Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours Book Review: The Collector Of Dying Breaths

Author: MJ Rose
Title: The Collector Of Dying Breaths
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Atria Books
Hardcover; 384p
Review copy provided by: Net Galley
ISBN-10: 1451621531
Book Blurb:
From one of America’s most imaginative storytellers comes a passionate tale of love and treachery, spanning the days of Catherine de Medici’s court to the twenty-first century and starring a woman drawn back, time and again, to the past.

In 1533, an Italian orphan with an uncanny knack for creating fragrance is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici’s perfumer. To repay his debt, over the years René le Florentine is occasionally called upon to put his vast knowledge to a darker purpose: the creation of deadly poisons used to dispatch the Queen’s rivals.

But it’s René’s other passion—a desire to reanimate a human breath, to bring back the lives of the two people whose deaths have devastated him—that incites a dangerous treasure hunt five centuries later. That’s when Jac L’Etoile—suffering from a heartache of her own—becomes obsessed with the possibility of unlocking Rene’s secret to immortality.

Soon Jac’s search reconnects her with Griffin North, a man she’s loved her entire life. Together they confront an eccentric heiress whose art collection rivals many museums and who is determined to keep her treasures close at hand, not just in this life but in her next.

Set in the forest of Fontainebleau, crisscrossing the lines between the past and the present, M.J. Rose has written a mesmerizing tale of passion and obsession. This is a gothic tale perfect for fans of Anne Rice, Deborah Harkness, and Diana Galbadon.

Review: Anyone that has read any of M.J. Rose's Reincarnationist series will be delighted by The Collector of Dying Breaths.

I thought that Seduction was the best in the series, but this book proves that Rose is just getting better with each new offering in the series. I'm hoping the series continues, but with the way this book ended, I'm not sure.

The best thing about these books is their rich detail of history. Rose creates mystery that weaves the past and the present together. This time we get Catherine de Medici's perfumer. Just seeing that name should tell you that there will be more suspense than usual, or rather, palace intrigue.

I found myself on the edge of my seat more while reading this book than any of her past novels in this series, especially in the present day parts of the book. Jac's work to finish what her brother started really had her in with some crazy people. VERY CRAZY people.

The other thing that was a bit different in this book was the level of eroticism. Don't get me wrong, it isn't smutty in the least, but there are parts with Rene and his lover that will leave you needing a cold shower.

If you love Rose's writing you won't want to miss this book and if you like a good weaving of past and present it will be up your alley as well.

Rating: 5 flowers