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nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
4.0
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Rose Master was kind of an interesting mix of Downton Abbey meets Supernatural. Anne is a servant at a large manor - the manor is the only home she's ever known, since her mother was a servant there before she died when Anne was only seven. But when the lady of the house informs Anne that she's being sent off to live in a strange new place with a new master, she has no say in the matter. She is forced to leave everything she knows. She soon finds that her new home is more than a little strange. Not only do very few servants work there, allowing the manor to fall into disrepair, but she discovers that something else is in the manor - something that means her and the others living there harm. When she grows closer to Lord Grey, she learns that the thing in the manor is very real - and very dangerous.
What I loved:
The creepiness.
There were lots of scary elements to this story - things that go bump in the night, birds that fall out of the sky, things scratching at the door, unseen violence that happens in the night - I could go on and on. I don't get terribly scared when reading books for some reason, so I wasn't as freaked out as I could have been, but when I think about this book as a horror movie, it makes me shudder!
Anne and Lord Grey.
I loved the slow-burning relationship that developed between Anne and Lord Grey. At first, Lord Grey is just a sort of creepy presence on the estate (to go along with other even creepier things), but Anne eventually starts to get to know him and we see an interesting, tentative relationship form between these two. There are plenty of barriers between them, though. The romance element of the book was actually relatively minor compared to the supernatural storyline, but I really enjoyed it.
The paranormal storyline.
Once we find out what is really going on in the manor, things really start to heat up! I loved the paranormal aspect of the book!
The negatives:
Slightly slow in middle.
While I did really enjoy this book, there was a portion in the middle - after Anne had started discovering the creepy stuff about the manor and before she started really interacting with Lord
Grey - that felt a little bit slow to me. I liked the scary elements, but horror isn't my favorite genre (I like it, but don't love it), so I was a little anxious to get to the meat of the story. That's just me, though.
Overall, I thought that The Rose Master was a great mix of YA historical, paranormal and horror. The ending gave us closure, but certainly left room for future installments of a series (Goodreads doesn't show this as being part of the series, but I assume that there will be more books). I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
The Rose Master was kind of an interesting mix of Downton Abbey meets Supernatural. Anne is a servant at a large manor - the manor is the only home she's ever known, since her mother was a servant there before she died when Anne was only seven. But when the lady of the house informs Anne that she's being sent off to live in a strange new place with a new master, she has no say in the matter. She is forced to leave everything she knows. She soon finds that her new home is more than a little strange. Not only do very few servants work there, allowing the manor to fall into disrepair, but she discovers that something else is in the manor - something that means her and the others living there harm. When she grows closer to Lord Grey, she learns that the thing in the manor is very real - and very dangerous.
What I loved:
The creepiness.
There were lots of scary elements to this story - things that go bump in the night, birds that fall out of the sky, things scratching at the door, unseen violence that happens in the night - I could go on and on. I don't get terribly scared when reading books for some reason, so I wasn't as freaked out as I could have been, but when I think about this book as a horror movie, it makes me shudder!
Anne and Lord Grey.
I loved the slow-burning relationship that developed between Anne and Lord Grey. At first, Lord Grey is just a sort of creepy presence on the estate (to go along with other even creepier things), but Anne eventually starts to get to know him and we see an interesting, tentative relationship form between these two. There are plenty of barriers between them, though. The romance element of the book was actually relatively minor compared to the supernatural storyline, but I really enjoyed it.
The paranormal storyline.
Once we find out what is really going on in the manor, things really start to heat up! I loved the paranormal aspect of the book!
The negatives:
Slightly slow in middle.
While I did really enjoy this book, there was a portion in the middle - after Anne had started discovering the creepy stuff about the manor and before she started really interacting with Lord
Grey - that felt a little bit slow to me. I liked the scary elements, but horror isn't my favorite genre (I like it, but don't love it), so I was a little anxious to get to the meat of the story. That's just me, though.
Overall, I thought that The Rose Master was a great mix of YA historical, paranormal and horror. The ending gave us closure, but certainly left room for future installments of a series (Goodreads doesn't show this as being part of the series, but I assume that there will be more books). I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
eyreguide's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very enjoyable dark, suspenseful, Gothic tale with a very sweet romance. But it did have some flaws for me that really hurt my overall feelings for the story. Even though the romance was very sweet and served the story well - I wish it had been fleshed out more, and there was such a predictable trajectory to it that made it bland. And although the story had a Victorian feel, the dialogue and the way the characters acted sometimes didn't feel completely true to the time period. It took me out of the story sometimes, so that the story was not as immersive as I would have liked.
The mystery and the secret Lord Grey is keeping is the most interesting part of the book. Especially with how Anne helps Lord Grey overcome his difficulties. The story's pacing was sometimes a bit off for me as well, as things move pretty quickly from Anne and Grey getting to know each other, to how they figure out how to defeat the creature. I suppose it didn't really bother me as I was reading, because this is such a quick read, but reflecting back on the story - I don't think this one is as memorable as it could have been given the cool premise and the great atmosphere.
The side characters felt like filler as well, and not as important to the story. They were often separated from the main action and quickly too. The only other aspect that felt more fleshed out was the portrayal of servant life and class separation. That seemed like something that was important to the author and it was represented well in this book. Overall, I think this is an enjoyable read, but probably not very memorable once it is finished.
The mystery and the secret Lord Grey is keeping is the most interesting part of the book. Especially with how Anne helps Lord Grey overcome his difficulties. The story's pacing was sometimes a bit off for me as well, as things move pretty quickly from Anne and Grey getting to know each other, to how they figure out how to defeat the creature. I suppose it didn't really bother me as I was reading, because this is such a quick read, but reflecting back on the story - I don't think this one is as memorable as it could have been given the cool premise and the great atmosphere.
The side characters felt like filler as well, and not as important to the story. They were often separated from the main action and quickly too. The only other aspect that felt more fleshed out was the portrayal of servant life and class separation. That seemed like something that was important to the author and it was represented well in this book. Overall, I think this is an enjoyable read, but probably not very memorable once it is finished.
bridgetteramirez's review against another edition
Didn't finish. I don't know if it was the book or me, but I couldn't get into this and I'd rather spend my time reading something I'll enjoy.
holly_117's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really good Victorian Gothic ghost story. It loses a star because I though the ending felt rushed and I would have liked more detail and information about the magical abilities of the characters. I don't know if this will be a series or not, but the end was definitely left open.
Overall, the world building is solid and the author steadily ratchets up the tension throughout the book. I really liked it in spite of the open ending (or series beginning?) and my desire for more background on the magic on display here.
This was a really good Victorian Gothic ghost story. It loses a star because I though the ending felt rushed and I would have liked more detail and information about the magical abilities of the characters.
Spoiler
Especially Lily! She shows up at the end, when it's revealed she's the person controlling the wraith, but other than that, you learn nothing about her.Overall, the world building is solid and the author steadily ratchets up the tension throughout the book. I really liked it in spite of the open ending (or series beginning?) and my desire for more background on the magic on display here.
itsneilcochrane's review against another edition
5.0
This book has everything I've been hungry for in a read lately: gothic setting, dark magic, a well-written heroine, and a subtle but genuine romance. I'm a huge fan of Austen and the Brontes, and THE ROSE MASTER has the same feel, plus all of the supernatural elements I could hope for. The mystery kept me guessing all the way up til the end; I finished the last half of the book all in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.
I look forward to reading more from Cano, hopefully continuing the adventures of Anne and Lord Grey!
I look forward to reading more from Cano, hopefully continuing the adventures of Anne and Lord Grey!
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a surprise. The cover is haunting and mysterious and fits the book perfectly. The feel is very Jane Eyre mixed with Gothic Horror. It's a re-telling (which I didn't know) and done so well I was completely swept away in the story and the mystery.
I loved this one.
I loved this one.
alexperc_92's review against another edition
5.0
Recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review
See my blog post and my stop on the blog tour here: http://alexperc92.blogspot.gr/2014/06/blog-tour-review-of-rose-master-by.html
Gothic novels always held a mysterious part on my selves. The "Rose Master" was my first book of the genre and I was not disappointed. Emotional, deep in Victorian style as also the mystery of both the Lord and the manor, the author manages to capture both the sense of the era and the characters' struggles.
We have Anne. She is a young servant who is sent to work at Roesewood Manor. Despite the secrets which lurk, literally on every corner, she is strong, confident on her work as also shy. I liked her witty attitude and the way her feelings envolved during the passing of the plot.
Then, it's Lord Grey. His name matches the mood, since he is a fine example of a tortured soul, who struggles with the choices he made and the past which haunts him. I will not say anything about *ahem* his... skills but despite his appearance he is determinated.
The setting fits the cover and the feeling Valentina tries to pass on the reader and the ending is truly satisfying, with the fleeting feeling of a new book and more adventures for Anne and August. I will be waiting eagerly for more from Valentina since her writting is really promising. :D
See my blog post and my stop on the blog tour here: http://alexperc92.blogspot.gr/2014/06/blog-tour-review-of-rose-master-by.html
Gothic novels always held a mysterious part on my selves. The "Rose Master" was my first book of the genre and I was not disappointed. Emotional, deep in Victorian style as also the mystery of both the Lord and the manor, the author manages to capture both the sense of the era and the characters' struggles.
We have Anne. She is a young servant who is sent to work at Roesewood Manor. Despite the secrets which lurk, literally on every corner, she is strong, confident on her work as also shy. I liked her witty attitude and the way her feelings envolved during the passing of the plot.
Then, it's Lord Grey. His name matches the mood, since he is a fine example of a tortured soul, who struggles with the choices he made and the past which haunts him. I will not say anything about *ahem* his... skills but despite his appearance he is determinated.
The setting fits the cover and the feeling Valentina tries to pass on the reader and the ending is truly satisfying, with the fleeting feeling of a new book and more adventures for Anne and August. I will be waiting eagerly for more from Valentina since her writting is really promising. :D
eserafina42's review against another edition
4.0
I actually would have given this a 3.5, but I'll add a couple of brownie points for the fact that the author found an original way to use a relatively predictable plot line. I'm not sure how this pairing is going to work after the ending, though, due not only to the characters' widely different social statuses (I suppose they could always emigrate) but also the fact that touching him literally burns her.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
4.0
Very different story. Full review on my blog Lisa Loves Literature tomorrow.
gabs_myfullbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Apparently this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I really didn't see that throughout the course of the novel, but it is.
This is more like a very dark paranormal Regency Romance. Now, I'm going to state flat-out in this review that the most likely reason I didn't like this book was due to personal tastes. I love retellings. But I didn't see this book as being one. I dislike very dark books, most paranormals, and I have never really been into regency romances, which as stated above, I found this book to be more like. So, if you do like those things? Well, go ahead and read this book. I think you'll enjoy it.
I however, found it not to my tastes. First, due to the romance. Lord Grey was a jerk. Whatever his sad backstory was, he was a 10 on the jerk scale. And so, I didn't love Anne and him together. In fact, I thought she was kind of stupid for liking him. I mean, he had his moments, but throughout the course of the book? Jerk.
Secondly, I wasn't prepared for how paranormal this story became. I know this sounds stupid, but bear with me. I thought that it would be more of a darker Disney and less...the Exorcism. This kind of goes back to the fact that I thought this was more of a retelling. I won't give anything away, because I don't want to be a plot spoiler and this is a pretty big aspect of the story, but the book got darker than I was expecting.
Third, I didn't love Anne. Her personality really never appealed to me. I liked that she wasn't simply a meek and humble serving maid, but I never really cared what happened to her. This book was told in first person, too, so there was no way to get away from her, and that probably resulted in me liking this book even less.
There were a few nice plot twists at the end. Nothing I was very wowed over, but I hadn't guessed them, and they were nice to read, because solving the mystery of the creepy Rosewood Manor is basically all I was reading this book for at the end anyways.
If you like really dark books (and don't mind some very proper romance) then I think you'll like this. If not...I'd skip it.
Apparently this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I really didn't see that throughout the course of the novel, but it is.
This is more like a very dark paranormal Regency Romance. Now, I'm going to state flat-out in this review that the most likely reason I didn't like this book was due to personal tastes. I love retellings. But I didn't see this book as being one. I dislike very dark books, most paranormals, and I have never really been into regency romances, which as stated above, I found this book to be more like. So, if you do like those things? Well, go ahead and read this book. I think you'll enjoy it.
I however, found it not to my tastes. First, due to the romance. Lord Grey was a jerk. Whatever his sad backstory was, he was a 10 on the jerk scale. And so, I didn't love Anne and him together. In fact, I thought she was kind of stupid for liking him. I mean, he had his moments, but throughout the course of the book? Jerk.
Secondly, I wasn't prepared for how paranormal this story became. I know this sounds stupid, but bear with me. I thought that it would be more of a darker Disney and less...the Exorcism. This kind of goes back to the fact that I thought this was more of a retelling. I won't give anything away, because I don't want to be a plot spoiler and this is a pretty big aspect of the story, but the book got darker than I was expecting.
Third, I didn't love Anne. Her personality really never appealed to me. I liked that she wasn't simply a meek and humble serving maid, but I never really cared what happened to her. This book was told in first person, too, so there was no way to get away from her, and that probably resulted in me liking this book even less.
There were a few nice plot twists at the end. Nothing I was very wowed over, but I hadn't guessed them, and they were nice to read, because solving the mystery of the creepy Rosewood Manor is basically all I was reading this book for at the end anyways.
If you like really dark books (and don't mind some very proper romance) then I think you'll like this. If not...I'd skip it.