Night's Rose [Mass Market Paperback]

In this fantasy world set in 1750 England, you will find a plethora of mystical legendary creatures such as the Fey, Ogres, water sprites, brownies, vampires, and even some fire-breathing Wyrms!! DUDE!! The lead character, Rosemarie Edenberg, is an executioner of Ogres. She is known as the scourge to them, the Briar Rose, Woman of many thorns. Rose finds herself knee-deep in a prophecy and a plan plotted by the vile, human-eating Ogres to end her life once and for all.

Rose is modeled after the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, but with a dark and twisted edge. She does no wake after a hundred years' sleep to a kiss, and fall hopelessly in love with a knight in shining armor. The details of Rose's awakening are none too pleasant. As the story unfolds, we learn more and more of the relationships between the two men in Rose's life, the vampire Lord Shenley, and her Fey adviser Ambrose.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters, the world, all of it was very entertaining. Some very nice and surprising plot twists that hadn't even occurred to me. The complex relationships between Ambrose, Rose and Lord Shenely made this story an awesome addition to my keeper shelves. I just loved all the scenes with Rose and Lord Shenely. He's such a good guy...I mean vampire. I think there was an even dose of plot, character, and relationship development throughout. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good Urban Fantasy. Heck, I think anyone who likes a good paranormal would find this book engaging. The ending leaves you wondering if there may be some menage a troi action between Rose, Gareth and Ambrose in the next book!

Annaliese Evans takes the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale and makes it her own in Night's Rose, a mystical regency tale with fairies, goblins and vampires. For some reason I had first thought this was a YA book, but then as I began to read, the sexual tension and seduction of the heroine Rose by the naughty yet sublime vampire Gareth was more for the adult audience. Annaliese can sure write some steamy love scenes! Perhaps it has to do with her background in writing erotic romance for the on-line publishers, Ellora's Cave and Samhain as Anna J. Evans? Night's Rose is one of the few Historical Urban Fantasies I have read and I can tell you I am already anxious for the next installment in what I hope will be an on-going series.

The year is 1750, the place London, England. Comtesse de Fournier otherwise know as Rosemarie Edenberg, is the executioner for the Fey de la Nuit who controls and kills ogres. Ogres are nasty creatures that would wipe out the human race if they had the chance. Rosemarie is not alone in her mission. She has great support with Ambrose, her faerie advisor and mentor. These two have quite a past together. But then there is Gareth Barrow, Lord Shenley. Gareth is a vampire who seems to enjoy engaging in battle alongside Rosemarie. Gareth wants Rosemarie badly. He is an undead Lothario who pushes all of Rosemarie's buttons. Gareth will try his best to seduce Rose even though she acts as if he is as bad as the ogres she kills. Gareth is a very handsome smooth talker and Rosemarie can't help but to respond to him, especially after one-hundred years of constant loneliness she has endured.

Rose has been feeling out of sorts lately. She constantly looks over her shoulder and with Gareth always at her heels, she is never at peace. The one person she can turn to is Ambrose, but he treats her with disdain and a coldness she can't understand. It seems the orges are no longer working alone but may have some fey helping them gain power. Ambrose is keeping secrets from Rose and because of it, she is placed in great danger. Gareth wants to protect Rose, but for a price. He wants to claim her as his own. And when Rose finds out how Ambrose betrayed her so many years ago, she decides to turn her back on everything she has believed in.

Night's Rose is a dark and sexual fairy tale. Rosemarie is a woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders who feels cursed. Before she became an immortal fairy, she was in a deep sleep that lasted a century. When she awoke, she found herself in hell. She was raped and became pregnant by an ogre, the very creature she despises. Her life has not been an easy one because so many that have betrayed her. She may have the strength and the power to defeat her foes with her sword, but when it comes to finding peace and happiness, that has eluded her all her life.

Rosemarie is involved in a love triangle with Ambrose and Gareth. Gareth at first may seem to be comparable to a villain because his actions are very shady. Rose responds to this seductive vampire and if she gives in, she knows her heart and souls may be lost. She is counting on Ambrose to lead her in the right direction, but because of his own issues and guilt over the wrongs he has done to Rose, he must let her fend for herself.

Annaliese Evans has written a magical tale that both fantasy and romance readers alike will enjoy. The love scene between Rose and Gareth are passionate and will leave you panting for more. Night's Rose is a world of mystical creatures and legends that will have you enthralled till the very last page. Tor have a very good thing indeed with Annaliese Evans.

Katiebabs

Initially I thought I was going to enjoy Night's Rose. The first few chapters moved along well and I liked the characters, including the obligatory mysterious chap and a feisty and interesting heroine. However I soon found myself bogged down in confusing events and uneven pacing. The plot became less and less believable with mind-boggling leaps of intuition. The romance side was very disappointing and this book suffered greatly from the reader never knowing what was going to happen and having no boundaries as to what was impossible in this world (a problem I often find with books containing magic).

This reader lost interest about halfway through and found it a huge struggle to finish the book. There were some good possibilities within the story but the plot was too odd and the characters not developed enough for me to enjoy it.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2009