Roses is a new and refreshing take on the Beauty and the Beast tale.  Why so refreshing?  Because the majority of the book is spent not on the story of Beauty and Beast, but on the story of Beauty.  Mannering develops the character of Beauty so intricately and in such vivid detail that the reader cannot help falling in love with her.

For those unsure of whether or not the fantasy genre is for them, this is a great introductory novel.  The language is simple.  The cast of characters are few, which sets it apart from many fantasy books where family trees and diagrams are needed to keep track of characters.  Magic is simply that, magic.  The fantasy is straight forward and easy to follow.  

This is one of the better fantasy books I have read recently for the younger age group.  The narrative is easy to read with straight-forward English and few contrived languages, with the exception of some of the characters’ last names.  I love the Scottish flair given to the Hillanders.  Their words were so believable as they were easily equated to the languages and prose surrounding books with Highlanders.

All in all, an easy great read for those just wanting to enter the fantasy genre and for those who have long enjoyed it.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Sky Pony Press

Content Analysis:

Language:  2 mild obscenities.

Violence/Gore:  Report of father’s suicide; nanny slaps child on thigh; reference to child being repeatedly slapped; nanny purposefully steps on child’s back; child is pushed into gutter; glass is thrown at adolescent’s head; adolescent hits another with a stick; report of riots and magical cleansing (removal of magical people); character dreams of another’s death (no detail); character pinches and slaps another; horse is dragged and slapped; report of past war with bloodshed (no details); three death threats for non-compliance with orders; son admits to burning mother at stake; character is jabbed in back with rifle; character shoots another in the leg, blood mentioned; character falls from horse with minor injuries (bruises); thorn scratches characters face and hands; tapestry depicts war scene with axes in heads and arrows piercing people; character dreams of women with bloody backs after flogging; battlefield scene is described; character threatens suicide; homes are looted after being destroyed (no detail); extended scene (4 pages) of house with magic people being discovered with numerous injuries, shooting, blood spurting/splashing, vivid description of crushed bones and screams.

Sex/Nudity:  Character kisses another on the face against her wishes; character willingly kisses another on the head and cheek; character caresses another’s face.

Mature Subject Matter:

Suicide, gambling, death of a parent, death of a pet, social conflict between magic and non-magic people, war, abandonment.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None