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katie_burgert's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
cassandralh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
heidikundin's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up
Written in prose, The Ghosts of Rose Hill was a quick and easy read that felt much like a dark fairytale. I felt like some of the pacing was a bit off for me - the beginning was a little slow, the ending felt rushed, and the middle was a bit of a mixed bag. I loved the characters, but I wish we could have spent more time with Ilana cleaning the cemetery and learning even more about the history there. I wish that there had been more of a build-up when it came to the romance (but I suppose that falling hard and fast is age-appropriate), and I wish that the ending would have been at least twice as long and stretched out. There was a lot of build-up to get the reader to that part, and then it was over before I really even got used to the new setting and change of scenery.
Written in prose, The Ghosts of Rose Hill was a quick and easy read that felt much like a dark fairytale. I felt like some of the pacing was a bit off for me - the beginning was a little slow, the ending felt rushed, and the middle was a bit of a mixed bag. I loved the characters, but I wish we could have spent more time with Ilana cleaning the cemetery and learning even more about the history there. I wish that there had been more of a build-up when it came to the romance (but I suppose that falling hard and fast is age-appropriate), and I wish that the ending would have been at least twice as long and stretched out. There was a lot of build-up to get the reader to that part, and then it was over before I really even got used to the new setting and change of scenery.
slvrdragon1090's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly couldn’t read this fast enough or put it down. Fantastic.
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
A beautiful book full of heartbreak and hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Genocide, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, War, Physical abuse, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence and Gaslighting
lost_in_stereo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bethd2828's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
folkofthebook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
This is what it’s like to be Jewish
in Europe.
Every beautiful thing
has horror buried under it.
I’m always walking on bones.
rating: 4.5
a melancholic but moving story about a young latina jewish girl who spends her summer in a ghost story. i was impressed by how even through verse prose, r.m. romero was able to cover a variety of themes, from the frustrations of adolescence, the fears and tribulations of immigrant families, the despair of post-wwii europe for european jews, and horrors of legends.
This is a cemetery,
I realize.
And I don’t think anyone remembers
it’s here.
Anyone
except
for
me.
romero moves seamlessly between moments of discovery, sorrow, isolation, and even joy. her writing paints a vivid scene and imbues much personality into our protagonist, ilana.
Having a ghost
is like having a cat.
They wander where they like
and won’t come
when you call.
Prague believes in magic.
Prague believes in itself.
(I wish
I could be more like Prague.)
this was my first book from romero and i was quite impressed. there is a whimsical is eerie feel to her stories that i enjoyed and look forward to reading more of.
Because that’s the other part
of being a Jew in Europe—
each step I take
is in defiance of everyone
who didn’t want me here.
The final girl survives
because she can be
just as ruthless
as the monster
who wants
to destroy her.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Child death, Death, Genocide, War, and Child abuse