A review by caitsidhe
The Rose of Sebastopol by Katharine McMahon

3.0

Hmmm.

I mostly liked this, but I had some problems with it.
Firstly the ending was almost completely unsatisfying for me. I didn't wade my way through this book just for Rosa to be dead.
Secondly, Rosa's sexuality. Does it really need to be danced around like that? It becomes pretty clear that Rosa is in love with Mariella, but it's never actually explicitly confirmed. I like to have my non-straight characters actively confirmed rather than hinted at. Oh, and of COURSE the woman with same-sex attraction dies, because they always fucking do.

But the writing was excellent and the story compelling. I'm just a little disappointed, because I loved Rosa, and thought she could be treated a little better by the narrative.