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The Midnight Rose
The Alchemyst
The Faerie
The Witch
The Warlock
Leo is a sixteen-year-old apprentice at the Alchemical Court until one night changes everything. When the castle is attacked and Leo is told to flee, he creates a new portal using the strange runes left behind in his missing master's notebook. Arriving in the mysterious Realm of the Fey, a place long forgotten by mortals and Alchemysts alike, Leo meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help. Together they quickly learn both their worlds are under threat from the elusive Dark Alchemyst; unless they find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before he does. . Along the way they encounter Flora, a charming witch on a search for the truth of her family, as well as Leo’s former classmate, a warlock with questionable intentions, Lucien. The four of them are soon drawn together as they face numerous dangers and challenges to find and retrieve the talismans. Set in an alternative magical renaissance and featuring elements of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, The Midnight Rose is a spell-binding fantasy adventure unlike any other.
The Faerie
The Witch
The Warlock
Leo is a sixteen-year-old apprentice at the Alchemical Court until one night changes everything. When the castle is attacked and Leo is told to flee, he creates a new portal using the strange runes left behind in his missing master's notebook. Arriving in the mysterious Realm of the Fey, a place long forgotten by mortals and Alchemysts alike, Leo meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help. Together they quickly learn both their worlds are under threat from the elusive Dark Alchemyst; unless they find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before he does. . Along the way they encounter Flora, a charming witch on a search for the truth of her family, as well as Leo’s former classmate, a warlock with questionable intentions, Lucien. The four of them are soon drawn together as they face numerous dangers and challenges to find and retrieve the talismans. Set in an alternative magical renaissance and featuring elements of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, The Midnight Rose is a spell-binding fantasy adventure unlike any other.
354 pages, Paperback
Published December 4, 2023
12 people are currently reading
9538 people want to read
About the author
Catalina Paris
3 books48 followersCatalina Paris is the author of YA Fantasy novel The Midnight Rose, book one in The Legend of the Midnight Rose series, and Kitty Tales, a series of classic fairy tales retold with a feline twist!
She also is the author of upcoming YA Fantasy series Six Witches, with book one, The Book of Spells, set to be published in 2026. Look out for book Two of Kitty Tales, The Little Purrmaid, in January.
Current WIPs: Evening Glory (The Legend of the Midnight Rose book two)
Kitty Tales books three, four and five
For more as well as exclusive updates:
www.instagram.com/catalina_paris_author/
www.youtube.com/@catalinaparisauthor
www.tumblr.com/catalina-paris
She also is the author of upcoming YA Fantasy series Six Witches, with book one, The Book of Spells, set to be published in 2026. Look out for book Two of Kitty Tales, The Little Purrmaid, in January.
Current WIPs: Evening Glory (The Legend of the Midnight Rose book two)
Kitty Tales books three, four and five
For more as well as exclusive updates:
www.instagram.com/catalina_paris_author/
www.youtube.com/@catalinaparisauthor
www.tumblr.com/catalina-paris
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 5, 2024
A great plot that was highly entertaining and spellbinding. If you’re a fan of the fantasy genre, then this is a story worth reading. Highly recommend.
December 26, 2023
The Midnight Rose is a fantasy adventure story. Leo is an alchemist went on a quest to find the scrolls and talisman's to keep them from the Dark Wizard. Then we follow Flora who is a witch hiding her powers and sneaking into royal balls.
The story has promise but I found it lacks world and character building. For example I thought Flora said as just sneaking into balls because she had a crush on a prince. That would have been enough of a motivation but half way through it's was said her motivations were completely different.
I think Leo is supposed to be the main character but I know nothing about his personality other than he likes languages. If he's in such a rush to complete his quest he wouldn't have spent so much time in the fea realm getting to know Lisandre.
Lucien is my favorite character I understood his motivations the easiest. He has his mother and his family to think about. I understood his suspicion of Flora given the circumstances.
The story is hard to follow and I found myself getting lost as to what was happening half the time.
A lot of time was spent discussing what they were wearing which I don't mind but I wanted to know the background and motivations more.
Thank you to netgalley for this arc and all opinions express are my own.
The story has promise but I found it lacks world and character building. For example I thought Flora said as just sneaking into balls because she had a crush on a prince. That would have been enough of a motivation but half way through it's was said her motivations were completely different.
I think Leo is supposed to be the main character but I know nothing about his personality other than he likes languages. If he's in such a rush to complete his quest he wouldn't have spent so much time in the fea realm getting to know Lisandre.
Lucien is my favorite character I understood his motivations the easiest. He has his mother and his family to think about. I understood his suspicion of Flora given the circumstances.
The story is hard to follow and I found myself getting lost as to what was happening half the time.
A lot of time was spent discussing what they were wearing which I don't mind but I wanted to know the background and motivations more.
Thank you to netgalley for this arc and all opinions express are my own.
February 4, 2024
This story is a fantasy with some adventure and mystery elements in it. I have a lot of thoughts on this book. Within stories when I am reading, I like knowing about the world within and about the characters in depth. I think that this is something the story is missing a bit of personally along with more detail on characters. I enjoyed the speed of this book as I did not find it too slow or too fast, it was just in the middle for me which is something that I prefer.
Overall, I did like the writing but I do wish that again there was more knowledge of the world and the characters throughout.
Despite all of this, I did find this story a good read that was full of magic, alchemy and a world of supernatural creatures that interested me.
Thank you to booksirens and the publisher for approving me for this arc and allowing me to write this review.
Overall, I did like the writing but I do wish that again there was more knowledge of the world and the characters throughout.
Despite all of this, I did find this story a good read that was full of magic, alchemy and a world of supernatural creatures that interested me.
Thank you to booksirens and the publisher for approving me for this arc and allowing me to write this review.
January 16, 2024
I was gifted a DRC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I had to dnf this one. Twenty pages in, and the writing style was so nonsensical and contradicting itself that I had to. I hate dnf-ing books so early in the story, and maybe I’m not in the right headspace to have more patience with the writing, but I couldn’t get past the first 5%.
I had to dnf this one. Twenty pages in, and the writing style was so nonsensical and contradicting itself that I had to. I hate dnf-ing books so early in the story, and maybe I’m not in the right headspace to have more patience with the writing, but I couldn’t get past the first 5%.
March 2, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up. The Midnight Rose is a high fantasy book, which set itself high standards to meet and I would say it didn't quite reach them, which is a real shame.
It's obvious how much care went into crafting this world and it's very thorough in its finer details and minutiae. There are some really in-depth and thoughtful parts, such as the fashions, languages, cultures and magic systems. I liked how these were often influenced or inspired by real world history, culture or folklore. However, they are inserted into the text at strange intervals, often when the reader is preoccupied with another current danger or point of intrigue. We have flashbacks to previous memories in the middle of unrelated conversations, to fill in blanks and explain connections but they don't smoothly slot into the narrative and can feel a bit jarring as a reader. I often thought I had accidentally zoned out and missed a location change, just to realise it was explained to be a memory or recollection further down the text. When on an urgent quest to retrieve an object or escape a foe, I don't much care for insignificant points like whether a tower was on the west or north side of a courtyard, that the character used to look upon it as a younger student or if the door they went through was second on the right etc.
Despite all these finer details being fleshed out, I think the characters and their motivations are not clearly defined by the author or understood by a reader. The alliances and identities of each individual were often changing and hard to grasp or connect with. I think the secret lineages and bloodlines were overdone in this, to the point it seemed a likelihood instead of a rarity. There were burgeoning (albeit chaste) romances dotted around but I couldn't connect with any of the characters well enough alone, to commit to enjoying them together as a couple. I don't think I will be continuing on to read any future books in this series.
Thank you Crimson Rose Publishing & Catalina Paris for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
It's obvious how much care went into crafting this world and it's very thorough in its finer details and minutiae. There are some really in-depth and thoughtful parts, such as the fashions, languages, cultures and magic systems. I liked how these were often influenced or inspired by real world history, culture or folklore. However, they are inserted into the text at strange intervals, often when the reader is preoccupied with another current danger or point of intrigue. We have flashbacks to previous memories in the middle of unrelated conversations, to fill in blanks and explain connections but they don't smoothly slot into the narrative and can feel a bit jarring as a reader. I often thought I had accidentally zoned out and missed a location change, just to realise it was explained to be a memory or recollection further down the text. When on an urgent quest to retrieve an object or escape a foe, I don't much care for insignificant points like whether a tower was on the west or north side of a courtyard, that the character used to look upon it as a younger student or if the door they went through was second on the right etc.
Despite all these finer details being fleshed out, I think the characters and their motivations are not clearly defined by the author or understood by a reader. The alliances and identities of each individual were often changing and hard to grasp or connect with. I think the secret lineages and bloodlines were overdone in this, to the point it seemed a likelihood instead of a rarity. There were burgeoning (albeit chaste) romances dotted around but I couldn't connect with any of the characters well enough alone, to commit to enjoying them together as a couple. I don't think I will be continuing on to read any future books in this series.
Thank you Crimson Rose Publishing & Catalina Paris for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 7, 2024
The Midnight Rose is a fantasy book with a bit of adventure and mystery in it. We follow both Leo, an alchemist that went on a quest to find the scrolls and talismans to protect them from the Dark Wizard, and Lisandre, a young faerie in great need of his assistance. Among the way we are introduced to Flora, a witch who’s hiding her powers while sneaking into royal balls and Lucien, a warlock with very questionable intentions.
The premise of the story was very good; however, I think it’s missing some world building and a bit more character development. The pace of the story was great, and it was full of challenges and dangers among the way. The writing was good, and I really wished we had a deeper knowledge of the world we dive into as well as the characters we met along the way.
Overall, it was a nice read, full of magic and alchemy elements that took place in another world full of supernatural creatures. So, if you are a fantasy fan like me, you’ll find it a good read.
Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
The premise of the story was very good; however, I think it’s missing some world building and a bit more character development. The pace of the story was great, and it was full of challenges and dangers among the way. The writing was good, and I really wished we had a deeper knowledge of the world we dive into as well as the characters we met along the way.
Overall, it was a nice read, full of magic and alchemy elements that took place in another world full of supernatural creatures. So, if you are a fantasy fan like me, you’ll find it a good read.
Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
January 16, 2024
Follow Flora and Leo on their journeys that intertwine along the way. You will be visiting Alchemy, Faeries and much more.
Personally this was a difficult book as too many details barely set up the characters but it may improve through the rest of the trilogy. Best to note down what is happening with characters as you can easily get lost between the events and persons. I found it difficult to put down and pick back up as you really loose what has happened. The mix of cultures too really made it difficult to keep track of from Alchemists to Faeries and witches. I think best to binge read all the books together to maybe make sense as the book just ended no resolve or linkage for the next from what I can read. Not for everyone but maybe more for the avid bookworm of a young fantasy fan who can keep up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Personally this was a difficult book as too many details barely set up the characters but it may improve through the rest of the trilogy. Best to note down what is happening with characters as you can easily get lost between the events and persons. I found it difficult to put down and pick back up as you really loose what has happened. The mix of cultures too really made it difficult to keep track of from Alchemists to Faeries and witches. I think best to binge read all the books together to maybe make sense as the book just ended no resolve or linkage for the next from what I can read. Not for everyone but maybe more for the avid bookworm of a young fantasy fan who can keep up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 31, 2024
Plot was very intriguing at first, but upon starting the book I found it confusing to follow along at certain points of the book. Switching character POVs added to the confusion, as sometimes it was not fully clear on when POV changes occurred and I’d have to go back to reread sections to limit confusion. Similar to this was with memory flashbacks throughout the story. I felt these were helpful to gather a deeper understanding about the characters, but they often felt tossed in at random moments that made the plot feel choppy. Overall, I enjoyed some moments of the book, but felt confused at times with the plot, POV changes, and flashbacks throughout. If POV changes were made more clear, I think this would have made it easier to understand the plot as a whole.
March 4, 2024
The book has a very intriguing premise. I liked the book's concept and saw a lot of potential in it, so I decided to read and review it. However, while there is a lot of possibility, I felt the author fell a little flat on the character and world-building. This is a good intro to fantasy books, and that may be where I'm missing connections with the story, as I enjoy fantasy novels that transport the reader into their world and introduce characters with a lot of depth and background. The pacing was good and kept my attention but the story itself is a little hard to follow. I was not a fan of the ending… there didn't seem to be a resolution or defined link to a potential future volume.
January 16, 2024
Not for me. I guess most of it was technically fine, but nothing about it really grabbed me. The world-building seemed interesting at first, but after a while it felt like the story got bogged down with unnecessary details. The time jumps and different names for the characters also confused me. I do think this had potential, but it just didn't work for me with its current structure.
2.5
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
2.5
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
February 13, 2024
There is some good story telling. We follow the journey of Leo, Lisandre, Flora and Lucien. Past intersects with future. I do find the author jumps around too much, and sometimes you are abruptly put into a memory, which could be told a different way, or the story rearranged so it's not so abrupt. I also noticed a lot of editing errors. Sentences that didn't make sense, wrong tenses, as well as he and she mix ups. Overall, it's a good story. Lots of detail to character's clothes. The story is incomplete, and I hope with a second book more things are clarified.
February 26, 2024
love the story and the building of the world and the realms within. The characters are easy to love especially Flora and her sass, and the banter between her and Lucien. Match these two with Leo and Lisandre and the challenges they face and finding themselves among the way and its a wonderful story with heartbreak and reunions along the way.
February 25, 2024
I would consider myself an avid fantasy’ reader and I can usually keep up with details given and the history of new cultures and following along with different realms and plot lines, however this book had me so beyond confused and lost and I took notes the entire time.
My first issue was there was barely any world building for the very many realms we jumped through. There was so much talk about what each character was wearing. I loved the descriptions of the outfits but it overshadowed the plot by a lot
My second issue was the characters and the pov in which the story was written: according to my notes that I took, we time jumped a lot but with no warning really. In one chapter we go from Lucien to to queen ivana to flora to lady alaia and then have soooooo many perspectives, we have queen katya and Lucien and elenora and cosimo and lorelai. Why are there so many names? You can hardly keep track of anything. In my opinion it should have been that each chapter was a different character. Why are we jumping realms and character perspective mid chapter? Multiple times?
Another issue with characters is many of them had several different names?
My head was spinning by the end of this and I’m still confused.
This book was just not for me however I do thank NetGalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review
My first issue was there was barely any world building for the very many realms we jumped through. There was so much talk about what each character was wearing. I loved the descriptions of the outfits but it overshadowed the plot by a lot
My second issue was the characters and the pov in which the story was written: according to my notes that I took, we time jumped a lot but with no warning really. In one chapter we go from Lucien to to queen ivana to flora to lady alaia and then have soooooo many perspectives, we have queen katya and Lucien and elenora and cosimo and lorelai. Why are there so many names? You can hardly keep track of anything. In my opinion it should have been that each chapter was a different character. Why are we jumping realms and character perspective mid chapter? Multiple times?
Another issue with characters is many of them had several different names?
My head was spinning by the end of this and I’m still confused.
This book was just not for me however I do thank NetGalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review
February 9, 2024
I loved the title and story line and the characters were very good as was the world however, many of the sentences all through the book had an extra word that did not belong. These extra words led me to believe there was no proof reader and that the grammar was not checked I had a difficult time getting into the book there were too many trailing dories trying to get going. Once I got about half way through it was much better. Like I said at the beginning I really liked the story and characters so I will most likely read the next book but please clean up the words.
ARC copy with voluntary review.
ARC copy with voluntary review.
March 23, 2024
🌹📚📖 "The Midnight Rose" takes readers on a thrilling journey through a world of magic, danger, and friendship. Set in an alternative magical renaissance, this spell-binding fantasy adventure follows Leo, a sixteen-year-old apprentice, as he discovers a hidden realm, encounters faeries, witches, and warlocks, and embarks on a quest to save both his world and theirs from the clutches of the Dark Alchemyst.📚
🌟 Leo's world is turned upside down when his castle is attacked, forcing him to flee into the mysterious Realm of the Fey. There, he meets Lady Lisandre, a faerie in need of his help, and together with a charming witch named Flora and a questionable warlock named Lucien, they set out on a perilous journey to find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica. Along the way, they face numerous dangers and challenges, forming unbreakable bonds of friendship as they strive to save their worlds from destruction.⭐
🖋 Catalina Paris is the mastermind behind "The Midnight Rose." With her captivating storytelling and imaginative world-building, Paris brings to life a vibrant universe filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. Her passion for fantasy shines through in every page, captivating readers of all ages with her enchanting tales.✨
📚 Dive into a world where magic reigns supreme and danger lurks around every corner. "The Midnight Rose" offers readers a captivating blend of action, intrigue, and heartwarming friendships that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or simply love a good adventure, this book promises to transport you to a realm unlike any other.✨
🎆 "The Midnight Rose" is a must-read for anyone craving an epic fantasy adventure. Catalina Paris's enchanting tale will sweep you away to a world where anything is possible and friendships are forged in the face of adversity. With its gripping plot, richly developed characters, and immersive world-building, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers and keep them eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey into the realms of magic and mystery!📚
🌟 Leo's world is turned upside down when his castle is attacked, forcing him to flee into the mysterious Realm of the Fey. There, he meets Lady Lisandre, a faerie in need of his help, and together with a charming witch named Flora and a questionable warlock named Lucien, they set out on a perilous journey to find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica. Along the way, they face numerous dangers and challenges, forming unbreakable bonds of friendship as they strive to save their worlds from destruction.⭐
🖋 Catalina Paris is the mastermind behind "The Midnight Rose." With her captivating storytelling and imaginative world-building, Paris brings to life a vibrant universe filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. Her passion for fantasy shines through in every page, captivating readers of all ages with her enchanting tales.✨
📚 Dive into a world where magic reigns supreme and danger lurks around every corner. "The Midnight Rose" offers readers a captivating blend of action, intrigue, and heartwarming friendships that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or simply love a good adventure, this book promises to transport you to a realm unlike any other.✨
🎆 "The Midnight Rose" is a must-read for anyone craving an epic fantasy adventure. Catalina Paris's enchanting tale will sweep you away to a world where anything is possible and friendships are forged in the face of adversity. With its gripping plot, richly developed characters, and immersive world-building, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers and keep them eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey into the realms of magic and mystery!📚
April 2, 2024
"The Midnight Rose"
by
Catalina Paris
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉"The Midnight Rose" by Catalina Paris—a spellbinding fantasy adventure that will set your imagination ablaze and leave you yearning for more! 📚🔥
🌹 Step into an alternate reality where magic reigns supreme and danger lurks at every turn. Follow the journey of Leo, a courageous sixteen-year-old apprentice, whose life takes a dramatic turn when his castle is besieged. Forced to flee into the mystical Realm of the Fey, Leo finds himself embroiled in a quest of epic proportions, alongside the enchanting Lady Lisandre, the spirited witch Flora, and the enigmatic warlock Lucien. Together, they must uncover the elusive Talismans of Atlantica before the sinister Dark Alchemyst can harness their power for nefarious purposes. 💫💖
📖 Catalina Paris's storytelling prowess shines brightly in "The Midnight Rose," weaving a tapestry of adventure, intrigue, and heart-stopping suspense. With lyrical prose and vivid imagery, Paris transports readers to a world brimming with wonder and peril, where every twist and turn keeps you on the edge of your seat. From the bustling streets of Leo's homeland to the ethereal beauty of the Fey realm, each setting is brought to life with breathtaking detail, immersing you in a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. 🌌✨
💥 But it's the characters that truly steal the show in this captivating tale. From Leo's unwavering courage to Lisandre's fierce determination, each character is imbued with depth, complexity, and a relatable humanity that makes them utterly irresistible. As they navigate treacherous challenges and forge unbreakable bonds of friendship, you'll find yourself cheering them on every step of the way, emotionally invested in their triumphs and tribulations. 🌟🌹
🔥 With its intoxicating blend of magic, mystery, and romance, "The Midnight Rose" is a literary gem that will leave you breathless and begging for more. Whether you're a die-hard fantasy fanatic or simply in search of an unforgettable adventure, this book is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet and transport you to a world where anything is possible.
Happy reading 😁😁
#bookreview
by
Catalina Paris
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉"The Midnight Rose" by Catalina Paris—a spellbinding fantasy adventure that will set your imagination ablaze and leave you yearning for more! 📚🔥
🌹 Step into an alternate reality where magic reigns supreme and danger lurks at every turn. Follow the journey of Leo, a courageous sixteen-year-old apprentice, whose life takes a dramatic turn when his castle is besieged. Forced to flee into the mystical Realm of the Fey, Leo finds himself embroiled in a quest of epic proportions, alongside the enchanting Lady Lisandre, the spirited witch Flora, and the enigmatic warlock Lucien. Together, they must uncover the elusive Talismans of Atlantica before the sinister Dark Alchemyst can harness their power for nefarious purposes. 💫💖
📖 Catalina Paris's storytelling prowess shines brightly in "The Midnight Rose," weaving a tapestry of adventure, intrigue, and heart-stopping suspense. With lyrical prose and vivid imagery, Paris transports readers to a world brimming with wonder and peril, where every twist and turn keeps you on the edge of your seat. From the bustling streets of Leo's homeland to the ethereal beauty of the Fey realm, each setting is brought to life with breathtaking detail, immersing you in a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. 🌌✨
💥 But it's the characters that truly steal the show in this captivating tale. From Leo's unwavering courage to Lisandre's fierce determination, each character is imbued with depth, complexity, and a relatable humanity that makes them utterly irresistible. As they navigate treacherous challenges and forge unbreakable bonds of friendship, you'll find yourself cheering them on every step of the way, emotionally invested in their triumphs and tribulations. 🌟🌹
🔥 With its intoxicating blend of magic, mystery, and romance, "The Midnight Rose" is a literary gem that will leave you breathless and begging for more. Whether you're a die-hard fantasy fanatic or simply in search of an unforgettable adventure, this book is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet and transport you to a world where anything is possible.
Happy reading 😁😁
#bookreview
May 29, 2024
Received this ARC from booksirens for review.
Okay, so, the initial start up of the book, was a little over descriptive of everything, but then Paris seemed to find her groove and settled into a nice slow paced plot. 😌
I found the characters well developed, but felt the shift between characters ambience a little confusing sometimes, this happens sometimes with 3rd person POV, you just need to keep mentally processing the words faster to find out what's what. 💨
I loved the magic system here, and the fact that there were separate realms that were linked by portals, with each having its own view upon magic. The central focus, well I suppose the 2 of them are rivals, for and against magic, this allowed us to experience the FMC life and the MMC life respectively. 🔮
My favourite magic element here though was the alchemists court. (I haven't read a book with alchemists mentioned in so long, so I thoroughly enjoyed that!) 🧙🏻♀️
The different magical beings in this book were definitely not your typical 'fairytale happy ending sparkly sparkly' heroes. I loved the deceptive, devious and mysterious nature of them. Not knowing who to trust throughout the whole book was a ride and a half. I still don't know who the hell we are meant to trust and the books finished 🤔🫢😂
I expect answers are to be found in book 2, so I shall eagerly wait for the midnight rose 2?! 🙏🏻
There are some edits that still require looking at, I found some grammatical errors, but nothing that can't be solved swiftly. 👍🏻
It was a clean read, full of magic and mistrust, villains and royal courts, found family and quests, hidden objects and secrets, and slow burn/enemies to lovers/what the fudge is happening now romance.
A great YA fantasy read, will recommend because despite its bumpy start, I found it a page turner, but not so much as to completely disable all your other brain functions during, you can actually be absorbed in the story, but still kinda accomplish a brief conversation to let your husband know you require book snacks. 🤷🏻♀️
So anyway, it's definitely worth your time. Give it a read.
It's a solid 4 stars from me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, so, the initial start up of the book, was a little over descriptive of everything, but then Paris seemed to find her groove and settled into a nice slow paced plot. 😌
I found the characters well developed, but felt the shift between characters ambience a little confusing sometimes, this happens sometimes with 3rd person POV, you just need to keep mentally processing the words faster to find out what's what. 💨
I loved the magic system here, and the fact that there were separate realms that were linked by portals, with each having its own view upon magic. The central focus, well I suppose the 2 of them are rivals, for and against magic, this allowed us to experience the FMC life and the MMC life respectively. 🔮
My favourite magic element here though was the alchemists court. (I haven't read a book with alchemists mentioned in so long, so I thoroughly enjoyed that!) 🧙🏻♀️
The different magical beings in this book were definitely not your typical 'fairytale happy ending sparkly sparkly' heroes. I loved the deceptive, devious and mysterious nature of them. Not knowing who to trust throughout the whole book was a ride and a half. I still don't know who the hell we are meant to trust and the books finished 🤔🫢😂
I expect answers are to be found in book 2, so I shall eagerly wait for the midnight rose 2?! 🙏🏻
There are some edits that still require looking at, I found some grammatical errors, but nothing that can't be solved swiftly. 👍🏻
It was a clean read, full of magic and mistrust, villains and royal courts, found family and quests, hidden objects and secrets, and slow burn/enemies to lovers/what the fudge is happening now romance.
A great YA fantasy read, will recommend because despite its bumpy start, I found it a page turner, but not so much as to completely disable all your other brain functions during, you can actually be absorbed in the story, but still kinda accomplish a brief conversation to let your husband know you require book snacks. 🤷🏻♀️
So anyway, it's definitely worth your time. Give it a read.
It's a solid 4 stars from me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2024
"The Midnight Rose" by Catalina Paris is an interesting fantasy adventure that takes readers into a world filled with magic, danger, and intrigue. The story follows the journey of Leo, a sixteen year old apprentice at the Alchemical Court, One night, something crazy happens their castle gets attacked! Leo has to run away, and he ends up in a strange place called the Realm of the Fey. There, he meets a fairy named Lady Lisandre. She needs Leo's help because their worlds are in danger from an evil guy called the Dark Alchemyst. To save everyone, they have to find special objects called the Talismans of Atlantica before the bad guy does.
Leo isn't alone on this adventure. He's joined by Flora, who is a witch looking for answers about her family, and Lucien, who used to go to school with Leo but is now a warlock with unclear intentions. Together, they face a lot of dangers and challenges as they try to find the talismans.
What's really awesome about this book is the world the author creates. It's full of magic and amazing places, like the Realm of the Fey, where fairies live. The author describes everything so well that you can really imagine what it's like to be there with the characters. You can picture the forests, the castles, and the creatures they encounter.
The characters in the story are also really interesting. Leo my favourite character is described to be brave and determined.
The plot of "The Midnight Rose" is full of excitement and surprises. There are moments of danger and action. It keeps you hooked from beginning to end, wondering what will happen next.
If you're looking for a fun fantasy book to read, "The Midnight Rose" is definitely worth checking out!
Leo isn't alone on this adventure. He's joined by Flora, who is a witch looking for answers about her family, and Lucien, who used to go to school with Leo but is now a warlock with unclear intentions. Together, they face a lot of dangers and challenges as they try to find the talismans.
What's really awesome about this book is the world the author creates. It's full of magic and amazing places, like the Realm of the Fey, where fairies live. The author describes everything so well that you can really imagine what it's like to be there with the characters. You can picture the forests, the castles, and the creatures they encounter.
The characters in the story are also really interesting. Leo my favourite character is described to be brave and determined.
The plot of "The Midnight Rose" is full of excitement and surprises. There are moments of danger and action. It keeps you hooked from beginning to end, wondering what will happen next.
If you're looking for a fun fantasy book to read, "The Midnight Rose" is definitely worth checking out!
February 20, 2024
This is a very fun YA Fantasy story somewhere between adventure and romance. 100% Clean, only a few kisses. I recommend this book if you're looking to get into fantasy that's not particularly violent or dramatic, which is perfect for some young readers. There's lots of magic and travelling via portal, which can be a little confusing at times when you're moving between worlds and across kingdoms so quickly, but you visit lots of 'realms' on your journey with Leo and Flora. They learn a lot about themselves and bond as a group, but they don't have much personality or meat to them beyond the reveal of their parentage and their magic.
I really enjoyed this world and the story, and I really wanted to enjoy this book overall. Even though it has lots of falling in love, adventure, discovery, betrayal, and even a dragon, I just didn't care because I could not get invested in these characters. I think this particular voice, which is very stilted, definitely contributes to the distance you feel from them. Part of that is the direct telling happening most of the time and the unnecessary adverbs. By this I mean phrases like "smiled happily", or "yelled loudly" where it isn't adding any new information. There were many times I thought I was getting exciting by the plot and it felt like the story should be building up to an emotional reveal but I did not get that kind of relief or response.
3/5 Recommend to Young Fantasy or Adventure Readers
I really enjoyed this world and the story, and I really wanted to enjoy this book overall. Even though it has lots of falling in love, adventure, discovery, betrayal, and even a dragon, I just didn't care because I could not get invested in these characters. I think this particular voice, which is very stilted, definitely contributes to the distance you feel from them. Part of that is the direct telling happening most of the time and the unnecessary adverbs. By this I mean phrases like "smiled happily", or "yelled loudly" where it isn't adding any new information. There were many times I thought I was getting exciting by the plot and it felt like the story should be building up to an emotional reveal but I did not get that kind of relief or response.
3/5 Recommend to Young Fantasy or Adventure Readers
February 8, 2025
The Midnight Rose is a sensational novel that will introduce the reader to the protagonist of the novel, sixteen-year-old apprentice Leo, who while working at the Alchemical Court finds it attacked and his life is forever turned upside down. Leo is told to flee the castle and uses peculiar runes from his master’s notebook which creates a portal. The portal leads Leo to a strange land called the Realm of the Frey and it is here he meets Lady Lisandra, a faerie. Together they learn that both of their worlds are in danger thanks to the Dark Alchemyst and so they must team up to find the Tailsmans of Altanica to save their world before it is too late. On their journey, they will meet a witch and a warlock who have their own paths set out and what follows is a shocking and unforgettable fantasy adventure that shouldn’t be missed!
The Midnight Rose is a thrilling novel thanks to the enthralling and action-packed moments as well as the unpredictable nature of the book that will have the readers turning the pages with haste from beginning to end. I love books that involve a journey because usually in these stories the character develops and that is certainly the case with the protagonist of The Midnight Rose! And it makes for a fascinating and entertaining story that grips you from start to finish.
The Midnight Rose is a thrilling novel thanks to the enthralling and action-packed moments as well as the unpredictable nature of the book that will have the readers turning the pages with haste from beginning to end. I love books that involve a journey because usually in these stories the character develops and that is certainly the case with the protagonist of The Midnight Rose! And it makes for a fascinating and entertaining story that grips you from start to finish.
March 11, 2024
Flora is a witch who is searching for the whereabouts of her dad. She sneaks into a castle to find information about her dad, when she meets Lucien, an alchemist and the prince.
Leo is an alchemist who is told to flee when his home is attacked and ends up in a faerie realm. There he meets Lady Lisandre, a faerie. After Lisandre gets attacked Leo convinces her to join him on a search for a hidden scroll that can stop the dark alchemist. He promises to protect her in return
Eventually all four of them meet up and work together (or against each other). Will they be able to save the kingdoms from destruction?
I liked this book. It started a little slow, but picked up in the middle. I really enjoyed the romance between the characters! (Except for some parts that left me rather sad). I liked the drama in this book as well. It seemed like there was always something to keep me interested!
One thing that really confused me was the end, but this is likely because it is intended as a sequel. The end was a cliffhanger, but there is a plot twist, although the plot twist is rather confusing in my opinion.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, romance, and adventure!
Leo is an alchemist who is told to flee when his home is attacked and ends up in a faerie realm. There he meets Lady Lisandre, a faerie. After Lisandre gets attacked Leo convinces her to join him on a search for a hidden scroll that can stop the dark alchemist. He promises to protect her in return
Eventually all four of them meet up and work together (or against each other). Will they be able to save the kingdoms from destruction?
I liked this book. It started a little slow, but picked up in the middle. I really enjoyed the romance between the characters! (Except for some parts that left me rather sad). I liked the drama in this book as well. It seemed like there was always something to keep me interested!
One thing that really confused me was the end, but this is likely because it is intended as a sequel. The end was a cliffhanger, but there is a plot twist, although the plot twist is rather confusing in my opinion.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, romance, and adventure!
January 5, 2024
I thought this was a good fast read. The story follows the journey of Leo, a sixteen-year-old apprentice at the Alchemical Court, whose life is turned upside down when the castle is attacked and he is forced to flee through a new portal he creates using mysterious runes from his missing master's notebook. This leads him to the forgotten realm of the Fey, where he meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help.
Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before the elusive Dark Alchemyst can get his hands on them. Along the way, they are joined by Flora, a charming witch searching for the truth about her family, and Lucien, Leo's former classmate and a warlock with questionable intentions. As they face numerous challenges and dangers, the four of them form an unlikely but powerful team.
What I loved most about this book was the rich and vivid world-building. The author has created a unique and imaginative world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and mysterious realms. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of fantasy.
Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before the elusive Dark Alchemyst can get his hands on them. Along the way, they are joined by Flora, a charming witch searching for the truth about her family, and Lucien, Leo's former classmate and a warlock with questionable intentions. As they face numerous challenges and dangers, the four of them form an unlikely but powerful team.
What I loved most about this book was the rich and vivid world-building. The author has created a unique and imaginative world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and mysterious realms. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of fantasy.
August 1, 2025
This book immediately immerses you into the magical world filled with warlocks, witches, alchemists and even some fae. You follow the story of two sets of characters jumping throughout the course of a little over a year. I loved the banter and friendship between all of the characters and the sisterhood between flora and lisandre. There was also some good tension between each of the set of couples as they each went on different quests and faced challenges together in a race against the villain of this story. There were also lots of fun twists and reveals and even some bitter betrayals that made the overall plot interesting and enjoyable! The magic system was slowly revealed over the course of the book as was the background of most of the characters which was a interesting way to do the world building of this story, kind of like you were dropped right in the middle of it! Overall I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see where this group heads next, my rating 4/5.
Thanks to the author and The Authors Archive for the gifted copy of this book, all opinions given are my own!
Thanks to the author and The Authors Archive for the gifted copy of this book, all opinions given are my own!
July 14, 2025
I couldn’t get enough of The Midnight Rose! And that isn’t an exaggerated statement. First, the story introduces a likeable protagonist in Leo, an apprentice in some form of magic. His life is turned upside down when he escapes an attack and opens a portal to a forgotten realm. His encounter with Lisandre, the faerie trapped in the Fey Court, ushers him into a new connection and journey. Lisandre’s life is in danger and Leo must help her escape her cursed life. She also helps him seek the talismans. Then there is the songstress called Flora; she is mysterious and has been on the quest to locate her true family as well. Then there’s Lucien, the prince of Alyssria, who makes a risky deal with the Dark Alchemyst. The world-building is lush, full of magic, political intrigue, and timeless fairy tale elements. I loved how the characters’ paths crossed in this spellbinding quest to stop evil from seizing the talismans. This one is well-plotted and delightful for fans of the genre.
January 23, 2024
A big thanks to NetGalley and Crimson Rose Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for pretty covers.
The Midnight Rose by Catalina Paris is a YA fantasy novel about sixteen-year-old Leo, who is an apprentice at the Alchemical Court until one night changes everything. When the castle is attacked and Leo is told to flee, he creates a new portal using the strange runes left behind in his missing master's notebook. Arriving in the mysterious Realm of the Fey, a place long forgotten by mortals and Alchemysts alike, Leo meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help. Together they quickly learn both their worlds are under threat from the elusive Dark Alchemyst; unless they find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before he does. . Along the way they encounter Flora, a charming witch on a search for the truth of her family, as well as Leo’s former classmate, a warlock with questionable intentions, Lucien. The four of them are soon drawn together as they face numerous dangers and challenges to find and retrieve the talismans.
I really wanted to like this book, given how intricate it deals with alchemy and other general magic and the fae. But I just wasn't connecting with it. I feel like I didn't get to know much about Leo, save for he likes to learn languages. I just found the plot to be too rushed at points, and didn't allow the characters to breathe all that much. I don't really see myself picking up the next book in this series.
I'm a sucker for pretty covers.
The Midnight Rose by Catalina Paris is a YA fantasy novel about sixteen-year-old Leo, who is an apprentice at the Alchemical Court until one night changes everything. When the castle is attacked and Leo is told to flee, he creates a new portal using the strange runes left behind in his missing master's notebook. Arriving in the mysterious Realm of the Fey, a place long forgotten by mortals and Alchemysts alike, Leo meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help. Together they quickly learn both their worlds are under threat from the elusive Dark Alchemyst; unless they find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before he does. . Along the way they encounter Flora, a charming witch on a search for the truth of her family, as well as Leo’s former classmate, a warlock with questionable intentions, Lucien. The four of them are soon drawn together as they face numerous dangers and challenges to find and retrieve the talismans.
I really wanted to like this book, given how intricate it deals with alchemy and other general magic and the fae. But I just wasn't connecting with it. I feel like I didn't get to know much about Leo, save for he likes to learn languages. I just found the plot to be too rushed at points, and didn't allow the characters to breathe all that much. I don't really see myself picking up the next book in this series.
August 4, 2025
Realm traveller ✓
Faeries with wings ✓
Strong world building ✓
Secrets and mystery ✓
‘You want me.’
‘But you can never have me.’
This was such a fascinating and interesting read. I found the interactions between the characters really well using a lot of descriptive words that leaves the reader able to vividly imagine the scenes and the world surrounding them.
‘Are you sure you are not a witch?’
‘Why? Are you not sure that you are a sorcerer?’ she asked coyly in return.
‘Because you are absolutely enchanting, and I cannot stop thinking about you . . . and I do not wish to try.’
I absolutely love the sassy attitude of Flora but found the reasoning of her actions a bit confusing at times.
Leo is incredibly clever and an interesting character compared to those I have read about lately.
Thank you for allowing me to read an arc of your book and leave a review.
Faeries with wings ✓
Strong world building ✓
Secrets and mystery ✓
‘You want me.’
‘But you can never have me.’
This was such a fascinating and interesting read. I found the interactions between the characters really well using a lot of descriptive words that leaves the reader able to vividly imagine the scenes and the world surrounding them.
‘Are you sure you are not a witch?’
‘Why? Are you not sure that you are a sorcerer?’ she asked coyly in return.
‘Because you are absolutely enchanting, and I cannot stop thinking about you . . . and I do not wish to try.’
I absolutely love the sassy attitude of Flora but found the reasoning of her actions a bit confusing at times.
Leo is incredibly clever and an interesting character compared to those I have read about lately.
Thank you for allowing me to read an arc of your book and leave a review.
August 6, 2025
Rating: ★★.5
I really, really really wanted to love this one … unfortunately it was a struggle for me to finish even with the intriguing concept. From the start, I felt a bit confused … 🥺
I was expecting the story to focus more on the Talismans’ quest or the threat of the Dark alchemist but that arc was not really developed and the villain had almost no presence.
Now, the pace wasn’t bad but .., the constant storylines/ POV’s and different realms jumps happened without much transition. I often found myself going back a few chapters to confirm I didn’t missed any. The worldbuilding had potential though…
As for the characters, I didn’t really connect with Flora and Leo, their personalities didn’t stand out (IMO). Lucien was probably the only one who held my interest.
The ingredients were there (fantasy, quests, Fey realms, magic) but the final product felt unclear.
I really, really really wanted to love this one … unfortunately it was a struggle for me to finish even with the intriguing concept. From the start, I felt a bit confused … 🥺
I was expecting the story to focus more on the Talismans’ quest or the threat of the Dark alchemist but that arc was not really developed and the villain had almost no presence.
Now, the pace wasn’t bad but .., the constant storylines/ POV’s and different realms jumps happened without much transition. I often found myself going back a few chapters to confirm I didn’t missed any. The worldbuilding had potential though…
As for the characters, I didn’t really connect with Flora and Leo, their personalities didn’t stand out (IMO). Lucien was probably the only one who held my interest.
The ingredients were there (fantasy, quests, Fey realms, magic) but the final product felt unclear.
December 12, 2025
The Midnight Rose is a lush and imaginative fantasy set in a magical renaissance that feels both familiar and entirely new. Leo’s escape into the Realm of the Fey is one of the most captivating transitions I’ve read in YA fantasy, a moment that instantly signals that an extraordinary adventure is about to unfold.
Catalina Paris excels at character dynamics: Leo’s earnestness, Lisandre’s ethereal charm, Flora’s warmth, and Lucien’s morally grey unpredictability form a quartet with real chemistry. The search for the Talismans of Atlantica adds urgency, while the looming presence of the Dark Alchemyst gives the story a grounded sense of threat. Fans of alchemy, faeries, and richly layered quests will find a lot to love here.
A beautifully imagined world with adventure, danger, and heart, a strong start to what feels like a much bigger journey.
Catalina Paris excels at character dynamics: Leo’s earnestness, Lisandre’s ethereal charm, Flora’s warmth, and Lucien’s morally grey unpredictability form a quartet with real chemistry. The search for the Talismans of Atlantica adds urgency, while the looming presence of the Dark Alchemyst gives the story a grounded sense of threat. Fans of alchemy, faeries, and richly layered quests will find a lot to love here.
A beautifully imagined world with adventure, danger, and heart, a strong start to what feels like a much bigger journey.
February 16, 2024
This is a great book. It’s a different writing style than I am used to but I like a lot of I love that we can see the pov of Flora, Lucien, Leo and Lisandra. It really ties everything together and makes it flow seamlessly.
Flora is a beautiful and resourceful witch. Lisandra is a beautiful, caring and curious fey. Leo is a smart, skilled and daring alchemist. Lucien is a dark, betraying alchemist.
Lucien is fighting for evil and against his friends. Leo, Lisandra, and Flora are fighting for the good and to make sure everyone is safe in the realm. Who will win? This story is full of love, caring, adventure, and heartache. I know who wins. I recommend you read so you’ll know too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Flora is a beautiful and resourceful witch. Lisandra is a beautiful, caring and curious fey. Leo is a smart, skilled and daring alchemist. Lucien is a dark, betraying alchemist.
Lucien is fighting for evil and against his friends. Leo, Lisandra, and Flora are fighting for the good and to make sure everyone is safe in the realm. Who will win? This story is full of love, caring, adventure, and heartache. I know who wins. I recommend you read so you’ll know too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 21, 2024
I loved this book! The weaving together of the different cultures of fae, witches, warlocks, and nymphs. It kept me spell bound from start to finish and is the fastest I have read a book in years. My biggest disappointment is the lack of the second book in the trilogy.
The descriptive nature of the writing well crafted the vision of each realm and I found it relatively easy to shift my perceptions between the different realms and its characters. This book totally indulges the imaginative mind of fantasy, make belief, and possibilities; a state that helps our mind grow if we escape to it now and again. There are some key characters aside from the four protagonists that I would like to get to know in more detail but that may unfold in future books, hopefully!
The descriptive nature of the writing well crafted the vision of each realm and I found it relatively easy to shift my perceptions between the different realms and its characters. This book totally indulges the imaginative mind of fantasy, make belief, and possibilities; a state that helps our mind grow if we escape to it now and again. There are some key characters aside from the four protagonists that I would like to get to know in more detail but that may unfold in future books, hopefully!
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