"The Dandelion Tree" is the kind of story that asks a lot of the reader. The characters and the connections are strong but the journey to find the story takes a little while. The relationships are challenging and at times it seems like there are do loops of behaviors. It isn't until about half way through the story that everything came together for me and Kharis took hold of my imagination.

This story is complex fantasy that asks for your total surrender. But as always with stories like this, it's worth the effort.

The way the book is marketed I didn't realize this was a second book when I requested it! So I was pretty confused when I first started. The storyline was okay, probably would have enjoyed it more had a I read the first one.

Utterly compelling, even without having read the first book, I was hooked. It has everything you need in a good fantasy book and was easy to follow (not like some fantasy books where you need to be taking notes on who's who and where's what). Don't skip on this one!

Thank you Netgalley, Silver River Publishing, and A.S.R. Gelpi for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

For some reason my review never got posted, but I really enjoyed this book! It was fantastic in every way.

It's hard to review without spoilers because a crazy amount of stuff happened. The character development was beyond amazing, and I love traveling farther into this stunningly beautiful world.

The dynamic between Kharis and Saya was incredible, and it was a joy to watch them grow more into themselves with each page. There were lots of struggles, but they do their best to overcome them.

This book is deeply immersive, and I think it would be fantastic for an older teen.

This is one I just couldn’t get into. The premise is interesting but I think it suffered from the fact I didn’t realize this is the 2nd in a series not the first and I don’t connect with the characters enough to warrant a deep dive into the first book to fully understand the world and background. I liked the relationship between the sisters but the POVs jumped around so much it made it hard to follow. I DNFd and didn’t make it through.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I want to state up front that I did DNF this book at 20% when I realised I was not the intended audience for it.
I originally requested a copy of this book thinking it was the first book of a series since it stated part 1, but afterwards realised that it is in fact a sequel. Maybe if I had read the first book this one would have made more sense.
Overall I think the writing is good, the plot is intriguing and the relationship between the 2 sisters Kharis and Saya is heartwarming.
There were moments this book really captivated me- the first time we heard the voice, the bouquet, finding out about the Akumi King.
But the good for me was eclipsed by the not so good. I found I never really felt any urgency, and the way the scenes were written I felt like I was being told how to feel vs really feeling the emotions the characters did. This made the similar names 'Aram Zhad' vs 'Arjun Ghad' and others a slog to manoeuvre through because frankly I wasn't invested in any of them and couldn't keep track of who was who.
Overall a lot of potential and an intriguing premise but not for me. I imagine those who read the first book might enjoy this more.
This review is posted on Goodreads.

I came across this novel out of nowhere, not knowing exactly what a sequel would be, and I requested it. And I was in for a big surprise. Obviously, I read it first to understand it, and it was a breath of fresh air, and this sequel is no slouch.

The Dandelion Tree presents greater depth in the relationship between the two sisters and further enhances the universe created in the first installment, strengthening the story and the relationship between the sisters. Highly recommended.

Epic fantasy, magical, deep sisterly bond and a beautiful world. Made by this author.
The worldbuilding has purpose, iis immersive and full of depth, offers political intrigue, ancient secrets, high stakes, and a bit of mystique.
A really good read, kept me wanting more.
Thank you for this ARC read!

Two sisters are tired together by fate, love, and tradition. One sister carries an imprisoned and dangerous being inside her, and the other must protect her from assasins and herself. Yet, questions arise as to what is the truth and what have been lies.

I enjoyed the general plot of the book, the romance, and the two main characters. However, the plot becomes confusing in the second half of the book.

<strong>NetGalley Pre-release</strong>

When I agreed to review this in exchange for an early released copy, I assumed it was the beginning of a series, since it said part 1 in the title, and there was no mention of additional novels being tied to it.

Turned out that was a false assumption on my part. Tracked down Book 1, not Part 1, and read it first. This is definitely not a story to be read out of order. The true Book 1 is over 500+ pages, coming with plenty of "explicit warning,"although they were supposedly closed door scenes. It was through reading Book 1 that I found out this was meant to be a rather larger scale release of 8 books, along with 3 novellas, with "The Dandelion Tree" of over 300 pages, being considered one of the novellas.

Book 1 had an order and flow to it, and the main plot was laid out. Not so much in this one.
From the beginning, this one jumps around from one confusing scene to another and by 10%, chapter 9, out of 72, I was so confused and having trouble focusing on any flow to the content provided.
I started this right after Book 1, so I was even more confused by the sudden transition from a narrative that had a flow, to this that seemed as if it was just random memories being shared to later be sorted out.

I wasn’t too positive on being able to make sense of this and actually make it through to the end, and had to take a break.

I did regain interest and picked it back up to finish. I also began looking further into the other titles. It shows them as once being available on NetGalley, but no longer so. There’s 2 buying sources listed, anut when clicking on the links, these both came back as no longer available.

Very disappointing. I read series for a reason. I wouldn’t have agreed to review or read this one, if I had known the others were no longer available. Maybe the author or the publisher are planning on releasing them all again. I’m not sure. But that doesn’t help my level of feeling invested, and then left high and dry with no clue to the rest.

I finally tracked down the release by going to A.S.R. Gelpi’s webpage, where it list in full the re-releases of the series.
Next one is not due out until December 2025, and the last three has a target date of sometime in 2028.

The tale of the sisters and their story is a very involved one, and incorporates an array of intriguing supporting casts and characters, aa well as the entire world building process.

Because of the confusion, I almost went with a 2 star rating, but because it did hold my interest I bumped it up to a 3

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book, I want to state up front that I did DNF this book at 40% after realizing I was not the intended audience for it.

I had a hard time reading to 40.3%. It is described as an epic which typically features a journey, which initially drew my attention, however the journey still had not started. This fantasy is a romance set in a fantasy world, and the love triangle portrayed was not for me. Kharis and the gardener have an intriguing start to their relationship but the rush into infatuation by Kharis was not believable. The scenes with the voice/shadow figure just confused me.

There is action involved in the book, which the author writes well. If there had been movement towards a goal with the action I think the book would have held my attention longer (maybe there is a goal revealed later in the book that I had not picked up on yet.

Overall, this book was not for me however I think people who enjoy a darker romance set in a fantasy world may enjoy it.

The Dandelion Tree: Part One is a captivating continuation of Kharis and Saya’s journey. A.S.R. Gelpi balances sweeping fantasy elements with raw, personal stakes that make each decision feel deeply consequential and inherently relatable.

At the center of the story is the unshakeable bond between two sisters whose paths are defined by magic, fate, and sacrifice. Their relationship is nuanced—supportive yet strained, fierce yet fragile. The writing is engaging without being overly ornate, guiding the reader through a story rich with layered characters and intricate world-building.

This isn’t just a tale of good versus evil—it poses questions of choice, identity, and the weight of legacy. If you crave character-driven storytelling in a richly imagined world, add this book to your reading list.

The author describes this book as perfect for readers who love depth, deep characterization, a thoughtful plot, and a heroine's journey that stays with you. Unfortunately, I felt it missed the mark in these areas. The multiple POVs slowed the pacing and took away from what could have been richer character development. I think focusing on the two sisters, Kharis and Saya, would have made the story more engaging. The frequent POV changes were a bit confusing and disrupted the flow, even though they included important plot details. I struggled to get fully immersed in the story and had to push myself to keep reading. I did enjoy Kharis and Saya and their brief romantic and heartbreaking moments, but their adventures felt slow to start and ultimately anticlimactic. While I understand this is part one of a larger story, I believe each book should have its own unique appeal, which I didn't find in The Dandelion Tree: Part One.

Ooh the writing is so good in this one! The stakes are high and the story is gripping. The world building is great and so immersive and the characters development was great

This is Book 2 of a series! I feel that’s important to make sure everyone knows! Even though the title says “part one” it is book 2 of the series! Now, on to the review!

This book was great from start to finish. The writing is smooth and engaging. At the heart of the story is a beautiful, heartwarming bond between sisters that truly shines—it’s the kind of love that feels real and grounding, no matter how wild the plot gets.

I loved how the women in this story are powerful in their own ways—smart, strong, and unafraid to take charge, whether it’s in magic, politics, or relationships. The banter had me smiling more than once; it’s clever, charming, and never feels forced.

There’s a touch of spice—just enough to keep things interesting—but it never overshadows the emotional connections or the plot. Overall, this is a cozy, empowering, and fun read with just the right hint of romance. Highly recommend for anyone who loves sisterhood, wit, and strong female leads.

This was Gripping, Heartbreaking, and Utterly Addictive!

“Until my very last breath.”

The Dandelion Tree by A.S.R. Gelpi is a beautifully epic fantasy that weaves together magic, destiny, and an unbreakable sisterly bond. At its core, it’s the story of Kharis and Saya—two sisters bound by love, but also by a dark magic that raises the question: is their connection real, or is it just another thread in a cruel fate they can’t escape?

The worldbuilding is purposeful, immersive and full of depth, with political intrigue, ancient secrets, high stakes, and a touch of mystery that kept me turning the pages with themes of resilience, love, and redemption. Kharis’s struggle is deeply compelling—she’s torn between protecting her sister and finding a way to break free from the curse that has shaped their lives. Her journey is emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, and most importantly gripping.

The writing is lyrical without being overwhelming, striking the perfect balance between poetic and engaging. The pacing flows well, pulling you into a story that lingers in your thoughts after you've finished reading.

If you love fantasy that blends rich world-building with deep, emotional stakes, and above all sisterly bonds then The Dandelion Tree is for you.

Thanks to NEtGalley for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dandelion Tree, Part One by A.S.R. Gelpi is a masterpiece of a book. I couldn't stop reading this book for a second. 5 stars from me. So so good.

The Dandelion Tree is a beautifully written, immersive fantasy that captivates from the very first page. Kharis is a heroine you can’t help but root for—flawed, complex, and battling forces that seek to control her. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend reading it. I can’t wait for part two!

The sister clearly love each other and have a strong bond. Kharis is such a strong character and you could feel her struggles throughout the book. My heart strings were constantly being tugged on throughout this book. I can’t wait not wait for part two!
Thank you so much for the ARC. Coming to everyone May 6th

I did not realize when I requested this arc (I think because of the part one - it led me to believe this was the first book in a series) that there was another book before it. So, I went and read that book first and I was hooked immediately and happy I did because then it led me to this one!

The characters are so well-rounded, and I really felt their emotions at times. They were really well-done and thought out from our leads to the villains.

The pacing worked for me. I tend to lose interest at times in books but this one kept me invested from start to finish. The world building was also beautifully done.

The writing style is one I also enjoyed. It was simplistic (in a good way!) and yet still beautiful. I didn't find it overly complicated and it worked really well for the mood and themes of the book.

A really great read! And I'm glad I got to read it!