities even if only being in the novel for a chapter or two!
STANDOUT QUOTE: “Please, do not heroize me. I would rather be the villain in the story than bind myself to the rules of the so called ‘good’.”
PLOT: A fast-paced, dynamic storyline that was enticing from the very beginning. I enjoyed the twists that the story took. There was a nice balance between outlining the general direction of the story (so as not to seem ridiculous just for the sake of a “plot twist”) and mystery that allowed for surprise discoveries as the plot continued. The storyline was wrapped up nicely by the end of the novel and it was rewarding to see the growth of the characters by the end, an excellent coming of age story.
CHARACTERS: Speaking of characters, the two main characters in this novel, Flora and Kanaan, are multi-dimensional, flawed individuals. The “voice” for Flora, as the main character, was strong and consistent throughout the novel. I felt like I was reading her personal diary entries and watching her develop (in more ways than one) as the story unfolded. The background cast of characters were also quite distinct - I appreciated that each were given a fulsome portrayal with unique personalities even if only being in the novel for a chapter or two!
STANDOUT QUOTE: “Please, do not heroize me. I would rather be the villain in the story than bind myself to the rules of the so called ‘good’.”
July 24, 2024
I would've given The Age of Larkspur all the stars in the night sky just for Flora alone if I could. Honestly, I think I need to write an essay about how much I loved Flora. I found her so relatable and despite all the differences between us, I could still see so many aspects of my teen years being played right in front of me as I followed her tale.
But aside from Flora, The Age of Larkspur was fantastic. The plot on its own was very intriguing but the fantasy nerd in me couldn’t help but be fascinated by the world-building and the magic system. I can’t really give a higher compliment to an author than saying that their story made me so interested in a culture that I decided to spend a good chunk of my time researching the folklore the story is based on.
The Age of Larkspur is an incredible debut by Aleighsha Parke. It’s a magical story with an incredible and relatable protagonist that you really don’t want to miss.
But aside from Flora, The Age of Larkspur was fantastic. The plot on its own was very intriguing but the fantasy nerd in me couldn’t help but be fascinated by the world-building and the magic system. I can’t really give a higher compliment to an author than saying that their story made me so interested in a culture that I decided to spend a good chunk of my time researching the folklore the story is based on.
The Age of Larkspur is an incredible debut by Aleighsha Parke. It’s a magical story with an incredible and relatable protagonist that you really don’t want to miss.
March 8, 2025
Dripping with atmosphere so visceral you can feel it, The Age of Larkspur is a twisty, romantic adventure that strikes the perfect balance between shadows and light. Flora is such a relatable protagonist and her budding relationship with the mysterious Kaanan is wonderfully swoony. A fabulous debut.
July 17, 2024
I loved the main character and enjoyed the plot and the descriptions of the world
September 9, 2024
《 ARC REVIEW 》
"I would rather be the villain in the story than bind myself to the rules of the so called ‘good.’”
☆☆☆☆.5
I just finished reading The Age of Larkspur by Aleighsha Parke, and this was such a good story!!
This book is a classic coming-of-age YA fantasy, with intricate history, incredible magic, and a girl who realizes she is more capable than she thinks!
It follows along Flora, who has an epic secret... she is the missing Larkspur Lady and has the coveted magic of the larkspur flower and all its deadly properties. After her mother died, her adoptive mother, Rosie, has been protecting her from all the people who want to use her for her magic, like the terrifying Pitch King. On top of that, when she finds her adoptive mother missing and believes the evil Sage Witch is to blame, her magic might be the only thing that can save herself, her friends, Rosie, and everyone she knows. With so much at stake, her anxiety runs rampant.
She sets out on a quest with her best friend to find the missing magical amulet the Sage Witch seeks to trade for her mother's life, and meets a handsome boy that is more than willing to help her. Is he also a threat, or can she trust him? Guess you'll just have to read it to find out!
This book covers all the bases... we've got magic, Icelandic folklore, mysteries and plot twists galore, and major anxiety rep! I loved how Flora's anxiety was represented because it is so unbelievably accurate. While the beginning starts off a little slow with world-building, it gets super good in the middle, and I couldn't put it down! You're going to love Kaanan 🫠
A huge thank you to Aleighsha Parke for the opportunity to read this ARC! The Age of Larkspur just got released today!
"I would rather be the villain in the story than bind myself to the rules of the so called ‘good.’”
☆☆☆☆.5
I just finished reading The Age of Larkspur by Aleighsha Parke, and this was such a good story!!
This book is a classic coming-of-age YA fantasy, with intricate history, incredible magic, and a girl who realizes she is more capable than she thinks!
It follows along Flora, who has an epic secret... she is the missing Larkspur Lady and has the coveted magic of the larkspur flower and all its deadly properties. After her mother died, her adoptive mother, Rosie, has been protecting her from all the people who want to use her for her magic, like the terrifying Pitch King. On top of that, when she finds her adoptive mother missing and believes the evil Sage Witch is to blame, her magic might be the only thing that can save herself, her friends, Rosie, and everyone she knows. With so much at stake, her anxiety runs rampant.
She sets out on a quest with her best friend to find the missing magical amulet the Sage Witch seeks to trade for her mother's life, and meets a handsome boy that is more than willing to help her. Is he also a threat, or can she trust him? Guess you'll just have to read it to find out!
This book covers all the bases... we've got magic, Icelandic folklore, mysteries and plot twists galore, and major anxiety rep! I loved how Flora's anxiety was represented because it is so unbelievably accurate. While the beginning starts off a little slow with world-building, it gets super good in the middle, and I couldn't put it down! You're going to love Kaanan 🫠
A huge thank you to Aleighsha Parke for the opportunity to read this ARC! The Age of Larkspur just got released today!
September 4, 2024
A huge thank you to the author and Book Sirens for entrusting me with an ARC of The Age of Larkspur. With that being said, my views are my own.
The main character, Flora, is someone I would have loved as a teenager (I still like her). The way the author really dives into her personality and build the world around her, gives you a well-defined sense of who she is and what she stands for.
As I said before, I would have loved this story as a teenager - because this is the kind of story I would be head over heels for in those days! So it's very refreshing to feel like a booknerd teen again!
Our second character, Kaanan, doesn't fall short either and his story meshes so well with Flora's.
One main thing I absolutely love is the fantastical world-building of magical elements interwoven with fairytales and THAT is ridiculously awesome. I highly admire the author's ability to do this. It tells me that the author was very passionate about the project and took so much care for every bit of the story, its elements and background.
For any reader of any age, especially those who are looking for that book that would make them feel like a teen again, The Age of Larkspur is one I would recommend.
The main character, Flora, is someone I would have loved as a teenager (I still like her). The way the author really dives into her personality and build the world around her, gives you a well-defined sense of who she is and what she stands for.
As I said before, I would have loved this story as a teenager - because this is the kind of story I would be head over heels for in those days! So it's very refreshing to feel like a booknerd teen again!
Our second character, Kaanan, doesn't fall short either and his story meshes so well with Flora's.
One main thing I absolutely love is the fantastical world-building of magical elements interwoven with fairytales and THAT is ridiculously awesome. I highly admire the author's ability to do this. It tells me that the author was very passionate about the project and took so much care for every bit of the story, its elements and background.
For any reader of any age, especially those who are looking for that book that would make them feel like a teen again, The Age of Larkspur is one I would recommend.
August 28, 2024
At the beginning, when I started reading this book, I found it a little hard to get into. It was a little slow at first and a little repetitive. That being said, after getting through the first 10% or so things really started picking up. I found the story to be pretty intriguing and the concept felt very original! I think the hardest part for me was feeling like I couldn’t really connect with Flora as our FMC. I was also anticipating a little more of a twist at the end. Overall, I think this is a pretty good YA fantasy novel, and gave it a rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to the author and Wild Rose Press for providing an ARC copy!
Thank you to the author and Wild Rose Press for providing an ARC copy!
October 7, 2024
This story weaves together elements of folklore with a richly descriptive narrative. Fans of fantasy and adventure will find themselves enchanted by the story’s blend of magic, danger, and self-discovery. Flora is a strong female lead who must learn to harness her unique nature-based powers. However, Parke’s story stands out on its own, offering a fresh and imaginative take on the classic hero’s journey.
Overall, The Age of Larkspur is a highly enjoyable read that will appeal to young adults and anyone who loves a good fantasy tale with strong characters and an immersive setting. Aleighsha Parke has crafted a world that is both magical and perilous, and Flora’s story is one that readers won’t soon forget.
I received this Kindle edition as a Goodreads giveaway, thank you to the author for a chance to read and review.
Overall, The Age of Larkspur is a highly enjoyable read that will appeal to young adults and anyone who loves a good fantasy tale with strong characters and an immersive setting. Aleighsha Parke has crafted a world that is both magical and perilous, and Flora’s story is one that readers won’t soon forget.
I received this Kindle edition as a Goodreads giveaway, thank you to the author for a chance to read and review.
July 6, 2024
I read this as an ARC.
This was somewhere between a 3.5-4 star read for me. The premise was quite interesting: a quest to find four parts of a destroyed family medallion to both save herself and her world. And I liked both Flora and Kaanan. They were interesting characters that grew throughout the story. I also appreciated that Flora wasn't your typical heroine. She struggled quite a bit with self-confidence and even with speaking to strangers and anxiety. Nonetheless, she still was brave enough to set out on the adventure before her. The book looks some at good vs evil, right vs wrong and where these ideas come from, which is also interesting. I struggled a bit more with Anise, who didn't have as much depth and her growth at the end felt a bit to rushed to me, although I was glad to see it. There were also times where I didn't feel the writing was as polished as it could have been (although this is an ARC, so it could be more polished by the time it's out). On the whole though, an interesting enough story!
This was somewhere between a 3.5-4 star read for me. The premise was quite interesting: a quest to find four parts of a destroyed family medallion to both save herself and her world. And I liked both Flora and Kaanan. They were interesting characters that grew throughout the story. I also appreciated that Flora wasn't your typical heroine. She struggled quite a bit with self-confidence and even with speaking to strangers and anxiety. Nonetheless, she still was brave enough to set out on the adventure before her. The book looks some at good vs evil, right vs wrong and where these ideas come from, which is also interesting. I struggled a bit more with Anise, who didn't have as much depth and her growth at the end felt a bit to rushed to me, although I was glad to see it. There were also times where I didn't feel the writing was as polished as it could have been (although this is an ARC, so it could be more polished by the time it's out). On the whole though, an interesting enough story!
September 7, 2024
First, I just want to thank Aleighsha for reaching out to me about reading an ARC of her debut novel. I am always so honoured to be able to access early copies 💜
The Age of Larkspur is a YA fantasy novel that follows Flora, an anxious, sheltered teen girl as she goes on an epic adventure to save her adopted mother and, hopefully, herself. This story is packed full of gorgeously described places, magic, and character growth. There is navigation of friendship dynamic changes and budding romantic relationships, as well as navigating parental relationships.
The language used throughout the book was descriptive and engaging, although it could be dense at times with the word choice. The characters made you want to stay invested in their story without being one-dimensional. There were points throughout the story that I became annoyed with Flora, but then I remembered she is a sheltered teen and her reactions to situations made a lot more sense. I'm not sure if we were supposed to like Anise (Flora's best friend) for the entire book... I can say I didn't. I found her to be extremely controlling and selfish, although she does get some redemption in the end. I just found her shady.
I am a sucker for a good adventure story. Especially one that includes a trek across the land, with magic! The Age of Larkspur was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to readers 13+ who enjoy fantasy!
𝖳𝖶: 𝖽𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁, 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝖼𝗋𝗂𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝗀𝗈𝗋𝖾, 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗅 𝖽𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁, 𝖺𝖻𝖽𝗎𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝗆𝗎𝗋𝖽𝖾𝗋
The Age of Larkspur is a YA fantasy novel that follows Flora, an anxious, sheltered teen girl as she goes on an epic adventure to save her adopted mother and, hopefully, herself. This story is packed full of gorgeously described places, magic, and character growth. There is navigation of friendship dynamic changes and budding romantic relationships, as well as navigating parental relationships.
The language used throughout the book was descriptive and engaging, although it could be dense at times with the word choice. The characters made you want to stay invested in their story without being one-dimensional. There were points throughout the story that I became annoyed with Flora, but then I remembered she is a sheltered teen and her reactions to situations made a lot more sense. I'm not sure if we were supposed to like Anise (Flora's best friend) for the entire book... I can say I didn't. I found her to be extremely controlling and selfish, although she does get some redemption in the end. I just found her shady.
I am a sucker for a good adventure story. Especially one that includes a trek across the land, with magic! The Age of Larkspur was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to readers 13+ who enjoy fantasy!
𝖳𝖶: 𝖽𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁, 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝖼𝗋𝗂𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝗀𝗈𝗋𝖾, 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗅 𝖽𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁, 𝖺𝖻𝖽𝗎𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝗆𝗎𝗋𝖽𝖾𝗋
March 7, 2025
Parke creates a lush, atmospheric world in THE AGE OF LARKSPUR that leaves you with a hangover once you’re forced to come back to reality. Her ability to bring the reader into the setting is unparalleled. Additionally, she describes her characters in such depth and detail it feels as if they’re real, particularly the main character, Flora. Parke is a talented and engaging writer whose work I can’t wait to see more of.
- Caroline J. Trussell, literary agent and author of upcoming ENHANCED series
- Caroline J. Trussell, literary agent and author of upcoming ENHANCED series
September 7, 2024
This book is all about the line between good or evil and that depending on the point of view, you could be the hero or the villain.
I really liked the storyline and the world building.
Flora who has power and a curse that she has to hide from everyone. She has to stay hidden with her adoptive mother. I also loved how the author wrote her. She's different from so many FMCs. She's socially anxious, she has a hard time trusting herself and she's always questioning her decisions.
The one, I had a hard time with was Anise, her best friend. Honestly, I was team Kanaan and wanted her gone 🤣.
Kanaan was a great morally grey character. The romance between him and Flora felt more younger than YA and sometimes it was awkward but it felt right since they are young and don't have a lot of experience.
Finally, it was a great debut, I'm really thankful for the ARC and I'm really excited to see what the author will write next.
I really liked the storyline and the world building.
Flora who has power and a curse that she has to hide from everyone. She has to stay hidden with her adoptive mother. I also loved how the author wrote her. She's different from so many FMCs. She's socially anxious, she has a hard time trusting herself and she's always questioning her decisions.
The one, I had a hard time with was Anise, her best friend. Honestly, I was team Kanaan and wanted her gone 🤣.
Kanaan was a great morally grey character. The romance between him and Flora felt more younger than YA and sometimes it was awkward but it felt right since they are young and don't have a lot of experience.
Finally, it was a great debut, I'm really thankful for the ARC and I'm really excited to see what the author will write next.
September 4, 2024
Won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Took me a little bit to get involved in the story then couldn't put it down. The main character got really fleshed out and was interesting to watch her grow, the other two did grow, but it seemed like a lesser extent to me. The pacing of the story was really gut and very enjoyable.
September 9, 2024
Thank you to the author and The Wild Rose Press for providing me with an ARC of this book
i absolutely adored this book and all of the characters in it !! Parke’s writing is so skilful and so intentional AND THE FORESHADOWING THAT I WAS TOO DUMB TO SEE UNTIL THE SECOND READ!? chef’s kiss !
Flora has spent her whole life sheltered by her mother, Rosie, in the woods of Woodvale. Her magic weak but growing in the form of a larkspur, and i mean actually growing. on her birthmark, on her ankle. (love it !!!) She would’ve likely hidden away forever if not for her poor mother being kidnapped by the evil Sage witch. (i love witches !! ) Joined by her lovely friend Anise (what a cool name), she sets off to find shards in order to repair a family heirloom and of course meet the lovely pitch king’s right hand man
what i found so profoundly unique about this book, and what is the reason why i rated it so highly, is the magic wielded by Flora is alive! conscious magic is so cool, and i loved when they were like pick me! choose me!
The Age of Larkspur releases on the 10th of September 2024
i absolutely adored this book and all of the characters in it !! Parke’s writing is so skilful and so intentional AND THE FORESHADOWING THAT I WAS TOO DUMB TO SEE UNTIL THE SECOND READ!? chef’s kiss !
Flora has spent her whole life sheltered by her mother, Rosie, in the woods of Woodvale. Her magic weak but growing in the form of a larkspur, and i mean actually growing. on her birthmark, on her ankle. (love it !!!) She would’ve likely hidden away forever if not for her poor mother being kidnapped by the evil Sage witch. (i love witches !! ) Joined by her lovely friend Anise (what a cool name), she sets off to find shards in order to repair a family heirloom and of course meet the lovely pitch king’s right hand man
what i found so profoundly unique about this book, and what is the reason why i rated it so highly, is the magic wielded by Flora is alive! conscious magic is so cool, and i loved when they were like pick me! choose me!
The Age of Larkspur releases on the 10th of September 2024
September 5, 2024
The Age of Larkspur was an utterly astounding tale. I love a good fantasy adventure, and this was one of the best that I have read in a while. I fell in love with the characters, especially Flora, and resonated with her character so deeply. The story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire read as the female protagonist went on a wonderous journey of self-discovery. I absolutely adored the mystical world the author created in this story and the magic system therein.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 5, 2024
A lush fantasy story based in Icelandic folklore that follows an anxious teenager as she journeys across the natural world to find four shards that may just be the key to saving her kingdom. . . and herself.
Flora has always been a quiet girl who depends on her friends and family to help her out of any hard situations. She's avoided the poisonous curse that has plagued her entire life which involves larkspur that grows from her ankle and saps away her lifeforce. Unfortunately, things are taken out of her hands when her adopted mother, Rosie, is kidnapped by a vile which and gives Flora an ultimatum—find the four magical shards that come together to form a magical amulet that has long been in Flora's birth family and bring them to the Sage Witch or her mother dies. With time being her most valuable resource, Flora sets off on the adventure of a lifetime accompanied by her best friend, Anise. Is it possible for a socially awkward and anxious girl to save the very kingdom from the secrets that have long time wronged it?
This review has been a long time coming. I started this book a while ago as an ARC copy on my Kindle, but I ended up soft DNFing it due to other bookish commitments. I'm glad that I finally carved out the time to give this one a read, because it ended up being a pretty great read! It took me a little bit to get into it, but the story picks up quite quickly after Flora sets off on her journey.
Flora is such a relatable main character and I really latched onto her way of thinking. Not only is she super anxious, but she also tries her best to please people, avoid conflict, and be a goody two shoes. These are all things that I can certainly relate to, though just like Flora, I'm trying to make progress on all of these categories. The fact that she is a plant lover is also awesome. Flora, as her name suggests, is so in tune with nature, and I found it fascinating to read about her relationship with the natural world around her.
Kaanan is a fascinating travel companion. From the first moment I met him, he very much gave me trickster vibes, meaning that it was unclear from the start whose side he is on. I love ambiguous characters with dubious origins, so I found myself latching on to Kaanan early on. The fact that he is a charming, caring young lad doesn't hurt either. His magic is also pretty neat, if I do say so myself.
Flora has quite a rocky relationship with her best friend, Anise. At the start of the story, Flora keeps most of her thoughts to herself and allows Anise to control pretty much every aspect of their friendship. Luckily, as the story progresses, Flora works toward expressing her true intentions and her and Anise's status gets much healthier. I love how this story showcases how friendships can shift and evolve over time. Even things between you and your bestie should shift because we as people are always changing.
I thought that the intros to each chapter were unique and did a good job of alluding to what would occur in the coming section. Having little pieces of folklore, parent backstory, and info about the land really made the world feel super immersive and definitely had me better understanding the towns and other locales the characters visit along their journey.
The folklore/fairy tale vibes in this story are quite strong. There are witches, trolls, evil kings, poisonous flowers, and charming enchanters, among other things. At certain points, this book reminded my of Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" mostly due to the nature of Flora and Kaanan's relationship, Flora's semi-secret backstory, and the final fight scene. Seeing Flora grow into her powers was done quite well, especially because she often grapples with the difference between "good and evil" and "right and wrong." Seeing how she distinguishes the two is an important thing that all of us need to learn at some point in our lives. No one person is one hundred percent good or bad, and it is a fine line between the two that we all walk in this life.
Overall, "The Age of Larkspur" is a fantastical tale that features two really relatable main characters, an Icelandic inspired magic system, and some inspiring messages. I'm glad that I finally got around to reading this one, because there were many things about it that I appreciate greatly about it. I am very curious to see what Parke decides to write next! I would definitely recommend this one to lovers of folklore, magic systems centered around nature, and forced proximity romances.
Flora has always been a quiet girl who depends on her friends and family to help her out of any hard situations. She's avoided the poisonous curse that has plagued her entire life which involves larkspur that grows from her ankle and saps away her lifeforce. Unfortunately, things are taken out of her hands when her adopted mother, Rosie, is kidnapped by a vile which and gives Flora an ultimatum—find the four magical shards that come together to form a magical amulet that has long been in Flora's birth family and bring them to the Sage Witch or her mother dies. With time being her most valuable resource, Flora sets off on the adventure of a lifetime accompanied by her best friend, Anise. Is it possible for a socially awkward and anxious girl to save the very kingdom from the secrets that have long time wronged it?
This review has been a long time coming. I started this book a while ago as an ARC copy on my Kindle, but I ended up soft DNFing it due to other bookish commitments. I'm glad that I finally carved out the time to give this one a read, because it ended up being a pretty great read! It took me a little bit to get into it, but the story picks up quite quickly after Flora sets off on her journey.
Flora is such a relatable main character and I really latched onto her way of thinking. Not only is she super anxious, but she also tries her best to please people, avoid conflict, and be a goody two shoes. These are all things that I can certainly relate to, though just like Flora, I'm trying to make progress on all of these categories. The fact that she is a plant lover is also awesome. Flora, as her name suggests, is so in tune with nature, and I found it fascinating to read about her relationship with the natural world around her.
Kaanan is a fascinating travel companion. From the first moment I met him, he very much gave me trickster vibes, meaning that it was unclear from the start whose side he is on. I love ambiguous characters with dubious origins, so I found myself latching on to Kaanan early on. The fact that he is a charming, caring young lad doesn't hurt either. His magic is also pretty neat, if I do say so myself.
Flora has quite a rocky relationship with her best friend, Anise. At the start of the story, Flora keeps most of her thoughts to herself and allows Anise to control pretty much every aspect of their friendship. Luckily, as the story progresses, Flora works toward expressing her true intentions and her and Anise's status gets much healthier. I love how this story showcases how friendships can shift and evolve over time. Even things between you and your bestie should shift because we as people are always changing.
I thought that the intros to each chapter were unique and did a good job of alluding to what would occur in the coming section. Having little pieces of folklore, parent backstory, and info about the land really made the world feel super immersive and definitely had me better understanding the towns and other locales the characters visit along their journey.
The folklore/fairy tale vibes in this story are quite strong. There are witches, trolls, evil kings, poisonous flowers, and charming enchanters, among other things. At certain points, this book reminded my of Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" mostly due to the nature of Flora and Kaanan's relationship, Flora's semi-secret backstory, and the final fight scene. Seeing Flora grow into her powers was done quite well, especially because she often grapples with the difference between "good and evil" and "right and wrong." Seeing how she distinguishes the two is an important thing that all of us need to learn at some point in our lives. No one person is one hundred percent good or bad, and it is a fine line between the two that we all walk in this life.
Overall, "The Age of Larkspur" is a fantastical tale that features two really relatable main characters, an Icelandic inspired magic system, and some inspiring messages. I'm glad that I finally got around to reading this one, because there were many things about it that I appreciate greatly about it. I am very curious to see what Parke decides to write next! I would definitely recommend this one to lovers of folklore, magic systems centered around nature, and forced proximity romances.
September 10, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Wild Rose Press for this e-ARC.
This book should have spent more time in the beta reading and editing process.
The concept of Flora racing against the clock to save herself from a curse that is slowly eating away at her is in itself, a very cool premise. The execution of this premise left a lot to be desired.
Parke's writing lacked any polish and felt very juvenile. This book is marked as YA, but feels more middle grade. Any exposition or world building is performed in an info dump that is usually awkwardly timed. Parke will also spell out people's thought processes for far longer than is necessary. She doesn't seem to trust the reader and feels the need to spoon feed us everything. (Hence why it feels middle grade, like come on teenagers are smarter than that.) Also, Flora spends paragraph after paragraph justifying multiple murders saying: 'its for the greater good' and 'I don't need to be pure like my mom said!' I could understand that reasoning for maybe stealing or lying but murder?! Parke is clearly making Flora the hero of the story but Flora forgets about these murders in a way that hardly feels heroic.
Kaanan is clearly a rip off of Rhysand from ACOTAR and the Pitch City is supposed to be Velaris. Can we please stop with the shadow daddy knock offs? Authors, please have an original idea.
That being said, I enjoyed his character the most. Flora is an idiot. Anise was annoying and the worst friend ever. (Why is Flora forgiving her after Anise gave her a concussion and kidnapped her?) And well that's really all the characters we spend any time with. The world felt very unpopulated.
And I'm sorry, but how did an editor not pick up on the flagrant anachronisms that made NO SENSE in a fantasy world. The use of biological mother instead of birth mother. Randomly having guns but no other vaguely modern technology. (and no explanation is given). Name dropping aloe vera as a treatment for sunburn. And the worst offender, Flora knowing what ATROPINE AND SCOPOLAMINE ARE despite them being chemicals only isolated within the last century in our world. (I'm a doctor so that one really pissed me off). Those are the ones I can recall off hand but there were a ton more.
I'm confused as to why this was approved for publication without significantly more time spent in the editing process.
This book should have spent more time in the beta reading and editing process.
The concept of Flora racing against the clock to save herself from a curse that is slowly eating away at her is in itself, a very cool premise. The execution of this premise left a lot to be desired.
Parke's writing lacked any polish and felt very juvenile. This book is marked as YA, but feels more middle grade. Any exposition or world building is performed in an info dump that is usually awkwardly timed. Parke will also spell out people's thought processes for far longer than is necessary. She doesn't seem to trust the reader and feels the need to spoon feed us everything. (Hence why it feels middle grade, like come on teenagers are smarter than that.) Also, Flora spends paragraph after paragraph justifying multiple murders saying: 'its for the greater good' and 'I don't need to be pure like my mom said!' I could understand that reasoning for maybe stealing or lying but murder?! Parke is clearly making Flora the hero of the story but Flora forgets about these murders in a way that hardly feels heroic.
Kaanan is clearly a rip off of Rhysand from ACOTAR and the Pitch City is supposed to be Velaris. Can we please stop with the shadow daddy knock offs? Authors, please have an original idea.
That being said, I enjoyed his character the most. Flora is an idiot. Anise was annoying and the worst friend ever. (Why is Flora forgiving her after Anise gave her a concussion and kidnapped her?) And well that's really all the characters we spend any time with. The world felt very unpopulated.
And I'm sorry, but how did an editor not pick up on the flagrant anachronisms that made NO SENSE in a fantasy world. The use of biological mother instead of birth mother. Randomly having guns but no other vaguely modern technology. (and no explanation is given). Name dropping aloe vera as a treatment for sunburn. And the worst offender, Flora knowing what ATROPINE AND SCOPOLAMINE ARE despite them being chemicals only isolated within the last century in our world. (I'm a doctor so that one really pissed me off). Those are the ones I can recall off hand but there were a ton more.
I'm confused as to why this was approved for publication without significantly more time spent in the editing process.
September 9, 2024
The Age of Larkspur by Aleighsha Parke is a captivating fantasy adventure that weaves together elements of Icelandic folklore with a richly descriptive narrative. The story follows Flora, a young woman who has spent her life hiding in the trees, avoiding the cursed, poisonous larkspur growing from her ankle—a constant reminder of the magic that is slowly draining her life away. But when her adopted mother is kidnapped by a cruel witch, Flora is thrust into a perilous quest to save her, forcing her to confront her fears and the curse that haunts her.
Parke’s writing vividly brings the natural world to life, immersing readers in the lush landscapes and the mystical elements of Flora’s journey. Fans of fantasy and adventure will find themselves enchanted by the story’s blend of magic, danger, and self-discovery. Flora is a strong female lead who, like Elsa from Frozen, must learn to harness her unique nature-based powers. However, Parke’s story stands out on its own, offering a fresh and imaginative take on the classic hero’s journey.
One of the standout characters is Kaanan, the darkly intriguing stranger Flora encounters on her quest. His presence adds depth to the story, and I found myself eagerly following his interactions with Flora. The tension between them adds an extra layer of excitement, making their relationship one of the highlights of the book.
The story builds to a fabulous ending that leaves readers satisfied, yet eager for more. There are subtle hints that a sequel might be in the works, and if that’s the case, I can’t wait to see where Flora’s journey takes her next.
Overall, The Age of Larkspur is a highly enjoyable read that will appeal to young adults and anyone who loves a good fantasy tale with strong characters and an immersive setting. Aleighsha Parke has crafted a world that is both magical and perilous, and Flora’s story is one that readers won’t soon forget.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Lana
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Parke’s writing vividly brings the natural world to life, immersing readers in the lush landscapes and the mystical elements of Flora’s journey. Fans of fantasy and adventure will find themselves enchanted by the story’s blend of magic, danger, and self-discovery. Flora is a strong female lead who, like Elsa from Frozen, must learn to harness her unique nature-based powers. However, Parke’s story stands out on its own, offering a fresh and imaginative take on the classic hero’s journey.
One of the standout characters is Kaanan, the darkly intriguing stranger Flora encounters on her quest. His presence adds depth to the story, and I found myself eagerly following his interactions with Flora. The tension between them adds an extra layer of excitement, making their relationship one of the highlights of the book.
The story builds to a fabulous ending that leaves readers satisfied, yet eager for more. There are subtle hints that a sequel might be in the works, and if that’s the case, I can’t wait to see where Flora’s journey takes her next.
Overall, The Age of Larkspur is a highly enjoyable read that will appeal to young adults and anyone who loves a good fantasy tale with strong characters and an immersive setting. Aleighsha Parke has crafted a world that is both magical and perilous, and Flora’s story is one that readers won’t soon forget.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Lana
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
August 14, 2024
Thoughts: This was an intriguing young adult fantasy (note: I’d say slightly older YA because of some rather graphic gruesome scenes, especially at the end). The author does an amazing job of setting the scene and building the world. We are immersed in Flora’s life from the first page. Based on Icelandic folklore, the myths and old sagas are woven throughout with a deft hand.
The story moves along quickly as Flora and her best friend Anise set out on a quest to find the four parts of an amulet in order to set their world to rights and save Flora’s foster mother, Rosie. Along the way, they meet Kanaan, a rather interesting character. Flora is immediately drawn to him, but he is a lot more than he seems. All the characters have issues that make them relatable. And the secondary characters were as unique as the main three.
The end was a tad gory for my tastes, but in keeping with the story and the myths. And the result was perfect. Without giving anything away, I loved how Flora deals with the end, possibly opening up room for future stories in a possible series. Nicely done.
Recommended.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
The story moves along quickly as Flora and her best friend Anise set out on a quest to find the four parts of an amulet in order to set their world to rights and save Flora’s foster mother, Rosie. Along the way, they meet Kanaan, a rather interesting character. Flora is immediately drawn to him, but he is a lot more than he seems. All the characters have issues that make them relatable. And the secondary characters were as unique as the main three.
The end was a tad gory for my tastes, but in keeping with the story and the myths. And the result was perfect. Without giving anything away, I loved how Flora deals with the end, possibly opening up room for future stories in a possible series. Nicely done.
Recommended.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
August 21, 2025
This is a good debut from a new author, and although this started a tad slow for me, it pulled me in when Flora began her quest, and I then read straight through. Flora has been in hiding all her life, with a tattoo on her ankle that is actually a curse, and is slowly sapping her life away from her. When she turns 18, she finds out that she needs to find all the shards of a family amulet to not only save her life, but also fix the devastated lands and claim her own powers. But the shards are spread out, and it will be a dangerous journey. Many people want to find her as her birth mother is the one that destroyed the lands with her corrupt magic. Her best friend (and sometimes annoying) best friend Anise sets out with her and along the way they meet Kaanan, a young man that has secrets of his own, and whether he’s trustworthy or not, well, I won’t tell.
There were a couple surprises and a couple things I guessed, but this is a good start for this author. The world building is easy to picture as the reader goes along, and the characters are well flushed out. This book started off a bit confusing, but it does come together nicely. I think my favorite character was Kaanan, because you don’t know for most of the book if he’s good or bad or has an agenda with the people hunting Flora. The ending kept this as a standalone book, but I actually could see this book moving into a series easily. It’s a good book that will work for older teens and up.
There were a couple surprises and a couple things I guessed, but this is a good start for this author. The world building is easy to picture as the reader goes along, and the characters are well flushed out. This book started off a bit confusing, but it does come together nicely. I think my favorite character was Kaanan, because you don’t know for most of the book if he’s good or bad or has an agenda with the people hunting Flora. The ending kept this as a standalone book, but I actually could see this book moving into a series easily. It’s a good book that will work for older teens and up.
November 26, 2024
This is Aleighsha’s debut book! I don't typically gravitate towards fantasy novels, as I often find them hard to follow. However, I am genuinely thrilled that I decided to read this! It turned out to be such an engaging read that truly captivated me from start to finish.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was the main character, Flora. She experiences social anxiety, much like I do, which made her struggles and fears relatable. Throughout the story, Flora grapples with her apprehension about venturing outside her comfort zone and her reliance on her best friend, Anneliese. Watching Flora's character evolve as she gradually gained confidence and bravery was both inspiring and heartwarming.
The friendship between Flora and Anneliese is a highlight of the book. Their bond felt genuine and realistic, showcasing the complexities of friendship, especially during challenging moments. Despite facing obstacles and misunderstandings along the way, their relationship remained a source of strength for Flora.
The romance subplot in the story unfolds beautifully as a slow burn, which is a trope I absolutely adore! The chemistry between Flora and Kaanan develops gradually, allowing for a deeper connection between the characters that makes the eventual romance all the more satisfying.
Overall, I loved everything about this, from the writing to the characters and I wholeheartedly recommend that you read it.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was the main character, Flora. She experiences social anxiety, much like I do, which made her struggles and fears relatable. Throughout the story, Flora grapples with her apprehension about venturing outside her comfort zone and her reliance on her best friend, Anneliese. Watching Flora's character evolve as she gradually gained confidence and bravery was both inspiring and heartwarming.
The friendship between Flora and Anneliese is a highlight of the book. Their bond felt genuine and realistic, showcasing the complexities of friendship, especially during challenging moments. Despite facing obstacles and misunderstandings along the way, their relationship remained a source of strength for Flora.
The romance subplot in the story unfolds beautifully as a slow burn, which is a trope I absolutely adore! The chemistry between Flora and Kaanan develops gradually, allowing for a deeper connection between the characters that makes the eventual romance all the more satisfying.
Overall, I loved everything about this, from the writing to the characters and I wholeheartedly recommend that you read it.
September 9, 2024
Troupes
🖤One bed
🖤Plant magic
🖤Shady MMC
🖤 Socially anxious FMC
🖤 MMC and bestfriend banner
🖤Quest
FMC who has a legacy to keep, a dangerous legacy. The one which is draining her life out, the one which has put her loved ones life on line. The one she must fulfill no matter how much she wants to run away from it.
Her whole life she has known that her entire life was at stake, even with the looming threat she has been protected well by Rosie and Annise. Everything changes when she has a dream , a nightmare for her arrived forcing her to push past her boundaries to save people she loved.
She is someone who has no desire to get out of her boundaries, but is forced to do so.
I really love how the MMC entered their life and her instant attraction to him. (The MMC is really fab). Later realisation of his shady nature. And the banter between MMC and her best friend is something I really loved.Anymore and I might reveal the whole plot.
🖤One bed
🖤Plant magic
🖤Shady MMC
🖤 Socially anxious FMC
🖤 MMC and bestfriend banner
🖤Quest
FMC who has a legacy to keep, a dangerous legacy. The one which is draining her life out, the one which has put her loved ones life on line. The one she must fulfill no matter how much she wants to run away from it.
Her whole life she has known that her entire life was at stake, even with the looming threat she has been protected well by Rosie and Annise. Everything changes when she has a dream , a nightmare for her arrived forcing her to push past her boundaries to save people she loved.
She is someone who has no desire to get out of her boundaries, but is forced to do so.
I really love how the MMC entered their life and her instant attraction to him. (The MMC is really fab). Later realisation of his shady nature. And the banter between MMC and her best friend is something I really loved.Anymore and I might reveal the whole plot.
November 8, 2025
I’m so happy because this was an ARC and it was soooooo good! It is the perfect amount of spooky and exciting so that any age can really enjoy it, except my hunch is that it would do the best with teenagers who want to start reading fantasy. Flora is not the kind of person you could expect to go on such a journey but following her is empowering because she is both relatable and flawed, yet she persists. The supporting characters were just as good as Flora. There is also a fairytale component and lore that is entwined with the story and it makes it so magical. There was a little bit of info dumping in the beginning that made it feel slower to start. I think spaced out it would have been easier to digest. That is soooo minor, though, because this book is really enjoyable, and once it picks up it is impossible to put down!
September 13, 2024
4.5 rounded up. I love when the characters have distinct voices and this book has both of the MCs strong out of the gate. I love the addition of diary entries to let the reader into Flora’s thoughts as well, especially since she has an epic secret. This story moves from the get go and the twists and turns lent good mystery that made me keep wanting to read more. I loved the magic and all of the creatures and the world building is quite a delight. The quest Flora is on is both a journey for her and for the reader, and definitely one I’m glad I took!
September 26, 2025
I received this book as a giveaway. It was honestly hard to get through. Too much time is spent spelling out every single thought of the main character without actually making her interesting. Entire pages of her internal monologue could be skipped without losing any of the plot. Also, many of the descriptions used were contradictory and felt forced. The plot had plenty of potential, but needed a bit of refinement.
August 24, 2024
This was a great coming of age story. I'm going to be honest that it took me a couple tries to get into it due to what felt like a slow start. I'm happy that I did though.the Norse legends sprinkled throughout was a take on the genre that you don't normally see. Very strong storytelling and will recommend.
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