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.

Those Fatal Flowers is a dark, gothic tale that blends mystery, romance, and supernatural elements in a way that’s both intriguing and immersive. Shannon Ives creates a moody, atmospheric world with characters who feel complex and haunted by secrets. The slow-burning plot keeps you guessing, and the writing style draws you into the eerie setting without being overdone.

A few storylines might have benefited from tighter pacing, but the emotional depth and constant suspense make up for it. Themes of grief, identity, and forbidden love are handled with care, giving the novel an almost lyrical quality.

If you enjoy gothic mysteries with a hint of the paranormal and strong character work, Those Fatal Flowers is definitely worth picking up.

Such an intriguing premise, but with unsatisfactory execution. I had high hopes that this would be a new favorite mythology read.

Let me start by saying this isn’t typically the type of book I read, but I thought the description sounded intriguing. I liked the idea of mythology tied in with the Roanoke colony disappearing and thought it was worth trying. This book did a great job world building and I thought the characters seemed in depth, but I couldn’t get into it like I hoped. There was a lot going on and I found myself struggling to keep up at times. I don’t think this was a bad book at all, just not the right one for me. I still enjoyed the ride though, there were some parts that pulled me in even though this wasn’t my typical read.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Monsters are made, Thelia. Not born."


Those Fatal Flowers was honestly an interesting book. It's just unfortunate that it took me so long to finally get into it. Like at 70% in, I was finally hooked. Now I'm all about romance and revenge. Women, I mean sirens, luring men to their death? Yes, let's slay the evil together!

Yet, men can't be the only evil ones... right?

Well, our girl Thelia is about to figure that out. Sure, it might not be her original mission, but everyone needs to learn something new every once in a while. It's called growth. Now the whole past and present was annoying me for most of this book. I either liked one version or didn't care for the other. Yet, both were very important because they helped show Thelia (and her sisters) in a different light.

As for the colony of Roanoke, I was prepared to watch it burn to the ground. I'm so happy that Thelia eventually found her people and earned their trust. I'm also glad that she realized one female in particular was completely evil and dealt with her. Other than that, there were parts of this book that I enjoyed and others I just got annoyed with very quickly.

It was an okay book but had the potential to be better in my eyes.

I tried with this one, but as a lapsed classics scholar I found the voice far too modern and couldn’t get it to mesh in my head. Probably a me problem, but here we are.

Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

Wow, this book was just full of emotion and awe. There was violence but beauty behind it. It had me thinking of the morality of humans and that "monsters aren't born, they're made". I loved the dual points of time, between the now and before and how they connected each as the story unfolded. The men in this book deserved what they had coming as they were vile, murderous creatures and the ending was just the gory finality I needed for them. Unlike most myths, I'm glad this one ended happily. This was a great book but slow at times. Definitely one I would recommend to people though.

This story felt to me a bit like making a meal out of whatever you have in your pantry. Is it a meal? Yes. Is it necessarily great? Not often.

Combining Greek and Roman Mythology, with early colonial mystery, while also avoiding speaking of the indigenous people at the time of the colonial mystery, felt like it was being pulled in too many directions. Add in timeline jumps, impassioned responses, and some eons long trauma, and it can seem a bit chaotic, even disjointed. Which I know is in some people’s taste! Unfortunately not mine. And I’m very sad about that! I love the myths, both Greek and early American.. they just didn’t blend well to me.

I think something that might have made it work a little better for me would be to apply the mystery of a missing town, to a fictional place, or one closer to the initial time period. One where an author could comfortably build a history and people without either erasure or awkward tip toeing around the real history.

3.5 stars rounded up, because I finished it so much more quickly than I anticipated

So, this book was on my reading list for months, and I had the ARC for almost as long, but I kept passing it off for other books, partly because of the cover. I know it's meant to invoke classic Greek mythology, but for me, it just made me think that other books would be much more interesting. I know not to judge a book by its cover, but when your reading list is huge, it easy to do that.

All this said, once I finally started, I was intrigued by the main character, Thelia, and the apparent role she played in the kidnapping of Proserpina, the daughter of Ceres, the goddess of the Harvest (among other things). But this is told in dual timelines, and interestingly, the author chose the lost colony of Roanoke as the focus of the present timeline. Thelia shows up in a boat full of treasure and claims she is a princess from the Island of Scopuli, unknown to the colonists. She is seeking a husband, and while they are naturally suspicious of her, given their uneasy relationship with the native people, they are enamored by the thoughts of having an alliance with such an apparently wealthy kingdom. That's a nice way of putting it because the family in charge of the colony is not very nice and cruelty, particularly by the men in the colony (but also at least one woman) is the norm. We slowly learn about why Thelia is really there, and the full story in both story is slowly revealed in parallel.

This story was an anthem to female rage, and yet, despite that, Thelia learns that being a man doesn't mean that he is inherently evil and being a woman does not mean she is an ally and worthy of trust. While this story was a lot more graphically violent than I expected, I still very much enjoyed the tale and even though I put off starting it for months and I was in the throes of exams for students, each time I put the book down, I couldn't wait to get back into the story. I think without revealing any spoilers I can safely say that this story did have a happy ending, so if you're looking for that, this book has it.

I found the author's note to be helpful, particularly in letting us, the reader, know what actually came from history, and what was completely made up, as well as her reason for making such an odd choice of placing Thelia and her sisters in this time period and place.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tragedy, regret, redemption and love. This book is brilliantly written, expertly developed and fun to read. I was surprised to discover that this was the authors debut. Greek mythology mixed with founding America. Plenty of hook and a satisfying climax.

To be critical, the love story is not traditional and there are a couple of descriptive deaths that will make this book best for a more mature, open-minded audience. I enjoyed it and connected with the characters.