What: Catherine Bakewell’s Flowerheart is a lovely coming into one’s power tale with Studio Ghibli vibes and a charmingly rustic setting, It’s also a fairytale with wild magic, curses, witches and wizards. Running through is the rebuilding of a childhood friendship that turns to romance.
Who: Clara Lucas is a witch in training, about to turn sixteen, and afraid of her power. Her magic surges in wild, and sometimes destructive, ways and is affected by her mood. On the benign side flowers will spontaneously bloom in her hair, the meaning of the flower always important to the situation. On the dangerous, glass lamps explode. Xavier Morwyn is Clara’s childhood friend but several years ago he cut off all communication. He is an official wizard and youngest to be inducted into the Council. Only son of a prestigious magical family who is carrying a large burden, Xavier is keeping secrets even as his heart opens to Clara.
When: In some nebulous pre-industrial society where magic is an integrated part of daily life.
Where: Set in a small village, Clara lives in a sweet cottage with only her father, surrounded by an enormous flower garden. Xavier lives in a grand mansion with the front of the lower level set up as a magical pharmacy and business.
Why: Not only is Clara’s magic unpredictable it also has a mean edge, whispering unpleasant things to her. One day she unwitting curses an individual and azaleas begin blooming through their chest from within the body. As if that weren’t bad enough azaleas are toxic to humans. Xavier makes a deal to help Clara heal the individual but she must give him her magic in return.
Things I liked: It reminded me of a Ghibli love story because Clara comes into her power through Xavier helping her to understand herself. He doesn’t complete Clara, he’s there supporting her on her journey. Secure in self-knowledge and finding a well of confidence within herself, Clara blooms into the witch she is capable of being. These are themes explored in several Studio Ghibli films. Flowerheart is also a story about depression and anxiety, coping mechanisms, and lack of support.
Things I didn’t like: Storywise, I found it a charming. However, when I bought it, I didn’t know it was written for a teen audience. I had different expectations for what the story would look like so it was a slight disappointment in that regard.
Excellent advice:
If your heart does not align with his on what is right and wrong, you must know now. Before you break your heart trying to change him.
We can love someone with all our might, but we cannot force them to change. That’s up to them.
And she can’t change who you are, only you can decide who you are, Clara. No matter what she tells you, only you can decide who you are and what’s right and wrong.
Note: The flowers in the picture are cosmos which have a meaning of ‘order, harmony, balance’. Which is appropriate for these are things Clara is seeking!