The Dandelion Tree: Part 1 – Review

Wow! Once again, ASR Gelpi delivers a captivating and deeply moving journey between sisters Kharis and Saya. This book picks up right where A Land of Shadows and Moss leaves off, with the twins now 20 years old. Kharis is desperate to break free from the demon she is bound to, longing for a life without magic or control. She doesn’t want to be seen as a monster or a weapon—she just wants to be free. And more than anything, she wants Saya to have a life unchained from her fate.

Gelpi’s world-building is breathtaking, painting vivid and immersive landscapes—from their homeland to their perilous journey to the temple. Every setting feels alive, every moment deeply felt. But at its core, this story is about sisterhood, love, and sacrifice. Kharis and Saya’s bond is tested not only by their personal struggles and royal duties but also by their roles as the fire demon and protector—and by their first experiences with love.

The character development is rich, complex, and utterly heart-wrenching. You laugh with them, ache for them, and experience the raw intensity of their emotions—especially as they fall in love, share their first kiss, and grapple with the heartbreaking truth that love, for them, can be deadly. Gelpi doesn’t just make you understand their pain and longing—you feel it, because in those moments, they are not just warriors or weapons. They are two young women, yearning to be loved.

While A Land of Shadows and Moss introduced Arjun Ghan as the primary antagonist, The Dandelion Tree: Part 1 presents an even more cunning and ruthless villain in Aghet Mendi, Arjun’s lover. He is merciless, dangerously intelligent, and keeps his true motives shrouded in mystery, making for an even more gripping conflict.

Once again, ASR Gelpi has woven a mesmerizing tale of magic, adventure, political intrigue, forbidden love, and powerful heroines. From the very first page, I was completely enthralled, and I cannot wait for the next installment!

A huge thank you to ASR Gelpi, Silver River Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this incredible book.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Gripping, Heartbreaking, and Utterly Addictive

I’m at a loss for words because this book is so masterfully written that I can’t describe it without veering into spoiler territory. Picking up with Kharis at twenty years old, her situation is as dire as we feared—and then some. The stakes are impossibly high: use magic, and it speeds up her death; avoid magic, and Kharis dies anyway. Madness looms as the first sign of the unraveling, and even the faintest glimmer of hope is tied to devastating risks. In breaking the curse, Kharis could also die, or she could unleash the demon into the world, or both. Gelpi crafts a gripping narrative that had me clutching the book and whispering, “No, no, no!” more times than I’d like to admit. Yes, I cried, I laughed, I cursed. Ch 31 did me in.

By the way, readers can follow along without having read “A Land of Shadows and Moss,” the first book.

The world-building is exquisite. Every detail is immersive, from the oppressive weight of Kharis’s curse to the vibrant landscapes she traverses. Gelpi doesn’t just build a world—she places you in it, making the journey to the faraway temple as emotionally fraught as it is physically perilous. Did I mention this book made me hungry? The pacing blends action-packed moments with reflective, character-driven scenes and comedic relief. And that cliffhanger? It was brilliant and unexpected. I didn’t see it coming.

What truly stands out is the character development, especially the nuanced relationship between Kharis and her sister, Saya. In the first book, their bond was a cornerstone of the story, but now, as they grow and grapple with their desires and struggles, we see subtle fractures. Saya begins to dream of a future free from the curse, and Kharis’s unyielding determination to save her so Saya can have a life adds a poignant layer to their evolving dynamic. It’s heartbreaking and real, and I couldn’t get enough.

Aghet Mendi emerges as a standout villain—dangerous, calculating, and enigmatic. His hidden agenda kept me on edge while his malevolence was chilling. And Noam, Reza, and Itzu? They are the kind of love interests who sneak up on you with moments of sweetness and subtle charm that had me swooning. The slow-burn romance and tastefully done intimacy add depth to this story. I highlighted tons of quotes, but these three… You’ll thank me later.

“As if you needed to ask.”
“Until my very last breath.”
“On my life and honor.”

And can we talk about the cursing? Thank you, Gelpi, for making insults feel creative while avoiding lame f-bombs.

Tropes in this book: The Chosen One; Slow-burn Romance; Soul Mates; Forbidden Love; Sword and Daggers; A nearly-impossible Quest; A Call to Adventure; A Prophecy; A Curse; Tests, Allies, and Enemies; Good versus Evil; Forbidden magic; a transformational hero’s journey.

With innovative world-building, high stakes, and tropes you’ll love, this is a must-read for epic fantasy fans. This book is not romantasy, so for those looking for fantasy without spice or cursing, this is for you. This book hooked me from the first page to the last with themes of resilience, love, and redemption. ASR Gelpi, take my money—I need the sequel!

This was a Dark and Gripping Return to Classic Epic Fantasy. The Dandelion Tree, Part One, picks up Kharis’s story six years after the massacre, the explosion, and the Iluna Forest. From the very first page, we’re reminded of the unrelenting hatred she faces from everyone around her. With such loathing directed at her, I couldn’t help but wonder: how has Kharis not surrendered to the darkness within? She teeters on the edge at times:

“she wanted to burn and burn. To explode and envelop the world in balmy, vibrant fire.”

But she doesn’t, and the reasons why are deeply compelling. Saya, Yuna, and the enigmatic Voice are her anchors, keeping her grounded despite her guilt and regret.

I loved how the author clearly stated the stakes for the two characters within the first few pages. From the get-go, we know where we are going and why. The world-building is phenomenal. In the first book, the sisters were confined mainly to the palace, with their world expanding through visitors like the Kahurangi and Prince Rawiri. Now, the sisters step out into a broader, more dangerous world. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that their journey is thrilling yet fraught with peril, as those who oppose the sisters seek to force the king’s hand and condemn Kharis to resealment (aka her execution). The villains, Arjun Ghan and Aghet Mendi, are masterfully crafted. With his calculating, serial-killer-like mentality, Mendi is especially chilling and kept me on edge throughout the story.

I found the pacing and character development flawless. The narrative answers lingering questions from the first book while introducing new mysteries that kept me hooked. The author uses immersive prose that brings this world to life, making the characters achingly real. Universal themes like love, courage, resilience, redemption, and sacrifice add emotional depth to the high-stakes plot. One of the book’s standout elements is Kharis’s struggle with the line between reality and illusion. The author’s exploration of liminal spaces, dreams, and memories is suspenseful and thought-provoking. Lines like this one captured my attention:

“...back to a time when the worlds were but a whisper in the void, waiting to be spoken into existence by the dreams of gods.”

Another example that encapsulates one of Kharis’s constant struggles:

“Wouldn’t it be best to let this darkness swallow me?” Her voice turned bitter. “To have my memories removed and stay here, become a shadow in this void?”
The Voice faltered, the shock rippling through him. “Remove your memories?”
“Yes. Take them away and remove my heart while you’re at it,” she hissed, “so I can be truly numb—feel nothing, want nothing.”

All in all, I loved this book. Expertly and thoughtfully written. To me, this is what epic fantasy should be. The story is complex and challenging to summarize in one line. The book’s multi-POV narrative is seamless and enhances the epic scope without being jarring. As I mentioned, it returns to classic epic fantasy, blending adventure, intricate storytelling, and elements of romance. I would read other books by this author.

Fans of strong MFCs, such as those in Throne of Glass and ACOTAR (without explicit scenes), The Game of Thrones (the books, not the HBO series), The Wheel of Time, or classic epic fantasies, such as the Earthsea series, will find much to love here. Highly recommended! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

In full disclosure I stumbled upon this series years ago - and now it seems there is a reprint. So, yes, I wanted to re-read and see if things had changed in the world of Karis and Sayah.

What I did find is once again I as drawn into a beautifully depicted world with exceptionally well done characters and rich story telling that is so immersive. The characters are so deep and well developed that you feel their emotions - you cry with them and rejoice. The world building is so well done that you don't even realize its being done you are simply just a part of a beautifully rich world.

This series has got to be one of my all time favorite fantasy series simply because of the great story telling. I appreciate how the relationships in the book evolve and how, as a reader, I felt every emotion that the sisters felt. I simply cannot ever give enough praise to Gelpi. Gelpi has mastered fantasy creating worlds, stories, and characters that will long live in the imagination of readers.

Side note - although there is romance this is not the central theme of the book - rather it is simply part of the overall story.

this was a strong sequel in the Dandelion Chronicles series, it had that element that I was wanting and was glad I got to read this. It had that element that I was looking for in a fantasy novel and was invested in what was happening in this. A.S.R. Gelpi has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

The Dandelion Tree by A.S.R. Gelpi is a beautifully crafted fantasy that weaves together magic, destiny, and an unbreakable sisterly bond. At its core, it’s the story of Kharis and Saya—two sisters bound by love, but also by a dark magic that raises the question: is their connection real, or is it just another thread in a cruel fate they can’t escape?

The world Gelpi builds is immersive and full of depth, with political intrigue, ancient secrets, and a touch of mystery that kept me turning the pages. Kharis’s struggle is deeply compelling—she’s torn between protecting her sister and finding a way to break free from the curse that has shaped their lives. Her journey is emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, but always gripping.

The writing is lyrical without being overwhelming, striking the perfect balance between poetic and engaging. The pacing flows well, pulling you into a story that lingers in your thoughts even after the final page. If you love fantasy that blends rich world-building with deep, emotional stakes, The Dandelion Tree is a must-read.