Ever since her mother walked out, Trix McCabe has been determined to make it on her own. And with her near-magical gift for pulling valuables off unsuspecting strangers, Trix is confident she has what it takes to survive. Until she’s caught and given a choice: jail time, or go live with her long-lost family in the tiny town of Rocksaw, Kansas.
Trix doesn’t plan to stick around Rocksaw long, but there’s something special about her McCabe relatives that she is drawn to. Her aunt, Mia, bakes pies that seem to cure all ills. Her cousin, Ember, can tell a person’s deepest secret with the touch of a hand. And Trix’s great-aunt takes one look at Trix’s palm and tells her that if she doesn’t put down roots somewhere, she won’t have a future anywhere.
Before long, Trix feels like she might finally belong with this special group of women in this tiny town in Kansas. But when her past comes back to haunt her, she’ll have to decide whether to take a chance on this new life . . . or keep running from the one she’s always known.
With lovable and flawed characters, an evocative setting, and friendships to treasure, A Constellation of Roses is the perfect companion to Miranda Asebedo’s debut novel The Deepest Roots.
THIS BOOK IS SO COOL. Miranda Asebedo is so insanely talented. Every page is wholeheartedly atmospheric and innovational.
I’m honestly in shock a little bit. I love this book and it’s hard to explain why. Maybe it’s the way it’s written, the way that the author has with the words. It’s absolutely insane, the amount of writing talent in every page!!
Miranda Asebedo’s books, to me, are the definition of perfectly executed magical realism. The world that she builds in Rocksaw is equally mysterious and magical, and classic, heartfelt small town.
The sheer amount of character growth is astounding. The Trix we see at the end of the book is worlds different from the Trix at the beginning. But unlike some stories with so much character growth, this doesn’t feel forced at all. It just works.
The family aspect of this so good. It combines found family with loving the family you have is the most surprising of ways, and I loved watching Trix fall in love with the McCabes, and the simple unconditional love they gave in return. It’s easily my absolute favorite part of the book, and it plays such a pivotal role in the story.
I feel like Cait from Paper Fury in this moment BUT. We absolutely have to stop and talk about the food. I MAY NEVER STOP CRAVING PIE and it is absolutely this book’s fault!! I think the main two I’m craving are lemon and blueberry, but this book also mentioned some muffins that in need in my life yesterday?? Let me just say… if they release a sequel that is basically just a cookbook with recipes from this book I would buy that in a millisecond, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
I know I’ve discussed the world previously but I would just like to mention that it takes place in KANSAS which is a really easy way to either piss me off or make me unbelievably happy…. I’m unbelievably happy with this book. The setting is perfection and I am not biased at all!! Kansas is such a magical place and it makes me so happy to read magical stories set there. SO HAPPY.
Imma wrap this review up in a hot minute–it’s past my bedtime when I’m writing it. Eventually the melatonin will take my body over and this review will be gibberish.
Things to mention before I go:
Jasper!! I was shocked and touched by his storyline. It was dark at first but the end of it is so bright and it shines a light on mental health issues in a way that you can tell the author understands. She’s not pandering–the gut wrenching battle is true and right.
Magic pies!! That’s all I’m saying at this time.
Ember!! She is the sweetest hufflepuffest human being. She may be my favorite character. Honestly. The way she draws Trix out of her shell and the growth that she has throughout her friendship with Trix is so good.
The writing!! This books is astoundingly, gorgeously, absolutely, wonderfully, beautifully written. Some of the sentences I read like three times because they were so good. It’s prime magical realism writing style, and it’s that kind of writing that makes me… a. Want to cry it’s so good b. Tattoo it on my skin forever c. Paint it all over my apartment walls. Miranda Asebedo has such a talent I can’t even believe. It’s SO GOOD.
OKAY, my eyes are getting blurry and I’m ready for sleep. I have to work in the morning!! No book hangovers allowed. In all: this book is great. It made me cry like 3 times, it has good food and takes place in Kansas!!
CW: child abuse, foster care, death of a parent, death of a sibling, underage drinking, addiction, suicide(method not discussed), depression, suicidal ideation, drug addiction (I listed all that I can remember. If you know of more, comment them or shoot me a message or email or shout at me in the streets and I’ll add them!)
What book have you read that is just absolutely magical? Have you read A Constellation of Roses? If so, what did you think?
Leave a comment below!