Publisher's Synopsis
Deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains lies the secluded town of Briarwood, where the forest seems alive with an ancient, unknowable presence. For generations, the townspeople have observed a peculiar phenomenon known only as "The Flowering." Every spring, a cluster of ethereal, glowing blossoms emerges from a hidden glade deep in the woods. Legend has it that the flowers grant unearthly beauty, strength, and even immortality to those who dare to pluck them. But the price for such gifts is steep, and the whispers of those who disappeared after entering the glade echo throughout the town's eerie history.
Seventeen-year-old Calla Hayes has always dismissed The Flowering as a local myth until her younger brother vanishes into the woods on the night of the first bloom. Determined to find him, she ventures into the forbidden glade and discovers the flowers for herself. But instead of answers, Calla finds herself caught in the grips of an ancient curse tied to the land, the flowers, and the mysterious figures who protect them. Her search for her brother takes her deeper into a labyrinth of visions, shadows, and secrets, where she begins to question the line between the living and the dead.
In The Flowering, Calla must unravel the dark history of Briarwood and the sinister origins of the blooms before she succumbs to their seductive power. As she struggles to save her brother, she uncovers chilling truths about her own family's connection to The Flowering-and a destiny she never asked for. With every step, she risks losing herself to the forest's ancient will. Atmospheric, haunting, and rich with folklore, The Flowering is a story of sacrifice, love, and the dangerous allure of things that should remain untouched. Will Calla escape the forest's grasp, or will she become one of its eternal guardians?
