WHERE SHADOWS BLOOM

Seventeen-year-old Ofelia de Bouchillon longs for the gilded halls of Le Château Enchanté, a palace blessed by the gods and filled with glamorous courtiers who enjoy endless parties.

Unfortunately, Ofelia’s mother, Mirabelle, has long denied her wishes. The pair live in a rundown manor, protected by a hired group of sworn knights who include Ofelia’s best friend, Lope. The knights and the wall surrounding the manor are the only things keeping them safe from the deadly Shadows that plague their world. Once only seen during “the darkest part of the night,” the vaporous beings are now appearing during daylight hours to claim their victims’ lives. Lope vows to protect Ofelia from the Shadows with her life. But when Ofelia’s mother disappears, the young women journey to Le Château to search for her. There they believe they’re finally free from the Shadows, but despite the apparent safety of the palace, with its lavish, extravagant fêtes, Lope is convinced that the king is hiding a dark secret. Unfortunately, Ofelia doesn’t notice anything amiss, and even her growing love for Lope cannot make her see the truth. While Ofelia’s choices can be frustrating, this stand-alone fantasy set in a world that evokes early modern Spain and France is original and a quick and enjoyable read despite its length. The will-they, won’t-they romance told in alternating points of view is delightful, especially since queer romances are nothing taboo in this universe.

Love blooms in this well-developed Sapphic high-fantasy adventure.