This one had an intriguing premise with a touch of mystery, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. The plot is interesting in parts, though some twists feel predictable, and a few characters lack depth. Still, it’s an easy read for fans of light suspense and cozy mysteries.

I DNF’d this book at 27%.

I had three major issues with this book:

1. The main character: I did not like the main character and could not connect with her in anyway. Between her projecting her hatred toward men onto children and her distain for the lives of women, I found to be very unlikeable. One of the first things we hear from her is that she did not consider the women that would get caught up in her plot to lure men to their deaths- implying violence toward women as a side effect for revenge on men did not sit well with me. All this aside, she was also a very inconsistent character, at times being both timid and throwing her power around.

2. It’s trying to do too much: This story is both a greek retelling (well, a mix of Greek and Roman mythology) and a commentary on early colonial America and British settlers. Intriguing, yes, but the marrying of the two felt forced and overwhelming. This leads me to my last point…

3. The message feels inauthentic: Something about this book felt like both virtue signaling and rage bait. I can’t speak to the author’s actual intentions, as I do not think this was consciously done, but because the content is so overwhelming, the message feels ingenuine. I, too, am sick of the patriarchy, but this takes that to an uncomfortable level. There was also an added scene where the main character starts an argument with a Christian group of women because their beliefs are wrong (because our main character is from greek mythology). Again, something about having one belief attack another for not being real just felt like an attack without cause, especially when you consider that this story is already mixing Greek and Roman mythologies.

These Fatal Flowers is a sprawling novel that is told in alternating timelines. The past concerns sirens who were banished from the world of the gods. The present is about Roanoke near the beginning of American history.

I enjoyed it, it was a bit dense but if you like mythological tales, sapphic relationships and history., you’ll like this one.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

I really enjoyed this! I love a retelling especially retellings that are sapphic. This one felt different from a typical retelling being that it was a fusion of Greek/Roman and American history. I was curious how Ives would connect not only different locations but also different time periods and I think she did a great job. I really liked that the connection was almost a comparison of the two time periods based on the treatment of women. The pacing in the first half was a little slow but overall I thought the story and the premise was engaging. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female characters and a dash of romance you will really enjoy Those Fatal Flowers.

I really enjoyed this book, I love reading books where we are going through time with this character and time changes, but they don't as a person and what has happened over the many years haunts them, something they can never change. As a queer person I felt like the sapphic love story and everything that went with that was written wonderfully and outdid my expectations. I adored that the story followed one of my favorite times in history, Colonial America and it also followed with Greek mythology which just puts all my fixations in one book. Once I got started on this book, I devoured it and all I wanted was more. Such a great book!

I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#ThoseFatalFlowers #NetGalley

I was entranced by this book and really flew through it. So beautifully written and the characters felt like they became my friends over the course of the novel.

I was really intrigued by how the author was going to combine Greco-Roman myth with American folktales. While I see the vision, the execution wasn't fully there for me. It felt rather slow and like I was waiting for the action to pick up.

In this fascinating dual-timeline take on Greco-Roman mythology, readers follow Thelia on the island of Scopuli where she was the handmaiden and lover of Prosperina, goddess of spring, and on the island of Roanoke in North America in her new human body and posing as a shipwrecked princess. As she realizes the danger of Roanoke and its English settlers and has to reconcile herself with her failure to protect Prosperina and subsequent banishment and transformation into a siren, Thelia must figure out her options and see if she can save her sisters, get revenge on the men of Roanoke, and perhaps get a happy ending. Unique and fascinating, this sapphic historical fiction novel is an incredibly interesting take on the Roanoke colony and the kidnapping of Prosperina, and Thelia is a very complex and flawed protagonist whose unique positions in both timelines really add some unique angles and emotions to this story. The characters and their relationships with each other are the stars of this novel, and as far as feminist and LGBTQ+ retellings of Greco-Roman mythology go, this is a fantastic option for fans of similar titles because the mythology notes and their transcendence of time and space is brilliantly written.

I love retellings and this one had so much potential but just sort of fell flat. I think it spanned too much time and covered too much. I did love the feminist aspects and the idea was very interesting. I'm giving this 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this complimentary copy.

Macabre, elegant, and unsettling. Ives blends gothic elements with psychological suspense in a way that felt both fresh and timeless. The ending left me with questions, but the haunting atmosphere lingered. A captivating dark tale.

Those Fatal Flowers is the story of Thelia who is one of the Sirens. This is a retelling of Roman myth, as in this particular retelling, Thelia's childhood love is referenced as Proserpina and not Persephone. Thelia and her sisters find themselves cast out by Ceres because they (especially Thelia) did not prevent Proserpina being taken by Din. She banished them to a remote island and made them into monsters whose entire purpose was to lure men onto the island and sacrifice them to Ceres. When the island, Scopuli apparently stops having sailors arrive, Thelia is chosen to leave the island and travel to a place where she could lure many people back to the island. She ends up getting on a boat and floating to Roanoke where there is a Puritan colony and there she not only makes a few friends but runs afoul of of some baddies.

I enjoyed the writing of this one. I thought it flowed really well and it was easy to read. I liked Thelia as a character, and so it was easy to keep reading along to find out what happened to her. My biggest problem with this one was that every single man in it with the exception of like... two was portrayed to be the most mustache twirlingly evil man that there ever was. I get that Thelia isn't a fan of men in general, and Din kidnapping her lover obviously traumatized her, but almost every man she meets is awful.  

Other than that I didn't really have any qualms with the story. It wasn't my favorite but it was definitely up my alley as I tend to enjoy retellings of mythology. I would read another book by this author for sure, but I think I'd only consider this book a 3.5/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read. I always request any Greco-Roman mythology books so of course I requested this debut from Shannon Ives, but this one wasn't my favorite...

I'm not sure if it was the writing style or pacing....

3 stars

I hate giving negative feedback to debut authors, but alas, this one did not work for me. I felt the author could have leaned on the the history a lot more rather than just mentioning it and the writing was was tedious to read

Those Fatal Flowers is a captivating blend of mythological retelling and historical fiction. Ives' lyrical prose brings depth to Thelia's journey, capturing her internal struggles and growth. The dual timelines effectively juxtapose Thelia's past as a siren with her present in the Roanoke colony, highlighting her transformation and the challenges she faces. The novel's exploration of female empowerment and vengeance resonates, though some readers may find the portrayal of violence intense. While the romantic elements add complexity to the narrative, they may feel secondary to the overarching themes of identity and redemption.

I tried to like this book, but it wasn't for me. Nothing inherently wrong about it. It just got boring. I'm giving it three stars even though I didn't finish it becuase I think that other people would really like it.

I really wanted to enjoy this read but unfortunately I think the mix of mythology and colonial America didn’t really mesh well for me. I have recommended it to a few friends who I think my enjoy that mix of theme.

DNF @ 50%

I can see why people would enjoy this book. The writing is very beautiful and the concept quite interesting. Normally retellings are some of my favorite books. However, I couldn’t find myself to really care for this one.
Our main character is a siren from Greco-Roman mythology and was a handmaiden of Proserpina (persephone) who was trapped with her three sister on an island for eternity. Which leads to the “now” portion of the story that is colonial America. Thelia, the main character, meets a woman that looks strikingly like Proserpina and she’s immediately entranced. That’s the whole of the story so far.
This book is also filled with feminine rage which I appreciate.
While that does sound okay, I’m having a hard time wanting to continue. There isn’t anything truly grabbing my attention and making me want to read more. Even with the beautiful writing I’m still bored. Also, I just don’t think I really want to read a book about colonialism at the moment. Especially since I’m not proud of how America was colonized. Especially since the men in this are directly involvement of enslaving and murdering Native Americans.
Again, I can see the appeal and still think people would enjoy this. It’s just not for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
One Word Description:
Redemption

Evoke: nostalgia

Story Captured: The female representation, very women forward, sapphic. Powerful, well rounded women that were heroes and had an amazing redemption story. (*Page: 81)

Insight: “We were all made into monsters, and what do monsters do?
They feed.” (*Page: 59)
Monsters feed… energy, emotions, finances, mental and physical labor. Wow, this was a good line. It was like a reel of “monsters” in my head, even if this was advocating for letting your own monster out.

Overall:
This felt fast paced. Making Ulysses from the Odyssey the side character and just one of the men affecting the people around them. Instead the beautiful, but terrifying shape-shifting mermaids/sirens take center stage. I have read several Greco-Roman mythology retelling over the last few years and this is one of the better ones. I wasn’t sure what to expect I just picked it up to read another mythology and I am so glad I did. It was easy to digest and quick-witted, if you liked Percy Jackson, but want a grown up, sapphic, full female cast, then this won’t disappoint you.

Quotes & Commentary:

Chapter 5: Before
Like us, they were women once, before heinous acts of magic turned them into something unspeakable.
Page: 59

Chapter 5: Before
We were all made into monsters, and what do monsters do?
They feed.
Page: 59

Chapter 6: Now
When her god creates man from dust and breathes a living soul into his body, I resist asking how he obtained the ability to grant life in the first place.
Did he steal it from a goddess lost to time? Why choose to make a man first, when a woman could have birthed her own children of flesh and blood?
Because he, too, is a man.
So where are the goddesses?
Page: 81

Chapter 11: Before
He props himself up on an elbow to face me.
"There's one that's said to arrive with the winter.
They're emaciated creatures with pallid skin, as They're emaciated creatures with pallid skin, as large as giants. They eat human flesh."
Note: The winter?! Is that what Thomas is going to be? Or made a deal with in the "Now"?
Page: 147

Chapter 14: Now
But the worst part is his stomach. Someone has carved him open, leaving his intestines to spill out onto the snow. Pink ribbons, all tangled together in a heaping pile at the base of his feet, and although this scene should be familiar, it makes me want to retch. No one here practices haruspicy; only hate could drive someone to desecrate his body like this.
Note: Maybe don't eat spaghetti while reading this...
Page: 189

Chapter 14: Now
How often were we warned as children to watch ourselves around men, to guard our purity with our lives until the moment our fathers deemed us old enough to be traded for status, wealth, prestige?
Page: 198

Chapter 14: Now
Margery's gentle gaze reveals a horrifying truth:
Despite the slow, torturous passage of time, despite the changes in technology, and language, and dress, our lives are still ravaged by all the things we didn't ask for, and those who do the ravaging never have to pay for it.
Page: 199

Chapter 14: Now
He never officially asked me to marry him, never confirmed that his second place was enough to win my hand and the treasure that comes with it.
He simply assumes he's entitled to me, and why shouldn't he? This is a man who has never been told no. He's both spoiled and wealthy, a dangerous combination.
Page: 199

Chapter 16: Now
If I were truly human, my heart wouldn't be able to bear this. How he spreads my limbs apart like it's nothing to invade the root of me, like my body was always just his to use. How could the gods be so cruel, placing our souls inside vessels that so easily crack? But Proserpina was a lesson-the gods are the cruelest of us all.
Page: 209

Chapter 16: Now
It seems all gods know that enlightened women are forces to be reckoned with, and that idea trickled down through the centuries. It's why Cora is the only woman here who can read.
And so they banish us to the domestic realm, but that isn't enough. Eve's cursed, after all. Her ability to create life is never regarded as a gift. It's a punishment, a way to make us ashamed of our achievements, heartbroken over the amazing feats our bodies can achieve.
Women can bear children.
Page: 208

Chapter 17: Before
"Proserpina," I say. My voice booms through the grotto. It's a dedication. It's an offering. It's an apology. My hand on his cheek slides into his tangled mess of hair to draw his head down so he's facing the Underworld.
I slice.
Note: Dark...
Page: 219

Chapter 18: Now
"You're too afraid to, scared of what it might mean. But it's all right to love him. Some of us are worth loving." He smiles mournfully.
Page: 227

Chapter 18: Now
Even if he had, wouldn't it be my responsibility to kill him? My purpose..." My voice cracks.
"Is to punish," he answers for me, before adding,
"the guilty. A child is innocent. So are some men.
Wasn't I?"
Tears well in my eyes. "I believe so, but how can I know for certain? I've been fooled before..."
Page: 227

Chapter 18: Now
Monsters are made, not born, Will said.
Page: 233

Chapter 18: Now
"But how can I know who is and who isn't?"
"Monsters are made, Thelia. Not born."
The words make my throat tighten-shouldn't I know that better than anyone? I was innocent once, too, until the cruelty of men molded me into something else. This child, who never took a breath, is blameless.
Page: 227

Chapter 21: Now
Her tears taste like fear on my tongue.
Page: 260

Chapter 21: Now
"I love you," she says. "I don't care what it means for my soul."
Page: 263

Chapter 21: Now
Dying for this is worth it. After all, a sacrifice has to hurt, or else it isn’t a sacrifice.
Page: 272

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the concept of this book more so than the execution. The whole idea of blending the timelines of Roanoke settlement with Ancient Rome through Thelia's story was one that I really liked! I also enjoyed all the portions of the book set in the "Before" on Scopuli.

It was the Roanoke storyline that I just did not enjoy. First off, Cora as a love interest was pretty flat. Her presence was very much limited to "omg she looks just like Thelia's lost love Prosperina." Her personality and chemistry with Thelia was very lacking. Second, I was frustrated by the author's choice to not include any Native characters. She stated in her afterword that it was "not her story to tell," but their absence in the story both detracts from it as a historical fiction AND causes more harm (i.e. Native Americans appear as simply a "backdrop" and enemy to the novel's settlers).

Was disappointed and hoped for more inclusivity from a queer historical fiction novel.