To Bleed a Crystal Bloom

Crystal Bloom, Book 1

By: Sarah A. Parker

Narrated by: Chelsea Stephens, Troy Duran

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"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.

Creative and new but so disorganized

This book has fascinating characters, creative mythical beings, and very interesting setting. Almost didn’t finish it due to the lack of work organization. Very easy to get confused and lost by the chaotic storyline.

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.

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.

confusing. unlikable heroine.

our MC has so many issues it was almost uncomfortable when someone tried to reach out and help her. she would have grown up thoughts one second, then do the most childish, borderline feral action in the next. great world building, but was so overshadowed by the prickly dislike of almost EVERYTHING and everyone ( except like three people.)the mc had. i get it. past trauma. i get it. moving forward? meh.

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.