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Rose’s Story: A Prequel to the Strung Trilogy
When Randall Morgan returned to East Alin and found a dead man hanging from a lamppost in the first STRUNG book, he had been away for two weeks, and the world he came back to had already gone to hell. Rose Lavine, on the other hand, was there when it all began. She saw it happen.
This is her story.
ROSE’S STORY is a prequel to Per Jacobsen's STRUNG trilogy. It tells the story of Rose Lavine's personal tragedy while also offering insight into what happened during the fourteen terrible days leading up to the events in STRUNG.
This is her story.
ROSE’S STORY is a prequel to Per Jacobsen's STRUNG trilogy. It tells the story of Rose Lavine's personal tragedy while also offering insight into what happened during the fourteen terrible days leading up to the events in STRUNG.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2024
142 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Per Jacobsen
17 books558 followersPer Jacobsen is a Danish author best known for writing thrillers with supernatural elements. He got his literary debut in 2018 when he won a writing competition issued by Byens publishing house in Denmark. Shortly afterwards, he signed a contract with the publishing house Valeta, also in Denmark, who published his debut novel, The mirror cabinet. Per Jacobsen's next three books (books 1-3 in the Strung trilogy) were translated and gave him his international breakthrough as they quickly went to the top of the bestseller list in several countries, including the US and England. Today, Per Jacobsen is a full-time writer and lives permanently in southern Spain with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 27, 2025
I had only read one other book by Jacobsen (The Rude Awakening of Theodor Moody), and I had loved it. I wanted to explore this writer more. This is the prequel to a trilogy called Strung. I kind of wish I had skipped this one. It was pretty clear it was written after the trilogy as a prequel. I would've preferred to read it after the other three. I might've liked this one better. I'll still read the others, or rather, at least the first of them, but I'm doing so with the hope that they'll be better.
There wasn't much wrong with this book. I'm kind of hoping Rose has a prominent role in the other books so that it all ties together. But I guess I feel like this book was way too long for what it was. As far as prequels go, it didn't explain much. I guess it was supposed to set up for Strung, but it seems rather pointless. It doesn't explain what happened for everyone to walk around like they've been lobotomized and for police to act like viciously programmed robocops. Because there's no explanation, it's just a weird book as a standalone. It might've been better as a prologue to Strung. Yah - it kind of felt like what you might see in a movie trailer to tease you into watching the rest of the movie.
There wasn't much wrong with this book. I'm kind of hoping Rose has a prominent role in the other books so that it all ties together. But I guess I feel like this book was way too long for what it was. As far as prequels go, it didn't explain much. I guess it was supposed to set up for Strung, but it seems rather pointless. It doesn't explain what happened for everyone to walk around like they've been lobotomized and for police to act like viciously programmed robocops. Because there's no explanation, it's just a weird book as a standalone. It might've been better as a prologue to Strung. Yah - it kind of felt like what you might see in a movie trailer to tease you into watching the rest of the movie.
April 15, 2024
Per Jacobsen loves to rip out my heart, and I love to let him.
January 23, 2025
Rose is a character that appears a little later into the Strung story, once Randall's and his brother find a group of people who survived the Collapse. This is her story, as the Collapse happened, and how her world was forever changed. I enjoyed this as much as Strung.
January 14, 2025
I love this prequel!!
I did not know what to expect with the Strung trilogy but I really enjoyed it, and I love the story of Rose and her experiences that helped fill in some blanks about what was happening behind the scenes.
This story does remind me of the worlds that Stephen King creates and I say that as a big compliment!
If you read 25 Days leading up to Christmas, I would recommend that you read Strung, and follow up with Rose's Story prequel.
And, I hope Per Jacobson does write the story he talked about in his Author's note - I think it would be fantastic!
I did not know what to expect with the Strung trilogy but I really enjoyed it, and I love the story of Rose and her experiences that helped fill in some blanks about what was happening behind the scenes.
This story does remind me of the worlds that Stephen King creates and I say that as a big compliment!
If you read 25 Days leading up to Christmas, I would recommend that you read Strung, and follow up with Rose's Story prequel.
And, I hope Per Jacobson does write the story he talked about in his Author's note - I think it would be fantastic!
November 3, 2024
You need to read the Strung trilogy before you read this prequel. That said it does have the problems of any prequel. You already know what the end if going to be! Also this doesn't really answer any of the questions you have about hos all this started. Fast read but didn't need to be written.
April 22, 2024
Great Prequel
Strung was my 1st book by the author, and I was hooked. By Strung 2, I was full-in and was overjoyed that I randomly ran across Rose's Story. At the time, it didn't register it was the same Rose but quickly became clear who all these characters fit both stories then things start to make sense and fill in the holes. It left me wanting more even though I know how it ends just like the last Strung did. 5⭐
Strung was my 1st book by the author, and I was hooked. By Strung 2, I was full-in and was overjoyed that I randomly ran across Rose's Story. At the time, it didn't register it was the same Rose but quickly became clear who all these characters fit both stories then things start to make sense and fill in the holes. It left me wanting more even though I know how it ends just like the last Strung did. 5⭐
February 10, 2025
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!! I. Still. Have. Questions!!!!
March 23, 2024
Terrific
Another great read as far as I am concerned. That is quite a back story on Rose. I could not stop reading this book. Just want to say that I hope Per follows through with that book about the first officer to change in the new world. That would be fascinating to see from that perspective.
Another great read as far as I am concerned. That is quite a back story on Rose. I could not stop reading this book. Just want to say that I hope Per follows through with that book about the first officer to change in the new world. That would be fascinating to see from that perspective.
January 3, 2025
“ You see, deviants are hysterical. They love to create a panic, and they overreact when faced with things they don’t understand.”
What do you do if we awake one morning to everybody being slightly off and a little too nonchalant about everything around them? Rose Lavine is used to her mother’s joyous attitude and excitement; yet this morning her greetings are lackluster and very monotone. Pushing aside their mother’s bizarre behavior, Rose and her younger brother Sebastian continue to school where they are greeted with even more weirdness. Meeting up with her best friend Katherine (Kitty) Burns, the two are shocked to see countless students and teachers seemingly lost in their own minds. While the high school was hosting a police informant assembly, the middle school was screening the students to transport those who were unfazed. While listening to the PowerPoint, both girls are disgusted by the images on the screen depicting deceased animals and woman while the remaining students seemed unaffected. Turning the attention onto themselves by their outbursts, Police Officers Ben Hodge and Officer Emmanuel Mendez were quick to descend upon the girls and lock them into the gymnasium. Desperate for escape, the two attempted to sneak out a window but only succeeded in gaining the attention to fellow teacher Kristi Shanhanan. When she tried to get them out she was attacked by the police officers, but would ultimately manage to reach her vehicle and the trio would begin leaving the school behind. Seeing countless acts of abuse and death, the girls were terrified by the bodies battered and hung on trees and off the bridges of their small town. As the police caught up to them, their teacher would be placed in the back of a burning cruiser and pass away. For Kitty and Rose, they would manage to escape on foot and make their way to Sebastian’s school where they witness him being shoved onto a bus. In pursuit, the girls would wreck and find themselves careening over the bridge where Kitty would die upon impact and Rose would loose consciousness. Pulled from the water by her brother, the two managed to survive where so many didn’t and would them become lost in the woods as they ran from the adults responsible.
“Now you listen closely,” he says. “It’s not a question of whether or not it’s going to happen. Because it is. We will kill you. We’ll kill all the deviants. There is nothing you can do about that, no matter how much you stomp on the ground and whine like a baby. How it’s going to happen, on the other hand …”
Days spent injured and infected with fever, the siblings are hungry and dehydrating as they’ve lost the edge of the river they were following. Several nights spent to the elements, and they were discover by John and his golden retriever Rocky who welcomed them into his secluded cabin. Unknown to the fall of the world, he would call police and unknowingly bring Officer Mendez straight to their hiding point. Seeing their savior shot and killed, Rose also witnessed her brothers strangulation and death before she ran again. Returning to her home for three weeks, she helped take care of their mother who at this point never spoke and couldn’t handle basic necessities. Deciding to leave her behind finally, she meets a group of survivors and decided to join the ranks as it offered her company and a sense of stability to the young teenager. Believing it’s the only way to make it in this new world, she tries to make sense of things while being on her own for the first time in her life.
Your mom is not here anymore, it says. Whatever that is, it’s not your mom.
What do you do if we awake one morning to everybody being slightly off and a little too nonchalant about everything around them? Rose Lavine is used to her mother’s joyous attitude and excitement; yet this morning her greetings are lackluster and very monotone. Pushing aside their mother’s bizarre behavior, Rose and her younger brother Sebastian continue to school where they are greeted with even more weirdness. Meeting up with her best friend Katherine (Kitty) Burns, the two are shocked to see countless students and teachers seemingly lost in their own minds. While the high school was hosting a police informant assembly, the middle school was screening the students to transport those who were unfazed. While listening to the PowerPoint, both girls are disgusted by the images on the screen depicting deceased animals and woman while the remaining students seemed unaffected. Turning the attention onto themselves by their outbursts, Police Officers Ben Hodge and Officer Emmanuel Mendez were quick to descend upon the girls and lock them into the gymnasium. Desperate for escape, the two attempted to sneak out a window but only succeeded in gaining the attention to fellow teacher Kristi Shanhanan. When she tried to get them out she was attacked by the police officers, but would ultimately manage to reach her vehicle and the trio would begin leaving the school behind. Seeing countless acts of abuse and death, the girls were terrified by the bodies battered and hung on trees and off the bridges of their small town. As the police caught up to them, their teacher would be placed in the back of a burning cruiser and pass away. For Kitty and Rose, they would manage to escape on foot and make their way to Sebastian’s school where they witness him being shoved onto a bus. In pursuit, the girls would wreck and find themselves careening over the bridge where Kitty would die upon impact and Rose would loose consciousness. Pulled from the water by her brother, the two managed to survive where so many didn’t and would them become lost in the woods as they ran from the adults responsible.
“Now you listen closely,” he says. “It’s not a question of whether or not it’s going to happen. Because it is. We will kill you. We’ll kill all the deviants. There is nothing you can do about that, no matter how much you stomp on the ground and whine like a baby. How it’s going to happen, on the other hand …”
Days spent injured and infected with fever, the siblings are hungry and dehydrating as they’ve lost the edge of the river they were following. Several nights spent to the elements, and they were discover by John and his golden retriever Rocky who welcomed them into his secluded cabin. Unknown to the fall of the world, he would call police and unknowingly bring Officer Mendez straight to their hiding point. Seeing their savior shot and killed, Rose also witnessed her brothers strangulation and death before she ran again. Returning to her home for three weeks, she helped take care of their mother who at this point never spoke and couldn’t handle basic necessities. Deciding to leave her behind finally, she meets a group of survivors and decided to join the ranks as it offered her company and a sense of stability to the young teenager. Believing it’s the only way to make it in this new world, she tries to make sense of things while being on her own for the first time in her life.
Your mom is not here anymore, it says. Whatever that is, it’s not your mom.
January 7, 2025
I read this after reading the Strung Trilogy. Rose’s Story was just that.. her story. It didn’t really shed any light on why the collapse happened and what the reasoning was behind all the changes in the officers, adults, and kids. Her story was very tragic and heartbreaking, and gave me a better understanding of Rose’s past and where she came from. I liked the ending and how it all came together, I thought it was really sweet.
April 30, 2025
I loved the Strung trilogy and Rose's story shows the time at the beginning of The Collapse. It is written very well. It brought me to tears at one moment.
Feeling the loneliness of losing all her loved ones.
Rose is a strong person. I like her. I am happy she found the people of the camp.
I am not sure I can re-read Rose's story and the Strung trilogy. I wish to do so though.
I just feel very emotional about this book.
Feeling the loneliness of losing all her loved ones.
Rose is a strong person. I like her. I am happy she found the people of the camp.
I am not sure I can re-read Rose's story and the Strung trilogy. I wish to do so though.
I just feel very emotional about this book.
May 25, 2024
Fantastic prequel well written & fast paced
Roses story is an excellent prequel it tells you Roses story and explains what she went through before meeting David. Again it is well written and fast paced and although it's a prequel it gives you the complete story of what happened in the first 2 weeks to the older school children.
Roses story is an excellent prequel it tells you Roses story and explains what she went through before meeting David. Again it is well written and fast paced and although it's a prequel it gives you the complete story of what happened in the first 2 weeks to the older school children.
December 8, 2024
This one came across a bit too YA in the way it's written for my taste, much more than the Strung trilogy; probably partly due to the age of the MC.
I did like the backstory of Rose though, and getting a glimpse of the begining of the event, but it could have been fleshed more out imo. But isn't that always the case with fictional universes you enjoy reading about? ;)
I did like the backstory of Rose though, and getting a glimpse of the begining of the event, but it could have been fleshed more out imo. But isn't that always the case with fictional universes you enjoy reading about? ;)
January 8, 2025
Spoiler alert
I like that we find out what happened to make rhe children behave as they did.
I don't like that we never found out whi and why the child army was created, and what happened to make the adults turn to blanks.
If you write the next book on cop #1, please answer these questions.
I like that we find out what happened to make rhe children behave as they did.
I don't like that we never found out whi and why the child army was created, and what happened to make the adults turn to blanks.
If you write the next book on cop #1, please answer these questions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2025
I have officially finished the Strung series by Per Jacobsen. Rose is a light in a world that has turned dark. We know her story where we meet her in Strung 2 but this is her origin story.
Rose had a first hand account of The Collapse. She watched as those around her became emotionless and blank, as the police took their authority too far, and as people began to die.
Rose had a first hand account of The Collapse. She watched as those around her became emotionless and blank, as the police took their authority too far, and as people began to die.
April 30, 2025
This is the prequel to Per Jacobsen's Strung Trilogy. Have been reading the trilogy and this book one chapter per day since January 1st. This book tells the story of Rose Lavine's personal tragedy while also while also offering insight into what happened during the fourteen horrendous days leading up to the events in Strung.
Rose was there when it all began. She saw it all happen.
Rose was there when it all began. She saw it all happen.
October 8, 2024
Not disappointed
I loved the original trilogy and this book gives a more complete picture of what happened.
I hope the author comes up with another installment soon. Excellent writer.
I loved the original trilogy and this book gives a more complete picture of what happened.
I hope the author comes up with another installment soon. Excellent writer.
February 12, 2025
A much needed prequel
Rose's Story is so touching. Knowing what she'd already been through, I knew how it was going to end up. I enjoyed getting to see the beginning of the collapse, as well as detailed scenes of what she went through.
Rose's Story is so touching. Knowing what she'd already been through, I knew how it was going to end up. I enjoyed getting to see the beginning of the collapse, as well as detailed scenes of what she went through.
April 25, 2025
I would recommend reading The Strung Series before reading this. Then, definitely read this book! This will give you more background into Rosie. It's a very good look into what made her tick and how she ended up in the story. Another great read from Per Jacobsen!
April 30, 2025
Another book by Per that you don't want to put down. He has you hooked from the very first chapter till the end. This one is best to read after Strung 3. But seeing what Rose has dealt with up until she met David is intense. I can't wait for Per to write more books.
May 1, 2025
Prequel to strung that strung me along
After reading the strung series, it was nice to see who rose is and how she survived the mess. It felt good knowing she would get out Alive but also sad since we m ew age ending for her by reading the strung series
After reading the strung series, it was nice to see who rose is and how she survived the mess. It felt good knowing she would get out Alive but also sad since we m ew age ending for her by reading the strung series
January 10, 2025
Roses story was nice to know but meh at the same time. lol.
January 11, 2025
I really enjoyed Roses story. I was sucked back in like I was with the Strung trilogy. If you loved Strung, you’ll love this!
January 19, 2025
Enjoyed. Fast read n I loved that u wrote something for rose. I feel like it shouldn’t be a prequel but in between books. Over all enjoyed it but why u gotta rip my heart out with the dog.
January 28, 2025
Didn't really add anything to the story. I still have questions. Hopefully they will be answered if he continues on with these.
March 29, 2025
Good book
This prequel was a good way to finish the Strung trilogy set. I'm still curious about how this all happened and we may never know. Overall, this was a good quick read.
This prequel was a good way to finish the Strung trilogy set. I'm still curious about how this all happened and we may never know. Overall, this was a good quick read.
April 14, 2025
I enjoyed learning more about Rose. Very well written.
April 30, 2025
A fantastic prequel to the Strung series! We get to see Rose's horrible experience with start of this craziness and end in a good place before her appearance in Strung II. A great emotional addition!
May 13, 2025
After reading the Strung series last year and getting totally hooked. I decided to read this prequel. I wasn't disappointed, I was hooked within the first chapter.
May 14, 2025
awesome as expected
The imagery and emotions that Per evokes through his writing is just spectacular. I can’t wait to read more of his books!
The imagery and emotions that Per evokes through his writing is just spectacular. I can’t wait to read more of his books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews