The Rose and the Sword

This is one of the most outstandingly human and deep feeling books I've read. This is a classic battle of good and evil, filled with side characters that are incredibly endearing which remind you of real life examples. Also it continues the romantic story line from the first book, which was also very enjoyable to see. I'm dying to read the third book now!

The Rose and The Sword is the second book I’ve read by Gina Marinello Sweeney and many of the same characters are back! The story is told in first-person from Rebecca Veritas’ view. Rebecca is an intelligent, joyful, often care-free character with compassion, virtue, strong faith, and a quirky sense of humor. She is extremely well-developed through her thoughts and actions.

Sweeney has a unique poetic writing style. Many chapters contain or end with a sort of poetic or symbolic daydream that expresses the main character’s mood or concerns, reminding me of how we often don’t have adequate words to explain how situations make us feel. I especially enjoyed the elements of faith in the story and the lovely poetic thoughts about St. Therese the Little Flower and the Blessed Mother.

This story has so much packed into it! While Rebecca works on her internship with a popular psychiatrist, who is not what she seems, mystery, danger, and an unpleasant surprise sneak up on her. Rather than simply go along with things, Rebecca struggles to find the best way to handle the challenging situations that she faces. She is an admirable character and a good role model.

The Rose and the Sword by Gina Marinello- Sweeney, is the second novel in her Veritas Chronicles series. These delightfully charming books follow the life of college student, Rebecca Veritas. If you enjoy beautiful, poetic prose, these books might be just what you’re looking for. Marinello-Sweeney’s writing style is unique and incredibly creative. The imagery she creates in her stories is unlike any other books I’ve read. And, as a fan of mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the elements of mystery and suspense added to this novel.
Many young adult novels center around main characters that are in high school, these books, however, are about college-age students. While this series is completely appropriate for teens, the depth of the relationships and topics put them on a slightly different level than most YA. This book is full of snippets, thoughts and moments of Rebecca’s world as she moves into a new phase of her life, living away from home and working at an internship in psychology.
There are many interesting issues Rebecca has to face in this novel, such as deepening relationships, discovering just how strong she is, standing firm for her beliefs and faith, speaking up for those who are unable, and protecting the vulnerable. I loved seeing the growth of this young woman through the two books. Rebecca is an incredibly likable and relatable character. In fact, I wish I could meet her for coffee at the fictional Coffee Bean, although she would be drinking “anything but coffee” (This line made me smile, reminding me so much of myself at that age).
The readers of Ms. Marinello-Sweeney’s previous novel will be happy to know that many of the characters are back, friendships grow, relationships deepen and Rebecca remains wonderfully quirky. This is a beautiful, faith-based book for teens and young adults.

If I had to choose a word to describe The Rose and the Sword, I think I'd go with "eclectic." Part poetry, part prose, contemporary with a touch of romance, humor, suspense, peril, and Catholic apologetics, I understand now why one reviewer described it as poetic.

The breaks within chapters develop a rhythm somewhat like verse, leaving the reader to discern reality from imagination. (In that respect, it reminds me of Falling for His Madness by Katharine Grubb.) While the narrative advances with conflict and resolution, it often dallies with simple musings or slices of life that also contribute to the poetic quality.

The characters are well-developed, the writing solid, and the editing excellent. It's also a "clean read" appropriate for both teens and adults. I look forward to reading more from Gina Marinello-Sweeney.