I was enchanted by the romance in this book and some of the poetry brought me to tears. I think the comparison to Allison Saft in the blurb is very accurate as she is one of my favorite authors and has a very poetic style that I think Catherine Bakewell is also able to bring through in her writing. I was interested in the plot, but something about it didn't quite pull me in as much as a pretty words, that being said, it was still a very enjoyable story and I can't wait to recommend it at the library when it comes out.

What a fun book! I feel like it has a similar vibe to Flowerheart, it's very cozy but doesn't have some crazy, new plot. It kinda felt like reading a sapphic Disney movie, just geared more towards a teenage audience, and I was so here for it. The characters felt so real, and had such good growth. That was one of my favorite parts of Flowerheart as well, and it's clear Catherine can deliver when it comes to lifelike characters. The storyline was not anything new, but the beautiful writing and characters made me want to read more! It was just such a good book, and, it felt like a warm hug on a winter night.

If you're looking for a cute sapphic romance, extremely lovable and flawed characters, and a fairytale vibe that works well, then look no further than Where Shadows Bloom.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I was immediately drawn to this book by its beautiful cover, and I also read Catherine’s previous book, Flowerheart. Both are YA fantasy books with unique magical elements and a light touch of romance.
In Where Shadows Bloom, we meet Ofelia and Lope, who live in the country at Ofelia’s family estate. After a life-threatening attack by Shadows, creatures plaguing the kingdom that roam after nightfall, Ofelia convinces her mother to petition for a place in the king’s court at Le Château Enchanté. But when her mother never returns, Ofelia and Lope must make the trip on their own and are quickly brought into the court’s circles.

My favorite character in this book is Lope, the strong and serious knight who writes sweet poetry about her love for Ofelia. Lope had a great POV throughout the book and
The writing in this story was incredibly detailed, and the setting was enchanting. I love it when fantasy stories have some mythology woven in, and I enjoyed the background of the gods and the Underworld in this book! It manages to include dangerous obstacles such as the Shadows but still keeps the plot pretty low-stakes for an overall light read.

The main criticism I have is that Ofelia is incredibly naïve the entire time. While she had a sheltered childhood, I found her chapters tough to read at times since she was willing to believe anything she was told without question. I hoped she would wise up sooner in the story and help Lope investigate the issues that they were facing. She and Lope are supposed to be in love, even though they have not confessed their feelings for each other, but Ofelia’s affection seems more like a childhood crush.

If you are looking for a sweet, magical YA read, this is a great option! I also highly recommend checking out Catherine’s other books.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book felt like a Disney movie! There was something pure and lovely about it. I think it's a great introduction to YA fantasy in the fairytale romantasy sense. I would give it to teens who love disney and fairy tales, but just aren't quite mature enough for the often older skewing young adult YA romances. The romance and characters were emotionally driven in a way that is truly beneficial for teens to go through and see they aren't alone in. The characters flaws were understandable and endearing.

This is perfect cozy romantasy in a cottagecore way.

Where Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell

“I have seen the ice-peaked mountains,
The floating city,
The forest filled with flowers,
And yet as far as I’ve been,
As far as I’ve seen,
Nothing, nothing,
Is as beautiful as you.”

Woooowww.
Okay, I want to start by saying that I have never associated art styles with books before. But Where Shadows Bloom just made me think of watercolors. The characters and romance are just so lush and soft. The whole thing was just really comforting, fluid, and languid.
This whole book felt kind of like a daydream.
And I loved it.

Plot Summary:
Ofelia, a smart yet naive young woman finds herself living out the fantasy she has always dreamed of: Living in the halls of Le Chateau Enchante, safe from the shadow monsters who steal your very breath, and with her beloved by her side. However, Lope sees the danger of the Chateau, even as Ofelia finds her place amongst the nobles and the king. When Ofelia’s mother goes missing, the girls face a danger more profound than they could ever dream of.
Will their love light the darkness? Or will the shadows take everything from them?

Plot Review:
First of all, the plot of this book is not really anything special. I’ve read of shadow monsters before and evil kings. I really didn’t think this book could surprise me much.
And I was right.
Don’t be mistaken, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. But it was nothing I haven’t seen or read about before. In fact, the world we are introduced to felt somewhat small. We are confined to Ofelia’s house, Le Chateau, and the Underworld with nothing else about this kingdom much explained.
The people included in the story use French and Spanish, which was very unique, but also confusing. What kingdom are we supposed to be living in? Does it have a name? Is it Spain and France sort of mixed?
I have no idea.
However.
This book captured me with the tender romance between Ofelia and Lope. I love representation like this: Just something sweet and pure between two darling girls, without side characters ridiculing or despising their love. It was the main highlight of the plot and the reason I enjoyed this book at all. Without it, the plot would have felt kind of empty. There is conflict and danger presented by the shadow monsters and evil kings, but where is the freshness? The originality?
I never felt like things were high-stakes, but you know what? This book was just what I needed. Like a warm, loving, comfortable hug.
And also a huge slap in the face by the author with the words “You’re Single” spewing forth from the pages
But anyway.
This book, despite all its squishy sweetness that I adored, lacked a super solid plot. Would I read it again, though?
Absolutely.

Characters:
First of all, let’s talk about Ofelia.
Such a naive, spoiled, selfish, sunshine-in-a-bottle, sweetheart, honey-covered character who I wish I could be and wish I could find to love in this world. She was an absolute darling, but someone who struggled with her spoiled upbringing. She often made mistakes and said the wrong thing, assuming that those around her would tell her what she wanted to hear.
I got annoyed with her at some points, but at the end of the day I LOVED this character. She realized her mistakes and worked to improve her attitude, coming to see that she was not meant to turn her face from pain and death.
She was a solid and absolutely darling character that I would love to read more about.
Lope was certainly the same.
Brave. Lovesick. Dutiful. Guarded. Poetic.
Her pages were my favorite, mainly because they included very lyrical and poetic words and phrases. And Lope is just such a steadfast character. She cares so much and yet feels the need to guard her heart. A true and noble knight.
You know what? I think this book has turned me into some sort of gushy romantic, because I’m dreaming of writing sonnets to my beloved right now.
And I really love that.
Moving on to one of the highlights of this book…
The Shadow King.
I love characters like this. Misunderstood and rumored to be viscous and evil, but all they want is to learn how to live and love. I can’t begin to describe how much I came to love the Shadow King and his childlike wonder. The descriptions of him were both creepy and endearing, which somehow worked perfectly for me.
I was glad he wasn’t painted as a villain, as so many “Underworld Gods” are.
Speaking of villains.
King Leo.
I don’t know how I feel about this character. He was evil, to be sure, but he felt sort of cartoonish. Like a villain from a Disney movie.
….
Actually, that sounds pretty enjoyable. This book SHOULD be a Disney movie.
Forget what I was saying, King Leo was a great villain who should definitely be adapted, alongside Ofelia and Lope, into a Disney movie.
*Burning oranges to the gods begging them to make this into a movie*

Overall Thoughts:
This book made me feel like I was trapped in a daydream, a sweetly queer Disney movie, and a watercolor painting. I adored it.



A big thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the opportunity to review this ARC!

I applied for a NetGalley e-ARC because I love FlowerHeart by the same author and was incredibly excited by my approval!
This was a beautifully written book. I highlighted so many lines, especially from Lope’s poetry. The story was magical, mysterious, sweet, and engaging. This world has a lot of potential. I’d love a prequel about Ofelia’s mother! Or to learn more about the gods.
I didn’t rate 5 stars because I reserve that for my very favorite books that elicit powerful emotions from me.
However, I still enjoyed it immensely and plan to preorder a physical copy!
I would recommend this book to lovers of dreamy/YA/sapphic romantasy.

This book was so lovely! The characters were lovely. The setting were lovely. There were some mysteries and twists and turns that are uncovered that have you guessing what comes next and that was super fun. And the cover is gorgeous!

Whimsical and compelling, Catherine Bakewell’s WHERE SHADOWS BLOOM is an enjoyable follow-up to Bakewell’s nearly perfect FLOWERHEART.

I love this book. It was so cute and everything I could want in this romance. The characters were adorable and had me rooting for them and the writing was wonderful. I highly recommend this and I was so happy to have read it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with this eARC!! And thank you to Cat Bakewell for writing this beautiful novel. I fell in love with these characters from the first page and was enthralled until the very end!

I always write spoiler-free reviews, but this book in particular is deserving of such!! The mysteries and secrets held within this story's pages are such a thrill to explore and dive into. There was just enough foreshadowing to give me plenty of space to try to guess where things were headed, but the twists and reveals still had me shocked and clinging to every page. And Cat's writing is so full of emotion and gorgeously descriptive that it's impossible to not feel completely absorbed by each moment.

The characters themselves are stunningly written. The dynamic between Ofelia and Lope is so special. They contrast starkly in their approaches to life, yet compliment each other beautifully at the same time. I love how their growth both as individuals and with each other is shown. Their struggles and triumphs are each handled so tenderly. I feel like writing such achingly real emotions in characters - be it happiness, heartache, or anything in-between - is such a highlight of Cat's books. (Along with the absolutely flawless depictions of gardens, landscapes, and basically everything you could want in your wildest cottagecore dreams!)

I've been so excited for this book and it not only lived up to my expectations, but exceeded them! After loving both Flowerheart and Where Shadows Bloom so very much, I think it's safe to say that Cat has become a must-read author for me. If you love sapphic knights, swoon-worthy descriptions of palace gardens, and dark secrets surrounding shadowy beasts, then this is the book you're looking for!

Really great plot and prose. I enjoyed the Orpheus and Eurydice elements as well as the unsettling feeling the court gives!
I would like to see more characterization. It is challenging to write within the mind of someone so cheery and naive.
If I had read this in highschool, I think I would have really enjoyed it!

This book is beauty personified. Catherine Bakewell was made to write whimsical fantasy. Not only that, but the emotional depth of two flawed people loving each other so deeply, of thinking they don't deserve each other, of letting go of the weights that hold them down, it is all so breathtakingly stunning. If you are craving a sapphic knight book, I cannot recommend this one enough. It's incredible.

I loved this! The expectations set up in the first few chapters were subverted in surprising and interesting ways. I appreciated the touch of Orpheus and Eurydice, and the extra little twists at the end.