I really enjoyed this, I think more than I expected to. I started reading it knowing little about what the book was about and I think that’s the best way to read this.

The world building was interesting to read and I thought the pacing of the story was good. Cannot wait for the sequel!

🖤🥀a scholar gets her dream job cataloguing ancient artifacts from a mysterious collector and her strict assistant, but ends up with more than she bargained for when she discovers the person she’s working for might be an immortal creature of the night🖤🥀

The beginning of this book was a bit slow for me, but it definitely picked up in the middle/end and was steamy and action-packed (and bloody, of course 🧛🏼‍♀️) I loved the slow burn development of Clara and Fiadh’s relationship while simultaneously learning about Gata and Natek’s relationship through their letters. I definitely figured out who was who early on, but that didn’t necessarily take away from the story. That cliffhanger ending though…I desperately need to see what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley and Bywater Books for this arc!

I read “daring queer dark fantasy romance teeming with sensuous vampires, dark academia, plant horrors, and terrifying fungal fae,” and went sign me right on up and wow did Anna Burke deliver.

It is truly best to go into this with no expectations, but if you need anything else to convince you to read this book, I offer you:
• An untenured university professor specializing in an obscure ancient civilization
• An opportune job offer for said academic involving a host of never before seen primary sources (and a livable wage and health insurance!)
• Centuries old correspondence between lesbian lovers (seriously, if you loved This Is How You Lose the Time War, read this)
• Footnotes!

Anna Burke weaves together dark academia and the existence of various mythical creatures and offers some romance on top of the creepy fungus and I had a great time.

This is my first read of an ARC book and by the first sentence, I knew this book would have me absolutely hooked. I could not put this book down and loved almost everything about it. The history aspect and the letters were my favourite part. The fungal plot of the story confused me a bit, maybe another read would help. All in all, it is a fantastic read, and definitely sets itself up for a sequel, which I am SO excited to read. I definitely will look up other books by this author.

I highly recommend this to romance readers who enjoy a strong secondary plot and to urban fantasy readers who love a heavy romance sub-plot ! I’m not really either of these so I don’t think I was fully able to appreciate this novel, but my rating is more « not fully my thing » based than « wasn’t that good » and I’m truly looking forward the second book !!

I think this could definitely appeal to a lot of people as the romance and the historical mystery are really well balanced and both fun/immersive. I was invested in both storylines, and never got bored by any of the two. I was ROOTING for the main relationship from the beginning and seing it happen got me kicking my feet and giggling. Bravo les lesbiennes as we say in french. I did miss the tension between the main characters in the second half of the book, but they were so sweet and taking care of one another, who cares if everything happened so fast, they deserve it !! And I mean the tension just went from romantic/sexual to death threats, it’s not gone it just transformed :,)
I also enjoyed following the secondary romance and I do hope we get more of it in the second book. The letters were a unique way of telling us about it, but I hope we’ll be shown more in the future, like live. The letters themselves also extended the suspens and complexified the whole mystery. At first, Nektopolis felt like a real place and I loved how believable it seemed as well as the academic settings. I did also appreciated how the focus shifted from this slow, nerdy, calm atmosphere to fantasy and plain drama. The climax was unexpected and well paced, got me genuinely worried.

3,5/5

I have to admit that this is not the kind of thing I'm into. I'm not really a fan of vampires or dark academia, and I generally prefer to read fast-paced books, so I didn't get as much out of this book as other people who like those things would. That being said, I found the world and concepts introduced in this book to be fascinating, and I would love to explore this universe more. I know that this is the first book in the series, so a lot of this book is setting up the groundwork for this world, but I wished that the supernatural stuff get revealed earlier in the book, because that's when I felt the story really started to kick off. The concept behind the Fae is so original, I almost wished this book was focusing on the Fae instead of the vampires. I also liked how the book explores the effects immortality would have on a person/vampire, in terms of their memories/humanity/the way they interact with the world.

My favourite part of the book is by far the letters. I didn't really get it at first? Like, I found the prose in the letters to be kind of overdramatic, and without context of what was happening when they were written, I wasn't invested in what was going on. But as the letters progressed, I found myself loving the dynamic between Gata and Natek, and the way the letters were interspersed with the main story added to the mystery and tension. I'm kinda neutral on the footnotes? I appreciate the context that they add, but I'm not sure all the footnotes were needed, some of them felt unnecessary.

One downside of this book is that I never felt connected to any of the characters. I never felt invested in the romance, and I just couldn't make myself root for the MC for some reason. Maybe because I just don't relate to her much?(Personally, if I found out my employer was a vampire I would not care, especially if my employer was paying me a generous salary(I would literally turn a blind eye to murder if it meant a fat paycheck)) And honestly I think this book would be much more interesting if it were written from Fiadh's perspective. I mean, it makes sense that this book is from Claire's POV, so that readers can learn and explore this world from her perspective, but I thought Fiadh's backstory would make her a much more interesting narrator.

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.

4.5 stars

“Life is long …. and memory is longer. I hope you live forever.”

I knew from the first sentence this book would be fantastic. A book about the love of two women that spans two millennium? It feels like Burke tapped into my brain and put all my favorite things on the pages.

I loved Clara and Fidah but the letters were probably my favorite part of this read. They were rife with love, loneliness, and the pain of being separated.

I struggled following the fungus aspect of the book at times, I figure another read would help. Additionally, more information on the vampiric world at large (I can also see the argument for not though.)

Easily one of my favorite books this year. I can’t wait for the sequel!!

Unfortunately i did not care for the writing style of this book. The actual plot and characters were sold but the writing style was very long winded and rambling. I felt like it took ages for anything to happen because everything was so over explained. Because of this the book dragged on and was very boring. This book did have potential though.

4/4.25 stars.

THIS SHIPPPPP MY GOD

SPOILERS AHEAD:

How did I not realize this was going to have a second book. Omg I can’t wait (I have to😪). I haven’t felt this drawn in by a ship in a hot minute. They are so fucking cute, and I need the best for them. Bitch, why did you have to sell your soul😭. Fiadh is gonna fight so hard for u🥲. Also fucking WERECAT?!? You’re joking.

I’ve been wanting to read compass rose forever, and now I’m so excited for it, because this was great. It felt a little slow at times, but this ship carrrrriieeeddd. I love them and they better reunite soon or else I will shrivel. Put my little translator and werecat girls back together okay🧍‍♀️🥲 please.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc.

In the Roses of Pieria by Anna Burke was a delightful academically tilted double FF romance story. The plot twists and turns in such a brilliant way that kept me guessing all through the last page, where I remained shocked and intrigued by the end and wishing for the sequel immediately.

I immensely enjoyed the double FF romance, one across history; the other forming in the present as they translate this seemingly timeless undying love. I also loved that the FMC was in her 30's - it is nice to read about a character over the age of 25!

I loved this book! It had fantasy, romance, darkness, LGBTQIAP+ themes, academia, and history all wrapped up into a riveting story about an archivist who gains access to the private historic collection of her dreams.

The story follows Clara Eden, a 30 something archivist specializing in the history of the ancient city state of Nektropolis, who accepts a mysterious dream job to work on a gorgeous estate translating and digitizing Agatha Montague's private collection of historic documents and relics. A dream come true, Clara is immersed in pieces of history never before seen by her archivist counterparts while working alongside Fidah Halloran, Agatha’s assistant. Fidah and Clara’s budding romance forms as they work to translate what seems to be a collection of ancient love letters.The catch? She can't share a single word about it anywhere, ever.

Things are not quite as they seem, and life for Clara quickly takes several surprising turns, leading to a world she never thought existed.

I really enjoyed the uniqueness to how Anna created the workings of the fantasy world. A unique perspective on fae, it was unlike anything on fae I had read before. Fungal Fairies? Heck yes!

I'm so glad Anna included the translators notes at the end of the book, I enjoyed reading through those and referring back to the letters throughout the book to gain more understanding on what was going through Clara's head. It added another level of academia, and I truly appreciated it.

Overall, this was a 5/5 read for me. I would recommend In the Roses of Pieria to anyone who enjoys academic, romantic, and sometimes dark fantasy.

Clara Eden starts a job with Agatha Montague, who's a bit unusual. As Clara digs into her work, she gets caught up in a timeless love story and her growing feelings for Agatha's assistant, Fiadh.

The writing in this book is like a beautiful painting with lots of rich descriptions and strong feelings of love. Author's writing is top-notch, making this a must-read if you like stories that slowly reveal themselves, a bit like a seductive dance. The story is so intriguing that it's almost impossible not to read it all at once. It's full of mystery and sensuality, with Clara being really into her boss's old immortal love story and a hidden collection of writings by Sappho. This leads to an exciting journey. The characters, especially Clara and Fiadh, are well thought out. While the book takes a bit of time to go from academic stuff to a full-on fantasy romance, it's worth being patient at the beginning. The middle part is especially fun, and you'll be turning pages eagerly to find out the secrets and how the relationships are changing. However, the last part of the book might be a little confusing for some. It gets deeper into the magical stuff, and some people might find it a bit hard to follow, which can take away from the overall experience. But all in all, it is a beautifully written love story mixed with mystery and ancient and modern love. Anna Burke's storytelling is proof of her talent, and I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series to see how the characters' lives unfold.

Thank you NetGalley and Anna Burke for the review copy.

I had no idea what to expect with In the Roses of Piera, but I am immensely glad to have read this book. I was on the fence until about 30% into the book, only because I had no clue where the story was going, and I have a habit of reading books with very predictable storylines. Regardless, I am enamored with Nektaria & Gata’s relationship and history, as well as the still blossoming relationship between Clara and Fiadh. I am so excited for the next book, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it and discover how their lives are going to change.

I have been a fan of Anna Burke since I read ‘Thorn’. ‘Nottingham’ cemented my admiration and the duology of ‘Compass Rose’ & ‘Sea Wolf’ convinced me she had a gift for writing sent from the stars. I was convinced CR & SW were the best she’d ever written.

But when I finally opened ‘The Roses of Pieria’ a few days ago… I was blown away by the many layers within this story.

It is much more than just a vampire story. It is a tale that reaches back through time to ancient history with a long game power play. It is full of symbols, hidden signs, a mysterious contract, and so many secrets. Cats, too. They aren’t just cute and needy supporting characters wither, they play an important role. (When I mentioned this to my cat, Kitty, he merely looked at me as if to say, “well of course!”)

The story starts off slow while we get acquainted with Professor Clara Eden, but once she makes a life-changing decision…hang on to the edges of your seats, kids! We’re taken along with Clara, back through time and introduced to two figures through an exchange of correspondence. We come to know Gata and Natek as Clara does, and their relationship is anything but simple. The mystery deepens with each document Professor Eden translates, and soon she finds herself plunged into the most hair-raising set of circumstances she could imagine. The most logical explanation defies Clara’s understanding, and the torch she’s carrying for her boss’s uptight secretary only complicates things even more.

Clara’s boss, Agatha Montague, is a mysterious and seldom-seen figure, so most of the interaction comes through her secretary, Fiadh Halloran. (Pronounced Fee-ah) is also a woman of mystery. Of secrets. And sex appeal, apparently.

Clara, Fiadh and Agatha all live on a remote and highly secluded estate, and what happens on the estate stays on the estate. It may be beautiful, with abundant rosebeds and wonderful gardens, (and a greenhouse I’d give a molar for!), but we can only guess at the things the estate has seen. As Clara is pulled into a logic-defying mystery, we are taken along for the ride, and I can guarantee you will not be closing the book when it’s bedtime. Time will stop as you get pulled into the secrets, the romance, the mystery and the riddles.
And that’s only the first half of the book!

I completely lost track of time, lost my sense of where I was and what I was supposed to be doing. I happily swam in the story, not caring that it was the wee hours of the morning. I very nearly stayed up all night because I didn’t want to put it down. (Common sense eventually prevailed, but right then, I hated common sense)

The last half of the book threw twists and turns in my path and blew my mind with characters and even more secrets I hadn’t seen coming. I promise you won’t forget Bran anytime soon! I won’t ruin it for you, but I will tell you this…while Clara, Fiadh and Agnes fought for their lives, I forgot to breathe a few times.

Anna Burke is a master of twisty plots, of unexpected secrets and mind-blowing multi-layered tales. When you finish reading this, go back and read the first chapter again, and you’ll understand how perfectly she loops the tale back on itself like a literary ouroboros.
She calls this a “little vampire book”, but it is so, so much more than that.

Get this book. Read this book. You’ll see what I mean. Then prepare to inhale all her other work.
You’re welcome.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

This felt really uneven to me. The beginning is very dry and slow if you aren’t into academia. It progresses gradually into a romance before going full blown supernatural/fantasy romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Then the last third of the book is so convoluted that it’s hard to follow at times and kinda left me not really caring. The middle part of the book was really fun. I would have liked more of that. The ready did nothing for me. 2.5 rounded up for Goodreads.

This book hasn’t left my mind at all and I can’t wait for the next one! The plot and character development was amazing! The premise of this series is so smart and well executed. I loved that I was learning about early Greek civilizations while also reading a romance novel! So amazing and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read something a little deeper and different than what you might always read.

This book was good, I just wish that it hadn't been so predictable. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be this way, but it was obvious to me that Agatha, the owner of the estate who employs Clara, is Gata and that Clara would end up searching for Natek, putting everyone in danger. I knew that Fiadh wasn't human from the time that Clara found out Agatha is a vampire. It was also obvious from the first interaction with Vezina that she was not Natek, as she was pretending to be. I'm not sure if this was intentional and the author wanted the reader to know things before the main character knew or if these were meant to be unexpected plot twists, but I would have preferred more surprises.

The love stories in this book are amazing. Learning of Agatha and Nat's long history was beautiful, and it was especially heart wrenching when they were reunited - I almost felt as if I was experiencing the joy and pain that centuries of that kind of love would bring. I enjoyed the transformation of Fiadh from cold and strictly professional to being so in love with Clara. Fiadh and Clara also had some pretty steamy moments that were very well written - this made me want to read more romance by Anna Burke.

Once we met Natek, I quickly fell in love with her character. She is caring and fiercely protects the people she loves, and her somewhat dark sense of humor won me over.

Overall this was a good book, and it was fast paced enough to keep me engaged throughout the story.

A list of some (but not all) of the fun things you will find in this book:
Sapphic vampire dark academia (which is both committed to the Aesthetic and deeply realistic about what Actual Academia is like)!
Mycological fae!
Tragically romantic epistolary format sprinkled liberally throughout!
Extensive Sappho quoting, in the ancient Greek, with CORRECT FORMATTING!

This was a fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I was extremely pleased to see it’s the first in a series. The romance was compelling, the plot was delicious, the academic vibes stellar, and the vampires fascinating. my one qualm was, profoundly, a Me Problem: I do actually think I would have enjoyed this more if I was not in the specific academic field (classics) that I am in, because the protagonist’s (fictional) academic field is closely related, so there was a small pedantic voice in my brain going “THAT doesn’t work” every once in a while; but most of you will not have this issue!

All in all, enthusiastically recommended, and I can’t wait for the follow up. Thanks so much to Bywater Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

I've never read an Anna Burke I haven't devoured in hours. What a lovely suspenseful, sexy, supernatural mystery that unravels slowly but in the best possible way.

Thank you to Bywater Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.

Thank you to Bywater Books and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

The blurb for this book made me REALLY REALLY interested in it. I was so thrilled to be approved but unfortunately once I started I could not get into the story.

I was underwhelmed and at times confused by the point of the story. There were a lot of things about this story that could have been more developed (the main character, vampires, fey...)

Nothing was really holding my attention, so I DNF'd.