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jennkei's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, a decent-enough premise and mystery but not really my cuppa overall.
andrea4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
phoenix2's review against another edition
1.0
A Forgery of Roses is a fantasy book with an interesting magic system and an intriguing mystery. Those two elements were actually the main pros of the book, as the story tended more than often to focus on the romance rather than the mystery.
The magic system, first of all, was the most elaborate, original and imaginative. The mystery was also dark and twisty. But the romance was forced, as if they simply HAD to end up together and have romantic moments that will bond them, rather than investigating the murder that was the main theme of the book. The love triangle, moreover, was laughable and easily resolved.
Also, the characters were annoying. Myra, our main girl, was simply hopeless, having only bursts of fighting spirit here and there, but overall, she was whiny and annoying. August, the main love interest, was even more annoying. He was suffering from social anxiety, but there was no reason for him to act out on everyone around him, especially on Myra, who was only trying to help him. And, now that we are on it, he didn't seem to have any problem fetching her with his carriage when they didn't even know each other, and conversing with her with ease.
Finally, the writing was enjoyable enough.
The magic system, first of all, was the most elaborate, original and imaginative. The mystery was also dark and twisty. But the romance was forced, as if they simply HAD to end up together and have romantic moments that will bond them, rather than investigating the murder that was the main theme of the book. The love triangle, moreover, was laughable and easily resolved.
Also, the characters were annoying. Myra, our main girl, was simply hopeless, having only bursts of fighting spirit here and there, but overall, she was whiny and annoying. August, the main love interest, was even more annoying. He was suffering from social anxiety, but there was no reason for him to act out on everyone around him, especially on Myra, who was only trying to help him. And, now that we are on it, he didn't seem to have any problem fetching her with his carriage when they didn't even know each other, and conversing with her with ease.
Finally, the writing was enjoyable enough.
sarahp85's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one. Thought her previous book was even better but then again I have a slight Phantom obsession so I might not be the most objective person
mweir710's review against another edition
3.0
I love the premise of this book - it feels so unique! I just had a hard time connecting with it all. The world building was super minimal - it would have been super nice to expand on the magical aspects and the impact of the larger aristocratic society. It was pretty predictable, minus a couple of small details, which made it so frustrating when the MC came off as so dense (but it’s easier to see from the outside, I guess)!
reading_ani's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Based on the book blurb, I expected something completely different from the book. It was an okay-read, but nothing special. It has quite a few plot holes and the magic definitely hasn't been used to its full potential. I considered giving this book an even lower rating, but it's really just due to my own expectations that I was deeply disappointed by it But then again, I read it for a reading challenge and it was part of a book box, so I'm really not that mad about it as I probably never would have picked that book up had I seen it in a bookstore.
12_els's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
crosswarrior7's review
3.0
❧ Myra Whitlock is a Prodigy: a person gifted by their god, the Artist, with the ability to alter reality through their paintings. Although it sounds as if Prodigys would be viewed as blessed, they’re hunted down, meaning Myra must closely guard her powers, all while working as a painter to care for her and her disabled sister. When the governor’s wife discovers her secret and offers her a great sum of money to resurrect her dead son, though, Myra will no longer be able to hide in peace. She’ll do what she can to earn the money so she can seek treatment for her sister’s growing struggles, but in taking the job, she’ll discover something absolutely terrifying, whether that be love, murdering schemes, or both! Both is good :D
❧ I enjoyed this more than I expected but not as much as I wanted to. The magic system was unique and built upon in interesting ways that fed into the mystery, and the world was intriguing, but I sort of wanted more, especially from the latter. Soft magic systems are a thing, but I just felt like there was room for more, and I’m admittedly a sucker for godly involvement when there are magical gods in a story. So yeah, this gripe could be (and likely is) a personal thing.
❧ Myra didn’t overly stand out to me as a character. How do I know? It’s been almost a year since I read this book and can’t remember too much about her. She was solid, though, and carried the story along well. There were definite points where she felt like she acted in ways that were just to carry the plot, but her care for her disabled sister, passion for her art, and strong resolve toward her task + August were all very solid characteristics.
Speaking of, August, although not the best depiction of anxiety and struggling with it, was still a very good step in the right direction for representation, especially in the sense of having a non-tall-dark-and-handsome love interest. He was very unique in that aspect, and even if I thought he could have been done better, he stood out just for being so different from most male protagonists/love interests in YA Fantasy books. I may not have been smitten by the ship because of how insta-love it was, but I enjoyed it purely for August and his personal struggles with his anxiety and his family.
❧ The mystery of the book was honestly my favorite part. It was sprinkled in very well, tied back into the magic in a way that made it so the fantasy aspect was necessary to the plot but didn’t make it so the reveal was impossible to see, and, well, I figured it out, so I felt good about it VwV
❧ So overall a very solid books. Enough weird bits in the pacing and not-enoughness to the MC and world that it didn’t quite hit home for me, but also enough good bits that I did genuinely enjoy the book, so I’d say 3.5 stars out of 5. Also a disclaimer that I am writing this review almost a year late because I’m just now getting back into the groove of review writing U^.^
❧ I enjoyed this more than I expected but not as much as I wanted to. The magic system was unique and built upon in interesting ways that fed into the mystery, and the world was intriguing, but I sort of wanted more, especially from the latter. Soft magic systems are a thing, but I just felt like there was room for more, and I’m admittedly a sucker for godly involvement when there are magical gods in a story. So yeah, this gripe could be (and likely is) a personal thing.
❧ Myra didn’t overly stand out to me as a character. How do I know? It’s been almost a year since I read this book and can’t remember too much about her. She was solid, though, and carried the story along well. There were definite points where she felt like she acted in ways that were just to carry the plot, but her care for her disabled sister, passion for her art, and strong resolve toward her task + August were all very solid characteristics.
Speaking of, August, although not the best depiction of anxiety and struggling with it, was still a very good step in the right direction for representation, especially in the sense of having a non-tall-dark-and-handsome love interest. He was very unique in that aspect, and even if I thought he could have been done better, he stood out just for being so different from most male protagonists/love interests in YA Fantasy books. I may not have been smitten by the ship because of how insta-love it was, but I enjoyed it purely for August and his personal struggles with his anxiety and his family.
❧ The mystery of the book was honestly my favorite part. It was sprinkled in very well, tied back into the magic in a way that made it so the fantasy aspect was necessary to the plot but didn’t make it so the reveal was impossible to see, and, well, I figured it out, so I felt good about it VwV
❧ So overall a very solid books. Enough weird bits in the pacing and not-enoughness to the MC and world that it didn’t quite hit home for me, but also enough good bits that I did genuinely enjoy the book, so I’d say 3.5 stars out of 5. Also a disclaimer that I am writing this review almost a year late because I’m just now getting back into the groove of review writing U^.^
shadowcat1224's review against another edition
5.0
I was in love with this book from page 1, it was so expertly written. From the world building and magic system to her relationship with her sister and the twist at the end. Plus I’m a sucker for a romance subplot. I couldn’t put this book down when I got it from the library and when I finished I immediately had to buy a signed copy to display on my bookshelf.