This fantasy book was a breath of fresh air! It was a unique storyline with detailed characters that I loved, even the villains were disgustingly cruel.

The school imparts magic to each person coming of age and trains them for five years. Our main character Rayna comes to the school with high hopes. From the first moment on, she is thrust into bad situation after bad situation with a few good moments sprinkled in to keep her hanging on.

That ending broke me and I am so hurried to read the next one! Which of course I will as soon as I can get my hands on it! I have to know what secrets are revealed and how Rayna makes it out of this mess!

No spoilers in this review but I would like to rage with someone who’s read it! There are so many great instances of injustice, I can barely keep my own blood from boiling!

This one was great and so far the best cliffhanger of the year for me! ( )

y the Orchid and the Owl" by Mariah Montoya is a compelling exploration of power, secrecy, and rebellion set on the enigmatic island of Eshol. The novel follows eighteen-year-old Rayna Drey, who is on the cusp of her Branding—a ritual where the island's Good Council bestows magical abilities upon its citizens. The excitement and trepidation surrounding this event quickly give way to a darker narrative as Rayna discovers that her newly acquired power is both dangerous and forbidden.
Montoya masterfully develops Rayna's character, capturing her initial enthusiasm and subsequent fear as she navigates the perilous waters of her unexpected abilities. The tension heightens as Rayna is thrust into the Esholian Institute, a place designed to teach control over her new powers but fraught with its own dangers. Here, a peer-pressured dare unleashes her deadly, forbidden power, setting the stage for an intricate and high-stakes adventure.
A standout element of this novel is the relationship between Rayna and Coen Steeler, a fifth-year student with the ability to manipulate minds. Montoya skillfully weaves their relationship with mutual dependence and growing trust, as both characters share the same illicit power. Coen's complexity as a mentor and potential love interest adds depth to the narrative, enhancing the stakes as they work together to conceal their abilities from the omnipresent Good Council.
The world-building in "By the Orchid and the Owl" is rich and immersive. Montoya paints a vivid picture of Eshol and its societal structures, particularly the Good Council's authoritative control over its citizens' magical abilities. This setting provides a fertile ground for exploring themes of autonomy, oppression, and resistance. The institute's environment is particularly well-crafted, with its dangerous undertones and strict regulations, making Rayna's quest for secrecy and survival all the more gripping.
The novel’s exploration of power dynamics and secret rebellions adds a layer of intrigue that keeps readers engaged. Rayna’s journey uncovers dark secrets that challenge the very foundations of Eshol, driving the narrative forward with a sense of urgency and suspense. Montoya’s writing is both evocative and precise, creating a balance between fast-paced action and deep, reflective moments.
Overall, "By the Orchid and the Owl" is a captivating tale of magic and rebellion. Mariah Montoya delivers a story that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, with well-developed characters, a richly detailed world, and a plot that keeps you invested from beginning to end. This book is a must-read for fans of fantasy who appreciate complex characters and intricate plots interwoven with themes of power and defiance.

I received a copy of 'By The Orchid and the Owl' from the LibraryThing.com early reviewer program.

This story was a fun, easy read. I finished it in two days and am looking forward to the sequel after a doozy of a cliffhanger. I very much loved that the main character was magically gifted with the ability to talk to plants, animals and insects, and how even the smallest of these could help her out, and how some of them were just as interesting of a side character as the people were.

With the drama of losing old friends, and gaining new ones, to having to deal with mean girls who gossiped about the main character and her friends, it was funny to also think about the animals watching everything they do and comment on their actions, and to have an animal describe a human as "sometimes they go rabid, like this one." ( )

This book had a lot of great things in it, a great cast of characters and a great premise. However it just felt so slow to me. It took forever for things to get going in my opinion. But once it did it was a great read. Loved the magic system! ( )

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.

By the Orchid and the Owl is the first book in the Esholian Institute series. It is an excellent story. The main character Rayna is smart and kind. She can talk to plants and animals, of which I have major jealousy. The bad guys are evil, the love interest is hot. The world building is stellar. I very much look forward to reading more from this author. ( )