Reliving 16 Memories

 

This book is sooo good, this series is also really good! The first time I saw this book was when I unwrapped the wrapping paper for my 16th birthday and saw this cover. It was a gift my oldest sister gave to me and pitched in by my other siblings. It was an alternative to the Twilight mega saga that was a hit at the time. I never heard of this book called 'Waking Rose' but seemed like a good book from what I heard. (And I can say that it is, now looking back. I watched the first movie of Twilight with some of my siblings a year later, and it really wasn't that good.) 

I remember I started crying though, not because I couldn't read the Twilight book my mom already bought for me but because my empath sensitivity was kicking in- it felt like a waste, the money my mom had spent on the Twilight book, and I felt bad. I wasn't overly sad about not reading that series, as I'm sure most 16 year olds wouldn't be. 

I came across this title and author again during quarantine and I was working alone and remotely. That was when I would look up books on a regular basis to pass the time at work and see which ones the library had. I tried to remember the author of this one, and eventually found it in my Google search. It wouldn't be until earlier this year that I was interested in picking up again. I remember I had read 'Waking Rose' and have vague memories of it, probably gave it away sometime in my late teens.

 I started reading the first book in the series (Waking Rose is the 3rd book) this past spring and immediately couldn't put it down. The author is a great writer, and even more at plot and mysterious plot twists. I love that she's a Catholic author and incorporates faith into her stories, it makes my mind come alive, it feels realistic but also imaginative- I've never read anything like her work.

I recently finished the 2nd book (Black as Night) and started reading Waking Rose. I remember glimmers of the beginning from when I read it when I was 16, but I may not have picked up on everything or fully resonated with things. For instance, the main character in this book older sister gets married and she is the maid of honor. My older sister just got married and I was the maid of honor. In some ways, it felt like I was reliving my sister's wedding. I just loved Doman's description and plot. I may have missed that when I first read it as a teenager. 

So, I feel grateful and inspired with reading her works again, and that in some small ways I can relate to her characters- Blanche, the older sister who is more timid, cautious, and sensitive, and Rose, who is lively, creative, free spirit like and adventurous and studious. I look forward to continuing reading!