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The Fern Flower
St. Petersburg, Russia
1908-1917
Welcome to Mila's world. It's moody, magical, and bursting with the wonder of dreams coming true in the face of life going wrong. Revolution on every level inspires and provides the proving grounds for heartbreak and triumph.
Under the watchful Moon, Grusha, a sweeping story of family secrets waxes and wanes as young Mila prepares for her debut with the Imperial Russian Ballet. Mystery swirls in the tumultuous worlds of ballet and 1917 Russia on the verge of revolution. With the moon's bright light, the legendary Mila and her accomplices bring The Fern Flower to life creating a ballet worthy of the greatest dancers. As unrest grows and Mila's parents flee, she must decide between staying behind with her beloved band of friends or saving her brother. With the help of the moon, is there a way she can do both?
1908-1917
Welcome to Mila's world. It's moody, magical, and bursting with the wonder of dreams coming true in the face of life going wrong. Revolution on every level inspires and provides the proving grounds for heartbreak and triumph.
Under the watchful Moon, Grusha, a sweeping story of family secrets waxes and wanes as young Mila prepares for her debut with the Imperial Russian Ballet. Mystery swirls in the tumultuous worlds of ballet and 1917 Russia on the verge of revolution. With the moon's bright light, the legendary Mila and her accomplices bring The Fern Flower to life creating a ballet worthy of the greatest dancers. As unrest grows and Mila's parents flee, she must decide between staying behind with her beloved band of friends or saving her brother. With the help of the moon, is there a way she can do both?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
599 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2026
About the author
Kathleen Shoop
51 books1,131 followersBestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards, Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. She lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 13, 2026
The dream of following in her Mama’s footsteps has been with Mila since she was very little. Dreams of becoming a prima ballerina, the best in the country and the Tsar’s favourite dancer, have stayed with her throughout her young life. Losing her Mama only strengthened her determination to make her proud, to become a shining star her Mama could look down upon.
Mila’s life has been one of comfort and love, despite the heartbreak of losing her Mama. She has grown used to being the centre of her father’s world, enjoying nightly walks with him and listening to stories beneath the moonlight. The arrival of a new woman in her life changes everything. Her new Maman appears unexpectedly and instantly steals her father away from her. Mila is no longer the centre of his universe, but instead finds herself pushed into the background, silently longing for the attention she once had.
As she grows and learns to find her own way, Mila quickly discovers that life as a ballerina is not simply based on skill. Hard work alone will get her nowhere if she cannot prove herself to her teachers. Fighting desperately for approval and the chance to fulfil her lifelong dream, Mila learns that the most important people in your life are not always family, and that sometimes the family you need is the one you choose, not the one you are born into.
The Fern Flower by Kathleen Shoop is an epic and beautifully written portrayal of life in early twentieth-century Russia, following one young girl who dreams of dancing centre stage while fighting to find her place in a world that often overlooks her.
Mila is a young heroine who instantly captures the reader’s heart. She is a spirited young girl who has grown accustomed to the life she and her father settled into after her Mama’s passing. Having enjoyed his devoted attention for so long, the arrival of the woman introduced as ‘Maman’ shatters her world. This new woman is not introduced gradually, but arrives in Mila’s life and makes it clear she is there to stay. Almost immediately, Mila finds her father’s attention diverted elsewhere, his affection directed towards his new wife, while his words and actions towards his daughter become increasingly harsh. Maman has very different views on life from those Mila has grown up with, and her father is all too quick to defend his new wife and change the way the household has always worked in order to keep her happy. Watching this little girl, once so loved within her home, become increasingly isolated from her father is heartbreaking. She is desperate to regain the love and attention she once had, yet every effort seems to fall painfully short.
In her many attempts to gain Maman’s affection, Mila finds herself constantly trying to please the woman who has stepped into the role of mother. Maman is short-tempered, and her moods shift rapidly, creating a tense atmosphere within the household. Occasionally, Mila’s efforts are rewarded with a smile or a rare moment of kindness, but those moments quickly disappear as another change in Maman’s mood leaves Mila facing fresh accusations and resentment. Desperate for a child of her own, Maman often directs her disappointments towards Mila. It quickly becomes clear, both to Mila and to the reader, that she is viewed as the unwanted reminder of her father’s first marriage. Maman’s arrival creates an ever-widening rift between father and daughter as he becomes increasingly determined to keep his new wife happy, no matter the cost.
Despite her rejection by the family that should love and protect her, Mila finds comfort in those whose devotion never changes. Lottie, her nanny, and Mrs Vesna, the cook and housekeeper, continue to care for her as though they are family. Lottie, in particular, becomes Mila’s confidante. Although they have always shared a close bond, Mila’s changing home life draws her even closer to the woman who offers the love and understanding she so desperately needs. Lottie possesses many of the same qualities as Mila’s Mama, even sharing her gift for sewing costumes, whether for the ballet or the circus. The family Mila finds in Lottie is built upon mutual love, trust and respect rather than blood. In Mila, Lottie finds the child she always imagined, and in Lottie, Mila finds the mother figure she longs for. Their relationship adds a tremendous amount of warmth to the novel and beautifully illustrates just how much the word ‘family’ can truly mean.
This novel is steeped in the folklore and superstitions of its time. The old story of the mystical fern flower, which blooms only once a year, drives people into the forests in search of the supernatural bloom. It is said to bestow power and wealth upon whoever finds it, yet no one ever seems to succeed. When the beautiful flower blooms before Mila, the moment lodges itself firmly in her memory, inspiring both her dancing and her imagination. Alongside a childhood friend, the beginnings of a ballet slowly begin to take shape, with choreography and music inspired by the legend, until life eventually catches up with them and childhood dreams make way for reality. The inclusion of this folklore adds a magical quality to the novel, enriching an already enchanting story. Mila may feel trapped by her circumstances, yet these legends quietly suggest that her future is hers to shape. Another fascinating addition is the inclusion of chapters narrated by Grusha, the moon, watching over Mila as her life unfolds. Grusha’s affection for Mila adds an uplifting sense of hope, reminding both Mila and the reader that no matter how alone she feels, she is never truly forgotten.
The reader is given the opportunity to watch Mila grow throughout the course of the novel. From a young child meeting her stepmother for the first time to a young woman attending the Imperial Ballet School and finding her place in the world, every important stage of her early life is explored. The Ballet School is a harsh and demanding environment filled with talented young women who all share the same dream. Yet talent alone is not enough. Mila must constantly prove herself worthy while avoiding attracting attention for the wrong reasons. To stand out too much could be just as dangerous as not standing out enough. During this turbulent period in Russian history, becoming part of the Imperial Ballet was considered the highest honour, but as revolution begins to gather momentum and everything associated with the Tsar comes under threat, achieving that dream becomes about far more than talent alone. Shoop succeeds in creating a novel that allows the reader to feel the slow crumbling of society as history unfolds, immersing them completely in Mila’s story.
Although this is a long novel, at no point does the story drag. There is never a moment where the reader is simply waiting for the next significant event because, from the very beginning, Mila’s story proves utterly absorbing. Whether the moments are quiet and personal or dramatic and life-changing, every chapter leaves you eager to read on. The Fern Flower by Kathleen Shoop is a beautifully written novel steeped in history, folklore and emotion, following one young woman’s determination to find her place in a sometimes lonely world. It is a captivating story that draws the reader in from the very first page and keeps them enthralled until the final full stop.
Review by Ellie Yarde
Yarde Book Promotions
Mila’s life has been one of comfort and love, despite the heartbreak of losing her Mama. She has grown used to being the centre of her father’s world, enjoying nightly walks with him and listening to stories beneath the moonlight. The arrival of a new woman in her life changes everything. Her new Maman appears unexpectedly and instantly steals her father away from her. Mila is no longer the centre of his universe, but instead finds herself pushed into the background, silently longing for the attention she once had.
As she grows and learns to find her own way, Mila quickly discovers that life as a ballerina is not simply based on skill. Hard work alone will get her nowhere if she cannot prove herself to her teachers. Fighting desperately for approval and the chance to fulfil her lifelong dream, Mila learns that the most important people in your life are not always family, and that sometimes the family you need is the one you choose, not the one you are born into.
The Fern Flower by Kathleen Shoop is an epic and beautifully written portrayal of life in early twentieth-century Russia, following one young girl who dreams of dancing centre stage while fighting to find her place in a world that often overlooks her.
Mila is a young heroine who instantly captures the reader’s heart. She is a spirited young girl who has grown accustomed to the life she and her father settled into after her Mama’s passing. Having enjoyed his devoted attention for so long, the arrival of the woman introduced as ‘Maman’ shatters her world. This new woman is not introduced gradually, but arrives in Mila’s life and makes it clear she is there to stay. Almost immediately, Mila finds her father’s attention diverted elsewhere, his affection directed towards his new wife, while his words and actions towards his daughter become increasingly harsh. Maman has very different views on life from those Mila has grown up with, and her father is all too quick to defend his new wife and change the way the household has always worked in order to keep her happy. Watching this little girl, once so loved within her home, become increasingly isolated from her father is heartbreaking. She is desperate to regain the love and attention she once had, yet every effort seems to fall painfully short.
In her many attempts to gain Maman’s affection, Mila finds herself constantly trying to please the woman who has stepped into the role of mother. Maman is short-tempered, and her moods shift rapidly, creating a tense atmosphere within the household. Occasionally, Mila’s efforts are rewarded with a smile or a rare moment of kindness, but those moments quickly disappear as another change in Maman’s mood leaves Mila facing fresh accusations and resentment. Desperate for a child of her own, Maman often directs her disappointments towards Mila. It quickly becomes clear, both to Mila and to the reader, that she is viewed as the unwanted reminder of her father’s first marriage. Maman’s arrival creates an ever-widening rift between father and daughter as he becomes increasingly determined to keep his new wife happy, no matter the cost.
Despite her rejection by the family that should love and protect her, Mila finds comfort in those whose devotion never changes. Lottie, her nanny, and Mrs Vesna, the cook and housekeeper, continue to care for her as though they are family. Lottie, in particular, becomes Mila’s confidante. Although they have always shared a close bond, Mila’s changing home life draws her even closer to the woman who offers the love and understanding she so desperately needs. Lottie possesses many of the same qualities as Mila’s Mama, even sharing her gift for sewing costumes, whether for the ballet or the circus. The family Mila finds in Lottie is built upon mutual love, trust and respect rather than blood. In Mila, Lottie finds the child she always imagined, and in Lottie, Mila finds the mother figure she longs for. Their relationship adds a tremendous amount of warmth to the novel and beautifully illustrates just how much the word ‘family’ can truly mean.
This novel is steeped in the folklore and superstitions of its time. The old story of the mystical fern flower, which blooms only once a year, drives people into the forests in search of the supernatural bloom. It is said to bestow power and wealth upon whoever finds it, yet no one ever seems to succeed. When the beautiful flower blooms before Mila, the moment lodges itself firmly in her memory, inspiring both her dancing and her imagination. Alongside a childhood friend, the beginnings of a ballet slowly begin to take shape, with choreography and music inspired by the legend, until life eventually catches up with them and childhood dreams make way for reality. The inclusion of this folklore adds a magical quality to the novel, enriching an already enchanting story. Mila may feel trapped by her circumstances, yet these legends quietly suggest that her future is hers to shape. Another fascinating addition is the inclusion of chapters narrated by Grusha, the moon, watching over Mila as her life unfolds. Grusha’s affection for Mila adds an uplifting sense of hope, reminding both Mila and the reader that no matter how alone she feels, she is never truly forgotten.
The reader is given the opportunity to watch Mila grow throughout the course of the novel. From a young child meeting her stepmother for the first time to a young woman attending the Imperial Ballet School and finding her place in the world, every important stage of her early life is explored. The Ballet School is a harsh and demanding environment filled with talented young women who all share the same dream. Yet talent alone is not enough. Mila must constantly prove herself worthy while avoiding attracting attention for the wrong reasons. To stand out too much could be just as dangerous as not standing out enough. During this turbulent period in Russian history, becoming part of the Imperial Ballet was considered the highest honour, but as revolution begins to gather momentum and everything associated with the Tsar comes under threat, achieving that dream becomes about far more than talent alone. Shoop succeeds in creating a novel that allows the reader to feel the slow crumbling of society as history unfolds, immersing them completely in Mila’s story.
Although this is a long novel, at no point does the story drag. There is never a moment where the reader is simply waiting for the next significant event because, from the very beginning, Mila’s story proves utterly absorbing. Whether the moments are quiet and personal or dramatic and life-changing, every chapter leaves you eager to read on. The Fern Flower by Kathleen Shoop is a beautifully written novel steeped in history, folklore and emotion, following one young woman’s determination to find her place in a sometimes lonely world. It is a captivating story that draws the reader in from the very first page and keeps them enthralled until the final full stop.
Review by Ellie Yarde
Yarde Book Promotions
August 18, 2026
"For the second time in her young life, Mila would have her heart shatter like winter ice splintering under a spring sun."
Mila Belova's story begins in Saint Petersburg on New Year's Eve 1908. Having lost her Mama a year earlier, she lives for her walks with Papa, talking about her. They wander ice-covered streets, arms linked, watching skaters and gazing at Grusha, the Moon. That's where Mila expects her mother to be, near Grusha, keeping an eye on her. The thought comforts her.
When her father promises a New Year's Day surprise, she dreams of puppies or nice things...
What she doesn't expect is the shock arrival of a new mother – Maman! Mila's small world shatters as she begins to realise that her father's attention is now no longer focused on her. And her first encounter with her new French Maman – heiress to a champagne dynasty to complement the thriving vodka family business – is not going well. As many a young child dealing with such drastic change, Mila vents her anger, and gives the gifts Maman presented her with to the poor.
This first meeting is crucial to the plot, as their volatile relationship weaves a fragile thread – delicate and easily broken – through the novel. One can't blame poor Mila, whose world is turned upside down. No more leisurely walks with Papa, reminiscing about Mama. Soon after, he barely even acknowledges her, as he puts his wife's needs first. And Maman's needs are all-consuming!
Mila tries hard, encouraged by their trusty housekeeper, Mrs Vesna, and her beloved American nanny, Lottie. But Maman's frequent mood swings and heavy drinking soon leads to Mila tiptoeing through the house as not to upset her. But even the best will in the world would never placate a woman out to destroy a little girl's life.
When her dream of joining a renowned ballet school comes true sooner than expected, Mila is torn between sadness of leaving home, and excitement. But practice is tough and relentless, and she finds herself taking the teacher's harsh words to heart. Bullies soon find a nickname for her: Betula (birch). Only her friendship with senior dancer, Kira, and her old friend Galena, a gifted musician, keeps her going through the years.
One summer, Mila and Galena spot an elusive fern flower during Ivan Kupala Night, and an idea takes shape in their heads – together, they would write a ballet. With Galena's musical talent, and Mila's vivid choreography, the project keeps the girls occupied whenever they meet.
But as revolution threatens her dream of becoming ballerina assoluta in Russia, and events begin to overtake themselves, Mila's life changes irrevocably.
And she learns the hard way who to trust.
Will Mila’s dream come true, or turn into a nightmare? I thoroughly recommend you read the novel to find out.
The Fern Flower by Kathleen Shoop is nothing short of exceptional. At around 600 pages, it is a very long novel, and it takes readers a while to digest everything that's happening.
This is a story to be savoured slowly, not to be rushed. It is nuanced and captivating, like watching a wonderful ballet performance. If you take your time with it, you are drawn into a world of dreams and hard work, of realisation and loss, and of the cruellest treachery imaginable. But it is also a tale of fulfilment, courage, and capability, and of true friendship.
Mila is a troubled soul, mourning the loss of her mother, and having to deal with the changing attitude of her once doting father. For a young girl, this cruel change of the life she has known is a stab in the heart. It is therefore not surprising that she hardens her heart, her mind filled with self-doubt. As the story progresses, we feel clearly her anxiety, her loneliness and shattered hopes. When realisation dawns, it is a more mature Mila who doesn't shy away from the truth, and who learns very fast.
The myth of the fern flower is based on a Russian tale, and its meaning in Mila's life weaves a beautiful thread through the novel.
At times, the point of view switches from Mila to Grusha, the Moon, for gentle, distant observation. These glimpses from above add a caring touch to the narrative. Mila is not alone. Grusha – and, by comforting association, her Mama – are watching over her. Grusha's prose adds a most beautiful touch to the novel. As a reader, it's time to breathe out.
The characters in The Fern Flower are incredibly realistic. Mila tugs at our heartstrings, whilst Maman gives us the chills. Lottie is the no-nonsense nanny-turned-seamstress, and Kira the ambitious dancer, at any cost even to herself. All these characters become real people as we turn the pages, and we care about (some of) them like they are family. And yes, there will be tears.
The research Ms Shoop has undertaken is mind-blowing, filling the pages with intricate details of life in early 20th-century Russia. The strict ballet school; summers at the family's dacha and crisp winters in frozen Saint Petersburg; the artists at Circus Ciniselli; the growing revolution with its shifting attitudes and growing dangers towards anyone deemed ’privileged’ – Ms Shoop brings it all cleverly together in a breathtaking, evocative coming-of-age saga.
Yes, it is a long book, filled with incredible detail, which may not have needed every scene. But it is first and foremost the tale of a small girl who captivates us from beginning to end.
The Fern Flower is a novel of hopes and dreams, hardship, change, and loss – and of love that transcends family. It captures you the moment you start reading. Deeply moving and utterly enthralling, it is easily one of the best novels I've read this year.
But make sure to savour it slowly, then it unfolds its delicate petals beautifully, just like the mythical fern flower.
An exceptional novel.
Review by Cathie Dunn
The Coffee Pot Book Club
August 6, 2026
Mila Belova has enjoyed her father’s company and attention since her mother died. Despite the overwhelming loss that came with her mother’s death, Mila found comfort in her father, and comforted him in turn. Midnight walks, telling stories and dancing, dreaming about the future where Mila sees herself as a prima ballerina, brought a level of security and comfort to Mila’s life.
When a new woman turns up in the house, her father’s new wife, whom Mila knew nothing about until the woman was moving in, everything changes. Her father takes the side of his new wife over his daughter, often turning her away, or dismissing her ideas or requests in favour of keeping his new wife happy.
This is a book I found myself instantly drawn into. We meet Mila as a young girl, who finds herself cut off from her only remaining family in an instant when her new Maman arrives. The woman stepping into her mother’s role is nothing like the parent Mila misses, or needs. Maman is desperate for a child of her own, and seemingly uninterested in taking on this young girl, preferring Mila to stay away from her and to keep quiet. I found Mila’s introduction to her new ‘mother’ heartbreaking, for she is only young and so desperate to keep everyone around her happy, but she is met with resistance at every turn from Maman and, in turn, her father. To watch such a young girl face such loneliness and rejection is truly saddening, especially since she goes to such measures to try and make Maman like her, attempting to keep the peace in the house.
Mila finds herself treading on eggshells around Maman, along with the rest of the people in the house. Although her father is Mila’s only relative, those employed to work in the house are a found family for Mila, and one she so desperately needs. Lottie, her nurse, slowly, and throughout the course of the novel, becomes closer and closer to Mila. Lottie is much like Mila’s own mother was, they share the same interests, and temperaments. It is no surprise that Lottie almost becomes a step-in parent for Mila, when the arrival of Maman drives her father away from her. This is a relationship that I found absolute joy in while reading this book, for although Lottie and Mila argue at times, they are always there for each other, and have such a clear bond, they are willing to do anything to keep the other happy and safe.
I especially liked the folklore of this novel. The fern flower holds a lot more metaphorical value to this novel than it appears at first, for although it is said to hold riches for the one who finds and picks it, the consequences are much more dire than they originally appear. In particular, this seems to extend to Maman and her desperation for a baby, leading to a deep delve into the superstitions and scepticisms of the time period. Through Maman’s insistence, the household must follow the rules of many different superstitions in order to keep her happy and content, for her tendencies to change from seeming fairly tolerant to throwing a fit at some small occurrence in the house are unpredictable, dangerous, and unsettling.
Although this book is generally about Mila’s ballet, and her dream of becoming a prima ballerina, I felt like the majority of the book actually focused on her early life. This is not a complaint, for I found every moment with Mila a joy to read about, but it did seem to take a while to get to the Imperial Ballet School. Once there, Mila seemed to meet only more resistance, no aspect of her life laying itself out to be easy for her. The ballet school is fiercely competitive, and Mila struggles to try and stay put in the background in order to stay out of trouble. She is truly a free spirit, and when she gets an idea into her head, there is no stopping her. The ballet school itself, and the story from there on out expands the story into Russia as the First World War breaks out, and revolutions begin to stir. Despite focusing entirely on Mila, this book clearly depicts the history of the time, but does it subtly to not take away from Mila’s story, while fully immersing the reader in the setting.
One other person of significance would be Mila’s brother, but I can’t talk about him too much without spoiling aspects of the book, and I don’t want to do that! He doesn’t come into the story until far into the story, but Mila’s sisterly affections and protectiveness make for an excellent addition to the story.
This is a very long book, nearly 600 pages long, but when you are reading it, it doesn’t seem like a long book at all. It is one of those rare stories that keep your attention entirely throughout reading it, and is one that you absolutely don’t want to put down because the characters become like friends while you read. It is deeply emotional, while holding onto that tendril of innocence that comes with such a young main character. This is 100% one of the best books I have read this year, and one I will very highly recommend to anyone who asks.
When a new woman turns up in the house, her father’s new wife, whom Mila knew nothing about until the woman was moving in, everything changes. Her father takes the side of his new wife over his daughter, often turning her away, or dismissing her ideas or requests in favour of keeping his new wife happy.
This is a book I found myself instantly drawn into. We meet Mila as a young girl, who finds herself cut off from her only remaining family in an instant when her new Maman arrives. The woman stepping into her mother’s role is nothing like the parent Mila misses, or needs. Maman is desperate for a child of her own, and seemingly uninterested in taking on this young girl, preferring Mila to stay away from her and to keep quiet. I found Mila’s introduction to her new ‘mother’ heartbreaking, for she is only young and so desperate to keep everyone around her happy, but she is met with resistance at every turn from Maman and, in turn, her father. To watch such a young girl face such loneliness and rejection is truly saddening, especially since she goes to such measures to try and make Maman like her, attempting to keep the peace in the house.
Mila finds herself treading on eggshells around Maman, along with the rest of the people in the house. Although her father is Mila’s only relative, those employed to work in the house are a found family for Mila, and one she so desperately needs. Lottie, her nurse, slowly, and throughout the course of the novel, becomes closer and closer to Mila. Lottie is much like Mila’s own mother was, they share the same interests, and temperaments. It is no surprise that Lottie almost becomes a step-in parent for Mila, when the arrival of Maman drives her father away from her. This is a relationship that I found absolute joy in while reading this book, for although Lottie and Mila argue at times, they are always there for each other, and have such a clear bond, they are willing to do anything to keep the other happy and safe.
I especially liked the folklore of this novel. The fern flower holds a lot more metaphorical value to this novel than it appears at first, for although it is said to hold riches for the one who finds and picks it, the consequences are much more dire than they originally appear. In particular, this seems to extend to Maman and her desperation for a baby, leading to a deep delve into the superstitions and scepticisms of the time period. Through Maman’s insistence, the household must follow the rules of many different superstitions in order to keep her happy and content, for her tendencies to change from seeming fairly tolerant to throwing a fit at some small occurrence in the house are unpredictable, dangerous, and unsettling.
Although this book is generally about Mila’s ballet, and her dream of becoming a prima ballerina, I felt like the majority of the book actually focused on her early life. This is not a complaint, for I found every moment with Mila a joy to read about, but it did seem to take a while to get to the Imperial Ballet School. Once there, Mila seemed to meet only more resistance, no aspect of her life laying itself out to be easy for her. The ballet school is fiercely competitive, and Mila struggles to try and stay put in the background in order to stay out of trouble. She is truly a free spirit, and when she gets an idea into her head, there is no stopping her. The ballet school itself, and the story from there on out expands the story into Russia as the First World War breaks out, and revolutions begin to stir. Despite focusing entirely on Mila, this book clearly depicts the history of the time, but does it subtly to not take away from Mila’s story, while fully immersing the reader in the setting.
One other person of significance would be Mila’s brother, but I can’t talk about him too much without spoiling aspects of the book, and I don’t want to do that! He doesn’t come into the story until far into the story, but Mila’s sisterly affections and protectiveness make for an excellent addition to the story.
This is a very long book, nearly 600 pages long, but when you are reading it, it doesn’t seem like a long book at all. It is one of those rare stories that keep your attention entirely throughout reading it, and is one that you absolutely don’t want to put down because the characters become like friends while you read. It is deeply emotional, while holding onto that tendril of innocence that comes with such a young main character. This is 100% one of the best books I have read this year, and one I will very highly recommend to anyone who asks.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received ARC
Kathleen Shoop’s writing is emotional, magical, & filled with history.
If you have not read the previous four books in The Donora Story Collection, I would recommend that you do before reading The Fern Flower. It can be read individually but you will miss some of the context if you do.
Early 20th century, Russia is in upheaval; the Bolshevik uprising, Civil War, & WWI. But Russian ballet must go on. The story follows young Mila Antonovna Belov as she works tirelessly to earn her spot in the Tsar’s highly acclaimed ballet school. Her dream is to one day be THE ballerina assoluta.
Get comfortable, have snacks & hydration handy, & be prepared for a few days of uninterrupted reading. Once you enter Mila’s world you won’t want to leave. I am already anticipating The Circus Dancer, the continuation of The Donora Story Collection & Mila’s life in America.
Kathleen Shoop’s writing is emotional, magical, & filled with history.
If you have not read the previous four books in The Donora Story Collection, I would recommend that you do before reading The Fern Flower. It can be read individually but you will miss some of the context if you do.
Early 20th century, Russia is in upheaval; the Bolshevik uprising, Civil War, & WWI. But Russian ballet must go on. The story follows young Mila Antonovna Belov as she works tirelessly to earn her spot in the Tsar’s highly acclaimed ballet school. Her dream is to one day be THE ballerina assoluta.
Get comfortable, have snacks & hydration handy, & be prepared for a few days of uninterrupted reading. Once you enter Mila’s world you won’t want to leave. I am already anticipating The Circus Dancer, the continuation of The Donora Story Collection & Mila’s life in America.
August 1, 2026
Great cover very dreamy. Well written, will keep you reading for awhile. Full of drama, action, feelings, intrigue, suspense, emotions, family, secrets, love, war, twists and history. This story is written during the early 1900's, when Russia was going thru lots of bad times. Russia had the history of the Bolshevik, the Civil War and WW1. Each of these times has changed the life of a ballerina. Mila Belov wants to be a top dancer and gives her all to get there. Mila must make some hard choices as if she would leave Russia with her parents or stay and help her brother. Hating to think that the Royal Ballet will suffer but war changes everything. This book is hard to put down for fear you will miss something. What's to happen in the next story or with Mila. Would recommend this story to some.
I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.
I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.
August 4, 2026
FERN FLOWER swept me away! Master storyteller, Kathleen Shoop, outdoes herself with this sweeping work of historical fiction. I love every element of this novel as told from the main character’s perspective, plus the additional details as narrated by the lovely Moon. There’s a beautiful story-within-the-story that kept me turning the pages until the very end! No spoilers, but the way in which Shoop weaves historical folklore into the friendship of two young girls growing up in a world of turmoil left me breathless! A must read for lovers of the ballet, lovers of historical fiction, and for lovers of tales painted in full, rich, gorgeous prose!
August 20, 2026
The Fern Flower appears to be an immersive historical novel that blends Russian folklore, ballet, family conflict, and the upheaval of World War I and revolution. Mila’s journey, from the Imperial Ballet School to a Russia undergoing dramatic change, gives the story emotional depth, while the unusual perspective of the Moon adds a distinctive storytelling element.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Fern Flower is a wonderful read filled with emotion and depth. I just loved Mila and her love of ballet. Her story is complex, running from her youth to young adulthood, taking place in the years leading up to and during the Bolshevik revolution. Her personal strength and passion are shown over and over again as she works to achieve her goal of being a leading ballerina in the Royal ballet. No matter what Mila faces, she never lets anything hold her back.
I learned much about the Russian revolution and ballet while enjoying this story. The book is so beautifully written that I kept turning page after page, and I can't wait to read other books in the series to continue Mila's story.
I learned much about the Russian revolution and ballet while enjoying this story. The book is so beautifully written that I kept turning page after page, and I can't wait to read other books in the series to continue Mila's story.
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