Brielle "Briseis" Colfer possesses a hereditary gift: the ability to make plants grow, bloom, and obey her touch with a single thought. When she inherits an ancient, overgrown estate in rural New York from her biological aunt, she and her adoptive mothers move from the city to uncover her family’s history. Briseis discovers a hidden apothecary and a walled garden filled with the world’s deadliest botanicals. As she learns to harvest toxic specimens, she encounters strangers seeking her family's secrets and uncovers a connection to Greek mythology involving the legendary Colchis Bull and the legacy of Medea.
Young adult readers who enjoy contemporary fantasy mixed with botanical lore and queer romance find this story a unique spin on classical myths. Fans of the "secret garden" trope appreciate the atmospheric setting and the technical descriptions of poisonous flora. The narrative offers a clear depiction of a supportive Black family unit and a protagonist gaining autonomy over a dangerous power. Readers finish the book with a dark reimagining of the Medea legend and a mystery that sets the stage for a broader supernatural conflict involving immortality and ancient bloodlines.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2021
- Language
- EN
