What a pretty flower to keep locked in a big, rocky tower.
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.
Introduction
Amidst the influx of recent New Adult fantasy releases, To Bleed a Crystal Bloom finds itself inevitably compared to the works of literary giants like Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout. For avid fans of their writing, this novel is likely to be a delightful read, yet Sarah A. Parker undeniably possesses her own distinct and captivating voice. As her debut work, the book showcases her potential while acknowledging some minor imperfections. Nonetheless, the narrative remains incredibly intriguing, making it a compelling topic for discussion. Let’s delve into its captivating world!
“I’m in love with a man who’ll never be mine—who’s unavailable in every way, shape, and form—and I’m certain it’s going to ruin me.”
Overview
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker presents a captivating New Adult fantasy, a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale. The narrative centers around Orlaith, the lone survivor of a brutal assault on her village by deadly creatures. In the aftermath of this tragedy, she finds refuge within the castle of her savior, where she remains confined by her sense of safety, creating an invisible boundary she’s hesitant to cross.
Unlike the original, Laith’s abode isn’t a secluded tower; instead, she roams the castle grounds freely, with only a handful of forbidden areas piquing her curiosity and evading her exploration, to her dismay. Possessing fearless independence and unwavering determination, Laith is a multifaceted character shadowed by a haunting past. Her routines and rituals serve as comforting anchors and yet a constant reminder of the traumatic incident that unfolded when she met Rhordyn nearly two decades ago.
Amidst her daily regimen of training alongside her close friend Baze, nurturing her various plants amongst the grounds, and expressing herself through art, Laith navigates a realm tainted by night terrors and anxiety triggered by sounds. The enigmatic Rhordyn occupies a complex space in her existence, an imposing yet distant presence that she yearns to understand intimately. Their connection is symbolized by a shared ritual: a nightly drop of blood.
As Laith matures, her journey intertwines with anguished yet steamy interactions with Rhordyn, and a chilling revelation emerges – there might be more between them. All while their domain and the neighboring kingdom are besieged by malevolent, familiar monstrosities. An unforeseen Conclave and Tribunal, hosted within the castle’s walls, unravels the fabric of Laith’s reality, forcing her to confront the essence of her knowledge and beliefs.
“Because lies are pretty little masks we place on our words to tint the truth into something palatable.”
Trigger Warnings
Content warnings in the realm of fantasy literature often tread a curious path, yet I find it necessary to illuminate aspects that could serve as potential triggers for fellow readers. Be advised that these warnings should be taken with care as I am not a licensed therapist and in no way could I identify everything. The following is what stuck out to me and other readers.
Night Terrors
Night after night, Laith is plagued by recurrent nightmares that stem from the fateful evening when Rhordyn came to her rescue.
PTSD / Phobias
Laith carries the weight of past traumas, some of which remain shrouded in mystery, yet we’ve gleaned a fairly comprehensive understanding of their impact. These experiences have also left her with ingrained phobias that she grapples with.
Death of a Minor
Near the beginning of the book it is mentioned that a child has been murdered and they do bring this up several times throughout the book. They also describe the state the child was found in.
Drug Use
To combat the terrors and find some type of solace in sleep, she uses drugs. To counteract its effects, she also takes an upper in the morning.
Gaslighting
I wasn’t going to list this one but I feel like to anyone who has been in an unhealthy relationship this might be triggering. Rhordyn is constantly pulling her emotions and keeping Liath in the dark with half-truths. The novel does delve into the emotions this causes.
Tropes in the Story:
- Enemies to lovers
- Orphan
- Virgin/unexpected virgin
- Emotional scars
- Magical Realism
- Fairytale Retelling
- Forbidden Romance
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Age gap romance
“Because I deserve gentle. I deserve gentle when this man is so boldly destroying me.”
Thoughts
I’ll do my best to avoid major spoilers, but I must apologize in advance if anything slips through. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book—it had that irresistible quality that keeps you glued to the pages, thanks to the witty comebacks and the pervasive air of mystery that runs through the story. However, a few aspects kept nagging at me.
Firstly, there was the nightingale trope, which left me a bit perplexed. Perhaps I’m not familiar with it enough, but the obsessive behavior here caught me off guard. Falling in love with one’s captor is one thing, but the level of obsession felt intense.
Secondly, the numerous love interests left me in a state of confusion at times. Rhordyn, Kai, and possibly Baze were all part of the equation, and there was another character I’ll keep hush about for the sake of avoiding spoilers. I found myself grappling with whom to root for among them, and it became a bit overwhelming.
Lastly, it goes without saying that I love a good cliffhanger but this story left a lot of unanswered questions for me. To anyone who likes all the loose ends to be tied up, you will be let down with this one, it’s my hope that all of these will be addressed in the sequel. So fingers crossed.
For those who’ve read the book, did anyone else find Shay reminiscent of No Face from Spirited Away, or am I just imagining things? In no way was this bad in fact I found this cute as No Face is a favored character of mine.
Overall, despite these minor concerns, the book gripped me, and I’m eager to explore retellings further and delve deeper into the tropes it presents.
Conclusion
Okay, let’s start with the pros. As of now, three out of the four books in the series have been released, and the fourth is scheduled for a 2023 release. So, if you’re a fan of binge-reading, this series offers that opportunity. Plus, here’s a cool bonus – the book comes with a Spotify playlist that you can enjoy while reading. Personally, I love that, as I already listen to music while I read. Another great aspect is the diverse cast of characters that you get to know, keeping you engaged beyond just the main character.
Now, for the cons. I must admit, I struggled with the fantasy names in this book – they were quite challenging for me to keep track of. Additionally, I found myself a little creeped out by the names Laith gave to her world at Castle Noir. It didn’t necessarily hinder the story, but it felt somewhat childish, and it conflicted with the mature themes of the book.
Interestingly, I’m writing this review sometime after reading the book, and it has stayed with me. There’s something captivating about it that keeps drawing me back in. It could be the well-developed characters or the engrossing plot, but I’m undeniably invested in the story. I’m eager to see what lies ahead for our main character and, without a doubt, I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.
