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A review by bittennailbooks
A Rose by Any Other Name by Mary McMyne
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
"The truth is, that poet - a pox on it, I'll say his name - Will Shakespeare, pursued me freely, of his own choosing. And the sonnets he wrote of our encounters, the bitter spew of a jealous lover, nearly ruined me." A gothic and romantic retelling from the viewpoint of Shakespeare's elusive "Dark Lady" will captivatingly hold its reader until the very end.
McMyne is a critically underrated voice in fantastic retellings, transitioning from her debut in "Book of Gothel" straight into "A Rose by Any Other Name." I was surprised by the fast-paced narrative that does not leave you lingering too long with exposition. Our protagonist Rose, supported by her progressive father, refuses to capitulate to the bleak options for medieval women. Rose aspires to be a musician for the queen's court, with her best friend Cecely by her side, regardless of what her traditionalist alchemist mother thinks. After her father's untimely passing and a witch hunt for her family, Rose is thrust into the home of a lovesick childhood friend who coerces her into marriage, thanks to her scheming spellcasting mother. Rose has dreams written in the stars, and with the help of her new lover, Will, she will carve her own path — by any means necessary.
If you're drawn in by the poetic Shakespearean themes, manage your expectations. This one is a love letter to the sapphic horoscope lovers and features very little of the sonnets and verses made famous by our side character. What I did enjoy about this book is that Rose is a highly unlikeable character. She is remarkably selfish, a trait that is called out by her friends and family throughout the story. It is easy to sympathize with her plight, but her treatment of everyone around her as props in her success shows that she is a morally ambiguous character. I know that may sound odd, but I think it adds to the mystery surrounding the aforementioned "Dark Lady."
I particularly enjoyed the astrology in this book and felt that it was uniquely highlighted in a medieval retelling due to the plethora of competing beliefs around this time. The only thing that surprised me was how tidy the remaining chapters felt considering the seemingly insurmountable odds faced by Rose and her family. I can't say much more without spoiling the book, but it definitely felt like lower stakes once I reached the final chapter.
I believe this is a wonderful next step in McMyne's writing career, and I will continue to follow her work. 4/5 Stars.
McMyne is a critically underrated voice in fantastic retellings, transitioning from her debut in "Book of Gothel" straight into "A Rose by Any Other Name." I was surprised by the fast-paced narrative that does not leave you lingering too long with exposition. Our protagonist Rose, supported by her progressive father, refuses to capitulate to the bleak options for medieval women. Rose aspires to be a musician for the queen's court, with her best friend Cecely by her side, regardless of what her traditionalist alchemist mother thinks. After her father's untimely passing and a witch hunt for her family, Rose is thrust into the home of a lovesick childhood friend who coerces her into marriage, thanks to her scheming spellcasting mother. Rose has dreams written in the stars, and with the help of her new lover, Will, she will carve her own path — by any means necessary.
If you're drawn in by the poetic Shakespearean themes, manage your expectations. This one is a love letter to the sapphic horoscope lovers and features very little of the sonnets and verses made famous by our side character. What I did enjoy about this book is that Rose is a highly unlikeable character. She is remarkably selfish, a trait that is called out by her friends and family throughout the story. It is easy to sympathize with her plight, but her treatment of everyone around her as props in her success shows that she is a morally ambiguous character. I know that may sound odd, but I think it adds to the mystery surrounding the aforementioned "Dark Lady."
I particularly enjoyed the astrology in this book and felt that it was uniquely highlighted in a medieval retelling due to the plethora of competing beliefs around this time. The only thing that surprised me was how tidy the remaining chapters felt considering the seemingly insurmountable odds faced by Rose and her family. I can't say much more without spoiling the book, but it definitely felt like lower stakes once I reached the final chapter.
I believe this is a wonderful next step in McMyne's writing career, and I will continue to follow her work. 4/5 Stars.