TEST
Kiss of the Rose is the latest swell in the vampire tsunami, and like many authors Kate Pearce has tried something different. The good news is that the premise truly is original since I can’t think of another vampire series that throws in Druids, the Cult of Mithras, and Henry VIII, can you? The bad news is that if your reaction to that description was OMG, then that just about squares with mine.
According to Ms. Pearce’s lore, vampires are actually Druids gone wrong, and the two factions have been waging mutual war for centuries. Then in 1485, when Henry Tudor was grappling for the throne of England, he promised the Druids his support against the vampires if they helped him to the throne. Forty years later, Henry VIII reigns and Rosalind Llewellyn, Vampire Slayer, has come to court to protect the king, just as her family has done for decades. Rosalind has Things to Prove, being a girl in a family of guys, and arrives with her childhood friend/trainer/groom/potential betrothed Rhys.
Rosalind’s counterpart is Sir Christopher Ellis, whose family has protected vampires and slain Druids for generations. He too has Things to Prove, being of somewhat questionable heritage, and he and Rosalind find themselves fighting attraction and indulging in antagonism. But there’s a vampire killing courtiers, and Rosalind and her two suitors have to band together to kill the vampire and save the king.
I have to tell you, a part of me is stunned at the author’s sheer balls (metaphorically speaking, of course); You have to admit, this is different. I’m not so bothered with the liberties Ms. Pearce has taken, mainly because she elevates the setting from wallpaper to genuine. Lo and behold, there’s Katherine of Aragon! And Tudor poems and dances! And actual Tudor clothing! The setting is not just a gimmick; it’s interesting, and it works.
However, the scales tipped permanently in the other direction, due to certain other aspects. There’s the fact that despite Henry & Co., I find the whole Druid-and-vampire thing preposterous. Or Rosalind and Christopher, who are okay characters but occasionally break out into rashes of rampant stupidity. I couldn’t give a rodent’s posterior about the e-e-e-e-evil vampire, who has a very lame Talking Villain moment. And on top of that, the writing, which on the whole is competent and appropriately Tudor-ish, has jarring moments when Rosalind sounds more like Buffy than she should.
I really wanted to like Kiss of the Rose, if only so I could say: Hey! Here’s a new vampire series that’s chock-a-bock with originality – and it’s good! Unfortunately, I can’t.
Grade: C+
Book Type: Paranormal Historical
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 20/08/10
Publication Date: 2010/08
I live in Seattle, Washington and work as a legal assistant. I remember learning to read (comic strips) at a young age and nowadays try to read about 5-6 books a week. I love to travel, especially to Europe, and enjoy exploring smaller towns off the tourist track though London is my favorite city in the world.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.