PROJECT: Red Flower (title to be revealed)
Blurb:
A father. A daughter. And the love that divides them.
As heir to the Elven Protectorate—which has safeguarded the Hearkening Woods and its surrounding villages for centuries—Astariel is honour-bound to obey her father, Lord Acheron, in all things. But Astariel, who possesses the unique ability to connect to the living musical threads of the Weave, the energetic mesh of creation from which all magic springs, dreams of leaving her cloistered existence to pursue bardic mastery.
Plagued by an evil he’s kept secret from everyone, her father upends both tradition and Astariel’s life by permitting her to go on one condition: that she remains single. Any intimate connection will spell the end of Astariel’s training and all hope of restoring her fractured relationship with him—the one thing she wants even more than mastery.
But when Astariel ventures south, she finds it increasingly difficult to uphold her oath, beginning with the moment she meets the talented, chivalrous, and—Weaver’s mercy—distractingly handsome Eärhys, with whom she shares a deep and unique harmony. To complicate matters, the Weave’s requirements are at odds with her father’s, for it demands she forge a connection with Eärhys in order to move to higher levels of mastery.
Through missteps, heartbreak and betrayal, the Weave ultimately reveals the truth to Astariel: a partnership rooted in love is the only thing capable of saving her ancestral home, but pursuing that path will require going against the one man to whom she has pledged lifelong fealty: her father.
- Low/no spice fantasy romance
- Star-crossed lovers
- Strong female protagonist
- Swoony male lead
- Daddy issues
- Music as magic
- Elves, gnomes and lizard people
- Integrated world with the vibe of Pandora and Middle Earth combined
- Fictional languages
- Secrets and betrayal
- Lyrical prose
Readers Favorite Review:
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
[Project: Red Flower], the first book in The [redacted] Trilogy by Cathryn deVries, is a romance fantasy set in a world where magic is woven into the very essence of life. Astariel, gifted with the ability to connect with the mystical Weave, dreams of mastering her bardic talents. However, her father, Lord Acheron, binds her with an oath to remain single, hoping to keep her focused on her duties. Her resolve is challenged when she meets the charming Eärhys. As a dark force threatens their world, Astariel must choose between love, duty, and her path. Cathryn deVries has crafted a totally immersive and really enjoyable romantic fantasy that offers everything fans of the genre could want.
I was hooked immediately by the concept of the Weave, where all magic is connected to living musical essences, and this original idea provides an immersive magical system that enhances both the emotional and mystical aspects of the story with credibility and logic. It’s clear that this is an author who knows their world in intricate detail, and this depth of development is also extended to the characters. The relationship between Astariel and her father is richly explored, and plenty of nuance and high-stakes drama in the tension between duty and personal freedom expands Astariel’s character all the more. I also really enjoyed the romance between Astariel and Eärhys as their gradually building love story felt realistic and integral to the story’s magical elements through some very telling and emotionally deep dialogue exchanges. Cathryn deVries skillfully intertwines themes of self-discovery, loyalty, and independence, making Astariel’s journey as much about personal growth as it is about fighting external forces. Overall, [Project: Red Flower] is a brilliant opening novel to what promises to be a highly exciting new series, and I can’t wait for more.
Reviews from Beta Readers:
"You have such a great writing style, the imagery is incredible, and you showed me what a genuine fantasy romance looks like. I've never experienced such a wholesome and romantic love story. Weaving the magic system into it created such a beautiful connection between Astariel and Eärhys. This is a masterclass in romantic tension, and I don't say that lightly. CHILLSSSS." - Ben Logsdon
"I gotta say, when I first heard about bard magic, I was skeptical of how useful or interesting it would be. This is a super cool and original power. That scene where Eärhys plays Astariel's motif in front of the masterbard was so incredible on multiple levels. An excellent, intimate use of magic, super romantic and emotionally powerful. It sealed my love for your magic system." - Ben Logsdon
"I love the way the words feel in my brain." - Lola
"I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this. Love the delivery of the wisdom. The words and imagery all worked beautifully together." - Michelle
"Great pacing, great characters." - Mim
"I loved working on your books." - Kim Smith, editor
"Clear sense of voice, and very poetic." - Rachel
"Full of intrigue and loveable characters. Lots of unexpected twists to keep interest and with just enough comfortably predictable situations. Satisfying, profound, original." - Ruth
"It would make a good movie." - Troy
"A beautiful story in a vivid world. Profound, heartbreaking, yet hopeful. The romance is beautifully written, and I LOVED your bardic magic system!" - Melissa
"You and your daughter have created the most amazingly realised world in your trilogy." - Anon
