April 2023 First in a Series BOTM - The Foxglove King, by Hannah F. Whitten

[Alaina]

In this lush, romantic new epic fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten, a young woman's secret power to raise the dead plunges her into the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King's royal court.

When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.

Mortem, the magic born from death, is a high-priced and illicit commodity in Dellaire, and Lore’s job running poisons keeps her in food, shelter, and relative security. But when a run goes wrong and Lore’s power is revealed, she’s taken by the Presque Mort, a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem working for the Sainted King. Lore fully expects a pyre, but King August has a different plan. Entire villages on the outskirts of the country have been dying overnight, seemingly at random. Lore can either use her magic to find out what’s happening and who in the King’s court is responsible, or die.

Lore is thrust into the Sainted King’s glittering court, where no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted. Guarded by Gabriel, a duke-turned-monk, and continually running up against Bastian, August’s ne’er-do-well heir, Lore tangles in politics, religion, and forbidden romance as she attempts to navigate a debauched and opulent society.

But the life she left behind in the catacombs is catching up with her. And even as Lore makes her way through the Sainted court above, they might be drawing closer than she thinks.

**This BOTM thread will be open until May 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Agne]

Chapter 1-8 (view spoiler)[It's a slow start. A lot of new words and world building, names, titles... a lot to follow. But chapter 7-8 feels more like the story is finally picking up. Why I have a feeling that Gabriel might be a love interest in all of this? But there will be something with Bastian... why she feels like he is somehow familiar? (hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

Chapter 9 - 18 (view spoiler)[ Okay, the things I know: Both the King and his brother are up to something no good. Gabe is seriously brain-washed. Like big time. I hope he will see through his blind trust to Anton.
Things I have no clue of: What the hell is up with Bastian? One second I think maybe he isn't as bad as it might seem, next secon I think he is even worse... (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 1-9 (view spoiler)[ I like the world so far and Lore is pretty cool. I'm digging her and Gabriel, maybe they'll end up together? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Agne wrote: "Chapter 1-8 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm think Gabriel as a love interest too. Bastian will have to prove he's better than he seems so far (hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

chapter 19 - 27 (view spoiler)[Okay... what the hell... sooo... am I right thinking that Anton wants to get Lore's powers... and then August wants Bastians powers? I asume Bastian has Spiritum... wow, everything is kind of messed up. (hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

Aly wrote: "Agne wrote: "Chapter 1-8 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Still... why I always want the heroine to end up with a bad guy? (hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

Chapter 28 - 34 (view spoiler)[wow. It get's more confussing. First, I had a feeling Severin Bellegarde is involved somehow. Not sure how bad or deep, but he is...
Next, damn Gabe... are you ready to forsake your vows?.. :)
And seriously, what the hell about all of them feeing like they knew each other?
I hope they will find bodies and get some answers.... (hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

Chapter 35 - Epilogue (view spoiler)[ Damn...I... I'm lost at words. So much happened in last few chapters, that I think I need to proccess everything. Whaaa... I knew Anon was lying, I knew he isn't someone to trust. Tho, I have a feeling there is some truth about Lores powers... damn.. When we get book 2? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 10-21 (view spoiler)[ Bastian must have some kind of magic. Lore could see him light up and he affected her use of mortem. Maybe it's control over life instead of death?

I still like Gabriel more than Bastian and I'm hoping Lore picks him, but it's hard to say (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Agne wrote: "Chapter 9 - 18 Okay, the things I know: Both the King and his brother are up to something no good. Gabe is seriously brain-washed. Like big time. I hope he will see through his blind trust to Anto..."

He definitely is, (view spoiler)[ hopefully Lore can show Gabe not to trust Anton and that they're up to something bad (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

I really loved Whitten’s For the Wolf. So really looking forward to this one!

Chapter 1-11
(view spoiler)[
Interesting world. I liked Lore and her spunky attitude right away. We got just enough background for to understand Lore’s necromancy power.

The mystery of what happened to the villagers has gotten my interest. Gabriel’s past seems complicated. It will be interesting seeing how Gabriel and Lore work together.

I do enjoy court intrigue. This court was pretty wild and raucous. And Lore and Gabriel are humorous together. Bastion was definitely sleezy. It will be fun seeing how Lore and Bastian interact. Could Bastian be behind the sabotage?
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Chapter 12-22
(view spoiler)[
Bastian showing Lore the horse she reanimated was creepy. Lore’s powers are more complex than I first thought.

Lots of flirting between Lore and Gabriel. And he is supposed to be a celibate monk? Obviously, that won’t be a problem. LOL

Things really do get more exciting in this section. Bastian isn’t as bad as first I thought. He is the bad boy to Gabe’s good guy.

The information given by the dead boy was interesting. Where are the other villagers?

Lore thinking Gabe and Bastian are familiar. Is it because they share a destiny?
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Agne wrote: "Chapter 9 - 18 ."

LOL I felt the same way about Bastian. But finally realized he is (view spoiler)[the required bad boy to what is probably a love triangle. (hide spoiler)] And totally agree about Gabe too.

[Geri]

Chapter 23-32

(view spoiler)[
Lore’s power over mortem is pretty uncontrollable. I definitely want to know more. Bastian helped. Does he have some power over life to balance her power over death?

The king is dying. Gabe did make a good point. If Anton or the king have anything to do with the villagers, why would they bring her to court?

Still enjoying the book. Lore using her power makes the book entertaining. The camaraderie between Lore, Gabe and Bastian is fun.

Lore and Gabriel are definitely star crossed. I am rooting for them. But it may not happen in this book.
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Chapter 33-Epilogue

(view spoiler)[
Final thoughts.

This was good! Very exciting at the end. Gabe finally realized Anton wasn’t who Gabriel thought he was.

So now the king and Anton are gone. I didn’t expect that. Is Bastian any better? I’m not so sure. The night Princess, Lore’s mother, says doom may follow. It will be interesting to see where the story goes in the next book.

I’m sure the love triangle will continue as well. Not my favorite trope. But I’m invested enough to continue.
(hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 22-30 (view spoiler)[ Bastian has definitely grown on me, though I still ship Gabe with Lore.

I was sad when Lore tried to raise that boy, how awful that people are killing whole villages.

Lore turning that guy into a stone was pretty awesome.

Anton and August are definitely up to shady things... (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Agne wrote: "chapter 19 - 27 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, so twisted!

[Aly]

Ch 31-End (view spoiler)[ I don't feel at all bad that August and Anton are dead. They both sucked.

I'm sad that Gabriel betrayed them and I hope he makes up for it. I really liked him and he was so manipulated by the man he saw as a father. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 1-10 (view spoiler)[So Gabriel is a Duke and Jax cut out his eye. How awful. Not really sure what I think of Bastain yet. And the world building could be better. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-20 (view spoiler)[The non-dead kid was super creepy. I'm surprised Bastain saved her, so maybe he won't be so bad after all. And now we find out that his dad is trying to kill him too. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 21-30 (view spoiler)[Well wasn't really expecting Bastain to announce that August is dying. Still don't really understand why he wants Bastain dead though. So the note she found was the number of people who died. Wonder if Ali's dad is involved in something somehow. Can Bastain heal himself?? And I'm kind of glad Lore's fight was broken up. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31-End (view spoiler)[This ending is super creepy with the dead corpse getting up. I seriously thought that Gabe wasn't working with Anton and wouldn't go to him. But Lore now was control over the corps, so we will see how that plays out. It took long enough for Anton to show up at the ball! I'm kind of glad he killed August. But now we know that Anton was behind the villages and wanted Lore dead. Gabe is now Priest Exalted. I wonder what that will mean for the next book. (hide spoiler)]


Sorry my thoughts are kind of all over from me writing them down as I was reading.

[Ashlyn]

Agne wrote: "Chapter 1-8 [spoilers removed]"

I agree, the ending was super slow. I felt like the world-building and storyline starting could have been done a little better.