A Forgery of Roses by Jessica Olsen was honestly amazing. This magical fantasy book was fast paced and hooked me from the first page. The plot was so interesting and original. I loved the characters and the development of the story. We see exactly how far we’re willing to go for family. Absolutely loved this one!

This novel has a bit of a dark twist with the magic of art. Some selected people have a gift of magic which they use with their art. Myra is one of those, who is doing everything she can to support her younger sister who is ill with an unknown disease after her parents disappeared. There are those who condemn Myra’s abilities and those like her. But they are disappearing. Myra finds herself in a no win situation and makes a devil’s bargain. While trying to accomplish her task, she keeps running into problems and cannot get the full story about what occurred. She develops a relationship with August, but even he seems to be keeping secrets. But someone is still stalking Myra and previously those with abilities like her. How can her handle everything when there is no one she can trust and time is running out on her task?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A very interesting and thought provoking read. But this was magical and so so fun to get into. It really did feel like a touch of magic was on this book as I was reading it was great. If you enjoy historical fiction or anything beyond that then this is definitely the book for you. 5 out of 5 stars!!

A Forgery of Roses is wonderfully unique. In this world, their perception of God is an Artist. As such, it can be taboo to produce art yourself. Prodigies are talented artists with magic that can alter reality by changing it on the canvas- this magic is forbidden.
Myra's parents have gone missing, her sister is sick, she's running out of money, and oh...she's a prodigy. The Governor's wife blackmails her into a seemingly impossible task- bring her son back from the dead. Myra must try or risk exposure as a prodigy.
I enjoyed the setting, characters, and all the twists and turns that kept me guessing to the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for review.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica Olson is becoming one of those authors whose books I look forward to reading and will probably automatically pick up simply because she wrote it. I loved Sing Me Forgotten and I equally loved A Forgery of Roses.

They are both such unique books that I cannot say, "If you liked this book, I recommend you try this book..."

That's a good thing!

A Forgery of Roses is about a girl, Myra, who has the ability to alter people's bodies through paintings. If you have a broken arm, she can paint a picture as if your arm isn't broken and the magic she uses will reset your arm. When Myra is caught using this forbidden magic, she is blackmailed into helping the governor's wife bring her son back from the dead. She is not sure it is even possible to do, but it's try or risk exposure. She needs the money the governor's wife is willing to give her to help her sister, Lucy, who is getting increasingly sicker. Myra can barely afford to pay the nurse that is currently watching over her.

With the help of the governor's oldest son, August. Myra tries to put together the pieces leading up to Will's death. Without fully understanding what happened and how he might be feeling, she isn't sure she will be able to bring him back from the dead. She needs to have the whole picture in order to alter bodies. Unfortunately, Myra breaks the main rule that the governor's wife gave her - to not wander into any other parts of the house. After getting kicked out, she finds refuge and work in a shady forgerer, Vincent.

I was able to predict what roles some of the characters would play throughout the book, but it was the "why" that had me guessing until the end of the book. It's a fantastic ending where you get to look back and revisit all the clues that led to that moment.

Another five star book and I cannot wait for her next one.

This book had atmosphere, it had mystery, it had horror and magic. It had romance. What's not to like?

The premise was really something different and interesting. The main character was able to alter someone's body by painting it. Of course this had to be hidden - can you imagine what could be done with this magic? This was a new twist that I hadn't seen in books before, so I was hooked.

The author did a great job of world building, This book had a very dark, gothic feel to it, which really added to the story. I could just FEEL the tension as I was reading it.

I really liked the relationship between the main characters - Myra and August. It was a slow build, and August wasn't the perfect man. He suffered from anxiety, which I thought made him feel more real.

Then that twist - say what? I love when a book can surprise me. (although it also confused me a little and I had to go back and re-read a little to make sure I understood how it occured)

I liked this so much that I went back to see if this author #JessicaS Olson has written anything else. She has and I have it in my downloaded TBR pile now!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a electronic advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot was fantastic—fast paced and exciting, and the twists were excellently crafted. So well done. The characters were all wonderful as well—my one complaint was that Lucy, for a 13 year old, is VERY mature and that struck me as atypical. I loved the tension between August and Myra—REALLY loved how Olson honored August’s present and his struggle with anxiety, and didn’t make him this perfect male counterpart.

Myra has a gift many would kidnap, blackmail, and worse to control: she’s a portrait artist whose paintings alter people’s bodies. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone. But one frigid night, the governor’s wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor's dead son.

Once she arrives at the legendary stone mansion, however, it becomes clear the boy’s death was no accident. A killer stalks these halls--one disturbingly obsessed with portrait magic. Desperate to get out of the manor as quickly as possible, Myra turns to the governor’s older son for help completing the painting before the secret she spent her life concealing makes her the killer’s next victim.

I did enjoy Sing me forgotten and this book is just as good. I love the magic in this story. What an unique idea. I like the mystery in this story as well. What suspense.... :) A great story. The writing was wonderful and kept you guessing.

Thanks to the publisher for providing this arc.

I was not sure about this book but I am really glad I decided to give it a chance. It was a very fun read and the plot was full of twist and turns. The author did a great job and I will be looking for more books by this author.

This story was absolutely divine! Gorgeous, atmospheric writing. Intriguing plot. Mysteries. Unique magic. Such an amazing read!

I enjoyed SING ME FORGOTTEN, but when I say this is an astounding follow-up, I mean that in the truest sense. Olson has such a way with captivating dialogue and prose, and the magic system in A FORGERY OF ROSES is absolutely breath taking. I cannot wait to see the fanart for this. Thank you for the e-arc!

#AForgeryofRoses #NetGalley #Edelweiss
A dark story about a young woman searching for her missing parents. A deal made that will shed some light on the mystery may cost her what little she has left. Jessica S. Olson gives us a story about love, loss, and magic that will have you guess until the end.