The Silver Rose
by Susan Carroll
Published by Ballantine Books
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Miri Cheney is the youngest of the three "Sisters of Faire Isle," in 1585 France. Miri considers herself a daughter of the earth. Others believe she is a witch because of her skill in healing, foretelling the future, and her ability to communicate with animals.
Miri's family fled from Faire Isle, driven away because they were thought to be witches. Of the three sisters, only Miri was not charged as a witch. And she has returned to her beloved home, but is not welcomed by everyone. Even on Faire Isle she is unable to hide from an evil power threatening to take control of France from Catherine de Medici, the Dark Queen.
The evil one who would seize control of France is only known as the Silver Rose. And Miri must help her enemy Simon Aristide, a witch hunter, follow the Silver Rose's trail if France is to be saved. Miri who herself was hunted by Simon Aristide now must work with him and face her growing desire for him.
Susan Carroll's The Silver Rose is a finely tuned historical romance written with great attention to detail. The prose is lyrical and the plot is exciting.
Armchair Interviews says: It will keep you turning the pages as you devour it for its scintillating intrigue. And you'll be sad when it ends and you must return to "real life."