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The Black Rose Collection
Receiving a black rose is a death sentence.
In these seven lands, receiving a black rose is a death sentence. When these perilous flowers endanger their lives, a woman must help her best friend regain his memories before it’s too late, a huntress finds herself becoming the hunted, and sworn enemies are forced to work together—if they don’t first kill each other in the process.
Seeking the truth turns perilous for an innocent business owner and his betrothed when they come too close to uncovering a secret someone wants to remain hidden. When a couple’s daughter is born with a deadly birthmark, can they escape in time? Or will they lose their daughter to evil? False accusations and threats force an innocent man to flee and fight for his life—but his path to freedom is threatened by memory loss. And when two friends become unexpected enemies, can loyalty overcome duty?
In this collection of seven Christian fantasy romance novellas, characters will learn the value of faith and trust as danger grows and justice is threatened.
____
From authors Madisyn Carlin, Kristina Hall, Vanessa Hall, K.R. Mattson, M.L. Milligan, Kaytlin Phillips, and Saraina Whitney comes The Black Rose Collection, a New Adult Christian fantasy anthology.
In these seven lands, receiving a black rose is a death sentence. When these perilous flowers endanger their lives, a woman must help her best friend regain his memories before it’s too late, a huntress finds herself becoming the hunted, and sworn enemies are forced to work together—if they don’t first kill each other in the process.
Seeking the truth turns perilous for an innocent business owner and his betrothed when they come too close to uncovering a secret someone wants to remain hidden. When a couple’s daughter is born with a deadly birthmark, can they escape in time? Or will they lose their daughter to evil? False accusations and threats force an innocent man to flee and fight for his life—but his path to freedom is threatened by memory loss. And when two friends become unexpected enemies, can loyalty overcome duty?
In this collection of seven Christian fantasy romance novellas, characters will learn the value of faith and trust as danger grows and justice is threatened.
____
From authors Madisyn Carlin, Kristina Hall, Vanessa Hall, K.R. Mattson, M.L. Milligan, Kaytlin Phillips, and Saraina Whitney comes The Black Rose Collection, a New Adult Christian fantasy anthology.
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About the author
Madisyn Carlin
34 books369 followersIf you dislike "preachiness" and a lot of faith content, my books are not for you.
***
Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales where faith and fantasy unite.
Editorial, graphic design, cover design, and website design services offered at Mountain Peak Edits & Design.
Want to connect? https://linktr.ee/madisyncarlin
***
Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales where faith and fantasy unite.
Editorial, graphic design, cover design, and website design services offered at Mountain Peak Edits & Design.
Want to connect? https://linktr.ee/madisyncarlin
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 7, 2024
Happy release day, BR!
If you want to learn more about my novella, Lethal Mark, as well as check out the giveaway and chance to obtain some great swag, go here: https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.co...
***
The rating's not because I'm included in this collection, but because the other ladies have written fabulous tales of faith, romance, and danger that absolutely snag your attention and keep you racing to read. Below are mini reviews for each story.
LETHAL MARK - by Madisyn Carlin
No review, since this is my own story.
BLACK IS THE ROSE - by Kristina Hall
This is a solid story that will keep your heart rate up. Eckhardt's darker sense of humor kept me laughing and Letti is such a sweetie. I definitely did not see that twist coming. The relationship between the two was so darling and was one of two that illustrates what real love is: staying with the other even during trying times.
Content: Characters pray, lives are threatened, characters are injured, a scheming sleezeball causes problems, and Madam Odious causes even more problems. I sill want Mrs. Seabright's dog to make a mess of their slippers. Those nasties deserve it.
A LIFE'S COST - by Vanessa Hall
The other story illustrating a beautiful picture of what love should look like. The characters were so easy to sympathize with, and Hall did a great job worldbuilding. I do want certain characters to receive their own stories (Vanessa, you know who). A Life's Cost really will touch the heart.
Content: There is a strong faith message, characters are hunted and injured, an evil kingdom's atrocities are briefly recounted (no details), and it is implied characters are murdered and could be murdered.
ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS - by K.R. Mattson
This one kind of reads like a fantasy-dystopian. The sarcasm will make you laugh, the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat, and holy cow, I did not see a certain plot twist coming.
Content: God is prayed to, children are taken from their homes at a young age, characters are injured, assassinations are mentioned, arson is committed.
THE HUNTED - by M.L. Milligan
Sakes alive, girl. You really wrote a heart-stopping story. I loved the wolves and icy elements, and the MCs were too adorable for words. Well, two MCs were. One deserved to be chewed up, spit out, and held down in a seething fire ant hill. The other two need hugs. And I want more of their stories. Totally hinting, Milligan.
Content: Solid faith content, characters are injured and ambushed, a war is recalled, danger is afoot.
ROSE OF FATE - by Kaytlin Phillips
With sympathetic characters and a fantastic salvation message, this story will tug on the heart strings. Rasil was a cinnamon roll who did not deserve what happened, and Noami was a poor sweetie. The tension is built up until you're biting your nails, eager for the climax.
Content: A ton of faith - characters pray, witness, and grow. Characters are also injured, tortured, hunted, and generally put through a lot of pain and suffering.
A VALLEY OF STARS - by Saraina Whitney
One of two stories inspired by the Snow Queen, the other being my own, which is completely coincidental and totally cool to see how different they are. There's tension right from the start and, pairing that with a quick-moving plot and lovable characters, and this is the perfect way to end the collection.
Content: Praying, discussion of false gods vs the True God, assassinations and attempts, slavery, arrows finding their mark and just skimming their mark, and lots of emotional pain.
CONCLUSION
The Black Rose Collection isn't glitter and cookies. It's not rainbows and sparkles. It's gritty. It's raw. It's filled with danger and pain. But it also brims with hope. Faith and trust in the One who made us. This collection truly illustrates how, even in our darkest moments, He will never abandon us. Clean romance, strong faith themes, and plenty of hair-raising events draw the reader in, but they'll walk away reminded of His faithfulness.
Ladies, I don't think any of us really knew what we were getting into when we embarked on this harebrained idea. The idea arose from a brief conversation and expanded into this, a 140,000 + word collection. I'm honored to have my story included amidst these fabulous tales.
If you want to learn more about my novella, Lethal Mark, as well as check out the giveaway and chance to obtain some great swag, go here: https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.co...
***
The rating's not because I'm included in this collection, but because the other ladies have written fabulous tales of faith, romance, and danger that absolutely snag your attention and keep you racing to read. Below are mini reviews for each story.
LETHAL MARK - by Madisyn Carlin
No review, since this is my own story.
BLACK IS THE ROSE - by Kristina Hall
This is a solid story that will keep your heart rate up. Eckhardt's darker sense of humor kept me laughing and Letti is such a sweetie. I definitely did not see that twist coming. The relationship between the two was so darling and was one of two that illustrates what real love is: staying with the other even during trying times.
Content: Characters pray, lives are threatened, characters are injured, a scheming sleezeball causes problems, and Madam Odious causes even more problems. I sill want Mrs. Seabright's dog to make a mess of their slippers. Those nasties deserve it.
A LIFE'S COST - by Vanessa Hall
The other story illustrating a beautiful picture of what love should look like. The characters were so easy to sympathize with, and Hall did a great job worldbuilding. I do want certain characters to receive their own stories (Vanessa, you know who). A Life's Cost really will touch the heart.
Content: There is a strong faith message, characters are hunted and injured, an evil kingdom's atrocities are briefly recounted (no details), and it is implied characters are murdered and could be murdered.
ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS - by K.R. Mattson
This one kind of reads like a fantasy-dystopian. The sarcasm will make you laugh, the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat, and holy cow, I did not see a certain plot twist coming.
Content: God is prayed to, children are taken from their homes at a young age, characters are injured, assassinations are mentioned, arson is committed.
THE HUNTED - by M.L. Milligan
Sakes alive, girl. You really wrote a heart-stopping story. I loved the wolves and icy elements, and the MCs were too adorable for words. Well, two MCs were. One deserved to be chewed up, spit out, and held down in a seething fire ant hill. The other two need hugs. And I want more of their stories. Totally hinting, Milligan.
Content: Solid faith content, characters are injured and ambushed, a war is recalled, danger is afoot.
ROSE OF FATE - by Kaytlin Phillips
With sympathetic characters and a fantastic salvation message, this story will tug on the heart strings. Rasil was a cinnamon roll who did not deserve what happened, and Noami was a poor sweetie. The tension is built up until you're biting your nails, eager for the climax.
Content: A ton of faith - characters pray, witness, and grow. Characters are also injured, tortured, hunted, and generally put through a lot of pain and suffering.
A VALLEY OF STARS - by Saraina Whitney
One of two stories inspired by the Snow Queen, the other being my own, which is completely coincidental and totally cool to see how different they are. There's tension right from the start and, pairing that with a quick-moving plot and lovable characters, and this is the perfect way to end the collection.
Content: Praying, discussion of false gods vs the True God, assassinations and attempts, slavery, arrows finding their mark and just skimming their mark, and lots of emotional pain.
CONCLUSION
The Black Rose Collection isn't glitter and cookies. It's not rainbows and sparkles. It's gritty. It's raw. It's filled with danger and pain. But it also brims with hope. Faith and trust in the One who made us. This collection truly illustrates how, even in our darkest moments, He will never abandon us. Clean romance, strong faith themes, and plenty of hair-raising events draw the reader in, but they'll walk away reminded of His faithfulness.
Ladies, I don't think any of us really knew what we were getting into when we embarked on this harebrained idea. The idea arose from a brief conversation and expanded into this, a 140,000 + word collection. I'm honored to have my story included amidst these fabulous tales.
November 29, 2023
Read my sister's (Kaytlin Phillips) story and ABSOLUTELY loved ITTTT! Sooooo AMAZING! I'm so excited to read the rest of the stories!!😍💖 *squeals*
May 13, 2024
I’ll give a mini review for each story:
Lethal Mark ~ Madisyn Carlin ⭐️ 5 stars
I’ve enjoyed the style of every story I’ve read by Carlin and this one definitely lived up to that. With lively characters with amazing personalities and dialogue. Also the deep faith based themes. I loved Eledy and Yasha’s story.
Black Is The Rose ~ Kristina Hall ⭐️ 4 stars
I enjoyed this story about Eckhardt and Letti. Eckhardt was the unquenchably cheery goof who is fiercely protective of anyone he loves. Letti an over thinker prone to worry and I liked how they were a sweet couple that complemented each other well even though I found a hard time relating to them while reading.
A Life’s Cost ~ Vanessa Hall ⭐️ 5 stars
I absolutely loved this story and stayed awake to the wee hours of morn to finish it. The world, setting and characters had me from the start. I wouldn’t have been sorry if it had been a full sized novel. The only thing that tripped me up was trying to remember how to pronounce their names xD
Allies In The Shadows ~ K.R. Mattson ⭐️ 4 stars
I definitely enjoyed Mattson’s writing style. Ambry and Garren were wonderful characters. And I enjoyed how the story had a near dystopian feel.
Although the entire book I was trying to figure out who or what Ambry was. It kept saying it would be dangerous and she’d be killed if anyone found out what she was but then it never revealed what that was. Between several subtle things, lots of mentions of various canines, and the kingdom being called Wereland made me assume a shapeshifter of some sort but I honestly don’t know.
The Hunted ~ M.L. Milligan ⭐️ 5 stars
Another wonderful story in this collection. I loved Torin and Minsi as well as a few of the side characters (especially Gavril. I love overprotective uncle-like characters in stories. I have several such people in my life who I appreciate deeply). This story highlights the dangers of living in the past and the ugly beast that revenge and division create.
Rose Of Fate ~ Kaytlyn Philips ⭐️ 5 stars
This story… enemies to lovers. One bringing the other to faith… some of my favourite tropes. And with Rasil and Noami here I absolutely fell in love with their story.
A Valley Of Stars ~ Saraina Whitney ⭐️ 5 stars
This final story just as unique and beautifully crafted as the others. Reluctant associates towards a common goal with ice for feelings Ravennah and Kennard come to trust each other and learn what hope and truth look like even amidst the shadow of the Black Rose.
What a wonderful anthology to have read. Each story unique yet connected by the dreaded Black Rose and the hope and light that is present for all those who have faith in their Creator. No matter the darkness that assails anyone God is greater. His ways are not our ways but they are the best way.
*I was given a copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lethal Mark ~ Madisyn Carlin ⭐️ 5 stars
I’ve enjoyed the style of every story I’ve read by Carlin and this one definitely lived up to that. With lively characters with amazing personalities and dialogue. Also the deep faith based themes. I loved Eledy and Yasha’s story.
Black Is The Rose ~ Kristina Hall ⭐️ 4 stars
I enjoyed this story about Eckhardt and Letti. Eckhardt was the unquenchably cheery goof who is fiercely protective of anyone he loves. Letti an over thinker prone to worry and I liked how they were a sweet couple that complemented each other well even though I found a hard time relating to them while reading.
A Life’s Cost ~ Vanessa Hall ⭐️ 5 stars
I absolutely loved this story and stayed awake to the wee hours of morn to finish it. The world, setting and characters had me from the start. I wouldn’t have been sorry if it had been a full sized novel. The only thing that tripped me up was trying to remember how to pronounce their names xD
Allies In The Shadows ~ K.R. Mattson ⭐️ 4 stars
I definitely enjoyed Mattson’s writing style. Ambry and Garren were wonderful characters. And I enjoyed how the story had a near dystopian feel.
Although the entire book I was trying to figure out who or what Ambry was. It kept saying it would be dangerous and she’d be killed if anyone found out what she was but then it never revealed what that was. Between several subtle things, lots of mentions of various canines, and the kingdom being called Wereland made me assume a shapeshifter of some sort but I honestly don’t know.
The Hunted ~ M.L. Milligan ⭐️ 5 stars
Another wonderful story in this collection. I loved Torin and Minsi as well as a few of the side characters (especially Gavril. I love overprotective uncle-like characters in stories. I have several such people in my life who I appreciate deeply). This story highlights the dangers of living in the past and the ugly beast that revenge and division create.
Rose Of Fate ~ Kaytlyn Philips ⭐️ 5 stars
This story… enemies to lovers. One bringing the other to faith… some of my favourite tropes. And with Rasil and Noami here I absolutely fell in love with their story.
A Valley Of Stars ~ Saraina Whitney ⭐️ 5 stars
This final story just as unique and beautifully crafted as the others. Reluctant associates towards a common goal with ice for feelings Ravennah and Kennard come to trust each other and learn what hope and truth look like even amidst the shadow of the Black Rose.
What a wonderful anthology to have read. Each story unique yet connected by the dreaded Black Rose and the hope and light that is present for all those who have faith in their Creator. No matter the darkness that assails anyone God is greater. His ways are not our ways but they are the best way.
*I was given a copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 18, 2024
This collection brings just what it promises, danger, romance, and faith! It's got a variety of fantasy stories sure to drag you in and keep you reading!
LETHAL MARK - Madisyn Carlin - 5 Stars
Wow! I stayed up way too late trying to finish this novella and then ended up having to go to bed because I couldn't keep my eyes open…lol…then got up early to finish it! It was soooooo good! What a fantastic start to the collection!
I loved Eledy She was so sweet! But so strong!
My heart broke for Yasha and I just loves him! The premise of the story is awesome! The delivery is amazing! I couldn't stop reading! I had to know what happened next and it did not disappoint!
Also, Madi….I NEED MORE! Please and thank you!😁🩵
BLACK IS THE ROSE - Kristina Hall - 5 Stars
Ack! This story was so good and intense…the suspense and Eckhardt's nonchalant attitude about the Black Rose…Letti's fears.
The ending! I didn't see that coming! What a twist! I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure!
A LIFE'S COST - Vanessa Hall - 5 Stars
Oooo! The premise of this story was intriguing! I loved the twist Vanessa did with the Black Rose! So cool! And my goodness, these poor characters! I need answers Vanessa!
Niall was such a dear! (Alright so in a high fantasy I've yet to write with my sisters I have a clouded leopard named Niall, which strangely has a similar personality to Niall in this story. Needless to say I kept picturing a little leopard half the time…lol…) but he was so sweet and endearing and just I loved him!
I felt bad for Roark and just everyone…and I need more, Vanessa! Extend the ending or something I need answers!!!
ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS - K.R. Mattson - 5 Stars
Ack! This story had such a fantasy/almost dystopian vibe to it and I loved it! Garren for one was such a sweet/cool kid and his name choice was cool! (Fun fact my brother-in-laws mom's name is Garren…lol…but I always thought it would make a cool male character name!)
I loved the story and the twist…I mean, I was not expecting the twist and that the black rose was a profession…that was such a cool way to incorporate the prompt! I thoroughly enjoyed myself with this story!
THE HUNTED - M.L. Milligan - 5 Stars
My goodness…that was a good story! I loved the characters, the plot, the premise! Good grief, You had me worried there for a bit at the end Mac…like, seriously concerned.
Torin and Minsi are so cute! And so perfect! And just…ekk! I loved The dynamic and relationship! My heart! This was such another great story!
ROSE OF FATE - Kaytlin Phillips
This is my story so I'm not gonna say much except that I had so much fun writing this story! I got to incorporate somethings the Lord has taught me over the years with the various events in my life.
The essence of the story is trusting God even in the toughest moments of life, even when we can't see anything good coming.
Trope wise it's got the amnesia trope, redemption, and grumpy/sunshine.
A VALLEY OF STARS - Saraina Whitney - 5 Stars
This story….wow! Saraina has such beautiful prose and poignant thoughts!
I seriously enjoyed reading this and watching it all unfold with treason and heartache. Ravenna just needs a friend and all the hugs! She's so scared! but trying to be brave! Regan is also such a cutie! (I mean he's 13 but I still just love his bookishness!)
Kennard! My goodness, this boy is so hot-headed but sweet and I just love him! And his backstop is heartbreaking and I want more so we can continue to watch everything unfold!
CONCLUSION
I absolutely love this Collection! And I'm so thankful I was able to be a part of it!
LETHAL MARK - Madisyn Carlin - 5 Stars
Wow! I stayed up way too late trying to finish this novella and then ended up having to go to bed because I couldn't keep my eyes open…lol…then got up early to finish it! It was soooooo good! What a fantastic start to the collection!
I loved Eledy She was so sweet! But so strong!
My heart broke for Yasha and I just loves him! The premise of the story is awesome! The delivery is amazing! I couldn't stop reading! I had to know what happened next and it did not disappoint!
Also, Madi….I NEED MORE! Please and thank you!😁🩵
BLACK IS THE ROSE - Kristina Hall - 5 Stars
Ack! This story was so good and intense…the suspense and Eckhardt's nonchalant attitude about the Black Rose…Letti's fears.
The ending! I didn't see that coming! What a twist! I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure!
A LIFE'S COST - Vanessa Hall - 5 Stars
Oooo! The premise of this story was intriguing! I loved the twist Vanessa did with the Black Rose! So cool! And my goodness, these poor characters! I need answers Vanessa!
Niall was such a dear! (Alright so in a high fantasy I've yet to write with my sisters I have a clouded leopard named Niall, which strangely has a similar personality to Niall in this story. Needless to say I kept picturing a little leopard half the time…lol…) but he was so sweet and endearing and just I loved him!
I felt bad for Roark and just everyone…and I need more, Vanessa! Extend the ending or something I need answers!!!
ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS - K.R. Mattson - 5 Stars
Ack! This story had such a fantasy/almost dystopian vibe to it and I loved it! Garren for one was such a sweet/cool kid and his name choice was cool! (Fun fact my brother-in-laws mom's name is Garren…lol…but I always thought it would make a cool male character name!)
I loved the story and the twist…I mean, I was not expecting the twist and that the black rose was a profession…that was such a cool way to incorporate the prompt! I thoroughly enjoyed myself with this story!
THE HUNTED - M.L. Milligan - 5 Stars
My goodness…that was a good story! I loved the characters, the plot, the premise! Good grief, You had me worried there for a bit at the end Mac…like, seriously concerned.
Torin and Minsi are so cute! And so perfect! And just…ekk! I loved The dynamic and relationship! My heart! This was such another great story!
ROSE OF FATE - Kaytlin Phillips
This is my story so I'm not gonna say much except that I had so much fun writing this story! I got to incorporate somethings the Lord has taught me over the years with the various events in my life.
The essence of the story is trusting God even in the toughest moments of life, even when we can't see anything good coming.
Trope wise it's got the amnesia trope, redemption, and grumpy/sunshine.
A VALLEY OF STARS - Saraina Whitney - 5 Stars
This story….wow! Saraina has such beautiful prose and poignant thoughts!
I seriously enjoyed reading this and watching it all unfold with treason and heartache. Ravenna just needs a friend and all the hugs! She's so scared! but trying to be brave! Regan is also such a cutie! (I mean he's 13 but I still just love his bookishness!)
Kennard! My goodness, this boy is so hot-headed but sweet and I just love him! And his backstop is heartbreaking and I want more so we can continue to watch everything unfold!
CONCLUSION
I absolutely love this Collection! And I'm so thankful I was able to be a part of it!
September 12, 2024
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin
Yasha and Eledy were both well-developed and sympathetic characters. Yasha's memory loss was excellently portrayed, and I loved Eledy's quiet courage. I also loved Yasha's character growth over the course of the story. His and Eledy's romance was so sweet. High stakes and plenty of suspense kept me reading right along to find out what would happen to these characters. Speaking of characters ... I now need the stories of several side characters. The faith content and worldbuilding were great, and I appreciated that both the language and romance were clean. Overall, I'd recommend this novella to those who enjoy Christian fiction, non-magical fantasy, and romance.
Black Is the Rose by Kristina Hall
I'm not reviewing this one because I wrote it, but it was a fun story to work on :)
A Life's Cost by Vanessa Hall
Niall and Caoimhe were such a cute couple. Niall was way braver and stronger than he thought he was, and Caoimhe had a ton of courage and perseverance. These poor characters went through a lot. Then there was Roark ... The poor guy was super traumatized, and he didn't handle his trauma in a good way, but he made for a very intriguing character. The plot was full of action interspersed with some tender moments, and the worldbuilding was excellent. Both the language and romance were clean, and the faith content was perfect. I loved the pro-life theme. The ending gave plenty of closure but also left room for a sequel ... which I need! Overall, I'd recommend this novella to readers who enjoy Christian fiction, epic worldbuilding, and a sweet romance between a married couple.
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson
Allies in the Shadows (such a cool title) is a story brimming with adventure, intrigue, friendship, and a hint of romance. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction, quick reads, and non-magical fantasy.
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan
The Hunted was just the entertaining read I needed to get my mind off whatever sickness I'm fighting. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction, non-magical fantasy, adventure stories, a little romance, and quick reads.
Rose of Fate by Kaytlin Phillips
A quick, enjoyable read featuring plenty of adventure, a little romance, and a great salvation story. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes Christian fiction and non-magical fantasy.
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney
An extremely well-written tale featuring loads of adventure, complex characters, and a developing romance. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction and non-magical fantasy.
Yasha and Eledy were both well-developed and sympathetic characters. Yasha's memory loss was excellently portrayed, and I loved Eledy's quiet courage. I also loved Yasha's character growth over the course of the story. His and Eledy's romance was so sweet. High stakes and plenty of suspense kept me reading right along to find out what would happen to these characters. Speaking of characters ... I now need the stories of several side characters. The faith content and worldbuilding were great, and I appreciated that both the language and romance were clean. Overall, I'd recommend this novella to those who enjoy Christian fiction, non-magical fantasy, and romance.
Black Is the Rose by Kristina Hall
I'm not reviewing this one because I wrote it, but it was a fun story to work on :)
A Life's Cost by Vanessa Hall
Niall and Caoimhe were such a cute couple. Niall was way braver and stronger than he thought he was, and Caoimhe had a ton of courage and perseverance. These poor characters went through a lot. Then there was Roark ... The poor guy was super traumatized, and he didn't handle his trauma in a good way, but he made for a very intriguing character. The plot was full of action interspersed with some tender moments, and the worldbuilding was excellent. Both the language and romance were clean, and the faith content was perfect. I loved the pro-life theme. The ending gave plenty of closure but also left room for a sequel ... which I need! Overall, I'd recommend this novella to readers who enjoy Christian fiction, epic worldbuilding, and a sweet romance between a married couple.
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson
Allies in the Shadows (such a cool title) is a story brimming with adventure, intrigue, friendship, and a hint of romance. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction, quick reads, and non-magical fantasy.
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan
The Hunted was just the entertaining read I needed to get my mind off whatever sickness I'm fighting. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction, non-magical fantasy, adventure stories, a little romance, and quick reads.
Rose of Fate by Kaytlin Phillips
A quick, enjoyable read featuring plenty of adventure, a little romance, and a great salvation story. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes Christian fiction and non-magical fantasy.
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney
An extremely well-written tale featuring loads of adventure, complex characters, and a developing romance. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction and non-magical fantasy.
March 6, 2024
For all the novellas, the overall rating is 5/5. They all have their shining moments and great reflections of faith, and if you want more details, check out each story below. (No spoilers!) I loved that, despite the wide differences in plot and characters and romances, there are such strong themes of trusting God when things are out of our control. Sometimes bad things happen, and that's just life, but Jesus can use all things for good!
LETHAL MARK by Madisyn Carlin
An absolutely gripping introduction to this anthology, Lethal Mark had be racing through to the end. Some novellas have a tendency to feel rushed, but Carlin made the characters and the world come alive, as well as the world building. The ending was touching, and I always love preachy Christian themes.
For a quick introduction, this novella follows Eledy, the Black Rose sacrifice for the wicked Queen, as she's being hunted by Yasha, a man made to forget his memory, and his love for Eledy. She goes along with Yasha to her death, but she trusts her life and her death in God's hands as she struggles with even feeling worthy of love herself.
There is a clear struggle between listening to what man wants you to do or what God wants you to do (or be). A great start to the anthology and introduction to some of the difficult themes that the authors will wrestle with moving forward.
BLACK IS THE ROSE by Kristina Hall
This was my first exposure to Kristina Hall, and I am definitely going to be picking up some of her other works in the future. In this novella, both Letti and Eckhardt are relatable and real, with Eckhardt being nonchalant about the black rose he receives and Letti worrying nonstop. The themes of trusting God regardless of the circumstances are so well executed and touching.
The twists were so well done, and I just loved this novella.
Content: mentions of blood/cuts and an assassin.
A LIFE'S COST by Vanessa Hall
This novella was a greater shift into a fantasy world, difficult themes, and poignant endings. A Life's Cost reflects a pro-life perspective as it follows two parents who want to protect their black rose baby, infants typically expected to have blindness, disabilities, sicknesses, etc. If they get caught, the child is killed, and so are they.
The ending of this novella was both sweet yet weird. Without spoilers, one character is borderline suicidal, bitter, and angry, as they struggle with feeling like they don't deserve redemption unless they die making up for it. It basically negates Jesus's sacrifice from that character's perspective, and we don't ever see them learn the truth of salvation without being crushed by condemnation.
In any case, aside from that hiccup, I loved how the characters really looked for hope in Scripture throughout the novella. I'm definitely interested in checking out some more of Vanessa Hall's work!
ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS by K. R. Mattson
This whole anthology is like an introduction to new authors, and K. R. Mattson does not disappoint! This story is both futuristic and fantasy and dystopian, a radical shift in setting. We stick with the themes of love and sacrifice and political oppression as Ambry, a woman that technically doesn't exist, is forced into being the next Queen. But this position doesn't bring the promise of security, but the threat of death. I love seeing her team up with her best friend, Garren. And, oh my goodness, I loved the sarcastic side characters.
All in all, great addition to the anthology. As with some of the other novellas, there is talk of murder and blood and weapons. This is never glorified, and I love how there's always hope!
THE HUNTRESS by M. L. Milligan
We lean further into fantasy with this next novella by M. L. Milligan. We follow Minsi, Torin, and Imogen (along with their pet wolves), as they try to solve a murder attempt. And, of course, they get tangled up somewhere in the middle! The themes of giving God control of your life, surrendering, was awesome.
The characters and plot were good, but I got a bit hung up on the alpha/beta thing. I have never liked werewolf stories, personally, and I dislike it even more when the woman is the alpha over an entire pack. I know it's fantasy, but it's not a good reflection of biblical authority. (And just having a man call a woman his alpha is so weird to me.) In any case, if you like pack stories, you'll enjoy that part, it just wasn't for me.
ROSE OF FATE by Kaytlin Phillips
I knew Kaytlin Phillips was going to be in here somewhere, and I loved the little novella! The story follows Rasil Gallion, a young palace guard, as he is accused of the king's murder through a ritualistic Black Rose trial. I love any novel with salvation, and Kaytlin never disappoints!
Phenomenal ending with so much tension building up that I had no idea how everything would be resolved. I love Rasil and Naomi and I would have no problem reading another book about them and the kingdom!
A VALLEY OF STARS by Saraina Whitney
This novella was a great end to a wonderful collection! Here, we meet Princess Ravenna de Vivon fighting for her kingdom after her father's assassination. She navigates political manipulation and death threats while discovering the truth. As always, I loved a good salvation message!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I am so glad to have gotten an eARC copy of The Black Rose Collection. I would've paid for it anyway, but to see the beauty of the messages within the cover was such a privilege. These novellas definitely resonated with me, and I hope they help you too!
LETHAL MARK by Madisyn Carlin
An absolutely gripping introduction to this anthology, Lethal Mark had be racing through to the end. Some novellas have a tendency to feel rushed, but Carlin made the characters and the world come alive, as well as the world building. The ending was touching, and I always love preachy Christian themes.
For a quick introduction, this novella follows Eledy, the Black Rose sacrifice for the wicked Queen, as she's being hunted by Yasha, a man made to forget his memory, and his love for Eledy. She goes along with Yasha to her death, but she trusts her life and her death in God's hands as she struggles with even feeling worthy of love herself.
There is a clear struggle between listening to what man wants you to do or what God wants you to do (or be). A great start to the anthology and introduction to some of the difficult themes that the authors will wrestle with moving forward.
BLACK IS THE ROSE by Kristina Hall
This was my first exposure to Kristina Hall, and I am definitely going to be picking up some of her other works in the future. In this novella, both Letti and Eckhardt are relatable and real, with Eckhardt being nonchalant about the black rose he receives and Letti worrying nonstop. The themes of trusting God regardless of the circumstances are so well executed and touching.
The twists were so well done, and I just loved this novella.
Content: mentions of blood/cuts and an assassin.
A LIFE'S COST by Vanessa Hall
This novella was a greater shift into a fantasy world, difficult themes, and poignant endings. A Life's Cost reflects a pro-life perspective as it follows two parents who want to protect their black rose baby, infants typically expected to have blindness, disabilities, sicknesses, etc. If they get caught, the child is killed, and so are they.
The ending of this novella was both sweet yet weird. Without spoilers, one character is borderline suicidal, bitter, and angry, as they struggle with feeling like they don't deserve redemption unless they die making up for it. It basically negates Jesus's sacrifice from that character's perspective, and we don't ever see them learn the truth of salvation without being crushed by condemnation.
In any case, aside from that hiccup, I loved how the characters really looked for hope in Scripture throughout the novella. I'm definitely interested in checking out some more of Vanessa Hall's work!
ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS by K. R. Mattson
This whole anthology is like an introduction to new authors, and K. R. Mattson does not disappoint! This story is both futuristic and fantasy and dystopian, a radical shift in setting. We stick with the themes of love and sacrifice and political oppression as Ambry, a woman that technically doesn't exist, is forced into being the next Queen. But this position doesn't bring the promise of security, but the threat of death. I love seeing her team up with her best friend, Garren. And, oh my goodness, I loved the sarcastic side characters.
All in all, great addition to the anthology. As with some of the other novellas, there is talk of murder and blood and weapons. This is never glorified, and I love how there's always hope!
THE HUNTRESS by M. L. Milligan
We lean further into fantasy with this next novella by M. L. Milligan. We follow Minsi, Torin, and Imogen (along with their pet wolves), as they try to solve a murder attempt. And, of course, they get tangled up somewhere in the middle! The themes of giving God control of your life, surrendering, was awesome.
The characters and plot were good, but I got a bit hung up on the alpha/beta thing. I have never liked werewolf stories, personally, and I dislike it even more when the woman is the alpha over an entire pack. I know it's fantasy, but it's not a good reflection of biblical authority. (And just having a man call a woman his alpha is so weird to me.) In any case, if you like pack stories, you'll enjoy that part, it just wasn't for me.
ROSE OF FATE by Kaytlin Phillips
I knew Kaytlin Phillips was going to be in here somewhere, and I loved the little novella! The story follows Rasil Gallion, a young palace guard, as he is accused of the king's murder through a ritualistic Black Rose trial. I love any novel with salvation, and Kaytlin never disappoints!
Phenomenal ending with so much tension building up that I had no idea how everything would be resolved. I love Rasil and Naomi and I would have no problem reading another book about them and the kingdom!
A VALLEY OF STARS by Saraina Whitney
This novella was a great end to a wonderful collection! Here, we meet Princess Ravenna de Vivon fighting for her kingdom after her father's assassination. She navigates political manipulation and death threats while discovering the truth. As always, I loved a good salvation message!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I am so glad to have gotten an eARC copy of The Black Rose Collection. I would've paid for it anyway, but to see the beauty of the messages within the cover was such a privilege. These novellas definitely resonated with me, and I hope they help you too!
April 8, 2024
I was intrigued by this collection from the moment I saw it, knowing and greatly enjoying several of the authors involved, but the fantasy label kept me away at first. Enter a sweet friend who understands my convictions and was able to assure me that while all the stories in the collection do take place in made-up worlds, none of them are magical! I'm not sure you can picture how fast I scooped up this book after I heard that! (Nothing at all against magical fantasy writers; I just didn't want to have my heart broken by starting an excellent story that I then couldn't finish because of personal convictions.) With that lengthy explanation for why it simultaneously took me such a long time to buy and such a short time to read, here are my thoughts...
Lethal Mark - 5 stars
Not gonna lie, one of the main reasons I had to actually ask and not just assume on the fantasy level. I love Madisyn Carlin's worlds and characters so much! Eledy and Yasha absolutely broke my heart in the best way possible. I loved the way Eledy didn't give up on him even when things seemed most hopeless. I hated seeing what the queen had turned Yasha into, but I liked the glimpses we had of who he truly was underneath, and I was rooting so hard for him to see and remember. <\3 It got pretty intense for a while there, with battles and wars and threats of human sacrifice to false gods, but the ending was good, and now I want to know if there will be any other stories in this world so I can be sure some minor characters are going to be okay... 0.0
Black is the Rose - 5 stars
I'm always intrigued when an author sets a fantasy in a completely different setting than your stock quasi-European backdrop, and I've enjoyed Kristina Hall's westerns, so I loved this choice! It totally had the flavor of a western, but with entire freedom on the history and culture and places--so cool! I don't typically enjoy characters who are constantly worrying, but Letti had plenty of reason, and sometimes it didn't really feel like Eckhardt was taking the threat seriously enough. That said, I did love the way that he continually tried to make her laugh and that he was so focused on protecting and taking care of her, even when others got in his way. I was surprised at some of the twists the story took and less surprised at others, but I liked the way everything worked out, and also the way that the cost of what they'd had to go through wasn't pushed under the rug.
A Life's Cost - 5 stars
Oh. My. OH. MY. Vanessa, I don't think you know what you did to me. I was on the edge of my seat with this story, totally unsure which of the many characters I loved and felt so deeply for were going to survive. This was the one story out of the collection that had a drop of actual fantasy in it, with everyone born with a flower mark that society uses to denote their social status. But since nothing magical was implied, and since the black rose was such a powerful allegory for disability, I didn't have any problem with it. The deep pro-life themes resonated in my heart, even as it broke for all the suffering of the characters. And for me to give five stars to a story with some of the ways it ended for certain characters--that's really saying something, but I just couldn't get away from the beauty and truth that wrapped the story, even in the tragedy. A couple of minor quibbles--there were a few places where an old-fashioned word or phrase felt just a little bit off in its usage, and every time I switched away from text-to-speech, I had the most horrible time parsing all the authentic but totally unintuitive Celtic names. XP That said, I loved the setting and the authenticity--just couldn't wrap my mouth around it sometimes. ;)
Allies in the Shadows - 5 stars
This one was so unique--it had almost a dystopian flavor to it, but the tone stayed much lighter than I expected, which I found myself loving--all the banter and humor coming in to light up the dark moments kept me smiling all the way through it. I adored Garren from the very start and appreciated Ambry more and more as she started deciding to use her unexpected position instead of hiding away from it. I also loved Justin (if you know, you know...) and found unexpected surprises in some of the other characters. I'm not certain I 100% followed every plan or every twist, but I really, really enjoyed the story and can't wait to read more from the author!
The Hunted - 5 stars
Ohhhhh, my heart!!! I loved this so much! Torin is the absolute best, and my heart hurt for Minsi and everything she'd gone through, even as I also admired her skill and the life she'd built. There were a couple of times near the end when I lost track of what was happening and who was where a little, but this is also me, whose spatial brain is...minimally operable most of the time. I adored the themes of friendship, love, and loyalty and the lesson about not taking burdens on your shoulders that you're not meant to carry. The setting and the wolves were epic, and Torin and Minsi's relationship was just the best ever. That is all. <3
Rose of Fate - 5 stars
I could not predict the twists in this one, AT ALL, and I loved it! The setting was cool and not-stock-fantasy-ish, and I loved so many of the characters. Not just Rasil and Noami either, but the side characters--I loved the depth there. Also, I'm not usually a fan of stories where all the conflict isn't wrapped up at the end, but this one somehow managed to be open-ended but not make me feel like I was missing something important, which I very much appreciated! The lessons were very good, and I was rooting hard for everything to be all right, even when it seemed like there was no way it could possibly happen. There were a few times where a modern word or turn of phrase took me out of the story a little, but overall I really, really enjoyed it!
A Valley of Stars - 5 stars
Well, this one was unexpected! Like, the whole premise of the story from the time the first twist hit. Wow... And while there were some heavy topics dealt with, I liked the way that it focused on hope and healing in the middle of evil, betrayal, and unspeakable loss. Kennard was a dear, and I felt so much for Ravenna and wanted so much for her to find healing. This one also had a more open end than I usually appreciate, but I'm so glad at least one thing that I cared about was wrapped up before it closed. And I'm choosing to believe everything else is going to end the way I want it to, because I can. :P
This might be the first time ever that I've given five stars to every story in an anthology, and I had no idea that would happen...I actually wrote these reviews as I went along and only noticed the consistency at the end. Not that I enjoyed each story at exactly the same level or in exactly the same way, but I loved all of them very much in their own right, and as a collection, they're fantastic! Way to go, ladies, and thanks again, Kats, for answering my questions and moving me from "it looks so good, but..." to "oh, I should totally read this! Because I totally needed to! :D
Lethal Mark - 5 stars
Not gonna lie, one of the main reasons I had to actually ask and not just assume on the fantasy level. I love Madisyn Carlin's worlds and characters so much! Eledy and Yasha absolutely broke my heart in the best way possible. I loved the way Eledy didn't give up on him even when things seemed most hopeless. I hated seeing what the queen had turned Yasha into, but I liked the glimpses we had of who he truly was underneath, and I was rooting so hard for him to see and remember. <\3 It got pretty intense for a while there, with battles and wars and threats of human sacrifice to false gods, but the ending was good, and now I want to know if there will be any other stories in this world so I can be sure some minor characters are going to be okay... 0.0
Black is the Rose - 5 stars
I'm always intrigued when an author sets a fantasy in a completely different setting than your stock quasi-European backdrop, and I've enjoyed Kristina Hall's westerns, so I loved this choice! It totally had the flavor of a western, but with entire freedom on the history and culture and places--so cool! I don't typically enjoy characters who are constantly worrying, but Letti had plenty of reason, and sometimes it didn't really feel like Eckhardt was taking the threat seriously enough. That said, I did love the way that he continually tried to make her laugh and that he was so focused on protecting and taking care of her, even when others got in his way. I was surprised at some of the twists the story took and less surprised at others, but I liked the way everything worked out, and also the way that the cost of what they'd had to go through wasn't pushed under the rug.
A Life's Cost - 5 stars
Oh. My. OH. MY. Vanessa, I don't think you know what you did to me. I was on the edge of my seat with this story, totally unsure which of the many characters I loved and felt so deeply for were going to survive. This was the one story out of the collection that had a drop of actual fantasy in it, with everyone born with a flower mark that society uses to denote their social status. But since nothing magical was implied, and since the black rose was such a powerful allegory for disability, I didn't have any problem with it. The deep pro-life themes resonated in my heart, even as it broke for all the suffering of the characters. And for me to give five stars to a story with some of the ways it ended for certain characters--that's really saying something, but I just couldn't get away from the beauty and truth that wrapped the story, even in the tragedy. A couple of minor quibbles--there were a few places where an old-fashioned word or phrase felt just a little bit off in its usage, and every time I switched away from text-to-speech, I had the most horrible time parsing all the authentic but totally unintuitive Celtic names. XP That said, I loved the setting and the authenticity--just couldn't wrap my mouth around it sometimes. ;)
Allies in the Shadows - 5 stars
This one was so unique--it had almost a dystopian flavor to it, but the tone stayed much lighter than I expected, which I found myself loving--all the banter and humor coming in to light up the dark moments kept me smiling all the way through it. I adored Garren from the very start and appreciated Ambry more and more as she started deciding to use her unexpected position instead of hiding away from it. I also loved Justin (if you know, you know...) and found unexpected surprises in some of the other characters. I'm not certain I 100% followed every plan or every twist, but I really, really enjoyed the story and can't wait to read more from the author!
The Hunted - 5 stars
Ohhhhh, my heart!!! I loved this so much! Torin is the absolute best, and my heart hurt for Minsi and everything she'd gone through, even as I also admired her skill and the life she'd built. There were a couple of times near the end when I lost track of what was happening and who was where a little, but this is also me, whose spatial brain is...minimally operable most of the time. I adored the themes of friendship, love, and loyalty and the lesson about not taking burdens on your shoulders that you're not meant to carry. The setting and the wolves were epic, and Torin and Minsi's relationship was just the best ever. That is all. <3
Rose of Fate - 5 stars
I could not predict the twists in this one, AT ALL, and I loved it! The setting was cool and not-stock-fantasy-ish, and I loved so many of the characters. Not just Rasil and Noami either, but the side characters--I loved the depth there. Also, I'm not usually a fan of stories where all the conflict isn't wrapped up at the end, but this one somehow managed to be open-ended but not make me feel like I was missing something important, which I very much appreciated! The lessons were very good, and I was rooting hard for everything to be all right, even when it seemed like there was no way it could possibly happen. There were a few times where a modern word or turn of phrase took me out of the story a little, but overall I really, really enjoyed it!
A Valley of Stars - 5 stars
Well, this one was unexpected! Like, the whole premise of the story from the time the first twist hit. Wow... And while there were some heavy topics dealt with, I liked the way that it focused on hope and healing in the middle of evil, betrayal, and unspeakable loss. Kennard was a dear, and I felt so much for Ravenna and wanted so much for her to find healing. This one also had a more open end than I usually appreciate, but I'm so glad at least one thing that I cared about was wrapped up before it closed. And I'm choosing to believe everything else is going to end the way I want it to, because I can. :P
This might be the first time ever that I've given five stars to every story in an anthology, and I had no idea that would happen...I actually wrote these reviews as I went along and only noticed the consistency at the end. Not that I enjoyed each story at exactly the same level or in exactly the same way, but I loved all of them very much in their own right, and as a collection, they're fantastic! Way to go, ladies, and thanks again, Kats, for answering my questions and moving me from "it looks so good, but..." to "oh, I should totally read this! Because I totally needed to! :D
March 12, 2024
Black Rose Collection Review:
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin: 5 stars
I absolutely loved Eledy. She was so sweet and caring. I also loved Yasha, even though I wanted to smack him in the face a few times. The villains were wicked and detestable, which made me root for the hero (and heroine!) even more. As always, I love Carlin’s writing style. It fits this story very, very well. The plot was also very creative and reminded me somewhat of Amy Carmichael and her stories about rescuing children from the temple. There is violence, but nothing gratuitous or squirm-worthy. The romance was squeaky clean with only a few kisses and mentions of courting/marriage (although, I do have to say I was a bit confused with the epilogue. I assumed that the characters mentioned had already gotten married- given that they were living in the same house, and they had previously talked about courting and getting married in the last chapter- but I was caught by surprise when the girl said she was expecting. However, since the author has said before on her website that she does not approve of books with “innocent cohabitation”, I shall give them the benefit of the doubt that they had been married by the time the event took place) And, lastly, there were wonderful themes of faith, bravery, and love. I appreciated the inclusion that “gods” are only fake gods, and our Creator, Jesus, is the one true God. It was a wonderful reminder that we are protected by an all powerful Lord, and we need not fear those who can kill the body. Overall, I very much enjoyed this novella! Another job well done, Madi!
Black is The Rose by Kristina Hall: 5 stars
I have read the Kentucky Midnight series by Kristina, and I was blown away at her talent for writing suspense/thriller. Black is The Rose is no different, and I loved, loved, loved it. Eckhardt is hilarious and is officially my favorite character by this author. Letti is also such a sweetheart. The plot was quite interesting and intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. Hawthorne was an annoyance who needed a smack in the face (and probably more), and so was Lady Fairley. The romance was also very clean- only a few kisses, hugging, and mentions of marriage and love. Violence-wise, non-gratuitous sword fights and the like. Faith content includes praying, mentions of praying, reciting Bible verses, etc. Overall, I really enjoyed this novella (the second story I have read by this author- certainly not the last). And, I have already said this, but I shall say it again: if you are looking for some really good Christian fiction with suspense/thrill, I highly recommend Kristina Hall.
A Life’s Cost by Vanessa Hall: 5 stars
Wow… this was a heart-pounder of a story. I’m not joking. I could not put this down- except when I had to because I had to complete errands, haha! First of all, I just have to say I loved the themes so much. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like this, especially with the whole “if you have this mark, you are considered cursed”. BUT. I was proved wrong. Caoimhe and Niall were wonderful husband and wife (and Siobhan was adorable). Roark needs a hug and possibly a smack in the face (in no particular order). Niall’s Mam and Da were also lovely side characters. The romance is wholesome, clean, and sweet. And now, on to the plot and themes. Like I said in the beginning, I was a little skeptical about the whole “curse” thing. I was so, so happy to see how, in spite of the circumstances and what other people thought, Caoihme and Niall realized that their baby was a gift from God, precious, and valuable- not cursed. Seriously, I almost cried when I was reading this story; it’s so beautiful. The application of the Bible verses was also a very nice touch to remind us that life is valuable and precious, regardless of the opinions of others. The violence was, again, un-gratuitous and well-handled. Overall, this was a wonderful action-packed, sweet, and faith-filled novella!
Allies in The Shadows by K.R. Mattson- 5 stars
Before I say anything about this story, I just need to say I nearly died laughing at the dedication in the beginning (which is not necessarily something traditional book reviewers include in their reviews… but we shall break tradition!). Anyway, this was such a fun, action-packed story with lots of twists and turns. Garren and Ambry were such interesting characters, and the sarcasm and wit were through the roof. I loved it and couldn’t help laughing at the banter between them and other characters. Very little romance, not as much as a kiss. I appreciated that, especially since they were teenagers/young adults. I detest teen romance. Like, really detest it- mainly because it’s all over the place, especially in films, and film writers/authors apparently think that teenagers just need to kiss or confess their feelings just because they are, y’know, teenagers. Let me tell you; it gets really, really cheesy and annoying- but this one was really well-handled and God-honoring (well done, K. I really respect that). People get beat up, and injured with weapons, blood is mentioned (but nothing gag-worthy), and the like. Faith content includes talking about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and praying. Overall, I liked this witty and action-filled novella!
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan- 4 Stars
Action? Wolves? Archery? Yes, please! This was such a creative story filled with twists, turns, snark, and sarcasm (and also the first story I have read by M.L. Milligan!) Torin was so sweet and protective, and Minsi needs a hug *gives her said hug*. The villains were miserable excuses for human beings. My only qualm regarding the characters is Minsi being the Alpha of her pack and Torin the Beta. Men are supposed to be the leaders, protectors, and providers, and it just… well, it wasn’t my favorite that Minsi was what I think Torin should have been. Romance was clean and sweet (without spoiling anything, I loved the ending), and violence was non-gratuitous. I also appreciated all the Biblical themes! I loved the story overall; however, I didn’t realize that the story was switching POVs. Since the ARC copy of this story is all written from a 1st person POV, and there are no headers to tell you that the speaker has changed, I thought it was Minsi talking the entire time. I was utterly confused when some guy started calling the speaker “boy”. Other than those two instances I have mentioned, The Hunted was a great action-packed novella with plenty of snark, humor, peril, hope, and Biblical themes.
Rose of Fate by Kaitlyn Phillips- 5 Stars
“That’s because you’ve been looking in the wrong places, soror. Don’t look inside yourself for answers, look up. Look to Deus, and you will find yourself in Him.” I just had to start this review off with that quote- mainly because of how amazing and profound it is. My goodness, this was a story! Rasil. He made me smile, but, man, that poor boy! Seriously, though, I think at least one or two characters from each of these stories need a hug. A hug and a fuzzy blanket. Naomi was also a dear once she began to become less wary of Rasil. The violence was, again, non-gratuitous. The plot was also fun, action-packed, and creative. Even though the writing style was a bit different than I have been used to, I still enjoyed it. Very little romance, no kissing or anything inappropriate for a seventeen year old (Rasil). The Biblical themes were amazing. There were so many quotes that made me internally say “Amen”, but it would take me a while to record them here (and I shall not spoil too much). Overall, Rose of Fate was an enjoyable novella that continually reminded me to rely on Jesus even when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney- 5 Stars
Hoooooo-ly cow. That was the first thing I said once I finished this story. This. Was. Good. No. It was more than good! Poor Ravenna! And poor Kennard! The redemption arc of these two was incredible. Absolutely incredible. I also loved Regan. My heart ached for all of them- except for the villains. They were detestable human beings. The plot was so creative and really well done, especially for a novella. Also, I have to say the humor is amazing, especially with the romance (which was very minimal, clean, no kisses, and God-honoring). Ravenna asking herself why on Earth she was thinking of Kennard at the most random times was hilarious. The Biblical themes were wonderful, especially the inclusion of false gods being, well, false. The violence was non-gratuitous and definitely not gag-worthy. There are some thematic/suspenseful moments, like with all of these stories, but they are handled well. Overall, A Valley of Stars was a wonderful novella with the reminder that God will never leave us and will be our Heavenly Father even when we have no earthly father.
(This is the longest book review I have ever written. Please bear with me. I am nearly done.)
The Black Rose Collection is not sunshine and rainbows, hence the title. The stories are not full of euphoric plot twists, but they are brimming with hope. Hope that we cannot find in the world and what it offers, but hope we can find in Jesus and Him alone. Some of these authors for a first-time read for me, while others are a revisit. Overall, I really enjoyed this collection and can’t wait to purchase a paperback copy! Thank you so much, Madi, Kristina, Vanessa, Karlissa, M., Kaitlyn, and Saraina for putting this collection together! Well done, ladies!
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin: 5 stars
I absolutely loved Eledy. She was so sweet and caring. I also loved Yasha, even though I wanted to smack him in the face a few times. The villains were wicked and detestable, which made me root for the hero (and heroine!) even more. As always, I love Carlin’s writing style. It fits this story very, very well. The plot was also very creative and reminded me somewhat of Amy Carmichael and her stories about rescuing children from the temple. There is violence, but nothing gratuitous or squirm-worthy. The romance was squeaky clean with only a few kisses and mentions of courting/marriage (although, I do have to say I was a bit confused with the epilogue. I assumed that the characters mentioned had already gotten married- given that they were living in the same house, and they had previously talked about courting and getting married in the last chapter- but I was caught by surprise when the girl said she was expecting. However, since the author has said before on her website that she does not approve of books with “innocent cohabitation”, I shall give them the benefit of the doubt that they had been married by the time the event took place) And, lastly, there were wonderful themes of faith, bravery, and love. I appreciated the inclusion that “gods” are only fake gods, and our Creator, Jesus, is the one true God. It was a wonderful reminder that we are protected by an all powerful Lord, and we need not fear those who can kill the body. Overall, I very much enjoyed this novella! Another job well done, Madi!
Black is The Rose by Kristina Hall: 5 stars
I have read the Kentucky Midnight series by Kristina, and I was blown away at her talent for writing suspense/thriller. Black is The Rose is no different, and I loved, loved, loved it. Eckhardt is hilarious and is officially my favorite character by this author. Letti is also such a sweetheart. The plot was quite interesting and intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. Hawthorne was an annoyance who needed a smack in the face (and probably more), and so was Lady Fairley. The romance was also very clean- only a few kisses, hugging, and mentions of marriage and love. Violence-wise, non-gratuitous sword fights and the like. Faith content includes praying, mentions of praying, reciting Bible verses, etc. Overall, I really enjoyed this novella (the second story I have read by this author- certainly not the last). And, I have already said this, but I shall say it again: if you are looking for some really good Christian fiction with suspense/thrill, I highly recommend Kristina Hall.
A Life’s Cost by Vanessa Hall: 5 stars
Wow… this was a heart-pounder of a story. I’m not joking. I could not put this down- except when I had to because I had to complete errands, haha! First of all, I just have to say I loved the themes so much. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like this, especially with the whole “if you have this mark, you are considered cursed”. BUT. I was proved wrong. Caoimhe and Niall were wonderful husband and wife (and Siobhan was adorable). Roark needs a hug and possibly a smack in the face (in no particular order). Niall’s Mam and Da were also lovely side characters. The romance is wholesome, clean, and sweet. And now, on to the plot and themes. Like I said in the beginning, I was a little skeptical about the whole “curse” thing. I was so, so happy to see how, in spite of the circumstances and what other people thought, Caoihme and Niall realized that their baby was a gift from God, precious, and valuable- not cursed. Seriously, I almost cried when I was reading this story; it’s so beautiful. The application of the Bible verses was also a very nice touch to remind us that life is valuable and precious, regardless of the opinions of others. The violence was, again, un-gratuitous and well-handled. Overall, this was a wonderful action-packed, sweet, and faith-filled novella!
Allies in The Shadows by K.R. Mattson- 5 stars
Before I say anything about this story, I just need to say I nearly died laughing at the dedication in the beginning (which is not necessarily something traditional book reviewers include in their reviews… but we shall break tradition!). Anyway, this was such a fun, action-packed story with lots of twists and turns. Garren and Ambry were such interesting characters, and the sarcasm and wit were through the roof. I loved it and couldn’t help laughing at the banter between them and other characters. Very little romance, not as much as a kiss. I appreciated that, especially since they were teenagers/young adults. I detest teen romance. Like, really detest it- mainly because it’s all over the place, especially in films, and film writers/authors apparently think that teenagers just need to kiss or confess their feelings just because they are, y’know, teenagers. Let me tell you; it gets really, really cheesy and annoying- but this one was really well-handled and God-honoring (well done, K. I really respect that). People get beat up, and injured with weapons, blood is mentioned (but nothing gag-worthy), and the like. Faith content includes talking about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and praying. Overall, I liked this witty and action-filled novella!
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan- 4 Stars
Action? Wolves? Archery? Yes, please! This was such a creative story filled with twists, turns, snark, and sarcasm (and also the first story I have read by M.L. Milligan!) Torin was so sweet and protective, and Minsi needs a hug *gives her said hug*. The villains were miserable excuses for human beings. My only qualm regarding the characters is Minsi being the Alpha of her pack and Torin the Beta. Men are supposed to be the leaders, protectors, and providers, and it just… well, it wasn’t my favorite that Minsi was what I think Torin should have been. Romance was clean and sweet (without spoiling anything, I loved the ending), and violence was non-gratuitous. I also appreciated all the Biblical themes! I loved the story overall; however, I didn’t realize that the story was switching POVs. Since the ARC copy of this story is all written from a 1st person POV, and there are no headers to tell you that the speaker has changed, I thought it was Minsi talking the entire time. I was utterly confused when some guy started calling the speaker “boy”. Other than those two instances I have mentioned, The Hunted was a great action-packed novella with plenty of snark, humor, peril, hope, and Biblical themes.
Rose of Fate by Kaitlyn Phillips- 5 Stars
“That’s because you’ve been looking in the wrong places, soror. Don’t look inside yourself for answers, look up. Look to Deus, and you will find yourself in Him.” I just had to start this review off with that quote- mainly because of how amazing and profound it is. My goodness, this was a story! Rasil. He made me smile, but, man, that poor boy! Seriously, though, I think at least one or two characters from each of these stories need a hug. A hug and a fuzzy blanket. Naomi was also a dear once she began to become less wary of Rasil. The violence was, again, non-gratuitous. The plot was also fun, action-packed, and creative. Even though the writing style was a bit different than I have been used to, I still enjoyed it. Very little romance, no kissing or anything inappropriate for a seventeen year old (Rasil). The Biblical themes were amazing. There were so many quotes that made me internally say “Amen”, but it would take me a while to record them here (and I shall not spoil too much). Overall, Rose of Fate was an enjoyable novella that continually reminded me to rely on Jesus even when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney- 5 Stars
Hoooooo-ly cow. That was the first thing I said once I finished this story. This. Was. Good. No. It was more than good! Poor Ravenna! And poor Kennard! The redemption arc of these two was incredible. Absolutely incredible. I also loved Regan. My heart ached for all of them- except for the villains. They were detestable human beings. The plot was so creative and really well done, especially for a novella. Also, I have to say the humor is amazing, especially with the romance (which was very minimal, clean, no kisses, and God-honoring). Ravenna asking herself why on Earth she was thinking of Kennard at the most random times was hilarious. The Biblical themes were wonderful, especially the inclusion of false gods being, well, false. The violence was non-gratuitous and definitely not gag-worthy. There are some thematic/suspenseful moments, like with all of these stories, but they are handled well. Overall, A Valley of Stars was a wonderful novella with the reminder that God will never leave us and will be our Heavenly Father even when we have no earthly father.
(This is the longest book review I have ever written. Please bear with me. I am nearly done.)
The Black Rose Collection is not sunshine and rainbows, hence the title. The stories are not full of euphoric plot twists, but they are brimming with hope. Hope that we cannot find in the world and what it offers, but hope we can find in Jesus and Him alone. Some of these authors for a first-time read for me, while others are a revisit. Overall, I really enjoyed this collection and can’t wait to purchase a paperback copy! Thank you so much, Madi, Kristina, Vanessa, Karlissa, M., Kaitlyn, and Saraina for putting this collection together! Well done, ladies!
May 30, 2024
Lethal Mark by Madison Carlin: The faithfulness in this story was beautiful to read! From Eledy’s fervent prayers to Yasha’s determination to find the truth, I was kept on the edge of my seat. Every detail of the story comes together in a bittersweet tale of trusting God’s plan when all seems lost. The story wraps up so sweetly I was immediately going back to reread the ending!
May 2, 2024
The Black Rose Collection presents a captivating anthology of seven Christian fantasy romance novellas, each weaving tales of danger, romance, and faith in unique and compelling ways. Set across seven lands where receiving a black rose signifies imminent danger and death, these stories immerse readers in worlds filled with peril, intrigue, and the enduring power of love and faith.
In "LETHAL MARK" by Madisyn Carlin, readers are introduced to Eledy, the Black Rose sacrifice, whose journey of self-discovery and divine purpose unfolds amidst the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of darkness. Carlin skillfully blends action, introspection, and themes of sacrifice and redemption to create a gripping narrative that resonates long after the final page.
"BLACK IS THE ROSE" by Kristina Hall delves into the complexities of trust and perseverance as Letti and Eckhardt navigate the treacherous landscape of a world shadowed by the ominous black rose. Hall's narrative twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while exploring themes of love, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Vanessa Hall's "A LIFE'S COST" delves into themes of sacrifice and love in a fantasy realm where protecting a black rose baby becomes a matter of life and death. Hall's poignant storytelling delves into the moral dilemmas faced by her characters, exploring the depths of human nature and the transformative power of faith.
In "ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS" by K.R. Mattson, readers are transported to a world plagued by political oppression, where Ambry and Garren's journey of love and sacrifice unfolds against a backdrop of intrigue and danger. Mattson's narrative brims with wit, tension, and themes of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
M.L. Milligan's "THE HUNTED" delves deeper into the realm of fantasy, following Minsi, Torin, and Imogen as they confront danger and intrigue in their quest to unravel a murder attempt. Milligan expertly weaves themes of faith and surrender into a gripping narrative of adventure and discovery.
"ROSE OF FATE" by Kaytlin Phillips captivates with its sympathetic characters and powerful salvation message, as Rasil and Naomi's journey unfolds against a backdrop of suspense and emotion. Phillips' narrative builds to a climactic finale, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more from this enchanting world.
Saraina Whitney's "A VALLEY OF STARS" provides a fitting conclusion to the collection, blending political intrigue with themes of faith and redemption. Whitney's evocative prose and poignant themes underscore the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, leaving readers with a sense of hope and inspiration.
Overall, The Black Rose Collection offers a rich tapestry of fantasy, romance, and faith, weaving together seven distinct yet interconnected tales that captivate the imagination and stir the soul. With its clean romance, strong faith themes, and hair-raising events, this anthology is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers, reminding them of the enduring power of love, faith, and redemption in the darkest of times.
In "LETHAL MARK" by Madisyn Carlin, readers are introduced to Eledy, the Black Rose sacrifice, whose journey of self-discovery and divine purpose unfolds amidst the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of darkness. Carlin skillfully blends action, introspection, and themes of sacrifice and redemption to create a gripping narrative that resonates long after the final page.
"BLACK IS THE ROSE" by Kristina Hall delves into the complexities of trust and perseverance as Letti and Eckhardt navigate the treacherous landscape of a world shadowed by the ominous black rose. Hall's narrative twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while exploring themes of love, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Vanessa Hall's "A LIFE'S COST" delves into themes of sacrifice and love in a fantasy realm where protecting a black rose baby becomes a matter of life and death. Hall's poignant storytelling delves into the moral dilemmas faced by her characters, exploring the depths of human nature and the transformative power of faith.
In "ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS" by K.R. Mattson, readers are transported to a world plagued by political oppression, where Ambry and Garren's journey of love and sacrifice unfolds against a backdrop of intrigue and danger. Mattson's narrative brims with wit, tension, and themes of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
M.L. Milligan's "THE HUNTED" delves deeper into the realm of fantasy, following Minsi, Torin, and Imogen as they confront danger and intrigue in their quest to unravel a murder attempt. Milligan expertly weaves themes of faith and surrender into a gripping narrative of adventure and discovery.
"ROSE OF FATE" by Kaytlin Phillips captivates with its sympathetic characters and powerful salvation message, as Rasil and Naomi's journey unfolds against a backdrop of suspense and emotion. Phillips' narrative builds to a climactic finale, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more from this enchanting world.
Saraina Whitney's "A VALLEY OF STARS" provides a fitting conclusion to the collection, blending political intrigue with themes of faith and redemption. Whitney's evocative prose and poignant themes underscore the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, leaving readers with a sense of hope and inspiration.
Overall, The Black Rose Collection offers a rich tapestry of fantasy, romance, and faith, weaving together seven distinct yet interconnected tales that captivate the imagination and stir the soul. With its clean romance, strong faith themes, and hair-raising events, this anthology is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers, reminding them of the enduring power of love, faith, and redemption in the darkest of times.
December 24, 2024
Really beautiful collection with so many fun stories! I loved all the different ways the authors used the theme of the black rose. And now I reeaaallly want novels for each story, they were so fascinating. XD
All stories had a touch of romance, but it was all clean---just a few kisses at most. And no language.
Definitely recommend!
All stories had a touch of romance, but it was all clean---just a few kisses at most. And no language.
Definitely recommend!
March 23, 2025
9/10
Seeing the author lineup certainly pulled me in, aside from the premise being interesting from being used in so many different ways.
9/10 Madisyn Carlin’s Lethal Mark was a great start to the collection. Yasha’s memory loss was portrayed well & you can’t help but root for him & Eledy. Especially with what they’re up against. So many feel-good moments with every little victory.
8/10 Kristina Hall’s Black is the Rose had an adorable couple as well as some sinister villains. Eckhardt & Letti had great banter & the plot was quite intriguing. This one made me laugh a lot.
10/10 Vanessa Hall’s A Life’s Cost was a nail-biting story. The Irish-influenced names & dialogue really pulled me into the world. This little family plus Roark & his sister will take you on an emotional roller coaster as they endure hardship to save a life deemed unfit for living.
8/10 KR Mattson’s Allies in the Shadows had really cool world-building with the dystopian style crossover & the name-drawing system of balancing their government. (Gave me The Giver vibes a little.) The characters were fun (Krampus) & the plot had a great twist.
9/10 ML Milligan’s The Hunted was also filled with great world-building. I loved the wolf pack way of life & how these characters all worked together. The different perspectives told the story well in a unique way.
10/10 Kaytlin Phillips’s Rose of Fate had a great plot premise with the execution drawing that was both loved or hated, depending on a person’s faith in it. Speaking of faith, this story had a wonderful salvation story to it. I loved how Rasil’s terrible circumstances were used & cranky Noami had a believable transformation. I’m a sucker for these kind of stories.
9/10 Seraina Whitney’s Valley of Stars had a great plot establishment right from the get go. I’ve heard of enemies to lovers, but “grieving princess meets assassination captain” gave it a whole new meaning. There was always a sense of danger around every corner while Ravenna tried to understand her circle of influencers as well as having to put her trust in the very unlikely source Kennard.
Overall, this collection was filled with wonderful, bite sized adventures (okay, more like eating-a-pint-of-ice-cream-in-one-sitting-sized) that were filled with sweet romances, action, suspense, & great messages. I look forward to seeing more work by these authors in the future!
Seeing the author lineup certainly pulled me in, aside from the premise being interesting from being used in so many different ways.
9/10 Madisyn Carlin’s Lethal Mark was a great start to the collection. Yasha’s memory loss was portrayed well & you can’t help but root for him & Eledy. Especially with what they’re up against. So many feel-good moments with every little victory.
8/10 Kristina Hall’s Black is the Rose had an adorable couple as well as some sinister villains. Eckhardt & Letti had great banter & the plot was quite intriguing. This one made me laugh a lot.
10/10 Vanessa Hall’s A Life’s Cost was a nail-biting story. The Irish-influenced names & dialogue really pulled me into the world. This little family plus Roark & his sister will take you on an emotional roller coaster as they endure hardship to save a life deemed unfit for living.
8/10 KR Mattson’s Allies in the Shadows had really cool world-building with the dystopian style crossover & the name-drawing system of balancing their government. (Gave me The Giver vibes a little.) The characters were fun (Krampus) & the plot had a great twist.
9/10 ML Milligan’s The Hunted was also filled with great world-building. I loved the wolf pack way of life & how these characters all worked together. The different perspectives told the story well in a unique way.
10/10 Kaytlin Phillips’s Rose of Fate had a great plot premise with the execution drawing that was both loved or hated, depending on a person’s faith in it. Speaking of faith, this story had a wonderful salvation story to it. I loved how Rasil’s terrible circumstances were used & cranky Noami had a believable transformation. I’m a sucker for these kind of stories.
9/10 Seraina Whitney’s Valley of Stars had a great plot establishment right from the get go. I’ve heard of enemies to lovers, but “grieving princess meets assassination captain” gave it a whole new meaning. There was always a sense of danger around every corner while Ravenna tried to understand her circle of influencers as well as having to put her trust in the very unlikely source Kennard.
Overall, this collection was filled with wonderful, bite sized adventures (okay, more like eating-a-pint-of-ice-cream-in-one-sitting-sized) that were filled with sweet romances, action, suspense, & great messages. I look forward to seeing more work by these authors in the future!
March 20, 2024
I think this volume would delight many girls with the swashbuckling and danger-lurking stories that are at the same time, clean and pointing them to trusting the Savior. It ranges from suspense to even humorous (I fell in love with the couple that reminded me ever so much of Samwise and Rosie, if they'd been pursued by assassins' across the Shire). But you won't get any spoilers from me, read them yourself. ;)
I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to read another of Kaitlynn Phillips stories, and found myself also delighted with several new -to-me authoresses!
I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to read another of Kaitlynn Phillips stories, and found myself also delighted with several new -to-me authoresses!
June 6, 2025
My overall rating would be 4/5 stars...
I liked the collection: I feel as though all the different authors brought a good perspective to the prompt in question, and I'll expound on what I thought of each story below. For now, know that each story
- Clearly pointed to some element of faith,
- Had adventure,
- Had some romantic element, and
- Featured a black rose (although their definition of the black rose was disparate, as you'll see below...)
Let's go in order, starting with "Lethal Mark", Madisyn Carlin's addition to the collection. Lethal Mark was all about a soldier with a missing memory (Yasha), escorting a girl (Eledy) branded with a black rose (the mysterious flower that blooms year-round in their home country, Jáantar) back to the Queen who condemned her to death as a Black Rose Sacrifice to her gods, which have supposedly cursed the land with a famine.
The worldbuilding was, as always, clean and precise. This is a different world than the one in the Redwyn Chronicles (my other experience of her work); but just as well-done. The memory loss and fuzzy memories that Yasha suffers from is well-portrayed, and Eledy's persistence in prayer, attempts to revive his memory, and hope, is not only relatable, but touching. The dynamic between the two had me reaching for tissues more than once, and I absolutely loved it. The telling of their past through stories, the naming of the horse, and little details sprinkled throughout really made it not only personal, but I could see the characters as clearly as if I'd known them in person. The climax had me on the edge of my seat, yelling at the book... and, as I love a happy ending, I was entirely satisfied with the story. 5/5 stars!
"Black is the Rose" was Kristina Hall's addition to the collection. This story was about a blacksmith (Eckhardt), who, finding himself threatened with a black rose, believes the threat isn't real, and decides to ignore it... until it confronts the one he loves (Letti) in an ugly way.
The characters in this story were absolutely lovable, and they definitely drove the story! I feel as though the plot could've used more foreshadowing of who Letti's family was. For a critical plot point, it came out of left field... or at least, it did to me. That being said, it was a very suspenseful read! I was very much absorbed in the "who" of "who-done-it" without considering the "why". I can definitely see why Kristina is such a praised author for her suspense and thriller works. She took me on an emotional ride! 3.7/5 stars!
"A Life's Cost" was Vanessa Hall's addition to the collection: This story was about a couple (Niall and Caoimhe) who is desperate to protect their little one (Siobhan... a name I love!), born with the birthmark of a black rose, one that means instant death, should the lords of the land find out. Those born with the mark are weak, sickly, or cursed...
... And it's also about an ex-soldier (Roark), one who failed to protect those he loved.
The worldbuilding in this story was GORGEOUS!!! I'd love to see more of it... The characters were persuasive and real, and I was kept turning page after page! I'm really upset about the sad part of the ending, though. (Which I will not spoil!!) Made me cry. I'm kind of mad at the author for making me cry. 😂 Very good story, which showed the darkness while still pursuing the light. 4.8/5 stars (Deserves the five, but I'm miffed that she made me cry.)
"Allies In the Shadows" was K.R. Mattson's addition to this collection.
In a dystopian future world, a puppet ruler is chosen at random from among the youths to fill the throne of a small kingdom ruled in truth by a monstrous empire. At the same time, an assassin (called the Black Rose) is selected to hunt them down until the cycle begins anew... And when best friends are selected as the assassin and target, will their future ever come to a place beyond the dark that covers their world?
I didn't think this story was done nearly as well as the premise promised. There were minor errors sprinkled throughout the entirety of the book (the occasional spelling error or missing comma), but this story... would have been better had it undergone another draft or two. At the very least, it needed a thorough proofread. The world was fairly disorienting (talking about plastic windowsills and neon signs one moment and switching to leather, furs, horses as transport, and swords as the weapon of choice the next), and I did not feel myself very invested in the characters.
However! I would like to say that the villain's foreshadowing was done EXTREMELY well. I kicked myself for not noticing it earlier-- there was an excellent, subtle hinting, and the villain was actually one of the characters I liked (and then was betrayed by!), so between that and the concept itself... I'll look forward to seeing more work from this author in future! Just... after she's had a little more experience, or time to devote to the project. 😉 2.4/5 stars.
"The Hunted" by M. L. Milligan was a story that has me hoping there's more... I'd like to see more within that particular world. The worldbuilding I saw was very interesting, and I'd hope that she explores more of it someday. I appreciated the clear, strong character growth, very likeable characters (even the side characters, although tbh I may have a slight book-crush on Torin), and giant, dangerous puppies. 😂 The villain came across as a little too cold and logical until he loses his temper in the final fight, however-- I don't know if that was just me, or not. Maybe her heroes were so well-developed that it left him feeling flat in comparison? Then again, I do like myself some bombastic villains... it might be just me. 4/5 stars.
"Rose of Fate" by Kaitlyn Phillips was a very sweet story, although I'd say it felt more MG than YA or NA. I REALLY liked the Rose Test as a plot device... coupled with the fact that it's a pagan (at least in that world) tradition had me pretty invested early on! The theme was excellent, the narration was good, the characters were pretty compelling... Noami especially, as I started out disliking her but was fairly fond of her by the end. I did find there to be a lack of some background that I was pretty curious about, however. How Noami came to be in such a different family was hinted at but never fully explained, and I think that might've helped make her stubborn insistence feel more reasonable to the reader. 3.9/5 stars
"A Valley of Stars" by Saraina Whitney rounds out the collection...
This story was so good!!! The princess's world is turned upside down when her father dies and it unravels a giant evil plot... And he was one of the worst bad guys. The captain who led a band of men to kill this evil king falls for said princess. Hard.
I LOVED this!! The characters, the plot, the themes, the faith, the feels... *squeals* This one was more in the romantic category, but very, very clean and beautiful. I love it very, very much and hope that this isn't the only story she's got in this world because I need to read more of it! The bad guys were appropriately ominous and evil, the side characters were just as important and lovely people as the heroes, there was court intrigue but not too much, the growing relationship between Ravenna and Kennard was perfect... 5/5 stars.
All in all, book worth reading!
I liked the collection: I feel as though all the different authors brought a good perspective to the prompt in question, and I'll expound on what I thought of each story below. For now, know that each story
- Clearly pointed to some element of faith,
- Had adventure,
- Had some romantic element, and
- Featured a black rose (although their definition of the black rose was disparate, as you'll see below...)
Let's go in order, starting with "Lethal Mark", Madisyn Carlin's addition to the collection. Lethal Mark was all about a soldier with a missing memory (Yasha), escorting a girl (Eledy) branded with a black rose (the mysterious flower that blooms year-round in their home country, Jáantar) back to the Queen who condemned her to death as a Black Rose Sacrifice to her gods, which have supposedly cursed the land with a famine.
The worldbuilding was, as always, clean and precise. This is a different world than the one in the Redwyn Chronicles (my other experience of her work); but just as well-done. The memory loss and fuzzy memories that Yasha suffers from is well-portrayed, and Eledy's persistence in prayer, attempts to revive his memory, and hope, is not only relatable, but touching. The dynamic between the two had me reaching for tissues more than once, and I absolutely loved it. The telling of their past through stories, the naming of the horse, and little details sprinkled throughout really made it not only personal, but I could see the characters as clearly as if I'd known them in person. The climax had me on the edge of my seat, yelling at the book... and, as I love a happy ending, I was entirely satisfied with the story. 5/5 stars!
"Black is the Rose" was Kristina Hall's addition to the collection. This story was about a blacksmith (Eckhardt), who, finding himself threatened with a black rose, believes the threat isn't real, and decides to ignore it... until it confronts the one he loves (Letti) in an ugly way.
The characters in this story were absolutely lovable, and they definitely drove the story! I feel as though the plot could've used more foreshadowing of who Letti's family was. For a critical plot point, it came out of left field... or at least, it did to me. That being said, it was a very suspenseful read! I was very much absorbed in the "who" of "who-done-it" without considering the "why". I can definitely see why Kristina is such a praised author for her suspense and thriller works. She took me on an emotional ride! 3.7/5 stars!
"A Life's Cost" was Vanessa Hall's addition to the collection: This story was about a couple (Niall and Caoimhe) who is desperate to protect their little one (Siobhan... a name I love!), born with the birthmark of a black rose, one that means instant death, should the lords of the land find out. Those born with the mark are weak, sickly, or cursed...
... And it's also about an ex-soldier (Roark), one who failed to protect those he loved.
The worldbuilding in this story was GORGEOUS!!! I'd love to see more of it... The characters were persuasive and real, and I was kept turning page after page! I'm really upset about the sad part of the ending, though. (Which I will not spoil!!) Made me cry. I'm kind of mad at the author for making me cry. 😂 Very good story, which showed the darkness while still pursuing the light. 4.8/5 stars (Deserves the five, but I'm miffed that she made me cry.)
"Allies In the Shadows" was K.R. Mattson's addition to this collection.
In a dystopian future world, a puppet ruler is chosen at random from among the youths to fill the throne of a small kingdom ruled in truth by a monstrous empire. At the same time, an assassin (called the Black Rose) is selected to hunt them down until the cycle begins anew... And when best friends are selected as the assassin and target, will their future ever come to a place beyond the dark that covers their world?
I didn't think this story was done nearly as well as the premise promised. There were minor errors sprinkled throughout the entirety of the book (the occasional spelling error or missing comma), but this story... would have been better had it undergone another draft or two. At the very least, it needed a thorough proofread. The world was fairly disorienting (talking about plastic windowsills and neon signs one moment and switching to leather, furs, horses as transport, and swords as the weapon of choice the next), and I did not feel myself very invested in the characters.
However! I would like to say that the villain's foreshadowing was done EXTREMELY well. I kicked myself for not noticing it earlier-- there was an excellent, subtle hinting, and the villain was actually one of the characters I liked (and then was betrayed by!), so between that and the concept itself... I'll look forward to seeing more work from this author in future! Just... after she's had a little more experience, or time to devote to the project. 😉 2.4/5 stars.
"The Hunted" by M. L. Milligan was a story that has me hoping there's more... I'd like to see more within that particular world. The worldbuilding I saw was very interesting, and I'd hope that she explores more of it someday. I appreciated the clear, strong character growth, very likeable characters (even the side characters, although tbh I may have a slight book-crush on Torin), and giant, dangerous puppies. 😂 The villain came across as a little too cold and logical until he loses his temper in the final fight, however-- I don't know if that was just me, or not. Maybe her heroes were so well-developed that it left him feeling flat in comparison? Then again, I do like myself some bombastic villains... it might be just me. 4/5 stars.
"Rose of Fate" by Kaitlyn Phillips was a very sweet story, although I'd say it felt more MG than YA or NA. I REALLY liked the Rose Test as a plot device... coupled with the fact that it's a pagan (at least in that world) tradition had me pretty invested early on! The theme was excellent, the narration was good, the characters were pretty compelling... Noami especially, as I started out disliking her but was fairly fond of her by the end. I did find there to be a lack of some background that I was pretty curious about, however. How Noami came to be in such a different family was hinted at but never fully explained, and I think that might've helped make her stubborn insistence feel more reasonable to the reader. 3.9/5 stars
"A Valley of Stars" by Saraina Whitney rounds out the collection...
This story was so good!!! The princess's world is turned upside down when her father dies and it unravels a giant evil plot... And he was one of the worst bad guys. The captain who led a band of men to kill this evil king falls for said princess. Hard.
I LOVED this!! The characters, the plot, the themes, the faith, the feels... *squeals* This one was more in the romantic category, but very, very clean and beautiful. I love it very, very much and hope that this isn't the only story she's got in this world because I need to read more of it! The bad guys were appropriately ominous and evil, the side characters were just as important and lovely people as the heroes, there was court intrigue but not too much, the growing relationship between Ravenna and Kennard was perfect... 5/5 stars.
All in all, book worth reading!
June 12, 2024
Okay, so overall, woah. For some reason I didn't think I was expecting much from this collection, but then I picked it up and I was suddenly realized excited. And then a little blown away. I enjoyed some stories more than others, but there were definitely some in here that stood out, and they all really need to be full length novels. When I saw the group of authors for this, I was expecting it to be minorly intense and maybe just a tad heavy, but this collection was actually super cool, kept you on your seat and kept the stakes high, while being full of light and hope.
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin
Eeek! Alllll the feels. Loved this one so much, even though it hurt so bad. Some parts were a bit intense, but it accurately portrayed the depth of evil of the idolatrous culture and kept the stakes and suspense raised, so it had adequate purpose. Me wuvs these characters so much...ack. Ah, man. Wow. This thing was powerful too...so good.
Black is the Rose by Kristina Hall
Okay, so this one... XD I was not expecting to laugh so hard! After the intensity of the previous one, even though there were some funny parts, I this one actually made me laugh at hard, while still being super high stakes and keeping me at the edge of my seat at all times. Sooometimes it drove me nuts, but in a good way...I seriously didn't know how it was going to end, and I loved it. Ah, man, the plooot twists.
A Life's Cost by Vanessa Hall
I have no idea what was with this one, but it just didn't hook me, really, until the very end. I felt like the message was very good...but very explicit and repetitive in a manner that made it hard to connect with the story and made me impatient to figure out what even happened next with it feeling like it was going nowhere and that I was just reading characters encouraging each other with God's hope, which is very good, but also felt like it could have been better incorporated into the story instead being the story while you were waiting for the plot to actually go anyway. Thankfully, it picked up in the middle, went a little faster, and took you for a ride! The main characters were very sweet even if I found it hard to connect with them, and I enjoyed the side characters even more. I think one thing that may have made it hard for me to sit through this one was some disjointedness or inconsistency with the old English style of speaking mixed with more modern language which made it hard for me to get into the feel of the world, but it's likely any inconsistencies were edited in the final version, as I read an ARC, so I might enjoy the final published version more. Ack, and then the end...I'd really like to know what happened after the end. XD I feel like this one needed to concentrated a little to make the beginning go smoother, and then expanded in the second half and then further into a full novel.
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson
This one was really fun. I loved the sort of reckless, youthful, freshness to it, and the banter between characters. The plot was super good...but it felt a little rushed. I felt like it was really well done, but man an expanded version would be soooo much fun. I also had some trouble grasping the world-building, but I can understand the time constraints on fitting such an complex government system/history and concepts into a shorter novella.
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan
Ooh, woah...the setting was so cool in this one. Just the snow and the wolves and the villages felt so tangible and the world-building was awesome. I feel like this one had good pacing as well, which I feel like was a harder thing in general to accomplish in this collection.
Rose of Fate by Kaitlyn Philips
I loved this one. It was soo satisfying...it's like what I enjoy about fantasy in a novella. All the lies and old traditions and injustice and unlikely friendships and trust and last minute intervention. I wasn't sure if it wrapped up the way I wanted...I feel like it left a lot unresolved but in an okay way. XD It worked. It worked...I guess I just wanted a full novel out of all of these. XD I loved the plot. And the characters. And...so many things. One thing with this one, that I feel really silly for...it took me fooorever to figure out whether the MC was a he or a she, and I kept searching for hints and I felt kinda silly for not figuring out it was a guy sooner, but I don't know...some of the internal monologue felt kind of feminine and had me scratching my head until it was more explicit. XD Like I said, a little silly...but it had me a little off balance at the beginning trying to figure it out.
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney
Ahhhhh!! I don't think I've read anything by this author or heard much about her, but her prose... 🤩 Those lines punched. The pacing was great...the characters so well-fleshed out, the world-building felt solid, the story powerful and packed with truth and light without having to take a single pause from the story to preach, it seriously was just beautiful...I want to write like her and read more Christian fantasy written like this. And theeeeen...it ended. And I was not ready. And I'm mildly confused...it was sort of resolved? Getting there? But it had just staaaarted...moral of the story, please give me length novels of every single one of these, and quickly, please. It was so good, can I have mooooore...
It's funny, because this collection was LONG, and it took me much longer to get through than I thought, but I still wish each of them were longer. 🤣 Fabulous authors, with solid, clean, beautiful writing. Not perfect, but I was reading an ARC, so I'm sure a lot of it was solidified and clinched with last round edits. Well done, ladies.
I received a free copy of this ARC in return for an honest review. These is my honest thoughts. 🤷♀️
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin
Eeek! Alllll the feels. Loved this one so much, even though it hurt so bad. Some parts were a bit intense, but it accurately portrayed the depth of evil of the idolatrous culture and kept the stakes and suspense raised, so it had adequate purpose. Me wuvs these characters so much...ack. Ah, man. Wow. This thing was powerful too...so good.
Black is the Rose by Kristina Hall
Okay, so this one... XD I was not expecting to laugh so hard! After the intensity of the previous one, even though there were some funny parts, I this one actually made me laugh at hard, while still being super high stakes and keeping me at the edge of my seat at all times. Sooometimes it drove me nuts, but in a good way...I seriously didn't know how it was going to end, and I loved it. Ah, man, the plooot twists.
A Life's Cost by Vanessa Hall
I have no idea what was with this one, but it just didn't hook me, really, until the very end. I felt like the message was very good...but very explicit and repetitive in a manner that made it hard to connect with the story and made me impatient to figure out what even happened next with it feeling like it was going nowhere and that I was just reading characters encouraging each other with God's hope, which is very good, but also felt like it could have been better incorporated into the story instead being the story while you were waiting for the plot to actually go anyway. Thankfully, it picked up in the middle, went a little faster, and took you for a ride! The main characters were very sweet even if I found it hard to connect with them, and I enjoyed the side characters even more. I think one thing that may have made it hard for me to sit through this one was some disjointedness or inconsistency with the old English style of speaking mixed with more modern language which made it hard for me to get into the feel of the world, but it's likely any inconsistencies were edited in the final version, as I read an ARC, so I might enjoy the final published version more. Ack, and then the end...I'd really like to know what happened after the end. XD I feel like this one needed to concentrated a little to make the beginning go smoother, and then expanded in the second half and then further into a full novel.
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson
This one was really fun. I loved the sort of reckless, youthful, freshness to it, and the banter between characters. The plot was super good...but it felt a little rushed. I felt like it was really well done, but man an expanded version would be soooo much fun. I also had some trouble grasping the world-building, but I can understand the time constraints on fitting such an complex government system/history and concepts into a shorter novella.
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan
Ooh, woah...the setting was so cool in this one. Just the snow and the wolves and the villages felt so tangible and the world-building was awesome. I feel like this one had good pacing as well, which I feel like was a harder thing in general to accomplish in this collection.
Rose of Fate by Kaitlyn Philips
I loved this one. It was soo satisfying...it's like what I enjoy about fantasy in a novella. All the lies and old traditions and injustice and unlikely friendships and trust and last minute intervention. I wasn't sure if it wrapped up the way I wanted...I feel like it left a lot unresolved but in an okay way. XD It worked. It worked...I guess I just wanted a full novel out of all of these. XD I loved the plot. And the characters. And...so many things. One thing with this one, that I feel really silly for...it took me fooorever to figure out whether the MC was a he or a she, and I kept searching for hints and I felt kinda silly for not figuring out it was a guy sooner, but I don't know...some of the internal monologue felt kind of feminine and had me scratching my head until it was more explicit. XD Like I said, a little silly...but it had me a little off balance at the beginning trying to figure it out.
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney
Ahhhhh!! I don't think I've read anything by this author or heard much about her, but her prose... 🤩 Those lines punched. The pacing was great...the characters so well-fleshed out, the world-building felt solid, the story powerful and packed with truth and light without having to take a single pause from the story to preach, it seriously was just beautiful...I want to write like her and read more Christian fantasy written like this. And theeeeen...it ended. And I was not ready. And I'm mildly confused...it was sort of resolved? Getting there? But it had just staaaarted...moral of the story, please give me length novels of every single one of these, and quickly, please. It was so good, can I have mooooore...
It's funny, because this collection was LONG, and it took me much longer to get through than I thought, but I still wish each of them were longer. 🤣 Fabulous authors, with solid, clean, beautiful writing. Not perfect, but I was reading an ARC, so I'm sure a lot of it was solidified and clinched with last round edits. Well done, ladies.
I received a free copy of this ARC in return for an honest review. These is my honest thoughts. 🤷♀️
May 21, 2024
The Black Rose Collection: filled with unique stories of love, faith, danger, adventure, and action, but all united by a black rose and Christian themes of faith and hope. I simply loved this anthology, and it was wonderful to read.
"Lethal Mark" by Madisyn Carlin - 4 stars
This was a lovely, well-written story. The characters were really sweet, and I loved their dynamic. Eledy especially was relatable in her struggle to trust God. This theme, of trusting God even in the hardest circumstances, came out strong and was expertly woven throughout this story.
"Black is the Rose" by Kristina Hall - 4 stars
This was a wonderful story featuring two characters whose personalities are distinct and whose dynamic the best! Letti and Eckhardt are so sweet together. <33
I quite enjoyed the plot of this novella; however, I did find that the conflict resolved a little too quickly and easily, but I think something like that is easier to overlook in a shorter story.
"A Life's Cost" by Vanessa Hall - 3 stars
This novella was about a husband and wife's desperate flight to another land to protect their infant daughter from being taken from them. The love the couple had for each other and their daughter was heartwarming, as was the clear pro-life theme demonstrated.
To be honest, I didn't love this story or the style of writing. Despite the quickness of the events, I found it to be somehow slow, and it just didn't really draw me in. I found myself a little bored by the constant worries and doubts and repetitive descriptions. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending either, but in general, the story was good.
"Allies in the Shadows" by K.R. Mattson - 3 stars
I loved the setting of this story a lot! It has a more fantasy-dystopian feel rather than just pure medieval fantasy, which was a nice change-up. However, I feel like the world-building could've been done better, as I could never really picture the setting; some descriptions of things were also kind of odd and never explained very well.
The plot itself could've done with a bit more fleshing out - there were definitely some things I was left scratching my head about, and there were times I was unclear as to what was going on.
In general, I did love the feel of this novella - the fast pacing and dystopian-like vibe. And the plot seemed really interesting and unique. It was just the way it was executed didn't quite live up to its promise.
"The Hunted" by M.L. Milligan - 5 stars
This was definitely one of my favorite stories in this anthology! I loved the wolves and the more rugged vibe to the story. The main character, Minsi, was a bad-ass but relatable heroine, and her relationship with Torin was everything! Milligan's writing was enthralling, and her expertly woven story drew me in and kept me riveted for the whole thing.
"Rose of Fate" by Kaytlin Phillips - 4 stars
This lovely little story was surprisingly good! It's about a man who's been wrongly-accused of a crime, loses his memory, gets taken care of by a woman who kind of despises him, and somehow has to clear his name.
Rasil was such a sweet and forgiving main character - I loved him! And Naomi's arc as she learned to trust and love God was lovely to read. These characters are some of my favorites in this anthology. <3
"Valley of Stars" by Saraina Whitney - 5 stars
I . . . I loved this story. So. Much! It was beautiful in every way - the characters, the plot, the writing, the themes of faith . . . all of it! But the characters were my favorite part, I think: Princess Regent Ravenna de Vivon, a cold but hurting main character who learns to thaw and to feel, and Captain Kennard Engall, a hot-headed brogue-speaking warrior who does his absolute best to deny his feelings toward one princess regent. They are so perfect for one another!! <33
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review; all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
"Lethal Mark" by Madisyn Carlin - 4 stars
This was a lovely, well-written story. The characters were really sweet, and I loved their dynamic. Eledy especially was relatable in her struggle to trust God. This theme, of trusting God even in the hardest circumstances, came out strong and was expertly woven throughout this story.
"Black is the Rose" by Kristina Hall - 4 stars
This was a wonderful story featuring two characters whose personalities are distinct and whose dynamic the best! Letti and Eckhardt are so sweet together. <33
I quite enjoyed the plot of this novella; however, I did find that the conflict resolved a little too quickly and easily, but I think something like that is easier to overlook in a shorter story.
"A Life's Cost" by Vanessa Hall - 3 stars
This novella was about a husband and wife's desperate flight to another land to protect their infant daughter from being taken from them. The love the couple had for each other and their daughter was heartwarming, as was the clear pro-life theme demonstrated.
To be honest, I didn't love this story or the style of writing. Despite the quickness of the events, I found it to be somehow slow, and it just didn't really draw me in. I found myself a little bored by the constant worries and doubts and repetitive descriptions. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending either, but in general, the story was good.
"Allies in the Shadows" by K.R. Mattson - 3 stars
I loved the setting of this story a lot! It has a more fantasy-dystopian feel rather than just pure medieval fantasy, which was a nice change-up. However, I feel like the world-building could've been done better, as I could never really picture the setting; some descriptions of things were also kind of odd and never explained very well.
The plot itself could've done with a bit more fleshing out - there were definitely some things I was left scratching my head about, and there were times I was unclear as to what was going on.
In general, I did love the feel of this novella - the fast pacing and dystopian-like vibe. And the plot seemed really interesting and unique. It was just the way it was executed didn't quite live up to its promise.
"The Hunted" by M.L. Milligan - 5 stars
This was definitely one of my favorite stories in this anthology! I loved the wolves and the more rugged vibe to the story. The main character, Minsi, was a bad-ass but relatable heroine, and her relationship with Torin was everything! Milligan's writing was enthralling, and her expertly woven story drew me in and kept me riveted for the whole thing.
"Rose of Fate" by Kaytlin Phillips - 4 stars
This lovely little story was surprisingly good! It's about a man who's been wrongly-accused of a crime, loses his memory, gets taken care of by a woman who kind of despises him, and somehow has to clear his name.
Rasil was such a sweet and forgiving main character - I loved him! And Naomi's arc as she learned to trust and love God was lovely to read. These characters are some of my favorites in this anthology. <3
"Valley of Stars" by Saraina Whitney - 5 stars
I . . . I loved this story. So. Much! It was beautiful in every way - the characters, the plot, the writing, the themes of faith . . . all of it! But the characters were my favorite part, I think: Princess Regent Ravenna de Vivon, a cold but hurting main character who learns to thaw and to feel, and Captain Kennard Engall, a hot-headed brogue-speaking warrior who does his absolute best to deny his feelings toward one princess regent. They are so perfect for one another!! <33
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review; all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
April 23, 2024
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin
5 stars. Very typical Madisyn Carlin story. I loved the friends-to-lovers, the memory loss, the sweet and realistic faith of the heroine, the hero’s protectiveness, and the very real danger that continued until the very end—all served with the awesome sarcasm and loveable characters that Carlin’s stories always include. <3
A Favourite Quote: …she watched the night gradually become cloaked with dawn’s radiant array of colors. Eyes gritty from lack of sleep, Eledy stared at the pretty colors. The Creator painted every sunrise, making each unique. He put such detail into something so few witnessed. She exhaled and closed her eyes. If He put such care into a sunrise, He certainly knew what was best for her, even if she couldn’t understand it.
Black is the Rose by Kristina Hall
3.7 stars. I had a bit of a harder time with this one because it felt much more modern American, and even Western—it just wasn’t what I expected from a fantasy. I love the sarcasm and the hero’s cheer and the heroine’s lessons of faith. I also enjoyed the kidnappings and sword fights and all the high-stakes action. I never knew what was coming next, and things ended up rather different than I expected!
A Favourite Quote: “Doesn’t it bother you just a little to know that a Mördare left that hideous rose in front of your door?”
He smiled that crooked grin of his. “That rose is part of God’s creation.”
A Life’s Cost by Vanessa Hall
5 stars. Irish inspired fiction?! Yeahhh, so cool! I really liked the characters—I really liked how realistically weak the husband/father is—and I loved the blind sister and the Brian-de-Bois-Guilbert-type of hero. I specially appreciated the pro-life aspect of the story… it was so well done! I was so not ready to let go when the novella ended!!
A Favourite Quote: “You can’t undo the evils of this world by committing more evil, Roark. ’Tis not right.... The only way we can try to right the wrong is to resist evil and cleave to that which is good.”
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson
4 stars. I’m always a sucker for orphanage, rags to riches, and action stories. This reminded me of the stories my bestie and I used to write as teens… I enjoyed the characters—specially KRAMPUS—and the plot was definitely didn’t go the way I thought it would. :D It was just all-around fun!
A Favourite Quote: “I’ve been thinking about it and all this time I’ve been having a pity party for myself. Everything was about me. How I needed to do something before I died. How I felt about… well, anything, really. I don’t ever stop to think about anyone else. Like you.”
...“You’ve had a pretty rough life…”
“That's not an excuse though, Garren. I’ve never really paid attention to how others feel or how I make them feel.”
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan
4.7 stars. I don’t know what it is but I LOVE stories set in wintry lands. Also wolves. I’m not a huge fan of Alpha females but this heroine was actually realistic and I liked her—also the hero is pretty swoon worthy. ;) I was a bit lost throughout the plot but I enjoyed the high stakes and action and totally couldn’t put the book down.
A Favourite Quote: “Lord… You’re right.” My eyes trailed up the gapped wooden walls and to the cracks of light in the ceiling. “It’s not my job to save those you call home.” Because, hard as it was to admit, I was not in control. I would do my part to save lives, but that couldn’t make up for the ones I’d lost so long ago. It wasn’t supposed to. “Lord, forgive me. For everything.” For shouldering a weight that was not my own. For thinking I could save everyone. I saw then how foolish I had been.
Rose of Fate by Kaytlin Phillips
4.7 stars. A Roman-inspired fantasy wasn’t what I expected, but I quite liked it! I appreciated the lessons the characters learned—especially the heroine—and the message of standing up and speaking out even when in danger. The hero was a realistic guy and I appreciated that a lot (because often they’re either way too strong or way too weak ;P). Again the stakes were high, and things didn’t go as I expected—but I was very satisfied.
A Favourite Quote: “Life is full of ‘should haves,’ Noami, but we need to focus on the ‘cans.’ I can pray. I can go to the capital. I can speak out against this injustice. Standing here and mourning over the ‘should haves’ in life will get you nowhere. ‘Should have’ is a dead-end street leading to nothing but shame, heartache, and bitterness. Don’t follow that path, look to the ‘cans’ of life, focus on what you can do and not what you should have done.”
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney
5 stars. I don’t know why I love cold heroines who thaw out, but I really do. I also love hardheaded hot-tempered guys realizing they’re in love. It’s so cute. ;P This story was just full of tropes I love! It was so NOT what I anticipated and didn’t go at all as I expected (although when DO books go as I expect??) I loved the danger-at-court atmosphere, and the open ending…
Also, side note: I LOVE how all the stories incorporated the Black Rose differently!! It was just so cool.
A Favourite Quote: “It’s the world we live in,” Lord Ebert said with a resigned shrug.
“But it doesn’t have to be!” Ravenna shot back, sparks flaring to life in her eyes.
*Reviews to be updated. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
5 stars. Very typical Madisyn Carlin story. I loved the friends-to-lovers, the memory loss, the sweet and realistic faith of the heroine, the hero’s protectiveness, and the very real danger that continued until the very end—all served with the awesome sarcasm and loveable characters that Carlin’s stories always include. <3
A Favourite Quote: …she watched the night gradually become cloaked with dawn’s radiant array of colors. Eyes gritty from lack of sleep, Eledy stared at the pretty colors. The Creator painted every sunrise, making each unique. He put such detail into something so few witnessed. She exhaled and closed her eyes. If He put such care into a sunrise, He certainly knew what was best for her, even if she couldn’t understand it.
Black is the Rose by Kristina Hall
3.7 stars. I had a bit of a harder time with this one because it felt much more modern American, and even Western—it just wasn’t what I expected from a fantasy. I love the sarcasm and the hero’s cheer and the heroine’s lessons of faith. I also enjoyed the kidnappings and sword fights and all the high-stakes action. I never knew what was coming next, and things ended up rather different than I expected!
A Favourite Quote: “Doesn’t it bother you just a little to know that a Mördare left that hideous rose in front of your door?”
He smiled that crooked grin of his. “That rose is part of God’s creation.”
A Life’s Cost by Vanessa Hall
5 stars. Irish inspired fiction?! Yeahhh, so cool! I really liked the characters—I really liked how realistically weak the husband/father is—and I loved the blind sister and the Brian-de-Bois-Guilbert-type of hero. I specially appreciated the pro-life aspect of the story… it was so well done! I was so not ready to let go when the novella ended!!
A Favourite Quote: “You can’t undo the evils of this world by committing more evil, Roark. ’Tis not right.... The only way we can try to right the wrong is to resist evil and cleave to that which is good.”
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson
4 stars. I’m always a sucker for orphanage, rags to riches, and action stories. This reminded me of the stories my bestie and I used to write as teens… I enjoyed the characters—specially KRAMPUS—and the plot was definitely didn’t go the way I thought it would. :D It was just all-around fun!
A Favourite Quote: “I’ve been thinking about it and all this time I’ve been having a pity party for myself. Everything was about me. How I needed to do something before I died. How I felt about… well, anything, really. I don’t ever stop to think about anyone else. Like you.”
...“You’ve had a pretty rough life…”
“That's not an excuse though, Garren. I’ve never really paid attention to how others feel or how I make them feel.”
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan
4.7 stars. I don’t know what it is but I LOVE stories set in wintry lands. Also wolves. I’m not a huge fan of Alpha females but this heroine was actually realistic and I liked her—also the hero is pretty swoon worthy. ;) I was a bit lost throughout the plot but I enjoyed the high stakes and action and totally couldn’t put the book down.
A Favourite Quote: “Lord… You’re right.” My eyes trailed up the gapped wooden walls and to the cracks of light in the ceiling. “It’s not my job to save those you call home.” Because, hard as it was to admit, I was not in control. I would do my part to save lives, but that couldn’t make up for the ones I’d lost so long ago. It wasn’t supposed to. “Lord, forgive me. For everything.” For shouldering a weight that was not my own. For thinking I could save everyone. I saw then how foolish I had been.
Rose of Fate by Kaytlin Phillips
4.7 stars. A Roman-inspired fantasy wasn’t what I expected, but I quite liked it! I appreciated the lessons the characters learned—especially the heroine—and the message of standing up and speaking out even when in danger. The hero was a realistic guy and I appreciated that a lot (because often they’re either way too strong or way too weak ;P). Again the stakes were high, and things didn’t go as I expected—but I was very satisfied.
A Favourite Quote: “Life is full of ‘should haves,’ Noami, but we need to focus on the ‘cans.’ I can pray. I can go to the capital. I can speak out against this injustice. Standing here and mourning over the ‘should haves’ in life will get you nowhere. ‘Should have’ is a dead-end street leading to nothing but shame, heartache, and bitterness. Don’t follow that path, look to the ‘cans’ of life, focus on what you can do and not what you should have done.”
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney
5 stars. I don’t know why I love cold heroines who thaw out, but I really do. I also love hardheaded hot-tempered guys realizing they’re in love. It’s so cute. ;P This story was just full of tropes I love! It was so NOT what I anticipated and didn’t go at all as I expected (although when DO books go as I expect??) I loved the danger-at-court atmosphere, and the open ending…
Also, side note: I LOVE how all the stories incorporated the Black Rose differently!! It was just so cool.
A Favourite Quote: “It’s the world we live in,” Lord Ebert said with a resigned shrug.
“But it doesn’t have to be!” Ravenna shot back, sparks flaring to life in her eyes.
*Reviews to be updated. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
December 25, 2025
Average rating 4.4 ⭐️
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin- 5 ⭐️
Black is the Rose by Kristina Hall- 4 ⭐️
A Life’s Cost by Vanessa Hall- 4 ⭐️ (Was 3… but Roark gets a whole star to himself 🫠)
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson- 3 ⭐️
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan- 5 ⭐️
Rose of Fate by Kaytlin Phillips- 5 ⭐️
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney- 5 ⭐️
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin- 5 ⭐️
Black is the Rose by Kristina Hall- 4 ⭐️
A Life’s Cost by Vanessa Hall- 4 ⭐️ (Was 3… but Roark gets a whole star to himself 🫠)
Allies in the Shadows by K.R. Mattson- 3 ⭐️
The Hunted by M.L. Milligan- 5 ⭐️
Rose of Fate by Kaytlin Phillips- 5 ⭐️
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney- 5 ⭐️
February 28, 2024
I haven't read all of the stories (otherwise, I can't currently recommend all of them, but all of the authors are pretty amazing and lovely ladies.) though I am so excited for this collection to release!
March 21, 2024
Crack open this collection of clean fantasy stories, and delve into unique realms where a black rose always means death, but not defeat!
May 7, 2024
I should preface this review by stating that fantasy isn’t my preferred genre. So when I was starting this collection, there was a point at which I wondered if I even wanted to finish it–not because there was anything wrong with any of the stories, but certain traits of the genre simply get on my nerves. But I’m glad I kept reading–while not all the novellas were exactly to my taste, I enjoyed most of them. There wasn’t a single story in the collection that I wouldn’t expect a fantasy fan to adore.
One thing I highly appreciated about every one of the stories was the focus they placed on faith. Most if not all gave the protagonist a meaningful character arc and emphasized the theme. I was pleasantly surprised by that aspect of the collection.
“Lethal Mark” by Madisyn Carlin: I liked the premise of this story–a condemned girl kidnapped by her childhood best friend whose memories were taken by an evil queen. While the plot was interesting, the characters, setting, and writing style were, in my opinion, neither bad nor impressive. However, this is probably because kingdom adventure fantasy isn’t my favorite genre, and not the fault of the story itself.
“Black Is the Rose” by Kristina Hall: I liked the characters, Letti and Eckhardt, and the way their personalities contrasted with and complemented each other. This novella is quite suspenseful, with a good writing style. I suppose it was still too action-packed for my hard-to-please tastes, but I have no doubt that readers who enjoy this genre will consider this novella a favorite.
“A Life’s Cost” by Vanessa Hall: I loved the pro-life theme central to this novella, and the setting that played such a large role. What I liked least about this story was the writing style, namely, the frequent use of certain colloquialisms, used not just in dialogue but in the narration as well, that grated on me after a while. However, the theme and characters made up for it.
“Allies in the Shadows” by K.R. Mattson: This novella’s fantasy-dystopian setting was a pleasant change from the others. The plot was intriguing, though it seemed to wrap up too quickly. It could easily be expanded into a novel, which isn’t a bad thing. I enjoyed this story greatly.
“The Hunted” by M.L. Milligan: I loved this atmospheric novella. Minsi and Torin were likable characters, and the plot intrigued me from beginning to end. The writing style was good, and I liked the wintry setting. In fact, this might have been my favorite story in the collection.
“Rose of Fate” by Kaytlin Phillips: I enjoyed this suspenseful novella. Noami was one of my favorite characters in the entire collection, and I loved reading about her journey to faith. In my opinion, the setting could have been more distinctive, but other than that, there was nothing I disliked about this story.
“A Valley of Stars” by Saraina Whitney: I loved reading this well-written novella. The characters were my favorite part–both individually and together. Ravenna and Kennard made an excellent couple, even though they started out as enemies. The plot was intriguing, and I would love to read a sequel to see how it all turns out.
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free ARC to honestly review.
One thing I highly appreciated about every one of the stories was the focus they placed on faith. Most if not all gave the protagonist a meaningful character arc and emphasized the theme. I was pleasantly surprised by that aspect of the collection.
“Lethal Mark” by Madisyn Carlin: I liked the premise of this story–a condemned girl kidnapped by her childhood best friend whose memories were taken by an evil queen. While the plot was interesting, the characters, setting, and writing style were, in my opinion, neither bad nor impressive. However, this is probably because kingdom adventure fantasy isn’t my favorite genre, and not the fault of the story itself.
“Black Is the Rose” by Kristina Hall: I liked the characters, Letti and Eckhardt, and the way their personalities contrasted with and complemented each other. This novella is quite suspenseful, with a good writing style. I suppose it was still too action-packed for my hard-to-please tastes, but I have no doubt that readers who enjoy this genre will consider this novella a favorite.
“A Life’s Cost” by Vanessa Hall: I loved the pro-life theme central to this novella, and the setting that played such a large role. What I liked least about this story was the writing style, namely, the frequent use of certain colloquialisms, used not just in dialogue but in the narration as well, that grated on me after a while. However, the theme and characters made up for it.
“Allies in the Shadows” by K.R. Mattson: This novella’s fantasy-dystopian setting was a pleasant change from the others. The plot was intriguing, though it seemed to wrap up too quickly. It could easily be expanded into a novel, which isn’t a bad thing. I enjoyed this story greatly.
“The Hunted” by M.L. Milligan: I loved this atmospheric novella. Minsi and Torin were likable characters, and the plot intrigued me from beginning to end. The writing style was good, and I liked the wintry setting. In fact, this might have been my favorite story in the collection.
“Rose of Fate” by Kaytlin Phillips: I enjoyed this suspenseful novella. Noami was one of my favorite characters in the entire collection, and I loved reading about her journey to faith. In my opinion, the setting could have been more distinctive, but other than that, there was nothing I disliked about this story.
“A Valley of Stars” by Saraina Whitney: I loved reading this well-written novella. The characters were my favorite part–both individually and together. Ravenna and Kennard made an excellent couple, even though they started out as enemies. The plot was intriguing, and I would love to read a sequel to see how it all turns out.
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free ARC to honestly review.
October 10, 2025
So, I'm going to structure this review by listing the stories in order of individual ratings, from 5 stars to, sadly, at least two DNFs.
2025 EDIT: Finally got around to finishing the stories I initially DNF'ed. I have one review for one done; the other should be up tomorrow.
****
A Valley of Stars - 5 Stars
I'm sorry, what was that ending?? I need this to be a novel?? Or at least have a sequel?? The intrigue! The hints of a romance! The suspense! The themes! Ack! Writing-wise, this was probably the most well-written - no offense to the other authors of course. Although there did seem to be at least two instance of repetition, but they were so minor, Idk why I'm even mentioning them!
A Life’s Cost - 4 stars
I haven’t read Vanessa’s stories until now. And of all the stories in this anthology, this is the first one that I read in one sitting, and I honestly need it to be a full length novel because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?? I NEED MORE!! I WAS EXPECTING MORE!!
I do think there were a few things that could’ve been mentioned sooner, but that’s just me. All in all, I really liked it!
The Hunted - 3.5/4 Stars
I initially thought this would be Scandinavian-inspired for the worldbuilding, probably because of the name Astrid, but then someone spoke in an Irish sounding accent? It would’ve also helped to know which POV was which at the beginning of each chapter. And, I’m really not a fan of the women are alphas and men are betas thing. That aside, it’s an interesting story nonetheless, and another that I read in one sitting. Also, I'm waffling between 3.5 and 4 stars, so...maybe both??
Black Is The Rose - 3.5 stars
Letti. Why were you not marrying Eckhardt on the spot?? Seriously, their relationship was so sweet! Protective men are such green flags! I did think that the ending came about a bit abruptly, and some of the loose ends were tied up a little…conveniently? Also, though the author’s writing had improved, some of those sentences could’ve been compressed into paragraphs. But it was a nice story overall. Mayhap it could be expanded upon in the future?
Rose of Fate - 3 Stars
Another cliffhanger. Sigh. I wanted to see the bad guys get their due! Another one that needs to be a novel!
Lethal Mark - 3 stars
Sweet story, though I may have glazed over the climax and resolution a bit since I finished late at night...also I did think at one point it sounded a little like a Snow Queen retelling - the name Gerti sounds pretty close to Gerda! Plus, with the memory loss and such...I don't know, it just seemed like it'd make a good Snow Queen retelling.
Allies in The Shadows - 2.5/3 Stars
RTC
****
With the addition of the other two, I'm ramping my total rating up to 4.5 stars. (Really wish there was a half star option on Goodreads!)
2025 EDIT: Finally got around to finishing the stories I initially DNF'ed. I have one review for one done; the other should be up tomorrow.
****
A Valley of Stars - 5 Stars
I'm sorry, what was that ending?? I need this to be a novel?? Or at least have a sequel?? The intrigue! The hints of a romance! The suspense! The themes! Ack! Writing-wise, this was probably the most well-written - no offense to the other authors of course. Although there did seem to be at least two instance of repetition, but they were so minor, Idk why I'm even mentioning them!
A Life’s Cost - 4 stars
I haven’t read Vanessa’s stories until now. And of all the stories in this anthology, this is the first one that I read in one sitting, and I honestly need it to be a full length novel because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?? I NEED MORE!! I WAS EXPECTING MORE!!
I do think there were a few things that could’ve been mentioned sooner, but that’s just me. All in all, I really liked it!
The Hunted - 3.5/4 Stars
I initially thought this would be Scandinavian-inspired for the worldbuilding, probably because of the name Astrid, but then someone spoke in an Irish sounding accent? It would’ve also helped to know which POV was which at the beginning of each chapter. And, I’m really not a fan of the women are alphas and men are betas thing. That aside, it’s an interesting story nonetheless, and another that I read in one sitting. Also, I'm waffling between 3.5 and 4 stars, so...maybe both??
Black Is The Rose - 3.5 stars
Letti. Why were you not marrying Eckhardt on the spot?? Seriously, their relationship was so sweet! Protective men are such green flags! I did think that the ending came about a bit abruptly, and some of the loose ends were tied up a little…conveniently? Also, though the author’s writing had improved, some of those sentences could’ve been compressed into paragraphs. But it was a nice story overall. Mayhap it could be expanded upon in the future?
Rose of Fate - 3 Stars
Another cliffhanger. Sigh. I wanted to see the bad guys get their due! Another one that needs to be a novel!
Lethal Mark - 3 stars
Sweet story, though I may have glazed over the climax and resolution a bit since I finished late at night...also I did think at one point it sounded a little like a Snow Queen retelling - the name Gerti sounds pretty close to Gerda! Plus, with the memory loss and such...I don't know, it just seemed like it'd make a good Snow Queen retelling.
Allies in The Shadows - 2.5/3 Stars
RTC
****
With the addition of the other two, I'm ramping my total rating up to 4.5 stars. (Really wish there was a half star option on Goodreads!)
November 20, 2024
What a beautiful collection! 😍 Yes, I’m giving this a collective 5 stars, plus the vibes/themes of each story. 🥰
Lethal Mark—Madisyn Carlin
❄ Wicked ice queen
❄ Amnesia trope
❄ Wintry vibes
Black is the Rose—Kristina Hall
❄ Protector vibes
❄ Scoffing protagonist
❄ Ulterior motives
A Life’s Cost—Vanessa Hall
❄ Irish vibes
❄ On-the-run
❄ Birthmarks
Allies in the Shadows—K. R. Mattson
❄ Friends to Enemies
❄ Random selection
❄ Rebellion
The Hunted—M. L. Milligan
❄ Norse/Celtic vibes
❄ Wolves
❄ Huntress
Rose of Fate—Kaytlin Phillips
❄ Amnesia
❄ False Accusations
❄ Death penalty
A Valley of Stars—Saraina Whitney
❄ Political intrigue
❄ Assassins
❄ Royalty
Lethal Mark—Madisyn Carlin
❄ Wicked ice queen
❄ Amnesia trope
❄ Wintry vibes
Black is the Rose—Kristina Hall
❄ Protector vibes
❄ Scoffing protagonist
❄ Ulterior motives
A Life’s Cost—Vanessa Hall
❄ Irish vibes
❄ On-the-run
❄ Birthmarks
Allies in the Shadows—K. R. Mattson
❄ Friends to Enemies
❄ Random selection
❄ Rebellion
The Hunted—M. L. Milligan
❄ Norse/Celtic vibes
❄ Wolves
❄ Huntress
Rose of Fate—Kaytlin Phillips
❄ Amnesia
❄ False Accusations
❄ Death penalty
A Valley of Stars—Saraina Whitney
❄ Political intrigue
❄ Assassins
❄ Royalty
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews