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The Last Remaining Rose
A witch turned vampire, lost and alone. A murdered clan and a terrible secret. An inner demon that must be tamed before all hell breaks loose…
When Alia Henry became a vampire, she never imagined being the sole survivor of her entire clan’s massacre. Plagued with guilt, she roams the human world purposeless and full of rage.
After a near-fatal attack, she meets Rafael, a mortal man who makes deeply buried emotions surge to the surface. But no vampire and mortal relationship is without its issues, and Alia struggles with her thirst for Rafael’s blood.
When a far darker and deadlier plot emerges from the ghosts of her past, ones she believed to have been long gone, the human lives she treasures are threatened. Struggling to let go of what once was, Alia must fight to keep civilization from crumbling. But time is running out and she’ll need to do so before her own demons overtake her completely.
From grief, betrayal and prejudice to love, hope and survival, The Last Remaining Rose is the thrilling first book of a romantic fantasy series.
When Alia Henry became a vampire, she never imagined being the sole survivor of her entire clan’s massacre. Plagued with guilt, she roams the human world purposeless and full of rage.
After a near-fatal attack, she meets Rafael, a mortal man who makes deeply buried emotions surge to the surface. But no vampire and mortal relationship is without its issues, and Alia struggles with her thirst for Rafael’s blood.
When a far darker and deadlier plot emerges from the ghosts of her past, ones she believed to have been long gone, the human lives she treasures are threatened. Struggling to let go of what once was, Alia must fight to keep civilization from crumbling. But time is running out and she’ll need to do so before her own demons overtake her completely.
From grief, betrayal and prejudice to love, hope and survival, The Last Remaining Rose is the thrilling first book of a romantic fantasy series.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2023
3 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 14, 2023
I absolutely loved this book!! There is so much evolution in Alia that you can't help but love her! She starts out as a witch but gets turned into a vampire. Her sire is absolutely monstrous (and not in a good way) and the author takes you (relevantly) back and forth in time to fully appreciate how Alia has grown and changed and what she has had to endure. There is so much worldbuilding without it being tedious, which is amazing! I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book!
May 11, 2023
3.5 Please look up TW
*I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author but all my opinions are my honest thoughts.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and fun. If you're a fan of the TV Show True Blood I recommend you pick this up. The aesthetics were very similar. The lore was also very interesting and I enjoyed the side characters.
My only qualm with this book is that it was too fast-paced at times. I felt like this book could have been stretched into two books and given time to develop the relationship as it felt insta-lovie.
Overall very fun!
*I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author but all my opinions are my honest thoughts.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and fun. If you're a fan of the TV Show True Blood I recommend you pick this up. The aesthetics were very similar. The lore was also very interesting and I enjoyed the side characters.
My only qualm with this book is that it was too fast-paced at times. I felt like this book could have been stretched into two books and given time to develop the relationship as it felt insta-lovie.
Overall very fun!
March 13, 2023
Although, not my typical genre choice I am happy to share that this book was a really fun and sexy read. A solid entrance into the genre by Leslie Cardix. If you love vampire romance, this is book one in what I anticipate will be a series. I love the characters and the clear dedication to developing them. You are taken back and forth through the main characters’ history in an easy to read/follow manner. Cardix weaves a romantic tale saturated with female empowerment, sexuality and a touch of violent redemption. Reading this reminded me a bit of how I felt after tearing through those first books in the Charlaine Harris/ Sookie Stackhouse series. If you loved those, give this one a go! Excited to see where Alia’s story goes next.
April 12, 2023
I received an ARC of this book I'm exchange for an honest review:
Overall I enjoyed reading this. I love books with flashbacks and this wove together the past and present pretty well. I did find the books pacing a little off, the first half just feels like it's building a romance and then the second half is a revenge/run for our lives plot. It took me until the second half to get truly invested.
I also noticed a lack of subtlety in the writing, there was a lot of telling rather than showing.
The most compelling part of this book was Alia healing from the abusive relationship she was in for so long. Her character growth is the true star of the show.
Lastly I didn't love Rafael, I found their relationship a bit juvenile and toxic at times. I think if the pacing had been more consistent it would have fixed that issue.
Overall I enjoyed reading this. I love books with flashbacks and this wove together the past and present pretty well. I did find the books pacing a little off, the first half just feels like it's building a romance and then the second half is a revenge/run for our lives plot. It took me until the second half to get truly invested.
I also noticed a lack of subtlety in the writing, there was a lot of telling rather than showing.
The most compelling part of this book was Alia healing from the abusive relationship she was in for so long. Her character growth is the true star of the show.
Lastly I didn't love Rafael, I found their relationship a bit juvenile and toxic at times. I think if the pacing had been more consistent it would have fixed that issue.
April 26, 2023
The last remaining rose by Leslie Cardix was a stomach clenching emotional roller coaster from start to finish.
In this novel, we follow Alia as she tries to navigate her life in present day America as a vampire/witch. Night Aaliyah was a powerful witch when she was turned in over in Europe in the 1700's by a man named Malcolm. Unfortunately for Alia, Malcolm is severely unhinged and prone to fits of rage and madness. This leads to entire centuries of mental and physical abuse, from which Alia suffers great trauma, including guilt and self-doubt. When Alia meets Rafael, this past greatly impacts their present day romance. I love how real the relationship between Alia and Rafael was. It felt very organic and as they try to navigate the current relationship while also dealing with their past traumas. Because they both definitely have them. The vibes of this book are very True blood/vampire diaries for me. The story is literally nothing the same but I definitely got those vibes from the story itself. When a surprise person from Alia's past shows up and threatens her relationship with Rafael, as well as all her work done to cohabitate vampires and humans in the Americas, Alia and Rafael must take off and try and stop them.
I feel like all of the triggers were very well outlined in the book, and they were all very well mixed into the story. None of it felt used for shock value, and was extremely relevant to the story itself.
I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
In this novel, we follow Alia as she tries to navigate her life in present day America as a vampire/witch. Night Aaliyah was a powerful witch when she was turned in over in Europe in the 1700's by a man named Malcolm. Unfortunately for Alia, Malcolm is severely unhinged and prone to fits of rage and madness. This leads to entire centuries of mental and physical abuse, from which Alia suffers great trauma, including guilt and self-doubt. When Alia meets Rafael, this past greatly impacts their present day romance. I love how real the relationship between Alia and Rafael was. It felt very organic and as they try to navigate the current relationship while also dealing with their past traumas. Because they both definitely have them. The vibes of this book are very True blood/vampire diaries for me. The story is literally nothing the same but I definitely got those vibes from the story itself. When a surprise person from Alia's past shows up and threatens her relationship with Rafael, as well as all her work done to cohabitate vampires and humans in the Americas, Alia and Rafael must take off and try and stop them.
I feel like all of the triggers were very well outlined in the book, and they were all very well mixed into the story. None of it felt used for shock value, and was extremely relevant to the story itself.
I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
March 18, 2023
3.5 stars and 7/10 on my 10 scale. This book was a great, face paced, entertaining read. The story line moves along quickly about a Witch turned Vampire and follows two time lines between the history of her uprising and “love interest” of her past while also following the present time battling her past while forming a new “love interest” with a human. The two main characters are very likable and I enjoyed seeing the emotion and mental and physical hardship Alia faces- a lot of books portray the “strong person” (vampire in her case) as invincible- I enjoy the real life struggles Alia faces. There’s several well done spicy scenes- again fast paced but detailed. I’d give this a 3/5 on spice scale also. I read this in just a couple days so it was an easy read and easy to follow. Well done to this new author 💛👏
April 25, 2023
I love surprises so there are no spoilers here! I'm a big fan of historical fiction and also enjoy fantasy novels; this book was the best of both worlds. The author takes us on a journey that starts in present day but also relives memories from hundreds of years ago. The story's main character, Alia, is a total badass while also being incredibly relatable and grounded. She's the type of person with whom I'd love to meet and grab a drink (beer for me, blood for her).
Her journey is long and full of moments of her discovering her powers, realizing her weaknesses, and listening to her heart. It's face-paced and high intensity for most of the book. It's vampy, witchy, and sexy. I loved it! If you've never read fantasy books I think this one is a great way to dip your toe in the genre. I'm really excited to see what Leslie Cardix's second novel looks like!
Her journey is long and full of moments of her discovering her powers, realizing her weaknesses, and listening to her heart. It's face-paced and high intensity for most of the book. It's vampy, witchy, and sexy. I loved it! If you've never read fantasy books I think this one is a great way to dip your toe in the genre. I'm really excited to see what Leslie Cardix's second novel looks like!
April 6, 2023
A story about a vampire witch? Say no more! I was all in! This is a fantastic debut novel. I normally only have an attention span for about 20 pages of a book at a time… But, when I sat down I had made it to page 192 before I knew it. I COULD NOT put it down. I really loved how each chapter went back and forth between past and the present. It was such an interesting way to get to know the main character. I can’t wait for the next book!
“It was passion and fire. It was madness and her undoing. All in one kiss.”
“It was passion and fire. It was madness and her undoing. All in one kiss.”
April 12, 2023
♡ I was very lucky to have been given this book to arc read.
● This is definitely one of my favorite types of books. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
● The author did an amazing job at interweaving the past and present in order to give the reader insight into the lead character. Guiding us through her past and all she had to endure to wind up where she does.
● I loved the Witch turned Vampire aspect. It was freshly done and well thought out. The World building was nicely done as well.
♡ All in all I would recommend this highly. And I can not wait to see what comes next for Leslie.
● This is definitely one of my favorite types of books. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
● The author did an amazing job at interweaving the past and present in order to give the reader insight into the lead character. Guiding us through her past and all she had to endure to wind up where she does.
● I loved the Witch turned Vampire aspect. It was freshly done and well thought out. The World building was nicely done as well.
♡ All in all I would recommend this highly. And I can not wait to see what comes next for Leslie.
June 30, 2023
There were parts of this book I loved. I really liked the dual timelines. I enjoyed reading the main characters past along with her present. I struggled a bit with the vampire lore and characteristics, for example, breathing and having heart beats. It felt a bit rushed, I don’t completely understand everything about Eloise and would’ve like more back story. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between Alia and Raphael, I’m not a big fan of insta love trope. I thought Malcolm was a great, evil villain!
April 13, 2023
The Last Remaining Rose
3.5/5
I would give the spice level a 2/5
Throughout the book we move through time, we see the present in different scenes and get to experience what happened that led Alia to be who she was.
This was like a mix of Fated mates/ insta love. I’m not usually someone who is into instalove but Leslie did a good job at writing it.
There are some angsty moments that leave you wanting more.
I can’t wait to see what’s next ☺️
3.5/5
I would give the spice level a 2/5
Throughout the book we move through time, we see the present in different scenes and get to experience what happened that led Alia to be who she was.
This was like a mix of Fated mates/ insta love. I’m not usually someone who is into instalove but Leslie did a good job at writing it.
There are some angsty moments that leave you wanting more.
I can’t wait to see what’s next ☺️
July 28, 2023
I purchased this around the time of release and only got around to it. I AM NOT A FAN OF INSTA LOVE. But this ... I don't know, it seemed to work? FOR ME, I mean. The spice was just about right, sure it could have had more....if you know what I mean, but this was well written.
It read very well that I was through the book far faster than I expected. I hope more is on the way from this author.
It read very well that I was through the book far faster than I expected. I hope more is on the way from this author.
March 15, 2023
I’m glad I was lucky enough to read the ARC.
This book was fantastic!
I like that that the author told the present and also told us about the past. Alia was a witch and then was turned into a vampire and her sire (Malcom) was monstrous but not in a good way.
The world building and character development is really good. This book sucked me and didn’t let go.
This book was fantastic!
I like that that the author told the present and also told us about the past. Alia was a witch and then was turned into a vampire and her sire (Malcom) was monstrous but not in a good way.
The world building and character development is really good. This book sucked me and didn’t let go.
May 2, 2023
Absolutely magical!! Leslie’s writing is truly a gift! The way she takes you back and forth through the decades and years give you a much needed backstory. Right off the bat this book hooked me in! The mix of spicy, mystery, grief, love, heartbreak. It’s a wonderful mix! I can’t wait to see where Alia’s story leads to next!
March 21, 2023
I was blessed with getting an arc copy. I absolutely loved this book. I loved how you got to go back in the past and find out Alia's back story. Alia is such a likable character and her strength is admirable.
August 25, 2023
Really good writing. I love the character development and the period pieces. I feel like the storyline could be more intriguing but overall great debut novel.
January 18, 2024
The start was slow for me, but the book picked up so fast I couldn’t put it down! I enjoyed the read!
March 9, 2025
If you like vampires and love stories. This is the perfect book.
I couldn't put it down, had to know what was she going thru.
I couldn't put it down, had to know what was she going thru.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews