A review by bellebookcorner
The Rose in the Shadows by Arcadia Rayne

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The Rose in the Shadows is a stunning romantasy debut, perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love and found family tropes. The author combines court intrigue and betrayals with a compelling narrative. 
 
The story begins with a strong opening following Thea, who wakes up without her memories and has to learn about her powers as well as navigate herself in a strange new world she's currently in. 
Through every exploration of Aethenia's backstory and the mysterious figure that Thea keeps meeting in her dreams, the plot remains engaging and exciting. 
 
I absolutely adore the friendship Thea created with Clay’s friends such as Iris, Kent, Lorelei and others. They welcome her warmly, guiding her through the complexities of navigating the castle and the Council. 
 
As for the romance, Thea and Clay's relationship starts on the wrong foot, sparking the classic enemies-to-lovers tension. 
I enjoyed watching their relationship slowly progress into something more as they began to open up to each other. However, I found Thea's indecisiveness about her feelings a bit frustrating at times. 
 
Overall, this is a fantastic start to a fantasy romance series. Great writing style and lovable characters make this book a true page-turner! 
The last few chapters are particularly intense, featuring a huge betrayal and an unexpected twist that leaves me eagerly anticipating the upcoming sequel! 
 
Thank you to RR Book Tour, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily! 
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