The plot line in this book is absolutely wonderful, and there is an interesting take on magic and necromancy. This but kept me hooked the way to the end and I enjoyed seeing how this author is growing in her writing and storytelling.

Included as a top pick in bimonthly March New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

I'd discovered Hannah Whitten's Wilderwood duology last year and I really liked it, so I was quite excited for her new release - The Foxglove King. I just finished reading the ARC and it was such an interesting entry into a new series with a unique world building and a magic system that was different from the others! Also for some reason, I thought this was going to be a very dark fantasy(lol I think it was the cover and stuff) but apart from the atmospheric writing and the necromancy part of the magic system it wasn't as dark as I'd imagined - and it worked out well here!

Set in a world where the magic born from death - Mortem and poisons are commonplace, Lore has been trying to fly under the radar while helping out her adoptive mothers(and poison runners) who had rescued her after she escaped from the catacombs below the city. When a job goes wrong and Lore ends up being captured by the Presque Mort - a group of religious monks and the only ones who are allowed to control Mortem, she's brought before their head - Anton and his brother August - who's the king(so it's a setting where the monarchy and church exist side by side). She's tasked with an espionage mission as the residents of entire villages near the border have been dying mysteriously and told to approach August's heir - Bastian, to find out whether he's been leaking secrets to the enemy while she poses as the cousin of the duke/monk - Gabriel.

The writing pulled me in from the beginning and I loved how we slowly got to discover the world, the magic system and the different characters. I felt like the lore about the Gods had allusions to some of the Greek ones and with a cult like religious group(I think that every organized religion is a cult🤣) - it definitely made for some interesting moments especially when one of the major characters is sort of a brainwashed follower hehe. I really liked Lore - she was independent enough but vulnerable at the same time too and the plot was very intriguing! Though there isn't much of a romance, there's a bit of a love triangle happening here and I've already picked a team(I'll go down with this ship!) and in case you can't tell I'm not a fan of the other love interest and I can't feel the connection between them🤣

Anyway, this was a promising start to a new series with a fascinating new world and I'm kinda looking forward to what will happen next after the way this one ended! Hope we get to see more character development and more about the gods and the magic in the next ones!

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten is one of those novels I thoroughly enjoyed, but I am struggling to explain why I did. I don't know why words fail me for this one. The characters are feisty and complicated. The plot seems simple but is much more complex than it seems. The story contains lots of witty banter, twists, life-and-death situations, magic, death, power struggles, secrets, and even revenants. Really, what more do you need in a story?

Lore is one of those main characters that automatically garners your sympathy. A girl forced to hide her power, making ends meet through illicit methods, finds herself at the mercy of the king and the religious order that rules just as much as the king. Thrust into the unfamiliar and high-stakes world, but with the sass and skepticism that come with living on the streets, you can't help but admire her spirit. Your admiration for her is genuine if only because the plucky heroine with surprising talents is one trope that never grows old.

Because Lore isn't anything without a foil, Ms. Whitten gives us not one but two perfect characters against whom she can match wits. Bastian and Gabriel are nothing alike, yet you cannot help but love them equally. Gabriel tears out your heart with his tale of woe, while Bastian, well, Bastian has the opposite effect on your heart. Sexy and sly, you know he has an angle, but I'll be damned if he doesn't worm your way into your heart just as much as Gabriel does with his sob story. There is most definitely an entire story we are missing as Lore finds herself torn between the two, but half the fun of The Foxglove King is watching the verbal sparring and romantic sparks fly between them.

The Foxglove King is not all fun and games, though. Any story revolving around death magic is not going to be a happy or wholesome one. Lore's life has been difficult, and Ms. Whitten spares no reader's sensibilities when ensuring we understand that. The same applies to the descriptions of city living versus life inside the court. Ms. Whitten does not shy away from highlighting the stark differences between life in Dellaire and within the Sainted court. One could even say that she uses The Foxglove King and Lore to make some very pointed statements about the U.S.'s severe wealth gap, whether that was her intent. Even if she did not mean to do so, her depiction of the haves and the have-nots through Lore's eyes is compelling yet heartbreaking.

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten is an excellent story with a little of everything. It is darker than some readers may like, but it also has plenty of heat to ease the darkness or create a different tension. ;-) Lore is sassy but vulnerable, and her magic is as horrifying as you would think death magic would be. At the same time, there is something weirdly fascinating about an entire civilization that celebrates death and actively courts it through recreational poison usage. Lore's story is anything but over at the end of The Foxglove King, and that is a good thing because I want to learn more about this dark and unusual world and continue to see how Bastian's, Gabriel's, and Lore's little triangle fares.

The Foxglove King weaves court politics, religion, and necromancy into a spell-binding tale. Hannah Whitten is back with her new adult fantasy series. As usual, this story is full of her trademark atmospheric writing and dark fantasy elements.

In a world obsessed with increasing their lifespan at any cost and those with powers of death magic, Lore is unique. She was born with the ability to raise the dead. As a result, she has lived her whole life hiding her powers. However, all her work goes out the window when a job goes wrong. Lore finds herself captured by the church and is soon tasked with a mission from the king. For once, she’ll have to use her powers instead of suppressing them.

The Foxglove King is the first book in what is sure to be a thrilling, magical series. While I didn’t love this installment, I can see the potential for the series overall, and I have high hopes for the sequel! At times, the pacing felt off to me. I often skimmed pages until I found a chapter that commanded my attention. I also felt like the twists in this book were incredibly predictable. I wish the foreshadowing was more subtle. Other than that, I enjoyed this book! Bastian is hands down my favorite character! He’s cunning, witty, and effortlessly charming. What more could I ask for? Oh wait, there is something I would like to request: a Bastian POV in the next book. That is not a want but a need!

If you’re a fan of Whitten’s Wilderwood series, this is definitely a book you should check out! If you’re a fan of dark fantasy and books that deal with religion and court politics, you should also check out this book!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

Thanks to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

My first Hannah Witten novel so I truly didn't know what to expect, but this was right in my wheelhouse. Death magic, dark imagery, politics, strong female protagonist, betrayals and quite an ending. Lore, Gabriel and Bastian are the 3 main characters and each are compelling and while they have strong connections to each other, they also have a complex, and fraught relationship and I am here for it. I am also here for more of it, but we'll see if that happens going forward.
The world of Dellaire where gods once betrayed each other and the remnants of that war are felt daily is a terrific world to inhabit. The use of poison to extend life, the rift between classes, the push and pull between church and crown all taking place in and around the grounds and catacombs of the Citadel alongside royalty make for an intriguing story. Lore is a well written FMC who struggles with her power and how others try to use and manipulate her. Gabriel is the pious priest and Bastian the spoiled prince who find themselves drawn into events that test who they trust and what they believe. I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series!!

The Foxglove King is force to be reckoned. Hannah Whitten is a force to be reckoned. It’s been so long since a fantasy book pulled me in from the very beginning but this book did not have that problem. I was immediately drawn in and attached to Lore. The world building is weird and comprehensive and absolutely amazing. The position Lore is put in with court politics, necromancy, and spying is done in such an amazing way that I haven’t experience until now. This was my first Hannah Whitten and I’ll be immediately reading her backlist. For me, this book establishes Whitten as a powerhouse in the fantasy genre.

Thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Opinions are my own.

This book follows our heroine, Lore, a spy and mysteriously gifted necromancer. She gets in trouble with the law and ends up working for the King to spy on the prince (Bastian) with the help of a handsome young monk (Gabe). Soooo, it's a religious & political intrigue/magic/love triangle fantasy. The characters form quick bonds with one another and spend a lot of time getting ready, going to parties, libraries and spy missions.

The book started strong and yet the middle drags on with little action and a lot of hints and foreshadowing. The author describes this work as a rumination on religion, loyalty and selfishness... And hoo-boy does it ruminate! Why am I looking up transubstantiation? IDK! There is a lot of rushed action in the last few chapters, but they mostly have nothing to do with the plot from the first three quarters of the book.

The ending for me was muddled. I don't need everyone happy, but none of the central relationships were defined or discussed.

It was a miss for me, but if you're a literary type who enjoys a lot of talk with some bursts of action, you'll enjoy it.

#NetGalley
#TheFoxgloveKing

This book was a good start for a series. I very much got Shadow and Bone vibes as well as the The Bone Witch. If you are a fan of either of those series I think you will really enjoy this book. The world in this book is heavily influenced by religion. Nothing to heavy if you are not a fan of religion in books. We have Apollius the God of Spiritum or life and Nyxara the god of death. Apollius cast down Nyxara for trying to overthrow him and banished her underground since then neither god had been seen or heard of. Lore our main character has grown up always on the run or hiding out always keeping from staying in one place for too long. She has a power she barely understands but knows will get her killed if word were to get out.A job gone wrong gets her captured by the redcoats and she finds herself agreeing to either be sent to the burnt isles or work for the crown. There she meets Gabe and later Bastian the crowned prince. The three of them find themselves entangled in the lies being spun around them and must either choose to forgive and trust or find themselves on the wrong side of the truth.

Stunning, scenic, and tense.
Everything you love is in this book. Forbidden romance, necromancy, emotional turmoil, necromancy, both too little and too much description of surroundings, necromancy, magic, some religious trauma, trees.
Lore is fantastic and devastating. She's guarded and all you could want is her vulnerability.
She's been forced into a position that's extremely dangerous should things go wrong.
Alongside her is Gabriel, a man with a complex past and a need to atone for his father's sins.
Bastian is a prince. He's there. He's chaotic bi energy to the extreme.
The characters in this book are diverse and well rounded with few words making them so fully formed.
The world itself is both unfinished and excessively finished. The details of the world feel lacking but descriptions of each room, temple, hall all feel excessively described to the point of boredom.
The characters are really what drive the story between those excessive descriptions.
I want everything from and for Lore.
A solid book that kept me wanting more, kept driving me forward.

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten is a wonderful first book in a fantasy series that leaves me hungry for more .

What worked so well for me

- wonderfully poetic writing style
-death magic !
-series start
-Author I already liked
- the story takes time to let chemistry actually build between the characters

If you love fantasy , a dash of moral grey area , and are ready to dive into a new series this is the book for you . My newest obsession indeed !

Unfortunately this book was not the high quality content I have come to expect from Orbit. I read the summary, loved it, but the follow through was lacking on every single front.
To be clear: I love Orbit, I love Hachette, I love YA, I love fantasy, I love romance, I love magic, I LOVE necromancy, I was primed to adore this book, which. was why I was so profoundly let down by the text.
This premise had potential, and I really think the author was done a disservice by not being advised to workshop it for a bit longer. I'll check up on the author in a few years, because like I said I like the laundry list of content, I just feel they could use some time to improve their craft.
I was shocked this was Orbit, I hold them high esteem and adore their complex storylines, but it really feel like they lowered the bar to the floor to publish this book. IDK if it was because the laundry list (ya, fantasy, romance, magic,) was trending on tiktok or something, but it truly feels like someone in Orbit did not do their due diligence and read this final draft in full before publishing it.
Thank you to netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

★ 3.5 / 5

“Divinity is never destroyed… Only echoed.”

I marathoned the last 150 pages last night, and boy, oh boy was it a rollercoaster and a half. Whitten certainly stepped up the stakes with this third book, and I was glued to the pages.

My favorite element to the story was actually the world building, and I’m hoping the sequel delves into it more because I have TONS of questions. In my opinion, there’s substantial improvement in the world building of this book compared to For the Wolf. For the Throne and The Foxglove King are pretty much tied. I was let down with how little information we got in regards to the gods and places beyond the city, but also, that’s just a fact that comes with most first books in a series. Essentially what we know for now is that the corpse of a goddess leaks death magic, Mortem, underground the city of Dellaire. When Mortem comes into contact with people, the magic can either give a sort of high/ hallucination, or in high quantities, kill the individual. Not to mention, this goddess was struck down by the Sun god, who happens to be the one everyone worships. Lore, the protagonist, has a natural affinity for Mortem, which is incredibly rare. It was interesting reading about her complicated relationship to magic that is criminalized by the Crown, and of course, theories are raging when we find out natural born necromancers are basically nonexistent.

This book is definitely hard New Adult, so I see a mix of elements between YA and Adult fantasy. I wouldn’t quite call this a romantasy book yet since the romance is pretty tame besides angst and buildup, but one of the main tropes is a love triangle. I’m not a huge fan of love triangles, but I’m pretty neutral on this one. There’s just a lot of petty arguing and passive aggression between the boys, partly due to their history before Lore, and I’m never a huge fan of that. Since the romance was a side plot, I’m expecting it to pick up in the sequel, especially since the love triangle is still in full swing.

The Foxglove King is very much a setup book for the trilogy. Not much honestly happens besides Lore getting captured and the final big scene. This book is heavily political, but not fully in a good way since Lore is dealing with a rambunctious prince, pampered youth her age, and unstable leaders. I'm usually one for politics, but I thought the pacing should've moved faster. I get that the main plot of this book is figuring out the allegiances of characters as well as the mysterious town massacres, but I do wish scenes like the illegal boxing match, Sun Prince parties, and library visits were shortened or taken out entirely. It just lagged and muddled the progression of the mystery, in my opinion. The stakes were just not high until the end, but when they did, it was A LOT.

At times the writing did make me cringe because Lore was just trying too hard to be this unbothered, street kid, essentially. It's my own personal issue with her character because sassy, bull-headed characters can go either way with me. She was fine most of the time, but occasionally, I just would shake my head at something stupid she said in the worst possible situation. Lore is a very brash character too, so she's constantly making mistakes and getting into trouble. She's been wronged countless of times too, particularly by her loved ones, so I can see the context of her bad decision making in that regard. This first installment is truly about finding herself, her identity when her life is thrown to the wolves. The sequel will definitely clear the air a bit now that Lore has more context to her destiny/ family.

Anyway, I’m definitely going to pick up the sequel. The world alone hooked its claws in me, and I want some answers. I’m a big fan of Whitten’s sequel books rather than the first, so I’m very excited for what’s to come in this trilogy.

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Foxglove King delivers exactly what I hoped for from Hannah Whitten after her Wilderwood duology - the same rich character dynamics and romance in a much more developed, interesting fantasy world.

The story takes place in an early modern, French inspired city built on the remains of the dead goddess Nyxara. A goddess of night and death, her body’s presence under Auverraine causes a substance called mortem - the essence of death made manifest - to permeate the city. Those who have survived near-death experiences emerge with the ability to sense and manipulate mortem. Enter our heroine: Lore.

She works as a poison runner, distributing illegal substances throughout the city and spying on competitors. She also has an uncanny adeptness with mortem that few people know about. When she is caught displaying her abilities during a poison drop-off, she is given an opportunity to avoid banishment: she must simultaneously pose as a debutante in the royal court and spy on the prince; while helping the king to uncover why entire villages are dying suddenly overnight.

This is a classic (but never stale) story of court intrigue and romance with a gothic, morbid twist. The lavish world of Auverraine’s noble class is a portrait of wealth and austerity, but the corruption and dark magic behind it run deep. The eerie, twisted magic of mortem casts a dark shadow over every corner, but that’s not all that colors this world - the institutions of the church and state are just as dark a force in their own way.

It can be very easy to portray a greedy ruling class as evil to make a point about wealth equality or authoritarianism in a setting like this, and it tends to come off very flat. Whitten possesses a great skill in avoiding this. While it is abundantly clear that none within the ruling class are innocent, it’s also true that not all of them are villains. Some of them genuinely want to help Lore in one way or another, and yet it remains true that their role in society is problematic. It allows for nuance and a better story, without devolving into apologia for the powerful.

The characters that Lore becomes entangled with - the prince himself and a mortem-channeling monk - form an engaging triangle of personalities that really bring the story to life. Whitten truly excels at depicting complex romantic and sexual relationships in a way that enriches the non-romantic aspects of the plot.

The Foxglove King is a very exciting first entry into a new series, and I cannot wait for more of this deliciously dark romantic fantasy.

I really loved this book. I enjoyed For the Wolf and For the Throne, but I can tell how much Whitten has grown as an author. The magic system in this book felt super fresh and unique and I thought it was described really well (although I'm sure we are left in the dark on purpose for a number of different reasons). Lore is such a great character and I loved being in her head. She's clever and funny and I like how...unperfect she was which is weird to say, but I think fits. Through machinations of the King and the head priest, Lore is plucked from the underground world of poison runners and spies and placed right in the middle of palace intrigue, tasked with getting close to the Sun Prince himself, the rakish and handsome Bastian. At her side is a grumpy Duke turned priest, Gabe.

I am pretty sure I fell in love with both Gabe and Bastian although I am mostly #TeamGabe. I don't normally love love triangles but I thought this one was executed really well with Lore being drawn to both of them for different reasons. There are definitely reasons that the three of them are important for each other, but Whitten is clearly keeping her cards close to her chest for the additional books in this trilogy.

I can't wait to read more and am equal parts excited and devastated to learn that this will be a trilogy. Whitten is clearly becoming a go to writer for me for when I want my fantasy dark and twisty with lots of forbidden romance and pining.

Thank you SO much to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5/5

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Initially, the introduction and the first part of the book grabbed my attention. I loved the first chapter and was excited to read the rest of the book. I had gotten a great glimpse into Lore's character and personality. I did not feel super confused about the setting or magic system like one normally does at the beginning of a fantasy book, but I also did not feel like the storyline was predictable. Perfect mix.

However, as the book progressed, a lot of important scenes and themes in the book seemed brushed over that should have contributed more to Lore's character and development.

This book was wildly entertaining, but there were some pacing issues. It felt fast and unexplained at the same time as too slow as the book lost me a little during the middle part. But I am and excited for and will read the sequel!

This one was so lush and dark!
Filled with forbidden magic, political intrigue, a dash of religion & tense romance- I was hooked from the very beginning.
I will say, this one is best to jump in blind like I did! I loved figuring out all the secrets.
This story starts with a feisty and fiery main character- Lore- who harbors a dangerous and dark secret…. She is able to control the dead which is forbidden and has a penalty of death where she’s from! She’s also extremely clever, brilliant at lying and spying- and just doesn’t quite know when to keep her moth closed… basically my favorite type of main character!

Then we meet a broody and quiet captain who has many secrets and a tragic past… I loved their little dynamic where he’s just scandalized by all the things she does

And finally the star of the show… prince Bastian! The perfect comedic relief yet there is so much more to him…. *dun dun dun*

Overall, this is a story that is bound to captivate you from the start, have you gasping at the twists and turns, and make you laugh along the way!

The Foxglove King is the first in The Nightshade Kingdom series from Hannah Whitten. It follows Lore, a poison runner (smuggler) with dark secrets. After a catastrophic run-in with the palace, Lore is forced to team up with Gabe. Gabe is a celibate monk sworn to the high priest and dedicated to the rise of a god Lore doesn’t believe in. Together, they must gain the trust of crown prince Bastian and determine if he is guilty of treason. As they learn more about the secrets of the palace, there are no simple answers and they must hurry to uncover the truth behind the king’s schemes before their world is changed forever.

I really enjoyed The Foxglove King!! I love Hannah Whitten and I knew that her writing would captivate me once again. She has created a fascinating world and an enthralling new power in Mortem. Lore is a fierce and strong heroine; I loved learning the secrets of her past. I especially loved her mothers! Gabe is a very principled man who must reckon with inconsistencies in his beliefs. Bastian is joyful and chaotic, but his antics cover a deep anxiety and desire to save the kingdom. Whitten never lets her characters get away with an easy choice and instead they must make morally gray choices, which I really loved.

I can’t wait to find out what happens next! I hope to see more romance in the sequel! I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially to fans of Shelby Mahurin, Adalyn Grace, and Rebecca Ross. If you enjoy excellent world-building, fierce heroines, and sky-high stakes then you should read The Foxglove King.

The Foxglove King is available March 7, 2023. Thank you so much to Hannah Whitten, Orbit Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

This book is going to live in my head rent-free. I’ve finished it and cannot stop thinking about it. The characters are all so well fleshed out and dynamic.

Initial feelings: This reminds me of Throne of Glass. Not the later books, but the first two. The criminal FMC is brought to the king to work for him, gets close to her guard and the prince. The prince is an alleged playboy that the king feels cannot become king.

As Lore gets more engrained into the court, she realizes there’s more to everyone than meets the eye. While I didn’t trust anyone, I was still surprised by the actions of those around Lore. I don’t want to have to wait for the next book.

This ends on a cliffhanger, but it’s not so gut-wrenching. If the story never continues, I wouldn’t feel disappointed. (Except that I love the characters and the world). This has a nice ending where you want to read more, this plot does feel wrapped up.

Again, I LOVE this book. The book hangover that this has given me is real. I’ve needed to read regency to have a pallet cleanser.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an ARC of The Foxglove King.

The Foxglove King is about court intrigue, religion, politics, and forbidden romance. Lore escaped a cult in the catacombs of the city ten years ago and up until now has been a poison runner. When a job goes awry, her power over death magic is exposed to church. Lore assumes her time is up, it's either banishment or a pyre. Instead, she is taken to the king and tasked with discovering why whole towns are dying and finding out if the prince is a spy for a rival nation. There is mystery, intrigue, and Lore knows she should trust no one. Guarded by a duke who became a monk, Lore must navigate living among the kings court while trying to complete her duties.

Once I began understanding the magic system, I found it very interesting and unique. I enjoyed the descriptions of Lore utilizing her magic and the imagery. I wasn't overly fond of the quasi love triangle and slow pacing in parts of the story. I am very curious how the story continues and I will be picking up the next sequel.

3.75 stars