Deathly Trials, Forbidden Magic and Secret History… Oh My
Book Review of By The Orchid and The Owl by Mariah Montoya
Published: April 3rd 2024 by Driftwyrd
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (4.5 stars)
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Series: The Esholian Institute Series (Book 1 of *possibly* 5)
Disclaimer: Thank you Mariah Montoya for sending me this book. All thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.
CW/TW: Bullying, sexual content, murder, kidnapping, toxic relationships, gaslighting, violence.
Welcome to Eshol
On the island of Eshol, the year you turn eighteen, you’re taken away and branded with one of five sanctioned magics – element wielding, object summoning, shapeshifting, talking to wildlife or manipulating minds. Afterwards, you’re sent to the Esholian Institution to learn how to control your gifts.
Rayna knows all this. But when she’s pressured into taking a dare that makes her explode with deadly and forbidden magic, Ray is forced into a life of secrets, lies, betrayals and a complicated relationship with Coen, a fifth-year who can manipulate minds.
Will Ray pass the institute’s tests? Will she uncover the truth about the island? And most importantly, will she survive?
Unable to Put It Down
The Orchid and The Owl is a medium-fast-pace book. With action and adventure galore, you’re drawn in and just want to keep reading until the next thing you know, you’re finished.
Not only is Ray learning to control her new “sanctioned” abilities, but she also has to control her forbidden ones. All this while navigating a new environment, new people AND surviving the deadly tests. With so much going on, you’re really thrown into the world of the book and absolutely devastated when you have to return to reality.
Ever Changing Relationships
On the surface, this is a fun, great vibes book. However, if you look deeper, the story dives into the different dynamics people have with each other and how they can change.
It begins with three close friends from a small town going away to the institute, where there are hundreds of new people. Of course, this will change things for Ray and her friends. I really enjoyed seeing how Ray dealt with her changing relationships.
A Series in The Making
By The Orchid and The Owl is the first book in The Esholian Institute Series. Mariah is planning five books for the series – which makes sense, considering the institute is a five-year college. But don’t worry, the second book, By The Moonbeam and The Mist, is currently in the works. You can find the first book on Kindle Unlimited.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely ate this book up and rated it 4.5 stars. When I finished it, I was so gutted, and a week later, I already wanted to reread it. I can’t wait to see where the series goes.
If you’re looking for a romantasy (fantasy romance) with deadly trials, twists and turns and some spice, then By The Orchid and The Owl is the perfect pick for you.
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