Let me start by saying: I devoured this book. It was meant to be my weekend read, but the moment I opened it to check if it had downloaded properly… I couldn’t put it down.

From the haunting prologue to the jaw-dropping cliffhanger, this installment held me captive. Without dipping into spoiler territory, I’ll just say this: watching Kharis grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of this series. She was a mischievous twelve-year-old when her story began in A Land of Shadows and Moss. Now she is twenty, and the character development is extraordinary. She is such a relatable character, shaped by tragic trauma, yet she shines. Her dream of freeing her sister from this terrifying curse motivates her, whereas someone else might have destroyed the world by now. (PS: Kharis has the power to do it.)

In The Dandelion Tree, Part One, she experiences what life could be free of the curse, how Arjun Ghan and Aghet Mendi disrupt this vision, and how her father sends her to a temple in the mountains. She must face challenges during her journey, particularly when an assassin is after her.

In Part Two, Kharis begins her training at the Eliza temple, still seeking a way to break the curse before it drives her mad. If she fails, her sister is fated to kill her. This volume is packed with revelations. Some I anticipated; others caught me off guard. An enigmatic mentor takes her under his wing. We learn more about the Djinshiruk (sp?), the immortals, the Akumi king, the One War, and soul resealment. And then there’s Poliormos—a figure from the past whose presence lingers ominously over the narrative. I have theories. But again... spoilers.

Is it dark? Yes—but not grimdark. Think emotionally intense, not gratuitous.
Is there violence? Yes, it will be potentially graphic to some readers.
Is it epic? Without question.
Is there romance? Absolutely. Tender, slow-burn, heart-wrenching.
Spice? No.
Cursing? No.
Will you cry? I did.
Is it cozy? Not exactly—the story strikes a balance between high-stakes action and moments of warmth and quiet intimacy.

If you’re looking for Fourth Wing or Serpent and the Wings of Night, stay away. If you love C.S. Pacat, Madeline Miller, N.K. Jemisin, and Tasha Suri, then step right in. This book even reminded me of Hafzah Faisal’s We Hunt the Flame.

Lyrical prose. Deep character work. Immersive worldbuilding. The pacing is thoughtful, the themes profound, and the emotional payoff immense. Multiple POVs. Narrative in 3rd person past tense. After reading Book Three, I can say with confidence: this story blooms like a dandelion. I can’t wait for book four.

Thank you to Silver River Publishing, ASR Gelpi, and NetGalley for providing this ARC and the opportunity to share my honest thoughts.

The Dandelion Tree, Part Two is a beautifully crafted continuation of Kharis’s journey—introspective, lyrical, and deeply human. A.S.R. Gelpi wrote a fantasy novel that defies the current trend of spectacle-driven storytelling in favor of slow-burning emotional depth, intricate character arcs, and worldbuilding that feels mythical and livable at the same time.

This third installment in the series explores existential themes—identity, love, sacrifice, and memory—while weaving a mythic tapestry rich with lore, political tension, and layered stakes. Kharis, as a character, stands out: a woman shaped by grief and power, haunted by a past she cannot escape, and a future she cannot outrun. Her relationships—especially with Saya, Itzu, and Aravani—are portrayed with subtlety and emotional nuance. These are the people who keep Kharis from succumbing to her dark magic (and potentially destroying the world).

Kharis’s quest is to find the spell that ends her terrible curse before she goes mad, but there is also another nuanced journey for her: learning who she is. This is Hero’s Journey all the way. The cliffhanger is the moment when Kharis crosses the threshold and enters the special world, and I can’t wait to see what happens in book four. In part one, Kharis, who refuses the call, gets in trouble, and her father sends her and her sister to a mystic place. In part two (this book), the story deals with what happens at this temple.

The prose is elegant and deliberate, echoing the style of authors like Robin Hobb and Madeline Miller. The pacing starts slowly (narrative setup and worldbuilding), but the story soon sharpens, increasing the book’s momentum toward its devastating and luminous conclusion.

This is not a book for readers seeking sword-swinging, fast-paced action on every page, or a high body count. The complexity and emotional density may challenge casual readers. However, I also believe that anyone could follow this story without having read the others. To me, this speaks to Gelpi's mastery of the craft. If you crave introspection, mythic weight, and emotional resonance, The Dandelion Tree, Part Two will cast a lasting spell. It’s a rare kind of fantasy—one that aches as much as it inspires.

In short, exquisite prose, unforgettable characters, and a mythic structure that rewards thoughtful, engaged reading. Thematically rich, emotionally resonant, and deeply original—this represents literary epic fantasy at its finest.

The Dandelion Tree, Part Two by A.S.R. Gelpi is such a good story... I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I absolutely love Gelpi's work⎼her story telling is powerful, layered, and emotionally rich. The first two books were incredible, and Part Two only deepens the magic. Her world-building is vivid and grounded in a kind of mythology that feels both ancient and intimate. The character development continues to shine. Kharis's internal growth mirrors the epic scale of the story.

In this installment, Kharis is training at the Eliza Temple and finally uncovers the truth behind her curse. We see her envision a life without it, the one where Saya is free and where a deep, tragic love with her protector Itzu begins to bloom in full. Aghet Mendi's real story is finally revealed⎼and he receives the justice he's long deserved. And the figure Poliormos, teased throughout the series, is finally brought into the light.

The cliffhanger? Jaw-dropping. Gelpi doesn't just end a book⎼she rips the ground out from under you and leaves you breathless for more. If you are a fan of slow-burn fantasy with lyrical writing, deeply rooted myth, and characters that live in your heart, this series is a MUST READ.

Thank you, A.S.R. Gelpi, for creating a world that feels both epic and deeply personal. I can't wait for the next one.

My sincerest thanks to NetGalley, Silver River Publishing, and A.S.R. Gelpi for the opportunity to read and review this story.

flew through this one. The Dandelion Tree, Part Two completely delivered on everything I hoped for—intense stakes, emotional resonance, and characters who feel heartbreakingly real.

What I loved most is that the writing feels deliberate and poetic but never overdone. It’s darker, more intimate, and charged with emotional clarity. One line that stood out
And Kharis’s internal struggle broke me:.

The pacing is tight. The world-building deepens without slowing things down. And though there’s darkness at every turn, Kharis’s quiet strength and the relationships she forms feel grounded and deeply human.

If you love epic fantasy with emotional depth, mythic resonance, and a heroine who refuses to give up even when everything is stacked against her, this is a must-read. Kharis’s journey isn’t flashy—it’s subtle and powerful, and it stayed with me long after I closed the book.

The Dandelion Tree: Part Two by A.S.R. Gepi did not disappoint with this EPIC YA fantasy yet deeply personal second book. Her story telling is powerful, layered, and emotionally rich. The first two books were incredible, and Part Two only deepens the magic. Her world-building is vivid and grounded in a kind of mythology that feels both ancient and intimate. The character development continues to shine. Kharis's internal growth mirrors the epic scale of the story.

In this installment, Kharis is training at the Eliza Temple and finally uncovers the truth behind her curse. We see her envision a life without it. Aghet Mendi's real story is finally revealed. And the figure Poliormos is finally brought into the light.

The cliffhanger? Jaw-dropping.

Gelpi doesn't just end a book normally. She tends to rip the ground out from under your feet and leave you breathless for more.

If you are a fan of slow-burn fantasy with lyrical writing and deeply rooted myth, this series is a MUST READ.

Thanks to NetGalley, Silver River Publishing, and A.S.R. Gelpi for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.