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Where Shadows Bloom: A Devastating and Hopeful Young Adult Sapphic Romantasy
Fans of Allison Saft and Margaret Rogerson will be swept away into this lush and beguiling sapphic romantasy from the bestselling author of Flowerheart, Catherine Bakewell.
Ofelia has lived her life dreaming of entering Le Château Enchanté—the mysterious court of the gods-blessed King Léo, where the shadow monsters that roam Ofelia’s home never trespass.
Lope has lived her life as a knight, defending Ofelia and her home from Shadows even as she dreams of escaping with Ofelia by her side.
When the Shadows venture too close, Lope and Ofelia are thrust into a journey that will lead them to the heart of the darkness haunting their home: the dazzling and deceptive Château Enchanté itself.
A mesmerizing daydream with a subtle edge of darkness that will leave you utterly unable to put it down, Where Shadows Bloom pits terrifying monsters, chilling secrets, capricious gods, immortal kings, and death itself against the unstoppable love between two girls.
Ofelia has lived her life dreaming of entering Le Château Enchanté—the mysterious court of the gods-blessed King Léo, where the shadow monsters that roam Ofelia’s home never trespass.
Lope has lived her life as a knight, defending Ofelia and her home from Shadows even as she dreams of escaping with Ofelia by her side.
When the Shadows venture too close, Lope and Ofelia are thrust into a journey that will lead them to the heart of the darkness haunting their home: the dazzling and deceptive Château Enchanté itself.
A mesmerizing daydream with a subtle edge of darkness that will leave you utterly unable to put it down, Where Shadows Bloom pits terrifying monsters, chilling secrets, capricious gods, immortal kings, and death itself against the unstoppable love between two girls.
432 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2025
About the author
Catherine Bakewell
7 books499 followersCatherine Bakewell is a writer, artist, freelance editor, and an opera enthusiast. She has lived in Spain and in France, where she romped through gardens, ate pastries, and worked on her novels. She is represented by Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Her YA Fantasy, FLOWERHEART, and her MG Fantasy, WE ARE THE SONG, are available wherever books are sold or at your local library.
Her YA Fantasy, FLOWERHEART, and her MG Fantasy, WE ARE THE SONG, are available wherever books are sold or at your local library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
February 17, 2025
Sapphic overlords, why have you forsaken me?
Lope deserves better. Ofelia drove me crazy. I could not stand her. Lope gave everything to this girl and when their friendship/relationship was inconvenient, Ofelia threw her to the curb. You expect me to read these lines and like Ofelia after?
I mean, Ofelia says it best herself:
And honestly, I wasn't a fan of the ending. I already don't like Ofelia, so her going and doing something "noble" felt disingenuous and performative. Like, I get you want me to think she's a good person, but I don't buy it. And yes, she's 17, so she's naive and easily swayed but Lope is the same age. And she was awesome.
Pre-read:
Sapphic romantasy has just been hitting lately. Excited to read this one!!
Lope deserves better. Ofelia drove me crazy. I could not stand her. Lope gave everything to this girl and when their friendship/relationship was inconvenient, Ofelia threw her to the curb. You expect me to read these lines and like Ofelia after?
There was a coldness in her eyes that convinced me, for the first time, that she really could be the king's daughter.
I mean, Ofelia says it best herself:
Stubborn. Spoiled. Refusing to listen to her dearest friend, even after all we'd been through.
And honestly, I wasn't a fan of the ending. I already don't like Ofelia, so her going and doing something "noble" felt disingenuous and performative. Like, I get you want me to think she's a good person, but I don't buy it. And yes, she's 17, so she's naive and easily swayed but Lope is the same age. And she was awesome.
Pre-read:
Sapphic romantasy has just been hitting lately. Excited to read this one!!
December 8, 2025
This would have been better if Lope forgot about Ofelia, and ran off to scissor with the librarian, because OFELIA WAS ABSOLUTELY INSUFFERABLE.
The moment ofelia had life in a castle and dancing, she yeeted Lope and her feelings off a clock tower. Because she had a dad now. BRO. YOU'RE GIRL WAS WITH YOU FOR 5 YEARS PROTECTING YOUR DUMB ASS AND YOU DROPPED HER IN 5 SECONDS OVER A MAN???????? BRUTHA EWWWWWWWWWWWW.
I think this book could have been good, if the first 20% gripped you, but I felt the start was very weak, and I just continued to feel melancholy for the rest of the read?
It also didn't help that we were kind of thrust into the middle of Ofelia/Lope's relationship, they'd been together for 5 years and they both loved eachother in secret before the book starts..... So I don't really know or understand why they're inlove??? 🤷🤷🤷
JUSTICE FOR MY POOR YEARNING QUEEN LOPE THOUGH.
I love me a lady knight, especially when the yearning is THICC.
This just didn't hit like I wanted it to.
5 stars for the cute cover at least!
The moment ofelia had life in a castle and dancing, she yeeted Lope and her feelings off a clock tower. Because she had a dad now. BRO. YOU'RE GIRL WAS WITH YOU FOR 5 YEARS PROTECTING YOUR DUMB ASS AND YOU DROPPED HER IN 5 SECONDS OVER A MAN???????? BRUTHA EWWWWWWWWWWWW.
I think this book could have been good, if the first 20% gripped you, but I felt the start was very weak, and I just continued to feel melancholy for the rest of the read?
It also didn't help that we were kind of thrust into the middle of Ofelia/Lope's relationship, they'd been together for 5 years and they both loved eachother in secret before the book starts..... So I don't really know or understand why they're inlove??? 🤷🤷🤷
JUSTICE FOR MY POOR YEARNING QUEEN LOPE THOUGH.
I love me a lady knight, especially when the yearning is THICC.
This just didn't hit like I wanted it to.
5 stars for the cute cover at least!
November 28, 2024
Ofelia has always dreamed of visiting the Le Château Enchanté, a Versailles inspired palace that remains untouched by the shadow monsters that plague the countryside. As the threat of the shadows grows, Ofelia convinces her mother to petition the King to allow them to live within its walls. However, after her mother goes missing on her travels Ofelia must journey to the palace with her loyal guard Lope to find her. When they arrive they soon learn that while the palace is filled with beauty, secrets also lurk. And the origin of the shadows might reside somewhere within its walls.
2.5/5 ⭐️
Someone please free Lope. Save my girl from Ofelia, my god.
At first I liked how Ofelia and Lope were counterparts of each other. Ofelia is a sheltered noble girl whose naivety leads her to seek beauty and joy above all else. Lope is a knight who has seen violence and death, becoming distrustful and protective in the process. I was interested to see how their stark differences would begin to bleed into each other as they grew closer. But I found this growth to be incredibly one sided.
Lope is a wonderful well rounded character. She is sharp, strong, and loyal to a fault. Despite her tough exterior, she is a poet at heart. She is still able to put beauty into words despite the nightmares she encounters. And most of those words are dedicated to Ofelia, whom she loves and would follow to the ends of the earth. All she cares about is keeping her safe.
Ofelia, unfortunately, is an absolutely loathsome character. She’s self absorbed, air headed, and ignorant. I would say she is unintentionally cruel at times, but I don’t think it’s always unintended! At the end of the day she is still of noble birth. Ofelia is meant to come across as bubbly and naive, easy to manipulate because of her quickness to trust. She is supposed to be endearing and loveable, but instead just comes across as dumb as a doorknob. I simply got frustrated by her insistance on remaining a fool dazzled by jewels. She would rather turn a blind eye to injustice, live a life full of lies, than face any form of hardship. Even her desire to be reunited with her mother, a desire that drives the entire plot of the book, is easily placated with the promise of comfort. I would say this book would have worked better as a middle grade novel, but even a 12 yr old has more integrity than Ofelia.
The romance felt lukewarm to me. From the start, Lope and Ofelia have a mutual crush. They’ve been close for years, a friendship that transcends their lady and knight dynamic. But while there is pinning, there really isn’t any angst. Which is the main draw of a bodyguard romance to me. The resisting of feelings because it’s inappropriate for their relationship! Not knowing if it’s actually love or duty! Doing everything in their power to protect their charge! While this book tried to incorporate these elements into the story, they just fell so flat for me. I didn’t feel it, I didn’t believe it. Especially since the main conflict in their relationship is Lope’s honorable nature butting heads with Ofelia’s selfishness. I honestly didn’t think they should be together.
The world building was particularly vague. It’s heavily influenced by Spain and France, as both Spanish and French honorifics are utilized, but the religion seems to have some inspiration from Greek mythology. However the gods are never really discussed in a substantial way outside of The Shadow King. We don’t really know anything about this world outside of the palace. Even Ofelia’s home is quickly brushed over.
A good ending can make me forgive a lot of faults in a book. But unfortunately this book’s ending did not fall into that category. I was not a fan of the ending. It read to me like Ofelia is thrust into making the most drastic decision possible in an effort to show that she has grown from her flaws and truly has a heart of gold. I didn’t buy it for a second. Before this moment it seemed like Ofelia only started to care when her life was in danger and Lope had left her. What occurred after felt wildly out of character for everyone involved, and did not have the impact I assume was intended. I was left feeling very unfulfilled by the conclusion.
Received an ARC for review from NetGalley
2.5/5 ⭐️
Someone please free Lope. Save my girl from Ofelia, my god.
At first I liked how Ofelia and Lope were counterparts of each other. Ofelia is a sheltered noble girl whose naivety leads her to seek beauty and joy above all else. Lope is a knight who has seen violence and death, becoming distrustful and protective in the process. I was interested to see how their stark differences would begin to bleed into each other as they grew closer. But I found this growth to be incredibly one sided.
Lope is a wonderful well rounded character. She is sharp, strong, and loyal to a fault. Despite her tough exterior, she is a poet at heart. She is still able to put beauty into words despite the nightmares she encounters. And most of those words are dedicated to Ofelia, whom she loves and would follow to the ends of the earth. All she cares about is keeping her safe.
Ofelia, unfortunately, is an absolutely loathsome character. She’s self absorbed, air headed, and ignorant. I would say she is unintentionally cruel at times, but I don’t think it’s always unintended! At the end of the day she is still of noble birth. Ofelia is meant to come across as bubbly and naive, easy to manipulate because of her quickness to trust. She is supposed to be endearing and loveable, but instead just comes across as dumb as a doorknob. I simply got frustrated by her insistance on remaining a fool dazzled by jewels. She would rather turn a blind eye to injustice, live a life full of lies, than face any form of hardship. Even her desire to be reunited with her mother, a desire that drives the entire plot of the book, is easily placated with the promise of comfort. I would say this book would have worked better as a middle grade novel, but even a 12 yr old has more integrity than Ofelia.
The romance felt lukewarm to me. From the start, Lope and Ofelia have a mutual crush. They’ve been close for years, a friendship that transcends their lady and knight dynamic. But while there is pinning, there really isn’t any angst. Which is the main draw of a bodyguard romance to me. The resisting of feelings because it’s inappropriate for their relationship! Not knowing if it’s actually love or duty! Doing everything in their power to protect their charge! While this book tried to incorporate these elements into the story, they just fell so flat for me. I didn’t feel it, I didn’t believe it. Especially since the main conflict in their relationship is Lope’s honorable nature butting heads with Ofelia’s selfishness. I honestly didn’t think they should be together.
The world building was particularly vague. It’s heavily influenced by Spain and France, as both Spanish and French honorifics are utilized, but the religion seems to have some inspiration from Greek mythology. However the gods are never really discussed in a substantial way outside of The Shadow King. We don’t really know anything about this world outside of the palace. Even Ofelia’s home is quickly brushed over.
A good ending can make me forgive a lot of faults in a book. But unfortunately this book’s ending did not fall into that category. I was not a fan of the ending. It read to me like Ofelia is thrust into making the most drastic decision possible in an effort to show that she has grown from her flaws and truly has a heart of gold. I didn’t buy it for a second. Before this moment it seemed like Ofelia only started to care when her life was in danger and Lope had left her. What occurred after felt wildly out of character for everyone involved, and did not have the impact I assume was intended. I was left feeling very unfulfilled by the conclusion.
Received an ARC for review from NetGalley
August 2, 2024
Absolutely lovely cover! This book has a cozy vibes but the plot didn’t really have an aspects that gripped me. The love story was well done and beautiful and sweet. I would recommend if you are looking for that light fantasy cottagecore book.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2025
When I first started this, I really thought it’d be 4-5 star read but it really went downhill about 25% of the way through. I understand why Ofelia was so naive. She’s been extremely sheltered her entire life, but it still pissed me off so badly😭 I seriously almost dropped this, it had me crashing out. I also wasn’t a fan of the events leading up to the ending. Like girl whatever. 🙄
The 2 stars are for Lope, the queen of yearning.
The 2 stars are for Lope, the queen of yearning.
February 22, 2025
"The way she looked at me, like she understood something, like she saw something in me that I did not—it made me burn. For her, I would gladly let myself turn to ash."
Cozy sapphic fantasy romance at its very best and it reads like a fairytale. The prose is lush and evocative, effortlessly drawing readers into a world inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where yearning and a soft love story between two young women shine amidst darker undertones. This is one of those romantic stories that will make you sigh happily.
Ofelia has always dreamed of entering the mysterious court of King Léo. Lope is a devoted knight whose heart is set on protecting Ofelia. These are two characters bursting with emotion and vivid complexity. Their journey through a realm where shadow monsters, many familial secrets, meddling gods, and immortal kings lurk and provide a playground to explore this sweet romance.
I adored the way Bakewell weaves in complex family dynamics and layers of emotional intensity without ever feeling overly gritty or hyper-realistic—this is a story meant to evoke wonder and heartfelt longing. While some of the characters’ decisions might seem less logical by real-world standards, that only enhances the dreamlike, mythic quality of the story.
If you’re in the mood for a richly imaginative story with a distinctly sapphic twist on classic romance, this is an utterly irresistible and gorgeous read.
Thanks so much to Epic Reads, the author, and Storygram Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Cozy sapphic fantasy romance at its very best and it reads like a fairytale. The prose is lush and evocative, effortlessly drawing readers into a world inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where yearning and a soft love story between two young women shine amidst darker undertones. This is one of those romantic stories that will make you sigh happily.
Ofelia has always dreamed of entering the mysterious court of King Léo. Lope is a devoted knight whose heart is set on protecting Ofelia. These are two characters bursting with emotion and vivid complexity. Their journey through a realm where shadow monsters, many familial secrets, meddling gods, and immortal kings lurk and provide a playground to explore this sweet romance.
I adored the way Bakewell weaves in complex family dynamics and layers of emotional intensity without ever feeling overly gritty or hyper-realistic—this is a story meant to evoke wonder and heartfelt longing. While some of the characters’ decisions might seem less logical by real-world standards, that only enhances the dreamlike, mythic quality of the story.
If you’re in the mood for a richly imaginative story with a distinctly sapphic twist on classic romance, this is an utterly irresistible and gorgeous read.
Thanks so much to Epic Reads, the author, and Storygram Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
February 16, 2025
2025 reads: 36/300
2025 tbr: 15/111
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
ofelia has dreamed all her life of one day inhabiting le château enchanté, the gods-blessed king léo’s mysterious court. there, the shadow monsters that prevent ofelia from safely leaving her home never get near. when the shadow monsters get too close, ofelia and her knight, lope, go in search of le château enchanté for safety. when they get there, everything seems magical…but soon they learn that not everything is as it seems.
i really enjoyed catherine bakewell’s flowerheart, so i was excited to read another book with cottagecore vibes by her. this wasn’t 100% cottagecore, since it did get fairly dark, but i enjoyed it nonetheless! the plot was so interesting. i loved learning about the shadow monsters and le château enchanté. i also loved that this was dual pov so we could learn more about ofelia and lope! i loved them as individual characters and as a romantic pairing.
i’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA romantic fantasies. i can’t wait for whatever’s next from catherine bakewell!
2025 tbr: 15/111
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
ofelia has dreamed all her life of one day inhabiting le château enchanté, the gods-blessed king léo’s mysterious court. there, the shadow monsters that prevent ofelia from safely leaving her home never get near. when the shadow monsters get too close, ofelia and her knight, lope, go in search of le château enchanté for safety. when they get there, everything seems magical…but soon they learn that not everything is as it seems.
i really enjoyed catherine bakewell’s flowerheart, so i was excited to read another book with cottagecore vibes by her. this wasn’t 100% cottagecore, since it did get fairly dark, but i enjoyed it nonetheless! the plot was so interesting. i loved learning about the shadow monsters and le château enchanté. i also loved that this was dual pov so we could learn more about ofelia and lope! i loved them as individual characters and as a romantic pairing.
i’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA romantic fantasies. i can’t wait for whatever’s next from catherine bakewell!
June 13, 2025
˖𓍢 ໋ 3.50 stars ࿐
⤿ 0.5/5 spice!
Sapphic romantasy gods, why have you forsaken me 🤧 Pretty cover and a plot that was interesting enough, yes, but the only problem was that I really hated one of the FMCs. Ophelia was so whinny and spoiled and didn't appreciate Lope at all. My girl deserves so much better. The plot twists were also super predictable, and I guessed them all almost immediately.
That being said, this was still a super cozy, fun read and I'm glad I picked it up! I world was so well developed, and the ending was glorious. It satisfied my need for a decent sapphic romantasy, but I would've enjoyed it much better if Ophelia was a bit more likeable.
Overall, I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a haunting, cozy fantasy <3
Happy reading loves 🌷💗
⤿ 0.5/5 spice!
"The way she looked at me, like she understood something, like she saw something in me that I did not—it made me burn. For her, I would gladly let myself turn to ash."
Sapphic romantasy gods, why have you forsaken me 🤧 Pretty cover and a plot that was interesting enough, yes, but the only problem was that I really hated one of the FMCs. Ophelia was so whinny and spoiled and didn't appreciate Lope at all. My girl deserves so much better. The plot twists were also super predictable, and I guessed them all almost immediately.
That being said, this was still a super cozy, fun read and I'm glad I picked it up! I world was so well developed, and the ending was glorious. It satisfied my need for a decent sapphic romantasy, but I would've enjoyed it much better if Ophelia was a bit more likeable.
Overall, I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a haunting, cozy fantasy <3
Happy reading loves 🌷💗
April 29, 2025
3.8 ⭐️ Sapphic romance, monsters, and a kingdom that isn’t as it seems.
I really enjoyed the plot of this and the story itself. It kept me hooked the whole way and does feel like an eerie fairytale. The writing style was also a joy to read.
This is the perfect read if you want a Romantasy with a lovable woman knight and some mystery & monsters.
I will say Ofelia was a tad infuriating at times. I think it was the naivety so severe it often felt mind boggling. I don’t mind a character that needs to grow as her preconceptions of the realm are challenged, but it was like Ofelia was choosing to remain oblivious even when things were starkly apparent.
Rep// Sapphic Woman MC, Sapphic Woman MC. Central romance is sapphic/wlw.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// kidnapping, death, injury, manipulation, loss of a family member (past).
I really enjoyed the plot of this and the story itself. It kept me hooked the whole way and does feel like an eerie fairytale. The writing style was also a joy to read.
This is the perfect read if you want a Romantasy with a lovable woman knight and some mystery & monsters.
I will say Ofelia was a tad infuriating at times. I think it was the naivety so severe it often felt mind boggling. I don’t mind a character that needs to grow as her preconceptions of the realm are challenged, but it was like Ofelia was choosing to remain oblivious even when things were starkly apparent.
Rep// Sapphic Woman MC, Sapphic Woman MC. Central romance is sapphic/wlw.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// kidnapping, death, injury, manipulation, loss of a family member (past).
Want to Read
March 27, 2025
July 16, 2024
this review might be slightly biased because after reading Flowerheart I am convinced Cat will nEVER LET ME DOWN(no pressure) also she sent me an e-arc(THANK) LMAOO anyways LETS GET INTO IT !!!!
Where Shadows Bloom is a SAPPHIC ROMANTASY that follows a girl, Ofelia and her knight Lope. They leave their home to go this mysterious court under the rule of a king with dangerous secrets and the only place safe from monsters. Also Ofelia’s mother has disappeared to there and they need to find her. I am so in love with Lope, they’re both a fighter and a poet!! There’s also a bit of Greek mythology retelling vibes in this one that I wasn’t expecting but loved. My one complaint is it felt short because I read it so fast but that’s my fault for not forcing myself to savor it. I shall patiently await the author’s next book
Where Shadows Bloom is a SAPPHIC ROMANTASY that follows a girl, Ofelia and her knight Lope. They leave their home to go this mysterious court under the rule of a king with dangerous secrets and the only place safe from monsters. Also Ofelia’s mother has disappeared to there and they need to find her. I am so in love with Lope, they’re both a fighter and a poet!! There’s also a bit of Greek mythology retelling vibes in this one that I wasn’t expecting but loved. My one complaint is it felt short because I read it so fast but that’s my fault for not forcing myself to savor it. I shall patiently await the author’s next book
April 29, 2025
4 Stars
The world building such as the manor, the chateau and the underworld was unique and I specifically love the Underworld and its ruler. The threat, seen and felt was thrilling and exciting. However, the power imbalance between the main characters was difficult to ignore. I understand that they were teenagers and the noble one was sheltered all her life. It was just very grating to read about her naïveté go on and on throughout the book. Her epiphany coming through almost at the end which meant that her character did not grow on me.
The rest of the story was engrossing and entertaining to read. Despite the one character that didn’t live up to her potential, in general, Where Shadows Bloom was intriguing and offers a different take on the Underworld.
The world building such as the manor, the chateau and the underworld was unique and I specifically love the Underworld and its ruler. The threat, seen and felt was thrilling and exciting. However, the power imbalance between the main characters was difficult to ignore. I understand that they were teenagers and the noble one was sheltered all her life. It was just very grating to read about her naïveté go on and on throughout the book. Her epiphany coming through almost at the end which meant that her character did not grow on me.
The rest of the story was engrossing and entertaining to read. Despite the one character that didn’t live up to her potential, in general, Where Shadows Bloom was intriguing and offers a different take on the Underworld.
October 15, 2024
listen, i tried to enjoy this book. i really did. i do not want to be a hater, but the hater life chose me. there was just something about this book that did not click with me. the premise sounded excellent, but the execution fell flat. like really flat. i did not enjoy the characters. Ofelia felt like a 10 year old trapped in a 17 year old. all of her decisions were so stupid. and Lope…did we really need to have a million of her poems? i think a few would have been fine but it felt excessive. overall, just not my vibe :(
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review
March 1, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
3.5 stars!
this was an interesting dark (but not too dark) sapphic romantasy novel!
3.5 stars!
this was an interesting dark (but not too dark) sapphic romantasy novel!
May 15, 2025
“for her, i would gladly let myself turn to ash."
— three point five stars, rounded down.
forgive me, because my brain is so fried from finals that i feel like i forgot how to write a review. sorry if this isn't great!
i liked this book! i know the lower rating doesn't really reflect that, but i'll explain in a moment why i went with a middle-ground rating. the basics are that this was objectively a well written book. the prose was a little flowery, but was still really beautiful, and much of the imagery was so vivid and lovely to indulge myself in.
i think the strongest part of this book, truly, was its descriptions and the setting overall. bakewell has a talent for creating immersive worlds that reflect the "cozy" genre that she is writing in, and where shadows bloom was a real shining example of that (why am i saying this as if i've read her other books...?)
there are a few reasons as to why i rated this book a little lower though, and many of them fall into the character and plot fronts. i feel as though a lot of characters lack depth, especially our main "antagonist" and the main villain of the book. i also feel as though ofelia was entirely too naive, to the point where it made it difficult to truly side with her. i do realize the intention was to show her as "pure of heart", but the way that she instantly believed and sided with made my head spin, and i didn't really enjoy it as it made it difficult to sympathize with ofelia. lope was a very 2-D character, as she stayed pretty consistent throughout the entire book, which also made it difficult for me to sympathize with her.
as far as the plot goes, i feel as though it was a pretty easy to follow plot, but on that note i feel like it needed just a little more depth, especially because the ending felt as though it was going in circles. for the intention of the book being a "cozy" romance, though, the plot was sufficient enough.
anyway! all in all, a good book that i would recommend if you're just looking for a quick read with some sweet romance, i just have some personal gripes with it that prevent me from rating it a full five stars. it did fulfill my want of a cute little historical princess romance, so points from me!
— three point five stars, rounded down.
forgive me, because my brain is so fried from finals that i feel like i forgot how to write a review. sorry if this isn't great!
i liked this book! i know the lower rating doesn't really reflect that, but i'll explain in a moment why i went with a middle-ground rating. the basics are that this was objectively a well written book. the prose was a little flowery, but was still really beautiful, and much of the imagery was so vivid and lovely to indulge myself in.
i think the strongest part of this book, truly, was its descriptions and the setting overall. bakewell has a talent for creating immersive worlds that reflect the "cozy" genre that she is writing in, and where shadows bloom was a real shining example of that (why am i saying this as if i've read her other books...?)
there are a few reasons as to why i rated this book a little lower though, and many of them fall into the character and plot fronts. i feel as though a lot of characters lack depth, especially our main "antagonist" and the main villain of the book. i also feel as though ofelia was entirely too naive, to the point where it made it difficult to truly side with her. i do realize the intention was to show her as "pure of heart", but the way that she instantly believed and sided with made my head spin, and i didn't really enjoy it as it made it difficult to sympathize with ofelia. lope was a very 2-D character, as she stayed pretty consistent throughout the entire book, which also made it difficult for me to sympathize with her.
as far as the plot goes, i feel as though it was a pretty easy to follow plot, but on that note i feel like it needed just a little more depth, especially because the ending felt as though it was going in circles. for the intention of the book being a "cozy" romance, though, the plot was sufficient enough.
anyway! all in all, a good book that i would recommend if you're just looking for a quick read with some sweet romance, i just have some personal gripes with it that prevent me from rating it a full five stars. it did fulfill my want of a cute little historical princess romance, so points from me!
April 3, 2025
3.5/5
This almost gave me similar feelings as Shadow and Bone. Not really the story but the vibes. There’s creepy shadows lurking but also a sweet romance at the forefront. It has light cozy fantasy vibes.
The way Lope loved Ofelia and was utterly devoted to her was the best. It was so so sweet. I didn’t love Ofelia as much as I loved Lope but they were cute together.
I didn’t completely love the ending either but it was nice in a way too. I did enjoy the Shadow King and his character arc.
Overall this was a fun cozy read. I think it’s a great book for young readers.
‘Sacrifice. That is what love is.’
This almost gave me similar feelings as Shadow and Bone. Not really the story but the vibes. There’s creepy shadows lurking but also a sweet romance at the forefront. It has light cozy fantasy vibes.
The way Lope loved Ofelia and was utterly devoted to her was the best. It was so so sweet. I didn’t love Ofelia as much as I loved Lope but they were cute together.
I didn’t completely love the ending either but it was nice in a way too. I did enjoy the Shadow King and his character arc.
Overall this was a fun cozy read. I think it’s a great book for young readers.
‘Sacrifice. That is what love is.’
February 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
2025 is gonna be my year of being real in my reviews. This book had such odd pacing to it and stuff just happened out of nowhere. After all of that, Ofelia is the most annoying person ever. She is naive and selfish. She trusts a man she met 5 minutes ago when her mother has disappeared over the friend she’s had for 5 years. I could not get over how awfully she treated Lope and then Lope just ran back and put herself in danger. I was so over this book until the ending. I really enjoyed the Shadow King and his world. I wished the whole book could have been about that. He seemed so interesting. The cover is beautiful though and I like Lope besides her willingness to risk everything for a girl who barely registers her.
2025 is gonna be my year of being real in my reviews. This book had such odd pacing to it and stuff just happened out of nowhere. After all of that, Ofelia is the most annoying person ever. She is naive and selfish. She trusts a man she met 5 minutes ago when her mother has disappeared over the friend she’s had for 5 years. I could not get over how awfully she treated Lope and then Lope just ran back and put herself in danger. I was so over this book until the ending. I really enjoyed the Shadow King and his world. I wished the whole book could have been about that. He seemed so interesting. The cover is beautiful though and I like Lope besides her willingness to risk everything for a girl who barely registers her.
February 16, 2025
This felt like a dream. It’s such a tender love story 😭
May 20, 2025
are you fucking serious
February 19, 2025
Where Shadows Bloom is Catherine Bakewell's latest young adult fantasy following her successful debut Flowerheart. This enchanting novel weaves together elements of gothic romance, fairy tales, and court intrigue to create a story that is both haunting and heartwarming. While it occasionally stumbles in pacing, the novel's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, delivering a memorable reading experience that will resonate with fans of romantic fantasy.
Setting the Stage: A World of Shadows and Light
The story unfolds in a richly imagined world where mysterious creatures called Shadows plague the countryside, stealing the breath from unfortunate victims. Only one place claims to be safe from these monsters: Le Château Enchanté, the magnificent palace of the eternally young King Léo. Bakewell's worldbuilding shines in her detailed descriptions of both the sun-drenched palace and the darkness that lurks at its edges.
A Love Story Worth Fighting For
At the heart of this novel is the relationship between Ofelia, a nobleman's daughter yearning for adventure, and Lope, the knight sworn to protect her. Their slow-burn romance develops beautifully through small moments and quiet conversations, making their eventual declarations of love feel earned and powerful. The author handles their relationship with sensitivity and grace, allowing both characters to maintain their individual identities while growing together.
Strengths & Literary Merit
Character Development
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its character work. Ofelia begins as a somewhat naive dreamer but develops into a young woman capable of making difficult choices and sacrifices. Lope's journey from dutiful knight to someone who can express her own desires and needs is equally compelling. The supporting cast, particularly the Shadow King (later known as Soleil), are well-rounded and undergo their own meaningful transformations.
Prose and Poetry
Bakewell's writing style is lyrical without being purple, employing vivid imagery that brings both the splendor of Le Château and the darkness of the Underworld to life. The inclusion of Lope's poetry throughout the novel adds another layer of emotional depth to the story.
Themes and Motifs
The novel explores several complex themes:
- The nature of true love and sacrifice
- The contrast between appearance and reality
- The power of storytelling and human connection
- The importance of choice and agency in relationships
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Issues
The middle section of the novel occasionally drags, particularly during Ofelia's initial time at Le Château. Some readers may find the court intrigue scenes less engaging than the more action-oriented sequences.
World Building Questions
While the magic system and the nature of the Shadows are fascinating, certain aspects remain unclear. The relationship between the gods above and the Shadow King could have been explored in more detail.
Minor Plot Conveniences
Some plot developments, particularly regarding the ease with which Lope infiltrates the palace in the latter half of the book, stretch credibility. These moments, while not devastating to the story, do somewhat undermine the tension.
Representation and Inclusivity
The sapphic romance at the center of the story is handled with authenticity and care. The author avoids common LGBTQ+ tropes and instead presents a love story that feels natural and universal while still acknowledging the specific challenges these characters face.
Conclusion: A Bloom Worth Cultivating
Where Shadows Bloom proves that Catherine Bakewell is a rising star in the young adult fantasy genre. The novel successfully balances darkness and light, creating a story that is both haunting and hopeful. While not perfect, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a recommended read for fans of romantic fantasy.
For readers seeking an immersive fantasy romance with depth, beautiful prose, and compelling characters, this book offers a unique and satisfying experience. The story's message about the transformative power of love and sacrifice resonates long after the final page.
Setting the Stage: A World of Shadows and Light
The story unfolds in a richly imagined world where mysterious creatures called Shadows plague the countryside, stealing the breath from unfortunate victims. Only one place claims to be safe from these monsters: Le Château Enchanté, the magnificent palace of the eternally young King Léo. Bakewell's worldbuilding shines in her detailed descriptions of both the sun-drenched palace and the darkness that lurks at its edges.
A Love Story Worth Fighting For
At the heart of this novel is the relationship between Ofelia, a nobleman's daughter yearning for adventure, and Lope, the knight sworn to protect her. Their slow-burn romance develops beautifully through small moments and quiet conversations, making their eventual declarations of love feel earned and powerful. The author handles their relationship with sensitivity and grace, allowing both characters to maintain their individual identities while growing together.
Strengths & Literary Merit
Character Development
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its character work. Ofelia begins as a somewhat naive dreamer but develops into a young woman capable of making difficult choices and sacrifices. Lope's journey from dutiful knight to someone who can express her own desires and needs is equally compelling. The supporting cast, particularly the Shadow King (later known as Soleil), are well-rounded and undergo their own meaningful transformations.
Prose and Poetry
Bakewell's writing style is lyrical without being purple, employing vivid imagery that brings both the splendor of Le Château and the darkness of the Underworld to life. The inclusion of Lope's poetry throughout the novel adds another layer of emotional depth to the story.
Themes and Motifs
The novel explores several complex themes:
- The nature of true love and sacrifice
- The contrast between appearance and reality
- The power of storytelling and human connection
- The importance of choice and agency in relationships
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Issues
The middle section of the novel occasionally drags, particularly during Ofelia's initial time at Le Château. Some readers may find the court intrigue scenes less engaging than the more action-oriented sequences.
World Building Questions
While the magic system and the nature of the Shadows are fascinating, certain aspects remain unclear. The relationship between the gods above and the Shadow King could have been explored in more detail.
Minor Plot Conveniences
Some plot developments, particularly regarding the ease with which Lope infiltrates the palace in the latter half of the book, stretch credibility. These moments, while not devastating to the story, do somewhat undermine the tension.
Representation and Inclusivity
The sapphic romance at the center of the story is handled with authenticity and care. The author avoids common LGBTQ+ tropes and instead presents a love story that feels natural and universal while still acknowledging the specific challenges these characters face.
Conclusion: A Bloom Worth Cultivating
Where Shadows Bloom proves that Catherine Bakewell is a rising star in the young adult fantasy genre. The novel successfully balances darkness and light, creating a story that is both haunting and hopeful. While not perfect, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a recommended read for fans of romantic fantasy.
For readers seeking an immersive fantasy romance with depth, beautiful prose, and compelling characters, this book offers a unique and satisfying experience. The story's message about the transformative power of love and sacrifice resonates long after the final page.
December 10, 2025
5 stars. 6 stars. 1,000 stars.
oh god where do i begin????
this is the BEST book ive ever. read.
this will forever change the way i consume books. the writing, the yearning, the heart ache and heart flutters i got, the duality of the shadow king and his amazing beautiful HEART WRENCHING growth. like seriously soleil might be my new favorite character ever written, closely tied with lope!!!!
this love story was divine. so beautiful, i was so engrossed with their growth and their chemistry, all the tension, ALL of it was so good.
the poetry in this was amazing, i have been wanting to get into reading poetry and god damn if lope was a real poet i’d be buying all her books. true sapphic yearning.
i appreciate the contrast between the ‘mistress-immature-head in the clouds-fairytale loving’ writing style we get in ofelia’s chapters vs the more icy, sullen, edgy writing that we see in lopes chapters. i feel like in the dual pov romances ive read before authors have not done enough to differentiate between writing styles for both characters to highlight the differences in how they think and act.
the world building in this was INSANE. everything i was imagining was *muah* gorgeous. the humanness of these characters, the showcasing of all different forms of true love (romantic, platonic, familial). all the bonds written are so beautifully done
i did not expect myself to cry at the ending. i thought it was so endearing the way the shadow king is described many times as having a childlike interest in the world and an unexpected gentleness, i already had a fondness towards him probably because my favorite trope EVER is “evil character has a soft side and somehow someone brings it out of them and they have a change of heart”, so seeing his growth by the end of the book oh my god i was in hysterics. amazing amazing amazing character.
i don’t even know how to put into words how much i truly loved this book.
oh god where do i begin????
this is the BEST book ive ever. read.
this will forever change the way i consume books. the writing, the yearning, the heart ache and heart flutters i got, the duality of the shadow king and his amazing beautiful HEART WRENCHING growth. like seriously soleil might be my new favorite character ever written, closely tied with lope!!!!
this love story was divine. so beautiful, i was so engrossed with their growth and their chemistry, all the tension, ALL of it was so good.
the poetry in this was amazing, i have been wanting to get into reading poetry and god damn if lope was a real poet i’d be buying all her books. true sapphic yearning.
i appreciate the contrast between the ‘mistress-immature-head in the clouds-fairytale loving’ writing style we get in ofelia’s chapters vs the more icy, sullen, edgy writing that we see in lopes chapters. i feel like in the dual pov romances ive read before authors have not done enough to differentiate between writing styles for both characters to highlight the differences in how they think and act.
the world building in this was INSANE. everything i was imagining was *muah* gorgeous. the humanness of these characters, the showcasing of all different forms of true love (romantic, platonic, familial). all the bonds written are so beautifully done
i did not expect myself to cry at the ending. i thought it was so endearing the way the shadow king is described many times as having a childlike interest in the world and an unexpected gentleness, i already had a fondness towards him probably because my favorite trope EVER is “evil character has a soft side and somehow someone brings it out of them and they have a change of heart”, so seeing his growth by the end of the book oh my god i was in hysterics. amazing amazing amazing character.
i don’t even know how to put into words how much i truly loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2025
Unfortunately, too saccharine for my tastes.
Where Shadows Bloom is a YA sapphic romantasy that reads like a dreamy fairytale. While it's full of lovely poetry and sweet yearning between a sheltered noble girl and her sworn knight, I was frustrated by the shallowness and naiveté of Ofelia. It's hard to stay invested in a developing romance when only one character, Lope, is enjoyable to read.
I truly wished I had liked this one more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
Where Shadows Bloom is a YA sapphic romantasy that reads like a dreamy fairytale. While it's full of lovely poetry and sweet yearning between a sheltered noble girl and her sworn knight, I was frustrated by the shallowness and naiveté of Ofelia. It's hard to stay invested in a developing romance when only one character, Lope, is enjoyable to read.
I truly wished I had liked this one more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
May 19, 2025
2.5. The bonus half-star is for the spidery, curious Shadow King, who is the best part of this book.
April 1, 2025
2,5⭐️
Zwiodła mnie znów piękna okładka.
Z Catherine Bakewell miałam już spotkanie, przy wspaniałym w mych wspomnieniach Flowerheart, więc gdy usłyszałam, że wydaje teraz saficką opowieść – nakręciłam się niczym trybik. Pomysł na historię o zapomnianych bogach, potwornych Cieniach i pięknych zamkach brzmi bardzo bajkowo, a teraz, po lekturze, mogę przyznać, że jest to bajka. Where Shadows Bloom to zdecydowanie tytuł skierowany do młodszego, nastoletniego czytelnika. Bardzo trudno jest uwierzyć, że Ofelia i Lope mają lat siedemnaście, że są odpowiedzialnymi (prawie) dorosłymi, szczególnie w przypadku tej pierwszej: naiwność wręcz z niej bije. Rozumiem to, że była odcięta od świata, i że marzy o życiu dworskim, natomiast poziom jej wiary we wszystko czasami potrafi dopiec. A już naprawdę wyraźny staje się w obliczu spotkania z Lope, która stąpa twardziej po ziemii, i której życie nie zawsze było miłe.
Jest pewne zachwianie równowagi w tych narracjach – Ofelia ma i zdobywa wszystko, czego zapragnie, Lope musi walczyć o to ze światem, by na koniec i tak musieć oddać, co zdobyła. Jest też zdecydowanie więcej rozdziałów z perspektywy Ofelii, co jest zrozumiałe, bo jest ona centralną figurą i powodem wszystkich wydarzeń, natomiast jej spojrzenie nie jest tak interesujące jak jej towarzyszki. Bakewell nie stawia na światotwórstwo, jeżeli tego tu szukacie, będziecie rozczarowani. Toteż wrzuca go tyle, ile trzeba, by móc ruszyć dalej, stąd moje rozminięcie się z tą opowieścią. Nie posunęłabym się do wniosku, że to słabej jakości pozycja, zwyczajnie skierowana do kogoś zupełnie innego niż ja – do kogoś, kto szuka baśni, kto jest młodszy i dla kogo prostota bijąca z tego świata czy jego rozwiązań będzie nieważna, bo da się ponieść lekturze.
Należy przyznać, że Bakewell potrafi pisać, i robi to z wielką gracją. Lope jest poetką, i nawet jeśli jej wiersze nie będą rewolucyjne, są zgrabne i miłe dla ucha, a to rzadko się zdarza, by osoba autorska potrafiła oddać artyzm bohaterki bez pretensjonalności lub kompletnego zawierzenia, że czytelnik zwyczajnie w to uwierzy. Ładny jest ton tej historii, autorka pilnuje się, by trzymać narzuconej konwencji i czasów, by nie wpuścić współczesnej angielszczyzny w tekst. I to mogę pochwalić. Wiele rzeczy jest tu na pochwałę, jednak za mało, by mnie w pełni zachwycić.
Zwiodła mnie znów piękna okładka.
Z Catherine Bakewell miałam już spotkanie, przy wspaniałym w mych wspomnieniach Flowerheart, więc gdy usłyszałam, że wydaje teraz saficką opowieść – nakręciłam się niczym trybik. Pomysł na historię o zapomnianych bogach, potwornych Cieniach i pięknych zamkach brzmi bardzo bajkowo, a teraz, po lekturze, mogę przyznać, że jest to bajka. Where Shadows Bloom to zdecydowanie tytuł skierowany do młodszego, nastoletniego czytelnika. Bardzo trudno jest uwierzyć, że Ofelia i Lope mają lat siedemnaście, że są odpowiedzialnymi (prawie) dorosłymi, szczególnie w przypadku tej pierwszej: naiwność wręcz z niej bije. Rozumiem to, że była odcięta od świata, i że marzy o życiu dworskim, natomiast poziom jej wiary we wszystko czasami potrafi dopiec. A już naprawdę wyraźny staje się w obliczu spotkania z Lope, która stąpa twardziej po ziemii, i której życie nie zawsze było miłe.
Jest pewne zachwianie równowagi w tych narracjach – Ofelia ma i zdobywa wszystko, czego zapragnie, Lope musi walczyć o to ze światem, by na koniec i tak musieć oddać, co zdobyła. Jest też zdecydowanie więcej rozdziałów z perspektywy Ofelii, co jest zrozumiałe, bo jest ona centralną figurą i powodem wszystkich wydarzeń, natomiast jej spojrzenie nie jest tak interesujące jak jej towarzyszki. Bakewell nie stawia na światotwórstwo, jeżeli tego tu szukacie, będziecie rozczarowani. Toteż wrzuca go tyle, ile trzeba, by móc ruszyć dalej, stąd moje rozminięcie się z tą opowieścią. Nie posunęłabym się do wniosku, że to słabej jakości pozycja, zwyczajnie skierowana do kogoś zupełnie innego niż ja – do kogoś, kto szuka baśni, kto jest młodszy i dla kogo prostota bijąca z tego świata czy jego rozwiązań będzie nieważna, bo da się ponieść lekturze.
Należy przyznać, że Bakewell potrafi pisać, i robi to z wielką gracją. Lope jest poetką, i nawet jeśli jej wiersze nie będą rewolucyjne, są zgrabne i miłe dla ucha, a to rzadko się zdarza, by osoba autorska potrafiła oddać artyzm bohaterki bez pretensjonalności lub kompletnego zawierzenia, że czytelnik zwyczajnie w to uwierzy. Ładny jest ton tej historii, autorka pilnuje się, by trzymać narzuconej konwencji i czasów, by nie wpuścić współczesnej angielszczyzny w tekst. I to mogę pochwalić. Wiele rzeczy jest tu na pochwałę, jednak za mało, by mnie w pełni zachwycić.
January 4, 2025
Where Shadows Bloom is a whimsical and romantic fantasy that transported me to a spellbinding castle that hides dangers and secrets behind its glittery facade. The setting is enchanting and really adds to the fairytale vibes that I got from the story. This book also had huge amounts of pining and is definitely romance heavy. The Characters develop and grow throughout the story and seeing some of the characters mature and change for the better was incredibly satisfying. This book felt like a mixture of a lot of different things I really love and it definitely worked for me. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a cute romance with heartwarming characters, and a world you can just fall into and be swept away.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 9, 2025
3.5 stars
Very romantic and whimsical, with some great gothic undertones thrown in too. Someone on TikTok recommended this as an Orpheus and Eurydice retelling, but I didn’t really see the comparisons? All this time I was waiting for my heart to be torn out, so I was very surprised (and almost a little upset) to see a happy ending. Regardless though I loved the atmosphere of this book. It really invoked that classic Romanticism.
Very romantic and whimsical, with some great gothic undertones thrown in too. Someone on TikTok recommended this as an Orpheus and Eurydice retelling, but I didn’t really see the comparisons? All this time I was waiting for my heart to be torn out, so I was very surprised (and almost a little upset) to see a happy ending. Regardless though I loved the atmosphere of this book. It really invoked that classic Romanticism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 1, 20253 Stars!
October 2, 2026
As much as I loved Lope (hated the name tho), I DESPISED Ofelia. Insufferable person. So yeah, any of the good stuff is due to Lope...
February 16, 2025
“Yes, without a heart, I’d be a sore poet, but with one . . . well. A tender heart was an easy target.”
“You have taught me how to love, just as you said you would. What a beautiful curse! What a tragic gift!”
“The pain won’t stop, but it’ll change. And even so, you’ll remember me. I am indelible.”
Had fun reading this on the plane to Houston TX but Lope genuinely needs to be freed. Ofelia is so aggravating and selfish and naive and genuinely stupid. She mistreats Lope so much.
I found the Spanish/French influences and the Shadow God/Soleil to be interesting. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the concept of Shadows at first and I think the plot took too long to explain exactly what they are, but that’s okay we got through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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