A Rose Among Snakes

by Tara Mirk

Love hurts. So does the truth.

With the passing of her father, Mihrra Nowen has spent the last nine years taking care of her family. Content to do her duty as the eldest daughter, Mihrra’s loyalties are tested when a Lady’s Maid position opens up in the nearby town of Port her father’s last-known location, before his untimely death. Mihrra needs answers, and this job presents an opportunity to get them.

Surprised by her budding friendship with Kezara Blaise–the young lady she serves–Mihrra soon loses sight of her self-appointed task of discovering what happened to her father. She finds herself further distracted as she pines after Kezara’s striking older brother. But, when Kezara doesn’t return home after attending a ball, Mihrra worries that she didn’t run off with a secret lover as everyone presumes.

After Mihrra shares her concerns with Kezara’s brother, the two head down a road of peril and adventure–one that kindles the flame sparking between them and reveals pieces of her father’s past that were better left buried.

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2025

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? I LOVED it! I DEVOURED this book in like 3 days! The dual POV is one of my favorite things in books and I loved getting to see both Mihrra's and Kezara pov and what they are both going through! I feel you really got to know them both.



Then Mihrra and Velian romance O. M. G. I was dying! The one horse had me 😍😍 I loved that they had challenges and conflict, but it wasn’t the whole book and then quick make up but not too fast it seemed rushed. You really got to see Mihrra work through her frustration but also see his side so well and understand the choices he made. I appreciated how it was this deep romance and I felt butterflies, but it was also clean!



I loved seeing Mihrra grow and trust her strength and self as she fights for what she believes in and wants. She leaned on others when needed and trusted them in the end but seeing her work through that.



Kezara gosh I LOVE her. Her sass but her love for her brother and Mihrra. I love that she holds no judgement for Mihrra and just accepts her and instantly befriends her. I love seeing her journey for love but realizing what is true and not. I love seeing how strong she becomes during her journey (trying not to be to spoilery here), and how you get to see a deeper side of her as the story goes on.



I do not think I have all the words, but I LOVED this book! I would recommend it to anyone!

It is funny, suspenseful at times, has romance, has friendship, and I feel you really get to know the characters. I also leaves you wanting MORE!

[Mary Ohm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was instantly sucked in by the plot of her father’s death but it kept evolving. Part way through I felt so confident in what was going to happen and was dramatically surprised!!! Lots of turns, good character development, and world building! Great first book of an anticipated series for me!!!

[Alexis Dealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I stayed up late on two work nights because I could not put it down. I cant wait for book 2 (and hopefully subsequents!) to watch the characters and world build more!

[Madi Busey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed is an understatement! I was hooked from the prologue! Mirrha is the most perfect female main character, and her growth throughout the book is beautiful. There’s a little bit of everything, from adventure, to friendship, sword fighting and the perfect amount of romance. The ending had my jaw on the floor and I’m already way too excited for the next book!

[Ashley Kindig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed with this book! Definitely nothing what I expected but this is for you if you’re into a slow burn romance, a little mystery and forced proximity in your books. I cannot wait for the next book to come out!

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely in love with this book and its characters! I still cannot get over that ending (hello surprise cliff hanger) and cannot wait for the story to continue! What they say about Mirhha, the FMC, in the book is true… she has way of making everyone fall in love with her - because don’t worry you will. She is such a strong character… spurred by the mysterious disappearance/death of her father years prior… we get to see her take a big risk and leave her little village for the first time. This risk takes her to Port Deering where she takes on the task of lady’s maid to Kezara Blaise, the younger sister to Velian Blaise, our handsome MMC. I absolutely love watching the sweet relationship between Kezara and Mirhha form. As much as I love their relationship, I loved watching Mirhha and Velians relationship blossom even more. What starts out as unplanned crossing of paths and stolen glances/moments at Blaise Manor turns into an action filled journey together to save Kezaras life and hopefully not get killed or imprisoned along the way! This book gives The Princess Bride and Downton Abbey vibes…. What’s not to love about that?!

[Korrine Louise Claxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun adventure. I read it in four days. The characters are flawed, likable and feel real. They make mistakes, offer forgiveness and redeem themselves.
Mihrra is on a mission and is willing to do what it takes to find the answers she is looking for. What I loved about her character is that she is a fighter and she has to rely on her instincts on more than one occasion. She is not willing to solely rely on a man to save her she is a strong female lead.
Kezara is sweet and likable from the start she is young and has an adventurous spirit and can at times be considered spoiled. I loved her character growth in this book.
Mihrra and Velian's love story is sweet. It is a slow burn and it takes them time to find eachother. They have to learn how to trust one another and forgive the past.

I'm excited to read the next book to see what happens.

[Suri (suriscozyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful debut! This story has so many elements to it that you will not want to put it down. I loved Mihrra's love and fierceness for her family. She fights for and only wants the best for her younger siblings and mother. Right from the beginning, there is suspense related to the death of Mihrra's father. She goes on to work as a lady's maid for a wealthy family. There she forms a strong friendship with Kezara. She also meets the infamous Velian, Kezara's older brother.

There is secret relationships, hidden identities, betrayals, and so much tension and intrigue. I loved it. The friendships were top tier and I am so excited to keep this story going in book 2!

Tropes:
🌹Age gap
🖤Female friendship
🌹Family secrets
🖤Suspense
🌹Strangers to lovers
🖤Slow burn
🌹One horse
🖤Found family
🌹Downtown Abbey x The Princess Bride vibes

[Aja Kasinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin...I've been waiting to read this book since the author announced she was writing a book. The wait was absolutely worth it and I couldn't put this book down.
A Rose Among Snakes had action, adventure, tribulations, great character & world building, and of course love and hope. Family secrets and the growing relationships between the characters help build the foundations that make this book come to life. At each turn of the page, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
Different points of view from Mihrra & Kezara. The friendship built between them had me wanting to see what other kinds of trouble they would get themselves into.
The ending....let's just say I suggest you read this book to find out.

[Rebecca Wetherell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ABSOLUTE MUST READ!! Love, love, loved this book, and it now sits on my “favorites” book shelf! I was hooked from the first chapter!
If you love mystery, deep friendships, a slow burn romance that leaves you wanting more of the characters at the end of the book then you’ve found it.
I’ve always had a love for reading but over the years I have read less and less, and this book absolutely reignited my love for reading! It’s well written, has great characters, an amazing intertwined storyline - I simply could not put it down!
The ending and the cliff hanger left me looking for other similar books to fill the VOID readers feel after finishing a GOOD book. I am eagerly waiting to read the next book this amazing author has in store for us!!

[Jordan | Booked with Brackins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot ⭐️
Setting ⭐️
Writing style ⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️
Total: 5 stars!

I absolutely loved this first book in the Gardens of Ruin and Revival series! The plot was fast-paced and had plenty of surprises throughout. I fell in love with so many characters and really admired how strong the FMCs are (Kezara and Mihrra are some badass girls 🥹). This book really emphasized the importance of female friendships, how people aren’t always what they seem on the surface, and how the truth is always worth it (despite how ugly it can be). Tara’s writing put me through allll the emotions, leaving me smiling ear to ear, tears watering in my eyes, giggling along with characters, and so much more. Still recovering from the ending 😅 can’t wait to see what happens in book 2!

[Tessa Chown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness, there is so much I could say about how good this book is! The dynamic between each character, the banter, the twists and turns, and the way the world building was done is just SO GOOD! The fact that this is a debut novel is shocking because of how well written and thought out this book is!

I wish I could read this for the first time again lol

I am very picky with giving out 5 star ratings but this really deserved it and I cannot wait to see what else this author brings to the world 🤎🤎

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read the next whenever it comes! For the author’s first book I was impressed with the storyline, characters, and plot and I did not see the end cliff hanger coming!! The only thing I wished for was a bit more world building - there is some but I’d love to know more about the different cities/regions, the ways they interact and are ruled, and how that plays into the story! I’m super curious where the story will go next - overall a great read and thankful to have received an ARC.

[Lauren Pack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is equal parts captivating plot and engaging characters. I finished it in two days! It’s been a while since I have gotten lost in a book like this. Between the mystery, fantastical elements, and the romance, I was hooked. This book is truly unique and stands out in a crowded genre of romantasy. I will be thinking about these characters for days to come and will be counting down the days until the next book is released.

[Colleen Ochab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensational. Crisp. A perfect addition to a warm afternoon sipping tea in the shade of the leaves. Tara has woven together an interesting, detailed world and dynamic characters to bring a wonderful page turner to her readers. 10/10 would recommend. Can't wait to experience more adventures in the world of Ilesand!

[Valerie Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the characters and the plot so much! everything came together really well by the end. I think some moments could have been lingered on the help build up the main romance but I otherwise enjoyed the novel

[Karrisa Jervis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed! I can’t wait for the next one I’m dying to know what’s next!!! I was hooked I couldn’t put it down.

[Charrie Lafarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while on a 20 day international vacation. I snuck in time to read in all the downtimes, and there was not many. I couldn’t wait to cozy up to read more. I finished it in the Mactan Cebu International Airport in the Phillipines. I loved these characters and the purpose each one had. I have already started to read the second book and I’m still in the airport. Wonderful written and easy to see all you created in my minds eye Tara. ❤️🍒

[bella grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is genuinely one of my favorites. I love the dual POVs! Mihrra is such a strong FMC and so is Kezara. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down!! It is a page-turner and keeps you on the edge of your seat in the best way possible. It’s an action packed, closed-door romance with a fun twist. It ends on a huge cliffhanger… fair warning. I can’t wait for the next one! Love this!