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Rose #1
Роуз и къщата на магьосника
"Роуз и къщата на магьосника" е първата книга от поредицата за десетгодишното сираче Роуз, което напуска сиропиталището за да постъпи на служба при известният алхимик господин Фонтейн.
Роуз става част от останалата прислуга, но след като става свидетел на няколко чудати случки и вълшебства тя осъзнава, че е попаднала в къщата на велик магьосник. Скоро и тя разбира, че има тази дарба, а когато почват да изчезват сирачета, Роуз не се поколебава да помогне с магическата си дарба.
Роуз става част от останалата прислуга, но след като става свидетел на няколко чудати случки и вълшебства тя осъзнава, че е попаднала в къщата на велик магьосник. Скоро и тя разбира, че има тази дарба, а когато почват да изчезват сирачета, Роуз не се поколебава да помогне с магическата си дарба.
206 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2009
146 people are currently reading
2663 people want to read
About the author
Holly Webb
299 books404 followersHolly Webb is one of Britain's best-loved children's writers. She has written over a hundred books for children, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
October 21, 2019
The first magical book in a middle-grade series that Goodreads book recommendations kept flagging up at me for three years! A young orphan girl called Rose is selected to become a new maid at the residence of Mr Fountain, a strange and mysterious man who seems to be hard at work on secret projects. Meanwhile, other young orphans from the local area start to vanish in unexplained circumstances. Could Rose be targeted by her new guardian and employer? Fast-paced and was easy to get into. Lots of readers have mentioned similarities to Harry Potter. However, that didn't come across to me. Rose was interesting as a character, she was nervous but generally interested in the world of magic. As of right now, I am interested in reading the next book but not currently in a rush too!
August 27, 2016
The first time I read this, years ago, I was on a train home from London. The scene that really stuck with me was when Rose was choosing which sweets she wanted with the first bit of money she'd earned. I don't really know why I'll always remember chocolate satins, but I will.
Finding more magical middle grade to read as been so wonderful! Rose is just the thing I'd usually love, I'm so pleased to discover the books again, even if I'm much older now!
Finding more magical middle grade to read as been so wonderful! Rose is just the thing I'd usually love, I'm so pleased to discover the books again, even if I'm much older now!
December 14, 2013
Maybe 3.5 Stars
This was billed as "Downton Abbey" meets "Harry Potter" -- so tantalizing! I don't feel it really delivered, though. On one hand, I really enjoyed some parts of it--there was charm, humor and some interesting world-building at times. I was intrigued with the idea of magic belonging to the upper class--it seems that only upper-class are wizards, and magic can be bought and sold, such that only the wealthy can afford to have magical things/spells. I feel that the author tried to show glimpses of what it was like to be a servant, or to be poor and on the streets, but it was wasn't very convincing and felt uneven. I realize it's a children's chapter book with limited page count, but spending a whole chapter about running an errand to the fishmonger but not fully explaining some of the more pertinent magical rules just seems like an unwise use of space.
I had such high hopes for this book based on all the glowing reviews. Maybe I just didn't click with it--though I did really enjoy some aspects of the author's writing style. Maybe I just expected too much. I was left rather underwhelmed by the story on the whole. I never really warmed to the characters as much as I would have liked (except for Gus, the magic cat!) and some of the pacing felt really uneven. I don't feel like it ever fully achieved a true "feel yourself in the story" richness with either the "upstairs/downstairs" or the "magical wizard story" elements. I'm still left with many questions about the magical world/rules. I know it's just the first book but, again, to compare it to Harry Potter, it just doesn't feel satisfying. The "mystery" was not especially fulfilling, either. Oh, there was some fun speculation, but I felt like we were mostly in the dark about the mystery and didn't get many good "clues" to help us try and solve it along the way.
Also, the ending was surprisingly dark compared to the rest of the story. Nothing more shocking that what you'd find in Grimm's Fairytales, but it just felt out of place with the rest of the feel of this story and, again, I didn't find the resolution completely satisfying. It was so wide open for a sequel/series.
I'm still glad I read it and had some pleasant moments reading and discussing it, but I don't plan to continue the series at this point.
This was billed as "Downton Abbey" meets "Harry Potter" -- so tantalizing! I don't feel it really delivered, though. On one hand, I really enjoyed some parts of it--there was charm, humor and some interesting world-building at times. I was intrigued with the idea of magic belonging to the upper class--it seems that only upper-class are wizards, and magic can be bought and sold, such that only the wealthy can afford to have magical things/spells. I feel that the author tried to show glimpses of what it was like to be a servant, or to be poor and on the streets, but it was wasn't very convincing and felt uneven. I realize it's a children's chapter book with limited page count, but spending a whole chapter about running an errand to the fishmonger but not fully explaining some of the more pertinent magical rules just seems like an unwise use of space.
I had such high hopes for this book based on all the glowing reviews. Maybe I just didn't click with it--though I did really enjoy some aspects of the author's writing style. Maybe I just expected too much. I was left rather underwhelmed by the story on the whole. I never really warmed to the characters as much as I would have liked (except for Gus, the magic cat!) and some of the pacing felt really uneven. I don't feel like it ever fully achieved a true "feel yourself in the story" richness with either the "upstairs/downstairs" or the "magical wizard story" elements. I'm still left with many questions about the magical world/rules. I know it's just the first book but, again, to compare it to Harry Potter, it just doesn't feel satisfying. The "mystery" was not especially fulfilling, either. Oh, there was some fun speculation, but I felt like we were mostly in the dark about the mystery and didn't get many good "clues" to help us try and solve it along the way.
Also, the ending was surprisingly dark compared to the rest of the story. Nothing more shocking that what you'd find in Grimm's Fairytales, but it just felt out of place with the rest of the feel of this story and, again, I didn't find the resolution completely satisfying. It was so wide open for a sequel/series.
I'm still glad I read it and had some pleasant moments reading and discussing it, but I don't plan to continue the series at this point.
November 13, 2013
Like a bullet whizzing past your ear, I shudder when I consider how close I came to never hearing about Holly Webb's mesmerizing, charming, purely delightful Rose. It's an innocuous little book. Doesn't draw a lot of attention to itself. The American cover, while attractive, simply shows a girl in a servant's clothing and a white cat while the title swirls about suggestively. The book isn't even available in the States in hardcover (!) but paperback, thereby guaranteeing that only the sharpest of sharp-eyed spotters will notice it on a library or bookstore shelf. Add in the fact that the reviews for the book have been good but remarkably sparse and you have yourself a recipe for a hidden gem. An unassuming little British import, this is Downton Abbey with magic. It's Upstairs, Downstairs with a talking cat. It is, in short, one of those pure unqualified delights that I dearly hope folks will read. If they don't, the publisher might not bring over the sequels and THAT, ladies and gentlemen, would be the true catastrophe.
Think about it a little while and you'll see how lucky Rose is. Out of all the girls at St. Bridget's Home for Abandoned Girls she was the one picked to work as a housemaid at the prestigious Aloysius Fountain's home. Still, it's strange. An alchemist in high demand, Mr. Fountain knows how to wield magic. That's not the strange thing. The strange thing is that it seems as though Rose has some kind of power of her own. She can hear Gustavus the cat talk. She inadvertently saves Mr. Fountain's apprentice Frederick from a misty monster. And then there are the pictures she sometimes conjures up . . . Rose is perfectly happy where she is, thank you very much. She doesn't have much use for magic. But when children start disappearing and one of them is a friend to Rose, it seems as though it's up to her to figure out who's doing it and to stop them once and for all.
When world building, the children's author has the unenviable task of setting up the rules without letting them override the plot. If you want to write a book for a 10-year-old, you have to resist the urge to go into intricate details. With Rose I sank into this universe like it was the world's comfiest plush couch. The beauty is that magic is not something your average everyday person sees. It's solely a plaything of the rich, though it does filter into some of the everyday details. Once Rose starts working for the Fountain household she gets to attend a church with some fairly magical patrons (and who wouldn't mind having some moving stained glass windows to watch during boring services?). Plus it's filled with great details, like Frederick's grandfather who wished his corpse to be turned into a statue. It's very easy to understand the class and magic details at work here. What sets it apart, I suppose, is how it deals with its storytelling.
It can't hurt at all that Rose is an infinitely likable character. She's got some spunk, and I can tell you that as a kid I would have adored her simply based on the fact that she tries to always follow the rules. When she does break them, it's only in extreme situations. Generally, she likes her job and her position and can see herself continuing on in this manner for the rest of her natural born life. If only that doggone magic would let her.
When I try to think of books that would go well with Rose I come to the realization that it pairs marvelously with Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis. But from the other side of the fence, as it were. Kat is an upper class little lady who has a talent for magic, though it is not approved up for the well to do. Rose, in contrast, is in a world where the well to do have all the access to magic while it's the working classes that scrape by without it. And it is this detail that may yet prove the series' undoing.
If I were to have one objection, it's not even necessarily a problem yet. But I worry about the implications that Rose may actually be from the upper classes and that's why she's capable of magic. Webb is as English and the English come and the book makes some assumptions that give an American gal pause. It seems clear that magic is expensive. That's completely understandable. More problematic is the fact that apparently only the upper classes are even capable of wielding it. This is so well known that even a cat like Gustavus is aware of the fact (and, consequently, views Rose as an amusing anomaly). Now imagine what will happen if it turns out that Rose has rich and famous parents of some sort and that's why this lower-class heroine is as capable as she is. That's the obvious danger, but I'm hoping for something a little cleverer on Webb's part. Since this is obviously only the very first in a longer series (the villain hardly gets to cackle before defeat, and is bound to have a backstory of her own that we are yet to be privy to) there's lots of time to upset the rich=magic paradigm. At least I hope so.
One objection I've heard leveled at the book from other quarters is that the defeat of the villain hinges on her victimized children finding "hope". Bull. Sorry, but clearly that particular reviewer had forgotten that while the whole "hope" bit served to save a dying kid, it had absolutely diddly over squat to do with defeating the big bad. That same reviewer commended the book for the fact that so much more attention is paid to the day-to-day workings of an upper class English home, and to that I agree wholeheartedly. There is magic in this book, and you will find it when you need it, but the politics of the servants prove to be just as enchanting as the . . . um . . . people doing the enchanting (as it were).
Harry Potter left a gap in our lives. It created a vacuum for fantasy, and for a couple years that void was studiously filled with quality middle grade fantastical tales. But as time has gone on, fantasies have filtered out of the system a bit. You'll always find a few good ones in a given year, but few give you that same sense of simple pleasure we felt when Harry confronted the Mirror of Erised or faced off with a basilisk. Holly Webb isn't trying to write the next Harry Potter. She's just trying to write a fun little historical fiction alternate fantasy world. It just so happens that in the process she's managed to conjure up a book that feels good from the get-go. Funny and smart, exciting but never forgetting the rudimentary details of day-to-day life, Rose is the kind of book you could kick yourself for missing. I almost did. Now all I can do is hunger for others in the series to come to the States. Do you believe in magic?
For ages 9-12.
Think about it a little while and you'll see how lucky Rose is. Out of all the girls at St. Bridget's Home for Abandoned Girls she was the one picked to work as a housemaid at the prestigious Aloysius Fountain's home. Still, it's strange. An alchemist in high demand, Mr. Fountain knows how to wield magic. That's not the strange thing. The strange thing is that it seems as though Rose has some kind of power of her own. She can hear Gustavus the cat talk. She inadvertently saves Mr. Fountain's apprentice Frederick from a misty monster. And then there are the pictures she sometimes conjures up . . . Rose is perfectly happy where she is, thank you very much. She doesn't have much use for magic. But when children start disappearing and one of them is a friend to Rose, it seems as though it's up to her to figure out who's doing it and to stop them once and for all.
When world building, the children's author has the unenviable task of setting up the rules without letting them override the plot. If you want to write a book for a 10-year-old, you have to resist the urge to go into intricate details. With Rose I sank into this universe like it was the world's comfiest plush couch. The beauty is that magic is not something your average everyday person sees. It's solely a plaything of the rich, though it does filter into some of the everyday details. Once Rose starts working for the Fountain household she gets to attend a church with some fairly magical patrons (and who wouldn't mind having some moving stained glass windows to watch during boring services?). Plus it's filled with great details, like Frederick's grandfather who wished his corpse to be turned into a statue. It's very easy to understand the class and magic details at work here. What sets it apart, I suppose, is how it deals with its storytelling.
It can't hurt at all that Rose is an infinitely likable character. She's got some spunk, and I can tell you that as a kid I would have adored her simply based on the fact that she tries to always follow the rules. When she does break them, it's only in extreme situations. Generally, she likes her job and her position and can see herself continuing on in this manner for the rest of her natural born life. If only that doggone magic would let her.
When I try to think of books that would go well with Rose I come to the realization that it pairs marvelously with Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis. But from the other side of the fence, as it were. Kat is an upper class little lady who has a talent for magic, though it is not approved up for the well to do. Rose, in contrast, is in a world where the well to do have all the access to magic while it's the working classes that scrape by without it. And it is this detail that may yet prove the series' undoing.
If I were to have one objection, it's not even necessarily a problem yet. But I worry about the implications that Rose may actually be from the upper classes and that's why she's capable of magic. Webb is as English and the English come and the book makes some assumptions that give an American gal pause. It seems clear that magic is expensive. That's completely understandable. More problematic is the fact that apparently only the upper classes are even capable of wielding it. This is so well known that even a cat like Gustavus is aware of the fact (and, consequently, views Rose as an amusing anomaly). Now imagine what will happen if it turns out that Rose has rich and famous parents of some sort and that's why this lower-class heroine is as capable as she is. That's the obvious danger, but I'm hoping for something a little cleverer on Webb's part. Since this is obviously only the very first in a longer series (the villain hardly gets to cackle before defeat, and is bound to have a backstory of her own that we are yet to be privy to) there's lots of time to upset the rich=magic paradigm. At least I hope so.
One objection I've heard leveled at the book from other quarters is that the defeat of the villain hinges on her victimized children finding "hope". Bull. Sorry, but clearly that particular reviewer had forgotten that while the whole "hope" bit served to save a dying kid, it had absolutely diddly over squat to do with defeating the big bad. That same reviewer commended the book for the fact that so much more attention is paid to the day-to-day workings of an upper class English home, and to that I agree wholeheartedly. There is magic in this book, and you will find it when you need it, but the politics of the servants prove to be just as enchanting as the . . . um . . . people doing the enchanting (as it were).
Harry Potter left a gap in our lives. It created a vacuum for fantasy, and for a couple years that void was studiously filled with quality middle grade fantastical tales. But as time has gone on, fantasies have filtered out of the system a bit. You'll always find a few good ones in a given year, but few give you that same sense of simple pleasure we felt when Harry confronted the Mirror of Erised or faced off with a basilisk. Holly Webb isn't trying to write the next Harry Potter. She's just trying to write a fun little historical fiction alternate fantasy world. It just so happens that in the process she's managed to conjure up a book that feels good from the get-go. Funny and smart, exciting but never forgetting the rudimentary details of day-to-day life, Rose is the kind of book you could kick yourself for missing. I almost did. Now all I can do is hunger for others in the series to come to the States. Do you believe in magic?
For ages 9-12.
November 4, 2012
4 stars.
PLEASE READ THE LAST PART OF THIS IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING THIS FOR A YOUNGER PERSON.
I read this a few years ago, I think, when I was about 10 or 11...? I found it an interesting read; the storyline was good and definitely intriguing, the character was intersting and the whole idea of it was good. I found, pretty much, this whole book a good read! I would recommend it to people who like fantasy and magic.
A problem I can highlight, and this is quite a big one, is that near the end of the book, it gets quite scary and gruesome, and it made me cringe when I read it, and even now it's making me want to rub my wrists! I think this could be quite a problem as it may not be suitable for certain children - I was alright, but other kids may find it too gory. I strongly suggest anyone buying this for a younger person should take a look at the end to make sure it is ok.
PLEASE READ THE LAST PART OF THIS IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING THIS FOR A YOUNGER PERSON.
I read this a few years ago, I think, when I was about 10 or 11...? I found it an interesting read; the storyline was good and definitely intriguing, the character was intersting and the whole idea of it was good. I found, pretty much, this whole book a good read! I would recommend it to people who like fantasy and magic.
A problem I can highlight, and this is quite a big one, is that near the end of the book, it gets quite scary and gruesome, and it made me cringe when I read it, and even now it's making me want to rub my wrists! I think this could be quite a problem as it may not be suitable for certain children - I was alright, but other kids may find it too gory. I strongly suggest anyone buying this for a younger person should take a look at the end to make sure it is ok.
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September 3, 2016
This book had a very promising start, but then it morphed into "Annie" meets the British theatre version of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" meets a Harry Potter spinoff: magic, a child-snatcher, and broken locket as important element. The writing is uneven; lots and lots of buildup, and then all the real action takes place in the last 40 pages or so. The action is therefore incomplete, rushed and "oh look--I couldn't write a well-rounded standalone, so the door is wide open for a whooooole series!"
I am so tired of this.
You want to write a series, go ahead, but why not finish each novel in a way that will leave the reader satisfied as WELL as hungry for more? Yes, it is possible and always has been. I honestly think the problem is that contemporary series writers grew up on TV more than books--and particularly the TV of the eighties and nineties. Because before then, even most TV series episodes were stand-alones and could be seen and understood out of sequence. Only in the eighties did every single TV series morph into a soap-opera wannabe, with tentacles that reached out, not only over a season, but the whole series. Comedies as well as dramas went this way--remember "Moonlighting"? Started out as a rounded-episode series, morphed into a comisoap, with increasing soap and decreasing laughs.
OK, so "Rose" isn't about laughs, not really. At first it's about a plucky orphan who gets her own personal dream come true--a job in service at age 10! But to her it means independence and a wage, along with decent meals and clothes that have never been worn by anyone else. She enjoys the odd household she is taken to, but to be honest, while some of the "magical" elements are fun (like the windows in the church), others feel tacked-on. What is the point of the business with the stairs? We never find out. Children are going missing; not just street kids no one will miss, but affluent children snatched from their own homes. This is where the novel got dark and disturbing, even for me, as an adult. I can't shelve this with my "children's books." I wouldn't really recommend giving it to impressionable kids, and I'm not sure what age group I would recommend it to. It's a little childish for anyone over 12, and might upset anyone under 9. But the ending just kind of falls flat. Instead of a satisfying climax for the 220 pages of buildup, we have a kinda sorta confrontation that's a bit too coincidental for me and then..."well, it's not really over yet. Tune in next time for more..."
Will I? I'm really not sure. Bricks under hats is not my style.
Three stars because at least it was grammatically correct, and Webb managed not to identify the city or time period in a way that would make the contemporary English ("Miss Anstruther did not do beetles") a howling anachronism.
I am so tired of this.
You want to write a series, go ahead, but why not finish each novel in a way that will leave the reader satisfied as WELL as hungry for more? Yes, it is possible and always has been. I honestly think the problem is that contemporary series writers grew up on TV more than books--and particularly the TV of the eighties and nineties. Because before then, even most TV series episodes were stand-alones and could be seen and understood out of sequence. Only in the eighties did every single TV series morph into a soap-opera wannabe, with tentacles that reached out, not only over a season, but the whole series. Comedies as well as dramas went this way--remember "Moonlighting"? Started out as a rounded-episode series, morphed into a comisoap, with increasing soap and decreasing laughs.
OK, so "Rose" isn't about laughs, not really. At first it's about a plucky orphan who gets her own personal dream come true--a job in service at age 10! But to her it means independence and a wage, along with decent meals and clothes that have never been worn by anyone else. She enjoys the odd household she is taken to, but to be honest, while some of the "magical" elements are fun (like the windows in the church), others feel tacked-on. What is the point of the business with the stairs? We never find out. Children are going missing; not just street kids no one will miss, but affluent children snatched from their own homes. This is where the novel got dark and disturbing, even for me, as an adult. I can't shelve this with my "children's books." I wouldn't really recommend giving it to impressionable kids, and I'm not sure what age group I would recommend it to. It's a little childish for anyone over 12, and might upset anyone under 9. But the ending just kind of falls flat. Instead of a satisfying climax for the 220 pages of buildup, we have a kinda sorta confrontation that's a bit too coincidental for me and then..."well, it's not really over yet. Tune in next time for more..."
Will I? I'm really not sure. Bricks under hats is not my style.
Three stars because at least it was grammatically correct, and Webb managed not to identify the city or time period in a way that would make the contemporary English ("Miss Anstruther did not do beetles") a howling anachronism.
April 28, 2017
*NOTE:This is a review of the entire series*
Typically, I don't read a lot of middle grade novels. I used to love them when I was younger. As an adult, I feel that I am so beyond the intended audience that the magic and wonder is lost on me. However, I've been on this kick lately where all I want to read is middle grade. I'm glad that I am. I read all of the Rose series by Holly Webb in one day, and I loved it. It brought all of the magic and wonder back into reading middle grade novels.
Holly Webb has a way of writing books that make you believe you are there right beside Rose, in Victorian London, experiencing the same thing that Rose is experiencing. For a middle grade novel, the author created a complex, intricate world that was absolutely beautiful. I love the magic system that she created. It was great to see how Rose, Mr. Fountain, and Freddie explored their talents, and became stronger magic users throughout each book. I loved seeing their progression from the beginning of Rose, to the end of Rose and Silver Ghost. My only problem with the series as a whole was that it was very predictable. By the first few chapters of Rose and the Magician's Mask, the third book in the series, I had already guessed most of the plot twists in the book, and was correct.
The Rose series was full of a fantastic cast of characters. I can't think of a single character that I disliked. Even Gossamer, the main villain in the series, was charming in his own way. Even though I liked all of the characters, my favorite was Gus. This should be no surprise for those of you that have followed my blog for a while, and know how much I love cats. I didn't just love him because he was a cat though. I also loved how protective he was of Rose. He might have seemed harsh, and pushed her to her limits sometimes, but that was because he wanted her to evolve her magic, and grow stronger. I also loved his snarky sense of humor.
I loved the Rose series. Even though it was predictable at times, it provided me with a lot of enjoyment. I noticed on Goodreads that Holly Webb has books with names of some of the minor characters in the Rose series, such as Maisie, and Lily. I'm not sure if the books are related to the Rose series, but I plan on reading them to find out because I want more of this world. I recommend this series for kids looking for a quick, fun fantasy read.
Typically, I don't read a lot of middle grade novels. I used to love them when I was younger. As an adult, I feel that I am so beyond the intended audience that the magic and wonder is lost on me. However, I've been on this kick lately where all I want to read is middle grade. I'm glad that I am. I read all of the Rose series by Holly Webb in one day, and I loved it. It brought all of the magic and wonder back into reading middle grade novels.
Holly Webb has a way of writing books that make you believe you are there right beside Rose, in Victorian London, experiencing the same thing that Rose is experiencing. For a middle grade novel, the author created a complex, intricate world that was absolutely beautiful. I love the magic system that she created. It was great to see how Rose, Mr. Fountain, and Freddie explored their talents, and became stronger magic users throughout each book. I loved seeing their progression from the beginning of Rose, to the end of Rose and Silver Ghost. My only problem with the series as a whole was that it was very predictable. By the first few chapters of Rose and the Magician's Mask, the third book in the series, I had already guessed most of the plot twists in the book, and was correct.
The Rose series was full of a fantastic cast of characters. I can't think of a single character that I disliked. Even Gossamer, the main villain in the series, was charming in his own way. Even though I liked all of the characters, my favorite was Gus. This should be no surprise for those of you that have followed my blog for a while, and know how much I love cats. I didn't just love him because he was a cat though. I also loved how protective he was of Rose. He might have seemed harsh, and pushed her to her limits sometimes, but that was because he wanted her to evolve her magic, and grow stronger. I also loved his snarky sense of humor.
I loved the Rose series. Even though it was predictable at times, it provided me with a lot of enjoyment. I noticed on Goodreads that Holly Webb has books with names of some of the minor characters in the Rose series, such as Maisie, and Lily. I'm not sure if the books are related to the Rose series, but I plan on reading them to find out because I want more of this world. I recommend this series for kids looking for a quick, fun fantasy read.
September 22, 2012
This book is supposed to be a junior read according to the library catalogue.
However, the last few chapters are quite scary and younger readers might find the scenes disturbing.
As an adult, I know I did.
However, the last few chapters are quite scary and younger readers might find the scenes disturbing.
As an adult, I know I did.
September 7, 2013
I received Rose by Holly Webb from Netgalley to review and just couldn’t wait to read it. It was released in the UK for a while but is newly being released in the US. I look forward to getting this whole series ordered over here in Hong Kong. I have a feeling I’ll be able to get the UK edition of the books though! Pretty bright covers for them!
I recently sat with my son and watched the movie Annie and he was pretty astounded that I knew most of the words to most of the songs. I’d forgotten how much fantastic dancing throughout the movie, a feast for the eyes.
Then, I sat down and read Rose. This was a feast for my imaginative soul. I loved creating the settings with visions… which include some really interesting characters and situations. Rose grew up in an orphanage and is relieved and eager to get a job as a house maid when someone comes by to pick one of the girls at the orphanage for the job. But Rose slowly reveals her magical side that she’s scared for anyone to notice, especially her new master, Mr. Fountain. Mr. Fountain is an alchemist who lives with many servants, one apprentice, a special cat, and his daughter in an older home. As layers of Rose’s abilities and knowledge are revealed to the reader, you become more anxious for the next stage of her experience of life at the house. She goes back to visit friends at the orphanage and discovers a sinister plot that was only slightly mentioned prior in the book. What a capturing book… I don’t want to ruin any portion of this book for the reader by going further…
I loved reading this book and thought the fantasy and adventure were creepily fantastic. They would partner perfectly with Doll Bones by Holly Black, Spindlers by Lauren Oliver and Splendours and Glooms/Fire Spell by Laura Amy Schlitz. (I think all three of these books have a slant towards the fantastic, fantasy creepy side which Rose often leaned toward as well.) Never too scary although I did read one chapter a bit quicker than some other ones! Overall, I do highly recommend this book and look forward to purchasing it for my school. I know my students will be quite excited since they adore Holly Webb’s animal fiction book series. Her books fly off the shelf.
I recently sat with my son and watched the movie Annie and he was pretty astounded that I knew most of the words to most of the songs. I’d forgotten how much fantastic dancing throughout the movie, a feast for the eyes.
Then, I sat down and read Rose. This was a feast for my imaginative soul. I loved creating the settings with visions… which include some really interesting characters and situations. Rose grew up in an orphanage and is relieved and eager to get a job as a house maid when someone comes by to pick one of the girls at the orphanage for the job. But Rose slowly reveals her magical side that she’s scared for anyone to notice, especially her new master, Mr. Fountain. Mr. Fountain is an alchemist who lives with many servants, one apprentice, a special cat, and his daughter in an older home. As layers of Rose’s abilities and knowledge are revealed to the reader, you become more anxious for the next stage of her experience of life at the house. She goes back to visit friends at the orphanage and discovers a sinister plot that was only slightly mentioned prior in the book. What a capturing book… I don’t want to ruin any portion of this book for the reader by going further…
I loved reading this book and thought the fantasy and adventure were creepily fantastic. They would partner perfectly with Doll Bones by Holly Black, Spindlers by Lauren Oliver and Splendours and Glooms/Fire Spell by Laura Amy Schlitz. (I think all three of these books have a slant towards the fantastic, fantasy creepy side which Rose often leaned toward as well.) Never too scary although I did read one chapter a bit quicker than some other ones! Overall, I do highly recommend this book and look forward to purchasing it for my school. I know my students will be quite excited since they adore Holly Webb’s animal fiction book series. Her books fly off the shelf.
June 12, 2019
3.5 rounded up. A fun little fantasy that pulled me right in. It was rather appalling that all the upper class children are depicted as spoiled little monsters, but perhaps Rose will have a good influence on them. The solution to the mystery is quite abrupt compared to the careful world building that preceded it, the book could stand to be a little longer.
There were many similarities to Magic Below Stairs which led me to once again wonder why there are so many orphans in children's fiction.
There were many similarities to Magic Below Stairs which led me to once again wonder why there are so many orphans in children's fiction.
October 21, 2024
Kocham książka mojego dzieciństwa
May 6, 2018
Трогателна история за сираче, притежаващо мощна магия, твърдо решено да прави добри дела.
May 4, 2018
Fun and fascinating read. Great for readers who enjoy magic.
October 7, 2016
I'm completely charmed by the first in this series about orphan Rose. Delightful story, with unique twists and a great cast of characters.
May 31, 2014
A pleasant surprise in a fairly standard story line. Young Rose is an orphan living in an orphanage. It isn't horrid - they are fed and clothed and relatively safe. It is the orphanage of Daddy Long Legs - where any sense of individuality and creativity is frowned upon because its difficult to manage. Unlike other girls, Rose isn't mooning over the dream of a wealthy family to discover her. She wants to be out and working, her OWN job, her OWN money. She wants to work hard, do a good job. The discovery of some dangerously-like-magical tendencies distresses her and she does everything she can to suppress them. She wants a regular life. Except that one cannot avoid being the king if it is in one and the situation. Her chance for a job arrives and she leaves the orphanage to be belowstairsmaid for one of the premier magical families. The house is clearly magical and responds to Rose's magic, and she is forced to evaluate her goals and dreams.
I liked the twist - this was no young girl with romantic notions. She was sensible and practical, hardworking. Discovering her specialness through the ordinary was a nice touch.
I liked the twist - this was no young girl with romantic notions. She was sensible and practical, hardworking. Discovering her specialness through the ordinary was a nice touch.
June 3, 2014
This is the story of a girl from an orphanage. After a bit where she spins a fellow orphan a tale about how she was lost, a woman comes to the orphanage for a second housemaid at the house of Mr. Fountain, alchemist, and member of the royal court.
She meets there the cook, Bill who's friendly, Susan, the first housemaid, who's not -- Freddie, Mr. Fountain's apprentice, Isabelle his daughter -- and discovers the house is very odd to her, though not to her fellow servants. Plus Gus, the cat, will talk to her as he won't/can't talk to the others. Freddie discovers her abilities, and despite being snobbish and never having had to do anything in his life, turns out not half bad. But Rose just wants to be the housemaid and earn her living.
Meanwhile, children are vanishing, and the widowed Mr. Fountain is interested in the lovely Miss Sparrow.
Action and adventure ensue. Involving breaking a mirror, climbing down plants on walls, a stuffed bear, a cheap locket, using a marble for light, and much more.
She meets there the cook, Bill who's friendly, Susan, the first housemaid, who's not -- Freddie, Mr. Fountain's apprentice, Isabelle his daughter -- and discovers the house is very odd to her, though not to her fellow servants. Plus Gus, the cat, will talk to her as he won't/can't talk to the others. Freddie discovers her abilities, and despite being snobbish and never having had to do anything in his life, turns out not half bad. But Rose just wants to be the housemaid and earn her living.
Meanwhile, children are vanishing, and the widowed Mr. Fountain is interested in the lovely Miss Sparrow.
Action and adventure ensue. Involving breaking a mirror, climbing down plants on walls, a stuffed bear, a cheap locket, using a marble for light, and much more.
January 10, 2014
I came upon this book quite by accident and since my name happens to be Rose, I decided to read it. The main character, Rose was placed in a fish basket as a baby and left on the front steps of St. Bridget's Home for Abandoned Girls. All of the girls in this home are taught to read and write and most importantly how to be a maid in an upper class home in London. When Rose is ten years old she is chosen to live in the mansion of a famous alchemist who does magic for royalty. After living there only one day, Rose discovers that she has magical abilities that she never knew about and decides to hide them. But Freddy the magician's apprentice and Gustavas the talking cat soon figure out that there is more to Rose than the average house servant.
I think that this would be a great fantasy series for girls 10 and up.
I think that this would be a great fantasy series for girls 10 and up.
October 30, 2016
Gustavus is fab. everyone else=meh.
April 9, 2020
This was fine - a pleasant middle-grade alt-victorian-era-but-with-magic adventure, with a plucky pragmatic heroine having adventures below stairs and above. Irresistible, for someone who grew up reading Frances Hodgson Burnett, Barbara Brooks Wallace, and so forth. The story arc is very straightforward: Rose gets a position as a housemaid in the house of a wizard, is disconcerted to discover her own magic while trying to fit into her new life in service, and gradually gets drawn into investigating the mysterious disappearances of the city's children with her employer's apprentice and a fairly annoying talking cat.
This was competent but not extraordinary. Some aspects of the denouement strongly reminded me of Diana Wynne Jones' Wilikin's Tooth -- but in such a way as to remind me of how remarkable DWJ's skill was in making even the most sentimental sort of resolution feel real and genuine. That doesn't quite happen here.
This was competent but not extraordinary. Some aspects of the denouement strongly reminded me of Diana Wynne Jones' Wilikin's Tooth -- but in such a way as to remind me of how remarkable DWJ's skill was in making even the most sentimental sort of resolution feel real and genuine. That doesn't quite happen here.
June 3, 2019
Trouxe este livro para casa simplesmente pelo nome, que tem um significado muito importante para mim! ( para alem da capa ser um amor !) E acabou por ser uma agradável surpresa! Sim é um livro juvenil, mas diverti-me imenso a lê-lo!
É de leitura muita fácil, no entanto achei os últimos capítulos um bocadinho assustadores, sendo que o público alvo são os mais novinhos! Não deixa de ser uma história muito interessante, teria apenas um bocadinho de cuidado com crianças mais sensíveis.
Outra coisa que me fez um bocadinho de confusão foi o facto das crianças órfãs serem criadas de maneira a um dia serem adotadas e trabalharem como empregadas domésticas, embora no mundo que a autora criou seja algo " normal ".
.
Se gostam de fantasia e mistério vão gostar de certeza , sempre tendo em conta que é um livro para crianças! .
É de leitura muita fácil, no entanto achei os últimos capítulos um bocadinho assustadores, sendo que o público alvo são os mais novinhos! Não deixa de ser uma história muito interessante, teria apenas um bocadinho de cuidado com crianças mais sensíveis.
Outra coisa que me fez um bocadinho de confusão foi o facto das crianças órfãs serem criadas de maneira a um dia serem adotadas e trabalharem como empregadas domésticas, embora no mundo que a autora criou seja algo " normal ".
.
Se gostam de fantasia e mistério vão gostar de certeza , sempre tendo em conta que é um livro para crianças! .
August 10, 2024
spontaniczny reread mojej ulubionej książki z dzieciństwa🫶🫶
przyznam, że nie spodziewałam się, że będzie mi się podobać równie mocno, jak kiedy czytałam ją mając jakieś dziewięć lat. a jednak, teraz, będą dwa razy starsza, czytanie jej sprawiło mi równie dużą przyjemność, jak wtedy. i to nie tylko poprzez sentyment! spodziewałam się, że zastanę tu infantylny język, skierowany do małych dzieci, lecz wscale tak nie było: językowo praktycznie nie różniła się od książek, które czytam obecnie. fabularnie też nie była "dziecinna"; gdyby bohaterowie byli starsi, bez problemu wpasowałaby się w inną fantastykę, jaką aktualnie czytam.
ogromni cieszy mnie to, że teraz ta książka sprawiła mi tyle radości, co kiedy byłam dzieciakiem🫶🫶
przyznam, że nie spodziewałam się, że będzie mi się podobać równie mocno, jak kiedy czytałam ją mając jakieś dziewięć lat. a jednak, teraz, będą dwa razy starsza, czytanie jej sprawiło mi równie dużą przyjemność, jak wtedy. i to nie tylko poprzez sentyment! spodziewałam się, że zastanę tu infantylny język, skierowany do małych dzieci, lecz wscale tak nie było: językowo praktycznie nie różniła się od książek, które czytam obecnie. fabularnie też nie była "dziecinna"; gdyby bohaterowie byli starsi, bez problemu wpasowałaby się w inną fantastykę, jaką aktualnie czytam.
ogromni cieszy mnie to, że teraz ta książka sprawiła mi tyle radości, co kiedy byłam dzieciakiem🫶🫶
July 8, 2020
I also read this to my cousin for a bedtime story like I did with the book 'Snow Merchant'. Even though she is nine, she still needed someone to read a bedtime story for her. I think she's grown addicted to fantasy books like me. Family bloodline...
It was ok, it was an easy read, but it took a while to finish it for my cousin, since she had problems with the vocab or didn't understand what was happening. It was quite annoying, her interrupting while I read, and that repeated several times, but I'm glad she enjoyed it :)
It was ok, it was an easy read, but it took a while to finish it for my cousin, since she had problems with the vocab or didn't understand what was happening. It was quite annoying, her interrupting while I read, and that repeated several times, but I'm glad she enjoyed it :)
July 30, 2018
Actual rating: 4.5
I really don’t read middle grade very much at all but I’m rereading a lot of books I loved when I was a kid and this was, and remains a favourite. Enchanting, fun, would definitely recommend.
Concept: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Ease of reading: 5/5
I really don’t read middle grade very much at all but I’m rereading a lot of books I loved when I was a kid and this was, and remains a favourite. Enchanting, fun, would definitely recommend.
Concept: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Ease of reading: 5/5
September 20, 2021
What a wonderful introduction to this series of four books with the magical adventures of Rose, the little orphan girl who finds out that she also has magical powers! With Gus, the wizard cat, Freddy, Isabella and Maisie, this first adventure leaves us wishing for the next one!
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 17 September 2021
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 17 September 2021
September 4, 2022
Rose is an orphan who is selected to go into service in the house of a magician. No time period is specified, but it strikes me as about the same time as the early years of Downton Abby. Rose discovers she has magical abilities but isn’t interested in them. She’d rather work and earn money. Other characters include a magical talking cat, an apprentice, and a spoiled daughter. Eventually, all of them team up at the end of the book. Quite a cute middle school book.
December 8, 2014
Its embarrassing to admit, the number one reason for my attraction to this book - cover lust. This series originally published in the UK had completely different covers, ugly covers which never would have drawn me in. When it released in the USA they designed an entirely different cover set and that's when the story caught my eye. I'm so happy it did because otherwise I would have missed out on an absolutely adorable new series about a magical orphan girl called Rose. Rose resides at an orphanage until one day a young woman shows up at the doorstep looking to adopt a girl around Rose's age. She and three other girls are recommended by the headmistress, but in the end Rose is selected. Rose is ecstatic with her new prospects and lease on life . She comes to live in the Fountain house, the home of a famous and wealthy alchemist who is known for his ability to turn metal into gold. Here, along with other young women, she becomes part of the house service staff. Shortly after her arrival Rose begins to notice strange happenings around the mansion, like stairs that move and a cat named Gustavos, who can speak! Deep down she secretly wonders about unknown magical powers stirring within her. She's afraid to admit it because magic is frowned upon by the servant staff. When the town's little girls end up mysteriously disappearing, Rose, along with other townsfolk become extremely nervous. It might just take Rose admitting to her powers to help find these girls, especially when she discovers the foul play may involve some of the girls from her old orphanage.
This story is set in 19th Century England, taking place primarily in a mansion and the surrounding town. I found the pacing to be steady, with plenty of antics, happenings and discoveries, especially revolving around magic. The mood is pretty light hearted, until the last 15% of the book, where it becomes a bit dark and scary. Writing is easy to read, with a fun to follow plot involving magic and kidnapping. Its told in a third person narrative, through the eyes of our young heroine, Rose.
The characters in this story are all well written. Rose, an orphan girl, is brave thoughtful and obedient. She's cautious and mindful not to hurt other people's feelings. She's an animal lover and shows kindness to a house cat, despite others distaste for the animal. I enjoyed how she puzzled through problems with remarkable reasoning skills. Her developing magic is unique and powerful, definitely foreshadowing what's to come for this special young orphan.
Freddie, Mr Fountain's apprentice, is haughty and jealous in the beginning. He's also somewhat snooty and a bit of a braggart. However, as the story progresses and he and Rose become allies, he drops his air's and becomes a regular nice guy.
Isabella, the seven year old daughter of Mr Fountain is truly a spoiled rotten little brat who always gets what she wants. She's extreme manipulative and has managed to get more than one of his father's servant staff fired. It was nice to see her turn it around, by the end of the story, she had earned my respect.
Gustavos, the talking house cat was my favorite character in the story. Even though he generally spends his days with the children, its clear he is a very mature cat. He is very protective and his magic is much more powerful than he lets on to. The humorours dialect of this furry creature is what really makes his character. Gustavos LOVES food and will generally be persuaded to help with anything as long as the payment comes in the edible variety.
Overall I found this story extremely enjoyable. Some element of story was always able to attract and keep my attention. The plot was mysterious, since its written for middle grade, it was predictable for me. I knew before the characters did who was behind the kidnappings. However, I never did figure out why. When revealed I must admit I NEVER would have guessed. I adored Rose and the way she used her magic for good and not evil. This story, written for youngsters, is absent of romance or puppy love, even. The ending was shocking. The majority of the story was lighthearted and cute, but the ending shockingly is somewhat gory and might be quite scary for younger audiences. The book wrapped up to perfection and definitely could be read as a standalone. The author did make it evident the series would continue and readers would get to see a lot more of Rose in the future. I'm looking forward to continuing this cute little series.
I strongly recommend this book to both girls and gals alike. Even though the main character is a female, there are plenty of likable boy characters in the story. Readers who enjoy magic and mystery will find this story enjoyable. This is one of those books middle grade stories which youngsters and adults can find interesting because the writing is elegant enough it will capture most anyones attention.
This story is set in 19th Century England, taking place primarily in a mansion and the surrounding town. I found the pacing to be steady, with plenty of antics, happenings and discoveries, especially revolving around magic. The mood is pretty light hearted, until the last 15% of the book, where it becomes a bit dark and scary. Writing is easy to read, with a fun to follow plot involving magic and kidnapping. Its told in a third person narrative, through the eyes of our young heroine, Rose.
The characters in this story are all well written. Rose, an orphan girl, is brave thoughtful and obedient. She's cautious and mindful not to hurt other people's feelings. She's an animal lover and shows kindness to a house cat, despite others distaste for the animal. I enjoyed how she puzzled through problems with remarkable reasoning skills. Her developing magic is unique and powerful, definitely foreshadowing what's to come for this special young orphan.
Freddie, Mr Fountain's apprentice, is haughty and jealous in the beginning. He's also somewhat snooty and a bit of a braggart. However, as the story progresses and he and Rose become allies, he drops his air's and becomes a regular nice guy.
Isabella, the seven year old daughter of Mr Fountain is truly a spoiled rotten little brat who always gets what she wants. She's extreme manipulative and has managed to get more than one of his father's servant staff fired. It was nice to see her turn it around, by the end of the story, she had earned my respect.
Gustavos, the talking house cat was my favorite character in the story. Even though he generally spends his days with the children, its clear he is a very mature cat. He is very protective and his magic is much more powerful than he lets on to. The humorours dialect of this furry creature is what really makes his character. Gustavos LOVES food and will generally be persuaded to help with anything as long as the payment comes in the edible variety.
Overall I found this story extremely enjoyable. Some element of story was always able to attract and keep my attention. The plot was mysterious, since its written for middle grade, it was predictable for me. I knew before the characters did who was behind the kidnappings. However, I never did figure out why. When revealed I must admit I NEVER would have guessed. I adored Rose and the way she used her magic for good and not evil. This story, written for youngsters, is absent of romance or puppy love, even. The ending was shocking. The majority of the story was lighthearted and cute, but the ending shockingly is somewhat gory and might be quite scary for younger audiences. The book wrapped up to perfection and definitely could be read as a standalone. The author did make it evident the series would continue and readers would get to see a lot more of Rose in the future. I'm looking forward to continuing this cute little series.
I strongly recommend this book to both girls and gals alike. Even though the main character is a female, there are plenty of likable boy characters in the story. Readers who enjoy magic and mystery will find this story enjoyable. This is one of those books middle grade stories which youngsters and adults can find interesting because the writing is elegant enough it will capture most anyones attention.
October 6, 2025
This book was dark and creepy. It started out okay but at the end it was just plain awful. A lady was kidnapping children, cutting them and drinking their blood for dark magic spells. She ended up killing one of the kids from taking so much blood. This is not something any child should be reading. Do not recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2017
Hmm.
For a while, I wasn't actually sure I wanted to finish this book. But I did, so I guess--in the end--there was enough to keep me reading. I think it was mostly that I just kept hoping it would get better. It wasn't terrible. But it wasn't good, either. And I'm disappointed about that, because I think it could have been a wonderful tale of mystery and intrigue, set against an alternate-universe backdrop that had the potential to be so exciting!
- Rose, our orphaned main character. Easily likeable: fiesty, strong, (mostly) intelligent, and with more than a hint of magical power. Except...she spends 90% of the book trying to either a) deny she has any power, b) actively dismissing all symptoms and signs of her power as 'weird stuff that just happens', and c) choosing servitude over magic because it's her burning ambition to be a servant. Um...she's a kid. No kid on earth--no matter into which century or alternate setting they're born--is going to choose dusting over magic. Not even if they've been raised to know their place. I would have believed it more if she had seemed genuinely frightened of her burgeoning powers, rather than just mildly annoyed or dismissive. It lost her quite a bit of sympathy, as a believable character. Luckily for Rose, however, I think it was more a writing issue than a character issue...which leads me to my next point...
- The writing. Dear god, the writing. So. Much. Telling. So much waffling minutiae--much of it bafflingly at-odds with the characters' situation, such as one girl giggling while they're trapped in a pitch-black cellar and talking about how the antagonist is drinking their blood in the hopes of living forever. Such as Rose, Freddie and Gus having quite a protracted conversation while said antagonist is chasing them around the house with a knife. Which leads on to...
- The dialogue. Just not believable. It doesn't even flow well. It chops and changes and back-jumps--which would be okay, I suppose, if it was done well and with an appropriate point to be made. But yeah...not.
- The action. There's a lot of standing around and talking. Or arguing. There's a lot of Rose thinking the same thoughts over and over. There's a lot of pointing out how someone is standing, and wringing their wrists, but not a whole lot of motivation. In fact, much of the characters' body language just makes them end up looking detached and petty, like they're acting out the scene, rather than living it. And why the heck did little miss pickpocket not pick the cellar door's lock a week earlier? I think my 7yo put it perfectly when she said, after we chatted about the book together, "Amy got taken, and they all thought she was going to die, in the next few MINUTES, and they just stood around talking about it."
- The magic. Utterly pointless. Rose's power was never fully explored, thanks to her book-long dismissal of it, and what she did do was glossed over by the writing in favour of dialogue that didn't match the action, and rambling descriptions of everything BUT the amazing magic she was supposed to be doing. Mr Fountain could seriously have not even been in the book, for all the good he did--nor did I find his insta-infatuation with Miss Sparrow believable for his character, or for hers...and since it was pretty much only covered in passing, I didn't really care. And as for MIss Sparrow, all she did was pull a few glamours...nor were the descriptions of it convincing, frightening or entertaining. I certainly didn't see her as a genuine threat to any of them. Not even when she turned into a knife-wielding vampire. Rose was too busy arguing with Gus and Freddie for that scene to have ANY real impact.
The book started off well, and the description of Rose's experiences in her role as a house-maid were interesting. So that earned a star. The other star is for Rose; despite the disservice done to her character by the writing, I still liked her.
For a while, I wasn't actually sure I wanted to finish this book. But I did, so I guess--in the end--there was enough to keep me reading. I think it was mostly that I just kept hoping it would get better. It wasn't terrible. But it wasn't good, either. And I'm disappointed about that, because I think it could have been a wonderful tale of mystery and intrigue, set against an alternate-universe backdrop that had the potential to be so exciting!
- Rose, our orphaned main character. Easily likeable: fiesty, strong, (mostly) intelligent, and with more than a hint of magical power. Except...she spends 90% of the book trying to either a) deny she has any power, b) actively dismissing all symptoms and signs of her power as 'weird stuff that just happens', and c) choosing servitude over magic because it's her burning ambition to be a servant. Um...she's a kid. No kid on earth--no matter into which century or alternate setting they're born--is going to choose dusting over magic. Not even if they've been raised to know their place. I would have believed it more if she had seemed genuinely frightened of her burgeoning powers, rather than just mildly annoyed or dismissive. It lost her quite a bit of sympathy, as a believable character. Luckily for Rose, however, I think it was more a writing issue than a character issue...which leads me to my next point...
- The writing. Dear god, the writing. So. Much. Telling. So much waffling minutiae--much of it bafflingly at-odds with the characters' situation, such as one girl giggling while they're trapped in a pitch-black cellar and talking about how the antagonist is drinking their blood in the hopes of living forever. Such as Rose, Freddie and Gus having quite a protracted conversation while said antagonist is chasing them around the house with a knife. Which leads on to...
- The dialogue. Just not believable. It doesn't even flow well. It chops and changes and back-jumps--which would be okay, I suppose, if it was done well and with an appropriate point to be made. But yeah...not.
- The action. There's a lot of standing around and talking. Or arguing. There's a lot of Rose thinking the same thoughts over and over. There's a lot of pointing out how someone is standing, and wringing their wrists, but not a whole lot of motivation. In fact, much of the characters' body language just makes them end up looking detached and petty, like they're acting out the scene, rather than living it. And why the heck did little miss pickpocket not pick the cellar door's lock a week earlier? I think my 7yo put it perfectly when she said, after we chatted about the book together, "Amy got taken, and they all thought she was going to die, in the next few MINUTES, and they just stood around talking about it."
- The magic. Utterly pointless. Rose's power was never fully explored, thanks to her book-long dismissal of it, and what she did do was glossed over by the writing in favour of dialogue that didn't match the action, and rambling descriptions of everything BUT the amazing magic she was supposed to be doing. Mr Fountain could seriously have not even been in the book, for all the good he did--nor did I find his insta-infatuation with Miss Sparrow believable for his character, or for hers...and since it was pretty much only covered in passing, I didn't really care. And as for MIss Sparrow, all she did was pull a few glamours...nor were the descriptions of it convincing, frightening or entertaining. I certainly didn't see her as a genuine threat to any of them. Not even when she turned into a knife-wielding vampire. Rose was too busy arguing with Gus and Freddie for that scene to have ANY real impact.
The book started off well, and the description of Rose's experiences in her role as a house-maid were interesting. So that earned a star. The other star is for Rose; despite the disservice done to her character by the writing, I still liked her.
September 4, 2013
Holly Webb’s Rose (Rose #1) is a fun middle-grade read that enchanted and charmed me. Set in an alternate Victorian England where magic is real and those who have it are called alchemists and have great power and wealth, this story is all about one very special orphan. Ten year old Rose doesn’t dream of being whisked away from the orphanage by a new family. She wants nothing more than to find a job and make her own way in life, and she gets the chance when she’s hired as a maid in the grand home of the famous alchemist Mr. Fountain. Here Rose finds a surrogate family of sorts, a house brimming with magic, and unexpected friendships. And when children all over the city start to go missing, Rose and her new friends, and her maybe magical powers, must save them.
There is so much to like about Rose: its endearing characters, captivating settings, and magic filled plot. Holly Webb is a wonderful storyteller and has crafted a story that is bursting with whimsy, excitement, humor, and heart, and she’s captured that sparkling pitch-perfect middle-grade voice. The only thing that I found a bit annoying about the writing, is an overabundance of unnecessary adverbs; but other than that, the writing is excellent. The world-building is rich in details, vivid, and layered. The Victorian England in Rose is both familiar yet intriguingly new with the addition of magic that is widely known about and revered. The grand Fountain house reminds me of Hogwarts (on a much smaller scale), in that it’s overflowing with magic, unexpected sounds; sights; and smells, and oddly behaving objects, and every turn of a doorknob leaves you in excited anticipation, never knowing what you’ll find. I do, however, wish that this magical abode was explored further and I’m hoping we see even more of it in future books.
Webb’s characters are all charming and likable in their own ways. Rose is a fantastic middle-grade heroine with a lot spunk, smarts, and sass. She’s super relatable and easy to root for. The Fountain household is comprised of an eclectic and entertaining bunch. The other servants really become a new family for Rose, while Freddie (Mr. Fountain’s young apprentice) and Isabelle (his little girl) become unexpected friends for Rose. We don’t get to know Mr. Fountain too well in this first book, but there’s something very delightful and admirable in his pleasant, fun-loving demeanor. And of course, there’s Gus, the clever, posh talking cat (love him!).
The magical elements (talking cats, mist-monsters, witches, and spells, oh my!) are super fun and both fantastically whimsical and thrillingly dark. I look forward to exploring the magical aspects of this world even more in future books.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Rose is brimming with magic, fun, and heart, and is an immensely entertaining and enjoyable middle-grade read. The characters charmed me, the setting captivated me, and the story thrilled me. This is a fantastic book for the middle-grade audience and older readers looking for a quick, delightful read.
There is so much to like about Rose: its endearing characters, captivating settings, and magic filled plot. Holly Webb is a wonderful storyteller and has crafted a story that is bursting with whimsy, excitement, humor, and heart, and she’s captured that sparkling pitch-perfect middle-grade voice. The only thing that I found a bit annoying about the writing, is an overabundance of unnecessary adverbs; but other than that, the writing is excellent. The world-building is rich in details, vivid, and layered. The Victorian England in Rose is both familiar yet intriguingly new with the addition of magic that is widely known about and revered. The grand Fountain house reminds me of Hogwarts (on a much smaller scale), in that it’s overflowing with magic, unexpected sounds; sights; and smells, and oddly behaving objects, and every turn of a doorknob leaves you in excited anticipation, never knowing what you’ll find. I do, however, wish that this magical abode was explored further and I’m hoping we see even more of it in future books.
Webb’s characters are all charming and likable in their own ways. Rose is a fantastic middle-grade heroine with a lot spunk, smarts, and sass. She’s super relatable and easy to root for. The Fountain household is comprised of an eclectic and entertaining bunch. The other servants really become a new family for Rose, while Freddie (Mr. Fountain’s young apprentice) and Isabelle (his little girl) become unexpected friends for Rose. We don’t get to know Mr. Fountain too well in this first book, but there’s something very delightful and admirable in his pleasant, fun-loving demeanor. And of course, there’s Gus, the clever, posh talking cat (love him!).
The magical elements (talking cats, mist-monsters, witches, and spells, oh my!) are super fun and both fantastically whimsical and thrillingly dark. I look forward to exploring the magical aspects of this world even more in future books.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Rose is brimming with magic, fun, and heart, and is an immensely entertaining and enjoyable middle-grade read. The characters charmed me, the setting captivated me, and the story thrilled me. This is a fantastic book for the middle-grade audience and older readers looking for a quick, delightful read.
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