Secrets of a Rose by Adina Chiles: A Book Review
Genre: Fantasy
Chiles writes a daring beginning to a kingdom on the verge of disaster in her debut novel, Secrets of a Rose. Flashing from past to present, Chiles shows the beginnings of the kingdom crumbling – the signs no one wanted to see – to the actual fall. As with each epic tale, the future lies in the hands of a group of teenagers who have to find themselves just as much as how they can impact the world. What makes it better is that this group of friends have the given task to do what is right – but no one (including those that gave them the mission) knows exactly what is right – or what they are trying to accomplish.
There were a few things that I thought could be better. For example, the pace was long in the beginning. The sentences were shorter leading to things reading choppier than they might have been intended to. Of course, this style did work in some areas, but the constancy grew annoying in other areas. I also thought that the story could have been longer. I would have loved more of a description of Mel rather than just her feelings toward discovering new things and her complete lack of knowing herself. Of course, its not like I didn’t like the characters – they were actually really well developed. I can see that Chiles was trying to set up Krispin with Mel further down the road, but I do think he works better with Jewels. I ship Zie and Mel, personally.
This book is also one that I think would do better in a physical format – especially if a family tree was added to the beginning. While it is not necessary exactly, I do feel that it would help keep the different time lines from intertwining. I think it would also be cool to see it being added to throughout the series – or even throughout the story. Chiles does have a small notes section toward the beginning of the novel – if more information was given (plus like a family tree) there with a darker edge put on them, it would make everything just so much better.
Long story short – I can’t wait until book 2.
Who would most enjoy the work and who should stay clear (if necessary):
Fantasy lovers of gifts and magical objects. Adventure. Secrets. Rightful Heirs. Group of friends with a quest to do what is right even though they have no idea what they are doing.
Other books like the one reviewed:
A Queen in Hiding (Nine Relams Series)
| Plot: | 9 / 10 |
| Characters: | 10 / 10 |
| Writing: | 9 / 10 |
| Editor: | 10 / 10 |
| Total | 38 / 40 |
Title: Secrets of a Rose
Author: Adina Chiles
Edition: ARC eBook
Published: June 8, 2022
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
ISBN: 978-1953238894
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
Rosey Reviews 