I'm very confused about the marketing of this novel and who exactly the intended audience is. The cover is gorgeous - moody and implies a serious, dramatic story, and the synopsis promises "a court controlled by a vengeful new ruler [where] she must play a deadly game of politics in order to seize the throne" so I was expecting an adult historical fiction novel. After diving into the book, what I found was a simplistic story that seems intended for middle and younger-young adult readers. I was anticipating some complexity in the world-building, characters, and relationships, and I'm sad to report that there is very little of that to be found here.

The story is very simple - king and queen are murdered and princess is spirited away by her parents' advisor so the villain doesn't eliminate her and she can return one day and reclaim her throne. Most of the story is Rose punching a dummy and "foraging for nuts and berries" (honestly if I never read that phrase again it'll be too soon) and riding around from village to village. There's a lot of dialogue, and most of it is 'old-fashioned' ie awkward and stilted. Every character speaks in the same manner. There's very little world-building beyond a generic English-based medieval kingdom with royalty and peasants. Nobody has much of a personality, not even Rose, and the romance is paper-thin.

The premise of preparing Rose to be queen centers around having her learn self-defense instead of how to actually lead and rule. After a year of whaling on a dummy in the woods, she becomes strong enough to take on three grown men (or two wolves) at once and come out victorious. Also, even though she's apparently beautiful, cutting her hair to her shoulders and putting on leggings is enough to make her look like a boy, and no one suspects any different. She doesn't have any friends or allies beyond the merchant's sons she befriended while living in the woods - no connections at court or elsewhere, apparently, so there's no "game of politics" as promised. The villain is a cardboard cutout with no motivations besides "power and wine" and everyone knows he killed the former king and queen but apparently there's no council or ministers to hold him accountable.

There's a wicked stepmother (because of course there is) who sleeps around (because of course she does) who is described as "much too observant and inquisitive" and honestly I'd rather read a story about her. She sounds much more interesting. Also, apparently this book is Christian literature, which I hadn't realized or else I wouldn't have requested it. Rose's constant looking heavenward and thanking her almighty God just wasn't for me. The author also decides to throw some ~exotic~ Roma people in the mix, calling them G*psies throughout the text. While I don't believe that every book needs a sensitivity reader, I would expect authors publishing in the year of our lord 2021 not to use racial slurs in their 'historical fiction'.

If you want to read an engaging, well-thought-out YA historical fiction story about a girl dressing as a boy to save her kingdom, read Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness series instead.

The Crown of Rosemund was written by Michele Ashman Bell.

Summary: With her parents’ death at the hand of a cruel and murderous tyrant, Rosemund must run for her life with only her parents’ trusted advisor by her side.

Rosemund does her best to adapt to a new life far from the palace. Can she learn everything she needs to know by the time she comes of age and can assume the throne?

Can she even stay alive that long as soldiers search the countryside for the lost princess? And will she have the courage to overthrow the would-be king and retake her land for herself and her people?

My Thoughts: I loved this book! It is the perfect adventure story, with a princess and all!

It is well-written, with wonderful characters, and a great plot too.

It felt like a grown-up fairytale, with bravery, trust, and courage, a princess in disguise, and a story of true friendship and devotion.

It is fantastic, and is one I would highly recommend purchasing-so very, very good!

I would like to thank Covenant Communications for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

This was a fun adventure! The idea behind this story was compelling and exciting.
But I had a really hard time getting through this book.... Especially at the beginning, there was a lot of telling rather than showing. It slowed the plot down a bit. And there was so much dialogue! I know there are readers who love dialogue; it's just not for me.
The relationship between Jacob and Rose was really sweet and his loyalty to her was to be admired!
This book wasn't a personal favourite for me, but I know there are others who have loved it. So maybe you'll enjoy it too.

I really liked this book! In my opinion, there was lots to love about this book.
So much action and adventure and it does remind me of Disney's Malificent.
It was very fast paced which I looooved and the plot will take your breath away! At least it did mine.
I was immediately drawn into the first page and I didn't let go until I was finished.
I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy for this book
I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

An epic adventure of royalty and betrayal, The Crown of Rosemund takes readers on a perilous journey as Princess Rosemund fights to reclaim her kingdom from Sir Drake, the evil man who murdered her parents and seeks her demise.

This book was a bit outside my normal genres. I liked the premise and enjoyed seeing Rosemund gain strength and courage as she worked to reclaim the crown. Because of the time period, the writing was a bit formal for my taste which resulted in slower pacing. The book took some time to get into, but the ending was satisfying.

*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Crown of Rosemund was a good and enjoyable read! I liked it, and at times became really invested in it. Plus the cover is absolutely beautiful!! That being said, it just wasn't a favorite.

The characters, while likable, were distant and hard to connect to. I feel like I didn't get a true sense of Rose at all because the writing was distant and didn't go into her head much. Not only that, but she just wasn't all that realistic. She was a princess, lived in a castle, had luxuries, yet when she had to move, cut off her hair, WORK, learn how to hunt, skin animals, and fight, she didn't complain. Not a single time. While I understand that her character was selfless and wouldn't whine, nobody wouldn't complain about transitioning to such a different lifestyle once or twice, or even in their head. It just didn't sound believable, especially for a 15-year-old princess.

The events of the book seemed to drag at times, bogged down by mundane things and details, and I did skim a little bit here and there. I feel like if the author had been a little more concise with her writing it would've been a lot more engaging.

Then there's the book description. It makes it sound like this is going to be an epic Sleeping Beauty retelling, but it isn't. Not at all. While yes, it technically did have that storyline, the way it was worded made it sound like it was supposed to be a retelling, so when it wasn't I was disappointed.

Now, all of that being said, I did enjoy the story and some of my thoughts could be because I was reading another book at the same time, so my attention was divided. And I loved Rose's strong character, inside and out. She was not only a good, nice person but had trained hard and could wield a weapon expertly. I love that!

/I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own./

The Crown of Rosemond is a historical fiction set In medieval times. It felt like a book that would appeal to young adults. It was a fun quick read. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. It was full of adventure and had a touch of romance.

I’m pretty sure that I’ve read books from this author before, and that I enjoyed them, but I just did not enjoy this story. The dialogue seemed quite stilted and I just couldn’t relate to the characters at all. I found myself skimming the latter half of the book.

This book was a page turner! Maybe a little bit predictable, but still very entertaining.
The characters were likable and well developed. The plot was fast paced and didn’t have any slow unnecessary parts.
I loved the overall Message of the book that good always triumphs over evil and that greed and power usually leads to self destruction.

Although I expected a different kind of story based on the description, Michele Ashman Bell is a talented author. The Crown of Rosemund wasn’t really my kind of story—it was a bit repetitive and somewhat dark for what felt like a YA novel—but Bell definitely has a knack for storytelling. I plan to give her other books a try in the future. 2.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical fiction novel set in the late 1400's filled with action and adventure. Princess Rosemund's parents are killed in a coup and a trusted family advisor hides her away until she is ready to rule. While is hiding she learns many things not normal for your typical princess; how to fight, how to catch and cook her own food, how to grow food, etc. A very enjoyable read that I would recommend to all who enjoy young adult fiction!

The reader knows the ending of the book not even 50 pages in: King and Queen are murdered, princess lays low for a bit, then mounts a rebellion to take control of her kingdom. Lacked creativity and originality. Only bit I was really all that surprised about was the Rose didn’t complain about much of anything throughout the book - sleeping in a rundown cottage, chopping wood, having to gather her own food, catch her own fish. She could have been stereotypical in that way but she wasn’t. So kudos on that point.
Thanks Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book!

I had a hard time connecting with the main character of this book. She seemed aloof and almost two dimensional. She did accept and adapt to her surroundings and circumstances, though. Once though the first part the book really picked up and was exciting and intricately written.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

What an amazing and action packed story! Rose is a princess when her parents are both killed. She flees the castle with her trusted advisor so she can go into hiding until she turns 18. During that time, she trains to fight so she can reclaim her kingdom. There was so much action and adventure!

They Crown of Rosemund is you typical spoiled princess has her life turned upside town by a coup and must learn to become a strong leader to retake her throne. There is not thing new in this story that has not already been done; however, it is still a very enjoyable tale. The writing in the beginning needs some work and is stilted. As the story progresses the writing becomes better and the author stops failing at trying to make the language seem time appropriate considering the story takes place in the late 1400s.

Rose's transformation from pampered princess to capable monarch is well paced. In the beginning, I found the author's choice of phrasing annoying as she tried to point out how different this lifestyle is from Rose's life in the palace. We do not need to know that Rose's royal scheduled consisted of her getting up late and take naps late in the afternoon. It did not create the juxtaposition I believe the author intended. Instead, it created a contempt for Rose until she had finally begun to prove herself.

Rose's plan to take back her throne and the relationships she builds along the way are fleshed out and enjoyable. There was even a twist I did not see coming, and I definitely enjoyed it. Overall I would give the book 3.5/5 stars, rounding up to 4 for GoodReads.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #NetGalleyReview

Title: The Crown of Rosemund
Author: Michele Ashman Bell
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication Date: 1st April 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Goodreads Review :https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56314107-the-crown-of-rosemund


Set in a Medieval fictional town of Anduron of 1498, just after the ruling King and Queen have been assassinated by a spy who is desperate to gain power for themselves.Thwarted by the fact that the young Princess Rosemund(mostly referred to as Rose ) has escaped and is on the run with her fathers trusted adviser Jacob. While in hiding from the soldiers crossing the countryside looking for them. Jacob and Rose live as peasants which gives Rose the chance to see what it is like for the common people. Jacob trains Rose and some new friends they have made in combat unlike other young girls her age in this time. Rose grows in strength and knowledge to become her birthright.

This book includes themes of women's rights and the way society sees women's roles such as a woman can not rule a kingdom and lower class women are only social climbers if they married above their station, also there are themes of class evident when one of the characters would rather walk on a sprained ankle than be seen with their poorer helpers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had everything, action, suspense, a slow burn romance, and faith. Watching Rosemund growing in strength and coming into her own after going to so much with the help of other enjoyable characters. It was great to read a story where the friends were there for her and her relationship with Maxwell and how it developed and not as the typical damsel in distress.and her savior complex hero. Even though it has a perfect and really satisfying end , I felt that there was so much more material to at least make it a duology.

I would highly recommend this book 5/5

Wow! What an great twist on the story sleeping beauty. There is adventure and suspense that keeps you on your toes. Michele Ashman Bell takes a well know, ordinary story and turns it into a masterpiece that I just had to keep reading. Such a fun read.

In this coming of age story, Princess Rosamund learns of her parents murder by the evil Sir Drake. She must escape with her parents trusted aid Jacob. They hide out in the forest where Jacob tutors young Rosamund in the art of battle. In time, they find allies and friends, while they plan to take back what is rightfully Rosamund’s.
A fun, easy read.

This book was supplied to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
#netgalley #TheCrownOfRosamund

#TheCrownOfRosemund #NetGalley

A book that was enjoyable to read. I love the movie Ladyhawke and this novel made me think of that movie, because of the time period. Rose, is next in line to the throne of Anduron, her parents, the king and queen sent her away, so she could be safe. When the king and queen are murdered, Rose must flee or be the next victim. A trusted advisor, becomes her grandfather, and he trains her in weaponry, she learns how to defend herself, in case he isn't available. Rose is small but strong and lives the life of a peasant boy., she becomes stronger as she learns new skills. She is determined to take her rightful place as queen.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has it all; action, romance, intrigue and faith. I loved all the wonderful characters. Rosemund had her whole world turned upside down in a matter of moments. Her parents were murdered and she was whisked away to safety by a trusted man of her father's. Jacob becomes a grandfatherly figure to her. He teaches her all she needs to know to regain the throne while he keeps her safe. I loved Rosemund's growth throughout the book. She is only 15 and had no real life skills when she escaped with Jacob. But Jacob turned her into a young woman fit to rule her kingdom. He taught her to defend herself, be aware of her surroundings and the secrets of the castle. She was already a kind person and he helped her enhance that as well. Along the way they meet Maxwell and Ricker who are stepbrothers. They are also wonderful characters. I won't spoil the book. I will say it is definitely worth reading!