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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
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:
Yes
I pre-ordered this book without reading the blurb or knowing anything about the author. In fact, I didn't even remember putting this book in my cart—it just showed up on my doorstep from Barnes & Noble last week. I am so happy I bought this book, and thank you to my subconscious for placing the order.
Never the Roses takes place in a world where magic users are indentured to first their schools and then their employers through contracts that make it almost impossible for them to buy their freedom. The most powerful sorcerers are forced to commit atrocities in order to please their employers in the hope that someday they'll make enough money to buy their freedom. The sorceress Oneira has finally been able to retire after years of using her gifts for bloodshed and war. She has isolated herself on a plot of land with only her animals for companions. After years of solitude, she realizes she's in search of the answer to a question she can't quite form. On a whim, she steps into the Dream and ends up visiting her longtime rival Stearanos's library. She takes a book from him, beginning a relationship that will change both their lives and suck Oneira back into a world she had abandoned.
The prose in this book was stunning. I was immediately struck by the way the author approached the sentence-level craft. Each word felt carefully chosen, each character's voice was specific and clear. I was really blown away by the level of care that went into the writing.
I've seen this book described as "cozy" and I strongly disagree. While there isn't a ton of plot, there is a deep, impactful emotional journey that is rooted in the trauma our characters have experienced because of their power. And the stakes are enormous. Whenever Oneira or Stearanos were prevailed upon to use their powers, people died—not a small number of people, but whole populations. The challenges they face could not be more existential.
On to why people read my reviews: the romance. The romance in this book is quiet but exquisite. Oneira and Stearanos have been kept separate their entire lives because the system that exploits magic users only works if they are isolated and unable to form their own alliances. But once they begin interacting, they're almost fated to be together. I was immediately drawn into their dynamic and ate up all of their interactions.
The epilogue of this book was devastatingly beautiful. There was one line, which I will not put here because it is a spoiler, that absolutely got me. You'll know what it is when you read this book. Now, just a heads up, Never the Roses is not a romance novel. There is no HEA—in fact, the ending is quite tragic. But it is still touching fantasy with romance, if not a romance novel.
Never the Roses takes place in a world where magic users are indentured to first their schools and then their employers through contracts that make it almost impossible for them to buy their freedom. The most powerful sorcerers are forced to commit atrocities in order to please their employers in the hope that someday they'll make enough money to buy their freedom. The sorceress Oneira has finally been able to retire after years of using her gifts for bloodshed and war. She has isolated herself on a plot of land with only her animals for companions. After years of solitude, she realizes she's in search of the answer to a question she can't quite form. On a whim, she steps into the Dream and ends up visiting her longtime rival Stearanos's library. She takes a book from him, beginning a relationship that will change both their lives and suck Oneira back into a world she had abandoned.
The prose in this book was stunning. I was immediately struck by the way the author approached the sentence-level craft. Each word felt carefully chosen, each character's voice was specific and clear. I was really blown away by the level of care that went into the writing.
I've seen this book described as "cozy" and I strongly disagree. While there isn't a ton of plot, there is a deep, impactful emotional journey that is rooted in the trauma our characters have experienced because of their power. And the stakes are enormous. Whenever Oneira or Stearanos were prevailed upon to use their powers, people died—not a small number of people, but whole populations. The challenges they face could not be more existential.
On to why people read my reviews: the romance. The romance in this book is quiet but exquisite. Oneira and Stearanos have been kept separate their entire lives because the system that exploits magic users only works if they are isolated and unable to form their own alliances. But once they begin interacting, they're almost fated to be together. I was immediately drawn into their dynamic and ate up all of their interactions.
The epilogue of this book was devastatingly beautiful. There was one line, which I will not put here because it is a spoiler, that absolutely got me. You'll know what it is when you read this book. Now, just a heads up, Never the Roses is not a romance novel. There is no HEA—in fact, the ending is quite tragic. But it is still touching fantasy with romance, if not a romance novel.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
I did really like it, but it couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be - the magic was excellent, and I loved Oneira, but I wish we got a deeper exploration of the war and of the inherent conflict involved about the contracts that bind the two leads. I think that idea is really great, but it wasn't developed enough, and I felt like the big reveal at the end of the book was underdeveloped.
Despite its flaws, it was a very enjoyable read and I'm glad I read it.
Despite its flaws, it was a very enjoyable read and I'm glad I read it.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This one destroyed me
This was enjoyable. It took a little bit to get into. I didn't really understand what was going on in the beginning, and it kind of felt a little off. As the story progresses, it gets better and definitely more cohesive. I found the MCs dynamic to be interesting, both powerful in their trades but on the opposite sides of the battlefield, so to speak.
The audiobook was done well. I really enjoyed the female narrator but found myself a little detached during the male narrator. Overall, this is an entertaining read.
The audiobook was done well. I really enjoyed the female narrator but found myself a little detached during the male narrator. Overall, this is an entertaining read.
This is a contemplative novel about two sorcerers forced to use their magic in service to their sovereigns in battle. They've never faced each other because their countries used them in a sort of mutually assured destruction strategy. But as this book opens, Oneira has managed to pay off her debt and has retired to a secluded house where she spends a part of every day decorating her funeral bier. (So she's dealing with some PTSD, OK? At least she's not massacring civilians anymore...)
But as the months go by, maybe she's healing a bit; maybe she's making friends with her nemesis, Stearanos. Maybe MORE than friends...
ROMANCE READERS BE WARNED: this is a tragedy, not a romance. (Although the tragic end is maybe a tiny bit ambiguous?) I did really like the book, which surprised me a bit since there's not a ton of plot. If you are more of a fantasy reader than a romance reader, or if you're one of those people who argues that romantasy doesn't need an HEA, then I think you'd like this one.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
But as the months go by, maybe she's healing a bit; maybe she's making friends with her nemesis, Stearanos. Maybe MORE than friends...
ROMANCE READERS BE WARNED: this is a tragedy, not a romance. (Although the tragic end is maybe a tiny bit ambiguous?) I did really like the book, which surprised me a bit since there's not a ton of plot. If you are more of a fantasy reader than a romance reader, or if you're one of those people who argues that romantasy doesn't need an HEA, then I think you'd like this one.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
This was such a fun romantasy with a super unique magic system including dream walking. I’m always down for a rivals/enemies to lovers and their banter/little pranks were so entertaining.
I loved how they were rivals based on reputation alone. They didn't know one another personally, but their powers and who they worked for put them in that position.
There were so many unique concepts within this story and it was quite different than anything I feel like I have read before.
The playfulness and banter between the MCs was fun especially when the FMC knew what was going on and the MMC was in the dark.
I loved that this wasn't a super long romantasy. So many of them are 500+ pages, but this one stayed under 400!
The narrators really brought these characters to life.
Thank you to netgalley and macmillan audio for the ALC!
I loved how they were rivals based on reputation alone. They didn't know one another personally, but their powers and who they worked for put them in that position.
There were so many unique concepts within this story and it was quite different than anything I feel like I have read before.
The playfulness and banter between the MCs was fun especially when the FMC knew what was going on and the MMC was in the dark.
I loved that this wasn't a super long romantasy. So many of them are 500+ pages, but this one stayed under 400!
The narrators really brought these characters to life.
Thank you to netgalley and macmillan audio for the ALC!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audiobook is dual narration