Lor, a poison runner with necromancer skills, gets caught during a drop and is offered a deal: spy on the king's son, who may or may not be a traitor, or get the pyre. Our MC is keen on self preservation, but even this job might be more than she bargained for. Aided by a duke-turned-monk who wrestles with his own past, Lore must navigate the treacherous court and her own heart. ⁠
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I don't know what it was about this book that I could not put down. The main character, Lore, is a strong FMC who is unapologetic and wildly out of place in the Citadel. Duke-turned-monk-turned-Duke Gabriel serves as her escort, and he struggles with his own sense of self throughout this book. I love Bastian, the maybe maybe not traitor on whom Lore is ordered to spy. There is certainly more to him than meets the eye. ⁠
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The book was well written, with Whitten bringing a world to life so well I honestly forgot at several points I was staring at words on a page and not actually whisked away to the Citadel with everyone. At this point I'm annoyed I have to wait til February for the next one.

I haven’t read a Hannah Whitten book before, so I can’t say how this compares to her first duology, but I really liked this and thought it was a good series starter. The writing is solid, the magic system and world-building felt unique, and the story and underlying mystery were intriguing. I was indifferent about the romance, and while I don’t care for love triangles, the one here wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. I also thought Lore was a very interesting main character. She's very self-assured, which was refreshing to read.

Overall, a promising start to a new series, and one I’ll definitely be continuing.

Wonderful start to a mind bending trilogy. I was given the privilege to read and review this trilogy by Hannah Whitten and I have to say it blew me away.

The writing is fantastic, the world building is intense and enjoyable. You will absolutely fall in love with the characters and all of their flaws.

The ending was a perfect conclusion to Lore, Bastian, and Gabriel. The larger message of the story rings true today. That to make a better world we need to continuous be kind, hold onto one another, and not lose our humanness

Hannah Whitten’s The Foxglove King introduces readers to a darkly enchanting world of death magic, courtly intrigue, and forbidden romance. The first installment in the Nightshade Crown series follows Lore, a poison dealer with a secret past, as she is thrust into the opulent yet perilous court of the Sainted King. Her journey is marked by complex relationships, political machinations, and a deepening mystery that intertwines with her own hidden powers.

The Foxglove King is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and romance, offering readers a richly imagined world and complex characters. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking deep worldbuilding or innovative magic systems, it provides an engaging narrative for fans of character-driven fantasy with a touch of intrigue and romance.

The worldbuilding in The Foxglove King is captivating and fresh. Even better? It's not so heavy as to bog down the pace of this book. I flew through the pages falling ever deeper into the world...and 'shipping hard the whole time.

Well since this book is already out, I decided to catch up on the reading to prepare for the 3rd book. This is an excellent romantasy. The pov is interesting, the magic system is great and the love triangle tho... Can't wait to read the 2nd! I wonder how this trilogy is gonna end.

Thank you to Orbit Books for the gifted copy!

As the only necromancer left in Dellaire, Lore is betrayed by the woman who raised her, and is handed over to the Court of the Citadel, where she must pose as the cousin of the Duke of Balgia in order to spy on the Sun Prince and figure out why entire villages are turning up dead overnight.

This was such a strong series opener. The Foxglove King has betrayal and manipulation in spades (literally trust no one), and I thought the level of romance was perfect as it didn’t overshadow the court intrigue that Whitten crafted.

Rep: queer and disabled main characters

This book has a magic system that instantly pulled me in.

Lore escaped a deadly cult ten years ago, but her connection to death magic keeps her tied to the city. When she’s forced to work for the Sainted King, she’s thrown into a world of court politics, dark secrets, and dangerous alliances.

I loved the balance of humor and darkness throughout the story!

Lore is a strong, sharp main character, and even though romance wasn’t front and center, the setup for what’s to come has me really excited. There’s still so much to uncover, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

If you’re into gritty fantasy with bite, clever worldbuilding, and a heroine who doesn’t flinch, this one belongs on your TBR.

I have had this book on my TBR for a little while now and having been selected to have the series as ARCs, really jumpstarted my desire to get into the books.

"The Foxglove King" really kept my attention, especially the built-in love triangle. I was also intrigued by the death magic as well. I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing how the characters continue to develop.

Thank you to Orbit for selecting me for these ARCs.

I’ve had my copy of The Foxglove King for a while now and boy was I missing out. Whitten’s take on necromancy magic was refreshing, and dare I say, lively. With a colorful cast of characters (the charismatic Bastian was my favourite), Foxglove King made for an intriguing dive into court drama, poison, and dark secrets wrapped up in a world that I look forward to exploring further in Whitten’s second instalment, The Hemlock Queen.

4.5!

A monk, a prince, and death magic wielder walk into the citadel…

I’ve been meaning to read Hannah’s books since I met her at a signing last year and I was not disappointed!

This felt spooky, with yearning and intriguing plot. I was kept guessing the until the end!

This is the first book in a trilogy and the third one comes out this year! Very excited to read more and I might even dive right in to the next one.

Spice level: just kissing (though I believe the books get spicier as you go along).

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ebook!

I decided to re-read the first two books of the Nightshade Crown Trilogy before I dive into the ARC of The Nighshade God that I lucked into (I haven’t re-read a book in YEARS so this is out of character for me lmao) and I’m so glad that I did because TFK was even better the second time!! I love this little trauma trio so much and I’m afraid that I’m even more of a Gabriel Remaut apologist this time around 🫡 This book is foreshadow HEAVY and it was so much fun finding even more little clues that I had missed the first time around.

The more fantasy I read, the more I appreciate a FMC with a strong sense of self preservation. I love Lore so much. I love the way she chooses herself throughout this book, and how she navigates everything she’s thrown into with an unwavering self assurance. Like Poison runner?? SPY?? Court Appointed Necromancer?? Death witch?? Hemlock queen?? Lore really is that bitch

Anyways, I read a review once that said “Fleabag girlies, this one’s for you” and honestly I think that says it all

Thank you so much Orbit Books, Hannah Whitten, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My immediate reaction is how speechless I am while writing this review because of how much I loved and enjoyed this book. The words that come to mind right now are WOW! EXTRAORDINARY! And of course I NEED MORE! This book definitely gave me a book hangover after I finished reading it. I’ve read Hannah Whitten’s other books (For the Wolf and For the Throne) and can confidently say her writing style has definitely improved. I love her worldbuilding because her worldbuilding explanations/descriptions are a nice balance of complex, yet simple, so it’s easier to understand what the heck is going on. I really enjoyed the magic system, character development, plot, and pacing. I’m so excited to read the next book! 5/5 stars and highly recommend this book!

This book is so good, it’s addicting. I literally couldn’t put it down. The love triangle>>>>>> It’s so good, like top tier romance. I was torn between both romantic interests and I’m still not sure which one I hope she ends up with. They’re just too attractive!!!

The world building was also really good and I was never confused about how anything worked. The writing was phenomenal and kept me engaged the whole time.

Magic system, gothic vibes, noble courts, necromancy & slow burn romance (love triangle). I love the world in this story, and love the magic different people posses. This book started out strong for me, lagged a bit towards the middle, but then I loved the ending and will 100% be reading the next book.

If Bastian isn't end game - I'll die LOL! I don't typically enjoy or lean towards a love triangle, but this one didn't bother me.

Overall, a strong start to a trilogy and one that kept me intrigued the whole time.

The Foxglove King is a captivating, darkly enchanting tale that kept me hooked from start to finish. I’m thrilled it’s the start of a series and can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

I really enjoyed this! Dark gothic fantasy with necromancy. I am not too sure how I feel about the love triangle as that isn’t my favorite trope but I didn't hate it. Looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to netgalley!

Quick review because the book is already out-fantastic. Five stars. Immersive and unique and creepy. Loved it.

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten is an absolute triumph! From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the rich, immersive world Whitten has created—a dark, enchanting setting filled with magic, danger, and betrayal. The pacing is perfect, keeping you on the edge of your seat, while the twists and turns of the plot are nothing short of brilliant.

The characters are deeply compelling, each one complex and multidimensional. I found myself fully invested in the protagonist's journey, rooting for them even through the toughest of challenges. The romance is slow-burn, intense, and full of tension, and it adds so much depth to the already intricate storyline.

What truly stands out about *The Foxglove King* is its world-building. The magical system is unique and well-crafted, full of mystery and complexity that only deepens as the story unfolds. Whitten’s writing is lyrical and haunting, transporting you to a world where every word feels essential.

This is a book that will keep you thinking long after you've turned the final page. It’s a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, intricate magic systems, and characters you can’t help but root for. *The Foxglove King* is a phenomenal start to what promises to be an unforgettable series. I’m already eagerly anticipating the next book! 5 stars, without a doubt!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: March 7, 2023
📖 481 pages

Drugs from Flowers
Necromancy
Forbidden Magic
Political Intrigue
Devastating Betrayal

This was a fun romantasy. I liked that our FMC was a necromancer as I've read a lot of fantasy and haven't come across another. Lore was witty and headstrong, and I kinda enjoyed the almost love triangle vibes between her, the prince and the monk.

I'm super thankful for Orbit allowing me to read the other books in this series because I can't wait! I loved the minor cliffhanger, and I'm excited to see where our deathwitch finds herself next.

Thank you so much, Orbit books for the gorgeous review copy!

⚠️ descriptive gore elements, emetophobia, language,