EgmontUSA (May 14, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1606843656
ISBN-13: 978-1606843659
400 pages
Ages 12+
Buy Here for $11.35
My Rating: 3.5/5
Summary from GoodReads: Richly-imagined fantasy romance from the author of Princess and the Hound, a tale of two princesses--one with magic, one with none--who dare seek love in a world where real choice can never be theirs. For fans of Megan Whalen Turner, Catherine Fisher, and Cassandra Clare.
Ailsbet loves nothing more than music; tall and red-haired, she's impatient with the artifice and ceremony of her father's court. Marissa adores the world of her island home and feels she has much to offer when she finally inherits the throne from her wise, good-tempered father. The trouble is that neither princess has the power--or the magic--to rule alone, and if the kingdoms can be united, which princess will end up ruling the joint land? For both, the only goal would seem to be a strategic marriage to a man who can bring his own brand of power to the throne. But will either girl be able to marry for love? And can either of these two princesses, rivals though they have never met, afford to let the other live?
The Verdict: I walked into this story very excited. I really didn't have much of a clue what the story was going to be about other than 2 princesses vying for power. But I love a princess story and I loved the beautiful cover. It reminded me of something fit for a Jane Austen book.
From the first chapter I found myself hooked by Ms. Harrison's writing. She has a way with crafting a story that kept me reading page after page. The pacing was perfect and the story offered the perfect element of mystery with regards to the ending.
But it is that final outcome that made this book lose points in my opinion. Throughout the story I kept having a sinking feeling there wasn't a happy ending store. And if we know anything by now, it's that I like me a happy ending. At about 85% of the way through, I knew this was going to be the case. And then I started anticipating a Shakespeare-esc tragedy. Now without giving too much away, this book doesn't end with a full blown tragedy. But it just ends. There is no resolution for any of the characters except for maybe one and in the least satisfying way at that.
After finishing it, I found out that it is the first book in a sequel so I guess that's how it gets away with such a hollow ending. But I am so sick and tired of that cop-out. Whatever happened to books that could stand alone. This one left me with nothing more than an unfulfilled feeling of dis-settlement.
I guess my real problem with it was the outcomes for the characters I was most attached to. My favorite character was Ailsbet, but she ended up with the weakest ending and not much promise of further development in future books. I mean I can think of where they could go with her but I have a feeling the author will fixate on Kellin and Issa in the next book. And this makes me so sad because I feel like Ailsbet never got to taste the slightest bit of happiness in this book like the others. And that's a true tragedy in and of itself, especially when she's the one pictured on the cover.
I don't regret reading The Rose Throne and I will probably end up reading any sequels. I just wish I didn't have to wait for sequels to feel some resolution.
I received a free review copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley but the opinions expressed here are my own.
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