To Snap a Silver Stem (Crystal Bloom Book 2)

Possible Spoilers ahead!!I don't even know where to start, it's been over 48 hours since I devoured this poetic masterpiece and I still feel like I don't have the right words to write this review.I thought I was suckered into this world with TBACB, throw TSASS into the mix and I know this series is exactly the type of angsty dark fantasy my soul craves. One so immersive I could happily get lost for hours reading the words on the page whilst imagining the story play out in my head. A journey of self discovery that's as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, that has you so close to the edge, hanging off each written word, the turn of a page bringing a minefield of emotion, that when the ending finally dawns.... your left in a state of shock, knowing that for the next few weeks this story is going to haunt your very thoughts, your mind questioning every interaction, every word written with multiple theories rattling around, craving answers.This is me right now!!!Orlaiths journey made this book, her struggle to deal with her trauma, the guilt that haunts her and the sorrow she drowns in ends up feeding her determination, her strength to find a way to be able make her own choices, to finally take a breath that isn't suffocating, to live a life of her choosing, no longer a prisoner out of hers or somebody elses making. It's gritty, raw and devastatingly beautiful and has me 100% Team Orlaith.Kai and Vicious are *chefs kiss* I need more...That mind blowing cliff hanger.... The potential love interests have a loooong road ahead to be seen as deserving of Orlaith.

Very talented writer. Desperately needs a stern editor. I hung in for the second book off of the strength of the prose. I hated the male lead. But at the end. I hated the heroine more.This is twisted in all of the unfun ways.I’m sorry to leave such a harsh review.

Woah, that was a ride! I think my heart may have stopped a few times along the way and I may have shed a few tears and blamed it on dust!That ending though..........Loved it, and well worth the wait. This author just keeps getting better. Am gutted that I have devoured this story in one go. Major book hangover coming.

Well that was interesting I wasn’t expecting that. I can’t wait to read books 3 and see what happens next.

Beautifully written, so many layers and mysteries. Whereas book one was slightly claustrophobic, book two opened out to span a continent. Can’t wait for book three.

SPOILERS AHEAD.Oh my I wanted to love this book. I really really really adore all of Sarah's other books. HOWEVER. This one just seems to go round and round, rehashing Orlaiths hatred of herself in every chapter, while what actually happened could be condensed into a very small paragraph. In book 2 we should be coming out of the world building, and into the plot, but it seems like a totally different series to the first? More and more questions left unanswered and subtle hints i daresay will prove meaningful in future books, but frankly this one is too big to reread many times and really look for the hidden meanings... there is only so much self loathing and detailed descriptions of inner pain I can read before it all becomes rather samey.Some very out of character and questionable decisions made?? The same character who hides in her safe place for nearly the entire duration of the boat journey, happily walks into whats basically an orgy with someone they just met, and just shags a random bloke?! Then in the same day goes to a totally out of bounds area with the same person and is put in severe danger, yet seemingly is unable to realise said person might not be a good friend?! Not to mention that there is a deal made out of poisoned food at the start of her stay in the castle, but that issue seems to wither away into nothing? I genuinely, eagerly await book 3, but I hope the style reverts back to tgat of book 1 and Sarah's other books,where the plot is layered over hidden meanings, rather than no plot and (presumably) lots of hidden meanings.

Sorry loved the first book and the authors writing is wonderfully descriptive, but what in the hell happened to Orilaith. I have never disliked a main character so much. She is like a pathetic toddler running around making idiotic choices without asking any questions she comes across as a small spiteful child. How any one is interested in her romantically is beyond me. As others have said feels like all fillers nothing happens pages of the same overly lengthy descriptions. No one asks any questions just makes stupid decisions without communicating with each other. Then she kills yes actually kills her true love on the word of the random guy she has sold herself too without asking questions. Then sobs like a small child when he is dead whining about what she has done. I dislike this person so much and wish someone would off her moaning pathetic self. The authors blurb at the end says she is just starting to grow and heal. Well I for one don't care that's a few hours of my life I won't get back. .Oh and don't forget she gives her virginity within 3 mins to a complete stranger she just met but freaks if her betrothed kisses her just weird and rushed. This seriously is not romance in any shape or form a truly disappointing read.

Guys just stick with the first book. I’m going to pretend this one doesn’t exist and will be looking for spoilers online to decide whether it’s worth continuing onto the next one. Would give 0 Stars if I could.Spoilers - my issuesShe gives away her virtue to some random (I know her choice but it still felt poorly written and was just stupid, plus those ships she wanted could’ve been jeopardised if he finds out)That ending… that ending was terrible, Baze , one of her kin and had never been harmed by Rhordyn so why does she believe the word of someone obviously playing her over someone whom took her in and even loved her. I just don’t understand. I found her overly naive and annoying in this book. Gutted because I loved the first.

I thought it couldn't get anymore better but here I am, utterly obliterated by that ending. The whole book was of Orlaith learning about the world and who she is and I loved that. I loved the little details, the fiery parts and reading from Baze and Kai's point of view. This is 10/10 one of the best book series I've ever read and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good dark romance and tragedy.*spoilers*That said.. the whole time I thought Orlaith's coupling was going to be the climax, at least for this book. So when the climax did happen, it took me by surprise and made me a bit disappointed. I mean, the content was good but we were building to the coupling all this time, creating more angst and tension as the story went on. The real climax was sort of lost in that I guess.But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading this and can hardly wait for the next one!

While we spent the first book of the Crystal Bloom series really diving into Orlaith's character and personal journey, To Snap a Silver Stem takes that groundwork and goes right into the MASSIVE amount of action happening throughout the course of the book. I literally couldn't put it down.The path Orlaith takes--every decision and thought she has is refreshingly honest, believable. This is not a book that glosses over trauma and how people heal from it (and that goes not just for Orlaith but the side characters as well). Despite the internal struggle Orlaith faces, she is so damn likeable and relatable. While she may feel weak or broken on the inside, she is not waiting for someone else to come and rescue her.I. Love. That.One of the many things that stands out to me about Sarah A. Parker's writing, other than her uniquely written prose, and delicious tension, is that she shows us REAL characters. This book is fantasy and in a made up world, but these characters in it are real, gritty, raw. Parker doesn't just give us a black and white scenario or viewpoint, she takes her charcoal and shades in all the grey in between. I love seeing how she peels back each perspective.I cannot wait to see where the story goes next and what happens with these characters in To Flame a Wild Flower. I have no doubts she will enthrall us with another beautiful journey for Orlaith and crew.

What a wild ride! This book is dark but absolutely wonderful! I just can't stop recommending Sarah's books. Every time I think I know what the story will give me, I realise that I am so wrong. Absolutely amazing!

Still lots of questions!Also, girl you know these two men are putting you in the middle. Using you. So, why when one finally tells you ‘What’s Up,” you blindly believe everything and not get the other side?!Still believe her relationships are toxic!!!

I- I am SPEECHLESS OVER THIS BOOK!! Avoiding spoilers, let me just say that's this God damned sequal had me screaming out loud and left my jaw on the floor!! JUST HOLY GUACAMOLE DOES SARAH A. PARKER KNOW HOW TO BREAKDOWN ALL OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS!! A+++