Rooted in Secrets

Verdure Kingdom Book 1

Romance - General
282 Pages
Reviewed on 04/29/2025
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite

Rooted in Secrets by T.M. Goodkey is an immersive tale that takes place in the Verdure Kingdom, where magic and mystery weave together. We follow Briar, a brilliant yet misunderstood heir with plant-based powers, who is dedicated to using her gift for healing even though others often misunderstand or dismiss her. With only her loyal companion Spike for company, she dives deep into her research, hoping to create a legacy through medicine rather than politics or power. But nothing is as it seems in Briar’s world with the winds of change on the horizon. Can Briar accomplish her goals without letting the upcoming challenges overwhelm her?

Rooted in Secrets by T.M. Goodkey is an emotionally rich novel with such a vast and complex world. The world-building in this story truly shines through as we are introduced to some of the many kingdoms within Ennea. The main character, as well as other supporting characters, bring the world to life through their unique attributes. I found Briar to be especially relatable. I appreciated how Goodkey touched on the topic of anxiety and portrayed it as part of Briar’s personality without making it her whole personality. Through the events of the novel, we see how she overcomes her battles, both internal and external, despite her anxiety. This representation sets the novel apart and makes it that much more endearing and relatable. Overall, Rooted in Secrets is a beautifully written novel that touches on an array of different themes, and I think any fan of fantasy will love it.