To Bleed a Crystal Bloom

Crystal Bloom, Book 1

By: Sarah A. Parker

Narrated by: 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

Don’t waste your time on this book!

The story does not develop at all.. there is so much missing in the plot, world building is awful! The author spent so much time talking about the architecture of the castle… you will start sleeping listening to this.. The MC was annoying! I felt I was in the head of a crazy person! There were so many characters who were there for no reason… gosh I am glad I am done with this book! Please don’t waste your time reading other books in this series!

Confusing, had promise.

Hate the FMC but I kind of get it with how she was raised. Idk not enough explanation for so many little breadcrumbs that were what caught my attention. Then no conclusion for them, no answers.

Interesting plot, but a bit muddy.

Overall, the book was pretty good. It’s slow going at first with a lot of world building that I’ll be honest still has several holes in it right now. I’ll see what happens next and decide if I keep going.

Yes Yes Yes!

I've read the book 3 times now, So listening to the audio book was like entering the author's world all over again. The narrators were phenomenal. it took me a minute to get used to Laith's voice since I pictured it differently in my head, but her narration grew on me. I enjoyed every minute of it and really cannot wait for the next chapter of this growing story.

First Chapter and I was in!!!

Amazing storytelling! Wonderful easy to listen to narrators! Outstanding writing style! You don't wanna miss this incredible series!!! Buckle up and hold on tight to your heart! Because just like the title this book will make it bleed!!!

Almost a 5 star!

This was the beginning of a really great story. The heroine can be very annoying at times but I’m hoping she matures over the next books! My main complaint is that the author gets way too “wordy” and can go on and on about things that don’t really matter to the story. A really great moment is ruined by the over abundance of adjectives and drawn out until you forget why it was a great moment. I still loved the story and will definitely continue!

An interesting read…

I was super confused at first, being drop-kicked into this book. But after the first 15 chapters, I became wholly engrossed in the tale! I’m still hoping things will be explained in the next book(s)!

NOT A ROMANCE

This story is incredibly weird. I didn't know what was happening until chapter 20 and even then I was given so little information. I know we're supposed to like Oralath, but found her incredibly annoying. I thought the prose was beautiful, a bit much at times. This is marketed as a dark romantasy, but there isn't romance. I'd probably call it a dark fantasy with unrequited love. Not a Rapunzel re-imagining! Oralath is beautifully broken, but again NOT A ROMANCE!

Great narration

This story fell flat for me and I was so lost in the story. There seemed to be so much extra that I didn’t need in the story.

The narration was excellent and it helped me to get through the story.

no plot. no back story. no explanation

No real understanding of what or why things are happening. No real cliffhanger, just another twist with no explanation. Want be reading the rest.