Haley Gallant has written a beautiful romance fantasy filled with magic and adventure in A Vow of Blood and Sap. It tells the story of Princess Valia Martev of Avania, blessed by Flora. After the tragic death of her mother and three sisters, Valia is mourning. She is also trapped in an illusion created by a being believed to be long dead. Her father, the king, has sent a mercenary to find her and bring her home. This illusion is broken with a kiss from the fearsome stranger. After returning to the palace, Valia discovers that secrets are being kept from her and decides to investigate them herself. Knowing the kingdom has become dangerous, Valia implores the mercenary to join her on her quest.

Since this is the first book in the Whispers of Flora series, Haley Gallant builds a strong foundation for an epic fantasy. Written in the third person from the perspective of a resilient female protagonist, the narrative provides readers with insight into her thoughts and emotions. The book contains some graphic violence and well-choreographed fighting scenes, ticking the action box. When combined with nature magic and court intrigue, it creates a captivating story. A Vow of Blood and Sap is suitable for young adult readers, as it has little in the way of spice and mainly involves passionate kissing. The pacing is steady, making it easy to keep turning the pages and stay engaged, while the descriptions awaken your senses and spark your imagination. I eagerly look forward to the next book.

A Vow of Blood and Sap by Haley Gallant follows Princess Valia, who is taken from her home after an attack that leaves much of her family dead. Held under an illusion meant to keep her subdued, she is freed by a mercenary and returned to the capital. Once there, she notices inconsistencies in the official account of what happened. Using her bond with the Flora, she seeks more information and soon finds her father unwilling to provide answers. Choosing to act independently, she leaves the city with the mercenary to investigate further. Along the way, they face physical threats and conflicting information. As they move through unfamiliar territory and uncover long-hidden decisions, Valia begins to reconsider the roles people around her have played and rethinks where her loyalty belongs.

Haley Gallant’s A Vow of Blood and Sap is a wonderful fantasy set in a totally unique world, and it's impossible not to adore Kirin, the pragmatic mercenary whose protective instincts emerge from beneath a tough exterior, and Valia, a magical princess with both power and vulnerability. I love that their interactions, often marked by small arguments amid life-threatening events, and some sizzle, feel authentic. The fantasy occasionally turns dark with some shocking twists, including a village that does the unthinkable to keep the fallow at bay, and the discovery of a prophecy that shapes so much of the political and personal issues, influencing generations and linking fate with magic. Magic itself is grounded in nature and is hard-earned. For example, Valia’s costly life discovery spell requires personal sacrifice and ties her closely to the forest. This is a solid introduction to the Whispers of the Flora series, and I look forward to seeing where it goes next. Very highly recommended.

After a mysterious attack on Valia, the crown princess of Avania, alongside her mother and sisters, while on a picnic, Valia is held hostage in an illusion by the Draevoris, creatures better known as myths to her people. The king sends a mercenary, Kirin, to extract Valia and bring her home. This takes Valia’s magical powers and a kiss to accomplish. However, albeit free, Valia is shattered to learn that her mother and sisters never survived the attack. Valia casts a spell to help her confirm the reality of their fate. She is surprised by her findings. It is not two people remaining of the royal bloodline as it seems at the palace, but three. Who is the third one? The king is not willing to answer this question. Hellbent on solving the mystery, Valia contracts Kirin to take her to the only other place she can get an answer. A place where an ultimate price will be paid for the answers. Find out more in Haley Gallant’s A Vow of Blood and Sap: Whispers of the Flora Book 1.

This gripping page-turner will seize you by the scruff of your neck, propel you forward, and only loosen its grip after the final word. Haley Gallant’s A Vow of Blood and Sap is a must-read for lovers of epic fantasy, adventure, and romance novels. Weaving an ingenious plot, Gallant introduced me to exciting, dynamic characters. The subtle edge to the narration, jaw-dropping plot twists, and spellbinding cliffhangers hooked me. The evocative depictions brought the scenes to life on the pages. I was swept up in a whirlwind of perilous secrets, ancient prophecies, betrayal, survival, magic, mythical creatures, action, slow-burn romance, and more. The lively, character-driven dialogue, moving between upbeat, tense, and urgent, gave depth to the cast’s conflicts, emotions, and traits. I relished following the dynamic, precarious relationship between Kirin and Valia, with witty banter, sarcasm, dry humor, and a magnetic dance of doubt and tension. This is an incredible debut in the Whispers of the Flora series. I loved it. I’ll be on the lookout for the next installments.

A Vow of Blood and Sap tells the story of Princess Valia, who lives in a kingdom where magic, politics, and dark secrets shape every aspect of life. When Valia returns home after a dangerous journey, she discovers a terrible secret: she has a twin brother, exiled at birth due to a prophecy that he would bring destruction to the kingdom. Accompanied by Kirin, a mysterious and skilled mercenary with a complicated past, Valia sets out on a perilous quest to find her brother in the hope of preventing further chaos. Along the way, they face deadly creatures, bandits, and magical threats, while Valia learns to master her growing powers and confronts the painful truths of her family’s past. Haley Gallant immerses readers in a richly imagined world filled with magic tied to nature, compelling characters, and a mix of political intrigue and personal discovery.

Haley Gallant’s writing balances vivid descriptions with a smooth, easy-to-read style that draws readers into Valia’s emotional journey and dangerous quest. The plot moves steadily, mixing intense action with quieter moments of reflection and character development. Valia and Kirin are well-drawn characters; their interactions combine tension, skepticism, and a gradually deepening trust that felt authentic and relatable. Themes of family, sacrifice, power, and destiny are woven thoughtfully throughout the narrative, adding emotional depth without overwhelming the story’s adventurous spirit. I found the blend of fantasy and emotional realism rewarding. The author’s skillful world-building and careful pacing made the journey feel believable and engaging. A Vow of Blood and Sap is a captivating read for anyone who enjoys fantasy that combines magic, mystery, and heartfelt struggles.