When the second installment in the intriguing Night’s Rose series begins, Rosemarie Barrows, her husband, the half-fey/half-vampire Gareth, and her mentor, Ambrose, the dark fey, are all living in the kingdom of Myrdrean in Rosemarie’s castle. Rosemarie finds herself plagued by disturbing nightmares. Recovering from his injuries, Gareth’s distant behavior puzzles his wife. Ambrose and Rosemarie are now bound by the magic that Ambrose used to heal her after the battle at the end of the first book in the series, which complicates Gareth’s and Rosemarie’s relationship even further. As though she does not have enough to contend with, a summons arrives from Rosemarie’s grandfather, king of the Seelie court, and the three set out together to make an appearance.

Facing reactions ranging from disdain to outright contempt from the fey of the court, Rosemarie attempts to keep to herself. Despite her efforts, Rosemarie finds herself very much in the middle of the action when she is attacked by a mysterious beast her first night in residence, which nearly results in her death. One of her uncles, another possible heir to the Seelie throne, is murdered the same night. When the king accuses Gareth of being behind the recent attacks and Rosemarie attempts to defend him, she learns some disturbing news about herself at the same time she discovers new powers developing within her. All of these events set Rosemarie, Gareth, and Ambrose on a journey to separate truths from lies.

Evans’ skillful melding of fairy tale lore with paranormal and urban fantasy traits sets this series apart and remains its most significant characteristic. At times, this book seems to stray from that approach, resulting in a slower start to the narrative that does not grab the reader immediately yet soon finds its rhythm and becomes engrossing. Some of the relationship issues between Rosemarie and Gareth prove difficult to swallow, identifying this installment more definitively as paranormal romance with that focus. The author ably explores Rosemarie’s evolution from a warrior who happens to be a woman into a woman trying to understand what it means to be a wife as well as a princess responsible for many other lives in addition to her own. This reviewer eagerly awaits the next chapter in Rosemarie’s adventures.

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765361671
• ISBN-13: 978-0765361677

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Books in the series in the order they should be read:
Night’s Rose
The Prince of Frogs

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