[Skye’s Review:] A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson

A Forgery of Roses
by Jessica S. Olson
Pages: 368
Published by Inkyard Press
Release Date: March 29th 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Gothic, Magic, Mystery, YA
Source: Publisher
Format Read: ARC
Goodreads

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.

From Sing Me Forgotten author Jessica S. Olson comes a gothic fantasy murder mystery perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Erin A. Craig.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Forgery of Roses is a story rich in sisterhood, magic, and mystery. If you’re looking for a book with a unique magic system, look no further. Our main character, Myra, is a prodigy which means she can heal through her paintings. However, being a prodigy means a life of hiding. As usual, when there is great power, there are those who seek to use it for bad. After Myra’s parents go missing, she decides to keep her magic a secret to protect her and her younger sister. Things don’t go as planned when the governor’s wife discovers Myra’s secret and blackmails her into helping her.  The only catch is that the governor’s wife wants Myra to bring back her dead son, which is not an easy task. In fact, Myra isn’t sure if it is even possible. After Myra arrives at the governor’s eerie mansion, she finds herself swept up in the mystery of what happened to the governor’s oldest son while also getting to know August, the younger son. 

I loved this author’s debut book and couldn’t wait to read this one! When I read the synopsis for this book, I was sold. The magic system is super unique! I haven’t encountered a magic system quite like it before. Sadly, something was missing for me. I never felt connected with the characters or the story, which led to this book falling flat for me. I found myself putting it down for days at a time. I never felt compelled to read it. 

I believe this is a book a lot of people will enjoy. It just wasn’t for me.