The Midnight Rose

In The Midnight Rose by Catalina Paris, sixteen-year-old apprentice alchemist Leo flees a surprise attack on the Alchemical Court. He opens a portal to a forgotten world, where he encounters Lisandre, Lady of the Vines, a faerie stuck under the watchful eye of the Holly Queen. With Leo’s aid, Lisandre uncovers dangerous secrets and powerful threats to her life, forcing her to flee her realm. She helps Leo in his quest to find the lost talismans of Atlantica. Their journey intertwines with Flora, a spirited songstress searching for her true family, and Lucien, a prince of Alyssria, who makes a risky pact with the dark sorcerer, the Dark Alchemyst, determined to acquire all the talismans. Can Leo find the talismans before the Dark Alchemyst? 

Catalina Paris's epic fantasy tale captivated me immediately, drawing me in with her intricately drawn characters. She cleverly infuses plot elements that evoke danger, secrets to unravel, and magic. The narrative takes readers on a rollicking ride across different realms as Leo pursues his quest, including the Fey Realm and the Midnight Court. The impeccable worldbuilding is a flourish of symbols to decipher, scrolls to find, and mysteries surrounding the existence of the talismans. Paris writes with fascinating details, drawing stunning images of palace balls, secret meetings, and magical forests. The plot is unpredictable, and I appreciate how the author teasingly reveals the true nature of the characters, generating suspense and tension that captivates you as you turn the pages. Motivation in The Midnight Rose is brilliantly accomplished, and the author effectively utilizes it to enrich themes of betrayal, power struggle, and the proverbial conflict between good and evil.

The setting shifts from the dark, enchanted forests of the Fey Realm to the regal, glittering courts of Alyssria and Fuschia, delivering a rich backdrop for adventure and mystery. The characters are sophisticated—Leo’s dedication and curiosity, Flora’s perseverance and secret magic, and the court’s politics filled with intrigue—all driven by a common goal: to prevent the dark forces from destroying their worlds. The story is full of twists, magic, and a dash of romance. However, the immersive worldbuilding truly captured my attention. You’ll enjoy the clear and delectable prose and the expertly executed conflict.