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Royal Blood #1
Secrets of a Rose
A kingdom built with secrets is bound to unravel.
During the month of Amira, the silver moon emerges, and the kingdom of Zyra comes alive with anticipation for its annual ball. Mellana Goodwick, finally at the rightful age of sixteen, receives her first invitation, but when unexpected events take place, immediate regret sets in. Mellana finds herself caught in a strange storm—casting down green lightning and filling the sky with ear-splitting thunder. To make matters worse, the kingdom comes under attack by Prince Lorian, a man removed from the line of succession for murdering his sister, the future queen, and her newborn child.
After escaping the attack with her best friends, Mellana stumbles upon a box left by a woman named Rose. With the power to see glimpses of the future, Rose warns Mellana of hidden powers the kingdom has covered up and Lorian’s desire to unleash them all. Rose instructs Mellana to gather the sacred article from each of the seven kingdoms before Lorian and his deadly group can gain access to them. Together, the items unlock a barrier that is meant to stay shut.
In Secrets of a Rose, Mellana will discover remarkable abilities that stir around her and some that even rise within. In order to keep what she loves, she must embark on a race against the person who dares to threaten it all.
During the month of Amira, the silver moon emerges, and the kingdom of Zyra comes alive with anticipation for its annual ball. Mellana Goodwick, finally at the rightful age of sixteen, receives her first invitation, but when unexpected events take place, immediate regret sets in. Mellana finds herself caught in a strange storm—casting down green lightning and filling the sky with ear-splitting thunder. To make matters worse, the kingdom comes under attack by Prince Lorian, a man removed from the line of succession for murdering his sister, the future queen, and her newborn child.
After escaping the attack with her best friends, Mellana stumbles upon a box left by a woman named Rose. With the power to see glimpses of the future, Rose warns Mellana of hidden powers the kingdom has covered up and Lorian’s desire to unleash them all. Rose instructs Mellana to gather the sacred article from each of the seven kingdoms before Lorian and his deadly group can gain access to them. Together, the items unlock a barrier that is meant to stay shut.
In Secrets of a Rose, Mellana will discover remarkable abilities that stir around her and some that even rise within. In order to keep what she loves, she must embark on a race against the person who dares to threaten it all.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2022
85 people are currently reading
992 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
June 8, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the author and editor.
A ROYAL BALL. A MAD PRINCE. THE DETAILS. THE CHARACTERS. THE WORLDBUILDING. THE HIDDEN POWER TROPE. *CHEF'S KISS*
And what's better: it's the beginning of a series.
A ROYAL BALL. A MAD PRINCE. THE DETAILS. THE CHARACTERS. THE WORLDBUILDING. THE HIDDEN POWER TROPE. *CHEF'S KISS*
And what's better: it's the beginning of a series.
May 28, 2022
Hello everyone!
This is totally biased, but I’m doing it anyway. I wanted to give some readers time to get their reviews in before I posted, so here we go!
Secrets of a Rose, is my baby, and it has taken me years to shred it apart and piece it back together. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read and edited this book, trying to get it to a place that felt absolutely right. I have fallen in love with all of my characters. I cherish every flaw, every strength, and individual determination.
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my story. As the series continues, I look forward to diving into deeper secrets, forming more unforgettable friendships, and discovering new powers with all of you.
This is totally biased, but I’m doing it anyway. I wanted to give some readers time to get their reviews in before I posted, so here we go!
Secrets of a Rose, is my baby, and it has taken me years to shred it apart and piece it back together. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read and edited this book, trying to get it to a place that felt absolutely right. I have fallen in love with all of my characters. I cherish every flaw, every strength, and individual determination.
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my story. As the series continues, I look forward to diving into deeper secrets, forming more unforgettable friendships, and discovering new powers with all of you.
July 8, 2022
This book was fantastic. I felt elated the whole time I was reading it. I was so engrossed in it that I flew through the pages, but I also didn't want to reach the last page.
Short Summary:
Every year, during the month of Amira, when the silver moon emerges, the kingdom of Zyra hosts a Zyranian ball where people between the ages of sixteen and eighteen get to be royals for the night.
This book starts with Mellana and Jewels preparing for their first ball, whereas for Krispin, it was his second. When the ball was in full bloom, a strange storm surrounded the kingdom, followed by green lightning and thunder. Evil has returned. Prince Lorian is back. Mellana escapes with some others to later find out that she was in possession of Rose's box and they are instructed by her to carry on certain tasks to help defeat the Prince. Not only this, they further discover that they themselves are changing. What they considered as dead was only suppressed.
Characters:
I loved the whole cast, with Jewels being my favorite. The author has done an amazing job by exploring various types of friendships and relationships where Mellana, Jewels, and Krispin have known each other throughout their lives. Zie, Percy, Janine, and the rest are new, with some people knowing each other for a long time, hence holding some secrets the others don't. This always kept me on my toes as I didn't know what to expect from them.
World building and Magic System:
The world that we are introduced to is very carefully curated. It is vibrant and beautiful, with every element in nature having its place. For example, in the month of Amira, the pink moon changes to silver, and this silver moon beautifies every object it touches, as if it has induced some magic into those objects. This world has been so exquisitely portrayed by the author Adina Chiles that I wanted to live there, smell the air, and dance under the silver moon.
Since this is the first book of the series, the magic system in this universe is still being explained to us. I find in many fantasy books that the magic feels confusing, and I am happy to say that this is not the case here. The magic system is well structured, is clear in its execution, and oh so beautiful.
Plot and Pace:
This book is fast-paced, plot-driven, with short chapters. And this is where my complaint lies. Perhaps not rational, but I wanted more and more pages filled with the details of everything; every stone, every tree, and every river.
The plot is mysterious, fantastical, magical, has a quest, adventure, twists and turns; in short, it has everything!
Short Summary:
Every year, during the month of Amira, when the silver moon emerges, the kingdom of Zyra hosts a Zyranian ball where people between the ages of sixteen and eighteen get to be royals for the night.
This book starts with Mellana and Jewels preparing for their first ball, whereas for Krispin, it was his second. When the ball was in full bloom, a strange storm surrounded the kingdom, followed by green lightning and thunder. Evil has returned. Prince Lorian is back. Mellana escapes with some others to later find out that she was in possession of Rose's box and they are instructed by her to carry on certain tasks to help defeat the Prince. Not only this, they further discover that they themselves are changing. What they considered as dead was only suppressed.
Characters:
I loved the whole cast, with Jewels being my favorite. The author has done an amazing job by exploring various types of friendships and relationships where Mellana, Jewels, and Krispin have known each other throughout their lives. Zie, Percy, Janine, and the rest are new, with some people knowing each other for a long time, hence holding some secrets the others don't. This always kept me on my toes as I didn't know what to expect from them.
World building and Magic System:
The world that we are introduced to is very carefully curated. It is vibrant and beautiful, with every element in nature having its place. For example, in the month of Amira, the pink moon changes to silver, and this silver moon beautifies every object it touches, as if it has induced some magic into those objects. This world has been so exquisitely portrayed by the author Adina Chiles that I wanted to live there, smell the air, and dance under the silver moon.
Since this is the first book of the series, the magic system in this universe is still being explained to us. I find in many fantasy books that the magic feels confusing, and I am happy to say that this is not the case here. The magic system is well structured, is clear in its execution, and oh so beautiful.
Plot and Pace:
This book is fast-paced, plot-driven, with short chapters. And this is where my complaint lies. Perhaps not rational, but I wanted more and more pages filled with the details of everything; every stone, every tree, and every river.
The plot is mysterious, fantastical, magical, has a quest, adventure, twists and turns; in short, it has everything!
May 19, 2022
Y’all, this book is a freaking ride! Holy cow.
When a story seamlessly goes from the fun and frill of attending a royal ball, to green lightning and a mad prince terrorizing the partygoers, you know you’re gonna be in for a good time.
Right off the bat, I’ll say my favorite thing….my *two* favorite things, actually, were the detail and the characters. And these kinda go hand-in-hand. This story has a big cast (Our MC Mellana, Krispin, Kaden, Zie, Jewels, Minnie… just to name a few). There’s a lot of players. Sometimes too many characters can get jumbled/confusing, but that’s not the case with this book. And a lot of what makes the character’s so distinct comes down to the detail: from the way the characters speak, to the unique nonverbal responses each gives. For instance, instead of a standard “he moans,” after Zie hits the deck during a training session, we get a wonderfully creative “moans flee as he rubs his back and head.” And those little quirky expressions really make the characters pop off the page.
And, oh my goodness, this world building! It’s rich, layered and intense, and I was there for it. Sometimes it felt like passages of this story could’ve come right from a history textbook… not in the sense that it was boring! It's definitely not. But this world was so complex and comprehensive that you felt like you were living through a real period in history. Yes, the story does follow the “MC discovers a hidden power” trope (which is, admittedly, a favorite of mine), but those powers are fascinating. And the way they tie into the fabric/politics of this world is well-thought out.
The pacing is also spot on. There’s rarely a dull moment here, but it never feels like we’re rushing through the story either. The characters (and reader) get breathers when they need to. Otherwise, the story keeps on rolling. There’s lots of fun twists and turns here too (which I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil anything).
Seriously, if you’re a fan of fantasy, especially YA fantasy, give this book a go. You’re gonna find a lot to love here.
Plus, it’s the start of a series! Who doesn’t love discovering an exciting and intricate new fantasy series??
When a story seamlessly goes from the fun and frill of attending a royal ball, to green lightning and a mad prince terrorizing the partygoers, you know you’re gonna be in for a good time.
Right off the bat, I’ll say my favorite thing….my *two* favorite things, actually, were the detail and the characters. And these kinda go hand-in-hand. This story has a big cast (Our MC Mellana, Krispin, Kaden, Zie, Jewels, Minnie… just to name a few). There’s a lot of players. Sometimes too many characters can get jumbled/confusing, but that’s not the case with this book. And a lot of what makes the character’s so distinct comes down to the detail: from the way the characters speak, to the unique nonverbal responses each gives. For instance, instead of a standard “he moans,” after Zie hits the deck during a training session, we get a wonderfully creative “moans flee as he rubs his back and head.” And those little quirky expressions really make the characters pop off the page.
And, oh my goodness, this world building! It’s rich, layered and intense, and I was there for it. Sometimes it felt like passages of this story could’ve come right from a history textbook… not in the sense that it was boring! It's definitely not. But this world was so complex and comprehensive that you felt like you were living through a real period in history. Yes, the story does follow the “MC discovers a hidden power” trope (which is, admittedly, a favorite of mine), but those powers are fascinating. And the way they tie into the fabric/politics of this world is well-thought out.
The pacing is also spot on. There’s rarely a dull moment here, but it never feels like we’re rushing through the story either. The characters (and reader) get breathers when they need to. Otherwise, the story keeps on rolling. There’s lots of fun twists and turns here too (which I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil anything).
Seriously, if you’re a fan of fantasy, especially YA fantasy, give this book a go. You’re gonna find a lot to love here.
Plus, it’s the start of a series! Who doesn’t love discovering an exciting and intricate new fantasy series??
May 23, 2022
This was such a fun reading experience and an excellent debut novel from Adina Chiles. Thank you again for sending me an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Secrets of the Rose is a YA fantasy novel that follows our main protagonist Amira. Amira, who is finally of age, gets an invitation to a ball, but things quickly go south. A new threat appears, one that is out for blood and Amira barely escapes.
I really enjoyed the entire cast of characters. I thought each one was unique and well written. This book is definitely suitable for teens and if you are a lover of YA fantasy, then I can definitely see you liking this as well.
I'm excited to read more by this author!
Secrets of the Rose is a YA fantasy novel that follows our main protagonist Amira. Amira, who is finally of age, gets an invitation to a ball, but things quickly go south. A new threat appears, one that is out for blood and Amira barely escapes.
I really enjoyed the entire cast of characters. I thought each one was unique and well written. This book is definitely suitable for teens and if you are a lover of YA fantasy, then I can definitely see you liking this as well.
I'm excited to read more by this author!
February 27, 2023
I just had to hop on here and give a shoutout to this incredible book! It's an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions and excitement that'll leave you on the edge of your seat.
One of my favorite things about this book is the attention to detail and the amazing characters. With a large cast including Mellana, Krispin, Kaden, Zie, Jewels, Minnie, and more, you might worry about getting lost in the shuffle, but that's not the case here. Each character is unique and well-developed, making it easy to keep track of everyone and their individual storylines.
And let's talk about the world-building, because wow, it's truly something special. This story takes place in a rich, layered, and intense world that feels like it could be plucked straight from the pages of a history book. But don't worry, it's anything but boring! The hidden powers that our main character discovers are fascinating, and the way they tie into the politics of this world is brilliantly thought-out.
The pacing of the book is spot-on too. There's never a dull moment, but it never feels like things are moving too quickly either. The story keeps you engaged from beginning to end, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
If you're a fan of fantasy, especially YA fantasy, you absolutely have to give this book a read. It's a fantastic adventure that you won't want to miss out on!
One of my favorite things about this book is the attention to detail and the amazing characters. With a large cast including Mellana, Krispin, Kaden, Zie, Jewels, Minnie, and more, you might worry about getting lost in the shuffle, but that's not the case here. Each character is unique and well-developed, making it easy to keep track of everyone and their individual storylines.
And let's talk about the world-building, because wow, it's truly something special. This story takes place in a rich, layered, and intense world that feels like it could be plucked straight from the pages of a history book. But don't worry, it's anything but boring! The hidden powers that our main character discovers are fascinating, and the way they tie into the politics of this world is brilliantly thought-out.
The pacing of the book is spot-on too. There's never a dull moment, but it never feels like things are moving too quickly either. The story keeps you engaged from beginning to end, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
If you're a fan of fantasy, especially YA fantasy, you absolutely have to give this book a read. It's a fantastic adventure that you won't want to miss out on!
August 3, 2025
Ahhhhh. THIS BOOK HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL I'M SO ANGRY.
It could have been way more better if it'd been 50 (at least) pages more, explaining things and introducing us to the world a bit more in terms of lore. Fast-paced can't even explain how fast things were done in this book.
What I really liked about this book was the magic here, the different types of magics these realms have. I even liked the tropes used, even if the plot became a bit too obvious after reading a few chapters.
But taking that out?
Chaotic, everything was way too much chaotic.
At times the time the characters talked in was too confusing: last night, then this morning, when it just couldn't make sense as the morning scene had come before. The timeline of events mixed up in a couple of occasions. The main problem from me wasn't even that, it was how fast the all things played, and at some parts the unrealistic things started playing out. Half of them met on the night of the ball, how can they all trust each other so blindly? For all they know they could be hiding a spy or a murderer and they would never even suspect it? After all this at's happened inside the book one would say they grew weary - in many moments it did not seem to be the case.
2.75/3 ⭐️ And I will read book two because I still want to know how this whole thing is going to end. And if the ship I saw will actually set sail.
It could have been way more better if it'd been 50 (at least) pages more, explaining things and introducing us to the world a bit more in terms of lore. Fast-paced can't even explain how fast things were done in this book.
What I really liked about this book was the magic here, the different types of magics these realms have. I even liked the tropes used, even if the plot became a bit too obvious after reading a few chapters.
But taking that out?
Chaotic, everything was way too much chaotic.
At times the time the characters talked in was too confusing: last night, then this morning, when it just couldn't make sense as the morning scene had come before. The timeline of events mixed up in a couple of occasions. The main problem from me wasn't even that, it was how fast the all things played, and at some parts the unrealistic things started playing out. Half of them met on the night of the ball, how can they all trust each other so blindly? For all they know they could be hiding a spy or a murderer and they would never even suspect it? After all this at's happened inside the book one would say they grew weary - in many moments it did not seem to be the case.
2.75/3 ⭐️ And I will read book two because I still want to know how this whole thing is going to end. And if the ship I saw will actually set sail.
May 5, 2022
Secrets of a Rose is a fabulous start to what looks to be a fabulous fantasy series. I was engrossed from the start, not only because of the story but because of the author's writing style. This book is vividly descriptive and fleshed out. I loved all the little atmospheric additions around the flora and fauna of the world, the little nods to history and lore, and the clear unfurling of a world much bigger than we've yet seen. The way things come alive under the silver moon was especially magical and detailed--I could see it all coming to life in my head, and it was so, SO beautiful.
I also have to give kudos to the way this author does her action descriptions. So varied and thoughtful! She could have just done the typical "sighs" and "nods" and "shouts," but it felt like she intentionally crafted each action to be descriptive and unique. As an author, I know this must have taken an incredible amount of work, and it totally paid off. I found myself making mental notes of her basic action descriptions (not to steal or anything, ahem, ahem). Maybe it's the writer nerd in me, but the mechanics of this book were just so interesting to read. Like, even if the story sucked (which it totally didn't), I still would have read it just because of how it was crafted.
The story itself was great with a strong foundation of history and politics. The whole world gave off a feel of being strongly developed, and I imagine this author has detailed outlines of all the realms, royal families, and legends, which were seamlessly woven into the action, atmosphere, and character work. I loved the creeping in of the main group's powers and their slow mastery of them. Krispin was my favorite character--love a boy that can sew and dance and fight?! Heck yes. I also loved Jewels--that steadfast best-friend type-- and of course, Mellana is a great protagonist that has coming-of-age vibes while still being able to make mature, realistic decisions. She allowed her emotions through when needed yet was strong and not your typical "reluctant chosen one." And... and... are we going to get a love triangle here?! Idk, I got some hints of feels from both Krispin and Zie, and I'm starving for more!!
This is clearly just the beginning of a fantastic adventure that does well to lay out the world and characters without being slow as some fantasy series start out. I am a fan, and I'm so excited to see what's to come!!!
*I read an ARC, and all opinions are truthful and my own.
I also have to give kudos to the way this author does her action descriptions. So varied and thoughtful! She could have just done the typical "sighs" and "nods" and "shouts," but it felt like she intentionally crafted each action to be descriptive and unique. As an author, I know this must have taken an incredible amount of work, and it totally paid off. I found myself making mental notes of her basic action descriptions (not to steal or anything, ahem, ahem). Maybe it's the writer nerd in me, but the mechanics of this book were just so interesting to read. Like, even if the story sucked (which it totally didn't), I still would have read it just because of how it was crafted.
The story itself was great with a strong foundation of history and politics. The whole world gave off a feel of being strongly developed, and I imagine this author has detailed outlines of all the realms, royal families, and legends, which were seamlessly woven into the action, atmosphere, and character work. I loved the creeping in of the main group's powers and their slow mastery of them. Krispin was my favorite character--love a boy that can sew and dance and fight?! Heck yes. I also loved Jewels--that steadfast best-friend type-- and of course, Mellana is a great protagonist that has coming-of-age vibes while still being able to make mature, realistic decisions. She allowed her emotions through when needed yet was strong and not your typical "reluctant chosen one." And... and... are we going to get a love triangle here?! Idk, I got some hints of feels from both Krispin and Zie, and I'm starving for more!!
This is clearly just the beginning of a fantastic adventure that does well to lay out the world and characters without being slow as some fantasy series start out. I am a fan, and I'm so excited to see what's to come!!!
*I read an ARC, and all opinions are truthful and my own.
May 17, 2022
Secrets of a Rose is an exciting start to a new YA fantasy series, and I’ve been lucky enough to read an e-ARC of this beauty thanks to the generosity of Adina Chiles and Book Sirens! This story starts with our heroine, Mellana (Mel), being fitted with a beautiful dress for the upcoming Zyranian Ball. Little does she know, it’s at this ball that her life is going to fall apart…
A coup takes place at the castle, and soon Mel and her friends are racing for safety. They need to get away from the infamous (and murderous) Prince Lorian; the Prince is intent on ruling over everyone, and won’t stop even at the borders of his newly acquired kingdom. Mel and her companions are tasked with trying to find magical articles and keeping them safe from Prince Lorian, but it’s a race against time. Can Mel make the right decisions on this quest? Will the sudden reappearance of magic, after more than a century, upset everything? The Barren Realm is coming to life…
There were a lot of revelations in Secrets of a Rose, and Adina very cleverly put them in at just the right moments! Plus, every single character has some kind of unique quality, even if that doesn’t include a magical ability. We aren’t given a cookie cutter model with these people. There’s also a lot of fun banter in Secrets of a Rose, so that the action is never too heavy for us to wade through. Of course there’s serious moments, but we’re not just left there, floundering in the darkness. While I doubt I’d have had the same presence of mind that Mel does at the age of 16, it’s nice to imagine that I could rise to a challenge just like she does. And that’s what these tales are about, isn’t it? To let us dream and aspire to be more? This book certainly does that.
Secrets of a Rose is a YA fantasy about an epic quest, the misuse of magic, and the bonds of friendship...
* You can see my full review via my blog: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/secre... *
A coup takes place at the castle, and soon Mel and her friends are racing for safety. They need to get away from the infamous (and murderous) Prince Lorian; the Prince is intent on ruling over everyone, and won’t stop even at the borders of his newly acquired kingdom. Mel and her companions are tasked with trying to find magical articles and keeping them safe from Prince Lorian, but it’s a race against time. Can Mel make the right decisions on this quest? Will the sudden reappearance of magic, after more than a century, upset everything? The Barren Realm is coming to life…
There were a lot of revelations in Secrets of a Rose, and Adina very cleverly put them in at just the right moments! Plus, every single character has some kind of unique quality, even if that doesn’t include a magical ability. We aren’t given a cookie cutter model with these people. There’s also a lot of fun banter in Secrets of a Rose, so that the action is never too heavy for us to wade through. Of course there’s serious moments, but we’re not just left there, floundering in the darkness. While I doubt I’d have had the same presence of mind that Mel does at the age of 16, it’s nice to imagine that I could rise to a challenge just like she does. And that’s what these tales are about, isn’t it? To let us dream and aspire to be more? This book certainly does that.
Secrets of a Rose is a YA fantasy about an epic quest, the misuse of magic, and the bonds of friendship...
* You can see my full review via my blog: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/secre... *
August 22, 2022
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author as part of a tour in return for an honest review.
Pros:
Lovers of young adult fantasy will find the story familiar and easy to slip into. You have a group of young adults coming of age when something happens to change their lives in a moment. Kingdoms in ruin, chaos and danger all around and forgotten magic emerging.
The author steps you directly into a solidly formed friend group with possible romantic undertones. As you journey, new people step in and quickly become friends and a great found family unit is formed.
Cons:
People who read a lot of fantasy may find the book a little predictable as it touches on many familiar tropes, themes and problems. For some this could make the book boring while others will find it cozy and comforting.
Formatting in the print version is a bit off. Sentences will break off to start a new paragraph for no reason. It doesn’t hurt the ability to read the story but could confused younger readers.
Pros:
Lovers of young adult fantasy will find the story familiar and easy to slip into. You have a group of young adults coming of age when something happens to change their lives in a moment. Kingdoms in ruin, chaos and danger all around and forgotten magic emerging.
The author steps you directly into a solidly formed friend group with possible romantic undertones. As you journey, new people step in and quickly become friends and a great found family unit is formed.
Cons:
People who read a lot of fantasy may find the book a little predictable as it touches on many familiar tropes, themes and problems. For some this could make the book boring while others will find it cozy and comforting.
Formatting in the print version is a bit off. Sentences will break off to start a new paragraph for no reason. It doesn’t hurt the ability to read the story but could confused younger readers.
May 3, 2022
Secrets of a rose is the first volume of a new series. It follows the story of young people coming of age who have to face the invasion of the former mad prince of their kingdom who had been previously banned well before their birth.
And obviously fate has led these young people on his way.
Overall I would say that it was an enjoyable read but I wasn't really into it. First of all, the copy I got from Booksirens had a lot of typos and at times, it was difficult to read and follow (missing words or group of words or even wrong word used like flair instead of flare or grammar mistakes to give a couple examples).
Then, I guess that it felt a bit classic fantasy to me because I wasn't surprised by any of the twists and sometimes I was perplexed with how the situation or characters were evolving.
Still, the world created and the magics introduced were interesting and something to be curious about.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And obviously fate has led these young people on his way.
Overall I would say that it was an enjoyable read but I wasn't really into it. First of all, the copy I got from Booksirens had a lot of typos and at times, it was difficult to read and follow (missing words or group of words or even wrong word used like flair instead of flare or grammar mistakes to give a couple examples).
Then, I guess that it felt a bit classic fantasy to me because I wasn't surprised by any of the twists and sometimes I was perplexed with how the situation or characters were evolving.
Still, the world created and the magics introduced were interesting and something to be curious about.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 4, 2022
It is a death sentence you have damned us to. If there was a way to pay this debt with your blood, I would cut you this instant and spill every drop."
In Secrets of a Rose, Mellana will discover remarkable abilities that stir around her and some that even rise within. In order to keep what she loves, she must embark on a race against the person who dares to threaten it all.
🌹I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review and honestly......I loved every minute of it! The world building was fantastic but not overwhelming, I did have a little struggle with so many characters introduced at once and trying to keep them straight, but figured it out once the story got going. And the character development was beautiful and I loved every single one of them! The story line was intriguing and the plots were smooth.🌹
In Secrets of a Rose, Mellana will discover remarkable abilities that stir around her and some that even rise within. In order to keep what she loves, she must embark on a race against the person who dares to threaten it all.
🌹I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review and honestly......I loved every minute of it! The world building was fantastic but not overwhelming, I did have a little struggle with so many characters introduced at once and trying to keep them straight, but figured it out once the story got going. And the character development was beautiful and I loved every single one of them! The story line was intriguing and the plots were smooth.🌹
May 21, 2022
Clean read
This is the first book in the series heads up it ends as a to be continued.
I love stories of a strong female lead with a group of friends.
The story has all my favorite tropes.
This is a book I can recommend.
Things I am a big fan of:
Clean read!
A group of friends working together.
There’s no main character romance. Just friendship.
The main character being stabbed! I feel like most authors are afraid to harm their lead characters.
There is no miscommunication trope!
The ending is a reasonable cut off point.
Things I wasn’t the biggest fan of:
I’m tired of female characters in general always having the bow and arrow.
The way the story is written makes it a bit predictable.
The main character does not have a sold personality established just yet. (In my opinion)
I was provided the ARC in exchange for an Honest review.
It’s been a while since I read an ARC that I really enjoy ☺️
This is the first book in the series heads up it ends as a to be continued.
I love stories of a strong female lead with a group of friends.
The story has all my favorite tropes.
This is a book I can recommend.
Things I am a big fan of:
Clean read!
A group of friends working together.
There’s no main character romance. Just friendship.
The main character being stabbed! I feel like most authors are afraid to harm their lead characters.
There is no miscommunication trope!
The ending is a reasonable cut off point.
Things I wasn’t the biggest fan of:
I’m tired of female characters in general always having the bow and arrow.
The way the story is written makes it a bit predictable.
The main character does not have a sold personality established just yet. (In my opinion)
I was provided the ARC in exchange for an Honest review.
It’s been a while since I read an ARC that I really enjoy ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2022
The Kingdom of Zyra is full of magic, there are flowers that only open when you whisper a secret to them, the moon turns silver every year and a royal ball is held under its light. But this this year, at the royal ball a strong storm with green lightning and thunder will bring the danger, a mad prince who wants to destroy the kingdom..
Adina created a really enchanting world, the discriptions are so amazing that made me want to live in it. The story is full of mystery, magic, secrets twists and turns, adventure and shows the meaning of frienship. The romance element is missing but it didn't bother me at all because I loved the adventure and mystery it has.
🥀I recommend this story to all fantasy readers and I can't wait for the second book in the series! 🥀
Adina created a really enchanting world, the discriptions are so amazing that made me want to live in it. The story is full of mystery, magic, secrets twists and turns, adventure and shows the meaning of frienship. The romance element is missing but it didn't bother me at all because I loved the adventure and mystery it has.
🥀I recommend this story to all fantasy readers and I can't wait for the second book in the series! 🥀
May 12, 2022
Absolutely amazing book kept me engaged all the way through and could not put it down this is also going to be a hard back for my book shelf went from book one straight into book two witch can be very hard for some authors to get me to do this but I’m over the moon with this author and really enjoyed reading this book to the point I had to tell my husband to let me finish it before talking to me
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 30, 2022
- I was given an ARC in exchange for a honest review-
Oh where do I start?
I loved this story, and I'll never ever get enough of stories about going on a quest to save a kingdom!
The world Adina created is very vibrant and interesting and I hope we get to learn more about the magic and interesting plant life.
I adore the character dynamics and how much is still unknown to both our characters and the reader!
All in all an amazing first book for a promising series, I cannot wait to get my hands on book two!!
Oh where do I start?
I loved this story, and I'll never ever get enough of stories about going on a quest to save a kingdom!
The world Adina created is very vibrant and interesting and I hope we get to learn more about the magic and interesting plant life.
I adore the character dynamics and how much is still unknown to both our characters and the reader!
All in all an amazing first book for a promising series, I cannot wait to get my hands on book two!!
May 15, 2023
I overall liked it very much. The powers we discover along the way are interesting and I want to see Mel develop hers more in the second book. The banter between some of the characters adds a little something to the adventure, but some characters still are a little mysterious and I am curious to know more about them. It just felt a bit long to get to the first kingdom/article (and the only one) in this first book and I can't wait to see much more of the other lands in the second book !
May 3, 2022
I really enjoyed the world building and how well I was able to fall in love with the world and the charters. I'm in love with all of them and I cannot wait to see where this series goes! although i got a bit confused at the end i really enjoyed reading it.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 15, 2022
Secrets of a rose is a great YA novel. It is a well put together coming of age story of childhood friends coming together to learn the secrets of the past and learn to use there powers to save the kingdom. With many different characters to fall in love with.
The plot building and character development is at a steady pace. I'm looking forward to reading part two.
The plot building and character development is at a steady pace. I'm looking forward to reading part two.
July 18, 2022
Secrets of a Rose by Adina Chiles follows Mellana and her crew as they embark on a quest to stop the murderous prince Lorian. This is the first installment of the series and I cannot wait to delve further in to the other kingdoms while they search for the remaining hidden artifacts that Princess Rose has instructed them to collect. Detailed storyline & plot, character and world building abound this is definitely a world to get lost in!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
May 13, 2022
“ Secrets of a Rose”Normally I prepare an actual book rather than reading from a kindle, but I was offered an ARC copy. What an amazing book. It is very engaging. Ones you start reading it makes you just wanna sit and and continue reading. I love this book. I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future.
July 8, 2022
Magic, royalty, adventure, what’s not to love?!
I received a review copy of this book from the author and @katieandbreypa, in return for my honest review, thank you!
I loved this story from the beginning. It’s mysterious and exciting, everything I could want in a fantasy novel. The world Adina created is quite amazing, I definitely felt like I was part of it while I was reading. I also enjoyed the various characters and their development. I love Mellana. She is a strong MC and I really liked seeing her curiosity about her surroundings. Strong friendships are shown and built, and while we don’t see any romance in this book I’m hopeful for some once we get further in the series.
If you love ya and fantasy you should definitely pick this one up ASAP!!
I received a review copy of this book from the author and @katieandbreypa, in return for my honest review, thank you!
I loved this story from the beginning. It’s mysterious and exciting, everything I could want in a fantasy novel. The world Adina created is quite amazing, I definitely felt like I was part of it while I was reading. I also enjoyed the various characters and their development. I love Mellana. She is a strong MC and I really liked seeing her curiosity about her surroundings. Strong friendships are shown and built, and while we don’t see any romance in this book I’m hopeful for some once we get further in the series.
If you love ya and fantasy you should definitely pick this one up ASAP!!
April 15, 2023
This book is a work of art. I love the world that we get to introduced to. The world-building is amazing with the detailed and complex world of elements, kingdoms and magic. You also get know the history and politics of the world which makes the stroy even more interesting.
There are many beautiful and in dept written characters. The characters have different kind of relationships and interactions between them. I love Mellana, Jewel and Krispin and their friendship.
This story is book one of a fantastic fantasy story and I get wait to read more!
There are many beautiful and in dept written characters. The characters have different kind of relationships and interactions between them. I love Mellana, Jewel and Krispin and their friendship.
This story is book one of a fantastic fantasy story and I get wait to read more!
June 4, 2022
Firstly I want to say a massive thank you to author Adina Chiles for sending me this arc!
Where to start… this is a great book for what I feel is going to be a great YA fantasy series. The world building is so incredibly detailed that I could imagine it straight away. There we hints of underlying history and politics which have been well thought out and carried through the story.
Now don’t we all love a good coming of age story (I know I do) the protagonist Mellana was transported from a fun and free girl to a young lady that has to face some shocking revelations about the truth of life. You get to see the young vulnerable side of her whilst seeing mature aspects in certain situations.
There were so many characters within this story which can sometimes be rather confusing to differentiate between them. However, I felt that the author did so well with fleshing them out that each character had their own uniqueness and added their stamp to the story…no one was left redundant.
This authors writing style is just out of this world!! Every teeny tiny detail is thought out and incredibly descriptive. I felt like I could just step into the book and watch the story unfold around me.
I’m excited to see where this story continues and watch the characters develop even further
This is an honest review in exchange for an arc all opinions are my own.
Where to start… this is a great book for what I feel is going to be a great YA fantasy series. The world building is so incredibly detailed that I could imagine it straight away. There we hints of underlying history and politics which have been well thought out and carried through the story.
Now don’t we all love a good coming of age story (I know I do) the protagonist Mellana was transported from a fun and free girl to a young lady that has to face some shocking revelations about the truth of life. You get to see the young vulnerable side of her whilst seeing mature aspects in certain situations.
There were so many characters within this story which can sometimes be rather confusing to differentiate between them. However, I felt that the author did so well with fleshing them out that each character had their own uniqueness and added their stamp to the story…no one was left redundant.
This authors writing style is just out of this world!! Every teeny tiny detail is thought out and incredibly descriptive. I felt like I could just step into the book and watch the story unfold around me.
I’m excited to see where this story continues and watch the characters develop even further
This is an honest review in exchange for an arc all opinions are my own.
June 11, 2022
I received this book as an ARC and I leave this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author & publisher!
Secrets of a Rose is the first book in a new fantasy series. I love the potential of this story! The beginning is a little confusing, and there were some parts that didn’t seem to be related to the story at all, but about halfway through, some earlier references start to make more sense. The characters are interesting and distinct. I’m interested to see their growth in the future. The world is very imaginative and I really enjoy the different types of magic. I’m really looking forward to more books in the series!!
Secrets of a Rose is the first book in a new fantasy series. I love the potential of this story! The beginning is a little confusing, and there were some parts that didn’t seem to be related to the story at all, but about halfway through, some earlier references start to make more sense. The characters are interesting and distinct. I’m interested to see their growth in the future. The world is very imaginative and I really enjoy the different types of magic. I’m really looking forward to more books in the series!!
July 24, 2023
I started reading this book because it was a free option on Kindle. Although I went into it with low expectations, it managed to surprise me. It is a very interesting fantasy novel. The idea is cool and I like the whole deal with old powers that everyone thinks are lost but then they end up appearing in different teenagers. I also like the backstory about the royals and Lorian and how he ended up becoming cruel and murdering his entire family. This is not entirely explained in this first book, although there are hints given here and there, so I guess we will find out in the sequel.
I loved the twists and turns, the surprises about Mel and her parents. This was very very interesting. The friendship dynamic between our brotherhood is A M A Z I N G!! I love all our characters; Mel is a decent female lead who - surprisingly does not annoy me. This is the main problem I have with fantasy novels, the female lead usually gets on my nerves with how special and unique she is all the freaking time. In this book, Mel does have a special power, but so do her companions and all are portrayed as, more or less, equally strong... Each on his/ her own thing.
Out of all the characters, I think I love Minnie, Kaden and Zie the most. Do not get me wrong, all the others are great as well and I fully root for all of them. But, Minnie Mo is such a young strong girl who proves extremely loyal to her King and does everything in her power to save not only her father but also the whole world from the cruel Lorian. Kaden is so thoughtful, caring and at the same time fun and humorous. He is surely the comic relief of the book, one desperately needed when reality becomes too difficult to handle. Zie... Oh, Zie is someone I am the kind of person who pretends to be cold and unfeeling but is truly the one who cares, worries and feels the most. He is so underrated, trying to help everyone in every way he can even though he has no powers. I do not believe that he is barren. I believe he has power so strong that maybe Lorian fears him or needs him and thus is why he wants to find him but alone, not dead.
If you ship Krispin and Mel I get it... It's a sweet childhood best-friends-to-lovers kind of thing. But as a person who HATES the friends-to-lovers trope in books, I am a fan of the enemies/rivals-to-lovers. So I ship Mel and Zie instead. Thye is perfect for each other, he challenges her and she keeps him grounded. Together, for me, they are the perfect match. I hope this will be the romantic interest...
Finally, I liked the epilogue, building up the suspense for the sequel. Lorian looks for Rose, he also looks for Zie - for some unknown reason - and he also suspects - I believe - that the girl with emerald eyes, Mel is important. So we have a long, suspenseful, way to go in the second book... Get ready!
I loved the twists and turns, the surprises about Mel and her parents. This was very very interesting. The friendship dynamic between our brotherhood is A M A Z I N G!! I love all our characters; Mel is a decent female lead who - surprisingly does not annoy me. This is the main problem I have with fantasy novels, the female lead usually gets on my nerves with how special and unique she is all the freaking time. In this book, Mel does have a special power, but so do her companions and all are portrayed as, more or less, equally strong... Each on his/ her own thing.
Out of all the characters, I think I love Minnie, Kaden and Zie the most. Do not get me wrong, all the others are great as well and I fully root for all of them. But, Minnie Mo is such a young strong girl who proves extremely loyal to her King and does everything in her power to save not only her father but also the whole world from the cruel Lorian. Kaden is so thoughtful, caring and at the same time fun and humorous. He is surely the comic relief of the book, one desperately needed when reality becomes too difficult to handle. Zie... Oh, Zie is someone I am the kind of person who pretends to be cold and unfeeling but is truly the one who cares, worries and feels the most. He is so underrated, trying to help everyone in every way he can even though he has no powers. I do not believe that he is barren. I believe he has power so strong that maybe Lorian fears him or needs him and thus is why he wants to find him but alone, not dead.
If you ship Krispin and Mel I get it... It's a sweet childhood best-friends-to-lovers kind of thing. But as a person who HATES the friends-to-lovers trope in books, I am a fan of the enemies/rivals-to-lovers. So I ship Mel and Zie instead. Thye is perfect for each other, he challenges her and she keeps him grounded. Together, for me, they are the perfect match. I hope this will be the romantic interest...
Finally, I liked the epilogue, building up the suspense for the sequel. Lorian looks for Rose, he also looks for Zie - for some unknown reason - and he also suspects - I believe - that the girl with emerald eyes, Mel is important. So we have a long, suspenseful, way to go in the second book... Get ready!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2022
Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ & 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕖
𝑨𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔
YA Fantasy/Magical Realism
282 Pages
Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
In Secrets of a Rose, Sixteen-year-old, Mellana heads to her first ball. During this event, something odd happens, sending the guests running for safety. Prince Lorion has returned, which isn’t a good thing.
Mellana and several of her friends are now on the move, trying to find the sacred articles from all seven kingdoms before Prince Lorion does. Will they succeed, or will Prince Lorion find them first? What will happen if he does?
Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
Secrets of a Rose is a fast-moving story involving magic and quirky teenage characters. The Kingdom of Zyra and the events that happen are filled with magical elements that evolve as the story does. As a result, the youngsters quickly learn more about themselves and those closest to them.
Prince Lorion seems like a real dill wad as he stomps his way through life, intent on getting what he wants. Mellana learns who she really is as she runs from Prince Lorion while learning more about her powers. Her friends are all pretty likable and tend to have fun amongst the chaos at times.
Secrets of a Rose is the first book in the Royal Blood series. I will certainly be reading the rest of the series, as this was a quick, fun journey into a captivating fantasy world that I want to know more about.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours, the author, and the publisher for providing this book for me to read and review.
US GIVEAWAY: SIGNED HARDCOVER W/ CHARACTER ART & BOOKMARK
TO ENTER:
~Like & save post
~Must follow @adinachiles @rrbooktours and @latishaslowkeylife
~Comment below tagging 3 friends
~Share in stories for 24 hrs. tagging the @adinachiles & @rrbooktours
BONUS ENTRY:
~Tag 10 friends in separate comments below
TERMS:
~Must be 18+ or have parental consent
~Must be a public account for verification
~IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT use any “giveaway” tags in either your post or story to avoid spammers and fake accounts
~Not affiliated with Instagram
~Giveaway will close October 9th at 12AM (EST)
~Check out Latishaslowkeylife.com for more reviews;)
𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕖
𝑨𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔
YA Fantasy/Magical Realism
282 Pages
Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
In Secrets of a Rose, Sixteen-year-old, Mellana heads to her first ball. During this event, something odd happens, sending the guests running for safety. Prince Lorion has returned, which isn’t a good thing.
Mellana and several of her friends are now on the move, trying to find the sacred articles from all seven kingdoms before Prince Lorion does. Will they succeed, or will Prince Lorion find them first? What will happen if he does?
Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
Secrets of a Rose is a fast-moving story involving magic and quirky teenage characters. The Kingdom of Zyra and the events that happen are filled with magical elements that evolve as the story does. As a result, the youngsters quickly learn more about themselves and those closest to them.
Prince Lorion seems like a real dill wad as he stomps his way through life, intent on getting what he wants. Mellana learns who she really is as she runs from Prince Lorion while learning more about her powers. Her friends are all pretty likable and tend to have fun amongst the chaos at times.
Secrets of a Rose is the first book in the Royal Blood series. I will certainly be reading the rest of the series, as this was a quick, fun journey into a captivating fantasy world that I want to know more about.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours, the author, and the publisher for providing this book for me to read and review.
US GIVEAWAY: SIGNED HARDCOVER W/ CHARACTER ART & BOOKMARK
TO ENTER:
~Like & save post
~Must follow @adinachiles @rrbooktours and @latishaslowkeylife
~Comment below tagging 3 friends
~Share in stories for 24 hrs. tagging the @adinachiles & @rrbooktours
BONUS ENTRY:
~Tag 10 friends in separate comments below
TERMS:
~Must be 18+ or have parental consent
~Must be a public account for verification
~IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT use any “giveaway” tags in either your post or story to avoid spammers and fake accounts
~Not affiliated with Instagram
~Giveaway will close October 9th at 12AM (EST)
~Check out Latishaslowkeylife.com for more reviews;)
June 12, 2022
Secrets of a Rose has rekindled my love for YA novels. It was a unique experience of sorts. I had clicked on a link on a whim to receive an ARC. Thanks to the author, I received a soft copy and clicked on the link. I a happy that I opted for the ARC.
The prologue is ensnaring and I was sucked into the world of Mellana Goodwick in no time. It is a fantastic book, fresh and inviting.
The story has all the necessary ingredients of a fantasy novel - magical powers, secrets tumbling out, a murderous prince, and of course a royal ball. And who doesn’t like a nice big Royal Ball? Except it is not your typical ball. And the murderous prince was a huge obstacle.
I am also a sucker for magical powers so that box is checked here. I must commend the author for her world-building. The way magic unfolds or I should say reappears in the story highlights skillful storytelling. Though I had to bookmark quite a few pages to keep track of the innumerable characters. It would have been great if along with the map there was a list of characters and their relation for reference.
This story has a strong and brave female character and not your run-of-the-mill damsel in distress. And it does not have the predictable in-your-face romance. The turning point where Mellana is thrust into new circumstances from her carefree childhood is beautifully rendered. The strong point of this story is friendships. The friendships of the protagonist Mellana will fill you with joy and a sense of security especially when the actual world around us is so fragmented. I believe this will resonate well with today’s young audience.
If you are looking for sharp edges and clean lines in the story then you will be left wanting. This story is believable with its flaws and weaknesses emulating the real world. The novel is swift and at no point did I feel like skipping a few pages.
It is a terrific coming-of-age story.
Looking forward to the next part of the Royal Blood series. I hope the wait won’t be too long Adina Chiles. :)
The prologue is ensnaring and I was sucked into the world of Mellana Goodwick in no time. It is a fantastic book, fresh and inviting.
The story has all the necessary ingredients of a fantasy novel - magical powers, secrets tumbling out, a murderous prince, and of course a royal ball. And who doesn’t like a nice big Royal Ball? Except it is not your typical ball. And the murderous prince was a huge obstacle.
I am also a sucker for magical powers so that box is checked here. I must commend the author for her world-building. The way magic unfolds or I should say reappears in the story highlights skillful storytelling. Though I had to bookmark quite a few pages to keep track of the innumerable characters. It would have been great if along with the map there was a list of characters and their relation for reference.
This story has a strong and brave female character and not your run-of-the-mill damsel in distress. And it does not have the predictable in-your-face romance. The turning point where Mellana is thrust into new circumstances from her carefree childhood is beautifully rendered. The strong point of this story is friendships. The friendships of the protagonist Mellana will fill you with joy and a sense of security especially when the actual world around us is so fragmented. I believe this will resonate well with today’s young audience.
If you are looking for sharp edges and clean lines in the story then you will be left wanting. This story is believable with its flaws and weaknesses emulating the real world. The novel is swift and at no point did I feel like skipping a few pages.
It is a terrific coming-of-age story.
Looking forward to the next part of the Royal Blood series. I hope the wait won’t be too long Adina Chiles. :)
July 8, 2022
Secrets of A Rose written by Adina Chiles
4 Star Review
“It is a death sentence you have damned us to. If there was a way to pay this debt with your blood, I would cut you this instant and spill every drop.”
Mellana “Mel” Goodwick at the age of 16 is finally able to attend the grand ball in her Kingdom of Zyra. Preparing by altering her dress with Jewels and learning the Veseli dance with Krispin, this night is guaranteed to be a night to remember. After arriving at the ball by carriage, all is well until a vicious storm sends all invitees fleeing for cover. Will hiding in the kitchen of the castle keep this trio safe from what is lurking within the castle walls?
Secrets of A Rose is a YA Coming of Age Fantasy full of magical powers and secrets. Our MC, Mel, is a strong willed, levelheaded female protagonist. With strong character development our secondary characters are instantly loveable and relatable. The strong point within this storyline is the childhood friendships that have evolved over time with the trio of friends, with the possibility of a slow burn romance occurring between a few of the characters.
Adina Chiles writing technique engages you from the very beginning leaving you with anticipation for what is to come next. The world building within the storyline was AMAZING. I felt as if I was in the kingdom with Mel fighting along side her throughout the entire adventure. One recommendation I have is adding a character list. I felt as if many characters were introduced at once and it was hard for me to keep track of who was who. Having a list would benefit the reader as a reference.
Fantasy is not my go to genre, but I LOVED Secrets of a Rose. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, coming of age, and YA books. You won’t want to miss the first installment of the Royal Blood Series; publication date is June 8th. With that ending, I don’t know how patiently I can wait for the release of book number 2. Thank you, Adina Chiles, for providing me with a complimentary review copy. In no way has that influenced my voluntary review.
4 Star Review
“It is a death sentence you have damned us to. If there was a way to pay this debt with your blood, I would cut you this instant and spill every drop.”
Mellana “Mel” Goodwick at the age of 16 is finally able to attend the grand ball in her Kingdom of Zyra. Preparing by altering her dress with Jewels and learning the Veseli dance with Krispin, this night is guaranteed to be a night to remember. After arriving at the ball by carriage, all is well until a vicious storm sends all invitees fleeing for cover. Will hiding in the kitchen of the castle keep this trio safe from what is lurking within the castle walls?
Secrets of A Rose is a YA Coming of Age Fantasy full of magical powers and secrets. Our MC, Mel, is a strong willed, levelheaded female protagonist. With strong character development our secondary characters are instantly loveable and relatable. The strong point within this storyline is the childhood friendships that have evolved over time with the trio of friends, with the possibility of a slow burn romance occurring between a few of the characters.
Adina Chiles writing technique engages you from the very beginning leaving you with anticipation for what is to come next. The world building within the storyline was AMAZING. I felt as if I was in the kingdom with Mel fighting along side her throughout the entire adventure. One recommendation I have is adding a character list. I felt as if many characters were introduced at once and it was hard for me to keep track of who was who. Having a list would benefit the reader as a reference.
Fantasy is not my go to genre, but I LOVED Secrets of a Rose. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, coming of age, and YA books. You won’t want to miss the first installment of the Royal Blood Series; publication date is June 8th. With that ending, I don’t know how patiently I can wait for the release of book number 2. Thank you, Adina Chiles, for providing me with a complimentary review copy. In no way has that influenced my voluntary review.
March 31, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 3 stars
Secrets of a Rose is fantasy book about Mellana, who finally gets to go to the annual ball during the month of Amira.
“No blood but your blood shall spill your blood”
Another book I’ve read thanks to my TBR jar (gods send!) and it really helps you find those books hidden at the back that you normally wouldn’t really think about reading quickly. I confess picking popular books over books that I’ve had for a long time, just because of their popularity which really isn’t fair.
I started reading Secrets of a Rose and finished it a day later. It isn’t a very long book, around 200 pages total, and has an easy writing style which makes reading it quick and easy. While the story itself is quick and fast-paced, I feel like I didn’t fully understand all that happened.
The plot in this book feels mostly as a setup for later books in the series. I feel like this book could set the stage perfectly, but it lacked execution in explaining the world and its rules. For example, a prologue is usually used to give a snipped of something or show a beginning of the story. In this case, I still don’t understand the content of the prologue and why it was relevant to the rest of the story. I also don’t understand the magic system and the different types of magic that there are, which is a shame.
I liked the characters, but they didn’t blow me away. I didn’t feel a lot of growth from them and it felt a bit like the group of characters was too big. Because the group was big, all characters needed “attention” in the story, which took away from the ability for them to equally grow in their own ARC’s.
The story really sets up for an adventure with a quest they have to follow. While I like those kind of books and stories, the first part of the quest in this book felt a bit rushed and I didn’t fully understand what was happening. I also wonder if the other books in the series will focus on one item per book or multiple.
Overall, Secrets of a Rose is a first book in a series with an adventure that will happen for sure.
Secrets of a Rose is fantasy book about Mellana, who finally gets to go to the annual ball during the month of Amira.
“No blood but your blood shall spill your blood”
Another book I’ve read thanks to my TBR jar (gods send!) and it really helps you find those books hidden at the back that you normally wouldn’t really think about reading quickly. I confess picking popular books over books that I’ve had for a long time, just because of their popularity which really isn’t fair.
I started reading Secrets of a Rose and finished it a day later. It isn’t a very long book, around 200 pages total, and has an easy writing style which makes reading it quick and easy. While the story itself is quick and fast-paced, I feel like I didn’t fully understand all that happened.
The plot in this book feels mostly as a setup for later books in the series. I feel like this book could set the stage perfectly, but it lacked execution in explaining the world and its rules. For example, a prologue is usually used to give a snipped of something or show a beginning of the story. In this case, I still don’t understand the content of the prologue and why it was relevant to the rest of the story. I also don’t understand the magic system and the different types of magic that there are, which is a shame.
I liked the characters, but they didn’t blow me away. I didn’t feel a lot of growth from them and it felt a bit like the group of characters was too big. Because the group was big, all characters needed “attention” in the story, which took away from the ability for them to equally grow in their own ARC’s.
The story really sets up for an adventure with a quest they have to follow. While I like those kind of books and stories, the first part of the quest in this book felt a bit rushed and I didn’t fully understand what was happening. I also wonder if the other books in the series will focus on one item per book or multiple.
Overall, Secrets of a Rose is a first book in a series with an adventure that will happen for sure.
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