The Riddles

[Kirsten]

The Rose Labyrinth

Hello. My sister and I both got this book. We want to solve the riddles before we read the story. Is there anyone who is doing the same or has solved the riddles? It's so confusing! I've heard the book itself is not good, but the riddles are pretty fun. There's just no guidance and no way to check if you're right without reading the book. Also, if you can't help but know of a place where people are discussing the riddles, that would also be great. Thanks!

[Jenna]

I thought the book was pretty good. I did take some time to try to figure out the puzzle, with no luck.

[Janet]

I quite enjoyed this book. I know many reviewers disliked the writing, and they had some valid points. However, the puzzle idea was so intriguing, and the reseach and references so extensive, I was willing to overlook some purple-prose and pacing issues.
As for the riddles, the author writes about some of the pages on her website - she gives a fairly thorough analysis of the text and references, and the relevence to the storyline. And of course the characters in the novel talk about several of them, but usually not in detail.
I am surprised that it is not easy to find anyone on-line discussing the riddles or the secret message.
I solved the picture puzzle and figured out the message, and I think I know at least part of the big secret that the characters themselves don't figure out.

[Regan]

I didn't do the puzzle -- and am hoping she has another book on the way. Anyone know?

[Camille]

I managed to put the puzzle together but I'm not even sure how to begin solving anything.... any hints Janet?

[Janet]

Camille wrote: "I managed to put the puzzle together but I'm not even sure how to begin solving anything.... any hints Janet?"

Sorry I didn't respond before now (I didn't realise to check my messages).
SPOILER ALERT - if you want to solve it all yourself don't read these instructions.
The pages each represent a chapter (34 chapters plus the 2 pictures which fit in the bottom corners), and when you arrange them they form a huge labyrinth. You can find the chapter numbers hidden in most of the pictures. Also, the pictures themselves or the text on the back can give you clues about which chapter they coincide with. Then you can follow the progress of the novel chapter by chapter as you move through the labyrinth (it makes a symetrical pattern - starting and ending in the middle bottom - it goes up the left side, then down the right).
The twists and turns of the labyrinth are supposed to co-ioncide with the plot twists in the novel.
The hidden message is 34 words, found one word per page, hidden in the quotes on the bottom of the text side. Go in chapter order, and do a word-count based on the Jupiter square (on the back of Melancholia), going forward for pages 1-16, then backward for pages 18-33 (except pg 27 - which is 11 from the END, a twist suggested in the text). The correct word is usually in a slightly larger font or bolder.
Hope I didn't give away too much.
Enjoy!