Sarah A. Parker

To Snap a Silver Stem

I was extremely confused by the first book but for some reason I still gave this one a go and I’m glad I did. I learned that in this series, confusion is a good thing. It’s so immersive and truly puts you in Orlaith’s shoes. I feel the uncertainty surrounding Cainon & Rhordan just as she does. How am I being gaslit by fictional characters??? 
I love that Kai still has a part in this story. I was very drawn to his character in the first book and Im glad to continue his journey as well. 
The ending surprised me (and unsurprisingly CONFUSED ME.) 
onto the next one ✈️

I liked the romance style & the character growth of the main character, but I prefer more plot focused narratives than character narratives. 

Sephirra

At the end of the first book, I was still very uncertain of what was going on and I had so many questions. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from book #2 and boy, I was not ready. The first book was merely the tip of the iceberg. The world that opened up once Orlaith left Stony Stem was nothing short of immersive and intoxicating. There's still tons of political intrigue, secrets, and warring emotions. This book is an honest to god emotional whirlwind....and I loved every minute of it! Orlaith really found herself in this book and I am so proud of her growth. Probably one of my favorite books of the year.

Please let February come quickly because I don't know how long I can hold on without book #3!

amidpages

The way this book ripped my heart out...

At the end of the first book, I was still very uncertain of what was going on and I had so many questions. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from book #2 and boy, I was not ready. The first book was merely the tip of the iceberg. The world that opened up once Orlaith left Stony Stem was nothing short of immersive and intoxicating. There's still tons of political intrigue, secrets, and warring emotions. This book is an honest to god emotional whirlwind....and I loved every minute of it! Orlaith really found herself in this book and I am so proud of her growth. Probably one of my favorite books of the year.

Please let February come quickly because I don't know how long I can hold on without book #3!

Rachael Wiseman 

So I don't want to anger anyone but I have to give my honest opinion. While yes, this was a very in-depth, raw, and dark book I have to admit I was a bit frustrated. I am left with the same confusion as before. I feel like I have no more answers than I did in the first book. Yes, some things are becoming less muddied but, for me, I still feel like I know very little about everything. Perhaps I will go back and reread it later and update this review. But, for now, this is my honest first-read review. 

I absolutely loved the multiple POVs. I think it made everything between Rhordyn and Orlaith all the more heartbreaking. To finally know what he was truly feeling and how he felt. I never hated Rhordyn but his POV made me like him a bit more than before. I loved seeing Orlaith gain a bit of confidence but I also felt like she spiraled in this book. I had a hard time liking her or enjoying her POV. Kai and Baze's points of view were informative, but I also thought they were a bit out of place? I will trust in Sarah and hope that it all comes together in the next book. 

I was absolutely blown away by the world-building. I did get a bit teary-eyed at the beginning and at the end of the book. Despite my opinion, I think this book is very well written. I still gave 4-stars because of the attention to detail and the way Sarah knows how to pull at those heart strings.

"Everything is nothing if you're in pieces."

This story, from start to finish, was stunning in its moving prose, vivid imagery, and in its overflowing feeling and gut-wrenching emotion. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, my mind bouncing between all sorts of theories and predictions and what ifs… but oof what a blow this book gives. That “hurts so good” kind of feeling, but more. It gutted me and left me reeling and I'm still in a daze this morning... but, in the same breath, I cannot wait to see where the story ends up!

In Crystal Bloom fashion, Silver Stem is an all-consuming, soul-devouring and -shattering, mind-bending, can’t-do-anything-else-til-I-finish-but-I-don’t-want-it-to-end read that tears and pulls at those heartstrings and doesn’t let you go. I have no idea what I'm supposed to until book 3. I'm waiting with baited breath for what's to come next, because I just know it's going to be the best so far.

"He taught me to bleed so beautifully. I wonder ... will he bleed for me?"

💙arranged couplings/political pairings

"I'd strike the fucking world down for you."

Content Warnings: self hatred, thoughts of self harm, grief/despair, death

Thank you to Sarah for my early review copy!

Leah | @LeahsLittlePleasures

"Everything is nothing if you're in pieces."

Well, holy hell, my heart 😭💔

This story, from start to finish, was stunning in its moving prose, vivid imagery, and in its overflowing feeling and gut-wrenching emotion. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, my mind bouncing between all sorts of theories and predictions and what ifs… but oof what a blow this book gives. That “hurts so good” kind of feeling, but more. It gutted me and left me reeling and I'm still in a daze this morning... but, in the same breath, I cannot wait to see where the story ends up!

In Crystal Bloom fashion, Silver Stem is an all-consuming, soul-devouring and -shattering, mind-bending, can’t-do-anything-else-til-I-finish-but-I-don’t-want-it-to-end read that tears and pulls at those heartstrings and doesn’t let you go. I have no idea what I'm supposed to until book 3. I'm waiting with baited breath for what's to come next, because I just know it's going to be the best so far.

"He taught me to bleed so beautifully. I wonder ... will he bleed for me?"

READ THIS IF YOU LIKE:
💙fated/bonded mates
💙prophecy x secrets
💙aquatic shape shifters
💙kingdom/courtly intrigue
💙deception, political power plays
💙arranged couplings/political pairings
💙heartbreak x despair
💙secret identity x rendezvous
💙monsters x growing sickness tropes
💙gutwrenching love stories

"I'd strike the fucking world down for you."

Content Warnings: self hatred, thoughts of self harm, grief/despair, death

Thank you to Sarah for my early review copy!

To Snap a Silver Stem

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