To Bleed a Crystal Bloom

Crystal Bloom, Book 1

De: Sarah A. Parker

Narrado por: Chelsea Stephens, Troy Duran

"What a pretty flower to keep locked in a big, rocky tower."

Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.

Small. Fragile. An enigma.

Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds.

Stay within. Never leave.

Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe...though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily. Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.

My savior. My protector.

My almost executioner.

I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground. When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.

No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst.

©2022 Sarah A. Parker (P)2022 Podium Audio

Reader is a bit robotic…you kinda get used to it?!

Story is built around mysteries that you don’t get answers to in this book or the next one. Is she a mermaid, a fae, a list princess, what is her power, who is she to Riordan? Don’t know, not sure I want to spend another credit to find out…

Wow! This is a great listen!!

If I’m honest, I purchased this book because Troy Duran is a narrator that I really enjoy listening to. He recommended it and I needed something to listen to at the time. And I am so glad I did!! This book is very good! I wasn’t sure at first, but then I couldn’t stop listening!

I was enthralled with these characters and what was truly happening…. Lives every minute.. and can’t wait to hear more!!! On to book two for me!

Captivating Dark Romantasy

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is unlike anything I've ever read or heard, and I'm not sure whether I loved it or hated it. The author's prose can be difficult to follow, but it is oddly captivating. The narrators did an exceptional job. I was drawn into a fantasy world that I couldn't quite comprehend with unusual characters that I am still unsure exactly who or what they were, but I was left wanting more.

Amazing plot

Absolutely love this book. Easy to follow without much confusion (audio wise) they explain mythical aspects right away without having to wonder what creature/thing it is. Amazing narrators. On to book 2

Enchanting

I understand why some aren’t fans of the plot but to that I say, it’s fiction. It’s meant to be magical and sweep you away from your own reality and this first installment did just that in an eloquent and humorous way. Additionally, the qualm some may have about the love interest is explained very subtly at the beginning of the book which alleviated the issue I thought I might have based on the premise.

Overall, a beautiful and fast paced book that was narrated wonderfully. Troy Duran was already a favorite of mine and Chelsea Stephens has now joined him in that regard.