The Enchanted Rose by Nadia Nader
Publication date: January 14th 2015
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis
When Vivian’s mother dies in a tragic accident, Vivian’s world is turned upside down. Her life, as she knows it, is over. A new life, full of her mother’s secrets, begins…
Sent away by her father to live with two eccentric aunts on the mysterious Tremaine Estate, Vivian comes to learn that a powerful curse lurks over her family – one that only she may have the power to break. With each day she spends in Misty Hills, Vivian uncovers more unsettling discoveries about the town, her reclusive family, and herself.
Can Vivian let go of every truth she’s ever believed and discover who she really is, before the dark secrets hidden within the supernatural town threaten to consume her and those she loves?
Review
The Enchanted Rose by Nadia Nader, is a novella or short novel and the first in a new and gripping series.
The protagonist is Vivian, whose mother recently passed away and who has been shipped off to quirky aunts she's never heard of in a town called Misty Hills. There she begins to learn about her lineage, her family and their curse. Worst of all, Vivian discovers she has a twin sister and a hoard of secrets kept hidden by her mother.
When Vivian asks one of her aunts (Agnes) why her mother had never mentioned them, she says: "Your mother never mentioned us because she was desperate to break free. Mentioning us would have made her escape futile… As it is, you are back with us, so she never managed to truly escape."
Upon her first encounter with her twin sister Rose, Vivian is told "You shouldn't have let her come back. Her father didn’t want her. And neither do we," which set the loathing, jealousy and anger between the two sister from the beginning of the novel. There are other previous examples, but I felt this was one of the strongest.
Later when Rose says "I've been okay for the past fifteen years without you, I don't need you now," we understand that Rose has been hating and holding a grudge against her sister for fifteen years. "Her eyes shone with unconcealed hatred. Her voice dripped with deadly venom."
I like how Ms. Nader includes comic relief in her novel. Vivian is sometimes sarcastic but the clash between her and her sister Rose often leads to humourous situations, or black comedy.
"I was horrified that she would describe Rose as "cheerful," and it must have showed, Mrs. Sherwood laughed."
Bit by bit, we learn about the history of Misty Hills and the curse that haunts each family. What I liked about the story of how the curse came to be, is that the original story of two sisters contrasts with the bad relationship between Vivian and Rose.
Vivian is doubtful of everything when she arrives in Misty Hills and remains so till the end of the novel; I like how that part in her character didn't change, making the reader that all that is going on is a dream. I also liked Vivian's character development as well as Rose's.
I didn't feel that the book title "The Enchanted Rose" was the appropriate one as we don't see that reflected in the novel. It might be a good name for the whole series but not the first instalment. It also misleads the reader into thinking it will be a bit of a Beauty and the Beast story.
The novel is filled with vivid but enjoyable description and imagery.
"There was a wild and wonderful beauty to the unkempt grounds."
It also has the mysterious Hunter, who does not appear often but has a huge secret (and I expect a major role in the coming book(s)).
I like how the novel does not focus on romance; there is Hunter but there isn't anything "romantic", which for me makes the novel stronger at least for this part/instalment.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel and I believe I finished it in a couple of days. It would have been one day, if I didn't have "stuff".
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review and as part of a blog tour with Xpresso Book Tours.
GIVEAWAY TIME
Courtsey of author Nadia Nader, I'm hosting a giveaway for ONE ebook copy of The Enchanted Rose. The giveaway is open internationally. Either comment with "I want to win" and your email in the comments below OR use the Rafflecopter Widget below. (The winner will receive their prize after 15 June).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
SECOND GIVEAWAY
Tour-wide giveaway (open internationally)
$50 Amazon gift card
Add the book to your Goodreads to-read list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24513660-the-enchanted-rose?ac=1
About the Author:
Nadia Nader was born and raised in Kuwait.
In addition to writing, Nadia’s interests include traveling around the world.
Connect with the Nadia:
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