A review by catholicamanda
The White Rose by Amy Ewing
4.0
I liked The White Rose quite a bit more than I liked The Jewel. For one thing, we definitely learn more about the Lone City and the reasons behind why it is the way it is.
So Violet, Ash, and Raven are on the run from the Jewel. They are heading for the Farm where there is someone who will, supposedly, be able to show Violet what she is really magically capable of.
— Quick side note on the magic: So magic systems usually have to have a cost. With the auguries the cost is headaches and nosebleeds. With this other power there doesn’t seem to be any cost. To me, that just seems wrong since it leaves some people with a ton of power and nothing to stop them from using it. Anyway, back to what I was saying. —
Violet, Ash, and Raven have to escape the Jewel, make their way through the Bank and the Smoke, and find a way into the Farm. The whole task gets even more dangerous as Ash is a wanted fugitive with his face on posters everywhere.
Along the way they have help from Lucian and, surprisingly, Garnet the son of the Duchess of the Lake. They face a lot of challenges that have to be overcome. I did find myself caring a little bit more about Raven’s safety than Violet’s.
I want to say that while there was definitely insta-love in The Jewel, I enjoyed Violet and Ash’s relationship in this book. There isn’t a love triangle introduced, thank goodness, and they really seem to fit together better. Violet totally sticks up for Ash even though his past is in no way spotless. I liked that she accepted him for who he was.
If you enjoyed The Jewel, I totally recommend this book. My main issue with the novel was the magic system issues I already mentioned. That just didn’t work well for me. Still, this was a good read.
This review first appeared at Orandi et Legendi.
So Violet, Ash, and Raven are on the run from the Jewel. They are heading for the Farm where there is someone who will, supposedly, be able to show Violet what she is really magically capable of.
— Quick side note on the magic: So magic systems usually have to have a cost. With the auguries the cost is headaches and nosebleeds. With this other power there doesn’t seem to be any cost. To me, that just seems wrong since it leaves some people with a ton of power and nothing to stop them from using it. Anyway, back to what I was saying. —
Violet, Ash, and Raven have to escape the Jewel, make their way through the Bank and the Smoke, and find a way into the Farm. The whole task gets even more dangerous as Ash is a wanted fugitive with his face on posters everywhere.
Along the way they have help from Lucian and, surprisingly, Garnet the son of the Duchess of the Lake. They face a lot of challenges that have to be overcome. I did find myself caring a little bit more about Raven’s safety than Violet’s.
I want to say that while there was definitely insta-love in The Jewel, I enjoyed Violet and Ash’s relationship in this book. There isn’t a love triangle introduced, thank goodness, and they really seem to fit together better. Violet totally sticks up for Ash even though his past is in no way spotless. I liked that she accepted him for who he was.
If you enjoyed The Jewel, I totally recommend this book. My main issue with the novel was the magic system issues I already mentioned. That just didn’t work well for me. Still, this was a good read.
This review first appeared at Orandi et Legendi.