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The Blood Files #1
In the Roses of Pieria
When Clara Eden is offered a job as an archivist working for eccentric estate owner Agatha Montague, she thinks her prayers have been answered. Soon, she finds herself sucked into the world of her research, captivated by a romantic correspondence thousands of years old. But as her feelings for her employer’s assistant, Fiadh, deepen, so too does her suspicion that something about Agatha Montague isn’t quite right. Unfortunately for Clara, by the time her suspicions are confirmed, it is far too late to run.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
77 people are currently reading
4004 people want to read
About the author
Anna Burke
8 books1,074 followersAnna Burke enjoys all things nautical and generally prefers animals to people. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found walking in the woods with her dogs or drinking too much tea, which she prefers hot and strong—just like her protagonists.
She lives in Massachusetts with her wife, dogs, and too many houseplants. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, where she now teaches in their Popular Fiction MFA program. She is also the Director of Education for the Golden Crown Literary Society.
You can follow her on Twitter @annaburkeauthor.
She lives in Massachusetts with her wife, dogs, and too many houseplants. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, where she now teaches in their Popular Fiction MFA program. She is also the Director of Education for the Golden Crown Literary Society.
You can follow her on Twitter @annaburkeauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
July 16, 2024
Anna Burke, oh Anna Burke. What you do to me with your writing. I innocently walked into this book without paying attention to either the full title nor the blurb about the story. I was slammed by the pure brilliance of it all.
Clara Eden, an historical archivist who specializes in all things Nektopolisian, accepts a dream job digitizing a wealthy woman’s collection of historical documents and relics. The library of Agatha Montague is more than Clara’s imagination could ever envision of Nektopolisian artifacts.
Fiadh Halloran is Agatha’s assistant and go between for Agatha and Clara. A bond grows between Clara and Fiadh as they interact daily. This develops into attraction and possibly more as the days go by.
I am enamoured by the story being built on Clara translating Nektopolisian correspondence into English for Agatha. The academic overtones in the first part of the book captures my attention immediately. It holds me intriguingly off kilter as I try to figure out where the story will take me. My theories on the plot development were so terribly wrong and I say this as a good thing and with a smile on my face. Everything was deliciously unexpected. Add to this the pleasing writing style of Burke and you cannot go wrong picking up this book.
I received an advance review copy from Bywater Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Clara Eden, an historical archivist who specializes in all things Nektopolisian, accepts a dream job digitizing a wealthy woman’s collection of historical documents and relics. The library of Agatha Montague is more than Clara’s imagination could ever envision of Nektopolisian artifacts.
Fiadh Halloran is Agatha’s assistant and go between for Agatha and Clara. A bond grows between Clara and Fiadh as they interact daily. This develops into attraction and possibly more as the days go by.
I am enamoured by the story being built on Clara translating Nektopolisian correspondence into English for Agatha. The academic overtones in the first part of the book captures my attention immediately. It holds me intriguingly off kilter as I try to figure out where the story will take me. My theories on the plot development were so terribly wrong and I say this as a good thing and with a smile on my face. Everything was deliciously unexpected. Add to this the pleasing writing style of Burke and you cannot go wrong picking up this book.
I received an advance review copy from Bywater Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 15, 2023
From the first sentence, you know it’s going to be pure Burke beauty. By the second, the mood is set.
When given the opportunity to study hitherto unknown artefacts from the Nektopolian civilisation, Clara Eden doesn’t hesitate long. Higher wages than she’s ever received in her six years as an adjunct teacher and a cute cottage to live in don’t hurt either. How could she know that her research will uncover a story of love, betrayal, revenge over too many years to count? A story she’ll unwittingly become a part of, among creatures she didn’t know – or want to believe – existed, finding love herself on the way?
This book has everything. Action, romance, sexy times, humour, gore. It’s terrifying and hot – sometimes simultaneously – and beautifully written as usual. It takes tremendous talent to make reading about a scholar working on ancient texts fascinating. The letters between Natek and Gata (beautiful, beautiful letters) remind me of This Is How You Lose the Time War. The story is completely different but they have the same enemies-to-lovers tension. Then Burke moves on to action-packed scenes, with the same ease and fluidity as she writes about intellectual pursuits.
The story is told in first person, from Clara’s point of view, which makes every emotion she feels, every shiver that goes through her body the reader’s as well, be it fear or the first thrills of attraction. With all her knowledge and intellect, Clara isn’t ready for the secrets she’s confronted with and the decisions she has to make, but page after page, revelation after revelation, she steps up. I have this feeling of her in my head, straightening up as events unfold and fortitude is needed. I’m very curious to see what happens to her in the second part of the Blood Files.
There are many details that would deserve to be discussed, I can’t get into all of them in this review. The worldbuilding, though. It’s twofold and glorious. Nektopolis, the letters, Clara’s research, which conjure up ruins and dust, musty rooms and filtered light – dry, hot, and golden. Then the present, the world Clara didn’t know she lived in, a world just as complex and dark, that brings to mind moss and the scent of water, green and black and fresh yet stifling.
I don’t read a lot of horror because I scare easily. So I convinced myself this book was just fantasy. I love fantasy, I love Anna Burke’s books. Easy. Except this one really is scary, it pushed me way out of my comfort zone and I swear I had to step back from myself to stay in the book. All worth it, obviously. More than worth it.
What blows my mind is that we owe such wonderful books as this one and A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger to three authors – Burke, Breger, Jenn Alexander – challenging one another to write vampire novellas. Which turned into novels, and a duology for Burke. As a reader, I couldn’t be happier. Because everything I’ve read so far has been brilliant and there’s more to look forward to. There are similarities between the two novels that have been released, yet they have very distinct personalities. A Long Time Dead is the lush and decadent sibling, In the Roses of Pieria is the academic one, deceptively bookish, unabashedly and gleefully wild when given the chance. I can’t wait to meet the rest of the family. 4.5⭐️
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
August 4, 2024
Update after listening to the audiobook. Still phenomenal. Still blown away. Initially I wasn’t sure how I felt about unfamiliar narrator Savannah Rivers, but she soon won me over with her excellent character voices. I can’t wait for the follow-up!
Original review:
In the Roses of Pieria is one of those books that you should experience going in blind. Read the blurb, but don’t read reviews, don’t read spoilers. Take the ride. Enjoy the revelations as they come.
This is a phenomenal read. The world building is incredible. The research, the intelligence behind the story, the skill with which it is told… awe inspiring. A submersive experience that commands your full attention, Burke makes every detail delicious.
Just amazing.
I received an ARC from Bywater Books in exchange for an honest review.
Original review:
In the Roses of Pieria is one of those books that you should experience going in blind. Read the blurb, but don’t read reviews, don’t read spoilers. Take the ride. Enjoy the revelations as they come.
This is a phenomenal read. The world building is incredible. The research, the intelligence behind the story, the skill with which it is told… awe inspiring. A submersive experience that commands your full attention, Burke makes every detail delicious.
Just amazing.
I received an ARC from Bywater Books in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2024
Sapphic vampires, dark academia, plant horrors, and terrifying fungal fae. The only reason I hadn't picked it up earlier was capitalism (i have a job) and its horrors (many hours).
It was a great story, wonderfully written and constructed.
Truth is, it dragged a bit by the end. The last 25% was not my favorite, and that's where that last remaining star got stuck.
It was a great story, wonderfully written and constructed.
Truth is, it dragged a bit by the end. The last 25% was not my favorite, and that's where that last remaining star got stuck.
May 8, 2023
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Anna Burke has done it again. Anyone who's read her previous books knows she's an extremely talented author, and ROSES is no exception.
We follow Clara, a university lecturer and scholar of the ancient city state of Nektropolis (fictional), as she is offered a cushy job as an archivist for a rich woman called Agatha, researching what she loves. Part of this is translating an old correspondence, and let me tell you, I loved those letters. The story told through them was beautiful, and I can only hope we get more of them in the next book. I would've read a whole book of just those letters. Gata and Natek really shine in them, especially Natek, who became my favourite character.
During all this research, Clara grows closer to Fiadh, Agatha's assistant. Figuring out the mystery with Fiadh was interesting and kept me guessing (Agatha was more straightforward to figure out). Clara's and Fiadh's romance was sweet, if a little rushed, imo. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them in the next book.
I won't go into too much detail about everything else due to spoilers, but I loved the lore in this world. Really loved it. The vampires, the unique take on fae, it was all amazing. I can't wait to see where everything goes in book 2!
Highly, highly recommend this!
Anna Burke has done it again. Anyone who's read her previous books knows she's an extremely talented author, and ROSES is no exception.
We follow Clara, a university lecturer and scholar of the ancient city state of Nektropolis (fictional), as she is offered a cushy job as an archivist for a rich woman called Agatha, researching what she loves. Part of this is translating an old correspondence, and let me tell you, I loved those letters. The story told through them was beautiful, and I can only hope we get more of them in the next book. I would've read a whole book of just those letters. Gata and Natek really shine in them, especially Natek, who became my favourite character.
During all this research, Clara grows closer to Fiadh, Agatha's assistant. Figuring out the mystery with Fiadh was interesting and kept me guessing (Agatha was more straightforward to figure out). Clara's and Fiadh's romance was sweet, if a little rushed, imo. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them in the next book.
I won't go into too much detail about everything else due to spoilers, but I loved the lore in this world. Really loved it. The vampires, the unique take on fae, it was all amazing. I can't wait to see where everything goes in book 2!
Highly, highly recommend this!
June 4, 2024
Audiobook reread: JUST AS AMAZING!! If not /more/. God, I Love finding a new narrator that I adore. I also love that there is an Anna Burke book I can listen too! Bc I don’t vibe with the narrator she usually uses. Hearing Fiah and Agatha’s voices was so dreamy. The performance was great and I, again, NEED THE SEQUAL NOW!!! Anna Burke has knocked literally every book I’ve read of hers out of the park. Her mind is perfectly matched for mine for an author/reader.
~~~~~~
I NEED THE SEQUEL /NOW/
Okay but no I LOVED this. Vampires and sapphic relationships across time, and other mythologies and folklore that are AWESOME and fit in so well and this is frankly, only encouraging my recent interest in mushrooms and fungi, so, ffs.
This might be a book almost perfectly tailored to me specifically and I am SO GLAD it is one I bought a physical copy of to read a million times while I wait for the sequel as patiently as possible. Anna Burke has just had banger after banger and I adore her writing so much.
I love Fiadh with my whole hearrrrrt
~~~~~~
I NEED THE SEQUEL /NOW/
Okay but no I LOVED this. Vampires and sapphic relationships across time, and other mythologies and folklore that are AWESOME and fit in so well and this is frankly, only encouraging my recent interest in mushrooms and fungi, so, ffs.
This might be a book almost perfectly tailored to me specifically and I am SO GLAD it is one I bought a physical copy of to read a million times while I wait for the sequel as patiently as possible. Anna Burke has just had banger after banger and I adore her writing so much.
I love Fiadh with my whole hearrrrrt
October 23, 2023
I am amazed at the wide spectrum of voices and story-worlds that people use to tell their own version of the supernatural myths. When I started this book, I happened to be traveling and reading a few different arcs as well so I forgot that this one might be scary. I think the “surprise” reveal heightened the drama for me. It’s been a while since a book gave me nightmares but as I got deeper into the reading, Clara’s journey took hold and I fell into that slow burn dread.
Clara Eden teaches at the local university but her first love is researching Nektopolis, a pretend city-state founded in 328 BCE. She is treading water career wise and in life. Feeling unsatisfied. Then an opportunity to work on a private collection leads her on a hopeful new path. As a perk of the new job, she moves onto the mysterious patron’s estate, dealing only with Agatha Montague’s beautiful assistant, Fiadh. The author weaves a complex web of relationships which span millennia but breaks them down in beautifully written letters. Some harsh. Others achingly romantic. Then the author pulls everything to the present in a way that startles and unsettles. I want to mention that it is not so much overt horror but a relentlessly fear driven Clara that got to me. Her palpable terror becomes almost madness. That is what seeped into my dreams.
Anyway, it is a heck of a book and I wait impatiently for the sequel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Clara Eden teaches at the local university but her first love is researching Nektopolis, a pretend city-state founded in 328 BCE. She is treading water career wise and in life. Feeling unsatisfied. Then an opportunity to work on a private collection leads her on a hopeful new path. As a perk of the new job, she moves onto the mysterious patron’s estate, dealing only with Agatha Montague’s beautiful assistant, Fiadh. The author weaves a complex web of relationships which span millennia but breaks them down in beautifully written letters. Some harsh. Others achingly romantic. Then the author pulls everything to the present in a way that startles and unsettles. I want to mention that it is not so much overt horror but a relentlessly fear driven Clara that got to me. Her palpable terror becomes almost madness. That is what seeped into my dreams.
Anyway, it is a heck of a book and I wait impatiently for the sequel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2025
WHY DIDN'T I LOOK INTO THIS BETTER FIRST TO SEE IT WAS PART OF AN UNFINISHED SERIES!
Overall, the language and flow were excellent. It’s definitely a slow burn (which makes so much more sense now that I know we’re still waiting on book 2... Anna, please, we’re begging here!).
Fidah and Clara were such compelling main characters, and the romance between Gata and Natek? Unexpected and absolutely brilliant. Adored the sapphic vibes throughout!
But sadly, the book didn’t have the happiest ending, and with it being out for two years with no sequel in sight (well, not from what I can see on the author's site, socials, or responses to questions about book 2 on said socials), I’m honestly gutted. It feels like there’s no closure.
Overall, the language and flow were excellent. It’s definitely a slow burn (which makes so much more sense now that I know we’re still waiting on book 2... Anna, please, we’re begging here!).
Fidah and Clara were such compelling main characters, and the romance between Gata and Natek? Unexpected and absolutely brilliant. Adored the sapphic vibes throughout!
But sadly, the book didn’t have the happiest ending, and with it being out for two years with no sequel in sight (well, not from what I can see on the author's site, socials, or responses to questions about book 2 on said socials), I’m honestly gutted. It feels like there’s no closure.
Read
August 14, 2023When I set out to reading this book I knew it was very far out of my comfort zone, while reading this book it was definitely confirmed. This book, the tale that Burke spins so well, is not necessarily for me.
The way Burke writes the story, it’s compelling and makes you want to read more and more, even if the story isn’t really for you. It’s a masterful feat. The story itself with vampires, fey, and sìth isn’t really for me. It’s just a little much. The way Burke decides to tell the story is a bit strange at times, the writing is wonderful and almost forces you to read on, while you don’t even know what the story is actually about.
I find it hard to say what I liked and didn’t like about this book. Excellent writing makes such a difference to me. I guess this just isn’t my genre. Because now, hours after I finished this book, I still don’t know if I liked it or not.
ARC received from the publisher (Bywater Books) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The way Burke writes the story, it’s compelling and makes you want to read more and more, even if the story isn’t really for you. It’s a masterful feat. The story itself with vampires, fey, and sìth isn’t really for me. It’s just a little much. The way Burke decides to tell the story is a bit strange at times, the writing is wonderful and almost forces you to read on, while you don’t even know what the story is actually about.
I find it hard to say what I liked and didn’t like about this book. Excellent writing makes such a difference to me. I guess this just isn’t my genre. Because now, hours after I finished this book, I still don’t know if I liked it or not.
ARC received from the publisher (Bywater Books) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
November 10, 2024
This is more 3.5 but I decided to round up. I really did enjoy this but there were some issues that bugged me. The first half was too slow and I didn’t love the almost insta-relationship. Then the last half was almost too much and got very convoluted. And why was Clara just so dumb so often?!?
However, I adored the letters and the secondary romance. I really hope we get to see more of them in the second book.
However, I adored the letters and the secondary romance. I really hope we get to see more of them in the second book.
January 1, 2024
5 stars. This is unfortunately also one of the few ARCs that I have been very delayed on with reading and reviewing, sometimes life interferes. Apologies for this because this book absolutely deserves to be read. I’m a big fan of Burke’s books and this is no exception. And the best thing is, there will be more as this is book one of a duology. The story is carefully build and I feel there is so much more to come.
Burke’s writing style is as always wonderful, it flows beautifully and creates the exact right atmosphere. The book starts rather slow in an academic setting which is smartly used to introduce the main characters; Clara (the scholar and expert on everything Nektopolisian), Agatha (Clara’s rich, demanding and mysterious boss that happens to have an enormous amount of Nektopolisian artefacts), and Fiadh (Agatha’s closed off but intriguing assistant in all matters). The first part of the book also provides the much needed and wonderfully told backstory. This way the backstory is not an info dump but an exploration into the past and slowly but surely the connection to the present is made that moves the book into the second part.
This is where everything changes, the speed increases, the academic setting is swapped for a paranormal one and there is plenty of action of which I do not want to say too much. I’ll just say there were plenty of twists and turns and the story kept surprising me.
The characters are flawed and not all easily likable and the storyline is rather dark and I enjoyed how my perspective on the main characters kept changing while reading the book. The book is written in first person (POV from Clara) which worked very well to keep the mystery of the book.
A reminder to all that have not read this book yet. If you like dark paranormal books with excellent world building and a good dose of fictional history, then this is one to read.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Burke’s writing style is as always wonderful, it flows beautifully and creates the exact right atmosphere. The book starts rather slow in an academic setting which is smartly used to introduce the main characters; Clara (the scholar and expert on everything Nektopolisian), Agatha (Clara’s rich, demanding and mysterious boss that happens to have an enormous amount of Nektopolisian artefacts), and Fiadh (Agatha’s closed off but intriguing assistant in all matters). The first part of the book also provides the much needed and wonderfully told backstory. This way the backstory is not an info dump but an exploration into the past and slowly but surely the connection to the present is made that moves the book into the second part.
This is where everything changes, the speed increases, the academic setting is swapped for a paranormal one and there is plenty of action of which I do not want to say too much. I’ll just say there were plenty of twists and turns and the story kept surprising me.
The characters are flawed and not all easily likable and the storyline is rather dark and I enjoyed how my perspective on the main characters kept changing while reading the book. The book is written in first person (POV from Clara) which worked very well to keep the mystery of the book.
A reminder to all that have not read this book yet. If you like dark paranormal books with excellent world building and a good dose of fictional history, then this is one to read.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2023
Anna Burke delivers another atmospheric narrative that is as complex as it is intense. I absolutely loved the first part of the novel where Clara is in her element as an academic and archiving historical documents. For me, the letters exchanged between Natek and Gata were a highlight, as they were filled with haunting sincerity and layers of emotion. While the world-building is largely successful, it can occasionally veer into the confusing with lots of different supernatural elements.
Although I enjoyed the romantic arc between Clara and Fiadh, it was somewhat less convincing than that of Natek and Gata, accelerating too quickly from tension to full-fledged involvement. Additionally, the latter part of the book seemed to lose narrative focus, and I found it really hard to follow at times. I had to keep re-reading paragraphs and sections so I could try to understand the plot. Although the language that Anna Burke is beautiful and immersive, I think it did lead to confusion for me at times.
However, where Burke excels unequivocally is in her characterisation. Fiadh, Clara, Natek and Gata are compelling and well-developed figures, leaving the reader eager for more. Despite minor setbacks, In The Roses of Pieria remains an engrossing read and I can't wait for the sequel.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bywater Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Although I enjoyed the romantic arc between Clara and Fiadh, it was somewhat less convincing than that of Natek and Gata, accelerating too quickly from tension to full-fledged involvement. Additionally, the latter part of the book seemed to lose narrative focus, and I found it really hard to follow at times. I had to keep re-reading paragraphs and sections so I could try to understand the plot. Although the language that Anna Burke is beautiful and immersive, I think it did lead to confusion for me at times.
However, where Burke excels unequivocally is in her characterisation. Fiadh, Clara, Natek and Gata are compelling and well-developed figures, leaving the reader eager for more. Despite minor setbacks, In The Roses of Pieria remains an engrossing read and I can't wait for the sequel.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bywater Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2023
I was sent this book as an advance copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
This was the first book (not audio or comic/graphic etc) I read in like 1.5 years, so yay for that! And what a premise for a book to get back into reading: lesbianism, vampires and plant magic? Don't mind if I do.
I was really invested in the epistolary side of this novel while it lasted. While the letters might be initially confusing for some, I really found myself enjoying them and even rereading them to understand them better (lesbianism defeats my ADHD once again), and they get clearer as you get more context.
Outside of the epistolary part, I enjoyed the rest of this novel, even though I never reached the level of enthusiasm I would have hoped for with that premise. I enjoyed the lore and various paranormal elements (vampires, fey and more). I think the plot flowed nicely. The romance was cute. I have nothing bad to say about any of it, and even the fact that I could more or less sense what any particular Chekhov's gun was leading to didn't negatively impact my enjoyment of the book.
I don't know what could have made this a 5 stars for me, but I liked it and I want more plant magic in books, especially if there's also lesbians in them, and vampires too.
3.5 stars
This was the first book (not audio or comic/graphic etc) I read in like 1.5 years, so yay for that! And what a premise for a book to get back into reading: lesbianism, vampires and plant magic? Don't mind if I do.
I was really invested in the epistolary side of this novel while it lasted. While the letters might be initially confusing for some, I really found myself enjoying them and even rereading them to understand them better (lesbianism defeats my ADHD once again), and they get clearer as you get more context.
Outside of the epistolary part, I enjoyed the rest of this novel, even though I never reached the level of enthusiasm I would have hoped for with that premise. I enjoyed the lore and various paranormal elements (vampires, fey and more). I think the plot flowed nicely. The romance was cute. I have nothing bad to say about any of it, and even the fact that I could more or less sense what any particular Chekhov's gun was leading to didn't negatively impact my enjoyment of the book.
I don't know what could have made this a 5 stars for me, but I liked it and I want more plant magic in books, especially if there's also lesbians in them, and vampires too.
August 14, 2023
This story was different than most books I’ve read lately. Burke weaves a tale with in depth world building and multiple vampires that are at war with each other. Added in are 2000 year old love letters from Ancient Greece.
The two MCs have a quick attraction for each other but it was at a slow burn and seemed to progress in a realistic way.
Also two charming cats added to the story. And the exotic roses and all the interesting side characters round out a very intense read. This is part one of a new series that ends in a cliff hanger.
Arc provided by Baywater books through Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
The two MCs have a quick attraction for each other but it was at a slow burn and seemed to progress in a realistic way.
Also two charming cats added to the story. And the exotic roses and all the interesting side characters round out a very intense read. This is part one of a new series that ends in a cliff hanger.
Arc provided by Baywater books through Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
October 17, 2023
I can’t count number of times my mouth unconsciously gaped reading a surprise twist in the story. This book. Smh. I can’t believe my timing choosing to read this genre now. Perfect for Halloween. Clara and Fiadh 😍 Clara’s internal monologue is so dry, I can’t. I loved it! It added to the charm of the story having a funny, relatable and self-deprecating main character. All the history and intellectual talk had me believe there was a bloody Nektopolis irl only to find its all made up which is more impressive, highlighting the amazing brain power the author possesses conjuring a seemingly real civilisation. Who would have thought mushrooms could be powerful and magical!
August 24, 2023
The words that form these beautiful sentences, the research, the spine tingling horrors and the loves that span hundreds of years. This is a masterpiece of a sapphic, dark academia, vampire tale. It is definitely not my go to genre but, oh my, this one has turned me into a raving fan.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Clara Eden is a struggling academic. She devoted her life to uncovering the ancient history of Nektopolis and its founder Nektarios. Or is it Nektaria? Much of the historical evidence of this old city state is gone. The artifacts and texts that survived the years are Clara’s main focus of research. When she gets an alluring job offer from a private estate, she leaves academia in the hopes to find some hidden gems from Nektopolian times. What she discovers is too wild to even comprehend and sets her up for great, unfathomable danger.
Fiadh is the manager of the estate and Clara feels a strong pull towards her. Fiadh is mysterious but is drawn to Clara all the same. Can their bond be as unbreakable in the face of death as the bond between the ancient women, Nektaria and her love interest Galatea?
I don’t even know where to begin with praise for this story. The writing is sublime. Each beautifully constructed sentence lures you to the next. The translations of ancient letters and texts give the story so much depth that it is impossible to read only once. As a reader you want this language to fuse into your bones, reading it again and again.
As I’ve said before, the vampire/horror trope is not my favorite. This one is definitely worth stepping out of my comfort zone for. Although there is some gore, the jawdropping descriptions make even that feel beautiful.
In The Roses Of Pieria is definitely at the top of my list of the best books I’ve read this year. It would be a shame to not submerge yourself in its beauty.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Clara Eden is a struggling academic. She devoted her life to uncovering the ancient history of Nektopolis and its founder Nektarios. Or is it Nektaria? Much of the historical evidence of this old city state is gone. The artifacts and texts that survived the years are Clara’s main focus of research. When she gets an alluring job offer from a private estate, she leaves academia in the hopes to find some hidden gems from Nektopolian times. What she discovers is too wild to even comprehend and sets her up for great, unfathomable danger.
Fiadh is the manager of the estate and Clara feels a strong pull towards her. Fiadh is mysterious but is drawn to Clara all the same. Can their bond be as unbreakable in the face of death as the bond between the ancient women, Nektaria and her love interest Galatea?
I don’t even know where to begin with praise for this story. The writing is sublime. Each beautifully constructed sentence lures you to the next. The translations of ancient letters and texts give the story so much depth that it is impossible to read only once. As a reader you want this language to fuse into your bones, reading it again and again.
As I’ve said before, the vampire/horror trope is not my favorite. This one is definitely worth stepping out of my comfort zone for. Although there is some gore, the jawdropping descriptions make even that feel beautiful.
In The Roses Of Pieria is definitely at the top of my list of the best books I’ve read this year. It would be a shame to not submerge yourself in its beauty.
August 20, 2023
some reasons you should read this one
more spoilery review:
Rep: lesbian mc & li, sapphic side characters
more spoilery review:
Rep: lesbian mc & li, sapphic side characters
October 18, 2023
From time to time, I like to get out of my comfort zone. Picking up this book clearly accomplished that.
This is a book written with a single pov. We follow Clara Eden, an academic that sees herself getting a job that is too good to be true. The first part of the book is Clara diving into a huge amount of the artefacts, I even wondered what her predecessors did for so many years because it seemed they didn’t accomplish much. Clara finds herself really invested in translating correspondance between two people from the Nektopolian period. Burke really took me into a special atmosphere, between mystery and history.
Part two really marks a shift and the pace changes into a whirlwind readers are sucked into. I found myself sometimes scared and my heart clinging to every pages. A lot happens and I barely had the time to recover from one scene, another took my breath away.
Burke really emphasizes the antagonism of the world in which the MC is living with the world she is stepping into, the detail going even to her last name. This book pictured two relationships : Gata and Natek, Fiadh and Clara. The second one looked like a young seed, next to first that is a roses garden, beautiful and hurtful. Clara and Fiadh’s relationship development is not the main subject here, but it still left a small taste of not not enough in my mouth, so I really look forward reading their next adventures.
It was my first book from Anna Burke and her writing is really immersive and beautifully smart. I even felt a bit under smart sometimes, a non native english speaker and someone who knows nothing about ancient history, but it didn’t prevent me from devouring the book. A re read would enable me to fully embrace all the subtilites of the book
And that last chapter....what to say except I NEED THAT SEQUEL ASAP.
This is a book written with a single pov. We follow Clara Eden, an academic that sees herself getting a job that is too good to be true. The first part of the book is Clara diving into a huge amount of the artefacts, I even wondered what her predecessors did for so many years because it seemed they didn’t accomplish much. Clara finds herself really invested in translating correspondance between two people from the Nektopolian period. Burke really took me into a special atmosphere, between mystery and history.
Part two really marks a shift and the pace changes into a whirlwind readers are sucked into. I found myself sometimes scared and my heart clinging to every pages. A lot happens and I barely had the time to recover from one scene, another took my breath away.
Burke really emphasizes the antagonism of the world in which the MC is living with the world she is stepping into, the detail going even to her last name. This book pictured two relationships : Gata and Natek, Fiadh and Clara. The second one looked like a young seed, next to first that is a roses garden, beautiful and hurtful. Clara and Fiadh’s relationship development is not the main subject here, but it still left a small taste of not not enough in my mouth, so I really look forward reading their next adventures.
It was my first book from Anna Burke and her writing is really immersive and beautifully smart. I even felt a bit under smart sometimes, a non native english speaker and someone who knows nothing about ancient history, but it didn’t prevent me from devouring the book. A re read would enable me to fully embrace all the subtilites of the book
And that last chapter....what to say except I NEED THAT SEQUEL ASAP.
April 27, 2025
This was SO GOOD. Dark academia vibes, vampires, a historical account of a fictional ancient feminist empire, a sapphic love story told via letters throughout millennia, and another sapphic love story set in the present day… It was just so unique and compelling, so beautifully written and well-researched!!
Also, the sapphic yearning here was so palpable. Sometimes you read a book and think yes, this author absolutely loves women. She writes with so much tenderness and care… This book was so full of heart and authenticity. And also, mad respect for all the historical research that it entailed!!
Also, the sapphic yearning here was so palpable. Sometimes you read a book and think yes, this author absolutely loves women. She writes with so much tenderness and care… This book was so full of heart and authenticity. And also, mad respect for all the historical research that it entailed!!
August 20, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️
📑🏛️🐈⬛🩸🌹
This book was amazing! Honestly! If want to read a book that hooks you in from the start, following an academic historian who focuses on the history of the Greek Mythology, lover of fantasy books and sapphic romance.
Clara gets a job as an archivist for an estate owner with a private collection of the Nektroplis era, which is her specialty. Here, she gets to translate 2000-year-old letters, which is basically a sapphic enemies to lovers penpal situation. She also gets to become closer to her employer's PA, Fraidh, who first comes across as an uptight woman, but as they get closer and spend more time together, it's obvious it's just a front to protect her employer. They fall in love, and it's the cutest.
After a few years of letter translating, and a wonder of the grounds, and the rooms of the estate, it is clear to Clara that something isn't right. She discovers something about her employer and then things really start to hit the fan.
This book has twists and turns, and it is edge-of-the-seat gripping. I loved every minute of it and can't wait for book two.
Thank you to Netgalley and Anna Burke for the copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.
🌶️
📑🏛️🐈⬛🩸🌹
This book was amazing! Honestly! If want to read a book that hooks you in from the start, following an academic historian who focuses on the history of the Greek Mythology, lover of fantasy books and sapphic romance.
Clara gets a job as an archivist for an estate owner with a private collection of the Nektroplis era, which is her specialty. Here, she gets to translate 2000-year-old letters, which is basically a sapphic enemies to lovers penpal situation. She also gets to become closer to her employer's PA, Fraidh, who first comes across as an uptight woman, but as they get closer and spend more time together, it's obvious it's just a front to protect her employer. They fall in love, and it's the cutest.
After a few years of letter translating, and a wonder of the grounds, and the rooms of the estate, it is clear to Clara that something isn't right. She discovers something about her employer and then things really start to hit the fan.
This book has twists and turns, and it is edge-of-the-seat gripping. I loved every minute of it and can't wait for book two.
Thank you to Netgalley and Anna Burke for the copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.
August 2, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
DNF at 5% because the author clearly didn't do even rudimentary research on the archival profession. It's not just a backup career option for people who can't cut it as faculty. There's actually an entire degree and field of study dedicated to archives and archival theory, and the idea of someone being offered a SIX FIGURE JOB (which is also definitely not a reality to archives jobs) with no prior archival training or experience is an insult to actual archivists. I tried to just push past this, but the author went on to repeatedly use the word "digitalized" instead of "digitized" (a quick Google search can tell you the difference) and stated that this protagonist, who again has no prior experience or knowledge, will be doing CONSERVATION WORK on materials from 600 B.C.E. As soon as the protag put on gloves to touch a manuscript, I knew the author hadn't even so much as read the headline of the New York Times article that came out recently about how we DO NOT WEAR GLOVES and bailed. What a disappointment.
DNF at 5% because the author clearly didn't do even rudimentary research on the archival profession. It's not just a backup career option for people who can't cut it as faculty. There's actually an entire degree and field of study dedicated to archives and archival theory, and the idea of someone being offered a SIX FIGURE JOB (which is also definitely not a reality to archives jobs) with no prior archival training or experience is an insult to actual archivists. I tried to just push past this, but the author went on to repeatedly use the word "digitalized" instead of "digitized" (a quick Google search can tell you the difference) and stated that this protagonist, who again has no prior experience or knowledge, will be doing CONSERVATION WORK on materials from 600 B.C.E. As soon as the protag put on gloves to touch a manuscript, I knew the author hadn't even so much as read the headline of the New York Times article that came out recently about how we DO NOT WEAR GLOVES and bailed. What a disappointment.
Read
July 31, 2024I really loved the set up here, but I fear that by the end of the book, it became a bit too convoluted for me and I lost steam at about the 85% mark. It mentions in the acknowledgments that this was initially planned to be a novella and I think I would’ve found the streamlined approach to this vision to be more up my alley. Though it is a testament to this story that I did finish it despite having to be REALLY harsh about DNFing books lately. I think this was a really great addition to the canon of sapphic vampire stories and I'm sure many folks will really love this one.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
CW: blood & gore, violence, injury detail, drugging, mind control, kidnapping, death of mother (past), sexual content, medical content, death, emesis, loss of child (past)
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
CW: blood & gore, violence, injury detail, drugging, mind control, kidnapping, death of mother (past), sexual content, medical content, death, emesis, loss of child (past)
November 12, 2023
This book had me googling if Nektopolis had ever existed.
This book was such a surprise. From Greek mythology to vampires…just a whole lot of fantasy and sapphic romance goodness. It is written in single POV and follows Clara, an academic whose entire career has been focused on “Nektopolis” and particularly, Nektaria. She is offered an amazing job opportunity that gives her the opportunity to learn all sorts of things about the place that was the topic that has shaped her entire career. The only catch is, it involves not being able to publish anything she learns through her new position, but the job ends up being WAY more than she bargained for and it was one hell of an adventure to read about. I loved every second of it. Anna has written this so incredibly well. Its story is captivating, characters diverse, and it keeps you immersed. I was i n v e s t e d. It was a 5 star read for me. My one suggestion, take the time to read footnotes throughout the story, it’ll be worth it. I NEED the sequel yesterday.
I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
This book was such a surprise. From Greek mythology to vampires…just a whole lot of fantasy and sapphic romance goodness. It is written in single POV and follows Clara, an academic whose entire career has been focused on “Nektopolis” and particularly, Nektaria. She is offered an amazing job opportunity that gives her the opportunity to learn all sorts of things about the place that was the topic that has shaped her entire career. The only catch is, it involves not being able to publish anything she learns through her new position, but the job ends up being WAY more than she bargained for and it was one hell of an adventure to read about. I loved every second of it. Anna has written this so incredibly well. Its story is captivating, characters diverse, and it keeps you immersed. I was i n v e s t e d. It was a 5 star read for me. My one suggestion, take the time to read footnotes throughout the story, it’ll be worth it. I NEED the sequel yesterday.
I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
February 19, 2024
I don't read books with vampires. I don't. But it's Anna Burke so of course I had to read this book. Wow. World building on steroids. Vampires and love letters. Present day romance, tension and uncertainty all in a days work for Clara Eden. Don't even get me started on the Fae. Loved the thriller ending and can't wait for the second book in this series. I have so many questions.
December 30, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a rather disappointing read. I didn’t like most aspects of the book. The characters felt very bland, their relationships were shallow / just not very convincing. The writing style dragged most of the time, which was especially annoying during the ‘action scenes’. The most obvious ‘plot twists’, that everyone saw coming, were over-explained and spelled out to the reader. At the same time some aspects weren’t explained at all, even though they were explicitly mentioned by the characters and that’s just the worst way of setting up a sequel. The worldbuilding is interesting in theory but unfortunately the execution was messy and took away from the ideas. The letters could have been an interesting addition but their placement was weird and unfitting.
Overall the book was just not for me.
(Also Clara’s teaching style was so bad??)
This was a rather disappointing read. I didn’t like most aspects of the book. The characters felt very bland, their relationships were shallow / just not very convincing. The writing style dragged most of the time, which was especially annoying during the ‘action scenes’. The most obvious ‘plot twists’, that everyone saw coming, were over-explained and spelled out to the reader. At the same time some aspects weren’t explained at all, even though they were explicitly mentioned by the characters and that’s just the worst way of setting up a sequel. The worldbuilding is interesting in theory but unfortunately the execution was messy and took away from the ideas. The letters could have been an interesting addition but their placement was weird and unfitting.
Overall the book was just not for me.
(Also Clara’s teaching style was so bad??)
November 9, 2024
Hope. As long as you walk this green earth there is hope, and that hope has grown through me like grapevines. The fruit is always your name.
I already can't wait to reread this book. This was wonderful! Maybe more like 4.25 stars? Very engrossing paranormal romance with touches of dark academia and fantasy about it. Part of me is frustrated that this is a series, but also I'm glad, because it means I'll get more of Clara and Fiadh. I was immediately drawn in and swept away by the writing, by the really relatable main character and her endlessly compelling love interest, and the further love story we saw playing out in the letters that Clara translated. I wasn't sure at first how I would feel about the kinda epistolary element, but it ended up being one of my favourite things about the book. I do think that this tackled a lot for a first book, and coming down to the end, it started to feel a little too congested and packed. Not all of the worldbuilding was communicated well to the reader, I think? But that's how I know I'll get a lot out of rereading this.
Clara is an academic who gets a lucky job as an archivist for a reclusive collector, one who happens to have a lot of artifacts related to the historical figure Clara has always been obsessed with. She adores the work, and slowly becomes closer and closer to her employer's personal assistant. But soon enough, she finds herself in the middle of a mystery and a love story that has spanned millennia. This was unlike any other paranormal romance I've read, and it was lovely. There's a lot about it that reminded me of the classics, like Dracula and Carmilla, especially in the beginning. A lot of the story takes place in the library, surrounded by books and artefacts, or the decadent old estate, or in Clara's charming little cottage on the premises. That all lent to the gothic feel, the air of mystery. I LOVED the letters. It takes a while for them to really start making sense, and for the characters in the letters to solidify in your mind, but once they do, they felt SO real, and it was like getting to see a second love story play out (but not in a way that lessened the main one). Genuinely so romantic, even as you discover how complicated the relationship was. The translations with periodic linguistic or historical notes were such a great touch. I loved the translator's notes and the added depth they gave the story. Another way for Clara's personality to come through.
Moonlight, like everything I feel when it comes to you, was never enough.
I REALLY loved the romance. Fiadh is soooooo *__* I love her. Icy and cool without crossing the line into total ice queen territory, and the way she gradually melted for Clara was SO GOOD. I adored the early parts of the book; I ate up every little interaction between them. It felt like poetry, seeing them get closer, seeing every little inch that Fiadh gave. Really loved that they bonded over books and a shared interest in the subject matter of Clara's research. And I'm glad Fiadh remained a bit of a mystery until later. As always, I love single POV romances. I even love the way they were described physically, Clara being tall and slightly ungainly and androgynous-leaning, while Fiadh is tiny and cold and elegant. Seeing a woman like that melt is always sublime. And I liked that our POV character was the butcher woman. As always, I REALLY wish this had been more slow burn.
The paranormal elements were great, and as I said, not quite like anything I've read before. You've got the sexiness and decadence of vampires, but viewed through a very realistic lens. Especially when it comes to stuff like thralldom. Even though the main romance wasn't with the vampire, all the vibes were still there (in ways Clara wasn't necessarily happy about). I really liked what we saw of Agatha, and I really hope to see more of her. There's so much about her and her love interest that would merit a book of her own. The other paranormal and fantastical elements of the book did get a little convoluted. Honestly, the entire last half of the book was convoluted. This is how I've felt about the last several books I've read, so idk maybe it's just me, losing interesting halfway through? But I don't think so! I was still REALLY into the characters, and the plot surprised me by going places I didn't expect.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Savannah Rivers, and I adored it. This was my second time listening to her narration, and the experience was just as good, or even better. Especially loved her voice for Fiadh, and it was great to have the footnotes/translator's notes read immediately. I'm really glad I picked this up! The last Burke book I read was years ago, and now that I've been so captivated by this, I know I need to get into her backlist a bit more. And I can't wait to revisit this, in preparation for the sequel.
I cannot make that same promise. I’ll write to you. I’ll sing of you. I’ll paint your face into the histories, and each word, each note, each stroke of brush will be for you, so that you remember me—even in another time.
June 24, 2025
3.75 ⭐
September 2, 2023
Thank you to Bywater Books and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
Dark academia, research into an ancient civilization as observed through the lens of letters exchanged between two immortals over the centuries intertwined with a modern-day sapphic story, and underpinned with a slow, creeping sense of horror? And also there are cats everywhere? Unparalleled reading experience. If I could give this book 10/5 stars I would.
You know how when you're reading a book and within the first chapter you just Know it's going to be something special? Yea that's how I felt about this book. There has never been a book that was more tailored to fit my tastes. As a PhD student currently, everything about Clara Eden as a character was so incredibly relatable, from her desire to learn everything she can about her field (knowledge for knowledge's sake) to being utterly burned out from the pressures of academia (publish or perish, being completely broke, etc etc) and yet still being so drawn into that world and finding comfort in it still (the way her campus and library are places of comfort for her despite also having so many stressful and terrible experiences there oh my GOD don't come for me like that), to her fury and determination to publish and spread what she's learned as far as she can. I just don't have the words for how much her character rings true for me, although I am in a very different field of research. The way that Clara nerds out over history and Nektopolis is exactly the way I nerd out over my interests, and it was so lovely to see that part of academia and research reflected in a positive light. I honestly forgot sometimes that Nektopolis wasn't real and caught myself thinking about questions I would ask Clara if I had the chance. She felt so real to me, I'm still disappointed I can't actually have a conversation with her (the irony of this given the plot of this book is not lost on me).
Speaking of my area of interest, I am going to need an entire textbook on the biology of the creatures in this book ESPECIALLY those fungal fae. Anna Burke, I want to know every single detail of how you came up with that idea; it's so unique and endlessly fascinating and I need to know everything about them. I just love when magic and fantasy elements are grounded in reality and science. I wish there were more books like that. I'm so excited to see more of this plot unfold and to learn more about the fae in future books. I could honestly write essays about this book.
Anna Burke's prose is haunting and unforgettable- I absolutely cannot wait for the next book but in the meantime I'm going to devour everything else she's ever written.
Dark academia, research into an ancient civilization as observed through the lens of letters exchanged between two immortals over the centuries intertwined with a modern-day sapphic story, and underpinned with a slow, creeping sense of horror? And also there are cats everywhere? Unparalleled reading experience. If I could give this book 10/5 stars I would.
You know how when you're reading a book and within the first chapter you just Know it's going to be something special? Yea that's how I felt about this book. There has never been a book that was more tailored to fit my tastes. As a PhD student currently, everything about Clara Eden as a character was so incredibly relatable, from her desire to learn everything she can about her field (knowledge for knowledge's sake) to being utterly burned out from the pressures of academia (publish or perish, being completely broke, etc etc) and yet still being so drawn into that world and finding comfort in it still (the way her campus and library are places of comfort for her despite also having so many stressful and terrible experiences there oh my GOD don't come for me like that), to her fury and determination to publish and spread what she's learned as far as she can. I just don't have the words for how much her character rings true for me, although I am in a very different field of research. The way that Clara nerds out over history and Nektopolis is exactly the way I nerd out over my interests, and it was so lovely to see that part of academia and research reflected in a positive light. I honestly forgot sometimes that Nektopolis wasn't real and caught myself thinking about questions I would ask Clara if I had the chance. She felt so real to me, I'm still disappointed I can't actually have a conversation with her (the irony of this given the plot of this book is not lost on me).
Speaking of my area of interest, I am going to need an entire textbook on the biology of the creatures in this book ESPECIALLY those fungal fae. Anna Burke, I want to know every single detail of how you came up with that idea; it's so unique and endlessly fascinating and I need to know everything about them. I just love when magic and fantasy elements are grounded in reality and science. I wish there were more books like that. I'm so excited to see more of this plot unfold and to learn more about the fae in future books. I could honestly write essays about this book.
Anna Burke's prose is haunting and unforgettable- I absolutely cannot wait for the next book but in the meantime I'm going to devour everything else she's ever written.
November 14, 2023
OH MY GOD!! This book!! I literally cannot even put into words how incredible this story was and I am very impatiently waiting for when book two comes out because I am DYING to find out what happens next. I was worried this wouldn’t live up to the hype, but boy did it ever! I haven’t read anything like In the Roses of Pieria before. It was an intriguing combination of paranormal, romance, mystery, fantasy, horror, dark academia, historical fiction, and more - all tied together with threads of Sappho and Ancient Greece. Anna’s writing was beautiful and haunting and this story will take you on an adventure like no other!
Clara Eden is struggling financially and missing that spark in life. So when she is offered the chance to be an archivist for the largest personal collection on Nektopolis, she accepts even though she has some serious reservations - like not being able to share anything she finds. Soon she is living and working at the estate of the mysterious and elusive Agatha Montague and begins to bond with her beautiful and icy assistant, Fiadh.
As Clara digs deep into translating love letters between Gata and Natek, mysteries begin to unravel and in her search for questions she stumbles upon something she was never meant to find. She soon discovers that there are secrets at the Montague estate beyond her wildest imagination. But by then…it’s too late to turn back.
I read the blurb for this book awhile back but didn’t reread it before starting and I’m glad because it turned certain elements of the story into surprises I wasn’t quite expecting. This was a heavy read at times, so it took me a bit longer to get through it. There is just so much information to absorb and I didn’t want to miss one single detail! I was completely enraptured by this terrifying tale of forbidden romance and all the dark and twisty turns it took.
In the Roses of Pieria is a literary masterpiece that will capture you in its thrall and leave you begging for more! Don’t wait…go sink your teeth into this story now!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and BywaterBooks. This is my honest review.
Clara Eden is struggling financially and missing that spark in life. So when she is offered the chance to be an archivist for the largest personal collection on Nektopolis, she accepts even though she has some serious reservations - like not being able to share anything she finds. Soon she is living and working at the estate of the mysterious and elusive Agatha Montague and begins to bond with her beautiful and icy assistant, Fiadh.
As Clara digs deep into translating love letters between Gata and Natek, mysteries begin to unravel and in her search for questions she stumbles upon something she was never meant to find. She soon discovers that there are secrets at the Montague estate beyond her wildest imagination. But by then…it’s too late to turn back.
I read the blurb for this book awhile back but didn’t reread it before starting and I’m glad because it turned certain elements of the story into surprises I wasn’t quite expecting. This was a heavy read at times, so it took me a bit longer to get through it. There is just so much information to absorb and I didn’t want to miss one single detail! I was completely enraptured by this terrifying tale of forbidden romance and all the dark and twisty turns it took.
In the Roses of Pieria is a literary masterpiece that will capture you in its thrall and leave you begging for more! Don’t wait…go sink your teeth into this story now!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and BywaterBooks. This is my honest review.
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