Rose Red
The Sythea Chronicles, Book 1
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Rose Red
Buy Now for £18.00
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Narrated by:
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Evelyn Rose
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Benjamin Crow
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By:
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E. J. Rekab
About this listen
A witch on the run from the fae who hunt her. A bounty hunting fae with a devastating secret. An unexpected alliance that will shatter everything they thought they knew.
In a land scarred by an old war where fae hunt witches and collect them for bounty, Rose must hide in the woods with her grandmother to avoid being turned over to the fae king for torture. Rose does what she can to survive, stalking and killing any fae that wander too close to home and using her magic sparingly to avoid detection.
One day, Rose is captured by a wolf-shifting bounty hunter named Emrys, and she immediately knows two things. First, she must find a way to escape no matter the cost. And second . . . she's never hated anything more than she hates the fae. Especially her captor.
When the forest comes alive with mysterious, sentient mists, thieves, and strange creatures, Emrys and Rose must form an alliance to survive and achieve a common goal: freedom. But as their truce is pushed to the limits, they realize that they may have a common enemy . . . and that the lines between love and hate are dangerously thin.
Rose Red is an enemies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience fairytale retelling.
Contains mature themes.
©2023 E.J. Rekab (P)2024 TantorFrom the very beginning, the story pulls you into a harsh, divided world where witches and fae are sworn enemies, locked in a centuries-old cycle of hatred and destruction. The atmosphere feels immersive right away, especially through the lens of Rose; a young witch hiding in the woods with her grandmother, trying to survive in a world that wants her dead.
The writing does a great job of building this world without overwhelming you. The pacing felt just right, and I found myself easily slipping deeper into the story as it unfolded. It’s not all magic and beauty either; there’s real darkness here, with loss, danger, and morally complex characters that add weight to the narrative.
What really stood out to me were the characters. Rose and Emrys feel vivid and real, with backstories that give them depth and emotional grounding. Watching their relationship evolve from pure hatred to something far more complicated was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their growth, both individually and together, felt natural and engaging.
I also appreciated that this wasn’t a “fluffy” fantasy. There are brutal elements; a cruel king, dangerous witches, and a world that constantly reminds you of the stakes. It all adds to the tension and makes the story feel more impactful.
By the end, I was completely invested and genuinely excited for what comes next. If the sequel delivers even half of what this book did, it’s going to be a fantastic continuation.
Definitely a 5-star read for me. I can’t wait for book two!
Fae, Witches, Dragons and Trolls too. 5 star
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