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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I was immediately swept away into the dreamy, evocative, fairytale feeling of this book. Oneira's exhaustion and despair after a lifetime of war-mongering came through clearly, and her choice to isolate from all living things made so much sense. I loved watching her come into her new life slowly as she began speaking to Stearanos, but all along, I felt a sense of creeping dread. The atmosphere of the book is so well done, bringing the reader along a bittersweet journey with the two main characters.
Firstly, let me say that I couldn't really pay attention to this until I heard Shane's voice. I thoroughly enjoyed the different thought processes of the main characters on the events in Stearanos' library. Also, I wholeheartedly hated Tristan but I can understand the need for him in the story. The writing vaguely reminds me of the Emily Wilde series, which I don't mind in the slightest, but this story didn't keep my interest as well. Can we talk about that ending??? I'm not even sure that counts as a cliffhanger or what and I don't know how to process it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC.
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
challenging
emotional
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
This book blew my mind!
Brief summary: The world of Never the Roses leaves all but royalty in tremendous, lifelong debt...including sorcerers. Oneira, her name assigned when she was bought from her parents and enrolled in the best magical schools, has been serving a queen in defense of her kingdom ever since her debt was purchased from school many decades before. Her role? To attack neighboring kingdoms in their dreams. She has killed countless people, military and innocents during her servitude. But now, she is free; having purchased her freedom with blood money from side jobs.
In her freedom, she seeks to escape from the world of man and die. She finds a serene escape in the forest where even the road is forgotten. She is cozied between the mountains and the sea. Her solitude is healing as she learns to garden, to prepare her own food, and along the way, is joined by magical creatures.
But she becomes bored and seeks out her former rival, Stearanos (stee-rah-nos). In stealing a book on cultivating the rarest rose known to man, she has complicated her life while also starting it anew.
Review:
I love this book! The narrators (Chloe Campbell and Shane East) absolutely made the book better than I could have imagined! In chapter transitions wherein the POV switches across a dream, the transition almost overlaps with one character's thoughts nearly overlaying the thoughts of the other.
I loved the elements of a morality play inherent in this book as well as the question overall of whether one can be redeemed from the evil they have previously done. Other questions asked include how the privilege of choice changes a life and whether everyone is worthy of love.
I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a fantasy with teeth, one that encourages the reader to question their beliefs and assumptions, and those who get lost in the pages. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook to provide an honest review.
Brief summary: The world of Never the Roses leaves all but royalty in tremendous, lifelong debt...including sorcerers. Oneira, her name assigned when she was bought from her parents and enrolled in the best magical schools, has been serving a queen in defense of her kingdom ever since her debt was purchased from school many decades before. Her role? To attack neighboring kingdoms in their dreams. She has killed countless people, military and innocents during her servitude. But now, she is free; having purchased her freedom with blood money from side jobs.
In her freedom, she seeks to escape from the world of man and die. She finds a serene escape in the forest where even the road is forgotten. She is cozied between the mountains and the sea. Her solitude is healing as she learns to garden, to prepare her own food, and along the way, is joined by magical creatures.
But she becomes bored and seeks out her former rival, Stearanos (stee-rah-nos). In stealing a book on cultivating the rarest rose known to man, she has complicated her life while also starting it anew.
Review:
I love this book! The narrators (Chloe Campbell and Shane East) absolutely made the book better than I could have imagined! In chapter transitions wherein the POV switches across a dream, the transition almost overlaps with one character's thoughts nearly overlaying the thoughts of the other.
I loved the elements of a morality play inherent in this book as well as the question overall of whether one can be redeemed from the evil they have previously done. Other questions asked include how the privilege of choice changes a life and whether everyone is worthy of love.
I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a fantasy with teeth, one that encourages the reader to question their beliefs and assumptions, and those who get lost in the pages. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook to provide an honest review.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Never the Roses had an interesting premise but it didn't fully work for me. It moved way too slowly for starters and I wasn't all the way sold on the romance. It was pretty abrupt. There was no buildup to them falling for each other. They went from knowing of each other to being in love. That said I did love the world, the magic system and surrealism. It was an intriguing read that I wished I enjoyed more.
Copy provided by author
Copy provided by author
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
Did I pre-order this book because it looked insanely pretty? Yes. However, I discovered that the book was also on Netgalley and of course I had to request a digital review copy. Luckily Tor Bramble was so kind to accept my request!
When I started this book I was afraid it was not gonna be for me. There is a lot of information in the first few chapters and it was hard to grasp all of it. However, now I finished the book and the first thing I'm gonna do when I get to hold my physical copy is reading the beginning again. Once the plot of the book started I was sold. Within a few chapters I started caring about the characters and I was not prepared for this book to shatter my heart in a million pieces.
If you're here for an epic plot about a fantasy war between two sorcerers, this is not your book. In a way this is actually more of a cosy fantasy. Those two sorcerers want only one thing: to live the rest of their lives in peace. The book is therefore basically a love story. A love story between two people who understand each other on a level no-one else will ever be able to understand them, connecting in a playful, slightly teasing, way.
Is there a part of me that would have loved to see more of the world and its magic? Yes. And yet there is also a part of me believing this book was perfect. It was heartwarming, it was hopeful, it was lighthearted, it was funny. It was also heartbreaking, therapeutic, dramatic, political and even a little bit sad. Basically, the book made me feel everything there is to feel and now I finished it I only want one thing: More of this!
When I started this book I was afraid it was not gonna be for me. There is a lot of information in the first few chapters and it was hard to grasp all of it. However, now I finished the book and the first thing I'm gonna do when I get to hold my physical copy is reading the beginning again. Once the plot of the book started I was sold. Within a few chapters I started caring about the characters and I was not prepared for this book to shatter my heart in a million pieces.
If you're here for an epic plot about a fantasy war between two sorcerers, this is not your book. In a way this is actually more of a cosy fantasy. Those two sorcerers want only one thing: to live the rest of their lives in peace. The book is therefore basically a love story. A love story between two people who understand each other on a level no-one else will ever be able to understand them, connecting in a playful, slightly teasing, way.
Is there a part of me that would have loved to see more of the world and its magic? Yes. And yet there is also a part of me believing this book was perfect. It was heartwarming, it was hopeful, it was lighthearted, it was funny. It was also heartbreaking, therapeutic, dramatic, political and even a little bit sad. Basically, the book made me feel everything there is to feel and now I finished it I only want one thing: More of this!
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into this novel blind not even reading the synopsis. I was pleasantly surprised to have this read to be a cozy and heartfelt romance with political intrigue, magic and star-crossed lovers.
Oniera was a different FMC than the ones usually in Romantasy novels. She is a strong sorceress but chooses to live in isolation. She has a love-hate relationship with humans but her morals for good win in the end.
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for the ARC. The audiobook was also fantastic! The dual POV was great and each played their parts so well.
Rating: 4⭐️/5
Oniera was a different FMC than the ones usually in Romantasy novels. She is a strong sorceress but chooses to live in isolation. She has a love-hate relationship with humans but her morals for good win in the end.
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for the ARC. The audiobook was also fantastic! The dual POV was great and each played their parts so well.
Rating: 4⭐️/5
A retired sorceress just wants some peace and quiet, no more drama, no more battles. But nope, she goes and steals a book from her nemesis and suddenly they’re exchanging secret letters that go from snarky to oh wow real fast.
Oneira and Stearanos? Total enemies to lovers vibes, with centuries of history and all the feels. It’s got magic, slow-burn romance, and some serious emotional punches. The world is gorgeous and the writing pulls you right in.
Heads up: it’s a bit slow to get started, but once the magic and the romance kicks in, you won’t want to put it down. If you’re into fantasy with sass, heart, and some steamy tension, this one’s a total win.
⚡️Thank you Bramble and Jennifer K. Lambert for sharing this book with me!
Oneira and Stearanos? Total enemies to lovers vibes, with centuries of history and all the feels. It’s got magic, slow-burn romance, and some serious emotional punches. The world is gorgeous and the writing pulls you right in.
Heads up: it’s a bit slow to get started, but once the magic and the romance kicks in, you won’t want to put it down. If you’re into fantasy with sass, heart, and some steamy tension, this one’s a total win.
⚡️Thank you Bramble and Jennifer K. Lambert for sharing this book with me!