Review of A Rose By Any Other Name by Mary McMyne

I received a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review

CW’s:: some violence, language, mentions of sex, pregnancy, sexism, witchcraft, discount Philippa Gregory who in herself is a discount Walmart history writer.

My Rating: 2.75

So, I’m going to do what I did with a previous review and review it by sections.

1%-37%

Initially, I don’t really feel grabbed by the book. I think Rose is an okay protagonist, she just isn’t that memorable right off the bat like previous characters I’ve read are. Maya from The Stardust Grail grabs attention immediately, Rose…not so much.

Honestly, it’s just a boring book, the magic system still feels flat, the characters don’t spark my sympathy, and it feels like a Phillippa Gregory vibe-and that’s not a compliment to start-but more boring.

I honestly think Cecely would’ve been a more interesting protagonist. Her stakes are higher, and she actually seems to have really struggled. Don’t get me wrong, Rose has issues, and she has some conflict. But the conflict for Cecely could have been far more developed.

The whole thing just reads like a journal I’d read for a history class, and not even a high-level history class either. And I’m not dogging on the book for simplistic writing, I’m just saying the writing isn’t special or whimsical or anything more than what feels like a bland internal monologue.

There’s nothing really problematic thus far, but it’s just, meh. I don’t want to spend time in the book, marinate in it, take my time to savor it. I just want to get through it and get it over with. I don’t usually read something fast if I like it. I take my time so it won’t end.

This is no such book, I don’t see anything to savor.

37%-82%

The book improved for sure, but I still felt all of the problems that I felt in the beginning. The plot was boring and dragged. I was more interested when Will and Rose’s relationship started in earnest, but I still kept thinking of Cecely.

Also, the author has a character named after her. I’m sorry, but I don’t think anyone other than Jane Austen can pull that off. It comes off as a self-insert trying to put herself into the story. I don’t mind when fanfiction authors do it, they’re honest about it.

I just cared so much more about other characters. The magic system was boring and really didn’t redeem the book that much. There were some interesting plot points, but it just didn’t bring the book back from being utterly boring and unimpressive.

Finally, we have to get to the biggest problem, again, Rose. She was selfish and flat and didn’t evolve. Her motivations felt so self-centered and she was really unlikable. And I don’t think characters have to be likable to work, though I haven’t read one of them yet, Rose’’s unlike-ability didn’t work for the plot. She just came off as selfish and kind of stupidly reckless. She doesn’t even pause to think her affair might get out when she’s practically doing it out in the open. I don’t support Richard by any means. I think he is just as awful. And the book also makes Shakespeare awful. Just everyone of the main characters is awful. Apart from Edmund, the child, and Cecely, the side character.

Everyone just makes me so angry and when I’m not angry, I’m bored!

81%-100%

The end was so anti-climactic. She got what she wanted in some ways, not in others, which on its surface is a good ending. I just didn’t feel it.

Not problematic, not awful, just boring.