Roses and Rot

Starred review from April 4, 2016
Howard weaves a dark and enticing tale of sisterly bonds, fairy promises, and the price of artistic success in this lushly written debut fantasy set in the present-day U.S. As a child, Imogen was certain that no fairy tale stepmother could possibly be crueler than her own mother, a controlling tyrant. Fortunately, Imogen and her younger sister, Marin, escaped to pursue their dreams: Imogen as a writer, Marin a dancer. After seven years apart, the women are reunited when both are selected to be fellows at Melete, a prestigious artist colony in rural New Hampshire. Melete’s fantastical campus seems perfect, but the sisters learn it’s hiding an extraordinary secret: Melete’s creative energy feeds the Fair Folk. Every seven years, the most promising Fellow is taken to live in Faery—and Imogen and Marin are shortlisted for this dubious honor. Howard’s characters are deftly drawn, and her writing is seductive as fairy magic. This story will resonate with readers long after the last page.

March 15, 2016

Imogen always dreamed of being rescued, like a princess in a fairy tale. No evil stepmother could have been worse than her actual mother. When Imogen went to college, she was reluctant to leave her sister Marin behind, but they both survived--barely. Now arriving at Melete, an exclusive arts program, both sisters have a chance to make their aspirations a reality; Imogen as a writer, Marin as a dancer. The sisters find inspiration, affirmation, and even love. Yet even happy endings can come at a cost, and the price may be too much for either sister to pay. VERDICT The realm of fairy tales meets the harsh world of the Fae in this starkly enticing debut. With undercurrents of darkness in the midst of the beauty of the arts, this is a Brothers Grimm tale for the contemporary reader.--KC

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