Withering Rose is an enchanting, compelling, fantastical tale about acceptance and belonging.

The beginning is a bit slow moving, and you know who she is right away, or at least you can assume based on how the first book ended. While it was interesting enough to get the plot moving, it started off with that famous outcast-in-high-school vibe, and then it shifts off into how the outcast gets invited to a party by a pretty guy and is then bullied and he doesn’t stand up for her so she realizes just how lonely she really is. Then it gets really interesting. I found that the book really started in the party scene, where a set of events kick into place and settle a destiny of sorts.

The writing made up for it. The beginning was slow, but the flow of the writing and the way it was written allowed us to be immersed in the world without complaint. You could just feel the anticipation, the knowledge that it definitely gets better, and so you continue on and disappointment remains unable to be felt. You hope along with the main character, you feel her pain (especially during the party scene), and you root for her. She was a princess turned wallflower turned strong princess again. She learned how to pick herself up off the ground and stay standing tall through all the hurtles and hills along her path. She is not the only character who had to open up and grow, however.

*Read my full review here
*A huge thanks to YABBT for providing me with a free eARC in order to participate in this Tour