If you are looking for something different then check this one out! This #OwnVoices, LGBT, Fantasy Retelling of a Portuguese tale is one that I will not forget anytime soon. I loved the slower pace of this one and how everything started. I do think that in parts it was a little confusing and that the pacing in sections could have been better. But overall the pacing worked well for this debut. This one is also on the more religious side but overall it didn't take away from the story.

If you are looking for something new in the would of young adult stories check this one out!!

There is nothing more exciting than when your favorite genres come together to spin a tale you have not heard of before. Steeped in Portuguese history and tied to the legend of the Miracle of Roses that floats around Saint Queen Isabel and her King, Dinis. Pinguicha took this historical tale and merged it with magic and lore to bring to life Princess Yzabel and the Enchanted Moura, Fatyan.

I loved the writing style and the growth of the characters in such a short period of time. Yzabel is slowly dying as her curse runs rampant inside of her. Turning everything she tries to eat into thorned roses and other flowers. Her last hope is to free Fatyan and put an end to her suffering so she can save her people.

This is a deep look into faith and acceptance while embracing the LGBTQ theme in a way that I have not seen done before. During a time when magic was 'cured' with trepanning and anything not of the Bible was a sin. Pinguicha brings to the surface the struggle between faith and sexual acceptance with these beautifully fleshed out characters. I could feel the essence of the author's own life experiences and fears flowing from the prose as the story took form.

This novel is a slow paced read that I devoured in two days. The historical aspects wove brilliantly with the magical elements and even though there is more character discovery instead of action I could not put this one down. I would have enjoyed more action and mysticism in the beginning but after closing I realized this is one to savor and discover the messages in the text.

Reader note. This is a young adult read but there are heavy topics such as mortification of the flesh, minor sexual scenes and biblical aspects due to the era.

I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a magical twist and LGBTQ aspects. Special thank you to the author and to Entangled Teen for a gifted finished copy in exchange for an honest review.

True rating 4.5/5, rounded for NetGalley.

In 'A Curse of Roses', we follow young queen consort Yzabel, who is trying to break a curse that prevents her from eating - all the food she touches turns into flowers. In her despair, she reaches for an Enchanted Moura, a magical being who will help her in exchange for a kiss, for freedom.

Set in a time when queerness and magic were considered to be the work of the devil, this book explores a journey of self-discovery, as Yzabel needs to question a lot of what she has been told by the authority figures in her life, learns new truths about herself and the world, and accepts who she is. And this, for me, was by far the best part of the whole story. Yzabel's evolution was incredibly inspirational, and I know it has the power to change a lot of lives for the best.

My least favourite part was the romance. It felt a bit rushed. I enjoyed seeing Yza and Faty's friendship grow, but the timing felt a bit off to me.

I really enjoyed Yzabel and Denis as charaters. They have been beautifully portrayed, showing the author's ability to put the human condition in words. They are not presented as wholly good or wholly bad, but instead give us multiple glimpses of their personalities, their beliefs, their struggles.

Overall it was a very interesting read, covering a lot of hard topics in a very delightful way.

3.5/5

A Curse of Roses provides an enthralling twist to a Portuguese legend. With a curse that turns everything she may touch into flowers, Princess Yzabel starves. Meanwhile, Portugal's citizens experience much of the same, but not by choice. In an attempt to reverse her magic and help her people, Yzabel enlists the help of Fatyan, a Moura entrapped by magical binds, freed only by a kiss. Risking treason, Yzabel does so, and together they seek to change the nature of her curse and save Portugal's people. Bonds are struck, and Yzabel must overcome her own internal issues far beyond the nature of her curse.

There is much to love about this book, but what is perhaps the best part, aside from the romance, is the character development of Yzabel. Right from the start you get the sense that she feels trapped by duty and powerless to aid in the plight of her people. At the same time, she must hide her curse from her soon to be husband. All of this is like a weight bearing down upon her in earnest, but she maintains compassion and empathy even while dealing with her own demons. It is important to note that this is a very character centric novel, everything is told through Yzabel's eyes and centers heavily around her own internal struggles. In this sense, the plot fades to the background and doesnt really take as key of a role as initially anticipated. There are a couple times where info-dumping occurs, something I don't really like. However, my main issue with this is the pacing, which was off throughout the entire novel. Yes, the characters were well written as was the romance, but the pacing inhibited all other enjoyment I could have had. Slow at the start, and then frenzied towards the end. There definitely needed more of an emphasis on the plot as well. A thorough exploration and retelling that ultimately lacked in a few important areas. Depending on what you're looking for, this may just be the book for you

5 Reasons to Read A Curse of Roses:

1) I would be remiss if I did not open with the reason that had me hooked from page 1, the absolutely gorgeous prose. It’s flowery (pun intended) without being difficult to understand. Each sentence is perfectly crafted and create such a solid picture of each scene.

2) Though I’d vaguely known the story of the Miracle of the Roses, the author expands on this and makes it her own with an intricate, yet simple plot. The author takes the time to develop a story of magic that has layers, but the plot does not become convoluted at any point.

3) What is a plot without well-developed characters? Even the characters we are not meant to like are complex in their own ways. Yzabel is one of the most interesting and complex characters with the constant push and pull she has with her curse and her religion. First person POV can be hit or miss for me, but this was definitely a hit!

4) I’m not giving any spoilers, but the plot twist is something I didn’t see coming, but once it was revealed it all made sense. I LOVE THAT!

5) LUCAS THE DOG!! Yzabel has a very good boy named Lucas and I will protect him with my life.

**Bonus reason: Yzabel and Fatyan’s relationship is so CUTE! I love how Fatyan goes out of her way to make Yzabel feel comfortable without coddling her. Also love how fiercely Yzabel protected Fatyan from anything that could harm her. I love these disaster sapphics ❤

Diana came to publishing and said I'm going to make a debut that is so groundbreaking, so beautiful, so unique,, and I'm so glad she did.

If you're the yearning type, especially for f/f fantasy romances with brave girls and magical love interests, this one is for you. A Curse of Roses is based on a Portugese legend, and the (Portugese) author writes with such joy and unabashed love and critique of her culture and roots, you can't help but be moved.

Princess Yzabel has a unique curse, her touch turns food to the most beautiful flowers, and its starving her and her people. To break the curse, she needs to seal a deal with a kiss. Kissing the Enchanted Moura shouldn't feel so right, especially when she has a powerful and dangerous King back home waiting for her, and the story explores her inner turmoil and the consequences her actions have. The story portrays a love so pure, so powerful, and makes brilliant points about religion and magic and penance and pleasure. If you're into these themes, pick this one up.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley.

I truly adored this. I could not put it down, and when I did could not stop thinking about it.

I would describe this book as a mix of YA fantasy, coming of age and LGBTQIA romance. I want to note that this is own voices.

The magic system in this book was intriguing. The writing was great, very descriptive. At the beginning I found myself lost, I had trouble with the names but this lessened as the story went on.

I love how much it spoke of "a woman's place" and made the main character question her upbringing and previous beliefs. There was a lot of emphasis on God loving you as you were, which was beautiful.

The romance was so lovely. The mutual respect, the communication. I truly rooted for them.

This was an easy 5 stars for me.

A Curse of Roses is a fun f/f romance standalone set in middle ages Portugal. I really enjoyed the characters and plot, although the writing and dialogue don't really fit the time period portrayed. While not a favorite for me, I think it's worth checking out and the cover is stunning. Trigger warning for religious self harm.

Aside from the gorgeous cover, this story is really interesting. The main character Yzabel is cursed but her love for her people is endless. She will do everything and anything to save her people and be set free. I love the slow burn romance and the fairy tale like setting. I highly recommend this for those who love fantasy, fairytales and romance.

From the moment Yzabel wakes up with the curse on the 12th birthday, she lives in fear of wasting away like her great aunt who suffered a similar fate and died young. As such, she and her entourage try everything in their power to get rid of it, even seeking the help of an Enchanted Moura..

The first half of the book is especially rife with themes pertaining to eating disorders, and there is no build up to it.
A Curse of Roses is largely a character driven story. When it begins, Yzabel's weakened state dominates everything in her life, including her thoughts. Even though she's struggling, she strives to be kind. Her kindness both defines her character and pushes the plot forward, as everything she does is to help her people. However, her selflessness is also her biggest fault and her biggest challenge to overcome.

Her struggles with her curse have put Yzabel in a dark place, one where it's not only killing her but wasting precious food. This mindset was uncomfortable to experience, especially combined with beliefs about religiously motivated self harm and the havoc the curse is wreaking on her. Pulling herself out of it is just one aspect to mastering the curse.

Fatyan is Yzabel's opposite in many ways. She's outspoken to a fault, thinks for herself and is a very welcome contrast to Yzabel's darkness. Their friendship allows Yzabel to relax her guard and experience a world outside of the church's strict teachings. As their relationship develops, it eventually gives Yzabel the strength to stand on her own against a court bent on breaking her.

Pinguicha's Portuguese court is vividly developed. The little information on the wider world serves to bring the one around Yzabel into sharp focus, while the vagueness of the magic system opens up a world of possibilities. Brites' comments about the workings of the castle, Dennis' handling of his court, the history peppered throughout the story and more paint an image of a bustling castle that easily sucks the reader in.

This is also true of the book as a whole, which I attribute to the writing. Pinguicha has a way of making you care for even the slightest thing when she writes. It's not overly descriptive, but she includes the details that count both to push a character and drive plot forward, and to give side characters a life of their own. I struggled with the beginning due to the heavier themes, but once Yzabel began her journey of recovery I couldn't put the book down.

A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha is a tale of growth and acceptance of oneself in the face of a cruel world. I very much enjoyed the book. Yzabel's journey was inspiring, her awakening in regards to her sexuality was hilarious at times, and the ending couldn't have been better.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Curse of Roses is a beautiful, sapphic fantasy about Yzabel, a cursed princess, who seeks to control her magic. To do so, she enlisted the help of a Moura named Fatyan. Yzabel's journey of self-acceptance is very fascinating to read, and it's the main reason why I love this book. Her growth and coming-of-age is very satisfying to see and I think that's the heart of the story. However, i feel the pacing is a bit too slow in some parts and it kind of dragged the story down. The romance was also kind of too rushed, in my opinion. I also would've loved it more if the magic system was elaborated more. Overall though, I would still recommend this book and it's a much-needed queer fairytale retelling by an author of color.

This was one of my most anticipated releases for December, and I'm very excited to say that it did not disappoint!

I went into this with low expectations, since it was a debut, but I couldn't help but love it by the end. There was so much gay in this and I was extremely happy with the f/f romance.

"You’ve been forged in despair, Yza, and tempered in hardship. It’s made you considerate in ways many wouldn’t be. That is why we were given a power that could not just feed a nation, but temper it, too. Because you, of all people, will use it for good."

A Curse of Roses follows Yzabel, the soon-to-be queen of Portugal, who also hides a curse–the ability to turn food into flowers. As a result, she has to figure out how to not crumble under the weight of all her duties while keeping her curse a secret.

There are so many things to love about this book, but I loved Yzabel the most. She’s an incredible character who is so well-developed, who fiercely defends those she cares for, and is overflowing with empathy and compassion for her people. Even so, she punishes herself for everything, even the things that are out of her control.

I loved reading her growth, as she grows into her responsibilities, figures out her identity, and loves who she wants to, all while staying true to herself. Her internal conflicts were depicted so realistically, and her struggle to accept herself as who she is was an eerie parallel to reality.

"Every kiss shared with you is worth remembering."

Yzabel and Fatyan’s connection really stood out to me, and I think it was the best part of the novel. The romance is so sweet and you want them to be together so much, and There are so many nuances in their relationship that exist in reality; they complemented one another perfectly. But even though the romance was a big part of the book, it doesn’t overpower Yzabel’s own development, which I appreciated.

Pinguicha’s writing is absolutely beautiful–it flowed well with the pace of the story while keeping me gripped in its grasp. And since historical fantasy isn’t a common genre, I was amazed by how well this was written. The prose isn’t dense or flowery, but simplistic in a captivating way.

The world-building was so well-done, and you can easily visualize the Yzabel’s perspective through her eyes. On another note, the magic system was explained thoroughly with little info-dumping, though I wanted more on Portuguese history.

"Kindness isn’t something you are. It’s something you choose to be, every single moment of every single day."

However, I think some readers might not enjoy the slower pacing of this book. The beginning starts off slowly, but eventually gains traction. For me, my investment in the characters combined with the readable writing made it go by smoothly.

A Curse of Roses is a solid historical fantasy debut, filled to the brim with magic, secrets, and sapphic yearning. It’s a beautifully told, powerful story of how we shouldn’t be ashamed–of who we love, who we are, and who we will be. This is an #ownvoices story that captured every detail of QPOC experiences such as these. I was immensely satisfied with this one, and I can’t wait for others to fall in love with this too.

3.75 Stars. This was a good story. I didn’t love it like I was hoping to, but there were parts I really enjoyed and I liked the overall feel of the book. I don’t get to read much historical fantasy, especially not sapphic YA, so I was really excited to read this. The author mentions that this story really meant a lot to her personally and I think that showed in her writing.

I really liked that this was a retelling of a Portuguese legend. I enjoyed the premise and how the story unfolded. I do wish that more history was given about this time in Portugal. It’s not something I’m knowledgeable about and I would have loved learning a bit more about the real history. I did find that the book was easy to get into and I was hooked after a few pages. I also found that I really enjoyed the ending. I was flying through the pages near the end and I felt like the book became very entertaining at that point. The first third and last third is really where the book really shined. Unfortunately, the middle third is where the book had most of its issues in my opinion. I felt like the pace really slowed down and not much was happening. I think that the legend this was based on was not very long so I have to wonder if Pinguicha felt she had to stretch things a bit. Luckily, the beginning and ending made up for the middle stumble.

When it came to the characters I liked the ones I should like and hated the ones I should hate. I was actually surprised what a small cast of characters this had for a fantasy book but I felt like I got to know all the secondary characters well because of it. I was super surprised that I actually didn’t mind the King. Yeah, he was a bit of a jerk at times, but normally in sapphic fantasy books, kings are the worst of the worst. I liked that while the main character, Princess Yzabel, was not sexually attracted to him, that she was still able to mostly be friends with him. It was really nice to see a decent male character, in a power position, in a sapphic fantasy.

When it came to the romance I thought it was sweet. There was a part of me that felt like it moved a little fast, but when I really think back now I think the speed was okay. A little quick but better than a lot of YA books I’ve read lately. I thought they had some chemistry together but I do wish I felt their feelings a bit more. I think they were a tad subdued. That was not just the romance either but subdued feelings in other parts too. Something huge happens and I feel like everyone just always wanted the main character to suck it up. I wanted to see more feelings out of her instead. She had plenty of thoughts and worries about not being pious enough, but I wanted those deep thoughts transferred over to other issues she dealt with.

This book had some ups and downs for me but the overall story I did enjoy. I would recommend this to historical fantasy fans. I do want to say that this is the kind of book you have to suspend disbelief with, and I’m not talking about any magic. The Princess should have died from poor nutrition long before this story begins, but if you can go with the flow and just enjoy the story for what it is, I think this will be a better read for you. This is a debut book and it makes me excited to think where Pinguicha could take us in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book approved by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own,

A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha. I requested this book based on the beautiful cover and the description. It intrigued me that it was a retelling from a Porteguese story and reminded me in a way the story of King Midas. Where these differed is that Yzabel wants nothing more than to not have her curse because it takes resources from that of her country. The poor citizens alredy struggle to have enough food because of nobles and yet she unintentionally is starving them as she herself starves.

The only issue I had was how exactly she made it to her age without starving. She was essentially only able to eat a bite and drink watered down soup. However that didn't deter from the overall story.

I found the unplanned romance between Yzabel and Fatyan pleasent. It didnt feel rushed or forced. A mutual respect between the two as well as trust and friendship.

Diana Pinguicha’s A Curse of Roses is a beautiful historical fantasy with an LGBTQ twist. Based on a Portuguese legend, this #OwnVoices story tells the tale of Yzabel, the intended of the Portuguese king, who just so happens to be cursed with magic that turns any food she touches into flowers. She’s wasting away day by day. Her only chance to survive until her marriage is to find the legendary Enchanted Moura, an encantada rumored to be able to grant wishes. But when Yzabel meets Fatyan, she finds that her curse might just be a gift, and Fatyan could be the greatest gift of all.

Yzabel’s struggle to grasp her magic, to cease her self-hatred, and to understand that her growing feelings for Fatyan are not a sin, but a blessing is the main focus of the story. Set against the backdrop of a highly religious time and place, one that encourages women to show piety through suffering, and discourages any romance beyond that of man and woman, Yzabel’s story is masterfully told by Diana Pinguicha. Though Yzabel is a princess, her immediate world is quite small, and her struggle to find peace for both herself and her kingdom takes center stage in a highly personal narrative.

One of the main points that really hit home was the warping of the Bible and religion by men. Yzabel believes she has to hurt herself as punishment for feeling things that are “wrong”, whipping herself and wearing a cilice (a spiked metal garter) in penance. First for her “curse”, which she believes will fade if she atones for whatever actions caused the Lord to punish her in the first place. And then for her feelings for Fatyan, because they are “unnatural”. This is all encouraged by the palace’s resident man of religion, who, when he sees Yzabel has ceased her incessant fasting (because she has finally managed to control her magic), tells her she must then prove her devotion in other ways.

Full to the brim with gorgeous prose, A Curse of Roses is a mesmerizing take on a tale interwoven into Portuguese culture. The writing is BEAUTIFUL, so so stunning. The way that magic is described is both very visual and incredibly poetic. An important novel that, though fiction, acknowledges the existence and validity of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history. Though we may not hear about them very often, we know they existed and found ways to live their truths despite stifling times. Diana Pinguicha gives them a voice here, honoring their existence and doing so within the confines of an established cultural anecdote. Brilliant. And entirely significant.

Trigger warning: discussions of religious-based self harm, religious-based eating disorders, and religious-based internalized homophobia.

Firstly, I’d like to thank Netgalley, and the publishers of The A Curse of Roses for giving us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Plot: 4⭐️

I really enjoyed the plot of the story including all the twists and turns that it was involved within it. I was really excited to read this #ownvoice retelling of the Portuguese legend of Rainha Santa Isabel. The story follows the life of Yzabel, the soon to be the queen of Portugal who hides a curse from everyone including her betrothed, Denis.

Pacing: 3 ⭐️
The book started out with great pacing, however, as the book progressed the pacing kept switching between being rather really slow or just too fast.

Character Development: 3⭐️
The character who had the biggest growth was Yzabel as she learned to accept her curse as a gift and to help others rather than starving herself. She also learned who to trust and to be more honest to the people who cared for her along with herself and her gender identity. Fatyan also grows in the sense of learning to forgive other people despite their intentions and to be grateful for what she has in the movement.

Writing Style: 3.5⭐️
The elements of Portuguese history and culture was beautifully intertwined into Yzabel’s story. I really appreciated the author’s note at the beginning and the end of the book. Diana shows respect and understanding of triggering aspects in her book such as religious self-harm, eating disorders, and homophobia by giving a warning at the very first page of the book. I also appreciated her mentions of the historical aspects of the book and describing the characters that she used, Yzabek and her fiancé are based on real Portuguese royals, and how they were preserved in history. This made me connect to the characters and the story much more. I think Diana did a great job portraying how religion controlled women’s lives in the Middle Ages and the hypocrisy of the leaders. I also admired Diana’s acknowledgment of queer women. I do think that I needed some more details throughout the story, however.

Would you recommend it?
I recommend this book to those who like historical novels and retelling of historical legends with added myths and fairytales.

Thank you so much to the publishers and NetGalley for offering me an advanced copy of this book! On the near eve of the release date for A Curse of Roses, I, unfortunately, can't offer any large or expansive review. I got about 40 pages into the book before I decided to put it down for good. A Curse of Roses just was not for me. I was so here for the representation - a sapphic fairytale romance? Based on Portuguese legend? I've read NOTHING like that before, and I was excited.

However, the writing style just didn't click for me. I'm sure it's nothing the author did poorly, and I'm sure that there are plenty - TONS - of people who are going to devour this story and rate it highly, but I just personally could not connect and was not drawn in. It felt, in my opinion, a bit juvenile. I don't like to force myself to finish books that I'm not enjoying, and while I personally did not enjoy this book, I'm confident it will do well amongst young adult audiences.

I absolutely loved this book and the story . I felt immersed within the storyline and didn't want to put it down! I did lack interest in the book at several points and it was hard for me to get into.

A Curse of Roses is a brilliant, spell-binding sapphic story that feels like a treasured fairytale for the modern age.

I was initially drawn to A Curse of Roses because of its stunning cover, enticing synopsis, and the unique concept at the heart of the book. Luckily, all of these elements played out perfectly and the beauty of the cover precisely matches the beautiful content hidden inside.

A definite highlight of the book is our wonderful protagonist, Yzabel. This is completely her story of self-discovery and learning to accept herself and utilising her position for the benefit of the greater good. She’s charitable and has a huge heart for the people, being a truly caring royal, and wanting to enact real change. Unfortunately, her gender and hidden abilities are perceived as holding her back and instead she is forced to become a passive, silent object. The story centres around her reclamation of her voice and discovery of her own identity. Indeed, I loved how Pinguicha reminds us that LGBTQ+ people existed in every period, despite what historical erasure may want us to believe. It’s vital that everyone can see themselves reflected in a variety of stories and that we remember their historic presence pretty much everywhere. The central romance was great and it felt like it grew naturally and the pacing of it was well-executed. You could feel their chemistry sizzle off the page, as it slowly built up into mutual attraction. Yzabel’s self-conflict with her extreme religious beliefs was presented in a nuanced and realistic way for me.

Pinguicha’s discussion around religion was intriguing, particularly its misuse in order to silence and subdue certain groups. It’s presented as one of the key patriarchal structures in the story and certain figures within it distort and twist their version of religion in order to control and manipulate Yzabel. They want to weaken her in order to exert more control, ostentatiously for the benefit of her eternal soul. This contrasts brilliantly with other communities we come across, who draw on each other’s strength and inspire one another to achieve. Powerful women are a potent force and one that has historically been oppressed in order to try and eliminate it. Here, Pinguicha celebrates the strength of women in all its various forms. Strength can come from your inner character and indeed your femininity. Far too often, this is considered a weakness, but here it is celebrated. Religion is also respected, with Yzabel embodying what she sees as Christian values of charity and kindness. This kind of complex presentation that acknowledges and works through internalised homophobia is so incredibly important.

Pinguicha’s writing is simply entrancing. The story is so gorgeously written, with the prose practically weaving this intricate world around you and drawing you into Yzabel’s story. Her attention to detail is sublime, with the magic, world-building and mythology all being exquisitely crafted and fleshed out. I love how it’s based on the Portuguese version of the legend of The Miracle of Roses and I was inspired to go out and research more about this legend after reading. You can tell how meticulously researched the book is, with all these little details helping to fully immerse you in this rich world. I especially loved how elements of Portuguese history and culture were so interwoven into the story, making it stand out from the crowd. This original slant exemplifies the brilliance of #ownvoices narratives. Also, the writing was so lyrical and delicate, it really felt like a great legend was being passed down through generations.

A Curse of Roses is a fascinating exploration of power and interrogating how the beliefs and ideology we’ve always trusted may hide darker truths.

4/5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc

I really surprisingly loved the book! I was a bit confused at the start due to the writing style but going on forward i really enjoyed the tale