The Foxglove King is a solid YA fantasy court genre offering, with some interesting world building and a novel magic system thrown in. It's not spectacular, but it was certainly enjoyable. The plot was intriguing, twisting and turning to subvert your expectations.

The characters are well written and I found myself drawn to each of the three leads in different ways, although the dreaded love triangle makes an unwelcome appearance and is both unnecessary and of the 'fated to be together' style which is particularly tedious. I have little interest in moon eyes and lovers spats, even when there's only one contender. It's doubly tedious when there are two. But Lore is - love triangle not withstanding - a strong female lead with a snarky personality, which always works well for me. Gabriel and Bastion are also strong characters, with their own histories and trauma and ways of seeing the world. I'd have enjoyed them far more if I wasn't rolling my eyes at the love triangle so much.

What I did really like though was the world building and the reliance on theology to make it work. Religious themes always interest me and I felt it was well done here, and was built on well within the narrative so that it didn't feel like an info dump. I also liked that the magic system as a whole was dark, with a specific focus on necromancy and death magic. I liked the court intrigue and drama as well, although many of the minor characters are very much bit players without detailed characterisation.

Either way, this was a novel that caught me with it's ideas and propelled me through with the world building and strong characterisations. I could have done with less of the doe-eyed pining and love triangle sub-plot; it detracted rather than adding to the novel, particularly as it relied quite heavily on the insta-love connection idea which didn't really sit well. Lore is from such a different background to the men and has such an otherwise strong character that the whole 'I feel like I've known him for years when I actually only met him yesterday' was somewhat nauseating.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.

Lore has been living by her wits as long as she can remember, currently a Poison runner with a sense for Mortem - a death magic that she needs to keep hidden

During a job gone wrong, Lores powers are found out, and she finds herself either being banished (or worse) or a prisoner of the crown

Of course, she chooses the latter, but what plots and schemes has she got herself caught up in. And what is with the mysterious Duke with a family history of traitorous behaviour that has been assigned to watch her... and why does she feel so connected to him and they Prince they are to spy on

Darkly decadent world of death magic, secrets, and lies! I'm so glad I waited for book two to be out in the world so I can jump in soon to see where this story goes next!

I’m torn with this book… on the one hand it intrigued me but multiple times i found myself skim reading. I wish there were more displays of the magic etc
I liked Lore as a character and her backstory was interesting. Bastian was complex and i wish they were explored more together and Gabe was well, i don’t know. He would 100% be my go to type in a book boyfriend but he just fell flat.

I loved the magic, the exploration and new twist on necromancy and just the book in general but something just fell a little short. I hope book two blows me out of the water!

This is a bit of a difficult one to rate as I definitely had some issues with it but also ended up racing through the last half!

Things I Liked:
🖤 Lush gothic fantasy vibes
🖤 Courtly intrigue and political machinations inspired by Versailles
🖤 The romantic angst between our 3 main characters (I'm hoping for a poly romance!)
🖤 Necromancy
🖤 The main characters are more anti-hero than hero

Things I Disliked:
💛 I didn't quite understand the magic system and still don't after finishing the book
💛 Too much religious theory
💛 Some of the relationships felt very rushed and it still hasn't been explicitly explained why they shared this connection
💛 First 50 pages were confusing enough that I almost gave up
💛 Rushed ending

Will I read book two though? Yes as I hope some of these issues will be resolved and the plot was engaging enough that I'd like to see how things play out.

Loved this book!

Lore is a necromancer with a natural ability to channel mortem, the essence of death. Captured by the high priest and king, she is conscripted into a plot to uncover a traitor in their midst and to get close to the prince, Bastian, a charming rogue who seems more interested in parties than the crown. Accompanied by Gabe, a monk and Duke, she discovers that all is not as it seems.

I really like the magic systems of Mortem and Spiritum in this book, though it took me a while to get my head around it. I really liked all of the characters too and enjoyed spending time in this world with them.

The romance subplot was on the light side, presumably to be developed further in the sequel and whilst it seems to be a bit of a fantasy trope of girl-in-a-love-triangle-with-two-hot-guys, I didn’t mind it too much.

The Court setting was cool, and the stakes felt high for Lore which kept me reading.

I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 and will also be looking to read the authors back catalogue.

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint!! The characters were so well developed, interesting, and I couldn’t help but be invested in their journey. The plot was engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. However, the writing is what really made this book stand out:m. It was stunning and it really allowed me to immerse in the atmosphere of the book. I’m beyond excited to continue with this story.

Unfortunately the format of this earc was unreadable however this is a book k have been excited about for a really long time so I picked up my own copy and let me tell you it did not disappoint! Looking forward to the second instalment.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book! My opinions are my own.


I loved the For the Wolf duology, so when I was approved to read the first book in a new series by Hannah F. Whitten I couldn't be happier! It still took me a while to pick this one up, but I'm glad I did. And just in time before the second installment comes out, too!

The story revolves around a young woman in her early twenties named Lore. She has the death magic Mortem, the kind that is forbidden for everyone except the warrior monks working for the Crown. When she is found out, instead of being put to death, the King has another punishment in mind. Lore is to help find out what happened in a small village, where everyone just died overnight. Oh, and to keep an eye on the prince, who supposedly has something to do with the deaths. No guesses as to where that is headed 😉

I especially loved the atmospheric mood the author sets. There's a good balance between the darker sections of the book and the more lighthearted ones. There isn't a whole lot of world building, but it didn't bother me so much. I thought the storytelling was great, and a lot improved from her previous books. Besides that, I was also intrigued by the magic system, which felt quite original to me.

So, if you prefer your YA fantasy a little dark and moody, you can't miss this series! I for one can't wait to continue the story in book 2 because that ending... It makes for a very interesting premise for the rest of the story, to say the least!

"The Foxglove King" by Hannah Whitten isn't just a fantasy novel; it's a captivating journey into a world where love, secrets, and destiny collide. Whitten's immersive storytelling transports readers to a realm brimming with magic and mystery, where every page is a new adventure waiting to unfold. The characters are not just figures on a page; they're friends you root for, enemies you loathe, and lovers whose struggles resonate deeply. With its spellbinding narrative and richly crafted mythology, "The Foxglove King" is a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast looking for a story that will sweep them off their feet and keep them turning pages until the very end.

Another great book from Hannah. A wonderful new world, with lots of mystery and magic! A fantastic fantasy novel!

When I started The Foxglove King, I had serious doubts I would finish it. The beginning was slow and, I will not deny it, a bit uninteresting. But Hannah was capable of changing my mind and the book turned out better than I thought. It wasn’t what I expected but it wasn’t bad either.

My biggest problem was the first half of the book because there was a lot of boring things that kept me out of the story until something really started to happen. There was a lot of info dump. There was a lot of tell, but no show, and I hate that. The worldbuilding was very superficially explained, and the pace of the story was really slow. But, the second half of the book, where things started to happen, was more exciting.

I’m really curious about the story itself, the magic system and the religion’s background, that really captivated me. The author’s writing isn’t the best but her ideas and the concept are really cool. I like the characters, I don’t like the way they talk, but I like them and how they relate to each other. The love triangle didn’t bother me at all, what is a good thing. And I loved the ending, it was the best part and it really hyped me for the second book.

It wasn’t perfect but there was things that I enjoyed so I will try the sequel to see where this is going.

This book had such a great premise so I was instantly drawn towards it, but sadly somehow the love triangle overtook the entire plot of the story and became the main focus instead of a side plot which it should've been. At times that made this story read like YA instead of adult and that troubled me a little. But, if you overlook the love triangle bit, this is definitely a great start to a series. Yes, characters were somewhat inconsistent throughout the story, but I'm hopeful about the upcoming books. If nothing else, the writing surely is enough to keep you gripped into the series and read more!

Unfortunately this was a dnf for me after trying 3 times. I loved the idea of this story but the execution wasn't the best. I found the worldbuilding and lore quite confusing and the characters all felt the same. By 25% in, there were so many characters and yet I couldn't have told you who was who. I'm genuinely so disappointed.

I'm not sure how to feel about this one. It's a generous 3 star read. I did really enjoy the casual queerness and am intrigued by where the romantic situation will go. The best part of this book were the crumbs of polyamory we got. I had fun time, but Whitten did nothing particularly innovative here.

The world building and magic system were things I had seen before and parts of the plot bored me. I had a difficult time connecting to the protagonist, because she just felt like character traits from many fantasy protagonists cobbled together. I don't think the quality is up to par which Hannah Whitten's debut series. Nonetheless I think the sequels could go in interesting directions.

I really enjoyed the plot. It was a really good storyline. However, I just did not connect with the characters at all. I’m not sure why but I found my mind wandering. The idea is really strong and I definitely think I would give it another try and reread.

Before I review this book, I’m just going to throw it out there that I love Gabe and it influences most of my review.

I’m so confused by this book. I won’t go into the plot because the synopsis is there for that, but I’ll talk about how it made me feel.

I mean the start of the book feels completely different to the story once Lore becomes involved with the court - she comes across a mature, independent, selfless woman who sacrifices herself for someone, the world building feels very modern with coffee in chipped coffee mugs etc. Then Lore is captured, has to integrate herself with the Sun Prince and spy on him, and this amazing spy and independent woman turns out to be terrible and painfully unsubtle at spying and becomes a selfish girl thinking of herself.

This is fantasy but feels very much like YA, namely because of the unnecessary love triangle m. There’s a moment when Lore actually comments on there being more important thing than the 2 men in the story and her attraction to them - something with made me sign in relief - and yet it still feels painfully dominant. It feels very much like the author read and was inspired by Throne of Glass - Lore is Aelin, forced to work for the royals under threat of being sent to prison and hard labour, Gabe is Chaol, a rigid (chestnutty) protector torn apart by loyalty and feeling and Bastien feels a creation of many YA characters such as Cardan in The Cruel Prince but he is very much Dorian in TOG - a magically gifted, dark haired, flirtatious but secretly deep Prince - and they both want Lore, of course.

I really liked Lore to start with but then she became an inconsistent and unlikeable character - at one point she admits she’s selfish and she really is.
Gabe is the only character I genuinely liked and given complexity and he was treated like a kicked puppy with a few more kicks thrown in - and I sense that will only continue. Gabe is punished for the actions of his traitorous father (who he watched be beheaded before his eye was gouged out - at 10 years old!!). Gabe was punished for this, he lost everything and clung to Anton like a father figure, was told he was a sinner and his only form of redemption was becoming a Presque Mort. He is an incredibly conflicted, confused and vulnerable man, he is scared of something happening to Lore after already losing people so he is territorial and suffocating at times (and no spoilers but …) but he is scared and an incredibly lonely, lost man. I mean he literally sleeps on the floor guarding the door so no one can hurt Lore!! He even admits he’s jealous of Bastien who has the life without consequences while he is eternally punished. So what does he get? Lore repeatedly chooses Bastien over him, she doesn’t trust him with information (but does instantly with Bastien), seeks ‘strength’ and shares meaningful looks with Bastien in front of him - then wonders why he is weary of her and doesn’t understand her.
Bastien,meanwhile, openly flirts with Lore, while knowing that Gabe, someone he was previously very close with and whose past he’s aware of, cares for her. And Lore allows it, even enjoys it. But Gabe and his eye patch (which is always mentioned when Gabe is mentioned) isn’t allowed to be annoyed or feel insecure by the beautifully handsome, popular Bastien because Lore will roll her eyes and scold him. Oh and at one point Lore even slaps him across the face for questioning her family (who betrayed her) while repeatedly doing the same about someone he sees as a father and expecting him to betray him. So help me. While I don’t agree with Gabe at times, he’s the only character you understand, and the conflict he goes through between loyalty to a father figure (the only thing he has known and the salvation he clings to) and a woman he has feelings for really messes him up. Lore and Bastien just really suck and treat Gabe like an outsider and then punish him for behaving without them or jumping to conclusions. The ending in particular annoyed me a lot and makes me nervous to continue if it’s a sign of things to come, not just in what is done to Gabe but how they treat him about it.

Gabe aside, as I’ve mentioned, Bastien is a very cliche YA creation - black hair that hangs over his eyes, ridiculous muscles, inner sensitivity and compassion but hidden under a smirk and flirtatiousness (a facade only *one* woman can truly see through, of course). He repeatedly acts reckless and immature, facade aside, he threatens and manipulates Lore and Gabe and doesn’t take back the threat even when he’s acting ‘good’, and he’s a f*ckboy but pretty instantly becomes serious about Lore (who forgets the whole f*ckboy thing) - but Lore ‘isn’t like other girls’, so I suppose it makes sense that he’s different for her. Both main male characters obviously fancy and would die for Lore, while you don’t really see why beyond knowing she has curves.
Lore is enjoyable to an extent, she’s defiant and brazen but a little uncertain, which can make her likeable, but she’s inconsistent and difficult to grasp.
I’m all for a sexually confident woman, the story starts with Lore spying on a guy who she has grown feelings for (quickly forgotten) and sleeps with. While conflicted between Gabe and Lore she says ordinarily she would just sleep with both and be done with it. And fair enough, like I said, I celebrate a confident woman. But she is also obsessed with Gabe being celibate, like it’s raised A LOT, we get it - and for a woman who is very aware of his vows, she doesn’t show them much respect or understanding when he struggles with them and won’t instantly jump her.
I just feel like Bastien and Lore are endgame and while they both deserve each other and Gabe is a puppy (and I’m guessing he’ll end up with Alie - which felt a little like an after thought), I don’t want these 2 obnoxious and, at times cruel, characters rubbed in my face in the next instalment and acting like they’re better while they abuse their power.

This aside, the book did have a lot of potential. I’ll admit it took me a while with the world building and I’m still a little fuzzy on some of the god stuff because it’s very busy, but that could just be me because it takes me a while sometimes to grasp it. The whole Mortem idea is interesting but then I didn’t understand why losing an eye means you can access a death essence? Surely a lot of people can then access mortem if they are injured, not even close to death? So why does it feel so exclusive?
The book is fun at times, while she’s enraging and inconsistent, I did mostly enjoy Lore (pre Bastien drama) and her swearing and falling about. The plot is a little clunky, the ending feels a bit of an info dump and character actions and maybe it’s in prep for book 2 but it’s a little disorienting in its abruptness.

I did mostly enjoy this though, it’s mostly good fun and it did consume me enough to read large chunks in sittings so was a quick read. The forced love triangle and SJM similarities and my apparently very strong feelings towards the characters just lose some points for me because it feels like it redirects the book from what it could’ve been.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect from The Foxglove King.
I didn't know much about it, other than the fact I loved the sound of the blurb and the cover gave me all the good vibes.

I really enjoyed this book!

It had a lot of elements I love in a fantasy novel and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Believe me, I am a sucker for a love triangle, and the one within The Foxglove King gave me all the feels.

My only negative towards this book was that it took me ages to understand the magic system - something I'm still a little unsure about now. After ten or so chapters I decided to just embrace the fact I was confused and hoped I'd figure it out by reading. Although some of it became clearer, it didn't fully make sense to me, even at the book's conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for my copy. All opinions stated are my own.

The world building was highly confusing for me, and the beginning dragged. I’ve enjoyed other works by Hannah Whitten but this book wasn’t for me. I struggled with the FMC and didn’t really understand why she was a spy or how her powers made it good for her to be a spy. I didn’t really feel the dynamics between the characters either.

3.5 ⭐

I really really enjoyed this book, the magic system was something unique that I hadn't read before and I really appreciated that there was both light and dark, a balance of death and life intertwined in their magic. The concept of pulling magic from death was what originally drew me into this book and I wasn't disappointed on that front.

I really liked our main trio, the character building was great and I think the contrast in the personalities of the two main men kept me on my toes as to who to root for in the love triangle! (Bastion, it was always Bastion)

The romance plot was exciting at first, though felt somewhat rushed and unexplained in parts - so that lost points a little, I'd have liked to explore their actual connections and growth a little more rather than just this almost insta-connection/tension with no real reason.

The story itself was fun and moved at a nice pace, though I did feel a little confused when our MC's backstory was sort of sprung out of nowhere, I'd liked to have known more about the underground cult that she was born in to, I feel like I missed a major chunk somewhere along the storyline.

Overall it was a really enjoyable read.

The Foxglove King was a story about mysterious girl with deadly dark magic who tangled at court intrigue and sprinkles with forbidden love.

The premises sound so promising and I love reading romatasy that not include fae. Lore's magic system is unique and intriguing. I really love to know more about the world. The plot is okay but kinda dragging. I personally love faster pace but this one still enjoyable. I always think this story still open for alot development at next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit from Little Brown Books Group UK for providing a copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.