Title: A Curse of Roses
Author: Diana Pinguicha
Pages: 352
Genre: YA Fantasy/ Historical Fiction
Release Date: 01 December 2020

From Goodreads: "With just one touch, bread turns into roses. With just one bite, cheese turns into lilies. There’s a famine plaguing the land, and Princess Yzabel is wasting food simply by trying to eat. Before she can even swallow, her magic—her curse—has turned her meal into a bouquet. She’s on the verge of starving, which only reminds her that the people of Portugal have been enduring the same pain. If only it were possible to reverse her magic. Then she could turn flowers…into food. Fatyan, a beautiful Enchanted Moura, is the only one who can help. But she is trapped by magical binds. She can teach Yzabel how to control her curse—if Yzabel sets her free with a kiss. As the King of Portugal’s betrothed, Yzabel would be committing treason, but what good is a king if his country has starved to death? With just one kiss, Fatyan is set free. And with just one kiss, Yzabel is yearning for more. She’d sought out Fatyan to help her save the people. Now, loving her could mean Yzabel’s destruction."

Historical fiction is one of my favorite things to read, so A Curse of Roses was right up my alley. I had no idea that the story was based on a Portuguese legend about Saint Elizabeth and it was called The Miracle of Roses. The story goes that Elizabeth was caught by her husband taking food to the poor, and he eventully forbade her from doing it ever again. After she was caught once again by her husband hiding bread in her apron to take to the poor, he asked what she had and she replied that it was only roses. Being Winter, he was reluctant to believe her so he told her to unfold her apron to see what she was hiding. When she unfolded the apron, roses fell out instead of the bread. I really enjoyed that this was a twist on such an interesting legend and I liked looking into it to try to understand the influence behind the book! And to top it off, the author included a really cool bit at the end where she explained the original tale and some of the aspects of the story that she changed in order to create her retelling. I love that detail and think that it really took the story to another level for me as a reader.

This was a wonderful LGBT retelling of this story with some really memorable characters that I instantly found myself loving (and shipping, let's be honest). I genuinely felt for Yza as I read about how she was quite literally starving, unable to eat anything because it continually turns into flowers and thorns in her mouth and throat. She's surviving on broth and is realizing that her people are also enduring the same pain that she is so she wants to enlist the help of the Enchanted Moura, Fatyan, to help her reverse her magic and allow her to turn flowers into food. But the twist? She's magically trapped and the only way to set her free is for Yza to grant her a kiss. The kiss not only sets Fatyan free but also awakens something inside of Yza and it was such a lovely story of acceptance and, well, love!

The writing. Oh wow the writing. I was immediately transported to Yza and Fatyan's world and it was absolutely magical! I have a hard time staying interested in fantasy stories if the writing is hard for me to follow but I found Diana Pinguicha's writing to be absolutely magical. She has a lyrical way of writing that had me hooked and wanting to know more about the story and the characters from the very beginning. I found the story to be both well written and easy to follow which allowed me to get through the story with ease. But it also made me want to read more as soon as I was finished so I will absolutely be looking out for more by this amazing author! Oh, and did I mention that the descriptions of the food (and for some reason the flowers as well?) made me constantly hungry?! I found myself snacking while reading because some of the foods sounded so delectable that I couldn't resist eating something, as much as I wished I could be eating some of the food from the story. That was a huge plus in my book, personally. I also liked that the magic was...simple? It didn't feel complicated or hard to keep up with like a lot of YA fantasy books tend to get sometimes. I wasn't really confused and found it easy to follow which, again, is a huge plus.

All in all, A Curse of Roses was a fantastically beautiful read. With historical legend roots, a love story between two amazing women, and world building that will draw you into this magical world and keep you hooked from start to finish, this is a book you absolutely do not want to miss!

From Goodreads: "In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia, and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall. The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline. All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end."

Thank you to YA Bound Book Tours and Graydon House for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for review! All opinions are my own.

Historical fiction has been one of my favorite genres to read since I was very young. I remember perusing the shelves in my middle school library for books in this genre. One that stands out to me (and that is by an author that I read a large majority of her books back in the day) is A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi. It's a story about the Salem Witch Trials, which loosely relates to this book, and was one of my absolute favorite historical fiction books ever. I can definitely say that The Witch of Willow Hall has made that list!

Plot:
In order to escape a scandal, Lydia and her family have just moved from Boston to their Summer home turned permanent home at Willow Hall in the country. While Catherine, the eldest, and their mother are fairly unhappy with the move, Lydia and Emeline, the youngest, don't seem to care too much. Emeline is too concerned with the mermaids in the new pond and Lydia, trying to forget about the engagement she had to break off, just wants to focus on taking care of Emeline and avoid any more possible scandals happening to her family. But Lydia has secrets from her past buried deep beneath the surface that she tries to keep hidden, and Willow Hall is determined to bring them to light.

I definitely went into this expecting a paranormal historical fiction story and was surprised to find out that there was actually a bit of romance sprinkled in as well! I'll be the first to admit, I was hesitant, but I really ended up enjoying this surprising bit that was written in the story. I'm not usually a huge fan of romance or anything like that, but this one was so well done I just couldn't help but fall for it every step of the way. The story itself did start off a little slow but really started to pick up until maybe about halfway through, but once it did, I found it difficult to put down! But I believe that the slow buildup is one of the plus sides to this story, as it really gives the reader time to get engrossed in the world and everything that is going on. It shows that you don't need a lot of flash and a quick moving plot to write a great story! I just loved the atmosphere that was present all throughout the story and found myself wanting to stay within the pages of the book for just a bit longer whenever I read. I do wish there had been a bit more development with the witch-y side of the story and maybe just a little more backstory on the history of some things, but overall, I really really enjoyed this story. As I said above, it's one of my new favorite historical fiction books! It has an overall creepy vibe that I really enjoyed and it's definitely a book that I didn't know I needed to read, but am very happy I was able to read. It's an atmospheric (have I said that enough?) story that really draws you in with the eerieness and unknown feeling that Willow Hall gives off and keeps you guessing with every page. It really is a fantastic gothic tale that I'm sure will be enjoyed by many and will easily become a new favorite among historical fiction readers such as myself.

Characters:
All of the characters in this book were so well-written and each had their own qualities that I liked and/or disliked about them. My favorite, not surprisingly, was Lydia, but I really enjoyed all three of the sisters in their own way. Catherine was a typical older sister and a bit shallow but ended up having more depth than I really thought she would, and Emeline was the younger sister who aspired to be like her older sisters. But Lydia, who had been taught to never attempt to stand out in any way but rather to remain plain and unimpressive, had such a strength and a light in her that was just absolutely captivating. She was such a lovely character and I truly enjoyed following her story and watching her start to understand her secret and unravel the secrets that hide within the walls of Willow Hall. Their parents, Mr. Montrose and Mrs. Montrose, were also interesting characters. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the father, but I really liked that he came through for his family when it mattered the most. All in all, the characters in this story definitely had a huge part in my enjoyment of the book overall and I really found myself in awe of Hester Fox's way of writing character growth and development!

Writing:
Hester Fox is just...wow. From the very first page, I was completely and totally enchanted. Honestly, I was shocked that this was her first novel! She writes like no other author I've ever read. Not only does her writing remind me of the wonderful historical fiction authors I grew up reading, but it also reminds me of the gothic horror writers I've come to enjoy recently, one of those being Wendy Webb. Hester Fox has a unique voice that brings each and every word on the page alive and I found myself devouring every word she wrote, but still hungry for more. By the end, I knew that I had found a new auto-read author, and I am so eager and excited to see what Hester Fox writes next!

If you're looking for a spooky and atmospheric story to round out your October reading list, then The Witch of Willow Hall is one you don't want to miss!

From Goodreads: "Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend. Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable. But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness."

About the Author:

From Goodreads: "Haunted by the sacrifices he made in Constantinople, Radu is called back to the new capital. Mehmed is building an empire, becoming the sultan his people need. But Mehmed has a secret: as emperor, he is more powerful than ever . . . and desperately lonely. Does this mean Radu can finally have more with Mehmed . . . and would he even want it? Lada's rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won't rest until everyone knows that her country's borders are inviolable. Determined to send a message of defiance, she has the bodies of Mehmed's peace envoy delivered to him, leaving Radu and Mehmed with no choice. If Lada is allowed to continue, only death will prosper. They must go to war against the girl prince. But Mehmed knows that he loves her. He understands her. She must lose to him so he can keep her safe. Radu alone fears that they are underestimating his sister's indomitable will. Only by destroying everything that came before--including her relationships--can Lada truly build the country she wants. Claim the throne. Demand the crown. Rule the world."

Thank you to Delacorte Press and Rockstar Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for review! All opinions are my own.

This was an absolutely fantastic conclusion to the And I Darken trilogy! It had all of the aspects of the first two books that I loved and just...wow. Bright We Burn blew me away and I am now 1000% sure that I've found one of my new insta-read authors in Kiersten White.

Plot:
Bright We Burn picks up right where Now I Rise left off and it kept me hooked from the very first page until the last. This is one of the darkest YA trilogies that I've ever read and it was everything I ever wanted from a book series. I love everything about it. There's villainous Lada, sweet Radu, blood and gore, political intrigue, death, destruction, battles, backstabbing, and so much more! I could seriously go on and on about how much is packed into this series and how wonderfully executed it all is. I love historical fiction books and this one is no exception. Bright We Burn exceeded any expectations I could have had for this finale. Like, my expectation was about sky/cloud level and the reality was more like...all the way to Pluto. It was so descriptive and flowed beautifully and was also absolutely terrifying at the same time because I wasn't sure how I would feel at the end. But it was amazingly fantastically splendid and every other positive word that I can think of to describe this book.

Characters:
Lada is one of my favorite characters of all time. Ever. Forever. She's so brutal and unforgiving and, well, crazy if I'm being honest. But it's her insanity that makes me love her even more. Her love for Wallachia, the one thing that she's always believed in and has vowed to take back is unwavering. She radiates power, strength, and pride in her home. No matter how many times she is knocked down or pushed around, she comes back one thousand times stronger and more terrifying. As a female in this world, she's looked down on and believed to be nothing- but she proves everyone wrong every single time. Lada is a terror on two feet, but she also shows rare moments of vulnerability. Of course, after those moments she then does something that reminds you just how vicious and pretty much dead inside she is! I couldn't get enough of her character and Bright We Burn just solidified my love for her even more. She's definitely an unlikable character, but she's written so well that there just ends up being something about her that you can't help but love.

Radu is a sweetheart and basically the complete opposite of Lada. He's clever, like Lada, but he's so much softer than she is (which is totally okay!). His character arc gave me life and, just like Lada, I couldn't get enough of him. I appreciated the differences between the two characters and how they were very much present throughout the book. There were so many times that Radu could have made choices that would have made him like his sister, but instead, he chose to be different and kind. He learns that you don't have to be brutal or a warrior to be brave and I just lived for his development throughout this book. Did I mention that I love these two siblings? Because I love these two siblings.

If I could say one thing about this trilogy and its characters, it's that it perfectly shows you that girls don't have to be delicate and covered in pink and boys don't have to be tough and mean. It's okay for girls to be brutal and vicious and covered in blood. It's okay for boys to be soft and sweet and smart. Typical gender stereotypes are broken and bent in this trilogy and it's so wonderful to see characters that aren't what you would expect them to be.

Writing:
Kiersten White's writing is absolutely phenomenal. She has a way with words that completely and totally captures your attention and makes you never want to leave her books. The world that she has created is so expansive and great and I genuinely felt that I was there in every scene, experiencing what was happening firsthand. These characters are some of the most well-developed people that I've ever read about and they feel like real people to me. You can tell that she did her research into the history that she's writing about and that she genuinely loves what she's created. She took the story of Vlad the Impaler and turned it on its head in the best way possible. I can't imagine how much of herself she put into this book, this trilogy, but you can feel it with every word she wrote.

This book is filled with lyrical writing, beautiful and precious characters, and a very satisfying ending to an unforgettable trilogy. If you're worried about how the series will end, fear not! Bright We Burn is everything you could have asked for and then some.

Get Bright We Burn here!

From Goodreads: "Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield — her brother, fighting with the enemy — the brother she watched die five years ago. Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family. She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating."

Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for review! All opinions are my own.

I've been having a difficult relationship with reading lately (for personal reasons) but Sky in the Deep seems to have gotten me out of my reading slump! This book was the perfect dose of historical fiction I didn't know I needed and I'm definitely looking forward to Adrienne Young's future releases!



Characters:
Eelyn was definitely the strong, fierce warrior main character that I've been dying to read about. She was brutal but smart and loyal to those she called family. I do feel that she spent a lot of her time at the Riki camp basically talking about how she could destroy/kill the Riki, but never really doing anything. I was slightly frustrated at this, but then I came to the conclusion that she did this for a reason: she was beginning to realize that maybe the people she's grown up hating aren't so different from her after all. She never says this, but you can definitely tell in her character development that she changes her mind about the Riki over time. Which, speaking of character development, I actually really enjoyed her growth throughout the book. She does remain a fierce warrior, however, and that was my favorite part about her! A Viking warrior female main character that is able to hold her own on the field of battle but also has complex feelings and emotions and is able to grow as a character throughout the book? Yes, please! We need more characters like Eelyn in Young Adult books.

I didn't particularly care for any of the other characters in Sky in the Deep, unfortunately. If I had to choose one that I would be interested in reading more about, it would be Eelyn's battle partner Myra. I'd love to know more about her backstory! However, I do feel that the companion novel may possibly be about Fiske? He wasn't a bad character, and I suppose I wouldn't mind knowing more about him and his connection to Eelyn's brother, Iri. I did feel that the romance between Fiske and Eelyn wasn't necessary, though. I would have much rather seen the two of them become friends! But I will say that, while I may not have necessarily agreed with the romance, it wasn't insta-love, and that wins a ton of points in my book. It was more of an enemies-to-lovers kind of development, and even at the end, they weren't exactly the typical YA romance couple. So, I didn't exactly hate it and would be interested to see how it develops possibly in the companion novel.

The book re-imagines Mary Shelley’s Gothic 1818 horror novel from the point of view of Elizabeth, a girl who is taken in by the Frankenstein family to be a companion for their son, the volatile and mysterious Victor. Publication is set for fall 2018, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein.

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations. But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.

You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!) Or does she? Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly. But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale.

Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga #3) by Kiersten White

Haunted by the sacrifices he made in Constantinople, Radu is called back to the new capital. Mehmed is building an empire, becoming the sultan his people need. But Mehmed has a secret: as emperor, he is more powerful than ever . . . and desperately lonely. Does this mean Radu can finally have more with Mehmed . . . and would he even want it? Lada's rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won't rest until everyone knows that her country's borders are inviolable. Determined to send a message of defiance, she has the bodies of Mehmed's peace envoy delivered to him, leaving Radu and Mehmed with no choice. If Lada is allowed to continue, only death will prosper. They must go to war against the girl prince. But Mehmed knows that he loves her. He understands her. She must lose to him so he can keep her safe. Radu alone fears that they are underestimating his sister's indomitable will. Only by destroying everything that came before--including her relationships--can Lada truly build the country she wants. 

Danica planned to use beauty, blackmail, and a glittering drug to control her own fate. Her escape from the twisted world of the Palace of Versailles was perfectly orchestrated and paid for. Or so she thought. Betrayed by the man who had promised her freedom, Dani is now married to the murderous King. It's a terrifying position to be in...and yet it's oddly intoxicating. Power may be an even stronger drug than Glitter--a drug Dani can't resist, in the form of secrets, manipulation, and sabotage. In her new position at the head of the court, Dani must ask herself who she really is. Can she use her newfound power to secure her real love, Saber's freedom and a chance at a life together outside the palace? Or is being Queen too addictive to give up?

A genderbent Beowulf re-imagining in which four mercenary girls chase glory and honor by battling a monster that's been terrorizing a nearby earldom.

The erratic decisions of a prophecy-obsessed king have drained Innis Lear of its wild magic, leaving behind a trail of barren crops and despondent subjects. Enemy nations circle the once-bountiful isle, sensing its growing vulnerability, hungry to control the ideal port for all trade routes. The king's three daughters—battle-hungry Gaela, master manipulator Reagan, and restrained, starblessed Elia—know the realm's only chance of resurrection is to crown a new sovereign, proving a strong hand can resurrect magic and defend itself. But their father will not choose an heir until the longest night of the year, when prophecies align and a poison ritual can be enacted. Refusing to leave their future in the hands of blind faith, the daughters of Innis Lear prepare for war—but regardless of who wins the crown, the shores of Innis will weep the blood of a house divided.

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles. But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep; past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises, and mountains where the circling hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass, a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound. In that city, behind gilded brass walls laced with enchantments, behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments are simmering. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences. After all, there is a reason they say be careful what you wish for.