Michelle Ruiz Keil draws from Greek mythology, Grimm’s fairy tales, and the Latin-American tradition of magical realism for her sophomore novel, Summer in the City of Roses. The gorgeously-written novel is one of those books that straddles the line between young adult fiction and literary fiction, although some readers might struggle with the more fairy tale-ish plot twists.

Keil’s debut was All of Us With Wings, a coming-of-age story set in San Francisco. This time, it’s Portland in the 1990s. Siblings Iph and Orr are adrift in the city, separated for the first time from each other and their parents. While their mother is away for work, their father has fifteen-year-old Orr shipped off to a boot camp. Furious, seventeen-year-old Iph heads into the city to find her brother, unaware that he’s already escaped. On separate, parallel journeys, the siblings meet a colorful, eccentric cast of characters. Among them: an all-girl band of punk rockers, a group of sex work activists, and a genderqueer archer named George.

The first chapters made me expect that their father would be the villain looming over the book. Instead, both Iph and Orr get in contact with him early on and receive permission to stay in the city. As I read, I was surprised to realize that this book isn’t really about siblings trying to find each other. It’s more about the fact that they needed to go their separate ways to figure out who they are.

Iph is seeking Orr, but the urgency of the mission lessens over the course of the book. She spends at least as much time flirting with George as she does looking for her brother. Orr, who is autistic, blossoms among his new punk girl friends. He also discovers a love for performing when he stands in for their bass player—although he still doesn’t quite fit into the regular world.

It’s difficult to write a helpful review of Summer in the City of Roses without spoiling the last fifty pages. Essentially, the story takes a hard turn into its fairy tale source material with a very magical plot twist. Some readers will love it; others may have difficulty accepting the turn. I wanted to love the abstract strangeness of the ending, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me.

Glancing at Goodreads, I see a few other early readers who had the same reaction to the book that I did. They fell in love with the book’s setting and characters, but couldn’t make it all the way with the ending. (One reviewer opened my eyes to the fact that the book’s cover references a painting of nineteenth-century author George Sand. Much like the George of the book, Sand defied gender norms of her day by dressing in masculine clothing and publishing under a male pen name.) I would still recommend Keil’s novel to anyone who loves beautiful prose and magical realism, as well as anyone who enjoyed Phoebe North’s Strange Creatures.

trigger warnings- kidnapping, child abuse, drug use, panic attacks / disorders, animal cruelty, medical content, grief

honestly, i really wanted to like this book, since i feel like people do like it, and the whole plot of this book just was so good. but, for one, i do feel like the description of the book did tell to much of the story, hence why i also think i didn't enjoy it that much, since i already knew what was going to happen and than what is also happening currently. but, i also think that the description wasn't even that good, so it probably didn't help that much.

but, also this book was way to much darker than i thought it was. like, for one i feel like this book did have some parts in the description when i thought it also was going to be dark, but not that dark as it actually was. which, i feel like it was so dark that i don't even think i would consider it as YA, maybe like new adult, since of some of the themes and then i guess it could even go darker if they wanted to go into that.

but, i also feel like the book also the writing style was just bad. granted, i do feel like there is a specific writing style that i do like, and this one was just not this. and i also feel like there could have been improvement, even if they just do a little bit more editing here and there. since i do feel like there could have been other parts just fixed or better.

i also feel like the characters too, like iph was just flat and boring and also kind of uninteresting, and i feel like she needed a personality in this book, but also the sexualization for the minors, especially her brother, were just so gross and honestly were just so shitty. and also just the way that orr was handled and how they talked and abused him was just so gross.

I really wanted to like this more than I did!! I am a 90’s child, so I thought I would love this! I think it was a bit weirder from my usual reads, but don’t let that stop you from reading it! If you’re into mythology, give it a try!

This book found me at exactly the right time. As soon I started, I knew how special it was going to be- NEURODIVERGENCE REP!!!!

Suuuuuper quick summary:⁣
The summer their mother leaves for a dance residency, close siblings Iph and Orr find themselves separated and on very different paths back to each other.⁣
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There are fairy tales and myths dolloped all over this book. I don’t always recommend prerequisite reading, they can be spoilery- but I’m going to absolutely suggest some homework so you can enjoy all of the lovely Easter eggs. So, take a look at:⁣
- “Brother and Sister” by The Brothers Grimm (Mandatory.)⁣
- The myths of Iphigienia and Orestes⁣
- Stanislavski’s The Method, helps to be vaguely familiar with it⁣
- Bonus points for locating the poem “The Boy Who Changed Himself into a Stag Clamors at the Gate of Secrets” by Ferenc Juhász (Worth it.)⁣
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It’s clear this book had to be set in a place like Portland. I’ve never been, so I’m about to spew out a whole lot of projection- but it seems like the ideal location to set a book that features queer rep, found family, feminism, Shakespeare, lovable misfits, the 90s, amazing character names, sex work positivity, a pink house named Penelope- and ALSO includes a storybook cottage in the woods where books leap off of shelves, food appears out of nowhere, and tarot is performed along with rituals that include a psychopomp.⁣
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There are some narrative turns that may not be for everyone- this book is heavy on magical realism. I loved it, but…. I love most magical realism, sooooo….just remember to keep your mind wide open. (Which…..is kind of the point of the book.)

This was honestly a weird read and more of an experience than anything. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. This book delves into many topics like homelessness, sex work, spirituality, and queerness in a kind and sympathetic light while also acknowledging the struggles. The first half of the novel reads as a typical coming of age, but towards the end it devolves into this nature based identity search that can be confusing but enjoyable.

This book was so strange y’all, but I liked it. If you’ve been here a minute you know me and magical realism don’t always get along, but I really just let myself vibe and get lost in the story this time. The prose was a huge part of that as its beautifully descriptive and really drew me in. I stayed for the characters though because Orr was one of my faves, and I needed to see his entire journey.

At it’s heart, this story is two siblings on separate adventures trying to find each other but most importantly themselves. Summer in the City of Roses touches on a lot of important topics like sex work, drug abuse, and teen homelessness. It's a very sex positive story with queer characters. I always love books or scenarios when a group of girls take a boy under their wings, and the girl group in this story did not let me down at all. They were chaos personified but also very cool and supportive.

I looked up the myths after I finished reading and the way she weaved them together blew my mind 🤯 like if you think this book is weird just look at the source material lolol. It got so extremely weird in the 3rd act, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't crying by the end. There was a lot of theater talk and method acting in the story that I enjoyed, and it blended well with the magical realism aspects. There was also some Shakespeare reciting in this that made me swoon.

Overall, I had a great time reading this retelling and would recommend if you love magical realism, teens with realistic problems, and a surprising ending.

This one was interesting! It had mythology, and it was kinda historical (but also not in my eyes, but that's because I born in the late 90s hahaha).

It was also dark, and definitely combined both fantasy and realism - something I don't read a lot of. It was definitely something to me.

I felt that Iph and Orr were written well as characters, and that is something I do appreciate in a book. The plot and world were a little odd to me, but that may have been just me at the time.

Rating: 3.5/5

(Review live 7/7 at 8am AEST)

Summer in the City of Roses by Michelle Ruiz Keil features a great time and setting with 90s Portland. This world is vivid and fully realized. Like Keil's first time, Summer in the City of Roses is full of beautiful writing. I also appreciate that she is unafraid to broach risky, potentially taboo topics like teenagers and sex work. However, even though I loved the setting, I struggled to connect with the characters or truly get "hooked" by the twins' stories.

I'm sad to say that I DNF this book, I was 45% in and I just couldn't get into it. It could be because I was more excited for other books that I had, maybe. The writing is good, it has so much detail and a very character base. Every thought that each of the siblings had would take us to a reference from their life or their mom and I get that, at the beginning to get to know these characters but it became too much for me. There are a few deep topics, like abuse and prostitution but it touched it lightly and with delicacy. I really loved the cover and the synopsis seemed interesting enough but it wasn't my cup of tea. I do appreciate Net Galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this.

This one just didn't do it for me. I really wanted to get into it but I just didn't feel that invested in the plot or main character's. I think it was beautiful writing but just not for me.

I loved this story so much. It felt original and beautiful, even though it wove together so many familiar fairy tale elements. The city of Portland is as much a character here as any of the people, and I loved reading the slow transformation of Iph and Orr as the novel went on. Everyone here felt full and complex, including the minor characters in the story. I was a big fan of Michelle's first novel, and how she seamlessly brings together fairy tale, myth, city, and music into a story that feels modern and new, and this one does the same and explores family dynamics and social issues sensitively.

Summer in the City of Roses is a collage of Greek mythology, Shakespeare, fairytale, and 90s punk, held together in a frame that is beautifully crafted. Utterly captivating. Keil does not shy away from the sometimes painful truths of being a teen in crisis.

Simply put, a captivating story.

Michelle Ruiz Keil brilliantly writes a thought-provoking and magical story that readers will be instantly drawn to. Pulling from various threads, Keil weaves together Greek mythology, fairytale, and magical realism in a way that makes this story a profound. Two siblings forced onto separate paths, yet each finding who they are the more they fall into the rabbit whole that fate has crafted for them.

Lush and enchanting writing, Keil’s interspersing of magical realism literally takes the novel into its own mystical realm. And the pulse of this story is a strong one, where the 90’s music scene enhances its thrumming beat. Creating a cacophony of syncopated sound and rhythm.

Penning with indelible ink the fairy tales and folklore we’ve been told as children, readers, like Hansel and Gretel staring jaw slacked in front of the candied house, will take in the eye catching splendor of this new world Keil creates. Where each of the characters Iph and Orr meet along the way, will play a pivotal role in how the story ends.

Fans of Greek mythology and fairytale will devour this story whole.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

I’ve read about 1/2 of this book and unfortunately have to DNF it because I simply cannot get into it and it wasn’t at all what I was expecting from reading the synopsis/blurb, it’s much, much darker and I almost wouldn’t even refer to it as a YA Piece of Literature.

I’m just going to say it, this story is strange to say the least.

It’s very different from what I normally read and I rarely DNF books, but that’s not even the issue with this book, I’m not a fan of the writing style, the characters, specifically Iph was unpleasant and uninteresting and quite honestly, the book made me feel uncomfortable due to the way the parents treated their children and handled Orr - I also don’t enjoy reading books where minors are sexualized in any capacity. I gave this book a fair chance but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.


I received the ARC for this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

After finishing this book, I had so many thought so I went straight to Goodreads to see what other were thinking and I was thinking the exact opposite? Everybody's saying how the first part sucked them in and the second part was less interesting. I was really not into it during the first part, struggled with the writingstyle and didn't really feel connected to the characters. But that changed when the story started go unfold. I was very weirded out and confused at some points, but not in a bad way. It made me think of The Ocean at the End of the World for some reason and that's a good thing!

I got about 1/2 through and decided to DNF this one. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or the story. It just wasn't the book for me. But I would try future works by the author.

2/5 Stars

I loved the punk rock take on 90s Portland. The prose was wonderful, and I enjoyed the way the author addressed the themes of sex work, race, and drug use. The characters were fleshed out, and the story is well-paced.

This book had a much darker tone than I was prepared for after reading the blurb. I was hoping from something with a whimsical chaotic energy, which this had a bit of, but not to the extent that I was hoping for. There were so many serious and sensitive topics discussed within the story and I think it would benefit from having content warnings at the beginning. There are scenes and discussions around drug abuse, physical and emotional abuse, homelessness, kidnapping and a few other things. I personally didn't feel triggered, but I think that some serious thought should be considered about including content warnings for others.

The story itself failed to capture my interest. I didn't like Iph. I found her to be pretty obnoxious as a character. However, I liked Orr a lot more. I really appreciate quieter and neurodiverse characters. I appreciate magical realism in books, but this one skirted just on the border of too weird for me and I like to think that I have a pretty high tolerance for this sort of thing. I don't want to go into too much detail and ruin it for someone, but sometimes it was hard to tell what was real and what was a dream. I personally prefer my magical realism without such... vivid dream sequences.

Overall, I think that readers looking for what was described in the blurb, but a little heavier than it implied will be quite happy. It just didn't work for me unfortunately.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm just going to say it loud and proud right now. <i>Summer in the City of Roses</i> was such a weird book. Don't get me wrong, the first half of it completely sucked me in and I was enjoying the adventures that Iph and Orr were going on. I was also super invested in their little reunion because of what went down in the beginning. Then I get to the half-way mark and it just kept getting weirder and weirder.

It honestly probably got weird and confusing way before that part but I was so engaged that it didn't even matter to me. Once I started to realized how things weren't even making sense to me anymore.. well, that is when I was like..

Lots and lots of WTF is going on here kind of moments for me. I'm still not even sure how to understand the actual ending of this book. Things just didn't make sense to me. I tried to understand some of it but in the end.. I will just stick to not knowing anything.

Overall, it was an interesting book with a weird ass ending.

I don’t know what I was expecting when I started reading this, but I definitely didn’t think I would like it this much. I have literally never read anything like this book and I loved it. The ending was weird but in a beautiful way and the writing was just *chef’s kiss*. I loved that it was a diverse historical fiction because the genre is mostly white and cishet. I’m sorry for everyone who knows me because i’ll never stop recommending it.

I have practically not been able to put this book down.

As a '90's kid, 'Summer in the City of Roses' felt nostalgic to me right from the start. Blend in some important social issues and increasing fantasy elements, and it contains basically everything I love in a book story-wise. That is paired with a beautiful writing style that made me want to suck up every sentence and never let it go.