“May the Black Rose protect you in life and
avenge you in death.” – Vow of the Black Rose
Synopsis: Six hundred years ago, the Muir Court was
wiped from existence, destroyed by an elite group known as the Black Rose
Guard. Their Captain, Mara, has a reputation of being a harsh woman who leads
the guard with a fierce formality. During her long years, she has known pain,
loss, heartache…and one great love. Edward was the Captain of the Royal Guard.
He loved her once. However, it was a love that faded the day he met young Liza,
the Princess who stole the heart he had once sworn belonged to Mara alone. Liza
was also the woman that Mara was fated to protect. When the Queen learns of her
daughter’s forbidden love for Edward, she devises a series of punishments,
torturing Edward while her daughter is forced to watch. In a an act of
desperation, Mara takes Liza’s place and looks on helplessly as Edward endures
the torments which break his body and Mara’s soul. All of their pain is put
aside when Liza is murdered by the rulers of a rival court. Haunted by her
failure to protect the Princess and adhering to tradition, Mara takes the vow
of the ‘Black Rose.’ It is an ancient oath which ties those under its power to
abandon the lives they knew for the sake of a single goal: vengeance. Her quest
leads her on a dark path of violence, rage and bloodshed. Tormented by a fate
they can neither accept nor escape, Black Rose is a tale of retribution, love,
and above all, honor—at any cost.
Review: I have read one of K.L. Bone's book before
but the poetic beauty, darkness and desperation in Black Rose overshadows
anything I have read from her. Raw emotions, violence and utter rage tackles
you and pins you down until you have finished the book. There is no looking
back, you just desire the next word, phrase, chapter and ultimately the next
book. Black Rose follows, Mara's life as royalty in her Aunt's court, how she
was able to rise above the politics, and, ultimately, how she was able to avenge
the death of of the beloved jewel of the kingdom, Princess Liza. Along the way
you will meet her love, the Queens Captain, Edward. Mara's skill, power and
royal blood makes her a formidable soldier, BUT it doesn't take away from her
humanity. No matter what has been done to her, her heart stays loyal to those
she cares about. It makes her vulnerable but also grants her your heart. I feel
so strongly for Mara. Black Rose is just the beginning. Just the tip of the
iceberg. Dive in head first and try your best to pace yourself. I didn't and
devoured the three books in the series in four days. If you love the dark
gothic tragedy and beautiful wordplay of Sarah J Mass, you will enjoy K.L.
Bone's as well. Exquisitely well written.
-GLADYS ATWELL
(book review originally published in NerdGirlOfficial.com, reprinted with permission)
No comments:
Post a Comment