A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha

Abstract

Reviewed by: A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha Natalie Berglind Pinguicha, Diana A Curse of Roses. Entangled, 2020 [352p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781682815090 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781682815106 $7.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 10 up It's 1288, and seventeen-year-old Yzabel is betrothed to nineteen-year-old Denis and set to become Queen of Portugal and the Algarves—if she lives that long. Yzabel is afflicted with a curse where all food she touches turns to flowers, a problem she passes off as pious fasting so severe it has left her malnourished. To throw off the curse, Yzabel seeks the Enchanted Moura, a Moorish girl named Fatyan who teaches her to turn flowers back into bread and use her curse as a blessing for her starved [End Page 186] people against her future husband's wishes. As her betrothed sounds less and less appealing in contrast to Fatyan's beauty, Yzabel must decide between the teachings of the Bible she was raised on that focuses on sacrifice and pain, and Fatyan's interpretation of a God that loves and forgives. Combining Portuguese legend with the story of Saint Isabel's Miracle of Roses, Pinguicha sweeps readers into an aching tale of hunger, wherein Yzabel, once starved by her magic and now hungry for the kind of affection Fatyan can bring, comes to terms with her sexuality in the face of intolerant Biblical teachings. The Christian gay guilt is heavily implemented here (at one point Yzabel tries to whip herself out of her feelings), but thankfully it's countered with magical kisses, folkloric wonder, and explicit sex scenes. Readers who have struggled with their own interpretations of the Bible may find comfort in Yzabel's conclusion to accept herself as she is, while readers looking for a good story will also enjoy the excellent pacing of reveals. An author's note includes historical liberties taken with the text and the influences of the Miracle of Roses and the legend of the Moura Salúquia. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois