To Bleed a Crystal Bloom: 1

Product Information

I consider this series as the one of the finest Dark Fantasy Romance. It has everything from flawed and morally grey characters, phenomenal world building, surprising plot twists to action scenes, angst, tension, romance and portrayal of dark and gritty things. I would Highly recommend this series to all my dark fantasy lovers. 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.

For me however it was slow. There was too much focus on the environments and the repetitive activities...it just felt like nothing much happened because most of the time it was the same thing, every conversation between the main character and her psychologically abusive love interest was the same and her obsession with this man is horrifying. He physically hurts her multiple times and plays with her head. It was honestly quite horrifying to read and I'm not sure that it's in the way the author intended. Apparently, he wasn’t good enough. Really, Mother had plans to couple me off with someone who would knot advantageous ties for the family line—someone who shared her chosen faith in the hopes that it would coax me into their religious fold—and my discrepancies ruined everything because of their rigid beliefs that women must remain chaste until they’re coupled.” You sheltered this girl since she was 2 after a bloody masacre that left all her family dead. & instead of raising her well & help her with her fkg trauma, night terrors, he let her drug herself to sleep. Hide in a tower for 19 years, give her blood every night for him to drink (for what reason???? I have no idea lmao🤔)The world-building expands through multiple POVs but what I love the most, same as the first book, is how the world is unfurling for the reader the same way it does for Orlaith. I love that we're learning and experiencing things alongside her. I love being in her head and following her throughout this journey. This series is planned to be 6 books in total, this is book 3 so three other books are left in the series. To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst.

Content warnings are always strange with fantasy reads, but I like to call out things I notice that might be potential triggers for others. It’s done well and enhances, really, the tragedy and, well, despair of the story but with so much underlying hope and growth and positive self progression. Please take them into consideration albeit lightly as this is still fantasy. Okay update: my review since reading Flame. This came out at 11 pm for me on the 29th of March and I stayed up till 5 am reading, and then I finished it on March 30th at nearly midnight, so I am running very low on sleep and brains. I know the hurt is loud, but it won’t always be.” He holds my hands, like they’re butterflies caught in a warm hug. “One day it’ll stop screaming at you. It’ll become nothing more than a whisper.” This doesn't mean Rhordyn's actions can be justified because what I love about this book is you can understand the questionable actions of the characters without the need to justify them. I’ve tumbled into a darkness so deep it’s hard to see the light, my petals curling inward as I tip my face from the sun. Hide from my monstrous actions.If he’s the godamn endgame for Orlaith, he better fix his behavior or i’ll swear i will fix it myself. AND he better starts informing Orlaith on her past, heritage, the world outside, the politics if he doesn’t want her to act impulsively. Unlike other dark fantasy romance books this is just not surface-level dark, it dives right into the depths. And as my friend Underseabookish said and I quote: Last but not least, I think Rhordyn directs so much self-loath at himself. I do not think he finds pleasure in what his instincts draw out of him especially when it comes to Orlaith. I don't think he relishes in their power imbalance either and I'll dive into that more when I talk about the mates and their bond. His self-loath is what influences a lot of his actions when it comes to her. Not justifiable in any way, but this is why this book is considered a dark fantasy romance. Nothing is coming easy for them. I loved how we saw the story progress into one of gods, monsters, and unlikely heroes in a sea of grey. Everyone has buried secrets, calculated masks, and hidden demons. And anyone can be an ally or a threat. The stakes are incredibly higher in this book, with the pacing keeping you constantly on the edge of your seat, never knowing what could come next.👀 The mental health rep in this book is unmatched. I truly understand every decision (bad or otherwise) she has made, because the author has written such a 3 dimensional character.

This woman is ruthless. She won't hesitate to leave readers devastated and tear off the veil that the readers and Orlaith were encompassed in to reveal how dark and merciless Orlaith's world is. The toxic relationship explains why Orlaith acts that way. Why she’s soooooo enamoured by this unavailable d***head. A man who won’t even teach her about the world. Yes. He’s hot. But he’s so fkg frustrating. I wanted to hit him so many times. I wanted to slap her too because girl kept whining on how she needed to be done with this toxic relationship but drop everything once he gives some attention/affection. I hope she’ll realize that she deserves better than this. Lastly, i want Orlaith to be happy and spread her wings. Be her own person (that will happen once she’s away from the a**hole). Stand her ground. Make her own decision without being hiden in a tower. Come to terms with who she is and what she wants to do with her life. & choose someone that will make her happy. Also, normally I don’t like when this much world building is still missing from a book, but I’m 100% okay with Sarah doing this. #1 it just makes sense. Our FMC hardly knows anything about the outside world so it makes sense that the reader doesn’t get to know anything yet either.

Open Library

They time has come my friends. I starting my re-read of this book. Now I know what is coming, I will try and pinpoint my overall thoughts and feelings about this. Will I have a good time? I don't think so. However, I am committed to finding out what in the darnation is going on in this book and in the sequel (releasing 8th August). It was a complete thrill, and the best part was we got to see Laith grow even more bolder and daring—and I loved every minute of it.👏🏻 But with her new sense of strength, we see a deep vulnerability, and from the first book, that has been my favorite aspect of this series.🥹🥹 The emotionally-charged character development from every one of the main characters is so unequivocally woven into the story, and it touches your heart so personally.