A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson ARC Review!

 

Title: A Forgery of Roses
Author: Jessica S. Olson
Publish Date: March 29th, 2022
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

Myra Whitlock has a gift. One many would kill for.

She’s an artist whose portraits alter people’s real-life bodies, a talent she must hide from those who would kidnap, blackmail, and worse in order to control it. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone.

But one frigid night, the governor’s wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor's dead son. Desperate, Myra ventures to his legendary stone mansion.

Once she arrives, however, it becomes clear the boy’s death was no accident. Someone dangerous lurks within these glittering halls. Someone harboring a disturbing obsession with portrait magic.

Myra cannot do the painting until she knows what really happened, so she turns to the governor’s older son, a captivating redheaded poet. Together, they delve into the family’s most shadowed affairs, racing to uncover the truth before the secret Myra spent her life concealing makes her the killer’s next victim.

Penelope's Review

First off, love the cover! It's SO pretty and it's what drew me to the book in the first place. While I haven't read this author's debut novel, I'm looking forward to giving it a try because I really like her writing style! A Forgery of Roses follows Myra, a prodigy with the ability to paint away a person's flaws, and even heal minor injuries. When the governor's wife asks her to do the impossible, bring her dead son back to life, Myra is unsure if she is up to the task - but too much is riding on her success so she agrees to try. 

I really like Myra - I thought she was brave, and determined and I loved how loyal and protective she was of her sister Lucy. Watching her sift through clues and try to get answers about what's really going on allowed her to develop as a character and I liked watching her grow in confidence and skill. 

I was also a fan of August. I loved the anxiety representation and thought the author did a really good job of outlining the struggles that one faces when they suffer from severe anxiety. August has a hard time with parents who don't understand him and push him into situations that make him uncomfortable. The dynamic between him and Myra was sweet and I like the slow burn feel to this story. 

Overall, I think this was a super unique read, and I liked that I couldn't guess the ending at all - it took me by surprise which is always great! I'm happy with how it ended, and look forward to seeing what comes next for this author!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!