Wonderful! I did feel the Studio Ghibli vibes throughout. Reading this was like drinking a hot cup of coffee after being in the snow all day. It had a good balance of darkness, lightheartedness, magic, romance, and adventure. I would read another book from this author! I would recommend this book if you enough fantasy and adventure.

Thank you Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this author's writing style, the world they built and the characters in it were interesting, and like most - I enjoyed that it was inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle. The only main disappointment was the way the romance was written between the characters, it felt like it was lacking and could have been built better with them. I like that there were some realistic characteristics to Foss though, that she seemed like a real person one could relate to - negative thoughts and all.

Thanks to NetGalley, Andrea Eames, and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I loved how the book sometimes made me feel like I was reading a new work of Diana Wynne Jones and loved the prose and the magical system. That being said, Foss really got on my nerves and, because of that and because of the fact that the romance was a little bit lacking, I couldn't connect with the story and was left a little bit disappointed since I had high expectations for Harvest of Hearts :(

I didn’t expect to grow so attached to a house or a cat but DAMN!! This book was INCREDIBLE!! The magic system is SO unique!

The only reason I didn’t rate it 5 stars was because 1. it didn’t trigger a physical reaction from me (although it was very close at the end), and there were a few other little things that peeved me.

The word ‘shite’ was used SO many times at the beginning. I forgot about that for ages though because it was only used once in the rest of the book. And the chapters were unnecessarily long. Even though the chapters had purposeful diving pages, they were warped and odd on the kindle so my brain wouldn’t let me pause there and I felt like the chapters could’ve just stopped at each page divide and then started a new one.

GOOD THINGS NOW!!! The characters were beautifully fleshed out, even a HOUSE for goodness sakes!!! The magic system was SO cool and nothing like i’ve ever read or seen before. This was truly a unique reading experience and I’m so grateful to have been able to enter this world. The plot was super interesting and I never wasn’t invested in the story. Super grateful to have received this ARC!!

I adore anything that’s compared to Howl’s Moving Castle and this was an absolute delight 🤍 Foss and Sylvester are everything and I could not put this book down!

**2.5 stars**

The story follows Foss Butcher who is practical and has a no-nonsense attitude. She works with her father in a small village on the outskirts of a kingdom. The king and his beautiful sorceress daughters harvest hearts from people in these villages to protect the kingdom - an accepted sacrifice. One day, Foss’s village are visited by a sorcerer named Sylvester ( the king’s first male sorcerer), where he accidentally snags a piece of Foss’s heart. Foss tracks down the sorcerer to get the piece of her heart back but along the way she discovers more about how the hearts are used. Foss is determined to help stop this from happening to others in the kingdom.


Whilst the concept and the magic system really interested me, unfortunately I just don’t think this was completed to the best of its ability. I think the writing style just felt a bit clunky (I did find myself skimming through the longer descriptions). I found the pacing of the plot was a bit off. The first half of the book felt slow and didn’t hook me in like I had expected and wanted. I think this could have been edited down because a couple of the scenes were almost repeated. However, the last half of the book was where everything goes done and definitely picked up a lot.


I didn’t really connect with the characters well and I think the pacing and writing style were a couple of reasons as to why. I wish there had been more main character relationship building because it felt like it comes out of nowhere towards the end. However, I think my favourite part about this book was the interactions with Cornelius, the talking cat, and Sylvester’s sentient house. They added something to the story to make it have more of a cosy fantasy vibe.

Thanks to NetGalley, Andrea Eames, and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy of this title in review for an honest review.

"A Harvest of Hearts" is a whimsical and atmospheric tale about Foss Butcher, an ordinary village girl whose heart has been literally snagged by a handsome sorcerer. Setting out for the city to reclaim it, she discovers the sorcerer's enchanted house and befriends a talking cat. As she searches for her heart, Foss uncovers the dark secrets lurking behind the king and the sorceresses.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. read on for a more in-depth review. * :☆ﾟ. ───

✒️ the writing
⤷ The writing is exquisite, bringing the story vividly to life with its beautifully crafted descriptions. I enjoyed Foss' no-nonsense attitude and her dry wit. However, the pacing is somewhat sluggish, and it takes more than half the book for the plot to gain momentum. The first half feels nearly uneventful once Foss makes it to the city, while the second half feels rushed, limiting the opportunity to fully explore the relationship between Foss and Sylvester. At times, the exposition feels repetitive, particularly concerning the stolen hearts and certain physical descriptions of the characters. Despite these, I thoroughly enjoyed Adrea Eamas' writing style, which feels mature and skillfully crafted.

🎥 the plot
⤷ "A Harvest of Hearts" draws inspiration from Howl's Moving Castle but establishes its own unique identity. The magical elements were captivating, and the mystery kept me turning the pages. The story builds a strong connection to its world, with memorable features like the charming magical house with a personality of its own, the self-sustaining magical carriage and horses, and the adorable talking cat with a love for bacon. The vibes are immaculate—strange, sinister, and whimsical all at once. More than just a love story, it is a fantasy tale with themes of self-discovery.

💗 the romance
⤷ The lack of meaningful interactions between Foss and Sylvester is a notable disappointment in the story. The few moments they shared, such as when Foss recounted tales of ordinary village life, were only briefly mentioned, missing the opportunity to deepen their connection. Their interactions are sparse in the first half, while the rapid pace of the second half leaves little room for further development. Consequently, the story missed out on the special moments that could have enriched their relationship. Despite this, I liked the contrast between the characters and enjoyed their interactions, however few, and wished there had been more.

🧸 the characters
⤷ I can see why others might find Foss' cynicism and deep insecurities off-putting. Her constant negative self-talk was uncomfortable at times, but I quickly recognized how realistic her deep-seated insecurities were. As someone who struggles with body dysmorphia, I sometimes have thoughts similar to Foss’. I'm only fortunate that I’m not the narrator of a book, and I can keep such negative thoughts private, hidden from others who might use my weaknesses against me.

Foss’ negative self-view stems from her belief that something is fundamentally wrong with her, a notion rooted in her mother’s death during childbirth. Her humiliation by the first man she had affection for and the disparity in how she’s treated compared to pretty girls have further eroded her self-esteem. She sees herself as plain and unlovable, unlike the pretty girls who seem to have everything. As a woman navigating today’s society, where there’s immense pressure to conform to beauty standards—perfect skin, ideal body, feminine features—I found myself empathizing with Foss rather than finding her self-consciousness irritating.

I also admired how, despite the powerful spell that kept her enthralled, she continued to fight to maintain her clarity and resolve. Her strength of will and determination make it impossible not to root for her. Though she may seem cold at times, her warmth and compassion shine through, as seen in her care for her Da, her efforts to save Collin, and her desire to rescue the Snagged. Even though Foss often describes herself as ugly and plain, she is a resilient woman who refuses to give up and takes action to make things happen. Now that I think about it, she somewhat reminds me of Jane Eyre!

⤷ Sylvester is a character I would have liked to see explored more deeply. As it stands, he feels somewhat two-dimensional, especially since his presence is so minimal in the first half of the book that his magical house seems to have more personality than he does. Although I enjoyed his character, I wished for a more developed portrayal. We don't get much insight into him on a deeper level, as much of his story is conveyed rather than truly experienced.

⤷ Most people would agree with me that Cornelius, the talking cat, is the star of the show! As a cat lover, I might be a bit biased, but I would have put the book down if anything happened to him. His presence brought a delightful charm to the story, and I adored the bond he developed with Foss.

⤷ The villains lack complexity. Apart from Clarissa, the other sorceresses remain largely unexplored, and the King comes across as a basic villain archetype, lacking any depth. I would have enjoyed seeing more of the sorceresses in action rather than just hearing about their deeds.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
bottom line: I adored the story and was enchanted by its magic and whimsy! I’ll miss Cornelius the most, along with the magical house I have grown so fond of—I wish I could live in a house that gives me everything I need! That said, I look forward to the author's future books.

- Thank you to Andrea Eames, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this debut arc! Enjoyed this quite a bit. It was a very fun read with a unique coat put on over a well-loved and classic structure. I can totally see the Howl’s Moving Castle resemblance and I think that’s a great descriptor for it. It was well paced and a great blend of cozy, action-packed, and interesting. I’m looking forward to Eames’ future books.

A Harvest of Hearts seriously is giving the vibe of Howl's Moving Castle and that's one of the best things in this book. I really liked the way the author created her characters. Foss is not some scared little girl, but on the other hand she was kind of disturing all throught the plot. Sylvester was a mystery to me, I couldn't understand him. It'll be only fair to say that my favourite character was the cat = Cornelius.
A Harvest of Hearts has great magical system and captivating plot. I guess it'll have a great numbers of readers who will like it.

The description appealed: a cozy, whimsical story in the tradition of <I> Howl's Moving Castle</I>? Sure! Sign me up! And the novel delivers —kinda. At the start, the story felt a little TOO Howly, with the grumpy, stubborn hero finding herself cleaning the quirky, sentient house of a spoiled rotten handsome sorcerer. But I stuck with the story, and it took a turn for the more complex and dark.

Minor quibble: I don't know if a cozy fantasy, as this is billed, typically has stakes this high: the King and his dozen daughters/sorceresses have been harvesting hearts ostensibly to keep the kingdom safe...a process that ultimately results in a gruesome death by suicide if the magic-workers don't outright rip the hearts out in a hurry by hand. The kingdom has accepted that this awful sacrifice is just the way the King keeps the people safe and the harvest bountiful.

But plot twist (spoiler alert): the kingdom is in no real danger. The king is evil.

Our hero is Foss, the sturdy daughter of a village butcher, a woman who believes herself ugly and unmarriagable (one has one's doubts, as a reader, but self-image is often so much self-illusion, right?) who tracks down the one male sorcerer who inadvertently harvested a bit of her heart.

With her heart magically possessed by the sorcerer, Foss is only just barely able to resist throwing herself at the feet of the gorgeous sorcerer, but a lifetime of hard work, being downtrodden, and the moral certainty that she's ugly allows her to resist the spell.

As I said, it was a little too Howly at first for my taste, but when the larger problem of the wicked magic-workers and their massacre of citizens presented itself, I thought the story rose to the challenge.

Foss and her sorcerer and a talking cat (sorcerer and cat are named Cornelius and Sylvester. Or Sylvester and Cornelius. As I read, I found the names interchangeable. My failure, not the book's) don't have a chance against the king and the sorceresses, but they have to try. There's a (bigger spoiler alert!) touching and very delicately presented evolution of the slow burn between them. Even within the constraints and compulsions of the spell, Foss and her sorcerer become close in a way I found emotionally believable and gratifying. I wish more "romantasy" novels offered such a nuanced and emotional approach.

The magic system—one based on the exploitation of others' life-force—was vividly fleshed out, and the society and setting felt likewise three-dimensional. In all, a fun, surprising, and ultimately quite lovely love story wrapped inside a fantasy tale.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/Erewhon Books for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

Honestly, I have a lot of feelings about this book and I waffled back-and-forth on my rating, ultimately deciding on a 2. Despite that, I will say that I think the overarching plot (outside of its similarities to Howl's Moving Castle), was really fun and interesting. I liked the combination of whimsy and the sinister undertones throughout the entire book. Also, Cornelius the cat is, as many other reviewers have said, a complete stand-out.

Now, let's get into the more... complicated stuff:

For starters, I'm going to say that Foss, as a character, felt... very uneven. The first few chapters of the book are spent equal parts world-building and Foss lamenting at how ugly she is and how she'll never get married and have children. From what I recall though, the only thing "ugly" about her was her red hair and the fact that she was "sturdy" (that's covert speak for fat), neither of which make a person ugly. I could maybe understand her feeling that way if everyone in the village made her feel that way, but it seemed that a lot of it was projection and one nasty boy she had a crush on in her youth being a complete a-hole about her crush. That's it. There were some attempts later at one of those "I'm not actually ugly" moments, but they didn't quite hit the mark. I do like that the author didn't pull an early-2000s rom-com and go, "Oh, she was actually beautiful this WHOLE TIME".

Related to this, the relationship between Sebastian and Foss was supremely underdeveloped. Especially since it takes a few chapters for the two of them to meet and then she doesn't spend near enough time getting to know him before getting more deep into plot things. Also, the spell tying her and Sebastian together makes her feel intense pain and adoration/love for him against her will. While it's reasonable that she tries to fight this and also tries to avoid being alone with him for too long, it makes actually developing any relationship between the two of them not work. As a result, this made the ending love declarations feel pretty hollow. I think the book would've been better spent either starting with Foss in front of Sebastian's house, ready to go in, or have them meet right off the bat.

These next few things might fall under the more nit-picky side of things, but they bothered me so I'm going to address them anyway. There was an attempt made an inclusion, but: 1. it only really happened at the beginning of the book and 2. it was very awkward and clumsily done. Honestly, in both cases, it felt like checking off "diversity" on your writing bingo board without actually doing to much work to make sure that it wasn't potentially offensive or felt organic to the story you were writing. Because, here's the thing, despite those mentions at the beginning of the book, the story itself still felt very cis- and hetero-normative. To explain a little better, the sorceresses all have preternatural beauty and, to get the hearts of the people around the kingdom, they either seduce or beguile them. At the beginning, Foss tries in a very clumsy way to narrate that oh, sure, maybe SOME women are attracted to women and SOME men are attracted to men. And while I did appreciate that the beguiling done by the sorceresses wasn't always sexual in nature, it felt like straight was the default in a lot of instances.

Then, there was the, um, attempt at creating diversity in the villages. I don't usually like to pull quotes directly from arcs (mostly because publishers ask you not to), but in this instance, I feel like I need to do it to illustrate my point. She described various villagers as having "coal black to nut brown" skin. I get that you want to point to the fact that white people aren't the only people there, but there was definitely a better way to do that? Especially coming from someone who appears to be a white author.

The last thing is that because the book was written in 1st-person POV, sometimes Foss's narration came across as... I don't know how to describe it other than the author's narrative voice bleeding through. Foss, as a character, is from a small village. While she can read and write, she doesn't seem to be heavily read nor does she seem to be someone who sneaks to hear scholars or something giving educational lectures or whatever. It seems like her narrative voice should reflect that, but there were multiple moments where what Foss was describing felt like something she shouldn't really know about? Again, this is probably a very minor nitpick, but it really stuck out to me and sometimes took me out of the book.

I realize this is a very long review and, while I appreciate what the author tried to do, there was just too much that didn't work for me to fully enjoy the creativity of the plot.

"A Harvest Of Hearts" by Andrea Eames is a captivating and whimsical fantasy novel that will transport you to a world of magic, wonder, and adventure. The story follows Foss Butcher, a practical and determined young woman who finds herself in a precarious situation when a sorcerer, Sylvester, accidentally snags a piece of her heart.

As Foss navigates the grand City and Sylvester's enchanted House, she discovers a complex web of magic, secrets, and lies. The world-building is rich and immersive, with a unique magic system and a cast of intriguing characters. The writing is engaging, with a conversational tone that makes you feel like you're part of Foss's journey.

Foss is a lovable and relatable protagonist, with a sharp wit and a no-nonsense attitude. Her interactions with Sylvester, the petulant and idle sorcerer, are particularly entertaining. The supporting cast, including a talking cat and the House's moody walls, adds to the story's humor and charm.

The plot is well-paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The themes of identity, power, and friendship are thoughtfully explored, adding depth to the narrative.

Overall, "A Harvest Of Hearts" is a delightful and enchanting fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of authors like Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. If you're looking for a lighthearted and engaging read with a unique magic system and lovable characters, this book is a must-read.

I am a little surprised on how much I loved this. I read it TWICE in a row which never freaking happens. The characters were so cute and relatable.

This was just ok! I don't have any strong feelings about it one way or another. The saving grace of this story was the talking cat, Cornelius. Thank you Netalley for the ARC.

"A Harvest of Hearts" by Andrea Eames is a riveting fantasy adventure that follows the story of Foss Butcher, narrated from her point of view in the first person. The book's description is a bit misleading; it isn’t a cozy fantasy but rather a dark fairy tale/fantasy, more akin to Uprooted by Naomi Novik than Howl’s Moving Castle. Despite this, it was a fantastic adventure, and I loved it! The author weaves together an excellent, unique book that hooked me from beginning to end.

Foss Butcher is the butcher's daughter and is quite unpopular in her village. Her mother died giving birth to her, leading the villagers to deem her cursed. Her plain looks (as she describes them) keep suitors away, much to her heartbreak. Every now and then, sorcerers arrive in her village and snag hearts - partly or whole - using them to enhance their abilities and protect the kingdom, or so the tales go.

A good book needs two key ingredients: a compelling story and skilled writing. This book has both. I enjoyed it immensely and couldn’t stop reading. The pace is slow at times, but this was necessary to set up the plot and introduce the history and magic system of the world. The world-building is impeccable and intriguing, immersing the reader and keeping the tale exciting and believable. We meet characters living in a detailed, feudal society and are thrust into the land’s web of politics and social issues.

The book starts with a little quirkiness but then takes a dark turn. The heroine's dry humor and strong personality come across loud and clear, making it easy to like her and root for her. Contrary to other opinions, I didn’t find her irritating at all, and my heart went out to her. Foss’s character may be more developed than Sylvester's, but I was invested in both of their struggles. I loved the development of their relationship, their interactions, and the slow-burn romance.

My favorite character was the cat! It’s often said that children and animals steal the show, and that was certainly the case here. Go, Cornelius! I also loved the bond between Foss and her father and the way she cared for her village, despite their bad treatment of her. She chose to let bygones be bygones, which only made her more endearing. Some of Foss’s choices made me pull my hair out, but they did propel the plot.

I found the writing engaging in most parts, and the plot was compelling enough to earn full stars. The themes of friendship, family, love, attachment, and self-image issues are skillfully interwoven into this dark tale. The excitement builds, especially in the second half, culminating in a more-than-satisfying ending. I loved the book and highly recommend it to fans of dark fairy tales and cleverly imagined, unique plots.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Foss Butcher is likely to never amount to more than a butcher's life and perhaps some widower's second wife - until a sorcerer steals a piece of her heart, dooming her to follow him to his magical home, where she finds herself unwittingly involved in the fate of the entire kingdom.
Review
I read this book immediately after The Lost Bookshop, and for some reason linked them, though they really have very little in common. As I noted there, Bookshop has better prose, and this book has a better story. Rather to my surprise, I ultimately found myself rating this book higher.
A Harvest of Hearts has some trouble getting off the ground. The prose is clunky (though you get used to it) and there are a fair number of awkward (or just wrong) formations and word choices. I found it a notable obstacle, initially.
Gradually, however, I was won over by the plot, which is innovative, if built on familiar elements. The characters that move it along are fairly standard types, and there’s no great surprise in their choices or resolutions, but they’re well deployed and engaging. There’s a little inconsistency (or maybe tension) – e.g., the protagonist sees herself as ugly for reasons beyond her control (and unsurprisingly, learns to think she isn’t), but sees no problem with describing a villain as ugly (with the hint that that means lacking in moral fiber). Foss’ choices aren’t always consistent, and at times feel forced for the sake of plot movement, but overall the lapses can be skipped over.
There’s a talking cat, which ordinarily I’m not keen on, as being a very overused device. But here, it’s charming and adds to the story without being coy or overly cute.
The prose isn’t great, frankly, but the story as a whole is engaging and fun.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5! ⭐⭐⭐

I was absolutely captivated by the idea of a book with 'Howl's Moving Castle' vibes and a talking cat (who yes, was my absolute favorite character🐱🐱🐱). However, I don't think this book was the best fit for me.

We meet Foss, a butcher's daughter, who doesn't think highly of herself because she is 'bigger framed', has pale skin and red hair. She doesn't think anyone would ever love her because of that, and she lacks a lot of self-confidence. The land where she lives is ruled by the king and his 'children', sorcerers who come and harvest bits of hearts in order to 'protect the kingdom'. People are mesmerized by them. We then meet the sorcerer Sylvester, who accidentally snags a piece of Foss, and she goes on a mission to get it back from him.❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

I did not connect with the characters at all, Corenlius the cat being the exception. I thought Foss seemed very young and childish. Sylvester didn't show much growth for me, and his character fell a little flat. The romance felt a little forced, and didn't do much for me. I wasn't a fan of the verrryyy long chapters, and I did find myself skimming through the long descriptions.

The book definitely gave off cozy village vibes, and I loved that. It was definitely a 'cup of tea and a cozy blanket' kind of book, however I just think the book wasn't for me. 😊😊😊

Thank you to Netgalley & Kensington Publishing for this arc!

3.5 stars rounding up to four.

I see a number of reviewers mentioning that this book is too similar to Howl's Moving Castle... lucky for Andrea Eames, I am maybe one of the only people that haven't read or seen HMC. That said, I've made it a priority to do so after reading this book.

I found the plot line itself fun and enjoyable. The pacing didn't feel like a drag and I enjoyed the magic system.

My reasons for the 3.5 star rating:
- the number of times Ross calls herself "fat" or "ugly" made it difficult to see her as an empowered FMC. I imagine the intent was for her to be more relatable but I think the sheer number of times she's self-deprecating felt excessive.
- Sylvester's character leaves much to be desired. I appreciate a "happily ever after" as much as the next fantasy reader but this felt incredibly abrupt and I find it hard to believe in his final declaration to Foss. Maybe if the book itself was dual POV, it may have helped?
- The only reason I'm rounding up to 4 stars is because Cornelius is the star of this book. He is snarky, adorable, and a wonderful sidekick character.

I saw "Howles Moving Castle" vibes and I was all in. Diana W Jones was my favorite as a tween, all of her writings fascinating me, with amazing imaginary worlds, so obviously I had big expectations.
The story is fine, a fantasy romance very much in the tone of what people seem to want today... but the book could have been 1/3 of its current length and not lost anything. While at first we get acquainted with Foss her voice gives a certain bite to the book... but the bite wares off, and becomes rather whinny, snappish, grumpy, bossy and overall annoying. The whole book is too wordy, the constant complaint about how ugly she is, and her focuses on the beauty of the sorcerer makes her feel extremely shallow.
I'm disappointed, I guess I had too much expectation, and the book is way too long.

Thank you Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC!

A fun, whimsical read, with definite Howl's Moving Castle vibes. This was a cozy story, that took its time to introduce the world and get set up, but once it was going and Foss was in the city with the sorcerer, I was swept along by the charms of the house, the cat (the cat!), Sylvester, and the general narrative. The romance was sweet, Sylvester very Howl-coded, and I loved the house pouting and rearranging itself.

Really happy I got a chance to read an early copy! Would recommend!