Monday 18 August 2014

Review - The Rose Master

Today, I bring you a real treat--The Rose Master by Valentina Cano. This book hit my radar as Valentina is a fellow Reuts author, and LOOK AT THE COVER! Gorgeous!

The Rose Master
 
The day Anne Tinning turns seventeen, birds fall from the sky. But that's hardly the most upsetting news. She's being dismissed from the home she's served at since she was a child, and shipped off to become the newly hired parlor maid for a place she's never heard of. And when she sees the run-down, isolated house, she instantly knows why:

There's something wrong with Rosewood Manor.

Staffed with only three other servants, all gripped by icy silence and inexplicable bruises, and inhabited by a young master who is as cold as the place itself, the house is shrouded in neglect and thick with fear. Her questions are met with hushed whispers, and she soon finds herself alone in the empty halls, left to tidy and clean rooms no one visits.

As the feeling of being watched grows, she begins to realize there is something else in the house with them--some creature that stalks the frozen halls and claws at her door. A creature that seems intent on harming her.

When a fire leaves Anne trapped in the manor with its Master, she finally demands to know why. But as she forces the truth about what haunts the grounds from Lord Grey, she learns secrets she isn't prepared for. The creature is very real, and she's the only one who can help him stop it.

Now, Anne must either risk her life for the young man she's grown to admire, or abandon her post while she still can.
 
 
I loved this book and understand that Valentina is currently writing the follow up. I can't wait!
 
Here is my review:
 
Where to begin? Firstly, the cover--beautiful, yet scary.
Secondly, or should this be my first point, the writing. Amazing.

I loved The Rose Master--every single word.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is my favourite read so far this year. Cano created characters that not only sprung to life but danced continually before my eyes. I can’t say too much without giving away spoilers, but Cano managed to scare me with the scenes she wrote, as well as entrance me with the beauty of her words. She has a clear concise way of writing that provokes intense emotion, and a complete understanding of what she wants the reader to experience.

I am confident that this book will remain one of my all-time favourites and I’ll read it several times. The only thing I have to complain about . . . I didn’t want it to end, and whereas it had a defined ending, I want more!

If I could give this book 6 stars I would!
 
More about Valentina Cano:
 
Valentina Cano is a student of classical singing who spends whatever free time she has either reading or writing. She also watches over a veritable army of pets, including her five, very spoiled, snakes. Her works have appeared in numerous publications and her poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Web. She lives in Miami, Florida.

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