The Rose of Shanhasson - A Review

Three days.

It took me three days to finish reading this book, and I have no doubt the characters and their world will haunt me for the rest of my life.

My hands are still shaking.

THIS was great storytelling, fabulous world building and characters who take your breath away all in one! This was the sort of story I’ve been waiting to read. It had heart, soul, and just about every possible emotion you could possibly describe. Even those ones you might not be so comfortable with or find Taboo.

Best of all? It worked!

Joely Sue Burkhart for the win!

Review below:

“Love; the greatest Gift of all and the greatest Sacrifice.”

If you haven’t heard that before, you’ve obviously never read “The Rose of Shanhasson”, the first book of Bloods and Shadows, by Joely Sue Burkhart.

In which case? You’re missing out and I’ll tell you why.

Joely Sue Burkhart weaves a perfect blend of romance and fantasy. Her poetic prose sucks you in and refuses to let you go as we learn all about this delightfully heart wrenching love story about Bonds, Honor, Duty and above all else, Love and Sacrifice.

Shannari is destined to rule as High Queen of the Green Lands lest they fall into darkness, despair, and decay. As the Blessed Lady’s Last Daughter, only she can wear the Rose Crown and live. Prophecy says she’ll acquire magic through love and that Blood is the key, but Shannari lost faith in such things a long time ago.
Resigned to her fate, Shannari sets plans in motion that will allow her to do just that, but hopefully burn some less desirable bridges along the way and gaining others. Her heart’s already scarred, broken, hell she doesn’t even think she was one left. So why not?

It’s not as if she has anything to lose.

All that goes to the Three Hells when the Barbarian Warlord and his Nine Blood’s conquers her army with not even the slightest of efforts though. A man of honor, the mighty Khul asks only one thing for his victory; Shannari, his beloved. He’s convinced she’s a gift from Vulkar himself and professes to her a love like no other.
Shannari’s first inclination is to bolt, but she never runs from anything and she certainly doesn’t intend to start now. So killing the arrogant warrior will have to do, but she’d surrendered and her honor dictates she go with him to the Plains where the Nine Camps of the Sha’Kae al’Dan reside. Not to mention one of the Khuls’ warriors, one of the nine Bloods, was once an assassin and their darkness calls to the other. Now not only must she choose between love and duty, but where that love resides. And if that will even matter when darkness calls…

I knew Shannari would be the type of character I could easily identify with and that alone would be enough to make me want to read this story and find it enjoyable, but oh, man!

I fell in love with this story on page 17, with the introduction to Rhaekhar and his Nine Blood. Gregar, oh Gregar! He was so deliciously wicked and dark that I knew he would end up being my favorite. Which is not, of course, to say that I didn’t love Rhaekhar as well, but *le sigh* I will always, always, always prefer the dark tortured soul. That’s just me. Hell, I even liked Varne!

But then, Joely makes it exceptionally hard to dislike her characters.

Except, you know, the REALLY evil ones.

The Sha’Kae al’Dan? A fascinating culture! The parallels? Superb!

The Love scenes? Passionate, scorching and surprisingly believable given some of the circumstances. (I’ve been told I’m both sick minded and a prude. The former is no doubt my Scorpio influences kicking in. The latter? Well, lets just chalk that up to inexperience, shall we? :blush: )

I had only one moment of nitpickiness, as the Khul and his warriors often use the term “Nay”. Nothing wrong with it of course, just made me giggle thinking of them talking like horses.

I highly recommend “The Rose of the Shanhasson” to any lover of romance, fantasy, or even better, both. I am seriously considering putting it above even the likes of The Princess Bride. (No small compliment from me here as I love that book. But, honeys? I’m so sorry, Wesley has got nothin’ on Rhaekhar, in my humble opinion. )

Joely, you tore my heart out with this story and made me loved it! My heart’s still racing and my eyes are still a little moist, I need to go grab some Klennex.

Thank you for this opportunity, it was, as Gregar would say, an honor to serve. *grin*