My daughters have enjoyed a lot of Jessica Day George’s books so they were very excited when The Rose Legacy came out. In the words of the 14-year old, "I enjoyed reading Anthea’s story as she tried to get used to her new normal. I also found her interactions with Florian (her horse) interesting and wondered what it would be like to be able to have that ability. Overall, I think this book was intended for elementary-aged readers, but I still enjoyed it even though I'm now in high school."

I usually love Jessica Day George (case in point), but I didn’t love this one. It started strong: Orphaned Anthea Cross-Thornley is horrified to be shipped off, yet again, to another family member — this time an uncle whose home is even outside the walls of the civilized world she’s always known. But her uncle turns out to have a secret: He raises horses, which have been outlawed inside the kingdom for centuries, and Anthea has the gift of understanding horses, too. It’s a whole new world and a world that calls into question everything Anthea has believed to be true for her entire life — including that both her parents are dead.

Then … I’m not really sure what happens? Anthea is bonded to a horse named Florian, who narrates part of the book — and while it feels rude to criticize a horse’s writing style, a lot of it was so weird and stilted I found it hard to get through. There’s (obviously) a whole big horse-related conspiracy going on in the main part of the kingdom, which Anthea is the only one who can resolve, and which she decides to tackle in what honestly seems like the most ridiculous and complicated way possible. I don’t know — things keep happening, but the second part of the story feels like it’s missing a plot. And it’s the first in a series, but the end feels tacked-on and unsatisfying in a way that didn’t really make me excited to read the next book.

This could be a Horse Girl thing. I was not a Horse Girl, and that could be the thing that creates my disconnect with this story.

I’m a huge fan of Jessica George. I read pretty much everything she has written! The Rose Legacy did not disappoint! It is a fun and delightful read! Anthem is a fun character! It is filled with adventure! This is a story of friendship! I highly recommend this for fans of Pegasus!

I received an arc from Netgalley. My daughter and I read this book however it was not our favorite. I would definitely give the author another try.

My 11 year old daughter read this in 2 days and absolutely loved it! She's a huge fan of horses so I knew this would right up her alley. She really enjoyed getting to know Anthea and was amazed by the quality of the world-building and the fantasy aspects of the story. She says she will recommend this book to all of her friends! Thanks for the opportunity!

George, Jessica Day The Rose Legacy, 260 pages. Bloomsbury, 2018. $17. Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.

Anthea has been moved from relative to relative ever since she was orphaned, until she is invited by a distant uncle to come and live with him. Anthea is hesitant to live with this uncle because he lives on the other side of the Wall and Anthea has been raised to think only outlaws live on the other side. When Anthea gets to her uncle's, she is further perplexed because he also owns forbidden horses. Anthea seems to have a deep bond with one of the powerful stallions and starts to realize that there are many mysteries surrounding her life.

I loved this story because Anthea is a strong character who is easy to empathize with. The minor characters are also amusing and the plot moves along at a quick and interesting pace. I imagine there will be more in this series because the ending left a few bigger questions open.

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL.

I love Jessica Day George's books and this was really cute but I would have preferred to read it in physical format as I feel like I would have been more immersed in the story.

5 stars
What if everything you knew was a lie?

Anthea has been passed from home to home since her parents’ death. She wants only to be a proper young lady that a family would want, to become a Rose Maiden, and to receive the King’s blessing. She lives on the civilized side of the wall, protected from the plague and the savages who live on the other side. Horses spread the plague that decimated their ranks and the humans alike, but those filthy beasts were all gone long ago.

That’s what Anthea knows - until she is abandoned and forced to leave her home once again. She’s given one last chance for a family and sent across the wall to the Last Farm because no one else wants her. A farm where she discovers they raise and train the forbidden horses. Where some control horses with the Way, a forbidden talent. A farm with family - her father’s family. Her family. A family that has always wanted her.

This is the Last Farm, where Anthea finds a special connection not just to her family, but to horses - and one horse in particular. It’s a connection that could bring her a whole new future. But will her betrayal cost her, her family, and her beloved horses everything?

I loved, loved, loved this book! I grew up on horseback, breathing and riding horses. The telepathic communication between people who have the Way in this book and the horses is just wonderfully communicated in simple language. There are times in our world that people bond with horses in ways that seem almost mystical, and I think Jessica Day George does an incredible and believable job of conveying that immense bond between human and a very, very intelligent and loving beast.

The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George is an engrossing journey that will enrapture fantasy enthusiasts and horse lovers alike. The characters are believable, the world-building superb, and the storyline is fresh and original. I’m hoping there’s a sequel in the wings. I think anyone who loves fantasy and/or animals will be entralled by this book. Highly recommended for any age.

Plot: I loved it! Reading about Anthea's journey, from wanting nothing to do with the horses, to fighting for them, was really good! And I really liked the world-building in this novel!

Characters: Anthea was a great main character! Even though in the beginning I wanted her to get over her prejudice and fears, and just go to the stable and the horses, I understood why she felt the way she did. I loved Finn! I liked all the supporting characters. And the horses! They all had great personalities! My favorites were Florian and Bluebell. And I loved Arthur the owl!

The cover: Love it! As someone who read every horse book I could find as a kid, it gets my attention now, and it definitely would have then, too!

Overall: I loved this book! When I was younger I loved horse books (I still do!), and this reminded me of the type of books I used to read! I loved this book now, and I know I would have loved it when I was younger, too. And after the ending of it? I really hope we get another book about these characters! I highly recommend this Middle Grade book! :)

I can see exactly what young readers will love this. Those that LOVE horses and fantasy. I think my favorite character was the queen. I hope that she will play (as I suspect she will) a more prominent role in future books...

The Rose Legacy, by Jessica Day George, is a horse-inspired fantasy for middle-grade readers. The first in a new series by Jessica Day George, it appeal to those who love animals and magic, as well as readers who like steampunk books.

The story's protagonist is Anthea, an orphan who has moved from home to home through her young life. When her Aunt sends her to live beyond The Wall to The Last Farm, she discovers she has family she never knew there along with a strange power. She has The Way, which allows her to communicate with horses. She befriends the horse Florian, but their friendship and life on The Last Farm is quickly threatened when her Aunt finds out about the horses. A fast-paced story with layers of family mystery and intriguing magic, Anthea's journey to The Last Farm is also one of discovery and friendship.

The Rose Legacy is a middle-grade fantasy that will no doubt delight many young readers and have them wishing for the next book in what promises to be an engaging series. Fans of horses aside, it's a book that should also fall into the hands of those who like a good mystery and a bit of steampunk magic. Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury USA for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Received an ARC via Netgalley.

Anthea is a poor orphan girl who has grown up being passed from relative to relative. When she is forced to move one last time to family she has never heard of, she finds an uncle and cousin who welcome her with open arms and discovers a world of wonderful creatures. She also finds that she has a special gift and is able to communicate with the horses in a wonderful Way- they can speak with each other using their minds.

All is not well, though, and when the King discovers that horses still exist, and in order to save them all, Anthea and her cousin Jilly journey to appeal to the Queen.

Full of danger, a cast of well-written characters, a fluffy little owl, and of course horses, this book will be perfect for fans of George's other middle grade works and any one who loves horses and wishes they could talk.

Jessica Day George's The Rose Legacy
A new book by Jessica Day George is always a treat, and this was an especially charming fantasy story, centered on a girl who's been shuffled from relative to relative all her life, and now she's being sent to live with an uncle who lives outside her kingdom, where she learns that much of what she knows is a lie. Also there are some amazing HORSES. Like there is a horse POV character who made me cry more than once. If you want to read an awesome fantasy horse girl book, get this immediately. I have no idea if this is the first in a series or not, but I fervently hope it is. A/A-.

Anthea is not happy about going to live with relatives who raise horses at a faraway farm, but after discovering her magical gift to communicate with these animals, she learns to love both the horses and her new family. The world-building feels fresh, and there are lots of surprising twists and turns. Horse lovers will especially enjoy it, as well as fantasy lovers who enjoy political intrigue.

Anthea is a proper lady who only wants to be a Rose Maiden. But she is also an orphan who has been shuffled among her relatives since her father died. When her current guardian decides it is time for her to go she suddenly learns that she has an uncle beyond the wall. The wall was put in place to protect the people from the mysterious horse disease that killed thousands of people and led to the elimination of horses. What she finds at her uncle’s estate is unbelievable. He runs The Last Farm where he breeds and preserves horses! Even more shocking is that Anthea actually grew up there even though she has no memory of it. She also has something called The Way, which means she can communicate with horses. She has a special bond with one stallion named Florian. When Anthea inadvertently gives away the horse secret to the world below The Wall, she and her new friends devise a dangerous plan to fix things.

This is a very different book than Jessica Day George’s other books. It is historical fantasy with intelligent horses. I wasn’t sure I really liked it at first, but it did grow on me. I loved the relationship between Anthea and Florian and the fact that we got passages from Florian’s point of view. I don’t see anywhere that this is going to be a series, but it kind of felt like it could be and that might have made it a bit stronger of a story. I did feel like there was a lot going on and some of the conclusion felt a bit rushed. I don’t often say a book could have been longer, but this one could have included more backstory/history of the world to fill in some gaps. Still it is a Jessica Day George book and it was beautifully written.

E ARC from Netgalley

Anthea is an orphan who has been sent from family member to family member her whole life. She's been with an aunt and uncle for several years, and it's not too bad, but when her aunt is expecting, the stress of havin Anthea around is too much, and she is once again sent away. This time, however, she is sent to live outside Kalabar's Wall, which was installed hundreds of years before because of a plague that killed horses. Anyone living beyond the Wall is certainly uncivilized, and Anthea's dream of being a Rose Maiden, like her mother, is dashed. When she finally gets to the Last Farm, she finds a family who greets her warmly, even though she doesn't remember them. She also finds herself strongly drawn to one of the horses, even though she is scared of these creatures whom she thought did not exist. It turns out that Anthea's father ran the farm, and Anthea has a power called The Way that lets her communicate with the horses. Unfortunately, Anthea writes to her aunt back in "civilization" and sets in motion events that may cause the demise of the farm that she has grown to love. Will the love and strength of family be able to overcome these challenges?
Strengths: This was very different from George's more traditional, fairy tale based stories, but was intriguing. It's a great horse-based FANTASY, and I can't think of too many of those (Prineas' Winterling, perhaps?). It combines a lot of popular elements in a fresh way; dystopia, Victorian-era orphan tales, and horses. This kept me turning the pages!
Weaknesses: This was set in a fantasy world that had elements of our world, so I kept wanting to get a year for the setting. My best guess is about 1920's England, since there is a strong royal connection, but also motorcars. My students might not care, but I had to pin it down in my mind.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. It's not necessarily a book for all readers, but fantasy fans and horse lovers will both find this intriguing.

This story is perfect for young readers who love animals, have ever felt alone, or anyone who dreams of adventure. Jessica creates in Anthea someone every young reader can relate to with emotions that resonates. 

There's just the right amount of young attraction written perfectly for this age range. It warms your heart and makes you smile, while you fondly remember your first crush. The plot is unique moving the adventure along with a couple of surprises that will keep young readers invested hopefully for many stories to come. It will definitely be on my little girl's shelf when she reaches that age range.

"The Rose Legacy" is a tween fantasy novel. I loved novels involving horses when I was a kid, and I enjoyed this one even as an adult. The characters acted realistically and were interesting. The world-building, though not extensive, did give it a unique feel. Anthea grew up with cars and trains, but life on the family farm revolves around horses and using the gift that allows people to communicate with horses.

Anthea has been passed around from relative to relative because she's an orphan. She tries to be perfect so people will want her. She's finally shipped up north into the exile lands to an uncle who actually wants her. But all the prim and proper ways that Anthea has learned don't fit on the farm. Worse, the horses that she's been taught to dread and thought were completely extinct are raised here. And she can feel their emotions because she has a gift called the Way. Horrified, she writes about the horses to a well-connected aunt only to later regret it.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable fantasy adventure.

The Rose Legacy appears (to me) to be the first in a series featuring Anthea, who has a way with horses, in a land where they have been forbidden and long thought extinct. Anthea, raised as an orphan and shipped from home to home, is sent off to family in the wild lands outside of a huge wall 'protecting the kingdom.' She discovers a land with mysterious horses and forgotten family, and has to re-think what really is true and real versus what she has been taught.

The book is a mixture of fantasy and coming of age, with steampunk elements, a sprinkling of magic, and heaps of animal friendship. Great for middle readers, and fans of Jessica Day George's other work.

The Rose Legacy is a magical, beautiful story that young girls will devour. Every girl who has dreamed of horses will be enchanted with this tale of a girl who longs to belong. Passed from family to family, Anthea finally finds a home and friends with her estranged uncle and his forbidden horses. Learning more about herself, her family, and what she is capable of, Anthea discovers that with friends and hope, anything is possible.