Aside from the seriously annoying fact that the lingo of the 16 year old main character switches from the American South to Great Britain and from average teenager to 50-something English professor all through the book, the premise is so ridiculous and bizarre. All I can say for it is that I did actually finish it, which earned it a second star. I will not be reading the rest of the series, however, and I will not likely read anymore by this author. ( )

http://www.kitsuneyama.com/Mountain/Bardic/Songs/tamlin.htm ( )

Tam Lin has always been a favorite of mine, so when I was offered an ARC of The Shadow and the Rose, I leapt at the chance.

I am very fond of Ms. DeWees's storytelling. Her style is easy to read and engaging, but never too simple.

The characters feel like real people- Joy is a mature, dedicated, and sweet girl who still has a backbone and a temper. It's unusual in YA to find a heroine who isn't a doormat or snide brat, and Joy is neither. She's a teenager, with hopes and dreams and a teenager's ability to fall in love hard and fast.

Tanner broods, like the hero of a YA supernatural romance ought to, but he's also a kid who means well. He doesn't stalk or get possessive. He's a guy in a rough place who wants to do the right thing.

There was one scene that was a bit jarring- Joy was concerned that she was objectifying Tanner and discussed her worries with her friends. While it's a good message to have in a novel meant for teens, it felt a bit forced. Even very self-aware young people are rarely quite that self-aware.

I loved the links to the old ballad- reading a book based on something you know and love is like visiting an old friend you haven't seen in years- at the heart they're the same, though they've aged and gained new hobbies and found new friends.

The Shadow and the Rose is a well-told story, and I would recommend it to fans of the genre. I liked it so well, in fact, that I plan on buying a hard copy when it's released! ( )