Oh how lovely it is to find myself back in Thorn Grove! Except this time, there’s far more to explore— more places to venture to— and a new co-lead to follow! This book remains mostly Signa’s story, but there are interludes featuring her cousin Blythe that I surprisingly became exceedingly attached to. Their separate and joined stories were enthralling to witness, I found myself happily escaping into their journeys and holding my breath upon every step they took onto their respective paths.

Foxglove is a magnificent sequel, a worthy sophomore entry in a trilogy that is setting up to be one of the greatest I’ve ever read. It’s developed a terrific mystery, a swoon-worthy romance (with teases of another budding one!), and a story that will grip your heart with every emotion possible.

》The Leads《

Signa my beloved! How marvelous it was to meet her again. Albeit this go around the poor girl is under so much duress, there was nary a moment of peace for her, but her resolve was relentless and her courage steadfast. I so admire how she constantly seeks truth and tries her best to find justice and peace for others. She remains such a worthy protagonist, but this time she shares the stage.

Then there’s Blythe. I was most curious about Blythe’s POVs. Firstly, Signa’s POVs are still the majority perspective read, yet by story’s end, I was wishing for more and more from Blythe. She was a figure in the first book I felt indifferent to. She seemed like a mere plot device, so the fact she took a POV within this book threw me for a loop. Needless to say, I was surprised by how much I came to love her. She’s such a firecracker! She stands on her own two feet, wildly so. She pays no mind to how things should be done, rather gets things done her own way. She became a most welcome protagonist, whose story I hope takes true center stage. She can absolutely lead her own book, and if that’s what’s coming up next, I’m all in.

》The Romance《

The Death and the Maiden trope continues to hit all the right notes! I will admit, I favor how the romance was done in the first book, but that doesn’t lessen how much I once again rooted for Death and Signa’s love story in this one. They’re simply it for me. Facing a massive obstacle in their romance, I loved seeing how determined they were to jump over every hurdle standing in their way.

There’s another romance brewing in this world that could potentially rival Signa and Death’s. It’s more teased and pondered over at the moment, but I must admit, those crumbs captured me more than the main romance at times. I am very excited to see how it develops in the next book, where I imagine it will become the main love story to unfold.

》The World-Building《

Adalyn Grace remains a mastermind of world-building. Foxglove finds us in a Victorian summer filled with the fantastical and you feel it in every nook and cranny. Every description read comes vividly to life with every changing setting. I got lost in the best way possible throughout this book, never wanting to leave its world.

》The Mystery《

One again Grace develops a very sound mystery! There are red herrings, but also deliberate foreshadowings, so even as you stumble to figure out the whodunnit, the reveals never feel out of pocket. When looking back they become clear as day, but until it’s revealed it is an exciting path to wander and theorize.

》The Ending《

I loved how this one ended! It felt like one chapter closed while a new exciting one is awaiting in the wings to open. It was all beautifully crafted.

》To Sum it Up《

Once again, Grace strikes gold! I love this fantastical, dark world. Its shadows are filled with swoons and wonders, its mysteries are alluring and heart-racing, and its stars shine bright, as new cast members begin to take center stage to take this story in a new direction. A direction I simply can’t wait to tell! In fact, it won’t surprise me if the love story that comes next becomes my favorite within this world. I’ll see in you in Wisteria!


》Spoilery Shower Thoughts《

Spoiler

One of my least favorite tropes is reincarnated lover. When this happens in romantasy books, I tend to find that the character I’ve come to love changes personality. They ‘revert’ into their ‘original’ form, rather than who they became in their new life. I so hope that’s not where things go with Blythe/Life. She may harbor the reincarnated soul of Life, but her heart is her own. And I hope she fiercely protects it, and that that is who Fate falls in love with. Not a past lover, but the woman Blythe is in her own right. I’m hoping for a trajectory somewhat similar as in seen in the anime/manga InuYasha, where Kagome, who harbors the reincarnated soul of Kikyo, is always quick to distinguish herself as a her own person, her own self, not reduced to a remnant of a dead memory. That said, I have all the trust in Adalyn Grace that I know, no matter the path taken it will be absolutely worthwhile.