Friday, February 19, 2016

Black Rose by K.L. Bone




“May the Black Rose protect you in life and avenge you in death.” – Oath of the Black Rose Guard

Six hundred years ago, the Muir Court was wiped from existence, destroyed by an elite group known as the Black Rose Guard. Their Captain, Mara, has a reputation of being a harsh woman who leads the guard with a fierce formality. During her long years, she has known pain, loss, heartache…and one great love.

Edward was the Captain of the Royal Guard. He loved her once. However, it was a love that faded the day he met young Liza, the Princess who stole the heart he had once sworn belonged to Mara alone. Liza was also the woman that Mara was fated to protect. When the Queen learns of her daughter’s forbidden love for Edward, she devises a series of punishments, torturing Edward while her daughter is forced to watch. In a an act of desperation, Mara takes Liza’s place and looks on helplessly as Edward endures the torments which break his body and Mara’s soul.
All of their pain is put aside when Liza is murdered by the rulers of a rival court. Haunted by her failure to protect the Princess and adhering to tradition, Mara takes the vow of the ‘Black Rose.’ It is an ancient oath which ties those under its power to abandon the lives they knew for the sake of a single goal: vengeance. Her quest leads her on a dark path of violence, rage and bloodshed.
Tormented by a fate they can neither accept nor escape, Black Rose is a tale of retribution, love, and above all, honor—at any cost.




I wasn't sure what to expect with this story when I first started it. Right from the beginning I'm curious and confused by what's going on and I must continue. Mara hasn't spoken to Edward in hundreds of years, but must save him. There's Sandra who doesn't remember her past, but continues to get glimpses of a couple that she can't explain. There are many characters who's history entwine together, and slowly but surely their history comes to light. 

There are so many stories being told here, by several points of view that it was a little hard to follow at times. It took me a good part of the book to figure out who all the key players were because there were so many Courts, the Black Rose included. All in all I did really enjoy there story and where it took me. It was a very dark and interesting read. A very good read if your look for something, a little dark and sinister, but also full of love.

3/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.


K.L. Bone is the author of the dark fantasy series, Tales of the Black Rose Guard. The Rise of the Temple Gods fantasy series. And a stand-alone sci-fi novel, The Indoctrination.

Bone has a master’s degree in modern literary cultures. An American, she is currently living in Europe working toward her PhD in Gothic literature. She wrote her first short story at the age of fifteen and grew up with an equally great love of both classical literature and speculative fiction. Bone has spent the last few years as a bit of a world traveler, living in California, London, and most recently, Dublin. When not immersed in words, of her own creation or studies, you’ll find her traveling to mythical sites and Game of Thrones filming locations.




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