Blood Rose Rebellion – Rosalyn Eves (Review)

Title: Blood Rose Rebellion (Blood Rose Rebellion #1)
Author: Rosalyn Eves
Publisher: Knof Books for Young Readers, 2017 (March 28)
Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Historical Fiction

**I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA’s Tumblr, or my Goodreads page

My Review:

I feel like I haven’t written a review in FOREVER! Luckily, this is my last week at the crappy job. I never have time to read and I’m always tired, and I miss blogging so much. When I get home I just fall asleep: I’m sure many of you have been there before! But I refuse to take a hiatus! This is my blog and I’ll blog if I want to…or something to that affect. I’m not going anywhere…and my posts will get closer together. Come hell or high water, they will. 

But, as usual, I digress.

I’ve had Blood Rose Rebellion for awhile: first from Netgalley, then from a physical ARC. I’ve wanted to read it so bad, but there’s been so many indie authors that have come my way, and you know I have a hard time turning down the indies. Now, Lost Crow Conspiracy is coming out soon, and I knew I had to read this book. And I’m glad I did. 

Here is the gorgeous cover that I coveted for so long:



So pretty. I love how they also had a white one, too…but the blue one is the version I have.

I’d own both if I had the space. They are just so gorgeous…and you know me and covers!!

Ok, but let’s get into the real of it….the review. I know the book has been out awhile, but I know some of you haven’t read it yet! 

Anna Arden is a Luminate. Unfortunately, she is unlike other Luminates in that she has no magic. None. She is stuck sneaking kisses from the man she loves, a powerful Luminate, while her sister has magic and a ball in her honor to introduce her to society. But when Barren Anna breaks her sister’s powerful spell during her coming-out ball, the Circle instantly want her. They want to know how she was able to break her sister’s spell when she has no magic.

Instead her family whisks her away to Hungary to protect her. While living there with distant cousins, who make poor look envious, Anna finds herself face to face with the Romani (gypsies) that live nearby. 

And she discovers that not only the Luminates have access to magic: apparently the Romani have a way of “illegally” attracting and using magic, too. And Barren Anna wants to know how.

As Anna finds that she is falling for Gabor, the Romani boy who she is forbidden to love, she tries to keep her distance. Others try to use Anna for their own means: if she can break her sister’s spell, she might be able to break The Circle’s hold on magic…she could make magic accessible to everyone. But is that the best thing? 

Though long and very detailed, Blood Rose Rebellion will suck you in until you know what will happen to Anna and the magic that is kept only for the elite. 

Is It Classroom-Appropriate?

Yes and No. The book is steeped in history: it mirrors the rebellion in Hungary during the era and mimics the attitude of revolution. There is a large parallel with the only difference being magic as the root cause for Rebellion vs the desire for freedom. These are positive aspects and would make a great tie-in with a history unit that covers the geographical area and timeline of Hungary’s history. The only caveat? The book feels REALLY REALLY long. 

The book stands at 424 pages, and that is a pretty long book for classroom use. It’s steeped in educational material (foreign words, fashions, and attitudes of the era); Anna is a strong character and the supporting cast are interesting enough. The flirting between Anna and her distant cousin (on his end) might gross the students out, but it was also a common occurrence at the time: not only for powerful families, but regular ones as well as the “cousin” wasn’t considered too close to the family tree. 

I would give Blood Rose Rebellion ★★★☆☆ for classroom use. You could use it, and it’s almost a four star recommendation, but the length brings it down to a “there are better options” rating, in my opinion. 

Age Range

Finally, a book in the Lexile! Blood Rose Rebellion gets a 750L, which means it is definitely a book a reluctant reader could understand. However, the length of the book would have me urge teachers and parents to stick to a high school setting. Though Harry Potter was long and had a higher Lexile score, Blood is drier and therefore harder in the patience department. In many scenes, nothing really happens. This would probably bore younger readers. 

Also, the Age Range is suggested at 12-18+, and I find no problems with the material to dispute that. It isn’t like many that are rated 13-17, so this does suggest that an older audience will appreciate the book more. I would stick to 14 and up, but if you have an advanced younger reader, there is no reason to keep this book from the 12-14 lot.

End Result:

I enjoyed the book though it was REALLY LONG. I had to take breaks to get through it and it felt like I was never making progress. Normally, that would turn me off a book, but Blood had something that kept me going…and I can’t really put my finger on it. I guess I could just say it was an interesting concept. I wanted to know more about the magic classes and how that worked, but I’m hoping there will be more of that in the sequel, Lost Crow Conspiracy. Fortunately I do not have to wait long to find out. I have a copy of the book coming and I’m eager to see what happens next.

I honestly have to give Blood Rose Rebellion ★★★☆☆ because it kept my interest and I wanted more. I would recommend to patient readers who are fans of alternative history. And of course fans of longer, more literary books. 

And as my battery is dying, I must bid you all adieu. Don’t worry, for a have another review all ready to go, so you will see me sooner than you think, and I promise this next one will be an interesting one. So please stay tuned! I won’t ever let you down!