The Recommended Reading Order Path
Unlike massive fantasy series with complex chronologies, Catherine Bakewell specializes in standalone fantasy novels. Because each book is set in a completely self-contained world with its own distinct rules, characters, and magic systems, there is no single "correct" chronological sequence. You can read them in any order you choose.
However, the best reading path depends on your age group and subgenre preferences:
- For Cozy & Cottagecore Fans: Start with Flowerheart (2023). This YA fantasy romance is famous for its soft, comforting "Studio Ghibli" atmosphere, centering on garden magic and gentle emotional healing.
- For Fans of Darker, Sapphic Romantasy: Start with Where Shadows Bloom (2025). This YA novel features a lady knight and a noblewoman navigating a mysterious, dangerous court filled with shadow monsters and high-stakes secrets.
- For Middle-Grade Readers: Start with We Are the Song (2022). This is a beautifully lyrical story about a young girl whose voice channels miracles in a war-torn land.
- For Holiday & Fairy Tale Lovers: Keep an eye out for Embers of Magic (scheduled for late 2026), which is a cozy, winter-themed reimagining of The Snow Queen.
Catherine Bakewell Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to follow an author's growth and see how their themes and styles evolve over time, reading in publication order is a fantastic option. Here is the chronological release order of Catherine Bakewell's bibliography:
- We Are the Song (HarperCollins / Walden Pond Press, 2022) – Middle Grade Standalone Fantasy
- Flowerheart (HarperTeen, 2023) – Young Adult Standalone Cozy Fantasy
- Where Shadows Bloom (HarperTeen, 2025) – Young Adult Standalone Sapphic Romantasy
- Embers of Magic (HarperTeen, Expected November 2026) – Young Adult Standalone Winter Fantasy
Deep Dive: Inside the Novels
We Are the Song (2022)
Bakewell’s debut novel is a Middle Grade fantasy that introduces a gorgeous baroque-inspired world where music is the ultimate form of magic and prayer. The story centers on twelve-year-old Elissa, a gifted "Singer" who can perform miracles—such as healing wounds and changing emotions—by channeling the Mother Goddess, Caé. Accompanied by her composer and mentor, Lucio, Elissa travels across lands fractured by a conflict between the rival kingdoms of Basso and Acuto.
However, Elissa quickly realizes that powerful rulers and military governors want to exploit her voice as a weapon of war. The novel deals with mature, thoughtful themes of faith, agency, and learning to trust your own voice when authority figures try to manipulate you. It is highly recommended for fans of lyrical writing and unique magical systems.
Flowerheart (2023)
With her sophomore novel, Bakewell pivoted to Young Adult cozy fantasy. Flowerheart is a soft, romantic, cottagecore tale that follows sixteen-year-old Clara Lucas. Clara possesses powerful but incredibly wild and volatile magic. When a sudden surge of emotions causes her to accidentally curse her father—causing poisonous flowers to begin blooming inside his chest—she must find a way to cast a complex reversal spell before it is too late.
Desperate, Clara teams up with her childhood best friend, Xavier Morwyn, a talented wizard who has recently grown distant and cold. Xavier agrees to help her control her magic, but only in exchange for a dark price: once her father is cured, Clara must surrender her magic to him. The story serves as a beautiful, sensitive metaphor for managing anxiety and depression, with Clara's wild magic directly reflecting her inner doubts and fears.
Where Shadows Bloom (2025)
Moving away from the gentle cottagecore vibes of her second book, Where Shadows Bloom takes readers into a darker, more atmospheric YA sapphic romantasy. Set in a world heavily inspired by early-modern Spain and France, the narrative follows Ofelia de Bouchillon, a noblewoman who has spent her life protected from deadly, night-roaming "Shadows" in a secluded manor. Ofelia dreams of entering the Château Enchanté, a legendary palace ruled by the immortal King Léo that is rumored to be safe from the dark creatures.
Ofelia is protected by Lope, her loyal lady knight who harbors secret feelings for her. When Ofelia's mother vanishes and the Shadows breach their home, the two are forced to travel to the Château Enchanté. Once there, they discover that the gilded palace hides terrifying secrets involving capricious gods and ancient curses. Told in dual perspectives, the book combines romantic yearning with dark fairytale elements.
Embers of Magic (2026)
Expected to release in late 2026, Embers of Magic (originally developed under the working title The Frost and the Crown) is a YA cozy fantasy romance reimagining Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen. The story centers on Fiamma, a girl with dangerous, destructive fire magic who is looking for her missing parents. She makes a deal with a northern king to help his son, Prince Joseph, halt a magical, creeping frost that is threatening the kingdom. As Fiamma and Joseph work together, they must stop the winter before it completely consumes the prince.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Catherine Bakewell’s bibliography, here are a few key details that will enrich your reading experience:
- Lyrical and Artistic Influences: Bakewell is a classical opera enthusiast and artist. This passion shines through in her writing, from the musical magic in We Are the Song to the poetic, romantic dialogue in Where Shadows Bloom.
- European Settings: Having lived in both Spain and France, Bakewell draws heavily from European landscapes, folklore, and aesthetics. You will notice this in the gilded, palace-centric court dynamics of Where Shadows Bloom and the rustic, garden-filled settings of Flowerheart.
- Emotional Themes: While her settings are magical, Bakewell’s characters deal with highly relatable emotional challenges. She frequently uses magic as an allegory for mental health, making her stories deeply resonant for readers navigating their own "big feelings."