Queen B’s Decree: I’ve never read the source material, so while this is a retelling, I went into it blind.
Cordelia is an orphan looking for her missing brother and after following her leads, she ends up at this village estate full of men-hating women. Of the two daughters of the house, she is romantically drawn to Briar while being simultaneously intimidated by her sister, Prim.
The middle of the story felt like it was lagging a bit…but oh my, the end broke me. I don’t want to give away anything since I believe the surprise added significantly to my enjoyment. But this is gothic, herbaceous, heartbreaking, introspective, and don’t forget—pretty gay.
I listened to this one and the narrator, Fiona Hardingham, really captured the gothic feel of the story. Her voice is what kept me going when my mind began to wander, and I’m so happy I finished.
Book: Her Wicked Roots by Tanya Pell
Series: standalone
Genre: Historical
Plot Devices/Tropes: sapphic retelling