I really wanted to love this book because I enjoyed the Manners and Monsters series so much, but I just don't like the "not like other girls" main character and I found her attitude at times a bit obnoxious. I like some of the dark humour, but I don't think I'll be continuing the rest of this series.

This is the first book in a new series, Leaf and Scale, by Tilly Wallace and falls under a historical fiction with a mix of magic/fantasy.

I enjoyed the mystery and sloth coupled with the plants and magic making it feel unique. Add in that Fern doesn’t fit social norms expect of ladies during the time period you have a little more depth. I would say this is a light book almost cozy novel so keep that in mind when diving in.

Let’s just say, dragons in any book will always grab my attention too.

This cozy fantasy left me happy. Though there are bad things that happen in it, the overall sense I had throughout was that good people find ways to solve problems that ensure that things are better by the end.

This story is set in a rural, Regency England that has magic and dragons, a carnivorous plant and an arrogant landowner. It also has Fern Oakby, an unconventional young woman and botanist, who lives with her very much in love, kind uncles.

Fern is called to the stately home of Lord Warrington to help with a problem with the garden. The chief gardener is very unhappy she is there, and lets her know it. That same evening, during a magical storm, Fern meets the Lord's sister, Millicent, who is frightened by the noises and power of the weather system. Millicent shows Fern the paper dragon she has crafted, and tells Fern how she is struggling with her grief over the death of her husband.

The next morning, ready to set to work, Fern discovers that there is a new plant in the garden, and that it has consumed the head gardener. Though he was not well liked, everyone is horrified, and Fern begins to investigate a way to limit the plant's ability to harm others, while she also longs to study this unusual creature.

Fern also discovers that Millicent's paper dragon is now alive, and every time the hungry plant is harmed, so is the dragon. This complicates matters, as the plant can not simply be dug out, or set to flame, even though Lord Warrington wants the matter resolved immediately, no matter the cost to some paper construction, or his sister's feelings about it.

I liked Fern immediately, and her unconventional, trouser-wearing self. She's kind, curious, intelligent, and always seeks the least harmful ways to manage problems.

I also loved the lore about dragons, Fern's uncles and her witch friends/colleagues, and adored the dragons in this story. And the way Fern eventually resolved several problems at the estate.

I'm eager to continue Fern's story in the next instalment.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Ribbonwood Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I loved the mix in genre between fantasy and historical fiction. What appealed to me what's the botanical magic and this book didn't disappoint.

Love a regency historically setting. It was cosy and comfortable and gave cottagecore vibes.

It focused on female joy and empowerment which I could relate to.

This is everything I wanted to read at the time. But some could think it was a bit too slow in pace.

I adored partly reading, partly listening to this sweet story that was just the right amount whimsical, sweet and dangerous. Who doesn't want to read about fantastical botany and cute dragons IN A REGENCY SETTING? Especially when a rebellious female botanist, who has so much love for flora, fauna and compassion for her fellow humans, encounters a strange and dangerous plant and she has to figure out how to contain it. Fern Oakby was strongly characterized and grew on me. But also the supporting cast was extremely well done. The three old witch sisters? Lord Drakeman?! Loved him!
I am excited to read more of her.

The Stormborne Vine by Tilly Wallace is a cozy fantasy with an imaginative premise and an endearing protagonist, but its execution left me somewhat underwhelmed. The book introduces Fern Oakby, a spinster botanist living in an alternate Regency England where science and magic uneasily coexist. When a lightning strike brings a piece of Boston ivy—and a tiny origami dragon—to life, Fern finds herself at the center of an unexpected magical mystery.

The concept is genuinely charming. Fern is an independent, intelligent heroine, and her bond with the dragon was a highlight of the book. Wallace explores interesting themes around the value of life, autonomy, and societal expectations, and the story maintains a gentler, low-stakes atmosphere that will appeal to fans of cozy, character-driven fantasy.

However, the prose didn’t quite work for me. The style leans heavily into formality, aiming for a historical tone but landing as stiff and awkward at times. Dialogue often felt unnatural, and the overall pacing lagged in the middle. While the worldbuilding is intriguing, it never fully came to life for me, and the emotional arc remained muted.

That said, there’s definite appeal here for the right reader—especially those who enjoy slow-burn stories, quiet heroines, and a blend of botanical magic with regency-era flair. I’ll be curious to see how the Leaf and Scale series develops, especially if the writing style smooths out in future installments.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy cozy, low-conflict fantasy with strong female leads and magical creatures, especially fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

A new series where magic and botany mix with dragons and a refugee from cruel English high society. Looking forward to the next one

After the death of her parents, Fern continues her father’s work of studying and raising magical plants. Her next job is complicated by the fact that the mysterious vine she was hired to investigate is carnivorous and hungry. As well as being magically connected to a rare paper dragon.

This was lovely! I adored almost all the characters, Fern was a focused and intelligent protagonist. Her uncles, and her relationship with the two of them, was charming. The magic was interesting, & I loved the discussion of the power of stories & what makes a life have worth.

A little bit predictable and the world building could have been deeper. I had so many questions about the magic and the dragons and the trees. But hopefully the sequel will give me more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ribbonwood Press for the opportunity to review this arc.

I really wanted to love The Stormborne Vine—the premise had so much potential, with its nature-bound magic and a heroine navigating legacy and danger—but the execution fell short for me. The worldbuilding felt underdeveloped, the pacing uneven, and I struggled to connect with the main character, whose motivations often lacked clarity. While the story had intriguing elements, the emotional stakes never fully landed, and I ultimately couldn’t stay invested. That said, Tilly Wallace clearly has a unique voice and creative vision, and I’d be open to seeing how her work evolves in future books.

I enjoyed diving into Fern's world where magic and dragons are commonplace along a regency English setting. The Stormborne Vine was full of likable and justifiably unlikeable characters that each contribute to the story in delightful ways. The mystery was pretty predictable, but the outcome wasn't what I expected at all.
I loved the determination and willingness of Fern to use her knowledge and the tools/people at her disposal to do what was right.
Overall, The Stormborne Vine is a delightful, cozy story that was filled with setting and characters that I can't wait to read more about in the future.

Oh this was everything I was look for in a cozy, gothic, horror-lite, fantasy book that focuses on female joy and empowerment.

The Stormborne Vine is funny, it is witty, and it doesn't end with the woman needing the boy (thought there is potential?). It focuses on the female friendship and the importance of nurturing others and the earth. I love the blend of magic and science within this series, it is just so good!

Book 2 needed ASAP!

Thanks Ribbonwood Press for the ARC!

3.5/5 ⋆｡°✩ (rounded to 4)

A cozy historical fantasy with a female botanist as the protagonist? Sign me up! The Stormeborne Vine by Tilly Wallace did not disappoint. This historical fantasy follows Fern, a kinda quirky botanist that keeps a garden of rare and mystical plants and consults on problems in other folks gardens. Fern is set to solve a simple gardening issue that suddenly leads to a carnivorous vine and by the end, two unexpected residents added to her home with her Uncle(s).
Fern is smart, thoughtful, kind, and genuinely funny. As a scientist, we get to see her struggle with the need to help others while still furthering the scientific community (and her own curiosity), and solving a mystery surrounding the fading magic in this world.
My one complaint is the amount of times Fern mentions something about "a well-bred woman" or something similar. There is a lot of bitterness and Fern consistently bringing this topic felt odd for someone supposedly shunning societal standards of how a woman should act and dress. I understand its a sore point but the amount of times it was mentioned was genuinely obnoxious.
I'm looking forward to another installment of Leaf and Scale!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and Ribbonwood Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Set in 1818 Fern Oakby is a spinster who fell from polite society some 10 plus years ago due to being disgraced during her debut. She loves her life carrying on her father and her love of botany out in the country where she lives with her uncle and his partner. Yes she's a bit lonely but she likes her freedom and is glad she isn't in a gilded cage of being a nobleman's wife. This story is full of magic and dragons and a plant that eats birds, rabbits, and humans alike. This is a cozy fantasy mystery with a great character in her early thirty's and I'm here for it. Note there is no romance but the romantic in me hopes that the mysterious Lord Drakeman is more of a part of future stories with Fern.

From the moment I opened The Stormborne Vine by Tilly Wallace I was swept into a world crackling with magic, danger and intrigue. This story feels both immersive and eclectic, like the gathering of energy before a thunderstorm. With a strong heroine at its heart, a world teeming with secrets and a wild magic system, this book is a gripping blend of historical fantasy and adventure.

A vine, has eaten a human, and is tied to a dragon and the writings of a story?! How freaking wild and beautifully original is this story?! I absolutely adored it!

The writing is rich and atmospheric and the tension is masterfully built- every revelation, every moment of peril, every interaction with the paper, the dragons and the vine kept me turning pages well into the night.

I’m so happy Milly got her happy ending, I absolutely adored her character so deeply & we love the character growth and women supporting women!!

I hope to read more books by Tilly Wallace- this one was fantastic! Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this lovely read!

Fern makes a living with her botanical knowledge. Her expertise is required at one of the manors within her rural part of England. After a big storm a the manor a large unexplainable carnivorous ivy has magically appeared. Fern has to find a way to get rid of it while tackling other unexpected challenges.

I really enjoyed this. One thing Tilly does well is stir up my feminine rage. Aside from having strong female characters having to maneuver a male dominated world/era, this book has old magic, witches, dragons, and science mixed with magic. I do wish some characters got what was coming to them but then I can only hope they do in books further down the road.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author & publisher for an eARC.

'The Stormborn Vine' is fine. It's not bad by any means but also not particularly good and gives off huge 'not like other girls' vibes, which is just annoying in 2025. It also feels very much like YA though I haven't seen it advertised as such, though that may be a mistake on my part. The dragons were the best part of this book. Not sure I'll be continuing the series..

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tilly Wallace’s The Stormborne Vine is a delightful blend of cozy fantasy, botanical magic, and regency-era intrigue. Set in an alternate England where magic lingers but is slowly fading, the story follows Fern Oakby, an independent and intelligent young woman who has turned her back on high society in favor of botany. Living with her uncles in the countryside, Fern uses her expertise to help others—until one particular garden mystery entangles her in an adventure filled with magical chaos, unruly plants, and dragons, both real and paper-made.

When a violent storm awakens a monstrous, carnivorous Boston ivy and brings an origami dragon to life, Fern finds herself caught between science and magic. Tasked with unraveling the mysteries of the vine while protecting the dragon bound to it, she must navigate the social expectations of the regency world, the demands of those in power, and her own unrelenting curiosity. Along the way, she forms an unexpected friendship with Millie, the lonely sister of the overbearing Lord Warrington, adding a strong element of found family to the story.

Wallace excels at weaving together historical and fantastical elements, creating a world that feels rich and immersive. The magic system—rooted in alchemy and fading traditional enchantments—is both unique and intriguing, complementing the novel’s themes of change and adaptation. Fern’s character is a breath of fresh air; she is strong-willed, intelligent, and practical without falling into the trap of dismissing traditionally feminine traits. Her friendships with other women, especially Millie, add depth and warmth to the story.

While The Stormborne Vine introduces a compelling world and engaging characters, it does try to juggle multiple plotlines at once, making certain aspects feel a bit rushed or underdeveloped. However, this only builds anticipation for future installments, as there is clear potential for more exploration of the magical and political dynamics at play.

For fans of cozy fantasy, regency settings with a magical twist, and strong heroines who defy expectations, The Stormborne Vine is an enchanting read. With its blend of mystery, adventure, and charm, this book is perfect for curling up with on a quiet evening—preferably with a cup of tea in hand. I eagerly await the next installment in Fern’s journey!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this opportunity!

This story presents a delightful and original tale that stands out among the many fae and dragon narratives.

Fern's character is well-developed as she navigates the complexities of nobility while engaging with commoners' lives. Our main female character plays a central role as she encounters various events and mysterious challenges at a neighboring country estate. The reader is drawn into her journey as she strives to balance tradition with modern influences.

The author skillfully hints at potential future stories, which intrigues me to see where the narrative will go. I plan to follow the author to keep up with this adventure. I highly recommend this book to readers looking for something fresh and different in their reading selection.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

The Stormborne Vine was overall an enjoyable read.
I wasn't sure where the story was going to go, but I was pleasantly surprised at the end. You will find mystery, dragons, human-eating plants, and an interesting magic system at the heart of this book. I enjoyed reading about the family and their different views on the world. The ending made me want to read more. I can definitely recommend this story to anyone who likes mystery in a fantasy setting and strong female characters.

Thanks to Tilly Wallace and NetGalley for the ARC.