Camille has escaped from evil Sophia's clutches, but the princess has captured her Belle sisters and is building a prison that will house a monstrous creche of slave Belles to cater to the demands for more beauty.

I think this is one of those, it's not you, it's me books.

I enjoyed the first one, with the decadence overlaid and supported by an unseen/purposefully ignored slave system of magic users and was really anticipating where this book would go. How would the system be dismantled? Where did the Belles come from? What else would be revealed.

I wasn't underwhelmed or overwhelmed by this sequel, I was just...whelmed.

It was enjoyable and had a good ending, but I found myself skimming through it to get to the end, swishing my eyes over the macarons and teacup everything to get to the meat and potatoes—more revelations of the "secondary" Belles, more screen time, more explanation of what it meant to be Gris, more action, more explanation of Sophie and her rapid transition to authoritarian power.

But I felt like most of this book was Camille, Edel, Remy and Amber somehow managing to escape detection from the most incompetent city guard on the planet while flitting from innhouse to innhouse wearing flimsy masks, with the last 20% crammed into the final showdown.

I think that a lot of readers will enjoy this final (?) installment in the Belles duology (?), but it didn't capture my attention as much as I would have liked.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

It’s Tuesday and that means new books coming out today! I posted my new releases for March list over the weekend and this book is definitely on that list (you can visit the list to see the other titles). But last year I finally checked out the Belles on audiobook and I got hooked so fast. I listened to it so quickly and so avidly, I could not stop. I wanted to know everything about the world and Camille and her sisters. So once the book ended I naturally hit Goodreads to try to see what was next and found out there would be a sequel and soon! I was then even luckier because I received an ARC from the publisher of the second book and almost immediately had to devour it! I have been waiting for release day to share this review with you all. So let’s get to it!

SPOILERS AHEAD
This book picks right back up with Camille needing to stop Sophia and her forces and the only real way to put a stop to her is to find her sister Princess Charlotte. In the first book, Princess Charlotte was deeply ill and unable to rule or really do anything. Camille however, found out the truth but now Princess Charlotte is gone. If Camille and her sisters can find her it would stop Sophia from ruling (and that totally needs to be done because Sophia is straight up evil). If you read Belles we all remember her cruelty, it is literally stuck in my head and I would even go as far as to say Sophia is worse than Cardan from Cruel Prince.

Camille cannot stop Sophia alone, she has way to much power and influence so Camille gets help not only from her sisters but also from some new friends (the Iron Ladies). I have to say I really loved the Iron Ladies, I thought they were such an intriguing group and I would love to see more of them anytime! I do not want to spoil the ending and say weather Camille can stop Sophia or if they find Princess Charlotte. I will say I really enjoyed this follow up to the Belles and our new friends. This sequel definitely kept me riveted just like the Belles did. The only thing I would change would be I want to see more of the Belles and learn more about them and the Iron Ladies (but I feel like that is just me and my intrigue). I am giving this book five stars on Goodreads and if you have not already go try the Belles (you will not regret it).

P.S. If this ever became a movie it would be so beautiful, these covers are drop dead gorgeous.

****This is not a paid review! I just really am thankful and love this book!

Thank you to Partner Netgalley for my advance copy of this novel. I loved The Belles and was so excited to read the sequel, The Everlasting Rose. Set in the dystopian world of Orléans , this novel reveals the way that quests for beauty and power can spiral out of control as the quest to become the most beautiful and most powerful gets in the way of compassion, equity, and all forms of understanding.

The Belles opens in a world where most people are born gris, meaning that their natural complexion is gray, with red eyes, straw-like hair, and gray whiskers on their faces. This condition is both unattractive and painful. The only exception to this natural state is the Belles, who are born lovely with all different complexions, shapes, and demeanors, but who are all able to use the power within their blood to help others beautify themselves. The Belles are raised to beautify others, and when they come of age, that becomes their duty. In order to avoid this natural but uncomfortable state of being gray, the citizens of Orléans must have routine beauty procedures done, which can only be performed by the Belles. They pay high prices and suffer extreme pain to endure the beauty procedures. Camille Beauregard and her sisters are coming of age at the beginning of The Belles, and they become the group of Belles able to assist all of the people of Orléans, including the royal family, with these procedures. However, as Camille gets deeper into her journey, she quickly realizes that the world is not as it seems and that her talents can be misused and can cause harm.

The Everlasting Rose picks up where The Belles left off, and it captivates the reader immediately. I loved the main characters in the novel and found myself swept up in their riveting adventure, rooting for them to succeed, even though they were facing staggering odds. Camellia Beauregard leads us through the complex world of the royal family as Princess Sophia makes her way toward the throne. Camille discovers that she has powers she did not realize she possessed, but she also realizes that she can be forced and manipulated into doing things that are horrendous. Her unlikely companion, Rémy, and her sister Edel, are both fascinating supporting characters with their own agendas and desires. Additionally, the teacup dragons who travel with them are so precious and fun!

I love the way Clayton demonstrates the power of suggestion, the pressure to fit in, and the role of gossip and the media in what shapes society. I also love her commentary on the way that subliminal messages and peer pressure can lead us all to feel that there is some kind of artificial beauty ideal that we should achieve-- and that the pursuit of that false ideal can destroy us or cause us to destroy others.

Camille's courage, determination, loyalty, and resolute unwillingness to back down make her the kind of woman I hope to be and hope for my daughters to be. She is ready to bring about change, and she faces the uncertain future with resilience and passion.

​In short, I cannot wait for Book Three!

I was a HUGE fan of Clayton's first book in the Orleans series, The Belles, and very excited to receive an ARC for the second installment. The prose did not disappoint! The overt luxuriousness of this fantasy world is mirrored in the beauty of the writing itself and I lost myself in so many descriptions, which is odd for me as settings and details are usually less interesting to me. I appreciate the fact that this beauty is juxtaposed against the harsh brutality of life and the incessant pursuit of beauty above all else. Clayton's commentary is so well-done; it's very easy for insights into our own world to be overkill in fiction but it's handled with a deft, expert hand here.

I was overall happy with the characters and their development. I would've liked to have seen a little more development in Camille as the protagonist but I can't help but like her feisty, angry side as the world works against her. Plus, she really does lose a lot in this book so I think where she ends as a character is a good fit. I was happy to see Clayton sidestep the love triangle element; both Remy and Auguste can be interesting characters without them being juxtaposed against one another. There's also a wonderful villain in Sophia; she's quite horrifying.

This book doesn't shy away from the darkness of violence; there's more death in this book than in The Belles but it suits the story. A revolution truly is happening and that means people will die. It would've been easier for Clayton to take the safe way and keep everyone alive for the sake of fan service but she didn't and it made the story stronger.

It was very hard to put this book down as literally at every turn something is not working out for Camille. My only criticism is that parts of the book felt rushed. In my opinion, The Everlasting Rose could have been two books to give it room for more character development and plot depth. I won't detail it in my review to avoid spoilers but there was definitely a point in the plot that would have made a good break point between two books and I was a bit surprised that it wasn't. The timeline of the story could easily have been lengthened, giving events a more significant weight than when they are piled together. (I'm very aware that this could have been a publishing decision though and I'm inclined to think that it is personally.)

That being said, this duology is my favorite in YA fantasy right now, as it was after I finished The Belles in 2017. There's a lot to learn in this story about beauty and social constructs and I love the representation across race and orientation. There's a solid villain, a good redemption, and a satisfying end. I would LOVE to see a third installment in the future.

Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Disney Book Group, and the author Dhonielle Clayton for the opportunity to do so.

I loved the belles and this was even better,like so much better,and I didn't think it could been possible.

I love the characters and the world is so interesting !

The eagerly awaited sequel to The Belles does not disappoint! Clayton continues to seamlessly challenge beauty standards, commercialism, and classism through a fantasy lens, while building a world that grows more intriguing by each page. Camille and Remy blossom as characters and love interests in The Everlasting Rose, and the Iron Ladies are the type of complicated resistance movement I'd like to see more of in YA. An astounding and victorious conclusion to a world I want to see more of!

I was such a huge fan of The Belles, and when I got approved for an ARC on Netgalley for the sequel, I was SO happy. I was excited to get back into the world that I loved so much from book one, and find out what was next for the characters after that cliff hanger ending. The book jumps right back in to where we left off, and it took me a minute to remember everything and readjust to the creative and specific verbiage they use. Unfortunately, the plot of this book is a bit slower than The Belles, and even though things were happening, everything just felt less vibrant. The action does pick up in the second half, but the characters stay pretty linear without much growth. The chemistry between Camille and Remy was nice, but I wanted their relationship to be stronger. It didn’t progress enough for me. The best relationships were between Camille and her sisters, and I loved seeing the different ways they all dealt with the battle against Sophia and their way of life. Speaking of, I wanted more of Sophia. They talked about her a lot, but I wanted more interactions and moments with her because her craziness made the first book so engaging. I liked where the story went, but it just felt like something was missing. I appreciated the open ending- it was satisfying enough if there is not another book, but it definitely leaves room for the story to continue. Overall, I was a little underwhelmed by this sequel, but there was enough for it to be enjoyable and I look forward to seeing if there is more to the story.

A sequel to to the New York Times bestseller The Belles, The Everlasting Rose picks up where the story left off. We return to a steampunk magical fantasy version of New Orleans called "Orleans." Orleans is a society built on beauty and luxury, and is now ruled by the tyrannical Sophia, who has actually gone mad with power. The Belles ended with Camelle’s betrayal, fall from grace with the queen, and on the run. The meek and naive young woman must become a revolutionary to save her people.

We find Camille, her sister Edel, and her guard and love interest Remy as rebels racing to find Princess Charlotte and out run Sophia's Imperial forces. They are fighting to help Princess Charlotte take her rightful place as queen. In this book we are introduced to the underground resistance movement called The Iron Ladies- group who rejects beauty treatments entirely. Camille uses everything at her disposal to restore peace to Orleans.

A sequel to to the New York Times bestseller The Belles, The Everlasting Rose picks up where the story left off. We return to a steampunk magical fantasy version of New Orleans called "Orleans." Orleans is a society built on beauty and luxury, and is now ruled by the tyrannical Sophia, who has actually gone mad with power. The Belles ended with Camelle’s betrayal, fall from grace with the queen, and on the run. The meek and naive young woman must become a revolutionary to save her people.

We find Camille, her sister Edel, and her guard and love interest Remy as rebels racing to find Princess Charlotte and out run Sophia's Imperial forces. They are fighting to help Princess Charlotte take her rightful place as queen. In this book we are introduced to the underground resistance movement called The Iron Ladies- group who rejects beauty treatments entirely. Camille uses everything at her disposal to restore peace to Orleans.

I wanted to really like the book but found much to be desired.

The Good
- World building: the vibrancy of Orleans and its citizens is beautiful and imaginative. This would make a beautiful tv series based on costuming possibilities alone.
- Action: the second book is more engaging and action packed than the first book

The Underwhelming
- Character development: most of the characters remained one dimensional and over simplified. Some of the shift in some of the character narratives also left much to be desired.
- Plot: there was a great deal of build up that just seem to fizzle out at the end.

In the end the series concept was interesting but slightly misses the mark and “meh” is the word that best sums up this book.

Everything I could've ever wanted and more from this sequel. Writing that gave me chills, characters I want to hug and strangle at the same time, and a plot that left me gasping more than once. Dhonielle Clayton left me reeling with The Belles and I couldn't have asked for anything better from Everlasting Rose. Forever recommend this series and in love with the writing.

Second books often find themselves in a slump. I’ve learned that this is because the first book is often written without a deadline, put through multiple drafts, and given the chance to become perfect. Second books in a series tend to be under a deadline and under the scrutiny of many, which explains why they often feel bland, rushed, and a bridge to something better.

Not so with The Everlasting Rose.

Camille has escaped the palace and is on the run with the intention of finding the Princess Charlotte and foiling Princess Sophia’s plans to become queen. She runs into the rebel force of Iron Ladies who have chosen to live without beauty treatments and want to help the kingdom move away from them as well. They agree to help Camille and she makes arrangements to crash the coronation and bring Charlotte back to take her rightful place.

This book was everything The Belles wasn’t. People died, there were very real consequences, you can feel that the kingdom is under a cruel (yet beautiful) dictatorship. Camille has to explore what matters most to her so that she can make the right choices and keep her eyes on the top priority, which moves from her new love for Remy, keeping her Belle sisters safe, and murdering the ever-loving daylights out of Sophia. Every time her arcana woke up and she started to choke the life out of someone because she was so angry my vengeful heart just purred (although RIP to a sweet bebe no spoilers).

I enjoyed the read from start to finish. There aren’t a whole lot of surprises, you’re basically getting what you would expect even in the “twists,” but the story is told so well that you won’t mind the predictability. I was unable to unearth whether or not there will be a third book or if this was simply a duology, but The Everlasting Rose ties up nicely at the end while leaving just a few threads out there that another book could build on. If that next book should materialize I think I will be there to read it.

I’m not sure how much of The Everlasting Rose's plot I can get into without spoiling some of The Belles, so consider that your spoiler warning. Go read The Belles. I’ll wait.

OK, so onto book two! Camille, Amber, Edel and Remy are on the run. Sophia wants them captured, ASAP, so wanted posters of the fugitives are everywhere. Sophia has wasted no time in abusing her power, using her inventions to spy on and terrify the populace. She’s captured Camille’s other sisters, and is constructing a massive prison to hold the Belles in, called The Everlasting Rose. Which is a very nice name for a place that sounds absolutely awful. Camille wants nothing more than to find the Princess Charlotte, who just managed to escape being captured by Sophia, and is being kept…somewhere. But things go wrong from the start: first, Amber is captured. Then Remy’s family is captured and he must take off to save them. Camille and Edel are left at this alone, with no money and no support.

Only they have something they can use to their advantage. Edel has discovered that they can use their beauty-altering abilities on themselves - before, it had been strictly forbidden, and the Belles simply didn’t know how. But Edel figured out how to use her abilities to change herself for short periods, and she wastes no time showing Camille how to change herself as well. So now they can go around in disguise. Awesome! They still have no money or support or have any idea where Charlotte is. Damn it.

Except all is not well in the world of The Belles. Not everyone is happy with the denial of their natural, gray state. Some have even embraced it. They’ve created an underground society called The Iron Ladies, and they’re hellbent on overthrowing the existing order. Maybe they’d be willing to help Camille and her sisters?

So I absolutely loved The Belles. The whole world is like steampunk late 18th century Versailles on crack. It’s awesome and it goes without saying that, yes, I highly enjoyed the sequel as well. Sometimes, with sequels, authors indulge a bit - you can see it with Harry Potter - as the series went on, each book got longer, and longer… until next thing you know it’s 800 pages and it's difficult to carry the hardcover around.

Everlasting Rose doesn’t make that mistake, thank God - the writing is much tighter, the action coming much faster than it in in The Belles. As the second book in a series, though, it has the luxury of skipping over all the establishing of the setting and all that stuff. It assumes you know where you are and why you’re here, etc. We don’t get all of the answers to our questions from The Belles in The Everlasting Rose, though - some things are left unexplained which makes me wonder if/when we’ll see book three…Either way, I’ll be waiting.

Dhonielle Clayton has created an extravagant world that is built on ideals of beauty to the extent that it is a form of power and privilege among its citizens. It is an extremely startling examination of a world obsessed with beauty, perfectionism, and luxury. If you want to know more about book one, then read my review for The Belles! (http://pop-culturalist.com/book-review-the-belles/)

The Everlasting Rose picks up three days after Camellia, Amber, and Rémy escape the palace and are now in the Spice Isles with Edel. They are desperately searching for Princess Charlotte – now recovered thanks to Camellia and Amber’s healing – so she can rightfully reclaim her throne and end Sophia’s reign of terror. Camellia is determined to make this happen by any means necessary. She soon realizes that she will need help to accomplish this goal. Camellia finds allies in The Iron Ladies, a rebel group that rejects beauty ideals, and in those she left behind when she was forced to flee. Armed with her powers, allies, and courage, Camellia is ready to have one final showdown with Sophia.

HIGHLIGHTS

• I really enjoyed learning more about the history and origin of the Belles. It gave me a more clearer picture of who they are and why they are so revered in this world. We also see a couple of the Belles expand their abilities in ways that have never been done before.
• Since Camellia and her cohorts are on the run, we get to explore more of the Kingdom of Orléans. Each island is reflective of their trade. They have their own subculture of beauty and fashion trends, but are just as lavish as The Imperial Island.
• This duology is female dominated with a few male characters playing supporting roles. It’s women who are leading and changing Orléans. This feature helps the duology stand out from other YA fantasy novels.
• There is a romantic subplot in this story involving Camellia! It’s given little development, and some may feel like it’s insta-love, but it’s sweet and genuine.
• I wasn’t surprised by much in the first book, but this one definitely had moments I didn’t expect. I wasn’t prepared to say good-bye to some characters.
• The narrative is more evenly paced this time around. The plot moves quickly and kept me engaged throughout.

LOWLIGHTS

• The Iron Ladies are a great addition to the story, but I wish we had more time with them and their way of life. Their world is the complete opposite of what Orléans is like. This striking contrast would have been interesting to further explore.
• I have mixed feelings about the ending. The central plot is resolved, and if it was left at that I would have been satisfied. However, the epilogue reveals a very important development that raises questions about the future of Orléans. It definitely leaves an opening to continue telling this story.

Final thoughts: The Everlasting Rose is a darkly alluring, high-stakes sequel full of surprises, new characters, and drama that has a thrilling and climatic end.

Thank you to Disney Book Group/Freeform for sending us an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

* This review will be shared with our audience on March 5th. *

The Belles are back!

The sequel drops the reader in shortly after the end of the first book where Camellia, Rémy, and Edel are running from Sophia and anyone she sends after them. The three seek to make contact with Princess Charlotte in hope she’ll take the throne from her sister and protect the lives of all living Belles and the future generations Sophia is growing. They may even meet some unlikely allies along the way.

This has become one of my favorite series overall. There were so many interesting events in this book, including the layered meaning of “the everlasting rose,” which revolves around Camellia, Arabella, and the history of Belles in Orléans. The writing continues to be beautiful and descriptive, but never droning or unnecessary. I never found myself bored with the story and I’m already impatient for the next part in the series. Ms. Clayton sure knows how to write a lovely book.

After reading and loving the first book in this series, The Belles, I was thrilled to get an advance copy of The Everlasting Rose. It certainly did not disappoint. All of the characters that I loved from the first book made an appearance, and we got to dive deeper into the fascinating world of Orleans. 

Whereas the first book really painted the picture of what this world is like, the second was full of action and intrigue. We got to see more of the world itself, traveling between several of the various islands that make up the kingdom. Getting to travel to the different locales was fun because Clayton's writing makes the world come alive for her readers. In some books I find a lot of description tedious and unnecessary, but I absolutely love Clayton's prose. 

It was fun getting to dive deeper into the relationships that Camille has with those closest to her, mainly with Remy and Edel. Edel was spunky and impulsive, and it made for a very interesting dynamic between the two Belles. And Remy...I love him so. Getting to know him better and see the relationship between he and Camille grow was one of my favorite parts of this book. 

The threat of Sophia's tyrannical rule was ever-present...but also not quite as terrifying as the first book. I think the fact that for the majority of the book she is not physically present made it feel a little less unnerving for me than the first book was. She was still a terror, but not in the same way. 

I enjoyed the message that there should be less of an emphasis on outer beauty. It was subtle but powerful. I like when a moral issue isn't shoved in your face. This was done very well here. 

Overall, I really enjoyed The Everlasting Rose! It was fast paced, beautifully written, and a wonderful companion to the first book in the series. 

My Rating:
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2

I gave The Everlasting Rose 4.5 STARS! If you enjoyed The Belles, you will not want to miss this one!

I really enjoyed the first book of this series and I was really excited when I got the ARC from NetGalley. The author's writing is amazing and can be lyrical at times. The characters are developed more in this book than in the first one, but the pacing does suffer due to that.

I am a standalone kind of person and of course, I feel that the two books could have been on beautiful tome. I would remove the pricing charts for the procedures and some of the repetitive conversations.

If you enjoyed the first book then I would recommend this one to you. You will not be disappointed.

Clayton done did it again and made me fall in love with a beautiful, yet terrifying world. The world development was amazing along with the character developments. We get to see a new side to Orleans that was amazing to read about

This is the sequel to The Belles which introduced us to a world that is obsessed with beauty and the belles who are able to alter based on their magical arcanes how you look. The favorite has run away and is determined to keep her sisters together and save the next generation from the tyrnanny of Sophia. Sophia is determined to drain the belles and control all aspects of beauty. She wishes that she can destroy her abilities and that the future generation would not have it. Their a special group called the Iron ladies who rejects beauty and who want to change the world to one that does not revolve around it. I have really enjoyed this series.

My biggest issues with sequels is that they don't always live up to the hype or expectations that I've built in my head. However, Dhonielle Clayton has created a delicious sequel that perfectly concludes this series. I was so pleased with the pace and action in this book that I quickly devoured this tale.

In The Everlasting Rose, we start out with Camille who has recently escaped Sophia's evil clutches is now scrambling for a plan to not only help free the Belles, but to bring an end to Sophia's cruel and corrupt reign. While Clayton has a knack for descriptive writing, the balance in this story between beautifully written scenes and action packed adventure is the perfect blend. I enjoyed many unexpected twist and turns in this novel, as well as the deeper themes that carryover in to our own societal issues. This book is especially great for teenage audiences who often struggle with image and societal demands. I loved the character storylines in this sequel. Camille's transformation was completed in this series, which made all her other relationships and interactions so pleasurable to watch. Overall I thought this was a wonderful conclusion to this duology and a story with a great message.

*Review will post publicly on 2/27:
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Will submit to Amazon 3/5

After the Belles I was thrilled that I was granted an ARC of Everlasting Rose. While there were parts I thoroughly enjoyed, there were more that fell flat.

First, I really thought Camille's story arc was amazing. She was no longer the bitter moping girl from most of The Belles. She was strong and ready to continue the path laid before her at the end of the first book. She knew what she must do and she was ready to do so no matter the cost. Camille had found her purpose and the strength to see it through.

Second, I loved that other groups and people rose up alongside Camille to set things right. A rebellion sympathizer group called The Iron Ladies and newspaper called The Spider's Web, her sister Edel and former bodyguard Remy (and her new beau but I will get to that in a moment).

The in-depth background and lore of how, and why Orleans became obsessed with beauty while zealots twisted the Belles into fitting their agenda is both powerful and insightful. Armed with this knowledge the metaphors into slavery became more poignant as the outer facade of Orleans falls.

Queen Sophia becomes hellbent on Belles being replicated, bought and sold to the highest bidder; enslaved for their magical abilities.
Thereby, creating a structure of slavery and class oppression based on enhanced "beautification," and the demoralization of all natural born physical attributes.

Here is where the story left me wanting more. The Iron Ladies are a powerful group of women with dogged determination but we just don't get enough of them or about them. "The Revolution is Here" is a captivating tagline for Everlasting Rose. The Iron Ladies encapsulate that resistance and yet their appearance feels too little, too late.

Remy. I have no issue with the her bodyguard taking up arms in the rebellion against Queen Sophia. I even applaud the choice of a male figure that would do so. However, the romantic relationship with Camille takes away from the impact of his choice. Let his choice be because he see the egregious nature of what is happening and that alone. Nothing else should be the precipice for his choice. The relationship feels unnecessary and forced. I have said this recently in another review. Not every book needs a romantic relationship. Everlasting Rose is definitely one of them. The very theme of the book rails against the idea of it (not that women don't need romantic relationships, just not in this context). Let men stand and fight with women against this stereotype of beauty and the themes of how women are oppressed, and classification. However, have men that lift them up soley out of belief and not lust or love.

Lastly, the pacing is way off. The majority of the book Camille is just wandering around looking for her sisters. I get it. She wants to protect them but at the sametime Queen Sophia and the wealthiest citizens are committing craven acts. a
At least bring in The Iron Ladies along the way or have her find them sooner, or something, anything. The way the plot unfolds Camille is just hiding out for a majority of the book.

Once the action does start there isn't that much book left. The climax and resolution are incredibly rushed. It is underwhelming and disappointing. So much time is wasted up front that could have been used for this ultimate stand-off.

There are so many things to like about Everlasting Rose that feel unfulfilled by a poor structure. I loved the Belles and ultimately and am glad I read Everlasting Rose. Anyone who loved the Belles will enjoy Everlasting Rose.

The timely themes around slavery, classification, society's value on beauty and the treatment of women everyday is reason enough to celebrate this duology.

Story wise, it will bring closure to the duology, the cliffhanger at the end of The Belles, and really allow everyone to cheer on Camille's growth overtime.

The Everlasting Rose is an excellent sequel to last year's The Belles. Clayton once again creates this beautiful world with outstanding world building. It's impossible not to feel immersed in the story. The characters are strong and well-written. I dare you to try and pick a favorite! There is action, romance, and an addicting plot. Here's to hoping there is a third in the series. This has been an incredible ride so far. Highly recommend this series to anyone interested in fantasy and beautiful dresses (whether YA or not).