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Court of Fives #0.5
Night Flower
This gorgeous romance from World Fantasy Award finalist Kate Elliott is a prequel to Court of Fives, the epic story of Jessamy and her struggle to do what she loves in a society suffocated by rules of class and privilege.
Kiya is a Commoner who has just arrived in the bustling city of Saryenia. Esladas is a member of the Patron ruling class and determined to prove himself in the army. His plans are disrupted by the outgoing and beautiful girl who sells him fruit in the market, though, despite the fact that neither of them speaks a word of the others language. Brief conversations and stolen moments together soon become something more, but when their divided cultures clash, Kiya and Esladas must decide if their blossoming love is worth becoming outsiders for the rest of their lives. Read the beginning of their legendary love story in this Court of Fives companion novella!
Kiya is a Commoner who has just arrived in the bustling city of Saryenia. Esladas is a member of the Patron ruling class and determined to prove himself in the army. His plans are disrupted by the outgoing and beautiful girl who sells him fruit in the market, though, despite the fact that neither of them speaks a word of the others language. Brief conversations and stolen moments together soon become something more, but when their divided cultures clash, Kiya and Esladas must decide if their blossoming love is worth becoming outsiders for the rest of their lives. Read the beginning of their legendary love story in this Court of Fives companion novella!
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
33 people are currently reading
1153 people want to read
About the author
Kate Elliott
111 books2,919 followersAs a child in rural Oregon, Kate Elliott made up stories because she longed to escape to a world of lurid adventure fiction. She now writes fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction, often with a romantic edge. She currently lives in Hawaii, where she paddles outrigger canoes and spoils her schnauzer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 16, 2017
A really sweet and romantic story of how Jessamy's parents first met and fell in love. It let me see Ensladas in particular in a slightly different and more generous light than he comes across in the early part of Court of Fives.
July 19, 2017
3.5 stars
December 12, 2015
This is a very nice little 'Romeo and Juliet' esque story, involving a naive Saroese man and a young Efran woman, who awkwardly meet and attempt to get to know each other better, despite a language barrier. Their love is forbidden by all around them, but they continue to pursue it in spite of that.
It was very well written, and a nice little piece of worldbuilding for Kate's Court of Fives world. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
It was very well written, and a nice little piece of worldbuilding for Kate's Court of Fives world. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
July 31, 2017
I loved seeing the birth of Jessamy's parents' relationship. It was adorable and added life and personality to her parents. In world set against them, they stand together and fight back against the customs of the land. The ending sentence captured all the feels. Awesome novella!
December 8, 2015
Kate Elliott's writing is immensely readable and effortless, as usual. The story is well crafted and doesn't skirt the unpleasantness of the story - the beginning of Jessamy's parents is romantic, with flowers and language barrier, but it doesn't happen in vacuum but in a world that assumes that he will abuse her or that she is a prostitute, because that is what happens in such relationships and because he has power over her, regardless of how powerless he feels in general. And the way this develops in the actual novels is very thoughtful and clever (I just hope there's no happy ending and Esladas dies in one of the future books, I'm vindictive that way).
For me, the best thing was seeing the similarities between Kiya and her daughter. The worst - I just deeply, deeply dislike Esladas after reading Court of Fives. I don't care how much of a choice he did or didn't have, he abandoned and betrayed those who trusted him the most. I can't bring myself to care about his crush.
(And I can't help but notice the similarity between this story and the one in Black Wolves with regard to the "love-at-first-sight even though everyone says we shouldn't be together" aspect. And both guys being soldiers. Not a great way to buy me, apparently. Ugh, how I dislike that pairing in Black Wolves...)
For me, the best thing was seeing the similarities between Kiya and her daughter. The worst - I just deeply, deeply dislike Esladas after reading Court of Fives. I don't care how much of a choice he did or didn't have, he abandoned and betrayed those who trusted him the most. I can't bring myself to care about his crush.
(And I can't help but notice the similarity between this story and the one in Black Wolves with regard to the "love-at-first-sight even though everyone says we shouldn't be together" aspect. And both guys being soldiers. Not a great way to buy me, apparently. Ugh, how I dislike that pairing in Black Wolves...)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2017
I would love to talk about how much I love this love story, but I am just a puddle of love after reading this inspiring love story of how important it is to fight for what you believe to be right in love. ❤
December 15, 2015
*Source* Amazon
*Genre* Fantasy, Romance
*Rating* 3.0
*MY Thoughts*
Night Flower is a short novella, 50 pages, that is considered the prequel to Court of Fives series. This story is very much about the love between Kiya, and Eslados who will one day become the parents of Jessamy and her sisters from Court of Fives. A love affair that is frowned up by both sides, and against the law for them to have children. Children of Efean Mothers and Saroese Fathers are called Mules. This we know from reading Court of Fives. But, we never had a chance to understand why they fell in love in the first place. Now, we do.
This is a pretty good summary of the story itself.
Kiya is a Efean Commoner who has just arrived in the bustling city of Saryenia. She plans on spending a full year in the city with her Uncle. Esladas is a member of the Patron ruling class (Saroese) and is determined to prove himself in the army even though his own father thought he was worthless and will never amount to anything. His plans are disrupted by the outgoing and beautiful girl who sells him fruit in the market, though, despite the fact that neither of them speaks a word of the others language. Brief conversations and stolen moments together soon become something more, but when their divided cultures clash, Kiya and Esladas must decide if their blossoming love is worth becoming outsiders for the rest of their lives.
Published December 8th 2015 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
*Genre* Fantasy, Romance
*Rating* 3.0
*MY Thoughts*
Night Flower is a short novella, 50 pages, that is considered the prequel to Court of Fives series. This story is very much about the love between Kiya, and Eslados who will one day become the parents of Jessamy and her sisters from Court of Fives. A love affair that is frowned up by both sides, and against the law for them to have children. Children of Efean Mothers and Saroese Fathers are called Mules. This we know from reading Court of Fives. But, we never had a chance to understand why they fell in love in the first place. Now, we do.
This is a pretty good summary of the story itself.
Kiya is a Efean Commoner who has just arrived in the bustling city of Saryenia. She plans on spending a full year in the city with her Uncle. Esladas is a member of the Patron ruling class (Saroese) and is determined to prove himself in the army even though his own father thought he was worthless and will never amount to anything. His plans are disrupted by the outgoing and beautiful girl who sells him fruit in the market, though, despite the fact that neither of them speaks a word of the others language. Brief conversations and stolen moments together soon become something more, but when their divided cultures clash, Kiya and Esladas must decide if their blossoming love is worth becoming outsiders for the rest of their lives.
Published December 8th 2015 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
May 8, 2019
I loved how they met and how their relationship developed! It's bittersweet if course, we know it ends badly later on. But the start was full of promise and romance. Esladas and Kiya were so determined to buck tradition and find a way!
December 10, 2015
It's a lovely story, albeit somewhat soured by the knowledge of what is to come.
January 31, 2021
I had the Court of Fives series sitting on my shelf at home for a while and I finally got around to reading the first book this week. If you've followed me for a while, you know I love a good companion novella and I love a villain backstory even more. Ok, Jess's father is not really a villain but he's definitely nobody's favorite. I really liked the idea of seeing a younger version of his character when he was idealistic and in love.
I thought this novella added a richness to the world Kate Elliott created and gave her a great vehicle to share more details about the world building. I also loved seeing a character that I didn't really like in a better light. I think it will help me view him differently in the subsequent sequels.
One thing I didn't love was the ending. If you've read the first book, you know how this story ends but I didn't like the vagueness of Night Flower's ending. I think a more hopeful ending would have been better.
I was already planning to keep reading but this novella sparked interest in a character that I wasn't crazy about. I am now even more excited to read the rest of the series to see how Jess's parent's story unfolds.
I thought this novella added a richness to the world Kate Elliott created and gave her a great vehicle to share more details about the world building. I also loved seeing a character that I didn't really like in a better light. I think it will help me view him differently in the subsequent sequels.
One thing I didn't love was the ending. If you've read the first book, you know how this story ends but I didn't like the vagueness of Night Flower's ending. I think a more hopeful ending would have been better.
I was already planning to keep reading but this novella sparked interest in a character that I wasn't crazy about. I am now even more excited to read the rest of the series to see how Jess's parent's story unfolds.
March 14, 2023
This was a bittersweet little story, especially reading it after what I already know happens in Court of Fives. I think how much you enjoy it will definitely depend on your feelings re: Esaldas and his actions in the first book. For me, it lands a little mixed, because it's hard not to see him as having all the power in this situation, and I have a hard time having sympathy for him.
Kiya, though, was a delight in this, and it was so good to see the different pieces of her that she shared with her daughters. I feel like she made her own choices in this, but I have a little more sympathy for her. She is a sixteen year old girl.
But, despite my mixed feelings, this was well written and I do enjoy the tropes used for the romance here, so it was enjoyable to read but complicated.
Kiya, though, was a delight in this, and it was so good to see the different pieces of her that she shared with her daughters. I feel like she made her own choices in this, but I have a little more sympathy for her. She is a sixteen year old girl.
But, despite my mixed feelings, this was well written and I do enjoy the tropes used for the romance here, so it was enjoyable to read but complicated.
January 5, 2018
Can I give this a 2.75? It's a cute short story of how Jessamy's parents first meet, but I wish it had been a little longer with more information--for example, on Esladas' friends. (Three of them aren't even given names!) And while this short story doesn't spoil the Court of Fives trilogy, this story makes more sense if you read at least the first book before this.
March 20, 2018
Cute story about how Kiya and Esladas met. It’s kind of sad, though, knowing how things end in the Court of Fives novels.
Cameo by Inarsis. You can see where Kiya got some of her children’s names (Wenru is an uncle, Amayat is a vender she worked for, Marayam is a distant relative she stayed with).
Note: Can’t recall anything bad.
Cameo by Inarsis. You can see where Kiya got some of her children’s names (Wenru is an uncle, Amayat is a vender she worked for, Marayam is a distant relative she stayed with).
Note: Can’t recall anything bad.
June 12, 2021
He stood by the gate with his arms full of flowers.
Why would he give her up. He was warned, he knew. He should have manned up and just let go of his ambitions to be with her. He decided to be with her just as she decided to be with him. She did better then him.
It was a good story just... Esladas the ensalada🤦
May 20, 2017
This is quite a pretty prequel to the Court of Fives stories, romantic and sweet, without, thankfully, much foreshadowing of the sadness and troubles to come for these characters.
September 13, 2017
Very sweet little book.
November 3, 2017
Weird, because the mom has no personality in Court of Fives, and then is suddenly an important revolutionary in Book 2. Elliott needs to pick one. Nice to see another side of Esladas though.
December 28, 2017
This series is great, and while this is a short piece, it's important to the whole.
February 2, 2018
Beautiful. Kiya and Esladas are the Effian and Soroese version of Romeo and Juliet. This was very sweet and I enjoyed learning about two characters that really don't get fleshed out in the trilogy.
March 11, 2018
A nice little tale that provides background on how Jess's parents met. This is a good supplement to the trilogy.
September 5, 2018
An easy, uncomplicated read. I really liked the extended focus on cultural differences and language barrier. And tbh I could relate to Kiya a lot in certain aspects.
January 17, 2020
A great addition to the series - this look at where Kiya and Esladis came from and found in each other was quite lovely (if bittersweet with the benefit of a reader's hindsight).
February 27, 2020
2.5/5 stars
March 11, 2021
A sweet novella about how Jes' parents met.
December 4, 2024
I loved reading this insight into how Esladas and Kiya met, it is adorable. A great addition as a novella to the series.
July 19, 2025
4.5⭐️ this was so cute!!!
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September 9, 20164.5 stars from Jana, read the full review at FANTASY LITERATURE
Night Flower, currently only available online, is a prequel novella to Court of Fives, the first book in Kate Elliott’s YA fantasy trilogy (also titled COURT OF FIVES). The relationship between Doma Kiya and Captain Esladas — the parents of Jessamy, teenaged Fives adversary and central figure of the trilogy — is a matter of speculation for many, especially the Saroese nobles who view this pairing with disgust and disdain. In this novella, Elliott takes readers back to when Kiya and Esladas first set foot in the city of Saryenia, when they were young and seeking their fortunes, and reveals the circumstances which drew them together.
Newly arrived in Saryenia with a small group of comrades from Old Saro, Esladas immediately sets about determining how best to make a name for himself, though his unfamiliarity with local customs and the Efean language mark him as an outsider who will have to work tirelessly to transcend his humble birth. In a parallel storyline, Kiya has just begun a year-long stay in Saryenia under the watchful eye of her uncle, with the understanding that she will learn more about how to properly run a household before returning to her mother’s village. By chance, these two meet in a marketplace, and despite the language barrier and the apparent impossibility for a Saroese man and an Efean woman to have anything resembling an equal partnership, they charge forward with the infinite wisdom and impeccable judgement which infatuated strangers are known for. ...read the full review at FANTASY LITERATURE
Night Flower, currently only available online, is a prequel novella to Court of Fives, the first book in Kate Elliott’s YA fantasy trilogy (also titled COURT OF FIVES). The relationship between Doma Kiya and Captain Esladas — the parents of Jessamy, teenaged Fives adversary and central figure of the trilogy — is a matter of speculation for many, especially the Saroese nobles who view this pairing with disgust and disdain. In this novella, Elliott takes readers back to when Kiya and Esladas first set foot in the city of Saryenia, when they were young and seeking their fortunes, and reveals the circumstances which drew them together.
Newly arrived in Saryenia with a small group of comrades from Old Saro, Esladas immediately sets about determining how best to make a name for himself, though his unfamiliarity with local customs and the Efean language mark him as an outsider who will have to work tirelessly to transcend his humble birth. In a parallel storyline, Kiya has just begun a year-long stay in Saryenia under the watchful eye of her uncle, with the understanding that she will learn more about how to properly run a household before returning to her mother’s village. By chance, these two meet in a marketplace, and despite the language barrier and the apparent impossibility for a Saroese man and an Efean woman to have anything resembling an equal partnership, they charge forward with the infinite wisdom and impeccable judgement which infatuated strangers are known for. ...read the full review at FANTASY LITERATURE
December 27, 2015
Star-crossed first loves. the FEELS!
This novella was a nice addition to the Court of Fives universe. It was nice to see the world from Kiya and Esladas' POV. We see their first meeting and the beginnings of their relationship. It's sweet and genuine, but a cruel fist encircles my heart and squeezes because I know what is to become of them. *SPOILER ALERT* After reading Court of Fives, I had some doubts as to Esladas feelings towards Kiya. In a world where one is seen as a servant and the other, a master, it's hard to believe that they would last together. In this novella, it felt more like Esladas had a view of the world that danced to his tune. Arrogance of youth and the burning desire to rise o the top were some of the things I associate with Esladas. Despite knowing that an Efean woman and a Saorese man can never amount to anything in the eyes of the world, both Kiya and Esladas made the choice to be together. I would love to read more about their future trials as a couple in other novellas; if there are any. I'm going to go cry some more.
This novella was a nice addition to the Court of Fives universe. It was nice to see the world from Kiya and Esladas' POV. We see their first meeting and the beginnings of their relationship. It's sweet and genuine, but a cruel fist encircles my heart and squeezes because I know what is to become of them. *SPOILER ALERT* After reading Court of Fives, I had some doubts as to Esladas feelings towards Kiya. In a world where one is seen as a servant and the other, a master, it's hard to believe that they would last together. In this novella, it felt more like Esladas had a view of the world that danced to his tune. Arrogance of youth and the burning desire to rise o the top were some of the things I associate with Esladas. Despite knowing that an Efean woman and a Saorese man can never amount to anything in the eyes of the world, both Kiya and Esladas made the choice to be together. I would love to read more about their future trials as a couple in other novellas; if there are any. I'm going to go cry some more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews