Receiving a black rose is a death sentence. That is the gripping premise of The Black Rose Collection by seven Christian authors, Madisyn Carlin, Kristina Hall, Vanessa Hall, K.R. Mattson, M.L. Milligan, Kaytlin Phillips, and Saraina Whitney. I shared a quick rundown on my Instagram, but here’s a more detailed description of each amazing novella! The stories are reviewed in the order as they are presented in the anthology.
Ratings
Story: 5/5
Worldview: 5/5
For all the novellas, the overall rating is 5/5. They all have their shining moments and great reflections of faith, and if you want more details, check out each story below. (No spoilers!) I loved that, despite the wide differences in plot and characters and romances, there are such strong themes of trusting God when things are out of our control. Sometimes bad things happen, and that’s just life, but Jesus can use all things for good!
Lethal Mark by Madisyn Carlin
An absolutely gripping introduction to this anthology, Lethal Mark had be racing through to the end. Some novellas have a tendency to feel rushed, but Carlin made the characters and the world come alive, as well as the world building. The ending was touching, and I always love preachy Christian themes.
For a quick introduction, this novella follows Eledy, the Black Rose sacrifice for the wicked Queen, as she’s being hunted by Yasha, a man made to forget his memory, and his love for Eledy. She goes along with Yasha to her death, but she trusts her life and her death in God’s hands as she struggles with even feeling worthy of love herself. My favorite quote is this one:
“Memories shape us. They help us become better people and learn from our mistakes. They make us laugh and help us through difficult times.”
“Sounds like a waste of time to me. You’re who Queen Asya wants you to be. Nothing else.” […]
“We’re only supposed to be who the Creator wants us to be. Not formed by man’s demands or opinions.”
Excerpt From the Black rose Collection, lethal mark by madisyn carlin
There is a clear struggle between listening to what man wants you to do or what God wants you to do (or be). A great start to the anthology and introduction to some of the difficult themes that the authors will wrestle with moving forward.
Black is the Rose by Kristina Hall
This was my first exposure to Kristina Hall, and I am definitely going to be picking up some of her other works in the future. In this novella, both Letti and Eckhardt are relatable and real, with Eckhardt being nonchalant about the black rose he receives and Letti worrying nonstop. The themes of trusting God regardless of the circumstances are so well executed and touching. My favorite quote:
“‘For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’”
Yes. A truth she would cling to. A truth that dungeon walls and approaching death could never change.
Excerpt from the black rose Collection, black is the rose by Kristina hall
The twists were so well done, and I just loved this novella.
Content: mentions of blood/cuts and an assassin.
A Life’s Cost by Vanessa Hall
This novella was a greater shift into a fantasy world, difficult themes, and poignant endings. A Life’s Cost reflects a pro-life perspective as it follows two parents who want to protect their black rose baby, infants typically expected to have blindness, disabilities, sicknesses, etc. If they get caught, the child is killed, and so are they.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.”
But how to trust in the face of unanswered questions and innumerable threats? Only the crackle of the fire filled the void, the flames a wicked taunt against his aching eyes.
Excerpt from the black rose collection, a life’s cost by Vanessa Hall
The ending of this novella was both sweet yet weird. Without spoilers, one character is borderline suicidal, bitter, and angry, as they struggle with feeling like they don’t deserve redemption unless they die making up for it. It basically negates Jesus’s sacrifice from that character’s perspective, and we don’t ever see them learn the truth of salvation without being crushed by condemnation.
In any case, aside from that hiccup, I loved how the characters really looked for hope in Scripture throughout the novella. I’m definitely interested in checking out some more of Vanessa Hall’s work!
Allies in the Shadows by K. R. Mattson
This whole anthology is like an introduction to new authors, and K. R. Mattson does not disappoint! This story is both futuristic and fantasy and dystopian, a radical shift in setting. We stick with the themes of love and sacrifice and political oppression as Ambry, a woman that technically doesn’t exist, is forced into being the next Queen. But this position doesn’t bring the promise of security, but the threat of death. I love seeing her team up with her best friend, Garren. And, oh my goodness, I loved the sarcastic side characters.
“And here she was, ready to fight for a country who had treated her wrongly this whole time. Something greater was at work in Wereland than any of them could imagine. And he didn’t doubt Someone had a hand in it.”
Excerpt from the black rose collection, allies in the shadows by K. R. Mattson
All in all, great addition to the anthology. As with some of the other novellas, there is talk of murder and blood and weapons. This is never glorified, and I love how there’s always hope!
The Huntress by M. L. Milligan
We lean further into fantasy with this next novella by M. L. Milligan. We follow Minsi, Torin, and Imogen (along with their pet wolves), as they try to solve a murder attempt. And, of course, they get tangled up somewhere in the middle! The themes of giving God control of your life, surrendering, was awesome. My favorite quote:
“Lord…You’re right.” My eyes trailed up the gapped wooden walls and to the cracks of light in the ceiling. “It’s not my job to save those you call home.” Because, hard as it was to admit, I was not in control. I would do my part to save lives, but that couldn’t make up for the ones I’d lost so long ago.
It wasn’t supposed to.
“Lord, forgive me. For everything.” For shouldering a weight that was not my own. For thinking I could save everyone. I saw then how foolish I had been.”
Excerpt from the black rose collection, the huntress, by M. L. Milligan
The characters and plot were good, but I got a bit hung up on the alpha/beta thing. I have never liked werewolf stories, personally, and I dislike it even more when the woman is the alpha over an entire pack. I know it’s fantasy, but it’s not a good reflection of biblical authority. (And just having a man call a woman his alpha is so weird to me.) In any case, if you like pack stories, you’ll enjoy that part, it just wasn’t for me.
Rose of Fate by Kaytlin Phillips
I knew Kaytlin Phillips was going to be in here somewhere, and I loved the little novella! The story follows Rasil Gallion, a young palace guard, as he is accused of the king’s murder through a ritualistic Black Rose trial. I love any novel with salvation, and Kaytlin never disappoints!
“This was all my doing, and maybe Deus was the God of forgiveness. Perhaps He forgave me, and […] [s]omething whispered that I needed to let my mistakes go, but it was hard to forgive myself for the heartache I’d caused. Forgiving someone else was often so much easier than forgiving myself, especially right now when I knew that deep down I’d never wanted to do what I had done. I’d let my fear control me, but this all”
Excerpt from the black rose collection, rose of fate by Kaitlin phillips
Phenomenal ending with so much tension building up that I had no idea how everything would be resolved. I love Rasil and Naomi and I would have no problem reading another book about them and the kingdom!
A Valley of Stars by Saraina Whitney
This novella was a great end to a wonderful collection! Here, we meet Princess Ravenna de Vivon fighting for her kingdom after her father’s assassination. She navigates political manipulation and death threats while discovering the truth. As always, I loved a good salvation message!
Have control.
A pang cramped Ravenna’ chest, sharp like spurs. She hung her head.It was an illusion, the control she thought she had.
“God, take over,” she whispered, the words squeezing through the ache in her throat. “You proved to me that You are real. Help me see that You are worthy of my trust.”
Excerpt from the black rose collection, a Valley of stars by saraina whitney
Overall Thoughts
I am so glad to have gotten an eARC copy of The Black Rose Collection. I would’ve paid for it anyway, but to see the beauty of the messages within the cover was such a privilege. These novellas definitely resonated with me, and I hope they help you too!
