A Congress of Roses

Empire of the Stars #4

by Melissa J. Cave

"The last of my blood is right here."

Too many Knights of the Brede are the last of their blood. But being an orphan might be better than being the beloved daughter of the Divine Emperor.

With blood still soaking the Tresingale docks, Remin and Ophele set sail for the capital, where a single night's scandal can echo to the Five Courts. The Emperor's cold war with his Empress has already torn the Empire apart once, and as the Crown Princess Selenne makes her debut, Ophele's arrival threatens the precarious balance of power.

Amidst assassins, duels, and the dangerous machinations of the court, it becomes clear that the only thing more deadly than defying the Emperor is belonging to him. The capital has always found many uses for the Children of the Stars, and Ophele will have to learn to command this game, or be claimed as a pawn.

Sidelined in society and despised as the son of traitors, Remin is forced to fight at her side with new weapons of intrigue and influence, where every move he makes risks everything they have built. Because this time, the greatest general in the Empire isn't trying to win a war.

He's trying to stop one.

A Congress of Roses is the fourth book of the Empire of the Stars, a romantic epic about a love mightier than an empire. If you love the sweeping romance of Outlander, the lush, deadly world of the Kushiel's Legacy series, and the rich storytelling of Robin Hobb, you will love Empire of the Stars.

Begin the story with Traitor Son, Book 1 of the Empire of the Stars.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance

636 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Melissa Cave is a writer and a veteran who has spent most of her life traveling, first as a military brat and then on active duty. She has always been fascinated by new places, cultures, languages, and history, and there is no better place to indulge that interest than in fantasy writing. She currently lives in Virginia, where she is failing to grow strawberries for the third year running.

Reviews

[Jericho McKraven]

Gaaahhhh!!!! I have to be patient?!

[Vannia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A congress of Roses by Melissa J Cave present us with such strong emotional story and performances that directly touch your heart,mind,soul and imagination.

The writing, the plot, the world building, and the characters make me feel like i actually living in the story and witnessing everything with the characters. See what each characters, experience and feel what they experience and feel. I am completely drawn in to this world and live inside the book.

📣 📣 SPOILER 📣📣

1. The 4th book of the series bring us to directly experience the beauty of the capital ‘Segoile’ and let’s said the ‘ugly’ side with relation to its intricate,complex, and complicated politics. The ‘Segoile Roses’ it not only a synonym for the ‘Ladies’ of the Capital but represent the whole structure of the Capital. There is a beauty and sweetness, hence there is also the sharp thorns that can prick, slice, trap,harm (if not careful). ‘A combination of deathly and sweetness.

2. I am very much enjoy the FMC navigate herself in this tricky society. She growth so much from the 1th book and put all her study and practices to navigate Segoile’s society , without losing herself or influence by the capital culture. She like to explore and experience new things, but still remain the same person (innocent, intelligent, sharp, introvert, etc). She is a very deep thinker, carrying, and ‘can be very dangerous when you threatened her love ones’. A fierce defender of MMC.
In the last 3 book MMC is always the one who bravely stood and be a protector. But in this ACOR book FMC really shining and the MMC proudly standing beside her and watch her blooming.

3. The 4th book also provides us more insight how unjust the society treat MMC based on his parent’s ‘alleged crime’. I very sympathetic to him and at the same time proud that despite the obstacle, he never give up and work hard to restore and build his legacy and by extension his ancient family legacy.
And more importantly, open himself to love and be love in return. ❤️❤️❤️

4. On the other hand, I can’t also blame the whole society for not speaking up of the injustice that befall of MMC family. They also have family and legacy that need be to protect.

5. The book highlights the moral ambiguity. Should you stand aside for such unjust action if it’s mean to protect your own self, your own family, your own people, and your own interest?

The big question are: when or how separate between self-preservation and selfishness?

PS: Despite the tiny crumbs of clue, ‘The BIG MYSTERY’ as the source of this interchain event of the series remain elusive. *obviously a prove of great writing by Melissa Cave*

I guest we have to wait to see for the next book!!!

[Kaela Lockard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth novel in this epic series is as beautiful as the first three. The story is coming to a peak and all eyes are on Ophele. 

The genuine love and depth of the characters, revelations from their backstories, and trials along the way have made many a tear trek down my face. I feel myself right beside the characters and am rooting for them the whole way. It is a rollercoaster of emotions.

I am anxiously awaiting the release of the fifth and final novel in the series. Thank you, Melissa, for allowing me to beta read this novel. I look forward to more epic novels from you.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by #NetGalley ✅
***
I finished this book about a week ago, shoving words from the pages in my mind like a starved person that has been finally seated at a buffet. We did expect months for this!!!



Hey, how did footage of me get here?

I let what I absorb sit with me and distill as you would let a wine sit in a decanter after just opening the bottle, the liquor too heavy, needing air to settle.


Still me, sitting with the book for the whole Easter time

Melissa has been keeping the tempo up with these books and I do not know how she pulled off the growth for these characters. Yes, you get frustrated both with FMC and MMC, as Melissa lets them make mistake after mistake, but you get why this is necessary and so real (don’t we all fail, just to learn from our failures?)

But let me get back on track here…

This new volume felt like Melissa just invited us to come aboard promising right from the first chapters unagitated waters and so much eye candy.

I kept tensing, expecting the shoe to drop or the boat to get toppled. We know already there are multiple sharks just lurking in these crystalline waters, don’t we?

But like a mother lulling children to sleep, Melissa lulled our resistance. Between lace, tea parties, gossip and tons and tons and tons of shopping sprees I caught myself debating the morals of some characters and justifying some of their actions. (Not mentioning who, cause I want to keep this review spoiler free 😮‍💨)

The part where we get to be lulled into false calmness was what made me give this volume 4 stars right after finishing it. It seemed too much of the same, for a bulk part of the book.


Everyone aboard, captain Melissa is ready to take us for a ride!

I added the last star though because it seemed I was unfair somehow and that those 4 stars could not reflect the craftsmanship of Melissa.

I said she was trapping us into believing all is well…the emperor might not be a nutcracker and our FMC could manage to leave her shell…

Oh…silly me…cause when the boat topples (and it will topple) the crystalline waters will become murky and dangerous in an instant.


I imagine this is our author writing the final part

That breath you were holding…you should have got your oxygen when you had a chance.
Melissa, I hope what follows will wrap this series in a way that we will hear about it for years to come. You deserve that.

The growth of these characters, their realness and the world building are still the strongest assets of this series.

This story manages to make you hang in there…and when you think you can't possibly take any more world building and atmosphere, Melissa delivers something so unexpected that your jaw hits the floor.

Suddenly everyone is an enemy, everyone could be a potential risk and everyone has his own interests.

And now the wait cycle starts again…

November is so far away, but worth waiting, as we will finally see who the mastermind behind this intricate game truly was!!!! I do feel this is not gonna be an easy answer. We do have time to prepare our tissues though. There is something telling me this is gonna sting.



#ACongressofRoses #MelissaCave #ARC ##BookReview#FantasyReads #SeriesReview
#CharacterGrowth #WorldBuilding #EmotionalRollercoaster #PlotTwist

[Alysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley, with thanks.

As with each previous instalment, A Congress of Roses was completely captivating.

The language and imagery in this book is used so well, building a world around you that feels both a little fantastical and very real. I loved seeing more of the Empire in this book, even from descriptions of items in markets, or new characters we meet.

I’ve followed Ophele, Remin and the Knights for four books and I love how their characters have developed. It was fantastic to see Ophele stand up for those she cared about and how she rose to the challenge of entering society. I also loved seeing more about Remins backstory and his childhood.

I find it fascinating how Melissa J Cave is showing more and more of the central mystery, leading you along a path but not letting you see where it ends. There were so many plot threads in this book and they were handled so skilfully, fleshing out old characters and introducing new ones.

I can’t wait for the next installment and other books with the Empire!

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you the ending of this book WRECKED ME! 😭💔

Wait *takes a deep breath* 😮‍💨

A Congress of Roses is the fourth book the Empire of the Stars series, a series I love and that I seriously need more people to read because it deserves so much love and I need people to scream—I mean, talk very calmly with.

The Empire of the Stars is an epic medieval romantic fantasy that has lots with political intrigue and with a beautiful love story between Remin and Ophele that is stronger than the empire itself. Each book gets better and better because you get closer to uncovering the mysterious intrigue that led to the execution of Remin’s entire House and its closest allies, who allegedly committed a crime so great it is forbidden to even speak its name. But also, Remin and Ophele are that kind of married power couple you just love to see together. It is not a coincidence that I keep saying that fans of Jamie and Claire’s romance would love my beloved Remin and Ophele.

A Congress of Roses was an amazing book. Not only it did me the grace to alleviate my suffering after the ending of book 3, Last of His Blood, but it also dives even deeper into complicated politics and court intrigue—which I LOVE. This series truly excels at moving around players and plots—because Remin and Ophele are in the capitol. For some obscure reason, the Emperor is finally recognizing Ophele as his legitimate daughter, and afterwards everyone seems to be inventing excuses to keep Remin and Ophele from returning home, which is really all they want. I loved that we got to meet characters that are important to Remin up close, not to mention the additional glimpse in the story of the Emperor and Ophele’s mother. I’m vibrating with the anticipation of likely getting the full picture in the final book. But most of all, I need it to heal my broken heart. This ending and the events leading up to it shocked me more than any other ending in this series.

If you love the romance Outlander, the world of Kushiel’s Legacy series and the storytelling of Robin Hobb, you must read this series! The story starts with book 1, Traitor Son.

Here are the tropes!
Married couple fantasy
Their love starts as an arranged marriage
Court politics
Medieval setting
Found family
Courtly love

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absolutely stunning book in the Empire of the Stars series. Crazy how a 700 page book can go by so fast?? Absolutely could not put it down, I was so happy to be back with these characters who I seriously love so much.

I cannot imagine anyone who’s read the last three books being disappointed with this one, the plot, the characters, and the writing continue to go above and beyond. The research that goes into this story is so obvious and it makes it that much more immersive. This fantasy series is insane with how far the worldbuilding has gone, the politics are intense and with how well thought out everything is I absolutely clock this as an epic fantasy now.

Watching Ophele continue to grow and navigate life in the capital was so amazing to see, she deserves EVERYTHING and love the interactions with new characters (like with the Ereguil family members). I continued to enjoy all the different snippets of POVs from characters, we get more backstories and I am now a HUGE fan of Selenne. And you know an author has done their job when you hate some characters with all your might.

I mean I’m not sure about anyone else but I felt this underlying feeling of suspense/worry throughout the whole book, the stakes are getting higher and I was waiting for that pin to drop. (And that made it that much more difficult to put the book down). And oh boy, are we at the climax, and I’m an emotional wreck rn as I write this.

November can’t come fast enough😭

*ARC courtesy of the author, I am so grateful to be able read it early*








(not really a spoiler but why am i genuinely mad Justenin is engaged like THAT SHOULD BE ME)

(and oh my god i just need to scream about everything that happened the last 10-15% of the book)

[Sarah Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am delighted and grateful to have received an ARC of this book from the author.

If I were stranded on a deserted island and could choose only one form of entertainment for myself, then I would choose this series without a doubt. It’s my absolute comfort read with gorgeous settings, intriguing plot and a cast of fantastic characters.

Book 4 begins with our main characters and their entourage travelling away from beloved Tresingale towards the dangers of the capital. In the wake of the assassination attempt on Remin all are struggling to deal with the fallout from the betrayal. We see each character’s different views and perspectives- from Ophele’s denial to Remin’s fear to Auber, Leonin and Davi’s guilt.

For me the main strength of this book and series has always been the characters. It isn’t just about our main couple, Remin and Ophele, who I absolutely adore. Every side character is a well-rounded personality who we can’t help but love, flaws and all! We get more backstory for some of our favourites like Miche, Auber, Davi and Juste, and we are introduced to new characters like the Ereguils. The author never shies away from showing the good and the bad. Our heroes are not perfect and our villains are not just evil. I loved Duchess Ereguil’s backstory and her strength in raising Remin as one of her own, whilst also recognising and resenting the impact it had on her own children. I automatically wanted to dislike her for resenting Remin, but I also had to confront the fact that her reaction is a fair and real one. Cave constantly makes us question just enough to keep us on our toes. How far will Juste really go for vengeance? And can we really blame him after everything he’s been through? Is the Emperor really the root of all Remin’s troubles?

Once we arrive at the capital it is a whirlwind of new places, characters and politics. It’s sometimes hard to keep up and I can sympathise with poor Ophele! Again, just like with the characters, we see the good and the bad in Segoile. Ophele arrives convinced that she will have a bad time but slowly warms to different aspects of city life. We are pulled along into a world of fashion, gossip and shopping, lots of shopping! As the book goes on though, I found myself beginning to miss Tresingale more and more, just like the characters. The letters to and from home give us glimpses of what is going on in the Andelin but frankly I would read a whole novel just from their perspective!

Remin and Ophele’s relationship is as strong as it ever has been in this book, and it’s lovely to see their confidence in each other despite the external challenges that face them. They have both grown so much since the beginning of the series. There’s a slight reversal in their roles here with Ophele becoming the defender as we see the depth of Remin’s poor treatment from Segoile society.

Both Remin and Ophele are also forced to confront his mistreatment of her from the beginning of the relationship, with the added pressure of having the eyes of society on them. The effects of Remin’s treatment run far deeper for the couple than we could possibly have imagined and lead to unforeseen and serious consequences.

The end of the book is like a bolting horse- the tension really mounts and you can feel disaster approaching with no way to stop it. All Remin and Ophele want is to go home to their life and family in Tresingale, but inevitably nothing is that simple! We end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book 5 to be released later this year. For now I will have to make do with my 3rd reread of this incredible series! (Traitor Son is now on Audible and well worth a listen.)

[Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Melissa J Cave, for this opportunity to need therapy 😅.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. This is my honest review:

Stars: I stopped counting
Spice: like a 2, it’s less than the other books

Did I think I couldn’t get more emotionally damaged… I was wrong. My reading experience started by almost giving my husband a heart attack; I think I’ve never gasped so loudly. This book was an emotional rollercoaster; everything was extreme: fear, anxiety, happiness, sadness, rage, and every other emotion you can think of, you go through all of them. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I have to say some very vague things: Remin is still this beautiful, huge, bear-like creature you just want to hug and defend. The amount of self-loathing this poor guy has for past mistakes just breaks your heart (everyone who’s read this series knows he really screwed up, but he’s worked so hard, just give him a break!). Ophele has the best scene of self-empowerment one could’ve dreamed of for her. I cried a lot of happy tears, I felt so proud, I was like: you go girl, squash that bitch!!!
At last, we get to meet the Ereguils in all their glory, and it was completely worth it. Every other character we already know stays true to themselves, and my love for them grew even more.
The potential villains: I still have no clue who the real villain is. I have a ton of hypotheses, but that’s it; maybe it’s all of them. That said, I don't think anyone who seems like a bad person is completely redeemable.
This is the most erratic review I’ve ever written, and it’s because this series gets me right in the feels. I can’t stop thinking about it, I can’t stop reliving certain situations that could give us clues. I can’t be more desperate for fall to come so I can read the next one.
When this series is finished, I’m going to be in serious trouble.

[Rachel Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the immortal words of Carly Simon...

🎵"Anticipation is making me late
Is keeping me waiting ..."🎵

***************************

4/1/2026: I got an ARC! ... (but I'll still be purchasing this on release day - well, technically I pre-ordered it - and you should too!) 😉

*****************************

4/15/2026

Stars, that was intense.

The fourth book in the series sees our protagonists ordered to attend the emperor in Segoile. In the society of the capital, Remin, Ophele, and their friends will be fighting battles in the political and social arenas - challenged by the religious and governmental leaders, old enemies, and the emperor himself - all while weighing who can be trusted in order to irrevocably claim the legacy they have been building in Tresingale.

Each book in this series has been a spectacular sequence of character development, and A Congress of Roses does not depart from this standard. It is amazing to see the intentionality of the author in the minutiae of every detail she includes - nothing is wasted. She is able to seamlessly slip an immense amount of development for the supporting cast while simultaneously keeping the relationship between Remin and Ophele as the focal point, and it pays off in a fanbase with a huge investment in the entire cast. The characters - all of them (even the ones you want to hate) - are compelling and dynamic. The settings are vivid and distinct; the political machinations, nebulous and devastating; the secondary plotlines, mysterious but fascinating.

This series has been an immense joy to read, and I can't wait to see how Melissa will weave all these threads into the ending.


NOTE: There is a cliffhanger of sorts at the close of this book. While cliffhangers used solely as a device to make readers invest in the next installment tend to make me a bit rabid (I've been known to yeet such books across the room and refuse to continue the series on principle), I will own that I'm invested enough in this series to have let this one slide.

(Who am I kidding? I'm a complete addict when it comes to this series. I've read through the current books in the series at least 3 times, and I have no idea how this series isn't absolutely tearing through the fantasy romance readership.)

[Ally Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chokehold this series has on me is unreal. I finished it and initial thoughts
1. I have a theory and I think I'm right about it.
2. At one point in this book I banshee screamed from shock and delight 😊
3. I got answers that left me with so many new questions
4. I'm so ready for the next one this cliffhanger is freaking cruel 😫

My mind has been blown I simply cannot put into words how much I freaking love this series. The wait for this book was worth it.

Ophele and Remin have come such a long way. They're in the capital and after 3 books of them dealing with the Andelin devils and just surviving they're facing new threats. New people we only knew about previously from letters or mentions now are front and center.

I can honestly say I fell in love with Remin's adoptive family. Duke Ereguil and Duchess Lili have sacrificed so much for Remin. The cost was steep for sheltering him from the Emperor's hate. Now they take Ophele into their fold and are as fiercely protective of her as they are of Remin. These are the loving guardians Ophele should've had.

House Hurrell is in the capital and while their motives are unclear one thing is certain they do not care for Ophele. They seek to undermine her and Remin but at who's orders?

We get to know several side characters so much better. Loved the insight into these characters. The tragic backstories and why they chose to follow a young Remin in a daring crazy attack against Valleth that made them legends throughout the Empire. Lady Verr I honestly felt so much kinship with her. I burst out laughing at her inner monologue. Like girl same I too just want a comfortable life.

Ophele and Remin were adorable together in this one. It was nice to see that the care they have for one another was very evident to everyone. Loved her shopping excursions.

Is it crazy I miss the devils? Like seriously we had a mystery going with the new devil and now we had to leave it all behind. I still have all those questions. Now I will warn you the cliffhanger ending is just as brutal as the last one. I will be counting down the days until the next book is released.

[Marie -The Reading Otter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a NetGalley arc mid-April, and I had every intention of finishing it before it was released, but alas life got in the way.

Review:
I am so very invested in this story. The stakes are up, the tension is up, I have no idea who the villain is. I know that I do not trust the Emperor, nor his wife. The Princesses are in the middle of this messy marriage. I just know that if Ophele and Remin don't end up happy and safe, I will riot. Not really, but it would make me question the whole point of this story of either end up not alive. But I do not think that is how it will end.

While the other books in this series were more or less cozy, in this book for obvious reasons, the court politics were up. I was so proud of how much Ophele grew in this book, and I really hope she uses her new skills to get away from her conniving father. While I have my suspicions about the Empress, as I already mentioned I do not trust the Emperor either. I want the two Princesses to team up to get rid of them both. Ophele can go back to her home and Selene can take over the Empire. That's what I want to happen.

I am eager to read the next and final book in this series. And I look forward to reading anything Cave writes in the future. The way she crafts a story and characters is superb. So many books promise court politics and romance, but so few actually deliver.

[Jamie Stonebraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Melissa J. Cave for the ARC! 🫶🏻

A Congress of Roses was a wonderful continuation of Remin and Ophele’s story as they arrive in the capital. The political intrigue that has been present throughout the previous books really ramps up in this fourth installment and I was LOVING it! I never knew what was going to happen next or what was in the works behind the scenes, the last chapter had me anxious and on the edge of my seat.

Remin and Ophele are more in love than ever as they navigate capital society together. Their love for each other is the highlight of the whole series, no matter what else is going on they have each other to come back to. And I was so SO happy for the developments in this book. 🥹

Ophele really steps into her courage and confidence in this book and it had me rooting for her even harder than I had been, it was so refreshing to see learn to put her foot down and stand up for herself.

And on a lighter note, I loved her uncontrollable spending at all of the stores in the capital 😂 very relatable!


This is series is so incredible, every installment that gets released gets better and better and I CANNOT WAIT for book 5!!!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyed this one. I’m very attached to a lot of the side characters at this point. I find myself rooting not just for the leads - Remin and Ophele - but all of the knights of Brede. Here especially, after the big reveal of her secret uncle at the end of the last book - I want to know what all the characters are doing while they split between the capital and Angelina. The plot keeps moving and gets deeper, without creating new romantic problems between the leads. The conflict changes to be more external - but in a way that really worked for the story.

Fair warning the ending makes the wait for the next book pretty painful. Thank god we don’t have to wait a whole year.

[book.aholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh why do I have to wait for the next book?


I love this world. It’s so expansive and deep. There are so many characters with complexity and depth. For many, we are still learning their backstories. I re read the glossary at the end of book 3 just to familiarise myself with the characters (without spoilers) again before I jumped back into this story.

I won’t lie I had kind of forgotten the details of what happened at the end of the last book but they came back as I made it through the story.

I missed the developing town setting of the other books. I didn’t like all the dishonesty, subterfuge and sneakiness of the capital. This series really has a niche in building a town from scratch in the edge of a kingdom and seeing everything that goes into it. I like that the author doesn’t make it all plain sailing or speed it up.

The capital puts the story more in familiar territories for fantasy readers. The political intrigue and scheming. I like that the author seems to use Ophelle at times as a representative of the naive reader. She asks questions like why don’t they just punish the emperor for what he did to Remin and his family? Why does society let him get away with so much? Why don’t they stand up and say it’s not right? In one of the ballroom scenes, ophelle gets schooled by a society matron in the answer to these questions. If they bring down the empire they will be bringing down the whole system and society as they know it. Everyone is afraid of the consequences.

I liked that Ophelle gained more confidence in herself in this book. She got more used to talking out loud in front of others, being around strangers and coming up with her own schemes. She also learned the risks her naïveté can bring in dealing with the Hurrells. By letting what they did to her go unpunished because she didn’t want to be responsible for their deaths she allowed them to spread rumours about Remins treatment of her and lead to her safety being questioned. This ultimately brought about the events at the end of the book.


I like that the author brought up Remins treatment of Ophelle in the beginning again and made it visible to his family. Remins adoptive mother took Ophelles side and made her realise it was not okay. She didn’t allow Ophelle to just brush it off as she used to. She told her Ophelle did not deserve to be treated like that and she was not responsible for her parents actions or being born a bastard. I like that Remin was obviously still torn up about how he treated her and wanted to have a proper conversation about it again. He owned his actions and apologised. It felt very healthy.

I wish we had seen more of Ophelles brilliant mind at work in this book. She let the others lead her around and mange her instead of taking more ownership. I know this is something she has always struggled with. I’m hoping the separation from Remin will force her to think and act on her own. I also think it’s ridiculous she didn’t know she was pregnant. Like they have been going at it like rabbits this whole time it was inevitable. Did they even consider not announcing until they had left the city? Did no one think it would be wise to keep it quiet?

The tower and the emperor are two very mysterious elements to this story. It’s so unclear what their motives and drivers are. Do the religious leaders of the tower really believe in the sacred family? Do they just want power and control? Why did the emperor kill Remins family? How does he view Ophelle?

I feel like there is more to the empowers the of the empress’s and her family than just his force’s marriage and drugging. What did she do to Ophelles mother? There are so many unanswered questions. It keeps the reader wanting more.

I really love the writing and find myself going back and highlighting paragraphs. There are brilliant moments of humour which lighten the plot. Like Remin being so petty to send a walking stick to his challenger because he is considered old. I missed Miche a bit he is normally the character with the most witty one liners usually at Remins expense. I loved the writing early in the book about Aubers backstory and his simple reasoning for doing the dangerous difficult things because “someone has to”. It just speaks so clearly to the noble sensibilities of the knights.

I’m so sad I have to wait for the next book but I know it is going to be worth it. The authors care to detail and dedication to her craft is so evident throughout this story. I look forward to reading whatever she writes.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author via Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op on Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date May 1st, 2026.

I read the previous three books in the series earlier this year, and I was happy to snap up a copy of the fourth before it descended into the abyss of kindle unlimited. In A Congress of Roses, illegitimate princess Ophele and her new husband have been summoned to the capital by her father the emperor. Ophele is forced to juggle a fraught court debut with maneuvering against the Emperor's court as they seemingly plot to assassinate her husband.

This is a fantasy romance novel along fairly traditional lines, but Cave does a good job with the details of both characterization and plot. With a sprawling cast, it's often difficult to get attached to characters or even remember who's who. But Cave deftly slides in one-chapter character vignettes that elegantly sum up the secondary cast, from Juste's past as an orphan of the Emperor's brutality to Huber's story of a farmer's son who became squire to a doomed elderly knight. Not to mention the careful doling out of information over the past two books that implies that the Emperor is more of a puppet than he seems... While the secondary characters were excellent as always, I think our leads Ophele and Remin sparkled a bit less here. As book four of a series, their romance is by necessity already established. In addition, Ophele has always been a bit too much delicate ingenue for my taste, and her genius for math and strategy doesn't get time to shine here because she's deliberately hiding her intelligence from the court.

However, I do have to note that both the series and each individual novel has a distinctive kindle unlimited paid by the word sprawl. We're already at four of, I believe, five volumes, all of which have been big honkers with no need to conform to tradpub length. As a longstanding advocate for elegantly compact plots, I have to say that I think the plot could have been squished into a significantly shorter book. Still, everything from the handling of the romance to Ophele's abusive past to the way everybody adores her speaks of indulgence. The indulgence of the pacing and length complements it, in a way. And of course the book ends on a cliffhanger...

There's lots and lots of this type of sentimental fantasy romance published, but so much of it is pancake flat. Here, Cave's attention to detail and characterization distinguishes the series. Of course, I'm not exactly the target audience, given the incredibly straight main couple (he is so so big and she is simply soooo itty bitty and tiny), but I had fun regardless.

[herdys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm officially addicted to this series. I love the mix of Epic fantasy, slice of life, but also intrigue. We got some answers but then it made me have more questions! That ending is just cruel but I'll have to survive until November. I love Remin and Ophele and how they make each other better, while acknowledging that their beginning was not ideal in Remin's side. I love the letters with Miche going back and forth since it made us miss him less. I don't know if the next book will be the last from this arc, but I'm ready for more!! I'm so happy I found this series when I was looking for a new series to obsess with! ✨

[gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Owl & Bear (!!!!) & NetGalley for this ARC!

I adore this series (which I will keep repeating with each new book). This was a great installment! Loved watching Remin & Ophele integrate into Capital society (and seeing Ophele FINALLY develop a backbone🙏).

I've had my own theories about the Emperor & Empress and what their end goals are; after that ending, I don't know what to believe anymore. Am I mad about the cliffhanger? Yes, absolutely (but also GIVE ME MORE NOOOW)

Once again - I LOVE YOU REMIN!!

[Amby Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

I absolutely devoured this book! This one is definitely my favorite of the series (so far), even if the ending completely tore my heart out and stomped on it.

I loved how the first three books are centered around everything Remin will do to protect Ophele, and then this books flips that around to show everything she must do to protect him and their family in the capital without violence. Their love for each other is so genuine, it’s lovely.

I was hoping for a much happier ending (hoping, but not expecting) and can NOT wait for the next book! 😭

[MPMP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even AI loves The Empire of the Stars! “A Congress of Roses delivers a gripping continuation of the series, weaving intricate court politics and deadly intrigue into a richly imagined world that feels both vast and intensely personal. Melissa J. Cave's character development shines as Remin and Ophele evolve under pressure, their relationship deepening with emotional nuance amid shifting loyalties and power plays. With constant tension, assassins, and high-stakes suspense, the novel keeps you hooked while proving this rising author has fully mastered the balance between epic fantasy and compelling romance.”

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! The book was excellent and had me fully engaged through a perilous visit to the capital city until the cliffhanger at the end of the book. I am dying to know what happens next and how the new perils will be tackled in the next book in the series. It will be a long wait till November. I would highly recommend this series, lots of intrigue.

[Amena · Rating 5 out of 5]

detailed and intricate

I think every book in this series tops the previous one! I loved the detail and the intricacy of the plots. Already excited for the next book!

[Elena Lavanda]

The fourth installment of the Empire of the Stars saga, "A Congress of Roses," manages to do something rare in high fantasy: it expands the scope of the world without losing the emotional tether to its characters. If the previous books were a slow-burn buildup, this one is a full-scale conflagration of political maneuvering.
After the ending of book 3, Ophele is no longer just fighting for survival; she is fighting for a seat at a table that was never meant for her.
The title is perfectly apt. This isn't just a story; it’s a high-stakes game where the board is moved by players with conflicting, often deadly, agendas.

[AlexKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every one of these books is better than the last; if I could give this more than five stars I would in a heartbeat. The highs are incredibly high, but the lows are devastating. The love the author has for this world and these characters absolutely shines through every chapter and it's so beautiful. This is what you get when Jane Austen meets romantasy.

There are no grand battles or facing down a one-dimensional "evil". There is nuance and politics and a realistic portrayal of dealing with a petty, back-stabbing society and the frustration of trying to be free of it. What I enjoy the most is how every character is so fleshed out: you get to see and understand everyone's motivations, the good and the bad. Characters like Lady Ereguil, who is torn between wanting to protect an innocent child but resenting the toll that takes on her family. Even the Emperor and Empress have complex motivations for being the antagonists of the series, to the point where I am not even sure who is the true architect behind Remin's suffering. It's incredibly satisfying to read through and try to piece the still hidden past together, develop theories, and have them expertly ripped apart by Cave's slow and steady character development.

The entire book had me breathless waiting for the axe to fall on Remin and Ophele, and when it did it was so unexpected and absolutely heartbreaking. What is amazing is to go back and read the book to find the breadcrumbs Cave left that would have allowed you to put it together before it happened, but like Remin and Ophele the clues were so innocuous you couldn't have interpreted them without hindsight.

Ophele finally begins to really bloom in the capital, becoming more confident in her abilities and expressing such pure joy at seeing the world. I wish we had seen more of her intelligence on display, there was talk in the previous book of getting her involved with the scholars in the capital and I would have wanted to see how that would have played out.

I deeply felt Remin's struggle to enjoy life while navigating his frustration at his circumstances. He both understands why the nobles ignored his family's suffering, particularly through the lens of what he would do to protect Ophele, but harbors justified resentment at their scorn and willful ignorance of his situation. It is particularly on display with his treatment of Ophele - more often than not he fails at balancing trying to protect her with her desire to explore and experience everything.

The deepening of her and Remin's relationship is adorable and I enjoyed watching them somewhat clumsily navigate the complexities of capital society. They push at each other's insecurities but come together to compromise through their disagreements. Though usually Ophele concedes more ground than Remin, I particularly enjoyed the scene Selenne witnessed of Ophele managing Remin's overprotectiveness before meeting her sister for tea. I think she has a lot more power over her future than she realizes, and we will be able to see that come into play in the next book.

We are fed more tidbits about the past and the Conspiracy and I am eagerly awaiting the last book to finally know the whole truth about what really happened to cause Remin's house to be scapegoated and fall. I have my theories and hypothesis on how everything is going to wrap up, which I'm sure will be torn to shreds as more is unearthed about the past and I happily am looking forward to it.

* Thank you to Melissa J. Cave and her team for the digital ARC. *

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was 700 pages, and I could’ve read 70,000 pages of this.

This was everything I wanted and everything I needed and MORE. I am so GLAD we get to experience the capital, for all its craziness and “nonsense.” I re read the third book (even though I only first read it a few months ago) to make sure I stayed sharp on the world, and I remember hoping so badly we’d make it to the capital before the end of the book. But then that insane cliffhanger in book 3 made up for it (first time I’ve actually had to stare at the wall after a book’s ending! HELLO?), and then book 4 more than DELIVERED baby!!!

The characters, location, story, stakes, pacing, I ate up EVERYTHING about this. I loved every part of it - I haven’t been able to pick up another book since I finished the ARC, one of my worst book hangovers... My brain just can’t move on yet. I desperately want to stay in this world. A couple things I really liked:

* THE STRATEGY. Once again I’m blown away by the MMC’s strategy and (many) backup plans. This might be my favorite element of the whole series. It is just so endlessly fascinating and I think this is one of the key pieces that separates this series from every other book in the genre; this is one of my all time favorite series for a multitude of reasons, but the number one reason might just be getting to actually learn and understand Remin’s plans, and the AMOUNT of them. Oh god I eat it up. I could talk about that specifically forever. The author absolutely crushes it.

* That we revisited certain pieces of the hardship of book 1 and made peace with it (book 1 was hard to read at some points just because of the hardship of the characters, and I appreciated the opportunity to get closure with the emotions. And then the scene where the one who brought up that hardship gets their comeuppance!? COME ONNNNNN YESSSSS)

* The knights of the brede and their stories … the way the author intwines multiple POVS is a masterclass in multi POV. The stories and events are so critical to the story yet so engaging; the transition is so seamless and smooth, which I’m honestly not sure I’ve experienced before. I’m normally a multi pov hater but I LOVED it here. LOVED IT.

* The shopppppppping - it was so cute to read about gifts (gift giving is my love language SORRY) and it helped us understand and see the characters more. CUTE

* The Ereguils and the daughters in law <333333

* A certain princess….. will we be able to trust her?

* All the backstory!!!!!! I need MORE. I need to KNOW

* The letters from the valley

* Learning right there with Ophele about etiquette and society

* obviously our main MC’s and their love for each other (they are so SWEEEEEEEEEEET. A big brutal war hero with an unbelievably traumatic past absolutely dotes on his little lady!? GOD)

* FMC’s guards. What fabulous juxtaposition

* The banter, between all characters. It’s so fun to read

* Learning a little about the other countries and their magic

* MAGNE MAGNE MAGNE MY LOVE. I feel weirdly maternal for him. I love Magne.


Those are just a few pieces of what I love. But this is my favorite book of the series so far. I’m DYING for the next book. I would read 10+ more books of this.

Thank you to the author, Melissa J Cave, for an ARC in exchange for my honest review…. My first born is yours if you want it tbh

[Vice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wildly grateful to receive an ARC of A Congress of Roses (thank you so much to the author), to resolve the pain of one cliffhanger .... only to be wildly UNgrateful to be thrust into another one!!! At this point, the opening caveat that this is a completed series with regular six month releases might be the most part of the books for me, in a semi-successful effort to self-soothe.

After spending most of the time in previous books in Tresingale and getting to watch it develop and grow, book 4 takes us to the capital where Ophele, Remin, and part of their crew now have to navigate the politics and society. Their relationship and all the friendships continues to have my whole heart, and all of the side characters continue to add a wonderful depth and dimension to the story. In particular, Ophele's (and Remin's) shopping spree(s) were hilarious and I did appreciate how they had to talk to each other and work through the beginning of their relationship.

I really cannot emphasize enough how invested I am in this world, and how fun it is to read something that has layers and depth where there are so many machinations and plans and plots unfurling -known, revealed, and hidden to us still. The flashbacks for various characters were interesting and helped reveal more personality and motivations in a way that I cannot wait to see connect to present day. The glimpses and reminders that this is not totally a "normal" world are deftly woven in and make this world singular. And the lead up to the end! The sound I made best resembled a dying camel.

And here's one of the highest compliments I can give, as someone who makes an absolute habit of griping about series that get overly drawn out and how duologies should be standalones, trilogies should be duologies, etc etc. When it finally clicked in my head that this is a five-book series, and I just finished book four, I threw a temper tantrum. What do you mean this was the penultimate book?!?! I'm genuinely not ready for this series to end.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books you enjoy… and then there are books that consume you entirely. The Empire of Stars series is undeniably the latter.

From the very first page of A Congress of Roses, I was pulled into a world that feels both lush and dangerous—where political games are played so lucratively that you never quite feel safe, nor do you know what to expect (which is thrilling and also mildly stressful for my well-being). The best way I can sum up my experience is that I was both rushing to finish and desperately not wanting this book to end!!!

The writing is atmospheric and immersive, dripping with tension, emotion, and just the right touch of decadence...as if the prose itself is in on the intrigue. Every scene feels intentional, every detail layered with meaning (the kind that makes you pause and go ..oh… that’s going to hurt later, isn’t it).

But what truly elevates this story is its characters. They are complex and flawed, and the relationships pulse at the heart of the narrative. The dynamics are intense, often unpredictable, and filled with moments that made me pause just to take it all in. The emotional stakes are high, and the story feels as if it’s on the precipice of something enormous (and possibly devastating, which I say with both fear and excitement).

And the romance? Utterly intoxicating as usual. Remin and Ophele have the kind of connection that lingers with a reader long after you’ve turned the final page.

What I appreciated most is how this installment builds on the series as a whole. The world expands, the tension deepens, and the story takes bold, unexpected turns that kept me completely hooked.

By the end, I was left breathless… and already desperate for more. If you love fantasy that is rich in atmosphere, layered with political intrigue, and driven by deeply compelling characters and relationships, this is a must-read!!!!

(It is also going on my faves-2026 shelf)

[Rachel Feeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good. So good. Maybe it’s affection from being four books deep, or the author really found her stride, or both. This is easily my favorite of the series so far, from the first chapter to the last - and that ending is diabolical (I’m crying, Ophele is crying, why can’t people just let her and Remin be happy T_T).

With Remin and Ophele finally off to the capital with the main contingent, the narrative cycles between members of their party and those back at home (although these are later replaced by updates in the form of letters). The emotional fallout from events of the last book is fierce and earned, and the various reactions from Rem and the other knights sets the stage for them to face the sneaky nobles in Segoile with a united front. There’s lots of early plot threads coming together, and when I went back to reread some of the first book, it’s shocking how much Ophele’s confidence has grown. So while she’s still off balance navigating noble society court, I’m proud of how far she’s come.

The middle chunk of the story felt slower - while I loved being with the characters through the quirky and stressful scenarios, any forward movement was murky - but everything certainly dialed up again at the conclusion. Emotional highs are high, lows are low. The understated humor sprinkled throughout the narrative gets a chuckle, the correspondence sections are full of personality, and props for inventing a game I actually really want to play.

Some other outstanding moments:
- Recoveries and returns!
- Perilous injuries T_T
- Leonin and Davi, at all times
- Friendly inlaws
- Mionet getting dragged into managerial tasks although this is Not What She Signed Up to Do
- Frog teapot

One more book in the series (or is it two? anyway). Let’s go.

**Thanks to the author for the ARC**

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Melissa for the ARC copy! I was so excited and happy to be able to read an early copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars for me- I can’t believe that Remin & Ophele’s story is almost complete. I could read forever about them.

I LOVED this book- it was so well written with so many different characters and people coming and going. The love between Remin & Ophele is still stronger than ever, and even though the capital tries really hard to force them apart, make Remin seem like the villain in her story, Ophele refuses and wants to worship Remin just like he did. And Remin finally gets his wish… I’m so excited to see how his family pans out in book 5. There was a lot of moving parts happening in the book but I devoured each chapter, wanting to read more and more. This book gave me bridgerton vibes with all the scenes with Ophele and the nobility wives/ladies & when Ophele would attend all the different balls / social dinners to gain information.

I will say it is VERY political based and I wish there was a chart of all the different houses and who lives in each. I had to constantly stop and remind myself who lived in which house and it if that supported Remin’s house or not.

Thank goodness everything was taken care of back home before Remin & Ophele traveled to the city.

The Emperor was up to something and gave off such a suspicious vibe, that I spent the whole book just waiting for something bad to happen. He appeared TOO nice to Ophele, there was no way he would suddenly just accept her after she married the man he wanted dead for years. Every event, Ophele’s debut, I was like is something bad going to happen?


The ending left my jaw actually on the floor - I was like there has to be another page ! There was not, and I need book 5!!

[JMM · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Empire of the Stars is my favourite romantic fantasy series of the last few years and it’s not even close. Melissa J. Cave smashed it again with A Congress of Roses, which is book 4 in the series.

Roses picks up where Last of His Blood left off: Ophele and Remin are grappling with the shocking revelations from the end of book 3 whilst preparing for their much-dreaded trip to the capital to answer the Emperor’s summons. Once they reach Segoile, their concerns enlarge and intensify. If you thought the stakes were high in book 3…get ready. (No spoilers here!)

Like with the preceding books, I devoured and adored A Congress of Roses. As always, Cave deftly managed a hundred different characters and their respective plot threads, political manoeuvres, suspicious motivations, red herrings, and, of course, romance. If the previous book was slightly slow, it was because this instalment was packed with action and intrigue. There were heaps of new twists and reveals and new characters to meet.

Ophele and Remin remained firmly at the centre of this engrossing story, however. Their relationship deepened as the worries of the capital brought them closer together as a unit. (Remin remains a top tier book boyfriend fyi.)

Prepare yourself for another long, slow (but never tedious) yarn about, essentially, two broken people finding safety and fulfilment in each other and the loyal friends surrounding them. I have loved reading about how they are all working together to create their own joyful corner in a harsh world.

Oh yeah, and there’s a massive cliffhanger. 😅

This was another 5 star read for me, and I can’t wait for the next book!

Thanks to Melissa J Cave for the ARC. All opinions are my own.