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Child of the Flowers

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Skye Blossom’s initiation should’ve been a turning point for the Magi.

She was Archmage Sicarius’s successor and could have changed everything. The mages are trapped in an oppressive society and Skye risks everything to escape. When her plan backfires, she finds herself on the run with Xyrus, a man with a vendetta against mages and a target on his back.

Desperate, they decide to overthrow the Archmage. As their goal inches toward reality, Skye’s free will is put into question when those closest to her insist that she take Sicarius’s place. When Skye is pushed into this position, she’s reluctant to be the hero, and borders the line between accepting her heroic fate or descending into villainy.

If she’s not careful, she’ll become exactly like Sicarius.

Child of the Flowers, the first book in The Outcast Series, is a New Adult fantasy adventure with a sprinkling of romance. This novel will appeal to fans of the Dragon Age series and other RPG games. If you like a slow burn romance, anti-heroines and villain origin stories all thrown together into an epic new world, Child of the Flowers is for you! It is perfect for those who are interested in world building and a unique system of astrology-inspired magic.

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2024

6 people are currently reading
13 people want to read

About the author

M.B. DeMoor

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5 stars
23 (67%)
4 stars
9 (26%)
3 stars
2 (5%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for megzlibrary .
59 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2024
I have read many books in my lifetime. I’ve been transported to different worlds, universes, centuries and timelines. Child of the Flowers was no different. I absolutely enjoyed the world building. There is a certain balance to the amount of the detail given, it wasn’t underwhelming or overwhelming. The character development is beautifully written and the pacing is pretty good. Not too bad.

The romance between our two characters was EXTREMELY slow burn, but I wouldn’t hold it against M.B. Demoor. I think the themes of the story surpassed my need for romance.

All in all it is a well written book, and I’m excited to read book 2!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
2 reviews
January 4, 2026
A fairly unique take on magic systems with strong characters. It was a bit slow for me, but really picked up near the end and I am greatly looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Shane Bernard.
Author 9 books27 followers
May 31, 2025
I very much enjoyed reading DeMoor’s first novel and came to care about the protagonists, especially Skye and Xyrus. I also learned to detest the chief villain, the aptly named Sicarius. Granted, I eventually looked up the word, thinking it derived from siccare, meaning “to dry" (as in “desiccated”), but no, it derives from an entirely different but very interesting root word. (Sorry, English major here.) I am told a second volume is in the works and look forward to reading it! (I should point out I know the author well and had the honor of critiquing some of the first chapters at their birth in 2018 or so.)
Profile Image for Ellie Spain.
2 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2024
TL,DR: I liked it.

(I feel like I should disclose that I am friends with the author. It would be foolish of me to assume that doesn't color my opinion. And, I attempted to separate that out as much as possible for the review. Or, if I've failed in that regard, then I shall say "Just because I'm biased doesn't mean I'm wrong." lol)

Child of the Flowers follows Skye Blossom and her colleagues through a pivotal moment in her life. She has been trained for years to become the new Archmage, following in the steps of her predecessor and teacher, Archmage Sicarius. His control over Skye's life is much closer and harsher than anyone knows, and she yearns to break free. In doing so, she would lose the only home she's ever known, but it might be worth it to be out from under his thumb. The first book in the Outcast series, this novel provides a satisfying and thrilling story while world-building for what will follow.

These days, I tend to read in short spurts. Life happens and it can be hard to find the time. And, I read this book in its entirety in about 36 hours. I read the 1st 5 chapters on Friday evening, read most of the book on Saturday, and finished the last 100 pages or so on Sunday morning. (I stopped myself on Saturday when I thought I was reaching the 'point of no return'- where I knew I would stay up too late to finish the book.)

I am a lore fanatic. I love learning it, thinking about it, creating it, etc. CofF is a great example of feeding lore to the reader when it contributes to the story and not a moment before. The history, culture, customs, and political system of a world with magic and regions that have one 'season' all year could be overwhelming. But it's not, because DeMoor ensures it is not. Each piece is added when it is required. If you don't need to know it, it isn't shared. In addition to making sure the reader never gets lost in the weeds, it also contributes to the excellent pacing.

I find myself quite intrigued by my interest in Skye, the primary MC. I'm not sure whether I 'like' her as a person, though I'm enraptured by her as a character. Skye is not someone I aspire to be in many ways. She can be selfish, impulsive, proud, even cruel. And, she is also passionate, intelligent, loyal, giving, driven to do the right thing. Sometimes, when she doesn't something I don't think is 'right', I still feel seen because I totally get why she did it. And I might have, too, in her shoes.

All in all, I really enjoyed the novel, and look forward to what is to come from the rest of the series. It's worth picking up if you like:
- anti-heroines or are new to anti-heroine MCs like me,
- YA Fantasy,
- the Western Zodiac as forms of magic,
- slow-burn romance,
- just-in-time world-building,
- adventure/travel,
- The Power of Friendship(TM)! lol,
- supporting independent authors and enjoying a good book!
Profile Image for Sophia V.
52 reviews
December 12, 2024
Don’t let the title mislead you, this is not a book about a child, but rather of a young woman that has zero effs left to give. Honesty though, don’t let your children read this, it’s very much at the New Adult level. You, however, are in for a wonderful ride.

Skye Blossom is a prodigy mage that was chosen by the Elders to be the successor of Archmage Sicarius. Sicarius is the worst, but an extraordinary manipulator so only Skye and a few of her friends see through his façade (think lowkey Voldemort). In an effort to take back her life, Skye escapes in hopes of living an independent life. Skye accidentally meets and saves a murderer (Xyrus), and they join forces. Naturally, chaos ensures, and we get our story.

This story is an incredibly well written adventure. Skye is a no-nonsense woman that fights fiercely for righting wrongs, even if she has to toe the villain line. She’s smart, crafty, and incredibly loyal once you get past her wall. She’s also incredibly flawed and goes overboard at times, but they’re the bad choices you can’t help but root for.

Xyrus has his own demons, but these two create a bond that’s really quite beautiful. There’s no spice, but there’s mention of it so I wouldn’t be surprised if DeMoor adds a little chili in book 2. The building of the relationship is so accurately paced, that you feel the spark of emotions as if you were part of the duo.

There’s not a single part of this book that I would recommend cutting, it’s truly exciting with zero fluff. There are many characters, all with distinct personalities, and they all blend together so well. I especially enjoyed the astral beings. We’ve seen horoscopes come into play in a lot of fantasy novels, but I felt this was uniquely done and unlike any other novel out there.

I loved everything about this book, but it didn’t quite hit the obsession factor for me. It took me about two weeks to read, and while I didn’t binge read it in two days, I don’t think that negates the quality of the book at all. This is a case where it’s better to slow down, absorb all the information and truly get to know the characters because they're amazing.

Child of the Flowers does contain similar plots that we’ve seen time and time again, but somehow, DeMoor makes it a distinctive story. The main plot is concluded, but there are some cliffhangers to get you excited for the next book.

I believe this is a debut novel from DeMoor, and I’m just in awe. Can’t wait to read the next installment.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Sara Phillips.
199 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2024
"Just be smart for once!"

This felt like it was written to be an epic fantasy saga but unfortunately fell a little flat for me. I had a hard time getting through it after 70% where I skimmed for important details and dialogue and it still felt like a slog. Skye really has an intense personality and it feels like a lot of the decisions she makes are rash and not very well thought out, up to and including the end of the book.

What I liked about the book was that it was very well written with no grammatical errors, the verbiage was fit for an epic saga however the writing was dense and started out very lore heavy. The world is fascinating with lots of different types of magic, magical tattoos, and in particular the Zodiac. The Zodiac entities were incredibly detailed in appearance, diverse in their personalities, and unique in their magic.

The length of the book felt astronomically long, and maybe the first book (being this one) could have been a bit shorter before the team adventured all over the world on their epic adventure. Skye ended up doing the opposite of growing on me as a character. I started out liking her and by about 60-70% ended up really not liking her. Her actions and personality seemed to take a weird turn. Xyrus was a bit easier to like. If you like the slowest of slow burns then this book is for you.

If you want to get into a very dense world of fantasy based in heavy magic use, political despair, and epic adventure then you can try this one out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Amanda Borne.
45 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2026
3.5 STARS

(Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I read this book as part of a review campaign after a friend recommended it to me months ago. When the author—someone my friend knew from school—decided to do a campaign, it felt like the right time to finally pick it up.

This is the kind of book you could get caught up in. The strongest emotions I felt while reading were anxiety and suspense—there was always something happening, and even in the quieter moments, there was that constant “what’s going to happen next?” feeling. It was never boring.

The pacing and writing style worked well for me, and the setting was vividly described. I also enjoyed the overall concept, and the characters were mostly believable, though I did feel there was room for deeper character growth.

When I finished the book, I was left feeling a bit confused and unsatisfied. While the epilogue clearly sets up another book, the ending felt unresolved, like something was missing from this story.

One element that didn’t quite land for me was the heavy focus on ancient gods, goddesses, and regional mythology. It felt like more than simple world-building, and I kept expecting it to play a more concrete role by the end—even if only as a teaser—which added to that unfinished feeling.

Overall, this was an engaging and suspenseful read with strong atmosphere and steady tension. If you enjoy hook-driven stories that clearly leave the door open for what comes next, this may be one to check out.
Profile Image for Rachael Fillon-Payoux.
12 reviews
December 9, 2024
If you like enemies to lovers, astrology and magic then this book is perfect for you!

This book follows the story of Skye Blossom who straight from the start is clearly a strong willed character with lots you want to know more about.

The main thing about this book I loved was the world building. With many books with magic the story behind magic isn’t really thought out but that’s not the case here. In Child of the Flowers, you are hungry for more knowledge on the magic and the author certainly answers with amazing detail. My absolute favourite thing being the magic of the zodiac. If you like astrology and magic combined then this is for you. I can certainly say I have never read anything like this and the book is very unique which is something I loved.

The only reason I’m rating a 4/5 is that the ending has a twist in it that to me wasn’t really needed and the story would have moved on pretty well without it. But otherwise this book was a great adventure to read. And once started I couldn’t put it down. I certainly can’t wait to find out what happens next. And would highly recommend this book to those that like magical romance and enemies to lovers as in those two categories this book is top tier!
1 review
November 27, 2024
I've followed the development of this book and it's author for many years. I've seen it through it's highs and lows and now I've never been more excited to see it hit shelves for new readers.

Child of the Flowers is a gripping fantasy novel focusing on the chaotic, tragic and romantic life of it's central protagonist; Archmage-to-be Skye Blossom. Skye is a fearsome and powerful character who is not afraid to push moral boundaries in service of her own freedom. She is joined by a colourful and complex set of characters with their own traumas and troubles who seek to aid or hinder Skye in her quest for vengeance.

Every step of the journey feels fresh and none of the locales in the book end up feeling stale or unwelcome and in some cases, I just wish I could personally stay in some of these places. The visual language is beautiful and DeMoor effortlessly crafts a world that reminds of the beauty of the worlds of The Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age.

A wonderfully written book and the beginnings of great things for this writer, I would wager.
Profile Image for Georgia Franklin.
1 review
December 9, 2024
Child of the Flowers is a fantasy novel following Archmage-to-be Skye and her predecessor Archmage Sicarius. Skye has lived a life confined to the Spiral City under surveillance of Sicarius. She wonders what it would be like to finally be free of his cruel way of teaching and to see what life is like outside of the Spiral City.
The world the author has created is so easy to imagine, each land was so beautifully described it felt like I was there with each character!
Skye and her friends are complex characters, each with their own past and back stories which I love! I loved getting to know them.
The book is full of twists and turns, revenge, zodiac magic and slow burn romance (what more could you want!!!!) I already cannot wait for the 2nd book!!
Profile Image for Annmzimmerman.
16 reviews
December 16, 2025
I loved this book, the characters are relatable, the magic system is beautiful. Skye is she being used for someone else power trip? She lived and been conditioned to be the next Archmage. Xyrus a human, a marked neck, rumors about what he did. Will he trust or kill the mages.

Talon has the same cuff as all the other mages wear but as a human. Can she be trusted or is Talon just another puppet.

Ember found in an oasis, with odd tattoos, what will this mean for Skye. Wrynn an old Archmage is he real is he alive, can he be found, will he help?

I found myself reading late into the night more than once when I should have been sleeping. Crying, laughing, worrying, and most of all wishing the book could keep going on. I wanted to know what happened to the characters at the next page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Reviewer King.
436 reviews13 followers
February 4, 2025
This was unexpected! Honestly I didn't know what to expect heading in, but I was surprised by how much I liked it. Sometimes I rate books based on the vibes that I get while reading, so since I enjoyed the entire book I'm rating it 5 stars. Here's some reasons why: first of all, we have an unconventional fmc who you kinda either loved or hated (I liked her because she was different) and the slow burn romance!!!!! Ooof! If you know me you know that I love slowwww burn, and I hope it picks up in the next book! I was thoroughly hooked.
Profile Image for Delphia  Von Heeder .
1,754 reviews54 followers
November 12, 2024
Child of the Flowers is Book 1 in the Outcast Series by M B DeMoor. I felt that this was a fantastic fantasy. Skye is a great heroin with Arch Mage Sicarius pure evil. I couldn't put the book down and I thought there was twist and turns and surprises. I believe that the ending was perfect and left me wanting book 2 to come quickly. I think this fantasy is not to be missed because the story is so well written. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Noemi.
97 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2025
An engrossing read! I was able to imagine and be captivated by the story of Skye Blossom, Child of the Flowers, and Xyrus, Child of the Sun, and their many adventures. I followed along on this fantasy adventure, wanting to return to my reading as soon as I could. I do not want to give away too much of the story because it is worth reading and making your own judgment. The story was left on a cliffhanger, and I eagerly await the next book. I loved it!
Profile Image for moll✨.
1 review
November 8, 2024
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this book. I really enjoyed this book, the world building is in depth but not overwhelming. If VERY slow burn romance and edgy FMC’s are your thing, you’ll definitely like this book! When the physical copy comes out, I’m definitely buying a copy because the cover is BEAUTIFUL 😍
Profile Image for Alyssa.
12 reviews
January 7, 2025
Child of flowers is a beautifully written romance fantasy that feels like an uprising. Skye a hero in the eyes of the reader but finding villainy might be the easier path as thats what she knows. A system of magic flows between creating a new world that merged with astrology. All contributes to a heroic future or at the moment the wait for the next book
Profile Image for Andrew Brosset.
16 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2026
I was able to receive this as an ARC and thankful for the opportunity!
I really enjoyed the pacing and telling we go through in this story of Skye Blossom and her magical (and violent) journey! It felt like a really long time but no time at all to read it! It is for sure worth picking up if you enjoy pining, one bed, magical badass tropes!
1 review
May 5, 2025
I really enjoyed reading about the world of Terralnyn, it's characters, and the conflicts within it. If you're a fan of fantasy books then I highly recommend giving this a read. Looking forward to book 2!
7 reviews5 followers
May 26, 2025
An excellent first novel for M.B. DeMoor - it did not take me long to get into the plot and I finished the book in less than two days! Well described and thought out characters, an engaging story and a creative world await readers. I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series!
20 reviews
November 18, 2024
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I like this book.

Very twisted interesting.
9 reviews
December 12, 2025
I liked the story, but it stared out really slow. And I wish the glossary of terms was at the front of the book. There were several times when the fmc annoyed me. But overall it was a good book.
1 review
November 5, 2024
The book was amazing! No amount of words could describe my excitement from reading it. The world building hit in all of the right places. All of the characters feel like real people and they're all captivating in their own way. Action sequences felt real and you could feel the pain in each wound. Definitely in my top 3 favorites now, and will be re-reading it.
Profile Image for Maricha Marais.
11 reviews
December 21, 2024
i enjoyed the story a lot. it has a very unique story and is such a good escape from the every day.
Profile Image for Kayla Landry.
1 review1 follower
December 18, 2024
Child of the Flowers follows the journey of Skye Blossom, a powerful mage who was pushed beyond limits at a young age while training to become the next Archmage. Skye, along with all mages, is under the complete control of Sicarius. Rather than continue her training to become Archmage, Skye runs away from the Spiral City to avoid becoming Sicarius’ puppet. After being outcasted, she joins with Xyrus, a man who has been outcasted and blamed for the murder of his family. Despite his hatred for mages, Xyrus travels with Skye. They band together with other outcasts to overthrow Sicarius.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and I stayed hooked throughout. The world building is incorporated well throughout the story as Skye learns more about the other territories and Xyrus learns about the ways of mages. I enjoyed the world and magical aspects the author created. I especially liked the astral beings! They have their special set of magic and unique effects on humans that is unlike any other book.

I do love that a map of the world is included in the book! It helps with following their travels and imaging this amazing world!

Definitely worth the read and I look forward to the second book of the series!
1 review
June 25, 2025
Arc Reader Review - An Outstanding Read

I’ve been a reader of M.B DeMoor’s work since her earlier works through Inkitt, and have kept track of her journey to publication over the years.

Child of the Flowers is a story about a girl struggling to find her place in a world of Mages and Treachery, with a sprinkling of familial troubles many could relate to. Skye, our FMC, is soon to succeed the Archmage Sicarius, but has been plotting her escape and betrayal under his watchful eye for years.

The story goes into some intense themes of loss, betrayal, death, and found family, and Skye finds herself in the middle of it all.

Child of The Flowers is a read that I’ve recommended to a few people already, one of which is looking to review it on her social media.

A book I have thoroughly enjoyed, followed since its early conception, and watched as it Blossomed (Pun intended) into the incredible debut for an even more incredible author.
Profile Image for Amy Bourgeois.
58 reviews3 followers
December 26, 2024
Child of the Flowers takes you into a world of celestial power and magic. The author did a great job of connecting us to the characters. As they move throughout their journey, you can't help but feel emotions for their struggles. I appreciated that the romance was not the leading plot within the story. Additionally, the cliff hanger has me wishing the next book was out to dive back into the world.


Initial review in 2021: I loved the world the author created. I personally have not read anything similar to this and discussing the book with the author was a joy - I really got to see their train of thought.
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