Member Reviews

I POVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I GAVE IT 4 STARS BECAUSE IT HAS EVERYTHING A READER LOVES AND WANTS IN A AMAZING BOOK.

Was this review helpful?

I want to start off the review with some positive things that I really liked. I think this book had so much potential and some really creative ideas. I liked the idea behind the setting and world building with the different covens for each god/goddess. I loved that the God of Death hasn't been able to touch anyone because of his powers. The scene where he reacts to Calista being able to touch him was probably my favorite part of the book. I also liked that Calista's sister Arabella seems to be almost her opposite and without saying anything to spoil the plot, I really liked Arabella's involvement in the story.

Unfortunately though, I just couldn't really get into the book. I felt it read a bit like a first draft and in my opinion it would really benefit from a few more rounds of editing.

The writing felt a bit clunky to me. It didn't flow well from paragraph to paragraph and there also seemed to be quite a few typos, and grammatical issues. It was more telling rather than showing so I never felt immersed into the story. There were also a few plot holes and inconsistencies. I won't list them all out but my favorite was when the God of Death can't kill our main character with his magic and *shrugs* just gives up, even though she is mortal and he could find literally any other way to kill her.

The other big issue for me is that I felt this enemies to lovers story was actually quite insta-love-y to me and there is another romance trope (that is insta-love adjacent) present in this book that I can't really go into because it would be a huge spoiler. I'm not a fan of that trope, so this book, even if the other things I mentioned were fixed, would probably never rate higher than 3 stars for me. I think people who love this type of trope will really end up enjoying the direction the book goes in.

Was this review helpful?

Night of Death and Flowers s el primer libro de la duologia.

Me gustó que no es la típica historia en donde los protagonistas intentan salvar al mundo, no, eso no pasa aquí.

“Death shall betray his heart and seek to prevent his fate. For one hundred and fifty years, Death shall hide, and all monsters will stand still. Until the lost ones are reborn and on the fifteenth harvest, a daughter of creation, doomed with death, shall free those trapped and destroy Death’s domain.”


Calista es una bruja que está en contra de la cosecha y cuando es muy posible que escojan a su mejor amigo, los dos deciden hacer algo para evitarlo, pero todo sale mal.
Sólo ve por el bien de los suyos, el dicho que podría representar a Calista a lo largo del libro es: De que lloren en mi casa a que lloren en la tuya, mejor que lloren en la tuya.

Azkiel es dios de la muerte que no recuerda porque lo que paso los últimos 150 años, regresa al mundo humano justo cuando Calista intenta impedir la cosecha, entonces se enoja y cuando se entera que es poderosa, decide que ella debe morir.


Cada década se celebra La Cosecha en donde son elegidos 12 personas de las cuales 11 morirán (cada uno de ellos extraera los poderes de cada bruja o brujo asesinado hasta que solo queda uno) y el que queda se convertirá en el próximo anciano al cual sus poderes les darán la fuerza para colocar protecciones a lo largo de las fronteras, para ayudar al crecimiento de las cosechas en ausencia de los dioses. Cuanta más gente muera en la isla, mejor protegida estará.



Sabía que la razon por la que no tenía recuerdos y del porqué encerró a sus hermanos y olvidó todo fue para que alguien pudiera r ( no dire más, pero lo adivinaran con facilidad).

Definitivamente leeré la conclusión.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book had so much potential, but I feel like the writing just really took away from it. I think it could definitely use another round of edits, and then it would be AMAZING. The plot was very good, the world-building so much fun, but the writing just felt unfinished. The pacing is definitely off, some parts really slow and wordy and others very rushed. This was an ARC, so the published version might have had more edits, so I will check that and update my review, if so!

The story itself was very good, if you look past the writing. There was only one spicy scene, and it felt very odd and a little choppy with how it was written (where did the tree come from?) There were also a couple minor continuity errors that I feel could be easily fixed, so fingers crossed those are polished in the final copy!

Even with all my griping, I did really enjoy this story. I was pretty captivated throughout, and I am curious to see where the series goes (I believe this is just a duet, though). I feel like the next book could really flesh out the world a lot more and give us more romance (and spice!)

Was this review helpful?

3.75⭐️

ARC review!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Night of Death and Flowers and went into the story so excited. Villain gets the girl? God of Death? Enemies to lovers? Witches and magic? Sign me UP!

This is the first book I’ve read by Rebecca L Garcia, and I was really impressed with her prose. I thought it was unique and felt very complimentary to the story.

I was immediately hooked at the beginning of the story. I read the first 50% in one sitting and couldn’t stop thinking about what was happening. Unfortunately, I did feel that after about the 50% point it didn’t hold the same weight. I started to question what I was liking so much because the characters seemed to have changed pretty rapidly and some of the major plot points started to seem pointless and forgotten about to move the story along. I would have liked to see some things slightly more fleshed out. I did also find the ending to be mostly predictable but there were a few things that surprised me which I loved!

Will I be reading the next one?? YES.
Would I recommend this to my friends? YES.

Was this review helpful?

Title: Night of Death and Flowers by Rebecca L. Garcia

Night of Death and Flowers Duet Book 1

Release Date: June, 26th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Some fates are carved in stone. Others are created with blood.

In the world of Dahryst, a sanctuary for witches, Calista finds her home to be anything but safe. Possessing a power reserved for the God of Death, she must keep her ability hidden or face dire consequences.

When Calista decides to stop the deadly Harvest tournament on Tenenocti Island, she risks exposure and endangers her best friend’s life. The stakes are raised even higher with the return of Azkiel, the God of Death, whose been absent for over a century. A prophecy emerges, predicting his downfall at Calista's hands, forcing an unlikely alliance between them.

As secrets unravel and dark forces converge, Calista must navigate the dangerous path ahead. Will she overcome the darkness within her, solve ancient mysteries, and thwart a vengeful god? Or will her quest lead to ultimate sacrifice and the loss of everything she holds dear?


This is a captivating dark fantasy romance that weaves together themes of dark magic, fate, and survival in a beautifully immersive world and I absolutely devoured it!

What I Enjoyed:

* Intricate World-Building:
* The world of Dahryst is richly detailed, creating a vivid backdrop for the story. The contrast between the haven for witches and the perilous environment for Calista adds depth and tension to the narrative.

* Compelling Protagonist:
* Calista is a fascinating character with a unique power reserved for the God of Death. Her struggle to conceal her ability and the risks she takes to stop the Harvest make her a relatable and courageous heroine.

* Engaging Plot:
* The plot is gripping from start to finish. The ancient prophecy, the return of Azkiel, the God of Death, and the intertwining of their fates keep the reader hooked. The story is filled with twists and turns that make it hard to put down.

* Dark Magic and Prophecies:
* The use of dark magic and ancient prophecies adds an element of mystery and intrigue. The unfolding secrets and the prophecy foretelling Azkiel’s downfall at the hands of Calista keep the suspense high.

* Complex Relationships:
* Although the love story leaned towards "insta-love," the complex dynamics between Calista and Azkiel were fascinating. Their forced alliance and the tension between them create a compelling romance, even if it wasn’t the enemies-to-lovers trope I usually prefer.

* Unique Character Traits:
* The characters are well-developed with unique traits. Calista’s inner struggle with the darkness in her veins and her resilience make her a standout character. Azkiel, with his godly presence and hidden vulnerabilities, complements her perfectly.


Night of Death and Flowers is a dark, enchanting tale that combines magic, fate, and romance in a way that keeps you glued to the pages. While the romance may have been a bit "insta-love" for my taste, the overall story, world-building, and character development were thoroughly enjoyable. I’m super excited for book two and can’t wait to see where Calista’s journey leads next!

If you’re a fan of dark fantasy romances with a rich, immersive world and a touch of prophecy and magic, this book is definitely for you!

Thank you to The Publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op ,The Author Rebecca L. Garcia & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

But the FMC is bratty and impetuous. She feels really young.
The god of death is not intimidating in the least and is always trying swing his dick around.
Sooo much telling and not showing. The writing style wasn’t for me either.

Was this review helpful?

Night of Death and Flowers by Rebecca L Garcia
(Night of Death and Flowers Duet Book)
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 26 June 2024

For most, Dahryst is a sanctuary for witches, protected by the gods from human hunters. But for Calista, her home is fraught with danger.

Possessing a power meant only for the God of Death, she must hide her ability or face execution.

When Calista decides to halt the Harvest—a deadly tournament held on the sacred ground of Tenenocti Island—she risks exposing her secret and becoming a target of the elders, while also endangering her best friend’s life.

The return of Azkiel, the God of Death, after a century-long absence, unveils an ancient prophecy predicting his downfall at Calista’s hands. As secrets unravel, Azkiel is compelled to ally with Calista, binding their destinies together.

Can she resist the darkness within, uncover ancient mysteries, and thwart a vengeful god to protect herself and her loved ones? Or will the quest lead her to sacrifice everything she cherishes?

Tropes:
Slow Burn
Enemies to Lovwers
Deadly Tournament
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Multi POV
Morally gray FMC

This dual POV dark fantasy delves into the realms of witches, gods, and a perilous tournament, brimming with action, betrayal, an enemies-to-lovers romance, and magic.

The author has meticulously crafted a rich and immersive world, taking the time to unveil its depths. Their descriptive writing style ensures the plot flows seamlessly, neither too sluggish nor too hurried, allowing readers to truly engage with the narrative.

Calista and Azkiel, the two main characters, captivated me, and I’m eagerly anticipating the next instalment of this duet, especially after the tantalising cliffhanger ending.

Romance does play a supporting role in the narrative, skilfully executed with a gradual build-up that culminates in a memorable, climactic scene as the story reaches its conclusion. Although the book contains a touch of spice, it's introduced later in the story, enhancing its intrigue and depth.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author, Rebecca L. Garcia, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Was this review helpful?

This one is for the eldest daughters who never felt good enough.

The Harvest is upcoming--a trial where those of age are placed on an island where they kill each other and absorb the power of those they kill until there is one left standing who becomes a new Elder. It's barbaric, and Calista is determined to end it. The problem? The God of Death is waking up now too, and he's convinced she's going to bring ruin to everyone and everything if she's allowed to live. The next problem? He kinda sorta maybe has a thing for her.

Calista puts herself in harms way to save the village, and more importantly, her sisters and best friend Drake from the harvest. When that doesn't go according to plan, she inserts herself into the Harvest to protect them at all costs. She doesn't care that her parents can't stand her, or that she wants love more than anything. She's going to take care of her family, no matter the cost to herself. If that doesn't scream eldest daughter energy--I don't know what does. I loved her characterization and arc, and how she grows from the start to the end of this first book. I related to her SO much, and it was great seeing her come into her own and accept herself. I loved the Harvest, and I loved how not only did we have a magic system, but plants/flowers were just as important to survival.

The love story was a bit "insta love" for me, and not as enemies to lovers as I would have liked--but I also love true mortal enemies to lovers more than the average person. Azkiel's POV was a lot more "tell" than "show," and I feel as though a few of his chapters could have been removed without losing the story, or reworked so it felt like something was HAPPENING rather than him just remembering something 5 times over. But overall I really loved this story and am super looking forward to book two!

Was this review helpful?

Night of Death and Flowers by Rebecca Garcia is an epic fantasy romance. This is the first book of a duology and does end on a cliffhanger. I loved the characters of this book. However, it was very slow in the beginning and did not pick up for me until about half way in. Once it picked up it was very enjoyable! The plot twists were fun and kept the story interesting. I had to keep reading to find out what was going on. Calista is bad ass and I absolutely loved her as a FMC. What an ending! I will have to keep an eye out for the next book to find out what happens next.

Was this review helpful?

Man, what a gem. I can't believe how quickly I devoured this book because it was so good.
If you're looking for something different than everything else that's buzzing, but at the same time you're a lover of good Divergent or Hunger Games style stories, this book is for you.

I love female characters with character like Calista is, I love stories about witches and covens, and this story is definitely supremely well told.
I want a dark death god like Azkiel, who talks obscenely to me like he does.
I can't wait to read the denouement of this.

Was this review helpful?