I’ve been on a dark fantasy kick recently, and this particular story struck a chord with me. This story gave me Sorcery of Thorns vibes despite being something entirely different. It might have had something to do with the characters and magical paintings. That being said, this story has a fascinating premise, where people can be healed through painting. It’s got an exciting mystery to solve, and every character is desperate for something. Those desperate actions create some dangerous consequences, and it kept me at the edge of my seat for the entire ride. Add to it all a deeply devoted older sister that would tear the very fabric of the world in order to save her little sister…I just couldn’t put this book down. If you like characters who don’t gloss over “flaws”, then this is a book for you.
This story centres around Myra Whitlock, a young woman with a gift for altering the human body through portrait painting. This is a dangerous gift and secret that she must keep closely guarded, to protect her sister, now that her parents are gone. When the governor’s wife threatens to expose her secret, she agrees to the unthinkable, resurrecting her dead son. However, his death seems to be no mere accident, and there are dangerous secrets and people lurking within the mansion that seem to harbour an obsession with her portrait magic. Myra’s hunt for answers leads her to the older son of the governor, who’ll delve into the family affairs and track down the secrets that seem to be making Myra the next victim.
When I started this story, I was very interested in the magic system. Myra’s talent comes from within her, and is expressed through her painting altered versions of her subjects. Much of it comes at a cost to her physical well-being for a time. This sets up quite the conundrum for Myra as she’s being blackmailed by the governor’s wife. Myra is a young woman who’s been forced to grow up a little too quickly by the fact that her parents are gone. Her money goes to doing her best to keep her little sister Lucy safe, as she’s been afflicted by a condition that weakens her, but by no means keeps her down. She’s caring, but tamps down her emotions in an effort to keep herself in check with her gift.
Desperation is a feeling that is centred among much of the story, from several of the characters. For Myra, it’s saving her family from certain condemnation for what she is. For August, it’s helping Myra unravel the mystery within his family for reasons (spoilery ones I won’t mention). The governor’s wife just wants her dearest son back, even if it means shaking hands with the very thing your husband is determined to eradicate. Their choices and actions have consequences that propel the novel forward. It’s not all sunshine and daisies, and I did spend a good portion of the time mad for Myra and the way she was treated by quite a few of the characters in this book.
While I really enjoyed the premise of this story, it’s a very narrow view of the world, so I didn’t feel as immersed into it as I would have liked. It’s definitely more character driven, as we get to know Myra, August, Lucy, and many others very well. However, we don’t really get to know much of the politics of the world, so this might not be the book for you if that’s something you’re looking for. With that said, this book does a great job exploring mental as well as chronic illness in a positive way. Lucy and August are both looked at as more than their physical or mental capacity.
The romance within this book was a little rough on me, mainly because August makes it difficult to like him as a love interest. I can’t delve too much into this without spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that. It’s still a sweet romance in the end, just not the one I would have chosen had I been Myra.
For me, this story has quite a lot more to explore, and I sincerely hope there’s more in the works. The ending definitely seemed to set it up in that way, and I cross my fingers that we’ll get to find out more secrets, because there are some unanswered questions. I’d definitely add this to my TBR if I were you, especially if you’re starting to plan for some fall reads. This one would be great under the cover of night, with a blanket to ward off the chill.
A Forgery of Roses is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Myra Whitlock has a gift. One many would kill for.
She’s an artist whose portraits alter people’s real-life bodies, a talent she must hide from those who would kidnap, blackmail, and worse in order to control it. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone.
But one frigid night, the governor’s wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor’s dead son. Desperate, Myra ventures to his legendary stone mansion.
Once she arrives, however, it becomes clear the boy’s death was no accident. Someone dangerous lurks within these glittering halls. Someone harboring a disturbing obsession with portrait magic.
Myra cannot do the painting until she knows what really happened, so she turns to the governor’s older son, a captivating redheaded poet. Together, they delve into the family’s most shadowed affairs, racing to uncover the truth before the secret Myra spent her life concealing makes her the killer’s next victim.
From Sing Me Forgotten author Jessica S. Olson comes a gothic fantasy murder mystery perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Erin A. Craig.
