Completed judge review for Indie Ink on 8.5.24. 

The following is a personal review, and does not reflect judging for Indie Ink 2024:

The second book in the Flowers of Prophecy series by Natalia Hernandez improves on the first novel, in my opinion. Pacing is more consistent with a medium/fast pace, as compared to the slower/medium pace of the first novel (The Name-Bearer). 

In The Follower of Flowers, we are reunited with our Name-Bearer (who is mostly going by the name Nova at this time), and are joined by Alric (a mage sent to support her quest to find and identify the Unnamed Prince) and Rawl (archer). They eventually need the help of the Cassalian (enemy to their people in Andala) they set free, Axchel, in order to find the Unnamed Prince. Their fates become further intertwined when the Unnamed Prince hails from Axchel's roots in the northern tribes. 

In the meantime, Damika, Taruka, and Petra are all on their own mission (turns out it's to find the Name-Bearer and return them to the queen of Andala, as they're considered a traitor to the crown). 

The additional timeline with Jesandirany and Sofia is a smidge confusing, since it doesn't indicate that it's a separate timeline, but context clues are all the reader has to go on. It took about half of the book to realize that this was indeed a separate timeline, and provided crucial background that influence the events of the present moment in the series. 

The character development of this novel was more satisfying than the first, certainly, as our characters end up encountering a number of challenges and obstacles that shape their identities and how they approach each other, understand themselves, etc. It was really interesting to watch the friendship/relationship between Nova and Axchel grow, and to see how Damika responded to learning of Nova/Phanessa's past and identity as the Name-Bearer. While the other daughters of Danray offered empathy and understanding towards Nova/Phanessa, at least to some extent, Damika feels particularly betrayed (a bit much for my taste) due to Nova's need to keep her identity a secret for her own protection and that of everyone around her in the Temple of Danray (events from the first book). 

I loved the subtle, yet direct, way that the author weaves Latinidad into this novel. From drinking mate (albeit only in specific regions of the world, just like in Latin America in our own world), and the importance of not skipping this as a moment of cultural understanding/connection, to the words used to describe creatures from the Dark Wood (montros, Orcuyos, Salta Sombras, etc.), Latinidad is layered into all parts of the world building and story quite effectively. 

One of my favorite parts of the novel was watching Nova come into herself/gain confidence in herself in this novel much more, and the way in which Axchel supports her in this novel. This ends up being key for Nova later in the novel. 

I love all the characters so much! The audiobook narration is amazing too!