alliexalex's review
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Gore and Vomit
bzliz's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Myra is an artist known as a Prodigy- someone who can use art combined with magic to alter reality, like healing a wound, changing their hair color, and maybe even bringing them back from the dead. Her parents have been missing for a long time and she’s struggling to make ends meet while caring for her chronically ill sister Lucy. When the governor’s wife shows up at the art studio she works at, Myra accepts her offer to come bring her dead son back to life, but not everything is as it seems at the governor’s manor.
Olson blends a unique magical system with lovable characters and just the right amount of regency style will they-won’t they between Myra and the governor’s other son August. I highly recommend for anyone who is looking for a historical fantasy wrapped up in a murder mystery.
Spoilers for the ending:
I did not see that twist coming at all. I was convinced that Vincent and Nigel were co-conspirators but I never could have guessed that they were the same person magically disguised. Even as Vincent was beginning his villain monologue, I thought he was a secret third son that the Harris family has cast aside. I’m still in shock that he was actually Will all along.
Mind the content warnings.
Olson blends a unique magical system with lovable characters and just the right amount of regency style will they-won’t they between Myra and the governor’s other son August. I highly recommend for anyone who is looking for a historical fantasy wrapped up in a murder mystery.
Spoilers for the ending:
Spoiler
I did not see that twist coming at all. I was convinced that Vincent and Nigel were co-conspirators but I never could have guessed that they were the same person magically disguised. Even as Vincent was beginning his villain monologue, I thought he was a secret third son that the Harris family has cast aside. I’m still in shock that he was actually Will all along.
Mind the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Death, Murder, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Medical content
amberspej's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A fun murder mystery that was very strong in the beginning but quickly unfurled toward the end. It seemed rushed. Otherwise I had a good time reading it and the Owlcrate edition is stunning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Ableism
ofpagesandink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is heavy and dark. It's mysterious and beautiful. Jessica Olson is so descriptive with her work it's like you're there.
So many twists and turns and it really kept me guessing. Nothing felt obvious or used as just a way to drive the plot. Everything was well planned and well executed.
Pacing was great. A good mix of slow where necessary and fast when needed.
The magic is balanced and there is growth and character development. There are lessons to be learned here. I really enjoyed this read.
So many twists and turns and it really kept me guessing. Nothing felt obvious or used as just a way to drive the plot. Everything was well planned and well executed.
Pacing was great. A good mix of slow where necessary and fast when needed.
The magic is balanced and there is growth and character development. There are lessons to be learned here. I really enjoyed this read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Miscarriage, and Medical content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Grief, Pregnancy, Classism, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
tarfish's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
ratedbookish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
“𝙰𝚛𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚌. 𝙸𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚓𝚘𝚢.” - 𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚊 𝚂. 𝙾𝚕𝚜𝚘𝚗 (𝙰 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚁𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜)
-
title: A Forgery of Roses
author: Jessica S. Olson @jessicaolson123
genre: YA fantasy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
💭Thoughts:
Alright so this book, y’all. 🥹
Myra is our FMC. She’s brave, intelligent and has a tad bit of an attitude. 😍 August, our MMC, is anxious, awkward, and adorable. Their friendship and chemistry is so heartwarming and sweet. I saw other reviews saying #instalove but to me it was more like insta chemistry 🥰
This book took me on a trip. 🧳
I originally started reading it as a part of @owlcrate bookclub in April 2022, but I’m a mood reader and I didn’t finish it. I am so MAD at myself for not finishing it sooner.
I sat down to read a few chapters before bed, then next thing I know it’s 4 am and I read over 220 pages of this bad boy and finished it! I felt transported into this gothic, creepy-yet-magical world.
This book has fantasy, magic, mystery, suspense, romance, and even some slight gore/horror-ish moments. 🚨definitely check the TW, there’s a lot going on here🚨
The magic system is unique. Myra is able to manipulate people’s appearances with her magic, by painting portraits. 🎨
I found all of the characters likable, even the bad guys. Well, except the Governor, but you’ll find he doesn’t play a huge part in the actual plot. Which is fine because he sucked. 😂
Throughout this book there is many instances of “invisible disabilities”. As someone who struggles with chronic health issues and mental health, it was refreshing to see how Olson accurately and realistically portrayed how “invisible disabilities” can affect someone and the people around them.
-
title: A Forgery of Roses
author: Jessica S. Olson @jessicaolson123
genre: YA fantasy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
💭Thoughts:
Alright so this book, y’all. 🥹
Myra is our FMC. She’s brave, intelligent and has a tad bit of an attitude. 😍 August, our MMC, is anxious, awkward, and adorable. Their friendship and chemistry is so heartwarming and sweet. I saw other reviews saying #instalove but to me it was more like insta chemistry 🥰
This book took me on a trip. 🧳
I originally started reading it as a part of @owlcrate bookclub in April 2022, but I’m a mood reader and I didn’t finish it. I am so MAD at myself for not finishing it sooner.
I sat down to read a few chapters before bed, then next thing I know it’s 4 am and I read over 220 pages of this bad boy and finished it! I felt transported into this gothic, creepy-yet-magical world.
This book has fantasy, magic, mystery, suspense, romance, and even some slight gore/horror-ish moments. 🚨definitely check the TW, there’s a lot going on here🚨
The magic system is unique. Myra is able to manipulate people’s appearances with her magic, by painting portraits. 🎨
I found all of the characters likable, even the bad guys. Well, except the Governor, but you’ll find he doesn’t play a huge part in the actual plot. Which is fine because he sucked. 😂
Throughout this book there is many instances of “invisible disabilities”. As someone who struggles with chronic health issues and mental health, it was refreshing to see how Olson accurately and realistically portrayed how “invisible disabilities” can affect someone and the people around them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Vomit, Blood, Body horror, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Miscarriage
zara_m's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
A pretty good book; the biggest issue I had was the fact that the main character was so slow to catch up to things. I had predicted the plot twist or reveal I guess like way before it happened. There were like 50 pages that I was just waiting for the MC to pay attention to what was happening and make the connections. (Sorry if that made no sense, I'm trying not to give spoilers.) Overall, I really liked it and it was a very short, quick read. However, the ending wrapped up but there was kind of thing where it set up for a possible sequel so I'm not sure if it's a standalone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
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