A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo was an elegant work of magical realism where a girl looks to the sky in order to find her own place in the world and life sets us on the course to find the family we were meant to be a part of. I found this to be such a heartwarming read where Trix McCabe's genuine personality makes you want to reach into the book and walk alongside her throughout her journey.
An element I especially liked in A Constellation of Roses was Asebedo's incorporation of the gifts Trix and her family members hold. On one hand you can interpret that the characters have a unique skillset that enables them to elevate their crafts/skills to an almost magical level. Then, there is the literal interpretation that there are magical forces in the world that show us that we're not as alone as we sometimes believe we are; all it takes is a freshly baked pie to make us look up from our seat at the dinner table to see that we're surrounded by special individuals who have become a part of a life-anointed family.
While this was a heartwarming book, Asebedo also touched upon the topics of depression and neglect in a manner that dignified the journey of the protagonist and also reached out the hearts of readers. Overall, A Constellation of Roses is a beautifully layered read that is has a coating of hope, a dash of bittersweetness, and a helping of love that very much resembles the Never-Lonely Lemon pie from McCabe Bakery & Tea Shoppe.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A Constellation of Roses
by Miranda Asebedo Publisher: HarperTeen Release Date: November 5th 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Synopsis:
Ever since her mother walked out, Trix McCabe has been determined to make it on her own. And with her near-magical gift for pulling valuables off unsuspecting strangers, Trix is confident she has what it takes to survive. Until she’s caught and given a choice: jail time, or go live with her long-lost family in the tiny town of Rocksaw, Kansas.
Trix doesn’t plan to stick around Rocksaw long, but there’s something special about her McCabe relatives that she is drawn to. Her aunt, Mia, bakes pies that seem to cure all ills. Her cousin, Ember, can tell a person’s deepest secret with the touch of a hand. And Trix’s great-aunt takes one look at Trix’s palm and tells her that if she doesn’t put down roots somewhere, she won’t have a future anywhere.
Before long, Trix feels like she might finally belong with this special group of women in this tiny town in Kansas. But when her past comes back to haunt her, she’ll have to decide whether to take a chance on this new life . . . or keep running from the one she’s always known.
With lovable and flawed characters, an evocative setting, and friendships to treasure, A Constellation of Roses is the perfect companion to Miranda Asebedo’s debut novel The Deepest Roots.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Miranda Asebedo was born and raised in rural Kansas with a love of fast cars, open skies, and books. She carried that love of books to college, where she got her B.A. and M.A. in English, with an emphasis in Creative Writing and Literature. A Seaton Fellowship recipient, her short fiction has appeared in Kansas Voices, Touchstone, and Midway Journal. Miranda still lives on the prairie today with her husband, two kids, and two majestic bulldogs named Princess Jellybean and Captain Jack Wobbles. If Miranda's not writing or reading, she's most likely convinced everyone to load up in the family muscle car and hit the road.
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