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monarchsandmyths's review
5.0
Thank you to Peachtree Teen and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am in awe of the way that R.M. Romero tells stories, weaving poetry into a story that technically takes place in our world, but certainly doesn’t feel like it. THE GHOSTS OF ROSE HILL has a shorter word count than most novels, but its story felt like it stretched out like a cat in the sun (in a very good way). This book creates a world that sucks you in and nearly drowns you in it, but gives you the time to learn how to swim. There were times where I felt a little less entranced than others, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy being along for the ride.
Romero excels in storytelling, and in creating an entirely new world within one that we already have. This book has no pretenses about being completely made up or without source, instead immeshing itself within culture, tradition, and religion like a second skin. I personally can’t speak for the relations to Latin or Jewish culture, but the heart is there. For me, the story sank the deepest as Ilana referenced Orpheus, another musician doomed to the dark. They are stories of pain as much as triumph, but ones that echo truth and echo strength, in the same way this one does.
Ilana is an interesting protagonist, and the other characters in this story are as well. Though there is certainly an antagonist who is also the villain, it feels wrong to call any of them heroes. In truth, everyone is achingly human, or trying very hard not to be. There are very much run of the mill YA teen worries, but Romero looks to the best of the genre by going deeper. Ilana may only be sixteen, but it’s true she is sometimes more monster than girl, and that her story runs thousands of years before her, and will run thousands of years after.
At the end of the day, my simplest reaction to this book, is that it is definitely worth the read. It crafts remarkable characters you don’t want to look away from, and slides in twists and turn throughout its slow, winding path. Romero has created a world you could sink your teeth into, and frankly I’m excited to see what she writes next.
I am in awe of the way that R.M. Romero tells stories, weaving poetry into a story that technically takes place in our world, but certainly doesn’t feel like it. THE GHOSTS OF ROSE HILL has a shorter word count than most novels, but its story felt like it stretched out like a cat in the sun (in a very good way). This book creates a world that sucks you in and nearly drowns you in it, but gives you the time to learn how to swim. There were times where I felt a little less entranced than others, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy being along for the ride.
Romero excels in storytelling, and in creating an entirely new world within one that we already have. This book has no pretenses about being completely made up or without source, instead immeshing itself within culture, tradition, and religion like a second skin. I personally can’t speak for the relations to Latin or Jewish culture, but the heart is there. For me, the story sank the deepest as Ilana referenced Orpheus, another musician doomed to the dark. They are stories of pain as much as triumph, but ones that echo truth and echo strength, in the same way this one does.
Ilana is an interesting protagonist, and the other characters in this story are as well. Though there is certainly an antagonist who is also the villain, it feels wrong to call any of them heroes. In truth, everyone is achingly human, or trying very hard not to be. There are very much run of the mill YA teen worries, but Romero looks to the best of the genre by going deeper. Ilana may only be sixteen, but it’s true she is sometimes more monster than girl, and that her story runs thousands of years before her, and will run thousands of years after.
At the end of the day, my simplest reaction to this book, is that it is definitely worth the read. It crafts remarkable characters you don’t want to look away from, and slides in twists and turn throughout its slow, winding path. Romero has created a world you could sink your teeth into, and frankly I’m excited to see what she writes next.
jennguare's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
llangreads's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
erine's review
4.0
An interesting journey. Ilana's parents both fled their homelands -- Cuba and Czechoslovakia -- and want a better life for Ilana, who wants to focus on music. As a teenager, Ilana reads younger to start, but grows into her own self as the story continues. It all begins with a bit of parent/teenager conflict and teenager grievance, but takes a quick and brief turn into history and cemetery care before dumping the reader into a slow burn horror with light romance.
suzea's review
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jenniferropell's review
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Toxic relationship, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
makoshark98's review
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emilynye's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Didn't realize it was written as poetry when I listened to it; might have appreciated it more if I had looked at the form on the page. Definitely got down the 16 year old vibes. The Hebrew and Yiddish pronunciations were far from perfect, but close enough to make you question if it happens to merely be a difference of accent.
hrobison11's review
3.0
This was an unique story in prose. It's almost fairytale-esque in it's about a boogeyman of sorts.
I still think books in prose are quite intricate. There's probably more to it than even I can see/acknowledge.
I thought the character usage was well done - the ghosts descriptions worked perfectly. I found the use of music to be quite on point as well. Overall the metaphors worked.
It could be simply described as haunting - or even hauntingly beautiful. I'd recommend it to anyone that enjoys fairy tales, music, or prose in general.
I still think books in prose are quite intricate. There's probably more to it than even I can see/acknowledge.
I thought the character usage was well done - the ghosts descriptions worked perfectly. I found the use of music to be quite on point as well. Overall the metaphors worked.
It could be simply described as haunting - or even hauntingly beautiful. I'd recommend it to anyone that enjoys fairy tales, music, or prose in general.