Lately I’ve been obsessed with novels in verse. So when I saw The Ghosts of Rose Hill (part of a new imprint Peachtree Teen), I was intrigued. And I was not disappointed. What follows is a story about love and sacrifice. About moving on and acknowledging our past. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Sent to stay with her aunt in Prague and witness the humble life of an artist, Ilana Lopez—a biracial Jewish girl—finds herself torn between her dream of becoming a violinist and her immigrant parents’ desire for her to pursue a more stable career.
When she discovers a forgotten Jewish cemetery behind her aunt’s cottage, she meets the ghost of a kindhearted boy named Benjamin, who died over a century ago. As Ilana restores Benjamin’s grave, he introduces her to the enchanted side of Prague, where ghosts walk the streets and their kisses have warmth.
But Benjamin isn’t the only one interested in Ilana. Rudolph Wassermann, a man with no shadow, has become fascinated with her and the music she plays. He offers to share his magic, so Ilana can be with Benjamin and pursue her passion for violin. But after Ilana discovers the truth about Wassermann and how Benjamin became bound to the city, she resolves to save the boy she loves, even if it means losing him—forever.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Ghosts of Rose Hill is a must read if you love novels in verse. There are some lines that I had to stop and absorb. There’s lyricism which is captivating in its brevity and stunningness. It’s one of those novels in verse I wanted to re-read immediately after finishing. The Ghosts of Rose Hill is an emotional story about ghosts. About ghosts who keep us from returning home because they haunt us, put up gates and fence, or whisper memories. The ghosts who are living and those who are gone.
Beginning with a story about a girl whose dreams go against her parents. Her desire to follow the music of her heart versus their wishes for practicality borne from prosecution. When she is sent to Prague for the summer, she immediately is confronted with this contrast between seeing her parent’s roots in person. From wondering about our ties to a place we know in stories and half concocted memories. But quickly The Ghosts of Rose Hill turns into a fantastical story about the desires we never quite lose.
It becomes a story about fighting for love. For confiding the darker parts of history and our past. The suspense begins to rise and combined with almost wispy and shadowy fantasy elements, The Ghosts of Rose Hill became a story about acknowledging the past while also fighting for our future. It’s a story that continues to examine the lasting trauma of history that echoes back. That we walk upon each day. And the writing is truly heart wrenching in some places.
Overall,
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We can become so absorbed by our dreams, by our pursuits, that we can lose sight of the ones who love us. Who may not grant our wildest dreams, but who fight for us. The Ghosts of Rose Hill explores monsters that hide in clever and kind disguises. That an escape can seem like chance when in reality it might be a cage. Romero is able to balance emotional writing and action that only crescendos. This is perfect for fans of fantasy, novels in verse, and heroines who discover their strength. Find The Ghosts of Rose Hill on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.