**ARC REVIEW**

LGBTQA+ representation, mythology, and scheming?? Hell yes. I had a blast reading this book. Thelia is ripped from life as she knows it and wakes up on foreign soil unsure what her next steps will be. However, she's cunning and quickly thinks of a way to stay hidden amongst the townspeople and plot a way to overthrow the man she hates the most.

Go women, go!


Thank you the NetGalley and Dell Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Those Fatal Flowers is a historical fantasy that mixes mythology with a lot of feminist rage. I found it surprising, a little gory, thought-provoking, and empowering.

The book follows Thelia who makes a mistake that dooms her lover, Proserpina. In the Scopuli timeline, we learn about her past and how the consequences of her mistake impacted her and her sisters. In the more modern timeline, we see her in a small English colony in North America as she plots to save her sisters. In both eras, her love for Proserpina plays a major role in her story; it is a lot of her motivation, drives the plot, and leads her to her new love interest in the Roanoke era.

I thought the dual timelines were well done. I’ve read a lot of mythology retellings but I’ve never read one that was also set in another, very different time and location. It was a unique blend that was imaginative. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two eras and thought that both parts of the story were interesting. The pacing was also well done. I never thought the story was too slow or dragging in either timeline. The last half, in particular, was difficult to put down.

Thelia is never a fully likeable character but she’s truly captivating and I felt sympathetic towards her at times. I also really enjoyed her growth over the course of the story. There are a host of supporting characters in the novel. Some, such as Cora, Will, and Margery, were well-rounded and added a lot to the story. There were a few, however, that I thought needed to be made more indistinguishable from one another. Thelia’s sisters, for example, are an important emotional connection for Thelia but neither sister ever felt like a fully fleshed-out individual. I would have loved to see the two sisters (and a few other minor characters) develop into more distinct characters.

One warning, as the content warnings I have listed below suggest, this book gets dark. Some parts are graphically violent and even a little gruesome. Most of the brutal scenes serve the story but I felt a few scenes were a little overly descriptive. The book does include content warnings in the front and readers should be aware that some of those are described quite vividly.

Those Fatal Flowers is a well-written debut about guilt, the horrors of patriarchy, and female rage. It has sweet Sapphic relationships and a nice focus on sisterhood and supportive friendships between women. Due to the graphic violence, this may not be a book for everyone but I thought it was a gripping and powerful story with a lot to say. It’s not a perfect book but I think it’s compelling and even a little cathartic at times. I’m looking forward to what Shannon Ives writes in the future!


Content Warnings: sexual assault, homophobia, racism, sexism, (graphic) pregnancy loss, (graphic) ritual sacrifice, (very descriptive!) cannibalism, and colonial violence

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Those Fatal Flowers is a story about love, feminine power, and rage. It starts slowly, but the story builds quickly across several time periods. Thelia is an ancient Roman committed to protecting the goddess Proserpina. When Proserpina is kidnapped by the God of the Underworld, Thelia and her sisters are punished, transformed into Sirens, and banished to a magical island. Years later, Thelia escapes the island and ends up in colonial North America, where not much has changed in the hearts and minds of men, and yet everything is different. The novel follows these two storylines, slowly tying them together so that the reader understands the timeline from Point A to Point B.

I appreciated how Shannon Ives writes, each character has an impact on the story, and you feel connected to them no matter how big or small their part is. She doesn't shy away from characters, letting them be as horrific and unlikeable as they can be, while still showing the connection that a community can have. It's a compelling read, it just starts slow and you have to commit to getting into the backstory in order to get to the heart of the story.

eARC Review: Those Fatal Flowers by Shannon Ives 🥀

This was an interesting take on the Greco-Roman myth of the Sirens, their origins, and their relationships with Prosperina, their mistress. While I really liked how Ives tackled themes of guilt, healing, and revenge all done with beautiful prose, I wasn’t a big fan of the pacing, insta-love, and time jumping. 🙁

I’ll start off as always with my positives. Thelia is a great protagonist as she deals with her guilt over being a supposed part of Prosperina’s abduction by Dis and how her sisters take the fall with her for this. I really liked the growth she goes through as she learns that the gender of a person doesn’t influence their outlook on life. I was getting really tired of “feminist” takes on men where they’re just cartoonishly evil and one dimensional because are we really okay with the idea of doing the exact same thing to men have been doing for centuries, or are we going to stand by the stance that feminism equals equality and equal rights? Because judging from what some authors have been doing, it feels like the former is happening and adding fuel to the fire of anti-feminism arguments. 🙄

And the yearning and pining that Thelia goes through with Cora? Round of applause to Ives for doing an incredible job on that! 😍

As much as I loved this pining, it did feel super insta-lovey and one sided for a good majority of the plot. Speaking of the plot, I wasn’t a big fan of the flashback scenes sprinkled throughout the book. I think it would have built the story better if it had gone chronologically instead of with little snippets from Thelia’s past leading up to her decision to leave Scopouli. I also felt like the ending suddenly sped up and then deposited me at the end to the point where I kind of blinked a few seconds and thought, “wait, that’s it?”🪽

The last thing that still got to me here and there was the colony itself. While Ives does go into detail in her Author’s Note stating that she thought it wasn’t her place to tell indigenous stories, it still felt rather weird having the native population spoken (with some hostility) about in past tense by the colonists or not speaking at all when on the page. In general, it’s a bit hard describing what I felt when reading about subject and think others should come to their own conclusions when reading this book. 🤷🏻‍♀️

All in all, good story but it just didn’t stick the landing for me. Big thank you goes out to Dell for reaching out with this book! While I had my thoughts about it, I still look forward to Ives’ future works! ❤️

Publication date: January 21!

Overall: . . . I dunno, 3.75/5 ⭐️?

First, I want to say pay attention to the content warnings! Those Fatal Flowers is dark and at times, quite graphic. Every warning mentioned is definitely found within the pages of this book.

Now, I was intrigued by the premise of this book. I wanted to know just how Shannon Ives was going to tie mythology to the lost colony of Roanoke, so I rushed to request this via NetGalley. I will admit that setting the island of Scorpuli in what would essentially be off the coast of Maine was a bit brilliant to pull off and easily connect the history to the mythology.
Thelia's punishment is a driving factor in this work and her desire to either be punished or get back to Proserpina from Dis plays out in both sad and extremely graphic manners. The lengths Thelia and her sisters go to to remain alive is gruesome and a tale of doing anything possible to survive. Once Thelia leaves Scorpuli on what she believes is a mission to save them all quickly turns into her finding out that maybe the island isn't so bad because the world of men is terrible. Even after everything terrrible happens, I often found myself cheering Thelia on as she strove to make a better life for herself and others.

There were times the plot moved slowly, but in the end the book is worth the read.
If you like retellings and twists to classical mythology, then this book is probably for you.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Beautifully written and lovely story. I did have trouble following at times, but did enjoy it overall.

Shannon Ives’ latest novel weaves a tapestry of mythology, history, and raw human emotion that captivates and unsettles in equal measure. It’s a bold reimagining of siren lore, ingeniously intertwined with the enigmatic disappearance of the Roanoke colony, creating a narrative that is as unique as it is compelling.

Ives' masterful storytelling breathes new life into ancient myths, particularly in her portrayal of the sirens and their tragic origins. The author delves deep into the connection between these mythical beings and the abduction of Proserpina (Persephone), offering readers a fresh perspective on classical mythology. This innovative approach extends to the relationship between the protagonist, Thelia, and Proserpina, adding layers of complexity to an already rich narrative tapestry.

The inclusion of the Roanoke colony mystery seamlessly blends historical intrigue with mythological fantasy. Ives' ability to connect these disparate elements creates a world where the boundaries between myth and reality blur.

At the heart of the novel lies a powerful exploration of female rage, a theme that resonates throughout the narrative with visceral intensity. Thelia's character, in particular, becomes a conduit for this simmering rage, her journey both heart-wrenching and empowering.

While the novel's unflinching portrayal of violence and gore may be off-putting for some readers – the author provides a trigger warning – it serves to underscore the raw, primal nature of the story's themes. However, there are moments when the visceral descriptions linger perhaps longer than necessary, potentially overshadowing other elements of the narrative.

"Those Fatal Flowers" is not merely a retelling of myths or historical fiction; it is a primal scream echoing through the ages, giving voice to the silenced and power to the oppressed.

While not without its challenges, this novel offers a unique and unforgettable reading experience.

Thank you, Dell and NetGalley for my free book for review.

DNF at 13%. I was really excited by the premise of this book, with the combining of Greco-Roman and the Roanoke colony, but unfortunately I could not get into the book. I felt confused during the writing and unable to piece together what exactly led to Thelia being where she was. I also saw that for taking place in the Roanoke colony the author doesn't speak about the indigenous peoples at all, which I find kind of ridiculous.

This book was definitely full of feminine rage. To an extreme. I enjoyed how it wove Greco Roman mythology into the mysteries of the American civilization of Roanake. But once you introduce that subject it’s hard to not think about the elephant in the room of colonization..

Definitely a different and refreshing take, just wasn’t quite what I was expecting from it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for opportunity to read this advanced copy.

I had never learned anything about the history of the Roanoke colony, so that aspect of this story was interesting to find out about. I also appreciated the fiery feminism and how the women all worked together to fight back. The themes of forgiveness and risking love were also poignant. Still, overall, I just never was really able to enjoy myself while reading this book because I found everyone so unlikeable and most of it was a bit too dark, gory, gruesome, and bleak for me. Because of that, I can't really say that I'd recommend it, unless that sounds like more of your thing than it is for me.

This book didn't work for me. There was a lack of discussion around colonization and to me felt like romanticized being a colonizer. This topic is a definite part of history but I was very surprised to not find more of a discussion around it. Also not to mention that the characters weren't diverse at all which there could have been room for more native/Indigenous characters. At times I felt that the violence took over from the story a bit as well.

Overall just fell flat to me.

Thanks to Dell and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

Shannon Ives’ Those Fatal Flowers is a captivating blend of history and mythology, set against the haunting backdrop of Roanoke. This mysterious novel kept me engaged from start to finish, offering a unique perspective on timeless struggles.

The story follows Thelia and her sisters, who have been banished to the island of Scopuli and cursed to live as sirens. Eventually, Thelia escapes to Roanoke, only to discover that the colony is a perilous place, especially for women. This novel’s themes resonate deeply, coming at a time when women’s rights are still contested. Thelia’s journey reflects both personal resilience and systemic oppression, making it a fitting narrative for today’s readers.

Ives masterfully weaves mythical elements into the historical setting, creating a story that feels both timeless and fresh. The siren mythology is beautifully explored, adding layers of intrigue and depth to Thelia’s character and her sisters’ plight. The setting of Roanoke is richly detailed, bringing the dangers and patriarchal dominance of the colony vividly to life.

However, the novel’s attempt to draw parallels between the suffering of white women under the colony’s patriarchal leaders and those same leaders’ enslavement and slaughter of Indigenous women feels underdeveloped. While Ives acknowledges these racial dynamics, there is a noticeable lack of depth or commentary on this aspect of history. This omission is unfortunate, as a more nuanced exploration could have enriched the story’s impact.

Despite this shortcoming, Those Fatal Flowers is a compelling read. Its strong female characters, mythical elements, and historical fiction foundation make it a standout novel. If you enjoy stories that combine mythology with powerful themes and unique settings, this book is well worth your time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for this ARC!

Those Fatal Flowers was everything I needed even if I didn’t know I needed it when I started. It is such a beautiful depiction of feminine rage. I love the sapphic storyline and the exploration of sexuality. I love how empowered I felt after reading it. Thelia js the best of best FMCs ever. You will enjoy Those Fatal Flowers if you enjoy sapphic romance, powerful FMC, and mythological retellings.

Rating: 3 Stars
Format: E-book (ARC - pub Jan 21, 2025)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Myths and Retellings
TWs: Murder, violence, gore, miscarriage (graphic, on page), sexual assault, sexual violence, rape, cannibalism

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Those Fatal Flowers is a fascinating take on a mythical retelling, blending Greco-Roman inspiration with colonial historical fiction. It follows Thelia, who is one of three sirens, former handmaidens to Proserpina (Perseophone). After she is taken by Dis (Hades) to the underworld, the sirens are exiled to an island called Scopuli as punishment for failing to protect Proserpina from Dis’s attack. From there we follow the three cursed sisters’ struggle for survival and efforts to escape their exile.

One of this book’s strongest elements is the writing. I enjoyed the alternating timelines and felt like Ives did a good job of giving us just enough information to keep things moving without bogging down the pacing. I was definitely entertained throughout the entire book and I was invested in Thelia’s arc enough to want to know what she was up to and how she would grow. Thelia had some major character flaws at the beginning of this book and it was satisfying to see her grow and change some of her problematic beliefs. I liked many of the side characters, but I do wish we got more development of Thelia’s sisters. They didn’t feel as fleshed out as some of the other members of the cast.

And as a warning, this book is pretty brutal. I think some of the violence was effective and some of it took up a bit too much space. There are graphic descriptions of the killing, mutilating, and eating of the men that Thelia and her sisters lure to their island through their magic song. I appreciated the underlying rage that the women in this book felt and I understand the catharsis of some of the violence against very bad and corrupt characters, but it didn’t always land.

As others have mentioned, an element that didn’t really work for me was the discussions, or lack thereof, of colonization. We don’t see a single Native person on-page. There are references to Indigenous populations in Virginia, but I didn’t like how the atrocities committed against those Indigenous groups by the community Thelia found herself in were sort of swept under the rug by the narrative. Those atrocities are mentioned, and there are hints that the narrative is self-aware enough to paint them as bad because they are denounced on-page, but I don’t think that Ives explored that enough, especially when so much of the book discusses morality, violence, and innocence. If you’re going to do a colonial setting in historical fiction, you should flesh out all the implications of a character like Thelia stumbling into that colonial setting. The absence of Indigenous characters was very weird throughout.

Overall, I thought this book was entertaining and easy to read even with its flaws and thematic missteps. I think enjoyers of myths and retellings will find a lot to like here.

This is an overall solid book, it’s full of female rage and I loved that part of it. The writing is easy to follow and immersive, I felt I understood the main character well and felt for her predicament. The pacing was a bit slow as it took me a long time, over halfway thru the book to become invested in the story. I think if you enjoy female rage and Greek mythology then this is good. It doesn’t have much that is new to that genre but the addition of the Roanoke community mixed with ancient gods made it interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.

Those Fatal Flowers is a feminist rage epic that embodies Greco Roman mythology and the Roanoke City tragedy.

Disclaimer: I did receive this as an audiobook arc from Penguin Random House audiobook influencer club as well as an e-book from NetGalley. I mostly read this on audiobook. This is my honest and voluntary review.

**I would highly suggest paying attention to the content warnings page at the beginning of this book. It is also narrated in the audiobook for those who need it. The triggers are heavy and they are graphic in some areas.

I really enjoyed the narration of this audiobook. The narrator's voice was extremely soothing in the areas it needed to be and kicked it up a notch when it was a more brutal and gory scene. I would be interested in reading more books by this narrator.

This book is a hard one to read for me. There are aspects of this book that really hit home for me and that I really enjoyed, but there are also aspects of this book that I felt were a little extreme and improperly utilized.

The feminine rage was overall very empowering and done well in most areas as pertaining to adult relationships. There are definitely men in this book that you really wish would just meet there untimely end in a very gory and horrible way. I feel like the internalized misogyny within females of the book was also handled really well. But the part of the book that I did not vibe with was misogyny and sexism being thrust upon male children within the book. At one point, our main female character expresses her dislike for small male children because she's concerned they'll grow up to be misogynist. Up to the point where she won't even interact in a reasonable way with them. And I thought that was a little odd because, they are children, and even this child in particular is being raised by a single mother, which does not indicate he will in any way grew up to be a misogynist.

I found the premise in the story to be super interesting and this is why I have a hard time really figuring what to rate this book. While I had some issues with some of the content that really turned me off in a lot of ways there were also a lot of parts of this book I feel I will remember for a very long time. I did have a little bit of a hard time with the main female character, I floundered between really liking and respecting her to kind of rolling my eyes at some points because she's just extremely dramatic and takes things a little too far for my taste at times.

Overall, I feel like I can give this book a 3.75 because even though there was some parts that I did not overly enjoy in the book, it'll still stick with me for a while because the story and the utilization of feminine rage I think is a very lasting emotion in the book. I would be interested in giving some more work by this author a chance.

I've really been into the Greek myth retellings that have been coming out for the last couple of years. This stands out among the many that have been published lately because of the multiple timelines twist. I really enjoyed the character build-up of Thelia. It's good to have imperfect main characters. I would definitely read another book by this author!

There are a couple of TW: gore, rape, abduction, assault

Thanks to Net Galley, the publisher, and Shannon Ives for this Advanced Reader Copy. This book publishes January 21, 2025.

I isn’t really enjoy the book because I was excited to read about the Greek/roman side and the Roanoke. It it didn’t really seem like the author did a good job with it. I love Greek stories since I was young when I first read Percy Jackson. I enjoy most of the Greek fiction books that I’ve read but it just wasn’t for me.

i liked the promise this one provided, but at times this turned out... less so. i DID NOT like how there was no indigenous main character, or in fact any indigenous voice in this, almost trying to divorce the colony of roanoke from colonialism. that was..., not so great. 2 stars. thanks to Random House and netgalley for the arc.

A brilliant women-centric retelling of the story of Proserpina, goddess of spring and daughter of Ceres goddess of the , who gets stolen off by the lord of the underworld after eating pomegranate seeds. Before Proserpina gets stolen away, Thelia and her two older sisters serve as Proserpina’s handmaidens, and Thelia has a budding teen romance with her. After the kidnapping, Ceres in her rage banishes the sisters as Sirens to a remote island and changes them into half women and half flying animal bodies but allows them to retain their hypnotic singing voices that lure men and ships to crash upon their shore. In their monstrous forms, the women sacrifice men to Ceres in hopes of forgiveness, to no avail. The fates of the Sirens ultimately will fall into the hands of Proserpina.

Meanwhile, blended into this is an imaginative intersection the creation of a new myth centered on the lost American colony of Roanoke. Thanks to Proserpina’s help and the request that the sisters sacrifice the lives of many men in her honor, Thelia manages to escape the island in her human body and sets sail to lure men back to the sister’s island. She arrives carrying jewels and gold from the ships that have crashed on the island and offers more for a husband and men up for taking more of the spoils. In a colony dominated by mostly cruel men, Thelia discovers a new love in Cora, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Proserpina.

Ultimately, the story centers on female empowerment, and the complex strength (and in Ceres case destruction) of women’s relationships with each other. It also joins the group of amazing books that have emerged the past couple of years that retell myths from a keen imagined women’s perspective in sharp contrast the storytelling over the centuries based on men’s accounts.
The language borders on the poetic, so incandescent that you find yourself slowly down your reading to simply absorb its luminosity.

Thanks to Random House, Ballantine & Dell, and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.