What do you think?
Rate this book
Fool's Gold #3
The Rose of the World
The brilliant conclusion to the "fascinating" (Anne McCaffrey) Fool's Gold trilogy, The Rose of the World features one of the most dynamic and charismatic heroines to ever grace the pages of a fantasy novel. The godlike entity, Rosa Eldi, has escaped the clutches of the evil sorcerer Rahe. But will she regain her memory and restore her world before man's baser nature triumphs and brings ruin to Elda forever?
676 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Jane Johnson
104 books553 followersJane Johnson is an English writer of books for adults and children and fiction book editor. As a writer she has used the pseudonyms Gabriel King, jointly with M. John Harrison, and Jude Fisher, as well as her real name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 9, 2009
(Thematic spoilers, not specific ones)
The worst of the three books which I read purely because I thought the first book was kind of decent, and I happen to like the characters (maybe not what happens to them and how, but I think the concepts are good).
I get the impression Fisher tries to go all existential Hobb-like in this book but she fails. There's too much time spent agonising over an individual character's thoughts and not enough time telling a really good story. The forethought I felt was in the original book isn't evident here - and the biggest loss is that I feel the ending is both confusing and unsatisfying.
I find this really disappointing because there are a lot of good ideas in the book, and in the hands of another writer I think this could have been a stellar series. Magic, feminism, ancient lore, battles, opposing cultures and religions, love and lust, the children of demigods with twisted powers? What's most frustrating is that the ideas are ***IN*** the series, but they're just not developed well/at all past their initial appearance.
All the elements of a great story are here, but alas have been squandered.
The worst of the three books which I read purely because I thought the first book was kind of decent, and I happen to like the characters (maybe not what happens to them and how, but I think the concepts are good).
I get the impression Fisher tries to go all existential Hobb-like in this book but she fails. There's too much time spent agonising over an individual character's thoughts and not enough time telling a really good story. The forethought I felt was in the original book isn't evident here - and the biggest loss is that I feel the ending is both confusing and unsatisfying.
I find this really disappointing because there are a lot of good ideas in the book, and in the hands of another writer I think this could have been a stellar series. Magic, feminism, ancient lore, battles, opposing cultures and religions, love and lust, the children of demigods with twisted powers? What's most frustrating is that the ideas are ***IN*** the series, but they're just not developed well/at all past their initial appearance.
All the elements of a great story are here, but alas have been squandered.
April 1, 2023
The weakest part of the trilogy for me. The ending wasn't so much epic as epically confusing and ultimately somewhat of a disappointment. A shame, because especially book two was pretty great.
April 8, 2013
The explosive, epic conclusion to an intricately interwoven masterpiece of multi-layered vision and impressive ingenuity
‘Rose of the World’ is the final installment within the ‘Fool’s Gold trilogy’ by highly acclaimed author Jude Fisher, who is also author of the film companions for the Lord of the Rings films and the Hobbit (Peter Jackson). Containing such cleverly complex storylines and world-building as Robin Hobb, this is a magical masterwork of mind-blowing proportions and convincing characterization that takes fantasy fiction to new heights. This is a supremely magical mystery full of intense drama and exciting adventure, as to delight any fan of epic fantasy/ sword & sorcery that transcends well-known authors (i.e Raymond E Feist and GRR Martin).
I found this story so believable, so utterly convincing that I found my mind wandering back to it during every single waking hour – with half of my mind still remaining in the familiarity of the world of Elda. Fisher certainly knows how to blend myth with magic beautifully together in a vibrant, colorful world full of danger and fascinating premise. The Goddess of Elda, the Rose of the World, is a likeable and interesting character whose journey (up until becoming the wife of King Raven of the Northern Isles) was wrought with dangers to great and terrible to imagine. Travelling across vast oceans wherein majestic great ships lie, I was once more plunged into a tale akin to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ or Narnia’s: voyage of the dawn trader as the ships of the southern empire become the centre of the holy war. It is the divide between the North and South that makes this starkly dramatic, remarkable tale so distinctive, for the lives of each character differs greatly as you observe varying perspectives.
Packed with bloodthirsty, electrifying battle scenes and competitive combat this otherworldly saga is one of such vast substance and scope. If you like fast-paced, intricately detailed and deftly woven narratives that guarantee to have you glued to the pages for hours, then I highly recommend this spectacular trilogy. As soon as I began reading ‘Wild Magic’ (book 1) I knew that I would feel compelled to read the other two books, for I had completely lost myself within Jude Fisher’s creation.
Bold, brilliant and full of brutality the treacherous trickery and cunning of the author’s characters is wonderful and I loved every single minute I spent following their journeys. From the spellbinding Eternal City to the vast waters of the Istrian Sea and the land beyond to the Icefields, this is a world as richly diverse and deeply beguiling as any memorable land. I am so impressed by this author and pleased to have read Jude Fisher’s novels, for I do feel that they need more publicity and exposure…you may know the author for his visual film companions, but I urge you to discover his written literary works.
‘Rose of the World’ is the final installment within the ‘Fool’s Gold trilogy’ by highly acclaimed author Jude Fisher, who is also author of the film companions for the Lord of the Rings films and the Hobbit (Peter Jackson). Containing such cleverly complex storylines and world-building as Robin Hobb, this is a magical masterwork of mind-blowing proportions and convincing characterization that takes fantasy fiction to new heights. This is a supremely magical mystery full of intense drama and exciting adventure, as to delight any fan of epic fantasy/ sword & sorcery that transcends well-known authors (i.e Raymond E Feist and GRR Martin).
I found this story so believable, so utterly convincing that I found my mind wandering back to it during every single waking hour – with half of my mind still remaining in the familiarity of the world of Elda. Fisher certainly knows how to blend myth with magic beautifully together in a vibrant, colorful world full of danger and fascinating premise. The Goddess of Elda, the Rose of the World, is a likeable and interesting character whose journey (up until becoming the wife of King Raven of the Northern Isles) was wrought with dangers to great and terrible to imagine. Travelling across vast oceans wherein majestic great ships lie, I was once more plunged into a tale akin to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ or Narnia’s: voyage of the dawn trader as the ships of the southern empire become the centre of the holy war. It is the divide between the North and South that makes this starkly dramatic, remarkable tale so distinctive, for the lives of each character differs greatly as you observe varying perspectives.
Packed with bloodthirsty, electrifying battle scenes and competitive combat this otherworldly saga is one of such vast substance and scope. If you like fast-paced, intricately detailed and deftly woven narratives that guarantee to have you glued to the pages for hours, then I highly recommend this spectacular trilogy. As soon as I began reading ‘Wild Magic’ (book 1) I knew that I would feel compelled to read the other two books, for I had completely lost myself within Jude Fisher’s creation.
Bold, brilliant and full of brutality the treacherous trickery and cunning of the author’s characters is wonderful and I loved every single minute I spent following their journeys. From the spellbinding Eternal City to the vast waters of the Istrian Sea and the land beyond to the Icefields, this is a world as richly diverse and deeply beguiling as any memorable land. I am so impressed by this author and pleased to have read Jude Fisher’s novels, for I do feel that they need more publicity and exposure…you may know the author for his visual film companions, but I urge you to discover his written literary works.
August 10, 2010
The first one of this series was the best...I don't think the second and third lived up to it.
February 8, 2024
Ah, yes, now I remember why I didn’t remember reading this book. Or much of it. I remembered the waxing scene quite well. 😬
There are some good elements—it’s pretty readable. There are some instances of awkward writing (“with the ability to move barely a muscle” is such a weird construction) and lots of typos; given I was basically skimming the last quarter of the book and still caught many, I hope the editor of this book got better at or found a more suitable job. Still, I felt fairly indifferent to the fate of most of the characters. The idea that Falla/Feya/whatever was basically the only deity with any conscience was a bit silly to me, and I didn’t find the way the world had spun out of balance since her abduction and Sur’s imprisonment was symbolically apt, at all. Plus, the head-hopping and hodgepodge scavenging of various fairy tales and myths—the Trojan War, the Six Swans, etc.—served more to weaken the plot than aid it.
Something which ought to be mentioned: sex and sexual assault. Far more explicit detail was given to the assault in this book than consensual, happy relations. On one hand, if you’re looking to emphasize that the world is out of tilt and the pervasiveness of men’s sexual dominance is a side effect of that, I get that sexual assault might be part of that. But the way it was written was repetitive and overly explicit, whereas consensual happy coupling is glossed over entirely. Tycho Issian’s repeated fantasies of molestation and abuse far exceeded what was needed to make a point. And where Katla’s coupling with Tam Fox could have provided a counterbalance to that, we saw nothing of it. Regardless of whether you like sex in a novel or not, this is a bad move on the part of the author, not necessarily for moral reasons (I’ll leave that to others who read or critique more politically than I do) but for aesthetic ones.
All the mediocre aside, if you’re looking for fantasy with mostly decent writing you can consume quickly and move on to the next, I would recommend this.
There are some good elements—it’s pretty readable. There are some instances of awkward writing (“with the ability to move barely a muscle” is such a weird construction) and lots of typos; given I was basically skimming the last quarter of the book and still caught many, I hope the editor of this book got better at or found a more suitable job. Still, I felt fairly indifferent to the fate of most of the characters. The idea that Falla/Feya/whatever was basically the only deity with any conscience was a bit silly to me, and I didn’t find the way the world had spun out of balance since her abduction and Sur’s imprisonment was symbolically apt, at all. Plus, the head-hopping and hodgepodge scavenging of various fairy tales and myths—the Trojan War, the Six Swans, etc.—served more to weaken the plot than aid it.
Something which ought to be mentioned: sex and sexual assault. Far more explicit detail was given to the assault in this book than consensual, happy relations. On one hand, if you’re looking to emphasize that the world is out of tilt and the pervasiveness of men’s sexual dominance is a side effect of that, I get that sexual assault might be part of that. But the way it was written was repetitive and overly explicit, whereas consensual happy coupling is glossed over entirely. Tycho Issian’s repeated fantasies of molestation and abuse far exceeded what was needed to make a point. And where Katla’s coupling with Tam Fox could have provided a counterbalance to that, we saw nothing of it. Regardless of whether you like sex in a novel or not, this is a bad move on the part of the author, not necessarily for moral reasons (I’ll leave that to others who read or critique more politically than I do) but for aesthetic ones.
All the mediocre aside, if you’re looking for fantasy with mostly decent writing you can consume quickly and move on to the next, I would recommend this.
November 29, 2019
After 676 pages I’m frustrated with the author in the writing of the last quarter of this final book. What attracted me to the excellent books 1 and 2 was the strength of character development set against the backdrop of a fascinating world. The story conclusion flipped from character focus into a cacophony of events rapidly coalescing to ensure some key characters from distant locations ended up in the same place.. and then.. well.. you decide. I agreed with (the wonderful) Robin Hobb’s front cover quote ‘Relentlessly sweeping from the first page’ for books 1, 2, and most of 3, but the verb seems to have been taken literally, with brushes from all sides bringing things to a head. I cared about the characters - until the final quarter and the irritatingly uninteresting and undeveloped ending, which was intended to be the story climax, when three become one
October 24, 2018
A good ending to a great trilogy!
I'm glad it all came together, and the way all the stories converged and interweaved towards the climax was very good - and not rushed through. However, the only thing I would have liked is a bit more on how the various characters stories ended, a slightly longer epilogue might have done it.
I felt a little sad that Saro & Katla didn't get together, and happy that Tycho got his comeuppance - but it felt as if there could be more after the events of this story. If there ever was a continuation of this - I would be first in line to read it!
I'm glad it all came together, and the way all the stories converged and interweaved towards the climax was very good - and not rushed through. However, the only thing I would have liked is a bit more on how the various characters stories ended, a slightly longer epilogue might have done it.
I felt a little sad that Saro & Katla didn't get together, and happy that Tycho got his comeuppance - but it felt as if there could be more after the events of this story. If there ever was a continuation of this - I would be first in line to read it!
February 3, 2020
NO! Nothing in the background smoothly led to the finale. It was clumsy amd clumpy and half the time I didnt know what was happening. Seren reappeared... for no real neat reason, Dogo etc a purely *humorous* chatacter I guess, I did not laugh.
I can enjoy an old fashioned Deux Ex Machina (hey, grew up in the 80s!!!), but I at least like my Machina to do a bit of Deuxing...! Thia book just ended. Bish bash bosh boom. Bum!
I can enjoy an old fashioned Deux Ex Machina (hey, grew up in the 80s!!!), but I at least like my Machina to do a bit of Deuxing...! Thia book just ended. Bish bash bosh boom. Bum!
December 22, 2017
~spoilers ahead~
wow! happy to finally be done with this series. I need some answers on how this ending came to be. Who is katla speaking to in her head when she is dying? why did tam fox and persoa come back after the god made it known that such could not be? on a side note I really enjoyed all the women coming together and confusing the hell out of everyone in the middle of battle.
wow! happy to finally be done with this series. I need some answers on how this ending came to be. Who is katla speaking to in her head when she is dying? why did tam fox and persoa come back after the god made it known that such could not be? on a side note I really enjoyed all the women coming together and confusing the hell out of everyone in the middle of battle.
April 24, 2020
Katya Arnason and her friends survive the remaking of their world.
February 2, 2010
The Rose of the World is the best book in the series. This book is action packed. The journey Katla goes a tough one. Katla is kidnapped by Istrians and later escapes. I absolutely loved the ending. This book has a lot of deep stuff. Even for romantic lovers, this one is full of romance. I have really grown to like the Rosa Eldi. I absolutely hate the mage. The wizard is a lot of trouble. Rahe started the problem that was stowed upon the Istrians and Eyrans. I love this book so much because of the journies. The part I don't like about the Rosa Eldi is fact that she sleeps with practically everyone. I really dislike Tycho Issian, because he kills his grandson, tries to force his daughter to marry Tanto Vingo, and rages war against the Eyrans.The guy overundulges in himself. The man is evil. I really dislike the Istrians, because of their crooked view on life. The Eyrans show more truth in their beliefs. I really like Selen Issian. I agree that she should be a free woman. She is a woman is willing to stand up for herself. Too bad her father killed her baby because was the son of the man that raped her. What bothers me is the fact that he wanted her to marry Tanto Vingo. I'm not very fond of Sirius the god. The god drives me crazy. I like how he leaves the Rahe to the same fate that stowed upon the god earlier in his life. The god's ideals are a little strange to me. I really like Katla, because she stands up for herself and her people. The girl's a fighter. I love the last scene in the book when Saro Vingo is carrying her off. That is so romantic. At this time you really see how much they love each other. I'm so happy she doesn't die in the end. I love how the book is told in many aspects. It gives more insight to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2017
I had read the reviews, so I thought I was prepared for an unsatisfying ending, but I nevertheless was deeply disappointed with Fisher's hasty "wrap up" - the best term, it seems, to describe this poor travesty of an ending. About mid-way through the book, it was clear the author was just pulling all loose strings together in a nice little bow to be done with it already. I feel robbed. An utterly disappointing ending to an otherwise brilliant saga. Such a shame.
February 26, 2016
My favorite of the series. I loved how it all tied up at the end but there were a few things that could have been done differently. I felt like the build up towards the end warranted more of a climax and I much prefer strong resolutions at the end of a series, i.e. let me know what my fave characters are up to 3 months down the road. But the twist was great! I just wish that the end hadn't felt so rushed.
August 22, 2008
Through the entire story the main characters never have any thing good happen to them. It just goes from bad to worse. That and there is an interaction between two characters that is never resolved or used, and that just buggs me. If I am going to take the time to read some thing, I would like for event to make sense and be used.
September 21, 2011
Maybe I read the entire series in a couple of weeks. The author seems to have put action and words and lust to make up the book to a certain number of pages. By the time I got to the end I was bored and did not really care about it.
The series does have some social and religious commentaries, and then falls apart.
The series does have some social and religious commentaries, and then falls apart.
August 19, 2016
full of blood and gore this series brought the characters continually lower for the most part keeping me quite engaged. the ending however was pradictable and fell kind of flat. I am a sucker for happy endings though so... after all the torment I would have been ... upset... had my favorite character died.
May 8, 2008
It's a good read, but it might be a little confusing to someone who hasn't read the previous books. I enjoyed the plot line and characters throughout the trilogy, but I found a couple of events in the end game a little too farfetched. This may merely be a symptom of natural skepticism =)
June 6, 2008
My first repeat. Ha, I realized while organizing my books after the move, that I have two repeats, this one, and Coraline (but I gave away that one's repeat). I have this in a nice hardcover, and regular paperback.
Read
April 26, 2009I gave up on this book after about 100 pages. Reading it was feeling like a terrible chore, and the appallingly bad characterisation irritated me. There is some good medieval fantasy out there that manages to move beyond the standard, tired tropes, but this isn't it.
August 30, 2010
One of the more asinine fantasy series out there that started off very good, was fairly interesting in the second book, and in the third book, lost it completely. And the ENDING! Contrived, silly and downright stupid. Thumbs down on this clunker.
March 13, 2014
This was such a good series. I am sorry to reach the end. I found the characters so interesting and the story lines were engrossing. If you like adventure with great character development, you will enjoy this series by Fisher.
May 14, 2009
Hmm not sure. I haven't finished it yet though I must admit I did peek at the ending. Good so far.
Finally made myself finish it. Good stuff.....not the best ending really.
Finally made myself finish it. Good stuff.....not the best ending really.
July 10, 2008
Satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Quite horrific at times but overall enjoyable. Many characters developed strength and complexity.
April 1, 2011
Final book of the trilogy and have really enjoyed.The ending has been left as if there could be more to come.
March 29, 2011
It was better than the previous two but I'm still glad to be done with the series. I doubt I will read anything from Jude Fisher again.
Read
March 25, 2010F FIS fg bk. 3
Fantasy
Fantasy
April 28, 2010
Poor ending to what started off pretty well.
May 25, 2010
A very satisfying conclusion. What happens when unknown rules and young folk get caught up in a world that refuses to change.
May 29, 2010
The whole series was quite entertaining. The only thing that I really disliked in this book was the deus ex machina ending.
July 26, 2012
Very good, but a little long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews