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🏚️ Gothic

The Rose Prince

Name: The Rose Prince
Price: 11.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781528710749

✍️ Bram Stoker

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$11.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A short Gothic allegory about a Prince protecting roses from a jealous Gardener.

This text examines the eternal battle between beauty and greed through a magical kingdom setting. Stoker uses the sacred duty of protecting vibrant roses to symbolize the soul of a realm. The antagonist, a Gardener motivated by power, seeks to replace these flowers with thorns. The narrative structure is simple, focusing on this central conflict without elaborate subplots. It stands as a unique fantasy piece that contrasts with the author's more famous horror works. The story relies on symbolic imagery rather than detailed world-building. It appeals to readers interested in classic literature and the origins of Gothic themes.

Key Themes

beauty versus greed sacred duty magical kingdom

Literary Context

This work sits within the tradition of classic fairy tales and Gothic horror. It draws from Stoker's early period, appearing in Under the Sunset before his later fame. The text reflects late Victorian imaginative literature, blending fantasy elements with moral allegory typical of the era's children's stories.

Bram Stoker

📚 all books by this author (364) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Oscar Wilde's fairy tales · E.T.A. Hoffmann's dark fantasies · Lewis Carroll's nonsense literature

🏚️

Gothic

🏛 Fantasy and Horror Classics 📅 2019 📖 38 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781528710749

📝 Description: The Rose Prince

Bram Stoker, the creator of Dracula and a master of Gothic horror, presents The Rose Prince in this brief volume. The narrative follows a noble Prince charged with protecting the world's most beautiful roses. His duty is threatened by a sinister Gardener whose jealousy and lust for power drive him to destroy the flowers. This struggle determines whether the kingdom remains filled with petals or thorns. Published in 2019 as part of the Fantasy and Horror Classics series, this edition contains thirty-eight pages of text. The story originates from Stoker's early collection Under the Sunset. It functions as an allegorical fairy tale exploring the conflict between beauty and greed. Readers who enjoy dark fairy tales will find value here. Those seeking complex character development or extensive plotlines may find the brevity limiting. The work offers a glimpse into the imaginative side of an author known for macabre tales.

💎 Our verdict on The Rose Prince

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

The Rose Prince stands as a unique fantasy piece that contrasts sharply with Stoker’s more renowned horror works. It relies heavily on symbolic imagery rather than detailed world-building, creating a simple yet potent narrative about a Prince protecting beautiful roses from a jealous Gardener. This struggle determines whether the kingdom remains filled with petals or thorns. The book suits readers who appreciate allegorical depth and classic literary roots. Its brevity allows for a focused examination of power and beauty, making it an accessible entry point for those curious about the author’s lesser-known contributions to dark fantasy and Gothic tradition.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the origins of Gothic themes and classic literature will find value in this brief volume, which offers a unique glimpse into Bram Stoker’s imaginative side beyond his famous macabre tales. It is ideal for those who enjoy dark fairy tales and allegorical narratives that explore the eternal battle between beauty and greed. While it may be limiting for those seeking complex character development or extensive plotlines, its symbolic imagery provides a compelling look at the soul of a realm through the sacred duty of protecting vibrant roses against thorns driven by jealousy.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Fans of atmospheric Victorian gothic tales will love this rare gem. If you crave modern jump scares or fast-paced action thrillers, please skip this one. This narrative demands patience for its lush, slow-burning dread and poetic prose rather than immediate adrenaline.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it shares Stoker’s signature atmospheric dread and Victorian setting, it lacks the vampire lore. Instead, it focuses on botanical mysticism and noble duty.

The language is ornate and formal, typical of its time. It requires patience but offers a rich, immersive experience for those who appreciate classic stylistic flourishes.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the shadowed corridors of late nineteenth-century literature, Bram Stoker’s work predates his famous count but shares that era's obsession with aristocratic decay and mystical duty. It bridges the gap between Romanticism and modern horror, reflecting the period's fascination with botanical symbolism and moral corruption. This text serves as a crucial precursor to his later masterpiece, illustrating his early mastery of blending delicate beauty with encroaching supernatural malice.