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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
DNF
Was so enchanted by the promise of the blurb, but boy howdy did it not deliver. Honestly almost quit from the first line. Decided to persevere and made it through ch 6. Nigh-on impenetrable Rube Goldberg machines of sentences. Hypocritical FMC with a deep love for all life who romanticizes her own death, and kills copious of flowers in pursuit of post-mortal vanity (I do not understand her callousness to plant life. Maddening).
"In an excess of caution, she ran a finger along the spine [of the dummy book she's leaving in the stead of the one she's stealing], removing as much imprint of her house or companions from the book as she could. Just in case. It would be insane to compromise their safety over a whim."
SHE HAS LITERALLY BEEN COMPROMISING THEIR SAFETY OVER SO MANY WHIMS BEFORE GETTING TO THIS POINT.
And then we finally get the MMC pov chapter which contains the stunning poetry of "Stearanos crawled out from under the covers and stood naked in the center of his bedchamber, scratching his balls sleepily."
Was fodder to laugh at with friends, I guess.
"In an excess of caution, she ran a finger along the spine [of the dummy book she's leaving in the stead of the one she's stealing], removing as much imprint of her house or companions from the book as she could. Just in case. It would be insane to compromise their safety over a whim."
SHE HAS LITERALLY BEEN COMPROMISING THEIR SAFETY OVER SO MANY WHIMS BEFORE GETTING TO THIS POINT.
And then we finally get the MMC pov chapter which contains the stunning poetry of "Stearanos crawled out from under the covers and stood naked in the center of his bedchamber, scratching his balls sleepily."
Was fodder to laugh at with friends, I guess.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to @MacmillanAudio and NetGalley for the advance listener copy of Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert!
I was completely pulled into this story from the start. The writing is sharp, immersive, and full of emotional depth. I especially appreciated that the main characters were older—it’s refreshing to see protagonists with real life experience instead of yet another early-20s lead. Both narrators did an excellent job bringing the characters to life and were perfectly cast. The only thing that would’ve made it better is if it had been a duet narration rather than alternating.
The magic system was unique and intriguing, though I found myself wanting a bit more explanation. There were some elements I didn’t fully understand, and I hope they’ll be expanded in future installments. Some of the action was told after the fact rather than shown in real time, but the author still managed to weave those moments into the plot smoothly.
The ending was heartbreakingly emotional and ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I’m really hoping this means a sequel is on the way. If so, I’ll absolutely be reading it. This book is a beautiful blend of fantasy, love, and loss—with characters you’ll root for and a world you’ll want to understand more deeply.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
3.5⭐️ Is heartbreaking love a thing? It is now that I’ve read Never the Roses. 🥀 What an intriguing love story. While this is being heavily marketed as an epic fantasy there really isn’t a plot to the world outside Oniera’s wards. Her exploration of herself outside the war is what this story is. It has a very slow start and it wasn’t until around 75% that I settled in to accepting what this book was not. The epilogue made me round up. It was a heartbreaking ending. Dual narration was so satisfying.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
This book was slow to start, but that is because the world building was immense, and the FMC was isolated, so it was mainly just her thoughts. The book then began to pick up and became an enjoyable tale about secret visits and a slow and tender romance. This was the slow burn I didn't even know I needed! Thank you, Macmillian Audio and Netgalley, for approving my request for the audiobook.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story offered an unexpected take on fantasy that really stood out to me. It follows Oneira, a battle-worn sorceress who’s chosen to step away from war and spend her remaining years in peaceful solitude. I enjoyed being immersed in her quiet world and meeting her magical companions, as well as witnessing the growing relationship between her and Stearanos. While the ending wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for, the overarching theme of forgiveness and striving to become a better version of yourself was beautifully done.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A sorceress with magic based on her dreams. An interesting and unique magic system premise. Tired of war and fighting, Oneira is isolating herself away with her animal friends, books and dreams. There are times when the story does get a bit slow but never enough to make me want to stop or loose interest. About 60% in the story picks up. I enjoyed the dark and gloomy atmosphere they story evokes and I understood Oneira want to withdraw from the world.
This is nothing like the Romantasy’s that are popular right now. So if you are looking for fast paced, enemies to lovers or spicy forbidden love tropes, this books will disappoint. For me that is what I enjoyed about this book, the lack of the typical Romantasy tropes. Or should I say the the subdued nature of it. This story has a wealth of potential. I would have loved more info on the dream magic system. Over I enjoyed the story.
slow-paced
What a sweet story of redemption and love! It’s a slow pace and reads like a cozy book- but it’s not quite a cozy fantasy. Oneira is a dread sorceress who has finally bought her freedom. She sequesters herself away from all the kingdoms, growing her food and making fuzzy (and deadly) animal companions. She becomes bored and, on a whim, steals a book from the library of her enemy: Stearanos. He is a sorcerer of a rival kingdom. He immediately notices the missing book and through a series of missives a tentative relationship between the two forms.
There’s just the right amount of world building. The way Oneira’s magic is based on the dream world is fascinating. The freaking romance is precious.
One of the characters struck me as unbelievable, if not an annoying plot device. The book is fully character based, so the plot is a bit lacking. But ugh, the depth of the main characters is fabulous. I did NOT expect the ending. It left me in tears.
I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it. Both narrators did a fantastic job. Their voices were quite soothing.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy.
There’s just the right amount of world building. The way Oneira’s magic is based on the dream world is fascinating. The freaking romance is precious.
One of the characters struck me as unbelievable, if not an annoying plot device. The book is fully character based, so the plot is a bit lacking. But ugh, the depth of the main characters is fabulous. I did NOT expect the ending. It left me in tears.
I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it. Both narrators did a fantastic job. Their voices were quite soothing.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
This was a beautiful story! It starts with Oneira paying off her debt to the queen (through one last act of destruction that still haunts her) and disappearing into the wilds for retirement away from everyone. And after that, what is a dream sorcerer supposed to do? It is a quiet start, peaceful, as Oneira figures out what she wants, tries new hobbies, and collects new friend animals (very powerful in their own right). Some people would think this was slow but it is so peaceful to listen to. Things do perk up when, following a dream/whim to find a question, she ends up in the fabulous library of her equal in power, Stearanos. I absolutely loved their notes back and forth! So cheeky and good for lots of laughs! It builds up from there with the two sorcerers figuring out a way to work together, learning that they (broken and damaged from years of fighting for their kings and queens who hold their bonds) can complete each other. I love their relationship! It started with roses and witty banter but ended up so much more!
Besides being a love story, which was good in its own right, it was also about finding forgiveness for the destruction Oneira caused in her long career as a sorcerer and Stearanos finding a way out of his own debt. There are sweet times, but also hard decisions by both of them and a beautiful ending with a touch of hope amid the heartbreak that just wrecked me! It was very well done though and I loved this book.
The narrators did a wonderful job in bringing Oneira and Stearanos to life in that world of magic, dreams, and roses that changed everything and allowed the two sorcerers to find what was needed to mend a broken heart. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to get lost in this land and I really would not mind seeing more books in this world!
Besides being a love story, which was good in its own right, it was also about finding forgiveness for the destruction Oneira caused in her long career as a sorcerer and Stearanos finding a way out of his own debt. There are sweet times, but also hard decisions by both of them and a beautiful ending with a touch of hope amid the heartbreak that just wrecked me! It was very well done though and I loved this book.
The narrators did a wonderful job in bringing Oneira and Stearanos to life in that world of magic, dreams, and roses that changed everything and allowed the two sorcerers to find what was needed to mend a broken heart. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to get lost in this land and I really would not mind seeing more books in this world!