Springtide has sprung, and the bear goddess Artio has awakened. For Rhoswen, sole Bearslayer of Hazelfeur, this means a season of overwhelm as vicious bears wreak violence upon her village. With one death too many and an insufferable anxiety haunting her, she sets out to liberate her people from Artio's bearspawn for good, even though to end the goddess's reign would mean to leave her without purpose.
In her search for the vengeful Artio, Rhoswen stumbles upon an enchanting forest maiden with secrets in her eyes and mysteries
in her veins, a beauty which suddenly, unexpectedly captivates the Bearslayer beyond reason. Then she discovers the maiden is bound to Artio's forest and longs desperately for freedom, and Rhoswen's resolution hardens with passion.
She will unfetter Hazelfeur, and she will free her enchantress.
For fans of Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy) and Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver, The Bear & the Rose is a tale told in lush prose which readers will find brimming with folklore, adventure, and a sweet sapphic romance.
Spring 2023 Bronze Winner
"With beautiful, lyrical prose, fully developed characters, and a rich fantasy world, this is an outstanding debut novel. Pure, wonderful escapism."
2023 Bronze Winner
"This book beautifully captures universal struggles in an immersive world different than any we’ve ever seen, resulting in a fiercely original and expressive work of fantasy."
2024 Winner
MOST CREATIVE LAYOUT
The storyline, the pacing, the symbolism are
all reminiscent of myth and fairy tales. The evocative writing fleshed out characters with such realistic emotions that you can't help but love. The books comes out as a brave attempt at diversifying the oversaturated market and really did a wonderful job with the story!
– Cristina, Goodreads reader
For a story which is hypnotically ethereal, hauntingly beautiful, rich in characters, devastatingly sapphic, and wrought with an underlying sadness, without a doubt, this is for you. It's written in a sense of timeliness; a relatable arc of how we are crafted by our pasts, in control of our presents, but all
inspired by a hopeful future.
– TM Ghent, author of Lume
I felt swept back in time with Larson-Burnett's world-building. Her writing is beautifully detailed. She created wonderful characters, who are fully fleshed out and seem fresh. I love stories that leave you thinking, and The Bear & the Rose was that for me. This is such a beautiful story!
– Ashley, Goodreads reader
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