Rose: Book 1 (Rose, #0)

by Holly Webb

The first book in Holly Webb's darkly magical series for readers aged 9 and up - join the 85,000 readers who have fallen in love with Rose's world!

The grand residence of the famous alchemist, Mr Fountain, is a world away from the dark orphanage Rose has left behind. For the house is positively overflowing with magic - she can feel it. And it's not long before Rose realises that maybe, just maybe, she has a little bit of magic in her, too . . .

But when orphans begin mysteriously disappearing, Rose knows there's something dark at work and her magic will be put to the test. Can she find the missing children before it's too late?

If you love Araminta Spook, Harry Potter and Lemony Snickett, the Rose books are perfect for you!

Discover more by Holly Webb with her Lily and Magical Venice series - also filled with magical adventures.

• ISBN10: 1408304473
• ISBN13: 9781408304471
• Publish Date: 6 August 2009
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
• Imprint: Orchard Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 272
• Language: English

Reviews

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

Webb weaves a charming tale about the intersections of friendship and self-reliance in Rose. Readers are introduced to the spunky titular character Rose, who wants little more from life than to get out of St. Bridget’s Home for Abandoned Girls, earn her own way in the world, and be perfectly, exceedingly normal. Her life-plan starts well but begins going off track when she discovers she might have the gift of magic—and that she might have to use it to track down disappearing children.

Rose herself will appeal to a lot of readers with her good sense and optimism. St. Bridget’s may not be an ideal home for children, particularly with its emphasis on conformity, but it is clear that Rose was brought up well. She is hardworking, capable, and smart. Although she has a desire for independence, she also knows how to make friends, and ends up charming some unlikely characters into her cohort.

The focus of Rose is really on the children, which should resonate with young readers. There are important adult figures in the book, providing enough oversight that the children have to sneak around to put their heroics into action, but the adults never get in the way of the plot or insist that they can do something better because they are older. (Which, in real life, may be true—but it sometimes puts a damper on a good children’s book if the adults get to save the world!)

At the end of the book, however, an adult in charge suddenly seems like a good idea. Things get dark quickly once Rose and company go after a woman they believe to be a dangerous witch. Dark middle grade books have been doing well in the market recently, and I personally have no issue with them, but some readers might find the quick transition from cute story to morbid tale disturbing.

Finally, the magic itself could use a little explanation. Readers get the sense that it is hereditary, usually reserved for the affluent. It is also fairly rare. There are rules and steps to learning and mastering it. Other than that, however, readers get nothing. Its origins and its limitations are unexplained, as well as how one acquires it and accesses it—and exactly why only the rich have magic. Why would something that appeals to be a genetic trait be limited to the rich? Hopefully some answers are forthcoming in the series.

Rose is altogether a fun book that explores friendship and emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s talents. Also, it has a talking cat, which adds a million bonus points to any book. Great for fans of E. D. Baker, Jessica Day George, and Vivian Vande Velde.

[limabean74]

Rose by Holly Webb is an adorable book about a young girl named Rose who is an orphan in Miss Bridget’s orphanage. Rose dreams of leaving but not to a family but to be able to get a job and live independently. Her dream comes true when Mrs. Bridges comes to pick a new housemaid to work for the Famous Alchemist Mr. Fountain. When Rose is picked she so happy to be going to a new place and out of the orphanage. When she arrives at the house she starts to realize things aren't what they seem and the house is...ALIVE with MAGIC. Confused Rose started to realize that she might have magic too but servants don't usually have magic but with the help of her new friend Freddie (Mr. Fountain's Apprentice) and Gustav the Talking Cat she starts to realized that magic is all around. When children start going missing and Rose realizes her BFF from Miss Bridget’s is gone. Rose, Freddie, Gustav and Isabella set out to find out why all the children have gone missing. Can this little pack figure it all out before it's to late?

The characters really saved this book for me. I loved Rose; she is so sweet and innocent and made it very easy to follow along with regardless of how I felt about the story. I wanted more of the people that took care of the house especially Bill he was really a cute characters. I always enjoy a book with talking cats. Who doesn't love a talking cat once in a while? I loved Gustav he was super snarky and had the attitude you would expect from a cat if it could talk. Freddie took me a bit to like but he turned out to be not as bad as I first thought. The enter cast of characters were delightful. The villain in the story I kind of wanted more of a background to this person was sort of just thrown in at the end with subtle hint here or there.

About the story...I don't know...Ok I liked it and the end had an exciting amount of action and it really had me captivated until I was finished but the first 65% (read it on a kindle) was just meh. The characters really kept me reading and wanting to see how things turned out for them. Did Rose tell anyone about her magic? Did anyone smack Isabella and tell her to stop being a brat? and, Is Freddie really good at magic cause he didn't seem to be? So I stayed with the book even thought it took me longer then I would have liked it to but it all made up for it at the end.

I gave Rose by Holly Webb 3.5/5 stars (marked on goodreads at 3) Regardless of how much I liked the characters I felt the story was missing something that would keep you interested. I would love to read the second book with hopes that it would give a little more action but I might not do it right away. Would I recommend? Of course I would younger kids might love the story and the build plus anyone who likes character rich books would also enjoy this read. I also love that everyone has a different preference just because I found faults doesn't mean you will too. Give it a try you never know :)

Because reading is better than real life

[Joni Reads]

I am definitely a new fan of this series. This book was fun and absolutely captivating. The descriptions of the magic were so well written it was like I could see it happening. It was the right mix of supernatural happenings and adventure. I am extremely excited to read the rest of the this series!