Founded two centuries ago by a powerful tribe of Gottwa Indians, Rowan was a quiet town, so quiet that I fled after graduation. Staying away was the plan, but Mom died suddenly.
Dad said she suffered a stroke after she dug up one of the ancient graves in our backyard, which happens to be the town cemetery. Creepy, I know. Creepier still, there was no corpse inside the old coffin, only fresh rose petals.
As we made preparations for Mom’s burial, new people began arriving in Rowan, unnervingly handsome and odd people. I begged them to leave, but they stayed, because their enemies—my ancestors—were beginning to awaken.
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Review:
Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein is a thoroughly entertaining and a delightfully unique blend of Native American folklore and fae mythology. A sharp, well written and at times emotional read guaranteed to entrance from beginning to tend.
Founded centuries before by a powerful Native American tribe, the small town of Rowan is where college student Catori “Cat” Price grew up, the daughter of the town’s undertaker and funeral director. Studying medicine in Boston, Cat finds herself returning hom after the heartbreaking death of her mother. Cat’s family are struggling to deal with their unexpected loss, while Cat is determined to prove her mother’s death wasn’t of natural causes. When the young medical examiner arrives to examine her mother, Cat’s senses start telling her the handsome young man isn’t who he appears and as Cat begins to delve into her family’s Native Gottwa roots in an effort to learn the truth about her mother’s death, she’ll discover some shocking truths about the town of Rowan and the creatures whose history is as tied to Rowan as they are her own…..
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Rose Petal Graves. Heading into the novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect as the description doesn’t give too much away but I have to say, I really loved the story I discovered within its pages. I’m a big faerie lover and Rose Petal Graves was a fresh and exciting take on them in my mind. Olivia Wildenstein weaves together some unique faerie abilities with Native American folklore and imagined history in this story—it made for some really interesting reading.
Cat is a strong and likable main character to follow who is understandably grief stricken from her recent loss, but also very fiery as she navigates this new supernatural world she’s discovering and the dangers that come with it.
Weaving a lot of mystery into the story as Cat uncovers the truth about her mother’s death and Rowan’s history, Wildenstein introduces a whole cast of different characters from all walks of life. Something I really loved about this novel, is the way Olivia Wildenstein really made me care about all the characters in the novel as Cat finds herself questioning who are the good and who are the bad guys.
With the ancient hunters and fae at war with one another, Cat interacts with both sides of the divide and Wildenstein writes them all very complex and complicated where you as the reader find yourself liking, emphasing and understanding everyone involved. Cruz won me over very quickly, but then so did Ace who continues to be the “bad” boy and appears untrustworthy while continuing to do things that surprise you as the reader. And then there’s Kajika whose very existence cost Cat someone she loved and yet whose story is so very heart breaking.
There’s moments of romance between Cat and two of the three men who are becoming focal points in her life, although I couldn’t help but detect chemistry between her, Cruz, Kijika and Ace. Normally some kind of love triangle is my worst nightmare, but in Rose Petal Graves, I loved all three of the guys so I’m finding it really hard to pick someone I would prefer Cat to choose. That being said, at this point it could go either way and it’s too soon to really pinpoint where Cat’s heart is leaning……I’m eager to see what happens down the track as my heart already hurts for all those involved.
Mysterious and intriguing, Rose Petal Graves is a highly entertaining read that will impress you with its unique fae mythology and leave you ready for more. A great read—I can’t wait to see what Olivia Wildenstein has in store in the sequel!
Rating:
Source: Sent for review by YA Bound Book Tours and the author (Thank you ladies!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: March 29th 2017
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: I freaking loved this book and can't wait for more! Highly recommend.
