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The Bone Roses
(Snow Spark Saga #1)
by
Sixteen-year-old Rags is the most feared Rustler in the world, and for good reason. When she’s not raiding the post-Yellowstone Kingdom’s established settlements for supplies to keep her frontier, Rondo, alive another day, she’s fending off witch hunt-happy villagers who want her rare blue eyes in an unmarked grave.
But when the Kingdom strikes back, kills Rags’s best frie ...more
But when the Kingdom strikes back, kills Rags’s best frie ...more
ebook, 1, 331 pages
Published
May 8th 2018
by The Parliament House
(first published February 20th 2018)
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Start your review of The Bone Roses (Snow Spark Saga, #1)

I normally read pretty slow depending on the book, but I finished this one rather quickly! I loved Rags! She was relatable and awesome! I will say in the beginning of the book there was a certain scene that hit me emotionally and that doesn’t usually happen! I was like, nooooooo! The pace was fast and there is a dash of sweet romance! Also it has a western theme! I’ve read one other YA book with that theme and was let down, but not here! Where’s book 2 already? 😂🙌🏻

See my FULL review of this book on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com

All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.

Content Warning: Violence/some Gore, Discrimination, Oppression

All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.

Content Warning: Violence/some Gore, Discrimination, Oppression
“A petite trio of gray stone roses and a tiny pewter charm shaped like a rearing stag tethered together with elegant, braided leather cords rest in it. One rose in full bloom, one still a bud, and the third caught in-between. ‘ I’ve held onto these mythical b...more

Apr 07, 2018
Cindy ✩☽♔
marked it as to-read
Always up for a good tale about sharpshooter, plus the cover is pretty so I'm totally in.
...more

I received a free e-arc of this book from the Publisher.
Oh wow, where to begin...This book might be my favourite novel of the year so far, and I do not mean that lightly. It was one of those books for me that might be on my shelf forever as one of my favourites!
The Bone Roses was a five star read for me, as it was amazing, exceeded my expectations, and had great characters, setting, and tone! The plot structure was predictable in spots, but otherwise, it kept me hooked until the very end. This ...more
Oh wow, where to begin...This book might be my favourite novel of the year so far, and I do not mean that lightly. It was one of those books for me that might be on my shelf forever as one of my favourites!
The Bone Roses was a five star read for me, as it was amazing, exceeded my expectations, and had great characters, setting, and tone! The plot structure was predictable in spots, but otherwise, it kept me hooked until the very end. This ...more

We were given an E-ARC of The Bone Roses by Kathryn Lee Martin in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Parliament House Publishing and Chantal Gadoury.
If you're up for some Western with a mix of Steampunk, this book is definitely for you. We read the synopsis and we immediately wanted to get our hands on this book. Imagine our amazement when the cover actually matches the beauty of this book. We'd have to be honest, we really didn't know what to expect when we got this as this isn't ...more

A solid 3.5.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book other than I really loved the cover.
Turns out I was pleasantly surprised by it!
Overall, the story was quite interesting and had plenty of action and tension to keep you reading. Although I just want to point out that the fact that Rags has mahogany hair was pointed out a lot ... like A LOT, but other than that it was a fairly good book.
I love Rags as a character. She’s very headstrong and loyal and will do anything to protect her family, ...more
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book other than I really loved the cover.
Turns out I was pleasantly surprised by it!
Overall, the story was quite interesting and had plenty of action and tension to keep you reading. Although I just want to point out that the fact that Rags has mahogany hair was pointed out a lot ... like A LOT, but other than that it was a fairly good book.
I love Rags as a character. She’s very headstrong and loyal and will do anything to protect her family, ...more

The book begins 30 years after the eruption of Yellowstone National Park. Right from page one there is a vividly described divide between two worlds of the haves and the have nots. Tracker and Rags, are ‘rustlers’. To provide for their settlement, Rondo, they are forced to steal from the people who live within the fenced confines of Hydra, the kingdom built by Hyperion who rose to power in a dystopian world following the fall of government.
The opening scene is like the chaotic chase from Aladdi ...more
The opening scene is like the chaotic chase from Aladdi ...more

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Bone Roses
Author: Kathryn Lee Martin
Book Series: Snow Spark Saga Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: May 8, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, language, gore)
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 331
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Rags is the most feared Rustler in the world, and for good reason. When she’s not raiding the post-Yellowstone Kingdom’s established settlements for su ...more
Book: The Bone Roses
Author: Kathryn Lee Martin
Book Series: Snow Spark Saga Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: May 8, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, language, gore)
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 331
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Rags is the most feared Rustler in the world, and for good reason. When she’s not raiding the post-Yellowstone Kingdom’s established settlements for su ...more

I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, The Parliament House, in exchange for an honest review.
The Bone Roses: The Snow Spark Saga-Book One by Kathryn Lee Martin is a great read. The world in which Martin has created can best be described as The Day After Tomorrow meets The Wild West in which 16-year-old Rags must fight to survive and save the settlement of Rondo. This proves to be a daunting task since Rags has a bounty on her head and some of the very settlers she has sworn to pro ...more
The Bone Roses: The Snow Spark Saga-Book One by Kathryn Lee Martin is a great read. The world in which Martin has created can best be described as The Day After Tomorrow meets The Wild West in which 16-year-old Rags must fight to survive and save the settlement of Rondo. This proves to be a daunting task since Rags has a bounty on her head and some of the very settlers she has sworn to pro ...more

I was given a free copy of this book to review by the publisher.
I loved this book. It was a stunning read. The snow-covered, post-apocalyptic world was so clear and vivid. Martin is a truly good writer. She paints a vivid picture of how harsh the life in the Kingdom is. The story starts with a bang, showcasing Rags' skills and how formidable she truly is. I'm not a cowgirl, but I enjoyed the western theme very much. The characters were beautifully crafted and I loved the descriptions of the wor ...more
I loved this book. It was a stunning read. The snow-covered, post-apocalyptic world was so clear and vivid. Martin is a truly good writer. She paints a vivid picture of how harsh the life in the Kingdom is. The story starts with a bang, showcasing Rags' skills and how formidable she truly is. I'm not a cowgirl, but I enjoyed the western theme very much. The characters were beautifully crafted and I loved the descriptions of the wor ...more

The girl is fierce, loyal and will do anything for her family. Every twist and turn in her journey is a fight for life, her life, her families. Fast paced adventure of a little town trying to survive where the folk will turn on each other, she gives and gives and they take what they need, disregard her in a heart beat. Shackles and chains, scars and markings that run deep that she will never forget. There is a fine line between the truth and reality and what has been hidden from the past. The fr
...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

BONE ROSES is a gripping adventure that kept me turning the pages to find out what happens. The book feels bleak with just a glimmer of hope as Rags faces increasingly insurmountable odds. In this respect, it reminds me of Sabaa Tahir's AN EMBER IN THE ASHES. The post-apocalyptic Western-feel setting is vividly portrayed, and the supporting characters all have their own secrets, which adds to the element of mystery. All in all, the writing is strong aside from the narrator's seeming obsession wi
...more

When I heard about The Bones Roses I was so excited to read it. Young adult western steampunk, what's not to love?! The novel was gripping and I found myself wanting more and more. Rags is a young girl, a rustler for the town of Rondo, and despite the fact that she's still so young she's tough, fierce and loyal. She's not afraid to jump into the fray and does anything she can to protect those she loves.
The descriptions throughout this book are amazing and had me picturing the scene as if I was ...more
The descriptions throughout this book are amazing and had me picturing the scene as if I was ...more

This book was intense! Very fast paced and the writing was excellent. It's like an adventure/western/post apocalyptic mash up. I races through this book hoping to find out what would happen next, and plan on starting book 2 immediately after this one. The only thing keeping this from a 5 is that there were unexplained parts tat left me with more questions than answers, especially concerning why things even are how they are and our main character. I'm hoping we get more answers in the subsequent
...more

What a wild ride this was! I love cold weather so if I'm going to read something with a western theme adding snow is perfect. It is a quick and exciting read that's extremely different combining all kinds of themes you wouldn't think go together but actually can. I adore the villain-who's-not-really-a-villain that you see a lot more now but this one is done in such a way that your mind is always sprinting to catch up on the newest dynamics in each relationship. I cannot wait to learn more about
...more

I wasn't prepare for this book! It's so different from every YA books. The steampunk/western background is simply amazing. And I have to talk about the characters, they're so well written! I loved Rags, her reactions, how reckless she is, how much she puts in everything she does. When I started it, I wasn't expecting this kind of story or character so it took me a while to get into it but then I couldn't put it away. I just can't wait for the next one! The worst will be to have to wait to learn
...more

I was give an iBook arc of this in exchange for an honest review
All I can say is hold tight to your saddles because your in for a wild ride in true western style with a dash of steampunk fantasy added to the mix. The story’s main character Rags is one kickass girl and there’s even a ‘is he or isn’t he’ a bad guy character that your going to LOVE to hate.
So if your looking for something new and different this is for you.
All I can say is hold tight to your saddles because your in for a wild ride in true western style with a dash of steampunk fantasy added to the mix. The story’s main character Rags is one kickass girl and there’s even a ‘is he or isn’t he’ a bad guy character that your going to LOVE to hate.
So if your looking for something new and different this is for you.

Jul 31, 2019
Stephanie - Books Less Travelled
marked it as read-for-review
Shelves:
from-the-publisher,
the-parliament-house
*I received a copy from the publisher. This does not affect my review.*
I can easily say I'd normally avoid similar books due to the theme, but I'm actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this one ! Rags in an interesting lead, and the western theme only added to the unique feel this story has. Well written and easy to follow, definitely not one to dismiss. ...more
I can easily say I'd normally avoid similar books due to the theme, but I'm actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this one ! Rags in an interesting lead, and the western theme only added to the unique feel this story has. Well written and easy to follow, definitely not one to dismiss. ...more

Apr 13, 2018
Monique V
marked it as to-read
Ya lo quiero!! I love the premise! sounds like a book I am going to really like!

If you like action, you'll love The Bone Roses. It is action-packed from first page to last and leaves you wanting more. Bring on Book 2 (Garden of Ashes)!
...more

4.5 Stars
Rags is a rustler; she steals from the Kingdom Corps, ruled by the tyrannical Hyperion, to provide for the poor and downtrodden frontier town of Rondo. Rondo refuses to bow down to the oppression of Hyperion, so they are cast out of the trade lines in a time of perpetual winter.
This world is fantastically imagined, a post-apocalyptic world, a frozen tundra wasteland created by a catastrophe at Yellowstone. Such a vibrant world, full of intrigue, danger and western culture.
Rags has a h ...more
Rags is a rustler; she steals from the Kingdom Corps, ruled by the tyrannical Hyperion, to provide for the poor and downtrodden frontier town of Rondo. Rondo refuses to bow down to the oppression of Hyperion, so they are cast out of the trade lines in a time of perpetual winter.
This world is fantastically imagined, a post-apocalyptic world, a frozen tundra wasteland created by a catastrophe at Yellowstone. Such a vibrant world, full of intrigue, danger and western culture.
Rags has a h ...more

I received an arc of The Bone Roses by Kathryn Lee Martin from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sixteen-year-old Rags is one brave girl. Marked as a slave, she continually proves herself as a rustler (which in this context is a protector of her village). Through the course of the story Rag discovers that what she thought she knew about the people who accepted her as family isn’t exactly true and her world turns upside down when her sworn enemy becomes her ally. Though other reviewe ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

The way this book makes me feel: what?
WHAT IS HAPPENING? This book confuses me in a bad way--when the main character would do something, I would ask, what is happening? Why is she doing this? What is she even doing? Before I get lost on a tangent, let me list what I did not like:
Negatives
Characters in general... I have to say that the only character I liked in this entire book was Jericho. The main character's image felt OC-ish, and the unrelenting description of her (her mahogany hair, striking ...more
WHAT IS HAPPENING? This book confuses me in a bad way--when the main character would do something, I would ask, what is happening? Why is she doing this? What is she even doing? Before I get lost on a tangent, let me list what I did not like:
Negatives
Characters in general... I have to say that the only character I liked in this entire book was Jericho. The main character's image felt OC-ish, and the unrelenting description of her (her mahogany hair, striking ...more

First of all, I have to disagree with the description of this book. I would not classify it as either Steampunk or Western. The fact that people wear buckskins with fringe and have a horse or mule to ride does not make it a Western. And, there was only (maybe) one element of Steampunk-type technology in the whole book. To me, it should be classified as dystopian.
That being said, the story did hold my interest for the most part. But, I really never felt engaged by the characters. The world buildi ...more
That being said, the story did hold my interest for the most part. But, I really never felt engaged by the characters. The world buildi ...more

I love the setting of this book - a post-apocalyptic western with a mix of steampunk! I also fell in love with Rags, the main character - the revealment of her backstory is spread throughout the book and I still feel like we don't know all of her story yet. I can't wait to find out more. This goes much the same for the other group of characters in the book, most have mysterious pasts that slowly get unveiled, keeping you keen.
My one complaint about this book is the writing style, it may just be ...more
My one complaint about this book is the writing style, it may just be ...more

I don't know if I would specifically call this book a western or categorize it as a part of the steampunk genre, that being said, I did enjoy the book. I rooted for the main character Rags although I felt like I started a book in the middle because it felt like there was missing information and I thought that it would be explained as I continued reading however, I never got the answer to the questions I had about the history of the location.
I do want to read the next three books in the series (I ...more
I do want to read the next three books in the series (I ...more

It just wasn’t really my cup of tea. I didn’t really connect with the MC and had a hard time getting into this book. I think western meets dystopian sounds so cool and I’m sure many people will love it, just not me.
Technically, I DNF’d the book but it wasn’t for truly bad reasons. I just wasn’t interested enough even though on paper it sounded like it would. Maybe I’ll try to pick it up again.
Thank you to The Parliament House for giving me an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Technically, I DNF’d the book but it wasn’t for truly bad reasons. I just wasn’t interested enough even though on paper it sounded like it would. Maybe I’ll try to pick it up again.
Thank you to The Parliament House for giving me an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

May 28, 2018
Michelle | michelledevoursbooks
marked it as not-finished
I was intrigued by the prospect of reading a fantasy/dystopian novel by an independent publisher, but I could not finish this book. I found the writing difficult to read due to the excessive use of adjectives and clauses that made no sense. I now know the color of everything in each scene and it is absolutely unnecessary for the story. I might try and pick it up later because the plot is interesting and the characters have potential, but it's really a tough one to get through.
...more
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Kathryn Lee Martin, known as 'Ryn' by friends and colleagues, spends her days saddling up the literary horse and hitting the “what if” trails on a quest to tell the outlaws’ and underdogs’ stories. Not one to shy away from the darker side of stories for the older young adult audience, her works often explore impossible odds and dire futures, falling into a fusion of steampunk, epic fantasy, time t
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Snow Spark Saga
(4 books)
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