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Jej złe korzenie
Po ucieczce z okrutnej szkoły Cordelia wyrusza na poszukiwanie swojego brata Edwarda, jej jedynej rodziny. Dawne listy prowadzą ją do sennego miasteczka, którego mieszkańcy uparcie twierdzą, że nigdy o Edwardzie nie słyszeli.
Bez pieniędzy, domu i odpowiedzi Cordelia trafia pod opiekę lady Evangeline, miejscowej botanistki i właścicielki wspaniałej posiadłości. Cordelia zostaje zatrudniona jako pokojówka i towarzyszka enigmatycznych córek Evangeline, Prim i Briar. Gdy jej relacja z Briar zaczyna rozkwitać, dziewczyna coraz wyraźniej czuje, że za pięknem tego miejsca kryje się coś niepokojącego.
A kiedy odkrywa ślad wskazujący, że Edward naprawdę mógł tu być, postanawia dotrzeć do prawdy – nawet jeśli korzenie tej tajemnicy okażą się głębsze, mroczniejsze i bardziej trujące, niż mogła sobie wyobrazić.
Bez pieniędzy, domu i odpowiedzi Cordelia trafia pod opiekę lady Evangeline, miejscowej botanistki i właścicielki wspaniałej posiadłości. Cordelia zostaje zatrudniona jako pokojówka i towarzyszka enigmatycznych córek Evangeline, Prim i Briar. Gdy jej relacja z Briar zaczyna rozkwitać, dziewczyna coraz wyraźniej czuje, że za pięknem tego miejsca kryje się coś niepokojącego.
A kiedy odkrywa ślad wskazujący, że Edward naprawdę mógł tu być, postanawia dotrzeć do prawdy – nawet jeśli korzenie tej tajemnicy okażą się głębsze, mroczniejsze i bardziej trujące, niż mogła sobie wyobrazić.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
July 30, 2025
While it is not always a good idea to judge a book by its cover, once & a while it is socially acceptable. This book could be the poster child for why it is ok to occasionally do so.. I was originally drawn to this book because I found it to be one of the most beautiful books I'd ever seen in my life.. And I'm happy to say If books received awards similar to humans this book would be winning Miss Universe, HANDS DOWN! She really is as beautiful on the inside & out!!
If you're looking for something unlike anything you've ever read before, this book needs to be your next read without question. I would even bet on it. If you read this book and it truly isn't one of the most beautifully original retellings you've ever read, I will cashapp you $20.... $10 on a bad week 🫠.. Because there's just no way.. I applaud this author for taking the road less traveled when it comes to retellings!
I saw "retelling" and automatically thought princess, because in most other cases that happens to be true. But no! We have a retelling of Rappaccini’s Daughter! A short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Only this time with a peppering of feminine rage and it's sensational!!
Fun note: My ADD also had a field day with this one as well. There's a character named Evangeline & it took my bird brain about 3/4 of the book for it to stop quoting Ray from The Princess and the Frog, every time her name is mentioned. 🤣 😭
You will probably absolutely devour this book if you..
Love original retellings
Love a gothic/ magical/ botanical setting with vivid imagery
Love non stop twists & turns.. all the way through till the end of the epilogue
Love a book that has you hooked by page 2
Love a strong willed/ independent FMC
Love some cult energy
All men are scum!.. Or are they? You be the judge! And read this darn book!!
But I am OBSESSED! through and through!! Needless to say I will be most definitely getting my hardcopy book trophy!
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
If you're looking for something unlike anything you've ever read before, this book needs to be your next read without question. I would even bet on it. If you read this book and it truly isn't one of the most beautifully original retellings you've ever read, I will cashapp you $20.... $10 on a bad week 🫠.. Because there's just no way.. I applaud this author for taking the road less traveled when it comes to retellings!
I saw "retelling" and automatically thought princess, because in most other cases that happens to be true. But no! We have a retelling of Rappaccini’s Daughter! A short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Only this time with a peppering of feminine rage and it's sensational!!
Fun note: My ADD also had a field day with this one as well. There's a character named Evangeline & it took my bird brain about 3/4 of the book for it to stop quoting Ray from The Princess and the Frog, every time her name is mentioned. 🤣 😭
You will probably absolutely devour this book if you..
Love original retellings
Love a gothic/ magical/ botanical setting with vivid imagery
Love non stop twists & turns.. all the way through till the end of the epilogue
Love a book that has you hooked by page 2
Love a strong willed/ independent FMC
Love some cult energy
All men are scum!.. Or are they? You be the judge! And read this darn book!!
But I am OBSESSED! through and through!! Needless to say I will be most definitely getting my hardcopy book trophy!
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
Read
February 10, 2025I got to write a blurb for this book!
"Her Wicked Roots is a true treat, sure to delight and thrill in equal measure; a must-read for fans of queer gothic novels!"
"Her Wicked Roots is a true treat, sure to delight and thrill in equal measure; a must-read for fans of queer gothic novels!"
Want to Read
March 20, 2025gothic plant gays? don't mind if I do
March 18, 2025
This book made me gayer.
February 13, 2026
(3.5 ⭐) Poisonous plant sapphics in a gothic fantasy setting? That’s all I needed to hear. Her Wicked Roots is a spooky treat of a story filled with botanical horror, messy mothers, and girls who yearn unbelievably hard for love and family.
We’re following Cordelia Beecher, who chops off her hair as her final act of freedom as she flees the abusive charity school she was raised in after her parents died. The only family she has left is her older brother Edward, who aged out a few years ago and whose letters mysteriously stopped arriving.
Cordi finds herself in the peculiar town of Farrow, where Edward’s host family says they’ve never met him. Desperate for answers, she stumbles into the breathtaking Edenfield estate, owned by botanist Lady Evangeline and her two tucked-away daughters, Prim and Briar. As Cordi works as a maid and companion, she secretly hunts for answers. But in a manor that’s meant to be a safe haven for traumatized women - no men allowed - it’s hard to figure out what really happened to Edward. Cordelia knows there’s more going on than meets the eye, and she won’t stop until she uncovers every bitter truth.
I absolutely adored the atmosphere of this one. The ecosystem of plants, the ever-creeping vines, and the beauty that so easily can turn deadly all captivated me. I also thought the estate was described in a very immersive way, where I felt the unease and tension beneath a place that is outwardly safe and stunning.
Cordelia is a relatively ignorant narrator, as she was raised without much knowledge of or interaction with the outside world. She’s been hurt a lot and fears a lot, and though she’s intelligent, she’s no match for the master manipulators she finds herself surrounded by. I was rooting for her the whole time, but I also wanted her to open her eyes a bit wider and be much more cautious when snooping about. In the end, though, her desire for home and love endeared me.
I was incredibly intrigued by all the other characters, from wide-eyed Briar to cunning Prim to hardcore Lady Evangeline. We spent slightly less time with the other maids, but all of them had secrets and complications to their backstories, too. I actually wish we got more dialogue between Cordi and the rest of the household staff, because I felt like there was so much more to learn and their part of the story ended quite abruptly.
I enjoyed all the different types of relationships explored, from sisters to mentors to lovers. It was really sweet to see Cordelia’s desire for Briar bloom and deepen into something fiercer, especially as she sees herself as almost her protector. Cordi has often been made to feel smaller, sometimes in horrible ways at the school, and sometimes in sweet ways as an eager little sister, but now she’s finding her teeth and naming her desires. I’ll always love that sort of arc.
The writing is often pretty and evocative, but it’s not overly ornamental – the prose is much more straightforward than the lush language I love so dearly in many of my favorite gothic fantasy pieces. It did make it a quicker read than others, though, and sometimes made the pacing a bit more thriller-esque. But during other moments, especially during some middle segments where we’re going through sort-of-repetitive day-to-day maid activities, it made me less engaged with the story. I’m a reader who typically prefers more poetic prose.
I liked the way this wrapped up, and never expected to be entirely satisfied or hold all the answers. I think the epilogue was a very-foreshadowed twist, so it didn’t surprise me terribly (though I thought it was going to be a third-act reveal and not a final-pages reveal). I could see how it could either be received as amazing or enraging if you weren’t anticipating it, though.
My favorite parts by FAR were the botanical horror and body horror elements, especially laced alongside the imagery of family trees and culling rot from gardens. There weren’t too many of these true graphic moments, but when they happened, they were EXCELLENT. Scenes I will continue to see when I close my eyes for sure. I also just adored the way nature was explored overall as a living, breathing ecosystem: whispering to the girls from waving branches, vines creeping up the walls, and plant tendrils reaching for you.
If you want a dark & moody botanical nightmare - with some splashes of desire and ravenous love - give this one a go. It’s an ominous, eerie, nature-packed, atmospheric delight.
CW: murder, death (parents/children), child abuse, rape, suicide, mental illness, toxic relationship, psychosis, sexism, abandonment, injury
Follow me on social media for book recommendations!
(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
We’re following Cordelia Beecher, who chops off her hair as her final act of freedom as she flees the abusive charity school she was raised in after her parents died. The only family she has left is her older brother Edward, who aged out a few years ago and whose letters mysteriously stopped arriving.
Cordi finds herself in the peculiar town of Farrow, where Edward’s host family says they’ve never met him. Desperate for answers, she stumbles into the breathtaking Edenfield estate, owned by botanist Lady Evangeline and her two tucked-away daughters, Prim and Briar. As Cordi works as a maid and companion, she secretly hunts for answers. But in a manor that’s meant to be a safe haven for traumatized women - no men allowed - it’s hard to figure out what really happened to Edward. Cordelia knows there’s more going on than meets the eye, and she won’t stop until she uncovers every bitter truth.
I absolutely adored the atmosphere of this one. The ecosystem of plants, the ever-creeping vines, and the beauty that so easily can turn deadly all captivated me. I also thought the estate was described in a very immersive way, where I felt the unease and tension beneath a place that is outwardly safe and stunning.
Cordelia is a relatively ignorant narrator, as she was raised without much knowledge of or interaction with the outside world. She’s been hurt a lot and fears a lot, and though she’s intelligent, she’s no match for the master manipulators she finds herself surrounded by. I was rooting for her the whole time, but I also wanted her to open her eyes a bit wider and be much more cautious when snooping about. In the end, though, her desire for home and love endeared me.
I was incredibly intrigued by all the other characters, from wide-eyed Briar to cunning Prim to hardcore Lady Evangeline. We spent slightly less time with the other maids, but all of them had secrets and complications to their backstories, too. I actually wish we got more dialogue between Cordi and the rest of the household staff, because I felt like there was so much more to learn and their part of the story ended quite abruptly.
I enjoyed all the different types of relationships explored, from sisters to mentors to lovers. It was really sweet to see Cordelia’s desire for Briar bloom and deepen into something fiercer, especially as she sees herself as almost her protector. Cordi has often been made to feel smaller, sometimes in horrible ways at the school, and sometimes in sweet ways as an eager little sister, but now she’s finding her teeth and naming her desires. I’ll always love that sort of arc.
The writing is often pretty and evocative, but it’s not overly ornamental – the prose is much more straightforward than the lush language I love so dearly in many of my favorite gothic fantasy pieces. It did make it a quicker read than others, though, and sometimes made the pacing a bit more thriller-esque. But during other moments, especially during some middle segments where we’re going through sort-of-repetitive day-to-day maid activities, it made me less engaged with the story. I’m a reader who typically prefers more poetic prose.
I liked the way this wrapped up, and never expected to be entirely satisfied or hold all the answers. I think the epilogue was a very-foreshadowed twist, so it didn’t surprise me terribly (though I thought it was going to be a third-act reveal and not a final-pages reveal). I could see how it could either be received as amazing or enraging if you weren’t anticipating it, though.
My favorite parts by FAR were the botanical horror and body horror elements, especially laced alongside the imagery of family trees and culling rot from gardens. There weren’t too many of these true graphic moments, but when they happened, they were EXCELLENT. Scenes I will continue to see when I close my eyes for sure. I also just adored the way nature was explored overall as a living, breathing ecosystem: whispering to the girls from waving branches, vines creeping up the walls, and plant tendrils reaching for you.
If you want a dark & moody botanical nightmare - with some splashes of desire and ravenous love - give this one a go. It’s an ominous, eerie, nature-packed, atmospheric delight.
CW: murder, death (parents/children), child abuse, rape, suicide, mental illness, toxic relationship, psychosis, sexism, abandonment, injury
Follow me on social media for book recommendations!
(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
October 20, 2025
OOC Spoiler I guess,
May 10, 2025
is floral gothic a sub-genre? because if so i need more.
i LOVED this - so atmospheric, so gothic, so creepy yet cozy. everything i want from a 19th century classic retelling (i. need. more!!). the most GORGEOUS writing, beautifully explored themes of sisterhood, trauma, the unbreakable bond of siblings. not to mention sapphic yearning, gardens as deadly as they are beautiful, and morally grey female characters. this book comes out later this year but i already can’t wait for what tanya pell writes next.
i LOVED this - so atmospheric, so gothic, so creepy yet cozy. everything i want from a 19th century classic retelling (i. need. more!!). the most GORGEOUS writing, beautifully explored themes of sisterhood, trauma, the unbreakable bond of siblings. not to mention sapphic yearning, gardens as deadly as they are beautiful, and morally grey female characters. this book comes out later this year but i already can’t wait for what tanya pell writes next.
June 3, 2025
Review in the August 2025 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2025/08...
4.5 Stars-- ending moved it from 4 to 4.5. I am very strict on endings.
Three Words That Describe This Book: retelling, botanical horror, Gothic
This book is an original, creepy, and Queer retelling of Hawthorne's classic gothic story, Rappaccini’s Daughter.
We are in England, Victorian times (so when the original Hawthorne was written) Cordelia is an orphan on the run from the city where she has lived in the home her whole life. She is trying to find her brother who went away and was sending letters....until they stopped.
She ends up in the town where he last lived but the family he worked for won't admit he was there. She finds the grand, lush, and secretive estate-- Edenfield where clues have led her to find that her brother might have worked at. She asks for work and they take her on.
Well, as you can imagine this grand, secretive house, that everyone in town is scared of is....well creepy is the nicest thing you can say. Again, no spoilers because this is a retelling of Rappaccini’s Daughter-- so we know the botanical horrors-- that the Lady is into poisons and we are not surprised when Cordi (her nickname) is asked to mask and glove up to help[ tend to the Lady's daughters-- for you see-- they have been made poisonous by their mother.
There are chants and prayers to the garden-- which gives them all. Cordi is new and not privy to all the rules and backstory so the reader must investigate with her. She may have had a rough life before Edenfield, but she is still very naive as she never lived outside the walls of orphanage.
Men are forbidden, and straight out hated, by Lady Evangeline and the other female workers. The townsfolk stay far away. It is very creepy. But also beautiful and lush. The story unfolds like a myth in many ways and a thriller in others. Cordi's unreliableness is because of lack of info but is she being taken advantage of? How evil is Lady Evangeline? Is she just a protective mother and a brilliant scientist? Where is her brother? Cordi keeps finding clues that he was there at one point.
Even if you don't know the original story this is a retelling for, the book is solid. That is a key factor when assessing a retelling. It has to stand on its own but also add something to the original. This absolutely does.
Botanical horror is very hot right now as well. Plants can be very deadly and a variety of authors use that underlying dread and danger to tell a great story. But this is more than the poisonous plants and the daughters Lady Evangeline created to be poisonous as well. The horror here also comes from the traditional Gothic story with a great modern ending.
The word wicked in the title is well placed here. Actually, the title itself is pretty great after you finish the book. This one packs a nice surprise and I am excited to read more from Pell in the future.
I thought of Midnight Rooms by Coles when I read this. It has the same traditional Gothic meets consensual sex storyline and both a built on a family secret and our protagonist not having all the info about the real secret. But also Tripping Arcadia by Mayquist-- which is a queer botanical/poison horror. But I need to say this-- the story has a bit of Gone Girl by Flynn in it as well. And I loved that about it. That's all I will say about that.
Mexican Gothic fans will also love this. Really any Gothic in that Mexican Gothic mold-- reimagine the Gothic but keeping it set in its time and place but giving the female protagnoist a bit more agency and not making it "all in her head." There are actual supernatural, botanical monsters here. And human ones.
4.5 Stars-- ending moved it from 4 to 4.5. I am very strict on endings.
Three Words That Describe This Book: retelling, botanical horror, Gothic
This book is an original, creepy, and Queer retelling of Hawthorne's classic gothic story, Rappaccini’s Daughter.
We are in England, Victorian times (so when the original Hawthorne was written) Cordelia is an orphan on the run from the city where she has lived in the home her whole life. She is trying to find her brother who went away and was sending letters....until they stopped.
She ends up in the town where he last lived but the family he worked for won't admit he was there. She finds the grand, lush, and secretive estate-- Edenfield where clues have led her to find that her brother might have worked at. She asks for work and they take her on.
Well, as you can imagine this grand, secretive house, that everyone in town is scared of is....well creepy is the nicest thing you can say. Again, no spoilers because this is a retelling of Rappaccini’s Daughter-- so we know the botanical horrors-- that the Lady is into poisons and we are not surprised when Cordi (her nickname) is asked to mask and glove up to help[ tend to the Lady's daughters-- for you see-- they have been made poisonous by their mother.
There are chants and prayers to the garden-- which gives them all. Cordi is new and not privy to all the rules and backstory so the reader must investigate with her. She may have had a rough life before Edenfield, but she is still very naive as she never lived outside the walls of orphanage.
Men are forbidden, and straight out hated, by Lady Evangeline and the other female workers. The townsfolk stay far away. It is very creepy. But also beautiful and lush. The story unfolds like a myth in many ways and a thriller in others. Cordi's unreliableness is because of lack of info but is she being taken advantage of? How evil is Lady Evangeline? Is she just a protective mother and a brilliant scientist? Where is her brother? Cordi keeps finding clues that he was there at one point.
Even if you don't know the original story this is a retelling for, the book is solid. That is a key factor when assessing a retelling. It has to stand on its own but also add something to the original. This absolutely does.
Botanical horror is very hot right now as well. Plants can be very deadly and a variety of authors use that underlying dread and danger to tell a great story. But this is more than the poisonous plants and the daughters Lady Evangeline created to be poisonous as well. The horror here also comes from the traditional Gothic story with a great modern ending.
The word wicked in the title is well placed here. Actually, the title itself is pretty great after you finish the book. This one packs a nice surprise and I am excited to read more from Pell in the future.
I thought of Midnight Rooms by Coles when I read this. It has the same traditional Gothic meets consensual sex storyline and both a built on a family secret and our protagonist not having all the info about the real secret. But also Tripping Arcadia by Mayquist-- which is a queer botanical/poison horror. But I need to say this-- the story has a bit of Gone Girl by Flynn in it as well. And I loved that about it. That's all I will say about that.
Mexican Gothic fans will also love this. Really any Gothic in that Mexican Gothic mold-- reimagine the Gothic but keeping it set in its time and place but giving the female protagnoist a bit more agency and not making it "all in her head." There are actual supernatural, botanical monsters here. And human ones.
August 25, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up! I was not familiar with Rappaccini's Daughter, so the fact that this was a retelling of that didn't have any relevance to me or my reading experience. First, this cover is to die for. Second, the atmosphere and mood of this story is incredible. A sprawling gothic estate named Edenfield with lush gardens with statues, overseen by the chilling figure of Lady Evangeline. Cordelia is on a mission to find her missing brother, Edward, after leaving the orphanage where they both grew up. Her search for Edward finds her at Edenfield, as a serving girl. As her search continues, she starts uncovering dark and deadly secrets. The images planted into my brain were dreamy. A gothic horticulture nightmare. The whole time, I wanted to uncover the truth, I just wanted to know what was going to happen! Do not sleep on the epilogue, because that was a jaw dropper. My reason for the 3.5 and not 4 stars is that it did feel a bit slow to me. But overall, enjoyed it!
Thank you to Gallery Books for the physical ARC! Book releases 10/7/25.
Thank you to Gallery Books for the physical ARC! Book releases 10/7/25.
November 4, 2025
A queer retelling of Rappaccini's Daughter? Plant horror gays and a horror romance? And that gorgeous cover and sprayed edges? I was so sure this would be right up my alley. In fact I was all ready to give it 4 stars for its lush, atmospheric prose and dramatic Gothic love story except for that OTT ending, and that absolutely wasteful epilogue.
The epilogue left it open ended, like it was going to be a series about toxic lesbians manipulating each other, but it ruined any interest I had in their romance and reading any further in a potential series. My connection to the romance was already fragile to begin with. I was even debating whether this should be two or three stars because of that epilogue, which made me loathe Briar, who for most of the book seemed like a selfish, needy child, but understandably so. I hate emotional betrayals done wrong and this was that. Briar was just a possessive, manipulative liar in that epilogue.
This reminded me quite a bit of This Vicious Hunger, which was almost certainly also inspired by Rappaccini's Daughter as well; I liked this one better, however. I mainly gave that one 4 stars because I felt it didn't deserve its low rating.
Anyway, Cordi escapes harsh orphanage life in search of her brother Edward, who went missing in the village of Farrow. All the villagers are very cagey about her inquiries. Eventually she is led to a manor where he once worked as a gardener, where she learns the lady of the house takes in girls who have been done wrong by men. I know people say misandry isn't real in a patriarchal world but in this book misandry rules this world and ends in graveyards.
Cordi poses as a maid to continue her search for Edward and along the way catches feelings for one of the lady's daughters, afflicted with a rare condition.
But this supposed safe haven soon turns cultish and creepy, and Cordi gets swept up in the madness.
I didn't understand the cult, the traditions, the plant magic and how it worked in trapping people. Most of all I felt very lukewarm about the central theme of the book, Cordi and Briar's torrid love affair. There was no tension in it and their feelings seemed to come out of nowhere. They struck me as codependent with a trauma bond rather than in love.
But I was willing to forgive that because the story was so Gothic and lovely... but that ending just killed the magic for me.
I am sad, because I wanted so much to love toxic plant lesbians.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The epilogue left it open ended, like it was going to be a series about toxic lesbians manipulating each other, but it ruined any interest I had in their romance and reading any further in a potential series. My connection to the romance was already fragile to begin with. I was even debating whether this should be two or three stars because of that epilogue, which made me loathe Briar, who for most of the book seemed like a selfish, needy child, but understandably so. I hate emotional betrayals done wrong and this was that. Briar was just a possessive, manipulative liar in that epilogue.
This reminded me quite a bit of This Vicious Hunger, which was almost certainly also inspired by Rappaccini's Daughter as well; I liked this one better, however. I mainly gave that one 4 stars because I felt it didn't deserve its low rating.
Anyway, Cordi escapes harsh orphanage life in search of her brother Edward, who went missing in the village of Farrow. All the villagers are very cagey about her inquiries. Eventually she is led to a manor where he once worked as a gardener, where she learns the lady of the house takes in girls who have been done wrong by men. I know people say misandry isn't real in a patriarchal world but in this book misandry rules this world and ends in graveyards.
Cordi poses as a maid to continue her search for Edward and along the way catches feelings for one of the lady's daughters, afflicted with a rare condition.
But this supposed safe haven soon turns cultish and creepy, and Cordi gets swept up in the madness.
I didn't understand the cult, the traditions, the plant magic and how it worked in trapping people. Most of all I felt very lukewarm about the central theme of the book, Cordi and Briar's torrid love affair. There was no tension in it and their feelings seemed to come out of nowhere. They struck me as codependent with a trauma bond rather than in love.
But I was willing to forgive that because the story was so Gothic and lovely... but that ending just killed the magic for me.
I am sad, because I wanted so much to love toxic plant lesbians.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
3.25-3.5 a bit fantasy forward for my taste but still a solid read
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPdxAEP/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPdxAEP/
May 6, 2025
Tanya Pell mesmerized me once again with this moody, gothic tale of mystery and deceit.
Cordi is in search of her beloved brother and ends up neck deep in a strange world full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. There are layers of puzzles in this book, each well thought out and written. I enjoyed every bit of the discovery.
The love/lust/seduction between Cordi and Briar was captivating. You could taste the sensuality in this book. Well done!
And the ending! Perfection 💫
Read Tanya's books. She is a magnificent storyteller. I am a fan for life.
Cordi is in search of her beloved brother and ends up neck deep in a strange world full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. There are layers of puzzles in this book, each well thought out and written. I enjoyed every bit of the discovery.
The love/lust/seduction between Cordi and Briar was captivating. You could taste the sensuality in this book. Well done!
And the ending! Perfection 💫
Read Tanya's books. She is a magnificent storyteller. I am a fan for life.
October 11, 2025
Creepy, atmospheric, and binge-worthy this is one book you’re gonna want to read. (Okay I wrote this before seeing the blurb for it - so I obv agree with the “𝙰𝚝𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚌, 𝚎𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚕𝚢 𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕” quote.
With short chapters, a historical setting, and compulsive writing, I finished this book in a day. I’m here for all the sinister vibes and I could totally hang with these lady characters. If you’re looking for the perfect horror read this month - this is the book.
Also listened to the audio while following along and would def recommend it. Fiona Hardingham does a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. I love her voice and hope to come across her more often in the audio world. I can’t stress enough how amazing she is! First time listening to her but she’s already at the top of my list for favorite narrators. 1.8x was the perfect speed for this one.
Literally loved everything about this book. I don’t even have half of a complaint about it. ALL THE STARS!
With short chapters, a historical setting, and compulsive writing, I finished this book in a day. I’m here for all the sinister vibes and I could totally hang with these lady characters. If you’re looking for the perfect horror read this month - this is the book.
Also listened to the audio while following along and would def recommend it. Fiona Hardingham does a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. I love her voice and hope to come across her more often in the audio world. I can’t stress enough how amazing she is! First time listening to her but she’s already at the top of my list for favorite narrators. 1.8x was the perfect speed for this one.
Literally loved everything about this book. I don’t even have half of a complaint about it. ALL THE STARS!
February 9, 2025
Queer botanical gothic, we love to see it!
October 16, 2025
Huge thanks to Gallery Books for the physical arc! What a gorgeous cover.
Beautiful. Eloquent. And masterfully written. A tale weaved so sweetly that by the time you realize its vines are poisonous, it’ll be far too late.
Cordelia Beecher—Cordi, is on the hunt for her missing brother. They grew up together in an orphanage, and even though he was turned out the moment he hit adulthood, he continued to write her, swearing to come back for her. But when the letters stop, she knows something must have happened. He wouldn’t just stop answering right—wouldn’t change his mind? No, of course not, and Cordi is steadfast in that belief. As is her determination in finding him. This quest for answers delivers her to the doorstep of Edenfield estate. The home of a local botanist, and if the rumors are anything to go by, local witch. Will the estate hold the answers she’s after, or will it take even more from her?
I have to say, the author’s release with Shortwave Media, Cicada, which I happened to enjoy quite a lot, was so drastically different from this. This novel is gothic, and grandiose, and has such a direct voice to it. It’s impressively different in tone. It reads like a different writer, and that’s immensely challenging to achieve. It felt like stumbling upon an entirely new author.
After the opening of the novel, this does a really great job of creating atmosphere in a single location. Edenfield is both romantically huge, explorable and exciting with its locked wings and lush gardens, as well as dark, dusty, and filled with possible dangers in unexpected places. While Cordi functions as the help, she is also doing her best to search for answers—both while alone as well as gaining trust and asking pointed questions. The botanist’s daughters, Prim and Briar, add mystery and intrigue, allowing the author to sprinkle in desire, hope, and deception, while also offering hints at the truth through the way they interact with Cordi.
Cordi functions as an intriguing and multilayered lead. The charity they grew up in featured abuses unimaginable—the wear of starvation and the thick cords of scar tissue barely scraping the surface of the damage left behind beneath. Raised through trauma, she had little else to cling to but the hope of one day escaping with her brother. The vestiges of this hope the driving factor for all of her movements. She’s strong, even if she doesn’t know it, and she persevered throughout.
I thought this book tackled sexuality in a really open way, especially for the time period and how easily it’s accepted. The botanist does not trust men and therefore they are banned from the grounds and from seeing her daughters. So when it is mentioned that some of the female staff may find comfort with each other it’s just kind of like… “well yeah, duh.” And with that being said, this book is fairly open with its somewhat desperate, explorative, and yearning horniness. The budding desires between Cordi and Briar weave a tensely plotted layer to the novel surrounding how far Cordi is willing to bend for what she wants and what she needs. And which, need or want, is finding her brother anymore?
A twisting and turning climax made this an immediate 5/5 for me. I had a tickling in my mind that one of the things was going to happen, but overall, this one kept me guessing until the very end. I particularly loved the juxtaposition between Cordi’s whiplashed nature and Prim and Briar’s suffocating, tyrannical nurturing. That both harshness and softness can be imprisoning. Abuse and love can come with shackles. Just wow.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-her-wi...
Beautiful. Eloquent. And masterfully written. A tale weaved so sweetly that by the time you realize its vines are poisonous, it’ll be far too late.
Cordelia Beecher—Cordi, is on the hunt for her missing brother. They grew up together in an orphanage, and even though he was turned out the moment he hit adulthood, he continued to write her, swearing to come back for her. But when the letters stop, she knows something must have happened. He wouldn’t just stop answering right—wouldn’t change his mind? No, of course not, and Cordi is steadfast in that belief. As is her determination in finding him. This quest for answers delivers her to the doorstep of Edenfield estate. The home of a local botanist, and if the rumors are anything to go by, local witch. Will the estate hold the answers she’s after, or will it take even more from her?
I have to say, the author’s release with Shortwave Media, Cicada, which I happened to enjoy quite a lot, was so drastically different from this. This novel is gothic, and grandiose, and has such a direct voice to it. It’s impressively different in tone. It reads like a different writer, and that’s immensely challenging to achieve. It felt like stumbling upon an entirely new author.
After the opening of the novel, this does a really great job of creating atmosphere in a single location. Edenfield is both romantically huge, explorable and exciting with its locked wings and lush gardens, as well as dark, dusty, and filled with possible dangers in unexpected places. While Cordi functions as the help, she is also doing her best to search for answers—both while alone as well as gaining trust and asking pointed questions. The botanist’s daughters, Prim and Briar, add mystery and intrigue, allowing the author to sprinkle in desire, hope, and deception, while also offering hints at the truth through the way they interact with Cordi.
Cordi functions as an intriguing and multilayered lead. The charity they grew up in featured abuses unimaginable—the wear of starvation and the thick cords of scar tissue barely scraping the surface of the damage left behind beneath. Raised through trauma, she had little else to cling to but the hope of one day escaping with her brother. The vestiges of this hope the driving factor for all of her movements. She’s strong, even if she doesn’t know it, and she persevered throughout.
I thought this book tackled sexuality in a really open way, especially for the time period and how easily it’s accepted. The botanist does not trust men and therefore they are banned from the grounds and from seeing her daughters. So when it is mentioned that some of the female staff may find comfort with each other it’s just kind of like… “well yeah, duh.” And with that being said, this book is fairly open with its somewhat desperate, explorative, and yearning horniness. The budding desires between Cordi and Briar weave a tensely plotted layer to the novel surrounding how far Cordi is willing to bend for what she wants and what she needs. And which, need or want, is finding her brother anymore?
A twisting and turning climax made this an immediate 5/5 for me. I had a tickling in my mind that one of the things was going to happen, but overall, this one kept me guessing until the very end. I particularly loved the juxtaposition between Cordi’s whiplashed nature and Prim and Briar’s suffocating, tyrannical nurturing. That both harshness and softness can be imprisoning. Abuse and love can come with shackles. Just wow.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-her-wi...
January 12, 2026
Wow, I have so many thoughts as I finished reading this novel. It should be noted that I had no idea this was a retelling going into the novel, and therefore am not familiar with the original story. This story starts slowly, with a setup that hooks the reader. I was immediately intrigued by Cordi's predicament and almost immediately invested in her quest to find her brother. Once she arrives at Edenfield, the story opens up into a beautiful gothic setting that is etched into my mind. Pell did a fantastic job of creating a tone with her setting alone. The story then gets into a groove that leaves the reader with questions as Cordi tries to find out what happened to her brother and also find out what is going on underneath the surface at Edenfield. Cordi is a great main character whose backstory really adds to her character altogether. The supporting cast also shines in this novel, even if they feel one-dimensional at first meeting. But what really solidified this novel as being absolutely fantastic for me was the plotting I had no idea was going on in the background. You may think you know where this novel is going, but until you read those final chapters and that epilogue especially, you will be fooled. I was sat reading the final pages of this novel with my jaw hanging open. I wanted to stand up and clap when I closed this book. Tanya Pell is brilliant, and I will be reading anything she puts out in the future.
October 11, 2025
This book was definitely a surprise. I previously read Cicada by Tanya Pell, which I loved, but this had a very different vibe. I liked how different it was though and I enjoyed my time with it. It's gay, it's spooky, it's victorian adjacent, and it's a wild ride. I also really liked the nature aspects of this book, especially anything relating to the mysterious garden. The craziest part of this book was definitely the ending, but I liked the journey that I went on as a reader trying to figure out what was happening.
I love messy, spooky, sapphic books and this was that. And it delivered. So, of course, I highly recommend checking this out.
Thank you Gallery for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love messy, spooky, sapphic books and this was that. And it delivered. So, of course, I highly recommend checking this out.
Thank you Gallery for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 3, 2026
Deliciously gothic
October 9, 2025
Well, that ending sure was… something.
This was... disappointing. I read another ARC earlier this year that also featured an orphaned young woman falling for another sheltered young woman who has been kept from the outside world by her mother, because the mother did some weird science project on her daughter that made her touch poisonous. Unlike Her Wicked Roots, that book's description didn't mention Nathaniel Hawthorne's Rappaccini's Daughter, but I'm pretty sure it was also heavily influenced by that short story. Unfortunately, I did not like either of these books very much, though I did enjoy Her Wicked Roots a bit more.
The book started out very strong; I was completely hooked for the first 6-7 chapters, I was glued to to my screen reading it and already anticipating a new 5 star read. But then it slowed down considerably once Cordelia arrived in Edenfield, which, though I didn’t really mind it, did make my initial enthusiasm slowly peter out.
Most of the rest of the book was fine and I don’t really have too much to say about it. The ending on the other hand… yeah I did not like it. At all. If the book had ended with Chapter 43, this would’ve been a 3.5 or potentially even 4 star book for me, but instead it ended with an epilogue. I, personally, hate open endings, but I know many people feel very differently, but for me the epilogue completely destroyed what would’ve otherwise been a very neat ending and implied that this wasn’t actually the end. I’m not gonna go into much more detail, because spoilers, but I will say that it just felt like it came out of nowhere and just felt very pointless.
So, in conclusion, I’m disappointed. The premise of «girl falls in love with a girl whose touch is poisonous» sounds sooo good. And nothing about that premise suggests that it must end in an open and unsatisfying way, and yet both books I’ve read so far that have been based on this premise have ended in exactly such a way.
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Thank you to Gallery Books for the ARC!
This was... disappointing. I read another ARC earlier this year that also featured an orphaned young woman falling for another sheltered young woman who has been kept from the outside world by her mother, because the mother did some weird science project on her daughter that made her touch poisonous. Unlike Her Wicked Roots, that book's description didn't mention Nathaniel Hawthorne's Rappaccini's Daughter, but I'm pretty sure it was also heavily influenced by that short story. Unfortunately, I did not like either of these books very much, though I did enjoy Her Wicked Roots a bit more.
The book started out very strong; I was completely hooked for the first 6-7 chapters, I was glued to to my screen reading it and already anticipating a new 5 star read. But then it slowed down considerably once Cordelia arrived in Edenfield, which, though I didn’t really mind it, did make my initial enthusiasm slowly peter out.
Most of the rest of the book was fine and I don’t really have too much to say about it. The ending on the other hand… yeah I did not like it. At all. If the book had ended with Chapter 43, this would’ve been a 3.5 or potentially even 4 star book for me, but instead it ended with an epilogue. I, personally, hate open endings, but I know many people feel very differently, but for me the epilogue completely destroyed what would’ve otherwise been a very neat ending and implied that this wasn’t actually the end. I’m not gonna go into much more detail, because spoilers, but I will say that it just felt like it came out of nowhere and just felt very pointless.
So, in conclusion, I’m disappointed. The premise of «girl falls in love with a girl whose touch is poisonous» sounds sooo good. And nothing about that premise suggests that it must end in an open and unsatisfying way, and yet both books I’ve read so far that have been based on this premise have ended in exactly such a way.
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Thank you to Gallery Books for the ARC!
they-told-me-to-read-it
May 18, 2025
November 4, 2026
[Współpraca.reklamowa @books4ya]
Ocena: 3.75
„Jej złe korzenie” to historia, w której poznajemy Cordelię, młodą dziewczynę mieszkającą w sierocińcu. Jedyną rzeczą, która pozwala jej trzymać się nadziei na lepsze jutro w tym podłym miejscu, jest perspektywa powrotu brata, któremu udało się wyrwać z tego miejsca, porzucając tym samym siostrę... Cordi postanawia jednak wziąć sprawy w swoje ręce i sama wyrusza na jego poszukiwania, do Farrow, bowiem jak zdradzają pogłoski tam się człopak zatrzymał. Niestety trudna podróż okazała się dopiero początkiem zmagań powieważ na miejscu nikt z mieszkańców nie chce przyznać, że jej brat kiedykolwiek postawił stopę w tej mieścinie. Zrozpaczona Cordi, nie wiedząc, co począć w tej patowej sytuacji, trafia przypadkiem do pewnego tajemniczego dworu Edenfield. No i tu rozkręca się zabwa!
Zacznijmy od zarzutu, bowiem to on rzucił mi się w oczy jużna samym początku lektury. Największy problem, jaki mam z tą książką, to nierównomierne budowanie napięcia i fakt, że miejscami jest ona nieco przegadana. Widać, że autorka włożyła w tę historię dużo serca, ale równie dużo jest w niej rozwleczonych fragmentów, które spowalniają akcję i sprawiają, że opowieść zaczyna się nieco snuć (spokojnie możnaby uciąć jakieś 100 stron). Mam też wrażenie, że historia nabiera rozpędu dopiero w połowie. Oczywiście, dla niektórych może to być spora zaleta, jeśli lubicie stopniowe odkrywanie świata i niekoniecznie chcecie mieć wszystkie najważniejsze elementy podane na tacy już na pierwszych pięćdziesięciu stronach. Mnie jednak momentami brakowało dynamiki? Przez pierwsze dwieście stron nie działo się aż tyle, żeby wymagało to aż tak obszernego przedstawiania. W drugiej połowie było już o niebo lepiej, tempo zaczęło się rozkręcać, a te wszystkie elementy układanki, jak korzonki hehe są z ludzką, angażującą częstotiwością odsłaniane, no i wychodzi z tego naprawdę sensowna i pogłębiona mozaika.
Uwielbiam sam pomysł na tę historię, a przede wszystkim wykreowanie miejsca, które miało być azylem, prawdziwym rajem dla kobiet skrzywdzonych przez okrutny świat i mężczyzn. Z czasem okazuje się jednak, że ten pozorny raj przypomina raczej pewnego rodzaju złotą klatkę. Czy odcięcie się od świata i stworzenie iluzji bezpieczeństwa może rzeczywiście dać nam poczucie szczęścia? Czy izolacja od wszystkiego, co złe, jest równoznaczna z wolnością? A może taki azyl staje się jedynie pretekstem do pielęgnowania własnych lęków, złudzeń i pragnień, by świat wyglądał dokładnie tak, jak sobie tego życzymy, skoro nie możemy go zmienić? Nad tym możemy sobie kminić i dochodzić do różnych ciekawych wniosków wraz z bohaterkami latającymi po ogrodwych labiryntach, mrocznych korytarzach i cmentarzach…?
Jeśli chodzi o te bohaterki, uważam, że jak na literaturę młodzieżową zostały wykreowane na naprawdę dojrzałe i wielowymiarowe postacie (mężczyzn właściwie tutaj nie uświadczymy, ale thats the whole point). Motywacje bohaterek są bardzo dobrze skrywane jak przystało na pwieść pełną tajemnic i do samego końca tak naprawdę nie wiadomo co tam je w duszach gryzie. Przyznam, że jedna z nich zaskoczyła mnie bardziej, niż się tego spodziewałam szególnie w epilogu. Uważam, że twist w tej zamykającej części był świetnym zagraniem i (hehe) tchnął w tę historię jeszcze więcej głębi.
Na osobne uznanie zasługuje wykreowany klimat. Nie zawiodłam się na tym co było mi tu obiecane. Motyw roślin przewija się przez całą powieść, pojawiając się nawet w grach słownych i dialogach między bohaterkami. Te niepokojące, owiane złą sławą rośliny wyskakują niemal z każdego zakamarka, wzbudzając grozę, ale przede wszystkim ogromną ciekawość. Bo o co właściwie z nimi chodzi? No cóż wszzystkiego pilnie strzeże Pani tego zacnego przybytku, która bardzo pieczołowicie chroni jego tajemnice, no a jest ich całkiem sporo.
Ocena: 3.75
„Jej złe korzenie” to historia, w której poznajemy Cordelię, młodą dziewczynę mieszkającą w sierocińcu. Jedyną rzeczą, która pozwala jej trzymać się nadziei na lepsze jutro w tym podłym miejscu, jest perspektywa powrotu brata, któremu udało się wyrwać z tego miejsca, porzucając tym samym siostrę... Cordi postanawia jednak wziąć sprawy w swoje ręce i sama wyrusza na jego poszukiwania, do Farrow, bowiem jak zdradzają pogłoski tam się człopak zatrzymał. Niestety trudna podróż okazała się dopiero początkiem zmagań powieważ na miejscu nikt z mieszkańców nie chce przyznać, że jej brat kiedykolwiek postawił stopę w tej mieścinie. Zrozpaczona Cordi, nie wiedząc, co począć w tej patowej sytuacji, trafia przypadkiem do pewnego tajemniczego dworu Edenfield. No i tu rozkręca się zabwa!
Zacznijmy od zarzutu, bowiem to on rzucił mi się w oczy jużna samym początku lektury. Największy problem, jaki mam z tą książką, to nierównomierne budowanie napięcia i fakt, że miejscami jest ona nieco przegadana. Widać, że autorka włożyła w tę historię dużo serca, ale równie dużo jest w niej rozwleczonych fragmentów, które spowalniają akcję i sprawiają, że opowieść zaczyna się nieco snuć (spokojnie możnaby uciąć jakieś 100 stron). Mam też wrażenie, że historia nabiera rozpędu dopiero w połowie. Oczywiście, dla niektórych może to być spora zaleta, jeśli lubicie stopniowe odkrywanie świata i niekoniecznie chcecie mieć wszystkie najważniejsze elementy podane na tacy już na pierwszych pięćdziesięciu stronach. Mnie jednak momentami brakowało dynamiki? Przez pierwsze dwieście stron nie działo się aż tyle, żeby wymagało to aż tak obszernego przedstawiania. W drugiej połowie było już o niebo lepiej, tempo zaczęło się rozkręcać, a te wszystkie elementy układanki, jak korzonki hehe są z ludzką, angażującą częstotiwością odsłaniane, no i wychodzi z tego naprawdę sensowna i pogłębiona mozaika.
Uwielbiam sam pomysł na tę historię, a przede wszystkim wykreowanie miejsca, które miało być azylem, prawdziwym rajem dla kobiet skrzywdzonych przez okrutny świat i mężczyzn. Z czasem okazuje się jednak, że ten pozorny raj przypomina raczej pewnego rodzaju złotą klatkę. Czy odcięcie się od świata i stworzenie iluzji bezpieczeństwa może rzeczywiście dać nam poczucie szczęścia? Czy izolacja od wszystkiego, co złe, jest równoznaczna z wolnością? A może taki azyl staje się jedynie pretekstem do pielęgnowania własnych lęków, złudzeń i pragnień, by świat wyglądał dokładnie tak, jak sobie tego życzymy, skoro nie możemy go zmienić? Nad tym możemy sobie kminić i dochodzić do różnych ciekawych wniosków wraz z bohaterkami latającymi po ogrodwych labiryntach, mrocznych korytarzach i cmentarzach…?
Jeśli chodzi o te bohaterki, uważam, że jak na literaturę młodzieżową zostały wykreowane na naprawdę dojrzałe i wielowymiarowe postacie (mężczyzn właściwie tutaj nie uświadczymy, ale thats the whole point). Motywacje bohaterek są bardzo dobrze skrywane jak przystało na pwieść pełną tajemnic i do samego końca tak naprawdę nie wiadomo co tam je w duszach gryzie. Przyznam, że jedna z nich zaskoczyła mnie bardziej, niż się tego spodziewałam szególnie w epilogu. Uważam, że twist w tej zamykającej części był świetnym zagraniem i (hehe) tchnął w tę historię jeszcze więcej głębi.
Na osobne uznanie zasługuje wykreowany klimat. Nie zawiodłam się na tym co było mi tu obiecane. Motyw roślin przewija się przez całą powieść, pojawiając się nawet w grach słownych i dialogach między bohaterkami. Te niepokojące, owiane złą sławą rośliny wyskakują niemal z każdego zakamarka, wzbudzając grozę, ale przede wszystkim ogromną ciekawość. Bo o co właściwie z nimi chodzi? No cóż wszzystkiego pilnie strzeże Pani tego zacnego przybytku, która bardzo pieczołowicie chroni jego tajemnice, no a jest ich całkiem sporo.
April 1, 2026
4 stars!
Sapphic, woodys, cult like and filled with murder and gore…sign me up! What a fun time I had with this novel. It was a roller coaster of a ride and it ended so nicely. Not sure I was familiar with the original story but I will definitely be reading it for a better understanding of the plot line. This book was covered from page to page with atmosphere, plot, suspense & betrayals. The way this story unfolds and continues to keep you wrapped in was beautifully done.
Blythe is a great character to follow in this story. She starts off with weak intentions and she’s written in a pathetic way. As the story unfolds, you learn so much about her mother’s death, her father’s odd behaviors and her fascination with plants. There are many themes involved in this story that relate to real life circumstances and problems. Blythe feels real and you get some invested in the magic and her mind.
The use of the magic and how it’s revealed is clever and it leaves you wanting more. The power struggles and reveals are very impactful to the story. Once some of the twists happen, you are introduced to so many theories.
This is a story of grief and self discovery disguised as a gothic tale with a sapphic twists.
I highly recommend this story. It explored many themes that some readers may really enjoy. Was it a perfect book, no but I recommend it for sure.
Go grab this and take your time with it. Plus, the book itself is GORGINA!
Sapphic, woodys, cult like and filled with murder and gore…sign me up! What a fun time I had with this novel. It was a roller coaster of a ride and it ended so nicely. Not sure I was familiar with the original story but I will definitely be reading it for a better understanding of the plot line. This book was covered from page to page with atmosphere, plot, suspense & betrayals. The way this story unfolds and continues to keep you wrapped in was beautifully done.
Blythe is a great character to follow in this story. She starts off with weak intentions and she’s written in a pathetic way. As the story unfolds, you learn so much about her mother’s death, her father’s odd behaviors and her fascination with plants. There are many themes involved in this story that relate to real life circumstances and problems. Blythe feels real and you get some invested in the magic and her mind.
The use of the magic and how it’s revealed is clever and it leaves you wanting more. The power struggles and reveals are very impactful to the story. Once some of the twists happen, you are introduced to so many theories.
This is a story of grief and self discovery disguised as a gothic tale with a sapphic twists.
I highly recommend this story. It explored many themes that some readers may really enjoy. Was it a perfect book, no but I recommend it for sure.
Go grab this and take your time with it. Plus, the book itself is GORGINA!
July 23, 2025
Cordelia Beecher isn’t your average damsel. She’s bold, determined, and on a mission to find her missing brother. Her journey leads her to Edenfield, a crumbling estate that screams haunted horticulture chic. The lady of the house? Mysterious. The daughters locked away inside? Even more suspicious. And the plants? Yeah, they’re practically hissing.
And let me tell you, this book doesn’t walk—it slithers. Pell serves up lush prose so rich it feels like you’re reading poetry soaked in moonlight and poison. The atmosphere? Gloomy and gorgeous. The romance? Tense, tender, and tinged with dread. You’ll be screaming “just kiss already!” one moment and then “RUN!” the next.
But don’t expect sunshine and giggles—this is gothic horror, baby. Think: flower petals with teeth, longing glances through barred windows, and more secrets than a Victorian diary.
This book gives you that eerie feeling someone is watching—and somehow, you still keep turning the pages, hungry for more.
Tanya Pell crafts a slow-burn sapphic horror that sinks its roots into you—gently at first, then with a vice grip. You’ll feel unsettled, enchanted, and a little obsessed.
It’s not just a story; it’s a haunted greenhouse you willingly lock yourself inside. And honey, by the time the petals fall, it’s too late—you’re hooked.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy💛
And let me tell you, this book doesn’t walk—it slithers. Pell serves up lush prose so rich it feels like you’re reading poetry soaked in moonlight and poison. The atmosphere? Gloomy and gorgeous. The romance? Tense, tender, and tinged with dread. You’ll be screaming “just kiss already!” one moment and then “RUN!” the next.
But don’t expect sunshine and giggles—this is gothic horror, baby. Think: flower petals with teeth, longing glances through barred windows, and more secrets than a Victorian diary.
This book gives you that eerie feeling someone is watching—and somehow, you still keep turning the pages, hungry for more.
Tanya Pell crafts a slow-burn sapphic horror that sinks its roots into you—gently at first, then with a vice grip. You’ll feel unsettled, enchanted, and a little obsessed.
It’s not just a story; it’s a haunted greenhouse you willingly lock yourself inside. And honey, by the time the petals fall, it’s too late—you’re hooked.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy💛
November 9, 2026
„Najładniejsze rośliny są czasem najbardziej zabójcze.”
Wszystko zaczyna się od rodzeństwa i siostry, która próbuje znaleźć swojego starszego brata, wyrywając się ze szponów cierpienia. Wszelkie ślady prowadzą Cordelie do pewnego domu starszej kobiety imieniem Evangeline, posiadłość o której mieszkańcy innej wioski mówią z przerażeniem. Szczęście lub pech chciał że owa kobieta udziela schronienia skrzywdzonym kobietom…Co to ma wspólnego z bratem Cordelii? Zagadka dopiero zacznie się rozwiązywać, a jej finał może być różny i nieprzewidywalny.
Patrząc na okładkę można pomyśleć, że znajdują się tutaj gatunki takie jak związane z fantastyką, gotyckim klimatem i pełno kwiatów - co jest prawdą. Jednak jest tutaj więcej, wątek romantyczny się przebija, czuć grozę i nawet nawiązania do kryminału.
„Jej złe korzenie” to splot różnych gatunków okraszonych tajemnicą, nazwą roślin. Historia skupia się głównie na siostrze i jej potrzebie odnalezienia brata, po drodze ukazując splot przeróżnych ukrytych motywów. Jest to zdecydowanie niecodzienna powieść i warta przeczytania jak i rozmowy o niej.
Wszystko zaczyna się od rodzeństwa i siostry, która próbuje znaleźć swojego starszego brata, wyrywając się ze szponów cierpienia. Wszelkie ślady prowadzą Cordelie do pewnego domu starszej kobiety imieniem Evangeline, posiadłość o której mieszkańcy innej wioski mówią z przerażeniem. Szczęście lub pech chciał że owa kobieta udziela schronienia skrzywdzonym kobietom…Co to ma wspólnego z bratem Cordelii? Zagadka dopiero zacznie się rozwiązywać, a jej finał może być różny i nieprzewidywalny.
Patrząc na okładkę można pomyśleć, że znajdują się tutaj gatunki takie jak związane z fantastyką, gotyckim klimatem i pełno kwiatów - co jest prawdą. Jednak jest tutaj więcej, wątek romantyczny się przebija, czuć grozę i nawet nawiązania do kryminału.
„Jej złe korzenie” to splot różnych gatunków okraszonych tajemnicą, nazwą roślin. Historia skupia się głównie na siostrze i jej potrzebie odnalezienia brata, po drodze ukazując splot przeróżnych ukrytych motywów. Jest to zdecydowanie niecodzienna powieść i warta przeczytania jak i rozmowy o niej.
October 8, 2025
3.5 stars. 3 felt too low, but 4 is generous. I had a really nice time reading it, the epilogue threw me off a bit. I thought the ending was nice and wrapped up and the epilogue opened a bunch of more questions.
October 26, 2025
Take the stars. Take all of them!
This book was the perfect gothic horror fairytale I’ve been searching for since I started reading gothic literature.
Atmospheric doesn’t even begin to describe how beautifully Pell depicts the world our MC is trapped in. The estate, the gardens, the graveyard… what else could you ask for?
And the romance? Swoon. I am not a romance girl but within these pages, it was as intricate a character as the people.
And that ending. Oh, it was perfect.
This book was the perfect gothic horror fairytale I’ve been searching for since I started reading gothic literature.
Atmospheric doesn’t even begin to describe how beautifully Pell depicts the world our MC is trapped in. The estate, the gardens, the graveyard… what else could you ask for?
And the romance? Swoon. I am not a romance girl but within these pages, it was as intricate a character as the people.
And that ending. Oh, it was perfect.
July 22, 2025
I loved Cicada and I loved Her Wicked Roots too! Tanya Pell fan for life!!! HWR is moody, swoony, and gothic story. I had so much fun with the creepy sisters and piecing together the mystery of the manor. With its haunting imagery, plant horror, and satisfying ending, HWR is a must read! Run don't walk to preorder!!
December 19, 2025
4.5
dieser epilog!!!!! 🥲
dieser epilog!!!!! 🥲
March 30, 2026
3.5 i think
the writing was simple but the story itself was interesting enough to keep me going and i ended up enjoying it! also the epilogue changed the whole story which was unique for me.
the writing was simple but the story itself was interesting enough to keep me going and i ended up enjoying it! also the epilogue changed the whole story which was unique for me.
November 23, 2025
This was without a doubt a cover buy - it's gorgeous! I enjoyed the writing style but had a difficult time getting into the story.
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