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SYNOPSIS: Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.
Small. Fragile.
An enigma.
Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds.
Stay within. Never leave.
Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe ... though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily.
Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.
My savior. My protector.
My almost executioner.
I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground.
When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.
No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique new fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.
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BOOK REVIEW
You will like this if you like:
The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy
From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L Armentrout
To Note: TW for Death and Gore
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Plot: 4.5 /5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4.5/5
Personal Enjoyment: 4.5 /5
Overall Rating: 17.5/20
If you ever wanted a reimagined Rapunzel retelling, then this is the book for you. Sarah A. Parker, has taken arguably an already dark fairytale (a child is kidnapped and imprisoned is pretty dark!) and has made it dark, angsty and in terms of the themes explored, definitely more adult. We see first hand the trauma Orlaith lives with from the horrific event that resulted in her being brought to Castle Noir.
She grows up as the ward of the High Master of Castle Noir Rhordyn. Though she has barely interacted with him in all her years there. He keeps her at a distant, minimal contact, barely communicating, and when he does it is definitely stiff or outright unfriendly.
Their relationship is extremely strained and it is clear from the onset Rhordyn knows more than he is letting on. Which prevents him from getting close. Despite this Orlaith finds her self developing feelings for Rhordyn, someone that she finds annoying and at times even hates. Her confusing feelings towards him and her still unprocessed trauma makes Orlaith an interesting and nuanced character. And one I was very much rooting for. and oh my gosh, the angst is off the charts! The interactions between Rhordyn and Orlaith are often fuelled by anger and pent up emotions. But please be aware this is very slow burn and its not yet clear if anything will come of whatever is between them!
On a different note; I felt the people around her did not fully know how to deal with her, further fuelling her feeling of isolation and desire to stay removed from the outside world.
The story is primarily character driven and the plot itself feels deceptively simple. The second half more characters come into play that pushes the plot in interesting directions. AND there are so many tantalising nuggets of information and clues scattered throughout the book as to who or what Rhordyn is and indeed who Orlaith is that I am really excited to explore and get to the bottom of as the series progresses.
The world is very interesting but we dont know too much of how it all works and how magic if there is any works in this world. We find things out as Orlaith discovers them which adds another level of mystery to the whole story. We do know magical creatures exist as Orlaith encounters or even interacts with them frequently.
Which leads me to our cast of characters as Orlaith slowly starts integrating into society at Rhordyn's urging the world opens up more and we get a better idea of the kinds of people that populate it. And we get a sense of what the political structure is like. And the potential conflicts arising and alliances being forged.
Overall this is a wonderful dark retelling, full of angst and longing, but with a sense of many bigger things at play here. There is the brewing political tensions, the confusing nature of Rhordyn and Orlaith's connection. And what all this means for Orlaith. All in all the author this is a great start to the series and I am looking forward to having some of my questions answered in book 2, especially as the ending left me slightly shocked! Would definitely recommend to those who love their fantasy a bit on the darker side!
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INTL Tour-wide Instagram Giveaway! Head over to my Instagram account (link above)
to enter the tour giveaway where two lucky readers will win a signed copy of To Bleed a Crystal Bloom and a $25 Amazon gift card! Ends on August 29th, 2021. Winner will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.
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About Sarah A. Parker:
Sarah is an international bestselling author who also writes under the pen name S.A. Parker.
She lives in Australia with her husband and children, and spends her days with her nose in a book or her mind in a world of her own creation.
Her genre of choice is epic fantasy romance, and she thrives off dreaming up complex characters and immersive worlds to get lost amongst.
Tour Schedule:
August 16 @paperfury - Bookstagram + Book Blog @jupiterdropsco - Bookstagram August 17 @leahslittlepleasures - Bookstagram + Book Blog @beauty_in_books17 - Bookstagram August 18 @thereaderandthechef - Bookstagram + Book Blog @tairen_soul - Bookstagram August 19 @b.u.n.n.yb.o.o.k.s_wonderland - Bookstagram + Book Blog @theladysparks - Bookstagram August 20 @bookbriefs - Bookstagram + Book Blog @books_over_everything - Bookstagram August 21 @my_heart_is_booked - Bookstagram + Book Blog @thefaeinitiate - Bookstagram August 22 @nelthewhichcraftsbooks - Bookstagram + Book Blog @belladonnabooks - Bookstagram August 23 @halfwildbooks - Bookstagram + Book Blog @dbookishprincess - Bookstagram August 24 @pavlinamich - Bookstagram + Book Blog @the_bookaddict - Bookstagram August 25 @mabookyard - Bookstagram + Book Blog @seasonforreading - Bookstagram
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