Three reasons The Lady Rogue is the supernatural romp you need to read

Jenn Bennett is known in the world of YA literature for her contemporary romances, but she’s ventured into the realm of the supernatural in her latest release, The Lady Rogue. And her journey into fantasy isn’t one you’ll want to miss. The Lady Rogue meshes historical fiction with supernatural fantasy in a way that’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entirety of the story.

Set in Europe in 1938, Bennett’s novel takes readers on an adventure through Transylvanian history. The Lady Rogue begins when Theodora Fox is abandoned while waiting for her father Richard to return from a mysterious trip. She soon discovers that he’s been hunting for the ancient ring of Vlad the Impaler on behalf of a wealthy merchant who turns out to be far more unhinged than he initially seems.

And when Theo’s childhood friend, Huck, shows up with her father’s journal and orders to protect her, it becomes clear that Richard Fox isn’t the only person who’s gotten caught up in the strange merchant’s dastardly schemes. Theo and Huck need to race the clock to find the hidden messages in her father’s journal and rescue him. And that journey will likely lead them to Vlad the Impaler’s ring as well.

Weaving the occult into its historical setting, The Lady Rogue offers readers an adventure they won’t soon forget. And if the synopsis alone doesn’t pique your interest, here are the three biggest reasons they should still consider giving Bennett’s new novel a try.

The Lady Rogue

Its premise presents a dark mystery

Given that the majority of The Lady Rogue follows Theo and Huck’s attempts to decipher Richard’s journal entries and uncover the truth about Vlad the Impaler’s ring, it’s safe to say that the novel offers plenty of mystery to keep readers flipping the pages. Not only do the characters unravel hidden ciphers, but they also dive into the irregularities surrounding Vlad the Impaler’s life and death in order to uncover the whereabouts of his hidden ring.

And the things Huck and Theo uncover during their investigation lead to the realization that the occult is more than just legend. With each discovery, the stakes get higher and the scope of their adventure greater, making the story go by much quicker than you’d expect.

It maintains a good balance between the ordinary and supernatural

Bennett’s novel is centered around finding Vlad the Impaler’s ancient ring — an object that’s said to wield a great and terrible power. And this isn’t the last mention of the supernatural throughout The Lady Rogue. But even with all of its occult elements, the story makes sure to pace itself when introducing the mythical and mystical into its real-world setting.

When readers are first introduced to Theo, it’s unclear whether her story will be an ordinary one or one that delves into the supernatural. The characters speak of spirits and vampires as though they’re merely myths, but then the novel begins to introduce such things as though they’re a given. And that steady establishment of the lore makes this story simultaneously relatable and extraordinary. It strikes a near perfect balance.

The setting and atmosphere feel authentic.

When tackling a different time period, some authors can make the story feel more modern than it actually is, while others make it feel so old fashioned that it’s difficult to place yourself in the characters’ shoes. Thankfully, The Lady Rogue doesn’t suffer from either of these problems.

The lack of modern technology and ideals is ever present throughout The Lady Rogue, and it’s because of those missing elements that the story works so well. The historical vibe also breathes life into the book’s pages, enveloping the reader in this eerily stunning setting.

But even if it’s clear from her writing that we’re being thrown into the early 1900s, the characters still make the story feel modern enough to attract a present-day audience. In particular, Theo’s refusal to submit to society’s expectations for her are appealing, but even the supporting cast lack any truly outdated beliefs that might prevent readers from empathizing with them.

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