Rose (Rose, #0)

by Holly Webb

[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.