Rose Blog Tour: Guest Post + Review

Welcome to my stop on the Rose official blog tour hosted by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky! Today I have an exciting guest post to share with you along with my review of the book!

Rose (Rose #1)

Author: Holly Webb

Genre: YA/MG Fantasy/Mystery

Release Date: September 3, 2013

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Description:

Rose isn't like the other orphans at St. Bridget's Home for Abandoned Girls. Instead of dreaming of getting adopted by loving, wealthy parents, Rose wants to get a job and be independent. She doesn't need anyone but herself. She finds her escape working as a maid for Mr. Fountain, an alchemist. Unable to ignore the magic that flows throughout the grand residence, Rose realizes that just maybe; she might have a little bit of magic in her too. This new series featuring magicians, witches, talking cats, mist-monsters, and friendships will have young readers in a trance! 

 Dream Cast for ROSE

Rose – Chloe Moretz

This is so difficult! Rose needs to be brave, determined, but quite matter-of-fact. She’s horrified by her magic at first, as she wants to be a maid – she’s amazed that she’s been lucky enough to get a job, and she thinks the magic will spoil everything. So whoever played her would need to be able to get that determination across, but be overtaken by the excitement of the magic growing inside her.

At first I thought of Kirsten Dunst, as she was amazing as a child vampire in Interview With the Vampire, but of course that was years and years ago. Actually, if I could have any child actress from whenever, I think I would go for Mara Wilson, who played Matilda in the film. She seemed quite as I imagine Rose – pretty, but not beautiful, very sensible, but with a sly sense of humour lurking underneath. I wonder if Chloe Moretz (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hugo) would be able to look young enough to play Rose? In the book Rose thinks she’s ten, but she’s not quite sure, and the hard life at the orphanage, and having to be grown-up very quickly, would make her look older.

Mr. Fountain – Colin Firth

But only if he could grow a large, curly moustache.

Miss Sparrow – Emma Watson

Miss Sparrow needs to be very beautiful, possibly too beautiful – not to spoil the plot, but her looks are magically enhanced. I’d love to see Emma Watson play another magical character, but this time, an evil one. (Thinking about it, Emma Watson would also have been wonderful as Rose!)

Bill (Or Freddie! )– Asa Butterfield

Bill is another of the servants at Mr. Fountain’s house. He’s an orphan too, and he loves being a little bit older and more used to working than Rose. But he’s actually very kind, although he does his best to hide it. He needs to sound like a Londoner, which I think is probably easier for a British actor. But then I can see Asa Butterfield as Freddie, the snotty, conceited magician’s apprentice, too! He has a magical look to him. Can I have him twice with different-coloured hair, please?!

Gus (voice) – Alan Rickman

Because he has a lovely voice!

Gus is Mr Fountain’s spoilt white cat, and one of the first magical things to happen to Rose is that she realises she can hear him talking. He’s proud, lazy and obsessed with fishpaste sandwiches.

I first saw Alan Rickman in Truly, Madly, Deeply a long time ago but he can also be fabulously nasty (as the sheriff of Nottingham and of course as Snape in the Harry Potter films). He’s great at sounding grumpy, which is very important for Gus!

Thanks for stopping by the blog and sharing your dream cast Holly!

Rose is the first book in a young adult/middle grade series that follows main character Rose as she learns that she is different - very different - from the other girls at St. Bridget's Home for Abandoned Girls. She doesn't want to admit that she can do magic - all she wants from life is to get out of the home and secure a job as a maid. Soon her dream becomes reality as she is whisked away to the estate of one Mr. Fountain, who just happens to be an alchemist. As Rose adjusts to her new life, she realizes that she can't ignore the magic that is happening all around her and that maybe she might have a bit of magic in her as well - and that might not be such a bad thing.

This was a truly enchanting and fun young adult/middle grade fantasy novel. The plot was interesting and had several different aspects that wove together to form a great story. I loved the historical setting for the book - I think that it was a perfect choice for the story to take place. The characters were all wonderfully written - especially our leading lady, Rose. She's smart, brave, determined, and logical - but she's also forced to be open-minded and adaptable when she moves to Mr. Fountain's estate. I immediately liked her character from the start of the book and continued to root for her throughout the story. The other characters were quirky and fun - each had their own personalities that made them unique. The plot was exciting and fun - full of mystery, magic, fantasy and adventure - and there never seemed to be a dull moment for Rose or the reader. The writing was very well done with a quick pace and natural flow that made this a fast read for me. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to see what will happen in the next installment! Highly recommended for fans of YA or MG fantasy novels.

Holly Webb is the author of Dog Magic, Cat Magic, and Lost in the Snow. She has always loved animals and owns two very spoiled cats. They haven't said a word to her yet, but she's always listening, just in case! She lives in England. (Taken from Goodreads)

http://www.holly-webb.com/