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sleepysamreads's review against another edition
5.0
You can find this review and others on my blog SleepySamReads!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Miranda Asebedo and her agent for contacting me to review A Constellation of Roses!
I love magic realism, especially magic realism that is barely barely magic. Like if you blink you might miss it, and this book was exactly that! I absolutely loved the subtle magic in this book. It was so beautiful.
What I loved even more than the magic, was how very real Trix is. She’s had a hard life, that’s turned her into a hard person. Underneath all the hardness is just a girl who needs a home.
Trix’s loneliness was so palpable at times, it was heartbreaking. She wanted a home and family, but she has extreme trust issues because of the life she’s had to live. It was so wonderful seeing her go from someone who relies on no one, to someone who relies on her newfound family.
I LOVED Auntie, Mia, and Ember. Auntie especially. I am always there for the sassy ‘grandma’ characters, especially those who talk like Auntie. Mia was amazing. She is such a warm maternal character. I really loved how Trix and Ember’s relationship grew. You could see over the course of the book how they went from strangers to almost sisters. It was wonderful.
The romance in this was extremely sweet and not overbearing. I loved that Jasper was a fully formed three-dimensional character. If you had taken away his relationship with Trix, he still would have been an interesting character. I love this because I feel like often times, especially in YA, the love interest isn’t fully formed.
Trix’s relationship with her mom broke my heart. It was so very realistic though. Sadly, it’s not all that unusual. I wish there was a way for all the kids in Trix’s situation to discover they had a loving family like the McCabes.
This was an incredibly fast read for me. I received the ARC in the mail and finished it within a few hours. It pulled me in immediately and kept my interest the whole way through. I absolutely loved it and can honestly say that I didn’t dislike anything about it! This very very rarely happens for me, so I highly recommend A Constellation of Roses!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Miranda Asebedo and her agent for contacting me to review A Constellation of Roses!
I love magic realism, especially magic realism that is barely barely magic. Like if you blink you might miss it, and this book was exactly that! I absolutely loved the subtle magic in this book. It was so beautiful.
What I loved even more than the magic, was how very real Trix is. She’s had a hard life, that’s turned her into a hard person. Underneath all the hardness is just a girl who needs a home.
Trix’s loneliness was so palpable at times, it was heartbreaking. She wanted a home and family, but she has extreme trust issues because of the life she’s had to live. It was so wonderful seeing her go from someone who relies on no one, to someone who relies on her newfound family.
I LOVED Auntie, Mia, and Ember. Auntie especially. I am always there for the sassy ‘grandma’ characters, especially those who talk like Auntie. Mia was amazing. She is such a warm maternal character. I really loved how Trix and Ember’s relationship grew. You could see over the course of the book how they went from strangers to almost sisters. It was wonderful.
The romance in this was extremely sweet and not overbearing. I loved that Jasper was a fully formed three-dimensional character. If you had taken away his relationship with Trix, he still would have been an interesting character. I love this because I feel like often times, especially in YA, the love interest isn’t fully formed.
Trix’s relationship with her mom broke my heart. It was so very realistic though. Sadly, it’s not all that unusual. I wish there was a way for all the kids in Trix’s situation to discover they had a loving family like the McCabes.
This was an incredibly fast read for me. I received the ARC in the mail and finished it within a few hours. It pulled me in immediately and kept my interest the whole way through. I absolutely loved it and can honestly say that I didn’t dislike anything about it! This very very rarely happens for me, so I highly recommend A Constellation of Roses!
classicbhaer's review against another edition
5.0
*Book given for review by Wunderkind PR*
What I Liked
I would like to start off with something some might not see as a positive, but this was one emotional book. It felt like a roller coaster, but in a really good way. It did not feel like a soap opera. This book follows a young girl named Trix who has had a very hard life. She was stealing to survive and life, she really didn’t trust anyone but 2 friends, one who liked like her and another who was in jail.
This book starts off right away and slowly you see the world build and Trix. She is a really complex character with a ton of development, which I loved. I was rooting for her the entire time and I just wanted her to begin to trust people and connect with her family. The author wrote her in an amazing way. The world she built was believable, and tangible even though there was a few magical elements tossed in. I had genuine emotional reactions to a few of the events in the book, I don’t want to get too specific, but I cried and I wanted to smack a few characters in the face. On the other hand there were some I just wanted to hug and celebrate with when things went right. I will note that even the side characters of sort made an impression on me.
Another thing I really enjoyed the book was the little magical element. This element was woven into the story is such a believable way. It is subtle and well thought out due to the diversity of magic help by some of the characters. These little gifts are listed in the books description and I knew they were coming up, but I really loved how they fit into the characters personalities and were presented.
Honestly, I could go on and on, this is pretty much a gushfest and I am totally okay with that because this book earned it.
What I Didn’t Like
Honestly, nothing. I loved every page of this book. It was beautifully written and constructed. This, I do not say often.
Overall Thoughts
I thought this was an amazing read, it could easily be one of my top books of the year. As I have said the author is very talented. Her writing is well balanced and easily creates a world and characters that the reader can fall into with out a problem. I was engaged in the story from page one and I wanted more when it was over. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
What I Liked
I would like to start off with something some might not see as a positive, but this was one emotional book. It felt like a roller coaster, but in a really good way. It did not feel like a soap opera. This book follows a young girl named Trix who has had a very hard life. She was stealing to survive and life, she really didn’t trust anyone but 2 friends, one who liked like her and another who was in jail.
This book starts off right away and slowly you see the world build and Trix. She is a really complex character with a ton of development, which I loved. I was rooting for her the entire time and I just wanted her to begin to trust people and connect with her family. The author wrote her in an amazing way. The world she built was believable, and tangible even though there was a few magical elements tossed in. I had genuine emotional reactions to a few of the events in the book, I don’t want to get too specific, but I cried and I wanted to smack a few characters in the face. On the other hand there were some I just wanted to hug and celebrate with when things went right. I will note that even the side characters of sort made an impression on me.
Another thing I really enjoyed the book was the little magical element. This element was woven into the story is such a believable way. It is subtle and well thought out due to the diversity of magic help by some of the characters. These little gifts are listed in the books description and I knew they were coming up, but I really loved how they fit into the characters personalities and were presented.
Honestly, I could go on and on, this is pretty much a gushfest and I am totally okay with that because this book earned it.
What I Didn’t Like
Honestly, nothing. I loved every page of this book. It was beautifully written and constructed. This, I do not say often.
Overall Thoughts
I thought this was an amazing read, it could easily be one of my top books of the year. As I have said the author is very talented. Her writing is well balanced and easily creates a world and characters that the reader can fall into with out a problem. I was engaged in the story from page one and I wanted more when it was over. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
dr_trish_arrieche's review against another edition
5.0
Auntie! Auntie was by far my favorite character, although we didn't see that much of her. Asebedo always placed her at the right place and the right time. Auntie is full of wit, sarcasm, and realness that the family needed, especially Trix.
The magical realism was divine and gave me little touches of "Garden Spells" and "Like Water for Chocolate," and it did not overpower the narrative, making it believable. The small town also added to the magical feeling, the familial feel, and the warmth of the novel. I always enjoy stories that include food and magic (I mean, who doesn't?), so I was ecstatic to read this book and was not at all disappointed.
Lastly, Asebedo did a fantastic job illustrating depression that some young adults experience and how it can be difficult for them. The message here is about it being okay for those with depression to get help and to be receiving help.
Now, if only I could find Mia so I can get a slice of Bracing Blueberry pie.
I received an ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you HarperTeen and Edelweiss for the ARC!
The magical realism was divine and gave me little touches of "Garden Spells" and "Like Water for Chocolate," and it did not overpower the narrative, making it believable. The small town also added to the magical feeling, the familial feel, and the warmth of the novel. I always enjoy stories that include food and magic (I mean, who doesn't?), so I was ecstatic to read this book and was not at all disappointed.
Lastly, Asebedo did a fantastic job illustrating depression that some young adults experience and how it can be difficult for them. The message here is about it being okay for those with depression to get help and to be receiving help.
Now, if only I could find Mia so I can get a slice of Bracing Blueberry pie.
I received an ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you HarperTeen and Edelweiss for the ARC!
per_fictionist's review against another edition
5.0
A Constellation of Stars By MIRANDA ASEBEDO is one of those rare YA contemporaries that managed to leave a mark on me and that too a very special one. The McCabe women have been known for their special abilities be it Mia for her comforting cullinary skills, Auntie for her hand at fortune telling, Amber for a something she rather wish she didn't. But Trix McCabe has the most ridiculous quality among them. TO STEAL.
Trix, after being abandoned by her mother and fighting hard to survive her life, finds herself in a bargain deal of JAIL TIME or BEING WITH HER FOUND FAMILY AND GETTING HERSELF A DEGREE.
A mesmerizing coming of the age story with just a teeny bit of magical realism, A CONSTELLATION OF ROSES is all parts unique, vulnerable and raw. The found family trope is done amazingly well and I found myself scouring for my tissue box a number of times. When she moves to ROCKSAW to be with her lost family, she didn't expect anything more other than considering them to be her route of escape.
Trix, who has never been cared for, Trix, who has fought tooth and nail to fight for her survival in the world, finds herself being looked after at ROCKSAW and finally realises her worth. I felt empathy for what Trix went through and her cold attitude towards relationships and friends was justifiable. The writer lets us on with flashbacks from Trix's life that makes us understand why she did what she did and how she reacted in a certain way. Another favorite was Amber, and I couldn't even begin to comprehend the amount of guilt and suffocation she has felt all through out her life because of her special ability.
ALL IN ALL, I ABSOLUTELY ADORED A CONSTELLATION OF ROSES for it's captivating writing( I FINISHED IT IN ONE SITTING), relatable characters and plot.
Trix, after being abandoned by her mother and fighting hard to survive her life, finds herself in a bargain deal of JAIL TIME or BEING WITH HER FOUND FAMILY AND GETTING HERSELF A DEGREE.
A mesmerizing coming of the age story with just a teeny bit of magical realism, A CONSTELLATION OF ROSES is all parts unique, vulnerable and raw. The found family trope is done amazingly well and I found myself scouring for my tissue box a number of times. When she moves to ROCKSAW to be with her lost family, she didn't expect anything more other than considering them to be her route of escape.
Trix, who has never been cared for, Trix, who has fought tooth and nail to fight for her survival in the world, finds herself being looked after at ROCKSAW and finally realises her worth. I felt empathy for what Trix went through and her cold attitude towards relationships and friends was justifiable. The writer lets us on with flashbacks from Trix's life that makes us understand why she did what she did and how she reacted in a certain way. Another favorite was Amber, and I couldn't even begin to comprehend the amount of guilt and suffocation she has felt all through out her life because of her special ability.
ALL IN ALL, I ABSOLUTELY ADORED A CONSTELLATION OF ROSES for it's captivating writing( I FINISHED IT IN ONE SITTING), relatable characters and plot.
kayladbruns's review against another edition
I recently read Asebedo’s debut The Deepest Roots last month and really enjoyed her writing and the theme of it. When I heard that she was writing a companion novel for it, I was so excited to read it. However, my feelings changed once I started reading A Constellation of Roses.
Maybe it’s because I was expecting the same whimsical feeling of her debut and the closeness of the friendship here. There wasn’t really any of that present here. While Trix and the other McCabe women do have gifts, I wasn’t getting that same feeling of magic that I got with The Deepest Roots. Was it because I went in expecting for this book to give me similar feelings like it’s companion? Maybe.
What really made me decide to put this book down was our main character, Trix. I couldn’t get myself to care for her in the slightest. Her woe is me attitude was too much for me. I couldn’t stop myself from saying “oh my goodness, yes” when she was told to get over herself and that bad things happen to people all the time. What did she continue to do, snap at people and take her frustration out on them.
While they were setting her up to have a love interest, I couldn’t go for it. I seriously don’t think she needed one and honestly, the guy could have done better with someone else.
Basically, this didn’t live up to my expectations or this author’s debut. I am open to reading from again though.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
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Maybe it’s because I was expecting the same whimsical feeling of her debut and the closeness of the friendship here. There wasn’t really any of that present here. While Trix and the other McCabe women do have gifts, I wasn’t getting that same feeling of magic that I got with The Deepest Roots. Was it because I went in expecting for this book to give me similar feelings like it’s companion? Maybe.
What really made me decide to put this book down was our main character, Trix. I couldn’t get myself to care for her in the slightest. Her woe is me attitude was too much for me. I couldn’t stop myself from saying “oh my goodness, yes” when she was told to get over herself and that bad things happen to people all the time. What did she continue to do, snap at people and take her frustration out on them.
While they were setting her up to have a love interest, I couldn’t go for it. I seriously don’t think she needed one and honestly, the guy could have done better with someone else.
Basically, this didn’t live up to my expectations or this author’s debut. I am open to reading from again though.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
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yuuto's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly didn’t expect to be emotionally obliterated by this book, but it sure happened!
thelasagna's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This book is just....wow. Real and painful and beautiful, the MCs story is the most human thing I’ve read in a long while. Asebedo is a magical storyteller, and I wanted to both devour and savor this book at the same time.
m_e_trevi's review against another edition
2.0
I so wanted to like this book. When I picked it up I thought it would be a five star and am sorely disappointed that it ended up only being two. There was nothing terribly wrong with the story, there was just nothing terribly interesting about it.
I wanted an atmospheric deep dive into small-town life with a girl who has been running away from everything. I wanted a "coming into her own" story when it comes to her powers but we didn't get that either. It was so highly rated perhaps my expectations were just too high? I'm sad because I bought it this book thinking I would like it when it was a solid "meh" read.
I wanted an atmospheric deep dive into small-town life with a girl who has been running away from everything. I wanted a "coming into her own" story when it comes to her powers but we didn't get that either. It was so highly rated perhaps my expectations were just too high? I'm sad because I bought it this book thinking I would like it when it was a solid "meh" read.
cschaepe84's review against another edition
5.0
This book completely had me in my feels. I laughed, I cried, I had intense anxiety for Trix, and then was entirely consumed with the warn and fuzzies from the heartfelt ending that had me cheering her on. This is overall a story about forgiveness about who you were in the past, learning to love despite adversities, and redefining family, and building back up when all you are and know have been destroyed.
We start of with a lost, abandoned, and angry outcast, Trix, who basically has to exist in the fringes of society. It's all she knows, and although she doesn't like it, it's somehow safe, comfortable, secure. She gets by with her gift, which is stealing things without ever being caught, not by security cameras, and not by passerby. It was how her and her mother survived before her mother had walked out on her and left her scared and abandoned. She gets snitched on one day, and is arrest, but then her social worker places her with a family she never knew existed, and it is likewise with them that they never knew she existed. She tries to adjust to life with her new family, along with trying to build her trust, and learning to love despite suffering so much hardship and trauma. We go through flashbacks through her life, understanding what her mother was like, was her life was before that made Trix the way she is, and what her deepest hopes and fears are.
The characters here are wonderful, and really came to life. I loved the McCabe women. There's Mia, who makes delicious pies that can help emotionally cure what ails one. She is a fierce headstrong woman, who loves as hard as she fights for what she believes is right. Then there's Auntie, a hardened older woman who can read people's fortunes. She is hilarious and I love how she provides a lot of comic relief with her carefree, tough attitude who doesn't take crap from anybody, including Trix, but underneath it all, loves just as intensely. Then there's quiet, shy Ember, who's gift is that she can read other people's deepest hopes and fears with just a touch. It makes her withdrawn and shy around others, but she is just as strong willed and fierce as the other two women. I really enjoyed the cute romance between Jasper and Trix, who even though they seem to be opposites, deep down, they are both broken inside, but in a different way.
There were many moments throughout this story that sent me on a high-octane emotional roller coaster. Trix's feelings of distrust and abandonment, as well as her feelings of just being this outsider in a small town were so well captured. Throughout the story, everyone is put through the test of what their true intentions are with Trix, and she too grows and blooms, slowly becoming a part of the small town and finding herself and finding the love that she never knew people had for her all along. This is definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time.
We start of with a lost, abandoned, and angry outcast, Trix, who basically has to exist in the fringes of society. It's all she knows, and although she doesn't like it, it's somehow safe, comfortable, secure. She gets by with her gift, which is stealing things without ever being caught, not by security cameras, and not by passerby. It was how her and her mother survived before her mother had walked out on her and left her scared and abandoned. She gets snitched on one day, and is arrest, but then her social worker places her with a family she never knew existed, and it is likewise with them that they never knew she existed. She tries to adjust to life with her new family, along with trying to build her trust, and learning to love despite suffering so much hardship and trauma. We go through flashbacks through her life, understanding what her mother was like, was her life was before that made Trix the way she is, and what her deepest hopes and fears are.
The characters here are wonderful, and really came to life. I loved the McCabe women. There's Mia, who makes delicious pies that can help emotionally cure what ails one. She is a fierce headstrong woman, who loves as hard as she fights for what she believes is right. Then there's Auntie, a hardened older woman who can read people's fortunes. She is hilarious and I love how she provides a lot of comic relief with her carefree, tough attitude who doesn't take crap from anybody, including Trix, but underneath it all, loves just as intensely. Then there's quiet, shy Ember, who's gift is that she can read other people's deepest hopes and fears with just a touch. It makes her withdrawn and shy around others, but she is just as strong willed and fierce as the other two women. I really enjoyed the cute romance between Jasper and Trix, who even though they seem to be opposites, deep down, they are both broken inside, but in a different way.
There were many moments throughout this story that sent me on a high-octane emotional roller coaster. Trix's feelings of distrust and abandonment, as well as her feelings of just being this outsider in a small town were so well captured. Throughout the story, everyone is put through the test of what their true intentions are with Trix, and she too grows and blooms, slowly becoming a part of the small town and finding herself and finding the love that she never knew people had for her all along. This is definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time.