Let's be honest... I borrowed this book from Netgalley before I actually started reviewing books. (Think 2013 at 18 years old.) I'm now 30 and much more serious about my book reviews so I apologize for never formally reviewing this book.

"The Rose Throne" is a fantasy romance in a richly imagined world that I wish we had learned more about! Though many fantasy books can get bogged down in world-building, I actually wanted a bit more with this one as I found that I had questions about the island the book is set on. In addition, the plot of the two princesses – Ailsbet and Marissa – as rivals who are both facing politcal arranged marriages was one I wanted to latch onto, but I felt that the character development of both of these young women was a bit lacking. That said, I enjoyed the dual perspectives in this book, I felt the writing was very smooth, I liked the pacing throughout, and was pleasantly surprised with the ending.

This book was requested when I was young and requested more books than I could possibly read. Sadly, I no longer have access to this book and my tastes have changed. Thus I will not be able to give feedback on this title.

A decent YA romantic fantasy. I liked the simplicity of it, the gentle story telling, and I liked the two princesses. Not many books these days I can say that I actually LIKED the characters, but I did. I thought the romance sweet and well done, and overall, enjoying this innocent, lovely read.

I really had high hopes with The Rose Throne. I love fantasy/ fairy tale-ish books, but this one was only so-so for me.

I really liked the concept behind The Rose Throne. It had a certain magical element that I enjoyed (and was also very original). However, I felt that it was not fully developed. I am not certain if this will be a series or not, which greatly impacts my feelings toward this book. IF this is the beginning of a series, then I have a lot of questions I hope will be answered in the future. If this is not a series-- but a stand alone-- then I am very annoyed.

Why am I annoyed? Well, for obvious reasons: the ending. I could not believe how abrupt it was. I really thought there was more missing in my copy. When I have a book that leaves me with more questions than I started with, that's a problem.

I also felt a slight annoyance with the characters. I tried really hard to like Issa and Ailsbet but I just had a hard time connecting with them. However, they were probably the best characters in the book. I had serious issues with the romance between Kellin and Issa. I had no idea how 'serious' they were until it just sprang up on a page. Therefore, it wasn't very believable for me. There were a few other characters that I started to like, and then they suddenly disappeared from the story. So that was bothersome.

Alas, I really can't get beyond the rushed and abrupt ending. Since it bothered me so much, I can't be head over heals for this book. I did enjoy the writing and world building, but it left me wanting more.

Ailsbet loves nothing more than music; tall and red-haired, she's impatient with the artifice and ceremony of her father's court. Marissa adores the world of her island home and feels she has much to offer when she finally inherits the throne from her wise, good-tempered father. The trouble is that neither princess has the power--or the magic--to rule alone, and if the kingdoms can be united, which princess will end up ruling the joint land? For both, the only goal would seem to be a strategic marriage to a man who can bring his own brand of power to the throne. But will either girl be able to marry for love? And can either of these two princesses, rivals though they have never met, afford to let the other live?

I wanted to love this book, but when characters are named Ailsebeth it makes it difficult.
I totally appreciate that names need to fit the time and tone of the book, but it was off putting.
I did enjoy the scenes within this book, looking at the Victorian era world is always fun.

I didn't get a chance to read this before it expired on my nook. I'm sorry! I do hope to one day buy and read this!

Princess Ailsbet is considered unweyr, without the gift of neweyr that brings life and beauty expected of women or any weyr, like the taweyr of men expressed when hunting or in anger. Her father Haikor is powerful in his taweyr, and rules Rurik with an iron fist. But when Ailsbet discovers a dangerous secret about herself, will she be able to protect the ones that she loves?

Princess Marlissa of Weirland has a duty and responsibility to marry Prince Edik of Rurik, a young man 5 years her junior in hopes of uniting the estranged Weirland and Rurik, and fulfilling the prophecy that will bring them together again. But her heart is not with her betrothed, and she is falling for the daring ambassador from Rurik who has secrets of his own.

Ailsbet and Marlissa are like two sides of a coin, different as can be, but also so similar. Ailsbet is worth little more to her kingdom than as a bargaining chip for marriage, infamously unweyr, her father expends his energy focusing on his son, mistress, producing another heir, and controlling his kingdom. Her father engages her to a flatterer that has his eyes on her father's throne, while Ailsbet fights to hide who she really is, and help her brother become the king he was meant to be. But as Ailsbet finds her strength, she realizes that the future that she had once resigned herself to, isn't set in stone and she has the chance to break free. Of the two princesses Ailsbet is my favorite, she is clever and logical, she sees her father for what he is, and clearly sees the deception and fearful power he holds over his kingdom. She is a natural leader and sees her father in herself more than she would like, I love how she finds herself in this book and her fierce love for her brother.

Marlissa lost her mother at a young age and took on the responsibility of leading the neweyr in Weirland, but in order to secure safety for her kingdom she pledges to marry Edik and travel to Rurik to learn their ways. Issa has a quiet strength, she loves her people and her father, and knows the weight of duty. She struggles to face her future, in love with one man while pledged to a boy. I liked her sense of loyalty and duty to her people.

Kellin is perhaps my favorite, he is mysterious, yet noble beyond reproach. He is willing to sacrifice everything for his country, and the hope for a brighter future. He is ever the perfect gentleman, he has strong beliefs and ideals. I liked his admiration for Ailsbet, and how he sees her strength even when she doesn't see it herself. The only thing was that I didn't really see his relationship with Issa as being quite as strong as the book portrayed it, I guess I just didn't see them being there yet.

Overall, this was a spellbinding tale that transported me into the world of weyrs and the people who were willing to fight for who and what they loved. I was sad to find that as of yet no sequels have been released and there is no news of any sequels beyond short chapter length prequels and concurrent stories. I loved the melding of emotions that the author brought to this story in this tale of crowns. I think that I was most surprised at how much I actually admired Edik at the end, and how he truly did begin to come of age throughout the story, my feelings towards him went from pity, to disgust, to admiration. I hope that this is not the only novel in the series that there will be a conclusion, because this book ended with so many questions unanswered. Great start to a series, and I hope that I am able to read it's conclusion.

Content: PG-13

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