Time jumped in irregular places for example, when Corbet, the love interest for *spoiler* more than one character came over for dinner or had alone time with Rois there was a simple statement of “we spent the night talking by the fire” or “we got used to him being around” (paraphrasing) so I wasn’t able to understand WHY Rois felt such a connection to him. I was never able to make a connection with the characters. Through that perspective, the story is a success.Īs a story that causes an emotional reaction, WINTER ROSE didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It read like a character study in a fantasy setting. Their fights and flights were a marvel to behold. McKillip creates beautiful, real, cages for each of these characters. Sometimes that love is romantic, sometimes it’s family, sometimes it’s yourself. Tam Lin, at its core, is about going through hell and holding so tightly to what you love no matter what that hell looks like. (Perhaps I’ll do a separate piece on Rois as a trapped wildling and Wodwo)Īs a Tam Lin retelling that works. Trapped by Nature, by their natures, by human nature, and trapped by stories. What this book seems to really be about is trapped people. I suggest going into this accepting its dreamlike quality and I think those dreamy bits fall into place. Some reviews mention a difficulty determining between reality and hallucination scenes. Within the first few pages of reading I’d tabbed at least once every page. It’s a sensory experience, like a poem you just can’t quite work out. Mckillipīeautiful, often abstract writing, lyrical in a way I haven’t encountered since Erin Morgenstern’s THE STARLESS SEA or Laini Taylor’s work.

“Woodland creatures did not fare well in winter.” WINTER ROSE, Patricia A. But WINTER ROSE is anything but straightforward.

If you’re familiar with the story of Tam Lin and read the synopsis provided on the dust jacket, you might think this story centers around the curse, promises, true love, and holding tight. A loose retelling, though some of my favorite elements of the story are present.

WINTER ROSE is a Tam Lin (and I’d argue Snow Queen) retelling. Wild, roaming Rois open to the voice and fancies of the forest, and her domestic, sensible sister, Laurel will never be the same after meeting the golden Corbet. But that’s not all Corbet’s arrival stirs up in the Melior house. Corbet brings with him reminders of the curse that’s haunted his family estate for generations. McKillip is the story of wildling Rois Melior as village welcomes the infamous Corbet Lynn. “Sorrow and trouble and bitterness will hound you and yours and the children of yours…” Winter Rose by Patricia McKillipįrom World Fantasy Award Winner Patricia A.

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