Review: This Rotting Heart

I recently received an ARC from Celeste Baxendell for This Rotting Heart, which takes place in the same original fantasy elf world as Ties of Starlight from the Tethered Hearts series. The book had a lot in common with Ties of Starlight and could have easily been another entry into the Tethered Hearts series. Both stories are about arranged marriages between a human woman and an elf king in which the woman is initially reluctant but grows to love her husband over time. The post-marital love trope seems to be a recurring theme in a lot of modern fantasy stories. This Rotting Heart contains many similarities to Celeste Baxendell's other stories, including romantic misunderstandings and characters being forced to make difficult decisions that hurt the ones they care about.

Princess Hellebore is an alchemist who is wholly devoted to her craft and wishes for nothing more than to study rotting plants day and night. When she is captured by the sun elves, she fights for her life but fails to escape before learning that she was selected for a marriage alliance with their king. King Taiyo reveals that he selected Hellbore for her alchemy abilities to save the rotting flowers that serve as the source of the elves' power. When Hellebore learns that the same rot also affects Taiyo's heart, she makes it her mission to save him as well. The two never intended to fall in love. It was merely meant to be a business transaction.

During her stay in the castle, Hellebore starts to uncover numerous secrets about Taiyo's past related to her family. Because elves live so much longer than humans, Hellebore's aunt had a history with Taiyo before she was born. Only by uncovering this history can Hellebore learn the truth and save the sun elves from losing their powers forever. The problem is that instead of staying focused on her mission, Hellebore finds herself distracted by nagging feelings she has toward Taiyo that she doesn't want or need. Meanwhile, Taiyo struggles to break through Hellebore's icy demeanor.

Although this is a spice-free romance, I wouldn't necessarily call it sweet. Like Celeste Baxendell's other books, the story centers around difficult decisions in which both Hellebore and Taiyo torment each other through the actions of themselves and others before they learn to accept their feelings. Both protagonists are cynical and dark through their personalities, values, and goals. Because of that, this book is not for everyone. However, if you prefer fantasy stories with mature themes but no mature content, it could be your perfect match.

In This Rotting Heart, Celeste Baxendell weaves a twisted tale of reluctant love, ancient secrets, and the transformative power of acceptance. While the story shares similarities with her previous works, its unique blend of fantasy, alchemy, and complex characters makes it a compelling read. With its mature themes and spice-free romance, this book will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance looking for a story with depth and nuance. If you're drawn to complex characters, morally ambiguous decisions, and a slow-burn romance, This Rotting Heart is definitely worth adding to your reading list.