Name: Last Tale of the Flower Bride
Rating: 4.055 (50 reviews)
ISBN: 9780063206502

Roshani Chokshi

A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage unravelled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales—the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi. . . . 
Once upon a time, a man who believed in fairy tales married a beautiful, mysterious woman named Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. He was a scholar of myths. She was heiress to a fortune. They exchanged gifts and stories and believed they would live happily ever after—and in exchange for her love, Indigo extracted a promise: that her bridegroom would never pry into her past.

A Novel

Last Tale of the Flower Bride

This was so so good. I don’t even know how I would describe this as it doesn’t lean too far into any genre (in my opinion) but has sprinklings of gothic, romance, thriller, and fantasy. This has an ethereal quality throughout with 2 very interesting POVs at 2 different timelines and I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time. It’s one where I wouldn’t have been able to recommend it without reaching the end, I just kept thinking don’t let me down, don’t let me down and it didn’t.

I loved the writing in this. There’s a fantasy quality but with some jarring moments and reminders of the contemporary setting in a way that was grounding but also makes you question about what magic you might be missing in your own world. One moment there’s talks of sacrifices to the fae and the next moment they’re talking about high school graduation. It has you doubting what’s real but you never feel lied to because each character believes wholeheartedly their own version of reality. 

Another aspect of the writing I liked was that you didn’t need to know any mythology, it’s all seamlessly tied in. I have a hard time when stories are supposed to be metaphors or allegories to a larger myth but it’s background knowledge I happen to not have so it goes over my head. That doesn’t happen with this book. I really thoroughly enjoyed the fairytale tie ins. 

I highlighted so much of this because it impacted me more than just what was happening in the story, it’s its own fairytale. This is so unique and I loved it.

Abigail

This was so so good. I don’t even know how I would describe this as it doesn’t lean too far into any genre (in my opinion) but has sprinklings of gothic, romance, thriller, and fantasy. This has an ethereal quality throughout with 2 very interesting POVs at 2 different timelines and I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time. It’s one where I wouldn’t have been able to recommend it without reaching the end, I just kept thinking don’t let me down, don’t let me down and it didn’t.

I loved the writing in this. There’s a fantasy quality but with some jarring moments and reminders of the contemporary setting in a way that was grounding but also makes you question about what magic you might be missing in your own world. One moment there’s talks of sacrifices to the fae and the next moment they’re talking about high school graduation. It has you doubting what’s real but you never feel lied to because each character believes wholeheartedly their own version of reality. 

Another aspect of the writing I liked was that you didn’t need to know any mythology, it’s all seamlessly tied in. I have a hard time when stories are supposed to be metaphors or allegories to a larger myth but it’s background knowledge I happen to not have so it goes over my head. That doesn’t happen with this book. I really thoroughly enjoyed the fairytale tie ins. 

I highlighted so much of this because it impacted me more than just what was happening in the story, it’s its own fairytale. This is so unique and I loved it.

Kellie Stack

The writing is beautiful and captivating, almost poetic at times. The story is strange in a million different ways. It weaves a tale that blurs the lines of reality and fairytales, but maybe think more Greek Mythology style rather than classic Disney fairytales. I was frustrated by trying to draw clear lines between real and imaginary worlds in the beginning, but as I became more immersed in the story, I realized they weren’t meant to be so clearly separated. It has all the makings of what you would expect from a fairytale: love and loss, good vs evil, but made better with plot twists you didn’t see coming (or did you? there were hints!) Overall it’s a wonderful book, even if it was a bit difficult to follow at times.

Audrey

This book was nearly perfect; which, in the context of "The Guilded Wolves" starting promising and ending abysmally, means it might as well me.

I have read a fair emount of Chokshi's work, of which I massively enjoyed "The Star-Touched Queen" and found "Aru Shah and the End of Time" fun and an excellent opener for the Rick Riordan inprint. But after the disappointment "The Gilded Wolves" series was, I was reluctant to pick this book up, in spite of the perfectly crafted for me synopsis.

I think "The Last Tale of the Flower Bride" comfortably sits next to "The Star-Touched Queen" in my ranking of Chokshi's books. It is deliciously gothic and creepy; it excellently mixes mystery and tragedy and successfully introduces near-fabulistic elements that keep the reader guessing whether there really is a supernatural dimension to this story until the very end. By the way of retellings, it is definitely one of the more creative ones as it manages to pick apart the original in a way that extracts its essence, breaks apart its elements and cleverly weaves them into a new story. (And I admit, even without knowing it was a retelling of the Bluebeard fairy tale, the literary decision not to name the Bridegroom would still be excellent. So would be to give all characters fantastical unusual (literal) names - it strengthens the fairytalish atmosphere of the novel).

As a novel, "The Last Tale" would still be able to stand on its own. Chokshi has such a fantastic grip on what makes the story compelling - the monstrosity, real or imagined, the toxicity and turbulence of both female adolescense and a marriage between two deeply flawed individuals. The narration does not shy away from making its characters horrible and cruel - and still, you cannot help but understand the Bridegrooms simultaneous fear and adoration of Indigo or the absolute control Indigo exercises over Azure, the enchantment she has her under. And all of this dressed in lush, atmospheric prose and multiple fairy tale references.

My sole complaint is that it felt like the novel should have been set in a different time period and the enchantment was often broken when we found ourselves at the high school or looking at college applications or driving cars. This could be a positive, this good be a negative but it definitely impacted my reading experience. And still, I could hardly put this book down.

This book was nearly perfect; which, in the context of "The Guilded Wolves" starting promising and ending abysmally, means it might as well me.

I have read a fair emount of Chokshi's work, of which I massively enjoyed "The Star-Touched Queen" and found "Aru Shah and the End of Time" fun and an excellent opener for the Rick Riordan inprint. But after the disappointment "The Gilded Wolves" series was, I was reluctant to pick this book up, in spite of the perfectly crafted for me synopsis.

I think "The Last Tale of the Flower Bride" comfortably sits next to "The Star-Touched Queen" in my ranking of Chokshi's books. It is deliciously gothic and creepy; it excellently mixes mystery and tragedy and successfully introduces near-fabulistic elements that keep the reader guessing whether there really is a supernatural dimension to this story until the very end. By the way of retellings, it is definitely one of the more creative ones as it manages to pick apart the original in a way that extracts its essence, breaks apart its elements and cleverly weaves them into a new story. (And I admit, even without knowing it was a retelling of the Bluebeard fairy tale, the literary decision not to name the Bridegroom would still be excellent. So would be to give all characters fantastical unusual (literal) names - it strengthens the fairytalish atmosphere of the novel).

As a novel, "The Last Tale" would still be able to stand on its own. Chokshi has such a fantastic grip on what makes the story compelling - the monstrosity, real or imagined, the toxicity and turbulence of both female adolescense and a marriage between two deeply flawed individuals. The narration does not shy away from making its characters horrible and cruel - and still, you cannot help but understand the Bridegrooms simultaneous fear and adoration of Indigo or the absolute control Indigo exercises over Azure, the enchantment she has her under. And all of this dressed in lush, atmospheric prose and multiple fairy tale references.

My sole complaint is that it felt like the novel should have been set in a different time period and the enchantment was often broken when we found ourselves at the high school or looking at college applications or driving cars. This could be a positive, this good be a negative but it definitely impacted my reading experience. And still, I could hardly put this book down.

Carissa 

Chokshi writes a one of a kind fairytale about a bridegroom who loves fairytales, myths, and legends.
He has dedicated his life to the quest of the unexplainable. Through all his expiditions he is lead to the clutches of Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada who is an ex enteric hotel heiress who wins him over with a riddle and a game. She quickly introduces him to her life and wraps him in her lavish life. The man immediately becomes Indigo's bridegroom, and they spend years acting out their favorite stories. After a few years of marriage Indigo is forced to return home and he begins to pry into the mysterious past of his wife when the couple is forced to return to Indigos's childhood home knows as the House of Dreams. Here he quickly learns chilling secrets of Indigo's childhood friend, Azure, and the bridegroom must decide his next steps before they are decided for him.

I loved this book. It captures all the dark and moody vibes of fairy tales and gothic novels. 

I don’t want to say too much because it’s definitely something to experience. The story is vague and the house itself is a character. 

I loved the lyrical style of writing and I highlighted so many lines and passages. Overall this is a beautifully gothic fairytale.

Megan BV

I loved this book. It captures all the dark and moody vibes of fairy tales and gothic novels. 

I don’t want to say too much because it’s definitely something to experience. The story is vague and the house itself is a character. 

I loved the lyrical style of writing and I highlighted so many lines and passages. Overall this is a beautifully gothic fairytale.

Definitely did not see that plot twist coming 👀

fc ♡

I didn't know what to expect going into this, but I was instantly swept away. The prose was so enchanting and like you were in some fairy tale fever dream. I liked how it was told in alternating POVs, as it helped to flesh the story out. In one, we're following the bridegroom as he's trying to unravel the mystery of his wife, and in the other, we're following Azure, Indigo's childhood best friend who disappeared. Both perspectives are important to the story, and I loved seeing the events unfold through their eyes. I did figure out one part of the twist at the end, but I still liked seeing how it all came together. If you like the whimsy of a fairy tale and the darkness of a psychological thriller, I highly recommend checking this one out.

Heather Harrington

Thank you Libro FM for the advanced listening copy! Narrators Steve West and Sura Siu are enchanting!!

Gothic and haunting, excellent for fans of Addie Larue or Juniper & Thorn. This is the kind of book that people rightfully call an instant classic, drawing from myth and folklore and fairytales while simultaneously being wholly different.

Liz Griffin

Thank you Libro FM for the advanced listening copy! Narrators Steve West and Sura Siu are enchanting!!

Gothic and haunting, excellent for fans of Addie Larue or Juniper & Thorn. This is the kind of book that people rightfully call an instant classic, drawing from myth and folklore and fairytales while simultaneously being wholly different.

Content warnings: death of loved one, toxic relationship, emotional abuse, sexual harassment... (maybe more, I skipped half of the book)

I’d say this was like a gothic fairytale mystery. Everything felt like a fever dream. The writing style was definitely not my preferred style. It felt like the words kept going in circles. Not as in being repetitive, but as in going on this roundabout way to express something but ending up back at the beginning. I appreciate the effort put into the writing, a lot of people will probably find it beautiful, but it was just too much for me.

The worldbuilding was just a big question mark. I was confused about the fantasy elements. When magic was described, I couldn’t tell if it was meant literally or figuratively. Additionally, I had no idea whether this Otherworld mentioned was actually real, or most of the things mentioned as a matter of fact.

The characters were boring. I didn’t care about any of them except for, maybe, Azure in the past. The relationship between Indigo and the bridegroom felt artificial. The friendship between Indigo and Azure was unhealthy. Everyone was obsessed with the supernatural. The bridegroom studied magic, mythology, and folklore because he remembered having a brother who apparently did not exist. Azure and Indigo bonded over the fae. They were convinced they were a part of them and belonged elsewhere. Indigo took that obsession too far.

The plot was extremely slow. Almost everything was merely told, and most of the page space was filled with descriptions.

The author said this is her best work. If that is the case, I don’t think her books are for me. I don’t understand metaphorical gibberish. That’s a me problem. I chose to read this first because it was the shortest of my arcs, yet it felt so long.

Arc provided by publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Characters: 3/10

Enjoyment: 3/10

Plot: 5/10

Worldbuilding: 4/10

Writing: 7/10

Content warnings: death of loved one, toxic relationship, emotional abuse, sexual harassment... (maybe more, I skipped half of the book)

I’d say this was like a gothic fairytale mystery. Everything felt like a fever dream. The writing style was definitely not my preferred style. It felt like the words kept going in circles. Not as in being repetitive, but as in going on this roundabout way to express something but ending up back at the beginning. I appreciate the effort put into the writing, a lot of people will probably find it beautiful, but it was just too much for me.

The worldbuilding was just a big question mark. I was confused about the fantasy elements. When magic was described, I couldn’t tell if it was meant literally or figuratively. Additionally, I had no idea whether this Otherworld mentioned was actually real, or most of the things mentioned as a matter of fact.

The characters were boring. I didn’t care about any of them except for, maybe, Azure in the past. The relationship between Indigo and the bridegroom felt artificial. The friendship between Indigo and Azure was unhealthy. Everyone was obsessed with the supernatural. The bridegroom studied magic, mythology, and folklore because he remembered having a brother who apparently did not exist. Azure and Indigo bonded over the fae. They were convinced they were a part of them and belonged elsewhere. Indigo took that obsession too far.

The plot was extremely slow. Almost everything was merely told, and most of the page space was filled with descriptions.

The author said this is her best work. If that is the case, I don’t think her books are for me. I don’t understand metaphorical gibberish. That’s a me problem. I chose to read this first because it was the shortest of my arcs, yet it felt so long.

Arc provided by publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Last Tale of the Flower Bride A Novel

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