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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Age of Larkspur is a work of fiction penned by author Aleighsha Parke for young adult readers in the fantasy, adventure, and interpersonal drama genres. Flora has lived her life in hiding, plagued by a cursed, poisonous larkspur growing from her ankle. Controlled by anxiety and fear, her world shatters when a witch kidnaps her adopted mother. To save her, Flora must find the scattered shards of her family’s amulet. Accompanied by her best friend, she embarks on a perilous journey, encountering a mysterious stranger along the way. Flora faces a race against time, where trusting the wrong person or succumbing to her fears could result in losing more than just her mother.
Author Aleighsha Parke has crafted a captivating and emotionally charged novel where the central character leaps into your heart from the first page and never leaves. Flora's struggles with anxiety and fear felt deeply authentic, offering a relatable and compelling central drive that was explained well in her speech and thoughts. The plot points surrounding both fantasy elements and familial loyalties were balanced to offer realism and depth amid the interesting new elements of the tale. The journey through a magical land, filled with danger and intrigue, kept me on edge as new twists lurked at every turn. Parke's smooth and confident writing effectively conveys Flora's inner battles and growth, and readers become more and more bonded to her as she learns to confront her fears and trust her instincts. The themes of bravery, trust, and the power of self-discovery are sure to resonate deeply with the target YA audience, leaving them with a sense of hope and admiration for Flora's resilience. Overall, The Age of Larkspur is a well-crafted tale that I would highly recommend for fantasy fans everywhere to enjoy.
