A review by delz
The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-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? No

5.0

The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero, is a layered story told in verse. Ilana is a Jewish, sixteen year old girl, living in Miami with her parents. Her passion is music and playing the violin. Since Ilana’s parents see music as an impractical distraction and her grades have declined they are sending Ilana away for the summer. Away from her friends, but especially away from her violin. She is sent to Prague, to stay with her aunt. Aunt Žofie is an artist who is busy and less than vigilant in keeping tabs on Ilana. Miami is a sun drenched, fun city where as Prague is a place with a dark history especially for the Jewish people. When Ilana wanders Rose Hill she finds a Jewish cemetery completely forgotten and overgrown. She commits herself to clearing the cemetery of the detritus, making sure the residents are not forgotten. While she is there she meets a blue eyed boy/ghost by the name of Benjamin. Benjamin lives in the Black house” with Rudolf Wasserman, a man with no shadow. When Ilana makes Wasserman’s acquaintance they have a mutual interest, music specifically the violin. She explains her sadness over the loss of her violin and he gives her his own. Ilana feels something is off with Wasserman, but doesn’t know what. Her aunt warns her of evil, citing old stories, but Ilana is too close to see the big picture. There’s so much to unpack here. It’s a coming of age story, a fairytale with lessons and warnings. At times this story was so creepy, but there’s also an overwhelming sense of hope. 

Favorite quote: “When you are a final girl, you run for all the girls who never made it this far.(344)”