Roulette

Hall of Thorns #2

by Ash Fitzsimmons

How much trouble could one party be?

When Rose Thorn’s friend Maya extends an invitation to her annual Halloween bash, it’s tough to decline. But this year, Rose has other plans. For four months, she’s been trading lessons every weekend with Special Agent Yven ti’Ansha: he leaves the Pactlands for a few hours of artistic instruction in her studio, and then he more than reciprocates by offering Rose illicit tutelage in magic. It’s a great arrangement…as long as Yven’s bosses don’t discover what he’s up to.

But Rose and Yven’s weekend plans fall apart the morning after Maya’s party. Some guests awake unharmed after a long, unplanned nap. Others awake with unexpected new body parts. And a few don’t wake at all.

Yven’s training tells him that magic is at play, but who could have targeted a random crowd of Halloween revelers, and with what? But while the Division of Plants and Potions races to solve the mystery and stop the rising body count, Rose can’t just sit on the sidelines.

Someone attacked her town. Her friends.

And though Rose is still very much a magical novice, her secret weapon is growing stronger…

Genres: Fantasy

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2022

About the author

Ash has always loved a good story. Her childhood bookshelves overflowed, and she refused to take notes in her copies of classroom novels because that felt like sacrilege. She wrote her first novel the summer after her freshman year of college and never looked back. (Granted, that novel was an unpublishable 270,000-word behemoth, but everyone has to start somewhere, right?)

After obtaining degrees in English and creative writing and taking a stab at magazine work, Ash decided to put her skillset to different use and went to law school. She then moved home to Alabama, where she works as an attorney. These days, Ash can be found outside of Montgomery with her inordinately fluffy Siberian husky, who loves long walks, car rides, and whatever Ash happens to be eating.

Reviews

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad the second book released shortly after I read the first one. With that being said, I'm awaiting the third.
In this story, Rose's friends party too hard on Halloween, and it turns out someone intentionally harmed them through magic. Naturally, Rose is in the front row trying to help her friends. The best part of the ordeal is that she gets a taste of her 'not-boyfriend' job and his world.
If the bad things hadn't happened to her friends, then maybe her life wouldn't have changed as greatly as it did in this installment.
Yep, this book is a bit 'softer' than my normal reads, but it's fun and the characters are quirky. Also, I'm glad Sally got to make another appearance, even if it was brief
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[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved book one in this series to pieces (A Rose Among Thorns) and couldn’t wait to come back and read more of half-fae but raised among humans Rose and fae magical plant inspector Yven’s mystery solving adventures. ROULETTE starts off on Halloween (which is a wonderful setting for this cozy mystery and the author has a great playlist of songs throughout the book). But things don’t go so well for Rose’s friends in the human world when a dark potion is released at the party. The writing does a masterful job of showing the chaos of how the paranormal world intersects with the human world that doesn’t yet know about it, and Rose, who is currently sort of in between, is shuttled from realm to realm, forced to decontaminate, and I loved the scene with new friend Gentle Breeze the troll, who I can only hope will be a recurring character. She was a favorite (much like Sally the sentient vine!) Rose and her friends have to figure out who is behind the magical attack on humans before anyone else is harmed. The mystery is well plotted with clues revealed nicely along the way. This was enjoyable from start to finish and I’m excited for book three! 5/5 stars.

[Aaron D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is this world parallel to ours but separate with amazing creatures like trolls, water nymph and elves. This is the basis of this series of novels
So there is a whole other world to discover, and an impossible romance as Rose falls in love with an elf who might have to accept a quick death to win her. More details might resolve as the series progresses.
This novel concerns the investigation into who is selling contaminated drugs that can kill, or leave the user with magical physical features that will not pass in our world. Rose develops her farsight powers with mysterious help and her interest in the elf deepens
Action is gripping, romance is hopeful and the read is easy and entertaining. I would recommend this read to anyone who has an interest in the magical.

[Renee Marski · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome story! Rose and Yven have been meeting weekly to work on magic and painting. When disaster strikes at a party, Rose's friends are taken into DPP custody and her great uncle asks for her help by using her farsight. Except she doesnt know how to make it work. Throw in Pars with his funny comments, Canna's caring spirit, and Aunt Lilys brewing capabilities and youve got a wild ride!!

I love how sweet Pateme is to Rose. It really warmed my heart.

[Anya Pavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was perfect for getting me in the Halloween mood. Autumn is my favorite season, but my city stays very hot well into November. There's something magic about the swath of holidays that go from Halloween to Christmas, and I crave that vibe all year round. Ash Fitzsimmons is skilled at immersing her readers in the world of magic and its energy, so to speak. I also enjoyed seeing the character further develop from Book 1.

[Frances Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the second instalment in the series. Rose is beginning to understand her abilities and her relationships are developing through the narrative to give the story emotional depth and the links between potions and drugs are interesting reminders of reality. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes next -- how strange it will be to have friends who won't remember any of it!

[Susan Porter]

Another stunner from Ash Fitzsimmons. I love everything she writes. Magical worlds come to life so vividly, and each character is a true friend.
Rose Thorn is everywoman who has been dealing with a secret family history of magic, and becoming more involved in an alternate magical realm that exists parallel to ours. The story continues and builds with each sequel.
Can’t wait for the next one!