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Grave Flowers
A twisty, dark royalcore fantasy that takes the courtly intrigue of Hamlet and infuses it with the vicious ambition of the Boleyn family. For readers who love Holly Black and Sarah J. Maas.
This gorgeous hardcover edition features beautifully designed endpapers and a foil stamped case!
“A sumptuously dark tale of revenge and atonement that beautifully explores the ties both duty and family use to claim us. From the first page to the last, I was dazzled.” —Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child
Marry the prince, then kill him.
Princess Madalina and her twin sister, Inessa, were born attached at the hand and separated right after. That’s the only time the sisters ever held hands. The girls’ personalities have been shaped in the Sinet family’s drive to make their kingdom more than what it is: unrespectable and loathsome, a damp place where deceit fills the palace walls like mold.
Madalina is different from her family. She’s considered the weak one and only finds peace in the garden, tending her magical flowers, which are pejoratively called grave flowers because they are ideal for torture and torment. Secretly, she dreams of escape and a new life.
Then Inessa, who was betrothed to the heir of a wealthy kingdom—Prince Aeric—gets trapped in Bide, a terrifying purgatory, and begs Madalina to set her free. Now, not only must Madalina take her sister’s place as Aeric’s bride-to-be, but she also must finish Inessa’s secret mission: Inessa wasn’t just sent to marry Prince Aeric, but to kill him, too, and solidify a profitable pact with his traitorous uncle.
On behalf of her family, Madalina will need to resist the infuriatingly clever prince—as well as her own heart—if she’s to free her sister and finish the job.
Perfect for fans of:
-Enemies to lovers
-Royal rivalry
-Arranged marriage
-Deadly games
-Dark royalcore
-Reluctant ruler
-Bloodstained family
This gorgeous hardcover edition features beautifully designed endpapers and a foil stamped case!
“A sumptuously dark tale of revenge and atonement that beautifully explores the ties both duty and family use to claim us. From the first page to the last, I was dazzled.” —Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child
Marry the prince, then kill him.
Princess Madalina and her twin sister, Inessa, were born attached at the hand and separated right after. That’s the only time the sisters ever held hands. The girls’ personalities have been shaped in the Sinet family’s drive to make their kingdom more than what it is: unrespectable and loathsome, a damp place where deceit fills the palace walls like mold.
Madalina is different from her family. She’s considered the weak one and only finds peace in the garden, tending her magical flowers, which are pejoratively called grave flowers because they are ideal for torture and torment. Secretly, she dreams of escape and a new life.
Then Inessa, who was betrothed to the heir of a wealthy kingdom—Prince Aeric—gets trapped in Bide, a terrifying purgatory, and begs Madalina to set her free. Now, not only must Madalina take her sister’s place as Aeric’s bride-to-be, but she also must finish Inessa’s secret mission: Inessa wasn’t just sent to marry Prince Aeric, but to kill him, too, and solidify a profitable pact with his traitorous uncle.
On behalf of her family, Madalina will need to resist the infuriatingly clever prince—as well as her own heart—if she’s to free her sister and finish the job.
Perfect for fans of:
-Enemies to lovers
-Royal rivalry
-Arranged marriage
-Deadly games
-Dark royalcore
-Reluctant ruler
-Bloodstained family
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2025
28 people are currently reading
8135 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Krause
7 books436 followersAutumn Krause is a writer in Orange County, California, where she can most often be found wearing a black lace dress and boots.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 2, 2025
Official blurb coming when I’m coherent but I adored it.
Want to read
December 17, 2024I AM SO EXCITED TO READ THIS!
August 31, 2025
Haunting, harrowing, and strangely healing. Mysterious ghosts, tarnished thrones, and flesh-eating carnivorous flowers that can get rid of evidence. Heavy familial expectations, sibling bonds, and two people who don't know how to love but want to love each other. All wrapped up in Krause's stunning prose. I got swept up in the intrigue of it all and couldn't look away, spent a lot of the second half gasping at the twists (THE TWISTS), and while this is a complete story (hooray!) I'm SO GLAD we're getting a sequel. I need more.
I really loved it and I'm so glad. 4.5 stars from me!
*content warnings for some horror aspects, murder, gaslighting, and some kissing and mild innuendo
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
I really loved it and I'm so glad. 4.5 stars from me!
*content warnings for some horror aspects, murder, gaslighting, and some kissing and mild innuendo
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
May 12, 2025
I absolutely adored this one! Autumn Krause’s writing is so immersive—I just wanted to crawl inside this magical, deadly world of enchanted blooms, family secrets, and eerie floral lore. The grave flowers experiment field notes sprinkled throughout were such a unique and chilling touch; I genuinely looked forward to every one of them as it was so fascinating to learn more about these deadly flowers and their powers and I generally just laughed out loud at what a ridiculous character the King was.
Autumn knows how to craft characters like no one else, each one bursting with personality, quirks, and motivations that feel so real. From the banter to the betrayals, the twisted family ties, and (sometimes literal) backstabbing had me fully hooked. I loved watching the dynamics shift and unravel as the story unfolded.
At the heart of it all is Madalina’s emotional tug-of-war between her heart and family expectations. Her journey of uncovering the hidden sides of her lineage and deciding who she wants to be was handled so thoughtfully and so beautifully. A mystical, banter-filled twist on Hamlet and Anne Boleyn, this one has just the right balance of suspense, danger, and swoon!
Autumn knows how to craft characters like no one else, each one bursting with personality, quirks, and motivations that feel so real. From the banter to the betrayals, the twisted family ties, and (sometimes literal) backstabbing had me fully hooked. I loved watching the dynamics shift and unravel as the story unfolded.
At the heart of it all is Madalina’s emotional tug-of-war between her heart and family expectations. Her journey of uncovering the hidden sides of her lineage and deciding who she wants to be was handled so thoughtfully and so beautifully. A mystical, banter-filled twist on Hamlet and Anne Boleyn, this one has just the right balance of suspense, danger, and swoon!
Currently reading
December 17, 2024Have I known about this book for almost a year now? Yes, yes I have. Does this make me even more excited for its arrival? You better believe it!! I'm so incredibly anxious/excited for this book.
June 24, 2025
Wow. What a gorgeous, meaningful haunt of a story. Grave Flowers completely enchanted me—from its spellbinding magic to its aching, tender themes. The grave flowers themselves were such a unique and beautiful concept, and the entire book felt wrapped in velvet-dark atmosphere and emotional resonance.
Madelina is the kind of heroine who quietly wrecks you. A princess caught in the grip of others’ expectations, she’s been told her kindness is weakness—and has started to believe it. She doesn’t think she is lovable and it absolutely breaks my heart because she doesn’t know me, but I adore her in all her complexity.
And Aeric? Absolutely, devastatingly perfect. A tortured soul hardened by betrayal, knowing Madelina might a chess piece be used against him—but still wishing he could love her. Watching both of them flinch at the possibility of love, and hope anyway, was such a rewarding emotional journey.
The romance is swoony, slow-burn, and sweet (no spice—just longing and lovely kisses). The prose? Stunning. Autumn Krause is an extraordinary wordsmith—her writing is some of the most beautiful I’ve read all year. I will read anything she writes.
What elevated this story most was its theme: the courage to be a transitional character—the one who breaks the cycle of generational pain. The exploration of family trauma, tradition, resilience, and healing was powerful and timely. It spoke right to my heart.
There are mature topics, but nothing gratuitous or glamorized. It’s definitely best suited for older YA readers and fans of darker, fairytale-inspired fantasy. (Think Gilded by Marissa Meyer with a bit more emotional depth and haunting flair.)
I’m genuinely sad the book is over. It was marvelous. Poetic, haunting, healing. One I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Madelina is the kind of heroine who quietly wrecks you. A princess caught in the grip of others’ expectations, she’s been told her kindness is weakness—and has started to believe it. She doesn’t think she is lovable and it absolutely breaks my heart because she doesn’t know me, but I adore her in all her complexity.
And Aeric? Absolutely, devastatingly perfect. A tortured soul hardened by betrayal, knowing Madelina might a chess piece be used against him—but still wishing he could love her. Watching both of them flinch at the possibility of love, and hope anyway, was such a rewarding emotional journey.
The romance is swoony, slow-burn, and sweet (no spice—just longing and lovely kisses). The prose? Stunning. Autumn Krause is an extraordinary wordsmith—her writing is some of the most beautiful I’ve read all year. I will read anything she writes.
What elevated this story most was its theme: the courage to be a transitional character—the one who breaks the cycle of generational pain. The exploration of family trauma, tradition, resilience, and healing was powerful and timely. It spoke right to my heart.
There are mature topics, but nothing gratuitous or glamorized. It’s definitely best suited for older YA readers and fans of darker, fairytale-inspired fantasy. (Think Gilded by Marissa Meyer with a bit more emotional depth and haunting flair.)
I’m genuinely sad the book is over. It was marvelous. Poetic, haunting, healing. One I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
August 26, 2025
4.5 stars!
This was such a wild ride. The setting, the atmosphere, and the horror elements (not many but definitely enough to keep me on my toes as not-a-horror-reader) lent so well to this darkly decadent tale of betrayal, bloodlust, and madness.
I really loved the Hamlet-inspired elements, and I felt like I should have seen one particular thing coming and didn't! I gasped aloud while reading.
The grave flowers are so intriguing, and I wonder what they were like before they were "corrupted".
Madalina is a soft girl who at the same time will do what she has to do to survive and protect her kingdom. My heart broke for her, and Aeric too, as we learn through the story it seems like he actually would make a good king, while powerful people want him dead.
This is also a story about sisters, and it's really hard to express my feelings on that without spoilers so please, read this book!!
I'm really excited there will be a sequel!
*I received an earc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
This was such a wild ride. The setting, the atmosphere, and the horror elements (not many but definitely enough to keep me on my toes as not-a-horror-reader) lent so well to this darkly decadent tale of betrayal, bloodlust, and madness.
I really loved the Hamlet-inspired elements, and I felt like I should have seen one particular thing coming and didn't! I gasped aloud while reading.
The grave flowers are so intriguing, and I wonder what they were like before they were "corrupted".
Madalina is a soft girl who at the same time will do what she has to do to survive and protect her kingdom. My heart broke for her, and Aeric too, as we learn through the story it seems like he actually would make a good king, while powerful people want him dead.
This is also a story about sisters, and it's really hard to express my feelings on that without spoilers so please, read this book!!
I'm really excited there will be a sequel!
*I received an earc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
July 28, 2025
RTC But this is BRILLAINT and I adored it
August 22, 2025
*I received an e-arc via Netgalley from the author and publisher. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*
Grave Flowers is one of my favorite reads of the year so far! From the first page to the last, I was compelled to read. This was the second book I’ve read by Autumn Krause, and her stories are so unique and alluring, that I want to read anything that she writes from here on out. Grave Flowers is the twisty, dark royalcore fantasy that I didn’t know I needed!
The atmosphere in this book is everything. I felt transported to Princess Madalina’s castle in Radix that felt so oppressive and felt her need to be in the garden with her grave flowers. The grave flowers were one of my best-loved parts of the story. These magical flowers are ideal for torture and torment ironically, but each one was so interesting, and I loved learning about them.
The story is so much more than the atmosphere. It’s about family, sisterhood, grief, love and loss. It’s about betrayals and secrets, overcoming trauma, facing prejudice, and becoming your own person. This book also has courtly intrigue, murder and mayhem, beautiful clothing, and lots of angst and swooning. It has it all, in my book!
Grave Flowers releases on September 2, 2025. It was just announced that there will be a sequel, Wilted Crown coming from Peachtree Teen in the fall of 2027. I was literally screaming when I found this out!!
Add to this one to your TBR now! Highly recommend!
Grave Flowers is one of my favorite reads of the year so far! From the first page to the last, I was compelled to read. This was the second book I’ve read by Autumn Krause, and her stories are so unique and alluring, that I want to read anything that she writes from here on out. Grave Flowers is the twisty, dark royalcore fantasy that I didn’t know I needed!
The atmosphere in this book is everything. I felt transported to Princess Madalina’s castle in Radix that felt so oppressive and felt her need to be in the garden with her grave flowers. The grave flowers were one of my best-loved parts of the story. These magical flowers are ideal for torture and torment ironically, but each one was so interesting, and I loved learning about them.
The story is so much more than the atmosphere. It’s about family, sisterhood, grief, love and loss. It’s about betrayals and secrets, overcoming trauma, facing prejudice, and becoming your own person. This book also has courtly intrigue, murder and mayhem, beautiful clothing, and lots of angst and swooning. It has it all, in my book!
Grave Flowers releases on September 2, 2025. It was just announced that there will be a sequel, Wilted Crown coming from Peachtree Teen in the fall of 2027. I was literally screaming when I found this out!!
Add to this one to your TBR now! Highly recommend!
July 7, 2025
Listen, I love a morally gray twin-swapping assassination plot as much as the next unhinged fantasy reader, but Grave Flowers takes that chaos and waters it with blood-soaked petals until it blossoms into full-on courtly carnage. Princess Madalina has flower magic, a family who treats her like compost, and a twin sister stuck in a hell dimension. So naturally, she’s got to impersonate her sister, marry a prince, and then kill him. You know, for diplomacy. It’s giving Hamlet with a body count. It’s giving “what if the sad plant girl was also a knife girl.” If you’re into dark royalcore, arranged marriage plots where the arranged part is secondary to the political murder part, and enemies-to-lovers with an unhealthy dose of emotional ruin, welcome home.
August 26, 2025
Grave Flowers was full of heart and haunt. The romantic tension and mystery had me planted on the edge of my seat.
This is a story that takes root in your mind and consumes you until you’re finished.
The setting is a lush and enchanting royal court, but it features light horror elements & deadly grave flowers.
The floral magic was incredibly inventive and I enjoyed learning about each flower and its destructive abilities.
&& THE ROMANCE!
Beautiful, full of yearning.
I absolutely loved Aeric and Madalina.
I’ll read anything Autumn writes!
This is a story that takes root in your mind and consumes you until you’re finished.
The setting is a lush and enchanting royal court, but it features light horror elements & deadly grave flowers.
The floral magic was incredibly inventive and I enjoyed learning about each flower and its destructive abilities.
&& THE ROMANCE!
Beautiful, full of yearning.
I absolutely loved Aeric and Madalina.
I’ll read anything Autumn writes!
Want to read
September 3, 2025happy book birthday to this darling angel! this book is just waiting to be your next favorite gothic fantasy romance!!
July 31, 2025
4⭐
Thank you to Autumn Krause, Peachtree Teen and Edelweiss for the ARC.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 is a twisty, dark royal-core fantasy that takes the courtly intrigue of Hamlet and infuses it with the vicious ambition of the Boleyn family, for readers who love Holly Black and Sarah J. Maas.
This is the first book that I've read that was written by Autumn Krause and I absolutely love the gorgeous prose of her writing style. I was immersed entirely into the narrative and did not feel like putting down the book at all!
This book was utterly magical! It's a deadly world with political tension, twisted in enchanting blooms and family secrets. The floral lore was eerily creepy and set the tone and backdrop for this book. The experiment chapters were my favourite because of the change in the tone and for the lore information.
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 is who I would call a morally grey heroine. She's a Princess who has been raised by her cold and calculating father. She's considered the weak one who is always tending at her gardens — but was that the entire truth? She was quietly being oppressed and abused, which she doesn't realise immediately. But she learnt to grow cold and calculating with her mission — who was caught in the net if everyone's expectation and was been raised with the saying of kindness being a weakness, which was deep rooted into her soul. She's not a perfect character — she has flaws that make her feel human and relatable at times. With everything she's been through in this book, she deserves a much better life and future.
𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜 is a devastatingly haunted soul who is tortured by betrayal, hardened by his years in the Monastery, and so in love with Madalina knowing that she was going to be a chess piece used against him. He wears a mask of secrecy that was so heartbreaking to peek underneath.
Watching Madalina and Aeric flinch at the thought of loving each other to finally choosing each other was such a rewarding journey to read about. They had such good chemistry and an amazingly slow burn romance that sizzled perfectly at the right time — with gentle and vulnerable moments of love. Their relationship is swoony nonetheless and absolutely stunning.
There's so much discussed in this book. Political commentary. Every book is political in some way and this one just took a deeper expression. Race, identity and wealth were explored along with religious and political intrigue. Autumn Krause also explored the theme of breaking the generational cycle which was so rewarding to read about. The exploration of family trauma, tradition, resilience, and healing was powerful.
Grave Flowers is a perfect for readers who enjoy reading dark fantasy with, hauntingly eerie magic, and protagonists who dare to be kind in a world that rewards cruelty.
Thank you to Autumn Krause, Peachtree Teen and Edelweiss for the ARC.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 is a twisty, dark royal-core fantasy that takes the courtly intrigue of Hamlet and infuses it with the vicious ambition of the Boleyn family, for readers who love Holly Black and Sarah J. Maas.
This is the first book that I've read that was written by Autumn Krause and I absolutely love the gorgeous prose of her writing style. I was immersed entirely into the narrative and did not feel like putting down the book at all!
This book was utterly magical! It's a deadly world with political tension, twisted in enchanting blooms and family secrets. The floral lore was eerily creepy and set the tone and backdrop for this book. The experiment chapters were my favourite because of the change in the tone and for the lore information.
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 is who I would call a morally grey heroine. She's a Princess who has been raised by her cold and calculating father. She's considered the weak one who is always tending at her gardens — but was that the entire truth? She was quietly being oppressed and abused, which she doesn't realise immediately. But she learnt to grow cold and calculating with her mission — who was caught in the net if everyone's expectation and was been raised with the saying of kindness being a weakness, which was deep rooted into her soul. She's not a perfect character — she has flaws that make her feel human and relatable at times. With everything she's been through in this book, she deserves a much better life and future.
𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜 is a devastatingly haunted soul who is tortured by betrayal, hardened by his years in the Monastery, and so in love with Madalina knowing that she was going to be a chess piece used against him. He wears a mask of secrecy that was so heartbreaking to peek underneath.
Watching Madalina and Aeric flinch at the thought of loving each other to finally choosing each other was such a rewarding journey to read about. They had such good chemistry and an amazingly slow burn romance that sizzled perfectly at the right time — with gentle and vulnerable moments of love. Their relationship is swoony nonetheless and absolutely stunning.
There's so much discussed in this book. Political commentary. Every book is political in some way and this one just took a deeper expression. Race, identity and wealth were explored along with religious and political intrigue. Autumn Krause also explored the theme of breaking the generational cycle which was so rewarding to read about. The exploration of family trauma, tradition, resilience, and healing was powerful.
Grave Flowers is a perfect for readers who enjoy reading dark fantasy with, hauntingly eerie magic, and protagonists who dare to be kind in a world that rewards cruelty.
August 18, 2025
Grave Flowers follows Princess Madalina after her sister gets trapped in a purgatory and she must set her free by marrying and then killing the Prince of a wealthy kingdom. But danger, secrets, and betrayals lurk in the wings and Madalina will have to harden her heart to fulfill her mission and save her sister and kingdom.
The vibes in this one were on point! It was so haunting and beautiful and I adored the writing style. If court politics are your thing, you’ll love this one. I was constantly wondering who was telling the truth and being genuinely helpful and who was lying. It was very gripping and intriguing. Especially the grave flowers. Such a unique, fascinating concept that will stay with me. I loved that element!
I really enjoyed the characters and how morally gray everyone was. They all felt very real and flawed and had good growth. Madalina has to overcome a lot of expectations and beliefs of her weaknesses. She definitely deserves a lot of happiness out from under her father’s thumb! She’s easily grasp your heart and you can’t help but want the best for her. Aeric was lovely and very much a tortured soul. And their romance was so swoony and perfect. I also found Inessa SO fascinating and loved when we got to see her.
If you love court politics, sisters, and creepy flowers, you’ll love this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing for the arc!
The vibes in this one were on point! It was so haunting and beautiful and I adored the writing style. If court politics are your thing, you’ll love this one. I was constantly wondering who was telling the truth and being genuinely helpful and who was lying. It was very gripping and intriguing. Especially the grave flowers. Such a unique, fascinating concept that will stay with me. I loved that element!
I really enjoyed the characters and how morally gray everyone was. They all felt very real and flawed and had good growth. Madalina has to overcome a lot of expectations and beliefs of her weaknesses. She definitely deserves a lot of happiness out from under her father’s thumb! She’s easily grasp your heart and you can’t help but want the best for her. Aeric was lovely and very much a tortured soul. And their romance was so swoony and perfect. I also found Inessa SO fascinating and loved when we got to see her.
If you love court politics, sisters, and creepy flowers, you’ll love this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing for the arc!
September 1, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review
Tropes:
Gothic Romance
Magical Flowers
Royal Romance
She's sent to Kill Him
Revenge for her twin sister
Another beautifully twisted story by Autumn Krause!! I was completely hooked on Madalina and Aeric’s story from the first page 😭
Madalina is a princess who just wants to be left alone with her creepy magical flowers (relatable tbh), but then her twin sister dies under mysterious circumstances and she’s forced to take her place and marry the prince of a rival kingdom. Oh—and she’s supposed to poison him on their wedding night. Casual.
Aeric is the prince she’s supposed to kill, but of course he’s charming and broody and way too kind for someone with a target on his back. Their dynamic?? SO tense and delicious. The banter, the slow burn, the betrayal—I was screaming!! They were so mean to each other at first and I LIVED for it 😭😭
Watching Madalina grow into her power was everything. She starts off so unsure and broken, but by the end she’s in her full revenge era and I was cheering her on every step of the way 🔥🔥🔥
The side characters were amazing and the way they all came together despite the trauma and secrets was so wholesome in the most gothic way possible.
The pacing was perfect and the writing was so atmospheric—I could smell the grave flowers and feel the tension in every scene. Autumn Krause really said “let’s make betrayal beautiful” and she delivered.
I need more from this world ASAP. Give me all the poisonous flowers and morally gray royals. I’m obsessed!!
ARC Review
Tropes:
Gothic Romance
Magical Flowers
Royal Romance
She's sent to Kill Him
Revenge for her twin sister
Another beautifully twisted story by Autumn Krause!! I was completely hooked on Madalina and Aeric’s story from the first page 😭
Madalina is a princess who just wants to be left alone with her creepy magical flowers (relatable tbh), but then her twin sister dies under mysterious circumstances and she’s forced to take her place and marry the prince of a rival kingdom. Oh—and she’s supposed to poison him on their wedding night. Casual.
Aeric is the prince she’s supposed to kill, but of course he’s charming and broody and way too kind for someone with a target on his back. Their dynamic?? SO tense and delicious. The banter, the slow burn, the betrayal—I was screaming!! They were so mean to each other at first and I LIVED for it 😭😭
Watching Madalina grow into her power was everything. She starts off so unsure and broken, but by the end she’s in her full revenge era and I was cheering her on every step of the way 🔥🔥🔥
The side characters were amazing and the way they all came together despite the trauma and secrets was so wholesome in the most gothic way possible.
The pacing was perfect and the writing was so atmospheric—I could smell the grave flowers and feel the tension in every scene. Autumn Krause really said “let’s make betrayal beautiful” and she delivered.
I need more from this world ASAP. Give me all the poisonous flowers and morally gray royals. I’m obsessed!!
August 31, 2025
Grave Flowers is a dark, gothic royal fantasy and I immediately got swept away into this world. It reminded me of Belladonna and The Foxglove King in some ways which I loved. I particularly enjoyed the ghosts, mystery, and magical plants that gave the book its name. The grave flowers were woven throughout the story with excerpts from the king’s journals on the uses of each plant. They were really fun to learn about and the way magic gave them new (and most times—nefarious) abilities was a really cool touch. The main character is given the task of killing the prince who she is arranged to marry. I really loved the prince, he was a great balance to the main character’s energy. This ends without a cliffhanger as this was a standalone before the sequel got approved. I’m really pleased with the ending and excited to read more of this world when Wilted Crown releases.
August 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to the eARC of this book!
Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause is a dark and moody, vaguely enemies to lovers-esque book filled with murder, mystery, and intrigue. Two sisters, born and then pitted against one another, must work together to solve a murder, the sister’s murder. But nothing in this story is as simple as it seems.
I enjoyed the writing style of this book very much. Also the “magic system”, if it can be called that, was very interesting and unique.
Because this was an uncorrected proof I did catch some very minor errors like quotation marks missed or spaces not between words, but they were nothing so jarring as to take me out of the book.
All in all Grave Flowers is a fabulous read and I would suggest it to anyone who loves a good dark royal mystery.
July 22, 2025
Krause is such a master of moody, disturbing descriptions. Never quite horror, but definitely unsettling in the most beautiful way. The whole concept of grave flowers and their uses/magic was absorbing. I liked Madalina and her strength and loyalty to those she loved despite the difficulties of her youth. The romance was also enjoyable without overshadowing the more interesting plot, but parts of it felt rushed at times. Overall, I would highly recommend this for the descriptive writing alone.
September 1, 2025
This book was a wonderful reimagining of Hamlet infused with the intrigue of the Tudor court. The politics and world building were wonderfully fleshed out. I loved the twists and turns this tale took and the concept of the grave flowers were perfectly creepy and captivating. I loved how this story unfolded - in three acts spread across ancient journals/letters and first-hand accounts. Ghosts run rampant, secrets abound, poison lies in wait. It was truly delicious!
May 26, 2025
Once again Autumn Krause has brought us a unique story like no other. Grave Flowers reads like a Shakespeare tragedy. Full of deadly plants. Royal plots that remind me of the Tudor era. A court jester that I immediately loved.
Want to read
May 28, 2025I loved Autumn's first book so much and the vibes here sound AMAZING, I cannot freaking wait.
August 19, 2025
LUSH AND SINISTER ATMOSPHERE OMGGGG
This was fantastic!! This really hit the summer-ween vibes I've been looking for. The vicious murderous courts the ancient castle all the morally gray characters you could want! Gothic goodness abounds in this amazing story!
This was fantastic!! This really hit the summer-ween vibes I've been looking for. The vicious murderous courts the ancient castle all the morally gray characters you could want! Gothic goodness abounds in this amazing story!
July 27, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the book preview.
I loved the suspense and the gothic tropes of the book. One of the best YA reads of the year for me personally.
I loved the suspense and the gothic tropes of the book. One of the best YA reads of the year for me personally.
July 26, 2025
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for the ARC!~~
I kinda wish I liked this more, because it does have some interesting worldbuilding potential and character moments, but, as a whole, the good never really gave into great for me.
Stand alone fantasy novels are really hard to do, and writing only one historical, heavily Victorian inspired fantasy could not have been easy. Don't get me wrong. The world we do get in this book are really interesting. The journal entries about the different type of grave flowers and the contrasts shown between the cultures of Radix and Acus, particularly by Madalina and Aeric, were some of the best parts of it. But there are also two other nations we don't really get to know a whole lot, and there's a vague implantation of religion that isn't fully taken advantage of despite it supposedly being the foundation of the world. I dunno, I just wanted that to be explored a bit more.
Madalina was realized character for the most part. As the "weaker" twin, she tried mimicking her sister a lot when carrying out her goals throughout the book, which got her into more trouble than not. She eventually does realize she didn't need to be her sister, just herself, but there wasn't much reflection on her part that made the character arc satisfying. As for Aeric, he really felt like the poor man's Hamlet. Krause acknowledged the heavy Shakespeare influence in the book, but this prince makes it way too obvious. The "play to reveal his uncle killed his dad" plot point is just a straight rip-off. I'd be more forgiving if Madalina was terrified and put through some hell by Aeric like how Hamlet was with Ophelia, only Madalina's point of view would show how scary that sort of madness is from a man as a woman. But no, Aeric is just so watered down and is strongly characterized by his alcoholism. The only character I was slightly invested in besides Madalina was Inessa, who had a lot of cards up her sleeve that made learning about her so interesting.
All in al, I liked this, but I kinda wished there was more for me to like.
I kinda wish I liked this more, because it does have some interesting worldbuilding potential and character moments, but, as a whole, the good never really gave into great for me.
Stand alone fantasy novels are really hard to do, and writing only one historical, heavily Victorian inspired fantasy could not have been easy. Don't get me wrong. The world we do get in this book are really interesting. The journal entries about the different type of grave flowers and the contrasts shown between the cultures of Radix and Acus, particularly by Madalina and Aeric, were some of the best parts of it. But there are also two other nations we don't really get to know a whole lot, and there's a vague implantation of religion that isn't fully taken advantage of despite it supposedly being the foundation of the world. I dunno, I just wanted that to be explored a bit more.
Madalina was realized character for the most part. As the "weaker" twin, she tried mimicking her sister a lot when carrying out her goals throughout the book, which got her into more trouble than not. She eventually does realize she didn't need to be her sister, just herself, but there wasn't much reflection on her part that made the character arc satisfying. As for Aeric, he really felt like the poor man's Hamlet. Krause acknowledged the heavy Shakespeare influence in the book, but this prince makes it way too obvious. The "play to reveal his uncle killed his dad" plot point is just a straight rip-off. I'd be more forgiving if Madalina was terrified and put through some hell by Aeric like how Hamlet was with Ophelia, only Madalina's point of view would show how scary that sort of madness is from a man as a woman. But no, Aeric is just so watered down and is strongly characterized by his alcoholism. The only character I was slightly invested in besides Madalina was Inessa, who had a lot of cards up her sleeve that made learning about her so interesting.
All in al, I liked this, but I kinda wished there was more for me to like.
September 2, 2025
The dark royalcore, flower threaded horror novel of my heart. Once again Autumn Krause has written a moody, rich, delicious story with heart and humor, fashion and florals. I was not expecting how horror and frightening this would get but it was the best surprise and addition to the story. I loved the Boleyn family and Hamlet vibes, and it was so interesting to see how they played out. Some good twists, a nice bit of romance, and a satisfying ending.
July 25, 2025
4/5 stars
Recommended if you like: historical fantasy, bloodthirsty flowers, ghosts, arranged marriage
Big thanks to Peachtree Teen, Netgalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The world the book is set in is definitely interesting. The religion is based around the Primeval Family (Mother, Father, Son, Daughter), with each kingdom being granted a divine gift. Radix, the kingdom Inessa and Madalina come from, has the divine gift of grave flowers, bloodthirsty flowers that each have their own magical properties. Other kingdoms have the gift to manipulate metal or cloth, etc., with each gift bestowed by one member of the Primeval Family and applicable only to that kingdom. As interesting as this is, it's actually not really touched on throughout the book. We know Radix's gift, and we hear of Crus' and Acus' gifts, but we never actually see those two in play. Likewise, we get a vague sketch of the religion and magic, but not much more than that. Radix doesn't adhere, but we don't really get a chance to find out why, especially when the other kingdoms have remained devout.
Likewise, the political environment is unclear. We know of Acus, the sunny kingdom Inessa is marrying into and where Madalina eventually ends up, and we hear of Crus, but in nothing more than whispers. Crus is apparently an enemy of Radix, but beyond that and their knowledge of metalwork, we don't get any information on whether it's a recent conflict or an age-old one, on how the two polities interact and whether trade is impacted. Frankly, it kind of seems like Radix doesn't trade at all...which, well, no wonder they're broke, but is also just generally confusing because the kingdom is craggy and damp, so there's no way they're able to produce all their own cloth and food. While these might seem like unimportant topics, this book is supposed to have political intrigue at it's core, but without a good sketch of what the other kingdoms look like, it's kind of hard to believe or be interested in the intrigue.
That being said, we do get to learn a good amount about Radix, Acus, and the grave flowers. The flowers were particularly interesting to me, and I like that we got the pages from an older king's journal where he documents his experiments with the flowers and their magic. The flowers are magical on their own, but there are ways of enhancing that magic to deadlier effect, and I liked reading about it. I also liked the format of having journal pages between some of the chapters. I always like 'extra' material in books, and here it serves as a fun bit of insight into the grave flowers and some of Radix's past.
Madalina is known as the 'weaker' twin of her and Inessa. And by 'weaker,' she really just means non-psychopathic. Because Inessa is not just your average morally gray character, she's mean and she has vicious plans. I'm sure a lot of readers would probably like her if this book was her POV, but as it stands, I think Inessa is awful.
Madalina, however, is not a traditional Sinet. She doesn't relish in bloodshed and revenge. In fact, she'd rather be left alone to tend to the grave flowers, with no crown or intrigue to bother her. Understandable, since her father and sister are both a lot and really model for Madalina what royal life is supposed to be. But once Inessa dies and Madalina is on the path to discover her killer and kill Acus' prince, she has to harden her heart. We see a lot of Madalina doing what she thinks needs to be done and thinking she needs to act more like Inessa. This actually gets her in trouble more than once, but I never really see her acknowledge it, which I wish she had done. Madalina just eventually realizes she can be herself, but she never really reflects on how being herself from the start could've saved her some trouble. One thing I will say....how does she not realize what the play is about? The king-to-be is obsessed with a play and is being mysterious about it, I wonder what it could be about? Hm.
Aeric is the prince of Acus and...frankly, I've read too many princes like him in the past year. His father died, leaving him to the crown, and he's left to drink himself silly and deal with conspiracies and a potentially murderous fiance. Sounds like Leo from The Thirteenth Child ...and Aimé from A Treachery of Swans , among others. There's a lot of drunk, blonde princes about apparently. And frankly that seems to be Aeric's sole personality trait. Drinking and being silly and obviously there's more to him and he's sly and whatnot...but I'm so sick of that trope. At least Leo and Aimé had other personality traits going for them, Aeric really does not for most of the book, and really still doesn't even at the end.
All in all, I think this is a decent read, but I wanted more from the characters and more from the worldbuilding. It's still entertaining, and I didn't dislike it, but I also had higher expectations.
Recommended if you like: historical fantasy, bloodthirsty flowers, ghosts, arranged marriage
Big thanks to Peachtree Teen, Netgalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The world the book is set in is definitely interesting. The religion is based around the Primeval Family (Mother, Father, Son, Daughter), with each kingdom being granted a divine gift. Radix, the kingdom Inessa and Madalina come from, has the divine gift of grave flowers, bloodthirsty flowers that each have their own magical properties. Other kingdoms have the gift to manipulate metal or cloth, etc., with each gift bestowed by one member of the Primeval Family and applicable only to that kingdom. As interesting as this is, it's actually not really touched on throughout the book. We know Radix's gift, and we hear of Crus' and Acus' gifts, but we never actually see those two in play. Likewise, we get a vague sketch of the religion and magic, but not much more than that. Radix doesn't adhere, but we don't really get a chance to find out why, especially when the other kingdoms have remained devout.
Likewise, the political environment is unclear. We know of Acus, the sunny kingdom Inessa is marrying into and where Madalina eventually ends up, and we hear of Crus, but in nothing more than whispers. Crus is apparently an enemy of Radix, but beyond that and their knowledge of metalwork, we don't get any information on whether it's a recent conflict or an age-old one, on how the two polities interact and whether trade is impacted. Frankly, it kind of seems like Radix doesn't trade at all...which, well, no wonder they're broke, but is also just generally confusing because the kingdom is craggy and damp, so there's no way they're able to produce all their own cloth and food. While these might seem like unimportant topics, this book is supposed to have political intrigue at it's core, but without a good sketch of what the other kingdoms look like, it's kind of hard to believe or be interested in the intrigue.
That being said, we do get to learn a good amount about Radix, Acus, and the grave flowers. The flowers were particularly interesting to me, and I like that we got the pages from an older king's journal where he documents his experiments with the flowers and their magic. The flowers are magical on their own, but there are ways of enhancing that magic to deadlier effect, and I liked reading about it. I also liked the format of having journal pages between some of the chapters. I always like 'extra' material in books, and here it serves as a fun bit of insight into the grave flowers and some of Radix's past.
Madalina is known as the 'weaker' twin of her and Inessa. And by 'weaker,' she really just means non-psychopathic. Because Inessa is not just your average morally gray character, she's mean and she has vicious plans. I'm sure a lot of readers would probably like her if this book was her POV, but as it stands, I think Inessa is awful.
Madalina, however, is not a traditional Sinet. She doesn't relish in bloodshed and revenge. In fact, she'd rather be left alone to tend to the grave flowers, with no crown or intrigue to bother her. Understandable, since her father and sister are both a lot and really model for Madalina what royal life is supposed to be. But once Inessa dies and Madalina is on the path to discover her killer and kill Acus' prince, she has to harden her heart. We see a lot of Madalina doing what she thinks needs to be done and thinking she needs to act more like Inessa. This actually gets her in trouble more than once, but I never really see her acknowledge it, which I wish she had done. Madalina just eventually realizes she can be herself, but she never really reflects on how being herself from the start could've saved her some trouble. One thing I will say....how does she not realize what the play is about? The king-to-be is obsessed with a play and is being mysterious about it, I wonder what it could be about? Hm.
Aeric is the prince of Acus and...frankly, I've read too many princes like him in the past year. His father died, leaving him to the crown, and he's left to drink himself silly and deal with conspiracies and a potentially murderous fiance. Sounds like Leo from The Thirteenth Child ...and Aimé from A Treachery of Swans , among others. There's a lot of drunk, blonde princes about apparently. And frankly that seems to be Aeric's sole personality trait. Drinking and being silly and obviously there's more to him and he's sly and whatnot...but I'm so sick of that trope. At least Leo and Aimé had other personality traits going for them, Aeric really does not for most of the book, and really still doesn't even at the end.
All in all, I think this is a decent read, but I wanted more from the characters and more from the worldbuilding. It's still entertaining, and I didn't dislike it, but I also had higher expectations.
July 9, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Grave Flowers” by Autumn Krause is a lush and emotionally charged story that combines court intrigue, magical horror, and generational trauma into something both spellbinding and deeply human. At the heart of this dark royal fantasy is Madalina, a princess whose gentle heart and floral magic make her an outsider in a palace ruled by power plays and cruelty. Her journey through deception, betrayal, and transformation is the emotional core of the story, and it is told with both elegance and brutal honesty.
Krause’s world-building is stunning. From the haunting grave flowers to the fashion-laced court, every detail feels alive with menace and beauty. The enchanted blooms, each with deadly properties, serve as both plot devices and symbolic touchstones. Scattered field notes about these flowers appear throughout the book, adding a unique and chilling touch that enhances the lore without pulling away from the story’s momentum.
The book plays with familiar tropes in thrilling ways. There are echoes of Hamlet and Anne Boleyn, but the story carves its own space with floral horror and a morally complex assassination plot. Madalina agrees to marry a prince and is expected to kill him, all under the shadow of diplomacy. It is a political powder keg of a plot, filled with sharp twists and emotional unraveling.
What truly sets the book apart is its exploration of identity and legacy. Madalina is often told that her softness is weakness, and much of the story follows her grappling with this belief while surrounded by a court that demands blood over compassion. Her internal conflict, as she struggles to reconcile her nature with her family's expectations, is written with a subtlety that feels both painful and authentic.
The romance between Madalina and Aeric is slow-burn and gorgeously restrained. It is more about longing and emotional vulnerability than physicality, which suits the book’s tone perfectly. Aeric himself is a broken, wary character who feels real in his pain and guarded hope. Watching these two carefully inch toward trust, even as they both suspect betrayal, is one of the book’s most rewarding arcs.
Krause's prose is lyrical and immersive, pulling you into a world of velvet-draped dread. The atmosphere feels thick with secrets and the weight of unspoken pain. There is humor and banter, particularly from the more eccentric characters, which offers relief without breaking the spell of the darker elements.
While the book is dense with lore and magical history, some of that richness can feel a bit uneven. Certain elements are introduced early with intrigue, only to return later in ways that may confuse readers who do not recall their original context. The resolution of the mystery plotline also arrives a bit suddenly, which may divide some readers, though it arguably adds to the sense of chaos that defines much of the book’s final act.
Still, these are small imperfections in an otherwise powerful and beautifully crafted story. Overall, “Grave Flowers” is perfect for readers who crave dark fantasy with heart, haunting magic, and protagonists who dare to be kind in a world that rewards cruelty. It is a story of grief, resistance, and the courage to become the person your lineage warned you against. A standout addition to the genre, and one that will linger long after the final page.
“Grave Flowers” by Autumn Krause is a lush and emotionally charged story that combines court intrigue, magical horror, and generational trauma into something both spellbinding and deeply human. At the heart of this dark royal fantasy is Madalina, a princess whose gentle heart and floral magic make her an outsider in a palace ruled by power plays and cruelty. Her journey through deception, betrayal, and transformation is the emotional core of the story, and it is told with both elegance and brutal honesty.
Krause’s world-building is stunning. From the haunting grave flowers to the fashion-laced court, every detail feels alive with menace and beauty. The enchanted blooms, each with deadly properties, serve as both plot devices and symbolic touchstones. Scattered field notes about these flowers appear throughout the book, adding a unique and chilling touch that enhances the lore without pulling away from the story’s momentum.
The book plays with familiar tropes in thrilling ways. There are echoes of Hamlet and Anne Boleyn, but the story carves its own space with floral horror and a morally complex assassination plot. Madalina agrees to marry a prince and is expected to kill him, all under the shadow of diplomacy. It is a political powder keg of a plot, filled with sharp twists and emotional unraveling.
What truly sets the book apart is its exploration of identity and legacy. Madalina is often told that her softness is weakness, and much of the story follows her grappling with this belief while surrounded by a court that demands blood over compassion. Her internal conflict, as she struggles to reconcile her nature with her family's expectations, is written with a subtlety that feels both painful and authentic.
The romance between Madalina and Aeric is slow-burn and gorgeously restrained. It is more about longing and emotional vulnerability than physicality, which suits the book’s tone perfectly. Aeric himself is a broken, wary character who feels real in his pain and guarded hope. Watching these two carefully inch toward trust, even as they both suspect betrayal, is one of the book’s most rewarding arcs.
Krause's prose is lyrical and immersive, pulling you into a world of velvet-draped dread. The atmosphere feels thick with secrets and the weight of unspoken pain. There is humor and banter, particularly from the more eccentric characters, which offers relief without breaking the spell of the darker elements.
While the book is dense with lore and magical history, some of that richness can feel a bit uneven. Certain elements are introduced early with intrigue, only to return later in ways that may confuse readers who do not recall their original context. The resolution of the mystery plotline also arrives a bit suddenly, which may divide some readers, though it arguably adds to the sense of chaos that defines much of the book’s final act.
Still, these are small imperfections in an otherwise powerful and beautifully crafted story. Overall, “Grave Flowers” is perfect for readers who crave dark fantasy with heart, haunting magic, and protagonists who dare to be kind in a world that rewards cruelty. It is a story of grief, resistance, and the courage to become the person your lineage warned you against. A standout addition to the genre, and one that will linger long after the final page.
September 3, 2025
*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This book is sooo good!! I am so impressed with the authors ability to spin a gothic fantasy in such a sun-drenched setting, but it was very effective. I also thought the magic system and how it was tied to the world building was highly unique! The grave flowers are such an interesting type of magic and I loved learning about them and seeing all the floral illustrations! They were tied so intricately well into the world and I learned so much about the history of the world and also about Madalina through the flowers!
Madalina herself is also a very interesting character! I thought she was well-developed and loved that she is different than most fantasy FMCs in that she is softer and her talents lie with the flowers and such. I also loooved Aeric!! Who doesn’t love the charming, tortured prince?
The take on Hamlet was also very interesting. I liked the twist on many familiar characters, particularly Yorick, and I think the author did a great job with a fresh take that blended well with her own world and storyline! Even being familiar with some of the turns in Hamlet, the author still managed to shock me! I also loved the complicated family dynamics in both Madalina and Aeric’s families and thought that the themes around love and duty and what we do or do not owe to people because of blood between us were well done and very powerful.
I did think the romance between Madalina and Aeric felt a little too fast to me. They really only had a few interactions before Aeric admitted he loved her and very few of those interactions were honest. Still, I loved the push and pull of their dynamic. I also think there were a few moments that I questioned Madalina’s judgement and some conflicts weren’t fleshed out enough to understand why she made the choices she did. Like not just allying herself with Aeric after Gertrude’s death, which would have stopped her fears of being arrested? Or when she found out Inessa had copied every scar on her body, why not give herself a cut or something, just in case? Because that was a highly disturbing revelation, especially with the knowledge that Madalina had about Immortalities.
That said, this was such a twisty and intriguing gothic fantasy and I cannot wait for the second book!! If you like Throne of Glass (particularly the setting and vibes of the first two) or House of Salt and Sorrows, I think you’ll also enjoy this!
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the advance copy!
This book is sooo good!! I am so impressed with the authors ability to spin a gothic fantasy in such a sun-drenched setting, but it was very effective. I also thought the magic system and how it was tied to the world building was highly unique! The grave flowers are such an interesting type of magic and I loved learning about them and seeing all the floral illustrations! They were tied so intricately well into the world and I learned so much about the history of the world and also about Madalina through the flowers!
Madalina herself is also a very interesting character! I thought she was well-developed and loved that she is different than most fantasy FMCs in that she is softer and her talents lie with the flowers and such. I also loooved Aeric!! Who doesn’t love the charming, tortured prince?
The take on Hamlet was also very interesting. I liked the twist on many familiar characters, particularly Yorick, and I think the author did a great job with a fresh take that blended well with her own world and storyline! Even being familiar with some of the turns in Hamlet, the author still managed to shock me! I also loved the complicated family dynamics in both Madalina and Aeric’s families and thought that the themes around love and duty and what we do or do not owe to people because of blood between us were well done and very powerful.
I did think the romance between Madalina and Aeric felt a little too fast to me. They really only had a few interactions before Aeric admitted he loved her and very few of those interactions were honest. Still, I loved the push and pull of their dynamic. I also think there were a few moments that I questioned Madalina’s judgement and some conflicts weren’t fleshed out enough to understand why she made the choices she did. Like not just allying herself with Aeric after Gertrude’s death, which would have stopped her fears of being arrested? Or when she found out Inessa had copied every scar on her body, why not give herself a cut or something, just in case? Because that was a highly disturbing revelation, especially with the knowledge that Madalina had about Immortalities.
That said, this was such a twisty and intriguing gothic fantasy and I cannot wait for the second book!! If you like Throne of Glass (particularly the setting and vibes of the first two) or House of Salt and Sorrows, I think you’ll also enjoy this!
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the advance copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
Thank you to Peachtree for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Here is a picture of the beautiful ARC that they sent me:
Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause is a dark YA fantasy that seems partly inspired by Hamlet and the Boleyn sisters. The story revolves around Madalina, a princess whose twin sister Inessa was murdered after entering another kingdom to wed Prince Aeric. It's up to Madalina to take her place and marry Prince Aeric in her stead. Unexpectedly, Madalina has also been tasked with killing Prince Aeric by her father. Will Madaline succeed in her mission? Or will she decide to defy her father's order and let the prince live instead?
Here is an engrossing excerpt from Chapter 1:
"I had never wanted the throne.
But it seemed to want me.
The thought hung heavy in my mind as I entered our royal garden, ducking around the rusty signs with warnings like VICIOUS FLOWERS and BEWARE, HEAVY POLLEN-VISITORS MAY HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING. For a moment, I was distracted from my misery. Something was amiss. The grave flowers were furious, which was odd because the day was perfect for them: weak, drained of sunlight, and laundered in heavy, dripping gloom so it was hard to see despite the daytime hour."
Overall, Grave Flowers is a beautiful, dark royal fantasy that will appeal of fans of CW's Reign and Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. One highlight of this book is that it is #ownvoices with the main character being of mixed race background. Another highlight of this book is the beautiful, regal writing with delicious vocabulary words. I felt like I had been transported back several hundred years. One final highlight is the mysterious atmosphere and court intrigue. There is an amazing scene at the end of Act II that I totally wasn't expecting. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA historical fantasy about royalty, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in September!
Here is a picture of the beautiful ARC that they sent me:
Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause is a dark YA fantasy that seems partly inspired by Hamlet and the Boleyn sisters. The story revolves around Madalina, a princess whose twin sister Inessa was murdered after entering another kingdom to wed Prince Aeric. It's up to Madalina to take her place and marry Prince Aeric in her stead. Unexpectedly, Madalina has also been tasked with killing Prince Aeric by her father. Will Madaline succeed in her mission? Or will she decide to defy her father's order and let the prince live instead?
Here is an engrossing excerpt from Chapter 1:
"I had never wanted the throne.
But it seemed to want me.
The thought hung heavy in my mind as I entered our royal garden, ducking around the rusty signs with warnings like VICIOUS FLOWERS and BEWARE, HEAVY POLLEN-VISITORS MAY HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING. For a moment, I was distracted from my misery. Something was amiss. The grave flowers were furious, which was odd because the day was perfect for them: weak, drained of sunlight, and laundered in heavy, dripping gloom so it was hard to see despite the daytime hour."
Overall, Grave Flowers is a beautiful, dark royal fantasy that will appeal of fans of CW's Reign and Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. One highlight of this book is that it is #ownvoices with the main character being of mixed race background. Another highlight of this book is the beautiful, regal writing with delicious vocabulary words. I felt like I had been transported back several hundred years. One final highlight is the mysterious atmosphere and court intrigue. There is an amazing scene at the end of Act II that I totally wasn't expecting. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA historical fantasy about royalty, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in September!
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