Rhea and Lexos were born into a family unlike any other. Together with their siblings, they control the seasons, the tides, and the stars, and help their father rule their kingdom. Thanks to their magic, the family has ruled for an eternity, and plan to rule for an eternity more. 

But Rhea and Lexos are special: They are twins, bonded down to the bone, and for the past hundred years, that bond has protected them as their father becomes an unpredictable tyrant—and his worsening temper threatens the family’s grip on power.  

Now, with rival nations ready to attack, and a rebel movement within their own borders, Rhea and Lexos must fight to keep the kingdom—and the family—together, even as treachery, deceit, and drama threaten to strand the twins on opposite sides of the battlefield. 

In a Garden Burning Gold reads like Greek Mythology, somehow combining the newest of narrative techniques with the oldest, with vivid words, powerful, rich characters, and a stunning, dynamic world. Rory Power has created a gorgeous story that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. I loved the journey, even when I came to the end, wanting the remainder of the tale. With powerful and powerfully written characters, who control the seasons, the tides and the like, it reads like gods of old but with a violent and interesting world wherein the mortals don’t want to be ruled by the immortals. 

At the heart of the novel is family and the bond of love. Rory Power leads you step by step, using both Rhea and Lexos’ point of views, to illustrate how far you can stretch the bond of love until it breaks and what happens when change overtakes a family. The intrigue and drama of both points of view kept me on the edge of my seat, especially the secrets that come to light and the thrilling ending of the book.  

If you love epic fantasy which has richly layered and emotional characters, especially with a mix of magic, immortals, and intrigue, this novel is for you. The family dynamics are intricate, the world well designed, and the narrative compelling with vivid descriptions and a gorgeous story. I can’t wait for the second half of this duology. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 saints