What do you think?
Rate this book
Rose Red
The younger daughter of the king, Rose has always been second to her beloved sister, Lily, in everything; second in line to the throne, second in beauty, second in her father's favour.
When Rose's mother, Lorelei, reveals that she is a witch and begins teaching her witchcraft, Rose's world is suddenly full of new possibilities. But when her elder sister Lily disappears, Rose is thrown into a cat-and-mouse game of deception, danger, and the revelation of dark truths about her family.
Now she must do whatever it takes to save her sister, her kingdom, and herself.
For as long as she can remember, Sarah has had a passion for stories and storytelling, especially if they include romance, and a bit of magic.
She has a Masters in English Literature from the University of York (UK).
Currently, Sarah lives in Canberra, Australia with her three adorable fur babies.
When Rose's mother, Lorelei, reveals that she is a witch and begins teaching her witchcraft, Rose's world is suddenly full of new possibilities. But when her elder sister Lily disappears, Rose is thrown into a cat-and-mouse game of deception, danger, and the revelation of dark truths about her family.
Now she must do whatever it takes to save her sister, her kingdom, and herself.
For as long as she can remember, Sarah has had a passion for stories and storytelling, especially if they include romance, and a bit of magic.
She has a Masters in English Literature from the University of York (UK).
Currently, Sarah lives in Canberra, Australia with her three adorable fur babies.
328 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2025
About the author
Sarah Biggerstaff
2 booksFor me, storytelling is the truest form of magic. It has the power to transport, to inspire, and to create entirely new worlds with only the power of words.
I’ve always had a passion for mythology, folklore, and fairytales, as a child for the wonder (and often romance) of them, then later because of the messages they carry, the way they explore questions of identity and how we fit ourselves into the world we live in – or reshape it to fit us.
I also love the way these stories are still being retold, their morals and messages resonating across centuries. It’s why my first two books are so rooted in fairytales and folklore – they’re connected to stories that have been told for generations, but given new meaning for our modern world while honouring the past.
My first novel, Rose Red (2025), is a retelling of the classic Grimms fairytale.
My second novel, The Witch and the Wolf is inspired by Red Riding Hood.
I have a Masters in English Literature from the University of York (UK).
Currently, I live in Canberra, Australia with my three adorable (and slightly insane) cats.
I’ve always had a passion for mythology, folklore, and fairytales, as a child for the wonder (and often romance) of them, then later because of the messages they carry, the way they explore questions of identity and how we fit ourselves into the world we live in – or reshape it to fit us.
I also love the way these stories are still being retold, their morals and messages resonating across centuries. It’s why my first two books are so rooted in fairytales and folklore – they’re connected to stories that have been told for generations, but given new meaning for our modern world while honouring the past.
My first novel, Rose Red (2025), is a retelling of the classic Grimms fairytale.
My second novel, The Witch and the Wolf is inspired by Red Riding Hood.
I have a Masters in English Literature from the University of York (UK).
Currently, I live in Canberra, Australia with my three adorable (and slightly insane) cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 24, 2026
Advance reader's copy received from Lumos Booktours
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 5/5
ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ:
This book was not what I expected... in the very best way possible. It's not often that I choose books that has themes of witchcraft in it, and to be fair, the chapters where it is discussed had me nearly wanting to get into a rabbit hole into just reading more about the practice NOT BECAUSE I WANTED TO PRACTICE IT, but because this book gave me a new perspective of how it works. It's an interesting take from the author.
Secondly, the plot had me questioning my skills in making hypotheses since none of my guesses on the actual plot was correct. Needless to say, majority of the plot twists here is meant to twist my thoughts. The revelation of the conflict needed to be resolved came at the perfect timing, and the farther I am from the ending of the book, the more worries I have over what becomes of our FMC. And to be fair, I wanted to see more artworks of the characters, especially Christian.
In terms of the sisterly bond, I have completely no complaints, but I wanted to see the bond between the brothers. I'm curious about what their future would be given the series of events that came forth. I'm also looking forward to knowing how the people would respond in the end.
All in all, this book definitely deserves to be in a series, but if it were to stay as a standalone, I will not be complaining. I almost finished this in say 6 hours, and mind you, this is near the average length of books I typically read. I have no idea why I read this book that fast, only to leave me staring at the wall and asking myself about the best possible moment to reread this and immerse myself in the story for the second time.
ꜰᴀᴠᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs: Rose, but I have to have Christian included here because of his unwavering dedication throughout the book. He gives me a hundred green flags.
ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅᴇᴅ?: DEFINITELY!
(ᴅɪsᴄʟᴀɪᴍᴇʀ: ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴍʏ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ. ᴡᴇ ᴍᴀʏ/ᴍᴀʏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀɢʀᴇᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋs ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʀᴇsᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʏ, ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴍᴇɴᴛ ɪs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀs.)
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 5/5
ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ:
This book was not what I expected... in the very best way possible. It's not often that I choose books that has themes of witchcraft in it, and to be fair, the chapters where it is discussed had me nearly wanting to get into a rabbit hole into just reading more about the practice NOT BECAUSE I WANTED TO PRACTICE IT, but because this book gave me a new perspective of how it works. It's an interesting take from the author.
Secondly, the plot had me questioning my skills in making hypotheses since none of my guesses on the actual plot was correct. Needless to say, majority of the plot twists here is meant to twist my thoughts. The revelation of the conflict needed to be resolved came at the perfect timing, and the farther I am from the ending of the book, the more worries I have over what becomes of our FMC. And to be fair, I wanted to see more artworks of the characters, especially Christian.
In terms of the sisterly bond, I have completely no complaints, but I wanted to see the bond between the brothers. I'm curious about what their future would be given the series of events that came forth. I'm also looking forward to knowing how the people would respond in the end.
All in all, this book definitely deserves to be in a series, but if it were to stay as a standalone, I will not be complaining. I almost finished this in say 6 hours, and mind you, this is near the average length of books I typically read. I have no idea why I read this book that fast, only to leave me staring at the wall and asking myself about the best possible moment to reread this and immerse myself in the story for the second time.
ꜰᴀᴠᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs: Rose, but I have to have Christian included here because of his unwavering dedication throughout the book. He gives me a hundred green flags.
ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅᴇᴅ?: DEFINITELY!
(ᴅɪsᴄʟᴀɪᴍᴇʀ: ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴍʏ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ. ᴡᴇ ᴍᴀʏ/ᴍᴀʏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀɢʀᴇᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋs ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʀᴇsᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʏ, ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴍᴇɴᴛ ɪs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀs.)
March 29, 2026
Thank you @lumosbooktours for the ARC.
I would describe this book as YA fantasy. This is a retelling of Snow White but with its very own unique twists and fun.
Rose is a Princess whose sister is first in line to become Queen. When their father dies, and their mother takes over the Kingdom as regent. Rose and Lily will be faced with a terrible curse.
Rose will soon have to find the power from within her and she will have to save and protect those around her.
Would I recommend this book:
This book is slow paced, it has a lot of promising prompts that I am sure people will enjoy we also have a loyal heroine, who believes in those around her. I think this book was mainly about Rose’s character growth, and everyone around her and the hardships she faced helped her shape who she is.
I respectfully think this book wasn’t for me. I think this book had a lot of potential but it fell a bit short for me. The author had really amazing ideas, and she would start with an idea and then not really dive into it or do much with it. The first 60% of the book there was a lot of things that we didn’t really need in the book. There’s things that were brought up that I thought would come up later in the book and they never did. I wish we would’ve had more plot with Lily and Rose. I wanted to see them plan and scheme but there wasn’t much there. I also wish there was more background or follow up about Henri’s curse. I think that had so so much potential and it just didn’t get talked about more.
Overall, I think this book has a lot of potential and I am sure that there will be people out there who love it and I truly wish this author the best and I hope she can continue writing!
I would describe this book as YA fantasy. This is a retelling of Snow White but with its very own unique twists and fun.
Rose is a Princess whose sister is first in line to become Queen. When their father dies, and their mother takes over the Kingdom as regent. Rose and Lily will be faced with a terrible curse.
Rose will soon have to find the power from within her and she will have to save and protect those around her.
Would I recommend this book:
This book is slow paced, it has a lot of promising prompts that I am sure people will enjoy we also have a loyal heroine, who believes in those around her. I think this book was mainly about Rose’s character growth, and everyone around her and the hardships she faced helped her shape who she is.
I respectfully think this book wasn’t for me. I think this book had a lot of potential but it fell a bit short for me. The author had really amazing ideas, and she would start with an idea and then not really dive into it or do much with it. The first 60% of the book there was a lot of things that we didn’t really need in the book. There’s things that were brought up that I thought would come up later in the book and they never did. I wish we would’ve had more plot with Lily and Rose. I wanted to see them plan and scheme but there wasn’t much there. I also wish there was more background or follow up about Henri’s curse. I think that had so so much potential and it just didn’t get talked about more.
Overall, I think this book has a lot of potential and I am sure that there will be people out there who love it and I truly wish this author the best and I hope she can continue writing!
March 13, 2026
"The ability flows in our blood, with the knowledge passed from mother to daughter. But a witch also requires a certain temperament..."
Rose, the younger daughter of the king, has always been in second place to her sister. That is, until, she finds out she is a witch! This story follows the fiery Rose as she learns witchcraft from her enigmatic mother; tries to track down her missing sister; and discovers secrets - and more - in the woods beyond her kingdom.
Rose Red was really fun to read. The world the author created is incredibly rich and detailed, so every page felt like a little window into a place that was both magical and also very real!
My favourite part of the book was the complicated and deep relationships between the characters, especially the sisters Rose and Lily, and Rose and her mother. Even though the author was inspired by classic and familiar fairytales, I was still left guessing throughout the story about what would happen next! There were times the author introduced such interesting characters and ideas, that I wished they were explored more. Of course that would mean a 1000 page book haha, so I'm glad to hear that the author has more books on the way (hopefully we'll see a return of some of these characters!!)
If you like fantasy novels, romantic stories (with ruggedly handsome Green Flag guys *swoon*), classic fairytales, witchy books, stories about sisters, complex mother/daughter tales, or just a good read - you'll enjoy Rose Red!
...and if you've ever dreamed of running away to a cabin in the forest to practice witchcraft and maybe kiss a sexy guy??? This is the book for you!
Rose, the younger daughter of the king, has always been in second place to her sister. That is, until, she finds out she is a witch! This story follows the fiery Rose as she learns witchcraft from her enigmatic mother; tries to track down her missing sister; and discovers secrets - and more - in the woods beyond her kingdom.
Rose Red was really fun to read. The world the author created is incredibly rich and detailed, so every page felt like a little window into a place that was both magical and also very real!
My favourite part of the book was the complicated and deep relationships between the characters, especially the sisters Rose and Lily, and Rose and her mother. Even though the author was inspired by classic and familiar fairytales, I was still left guessing throughout the story about what would happen next! There were times the author introduced such interesting characters and ideas, that I wished they were explored more. Of course that would mean a 1000 page book haha, so I'm glad to hear that the author has more books on the way (hopefully we'll see a return of some of these characters!!)
If you like fantasy novels, romantic stories (with ruggedly handsome Green Flag guys *swoon*), classic fairytales, witchy books, stories about sisters, complex mother/daughter tales, or just a good read - you'll enjoy Rose Red!
...and if you've ever dreamed of running away to a cabin in the forest to practice witchcraft and maybe kiss a sexy guy??? This is the book for you!
April 1, 2026
I went into Rose Red expecting something soft and fairytale-like, but this actually had way more depth than I thought it would.
Rose as a main character really surprised me. She starts off feeling like she’s always second best—second daughter, second choice, second everything—and you can feel that insecurity in the way she moves through the world. But watching her step into her power (especially once the witchcraft element kicks in) was honestly one of my favorite parts.
The sister relationship is really the heart of this story. Everything Rose does is driven by that bond, and it made the stakes feel a lot more emotional than just your typical “save the kingdom” plot. It’s messy, complicated, and actually feels real.
I also loved the atmosphere. It has that classic fairytale feel—forests, secrets, magic—but there’s this underlying tension the whole time where you know something isn’t quite right. The mystery kept me hooked more than I expected.
That being said, I did wish certain parts were a little more fleshed out. There were moments where new ideas or characters were introduced and I was like wait… I need more of this. But it didn’t take away from the overall experience, just made me want more from the world.
And yes… there is a romantic element, and it’s giving soft, supportive, actually decent man energy (which we love).
Overall, if you like:
– witchy fantasy
– sister-centered stories
– fairytales with a darker edge
– a heroine finding her power
this is definitely worth picking up.
Rose as a main character really surprised me. She starts off feeling like she’s always second best—second daughter, second choice, second everything—and you can feel that insecurity in the way she moves through the world. But watching her step into her power (especially once the witchcraft element kicks in) was honestly one of my favorite parts.
The sister relationship is really the heart of this story. Everything Rose does is driven by that bond, and it made the stakes feel a lot more emotional than just your typical “save the kingdom” plot. It’s messy, complicated, and actually feels real.
I also loved the atmosphere. It has that classic fairytale feel—forests, secrets, magic—but there’s this underlying tension the whole time where you know something isn’t quite right. The mystery kept me hooked more than I expected.
That being said, I did wish certain parts were a little more fleshed out. There were moments where new ideas or characters were introduced and I was like wait… I need more of this. But it didn’t take away from the overall experience, just made me want more from the world.
And yes… there is a romantic element, and it’s giving soft, supportive, actually decent man energy (which we love).
Overall, if you like:
– witchy fantasy
– sister-centered stories
– fairytales with a darker edge
– a heroine finding her power
this is definitely worth picking up.
March 26, 2026
4.50 ⭐️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would. I am a sucker for a retelling no matter if it’s completely based on the fairytale or just inspired by. I thought this was done really well. Much deeper points made between the main characters. The fierceness of the FMC was something I loved reading, it’s always wonderful to read about a strong FMC. I loved the world this lives in and the author brings you into that world effortlessly. There were such strong connections between the characters. It allowed this story to stay with me which is why I ran through it. Overall really enjoyed this.
March 19, 2026
This story felt truly magical from the very first page, effortlessly pulling you into the richly crafted world the author created. With its blend of witchcraft, complex and layered characters, and engaging romantic subplots. It offers something for every reader. What made it even more special was the strong thread of sisterhood woven throughout, adding depth, heart, and connection to an already captivating story.
March 31, 2026
This book was a such a calm read. I found it very relaxing and enjoyable. It was very steady in pace and told a beautiful story of family and relationships through a Snow White retelling which I absolutely loved. If you know me, I love a good fairytale retelling. And this book was just what I needed because I always love to see how a fairytale is recreated to tell the same (but different) storyline. I appreciated and enjoyed that it focused more on the dynamics of the relationships between characters rather than just the typical romance. I loved seeing Rose’s character development throughout the story. It’s a beautiful story of self discovery and growth. Her relationship with her sister and her mother, play such a huge role in who she becomes and who she is.
March 28, 2026
BOOK TOUR REVIEW | Rose Red by Sarah Biggerstaff
Do you love:
- captivating reimagined princess story
- generational witchcraft
- sister bonds
- secrets and betrayals
- tales of self discovery
- strong character development
Then you should absolutely get your hands on a copy of Rose Red 🥀🌹
Do you love:
- captivating reimagined princess story
- generational witchcraft
- sister bonds
- secrets and betrayals
- tales of self discovery
- strong character development
Then you should absolutely get your hands on a copy of Rose Red 🥀🌹
March 13, 2026
"The ability flows in our blood, with the knowledge passed from mother to daughter. But a witch also requires a certain temperament..."
Rose, the younger daughter of the king, has always been in second place to her sister. That is, until, she finds out she is a witch! This story follows the fiery Rose as she learns witchcraft from her enigmatic mother; tries to track down her missing sister; and discovers secrets - and more - in the woods beyond her kingdom.
Rose Red was really fun to read. The world the author created is incredibly rich and detailed, so every page felt like a little window into a place that was both magical and also very real!
My favourite part of the book was the complicated and deep relationships between the characters, especially the sisters Rose and Lily, and Rose and her mother. Even though the author was inspired by classic and familiar fairytales, I was still left guessing throughout the story about what would happen next! There were times the author introduced such interesting characters and ideas, that I wished they were explored more. Of course that would mean a 1000 page book haha, so I'm glad to hear that the author has more books on the way (hopefully we'll see a return of some of these characters!!)
If you like fantasy novels, romantic stories (with ruggedly handsome Green Flag guys *swoon*), classic fairytales, witchy books, stories about sisters, complex mother/daughter tales, or just a good read - you'll enjoy Rose Red!
...and if you've ever dreamed of running away to a cabin in the forest to practice witchcraft and maybe kiss a sexy guy??? This is the book for you!
Rose, the younger daughter of the king, has always been in second place to her sister. That is, until, she finds out she is a witch! This story follows the fiery Rose as she learns witchcraft from her enigmatic mother; tries to track down her missing sister; and discovers secrets - and more - in the woods beyond her kingdom.
Rose Red was really fun to read. The world the author created is incredibly rich and detailed, so every page felt like a little window into a place that was both magical and also very real!
My favourite part of the book was the complicated and deep relationships between the characters, especially the sisters Rose and Lily, and Rose and her mother. Even though the author was inspired by classic and familiar fairytales, I was still left guessing throughout the story about what would happen next! There were times the author introduced such interesting characters and ideas, that I wished they were explored more. Of course that would mean a 1000 page book haha, so I'm glad to hear that the author has more books on the way (hopefully we'll see a return of some of these characters!!)
If you like fantasy novels, romantic stories (with ruggedly handsome Green Flag guys *swoon*), classic fairytales, witchy books, stories about sisters, complex mother/daughter tales, or just a good read - you'll enjoy Rose Red!
...and if you've ever dreamed of running away to a cabin in the forest to practice witchcraft and maybe kiss a sexy guy??? This is the book for you!
March 18, 2026
A soft, emotional fantasy where relationships shine more than magic.
The sister bond, slow-burn romance, and layered mother–daughter dynamic were beautifully written and felt genuine. The magic system was simple and meaningful, with a gradual learning process that kept it grounded.
The only drawback was the overly detailed descriptions, which slowed the pacing at times.
Overall, a calm, character-driven story with a satisfying ending.
The sister bond, slow-burn romance, and layered mother–daughter dynamic were beautifully written and felt genuine. The magic system was simple and meaningful, with a gradual learning process that kept it grounded.
The only drawback was the overly detailed descriptions, which slowed the pacing at times.
Overall, a calm, character-driven story with a satisfying ending.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews