Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Julia Reviews "Kiss of the Rose" by Kate Pearce


Title/Author: Kiss of the Rose by Kate Pearce
Publisher/Year Published: 2010 by Signet
How I got this book: Library
Why I read this book: The cover drew me in as did the words "Tudor" and "vampire"
Rating: 3 stars

I have a problem. My name is Julia and I judge books by their covers. In this case, the remarkable similarity to the promotional materials from the Showtime show The Tudors in combination with the sexy look of the cover man (who looks eerily similar to Henry Cavill... see below) drew me.

"What's this? Sexy mostly shirtless man? Pretty dresses? Exposed leg? I am intrigued" Then I read the words "Tudor Vampire Chronicles" and I was sold. Two of my favorite things formed one potentially awesome entity, but sadly these two favorites come together just as well as two of my other favorite things: chocolate and onions. )

Let's look a bit at the story: we have two sides. The Druids are the Vampire slayers sworn to protect the Tudor crown. They send their girl slayer to court. The Vampires have their own cult protecting them as well. This cult, sworn Druid killers since Roman times, sends their sexiest son. Neither gets along, but now is forced to cooperate when a rogue vampire is threatening all of their livelihoods, as well as the king's.

There is good. The characters are well rounded and believable, the plot moves along at a good pace, and it's generally an interesting story. There is bad, too. None of the aforementioned good things every really clicked for that perfect harmony of awesome. Something just kept me from being engrossed.

There were quite a few times I felt the story could do with more vampires, less love triangle. Also, occasionally characters would act counter intuitive to their overall plan. Also, there were just some things that I just couldn't understand time period wise. Like no one really questioned a young woman wandering about at will, not really doing her duties are the queen's lady. Also, I am pretty sure at one point I said to my book "Aren't you suppose to be Slayers! Slay something!"

I think my problem with this was I know too much about the Tudors and vampire lore to disassociate what I already know. Some things just deviated too far into paranormal, and not close enough to Tudor England. It was not a bad read; I did finish it. It just didn't click with me.

There is a sequel and presumably a series (if the term Chronicles implies series). Will I be reading on? Probably not.

So I give it 3 stars, for a good go and for a highly effective marketing team.

4 comments:

  1. I...don't know what to say. I'm not sure I could ever read this - is it in any way historically acurate? If it wasn't, I'm sure I'd be screaming at the book the whole time. Good review though :)

    Also, Henry Cavill is yummy.

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  2. Thanks for the review :) It was quite difficult to try and fit a whole load of world building, a romance, Druids and Vampires into one little book, which is why it was conceived as a series, and why a lot of the plot goes onward into the next book.
    From what I seen in the reviews so far, I think it's one of those books that doesn't have enough of one thing to satisfy all readers. I have a Masters degree in history including a minor in Tudor politics, but I didn't want to write a straight historical novel, I wanted to write something other-worldly with a romance plot which was totally unique to me. LOL

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  3. Oh man, Tudor vampire chronicles. If I'd seen that at the store, I probably would have grabbed it, too. Disappointed to hear it's not awesome though D: Still, might have to try it out of curiosity. I'm not as much a stickler for historical accuracy (probably because I don't know much about the era, lol).

    Thanks for the review. Also, man Henry Cavill is pretty <3

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  4. Upon reflection, I still don't know what I wanted this book to be. Henry VIII slaying his vampire Queens? I don't know.

    Kate, It's definitely unique in its plot, even just in its concept. I never thought of Tudor England + Vampires before.

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