'The Stormborn Vine' is fine. It's not bad by any means but also not particularly good and gives off huge 'not like other girls' vibes, which is just annoying in 2025. It also feels very much like YA though I haven't seen it advertised as such, though that may be a mistake on my part. The dragons were the best part of this book. Not sure I'll be continuing the series..

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tilly Wallace’s The Stormborne Vine is a delightful blend of cozy fantasy, botanical magic, and regency-era intrigue. Set in an alternate England where magic lingers but is slowly fading, the story follows Fern Oakby, an independent and intelligent young woman who has turned her back on high society in favor of botany. Living with her uncles in the countryside, Fern uses her expertise to help others—until one particular garden mystery entangles her in an adventure filled with magical chaos, unruly plants, and dragons, both real and paper-made.

When a violent storm awakens a monstrous, carnivorous Boston ivy and brings an origami dragon to life, Fern finds herself caught between science and magic. Tasked with unraveling the mysteries of the vine while protecting the dragon bound to it, she must navigate the social expectations of the regency world, the demands of those in power, and her own unrelenting curiosity. Along the way, she forms an unexpected friendship with Millie, the lonely sister of the overbearing Lord Warrington, adding a strong element of found family to the story.

Wallace excels at weaving together historical and fantastical elements, creating a world that feels rich and immersive. The magic system—rooted in alchemy and fading traditional enchantments—is both unique and intriguing, complementing the novel’s themes of change and adaptation. Fern’s character is a breath of fresh air; she is strong-willed, intelligent, and practical without falling into the trap of dismissing traditionally feminine traits. Her friendships with other women, especially Millie, add depth and warmth to the story.

While The Stormborne Vine introduces a compelling world and engaging characters, it does try to juggle multiple plotlines at once, making certain aspects feel a bit rushed or underdeveloped. However, this only builds anticipation for future installments, as there is clear potential for more exploration of the magical and political dynamics at play.

For fans of cozy fantasy, regency settings with a magical twist, and strong heroines who defy expectations, The Stormborne Vine is an enchanting read. With its blend of mystery, adventure, and charm, this book is perfect for curling up with on a quiet evening—preferably with a cup of tea in hand. I eagerly await the next installment in Fern’s journey!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this opportunity!

This story presents a delightful and original tale that stands out among the many fae and dragon narratives.

Fern's character is well-developed as she navigates the complexities of nobility while engaging with commoners' lives. Our main female character plays a central role as she encounters various events and mysterious challenges at a neighboring country estate. The reader is drawn into her journey as she strives to balance tradition with modern influences.

The author skillfully hints at potential future stories, which intrigues me to see where the narrative will go. I plan to follow the author to keep up with this adventure. I highly recommend this book to readers looking for something fresh and different in their reading selection.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

The Stormborne Vine was overall an enjoyable read.
I wasn't sure where the story was going to go, but I was pleasantly surprised at the end. You will find mystery, dragons, human-eating plants, and an interesting magic system at the heart of this book. I enjoyed reading about the family and their different views on the world. The ending made me want to read more. I can definitely recommend this story to anyone who likes mystery in a fantasy setting and strong female characters.

Thanks to Tilly Wallace and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you first off to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an arc of this book-


(All opinions and thoughts are my own!)

- now,

“the stormborn vine” was such a neat story. Fun, silly, lots of background and info and scenery- the side characters filled the story with beautiful plot building, the plants sound so neat, dragons! Death! Crime! I’m excited for the next!

Finally a romance-lite cozy fantasy with a kick butt protagonist! Giving this a 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I love the cozy fantasy genre like many others, but I really appreciate how this story really focuses in on the main character, Fern, and her relationships to those around her both human, fantastic, and geographical. The location ends up being a character in itself whether you are in one of the many gardens Fern visits or the alchemical laboratory she finds herself breaking into.

What I think Tilly Wallace does best in this book is her representation of a non-traditional female character in a regency-era setting. Fern wants to wear pants because they are practical and recognizes that she wouldn't be happy sitting at home having children and doing embroidery. She develops strong friendships with "other women" from her world in the three witches but she also befriends Millie and doesn't put her down for enjoying more traditional female pursuits.

The story does struggle with trying to do too much at once. You can tell that the author is trying to set up a lot of different plot threads in this story, which does make the overall book feel a bit frenetic and not cohesive, but to be honest it does make me eager for the next novel!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded down to 3

Release date: Feb 5th, 2025


The Stormborne Vine is for people who loved Belladonna and Audrey ll from little shop of horrors.

I will say there is a little too much going on within the book for me! I think there are too many mysteries and story line set ups to be solved in one book, I do understand this is going to be a series but I feel some of the story lines could have come in later in the series so that the first book had more time to develop the characters and give more backstory.

I think the magic systems are really interesting and I’m looking forward to the next book to find out the resolution to the plot lines that have been set up. I think there could have been a bit more development with the romantic interest.

I agree with another review that said we get told too often that Fern, the main character is awkward and different, I think it became repetitive. I do hope there’s more focus given to the plot lines and giving the readers some closure in the next instalment of the series!

I am sad to say this book was a bit of a disappointment for me.

When I read the premise I thought: cool! A botanical fantasy with a strong female lead, love it! Sadly the writing let it down, in my opinion. It reads like a debut, even though the author has written many other books. The characters lack depth, no men in this were likeable, our main protagonist Fern doesn’t really have any character development throughout this book, the descriptions are simplistic and the writing overall is repetitive.

I think it’s also good to mention that this book reads very YA to me, which might not be clear from the marketing or the way it has been shelved. I hadn’t seen it been classified specifically as YA but I do think it fits best in that age category.

Also spoilers for this next bit: when i read the description and it mentioned “what defines the value of a life?” As a central theme I, mistakenly, assumed that our botanist would come to a realisation that maybe instead of killing this one of a kind magic plant, there is a way to stop it from harming people but still let it live. Not only does this not happen, but it is never truly considered or investigated as an option, which is wild to me. The book concludes (big spoilers) with them burning the vine which was Fern’s idea, who is supposed to be this huge plant lover. It just feels inconsistent to me for both her character and the theme of the story. Also another small moment that made me do a double take is towards the very end when Fern hits a lady in the head very hard with a brass vase and the ties her up. It is described in a way that is supposed to make the reader think she just knocked her out and it was simply a necessary step in her plan. But hitting someone in the back of the head with such a heavy object can do so much harm that it made me feel weird about our main character, how she can do something so ruthless and see no moral fault in it.

Some positives to end on: the dragons were cute and i liked the idea of this story being somewhat brought to life and lying central to the plot, but I don’t think it was fully fleshed out.

Overall I’m sad to say this one didn’t work for me.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Yes to cozy fantasy everytime. Stong female main character say no more. I'm so intrigued by this world and cannot wait for more from the world. Carnivorous plants are such a wonderful element to use 😂. I'm so glad this is a series because I cannot get enough

In a corner of rural England, Fern Oakby supports her family through her knowledge of botany. An unusual case erupts during a storm when a Boston ivy turns monstrous and…carnivorous.
However, the solution is not as simple as hacking down the exceedingly rare and hungry plant. The storm also gave life to an origami dragon and bound it to the vine.
Now Fern must find a solution to allow them to destroy the vine without harming the magical creature whose life it is intertwined with.

I really loved the main character, Fern, and how her expertise in botany has made her an expert that other members of the upper classes reluctantly consult.
The world is similar to our own history, except that magic is real but slowly fading, and the magic system was fun because it combines this fading ‘traditional’ magic with alchemy. Plus there are dragons, both ‘real’ and animated paper.
I can see a lot of potential for a wonderful and expanded found family and, while this book does not contain any romance, for those who really love that in a book, I suspect there will be a grumpy x grumpy romance as the series continues! 👀😂

I can’t wait for the next book to come out, and the author has several others series which I intend to check out in the meantime!

The Stormborne Vine is a cozy fantasy filled with ancient magic, dragons and a search for answers. Fern Oakby makes a living through her knowledge of botany and discovers that overnight a Boston Ivy has become carnivorous. She must discover the secrets behind this new and dangerous plant and how it connects with a tiny dragon. I did find the storyline a little predictable but it was still enjoyable to read.
Rating 3.75 rounded up for Goodreads.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

This is such a charming, quirky read that combines magical creatures, determined heroines, and regency-era drama. While it started out a bit slow, Fern (a formerly noble lady who left high society to be a botanist) and all her antics soon sucked me in. I loved Fern's relationships with her uncles and all members of her community and the way they honor nature and all living creatures.

The author does a fantastic job of blending fantastical elements with interesting plot points and high stakes in a way that still feels cozy.

Will definitely be reading the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ribbonwood Press for the eARC!

I picked up The Stormborne Vine expecting a cozy, Regency-era fantasy with a fun botanical twist—and in some ways, it delivered! The premise is unique: a magical storm brings an origami dragon to life while also creating a monstrous, carnivorous vine. Fern, our practical and determined protagonist, has to unravel the mystery behind the plant, the dragon, and their strange connection, all while navigating a world that doesn’t always value women’s intellect.

There’s a lot to like here:
- A cool blend of botany, magic, and historical fantasy
- A cute (and surprisingly emotional) paper dragon
- Mysterious witches and alchemists
- Found family & female friendships

That said, the pacing felt slow at times. There’s a fair bit of repetition, with Fern explaining things multiple times to different people, and a lot of mundane descriptions that don’t always move the plot forward. The themes—like women’s roles in society and the clash between science and magic—are interesting but somewhat heavy-handed. I also felt like there were too many plot threads competing for attention, making the story feel a bit muddled.

Still, if you’re looking for a cozy, low-stakes fantasy with a historical twist and don’t mind a more meandering pace, The Stormborne Vine is a pleasant read—especially if you have a cup of tea in hand!

The Stormborne Vine is a cosy, nature-centric fantasy set in an alternative regency England. The main character, Fern, lives with her uncles in the rural village of Drake’s Bend after a failed debut, spending her time studying botany and helping fellow residents with gardening problems. It is during one such job, while investigating a rusty pipe that’s poisoning the soil, that she meets an overbearing Lord Warrington and his isolated, lonely sister, Millie. A storm hits, trapping Fern at the manor and leaving magical chaos in its wake.

While the storm rages, a giant, unruly, head-gardener-eating plant grows, an origami dragon created by Millie comes to life, and a hatchling dragon is trapped underneath the rusty pipe. Dragons are said to have disappeared years ago, and no such plant has ever been recorded before. However, before she can study them and earn her place at the botanical society, Fern must nurse Eurydice back to health and try to sever the connection between Squib and the Boston Ivy - or else Millie is at risk of losing the first companion she’s had since her husband’s passing.

I was drawn to this book because of the unique concept, and I wasn’t disappointed! It was so charming, and there was plenty of high-stakes action without sacrificing the cosy atmosphere. I loved the found family aspect, especially the budding friendship between Fern and Millie - they really saw and understood each other despite being very different people. Additionally, I liked how Fern was different to other women of that time without being misogynistic about it. She wore trousers and spent her time on “unladylike” pursuits, but she still desired female friendship and never put Millie down for wearing dresses and doing embroidery!

With a colourful cast of characters, magical intrigue, and cute baby dragons, this cosy historical fantasy was perfect to curl up with on a chilly night (cup of tea optional, but encouraged)! I’m intrigued to see how Fern, Millie, Squib, Eurydice and the others fare in the sequel.

What a fun little cozy fantasy start to a new series where dragons and flora seem to be connected and though magic is waning, Fern definitely finds a bunch in this novel! It is both funny and touching with the lengths that Fern goes to try to save two dragons in dire straits, while also uncovering the mystery of why a certain Boston Ivy has turned into a man eating plant during the odd storm. You have quite the cast of colorful characters, from Fern herself (love that she prefers trousers to dresses!) to her charming uncles Ambrose and George, then onto the three witches in the village and the curmudgeonly yet oddly handsome alchemist that Fern goes to for help in separating the paper dragon from the carnivorous ivy. So much excitement (saving a certain damsel in distress!) yet still nicely cozy. I will admit I laughed so hard at some of the actions of the death ivy, especially at the end. Who knew ivy could do that? But it was wonderful!

So, a wildly fun and entertaining book that I really enjoyed reading and I do look forward to seeing what Fern can uncover with her plants and if she can bring more magic back, or at least the dragons!

The perfect blend of regency England and fantasy. When a magical storm blows through, a lonely womans paper companion is brought to life, as well as that of a sentient carnivours plant. Fern our protagonist takes on the task of attempting to break the tie between the two, to save the life of the little companion. Her journey to discovery leads her on a chase for information to three witches, a reclusive alchemist and the lonely woman herself. Hopefully when all is said and done, Fern can save more than the life of the paper dragon.

It was interestingly written, if a little slow at times. But i enjoyed the blend of fantasy and historical fiction.

Fern Oakby is an unusual woman, a trousers-wearing botanist shunned by society in a Regency era in which dragons and magic exist but are becoming more rare. She is called to investigate some struggling plants and spends the night to wait out a storm, discovering the next day that somehow the storm has brought to life both an origami dragon and a massive carnivorous vine that eats a gardener. The two are tied together, and Fern needs to find a way to destroy the plant without killing the dragon. I loved this and can't wait to read more in the series. 4.5 stars rounded to 5

After a failed relationship leaves her shunned by society, Miss Fern Oakby decides marriage is not for her. Instead, she will support herself with her one true love, botany. Her father taught her everything she needs to know before he died. Almost everything.

She is called to an estate to figure out why everything keeps dying in a certain part of the garden.

She was definitely not prepared for what she found.

I love the Regency era! I especially love it when there are characters that just don't conform to the ridiculous rules of that era. Fern is exactly that character. I hope there will be more to come. It was a quick, fun read. And it has dragons!

I’m not a super huge fan of historical cozies, but occasionally I’m reminded that that’s not the case. Such as the case here. This was just quite the most enjoyable historic cozy. I’ve read in a very long time. I will definitely be back for more from this author in this series.