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Rosehead
Misunderstood and overmedicated, twelve-year-old Lilith Bloom finds the prospect of a grand family reunion decidedly dull... That is, until she discovers that the rose garden surrounding her grandfather's Berlin mansion is, well, completely and utterly carnivorous. Armed with Panther, her talking pet whippet, and the help of the mute boy next door, Lilith must unravel the secrets behind the mysterious estate, all while her family remains gloriously unaware that they are about to be devoured.
386 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2014
About the author
Ksenia Anske
10 books635 followersKsenia Anske was born in Moscow, Russia, and came to the US in 1998. She is the author of dark fantasy short fiction and 8 novels, and the resident writer of the Amtrak Residency Program 2015 (http://kseniaanske.com). Her novel Rosehead won Honorary Mention in the YA Category in the Indie Ebook Award 2016. Ksenia lives in Seattle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
November 6, 2014
This is a hard star rating for me because it falls in that often cited category of, "I wanted to love this book more than I did." First, it is clear to me that Ksenia Anske is a talented author, and I'd definitely read more of her work. She's got an amazing imagination, and that is where this book never faltered. The world was vivid and the story had a very unique quality to it. I've seen comparisons to Tim Burton movies and that seems like the closest comparison.
I struggled with the characters. Lilith and Panther are both hard to swallow because of their quirks. There really wasn't anyone here for me to relate to or empathize with. Lilith does struggle with being believed, and part of me felt for her, but the other part of me doubted her as well. Was what we were reading real? I'll let you discover that for yourself.
Part of the problem with the characters, though, was the fault of some very repetitive writing. This story would've benefited greatly from being parsed down. They were so many long passages of Lilith trying to convince Panther to investigate with her, in nearly identical language. For being under the gun, these characters sure did stand around and talk a lot.
Another issue was that the action was quite literally in Lilith's backyard. It felt like Anske tried to trump up the tension, but what it produced was more of that repetition. We found Lilith trapped inside or with an adult or bound to some commitment, thus keeping her away from the action, over and over again. In that way, the pattern of Lilith sneaking out, being caught, facing off with her grandfather, and disturbing her parents developed early and kept on throughout the story. Within this work of great imagination, a formula developed and undermined the experience.
This problem of pacing made it hard to drag myself through the middle to end of this book. Even at the end, Lilith is surround on all sides and it's closing in around her... still closing in around her... no idea why it's closing in this slow but here it comes... etc.
It was an interesting read, and I don't regret dedicating time to it, but I felt it definitely could've benefited from some tightening up. I can't wait to read what Anske comes up with next.
I struggled with the characters. Lilith and Panther are both hard to swallow because of their quirks. There really wasn't anyone here for me to relate to or empathize with. Lilith does struggle with being believed, and part of me felt for her, but the other part of me doubted her as well. Was what we were reading real? I'll let you discover that for yourself.
Part of the problem with the characters, though, was the fault of some very repetitive writing. This story would've benefited greatly from being parsed down. They were so many long passages of Lilith trying to convince Panther to investigate with her, in nearly identical language. For being under the gun, these characters sure did stand around and talk a lot.
Another issue was that the action was quite literally in Lilith's backyard. It felt like Anske tried to trump up the tension, but what it produced was more of that repetition. We found Lilith trapped inside or with an adult or bound to some commitment, thus keeping her away from the action, over and over again. In that way, the pattern of Lilith sneaking out, being caught, facing off with her grandfather, and disturbing her parents developed early and kept on throughout the story. Within this work of great imagination, a formula developed and undermined the experience.
This problem of pacing made it hard to drag myself through the middle to end of this book. Even at the end, Lilith is surround on all sides and it's closing in around her... still closing in around her... no idea why it's closing in this slow but here it comes... etc.
It was an interesting read, and I don't regret dedicating time to it, but I felt it definitely could've benefited from some tightening up. I can't wait to read what Anske comes up with next.
June 1, 2016
5/5 stars
"Sherlock Holmes said that the most stimulating case is when all the chances are against you"
WHAT WAS THAT?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MANY DAYS I HAD WITHOUT JOINING A NEW FANDOM?
I read many books, ones I liked or even loved but a lot of time passed (since Lady Midnight I think) since I actually became obsessed with a book. Ksenia Ankse's imagination runs wild, creating a magnificent world where nothing is as it seems, a plot that was as wild and beautiful as roses. This book blew my mind in the most amazing way, I laughed, cried, smiled and wiped my damp eyes, I screamed until my throat hurt and my heart fell on the floor like seeds that after all the heartbreak became flowers, created by the happy ending.
Lilith Bloom is not your ordinary twelve year old girl. She's much more. She's a dreamer and a believer, she's more clever than her parents and all adults in this story and she loves. She loves everyone, despite what she thinks she feels about them. She has seen some pretty strange things in her life. The thing is...nobody believes her, thinking she's suffering from mental illness.
"Much not. I'm a grown woman stuck in a little girl's body which is rather unfortunate"
That's who she is. Mature but not a pessimist, with hope filling her heart. And when the time comes, she proves her maturity, by sacrificing herself for everyone else, proving that not only she isn't loony but she also is much more than what everyone thought she is. There's a quote in this book that only by itself makes it a masterpiece:
"Lilith had little time to understand the meaning of these three words. Life, love, death. She did know that there was no life without death but also no life without love. Did that mean that there was no love without death, though? That you had to die to realize how much you loved someone?"
After all this ranting, all this smiling and all this fangirling about Lilith's relationship with her pet dog that has the ability to talk or her kisses with the mute boy, Ed, who taught her more than anyone else could, there's only one thing left in my mind. Tim Burton HAS to discover this and make a movie immediately.
totally recommended
~Mary
"Sherlock Holmes said that the most stimulating case is when all the chances are against you"
WHAT WAS THAT?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MANY DAYS I HAD WITHOUT JOINING A NEW FANDOM?
I read many books, ones I liked or even loved but a lot of time passed (since Lady Midnight I think) since I actually became obsessed with a book. Ksenia Ankse's imagination runs wild, creating a magnificent world where nothing is as it seems, a plot that was as wild and beautiful as roses. This book blew my mind in the most amazing way, I laughed, cried, smiled and wiped my damp eyes, I screamed until my throat hurt and my heart fell on the floor like seeds that after all the heartbreak became flowers, created by the happy ending.
Lilith Bloom is not your ordinary twelve year old girl. She's much more. She's a dreamer and a believer, she's more clever than her parents and all adults in this story and she loves. She loves everyone, despite what she thinks she feels about them. She has seen some pretty strange things in her life. The thing is...nobody believes her, thinking she's suffering from mental illness.
"Much not. I'm a grown woman stuck in a little girl's body which is rather unfortunate"
That's who she is. Mature but not a pessimist, with hope filling her heart. And when the time comes, she proves her maturity, by sacrificing herself for everyone else, proving that not only she isn't loony but she also is much more than what everyone thought she is. There's a quote in this book that only by itself makes it a masterpiece:
"Lilith had little time to understand the meaning of these three words. Life, love, death. She did know that there was no life without death but also no life without love. Did that mean that there was no love without death, though? That you had to die to realize how much you loved someone?"
After all this ranting, all this smiling and all this fangirling about Lilith's relationship with her pet dog that has the ability to talk or her kisses with the mute boy, Ed, who taught her more than anyone else could, there's only one thing left in my mind. Tim Burton HAS to discover this and make a movie immediately.
totally recommended
~Mary
January 24, 2015
A delicious mix of Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes and Tim Burton.
April 9, 2014
While her genre isn't in my usual favorites, I read it and loved it. And I highly recommend her if you are looking for something new, fresh, intriguing, and fantastical. She's a one a kind. I'm glad I had the pleasure, and you'll be glad too once you read Ksenia Anske!
February 20, 2018
I loved LOVED reading this book!
review on blog: https://zoeymusesaboutbooks.wordpress...
review on blog: https://zoeymusesaboutbooks.wordpress...
July 3, 2014
I haven't read this book yet. I gave it one star because I follow Ksenia Anske on Twitter and I do what I'm told. She also retweeted me once.
Why haven't I read it yet? BECAUSE SHE HASN'T TOLD ME TO. Remember that part about how I do what I'm told?
EDIT, 1:06 p.m., July 2: I started reading it anyway, and "Rosehead" passes the first-sentence test so awesomely. My one-star rating may turn out to be somewhat inaccurate. Kind of pleased with this rare display of initiative on my part.
Why haven't I read it yet? BECAUSE SHE HASN'T TOLD ME TO. Remember that part about how I do what I'm told?
EDIT, 1:06 p.m., July 2: I started reading it anyway, and "Rosehead" passes the first-sentence test so awesomely. My one-star rating may turn out to be somewhat inaccurate. Kind of pleased with this rare display of initiative on my part.
December 8, 2020
The weirdest book I'll read in a while.
Things I liked:
• it's cute and creepy at the same time, could totally see it as a Tim Burton type of movie
• there's a talking dog, a cool, murderous garden and the house is alive
• books give predictions/advice
• not knowing whether it was real or a symptom of Lilith's illness
• very imaginative overall
Things I didn't like:
• Lilith.
• the persistent body shaming
• Lilith manipulating Ed (a boy that's been mute ever since he went through a traumatic experience) into speaking
• the annoying chit chat in the middle of action/tense moments
• the repetitive, cringeworthy dialogue
• so. much. qUirKinesS.
I thought this would be a new favourite. Anyway...
Things I liked:
• it's cute and creepy at the same time, could totally see it as a Tim Burton type of movie
• there's a talking dog, a cool, murderous garden and the house is alive
• books give predictions/advice
• not knowing whether it was real or a symptom of Lilith's illness
• very imaginative overall
Things I didn't like:
• Lilith.
• the persistent body shaming
• Lilith manipulating Ed (a boy that's been mute ever since he went through a traumatic experience) into speaking
• the annoying chit chat in the middle of action/tense moments
• the repetitive, cringeworthy dialogue
• so. much. qUirKinesS.
I thought this would be a new favourite. Anyway...
June 3, 2015
Narrative-ROSEHEAD is told from the third-person POV of young Lilith Bloom, a girl with a rather amusing personal challenge of using as many complicated/large/advanced words in a single sentence as possible. This makes for a rather amusing narrative that contains a balanced simplicity that I felt reflected Lilith’s nicely, the juxtaposition being a great buffer (translation: Lilith Bloom is adorable). It also makes for a unique voice that’s somewhat choppy (unfortunately it felt almost too simple at times, and the biggest downside was that the dialogue occasionally felt rough/over the top at times), but overall easy to get sucked into.
★★★★☆
Plot-Lilith Bloom arrives with her parents at the mansion of her grandfather, Alfred Bloom, for a family reunion. The problem? The rose garden stinks, her mother constantly insists she take her medication, half of the family is kind of awful, and her talking pet whippet, Panther, keeps reminding her that she owes him a steak.
Oh yeah, and she’s determined to prove that the rose garden – haunted by the spirit of her nth great-grandmother, Rosehead – is carnivorous and that her grandfather’s planning on feeding the entire family to it.
To try to make this short: ROSEHEAD is refreshing, a fun adventure that’s somewhat creepy at times (the mansion, itself, moves and there are literal rose heads that pop out of the wall at night and befriend Lilith). The obstacles in Lilith’s way (*coughs* her parents) are maddening, her methods of snooping around creative and amusing, and quite simply I found myself sleeping with the lights on after I finished this; that, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at roses the same way. She’s got great sidekicks – Panther and a new (silent) friend named Ed – and she has one week to keep her entire family from dying at the hands (*cough* teeth) of the garden.
Don’t look at my adjectives of “fun” and “amusing” and think this is a lighthearted book, though; there’s a surprising amount of gruesome violence associated with the house, and a long history of mysterious deaths; I even admit that you’ll probably begin doubting Lilith Bloom’s sanity at times (I sure did). It’ll make you shiver just as soon as smile, making ROSEHEAD great for anyone who loves a little mystery and uncertaintly and doesn’t mind the stench of the Bloom & Co. rose garden.
★★★★★
Characters-This book is filled with a number of unique and strange characters, from the talking whippet, Panther, to a set of rather annoying twin cousins. Lilith, the young protagonist, is an outspoken girl who’s a lot more perceptive than her family chooses to believe, and enjoys attempting to intimidate the adults in her life with her large vocabulary and her overly-sweetened/polite way of talking to them (which comes off as hilariously sarcastic). Panther is her smart-mouthed side-kick (often resorting to calling her madam) who’s sometimes the more level-minded of the two of them, and whose sense of loyalty and friendship to Lilith is exquisitely dog-like despite his human speak. Their banter, alone, tends to be amusing, revealing a close friendship that doesn’t need an explicit explanation.
Ed is the other sidekick, approximately 1/2 years older than Lilith and silent. He hasn’t spoken a word since his father committed suicide, but he’s also the only one who believes Lilith – mostly because his father knew the truth about the garden, and it drove him to his death. He’s quiet, but he’s also very smart and willing to do almost anything to save the family and defy Alfred Bloom (whom he hates with an extraordinary passion, and for good reason).
Finally is Alfred Bloom, himself (wrapping up the biggest players). It’s no spoiler to say that he’s the creep-tastic antagonist in this book (excluding the rose garden, of course), but while originally he seemed to obviously evil (falling into an evil-for-no-reason trope), I was pleasantly surprised to learn the truth about him and why he does what he does. Alfred’s one of those characters who appears to be transparent, one of those people you’re sure you have figured out by the tenth page, but in reality his involvement with the evil on the Bloom family property is a lot more complicated, which made him kind of a wonderful antagonist to get to know.
In conclusion: the characters were all off-the-wall, ridiculous at times, and wonderful to read about and follow.
★★★★★
Final Answer: 4.66 / 5
★★★★☆
Plot-Lilith Bloom arrives with her parents at the mansion of her grandfather, Alfred Bloom, for a family reunion. The problem? The rose garden stinks, her mother constantly insists she take her medication, half of the family is kind of awful, and her talking pet whippet, Panther, keeps reminding her that she owes him a steak.
Oh yeah, and she’s determined to prove that the rose garden – haunted by the spirit of her nth great-grandmother, Rosehead – is carnivorous and that her grandfather’s planning on feeding the entire family to it.
To try to make this short: ROSEHEAD is refreshing, a fun adventure that’s somewhat creepy at times (the mansion, itself, moves and there are literal rose heads that pop out of the wall at night and befriend Lilith). The obstacles in Lilith’s way (*coughs* her parents) are maddening, her methods of snooping around creative and amusing, and quite simply I found myself sleeping with the lights on after I finished this; that, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at roses the same way. She’s got great sidekicks – Panther and a new (silent) friend named Ed – and she has one week to keep her entire family from dying at the hands (*cough* teeth) of the garden.
Don’t look at my adjectives of “fun” and “amusing” and think this is a lighthearted book, though; there’s a surprising amount of gruesome violence associated with the house, and a long history of mysterious deaths; I even admit that you’ll probably begin doubting Lilith Bloom’s sanity at times (I sure did). It’ll make you shiver just as soon as smile, making ROSEHEAD great for anyone who loves a little mystery and uncertaintly and doesn’t mind the stench of the Bloom & Co. rose garden.
★★★★★
Characters-This book is filled with a number of unique and strange characters, from the talking whippet, Panther, to a set of rather annoying twin cousins. Lilith, the young protagonist, is an outspoken girl who’s a lot more perceptive than her family chooses to believe, and enjoys attempting to intimidate the adults in her life with her large vocabulary and her overly-sweetened/polite way of talking to them (which comes off as hilariously sarcastic). Panther is her smart-mouthed side-kick (often resorting to calling her madam) who’s sometimes the more level-minded of the two of them, and whose sense of loyalty and friendship to Lilith is exquisitely dog-like despite his human speak. Their banter, alone, tends to be amusing, revealing a close friendship that doesn’t need an explicit explanation.
Ed is the other sidekick, approximately 1/2 years older than Lilith and silent. He hasn’t spoken a word since his father committed suicide, but he’s also the only one who believes Lilith – mostly because his father knew the truth about the garden, and it drove him to his death. He’s quiet, but he’s also very smart and willing to do almost anything to save the family and defy Alfred Bloom (whom he hates with an extraordinary passion, and for good reason).
Finally is Alfred Bloom, himself (wrapping up the biggest players). It’s no spoiler to say that he’s the creep-tastic antagonist in this book (excluding the rose garden, of course), but while originally he seemed to obviously evil (falling into an evil-for-no-reason trope), I was pleasantly surprised to learn the truth about him and why he does what he does. Alfred’s one of those characters who appears to be transparent, one of those people you’re sure you have figured out by the tenth page, but in reality his involvement with the evil on the Bloom family property is a lot more complicated, which made him kind of a wonderful antagonist to get to know.
In conclusion: the characters were all off-the-wall, ridiculous at times, and wonderful to read about and follow.
★★★★★
Final Answer: 4.66 / 5
July 18, 2017
Rosehead,by Ksenia Anske
is overflowingly full of twists and turns, absolutely love the characters ❤Ksenia brings her stories so Colourfully to life,🌟 Brilliantly grabs You, Happily pulls You into a Thrilling terrifying Journey Ahead! ,once You start Reading You can't put it down,Devouring Rosehead before she Devours You is a Must!
is overflowingly full of twists and turns, absolutely love the characters ❤Ksenia brings her stories so Colourfully to life,🌟 Brilliantly grabs You, Happily pulls You into a Thrilling terrifying Journey Ahead! ,once You start Reading You can't put it down,Devouring Rosehead before she Devours You is a Must!
September 6, 2016
Where do I begin with my love for this book?
This was my first introduction to Ksenia Anske's writing, and I have to say, I am a fan. It's a quirky, morbid, humorous modern fantasy that feels attune to a Tim Burton film, and it was such a delight to read.
There is something so delectable about the writing itself. It doesn't feel like a cheap novel produced for mass-market audiences; it feels like literature, like something crafted with love and care. And those are the types of books I love most. <3
At first glance, this may seem like a kid's book, due to the fact that the main character is only twelve. However, I think the subtleties of the story are best appreciated by adults. (Plus, it may not be entirely appropriate for kids, which I'll get to later.)
Here's the rundown...
WHAT I LIKED
- The characters, Lilith especially. She was so easy to identify with and root for. I ached for her when no one would listen to her or see her, and I admired her bravery.
- Also, I loved the dynamics of: (1) Eloquent 12-year-old girl + (2) Talking dog + (3) "Mute" 14-year-old boy. Their interactions were so much fun!
- The overall tone of weird mystery + adolescent innocence + whimsical fantasy. I GOBBLED THIS BOOK.
- The themes of family and sacrifice. Awww! *pats heart in emphasis*
- The character development. I loved the way Lilith grew and matured over the course of the story. Really, all the major characters grew by the end.
- Also the ending in general. It was so satisfying, wrapped everything up so well, and gave me certain feels. *sighs* *applauds with approving nod*
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
- Okay, one thing in this book was very, very much not okay with me. There were two chubby characters in this story who were the brunt of a lot of mean jokes... and their treatment was portrayed in a positive light. NOT. OKAY. We need to discourage this kind of shame ("fat jokes") in literature, not encourage it. PLEASE. Can I empathize this a hundred times?? As much as I admire Ankse, I have to say I was a little disappointed in her here.
- Adding onto this point, the character Ed made an especially mean joke towards these girls, and as much as I tried, I just couldn't respect him anymore after that. I loved his character until then though!! I loved the way he communicated with gestures and pictures. It was adorable. But after that... I just couldn't see him the same way any more.
- The nature of this book MIGHT not be okay for some children, despite the young ages of the characters. Some of the content was, well, creepy!! I enjoyed it as an adult, but it might have disturbed me as a ten or eleven year old. (This would totally depend on the child!!) Also, there was a crude word (a substitute for "pee") used quite frequently. Maybe okay for some kids, maybe not for others.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I was reluctant to see it end. I hope to write a bit like Anske someday. ^_^ I love her style and I know I'll be reading more!
4.5 stars
P.S. The narrator for the audio book is perfect!
This was my first introduction to Ksenia Anske's writing, and I have to say, I am a fan. It's a quirky, morbid, humorous modern fantasy that feels attune to a Tim Burton film, and it was such a delight to read.
There is something so delectable about the writing itself. It doesn't feel like a cheap novel produced for mass-market audiences; it feels like literature, like something crafted with love and care. And those are the types of books I love most. <3
At first glance, this may seem like a kid's book, due to the fact that the main character is only twelve. However, I think the subtleties of the story are best appreciated by adults. (Plus, it may not be entirely appropriate for kids, which I'll get to later.)
Here's the rundown...
WHAT I LIKED
- The characters, Lilith especially. She was so easy to identify with and root for. I ached for her when no one would listen to her or see her, and I admired her bravery.
- Also, I loved the dynamics of: (1) Eloquent 12-year-old girl + (2) Talking dog + (3) "Mute" 14-year-old boy. Their interactions were so much fun!
- The overall tone of weird mystery + adolescent innocence + whimsical fantasy. I GOBBLED THIS BOOK.
- The themes of family and sacrifice. Awww! *pats heart in emphasis*
- The character development. I loved the way Lilith grew and matured over the course of the story. Really, all the major characters grew by the end.
- Also the ending in general. It was so satisfying, wrapped everything up so well, and gave me certain feels. *sighs* *applauds with approving nod*
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
- Okay, one thing in this book was very, very much not okay with me. There were two chubby characters in this story who were the brunt of a lot of mean jokes... and their treatment was portrayed in a positive light. NOT. OKAY. We need to discourage this kind of shame ("fat jokes") in literature, not encourage it. PLEASE. Can I empathize this a hundred times?? As much as I admire Ankse, I have to say I was a little disappointed in her here.
- Adding onto this point, the character Ed made an especially mean joke towards these girls, and as much as I tried, I just couldn't respect him anymore after that. I loved his character until then though!! I loved the way he communicated with gestures and pictures. It was adorable. But after that... I just couldn't see him the same way any more.
- The nature of this book MIGHT not be okay for some children, despite the young ages of the characters. Some of the content was, well, creepy!! I enjoyed it as an adult, but it might have disturbed me as a ten or eleven year old. (This would totally depend on the child!!) Also, there was a crude word (a substitute for "pee") used quite frequently. Maybe okay for some kids, maybe not for others.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I was reluctant to see it end. I hope to write a bit like Anske someday. ^_^ I love her style and I know I'll be reading more!
4.5 stars
P.S. The narrator for the audio book is perfect!
July 15, 2014
Lilith, along with her mother and father, arrive in Germany for the funeral of Lilith’s grandmother. During her stay, Lilith discovers some very peculiar happenings at the Bloom & Co mansion, where Roses of immaculate red color and scent are grown. She investigates the peculiarities with her trusty Whippet, Panther, and all trails lead to the roses. How do they maintain their color and beauty longer than any of their counterparts? Lilith is determined to find out.
There is almost always something I find fault with as a reader nowadays, but reading Rosehead by Ksenia Anske broke all of my expectations. I could not put the book down and though there are close to 400 pages, I devoured the novel in one day. The only comment I would give is to the format of the book, the font is too large for my liking, which is entirely my own personal preference. There were also a larger-than-average number of minor spelling and grammar issues, but I read over them, noted, and kept going because the style of writing was so easy to follow and read through, even with the errors.
The author’s writing style was quite sophisticated. She crafted her sentences with care and her dialogue with entertaining closeness to reality. The dog’s voice is adorable and true to form of both dog and sidekick, “Pink is my favorite color. Besides, it’s more blush. Very delicate. Matches my tongue.” (Page 47). The Whippet is described as a, “…talking cat in a dog’s body with an unrivaled passion for steak, rosy jackets, and squirrels.” (Page 366).
Lilith is also a very well-drawn character. Immediately Anske lets us know that she is no ordinary twelve-year old girl because she, “… only felt sill when she was moving and [she] could smell things other people couldn’t.” (Page 366).
Lilith has her faults and eccentricities, such as her unique vocabulary and the way she is always trying to utilize as many sophisticated words as possible in her speech and the author will even italicize them to give them more emphasis. Lilith also, instead of getting emotional and angry at any bad thing done to her, finitely controls her language to be poisonously polite.
Lilith is such a loveable character because of her stubborn single mindedness. She gets fixated to a fault and she sometimes cannot seem to control her outbursts of accusations. It may be maddening for her to momentary lose control like this, but for the reader it adds tension and excitement. Panther, her Whippet companion puts it well, “I simply love your attention to detail and your inability to hear what others are saying once you set your mind to something.” (Page 186).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the hijinks and imagination of Calvin and Hobbes, the sidekick element of Pantalaimon in Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials series, or the whimsical darkness of Pan’s Labyrinth.
There is almost always something I find fault with as a reader nowadays, but reading Rosehead by Ksenia Anske broke all of my expectations. I could not put the book down and though there are close to 400 pages, I devoured the novel in one day. The only comment I would give is to the format of the book, the font is too large for my liking, which is entirely my own personal preference. There were also a larger-than-average number of minor spelling and grammar issues, but I read over them, noted, and kept going because the style of writing was so easy to follow and read through, even with the errors.
The author’s writing style was quite sophisticated. She crafted her sentences with care and her dialogue with entertaining closeness to reality. The dog’s voice is adorable and true to form of both dog and sidekick, “Pink is my favorite color. Besides, it’s more blush. Very delicate. Matches my tongue.” (Page 47). The Whippet is described as a, “…talking cat in a dog’s body with an unrivaled passion for steak, rosy jackets, and squirrels.” (Page 366).
Lilith is also a very well-drawn character. Immediately Anske lets us know that she is no ordinary twelve-year old girl because she, “… only felt sill when she was moving and [she] could smell things other people couldn’t.” (Page 366).
Lilith has her faults and eccentricities, such as her unique vocabulary and the way she is always trying to utilize as many sophisticated words as possible in her speech and the author will even italicize them to give them more emphasis. Lilith also, instead of getting emotional and angry at any bad thing done to her, finitely controls her language to be poisonously polite.
Lilith is such a loveable character because of her stubborn single mindedness. She gets fixated to a fault and she sometimes cannot seem to control her outbursts of accusations. It may be maddening for her to momentary lose control like this, but for the reader it adds tension and excitement. Panther, her Whippet companion puts it well, “I simply love your attention to detail and your inability to hear what others are saying once you set your mind to something.” (Page 186).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the hijinks and imagination of Calvin and Hobbes, the sidekick element of Pantalaimon in Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials series, or the whimsical darkness of Pan’s Labyrinth.
June 15, 2014
ROSEHEAD is a delirious romp, full of ultra-surreal, downright trippy scenes. There's a house that folds in on itself like a rose at night, each floor of which devours a different substance, including blood. There is a rose garden that reeks of purification. There is also a murderous family inheritance. And then there's Lilith Bloom.
Lilith is the protagonist of ROSEHEAD. She is a pre-teen with a rich imagination and a mental disorder. For much of the book, it is not clear how much of Lilith's experience is due to mental illness, and how much is due to a fundamentally morbid reality of the Bloom family legacy. Lilith refuses to take her medication, mostly because the pills stop her from experiencing the world in her own (delightful, if not deranged) way. Lilith's pet dog talks. She can feel houses moving like shifting creatures. She experiences hallucinations on par with anything I've read elsewhere, including heads that sprout like roses from her bedroom wall. ROSEHEAD could be read by middle-graders; there is no objectionable language, or sexual content. There are moments of piquant darkness, though, and these will resonate with an adult reader. The strained relationship between the mother and Lilith, Lilith's desire to be a part of a normal family - to be loved - these are well-drawn. When Lilith has decided she must die, there is a gorgeous scene where her parents finally allow themselves to just BE with her, not to judge or to rule or to force pills on her, simply to sit in Lilith's presence. It's a gorgeous scene. The imagery throughout is daring, and the allusions to THE HOUND of the BASKERVILLES both fitting and endearing.
Examined from the standpoint of pure imagination and originality, ROSEHEAD is a delight. There is some clunkiness to the prose, and the style has a fledgling feel to it. I am not at all saying ROSEHEAD is badly written: I want to be clear on that. What I am saying is that the writing in it feels like the prose of a writer who has not yet come into her own … yet. ROSEHEAD is an excellent early effort. Should Anske continue to tap into the weird stream of her Muse, and keep striving to hone her craft, she will produce breathtaking novels.
Lilith is the protagonist of ROSEHEAD. She is a pre-teen with a rich imagination and a mental disorder. For much of the book, it is not clear how much of Lilith's experience is due to mental illness, and how much is due to a fundamentally morbid reality of the Bloom family legacy. Lilith refuses to take her medication, mostly because the pills stop her from experiencing the world in her own (delightful, if not deranged) way. Lilith's pet dog talks. She can feel houses moving like shifting creatures. She experiences hallucinations on par with anything I've read elsewhere, including heads that sprout like roses from her bedroom wall. ROSEHEAD could be read by middle-graders; there is no objectionable language, or sexual content. There are moments of piquant darkness, though, and these will resonate with an adult reader. The strained relationship between the mother and Lilith, Lilith's desire to be a part of a normal family - to be loved - these are well-drawn. When Lilith has decided she must die, there is a gorgeous scene where her parents finally allow themselves to just BE with her, not to judge or to rule or to force pills on her, simply to sit in Lilith's presence. It's a gorgeous scene. The imagery throughout is daring, and the allusions to THE HOUND of the BASKERVILLES both fitting and endearing.
Examined from the standpoint of pure imagination and originality, ROSEHEAD is a delight. There is some clunkiness to the prose, and the style has a fledgling feel to it. I am not at all saying ROSEHEAD is badly written: I want to be clear on that. What I am saying is that the writing in it feels like the prose of a writer who has not yet come into her own … yet. ROSEHEAD is an excellent early effort. Should Anske continue to tap into the weird stream of her Muse, and keep striving to hone her craft, she will produce breathtaking novels.
May 23, 2014
Rosehead is a novel by Ksenia Anske. The story takes place at a family reunion when a mysterious rose garden attracts the attention of a young girl named Lillith Bloom. Misunderstood, often dismissed, and ever curious, Lillith and her pet whippet set out to uncover the secrets lurking about in the garden.
Lillith, our immensely intelligent and persistent lead, is an underdog who struggles to be heard and validated by her parents. They attempt to medicate the child to suppress her outlandish imagination. As the story progressed, I found myself wondering if the young girl was delusional just as her parents assumed or if the things that she encountered could actually be happening.
The fantastical occurrences in her grandfather’s mansion, as well as an ominous presence in the garden, are by no means material for a light-hearted read. The character interactions between Lillith and Panther do provide a certain level of humor, but as the adventure unfolds like a sickly sweet flower, I began to realize that this is very much a fantasy tale for adults. Try to imagine Guillermo del Toro and Tim Burton in a collaborative effort, and you will understand the scope of the mood and often gruesome occurrences.
This is a story that you will find lingering in your mind afterward, and personally I had become so attached to Lillith and Panther that I simply did not want the story to come to a close. Although Lillith is a twelve year old girl, it’s surprisingly easy to follow along with her as the tale unfurls like a mysterious fog. This is in part due to the fact that I felt as though Lillith wasn’t just attempting to prove to everyone at the reunion of the evil lurking right under their noses, but me as well. What she uncovers is an ancient family secret filled with horrors and mischief unlike anything I’ve read before.
Ksenia Anske masterfully weaves a tale that I couldn’t put down. It’s a book that will not disappoint, and I encourage all my readers to pick this one up. You’ll find yourself pulled into it’s dark, mysterious world that will grip you in a thorny embrace, drawing blood.
Lillith, our immensely intelligent and persistent lead, is an underdog who struggles to be heard and validated by her parents. They attempt to medicate the child to suppress her outlandish imagination. As the story progressed, I found myself wondering if the young girl was delusional just as her parents assumed or if the things that she encountered could actually be happening.
The fantastical occurrences in her grandfather’s mansion, as well as an ominous presence in the garden, are by no means material for a light-hearted read. The character interactions between Lillith and Panther do provide a certain level of humor, but as the adventure unfolds like a sickly sweet flower, I began to realize that this is very much a fantasy tale for adults. Try to imagine Guillermo del Toro and Tim Burton in a collaborative effort, and you will understand the scope of the mood and often gruesome occurrences.
This is a story that you will find lingering in your mind afterward, and personally I had become so attached to Lillith and Panther that I simply did not want the story to come to a close. Although Lillith is a twelve year old girl, it’s surprisingly easy to follow along with her as the tale unfurls like a mysterious fog. This is in part due to the fact that I felt as though Lillith wasn’t just attempting to prove to everyone at the reunion of the evil lurking right under their noses, but me as well. What she uncovers is an ancient family secret filled with horrors and mischief unlike anything I’ve read before.
Ksenia Anske masterfully weaves a tale that I couldn’t put down. It’s a book that will not disappoint, and I encourage all my readers to pick this one up. You’ll find yourself pulled into it’s dark, mysterious world that will grip you in a thorny embrace, drawing blood.
November 1, 2015
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
This was my first book by Ksenia and I enjoyed it a lot! This book is targeted for a younger crows but obviously it suits every age. The main character, Lillith, is 12 years old and had a talking whippet, Panther.
I normally don't like younger characters than me but this book made me forget about her age and focus on her quick mind. Panther and Lillith are extremely hilarious with each other, my stomach hurt from so much laughing. They are both witty and ultimately sarcastic which definitely kept me intrigued through out it all. But don't let all the humor fool you, Panther managed to make me tear up with the feels in one scene and I just wanted to hug him and make everything better.
The plot revolves around a family reunion gone wrong and a carnivorous rose garden. Yes, you read that right. Carnivorous! This was such a unique concept, it blew my mind! The descriptions were so easily written that I had no difficulty in visualizing what Ksenia wrote about.
Also, I absolutely HATED Lillith's mom and grandfather. Every time I read their names or they spoke, all I saw was red. I can't even begin to tell you!!!
Anyway, this book ends in a cliffhanger and I couldn't be happier! It means that the story continues and I would love to know what else is in store for Lillith and her family.
This was my first book by Ksenia and I enjoyed it a lot! This book is targeted for a younger crows but obviously it suits every age. The main character, Lillith, is 12 years old and had a talking whippet, Panther.
I normally don't like younger characters than me but this book made me forget about her age and focus on her quick mind. Panther and Lillith are extremely hilarious with each other, my stomach hurt from so much laughing. They are both witty and ultimately sarcastic which definitely kept me intrigued through out it all. But don't let all the humor fool you, Panther managed to make me tear up with the feels in one scene and I just wanted to hug him and make everything better.
The plot revolves around a family reunion gone wrong and a carnivorous rose garden. Yes, you read that right. Carnivorous! This was such a unique concept, it blew my mind! The descriptions were so easily written that I had no difficulty in visualizing what Ksenia wrote about.
Also, I absolutely HATED Lillith's mom and grandfather. Every time I read their names or they spoke, all I saw was red. I can't even begin to tell you!!!
Anyway, this book ends in a cliffhanger and I couldn't be happier! It means that the story continues and I would love to know what else is in store for Lillith and her family.
March 2, 2016
Ksenia Anske is unstoppable. While my personal favorite of her work is still the dark IRKADURA, readers will still find her trademark macabre charm within the pages of ROSEHEAD--a story that, to steal another fan's blurb, "...reads like Alice in Wonderland had tea with Stephen King and Lisbeth Salander."
I've never read anything quite like Ksenia Anske's work, and yet one comparison I am happy to draw with ROSEHEAD is with one of my favorite novels of all time, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by Mark Haddon. In both novels, the main character is an at-times-confused young adult who draws inspiration from their favorite book--namely, Arthur Conan Doyle's THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES.
My favorite part of this novel was the main character Lilith's observations of her parents--Gabby, her overbearing mother; and Daniel, the show-dog dad. Yes, this novel was not nearly as addicting as IRKADURA (nor as addicting as SIREN SUICIDES is proving to be as I am currently reading it), and for some reason every character that talks with a German accent is in love with the letter Z, but this book is such a treasure. I highly recommend you read it, and I highly recommend Hollywood make a movie from it!
I've never read anything quite like Ksenia Anske's work, and yet one comparison I am happy to draw with ROSEHEAD is with one of my favorite novels of all time, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by Mark Haddon. In both novels, the main character is an at-times-confused young adult who draws inspiration from their favorite book--namely, Arthur Conan Doyle's THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES.
My favorite part of this novel was the main character Lilith's observations of her parents--Gabby, her overbearing mother; and Daniel, the show-dog dad. Yes, this novel was not nearly as addicting as IRKADURA (nor as addicting as SIREN SUICIDES is proving to be as I am currently reading it), and for some reason every character that talks with a German accent is in love with the letter Z, but this book is such a treasure. I highly recommend you read it, and I highly recommend Hollywood make a movie from it!
November 15, 2016
3.5 stars!
This book involves a very mature 12 year old, a talking whippet, a carnivorous garden, a pretentious grandfather, a knitting-obsessed mother, a gentle dog-obsessed father, a beautiful mute boy and a moving mansion. Sounds crazy right? because it is! This book is one hell of a ride, I found myself loving, hating and liking this book again.
This book has an alice in wonderland vibe which I really adored. I enjoyed Lilith Bloom's character at first but as the story progressed she somewhat became very annoying; she made a lot of crazy decisions and became very opinionated and repetitive that I found myself close to disliking her character and I even wished at some point that rosehead would just eat her. I also think that the romance between Lilith and Ed was unnecessary and the only character that I really loved in this book was Panther and Lilith's Father.
Overall this book kept me entertained and as usual I really loved Ksenia Anske's writing style. I definitely recommend this book to alice in wonderland fans and anyone who wants a crazy and unique read.
This book involves a very mature 12 year old, a talking whippet, a carnivorous garden, a pretentious grandfather, a knitting-obsessed mother, a gentle dog-obsessed father, a beautiful mute boy and a moving mansion. Sounds crazy right? because it is! This book is one hell of a ride, I found myself loving, hating and liking this book again.
This book has an alice in wonderland vibe which I really adored. I enjoyed Lilith Bloom's character at first but as the story progressed she somewhat became very annoying; she made a lot of crazy decisions and became very opinionated and repetitive that I found myself close to disliking her character and I even wished at some point that rosehead would just eat her. I also think that the romance between Lilith and Ed was unnecessary and the only character that I really loved in this book was Panther and Lilith's Father.
Overall this book kept me entertained and as usual I really loved Ksenia Anske's writing style. I definitely recommend this book to alice in wonderland fans and anyone who wants a crazy and unique read.
August 10, 2014
I am a huge fan of Ksenia Anske in general as a fellow self-publishing author, so I don't know if this is a bit biased. I can confidently say I enjoyed Rosehead a lot and saw considerable writing talent in it as Anske continues to write. Best parts for me were her MC's adorable ways of speech, and the funny nuances of each character. Panther, the talking whippet, was an especially wonderful piece of the story--but I have a huge soft-spot for talking animals. Anske takes magical realism to new heights in Rosehead; addressing dark and disturbing issues with creativity and a sleuthy "Sherlock Holmes and Watson" type of chase with her MC and sidekick. I don't want to give much away, but if you are a fan of fantasy, psychological/dark issues, witty and cleverly written characters, and not in need of a major "romance" in the book, then I think you will enjoy Rosehead as much as I did.
April 2, 2015
I just loved this book! Beginning to end, I felt inexorably pulled into the story then held wondrously captive until the end. Then I was sad because it was over.
Admittedly, it was made all the more special as I've read far too many e-books lately and to hold this in my hands and feel all the tangible feels only an amazing book can give was...magical. To top it off, it was signed...to me.
So...bottom line: It was thrice wonderful for all the aforementioned reasons and it was a proper cracking story to boot! Characters one grows attached to, adventure, mayhem, absolutely amazing weird cool stuff, scary stuff, thought-provoking stuff...everything you could want!
If you've not read it. Go. Now. Read it! Better yet, order a signed copy. Trust me, you'll be so happy you did!
What are you still doing here?? Go....NOW!
Admittedly, it was made all the more special as I've read far too many e-books lately and to hold this in my hands and feel all the tangible feels only an amazing book can give was...magical. To top it off, it was signed...to me.
So...bottom line: It was thrice wonderful for all the aforementioned reasons and it was a proper cracking story to boot! Characters one grows attached to, adventure, mayhem, absolutely amazing weird cool stuff, scary stuff, thought-provoking stuff...everything you could want!
If you've not read it. Go. Now. Read it! Better yet, order a signed copy. Trust me, you'll be so happy you did!
What are you still doing here?? Go....NOW!
August 11, 2015
Really, why isn't this a bloody movie yet? When it does become a movie, they'll be hard-pressed to prevent it from being rated R just for the freaky bloodiness alone. Alice in Wonderland has nothing on this masterpiece of European oddity. It's cool enough that there's a talking dog and an adventuresome young lady in the lead roles, but then the monster, one of the most original monsters you'll ever see (and who makes it easier to take Petal Power more seriously as a villainous threat than, say, Marluxia), comes along. You will find yourself entertained beyond belief, even when Rosehead proves herself as the most disgusting creation you'll wish you'd heard of sooner. You will wish this wasn't the only book in the series. You will need to read more from Ksenia Anske, one of Wattpad's most gifted storytellers.
Count on it.
Count on it.
June 14, 2014
It took me awhile to read this, but not for a lack of absolutely loving it! I think, I think this is the most unique book I have ever laid my eyes on. I was happy to finish it and sorry it was over. It gave more than it promised, which was a lot. Added to my favorites and can't wait to pick up more by Miss Anske who is an inspiration.
March 7, 2015
Anske writes so brilliantly and so vividly. Lilith is an amazing 12 year old that I wish I could've been. So brave and insightful. This story will definitely stay with me for a very long time and as one reader pointed out on the back cover: I will never look at a house, dog or rosebush the same way again.
April 21, 2019
Wow! Talk about a book that needs to be made into a Tim Burton fill asap... This was beyond unique. The plot was something I'd never heard of before and it kept me wondering what would happen next with each turn of the page.
October 19, 2017
3.5 / 5 stars
What a fun, creepy read! I've been a big fan of Ksenia Anske's blog and Twitter feed for a long time, but I'd yet to read any of her books in full until now. ROSEHEAD is her second novel (she's produced several more since), and I flew through it, eager to journey with Lilith on her spooky adventures. I gotta say, this was the perfect book to read as Halloween draws near!
(Trigger Warning: There is a good deal of fat-shaming in this book that greatly disappointed me. I know Ksenia's grown a bit personally since publishing this book, so I'm hoping that she's aware of where she fell short on this topic and that such fat jokes and shaming won't make a repeat appearance in her later books.)
What a fun, creepy read! I've been a big fan of Ksenia Anske's blog and Twitter feed for a long time, but I'd yet to read any of her books in full until now. ROSEHEAD is her second novel (she's produced several more since), and I flew through it, eager to journey with Lilith on her spooky adventures. I gotta say, this was the perfect book to read as Halloween draws near!
(Trigger Warning: There is a good deal of fat-shaming in this book that greatly disappointed me. I know Ksenia's grown a bit personally since publishing this book, so I'm hoping that she's aware of where she fell short on this topic and that such fat jokes and shaming won't make a repeat appearance in her later books.)
October 10, 2017
4.5 stars
review originally posted on my blog the sugar cane diaries.com
“Lilith Bloom had the peculiar feeling that the rose garden wanted to eat her.”
I don’t often re-read books. It’s something I’m not violently opposed to I just feel I don’t have the time with so many new books coming out each week and TBR pile all the way to Jupiter & back again.
So when I do re-read a book it must be insanely gripping and give me all of the feels. Either that or it’s from my childhood and I’m kind of obsessed with nostalgia. ROSEHEAD is definitely one I wish I had read in my young adult / twee years. I remember lurking in the libraries on a Friday after school was out – there’s something about the Friday feeling when you’re a school kid. Everyone rushing off home or to the mall to spend their weekend while you sink back into the bones of the school – slink between the shelves of books and studious high school kids working over time.
I read lots of Nancy Drew and stories with an arty-twee-mysterious edge. The Ghostop Series by Libby Hawthorn was a particular favourite of mine. On a Friday I felt like Harriet M. Welsch or at least pretended to be, book in hand, the late rays of sunshine streaming in through high windows, illuminating the dusty top shelves.
“Upon hearing a scary noise, most children typically scream and flee. Not Lilith. Excited by the prospect of solving a mystery, she ran after Panther, deeper and deeper in to the sea of roses.”
I can’t quite explain how but reading… ROSEHEAD gives me these feels. It’s set in Germany. In a rose garden. A large rose garden which eats people.
Yes you read that right.
Carnivorous roses.
Ever considered why roses are so, well, blood red?
Our protagonist is twelve year old Lilith Bloom. She likes berets, ballet, has a keen sense of smell and a pet talking Whippet called Panther Bloom Jnr. And yep, you guessed it – the two of them begin to unravel the mystery of the rose garden and it’s origins all while dealing with an overbearing family reunion in a mansion that moves and is home to several talking heads.
“The ceiling split open with a groan. A thick cloud of dust filled the air. Lilith choked back a cry, afraid the noise would wake everyone, her grandfather especially; but she soon relaxed and allowed herself to breathe, to Panther’s relief. He suffocated in her grip. It seemed nobody heard a thing.”
However, ROSEHEAD is more than just a Sherlock Holmes meets Alice in Wonderland fable. Anske weaves themes of importance in such a way that the book is neither didactic or a cautionary tale. Lilith is an over medicated and over diagnosed child learning to find her place in a world where a quick fix is the only way. She learns not only to love but to forgive, not only to trust but to stay loyal to herself and her family whether she understands their adult ways or not. Lilith is a smart, quick witted twelve year old who endures more than imaginable (not just murderous rosebushes & talking heads) and comes out unscathed, with the ability to still find the good in people. Basically she’s an all powerful goddess who can fight giant mutant plant freaks and psychiatrists and still come out singing.
“A foul vapour rolled over them in waves. Its misty tongue licked everything into oblivion, carrying the type of smell that penetrated bones, putrid, as if something long dead stirred to life.”
You will enjoy this if you have enjoyed the likes of Coraline, Harriet the Spy, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler, The Hound of the Baskervilles or the Nancy Drew series.
review originally posted on my blog the sugar cane diaries.com
“Lilith Bloom had the peculiar feeling that the rose garden wanted to eat her.”
I don’t often re-read books. It’s something I’m not violently opposed to I just feel I don’t have the time with so many new books coming out each week and TBR pile all the way to Jupiter & back again.
So when I do re-read a book it must be insanely gripping and give me all of the feels. Either that or it’s from my childhood and I’m kind of obsessed with nostalgia. ROSEHEAD is definitely one I wish I had read in my young adult / twee years. I remember lurking in the libraries on a Friday after school was out – there’s something about the Friday feeling when you’re a school kid. Everyone rushing off home or to the mall to spend their weekend while you sink back into the bones of the school – slink between the shelves of books and studious high school kids working over time.
I read lots of Nancy Drew and stories with an arty-twee-mysterious edge. The Ghostop Series by Libby Hawthorn was a particular favourite of mine. On a Friday I felt like Harriet M. Welsch or at least pretended to be, book in hand, the late rays of sunshine streaming in through high windows, illuminating the dusty top shelves.
“Upon hearing a scary noise, most children typically scream and flee. Not Lilith. Excited by the prospect of solving a mystery, she ran after Panther, deeper and deeper in to the sea of roses.”
I can’t quite explain how but reading… ROSEHEAD gives me these feels. It’s set in Germany. In a rose garden. A large rose garden which eats people.
Yes you read that right.
Carnivorous roses.
Ever considered why roses are so, well, blood red?
Our protagonist is twelve year old Lilith Bloom. She likes berets, ballet, has a keen sense of smell and a pet talking Whippet called Panther Bloom Jnr. And yep, you guessed it – the two of them begin to unravel the mystery of the rose garden and it’s origins all while dealing with an overbearing family reunion in a mansion that moves and is home to several talking heads.
“The ceiling split open with a groan. A thick cloud of dust filled the air. Lilith choked back a cry, afraid the noise would wake everyone, her grandfather especially; but she soon relaxed and allowed herself to breathe, to Panther’s relief. He suffocated in her grip. It seemed nobody heard a thing.”
However, ROSEHEAD is more than just a Sherlock Holmes meets Alice in Wonderland fable. Anske weaves themes of importance in such a way that the book is neither didactic or a cautionary tale. Lilith is an over medicated and over diagnosed child learning to find her place in a world where a quick fix is the only way. She learns not only to love but to forgive, not only to trust but to stay loyal to herself and her family whether she understands their adult ways or not. Lilith is a smart, quick witted twelve year old who endures more than imaginable (not just murderous rosebushes & talking heads) and comes out unscathed, with the ability to still find the good in people. Basically she’s an all powerful goddess who can fight giant mutant plant freaks and psychiatrists and still come out singing.
“A foul vapour rolled over them in waves. Its misty tongue licked everything into oblivion, carrying the type of smell that penetrated bones, putrid, as if something long dead stirred to life.”
You will enjoy this if you have enjoyed the likes of Coraline, Harriet the Spy, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler, The Hound of the Baskervilles or the Nancy Drew series.
December 12, 2016
I saw Rosehead in a bookstagram months ago. With its beautiful cover, (I'm sorry I judge books by its cover, sometimes) I immediately researched about it, and it got me interested. I'm a big fan of fantasy novels, and I see this one a very unique one. It's not just a fantasy story with cliché plots and unimaginable scenes. Rosehead is a mixture of fantasy, wonder, mystery, thrill, and a touch of romance. Everything about the book amazes me, starting from the plot, characters, the fictional beings, and of course, the author's way of writing. Unlike some of the books I've read before, there is no dull moment. From start to finish, I can connect with the story, and I feel like I'm into it. Until now that I have finished reading it, I still inside the bubble of the story. I just can't get through it!
Lilith Bloom is, indeed, not your normal twelve year old girl. Not only because she has a very wide vocabulary, from which I learned a lot. (Thanks, Lilith) I admire her so much for her matured way of thinking, but unfortunately, she has been misunderstood by the people around her, even her family. I'm grateful that she got Panther, anyway. She is a brave and selfless girl that knows the value of family, friendship and life, even at such a young age. Indeed, she is like an adult trapped in a child's body. I wish I can be just as smart and witty as her. Her thinking and analyzation are astounding that she gets away with things easily.
I admire Lilith and Panther's friendship. Their friendship is an epitome of true love, in which they're on each other's sides despite of whatever situation, even how dangerous or venturesome it could be.
All in all, I rate this book 5/5, because it exceeded my expectation. At the beginning, I never thought I would cry, laugh and shiver, yet I did. And until now, I am still not out of it. This book has changed the way I look at things. This taught me to always expect the unexpected, and there is always more to a little something...we just have to let ourselves see. Thank you, Ms. Ksenia Anske, for writing Rosehead. You and your work are amazing! On our incoming family reunion, I think it will be slightly different from before, for my perspective has upgraded through Rosehead.
Ps: I WANT A PANTHER IN MY LIFE. I just told my mom I want a talking whippet for Christmas, and she just laughed at me.
Lilith Bloom is, indeed, not your normal twelve year old girl. Not only because she has a very wide vocabulary, from which I learned a lot. (Thanks, Lilith) I admire her so much for her matured way of thinking, but unfortunately, she has been misunderstood by the people around her, even her family. I'm grateful that she got Panther, anyway. She is a brave and selfless girl that knows the value of family, friendship and life, even at such a young age. Indeed, she is like an adult trapped in a child's body. I wish I can be just as smart and witty as her. Her thinking and analyzation are astounding that she gets away with things easily.
I admire Lilith and Panther's friendship. Their friendship is an epitome of true love, in which they're on each other's sides despite of whatever situation, even how dangerous or venturesome it could be.
All in all, I rate this book 5/5, because it exceeded my expectation. At the beginning, I never thought I would cry, laugh and shiver, yet I did. And until now, I am still not out of it. This book has changed the way I look at things. This taught me to always expect the unexpected, and there is always more to a little something...we just have to let ourselves see. Thank you, Ms. Ksenia Anske, for writing Rosehead. You and your work are amazing! On our incoming family reunion, I think it will be slightly different from before, for my perspective has upgraded through Rosehead.
Ps: I WANT A PANTHER IN MY LIFE. I just told my mom I want a talking whippet for Christmas, and she just laughed at me.
February 25, 2017
One of the most exciting stories I've read for the last few years! The characters are so alive you can feel them. And sometimes you want to smack them. Or hug them. Brilliantly written.
September 5, 2015
ROSEHEAD is a vivid fantasy and it’s a credit to Ksenia Anske (and perhaps her editor) that such a bizarre and twisty tale comes to life with such perfection that I found myself wanting to defend Lilith’s sanity without a waver. I believed.
It was the tension between the fantastical world that Lilith sees and the still somewhat odd ‘normal’ world that the rest of the family sees, or insists on believing, that gripped me as a reader. There was an undercurrent of real feelings and I wanted to know those depths. Without that perception it would just be a Beetlejuice-esque zany adventure, and honestly it became a little like that at times. But that level was done fairly well too. It walks a teetering tightrope between horror and fun.
There were only two flaws for me. First, the story suffers from a saggy middle, where the plot becomes a bit episodic as she goes out to the garden for a horrific adventure and returns repeatedly. This had the thinner adventure story feeling. I didn’t learn more about the characters or plot – or at least not enough more at a time. Second, from the beginning Panther bothered me a little because he was so self-centered and snarky that he tipped over the edge of mean-spirited. Sarcastic can be fun, but unrelenting sarcasm is tiresome. I wanted to like him – for him to be funny - but he was just a pain. This was compounded in the episodic section where all he did is pout and demand his steak way too many times. A few instances where he showed some compassion or real interest in Lilith in these sections would have helped. She loved him no matter what, but I couldn’t relate to why. I liked him better by the end.
This being said, the story did keep me interested enough to keep reading, and it became very strong again towards the end. The depth I felt in the beginning grew in magnitude. Imaginative imagery and compelling psychology mixed well for an excellent climax and resolution of the story. I just made it sound very clinical, but actually I was swept away and loved it! It fulfilled my hope for what I would find when I dug into this very tangled and frightening family garden.
It was the tension between the fantastical world that Lilith sees and the still somewhat odd ‘normal’ world that the rest of the family sees, or insists on believing, that gripped me as a reader. There was an undercurrent of real feelings and I wanted to know those depths. Without that perception it would just be a Beetlejuice-esque zany adventure, and honestly it became a little like that at times. But that level was done fairly well too. It walks a teetering tightrope between horror and fun.
There were only two flaws for me. First, the story suffers from a saggy middle, where the plot becomes a bit episodic as she goes out to the garden for a horrific adventure and returns repeatedly. This had the thinner adventure story feeling. I didn’t learn more about the characters or plot – or at least not enough more at a time. Second, from the beginning Panther bothered me a little because he was so self-centered and snarky that he tipped over the edge of mean-spirited. Sarcastic can be fun, but unrelenting sarcasm is tiresome. I wanted to like him – for him to be funny - but he was just a pain. This was compounded in the episodic section where all he did is pout and demand his steak way too many times. A few instances where he showed some compassion or real interest in Lilith in these sections would have helped. She loved him no matter what, but I couldn’t relate to why. I liked him better by the end.
This being said, the story did keep me interested enough to keep reading, and it became very strong again towards the end. The depth I felt in the beginning grew in magnitude. Imaginative imagery and compelling psychology mixed well for an excellent climax and resolution of the story. I just made it sound very clinical, but actually I was swept away and loved it! It fulfilled my hope for what I would find when I dug into this very tangled and frightening family garden.
August 10, 2016
*I was sent a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Lilith and her parents travel to go to a family reunion in Berlin where her grandfather lives. The mansion that he lives in is mysterious because lots of strange things occur inside.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I was unable to relate to Lilith's character. Despite being only 12 years old, she is a very mature character. She speaks in a scholarly way. She even repeats several times that she's an adult trapped in a 12 year old body. There are a lot of characters in this book and most of them are written to be very dislikable. When I read a book, I want characters I enjoy reading about, it doesn't matter whether they are good or evil, as long as I enjoy reading about them, rather than reading about constantly frustrating characters. The 2 characters that I quite enjoyed would have to be Ed and the Dad. Ed was intriguing since he doesn't talk and I just liked how the Dad was gentle and patient rather than all up in her business like the Mom would be. Although, it was pretty entertaining seeing the Mom freak out about everything that involves Lilith.
The world in this book is quite unusual but it's very imaginative. There's a rose garden that eats people and talking dogs. While I did not enjoy this book as much as other people did, I do not think it was terrible.
I also feel like the romance in this book was sort of unnecessary. Sometimes I forget that Lilith is only 12 years old. She doesn't need to worry about kissing and love. She should focus on what's really important and that's trying to stop Rosehead from eating people. I do appreciate that the romance wasn't a major aspect of the book.
Even though Panther is a dog, I really enjoyed the companionship and conversation that he and Lilith have with one another. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half and I was satisfied with how the story ended.
Lilith and her parents travel to go to a family reunion in Berlin where her grandfather lives. The mansion that he lives in is mysterious because lots of strange things occur inside.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I was unable to relate to Lilith's character. Despite being only 12 years old, she is a very mature character. She speaks in a scholarly way. She even repeats several times that she's an adult trapped in a 12 year old body. There are a lot of characters in this book and most of them are written to be very dislikable. When I read a book, I want characters I enjoy reading about, it doesn't matter whether they are good or evil, as long as I enjoy reading about them, rather than reading about constantly frustrating characters. The 2 characters that I quite enjoyed would have to be Ed and the Dad. Ed was intriguing since he doesn't talk and I just liked how the Dad was gentle and patient rather than all up in her business like the Mom would be. Although, it was pretty entertaining seeing the Mom freak out about everything that involves Lilith.
The world in this book is quite unusual but it's very imaginative. There's a rose garden that eats people and talking dogs. While I did not enjoy this book as much as other people did, I do not think it was terrible.
I also feel like the romance in this book was sort of unnecessary. Sometimes I forget that Lilith is only 12 years old. She doesn't need to worry about kissing and love. She should focus on what's really important and that's trying to stop Rosehead from eating people. I do appreciate that the romance wasn't a major aspect of the book.
Even though Panther is a dog, I really enjoyed the companionship and conversation that he and Lilith have with one another. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half and I was satisfied with how the story ended.
August 29, 2015
I really like Anske's blog and her title "Blue Sparrow" so I had high hopes for this book. Honestly, the appreciation for these other things from the author is all that kept me from putting the book down and abandoning it, unfinished.
I felt certain plot points and the narrative were forced. Some reactions were unnatural and even uncharacteristic within the confines that had been established for them. A few elements felt like they did not belong at all; perhaps remnants from other drafts. I expected the ending and was more than disappointed in being correct. It was like the conclusion of a cheesy horror film.
Out of respect for the author, I would be open to reading her other works, but will not be revisiting this one.
I felt certain plot points and the narrative were forced. Some reactions were unnatural and even uncharacteristic within the confines that had been established for them. A few elements felt like they did not belong at all; perhaps remnants from other drafts. I expected the ending and was more than disappointed in being correct. It was like the conclusion of a cheesy horror film.
Out of respect for the author, I would be open to reading her other works, but will not be revisiting this one.
August 26, 2021
4/5
This book reminds me so much of Alice In Wonderland, Coraline and Tim Burton movies; the story gives off such a vibe. Apart from that, it's wonderfully written and the plotline is amazing. I loved the characters especially, of course, Lilith, Panther and Ed and how they managed to uncover the secrets of the carnivorous rose garden. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year.
This book reminds me so much of Alice In Wonderland, Coraline and Tim Burton movies; the story gives off such a vibe. Apart from that, it's wonderfully written and the plotline is amazing. I loved the characters especially, of course, Lilith, Panther and Ed and how they managed to uncover the secrets of the carnivorous rose garden. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year.
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