Roses Hardcover – November 6, 2013

The first half of the book we don't even encounter the Beast, but we're told how Beauty grew up and how she became the way she is. Although she isn't your classic beauty - her eyes are violet and her skin is silver. And the Beast? Well he isn't like you might imagine from Disney... He's more like a griffin.The second half (or should I say the last third?) of the book is the interaction between the Beauty and the Beast. It is well written, although at moments I was frustrated, because I felt the story was incomplete. There were some points I wished that were more thoroughly discussed like in the first half.At first I thought that maybe this book isn't for me, because I really didn't get how this was a retelling of the classic, but in the end I was like how could this end?! The ending felt too abrupt.

I enjoyed most of this book so much. It was fascinating, intriguing and I found it difficult to put down. It was much more than a retelling of B&B, though of course, there were elements of that fairy tale in this story. On the negative side, I agree with another reviewer who remarked that the ending seemed rushed. There was so much detail throughout most of the book, and I was captivated by Beauty's world and the life she led. Therefore, when the last few chapters were so brusque and the ending completely abrupt, I felt jarred and a tiny bit cheated. I suspect that this ending is meant to leave an opening for a sequel. If so, I for one, will certainly read it. And unlike so many of the self-published offerings today that are hell bent on sequels and leave one hanging at the end of the first book, Roses is a complete story. It's just that the tone of the story changed/sped up drastically towards the end, leaving me feeling a bit bereft. But please don't let this dissuade you from reading Roses. I very much recommend it. Another note, I'm not a big fantasy fan. I enjoy some fantasy tales, but only if they don't create a world that I simply cannot relate to. (i.e. my favorite fantasy book of all time is "A Wrinkle in Time"). For me, Roses accomplished this beautifully. I was fascinated by the world Mannering created and her writing skillfully brought me into it.

Okay, I'm a sucker for retellings and this one had my heart singing. I liked the magic in the world and I liked that Beauty had to grow too, not just the Beast. I want to see where this battle leads them so I will be getting book 2. This is a must if you enjoy fairy tales, even if you like a good magic story.

Loved it right up until the end. The author seemed to lose interest with several threads of the story. Very weak and unsatisfying conclusion.

A truly brilliant take on the traditional Beauty and the Beast. Politically charged and tinged with magic, it reminded me Wicked by Gregory Maguire. In all honesty, however, it could have easily been twice as long. There were several instances where one sentence could have been an entire chapter, or more. At the end, it seemed like Mannering just gave up, as if she was tired of writing and just wanted to finish everything up. When I was nearing the end, I was certain that there was going to be a sequel to the book, because there was no way that it could tie everything up in the ten pages that were left. I think this book deserves fewer than four stars solely for the abrupt and forced ending, but I truly adored the first 7/8 of it (haha) and feel guilty for giving it less. I do recommend reading it.

Some books simply captivate the mind, even when it is a well known old friend of tale. Beauty and the Beast is not new but this version is.I opened it up and had to stay for the entire journey. I've skipped meals and sleep as I was wrapped in Rose Mannering's words. I am so pleased to know that there are more to come.

I really love this book. It teaches many truths. In the guise of a fairytale. I thought the characters were real and most were likable. I'd really have liked to see it go across multiple books just for the basic story. I didn't want it to end.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I love Beauty and the Beast and this is a clever retelling. I am a little disappointed in the ending, though. That's the reason for 4 stars. It just drops off into nothingness. It seemed a bit hurried, too. Maybe the author is doing a second book in a series? Anyway, it was a nice read.

Hab die Handlung 2 Wochen nach dem lesen fast komplett vergessen. Obwohl es bei "Die Schöne und das Biest" darum ging das man sich nicht auf das Aussehen eines Menschen verlassen kann um ihn zu beurteilen, ist es ( oder es kommt mir zumindest so vor) in diesem Buch genau das Gegenteil. Die Charaktere haben mich teilweise als Menschen sehr enttäuscht.

This was an amazing book, I was recommended it and wasn't sure if it was for me, but it kept me gripped from beginning to end . The Author has managed to give enough detail so that you can see the scene in your mind without feeling like you are being bombarded with detail.The main character goes through so many emotions and feeling during the book and you seem to feel everyone with her. I think this book would appeal to anyone aged for 13 to 113.Well worth a read, and I hope G.R.Mannering brings out more books as I can safely say I am now her no 1 fan.

Mannering is an amazing story teller, she made this modern take on the beauty and the beast fairytale still feel magical!

As a Beauty and the Beast retelling, Roses was not at all what I expected… This book was different – and not just as a retelling – in the way it follows the main protagonist, Beauty, from birth. I thought it incredibly interesting to see so much intense development, and with time passing you also see the world changing.Mannering weaved world building into her writing effortlessly and it worked to transport you into a land filled with magic and love and hate as well. There was a very strong plot line separate to the tie-in of the original tale and that’s what held my interest for the first half of the book before we even meet The Beast.Compared to other books I read (and loved) recently, Roses is particularly slow paced and focuses more intently on the character’s and over all build-up. Many questions go unanswered until the very end. At first I wasn’t happy with how it concluded simply because it was so abrupt; one minute everyone was rushing around anticipating war, the next the book was over! I’d been anxious leading up to the last page because there weren’t enough left to complete everything in a satisfying way, until I found out (once I’d already finished and started pacing waiting for my laptop to load an internet search) that there will be a sequel. Thank God!I can’t wait to see Beauty’s tale continue, hopefully with much more of The Beast this time who I have to say warmed my heart… A brilliant debut.Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/

I love beauty and the beast retellings but this book was so much more than that. This one was the best I've ever read