Withering Rose (Once Upon a Curse #2) by Kaitlyn Davis!

Withering Rose (Once Upon a Curse #2)

by Kaitlyn Davis

Genre: YA Fantasy/Fairy Tale Retelling

Release Date: May 17th 2016

 **A USA Today Recommended Series!**

What if Beauty was cursed, and the Beast was the only one who could save her?

Don't miss WITHERING ROSE, a dystopian romance from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Beauty & The Beast. This is the second book in Once Upon A Curse, a series of interconnected stand-alone novels all set in the same fantasy universe.

"As the heat finally disappeared, I felt the bloom blossom in the very core of my soul, a rose just like my name—a ticking clock hidden behind a façade of beauty. From that moment on, my life would become a countdown, and all I could do was wait and watch as the petals of time slowly started to fall."

Omorose Bouchene has a secret—magic. There's only one problem. At the age of seven, an earthquake struck, catapulting her into a new world. A land made of skyscrapers and cell phones. Fast cars and fluorescent lights. A land where magic isn't supposed to exist and anyone who wields it is the enemy.

But after ten years of hiding, she's desperate to find a place where she can be free. Because all magic comes with a curse, and her curse is time—every ounce of power she uses strips days off of her life. The clock is winding down, and the only option left is to escape to the realm ruled by a man known only as the Beast. But the king of monsters isn’t what he seems. And the more Omorose opens her heart, the more she comes to realize that the only person she may need to fear is herself. 

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Gathering Frost (Once Upon a Curse #1) on Goodreads

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Both the books (so far) in this series can be read enjoyably as stand alone. However, I know that when you read one you will want to know more about these worlds and the characters you meet that cross over into the other books. I am eager to continue with the third book, coming soon!

The beginning of this tale, while dangerous, tense and explosive from the first page, moved a little bit slowly for me. As it began, my empathy for Omorose Bouchene grew along with her frustration over her circumstances. After a point, she can not tolerate her situation a day longer and escapes. That is where the story finally grabbed me and pulled me in. 
As with all the best fairytales, you can read this purely for the adventure or listen closely for the lesson within. There is a moral. Hint: watch for a great quote about strength and vulnerability.

I really enjoyed the interactions between Omorose and Cole, especially before they begin to understand and trust each other.
"The Beast has secrets. So do I. So does everyone."
Each question gets a response that seems to invite more questions and Cole's responses offer " just enough about himself to reply to the question without revealing anything at all." Cryptic!

Omorose ran away to a magical world, to confront a beast that everyone seems to fear for many reasons, primary being sanctuary from a world where she has to keep her own magic under wraps and hopes to find acceptance for herself as herself, to not be the freak outcast.
Her first experience of this "beast" make her doubt her actions. 
I appreciated the humor within the fright.

" 'So you decided the best way to help me would be to terrify me?' Cole bares his teeth, growling, lightly, 'You're never going to let that go, are you?' " 

If you enjoy retellings that perhaps offer more than the original tale, you should read Kaitlyn Davis' series.

I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review

About the Author

Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie.

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found indulging in some puppy videos, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

To stay up-to-date with all of Kaitlyn's new releases, sign up for her new release newsletter here: TinyLetter.com/KaitlynDavisBooks
Author Links:
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RAVE REVIEWS for Gathering Frost!

"My favorite thing about this book is the action. Jade isn't a sleeping princess. She's the best fighter and so fierce in her "empty" state. I felt like this was an urban fantasy with all the steam of a romance, and it was almost perfect for me." - Jessie Potts, USA TODAY Happy Ever After Blog

"Davis writes with confidence and poise, and the story's many twists and turns stave off predictability and allow readers to become immersed in a starkly magical world filled with last hopes." - Publisher's Weekly

"Gathering Frost is just awesome in every way. Beautiful prose, lots of heart-wrenching emotion, action and romance, a great, unstoppable villain, and a smart, tough heroine who will fight for what she wants." - Geeks in High School

"The writing is flawless as always and I must say, way to take a classic and make such a creative and wonderful twist to it...It's well thought out and it unbelievably magnificent. I seriously couldn't put it down. Wait I never actually put it down. I started and finished in one sitting because it's just that good. This one is a MUST READ." - Happy Tails and Tales Blog

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