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A river of poison runs through Rose's veins.

Ten years ago, Rose Carrado, a fragile child who made the mistake of trying to catch snowflakes, nearly died on a dark winter night when terrible creatures of legend overran Boston. Rose was easy prey. As she lay bleeding—dying—she came face-to-face with an ancient being, one who commanded her to live. 

So she did. 

Now a young woman, Rose lives with the consequences of that command. Changed forever by the creature who bit her, she is a reminder of a time humans want to forget. 

But she also possesses something else—a connection to those ancient vampires who saved her life. When brothers Ra, Seti, and Horus return to Boston, the ties binding them to Rose snap tight. For the first time, they encounter someone who has the power to throw their unending existence into the best sort of chaos and they will not allow anything—not life, not death—to take her from them. 

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2019

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About the author

Ripley Proserpina

47 books528 followers
Ripley Proserpina spends her days huddled near a fire in the frozen northern wilds of Vermont. She lives with her family, two magnificent cats, and one dog who aspires to cat-hood.

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5 stars
323 (35%)
4 stars
295 (32%)
3 stars
211 (23%)
2 stars
58 (6%)
1 star
20 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for Al *the semi serial series skipper*.
1,661 reviews870 followers
April 22, 2020
It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. This was firmly in the middle category. Rose was ok, she had no personality at all, there was really nothing that drew me to her and the same can be said about the guys, they were all interchangeable. The villain could be seen from a mile away and the fight at the end was so unbelievable. How can the villain escape them, that villain. Nope. I have seen better ploys at getting a book 2 for something that should have ended in the first book.
Profile Image for ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎.
1,805 reviews165 followers
June 14, 2020
Entertaining start

Rose is quite a strong female to go through a life without knowing what she really is and then come across three hot brothers who are trying to help her figure things out. I really want to see what happens since the ending leaves you with wonder. Plus I'm curious as to what will happen with all of them being together and this blood power Rose has.
Profile Image for Annette.
3,859 reviews184 followers
September 11, 2019
The moment I heard about this book and that the main character was suffering from Chronic Pain, I knew I had to had it. And when I saw the low price on Amazon it all of a sudden ended up in my basket and was ordered. And when I started reading yesterday, I already knew I was so not gonna regret it!

Rose, the main heroine, has lived through a horrible attack of her city Boston and has now Chronic Pain. And that description of the chronic pain, how it behaves, how it influences your life, how it's different each day and unpredictable, how you'll never know if you'll have a good or a bad day, how doctors want to keep on experimenting, even when they can't give any new information or solutions, it all felt very familiar, without it feeling like the main focus of the story.

Because the chronic pain was only a small part of the story and the overall plot, that was absolutely gripping and at times even very surprising. I didn't read the first series, so the entire world was new to me, but I enjoyed the world building and the mythology and I can't wait to learn more about it in the upcoming books. Rose's search for answers about the world and who she is, is addictive.

Okay, and maybe the three brother she meets along the way are addictive too. I loved how each of the brothers was different, but they were all easy to fall for. I could totally identify with Rose and why she would so quickly admit that she was in love with them. And I'm really enjoying those #whychoose novels where there are no ugly fights over pretty girls and where the girl doesn't have to hurt some guys to be with the other.

And now I'm counting down the days until the next book is released.
Profile Image for Zen.
3,323 reviews
April 27, 2020
Book was ok. I was really excited about the Egyptian reference, but the book felt too short to delve into much of that. I also didn't know that this book ended on a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Jennifer G.
2,993 reviews58 followers
July 23, 2019
One childlike desire to catch a snowflake changed Rose's life forever. Face to face with a nightmare Rose would have died except for an order to live from one more ancient than the monsters. Changed forever, her blood is poison, she lives in constant pain, and her name infamous. She is the one survivor. Now the grown woman crosses paths once again with the nightmare and the ancient one who saved her. When brothers Ra, Seti, and Horus return to Boston, they cannot deny the bond they feel towards Rose. She brings life back into their eternal existence. They will not allow anyone to take her away from them now that they have found her.

Rose is a spin-off of sorts from the Midnight's Crown Series. Like Briar, Rose is a strong young woman who has overcome unusual challenges during her young life. There is even character crossover. Rose's story is much different, although equally entertaining. Rose is incredibly strong but all alone. She had a compelling quality to her. Her life has been one of pain and isolation. Ra, Seti, and Horus have lived for a millennium and are rarely apart. Life has long since lost any thrill. They shun society and don't allow themselves to get close to humans out of a need to protect themselves. Encountering Rose, a human, throws their lives into chaos. Yet they can't walk away. Their dynamics are intriguing and the uneasy beginning of their relationship had me spellbound. There's a fragility to this group despite their obvious strengths. Seeing the world anew through Rose's eyes the guys become more vibrant. Being pain-free and having a true connection to someone(s) allows Rose to truly shine.

I loved the storyline. Plenty of surprise revelations. I look forward to seeing how it all plays out. More than that, I can't wait to learn more about the ancient brothers and to watch their struggles with Rose. I look forward to watching this group face their fears and fall.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,998 reviews63 followers
July 20, 2019
Rose is the first book in a spin-off series from this author's Midnight's Crown series (the first book of that series is called Briar). You don't necessarily need to read that series first, but some of those characters make an appearance, and there are spoilers for that series in this book since it takes place after.
It was nice to see those aforementioned characters again, but this book is definitely all about Rose. As is typical for this author, Rose is a quietly strong heroine and I was touched by her condition, which brings very much to mind those who have real-life struggles with chronic pain or other medical conditions. There is definitely something charming about the simplicity of this story and for all that it is technically paranormal, it feels very realistic. It doesn't really have high action or excitement and it's not dark at all but it does feel unique and is consistently interesting, with flowing writing and even pacing. Another quality is that all of the characters are inherently good, in a way I don't really encounter in real life personally, but that adds to that charm and as usual when reading this author's work, makes me want to be a better person. There is an insta-connection between the heroine and her potential harem, and I'm partial to a slower building emotional connection myself, but it makes sense for the story. I look forward to learning more about the past of the heroes, and the different qualities of their powers and the blood connections in the rest of the series.
3.5 Stars
Profile Image for Sasha.
400 reviews13 followers
December 3, 2020
“I’m Sorry”

The main character always apologizes. She takes the blame for everything. Someone trips 10 feet from her and it’s her fault. I do not like the personality in which she was given. Does anyone say to her that it is not her fault? No, they allow her to continue to apologize and take the blame. This is why in the real world women do the same thing. In addition, she is treated like crap and a liar and she just takes it.

After all the crappy things and constant pain, the character deserved more. Not good.
Profile Image for ⇝ b ⇝.
1,420 reviews60 followers
August 3, 2019
I think RP is my guilty pleasure. Why? Because it feels like the books I've read lack a lot of necessary things, but I still love them. I'll still finish this series even if it's three stars.

Plot: ♡♡♡♡
Heroes: ♡♡♡
Heroine: ♡♡♡
Steam: None
Cover: ♡♡♡♡
Writing: ♡♡♡♡
HEA:
Profile Image for Theowlsnest.
133 reviews15 followers
September 13, 2019
Loved this

This came up out of no where on my suggestions and let me say I loved every part of this story it isn’t a story that I felt I would know the story line it ended with a serious surprise like whatttt I mean I really loved the main characters in this story they all have the perfect personalities !! This is a must read !! Can’t wait to read book 2 !!
Profile Image for Lindy.
20 reviews
January 4, 2020
Not for me

Good clean writing, just felt like it was meant for a younger reader. The main female character never felt like she had enough depth or maturity for me to relate to. The main male characters were never given enough history for such such historical names and presence. There's something good here, just not enough to keep me interested.
95 reviews
November 5, 2021
1.5?????

This was really boring. It started pretty interesting, but it went down hill pretty quickly. We have Rose our FMC who's just really dumb and useless. We have the guys that are just meh, none of the characters had any personality IMO
Profile Image for TipseyBookReviews.
1,445 reviews52 followers
March 30, 2020
Rose was attacked by a “demon” the night of the Nightmare, and saved by an angel. But no one believed her, or the pain she experiences or the other weird changes in her. Then she meets 3 guys and what she thinks she knows about the world is turned on her head. I liked that Rose has pushed herself to achieve the goals she set and to not let the pain hold her back. This story is set in the same world as the Midnight Crown series and Briar and her guys do make an appearance. Thankfully book 2 just came out and I can go download it right away!
Profile Image for Sandra Wolfe.
752 reviews4 followers
May 12, 2020
Slow burn

This is a spin off of Briar which I loved. Very slow burn which seems pretty normal for Ripley. But her books always have a great storyline. I can’t wait to see how the relationship grows with Rose and the guys and to find out what Rose is. Also what happens with the doctor and the crawlers in the next book.
Profile Image for Angel.
1,336 reviews17 followers
May 31, 2023
It was OK... It's perfect for YA. It's not even on par with a new adult book.
I GUESS it is an RH but if there was ever a book that was less than a snail pace, it would be this one.
Idk, I guess when I think of an RH I wish for at least a little burn.
Not this, in the authors own words, grade eight like romance.
Boring.
I will finish the series because, well, I bought it.
46 reviews
March 16, 2021
Absolutely fantastically unique

What a great story! New ideas and characters. So much better than all the old tired themes that you usually read in reverse harem. I loved this story. Cant wait to read the next one!
619 reviews4 followers
February 25, 2022
Soooo good!

I was skeptical of books with Egyptian gods but knowing how much I loved briar's story, I took a chance, and I'm so glad I did! Very much looking forward to the next book!
516 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2022
WOW! So Good!

I absolutely loved this book which seems so different then most vampire stories. Rose is a woman that nearly lost her life during an attack when she was 12, her life now is full of pain caused by the attack. Until them.....
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,926 reviews5 followers
July 13, 2024
This first half was well written with good characters. It had good banter and I enjoyed the addition of Briar and her men no matter how brief. I do think it was silly that in the end all of Briar's men went with her, the strongest two should've stayed to help.
Profile Image for Brittny Scott.
53 reviews
January 13, 2020
Couldn’t put it down.

This was a fantastic read!! Rose and SETI and Horus and Ra are my absolute favorite and I cannot wait for the second book!
Profile Image for Christina Beamish.
42 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2020
Must read

If you have stuff to do, don't touch this book. You will not put it down until you finish it.
Profile Image for Megan.
409 reviews
March 9, 2020
Loved this book...Just like I loved all of Briar's books!!
Profile Image for Tammy Sowards-Sanchez.
1,817 reviews8 followers
May 10, 2020
Wow

This story was great. We learned how Rose fought everyday and what was hidden from her. What will happen when they figure out whats rwally going on? Whats next for them?
Profile Image for Kira Leavens.
208 reviews7 followers
July 25, 2020
Loved Rose

I really enjoyed this first book in Rose's story. I will be reading the next one now. If you read the other series you will enjoy the light crossovers as well.
1,200 reviews4 followers
June 27, 2021
Good book

Rose’s story was so interesting. New twist on vampires in this story I’m going to download next to see what else happens.
1,289 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2021
Fantastic and omg

Wow, not what I was expecting, this book blew me away. I was captivated by this story. I need more, I need to know what's going to happen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews