A review by rokinjaguar
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip

dark emotional inspiring 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

4.5

As always, McKillip’s prose is magical without being dense or hard to read. Her books are like diving into a dream and leaving the self behind, coming out of it when the book is finished with ghosts and traces of the dream clinging to you for a while. 
Winter Rose is a small and contained story, with only one POV and taken place in a very limited set of environments. Because it’s so introspective and explores otherworldly magic, however, it didn’t feel claustrophobic, at least not in the sense of me as the reader getting bored. It does portray the theme of being trapped and controlled, though. I could also feel the main character’s obsession, and shared it. I read it in two sittings because I was so wrapped up in the mystery and tragedy that I couldn’t put it down. 
I was really concerned about how McKillip would resolve
the love triangle. I would not have been happy if Corbet had fallen in love with Rois just because she saved him.
I think she handled it really well, though. I was fully satisfied, which is rare for me. 
I loved the themes of family and loyalty and freedom. There were parts I didn’t enjoy reading, but overall I really loved it.  
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