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Rose #2
Rose and the Lost Princess
Turning the worn pages of her spell book, Rose can't believe how much her life has changed. Once a poor orphan, and now an apprentice to the King's chief magician!But when the country's beloved Princess vanishes, everything changes. As rumours of dark magic fly through the city, the King asks Rose for help. She must find the missing Princess - before all is lost.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
42 people are currently reading
1151 people want to read
About the author
Holly Webb
301 books408 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 118 reviews
September 18, 2025
Started and finished date – 13.09.25 to 17.09.25.
My rating - Three Stars.
This book was okay, but I didn’t love it also I think people who like I, Coriander by Sally Gardner or nameless queen by Rebecca McLaughlin may like is book. The cover of book was fine but bit dull. The writing was fine, and the writing was easy to follow also the ending was okay. I think the magic in the book was okay, but I would have like it be flash out bit more. The atmosphere was fine, but it bit flat. The paced in was well structured and steady paced. The characters were okay, but I think they needed to flash out bit more
My rating - Three Stars.
This book was okay, but I didn’t love it also I think people who like I, Coriander by Sally Gardner or nameless queen by Rebecca McLaughlin may like is book. The cover of book was fine but bit dull. The writing was fine, and the writing was easy to follow also the ending was okay. I think the magic in the book was okay, but I would have like it be flash out bit more. The atmosphere was fine, but it bit flat. The paced in was well structured and steady paced. The characters were okay, but I think they needed to flash out bit more
May 12, 2014
review posted at both Got Fiction? and KK's Books and Reviews
I know we rarely review YA or MG here at Got Fiction? but with my kids getting older, I don't really know what's appropriate for them to read. I've taken a couple chances lately, and found some great books! Rose and the Lost Princess was one of them.
My 9 year old daughter and I read this one together, so it's only fair that we review it together. In fact, she has a blog of her own, and this review is posted there now.
I'll go first. I loved the storyline. For someone who doesn't typically read YA, I found this book surprisingly good. Not only was Rose an easy character to relate to, but she was a great heroine. I had no problem imagining my younger self as Rose. In fact, if I had had this book as a child, I would have loved it, no doubt.
Rose has been taken from an orphanage in London to become a servant in a magician's house. She never once takes her position for granted and is incredibly happy to be earning her own way. She's maybe 10 or so, and in the first book, she uses her magic to save some children from a witch. So now the household staff are very wary of her. The public is starting to get a little nervous at the thought of magicians having so much power. It almost turns into full-scale riots at one point.
The national treasure is a princess, a 7 year old girl named Jane. After a botched kidnapping by magical means,Rose's master goes into a tizzy. He has to prove to the king, and to the people, that not all magicians are like the witch from book 1. At the same time he has to find out who tried to kidnap Princess Jane.
But of course, it's Rose who solves the mystery, while at the same time endangering her own life. She wants to help.
The writing was fabulous. It was easy enough for my third grader, but it was also challenging enough to keep her interest. Books that are "too easy" are "baby books" to her. From an adult standpoint, I never felt as if I were reading a children's book. The language and descriptions were flawless. I loved this book.
My daughter:
I loved Rose, but I loved her talking cat Gus more. He was funny and I have a cat who I wish could talk like Gus.
I also loved Rose's friend Freddie even though he was sometimes mean, and Bella was cool too.
The bad guy wasn't caught though and I want to know what happens to him. And I also want my mom to buy the first book so I can see how Rose defeated the bad witch.
The best part was when Rose figured out how to bring Jane back.
I think it ended too fast though. It felt like there should be more where the bad guy was caught and put in jail.
So there you have it, talking cat, magicians and princesses. What more could a nine year old want?
***ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Jabberwocky Kids
I know we rarely review YA or MG here at Got Fiction? but with my kids getting older, I don't really know what's appropriate for them to read. I've taken a couple chances lately, and found some great books! Rose and the Lost Princess was one of them.
My 9 year old daughter and I read this one together, so it's only fair that we review it together. In fact, she has a blog of her own, and this review is posted there now.
I'll go first. I loved the storyline. For someone who doesn't typically read YA, I found this book surprisingly good. Not only was Rose an easy character to relate to, but she was a great heroine. I had no problem imagining my younger self as Rose. In fact, if I had had this book as a child, I would have loved it, no doubt.
Rose has been taken from an orphanage in London to become a servant in a magician's house. She never once takes her position for granted and is incredibly happy to be earning her own way. She's maybe 10 or so, and in the first book, she uses her magic to save some children from a witch. So now the household staff are very wary of her. The public is starting to get a little nervous at the thought of magicians having so much power. It almost turns into full-scale riots at one point.
The national treasure is a princess, a 7 year old girl named Jane. After a botched kidnapping by magical means,Rose's master goes into a tizzy. He has to prove to the king, and to the people, that not all magicians are like the witch from book 1. At the same time he has to find out who tried to kidnap Princess Jane.
But of course, it's Rose who solves the mystery, while at the same time endangering her own life. She wants to help.
The writing was fabulous. It was easy enough for my third grader, but it was also challenging enough to keep her interest. Books that are "too easy" are "baby books" to her. From an adult standpoint, I never felt as if I were reading a children's book. The language and descriptions were flawless. I loved this book.
My daughter:
I loved Rose, but I loved her talking cat Gus more. He was funny and I have a cat who I wish could talk like Gus.
I also loved Rose's friend Freddie even though he was sometimes mean, and Bella was cool too.
The bad guy wasn't caught though and I want to know what happens to him. And I also want my mom to buy the first book so I can see how Rose defeated the bad witch.
The best part was when Rose figured out how to bring Jane back.
I think it ended too fast though. It felt like there should be more where the bad guy was caught and put in jail.
So there you have it, talking cat, magicians and princesses. What more could a nine year old want?
***ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Jabberwocky Kids
April 27, 2014
ROSE was a gentle fantasy about a young orphan who goes to work in a alchemist's house, realizes she has magic herself, and bands together with the alchemist's apprentice and daughter to save children who have been kidnapped by an evil magician. It was a finalist for a CYBIL, and a particular favorite of mine. When ROSE AND THE LOST PRINCESS showed up on Netgalley, I immediately requested it.
The Rose books are high in continuity. The kingdom is reeling from the events of ROSE, and all magician's are being treated with suspicion, no matter that it was magicians who were needed to rescue the children. The suspicion and paranoia aren't helped when the weather is a strange, heavy winter and there is an attempted kidnapping on the beloved older princess. (I think the winter theme will appeal to fans of Frozen.)
Once again, Rose becomes involved in the strange events going on. And she is an asset to the situation, because she's level headed, kind, and both willing to work with others and listen to their ideas. Rose is still living in an uneasy class situation. She prefers to remain a servant and work for her living, but the other servants are wary of her magic. She could easily be adopted into a rich family, as is proper for a magician, but that's not what she wants. She also needs to learn more about her powers. She's been using them by instinct, but she needs knowledge and control, especially if she's going to use her powers to defend from dark magicians.
The supporting cast returns too, and they're still wonderful. There's a nice mix of male and female characters, and they show a wide range of personalities. Rose might be a practical little girl, but she's certainly not surrounded by practical little children. The gentle tone remains as well, even though the stakes have risen.
I felt that ROSE AND THE LOST PRINCESS ended somewhat abruptly, but I can live with that since there's a third book coming. I can't wait for ROSE AND THE MAGICIAN'S MASK to be released in the US. This is a fantastic children's series, and one I'll have to save for my niece and nephew when they get older.
February 7, 2019
This is a good book for young readers who enjoy tales of magic and conjuring. The protagonist, Rose, is a bit more developed in this second book of the series, and there is some speculation about her parents. I enjoyed the story, but it seemed to fizzle out a bit towards the very end of the book. It definitely leaves readers wondering about what might happen next. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
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.
June 13, 2019
The reactions of the public to magic users after the incidents in the last book and the odd weather are very realistic and quite frightening. The difficulty of Rose's position in the household and in society is very realistic and well described. There are some really fun magic happenings and small adventures along the way but, again, after a long build up the mystery finishes up really quickly. The rules and uses of magic in this world remain quite unclear or perhaps it is that Mr Fountain's teaching style leaves much to be desired. Still I am eagerly looking forward to book 3.
April 8, 2022
I continue to love these characters! Rose is wonderful, Bill is an unexpectedly good friend, and I really like Freddie MOST of the time - I'm even starting to warm up to Isabella. And of course I adore Gus.
Plot-wise I found this one less engaging than book 1, which is surprising given the kind of plots I normally like.
Still really enjoyed this, and looking forward to continuing sooner rather than later!
CW: Attempted kidnapping, bullying
Plot-wise I found this one less engaging than book 1, which is surprising given the kind of plots I normally like.
Still really enjoyed this, and looking forward to continuing sooner rather than later!
CW: Attempted kidnapping, bullying
April 14, 2019
Un second tome à l'image du premier. Une lecture doudou et magique avec un joli univers qui n'a rien à envier à ceux de le litterature adulte dans sa finesse et ses descriptions. Une héroïne discrète mais toujours déterminée et des personnages secondaires intéressants, Gus le chat, pas tout à fait chat, au premier rang.
March 23, 2020
even better if I could just have a little bit of magic
December 17, 2017
Hmmmm
Rose is a strong good girl. The story carries itself but the ending is definitely darker than expected.
Rose is a strong good girl. The story carries itself but the ending is definitely darker than expected.
April 10, 2014
I really enjoyed the first book in Holly Webb’s middle-grade fantasy Rose series, and was super excited to dive back into this world in book two. Rose and the Lost Princess is a wonderful second volume, full of magic, mystery adventure, and all the fun and charm of book one!
Picking up a few weeks after book one, in Rose and the Lost Princess our heroine Rose is adjusting to being both a maid and new magical apprentice to Mr. Fountain. Rose enjoys her magic lessons and is glad to have her new friends, Freddie and Isabella, by her side, but after the dark events of the previous weeks, people are starting to distrust magicians. Even the other servants, who are Rose’s once beloved friends, are wary of her. And when the beloved Princess Jane is kidnapped, Rose is asked by the king to help. Suddenly Rose may be the only hope to find the princess and uncover the truth behind the cold magic that has wrapped around the city.
Holly Webb’s Rose books are such delightfully fun reads! Rose and the Lost Princess is a captivating continuation of book one, with a brand new mystery adventure, intriguing characters, and thrills to be had.
Webb���s books are brimming with whimsy, enchanting fantasy, smart historical elements, and sparkle and shine! The magic filled Victorian world Rose lives in is smartly crafted and provides a fascinating backdrop to Rose’s adventures, and in Rose and the Lost Princess, we get to see even more of this exciting world (think a magic shop, luxurious palace, a Frost Fair,and so much more!). Mr. Fountain’s home is still filled with surprises around every corner and spine-tingling wonders. I loved getting to explore Rose’s magical abilities more and witnessing her magic lessons with Freddie and Mr. Fountain, in book two. Fast-paced and quickly read, the Rose books are perfect for younger middle-grade readers who love to devour their mystery adventures in one or two sittings. And Webb provides PLENTY of both mystery and adventure in Rose and the Lost Princess.
The quirky cast of characters in the Rose Series offer lots of laughs, heart, and entertainment! Rose is still such an endearing, admirable heroine, and I loved seeing her confidence and abilities develop even further in this book. She’s a heroine that young readers will relate to and root for. Freddie, Isabella, and Gus (the talking cat) continue to be such awesome companions for Rose and amusing characters for readers, while the eccentric and out-there Mr. Fountain, is adorkably charming.
Rose and the Lost Princess takes both Rose and readers to some unexpected places and wraps up one mystery while setting up an even bigger one...and I, for one, cannot wait to join Rose on even more magical adventures!
My Final Thoughts: Holly Webb clearly knows her audience well and this shines brightly through in her storytelling, pitch-perfect MG voice, and memorable characters. Like book one in this series, Rose and the Lost Princess is an addicting, wonder-filled read, that will charm middle-grade readers.
Picking up a few weeks after book one, in Rose and the Lost Princess our heroine Rose is adjusting to being both a maid and new magical apprentice to Mr. Fountain. Rose enjoys her magic lessons and is glad to have her new friends, Freddie and Isabella, by her side, but after the dark events of the previous weeks, people are starting to distrust magicians. Even the other servants, who are Rose’s once beloved friends, are wary of her. And when the beloved Princess Jane is kidnapped, Rose is asked by the king to help. Suddenly Rose may be the only hope to find the princess and uncover the truth behind the cold magic that has wrapped around the city.
Holly Webb’s Rose books are such delightfully fun reads! Rose and the Lost Princess is a captivating continuation of book one, with a brand new mystery adventure, intriguing characters, and thrills to be had.
Webb���s books are brimming with whimsy, enchanting fantasy, smart historical elements, and sparkle and shine! The magic filled Victorian world Rose lives in is smartly crafted and provides a fascinating backdrop to Rose’s adventures, and in Rose and the Lost Princess, we get to see even more of this exciting world (think a magic shop, luxurious palace, a Frost Fair,and so much more!). Mr. Fountain’s home is still filled with surprises around every corner and spine-tingling wonders. I loved getting to explore Rose’s magical abilities more and witnessing her magic lessons with Freddie and Mr. Fountain, in book two. Fast-paced and quickly read, the Rose books are perfect for younger middle-grade readers who love to devour their mystery adventures in one or two sittings. And Webb provides PLENTY of both mystery and adventure in Rose and the Lost Princess.
The quirky cast of characters in the Rose Series offer lots of laughs, heart, and entertainment! Rose is still such an endearing, admirable heroine, and I loved seeing her confidence and abilities develop even further in this book. She’s a heroine that young readers will relate to and root for. Freddie, Isabella, and Gus (the talking cat) continue to be such awesome companions for Rose and amusing characters for readers, while the eccentric and out-there Mr. Fountain, is adorkably charming.
Rose and the Lost Princess takes both Rose and readers to some unexpected places and wraps up one mystery while setting up an even bigger one...and I, for one, cannot wait to join Rose on even more magical adventures!
My Final Thoughts: Holly Webb clearly knows her audience well and this shines brightly through in her storytelling, pitch-perfect MG voice, and memorable characters. Like book one in this series, Rose and the Lost Princess is an addicting, wonder-filled read, that will charm middle-grade readers.
March 25, 2014
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
When I read Rose by Holly Webb late last year, I was instantly captivated by the world and characters. Needless to say I was definitely excited that it was the first in a series and couldn't wait to read the sequel, Rose and the Lost Princess.
This is a review of an ARC received from publisher.
Rose and the Lost Princess picks up almost right where Rose left off. It is a sequel, but it is one of those children's series books that does not require reading the first book to enjoy. There is all the information that you need to know from the first included in the beginning. This made the opening a little slow for me as I had read the first, but I don't remember that ever bothering me as a child reader. As soon as the new mystery central to the plot in this book began, I was sucked into the story and world again. A strange winter is being visited no England, people are increasingly uneasy with their magical brethren, and it looks as if the royal family is the target of a magical plot. A good portion of the story takes place in the palace as Rose has to help the princesses and keep them safe. It is an interesting and engaging plot and all the key players from the first book are back to assist her. Bella and Freddie play key roles again. And Gus, the magical talking cat, plays the biggest helping role of all. Gus is my favorite character in these books. Not even going to pretend otherwise.
Rose finds herself at a loss as to who she is and what she wants to be as the story opens. She is a hard-working girl and very much wants to earn her own way in life so she is continuing in her role as servant as well as magical apprentice. Her problem is the other servants are less than happy to discover Rose has magic and make her life extremely difficult. She is so sad for so much of the first half of the book. This part of the plot isn't really resolved as she then goes to the palace and gets caught up in her work. I'm sure it will be addressed in other books, but it was interesting to see her struggling and trying to figure out a solution to the problem.
It is clear there is a nemesis on the loose who will make a return in later volumes and there is still the question of who Rose is and where she came from to be answered. In a series like this you will always have questions left unanswered, ready for the next books down the line. Despite knowing that, I felt the ending here was a little abrupt.
Rose and her companions are delightful characters and I love the mix of magic and mystery in these books.
I read an ARC received from the publisher, Sourcebooks, at ALA Midwinter. Rose and the Lost Princes goes on sale in the US on April 1. It is available now in the UK.
When I read Rose by Holly Webb late last year, I was instantly captivated by the world and characters. Needless to say I was definitely excited that it was the first in a series and couldn't wait to read the sequel, Rose and the Lost Princess.
This is a review of an ARC received from publisher.
Rose and the Lost Princess picks up almost right where Rose left off. It is a sequel, but it is one of those children's series books that does not require reading the first book to enjoy. There is all the information that you need to know from the first included in the beginning. This made the opening a little slow for me as I had read the first, but I don't remember that ever bothering me as a child reader. As soon as the new mystery central to the plot in this book began, I was sucked into the story and world again. A strange winter is being visited no England, people are increasingly uneasy with their magical brethren, and it looks as if the royal family is the target of a magical plot. A good portion of the story takes place in the palace as Rose has to help the princesses and keep them safe. It is an interesting and engaging plot and all the key players from the first book are back to assist her. Bella and Freddie play key roles again. And Gus, the magical talking cat, plays the biggest helping role of all. Gus is my favorite character in these books. Not even going to pretend otherwise.
Rose finds herself at a loss as to who she is and what she wants to be as the story opens. She is a hard-working girl and very much wants to earn her own way in life so she is continuing in her role as servant as well as magical apprentice. Her problem is the other servants are less than happy to discover Rose has magic and make her life extremely difficult. She is so sad for so much of the first half of the book. This part of the plot isn't really resolved as she then goes to the palace and gets caught up in her work. I'm sure it will be addressed in other books, but it was interesting to see her struggling and trying to figure out a solution to the problem.
It is clear there is a nemesis on the loose who will make a return in later volumes and there is still the question of who Rose is and where she came from to be answered. In a series like this you will always have questions left unanswered, ready for the next books down the line. Despite knowing that, I felt the ending here was a little abrupt.
Rose and her companions are delightful characters and I love the mix of magic and mystery in these books.
I read an ARC received from the publisher, Sourcebooks, at ALA Midwinter. Rose and the Lost Princes goes on sale in the US on April 1. It is available now in the UK.
March 31, 2014
I absolutely love this charming series.
Rose is a fantastic heroine. She's clever and brave and so much more capable than she thinks she is.
This book is perfect for middlegrade readers. It approaches creepiness but doesn't get too scary (although to be fair, I've been told my scary meter is broken).
I love how plausible this book seems. Obviously there's no such thing as magic, but reading this, it seems so possible. I also appreciate how quickly everyone turns on the magicians once there's a chance that the princess was harmed, or could be harmed. I think it's very much human nature to find and attack a scapegoat. (This aspect of the book would lend itself to discussions with children.)
Highly recommended.
Rose is a fantastic heroine. She's clever and brave and so much more capable than she thinks she is.
This book is perfect for middlegrade readers. It approaches creepiness but doesn't get too scary (although to be fair, I've been told my scary meter is broken).
I love how plausible this book seems. Obviously there's no such thing as magic, but reading this, it seems so possible. I also appreciate how quickly everyone turns on the magicians once there's a chance that the princess was harmed, or could be harmed. I think it's very much human nature to find and attack a scapegoat. (This aspect of the book would lend itself to discussions with children.)
Highly recommended.
February 1, 2015
Endnu et fantastisk eventyr med Rose, hvor jeg endnu engang blev taget ind i en magisk og fantastisk verden, hvor jeg lod mig rive med, og glemte tiden omkring mig!
November 16, 2017
“I was trying to give you some sense of the myriad intricacies of the universe… get you to appreciate the beauty and wonder of your heritage.” He turned around and stabbed a finger at Rose. “And instead it all comes down to this, showing you how to throw things.”
The Rose books really are such a comfort read. They’re so charming and so quintessentially British in that Harry-Potter-meets-Downton-Abbey way, that reading one is the literary equivalent of a warm hug. Even before rereading, I remembered scenes from the books almost verbatim - the Frost Fair of this book has always been fixed in my memory, and when I was younger I was so jealous of Rose and Bill!
The Lost Princess continues on almost immediately from where book one left off, in the aftermath of Althea Sparrow’s quest for eternal life. The resulting paranoia and fear of alchemists has made life for Rose downstairs extremely difficult, as she juggles her duties both as a housemaid and as a magician’s apprentice with the disapproval of her fellow servants. When one of the princesses, Jane, goes missing amidst the worst winter ever seen, Mr Fountain, Rose, Freddie, and Gus are immediately embroiled in the plot to save her, with help from Bella and Bill. This is a fast-paced, surprisingly dark story that is definitely worthy of its Harry Potter comparisons, if only for the sense of wonder it manages to create.
I’m still so thankful that I decided to reread the Rose series, as it’s definitely cementing its status as one of my favourite children’s series of all time!
August 11, 2024
Rose has come to terms with being a magic wielder. But that doesn’t make her complacent or lazy. On the contrary, she likes having things to do. Housework is something she happily throws herself into, without magic being involved.
However, things have taken a dark turn in the kingdom. Thanks to an insatiable and insane magician, people have become fearful of magic. That suspicion becomes ugly as paranoia seeps into Mr. Fountain’s household. While the staff are more or less accepting of the upper classes having magical abilities, they are greatly uneasy about anyone on their social level possessing it. Rose suddenly finds herself persona non grata among people she’d once considered her friends. It makes her unsettled and forlorn.
Rose never forgets that she comes from a poor background. As an orphan, snow didn’t mean snowball fights, castle building or hot cocoa when you came back home. It meant slush getting into your shoes, your meager clothes being sodden until you shivered with cold. Even if she would forget it, no one else would let her. So she remains humble and hard working, compassionate and tolerant.
She’s also brave, too, when she needs to be. The latter part of the book finds her going up against kidnappers and would-be assassins. She’s a fictional heroine that continues to rise to the occasion when needed.
Since the mystery of who’s behind royal kidnapping hasn’t been completely solved, I want to see what happens in the next sequel. I’m sure Rose won’t disappoint.
However, things have taken a dark turn in the kingdom. Thanks to an insatiable and insane magician, people have become fearful of magic. That suspicion becomes ugly as paranoia seeps into Mr. Fountain’s household. While the staff are more or less accepting of the upper classes having magical abilities, they are greatly uneasy about anyone on their social level possessing it. Rose suddenly finds herself persona non grata among people she’d once considered her friends. It makes her unsettled and forlorn.
Rose never forgets that she comes from a poor background. As an orphan, snow didn’t mean snowball fights, castle building or hot cocoa when you came back home. It meant slush getting into your shoes, your meager clothes being sodden until you shivered with cold. Even if she would forget it, no one else would let her. So she remains humble and hard working, compassionate and tolerant.
She’s also brave, too, when she needs to be. The latter part of the book finds her going up against kidnappers and would-be assassins. She’s a fictional heroine that continues to rise to the occasion when needed.
Since the mystery of who’s behind royal kidnapping hasn’t been completely solved, I want to see what happens in the next sequel. I’m sure Rose won’t disappoint.
March 20, 2020
I didn’t find this as compelling as the first book, and it seemed almost like a set up for further books rather than one to stand alone even as part of a series, but it was enjoyable and a good story nonetheless.
There was a part near the beginning where we see a magic lesson and when I say I lost it I do mean it. I cried. My poor niece was wondering what I was laughing at. I was wheezing too much to explain. It was really the most memorable part of the book for me, though the swearing that came a bit later was a close second for memorability. I wasn’t expecting any sort of swearing in a children’s book so even the one word of it took me by surprise.
Something I did find interesting in this book was the way we see Rose changing, wanting finer things. She enjoys the extravagant clothes of the princess, and admires the dollhouse greatly. It’s clearly a bit of character development and a set up for her becoming more like the upstairs people rather than those downstairs, and it’s fascinating to be picking up on it now, when I didn’t on my first read through.
There was a part near the beginning where we see a magic lesson and when I say I lost it I do mean it. I cried. My poor niece was wondering what I was laughing at. I was wheezing too much to explain. It was really the most memorable part of the book for me, though the swearing that came a bit later was a close second for memorability. I wasn’t expecting any sort of swearing in a children’s book so even the one word of it took me by surprise.
Something I did find interesting in this book was the way we see Rose changing, wanting finer things. She enjoys the extravagant clothes of the princess, and admires the dollhouse greatly. It’s clearly a bit of character development and a set up for her becoming more like the upstairs people rather than those downstairs, and it’s fascinating to be picking up on it now, when I didn’t on my first read through.
November 9, 2023
A good follow-up to the first book, though, I didn’t like it as much. There’s a palpable feeling of fear throughout the story, which is quite unusual for a children’s book. I’d always thought children’s stories are something light and easy, but this series has shown me otherwise!
The aftermath of the first book’s events has a profound impact here, and we follow Rose as she navigates a society, terrified of magic, where bigotry and discrimination are at an all-time high. The subtle incorporation of such heavy themes really enhances the story, adding to the world-building without being overwhelmingly political.
I was totally hooked! But I miss the feelings of wonder and magic that were more pronounced in the first book compared to this one, which is why I’m rating it lower.
The story sets up nicely for the rest of the series, so I’m gonna go dig into them.
Rating: 3.5 stars
The aftermath of the first book’s events has a profound impact here, and we follow Rose as she navigates a society, terrified of magic, where bigotry and discrimination are at an all-time high. The subtle incorporation of such heavy themes really enhances the story, adding to the world-building without being overwhelmingly political.
I was totally hooked! But I miss the feelings of wonder and magic that were more pronounced in the first book compared to this one, which is why I’m rating it lower.
The story sets up nicely for the rest of the series, so I’m gonna go dig into them.
Rating: 3.5 stars
August 1, 2018
Saya sempat lupa bahwa saya memiliki buku ini, inilah yang menyebabkan jarak baca antara buku pertama dan kedua lumayan lama. Seperti buku pertamanya, saya menyukai Rose dan kehidupan barunya. Tapi saya merasa sedikit kurang puas dengan petualangan sihir Rose dan kawan-kawannya. Akhirnya terkesan ada yang kurang bagi saya.
Dibuku ini saya masih dapat merasakan kehangatan kasih sayang dari Mr. Fountain kepada Rose. Selain itu persahabatan antara Rose dan teman-temannya juga makin terasa.
Sejujurnya saya penasaran siapa orang tua kandung Rose dan dari mana sebenarnya Rose berasal. Semoga pertanyaan saya terjawab di buku selanjutnytnya!
Dibuku ini saya masih dapat merasakan kehangatan kasih sayang dari Mr. Fountain kepada Rose. Selain itu persahabatan antara Rose dan teman-temannya juga makin terasa.
Sejujurnya saya penasaran siapa orang tua kandung Rose dan dari mana sebenarnya Rose berasal. Semoga pertanyaan saya terjawab di buku selanjutnytnya!
November 3, 2017
После первой части не ожидала многого от серии про Роуз, может быть, именно поэтому получила от этой книги большее удовольствие. Теперь точно могу сказать, что мне нравится тип главных героинь, о которых пишет Холли Вебб - трудолюбивые, рассудительные, любопытные малышки. Еще один плюс это книги для меня - легко ощутимая зимняя атмосфера. Ну и сама загадка и её разрешение были вполне ничего. В общем, серию обязательно дочитаю.
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March 15, 2023The second in a series of four about an orphan, Rose. Set in an alternative world with a different royal family. The princess is kidnapped. Found a few days late, she is given Rose, who will be her bodyguard disguised as an unlikely maid. When the princess is kidnapped again, Rose is magicked to have her appearance so that she can appear at an important banquet. And at that banquet, the enemy magician is revealed and thwarted, the first step to finding the captured princess.
September 18, 2020
I really love reading these books to my 1 and 2 year old daughters for bedtime they have a really nice tone to them and are all round lovely stories. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it could have had a bit more oomph at the end, it just seemed somewhat obvious rather than a reveal but that may be because I'm too old for them, still thoroughly enjoyed though.
April 27, 2018
Great reading
As always a good reading, specially it all happen last third of the story and it develops pretty fast, however you have read as well the beginning which is not what but not as exciting as that last third...
As always a good reading, specially it all happen last third of the story and it develops pretty fast, however you have read as well the beginning which is not what but not as exciting as that last third...
November 1, 2018
I really liked this book. It dealt with the fallout from the first book well, and it was lots of fun. As with the first book, i found myself wanting more from it, but as it was it was a good sequel, and I’m looking forward to diving into the next book.
March 18, 2019
This continues Rose's story as she becomes involved with the disappearance of one of the royal princesses. The city is blaming all magicians. Can Rose solve the disappearance and rescue their reputations at the same time?
October 6, 2019
Mi libro favorito de la saga , me encanta co la trama se centra en un nuevo lugar (el castillo) y como rose usa lo que se enseño en el libro anterior (glamour ) y como Isabella toma un rol más importante sin embargo se desplaza a otro plano a Freddie pero eso ya es opinión personal
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2021
The incredible Rose enchants her readers, as well as those who dare to like her.
Gus, Isabella and Freddy are now real friends.
A stay at the palace reveals itself as an ordeal, soon overcome by Rose with her friends help.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 6 October 2021.
Gus, Isabella and Freddy are now real friends.
A stay at the palace reveals itself as an ordeal, soon overcome by Rose with her friends help.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 6 October 2021.
December 19, 2023
3.5 rounded to 4 because the ending really picked up. I almost DNFed this because, while the basic feel was like the first, it seemed to meander and lose track of itself in the middle, and then finally it floundered around to wrap itself up nicely in the end.
August 7, 2017
Great characters and a lively voice make for a quick and very enjoyable read with more clearly to come. Definitely for the elementary crowd.
December 10, 2017
it's a beautiful book, no more
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