Books like Vortigern's Garden by Samantha Kuk

Within the stone‑walled village of Glade, a unique magic allows its residents to sow and strike plants at will. Niss, a spirited adolescent, possesses an unprecedented ability to produce abundant flowers with a mere gesture. Rather than acclaim, she is sent away from the town to be mentored by Vortigern, a brash and unkempt gardener who spreads weedy vines as an art. When Niss’s blossoms begin to wither and the townsfolk grow wary, Vortigern shares a harsh truth: her power may be far more lethal than she realizes. Together, they navigate the delicate balance between nurturing life and preventing catastrophe, trying to coexist with the community that fears them. As Niss’s talent surges, the looming threat of tragedy spreads among her friends and foes alike, forcing the question of whether she will become a part of the thorns or if the thorns will consume her.

First publish date: 2017