Blood Rose Rebellion, Book 1
Young Adult Fiction
Knopf Books for Young Readers
March 28, 2017
416
In this first book in a fantasy trilogy, social prestige is derived from a trifecta of blood, money, and magic. However, one girl has the ability to break the spell that holds the social order in place. Sent from England to her family's once powerful but now oppressed native Hungary, Anna Arden finds herself in the company of nobles, revolutionaries, and Romani. She must choose to either deny her unique power and cling to the life she's always wanted, or embrace her gift, spark a rebellion, and change the world forever.
Review:
I’m going to keep the main review of “Blood Rose Rebellion” short, because there are some other issues I’ve seen mentioned that I feel it’s important to give my opinions on.
This book has complex world-building, a fun romance, and quite a bit of action. It’s an enjoyable read for those who like historical fantasy. The characters are developed to a certain degree, with some mystery being left for the next book in the series. If you like those things, this book is worth a read.
Now for the heavy stuff. I’ve seen some complaints about there being racism in the book. Some people have not finished it. Yes, the word gypsy is used quite a bit. That’s because the story is set in mid-1800s Hungary. As the main character gets to know them, her opinions change and that is reflected in her attitude. In fact, the author introduces the term Romani at that point, even though historically it wasn’t in use at the time. There’s an entire section at the end written by the author about the treatment of the Romani during the time, along with a bibliography for more information.
What I’m saying is please don’t let accusations of racism scare you away from “Blood Rose Rebellion.” Ignoring the harsh realities of history is a disservice to everyone, and I applaud the author for being brave enough to tackle it.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Racist Speech and Actions
