To Bleed a Crystal Bloom

I didn't realize this was a Rapunzel retelling until I looked the series up. While I enjoyed the story in the beginning, I did feel as though it became repetitive toward the end. Also, the MFC was sometimes difficult to endure with just how dramatic she could be at times. I plan to continue this series.

Oh BABY. The tension in this book is unmatched. This is a take on Rapunzel and has lots of little twists that are keeping me on my toes. It’s 2 am and I’m going to start the next book right now

Rodney 🫶 be a lil less confusing next time pls

I genuinely don’t know whether I loved this book or hated it. The first half was a slog. Sarah A. Parker has a beautifully descriptive writing style that creates vivid imagery, but it can also make the story feel painfully slow at times. I felt the same way reading When the Moon Hatched; the writing is gorgeous, but getting to the point can take a while. That said, now that I’ve finished the book, I’m not convinced I would actually cut much of it. The atmosphere, character development, and worldbuilding all benefit from the extra time spent on them. My biggest issue isn’t the pacing. It’s the lack of answers. By the end of the book, I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of the world, its lore, its politics, and the relationships between the characters. Territories, alliances, conclaves, history, prophecies, and mysteries are constantly hinted at, but very little is fully explained. The world feels huge, but Book One often feels more focused on setting up questions than answering them. I found myself constantly wondering: Why does this matter? How do these people connect? What is actually going on? And yet, despite all of that frustration, I immediately wanted to start Book Two. The romance was easily the most challenging aspect of the book for me. I struggled to root for Orlaith and Rhordyn as a couple. Orlaith’s obsession with Rhordyn was difficult to understand, particularly given their history, and Rhordyn himself remained so guarded that I never felt I truly knew him as a character. His actions and words often seemed contradictory, leaving me frustrated rather than invested in their relationship. I kept waiting for a revelation that would explain why these two are so intensely drawn to one another. There are hints that something larger may be at play, but Book One doesn’t provide enough answers for me to fully buy into their romance. As it stands, I found myself far more interested in understanding the relationship than actually supporting it. In contrast, Kai quickly became my favourite character. His care for Orlaith felt genuine, and the hints surrounding his own story were some of the most intriguing parts of the book. One of my favourite moments in the entire novel was his conversation with Orlaith after he kissed her. It felt like more than a romantic moment; it felt like a warning, a reminder not to give her heart to someone who might break it. Whether that’s what Parker intended or not, it was one of the few moments of complete emotional clarity in a story full of secrets. Ultimately, To Bleed a Crystal Bloom left me confused, frustrated, intrigued, annoyed, and completely desperate for answers. I don’t fully understand the world yet. I’m not sold on the central romance. I still don’t know what Rhordyn’s deal is. But somehow, despite all of that, I can’t stop thinking about it. If I had my way, I’d be starting Book Two immediately. Rating: 8/10 Not because I loved every moment, but because any book that can leave me this frustrated while simultaneously making me desperate for the sequel has clearly done something right.

Loved this ❤️