After hearing lots of negative reviews for this book and being very busy I decided not to read unfortunately, apologies.

Das Buch war großartig. Es war spannend und unterhaltsam. Die Charaktere waren interessant und es war sehr abwechslungsreich durch den Perspektivenwechsel in der Erzählung zwischen dem Bridgroom und Azure. Der Twist und das Ende war atemberaubend und ich liebte es wie die vielen Fairy Tales in die Hauptgeschichte eingeflossen ist. Ein kleines Meisterwerk dieses Buch.

This was my first book by Roshani and it won’t be the last. This was a beautifully creepy, strange and a devouring read. I was entranced from the first page and I felt like I was physically there in the story with the different points of view

This was a very interesting read, i devoured it and could not get enough. The storyline is creepy at times and also very strange.
The writing is very good and this was never confusing to read, despite being in different points of view. I would recommend this to friends and family

great. a win for the flowery writing category! as expected from roshani chokshi. loved this from her. it was just a beautiful work of art and i enjoyed it a lot.

- thanks to netgalley & the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Last Tale of the Flower Bride" by Roshani Chokshi is a sumptuous and gothic-infused adult debut that weaves together secrets, tragedy, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Chokshi's enchanting storytelling creates a captivating narrative that will enthrall readers seeking a blend of mystery, romance, and atmospheric beauty.

The story revolves around a man who believes in fairy tales and his mysterious wife, Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. Their marriage becomes entangled in dark secrets and a cursed friendship as they are forced to return to Indigo's childhood home, the House of Dreams, due to her estranged aunt's impending death. As the husband delves into the secrets of the house, he discovers the haunting presence of Azure, Indigo's childhood friend who disappeared long ago. The lines between reality and fantasy blur, challenging their marriage and their lives.

Roshani Chokshi's writing is exquisite, evoking a lush and haunting atmosphere throughout the novel. The descriptions of the House of Dreams and its extravagant rooms create a vivid and immersive setting that adds depth to the story. Chokshi skillfully balances the elements of mystery, romance, and dark enchantment, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the secrets of the past are gradually revealed.

The characters in the book are complex and intriguing. Indigo is a captivating and enigmatic protagonist, while the husband's journey of self-discovery adds layers of depth to the narrative. The relationships and dynamics between the characters are delicately woven, allowing for moments of intense emotion and poignant revelations.

Sadly this was one I just couldn't get into. I'm sure it will be a great read for someone but not for me

Well, this book was a little bit different. The author writes with luscious prose, creating an enchanting world reminiscent of a gothic fairy tale. It tells the story of Indigo Maxwell-Castenada, a complex and compelling heiress, told alternately through the eyes of her husband and a childhood friend. Set in a crumbling manor and filled with untrustworthy characters, dark secrets, magic and myths, this book is incredibly atmospheric. It was dark, romantic and unnerving in equal measure.

I have heard a lot of things about this book and I was quite curious. Unfortunately, I have really mixed feelings about it.

The book is from 2 points of view: Indigo's husband (present) and her best friend (past). From the start you know that something happened in Indigo's past and she really doesn't want her husband to know about it. Unfortunately, when something unexpected happens to her aunt she needs to go back to her childhood home and things are taking a mysterious turn.

The writing style is beautiful and it gives you the feeling you are reading a fairy tale. It's wondeful! The same, I can say about the atmosphere - the author did a wonderful job! Unfortunately, the characters are really not my favourites. I couldn't stand Indigo, not even a little bit!!! There were parts in the book when I definitely hated her. Was this done intentionally by the author? Not sure...

The last aspect that didn't work for me was the ending. I guessed the end so early in and I was hoping else would happen, something fantastical. From my point of view there is absolutely no fantastical element in this book, I cannot even think of this as magical realism. I can think of this only as a mystery.

She is one of my all time favourite authors first of all and let me tell you that you are in a treat to fell all the gothic vibes in this. Beautifully written and the ending was just on the point.

Really enjoyed this book. I read it in a few sittings. Really good storyline and was engrossed quickly. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this title in exchange for a review.

This is one of those strange atmosphere tales that confuses the mind (in the most brilliant way). Every time I thought i’d found the right thread, the author wove in another and created another image. It’s a mystery that unravels slowly, yet still fills you with the desperate need to turn the page. I truly felt like I was unravelling the mystery of the Flower bride along with her husband.

If you love dark and atmospheric tales with hints of magic and tales filled with secrets. This book is for you. It’s whimsical with its lush writing, and atmospheric in setting with ‘magical” locations and haunting houses.

An expert on a fairy tales and a woman who spent her childhood trying to live one meet and marry, but as in so many traditional stories, the husband is made to promise never to pry into his wife's past....
Told from the point of view of the unnamed husband, and from that of Azure, childhood friend of the central character Indigo, this is a tale of the way childhood experiences form the character of the adult they will become, as well as an intriguing mystery, revealed little by little with frequent switches back in time. This is a thoroughly engrossing read, that creates an almost gothic atmosphere in its description of Indigo's family home, whilst rooting the characters in a more familiar reality of buried memories, difficult relationships and the encroach of adulthood. The readers in my library are not of an age to read this book, but I will certainly be recommending it to the other members of our (adult) book group.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this gothic retelling. The characters were fascinating, the authors descriptions really put you in their world. The ending had me truly surprised. Beautiful, well written, fantastic gothic book,

Roshani Chokshi knows how to weave a tale! The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is full of Mystery and hints of Magic, with prominent themes of Betrayal and Tragedy. This book is intriguing and full of twists; a very enjoyable read!

An adult fiction fairy tale from a beloved YA author, described as "a sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales." Yes, please. And bonus, I had access to the audiobook thanks to Libro.fm, which had a full cast (does it count as "full cast" if it was just two narrators, one for each POV?) narration with just the right vocal ambiance.

Once upon a time...a man and a woman meet and get married. The man has researched myths and fairy tales for years, after a childhood memory (or was it a dream?) leaves him believing in the magical and unseen. The woman, Indigo, is an heiress with a dark secret, who, in exchange for her love, made the man promise to never dig into her past. Sounds like a fairy tale, no? As with all fairy tales though, secrets come out and promises are broken. After happy years together, the unnamed groom and Indigo must travel back to her childhood home, the House of Dreams, to say good-bye to the dying aunt who raised her. Within the grand and ancient halls of the House, the shadows of Indigo's past lurk, and despite his best efforts, the dying aunt, Tati, lures the groom into finding the truth of Indigo's secrets, and discovering what happened to her closest childhood friend, Azure, who disappeared suddenly and without a trace years ago. And his discoveries threaten to unravel not only the balance of their marriage, but perhaps even their lives.

Phew, this was atmospheric AF. Like, everything else (characters, plot, etc.) was fine, solid. Nothing spectacular, but definitely enjoyable. But damn, Chokshi casts a spell with her words. This novel is haunting from the very first page, even before you have any idea why/how you feel that way, and it never lets up. It's darkly mysterious and vibrantly magical. It's creepy and manipulative and gaslighting undertones slowly become overtones as the reader's anticipation of the finale(s) grows. And this is only enhanced by the way that Chokshi gorgeously blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, making the reader ask over and over if there is *real* magic in this story or if it all stems from an internal hope and childlike imagination and the power that people can have over one another. The writing and way the story unfolds left me on the edge of my seat straining for a conclusion/answer to this "is it magic or not" question up until the very end and I am so impressed by the way that line was walked with such perfect literary tension.

There is an incredible infusion of fairy tale references throughout, from myriad cultures and periods, and all of the darker variations and varieties. It was interesting because some references were explicit, naming stories and characters (some of which I knew and some of which required me to do some Googling, which I love), and some of which were more reflections on fairy tales as a genre/literature in general. I really enjoyed some of the literary theory and analysis included, as Chokshi explores some connecting themes in fairy tales, like the nature of oaths, where does the power of love come from (happiness and smiles or screams and fear), the casual cruelty of fairy tales juxtaposed with with the careful distance the story-tellings tyle keeps you at (which allows you to not be overly affected by it), and more. Plus, as the plot comes to a head - the reveals of the dark secret of Indigo's past, Azure's story, and the truth of the magical event in the groom's history that made him believe in fairy tales to begin with - we are treated to a front row seat unfolding of how fairy tales are our way of escaping reality, both for fun and as a refuge (for when we must escape reality in order to protect ourselves).

Like I said, the plot and character development are good - very much like a fairy tale in the way they are paced and built - a solid foundation, if not spectacular, foundation for an unfolding novel. But this book truly shines in the spirit and aura. If you are looking to fall completely into the energy and ambiance of a novel, to get lost in it and leave the "real" world behind, then let this be the one.

An amazing gothic fairytale that takes place between two worlds the Real one and the other one.

I really enjoyed this one and would reccomed it to anyone who loves a good fairytale and mystery!

Our first narrator is known only as The Bridegroom and we start with his story when he meets an enchanting woman who has a literary collection that rivals no other - there lives are interwoven and is made up of secrets and lies.

As long as he never pries into her past they can live happily ever after....

But things are never that straight forward.

I absolutely loved this beautifully written story, which is a kind of modern gothic fairytale about toxic relationships and coming-of-age. One thing that I found strange about the novel was that it never felt anchored in a particular place and time, which helped to give it that sense of being fairytale or folklore, the sort of story that could happen anywhere and anytime, because they are based on universal human experiences and fears. I was almost surprised when one of the characters was learning to drive since it almost felt anachronistic, although it obviously wasn't! The idea of magic in the book is so vague and intangible that the reader is left wondering how much of it is true and how much just childish imagination. It's the sort of book I want my friends to read immediately so I can discuss it with them, there seems to be so much within it to unpack.

THE LAST TALE OF THE FLOWER BRIDE is an exquisite gothic novel with magical, enchanting undertones. It's darkly poetic and richly imagined, with a mythical love story and a treacherously dangerous and possessive childhood love. It's layered and complex, and it hits fast and heavy. I also loved how folk tales and myths were incorporated so naturally into the story, and how Roshani Chokshi weaved those themes and messages intricately through the threads of her words but subverted all expectations.

"One must never look with the eyes alone. Things transform with ease and without warning."

This is a novel I will not soon forget.

I wonder after all the books i’ve read this year, this one still stood out the most for the mesmerizing and riveting words-building. It caprivated me up from the premise and the book cover!

I’m not going to add a full review of this but Indigo, the mc on this book is so sick and toxic for me, it feels like I hate her from when she acted all anguishly. The romantic part in this? I don’t think I can call it romantic because it gives uncomfortable feelings whenever she’s around like how can you stand still being in love with how she acted.

But overall, all the plot twist and once again the pretty words giving me a headache in a good way! Feeling way contented when i finished the book BUT left marks and questions I want to know more.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing me an arc in exchange for a honest review :)