A FORGERY OF ROSES by Jessica S. Olson
My Review (4.5*) It’s not easy to define this novel as it mixes different genre making them work together and creating a riveting story that kept me turning pages. There’s mystery, romance, fantasy all mixed in gothic atmosphere. There’s also an interesting side about sisterly bond and how being poor can affect the chances of getting better or dying. The “young ill girl” is trope that was quite popular in the XIX century story, Beth anyone?, but the author was able to add fresh air and approach it in a contemporary way. The magic system is one of the most original I read in a long time: a mix of religion and magic, art that affect the living being healing or resurrecting them. Those who can perform this type of magic are called Prodigy and someone is killing them. Prodigy are also considered an abomination by religion and persecuted Myra, a Prodigy called to a nearly impossible task, must find the killer before she becomes the next victim. The plot was well crafted and, even it dragged a bit at moments, I read it in two setting and thoroughly enjoyed it. The mystery is quite solid and the romance, even if a bit too fast, was sweet. I suppose this is the start of a new series and I would be happy to read more about this world. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Inkyard and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Synopsis: Myra has a gift many would kidnap, blackmail, and worse to control: she’s a portrait artist whose paintings alter people’s bodies. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone. But one frigid night, the governor’s wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor's dead son. Once she arrives at the legendary stone mansion, however, it becomes clear the boy’s death was no accident. A killer stalks these halls--one disturbingly obsessed with portrait magic. Desperate to get out of the manor as quickly as possible, Myra turns to the governor’s older son for help completing the painting before the secret she spent her life concealing makes her the killer’s next victim.
The Author: Jessica S. Olson claims New Hampshire as her home but has somehow found herself in Texas, where she spends most of her time singing praises to the inventor of the air conditioner. When she's not hiding from the heat, she's corralling her four wild—but adorable—children, dreaming up stories about kissing and murder and magic, and eating peanut butter by the spoonful straight from the jar. She earned a bachelor’s in English with minors in editing and French, which essentially means she spent all of her university time reading and eating French pastries. She is the author of Sing Me Forgotten (2021) and A Forgery of Roses (2022).
Social Links: Author website: https://www.jessicasolson.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessicaolson123 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaolson123/?hl=en Facebook: n/a Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19475731.Jessica_S_Olson
Buy Links: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Forgery-Roses-Jessica-S-Olson/dp/1335418660/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+forgery+of+roses&qid=1623101290&sr=8-1 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-forgery-of-roses-jessica-s-olson/1139262918?ean=9781335418661 Books a Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Forgery-Roses/Jessica-S-Olson/9781335418661?id=8204964585173&_ga=2.90833818.1403488793.1623101537-16582771.1620496473 IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335418661 BookShop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/a-forgery-of-roses/9781335418661 AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-forgery-of-roses/id1563211626 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/A_Forgery_of_Roses?id=qZIpEAAAQBAJ&hl=en_US&gl=US
